With less than two weeks remaining in the 2003 Louisiana legislative session, the focus has become clearer, Ken Ward said.   There are a few good bills that need to pass - and a few bad bills that need to fail, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. With less than two weeks remaining in the 2003 Louisiana legislative session, the focus has become clearer, Ken Ward said.   There are a few good bills that need to pass - and a few bad bills that need to fail, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation.   "This is a good news-bad news deal," Ward said. "The Legislature must adjourn on June 23, which leaves little time for acting on issues.   "The good news is there still is time for those concerned about the moral climate of the state to help pass a few good bills that are needed.   "The bad news is there is still time left for some of the really bad bills also to make it through," Ward explained.   In upcoming weeks, there will be time to celebrate the victories and lament the losses of the session, Ward said.   "But it is important now to focus on what more can be done by … [Read more...]

Hats off to David Crosby, Baptist Retirement Center trustee, for his solitary stand at the recent board meeting. (May 29, 2003, Louisiana Baptist Message). Hats off to David Crosby, Baptist Retirement Center trustee, for his solitary stand at the recent board meeting. (May 29, 2003, Louisiana Baptist Message).   Apparently, he understands that without support of the local community, the Baptist Retirement Center will not likely become an institution that Louisiana Baptists will want to "but into."   It is First Baptist Church of Arcadia that, since the center first opened in 1959, has continuously provided Sunday School teachers, worship and Bible study leaders, musicians, visitation ministers and countless volunteers for other resident ministries. That local support is far more valuable than mere knowledge of the center in other areas of the state.   Continuing to alienate local citizens - Baptists included - by way of ill-advised changes to the bylaws does not bode well for the Baptist Retirement Center. Furthermore, although the Baptist Retirement Center is non-profit, it is not a "charity" facility. The care of every resident is paid for either from private funds, Medicare or … [Read more...]

For the edition published June 12, 2003 Potpourri   • DEQUINCY - First church: The Three Sopranos present mini concert; June 22, 6:30 p.m.; Byron Comish, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - McClendon church: Legacy 5 in concert; June 26, 7 p.m.; tickets are $12/seating is reserved; call (318) 322-2782 for ticket information; Rick Crandall, pastor.   Youth   • NEW ORLEANS - Oak Park church: All State Youth Choir to present concert; June 26, 7 p.m.; Paul Brady, pastor.   • BLANCHARD - First church: Youth choir presents "Where Jesus Is;" June 25, 6:30 p.m.; Steve Moore, minister of worship; James D. Hill, pastor.   • BOSSIER CITY - Airline church: "Splash Kindgom, Come Meet the Lifesaver;" June 15, 6:30 p.m.; Joy Falkner, director; Harrell F. Shelton, associate pastor.   • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: LifeRoads Youth Camp; for grades 7-12; June 22, 2 p.m. - June 27, 9:30 a.m.; Glen Whatley, guest speaker; Davy Funderburk, music; $90/per person; to register or for information, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   Revivals   • WATERPROOF - First church: June 16-21, 7 p.m. nightly; Kelly Clark, evangelist; Curtis Smith, … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists set another record in giving to their 2002 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which closed the books at the end of May.   However, the offering still fell short of the $125 million goal, complicating a Southern Baptist International Mission Board financial situation already stressed by declining investment income and a rapidly-increasing missionary force. Southern Baptists set another record in giving to their 2002 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which closed the books at the end of May.   However, the offering still fell short of the $125 million goal, complicating a Southern Baptist International Mission Board financial situation already stressed by declining investment income and a rapidly-increasing missionary force.   As a result, board leaders announced their intention to move ahead with plans to restrict the number of new missionaries appointed to overseas service.   Overall, Southern Baptist churches gave $115,015,216 to the annual offering, a record high and an increase of $1.3 million (1.2 percent) from the previous year.   "We are grateful Southern Baptists have a heart for missions and continue to give so faithfully and generously to … [Read more...]

Leading Muslim organizations say it is time for Americans to stop using the phrase "Judeo-Christian" when describing the values and character that define the United States.   They say better choices would be either "Judeo-Christian-Islamic" or "Abrahamic," the latter referring to Abraham, the patriarch shared by the three religions. Leading Muslim organizations say it is time for Americans to stop using the phrase "Judeo-Christian" when describing the values and character that define the United States.   They say better choices would be either "Judeo-Christian-Islamic" or "Abrahamic," the latter referring to Abraham, the patriarch shared by the three religions.   The new language should be used "in all venues where we normally talk about Judeo-Christian values, starting with the media, academia, statements by politicians and comments made in churches, synagogues and other places," said Agha Saeed, founder and chair of the American Muslim Alliance.   Other national groups supporting a change include the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim American Society and the American Muslim Council.   The budding movement is largely unformed, and religion … [Read more...]

