Protestations by the Louisiana College board of trustees that the new textbook selection policy contains nothing to fear is reminiscent of Dr. Jerry Rankin’s promise that missionaries would not be required to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Protestations by the Louisiana College board of trustees that the new textbook selection policy contains nothing to fear is reminiscent of Dr. Jerry Rankin’s promise that missionaries would not be required to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. I’m sure we all remember the firings, forced resignations and forced early retirements of missionaries who refused to sign that creed.   Superficially, the textbook selection policy seems innocuous, but "appropriate in context and purpose" statement is a real Trojan horse. Textbooks supporting viewpoints "recognized by others in the discipline as appropriate for the subject matter" - but which disagree with the trustees’ narrow interpretation of the Bible - will simply be excluded using the "appropriate in context and purpose" provision. Precedent at other Southern Baptist institutions controlled by ultraconservatives strongly suggests that the trustees’ personal opinions will prevail - and opposition will fall on … [Read more...]

For the week of January 8, 2004 Potpourri   • HAYNESVILLE - First church: Men's Wild Game Supper; Jan. 10, 6 p.m.; Gene Hoyt and David Fortenberry, guest speakers; free; call (318) 624-0214 for reservations; Shelby Cowling, pastor.   • JACKSON - Judson center: Valentine's Couple's Retreat; Feb. 13-14; $100 per couple; limited to 19 couples; Donald and Margaret Davis, retreat leaders; to register, call (888) 490-8263; Debbie and Eugene Morris, camp managers.   • BOYCE - St. Clair church: Brian Free and Assurance in concert; Jan. 9, 7 p.m.; Joey Rudisill, pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - Louisiana Convention Center: Louisiana Agricultural Missions Fellowship Annual Meeting; Jan. 17, 9:30 a.m. registration; $10 catered luncheon; Jim Wagoner, guest speaker; to register, call Tracey Ostrander at (318) 448-3402; or email tracey.ostrander.@lbc.org.   • PINEVILLE - Kingsville church: Hot Hearts Student Conference; Jan. 30, 5:30 p.m. registration; Jan. 31, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.; 7th grade and up; Neil McClendon, guest speaker; Stephen Smith Band, musical guest; $18 per person, after Jan. 9, cost is $25; to register, call Brian South at (318) 640-1019; Jim Spencer, … [Read more...]

A study committee has recommended that the Southern Baptist Convention withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance, primarily due to theological concerns. A study committee has recommended that the Southern Baptist Convention withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance, primarily due to theological concerns.   Meanwhile, a Baptist World Alliance leader has said such a move would represent "a sin against love" and a "triumph of ideology over doctrine."   Even so, the decision about Southern Baptists’ future in the alliance now rests with convention leaders and messengers. The SBC Executive Committee will consider the matter in February. If approved there, it will go to the annual convention in June, where messengers will determine the final action to be taken.   It is likely the decision to leave the Baptist World Alliance will be approved at both points.   In proposing the move, the ongoing convention study committee cited theological concerns as the core reason. The proposal accuses the alliance of questioning biblical inerrancy, promoting women as pastors and downplaying the doctrine of salvation only through Jesus Christ.   "Continuing to allow presentations that call … [Read more...]

A recent survey by the Barna Research Group indicates a biblical worldview really does make a difference. Unfortunately, the research also shows that few American adults have one. A recent survey by the Barna Research Group indicates a biblical worldview really does make a difference.   Unfortunately, the research also shows that few American adults have one.   A survey of 2,003 American adults found that just 4 percent have a biblical worldview. Also, only 9 percent of those categorized as born-again Christians have a biblical worldview, researcher George Barna said.   "Worldview" is a term used to describe the belief system by which a person understands or makes decisions about the world.   One of the prominent current worldviews is postmodernism - a belief system that rejects the notion of absolute truth. This often is expressed in the statement - "That may be true for you, but it’s not true for me."   Not surprisingly, the Barna research found that adults without a biblical worldview and those with such a worldview had vastly different views of immoral and unethical behavior. For instance, those without a biblical worldview were:   • About 100 … [Read more...]

