New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees took a step aimed at promoting the Cooperative Program among a new generation recently. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees took a step aimed at promoting the Cooperative Program among a new generation recently. Trustees officially established the Cooperative Program Chair for Southern Baptist Convention Studies during their recent spring meeting. They also approved a required graduate course to promote Cooperative Program awareness. (See Page Five for additional coverage of the recent meeting) "The lifeblood of Southern Baptists at every level and in every ministry is the Cooperative Program," seminary President Chuck Kelley noted. "The genius of the Southern Baptist Convention is that we have learned we can do things together that none of us could do individually." By giving through the Cooperative Program, churches of all sizes are able to participate in kingdom ministries that touch all areas of the world, Kelley said. Through the recent actions, he said he hopes the seminary will be able to instill an attitude of cooperation and Southern Baptist Convention support in each of its graduates. "The … [Read more...]
NOBTS trustees address ‘sole membership’ issue
The decision about exactly how New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary will tie itself to the Southern Baptist Convention apparently will be decided by annual messengers in 2005. The decision about exactly how New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary will tie itself to the Southern Baptist Convention apparently will be decided by annual messengers in 2005. Seminary trustees recently approved a motion to present two alternatives to convention messengers at next year’s annual meeting - a so-called "sole membership" option and a yet-to-be-determined alternative. Seminary trustees easily approved the plan, with only a handful of members opposed. Their decision is the latest development in a process that stretches back several years and has divided some conservative leaders. Since 1997, Southern Baptist leaders have sought to tie convention entities more closely to the denomination. Their motivation has been to ensure that no entity could follow the lead of some state agencies and choose to leave the control of the convention. Their chosen tool for accomplishing this is a legal structure in which an entity alters its charter to make the Southern Baptist Convention the … [Read more...]
Be assured, your good deeds are always rewarded, or punished
Think kindness. In my sermon the day before, thats what I said. It "preached" so nobly that on Mon-day, I, yes even the preacher, determined to do it. Think kindness. In my sermon the day before, thats what I said. It "preached" so nobly that on Mon-day, I, yes even the preacher, determined to do it. Our bookkeeper asked, "Would you fill my car with gasoline for me?" No problem, said I, thinking of my words Sunday. She handed me her credit card and off I went to the convenience store/filling station/car wash/fried chicken place. Talk about one-stop! As I watched the dials on the "total" costs dial on the pump spin faster than a top on Christmas morning, my eyes fell on the sign, "car wash?" Why not do something a little extra beyond kindness? I said in my sermon the day before such acts would be rewarded. After filling the gasoline tank, I pulled to the car wash. After punching in the code, I drove forward and watched as somehow the machine knew to spray on the detergent. Then, the brushes started scrubbing away the dirt and grime. Suddenly, "Wham, wham, wham, slam, slam, slam, bang, bang, bang." Whatever caused it, it did not sound … [Read more...]
When disaster falls, Louisiana Baptists are on the way
In December 1978, Louisiana Baptists ministered to individuals affected by a tornado that touched down in Bossier City. That effort was the beginning of the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief program, which still is "offering a cup of cold water in Jesus name." In December 1978, Louisiana Baptists ministered to individuals affected by a tornado that touched down in Bossier City. That effort was the beginning of the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief program, which still is "offering a cup of cold water in Jesus name." "We do this (ministry) because Jesus fed the hungry and comforted those who had lost their possessions," says Loy Seal, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of men and volunteer ministries. Today, 867 trained Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are available to assist in numerous disasters statewide and nationwide. The objective of disaster relief is to provide immediate, short-term or long-term assistance to individuals suffering from the effects of a major disaster. Some of the past disasters the Louisiana units have responded to include Hurricane Frederick, which affected Mobile, Ala., in September 1979; a flood that placed parts of New … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the published date of March 5, 2004 Thanks, Mr. President Some 70 of the nations leading evangelical and pro-family leaders have signed a letter thanking President George Bush for his courage in endorsing a constitutional marriage amendment. (See Page Seven) Those signing included five Southern Baptist leaders. The letter was released after Bush endorsed an amendment to the Constitution that would protect the traditional definition of marriage, thus banning same-sex marriage. "Mr. President, we applaud your courage," the letter reads. "There have been times in our history when presidents have been called upon to make difficult decisions to protect the balance of power in our government. ... We think you are making just such a stand in opposing what we view as runaway courts. Thank you, sir, for standing with the people and for doing what is right." The letter promises the leaders support in pushing an amendment. It also praises Bush for his leadership in preserving the traditional family. "We can think of no more crucial issue for our nation than the preservation of the institution of marriage," it notes. SBC president Florida Baptist pastor Bobby Welch apparently … [Read more...]
