Louisiana Baptist Executive Board members approved a standstill state Cooperative Program budget for 2005 last week - but with some allocation changes. Louisiana Baptist Executive Board members approved a standstill state Cooperative Program budget for 2005 last week - but with some allocation changes.   In their scheduled meeting, they also adopted a recommendation to the previously convention-owned Baptist Retirement Center in Arcadia and a statement related to the ongoing transfer of responsibility for local associational directors of missions.   Most items of business during the meeting were handled with little debate, as board members also received reports regarding various aspects of convention work.   Cooperative Program   In the major item of business, Executive Board members agreed to a standstill $22 million budget that still must be approved by messengers to the annual convention.   While the overall budget goal remains the same as 2004, the allocation percentages for the money does change.   For one thing, the amount to be forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention to support worldwide missions and ministry efforts is set to increase from … [Read more...]

The official word came as anticipated - just in time for Louisiana College leaders to announce at their annual Founder’s Day service. The official word came as anticipated - just in time for Louisiana College leaders to announce at their annual Founder’s Day service.   The school has a new president.   Southern Baptist scholar and educator Malcolm Yarnell, 42, of Fort Worth, Texas, officially accepted the offer from Louisiana College trustees last week to become the school’s eighth president. He will assume the position in January.   "Today is a great day for the college," emphasized Ed Tarpley of Pineville, who headed the presidential search committee.   "Malcolm Yarnell is an outstanding theologian and teacher. He has a love for students and faculty, and he is truly a man that all Louisiana Baptists can be proud of.   "I think we have exciting days ahead for Louisiana College," Tarpley added. "And there’s no question in my mind that Dr. Yarnell possesses the character, the wisdom, the integrity to be the kind of leader that Louisiana College needs. He has a dynamic vision for the future of Louisiana College, and truly, better days are … [Read more...]

A new study has found most parents favor new regulations to limit the amount of sex and violence found on television shows during the early evening hours. A new study has found most parents favor new regulations to limit the amount of sex and violence found on television shows during the early evening hours.   The Kaiser Family Foundation said 60 percent of parents are "very" concerned about the amount of sex on television these days, and 53 percent are as concerned about the levels of violence.   Nearly two-thirds of parents say they favor new regulations to curb such excess, with 35 percent opposed, the recent foundation study found.   Federal law prohibits radio and non-cable television stations from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. However, the law does not address the issue of violence, and the anti-indecency standard is only enforced when a complaint is filed, resulting in a review and possible fines.   At this point, television is the communication medium that most concerns parents overall, with 34 percent indicating it is the most dangerous to children.   Sixteen percent said the Internet most concerns them; 10 … [Read more...]

October is designated as Cooperative Program Month in the Southern Baptist Convention. The following commentary is presented in support of that emphasis. There is a scene in the movie "Dave" in which the lead character demonstrates an hydraulic tool used at a factory.   Once positioning himself properly, the character is able to move his arms and have the vastly-extended metal arms of the tool mirror those movements.   As he does so, he looks at those viewing the display and jokingly moves his own arms apart, while saying, "I once caught a fish this big!"   Of course, the viewing crowd laughs as the arms of the machine spread out to three or four times the width that the man’s own arms indicate. It is a clever scene.   It also is a fitting way to describe the ongoing impact of the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program.   Ask the average Southern Baptist how far his or her missions arms will reach.   Perhaps you will find one who has considerable experience, someone who can talk about volunteer trips taken to other parts of the United States or to other countries.   More often than not, you probably will find someone who may have taken one trip … [Read more...]

For the week of October 14, 2004 North Korean measure   The U.S. Congress has passed the North Korean Human Rights Act, providing final congressional approval for legislation to aid people living under one of the world’s most repressive regimes. The bill was approved by the House and Senate without opposition - and President George Bush is expected to sign it into law. North Korea is one of eight governments labeled by the State Department as a severe violator of religious freedom. The new legislation establishes the position of special envoy for North Korean human rights and calls for U.S. negotiations with the regime to be tied to human rights progress. It also authorizes the president to provide funds for nonprofit groups in order to advance human rights and democracy in the country and seeks to assure increased protection for North Korean refugees. A Southern Baptist spokesperson applauded the bill as a victory for "millions of suffering North Koreans."   Missions worker attack   Southern Baptist worker Patsy Dietz is in good condition after being shot during a robbery in Honduras. Dietz and her husband, Raymond, have served as North Carolina Baptists’ on-site partnership … [Read more...]

The Cooperative Program not only proves its incredible value in Kingdom work year after year, it demonstrates remarkable resilience as well. The Cooperative Program not only proves its incredible value in Kingdom work year after year, it demonstrates remarkable resilience as well.   For more than twenty-five years, a controversy of theology, ideology, philosophy, style and control has been strongly present in the Southern Baptist Convention and state conventions. A key element in this controversy has been the kinds of institutions and agencies the Cooperative Program would support.   This controversy has caused at least three state conventions to split, two "alternate" national conventions to form and numerous other battles in every area of Southern Baptist life.   The truly remarkable occurrence in the midst of this controversy is that the Cooperative Program receipts have continued to grow every year. Receipts undoubtedly have not grown as significantly as they would have without the controversy, but they nevertheless have grown.   One would imagine that because of all the diversions and divisions, giving would decrease. Observers of charitable organizations would expect … [Read more...]