By Message Staff SLIDELL – A Louisiana Baptist church is searching for answers after a fire destroyed most of the building last week. Pastor Frank Treme received a phone call from a church member around 10:30 pm on Oct. 22 that Bayou Baptist Church in Slidell could be on fire. When he arrived on the scene, about a mile from his home, several firetrucks already were battling the blaze. The New Orleans Advocate newspaper cautioned that it is too soon to declare arson as the cause, however, Treme said he believes the blaze was intentionally set. “It’s hard for everybody in our church,” Treme said. “This is devastating. It’s not bad enough they violated and burglarized parts of our building but why did they have to put a fire to it?” Treme said the insurance company has not yet made a determination about the extent of damage, but he believes it will be a total loss. The fire destroyed a part of the building that houses classrooms, a nursery and the kitchen. The sanctuary did not burn to the ground but the interior sustained enough damage from smoke that Treme is doubtful it can be saved. Regardless, Treme is certain the church will rebuild. While they look for a location to build, the congregation also will be … [Read more...]
TRUSTEES: NOBTS approves 5-year strategic plan
By Gary D Myers, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary public relations NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees approved a five-year strategic plan for the seminary and voted to establish a new extension center in Columbus, Ga., during their fall meeting. Seminary President Chuck Kelley also shared news of the record enrollment of 3,952 students. In his report to trustees, Kelley recounted the ways in which God provided for the seminary following Hurricane Katrina. In the 10 years after the storm NOBTS has witnessed the restoration of the campus and the launch of numerous new programs and scholarship initiatives, he said. For Kelley, the most exciting post-Katrina news came at the end of this summer when he learned of the record-setting enrollment of students during the 2014-2015 school year. Kelley said the Katrina experience helped the seminary learn to be a more resilient institution. Defining resilience as "the ability to continue when normal dramatically changes," Kelley listed four keys to NOBTS resiliency: a comprehensive curriculum (featuring both traditional and distinctive programs); multiple delivery systems (main campus, extension, online, mentoring, travel courses); enhanced … [Read more...]
New Orleans & Mid-America offer missionary housing
By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary public relations NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- In a show of support for International Mission Board missionaries returning home as part of the IMB’s plans to address revenue shortfalls, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has announced that 10 campus housing units will be available to returning missionaries rent-free. The seminary also announced a campus-wide special IMB offering set for Nov. 3 during the annual Global Missions Week at NOBTS. David Platt, IMB president and an NOBTS alumnus, will speak in chapel that day. "We have been saddened to hear of the financial crisis at the IMB and have been praying daily for the IMB and our missionaries who are faced with difficult decisions,” NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke said. “But we wanted also to do something tangible to be of help, and taking this offering and providing this housing are some things we can add to our prayers to help our missionaries in this time of transition." Platt announced on Aug. 27 that a reduction of 600-800 IMB staff and field personnel is necessary to reach a balanced budget. The mission board projects a $21 million shortfall this year, adding to several consecutive years of shortfalls totaling … [Read more...]
LC’s “Write or Recite” competition draws 58 entrants; Jada Ford wins
By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE - Inspired by her English teacher at Avoyelles Public Charter School, senior Jada Ford of Marksville won the grand prize at Louisiana College’s “Write or Recite” competition, Oct. 15. Sponsored by LC’s Division of Humanities, the contest “provided a venue for young writers to share their creative work with others who share their love of language,” said Dr. Cheryl Clark, chair of the division. “Ultimately, we wanted to provide a space for these students to be publicly honored and rewarded for their efforts because we believe encouraging young writers is an important part of our role as educators.” The contest garnered submissions from public, private and home schools in the region. “We had many nicely crafted pieces, so the selection process for the finalists was difficult,” Clark said. “The great participation not only speaks to the talent of Louisiana students, but it also speaks to the dedication of our high school teachers. We are really pleased with the outcome of the event and are already making plans for next year’s event.” Ford, who won a $1,000 scholarship to LC and an iPad, said she intends to enroll at LC next year. When asked … [Read more...]
FIRST-PERSON: Why theology matters
By Matt Capps, Pastor, Fairview Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC RALEIGH, N.C. (BP) -- Have you ever heard someone in your church dismissively say, "Theology isn't for me" or "I don't think theology is important; we just need to love Jesus and love people"? While I understand the sentiment behind these statements, as a pastor it grieves me. Though many people in the church see theology as an abstract academic discipline with no bearing on the day-to-day Christian life, theology is inescapable. Simply put, every Christian is a theologian. Every Christian, by definition, knows God, thinks about God and makes statements about God. The very word "theology" means a word (logos) about God (theos). Christian theology is simply talking about God in a distinctly Christian way based on the Scriptures. And if everyone is a theologian, the central question becomes: Is his or her theology distinctly Christian? Recent findings give cause for concern. True theology points to God LifeWay Research recently studied the theological knowledge of 3,000 adult Americans. The study focused on key theological areas of the faith and revealed several areas where many Americans differ from historic, orthodox Christianity. Almost half (45 … [Read more...]
