For persons of faith, the assertion that marriage is good for health, wealth and happiness comes as no surprise.   After all, they long have affirmed the central importance of marriage to society.   What may come as a surprise is that the marriage assertion is being made by a panel of social scientists as well. For persons of faith, the assertion that marriage is good for health, wealth and happiness comes as no surprise.   After all, they long have affirmed the central importance of marriage to society.   What may come as a surprise is that the marriage assertion is being made by a panel of social scientists as well.   "Marriage is more than a private emotional relationship," the researchers note in their recent study. "It is also a social good.   "Not every person can or should marry," add the researchers, who based their study on decades of research. "And not every child raised outside of marriage is damaged as a result. But communities where good-enough marriages are common have better outcomes for children, women and men than do communities suffering from high rates of divorce, unmarried childbearing and high-conflict or violent … [Read more...]

Increasingly, churches find themselves in a court of law in Louisiana, so there is a distinct need for information and procedures to keep them out of court.   "You can be in good faith, doing all you can, and though trying to do good things, you can be successfully sued," said Greg Erwin, a Baton Rouge attorney. Increasingly, churches find themselves in a court of law in Louisiana, so there is a distinct need for information and procedures to keep them out of court.   "You can be in good faith, doing all you can, and though trying to do good things, you can be successfully sued," said Greg Erwin, a Baton Rouge attorney.   "You want to stay out of court, because bad things can happen in court. One never knows how decisions are going to be made, and although you think something seems perfectly obvious, you never know what a judge or a jury will rule."   Erwin is Louisiana Baptist Convention attorney and made these comments at a workshop last month on "Keeping Your Church Out of Court." The workshop was held at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, and sponsored by the stewardship/Cooperative Program office and business office of the state … [Read more...]

Imagine the scene - just as the check for the meal arrives, so does the last round of drinks.   In most cities, that would mean the diners sit and visit while they finish their alcohol. But this is not most cities.   This is New Orleans - and the diners in question simply ask the waitress for "to go" cups. In less than two minutes, they are out on the streets, headed for their vehicle, alcoholic beverages in hand. Imagine the scene - just as the check for the meal arrives, so does the last round of drinks.   In most cities, that would mean the diners sit and visit while they finish their alcohol. But this is not most cities.   This is New Orleans - and the diners in question simply ask the waitress for "to go" cups. In less than two minutes, they are out on the streets, headed for their vehicle, alcoholic beverages in hand.   That is one of the things that makes New Orleans unique among perhaps every other city in the country. It also is one of the things that makes New Orleans "probably the worst in the country as far as alcohol-related control policies," said Deborah Cohen, author of a recent study of alcohol cities in cities around the … [Read more...]

Growing up in Mexico, Dotty Mobley says she dispised the Hispanics there. That was before she became a Christian.   Now, she is teaching Hispanics in Sunday School at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Wisner, a group she says she "can’t get enough of."   A major part of the church’s Spanish-speaking ministry, Mobley was responsible for starting the Bible Study class. Growing up in Mexico, Dotty Mobley says she dispised the Hispanics there. That was before she became a Christian.   Now, she is teaching Hispanics in Sunday School at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Wisner, a group she says she "can’t get enough of."   A major part of the church’s Spanish-speaking ministry, Mobley was responsible for starting the Bible Study class.   The group, mostly from Catholic backgrounds, has been studying the book of John for a year.   "I chose John because I felt that was a good start for them," Mobley explains. "This was because they were mixed up about who God and Jesus were and needed to know praying to idols won’t get you into heaven.   "I was wanting to get them on the right track."   A year ago, Carl Haring, manager of Haring’s Pride … [Read more...]

I am writing in response to a letter posted by Norman and Dorothy Sutton of Shreveport. In this letter, the Suttons point out scriptures that make it very clear that we are to pray in Jesus’ name. I am writing in response to a letter posted by Norman and Dorothy Sutton of Shreveport. In this letter, the Suttons point out scriptures that make it very clear that we are to pray in Jesus’ name.   I totally agree!   However, is it the mere mention of Jesus’name that the scripture is talking about or the spirit in which we pray? I believe it’s the latter. To simply speak the name of Jesus with no reverence in your heart would be as beneficial as praying in the name of Oscar Mayer.   I see nothing wrong with closing your prayer with a simple "Amen," if you know in your heart that you are praying in the name of Jesus. After all, it is this relationship with Christ that allows us to go directly to God, so how else could we truly pray?   Cody Froelich, Knoxville, TN … [Read more...]

