When the Soviet Union collapsed, doors long shut opened for gospel witness - and Christian workers flooded into that part of the world. Now, some of those doors are threatening to close. When the Soviet Union collapsed, doors long shut opened for gospel witness - and Christian workers flooded into that part of the world. Now, some of those doors are threatening to close. Croatia is the latest post-communist country in Europe and Central Asia to propose a religion law that gives preferred status to majority religious groups. Leaders suggest the latest draft of the proposed law gives minority religious communities - including Baptists - a second-class status under the majority Roman Catholic Church. The bill makes a distinction between established "historical religions" and newer groups, similar to religion laws elsewhere in the region. Croatias proposed law is to be presented to parliament this spring. The latest draft recognizes the Catholic Church, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Jewish communities, the Islamic community, the Lutheran Church and the Reformed Church as historical churches. Other bodies in existence at the time the law is … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of December 4, 2003 Correction In the Nov. 13 issue of the Baptist Message, a cutline referred to Alexandria attorney Jean Pharis as "retired." Pharis actually continues an active law practice with Pharis Law Offices in Alexandria. Convention finances A third of state Baptist conventions this fall reduced their budgets for next year in order to address declines in giving by churches. Financial cutbacks were approved by messengers in Georgia, Illinois, Kansas-Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, New England, New York and West Virginia. Despite the budget decrease in Louisiana, messengers voted to raise the Southern Baptist Convention allotment for the first time since 1988 by a quarter-percent. Others raising the national convention allotment included Nevada Baptists (quarter percent), New York Baptists (half percent) and Pennsylvania/South Jersey Baptists (0.1 percent). Meanwhile, California, lowered the portion it will send the national body from 30 percent to 27 percent. Vote against materials During their recent annual … [Read more...]
The world is coming to this church – literally
Some congregations spend years trying to discern the Lords will - but leaders of Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Bedford, Texas, say God simply laid it in their hands. Some congregations spend years trying to discern the Lords will - but leaders of Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Bedford, Texas, say God simply laid it in their hands. In July 2000, a Brazilian church started a trend when it asked to share the facilities of Woodland Heights Baptist Church. Soon, a Korean church did the same. Later, a 50-member Chinese church would come to use the buildings, too. Now, Sudanese people are coming to services and may start a church on the premises soon as well. "This has not been in our plan," Woodland Heights pastor Doug Riggs says. "Its not something we set out to do necessarily. But its something God laid in our hands." Riggs acknowledges he was not used to working in a multicultural setting. Yet, he says he has been willing to learn. One thing he has learned is that a host church must be willing to treat the other congregations as equals. While the leaders interact and encourage each other, the congregations essentially … [Read more...]
The gift of Christmas – the wonder of Christmas-giving
Note: The following is the first of three devotionals by the Baptist Message in preparation for the Christmas season. It was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson. It is one of those typical Christmas Day home videos from some largely forgot-ten past year. Note: The following is the first of three devotionals by the Baptist Message in preparation for the Christmas season. It was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson. It is one of those typical Christmas Day home videos from some largely forgot-ten past year. The boy is young - perhaps five - and the center of attention. He is surrounded by his mother and grandparents. He sits on the floor in pajamas, opening presents. His mother slides a box almost as big as the boy across the floor to him. "Open that one. Its from me." The boys eyes widen. "What is it?" The mother shakes her head. "Open it." As the boy tears into the paper, the mother and grandmother begin talking. The camera holds the boy centerframe, but their conversation can be heard from the edge. They do not see the drama unfolding. The boy has largely … [Read more...]
Great preachers do not neglect the issues that really matter
A minister retired after spending more than 40 years in one pastorate. A reporter interviewed him for a feature article and asked the secret of his long tenure. He answered: "In 40 years, I have never preached on a controversial subject." Note: The following article is the sixth in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer A minister retired after spending more than 40 years in one pastorate. A reporter interviewed him for a feature article and asked the secret of his long tenure. He answered: "In 40 years, I have never preached on a controversial subject." Personally, I should not like to be in that brothers sandals at the judgement seat of Christ! Great preachers speak to the burning issues of their time. Clyde Fant and Bill Pinson came to one over-arching conclusion at the end of their … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of December 4, 2003 Potpourri PINEVILLE - Alpine church: Mike Bullock and Men of Music in concert; Dec. 4, 7 p.m.; Sammy Morrow, pastor. Revivals LOGANSPORT - Mt. Olivet church: Dec. 7-10, 7 p.m.; Steve James, evangelist; Price Harris, music; Dennis LaFleur, pastor. Christmas Programs DENHAM SPRINGS - Live Oak church: "Its Christmas" musical/drama; Dec. 14, 5 p.m. with fellowship to follow; Dec. 15, 7 p.m.; Mark Rodgers, music minister; Howard Turner, pastor. PINEVILLE - Trinity church: " Fear Not" musical; Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; Davy Funderburk, minister of music; Darryl Hoychick, pastor. SHREVEPORT - Morningside church: "Ill Be Home For Christmas" musical; Dec. 14, 2 p.m.; Larry Wheeler, worship leader; Donnie Lodatto, pastor. SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: Childrens choir presents "A Sheppards Story,"Dec. 7, 6 p.m.; Kim Ward and Julie Wright, directors; youth choir presents "The Perfect Gift," Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; Mark and Dina Stone, directors; Marty J. Wright, pastor. BOGALUSA - Superior Avenue church: "Glory to God" musical; Dec. 7-8, 6 p.m.; John Herring, minister of music; J. T. … [Read more...]
