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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Vice President Pence to address SBC

By Baptist Press staff DALLAS (BP) – Vice President Mike Pence will address the Southern Baptist Convention on Wednesday (June 13). The announcement of Pence's 11 a.m. address to messengers and invited guests at the June 12-13 annual meeting in Dallas was made by SBC President Steve Gaines and Grant Ethridge, chairman of the convention's Committee on Order of Business, in a joint press release today (June 11). "We are excited to announce Vice President Mike Pence will be attending this year's SBC annual meeting to express appreciation to Southern Baptists for the contributions we make to the moral fabric of our nation," Gaines said. Southern Baptist leaders estimate the number of messengers from the convention's cooperating churches may approach 11,000 with an additional 4,000 invited guests on the final day of the two-day convention. "It's an honor to welcome Vice President Pence," Ethridge said. "While the Southern Baptist Convention aligns itself with no political party, our program recognizes and honors local, state and national leaders in keeping with 1 Timothy 2:1–2" (1) Strict security measures will be in place prior to Pence's arrival at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Doors to the … [Read more...]

Abraham: Planned Parenthood covered up child sex abuse; calls for investigation

By Office of Congressman Ralph Abraham WASHINGTON  – Congressman Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, joined Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and other members of Congress in calling for an investigation into Planned Parenthood’s failure to report the suspected sexual abuse of minors in their care. A recent study by Live Action compiled court cases, state health department reports and testimonials from former Planned Parenthood employees that highlight multiple instances where Planned Parenthood failed to report suspected sexual abuse of minors in their care. Planned Parenthood is the largest recipient of Title X family planning funds – about $60 million annually. However, federal law requires Title X recipients to report suspected child sexual abuse, rape and incest. Dr. Abraham, Hartzler, Ernst and 53 other members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sec. Alex Azar on Thursday requesting that HHS investigate the reporting failures to determine whether Planned Parenthood is compliant with the law. “Despite the evidence that reporting problems seem to be a pervasive part of the organization’s culture, Planned Parenthood facilities continue to receive … [Read more...]

Trust and partnership – a recovery program for the SBC

By Randy Adams The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) needs a recovery program.  Followers of Jesus, including those who lead, are not exempt from addiction to power, money, and sex, and we have been reminded of this with jarring frequency over the past few weeks and months.  Deep wounds caused by multiple failures are now festering from infection.  Added to the more public matters is a sick hubris that has caused some to weaponize money and leadership, intentionally hurting others, certain that they are smarter, wiser, or better than “them.”  Much of the focus has been on the resignation of leaders and the firing of a seminary president, and rightly so, but perhaps worse than the headlines is our deficit of trust and partnership that has grown as large as the national debt.  Although trust and partnership have been eroded in multiple ways, the serious erosion of cooperation and trust between the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and denominational partners has led to a collapse in the numbers of churches started and the number of new believers baptized. Many think that we are in the midst of a church planting boom in the SBC.  We are not.  In the past two years we have tallied the lowest number of new church starts in … [Read more...]