For the week of January 15, 2004 Louisiana gathering   The Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship has scheduled its annual meeting for Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. at the Baptist Building in Alexandria. The gathering is set to conclude with a luncheon, catered at a cost of about $10 per person. Scheduled speaker is Jim Wagoner, agricultural missionary to Oaxaco, Mexico, who will report on projects accomplished with $7,000 in funding from the state fellowship. Fellowship members also plan to discuss future funding for the Oaxaco missions effort and talk about the feasibility of a small number of members to travel to Oaxaco in 2004. Members also will be informed on volunteer ministries projects underway in the state. Those planning to attend are asked to contact Tracey Ostrander at (800) 622-6549 or (318) 448-3402 or via e-mail at tracey.ostrander@lbc.org.   Cooperative Program   Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled more than $13.5 million last month, an increase of more than $1.1 million (9.2 percent) from the previous December. Three months into the convention’s fiscal year, overall gifts total $45.2 million, an increase of $2.9 million (6.9 percent) from … [Read more...]

The arrival of 2004 means one thing for the American political world - it is another presidential election year. The arrival of 2004 means one thing for the American political world - it is another presidential election year.   The pundits already are at the door - and on the airwaves - predicting, speculating, postulating and posturing as well.   Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson already has announced he believes President George Bush has a divine mandate and will win in a cakewalk.   Others have agreed in principle, voicing concern about whether Democrats can field a viable candidate.   Still others note that with the economy recovering and Saddam Hussein in custody, there are few issues that can hurt the sitting president in his quest for a second term.   Is it that certain?   Well, if a new O’Leary Report/Zogby International poll is any indication, the answer is an emphatic "no."   Based on the findings of the poll, researchers are predicting a deeply-divided presidential race.   Why?   The answer is simple - because the United States is a deeply-divided country.   Indeed, the poll shows a clear division … [Read more...]

Note: The following article is the 11th - and last - 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 is a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Note: The following article is the 11th - and last - 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 is a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board.   Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer   The last character quality to mention in the search for the making of great preachers is work.   In the history of preaching, those who excelled at their task were all hard workers, busy preachers, never idle, never slackers. How a Calvin or Wesley or Whitefield could preach every day - and sometimes several times a day - and still find time to … [Read more...]

Louisiana State University’s football team is not the only group on that campus celebrating a number one ranking these days. Louisiana State University’s football team is not the only group on that campus celebrating a number one ranking these days.   Last month, the LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry formed the largest group of any BCM to participate in a North American missions trip this school year. One hundred fifty-three students and staff from the school’s Baton Rouge and Shreveport campuses traveled to New York City late last year for the eight-day trip.   LSU’s campus ministry in Baton Rouge also led the nation in most students participating in a Southern Baptist International Mission Board trip last year, as 251 students traveled to Mexico.   That is amazing, says Steve Masters, Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at the Baton Rouge campus.   "Missions trips like these are an incredible way for a college student to spend time serving God and drawing closer to God," Masters emphasizes. "Trips such as these are also a great way for an individual to meet and get to know other student participants.   "I’m convinced we ‘catch’ spiritual growth from each … [Read more...]

At year end, the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program closed right about where state leaders expected. At year end, the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program closed right about where state leaders expected.   Still, seeing the numbers in black and white could not have been pleasant.   After falling behind budget and last year’s pace early in 2003, the state Cooperative Program closed the year with a December surge - but it was not enough.   For the month, state Cooperative Program receipts totaled more than $2.3 million, an increase of $213,544 (9.9 percent) from the previous December.   However, for the year, state Cooperative Program receipts totaled $21,558,373, a drop of $287,855 (1.3 percent) from 2002.   The total also closed more than $2.3 million (9.9 percent) behind budget.   State convention leaders blamed the economy for the reduced total.   "Actually, the bad news is good news in the sense that the total is about where we predicted it would be," said Dean Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. "The fact it didn’t get worse is good news. The fact that we kept spending within income is also good news. … [Read more...]

While the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether taxpayers have to subsidize college students training for careers in the pulpit, in Louisiana, the answer is clear. Bruce Nolan, New Orleans Times Picayune   While the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether taxpayers have to subsidize college students training for careers in the pulpit, in Louisiana, the answer is clear.   State taxpayers want to do so.   Louisiana is one of only three states whose laws and constitution do not forbid spending public money on private religious education, reports the Institute for Justice, a libertarian advocacy center.   Thus, unlike their counterparts in most of the country, Louisiana students equipped with Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) money can prepare for careers in the ministry at Louisiana Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College and the United Methodist Church’s Centenary College, said George Eldredge, general counsel for the state Office of Student Financial Assistance.   In 1999, the state attorney general’s office ruled that qualifying Catholic seminarians also can use TOPS money to do their undergraduate studies in philosophy at St. Joseph’s Seminary College in … [Read more...]