The Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children’s decision to fire a lesbian employee three years ago did not constitute religious discrimination, U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson has ruled. The Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children’s decision to fire a lesbian employee three years ago did not constitute religious discrimination, U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson has ruled.   While that decision is a victory for the home, Simpson also declined to dismiss a claim that state funding of Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children services violates the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment.   That means the pending case is a key test for the idea of faith-based initiatives that President George Bush proposes.   The case dates back to 1998, when Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children administrators dismissed Alicia Pedreira after they were informed of her lesbian lifestyle.   The letter terminating her employment as a family specialist stated she was being fired "because her admitted homosexual lifestyle is contrary to Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children core values."   Simpson’s ruling noted that the agency’s "intentional exclusion of homosexuals from employment does not run … [Read more...]

Three Louisiana Baptist Convention committees are seeking input from church members. Three Louisiana Baptist Convention committees are seeking input from church members.   Louisiana Baptists have been invited to submit names of nominees for service on state convention boards and committees and to submit resolutions for possible consideration at the 2000 state convention.   The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is beginning work to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees.   Currently, 22 nominees are needed for service on committees related to convention arrangements, credentials, Louisiana Baptist history, moral and social concerns, nominations, order of business and resolutions.   Committee on Committees Chair is Bendel Johnson of Shreveport.   In addition, the LBC Committee on Nominations is beginning work to fill vacancies on state boards.   At this point, 32 nominees are needed to serve on the state Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, the Louisiana Baptist Message, the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and the Baptist Retirement Center.   The Committee … [Read more...]

Because younger children cannot use sophisticated words to communicate feelings, helping them recover from the trauma of their parents’ divorce takes skill and organization, a counselor said. Because younger children cannot use sophisticated words to communicate feelings, helping them recover from the trauma of their parents’ divorce takes skill and organization, a counselor said.   "Divorce recovery with children is a whole different ballgame than it is with adults," said Dodie Williams, a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist. She spoke during a recent Southern Baptist discipleship gathering in Glorieta, N.M.   Williams said leaders who facilitate a divorce recovery program for children must spend extra energy helping them get in touch with their feelings. To that end, she introduced "KidShare: What Do I Do Now?" a 13-week divorce recovery course developed by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.   The goal of a divorce recovery program for children is to provide a safe place for them to talk about their feelings, Williams explained. "We have to provide the mastery of words, through pictures, drawing or play to help them … [Read more...]

Believe it or not - adults get hired for almost everything they got in trouble for in school, Cynthia Tobias explained recently. Believe it or not - adults get hired for almost everything they got in trouble for in school, Cynthia Tobias explained recently.   "What irritates you most about a child is what makes them most successful when they grow up," said Tobias, founder of Apple St. (Applied Learning Styles) in Sumner, Wash.   Kids who talk a lot, are highly energetic and are independent thinkers are the first to get hired as adults, Tobias said during a recent Southern Baptist conference in Glorieta, N.M.   "Just because they are irritating you doesn’t mean (the way they are acting) is the wrong way," said Tobias, who is the author of several books on learning styles and strong-willed children.   In fact, because people learn in various ways, they act differently, she explained. This can be especially troubling to teachers who just want their students to sit quietly and take in the lessons, Tobias said.   "Teachers often discourage kids for doing exactly what they need to do to learn," she emphasized.   Tobias interprets learning styles in three … [Read more...]

For the week of August 9, 2001 Potpourri •ALEXANDRIA - Horseshoe Drive church: The Martins in concert; Aug. 23, 7 p.m.; tickets are $10 each and may be purchased in the church office; Don Arbuckle, minister of music; Aubrey Whitlock, pastor.   •AMITE - First church: Bible Drill, Speakers Tournament and TeamKid Leadership Training Conference; Aug. 30, 7 - 9 p.m.; David Fortenberry, pastor.   •COUSHATTA - First church: "Don’t Kick the Turkeys" comical drama presentation; Aug. 12, 6 p.m.; presented by J.O.Y. players; Benny Alford, pastor.   •DERIDDER - Pleasant Hill church: Deer and Game Management Seminar; Aug. 30, 7 p.m.; Mike Berg, John Carpenter, Don Reed, Jason Sebesta and David Fortenberry, speakers; for information, call the church office at (337) 463-6611; Alan Knuckles, pastor.   •DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: men’s fish fry; Aug. 18, 2 - 8 p.m.; Wayne Dubose, speaker; Mackey Willis, music; sponsored by Dry Creek and Beauregard Association; for information, call the camp at (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   •KENNER - Williams Blvd. church: BAGNO Church Council/Leadership Team Workshop; Aug. 20; meal, 6:30 p.m.; general session, 7:20 p.m.; … [Read more...]