Sunrise CEO: Appeals court ruling a ‘win’
By Robin Cornetet, Kentucky Today MOUNT WASHINGTON, Ky. (BP) -- The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has sent a case involving a Kentucky Baptist children's ministry back to federal district court for further review in a move the group's chief executive officer describes as a win for the non-profit ministry that serves hundreds of abused and neglected kids. "This case has been going on for 16 years and Sunrise is ready to turn the page," Dale Suttles, chief executive officer of Sunrise Children's Services, said. "We have 750 kids who have faced some of the most terrible things imaginable. We need to focus instead on making a difference in their lives." A three-judge Sixth Circuit panel, in a 2-1 decision, vacated a 2013 ruling singling out Sunrise for monitoring by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Americans United for Separation of Church and State Oct. 6. The panel questioned whether the 15-page settlement, agreed to by the plaintiffs and the state, but not Sunrise, was fair. Sunrise attorney John Sheller argued in the appeal that the burden of extra scrutiny by the ACLU and Americans United imposes unique reputational harm. The Sixth Circuit judges did not indicate whether the lower court's ruling was … [Read more...]
Church of Lucifer to open in the heart of Bible Belt
By Gregory Tomlin, Christian Examiner SPRING, Texas (Christian Examiner) – The first "Greater Church of Lucifer" will open later this month in a Houston suburb and just in time for Halloween, organizers of the venture have said. According to organizer "Jacob No," a nom du guerre, the church will open in an aged house in Old Town Spring to offer people a different kind of "church experience." "We do not have a preacher. We do not have somebody saying this is the way it has to be, that you have to live this way," No told Houston's KPRC, but without facing the camera. "We're giving a platform for people to explore themselves with ultimate freedom, to be able to look in the mirror and say I understand you better." The church insists it is not a Satanist church – that is, a church that worships Satan – because they are imitating, rather than worshipping Lucifer, the traditional name ascribed to the angel that rebelled against God and took a third of the angels with him. To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]
Luter challenges worshippers to read Bible, follow its rules at National African American Fellowship Kingdom Symposium
By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press PHILADELPHIA (BP) -- Christians can lead holy lives by the same power the Apostle Paul called on in his struggle between the flesh and the Spirit recorded in Romans 7, immediate past Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter told worshippers at a Philadelphia gathering of black Southern Baptist pastors and leaders. "The reason Southern Baptists … I am convinced that we can win this battle is because of this fact. You're not fighting this battle on your own. You're not fighting this battle under your own strength," Luter said in the Sept. 30 keynote sermon of the National African American Fellowship Kingdom Symposium at Nazarene Baptist Church. "The reason we can win this battle … is because of the Jesus that's in you, because of the power of Christ that is in you." Luter's sermon, "The Super Bowl for Your Soul," capped presentations by seven other pastors and denominational leaders at the event hosted by NAAF president and Nazarene Baptist Church Pastor K. Marshall Williams Sept. 29–30 at the church in the historic Germantown community. "Living Holy and Clean in 2015: What shall we say to these things?" was the symposium theme. "The enemy is after your mind, your marriage, your … [Read more...]
EXCLUSIVE: Football coach says he will defy school’s prayer ban
By Todd Starnes, Fox News BREMERTON, Wash. (Christian Examiner) - There's a scene in the great football film "Facing the Giants" when the coach decides to implement a new coaching philosophy – to praise God no matter what the result. Joe Kennedy, a football coach at Bremerton High School in Washington, was so inspired by the film he decided to embrace that philosophy – knowing that to do so could cost him his job. I'll explain why in just a few more paragraphs. Kennedy, a Desert Storm and Desert Shield combat veteran, made national headlines in September after the Bremerton School District launched an investigation into his post-game prayer. To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]
Macel Falwell, Jerry Falwell’s wife, dies at 82
By Joni B Hannigan, Christian Examiner LYNCHBURG, Va. (Christian Examiner) - Macel Pate Falwell, 82, who described herself as "a prim and proper lady who'd been raised in the arms of a protective Christian family" before marrying Jerry Falwell, has died. The Falwells were married April 12, 1958, and were married for 49 years. The Rev. Jerry Falwell, founder of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, died in 2007. They are survived by two sons and a daughter: Jerry Falwell Jr., Jonathan Falwell, and Jeannie Falwell Savas -- and their families. A memorial page appears on the website of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia today. To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]
