The Terri Shiavo tragedy threw an exceedingly bright spotlight upon a dilemma that countless families across our nation face everyday – to what extent should a family go to sustain the life of a person who is considered “terminally” ill or is unable to care for one’s basic requirements of life? The Terri Shiavo tragedy threw an exceedingly bright spotlight upon a dilemma that countless families across our nation face everyday – to what extent should a family go to sustain the life of a person who is considered “terminally” ill or is unable to care for one’s basic requirements of life? And who makes such decisions? Ideally, the person’s whose life is at stake should make these decisions. But as was the case with Terri Shaivo, the person is not always able to articulate his or her wishes at the time the actual decisions must be made. There is a way one can communicate his or her wishes, and that is by prayerfully deciding before the crisis arrives and, then, clearly constructing documents that make clear that wish.  That is why, in this issue, the Baptist Message staff has gathered information and forms to help anyone without such documents prepare them. Three different times in my life, I have had … [Read more...]

The scene at the recent state Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston was one Ed Jelks may never forget. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter The scene at the recent state Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston was one Ed Jelks may never forget. During the meeting’s last session, Jelks was recognized for serving 25 years as director of the Louisiana Baptist Church Builders, an organization that constructs buildings for mission churches and organizations at a low cost. One by one, pastors and church leaders who were impacted by the Baptist Builders walked on stage, signing their name on the roof of a miniature church. The church was constructed by a team of Baptist Builders on the stage as Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Ministry and Missions Ministry Director Cindy Townsend interviewed Jelks about his involvement with the ministry. Then, as persons made their way onto the stage, women held candles throughout the sanctuary, while the song “Go Light Your World” played in the background. At the same time, other individuals formed a prayer circle around Jelks. However, those expressing … [Read more...]

When a massive bomb exploded outside a federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, Baptists felt the repercussions. When a massive bomb exploded outside a federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, Baptists felt the repercussions. Not only were Southern Baptists among the victims of the blast, but they quickly were on the scene to offer help and hope to those affected. Ministers traveled to the bomb site to counsel with grieving family members and even rescue workers overcome by the scene of destruction. “I’ve never seen (anything) like this before,” one Baptist chaplain said of the scene. “We’ll never get over the impact of seeing these things.” Blast victims included children who attended the daycare located in the building. All in all, 168 persons were killed in the blast – and hundreds of others suffered a range of injuries. The families and loved ones of the victims also proved to be casualties as well, left to deal with the trauma and loss. Through it all, Southern Baptists worked with affected persons – listening, counseling, crying, praying. “It’s not nearly so much what you say as just being there,” area pastor Mark Estep explained at the time. “I pray for them, and … [Read more...]

Terry Schiavo died March 31, the end of a long 15-year saga that involved physicians, judges, politicians and social pundits – and captured the attention of a nation. Terry Schiavo died March 31, the end of a long 15-year saga that involved physicians, judges, politicians and social pundits – and captured the attention of a nation. For weeks and weeks, controversy and debate swirled about whether a gastric feeding tube should be removed from Schiavo, effectively allowing her to die. She had been in a persistent vegetative state for years, following an incident in 1990 that resulted in brain damage. In one sense, her situation provided an education for the nation, many of whom equated “persistent vegetative state” with “comatose” and imagined a lifeless, still form lying day after day in bed. Instead, videos showed a somewhat awake Schiavo – and reports indicated she responded to some stimuli. As the Internet encyclopedia Wikipedia notes: “A persistent vegetative state (PVS) ... is a condition of patients with severe brain damage in whom coma has progressed to a state of wakefulness without detectable awareness. The term was coined (by neurosurgeons) in 1972 ... to describe a syndrome that seemed to … [Read more...]

One month after an Alexandria judge declared the election of Joe Aguillard as Louisiana College president to be valid, plaintiffs in the case have announced they will appeal the matter. One month after an Alexandria judge declared the election of Joe Aguillard as Louisiana College president to be valid, plaintiffs in the case have announced they will appeal the matter. The decision means the case challenging the election of Aguillard now will go to the state’s Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Lake Charles. It also means the matter could end up in the Louisiana Supreme Court. At issue in the case is whether Aguillard was properly elected as Louisiana College president in a January 17 meeting. A group of college alumni and supporters – including one retired faculty member who was involved in the presidential search process at one point – filed suit following that election, charging the process violated school bylaws and procedures. The case was argued before Ninth Judicial District Judge Dexter Ryland, who acknowledged in a March 17 ruling that the election Aguillard did not follow established procedure at every point. However, he also ruled the election was valid. Last week, plaintiffs attorney Jay … [Read more...]

In case one missed the revelation in the Time magazine dated January 17, 2005, here it comes – religion fosters happiness; money does not. In case one missed the revelation in the Time magazine dated January 17, 2005, here it comes – religion fosters happiness; money does not. In an issue focused on the general topic of happiness, writers examined key areas of life – including religion and money. “Religious people are less stressed and happier than nonbelievers,” the subhead to the article on religion reads. In turn, the section on happiness and money wonders “why we remain keen for green even though it often gives us more social anxiety than satisfaction.” The ensuing articles affirm a longstanding affirmation of the Christian faithful – happiness is found in relationship with God not as a result of riches. In the article on happiness and religion, writer Pamela Paul notes that studies suggest faith commitment provides a life buffer, leading religious persons to be less depressed, anxious and suicidal than non-religious counterparts. “And they are better able to cope with such crises as illness, divorce and bereavement,” she adds. Paul also points out that incorporating religion into one’s daily … [Read more...]

The influence of evangelicals is almost everywhere – from places of political power like Congress to cultural status markers like the New York Times’ best-seller list, where titles like “The Purpose Driven Life” reside. The influence of evangelicals is almost everywhere – from places of political power like Congress to cultural status markers like the New York Times’ best-seller list, where titles like “The Purpose Driven Life” reside. But the person many evangelicals consider the most prominent member of their fold – President George Bush – does not use that term to describe himself publicly and neither does the White House. So, is he or is he not? Evangelical leaders generally concur the president is one of them. But some observers of religion and politics say his outreach to Muslims and attendance at a mainstream Protestant church demonstrate he may not neatly fit the definition. Bob Wenz said he does not mind that Bush will not embrace the particular word. “From an analysis of what the man does believe, I think we can categorize him in-house as an evangelical, but if he chooses not to use the term, I don’t think it’s an affront to evangelicals,” said Wenz, vice president of national ministries of … [Read more...]