A year or two ago, these folks would have spent Sunday mornings sleeping in, mowing the lawn, reading the paper. Now they are going to church - and a researcher from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary wants to know why and why they picked the church they did. A year or two ago, these folks would have spent Sunday mornings sleeping in, mowing the lawn, reading the paper. Now they are going to church - and a researcher from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary wants to know why and why they picked the church they did. Thom Rainer is dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at the seminary in Louisville, Ky. In search of the answers to his questions, Rainer has interviewed new members at growing churches to find out why they chose that church over others and what that church is doing that works. Among the answers he has found: It is not because of the churchs name. In this crowd, denominationalism does not cut it, Rainer notes. The denomination often played no role at all in the persons decision to choose a particular church. These new Christians want to know what a church believes in and want it to … [Read more...]
Effie church marks 100th anniversary
A Central Louisiana church that started in a cannonball-scarred plantation home in 1901 recently celebrated its 100th birthday by giving a party for six times as many people as it presently averages in attendance. A Central Louisiana church that started in a cannonball-scarred plantation home in 1901 recently celebrated its 100th birthday by giving a party for six times as many people as it presently averages in attendance. Macedonia Baptist Church in Effie, worked for more than a year to have a celebration worthy of "the great blessings God has bestowed on our fellowship," Pastor Blaine A. Stafford explained. Former members and others with ties to the churchs membership overflowed the auditorium for the homecoming service. The days activities included a cochon de lait, for which six pigs were roasted. The pork was served with roasted turkey and a potluck meal. The congregation that averages 64 in attendance fed 440 people - "and the ladies served them all in 40 minutes," reported Bill Clark, a layperson who worked on the anniversary celebration. Participants were able to view five classrooms that became galleries of photographs, articles and other artifacts representing the … [Read more...]
Special memories
As a former faculty member at Louisiana College in the Department of History and Political Science from 1961-1973, I continued to subscribe to the Baptist Message following our move to Mississippi College, my B.A. alma mater. As a former faculty member at Louisiana College in the Department of History and Political Science from 1961-1973, I continued to subscribe to the Baptist Message following our move to Mississippi College, my B.A. alma mater. Your full page feature on Wayland Colleges decision to integrate fifty years ago revived special memories for me. In 1951, the year of the colleges integration, my wife, Carnette, and I began a decade of service there. My first African-American student was one from Shreveport. However, the largest number were from Nigeria. They had deep facial tribal slashes, with such names as Ojo, Bankole, Bamijoko and Akanda. Samuel Akande recently retired as the executive secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. All of these were outstanding academic performers who enriched my classes notably. As recorded in the news release, Dr. Bill Marshall was an effective promoter for the college worldwide. Thanks for an informative presentation about a … [Read more...]
Muslim ‘jihad’ has long – and misapplied – history
P>Once again, Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden has urged Muslim faithful to arms against the United States, calling for a jihad "over the forces of infidels and tyranny." Once again, Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden has urged Muslim faithful to arms against the United States, calling for a jihad "over the forces of infidels and tyranny." Such battle cries have echoed across the Middle East and beyond in recent decades. In the name of Islam, extremist groups have waged war against the governments of Algeria and Egypt, against Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and against Russian control of Chechnya. Indeed, 22 years ago, militants in Iran propelled Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini to the head of a theocratic state. Strictly defined, jihad comes from the Arabic term for struggle or striving. But today, many Americans define jihad - however incorrectly - by the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. And while condemned by the majority of mainstream Muslims believers, jihad by the sword still has gained a rhetorical edge - and a large degree of sympathy - within the tumultuous currents of the Middle East political world. Tellingly, the Grand … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of October 25, 2001 Potpourri ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: "Connections--Plugging Into Lifes Essential Relationships" presented by Central La. Association; Nov. 10, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Dennis Swanberg, keynote speaker; Welby and Jeanine Bozeman, David Brooks, Kevin Boles and Stephen Trammell to speak; early registration before Nov. 1 is $15; afterwards, tickets are $20; tickets available at area Christian bookstores; for information, call the associational office at (318) 445-5772 or contact the church office at (318) 445-5640; David Brooks, pastor. BATON ROUGE - First church: "For Such a Time As This..." womens conference; Nov. 2; registration, 5:30 p.m.; conference, 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 3; breakfast, 8 a.m.; conference, 8:45 a.m.; Marilyn Osbourn and Liz Luter, speakers; cost is $30; limited childcare available with telephone registration only; for information, contact Faye Scott or Brenda ONeal at (225) 343-0397; Burn Page, pastor. BATON ROUGE - First church: "Experiencing God--The Musical"; Nov. 2, 8 p.m.; Nov. 4, 6 p.m.; Doran Bugg, minister of music; Burn Page, pastor. LAKE CHARLES - Boulevard church: "Anger Management" seminar; Nov. 7, 6 p.m.; Bill … [Read more...]
