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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

After tragic week, ‘a Word from God’ desperately needed

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer “We NEED a Word from God!” Those sentiments from Steve Horn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lafayette and former LBC President, perhaps best summed up the feelings of so many following a tumultuous week in which seven died and seven more were shot. It especially sums up the feelings on the day following the deadly sniper attack on police officers in downtown Dallas Thursday evening. “Pray for the pastors of America this Sunday,” Horn wrote on Facebook. “We do not need a word from our President, the Governors, the Chiefs of Police, and certainly not all of the commentators on television. We need a Word from God! “Pray for your pastor to have and deliver that Word from God this Sunday,” he continued. “Pastor, our job is not to offer political commentary; our job is to expound the authoritative Word of God. God, help us!” As everyone tries to make sense of what took place Thursday night, Tuesday in Baton Rouge and Wednesday in Falton Heights, Minnesota, Horn made his impassioned plea to turn to God. And many Louisiana Baptists and law enforcement officers echoed his thoughts and for the desperate need for prayer. “Our hearts are again broken as we hear the news out of Baton Rouge, … [Read more...]

FIRST-PERSON: Weeping with those who weep

by J. Josh Smith IRVING, Texas (BP) -- Although I live only 10 miles from downtown Dallas, I'm rarely there. But last night, of all nights, I was. I was just a couple of miles south of Dallas when the shootings took place and had to make my way back through the city to return home as the situation continued to unfold. The city looked unlike I had ever seen it. The streets were shut down, blue and red lights reflected off the buildings, and the sky was filled with helicopters. I listened to the reporters on the AM radio trying to make sense of the events that had just occurred. It wasn't until I returned home and turned on the TV that I began to fully understand the reality of what had taken place in this city that I love. It's truly overwhelming. I feel a sense of the gut-wrenching compassion that Jesus felt as He looked out over the multitudes and saw them as sheep without a shepherd. I feel it for the families of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. I feel it for the black community as they try to make sense of the last few days. I feel it for the 12 officers shot last night and their families. I feel it for the families of the five officers killed. I feel it for our Dallas police officers who will continue to protect our … [Read more...]

Louisiana Lagniappe

HOMECOMING Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton: Church Anniversary, July 17, 10:30 a.m. A pot-luck meal will follow the morning service in the Christian Life Center. Pastor: Andrew Voss. Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe: 62nd Anniversary, July 24, 10:45 a.m. Pastor: William Smith. Beech Spring Baptist Church, Quitman: 109th Homecoming, July 24, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds following the service. Special Music: Glorifying Him. Pastor: Jay Lancaster. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Converse: Revival, July 10-13, Speaker: Gary Hanberry of First Baptist, Larose. Worship: The Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Lon Almeida Aimwell Baptist Church: Revival, July 13-17. Speaker: Bill Robertson. Pastor: Ronnie Sandifer First Baptist Church, Zwolle: Revival, July 13-17. Speaker: Spencer Lovitt. Pastor: Jerry Penfield First Baptist Church, Minden: Revive (summer revival series), July 17, 24 & 31. July 17, 6 p.m. Speaker: John Lary. Music: Jake & Rachel Chapman. Fellowship following service features ice cream. July 24, 6 p.m. Speaker: Eddie Briery. Music: Joe & Jody Nida. Fellowship following service features hot dogs and soft drinks. July 31, 10:45 a.m. (no first Gospel hour). Speaker: Argile Smith. Music: Ammer Gayle Whatley. … [Read more...]

Legislators repeal sales taxes imposed on churches in March

By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE – Gov. John Bel Edwards signed House Bill 51 into law June 28 as Act 12 of the 2016 Second Extraordinary Session for the Louisiana Legislature, removing a number of taxes on church activities that were imposed in March as part of Acts 25 and 26 of the 2016 First Extraordinary Session. Although Act 12 took effect July 1, the Louisiana Department of Revenue has yet to issue an official interpretation. However, legislators have said publicly this measure should fix the difficulties created for churches by the earlier action. When the LDR releases its guidance, churches should anticipate relief from collecting taxes on such things as cake sales and auctions, which were tagged with special tax rates from April 1, 2016 – June 30, 2018. HB 51 was offered by Rep. Jim Morris of whose District 1 office is in Oil City, but a number of legislators signed onto the bill as co-sponsors, including 58 representatives and two senators. Rep. Rick Edmonds (District 66, Baton Rouge), a retired Louisiana Baptist pastor (Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport) and former vice president with Louisiana Family Forum, was particularly aggressive in working this issue. He offered eight bills which were rolled into … [Read more...]

