The United States Supreme Court has announced it will rule on a program allowing vouchers to be used at religious schools, setting the stage for a decision that could have a dramatic effect on public education. The United States Supreme Court has announced it will rule on a program allowing vouchers to be used at religious schools, setting the stage for a decision that could have a dramatic effect on public education.   The high court announced last week it will review a lower-court opinion that struck down a choice program in Cleveland, Ohio.   An appeals court voted 2-1 last year that the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program violates the separation of church and state, because most of the private schools in which vouchers are used are religious ones.   The program permits low-income families to use state vouchers of $2,250 for tuition costs at the private or public school of their choice. More than 4,000 students use vouchers in 56 private schools, 46 of which are religious. No suburban public schools opted to participate in the program.   The program has been allowed to continue while the high court appeal is pending.   Both proponents and opponents of … [Read more...]

Tens of thousands of high school and junior high school students gathered around flagpoles recently to pray for the nation in the wake of this month’s terrorist attacks. Tens of thousands of high school and junior high school students gathered around flagpoles recently to pray for the nation in the wake of this month’s terrorist attacks.   Turnout was much larger than expected, organizers of the annual See You at the Pole prayer emphasis said. Officials said they expect final tallies to show more than 3 million students from all 50 states and 20 countries participated in the annual event.   In Fort Worth, Texas, hundreds of students gathered for a See You at the Pole celebration at Wedgwood Baptist Church - the site of the nation’s second worst mass shooting. Two years ago, a gunman entered the church, killing seven people and wounding seven others before committing suicide.   "I came here with my friends who are Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists," student Andrew Higgs noted. "It’s a good way to get away from the normal structures of our church and get into one thought. We’re just here to praise God."   As expected, many See You at the Pole observances had a … [Read more...]

When several Southern Baptist leaders visited New York City recently, two residents got lost at tempting to transport them around the town.   There was no World Trade Center towers to serve as a point of reference for the city residents. When several Southern Baptist leaders visited New York City recently, two residents got lost at tempting to transport them around the town.   There was no World Trade Center towers to serve as a point of reference for the city residents.   "(But) Our reference point never leaves," Southern Baptist North American Mission Board President Robert Reccord noted following the visit. "Regardless of what may come or what may happen, the reference point of Jesus Christ stays firm and steadfast, so you don’t have to be lost when the bottom falls out. ...   "We’ve seen the bottom fall out and God’s people stand up," Reccord said after his tour of Southern Baptist disaster relief and chaplaincy sites in New York City. "We saw broken buildings and broken hearts - but not broken spirits."   Southern Baptist disaster relief units from multiple state conventions were in New York almost immediately after the Sept. 11 attack, along with Southern … [Read more...]

Multitudes of images from the tragic events of September 11 course through our minds. Some are indelible. Two of these images seem to summarize the incredible divergence of the motivation of the people involved. Thousands of people had their lives taken from them. Two groups of people gave their lives. Multitudes of images from the tragic events of September 11 course through our minds. Some are indelible. Two of these images seem to summarize the incredible divergence of the motivation of the people involved. Thousands of people had their lives taken from them. Two groups of people gave their lives.   One handful of people gave their lives to inflict physical destruction and damage to the collective psyche of America that before had been unbelievable. They willingly followed the plans of destruction and perverted the heart of their religion for succor in their dastardly deeds. They saw the loss of their lives as inconsequential in comparison to the results of their actions that cost their lives.   They died to bring the deaths of thousands of people they did not know but considered their enemies.   There was another group who gave their lives. While we will not know this side of … [Read more...]

In a meeting short on business, LBC Executive Board considered the nation and its need for prayer In a meeting short on business, LBC Executive Board considered the nation and its need for prayer Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members proposed a record Cooperative Program budget for 2002 last week, but first and last, they focused on an even more urgent matter - the state of the nation. Meeting two weeks after terrorist attacks on America, the board’s meeting at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth last week was short on business but long on prayer and appeals for national repentance and revival. Board members preceded their meeting with a mini concert of prayer, with various persons leading in Scripture readings and prayer. During the session, board members and guests gathered in small groups to offer prayers of praise, confession, repentance and revival, intercession and commitment. "We thirst for forgiveness," board member Wayne Kite prayed. "We have failed to pray, to stand tall, to follow you. ... We yield to your control. ... Refresh us." Kite is pastor at Westview Baptist Church in DeRidder. "Our father, there are so many people hurting," Joe Ratcliff prayed in a subsequent … [Read more...]