For the week of March 14, 2002 Potpourri • ALEXANDRIA - Southern Gospel Showcase will be featured on 31 KLAX - ABC at 6:30 a.m. through March; Mark Lanier and Marcelle Slaughter, showcase hosts.   • BOYCE - First church: "True Love Waits Weekend," March 15-16, cost is $12; for information call Brent or Hannah Romero at (318) 793-4389; Jim Lofton, pastor.   • KILLIAN - First Church: The Believers in concert; March 23, 7:30 p.m.; tickets $5 in advance/$7 at the door; for information call (225) 695-6581; David Whitehead, pastor.   • LONGVILLE - First church: "On Mission Celebration Conference," March 17, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 18-20, 7 p.m.; various missionary speakers; Stuart Graves, pastor.   • PRAIRIEVILLE - Dutchtown church: Lottie Stephens Association Winter Bible Study; March 18-20, 7 p.m.; Allan Moseley, study leader; Paul Harris, pastor.   • MINDEN - Webster-Claiborne Association sponsors a Jack Daniels Area Wide Crusade at Minden High School stadium; March 24-27, 7 p.m.; various speakers include Donnie Gay, champion bull rider, Marty Haggard, son of Merle Haggard; Randy Hales, director of missions.   • MINDEN - Emmanuel church: association … [Read more...]

Most ministers’ salary "packages" create a false impression of how much money ministers really take home, Richard Skidmore said.   Thus, it is imperative that ministers and churches plan correctly on compensation matters, stressed Skidmore, a Tennessee Baptist Convention church ministers’ financial support specialist. Skidmore recently spoke at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Most ministers’ salary "packages" create a false impression of how much money ministers really take home, Richard Skidmore said.   Thus, it is imperative that ministers and churches plan correctly on compensation matters, stressed Skidmore, a Tennessee Baptist Convention church ministers’ financial support specialist. Skidmore recently spoke at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   When John Q. Church Member sees an annual line item of $35,000 for the minister’s salary, the inclination is to compare that salary to someone who works in the secular arena, such as Wal-Mart or Saturn, Skidmore explained during a recent address at the Southern Baptist school.   But when one examines the comparison more closely, the minister really is not making the same, he said.   Indeed, … [Read more...]

It used to be so easy for corporate America when it came to time off for religious holidays - everything closes on Christmas, Jewish employees would take off Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and that was that.   But today’s more diverse work force means that more diverse religious beliefs and customs have been introduced into the Christian-dominated American workplace, and companies now must consider time-off requests for a long list of unfamiliar holidays. It used to be so easy for corporate America when it came to time off for religious holidays - everything closes on Christmas, Jewish employees would take off Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and that was that.   But today’s more diverse work force means that more diverse religious beliefs and customs have been introduced into the Christian-dominated American workplace, and companies now must consider time-off requests for a long list of unfamiliar holidays.   What if a Muslim worker wants time off for Eid al-Fitr?   What if someone of the Baha’i faith wants special arrangements for the nine Holy Days during which that religion forbids work?   Or what about Hindus who celebrate a number of holidays that fall on … [Read more...]

More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.   And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach 2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics. More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.   And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach 2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics.   "There are all kinds of festivals," she related. "Anywhere people are gathered and they are excited and they are open, it’s the same principle, basically, of meeting people where they are."   Williams offered three tips for churches looking to minister at special events:   • Look at what is happening. Nearly every community has a local fair, festival or event that draws people together, Williams said. The secret is looking around to see what ministry opportunities are available.   "Put … [Read more...]

Leslie Keyes sits on the edge of a recliner in his living room, handing photographs of an earlier time to a visitor seated on the nearby sofa.   Most are black-and-white snapshots, apparently scanned and reprinted from originals. He offers a sentence or two of explanation with each one.   Keyes and his guest have been talking for almost an hour. The photographs are a way of summing up the conversation - offering glimpses of Keyes’ life in Louisiana and Honduras. Editor’s Note: The following article represents the first in a periodic series in which the Baptist Message will seek to update stories that appeared in earlier issues of the state newspaper. In this instance, the article is based on a story that appeared in the November 12, 1964 issue of the Baptist Message.   Leslie Keyes sits on the edge of a recliner in his living room, handing photographs of an earlier time to a visitor seated on the nearby sofa.   Most are black-and-white snapshots, apparently scanned and reprinted from originals. He offers a sentence or two of explanation with each one.   Keyes and his guest have been talking for almost an hour. The photographs are a way of summing up the … [Read more...]