For the week of September 12, 2002 Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled almost $16 million last month, an increase of $1.4 million (9.6 percent) from the previous August. With just one month remaining in the convention’s fiscal year, overall receipts total $167.9 million, an increase of more than $7.3 million (4.6 percent) from the same time last year. The total also stands $4.5 million (2.8 percent) ahead of budget. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled almost $4 million last month, a decrease of more than $1.7 million (31 percent) from the previous August. For the fiscal year, designated gifts total almost $167 million, an increase of $146,438 (0.1 percent) from the same time last year. Second suit The atheist who made legal news when he asked an appeals court to remove "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance is now trying to have chaplains removed from the U.S. Congress. Michael Newdow of Sacramento, Calif., has filed suit in federal district court in Washington, claiming that it is unconstitutional for taxpayer-funded chaplains to minister to lawmakers and pray in Congress. "If congressmen want to go to church, (then) walk down the block like other Americans do … [Read more...]

It is with great concern that I write these lines. For over 50 years, I have been closely associated with our Baptist work in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. It is with great concern that I write these lines. For over 50 years, I have been closely associated with our Baptist work in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. All directors of missions, as they are now called, have tremendous responsibilities. Louisiana is a state which really should be reviewed extremely carefully because of her uniqueness. There are many small areas, especially in South Louisiana, as well as larger areas such as New Orleans helped by DOMs, that have financial problems. Perhaps the Golden Rule needs to be applied! How would those who want changes in this work feel if they walked in the shoes of a DOM? "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it," and from where I sit, most DOMs are doing a good job in spite of daily problems facing them. I feel this is not time for the changes. What would Jesus do? Ella May Causey Oak Grove … [Read more...]

Thank you for your editorial on divorce. I have been separated (his choice, not mine) from my husband for seven years but feel that God wants me to stand for my marriage. Many friends and family members tell me I should get on with my life. I made a commitment, and I know God hates divorce. If nothing else, it shows my sons that I believe in marriage and commitment. Thank you for your editorial on divorce. I have been separated (his choice, not mine) from my husband for seven years but feel that God wants me to stand for my marriage. Many friends and family members tell me I should get on with my life. I made a commitment, and I know God hates divorce. If nothing else, it shows my sons that I believe in marriage and commitment.   There are two great ministries - Rejoice Ministries and Restorem Ministries - that encourage marriage restoration. They have testimonies from many restored marriages. I wish that churches would preach commitment and restoration more and acceptance of divorce less.   Thank you again for following God’s plan for marriage.   Name withheld by editor … [Read more...]

Can we be surprised that the rush of church attendance and other outward turnings to God witnessed shortly after 9/11/2001 have faded with each passing day?   We felt good that people many of whom previously had little use for religion and only fleeting thoughts about God found their ways to houses of worship immediately after 9/11/01. Can we be surprised that the rush of church attendance and other outward turnings to God witnessed shortly after 9/11/2001 have faded with each passing day?   We felt good that people many of whom previously had little use for religion and only fleeting thoughts about God found their ways to houses of worship immediately after 9/11/01. Editors fill the media with accounts of public officials and others invoking God and calls for at virtually every public gathering. The citizenry nodded their approval. Churches across the nation, including those in Louisiana, were filled. For a few weeks, there was talk of a national spiritual revival.   Within a few weeks, American troops decimated the people who harbored those who caused our insecurities and fears, so our nation could again count on our armed strength, leaving fear and insecurity in the dust of our … [Read more...]

As members of Gentilly Baptist Church and The Com-munity Church worked toward a historic merger, Charles Moore acknowledges he had a sense of being involved in something special.   "I don’t know of any other churches in this type of situation doing it like this, ..." Moore says. "What we’re doing here in New Orleans probably would not work in some other cities. But here, we’re having an opportunity to show that black and white can come together." As members of Gentilly Baptist Church and The Com-munity Church worked toward a historic merger, Charles Moore acknowledges he had a sense of being involved in something special.   "I don’t know of any other churches in this type of situation doing it like this, ..." Moore says. "What we’re doing here in New Orleans probably would not work in some other cities. But here, we’re having an opportunity to show that black and white can come together."   Indeed.   Late last month, the Caucasian congregation of Gentilly Baptist Church in New Orleans responded to the changing demographics of its neighborhood by merging with its African-American mission to form a multi-cultural membership. (See accompanying article)   The … [Read more...]

