Aren’t you offended? That is the question many evangelicals are being asked in the wake of a recent document released by the Vatican. Aren’t you offended? That is the question many evangelicals are being asked in the wake of a recent document released by the Vatican. The document declares that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church – or, in words the Vatican would prefer to use, the only institutional form in which the Church of Christ subsists. In the first place, I am not offended because this is not an issue in which emotion should play a key role. This is a theological question, and our response should be theological, not emotional. Secondly, I am not offended because I am not surprised. No one  familiar with the statements of the Roman Catholic Magisterium should be surprised by this development. This is not news in any genuine sense. It is news only in the current context of Vatican statements and ecumenical relations. Thirdly, I am not offended because this new document actually brings attention to the crucial issues of ecclesiology, and thus it presents us with an opportunity. The Vatican document is very brief -- just a few paragraphs in fact. It’s official title is “Responses to Some Questions … [Read more...]

One job of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation is keeping Louisiana Baptists informed and updated regarding tax advantages of charitable giving. One job of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation is keeping Louisiana Baptists informed and updated regarding tax advantages of charitable giving.  I think we are to be “as wise as serpents” when it comes to paying taxes and “render unto Caesar ‘only’ what belongs to Caesar.”  But, in this column I want you to stop and consider if modern day Christians put too much emphasis on the “tax benefit” allowed by the IRS and not enough on God’s command to give.  People pass up opportunities to meet the needs of others: friends, a stranger or even a family member, because no tax deduction exists for that gift.  Technically, the IRS does not allow an income tax deduction for gifts to an individual.  Sometimes attempts are made to donate through a tax exempt organization that the IRS recognizes as a 501c3.  A person will then “encourage” the organization to help the individual they desire to help.  This is an elaborate process to try and circumvent the IRS rules.  Also, individuals may limit their annual charitable gifts based on the deduction limits allowed by the IRS.  Do you think the … [Read more...]

HAUGHTON – First Baptist here is investing in the future by helping its students attend Student Leadership University (SLU) courses conducted throughout the world. HAUGHTON – First Baptist here is investing in the future by helping its students attend Student Leadership University (SLU) courses conducted throughout the world. About 40 students at First Haughton are involved in SLU and have made it as far as the third class, said youth minister Scott Sullivan. SLU offers a total of four classes: 101, 201, 301, and 401. “The [First Haughton] group in 301 have felt led of God to do a revival, scheduled for Aug. 20-21,” Sullivan said.  The students are planning to lead the revival by providing a band, the preaching, testimony, funds, and publicity. They’ve even made a video promoting the event. “SLU has broadened their scope of confidence and increased their spiritual depth,” Sullivan said. Sullivan, who’d heard other youth ministers talk about SLU, didn’t become involved until he received a letter from the North American Mission Board endorsing the program, he said. After checking into it, Sullivan decided to involve the youth at First Haughton. “It came out of my desire to do more than just evangelism,” he said. … [Read more...]

Thirty churches dot the landscape of Natchitoches Parish where this association serves. NATCHITOCHES BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – Thirty churches dot the landscape of Natchitoches Parish where this association serves. Bayous, rivers, lakes, forests, and hills provide plenty of outdoor activities throughout the parish, while the City of Natchitoches, established in 1714, provides history and character to the area. “Natchitoches Baptist Association is filled with missions minded people,” said Lee Dickson, director of missions for the Natchitoches Associaiton. “In addition to local ministries, they have helped build churches in Montana, helped rebuild Katrina and Rita damaged churches across south Louisiana, and provided numerous volunteers in Chile, Africa, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, and other locations, with more leaving for Romania in a couple of weeks.” The churches of the association contribute to a number of ministries. In  2006 the association awarded scholarships to four Louisiana College students and one Southwester Baptist Theological Seminary student. Other ministries of the association include Women’s Missionary Union; Clara Springs Baptist Encampment; and the Toledo Bend Resort Ministry.   The … [Read more...]

The Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Northwestern State University provides students with an avenue for spiritual growth that complements their development during their college years, said Bill Collins, BCM director. NATCHITOCHES – The Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Northwestern State University provides students with an avenue for spiritual growth that complements their development during their college years, said Bill Collins, BCM director. For more than 80 years, the BCM at NSU has been serving NSU students. Collins has been director for more than 18  of those years. “What we try to do with BCM is provide services to college students that the university cannot legally provide,” Collins said. “We have three tasks: to reach, connect and strengthen. We’re trying to reach college students for Jesus Christ but also connect them to a local church, and then strengthen them in their walk with Jesus Christ. “We are the link to the college campus for [the 126 churches in the District Eight Baptist Convention]. Through us, any church can access the university. That’s where our operational support base comes from, our local churches.” One way the BCM tries to reach students for Christ is through a program called The Matrix, … [Read more...]

