The theme of the recent Kaleidoscope enrichment conference for Louisiana Baptist women had special meaning for Cindy Townsend.   In fact, as far as Townsend was concerned, "Designed by God’s Love" represents the actual story of the conference.   Townsend is the new Louisiana Baptist women’s missions and ministry director, assuming office in January. The theme of the recent Kaleidoscope enrichment conference for Louisiana Baptist women had special meaning for Cindy Townsend.   In fact, as far as Townsend was concerned, "Designed by God’s Love" represents the actual story of the conference.   Townsend is the new Louisiana Baptist women’s missions and ministry director, assuming office in January.   One of her first responsibilities was the annual Kaleidoscope conference, designed as an enrichment session for Louisiana Baptist women.   Six days before the registration deadline for the conference, Townsend faced her first job difficulty - only 18 women had signed up for the gathering.   The new state leader admits she did not know what to do.   "I began to pray and said, ‘Now, God, this is your agenda, but 18 women isn’t enough for a … [Read more...]

A recent Public Agenda study affirms what others have said in times past - in many ways, the family is a microcosm of the American society as a whole.   In that case, society is in trouble - because families are.   Indeed, the Public Agenda study states the situation plainly - despite their efforts, parents are having trouble.   And the trouble is both external - and internal. The parenting challenge: Modern parents face an onslaught of pressures in raising their children, including countering strong cultural forces and teaching kids key values   Editor’s Note: The following is the first of a two-part look at the challenge of modern parenting. This week’s article focuses on the current state of parenting and how parents themselves feel they are meeting the challenge. Next week’s article will offer some tips on how parents can respond to modern pressures and meet that challenge.   C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor   A recent Public Agenda study affirms what others have said in times past - in many ways, the family is a microcosm of the American society as a whole.   In that case, society is in trouble - because … [Read more...]

Thank you for your timely article in the January 30 issue of the Baptist Message regarding the benefits of your health insurance covered through the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Thank you for your timely article in the January 30 issue of the Baptist Message regarding the benefits of your health insurance covered through the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.   I, too, have had similar experiences through my almost 40 years of employment with the Louisiana Baptist Convention and now almost 13 years of retirement. I also express a hearty thanks to the convention and the Annuity Board for this service and strongly urge anyone eligible to participate in this program to do so. You will never regret it. I fear to think of our financial situation without this coverage.   Thank you for your valuable work with the convention through the years.   Melba Voda Alexandria, La. … [Read more...]

For the past few days, I have been reflecting on the life and witness of Dr. Robert L. Lee. He was indeed a remarkable Christian leader. If anyone ever reflected the love of Christ in all his actions, it was Bob Lee. For the past few days, I have been reflecting on the life and witness of Dr. Robert L. Lee. He was indeed a remarkable Christian leader. If anyone ever reflected the love of Christ in all his actions, it was Bob Lee.   For a dozen years, we worked side-by-side in the same city, trying to do Christ’s work and serving Louisiana Baptists (during Lynn’s tenure as president of Louisiana College and Lee’s term as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention). Many were the joys, victories, opportunities and crises we faced. Often, we talked about critical issues that faced Louisiana College and the convention. We sometimes differed on strategy, but what I noticed about Bob Lee was that his attitude of Christian love bathed all his dealings with fellow Christians.   I remember going into his office to discuss an issue and coming away with the sense of having been in the presence of God.   I sense that many Louisiana Baptists had the same experience as they sensed Bob … [Read more...]

In 1992, the Church at Pierce Creek in Binghamton, N.Y., challenged then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton’s stance on abortion, homosexuality and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.   They did so in a paid advertisement in USA Today and the Washington Times. They did so with scripture verses supporting their position. Note: The following is the fourth - and final - article in a series on "The Church and the Law." This article focuses on the issue of free speech. The series of articles was commissioned by the Association of State Baptist Papers.   In 1992, the Church at Pierce Creek in Binghamton, N.Y., challenged then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton’s stance on abortion, homosexuality and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.   They did so in a paid advertisement in USA Today and the Washington Times. They did so with scripture verses supporting their position.   As a result, the Church on Pierce Creek in 1995 became the first church in United States history to lose its tax-exempt status for taking a moral stand, a spokesperson at The American Center for Law and Justice noted.   The Internal Revenue Service determined the church violated a code that … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist Convention leaders have proposed a plan to cut contributions to the Baptist World Alli-ance in order to fund their own global network of "like-minded Christians."   The proposal does not call for the convention to leave the Baptist World Alliance at this time. However, the groundwork for that possibility will be laid with development of a global "Kingdom Relationships" initiative. Southern Baptist Convention leaders have proposed a plan to cut contributions to the Baptist World Alli-ance in order to fund their own global network of "like-minded Christians."   The proposal does not call for the convention to leave the Baptist World Alliance at this time. However, the groundwork for that possibility will be laid with development of a global "Kingdom Relationships" initiative.   As proposed, that initiative will be launched with funding of $125,000 - redirected from the $425,000 allocated to the Baptist World Alliance in recent years. The redirection represents about a 30 percent decrease for the alliance.   "The emphasis (of the Kingdom Relationships initiative) will be to strengthen bilateral (Southern Baptist Convention) relationships with Baptist … [Read more...]