“No problem?” Not concerning my insurance claim
The next time someone is about to hit my vehicle with his vehicle, Im going to see what company he is insured with before they can continue with the wreck. If you are about to hit me, please show your proof of insurance first. The next time someone is about to hit my vehicle with his vehicle, Im going to see what company he is insured with before they can continue with the wreck. If you are about to hit me, please show your proof of insurance first. Experiences of the last year have taught me that if someone inflicts damages to you or your property, his being insured is important, but the insurance company is vitally important. Last November 8, the traffic light was holding yours truly in place. Sitting there, minding my own business, waiting for the light to turn from red to green, the sounds of screeching tires drew my attention. A glance at the rearview mirror revealed a large pickup, rapidly closing the space between his bumper and mine. The significant jolt of the truck hitting my car would have been an abrupt introduction had I not heard the squealing tires. With my brakes on, the truck managed to knock me 20 feet into the intersection. No problem. The … [Read more...]
Controversy continues between Missouri Baptist Convention factions
Conflict between theological/political factions in the Missouri Baptist Convention continue to boil - and seems to ensure a contentious annual meeting this fall. Conflict between theological/political factions in the Missouri Baptist Convention continue to boil - and seems to ensure a contentious annual meeting this fall. Controversy has marked the last three annual meetings in the state as fundamental/conservatives and moderate/conservatives battle for control. Now, several developments seem to assure a similar result this fall. Consider: After winning their third presidential election in a row last year, fundamental/conservatives gained control of a key committee that nominates leaders for state trustee boards. Now, they are reported to be moving quickly to fill the boards with members sympathetic to their causes, sometimes bypassing trustees who would traditionally be offered a second term and tightening qualifications for all nominees. In July, a state nominating committee declined to re-nominate at least 24 persons eligible for second terms on convention boards and agencies. That followed an earlier announcement that the committee would impose … [Read more...]
Burying a church time capsule?
Make sure everything is done right Time capsules are not an exact science, but churches should follw some rules if members want items to be well preserved, archivists say. Make sure everything is done right Time capsules are not an exact science, but churches should follw some rules if members want items to be well preserved, archivists say. An airtight, fireproof container and proper packaging materials are two keys, explains Cheryl Doty, archivist for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. "If you are putting your items in something, make sure it is airtight and it wont rust," the Kentucky Baptist worker says. "If there is any dampness, youre going to have to be careful that it wont rust." Glass containers run the risk of breaking or melting in a fire, Doty points out. "Finding a fireproof box would be the best thing, probably, then maybe sealing around it with something," she says. The choice of paper for printed materials is an important element for a time capsule as well. "Make sure it is low-acid paper," says Glen McAninch, branch manager for technology analysis and support with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and … [Read more...]
Expert warns of religious scams
Investment frauds that take advantage of peoples faith are on the rise, state security regulators warned at a recent press conference. Investment frauds that take advantage of peoples faith are on the rise, state security regulators warned at a recent press conference. Three large recent cases alone have combined for losses of nearly $1.5 billion, the North American Securities Administrators Association reported recently. "Ive been a securities regulator for 20 years, and Ive seen more money stolen in the name of God than in any other way," said Deborah Bortner, director of securities for Washington state and president of the association. In all, regulators identified 75 such cases from the last few years, affecting more than 90,000 victims and costing investors $1.8 billion in lost funds. One case involves the Baptist Foundation of Arizona, which took in more than $590 million from 13,000 investors before being shut down by officials in 1999. In another, Greater Ministries International allegedly took in nearly $580 million in six years, promising investors that the church would double their money through divinely inspired investments. In another … [Read more...]
What exactly is biblical teaching on the idea of “once saved, always saved?”
Ask Aunt Josephines relatives, and they will say she was once saved, always saved. The reason? She walked the aisle at age 8. Ask Aunt Josephines relatives, and they will say she was once saved, always saved. The reason? She walked the aisle at age 8. Aunt Josephine may not have darkened the church doors in recent years. She may not have read her Bible in 50 years. But at least she was baptized. That simple fact leads many Baptists to say with certainty the Aunt Josephines of the world are regenerate, saved, assured of heaven. However, is this the biblical teaching on perseverance? And is this understanding of baptism and "making a decision" any different from the sacramentalism of Catholicism? Not really, argue Thomas Schreiner and Ardel Caneday in their recent book, "The Race Set Before Us." Schreiner is professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.Caneday is professor of Bible at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn. "Its struck me lately that there is a danger that Baptists can be as sacramental as Catholics," Schreiner said. "Catholics may say, At least they were baptized, … [Read more...]