It was just a call from a friend – he could not have known where it would lead
Last February, one telephone call 2,500 miles away from New Orleans changed Scott Hanberry’s life. Last February, one telephone call 2,500 miles away from New Orleans changed Scott Hanberry’s life. At the time, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduate was content managing the on-campus Lifeway Christian Resources store and serving as pastor of a church in Hattiesburg, Miss. The call came from longtime friend Mike Palmer, pastor at Salmon Valley Baptist Church in Salmon, Idaho. He phoned Hanberry to request Bibles for church members to give away on their missions trip. "As we were talking, Scott asked me about the churches in the Coeur d’Alene/Hayden area," Palmer recounts. "I said off the cuff, jokingly, ‘Why don’t you come up here and start one.’" As it turns out, the joke turned into a life-changing decision for Hanberry. "We were really content enjoying the ministry God had given us (in the South)," says Hanberry, whose place of ministry always had been in the Deep South. However, after praying about the situation, Hanberry, his wife and two sons made the cross-country trek to Idaho last September to plant NorthStar … [Read more...]
She is an up-and-coming music star – with deep Louisiana Baptist roots
She was nominated for Country Christian Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award last November. She was nominated for Country Christian Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award last November. Her single "Where You Are" spent 11 consecutive weeks last year in the Country Christian Music top 10 chart, reaching as high as number two. But spend a few minutes with April Nicole McInturf, and one will realize the Louisiana Baptist youth values her family as much as her musical accolades. "I’m real close to my parents," says the Louisiana State University freshman, who eats supper with her family when she is not working at a Baton Rouge delicatessen or singing at a church. "This is just a wonderful family." The Louisiana Baptist ties are deep. Her two uncles are ministers, her cousin is a youth intern, and her grandfather and father serve as deacons at their Louisiana Baptist churches. In fact, Nicole - who goes by that last name musically - is the only non-preacher’s kid on her dad’s side of the family. "I have so many relatives in churches, so, I always was able to go and sing at their different churches, … [Read more...]
State sexual abstinence program praised as model
Truth be told, it is not often that one touts Louisiana as a model for the rest of the nation. However, when it comes to promoting sexual abstinence among young people, Louisiana is just that, said Nancy Victory, a Louisiana Baptist who works with the Governors Program on Abstinence. Truth be told, it is not often that one touts Louisiana as a model for the rest of the nation. However, when it comes to promoting sexual abstinence among young people, Louisiana is just that, said Nancy Victory, a Louisiana Baptist who works with the Governors Program on Abstinence. "We are the model program for the country, said Victory, who is a member at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport and who serves as project director for the abstinence programs Web site. "We have used the money (available for the program) in innovative, creative ways. Nobody else has clubs and curriculum and community projects and a really top-notch Web site. We have used this money as well as it could be used." The money Victory refers to is the federal funds made available several years ago as part of the welfare reform legislation. The money is dedicated for states to use in teaching … [Read more...]
Suit to overturn Roe v. Wade rests in Louisiana court
Since 1973, Roe v. Wade has stood as the rule of the land regarding abortion. However, last June, the woman who led to the ruling - the "Jane Roe" of the case - filed suit to reverse the decision. Since 1973, Roe v. Wade has stood as the rule of the land regarding abortion. However, last June, the woman who led to the ruling - the "Jane Roe" of the case - filed suit to reverse the decision. Norma McCorvey now is a Christian - and is adamantly pro-life. She is convinced that new evidence shows the harm that abortion does to women. Thus, last summer, she sought to reopen the 31-year-old case that has shaped the landscape of the country. That fight has led to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in New Orleans. A federal district court in Dallas threw out McCorveys suit within days of its filing last summer, saying it had not been filed within a reasonable time. However, McCorvey was undeterred in the matter. She appealed the decision. Last month, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to take the case - and actually set oral arguments on the matter for March 2. However, just last week, … [Read more...]
Do the right thing
Re: SBC Executive Committee stand on the Baptist World Alliance Re: SBC Executive Committee stand on the Baptist World Alliance I attended my first Baptist World Youth Conference in Beirut, Lebanon in 1963. It was an awesome experience to witness the roll call of nations, to meet with people of diverse color, culture and customs but united under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It was challenging to hear Christian leaders from all over the world, to learn what God was doing through his children everywhere. God speaks through different languages, works in different cultures but draws people unto himself through his Word and Spirit. Our God and his work are greater than those who would try to coerce everyone in this world to dot every "i" and cross every "t" exclusively like the Southern Baptist Convention. Years ago, I read a mission study book on Baptists in Europe. It was inspiring to learn that many Baptist bodies in Europe emerged when an individual read the Bible, became a believer, gathered others to join together for Bible study in homes, eventually becoming baptized believers. These Baptist bodies were started not by a foreign mission board. It is amazing how God can grow … [Read more...]