Resolutions, nominees for Louisiana posts being sought

ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptists are invited to submit names of nominees for service on state convention boards and committees and to submit resolutions for possible consideration for the 2016 Louisiana Baptist Convention. The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is beginning its work to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees. Currently, 17 nominees are needed for service on committees on Credentials, Moral and Social Concerns, Nominations, Order of Business and Resolutions. Committee on Committees Chair is Jake Roudkovski, Bogue Falaya, Folsom. In addition, the Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. At this point, 17 nominees are needed to serve on the Convention’s Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. The Committee on Nominations chair is Philip Robertson, Philadelphia, Deville. As in previous years, persons should submit names of nominees and the committee or board for which they are being nominated. Submissions should include information on the nominee’s church membership and current employment. Nominations … [Read more...]

ERLC & IMB support mosque in principle, not financially

By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA – A controversy has erupted about two Southern Baptist Convention entities – the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and the International Mission Board – that signed a friend of the court brief indicating support for the right of a Muslim group to construct a mosque in New Jersey, raising questions about misuse of Cooperative Program dollars and concerns about proper prioritizing in representing the interests of Southern Baptists by these national ministries. Both SBC entities have said it was important for them to participate to show support for the religious liberty of all people, including Muslims. Additionally, the IMB issued a brief statement clarifying that it has not contributed money or personnel to build the mosque. BACKGROUND The court case involves a lawsuit by the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge against the Township of Bernards, a community with a population of about 27,000 located about 36 miles outside of New York City. According to a legal brief filed on behalf of the Muslim group, the ISBR has sought permission since September 2012 to build a mosque in Basking Ridge, a community within the municipality of Bernards. During December 2015, the city voted down the ISBR … [Read more...]

Busy summer as LC undergoes $17 million worth of repairs

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Summertime usually means less activity on a university campus but not Louisiana College, not this summer. The Pineville college is humming with activity as the school is undergoing $17 million worth of construction. Eighteen of the 23 buildings on campus are receiving new roofs, after hail from a storm last year caused extensive damage. Other work includes a number of interior upgrades between now and late 2017. LC President Rick Brewer calls the improvements on campus a miracle. “Transformation is a central theme for Louisiana College both in the classroom and in our campus facilities,” Brewer said. “The blessing we’ve received from the GuideOne insurance claim will impact the entire campus with 18 roof replacements, several interior repairs and the refurbishment of Guinn Auditorium. Indeed, this work accelerates the significant deferred maintenance facing the college.” LC contacted GuideOne insurance company for an inspection, which revealed the refurbishment would be rather costly but agreed to cover all the repairs. The first wave of construction began in late May, when Campers on Mission refurbished a fountain near Alexandria Hall administration building, formed … [Read more...]

Vines & Draper Respond to Russell Moore

By Jerry Vines, President of Jerry Vines Ministries Editors Note:  This open letter was first sent to Baptist Press.  It is a letter written in response to Russell Moore's Twitter comment (Click HERE) and is used here by permission. We have been involved in Southern Baptist life for most of our lives. We are grateful for the opportunities to serve and minister in our Convention. At the same time, we have also witnessed and been involved in America's political life. Though we never endorsed political candidates, as pastors and Southern Baptist leaders, we have sought to share our perspectives as to how Southern Baptist believers should evaluate the moral and spiritual issues during presidential election cycles. Based on biblical principles we trusted those to whom we ministered to use their brains and their hearts as they voted for political candidates. Such political campaigns can be times of strong emotion, spirited debate, excessive rhetoric and sadly, broken relationships. The recent meeting of almost 1,000 religious leaders with Donald Trump (including a number of Southern Baptists) and the willingness of some to serve on an advisory group has caused much controversy. The negative reactions of some religious leaders have … [Read more...]

FIRST-PERSON: Spiritual leaders & the election

By Ronnie Floyd SPRINGDALE, Ark. (BP) -- I give my full and complete endorsement to Jesus Christ. My 100 percent trust is in God alone, our Sovereign King. I agree with the late Adrian Rogers, who said, "We dare not identify the Christian faith with the Democrat or Republican party. We need to be free to tell both parties to repent and get right with God."[1] I would add what I shared on June 14 with the Southern Baptist Convention, "The church cannot call America to repent until the church repents." The tension is real Christians have dual citizenship. Our citizenship is not only in the Kingdom of God that is eternal and superior to all, but we are active citizens in the United States of America. Our Sovereign God not only determined the period of time He ordained us to live, He also determined where we would live. I love the United States of America and still believe it is the greatest country in the world. Yet, I feel an enormous tension in my spirit about how to operate in our nation effectively. We live for one Kingdom while we live in another kingdom. Often, decisions within our country increase this tension, and we have never lived in a time in our generation when this tension has been greater. Spiritual leaders are … [Read more...]