In 21 years of ministry, Andrea McKenzie has had only one mentor who is both a woman and in ministry. ALEXANDRIA – In 21 years of ministry, Andrea McKenzie has had only one mentor who is both a woman and in ministry. McKenzie wants to change that for women called to vocational Christian service. She is spearheading the formation of an organization where women serving as professionals in Southern Baptist churches and denominational entities in Louisiana can gather for fellowship, encouragement and accountability. “It’s sticky” to be mentored by a man or to be accountable on a personal and spiritual basis to a man who is not your husband, McKenzie said. “There are certain things I would never tell a man,” she explained. There are very real boundaries men and women working together in ministry cannot cross and still maintain an appropriate length of personal and professional distance, she said. And yet, there is as much need for women in ministry as for men in ministry to be in relationship with someone “who has been in that same position, perhaps for a longer period of time, and get the benefit of the kind of wisdom that comes from years of serving the Lord, working in His church and serving His people,” McKenzie … [Read more...]

The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee approved legal documents at its semi-annual meeting Sept. 18 to allow GuideStone Financial Resources to set up five new subsidiaries providing, among other things, investment financial advice, its own property and casualty insurance and its own life insurance. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee approved legal documents at its semi-annual meeting Sept. 18 to allow GuideStone Financial Resources to set up five new subsidiaries providing, among other things, investment financial advice, its own property and casualty insurance and its own life insurance. GuideStone is the name of what once was called the Annuity Board. The Executive Committee passed the recommendation following one hour of discussion, most of which focused on whether the committee should study the issue until its next meeting in February. In the end, the recommendation passed on a show of hands. Some Executive Committee members said they wanted more time to study the proposal’s documents, which they said were extensive. Others responded by saying the entire Executive Committee needed to trust the work of GuideStone’s trustees. Jody Hudgins, a banker from … [Read more...]

The first Baptist church established in Louisiana no longer has any members. Its doors open only four days a year, but tens of thousands visit on those four days. FRANKLINTON – The first Baptist church established in Louisiana no longer has any members. Its doors open only four days a year, but tens of thousands visit on those four days. The Half Moon Bluff Baptist Church was constituted on October 12, 1812. It was located on the banks of the Bogue Chitto River at Half Moon Bluff, about 4.5 miles north of Franklinton, near Bogalusa.. Today a replica of the original log building with its clay floor resides in the Miles Branch Settlement on the Washington Parish Free Fair grounds. It is here that the visitors to the church come, during what is billed as the largest free fair in the USA. Each October during fair week, the Washington Baptist Association churches band together to continue the witness of the oldest Baptist church in the state. The Fair Association is dedicated to providing an interdenominational experience at the site, so the churches provide only hymn singing inside the structure. Each associational church sends a team to Half Moon Bluff Church for two hours during the fair. They sing old gospel hymns … [Read more...]

A county judge in Des Moines, Iowa, of all places, recently ruled in August that the state law allowing marriage only between a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection. A county judge in Des Moines, Iowa, of all places, recently ruled in August that the state law allowing marriage only between a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection. This isn’t New York or Massachusetts or California, mind you – this is our nation’s heartland. Iowa voters, with their own defense of marriage act in place for over a decade, thought they had settled the issue of “same-sex marriage.” While the judge’s decision has now been stayed, this action reminds us that the institution of marriage is still under constant threat from the whims of just one obscure judge. Anyone paying attention to the developing race for the White House knows that Iowa – with its first-in-the-nation presidential caucus – is crawling with aspirants for the Oval Office. Perhaps this decision by an Iowa judge will help place this issue front-and-center in the minds of voters across the nation and, thus, the presidential candidates. While some opponents of “same-sex marriage” … [Read more...]

Given the current cultural climate, Christians often face a conflict between values and higher values. I ran into one of those conflicts when an Iowa judge issued a decision legalizing “gay marriage.” In his opinion, which is being appealed, he stated that “marriage has evolved over time” and that “homosexuality is a normal expression of human sexuality.” Given the current cultural climate, Christians often face a conflict between values and higher values. I ran into one of those conflicts when an Iowa judge issued a decision legalizing “gay marriage.” In his opinion, which is being appealed, he stated that “marriage has evolved over time” and that “homosexuality is a normal expression of human sexuality.” In responding to Baptist Press, I indicated that we are not informed by our own opinions regarding such matters. We are informed and led by Scripture. Scripture defines marriage as a faithful, lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. That is a value that believers are not free to dismiss. Baptist Press understands that value. Others, with delightful exceptions, seemed to want a stronger statement from me. They were not satisfied with my expressed view that what we believe has nothing to do with any lack of … [Read more...]

The executive board meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention dealt with business when they met in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 25. They also took time to worship God, and speakers took care to encourage the 92 board members, plus LBC staff and other guests. WOODWORTH – The executive board meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention dealt with business when they met in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 25. They also took time to worship God, and speakers took care to encourage the 92 board members, plus LBC staff and other guests. “I do like the fact that it’s not all business. There’s some worship; I really think that sets the stage for doing the Lord’s work,” said Frank Ducharme, pastor of First Baptist Scott, in his first session this term as a board member. “I liked the fact that they were trying to streamline things,” he added. “It looks like Dr. Hankins is trying to make things better.” In Executive Director David E. Hankin’s report to the executive board members, he suggested the possibility of combining some board committees and reworking the schedule so the board would only need one day to complete its business. It wasn’t a matter to be voted on, he said. He just wanted the board to think about it and see if the … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Baptist Message is pleased to announce two new arrivals: ALEXANDRIA – The Louisiana Baptist Message is pleased to announce two new arrivals: The birth of Isaiah Marshall Sharp to Tammy and Kenny Sharp. The addition of Philip Timothy to the Message staff. Isaiah was born August 7 as the second son of Staff Writer Tammy Sharp. She has decided to stay home to raise her sons and work as a freelance writer. “We’ve appreciated so much the work Tammy has done with the Message, but we honor and respect her decision to be with her sons,” said Editor Kelly Boggs, Timothy comes to the Message staff from the Alexandria daily newspaper, The Town Talk. A 33-year journalism veteran, Timothy is reporting, writing and laying out pages. “You’ve already been seeing his work in the Message,” said Managing Editor Karen Willoughby. “He’s a well-rounded journalist who is committed to the Lord. We’re glad he’s part of the team.” … [Read more...]

STATEWIDE – Senior seniors. This is the third in a series of center spreads on early Louisiana leaders and the church members who “put their shoulders to the plow” for most of the 20th century, to help build God’s kingdom in this state and around the world. STATEWIDE – Senior seniors. This is the third in a series of center spreads on early Louisiana leaders and the church members who “put their shoulders to the plow” for most of the 20th century, to help build God’s kingdom in this state and around the world. We could go on for several issues more, and still not do an adequate job of reporting on our Senior Seniors – who they are; what they’ve done; what they continue to do – but we’re out of space. In this third and final center spread, the Message talked with several senior adult leaders and with the Louisiana Baptist Convention evangelism/church growth team to see the needs today of the senior seniors who have served God so faithfully for so many years, and for those who never have served God at all. Their needs: to be loved, valued, needed. Their circumstances: Decreasing contact with people; fixed income; things they’ve never dealt with before – government paperwork for all; auto repairs for women who outlive … [Read more...]