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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Persecution: Are you ready?

By Sherwon Williamson, Magnolia Baptist Church in Saline, La. I’m sure everyone is aware of the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriage across the nation. If you have turned on a TV or logged on to the internet in the past few days you are also aware of the outpouring of opinions from people on both sides of the issue. While the issue of homosexuality is an important and pertinent topic of discussion, and one of which I am convinced that Scripture is very clear on, it is not the topic I want to discuss now. I want to talk about something that I believe is a little deeper and that some people may not even realize yet. That something is persecution. When was the last time you thought about persecution? When was the last time you thought about it in the context of you or your family being persecuted right here at home? Sadly, I must confess that this is not a topic that I meditate on often. This is not something that we experience very often here in the United States, at least not blatantly, and we have taken that freedom for granted. I believe that is freedom that we will find more and more lacking in the coming years. The legalization of homosexual marriage is not the root issue. After all, … [Read more...]

A star-spangled tribute to ‘In God we trust’

By Mike Fuljenz, Special to the Message Exactly half a century before the motto “In God We Trust” first appeared on circulating U.S. coinage, a close approximation of this now-famous phrase turned up in a poem that went on to attain equally iconic status when it was set to music and became “The Star-Spangled Banner.”   Few Americans are aware of this precursor, for the words are embedded in the seldom read – and almost never sung – fourth stanza of the poem, but it provides a fascinating link between their country’s official national motto and official national anthem.   Actually, it’s much more than just a “link.”  The words in “The Star-Spangled Banner” served, in fact, as a model and inspiration for the motto that ended up on U.S. coins and, eventually, U.S. paper money.  This was confirmed in a document written in 1863 by James Pollock, Director of the United States Mint, a well-respected public official who had served previously as both Governor of Pennsylvania and a Congressman from that state.   Pollock was a close friend of President Abraham Lincoln and, like Lincoln, had been active in the antislavery movement in the years leading up to the Civil War.  He was a pious man whose strong … [Read more...]

Star-spangled opportunities

By Diana Davis, Baptist Press PENSACOLA, Fla. (BP) -- As our country celebrates the Fourth of July, how will you shine for Jesus? Plan ahead to use one of these simple, fresh ideas as an individual, small group or church to show support for elected officials and those assigned to keep peace in your community: -- Purchase a nice Bible for your town's mayor, signed with words of prayer and encouragement. -- An adult class could sign a thank you and prayer card to be delivered with a big sub sandwich tray for the city building. -- Prepare addressed envelopes to government leaders -- from local officials such as the police chief and city council members to senators, congressional representatives and the president. Each person writes one personal prayer note or the entire group could write prayer/thanks notes. -- A children's class draws fire trucks and praying hands for firefighters. Deliver them with homemade cookies. -- Each gesture of encouragement can include a Scripture, church business card or brochure and an invitation to worship. -- Our church did a "Seal a Badge with Prayer" ministry, assigning each individual police officer in our city to a church member for faithful prayer. -- Encourage a … [Read more...]

Pro-life regs stymied by courts in 4 states

By Staff, Baptist Press ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- Pro-life regulations in Texas, North Carolina, Kansas and Iowa have been stymied in court challenges. Affected are a Texas law requiring abortion clinics to qualify as ambulatory surgical centers and for abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges; a North Carolina law requiring doctors to show pregnant women ultrasound images before performing an abortion; a Kansas law banning dismemberment abortions; and an Iowa Board of Medicine ban on "webcam" abortions. Texas The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday issued a stay of House Bill 2, which was slated to go into effect July 1, until the justices can consider whether to take up a challenge to HB 2 after their summer recess. The Supreme Court stay, in a 5-4 vote, prevents HB 2 requirements from going into effect requiring abortion clinics to qualify as ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and for doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled June 8 that the two requirements are constitutional and can be enforced. According to Texas Right to Life, "The justices ruled that the provisions in question will effectively remain on hold and unenforced … [Read more...]

Your children & same-sex marriage

By Russell Moore, President of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission NASHVILLE (BP) -- Some Christian parents wonder how to explain to their small children the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage. How does one teach about the law and the controversy without exposing one's children to more than they can handle? First of all, make no mistake: You should talk to your children about this. No matter how you shelter your family, keeping your children from knowing about the Supreme Court's redefinition of marriage would take a level of choreography of their lives that isn't realistic, nor is it particularly Christian. The Bible isn't nearly as antiseptic as Christians sometimes pretend to be, and it certainly doesn't shirk back from addressing all the complexities of human life. If we are discipling our children, let's apply the Scriptures to all of life. If we refuse to talk to our children about the reality of the world they live in, our children will assume we are unequipped to speak to it, and they'll eventually search out a worldview that will. This doesn't mean that we rattle our children with information they aren't developmentally ready to process. But we know how to navigate … [Read more...]

