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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

As the church regathers

By Waylon Bailey Soon churches in America will regather for public worship. We can all be thankful that we have done our best to be good citizens who cooperated with those in authority to “flatten the curve” and not overwhelm our healthcare professionals. We can be very proud to have been a part of that. But now we have the monumental task of doing things that go against our nature and all that we have learned. Not only do we have to refrain from a “holy kiss,” we also have to refrain from what we have taught our sons about a firm handshake. Churches and schools have been greatly affected and will require creative ways to fulfill their mission. Thankfully, I can let other professionals deal with how to open schools safely and to do a high quality job of education. Think with me about the church. What will we need to do this? I can’t say it more simply. We will need God. More than anything, we will need to be completely open to God to see how He will lead. I almost want to write “reimagine,” but we don’t have to reimagine church. God will lead His people. We must be open to God’s Spirit as He shows us how to regather and how to effectively serve our communities. We must adapt, and we must be adaptable. … [Read more...]

State guidance: Conducting memorial services during COVID-19 crisis

By the Office of the Louisiana Department of Justice BATON ROUGE, La. (LDOJ)--This guidance is designed to assist those handling memorial services during the COVID-19 emergency in light of Proclamation 38 JBE 2020 issued on March 31, 2020. If possible, conduct direct burial or cremation, with a memorial service for the deceased to follow after the COVID-19 risks have abated. It is crucial for interments or cremations to continue during this emergency because the remains cannot continue to take up much-needed storage space while families wait for the ability to conduct a full commemoration service. Under Louisiana law (la. R.S. 8:651), burials or cremations must occur “within a reasonable time” after death. A reasonable time during this emergency, pursuant to CDC guidance, is three (3) days. If this short delay is impractical, final disposition may occur later, but must occur within 10 days if the remains have been properly embalmed or refrigerated. If embalming or refrigeration has not occurred, Louisiana law mandates burial or cremation within 30 hours (La. R.S. 37:848(D)). If some memorial must be held during the stay-at-home and social distancing periods, then: Funeral services (at the place of worship or … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist churches look to adapt, again

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer FOREST HILL, La. (LBM)--Louisiana Baptist churches soon will reopen their doors, and Elwood Baptist Church in Forest Hill is among the congregations considering how to adapt, yet again. Pastor Michael Evans told the Baptist Message that drive-in services have been so well received by his members and guests that these might continue, even when Sunday morning services resume in the worship center. Elwood Baptist has averaged 50 vehicles at drive-in services, and has drawn an average of 100 views for the Facebook Live broadcast of worship services. The congregation averaged 125 in the pews on Sunday mornings in early March. “Some can’t come in for various reasons, and may be reluctant to come inside a building with others at first,” Evans said. “Jesus said to go to highways and byways and compel them to come in. This alternative has been a great way to reach others in a new way.” The church also has used other methods to maintain connection with its members and prospects. Elwood posts on its Facebook page a devotional every Tuesday and Friday evening, and utilizes a phone bank to send 60-second messages. The congregation also has formed caravans of 15-20 vehicles to pass by the … [Read more...]

NOBTS: ‘God will use this time,’ seminary brothers say

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS, La. - For Joe and Graham Waller - brothers as well as New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary students - moving to online classes during the stay-at-home mandate is bringing adjustments and lessons. Graham, blind since childhood, continues with his Leavell College classes online, listening to lectures in two classes and logging in for voice lessons via social media. Joe, a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) student in theology, sees advantages in the all-online format such as a sense of togetherness in classroom discussion now that everyone is online rather than a few joining as distance-learners. Both know the times are filled with uncertainty. For Graham, the isolation brings some loneliness. He misses interacting with others on campus and at his volunteer job at New Orleans' WWII Museum, a favorite pastime that fits with his love of history. For Joe, his on campus job is "on hold." Still, Joe and Graham believe God is at work. "My mom is always saying, 'God doesn't waste anything,'" Graham said. "He's going to use this somehow." Author of the book of poetry "As I Learn to Walk," Joe penned the poem "At The End" weeks before the outbreak, a reminder to … [Read more...]