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Churches may have to cease their BSA sponsorship regarding the new ruling

NASHVILLE (BP) -- The Boy Scouts of America's executive board has voted to lift the Scouts' national ban on gay adult leaders and employees -- a move Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd said may hasten the exodus of Southern Baptists from Scouting. "Sadly and regrettably, I believe churches who stand on the biblical ethic of sexuality will have to cease their sponsorship and involvement in the Boy Scouts of America," Floyd told Baptist Press in written comments. "I also believe it is important that everyone understands that in reality, it is the Boy Scouts of America that is walking away from their historic heritage that has been embraced by the vast majority of Americans." The BSA executive board approved the policy change, which is effective immediately, by a 79-percent majority, the Scouts' website reported. The vote occurred during a July 27 conference call. The BSA will continue to allow troops chartered by religious organizations to exclude gays from volunteer leadership positions if homosexual behavior is incompatible with chartering organizations' religious beliefs. One Baptist leader told The Washington Post that concession may only be temporary, and churches could be forced eventually to accept … [Read more...]

What Does Love Have To Do With It?

By Joe Gutherie, Lewiston Baptist Church, Kentwood The recent United States Supreme Court opinion in favor of same-sex marriage was based on the premise that the love between two individuals is the essence of marriage. Everyone from President Obama on down has based their argument for same-sex marriage simply on if two people love each other, then that gives them the right to be married. The day the decision was reached, the pro same-sex marriage contingent proudly waved their banners “Love Wins.” One must now ask the question what is love? And is it the love between two people, or the love for God that is most important? In answering these questions, only one opinion should be considered and that is the opinion of God as found in his Holy Scriptures. God’s first commission to man was to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, Genesis 1:28. In order to accomplish this mandate according to God’s will, He instituted marriage between one man and one woman, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh, Genesis 2:24. The formula for marriage, as ordained by God, was leave, cleave, one flesh - only sex between a married husband and his wife is … [Read more...]

26-year-old in faceoff with Planned Parenthood

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- A 26-year-old activist with a video camera has moved to the forefront of cultural challengers to the nation's largest abortion provider. David Daleiden and his group Center for Medical Progress are in the process of releasing a much-publicized series of videos he says show Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) senior executives involved in selling baby body parts. The first video, released July 14, showed PPFA Senior Director of Medical Services Dr. Deborah Nucatola admitting to using partial-birth abortions to get intact body parts to sell. Daleiden released a second video July 21 showing another PPFA senior executive -- Dr. Mary Gatter, president of PPFA's Medical Directors' Council -- haggling over the price of body parts and offering to use abortion methods that will not destroy the parts -- what she called "less crunchy techniques." Questions of federal law surround both the sale of fetal tissue as well as abortions involving fetal tissue collection. How did Daleiden get these videos? "We conducted a 30-month-long investigative journalism project," he told WORLD News Service. Daleiden said he spent months networking and building relationships, noting, "You can't just walk in off … [Read more...]

Trail Life USA, alternative to Boy Scouts, warns churches before BSA vote on gay leaders

By Gregory Tomlin Christian Examiner ORLANDO, Fla. – Trail Life USA, the organization founded as an alternative to the Boy Scouts of America after that organization voted to accept gay scouts in 2013 has issued a warning to churches in advance of the BSA's formal vote next Monday to accept gay adult leaders. The warning, in the form of a lengthy legal memorandum describing the legal challenges that will face churches enforcing a conservative Christian membership policy, was sent in an email to Trail Life USA supporters July 23. It was also posted to the group's website. In a note accompanying the memorandum, the organization's CEO Mark Hancock said his organization's board, staff and members have "no desire to dishonor the tremendous legacy of the Boy Scouts of America." "However, our love for God's church and our concern for the welfare of boys compels us to release the following statement and accompanying position paper," Hancock said. The statement Hancock referenced included comment from John Stemberger, Trail Life's chairman of the board and an attorney in Orlando, Fla. Stemberger was instrumental in founding the BSA alternative. He said the organization was greatly saddened by the BSA's resolution, which will be the … [Read more...]

Boy Scouts of America await decision regarding homosexual leadership

By staff reports *DISCLAIMER* As of right now, the Boy Scouts of America executive committee has yet to reach an agreement on the allowing of homosexual male adults as leaders within the BSA. DALLAS -The Boy Scouts of America is expected to end its ban on gay adult leaders on Monday, dismantling a policy that has deeply divided the membership of the 105-year-old Texas-based organization. The Boy Scouts National Executive Board will consider a resolution that was unanimously approved by the organization’s executive committee on July 13. The organization is urging an end to the ban because of "sea change in the law with respect to gay rights." The decision would follow the landmark ruling in late June by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing same-sex marriages nationwide. In May, the Boy Scouts' president, former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, called the ban "unsustainable" and said it needed to change. The Boy Scouts of America is expected to end its ban on gay adult leaders on Monday, dismantling a policy that has deeply divided the membership of the 105-year-old Texas-based organization. The Boy Scouts National Executive Board will consider a resolution that was unanimously approved by the organization’s … [Read more...]