In the wake of reported anti-Muslim attacks on Americans of Middle Eastern descent, New Orleans pastor Ken Taylor extended Christian love to area Muslims by personally delivering a card that expressed his heartbreak. In the wake of reported anti-Muslim attacks on Americans of Middle Eastern descent, New Orleans pastor Ken Taylor extended Christian love to area Muslims by personally delivering a card that expressed his heartbreak.   "Dear Muslim Friend: I know that you, along with almost everybody in the world, were horrified by the tragedies of Sept. 11," began the letter from Taylor, pastor at Elysian Fields Avenue Baptist Church and associate professor of urban missions at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   "I believe I speak for the vast majority of Christians who, as followers of Jesus Christ, want to let you know that we are praying for you. We are heartbroken that some, reacting to the evil actions of these past days, are showing intolerance and bigotry toward those of the Muslim faith.   "These actions toward Muslims are contrary to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus told his followers, in a message that applies very much to our present times: ‘A new command I give you: … [Read more...]

For the week of October 4, 2001 Potpourri •DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: fall couples’ retreat; Oct. 26-27; Marvin Douglass, speaker; cost is $60/couple or $45/couple if commuting; to register or for information, call the camp at (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   •HAMMOND - First church: Louisiana Church Building Conference; Oct. 9, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; registration fee is $10 (includes lunch); for information, contact the Church Architecture Department at LBC, 1-800-622-6549 or (318) 448-3402; Matthew D. Wohlfarth, pastor.   •HODGE - Hodge church: Jackson Association annual meeting; Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m.; Elvin Wheelis, speaker; fellowship to follow; Dwayne Boudreaux, pastor.   •KROTZ SPRINGS - First church: Atchafalaya Association annual meeting; Oct. 14, 3 p.m; Gerald Roberts, pastor.   •LAKE CHARLES - Boulevard church: Sandi Lewis in concert; Oct. 14, 6 p.m.; Mark Stagg, pastor.   •LAKE CHARLES - Boulevard church: Carey Association annual meeting; Oct. 18, 6:15 p.m.; Mark Stagg, pastor.   •MONROE - Highland Park church: Northeast Association annual meeting; Oct. 15, 7 p.m.; Mike McLaurin, pastor.   •NEW IBERIA - Highland church: … [Read more...]

My friend grew up in humble circumstances. That is the politically correct way of saying, "We didn’t have a lot of money." His father worked hard; his mother worked hard. They just did not have a lot of money. He learned early if he wanted something, he would have to work hard to earn the money and buy it himself. And he did. My friend grew up in humble circumstances. That is the politically correct way of saying, "We didn’t have a lot of money." His father worked hard; his mother worked hard. They just did not have a lot of money. He learned early if he wanted something, he would have to work hard to earn the money and buy it himself. And he did.   He wanted a car. He knew his parents, although as generous as possible, would not be able to provide one. He went to work. He worked hard. He saved. He began to shop.   The dollars and cents added up to enough to buy a previously owned - no, really used - Ford Falcon. Remember the Ford Falcon? You will have to remember it, or see it in an antique car show, because Ford Motor Company ceased and desisted making them.   Falcons were generally stripped-down, economy models of a compact line. They certainly were not on the level of the … [Read more...]

For the first time in eight years, the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program failed to surpass the previous year’s total.   Giving through the Southern Baptist Convention giving plan reached $176,962,402 during the 2000-2001 fiscal year that closed September 30. That total represents the second-highest mark in history. For the first time in eight years, the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program failed to surpass the previous year’s total.   Giving through the Southern Baptist Convention giving plan reached $176,962,402 during the 2000-2001 fiscal year that closed September 30. That total represents the second-highest mark in history.   The final tally also surpasses the denomination’s budget by almost $9 million (5.3 percent).   However, the total falls about $1.3 million (0.8 percent) short of the total from the previous fiscal year. That showing comes after seven consecutive years in which receipts exceeded the previous year’s total.   Prior to 1991, the Cooperative Program had enjoyed 57 consecutive years of increased annual giving. However, receipts fell below the previous year’s total for three straight years (1991, 1992, 1993) before beginning the string of … [Read more...]

Only a handful of events can match the recent terrorist attacks in terms of the shock, outrage and grief they have produced in the American people. Only a handful of events can match the recent terrorist attacks in terms of the shock, outrage and grief they have produced in the American people.   The Public Agenda group has been analyzing surveys from all the major polling organizations since the attacks. Clearly, Americans’ grief is profound, and their resolve is real. For those reasons, policymakers should be careful when considering survey results on specific proposals. When 70 percent of those surveyed admit to weeping about the attacks, survey results must be seen in context - shaped by sorrow and anger.   Striking back: A massive 88 percent of Americans say the U.S. should take military action against those responsible - and yet, 73 percent of those favoring an attack also are willing to wait until specific culprits are identified.   At this point, none of the potential drawbacks seem to deter the public. Two-thirds or more favor military action even in the event of a lengthy conflict, a recession or new attacks.   The most recent CBS/New York Times poll found 68 … [Read more...]