When an established vice president of a successful company confided to Kent Humphreys that he felt a call to enter the ministry, Humphreys quickly responded, "You are already in the ministry."   Since then, the successful vice president has led several businessmen to the Lord as a result of using his workplace as a platform to share the gospel. [Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ]   When an established vice president of a successful company confided to Kent Humphreys that he felt a call to enter the ministry, Humphreys quickly responded, "You are already in the ministry."   Since then, the successful vice president has led several businessmen to the Lord as a result of using his workplace as a platform to share the gospel.   A Southern Baptist from Oklahoma, Humphreys has worked in his family business for 25 years. He says his job has been a platform for sharing the gospel to thousands of top executives.   Humphreys is part of a growing movement among Christian workplace leaders across the nation who desire to use their businesses as a means of sharing the gospel.   "I have never seen the Spirit of God moving like I have seen in the past few months regarding … [Read more...]

They go into the workplace as servants   When Marketplace Ministries was founded in December 1983, a 1973 Datsun functioned as the organization’s headquarters.   The initial budget for the ministry was $25. Gil Stricklin was the ministry’s founder, administrator, accountant and public relations coordinator. [Part 1 ] [ Part 3 ]   They go into the workplace as servants   When Marketplace Ministries was founded in December 1983, a 1973 Datsun functioned as the organization’s headquarters.   The initial budget for the ministry was $25. Gil Stricklin was the ministry’s founder, administrator, accountant and public relations coordinator.   Today, Marketplace Ministries offers corporate chaplaincy services to secular businesses in 36 states and has about 1,178 full-time, part-time and backup chaplains caring for 250,000 people. The chaplains make about 900 work site visits per week to places ranging from banks to construction sites.   However, the majority of the work accomplished is done away from the work site, says Stricklin, an alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. "The chaplains become a pastor to people who have no … [Read more...]

Faith at work: Even in the midst of increased religious diversity in American life, more and more Christians are looking at the workplace as a logical place to impact the lives of others through the ministry and witness of the gospel   During a recent lunch hour, eight men and women sit around a conference table, reading the Gospel of John together. [Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ]   Faith at work: Even in the midst of increased religious diversity in American life, more and more Christians are looking at the workplace as a logical place to impact the lives of others through the ministry and witness of the gospel   During a recent lunch hour, eight men and women sit around a conference table, reading the Gospel of John together.   In between bites of sandwiches and sips of soda, they discuss the tale of the blind man to whom Jesus restored sight. From the many bookmarks and highlighted passages in their Bibles, it is clear the people in this group take faith seriously.   But this is not a Sunday School class. The participants in this Bible study are co-workers at a sheet-metal fabrication plant. The leader is company vice president.   Accu-Fab Inc. of Raleigh, … [Read more...]

One can blame the shrinking church and denominational dollar simply on the economy, unemployment, other religious groups pirating denominational giving, or several other apparent depleting elements. These play a part, but the bottom line truth is this: there are fewer tithers in our churches, and there are more churches choosing to keep a greater percentage of their money. One can blame the shrinking church and denominational dollar simply on the economy, unemployment, other religious groups pirating denominational giving, or several other apparent depleting elements. These play a part, but the bottom line truth is this: there are fewer tithers in our churches, and there are more churches choosing to keep a greater percentage of their money.   If a church does not teach, preach and practice Christian stewardship, it fails to address one of its members’ greatest needs. In a society flooded with materialism, how is the Christian to conduct his financial affairs to keep from being owned by his things? How is a person to handle his or her money in a way pleasing to God? If a church fails to address these matters regularly, it fails its members. Period. Certainly Jesus understood the perils of materialism … [Read more...]

For the week of June 19, 2003 To Iraq - a ‘gift of love’ A 2.4-million-pound "gift of love" is on its way to hungry Iraqi families, thanks to the generosity of Southern Baptists. Since April, churches from across the county have been filling 70-pound boxes with various staples to feed a family of five for about one month. Now, the packages have arrived at ports to be shipped overseas. "I can’t thank Southern Baptists enough, ..." said Jim Brown, director of world hunger and relief ministries at the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. "Everyone pitched in." Donors spent about $2 million filling these boxes, creating a mass of food exceeding the weight of more than 590 full-size trucks. The boxes are stamped with John 1:17 and a greeting from Southern Baptists . They will be delivered specifically to hungry families rather than being mass-distributed at a refugee camp. "This project will help aid workers build and sustain credible relationships with new Iraqi friends, relationships I believe God will honor and bless in his way and his time," Brown said. Churches still can contribute to the effort by sending gifts. Checks should be designated "World Hunger Fund" and made payable to the International Mission … [Read more...]