Lynn P. Clayton LBM Editor   Ask Louis Strain how he has managed to be the pastor of the same congregation for almost 41 years. He will smile and say, "I just outlasted everyone, I guess." Lynn P. Clayton LBM Editor   Ask Louis Strain how he has managed to be the pastor of the same congregation for almost 41 years. He will smile and say, "I just outlasted everyone, I guess."   It is obvious, however, that word of humor is simply a stroke of humility from this man who has been the bi-vocational pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Shreveport, since 1960.   Still going strong, Strain has no desire to retire, so, God willing, look for his tenure with Bethel to continue for some time.   Strain has spent almost two-thirds of his 69 years at Bethel. The slim, energetic Strain - who does not look his age - managed his longevity feat by beginning his ministerial career early. He was licensed to the gospel ministry by Beech Springs Baptist Church near Quitman in 1948 while a junior in Quitman High School.   He was ordained by Beech Springs in November of the next year after being called as pastor by New Hope Baptist Church in Jonesboro.   "It … [Read more...]

Louisiana College has announced its fall football schedule - and the date of its 2001 homecoming. Louisiana College has announced its fall football schedule - and the date of its 2001 homecoming.   The Wildcats football team is set to play a 10-game schedule, with the first game planned for September 1 and homecoming activities set for October 20.   Louisiana College reinstated football last year - and recorded a victory in its very first game in 32 years. The school competes in the American Southwest Conference, a non-scholarship NCAA Division Three league.   After the opening 60-0 victory against Southwest Assemblies of God, the Wildcats team had to wait deep into the season for a second victory. It came on November 4, with a 31-14 win against East Texas Baptist.   A week later, Louisiana College closed its season with a 2-8 record.   The team looks to build on its "first-year" experience this fall.   As was the case last year, the Louisiana College team opens the 2001 season on September 1 against Southwest Assemblies of God in Waxahachie, Texas.   And while it enjoyed six home games last fall, the Wildcats are scheduled to play on the … [Read more...]

When a physical education teacher challenged her students to read the Bible, she had no idea the worldwide impact the challenge would have. When a physical education teacher challenged her students to read the Bible, she had no idea the worldwide impact the challenge would have.   Thirteen-year-old Bill Tolar liked a challenge. So, when his teacher said 99 percent of the people around the world never had completed reading the best-selling book in history, he began to read.   "I began to realize that if this book was right, then basically my life was wrong, because I was living without any serious regard for the God that the Scriptures were telling me about," Tolar recalls.   Sixty years later, the Louisiana native still is reading the book. And as he retires this summer from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary after 36 years as a professor and administrator, he understands the important impact the Bible and teachers have had on his life.   That first through-the-Bible reading caused Scripture to begin "to make claims upon my life, and I realized I was going to have to dismiss them some way, discredit them or stop reading - or have to deal with it in a meaningful … [Read more...]

Recently, good friend Jim Ward retired from the local church pastorate after decades of service. Jim and wife Ruth raised a passel of kids. They had so much experience raising kids and surviving as a couple that Ruth has written eight books out of what they learned - and didn’t learn. Recently, good friend Jim Ward retired from the local church pastorate after decades of service. Jim and wife Ruth raised a passel of kids. They had so much experience raising kids and surviving as a couple that Ruth has written eight books out of what they learned - and didn’t learn.   At Jim’s retirement banquet, son Roger, a Ph.D. in philosophy and a prof at a Baptist university, stepped forward with his Top 10 List of "How to Know You Are a Retired Baptist Pastor."   10. You own two pairs of waders, and you have never been fishing.   9. You try to swear but can’t remember how.   8. You no longer classify new people you meet as tithers or non-tithers.   7. You watch the Superbowl Game from beginning to end.   6. You start to envy the Wal-Mart greeter.   5. The doctor diagnoses you with potato salad withdrawal.   4. It’s Saturday, you cannot find … [Read more...]

Churchgoers today seem to have misplaced the true meaning of worship, Robert Wagoner warned church leaders during a recent conference. Churchgoers today seem to have misplaced the true meaning of worship, Robert Wagoner warned church leaders during a recent conference.   "God is looking for people whose minds and hearts are bent toward him," said Wagoner, large church/worship consultant in the music ministries department at LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.   "One reason I think Baptists have trouble worshiping is because they are afraid of what somebody else is going to think about them," Wagoner emphasized during a recent church music leadership conference.   "Real worship means I’m focused on Jesus. I’ve come into complete God consciousness and I’m praising him, not worrying what somebody else is thinking."   God is not seeking worship - he is seeking worshipers, explained Wagoner, noting that Satan is pretty good at distorting the true meaning of worship.   Some of the ways Satan distorts worship are through the traditions, words, persuasions and pleadings of men, Wagoner reminded conference participants.   "Satan … [Read more...]