Page: Be God-empowered in a fallen culture

By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (BP) -- Long before the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Frank S. Page had planned to preach a sermon at Living Hope Baptist Church on "Finding Hope in a Fallen Culture." "Pastor Jay Pettus, who is away on sabbatical, had enlisted me to preach probably a year or more ago," Page told Baptist Press, "asking me to preach on how to have hope in a [post-] Christian, postmodern culture. The message had already been planned," connecting "powerfully with the events of the previous day. It just shows the power of the Holy Spirit." That same power will enable Christians to stand firm in faith and proclaim the spiritual truth of marriage the nation has deserted, Page said in his message at the Bowling Green, Ky., church. "When societal forces rise up -- we say we will stand against you in the power of the name of the Lord God Almighty," Page preached. "We either believe in it, or we might as well go home." If leaders will stand on the power of God's Word, congregations will be emboldened to follow, Page said, using the text of the shepherd boy David slaying Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, followed by the … [Read more...]

Majority of Americans say U.S. special to God

by Lisa Cannon Green, LifeWay Communications NASHVILLE (BP) -- In a nation founded on religious liberty, most Americans believe God has a special relationship with the United States, and they're optimistic the best is yet to come. Despite headlines lamenting the global decline of the United States since the Cold War, 54 percent of Americans believe the nation is on the upswing, according to a survey by LifeWay Research released July 1. Only 4 in 10 think "America's best days are behind us," LifeWay Research reported from data in a September 2014 survey. Though the U.S. Constitution makes no mention of God, 53 percent of Americans say they believe God and the nation have a special relationship, a concept stretching back to Pilgrim days. Even a third of atheists, agnostics and those with no religious preference believe America has a special relationship with God. "'God Bless America' is more than a song or a prayer for many Americans," said Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research. "It is a belief that God has blessed America beyond what is typical for nations throughout history. I am sure that would spawn many theological conversations” but it's important to note a majority of Americans “think God has a … [Read more...]

After gay marriage: next steps for LGBT activists

By David Roach, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) -- With same-sex marriage now legal in all 50 states, pro-gay activists are shifting their focus to issues like alleged workplace, housing and public accommodations discrimination. Some have even proposed stripping churches of their tax-exempt status and legalizing polygamous marriage. Pro-LGBT activists view the Supreme Court's legalization of gay marriage "as a means to a greater end," said Jon Akin, pastor of Fairview Church in Lebanon, Tenn. -- "a huge means, but I certainly don't think it's the end. I think many will not be happy" if the advance of gay rights "doesn't go further." Akin, a member of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's leadership council, has helped equip Fairview's members to share Christ with the homosexual community and respond to pro-gay activists. He told Baptist Press that in his experience, the push for expanded LGBT rights typically "doesn't come from animus of any kind. It stems from wanting cultural affirmation, seeing any form of discrimination as inequality." Following the June 26 Supreme Court ruling, the advocacy group Freedom To Marry said it would shut down and redeploy many of its resources to a new group called Freedom For … [Read more...]

Gunter resigns as Grant Parish Justice of the Peace in response to Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage

By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor POLLOCK – Patricia Gunter stands firm on her faith and her beliefs. On June 26, following the ruling by the U.S. Supreme court to make same-sex marriage legal throughout the land, Gunter quietly turned in her resignation which became effective Tuesday. She is the first justice in the peace in Louisiana to resign in response to the Supreme Court ruling. A justice of the peace conducts marriages, authorizes evictions and arbitrates disputes valued at less than $5,000. The 390 justices of the peace in Louisiana are not paid but can keep half of the filing fees. Connie Moore, head of the Louisiana Justice of the Peace and Constable Association, told the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate in a July 1 article she has been getting a lot of questions since Friday. Some JPs flatly refuse to issue licenses to same-sex couples, while some are wondering how little they can get away with, and others are asking how to fill out the forms now. “God’s word is the ultimate authority,” said Gunter Wednesday morning. “He clearly laid it all out when he said that marriage is between one man and one woman. Therefore, when the Supreme Court ruling allowed same-sex marriages, I felt, as a Christian, it … [Read more...]

Will Hall unanimously elected new Message editor

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – By unanimous vote, trustees of the Baptist Message, the news journal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, elected Will Hall as editor of the state newspaper and digital media outlet. David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, also named Hall director of the office of public affairs for the state convention. “I am extremely excited about the election tion of Will Hall as the editor of the Baptist Message and director of Public Affairs,” Hankins said. “Dr. Hall’s outstanding credentials, fruitful experience and Christian character will be a blessing to Louisiana Baptists as he leads us to communicate the message of Christ to our churches and our culture.” Message Board Chairman Tim Hisaw expressed similar views on the election of Hall. “We are blessed to have Will Hall come on board to lead the Baptist Message,” said Hisaw, pastor of Tioga First Baptist Church. “When we looked at the candidates, Will rose to the top. The future of the Baptist Message looks bright with Will at the helm.” Hall most recently was executive editor and director of operations for the Christian Examiner, helping launch the digital news service in October … [Read more...]