Where hope is alive! Faced with a changing neighborhood, one Louisiana Baptist church made a surprising choice - to embrace the change and come together as a multi-cultural congregation Traffic slows noticeably as one drives down Franklin Avenue in New Orleans about mid-morning this bright Sunday. Cars are parked everywhere along the road. People pass on the sidewalk in their Sunday best. Franklin Avenue Baptist Church is holding services. Farther down Franklin Avenue - at the other end of the long road - the scene used to be the same at another church. Where hope is alive! Faced with a changing neighborhood, one Louisiana Baptist church made a surprising choice - to embrace the change and come together as a multi-cultural congregation Traffic slows noticeably as one drives down Franklin Avenue in New Orleans about mid-morning this bright Sunday. Cars are parked everywhere along the road. People pass on the sidewalk in their Sunday best. Franklin Avenue Baptist Church is holding services. Farther down Franklin Avenue - at the other end of the long road - the scene used to be the same at another church. Just a few decades ago, this part of New Orleans was a booming suburb - and Gentilly Baptist Church was a … [Read more...]

The recent Louisiana Baptist Foundation board of trustees meeting in Alexandria was highighted by a lengthy discussion about a change in the agency’s charter and bylaws.   Board member Howard Cole said the discussion centered around changing the definition of "members" in the foundation’s charter and bylaws. The recent Louisiana Baptist Foundation board of trustees meeting in Alexandria was highighted by a lengthy discussion about a change in the agency’s charter and bylaws.   Board member Howard Cole said the discussion centered around changing the definition of "members" in the foundation’s charter and bylaws.   The purpose for the change is to prevent institutions and agencies from severing ties from the Louisiana Baptist Convention and voting themselves independent.   After much discussion, trustees decided that foundation Attorney Bob Nida would write the change that would be added to the agency’s charter and bylaws.   The change reads:   "All changes to the LBF charter and bylaws must be approved by the trustees, with one exception. The exception would be if the LBF were to want to sever ties from the Louisiana Baptist Convention or to change … [Read more...]

The farmer walked the visitor through the field that seemed to stretch all the way to the horizon.   He talked as they walked, explaining his planting and growing process. Eventually, he stopped to demonstrate how one could tell a crop was ready. The farmer walked the visitor through the field that seemed to stretch all the way to the horizon.   He talked as they walked, explaining his planting and growing process. Eventually, he stopped to demonstrate how one could tell a crop was ready.   "Is this crop ready?" the visitor asked.   "Sure is," the farmer replied.   "So, when you planning to pick it?" the visitor questioned.   "Soon as I get help," the farmer said.   Some tasks simply are too big for one person to undertake alone.   They take help.   Harvesting a field is a task like that.   So is reaching a state with the gospel.   Louisiana Baptist leaders understand that. They know that any hope of changing the face of Louisiana for Jesus Christ will take a lot of work - and a lot of workers.   They also understand that the time has come for that work to be done.   "We have … [Read more...]

For the week of September 12, 2002 Potpourri • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: Senior adult retreat; Sept. 23, 9 a.m. - Sept. 24; $45/full time lodgers, $25/two day commuter, $15/one day commuter; Lindsey Burns and Bill Thorn, guest speakers; to pre-register, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • LONGVILLE - First church: Chosen in concert; Sept. 22, 6 p.m.; Stuart Graves, pastor.   • FERRIDAY - First church: Team Ministry 2002 simulcast featuring John C. Maxwell, Bill Hybels and Max Lucado; Sept 21, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; $49 per ticket; for information, call (318) 757-4524; Wayne Gray, pastor.   • LAKE CHARLES - First church: "The On Mission Life Workshop," sponsored by Carey Association; Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Frank Perdichizzi, guest speaker; registration deadline Sept. 15; to register, call (337) 474-1865; J. P. Miles, director of missions; John Paul White, pastor.   • HAMMOND - North Shore association office: Leadership Roundtable seminar; Sept. 19, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; seminar title "If You Want to Know the Health of a Church, Put a Thermometer in the Mouth of the Leader," Reggie Ogea and Steve Echols, seminar leaders; to register, call (225) 567-5086 by … [Read more...]

Despite the admonition of some that September 11, 2001, events were a spiritual wake-up call for the United States, most Americans have not taken notice, a new study indicates.   Indeed, in the year since the terrorist attacks on the country, the religious beliefs and practices of American adults have not changed, a recently-released Barna Research Group poll shows. Despite the admonition of some that September 11, 2001, events were a spiritual wake-up call for the United States, most Americans have not taken notice, a new study indicates.   Indeed, in the year since the terrorist attacks on the country, the religious beliefs and practices of American adults have not changed, a recently-released Barna Research Group poll shows.   "I was among those who fully expected to see an intense spiritual reaction to the terrorist attacks," said George Barna, founder of the Christian research organization. "The fact that we saw no lasting impact from the most significant act of war against our country on our own soil says something about the spiritual complacency of the American public."   It also says something about the nation’s churches, the poll suggests.   The survey … [Read more...]