Poll – a sizable generation gap exists in America on major moral issues
A sizeable generation gap exists on nearly every major moral issue in America today, a new poll by the Barna Research Group shows. On issues such as premarital sex, living together before marriage and even pornography, a double-digit gap exists between those ages 18-38 and those ages 39 and older. Smaller gaps exist on other issues. A sizeable generation gap exists on nearly every major moral issue in America today, a new poll by the Barna Research Group shows. On issues such as premarital sex, living together before marriage and even pornography, a double-digit gap exists between those ages 18-38 and those ages 39 and older. Smaller gaps exist on other issues. For example, 75 percent of those ages 18-19 believe that living together before marriage is morally acceptable. Sixty percent of those ages 39-57 and 41 percent of those ages 58 and up share that same belief. The poll of 1,024 adults asked persons about 10 key issues. Among other findings, it reveals a wide gap between the beliefs of the general population and evangelicals. The younger generations are significantly more accepting of the behaviors than are the older … [Read more...]
Reaching current generation will require changing ways, planting many seeds, prof says
The woman in the video spoke freely about God. As Lindsey took a puff from her cigarette, she explained that God was everywhere and in everything, including the cigarette she was smoking. The woman in the video spoke freely about God. As Lindsey took a puff from her cigarette, she explained that God was everywhere and in everything, including the cigarette she was smoking. The 22-year-old woman told of trying Catholic and Baptist churches, Buddhist temples and aura readings but finding nothing compelling in organized religion. She agreed the Bible has good morals but denied its absolute truth. The beliefs of the young woman filmed on the streets of New Orleans are common among those the church is trying to reach today, said Will McRaney, associate professor of evangelism at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. And if the church is to grow, it must find a way to reach people like Lindsey, McRaney said during a recent church growth conference held on the seminary campus. True church growth only will come through personal evangelism, McRaney insisted. However, because of the changes in culture, previous methods of evangelism are not effective with the current one, he … [Read more...]
Have you noticed – men and women really are different
Have you noticed men and women are different? Startling insight - ranks right up there with the revelation that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but I do not expect to make a bestseller out of this. Have you noticed men and women are different? Startling insight - ranks right up there with the revelation that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but I do not expect to make a bestseller out of this. Still, as a slow learner and a fast "forgetter," the particulars of the differences have recently been reenforced for me. For instance, a woman will chose a clean flower bed over her husband having a clean boat. A man had rather have a trolling motor that raises and lowers smoothly than to have the back screen door open and close freely. Given two hours of non-scheduled time, a man will chose to oil and spool properly every fishing reel on the place while a woman would rather he invest those hours manicuring the yard. A man sees the strategic nature of cleaning and oiling his deer rifle, but a woman would rather him clean the oil off the carport floor and clear a crawl space into the carport storage area so the family can get out the … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of December 11, 2003 Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled more than $15.9 million last month, a decrease of $202,847 (1.3 percent) from the previous November. Two months into the conventions fiscal year, overall gifts total almost $31.7 million, an increase of about $1.8 million (5.9 percent) from the same time last year. The total also stands about $1.1 million (3.7 percent) ahead of budget. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled almost $4.7 million last month, an increase of $1.2 million (33.6 percent) from the previous November. The two-month tally totals about $8.1 million, an increase of $1.8 million (28.8 percent) from the same time last year. Bible study cartoons Louisiana Baptist pastor Joe McKeever has announced the availability of cartoons for use in conjunction with the Winter Bible Study on I and II Timothy. McKeever is pastor at First Baptist Church of Kenner and a featured cartoonist in the Baptist Message and other state Baptist newspapers from time to time. While Winter Bible Study cartoons have been available by mail in previous years, McKeever said this years selections may be viewed and downloaded at … [Read more...]