TX Supreme Court: Repeal or vote on Houston ordinance

By Bonnie Pritchett, Southern Baptist Texan HOUSTON (BP) -- The Texas Supreme Court has directed the Houston's city council to abide by its own charter and repeal the controversial Equal Rights Ordinance or put it up to a city-wide vote this November. The city has until Aug. 24 to comply or be compelled to do so by the high court. In a rare move, the Texas Supreme Court conditionally granted a writ of mandamus stating "the legislative power reserved to the people of Houston is not being honored." Last year, Mayor Annise Parker and then-City Attorney Dave Feldman declared "invalid" a referendum to repeal the controversial city ordinance. Petitioners -- a racially and politically diverse group of pastors and civic leaders -- sued, alleging the mayor and attorney manufactured signature requirements in order to defy the city charter mandates. The court agreed with the petitioners July 24, stating the city secretary, not the city council, is obligated to evaluate petitions. Enforcement of the ordinance is suspended. "Simply put, the City Secretary's certification started the process outlined in the Charter for reconsidering ordinances following a referendum petition, invoking the Council's ministerial duty to carry out its … [Read more...]

Former NFL kicker Chris Boniol comes home as Louisiana College’s new special teams coordinator

By Staff Baptist Message What’s more important … winning football games or building men? “They are both important,” according to Alexandria native and former NFL kicker Chris Boniol, who was formally introduced as Louisiana College’s new special team’s coordinator and running backs coach July 24 at a press conference at the school. “Chris is a great fit for our coaching staff, and I have every confidence in what he brings to the game as a special teams and running backs coach,” said Louisiana College’s Athletics Director and Head Football Coach Dennis Dunn. “But more than that, I am thankful to God a man of this caliber -- professional and personal -- will be a role model not only for our athletes, but for anyone else whose life he touches. “Louisiana College’s Athletic department is grateful to have someone like Chris Boniol join the Wildcats football coaching squad,” said Dunn. “His NFL record speaks for itself, and we couldn’t be happier about that. He is taking over for Josh Bonadona, who left to become the video coordinator at Southeast Missouri State. “I’m driven to succeed,” said the 43-year-old Boniol. “I want to see the fruits of our labor and hard work pay off. I want to see results. There are no … [Read more...]

Interview with new Louisiana College special teams coach, Chris Bonial

by Norm Miller Louisiana College Media Responding to his new assignment at Louisiana College, Coach Chris Boniol, who was named the Wildcats’ new special teams coordinator and running backs coach, sat down with LCNews and shared his thoughts in the following interview. “As a kicker in the NFL, I was judged on results only,” Chris Boniol said. “If you miss a big kick, there won't be much forgiveness from the critics. Jesus Christ, on the contrary, gave us a life-long contract of forgiveness when he died on the cross.” “For me, it is not about a Super Bowl ring; it's about my wedding ring. It is not about treasures on earth; it's about treasures in heaven. It is not about adoring fans; it's about my adoring family,” Boniol said. “Every year there is a new Super Bowl Champion,” he added. “Jesus Christ was crowned our Eternal Champion when he died for our salvation. I pray that others find the same unfailing peace that I have found in Christ.” LC president Rick Brewer said, “Chris Boniol fits the model of a Louisiana College professional. If you want to talk about relevant, relational and rigorous, then Coach Boniol has to be part of that conversation. Few things are more relevant to college life and the fabric of … [Read more...]

Georgia Barnette Conference Center progressing well

By Joe Dupree Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH - The building infrastructures of the new Georgia Barnette Conference Center are looking well as the weeks go by. Volunteers from across Louisiana and Texas have worked tirelessly through the summer heat on the campus of Tall Timbers Conference Center. We are still looking for some construction volunteers to help us build the Georgia Barnette Mission Conference Center at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, beginning July 20 through August 28. Volunteers will be needed throughout the year until the building is completed. If youcan help between now and August 28, please contact Tall Timbers at (318) 445-6797 for more information. You can help build for the future! Meals will be provided for the volunteers as well as 24 RV hook ups will be available with limited housing at nearby Camp Brewer and/or The Wesley Methodist Center in Woodworth. Housing at Tall Timbers will be available in limited quantities after August 8 (no cost). Hotels/motels are also available in Alexandria. For cost and availability of housing, contact Julia Parker at Julia.Parker@LouisianaBaptists.org or Bill & Joyce Temple, on-site construction coordinators, at BJTemple71241@AOL.com. … [Read more...]

Johnson: Christians need to prepare for the approaching storm

By Karen Pearce, Regional Reporter BOSSIER CITY – “You are what’s left of Christianity in America.” These sobering words were spoken by Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, July 20 to a standing-room-only crowd at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, where more than 200 church leaders gathered to learn next steps after the Supreme Court’s recent marriage ruling threatening religious liberty. Johnson said recent polls indicated that Louisiana is the most Bible-literate and most church-attending state in the nation, which leads to greater responsibility. “I really do feel like Louisiana Baptists have a particular responsibility. We shouldn’t take for granted what we have,” he said. “We need to be aware, but not afraid.” His legal organization, Freedom Guard, is ready to assist any organization that comes under fire. “On June 26th, five of the nine-member Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges to usurp the authority of the people and force same-sex marriage on all 50 states by judicial fiat,” Johnson said, expressing the outrage of his fellow conservative legislators as they watched years of hard-earned court victories disregarded and over-ruled. Johnson warned this latest ruling changed the playing field and … [Read more...]