St. Tammany Parish officials have asked Tobey Pitman, executive director of the Brantley Baptist Center in New Orleans, to serve on the North Shore parish’s Emergency Operations Committee. SLIDELL – St. Tammany Parish officials have asked Tobey Pitman, executive director of the Brantley Baptist Center in New Orleans, to serve on the North Shore parish’s Emergency Operations Committee. In addition, Pitman is leading Slidell pastors in carrying out a community assessment, a product of an agreement made in January between the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the North American Mission Board, and North Shore Baptist Association. “I will serve as a volunteer liaison between the EOC and the entire faith-based community of St. Tammany,” Pitman explained. “Disaster planners added the faith-based liaison because they saw firsthand the resources that Southern Baptists and others brought into the region.” The position as liaison can only help the ongoing work of the community assessment, as Pitman makes connections among community leaders and churches. “A community assessment is a ministry tool to help discover and identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and resources for ministry in the community,” Pitman said. Cities … [Read more...]

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Louisiana’s medical support industry has a shortage of educated personnel, according to health industry officials, and Louisiana College plans to address that need. PINEVILLE – Louisiana’s medical support industry has a shortage of educated personnel, according to health industry officials, and Louisiana College plans to address that need. Healthcare is either the largest or second-largest economic driver of the state’s economy, according to an LC news release. Half of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the entire labor market today are in fields of allied health. Especially in the rural areas of the state, healthcare professionals are “desperately needed,” according to the news release. The state legislature on June 22 authorized the distribution of grants for the purpose of equipping allied health professionals, and LC recently accepted a grant of $2 million from this pool of money, which comes from the State of Louisiana in partnership with the Louisiana Rural Healthcare Association. The grants are administered by the Louisiana Board of Regents.  Receiving the grant was the result of much hard work from a coalition of influential people, said Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard. He expressed thanks to … [Read more...]

Matt Hancock of Monroe earlier this month signed a two-year recording contract with the Eugene, Ore.-based Incubator Records /Incubator Creative Group. Matt Hancock of Monroe earlier this month signed a two-year recording contract with the Eugene, Ore.-based Incubator Records /Incubator Creative Group. A singer/songwriter/solo artist, Hancock also is associate director of activities and education at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, and a graduate in 2000 of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With bandmates Michael Howell on second guitar and Brandon White on drums, Hancock handles primary guitar and piano in addition to vocals. He’s available for bookings anywhere in Louisiana, so he can also promote the Children’s Home, where his father Perry Hancock is executive director. “My style is very much praise and worship-oriented, but also has a slight rock flair to it,” Hancock says. He’s developing a Vision Team of friends and new friends to help MPH Music Ministries grow from the ground up and reach as many lives as possible. If interested in joining the MPH Vision Team, contact him atmatthewperryhancock@hotmail.com.“It’s just been really amazing to see how much God had done this year and how many promises He has come … [Read more...]

Several members from Washington Baptist Church participated in a disaster relief mission trip in early June to Eagle Pass, Texas, where there had been a tornado. WASHINGTON – Several members from Washington Baptist Church participated in a disaster relief mission trip in early June to Eagle Pass, Texas, where there had been a tornado. They took groceries and other donations to Hispanic families there. The church plans to take shoes and bicycles as gifts during  an August mission trip to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Louis Charrier is pastor. SUNSET – Four members from Knoll Wood Ranch Cowboy Church participated in a recent Evangeline Baptist Association mission trip to Anchorage, Alaska, led by DOM Bert Langley. The mission team worked in partnership with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry group at the University of Anchorage. Chad Ramsey is pastor of Knoll Wood Ranch. TAYLOR – Kyndall Ardoin, a member at Taylor Baptist Church, recently repeated as champion of the Louisiana Women’s Amateur golf tournament. She has been invited to play in theWestfield Junior PGA Tournament in Ohio, one of the most important junior events in the PGA.  Jimmy Eppinette is pastor of Taylor Baptist. MONROE – First Baptist  reports additions and … [Read more...]