Your gift to the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering is a sure thing. You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all the money you give will go to that purpose and to that purpose only. The money goes specifically and directly and completely for direct support of Louisiana Baptist Convention efforts to lead the lost of the state to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and help them grow in their discipleship. Your gift to the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering is a sure thing. You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all the money you give will go to that purpose and to that purpose only. The money goes specifically and directly and completely for direct support of Louisiana Baptist Convention efforts to lead the lost of the state to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and help them grow in their discipleship.   In recent years, a great deal of media attention has put a spotlight on the spending of charitable organizations, particularly what portion of the receipts goes directly to the promoted causes. Some charities spend large portions of their receipts on raising the money. Direct mailings, professional phone solicitations, personal cultivation of individual donors and organizations all are high … [Read more...]

Despite a recent television presentation regarding physician-assisted suicide, the practice still must be opposed, a pair of Southern Baptist experts said.   The television series, "On our Own Terms: (Bill) Moyers on Dying," aired on four nights last month on most PBS stations. Two years in production, the six-hour series covers a wide range of topics, including hospices, palliative care and advances in medical technology. In the third episode, Moyers interviews two terminally-ill patients and their families. During the episode, both patients said they prefer an early death via physician-assisted suicide. Despite a recent television presentation regarding physician-assisted suicide, the practice still must be opposed, a pair of Southern Baptist experts said.   The television series, "On our Own Terms: (Bill) Moyers on Dying," aired on four nights last month on most PBS stations. Two years in production, the six-hour series covers a wide range of topics, including hospices, palliative care and advances in medical technology. In the third episode, Moyers interviews two terminally-ill patients and their families. During the episode, both patients said they prefer an early death via … [Read more...]

Texas associational workers pleaded with Southern Baptist leaders recently to do something - anything - to bridge the chasm between the state and national conventions.   In reply, Southern Baptist leaders affirmed the autonomy of the local association and urged directors of missions to help them tell about the good things happening in the national convention. They also approved a resolution pledging their willingness to cooperate with Texas churches Texas associational workers pleaded with Southern Baptist leaders recently to do something - anything - to bridge the chasm between the state and national conventions.   In reply, Southern Baptist leaders affirmed the autonomy of the local association and urged directors of missions to help them tell about the good things happening in the national convention. They also approved a resolution pledging their willingness to cooperate with Texas churches.   The statement said: "We, the presidents of the entities of the Southern Baptist Convention, celebrate our partnership with Baptist churches in Texas and we affirm our eagerness to work with all Texas Baptists through our historic partnership.   "We express appreciation to the … [Read more...]

Two proposals to reduce funding for Southern Baptist Convention causes were approved easily by members of ths Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board last week.   The proposals now go to state convention messengers at the end of this month for final action. If approved there, Texas Baptist funding for Southern Baptist Convention seminaries would drop from $5.3 million to no more than $1 million, the SBC Executive Committee would receive minimal funding and the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission would be defunded by the state denomination.   Two proposals to reduce funding for Southern Baptist Convention causes were approved easily by members of ths Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board last week.   The proposals now go to state convention messengers at the end of this month for final action. If approved there, Texas Baptist funding for Southern Baptist Convention seminaries would drop from $5.3 million to no more than $1 million, the SBC Executive Committee would receive minimal funding and the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission would be defunded by the state denomination.   The proposals have touched off considerable debate, with … [Read more...]

Apair of Louisianians are scheduled to be honored during upcoming Founder’s Day ceremonies at Louisiana College in Pineville.   A Founder’s Day chapel service is set for October 12 at 10:50 a.m. at the school, established in 1906.   In the service, a pair of persons will receive Trustees’ Distinguished Service Awards, given for exceptional service to the church, outstanding achievements in the arts and exemplary service to philanthropy toward Louisiana College. Apair of Louisianians are scheduled to be honored during upcoming Founder’s Day ceremonies at Louisiana College in Pineville.   A Founder’s Day chapel service is set for October 12 at 10:50 a.m. at the school, established in 1906.   In the service, a pair of persons will receive Trustees’ Distinguished Service Awards, given for exceptional service to the church, outstanding achievements in the arts and exemplary service to philanthropy toward Louisiana College.   In addition, the first recipient of the James Young Professorship in Religion will be named. The professorship is named in honor of James Young, who served for years as chair of the Louisiana College religion department. Young is scheduled to … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists are in the midst of an "identity crisis" that threatens the future of their cooperative efforts, Dean Doster warned.   "Southern Baptists have an identity crisis, ..." said Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. "Southern Baptists are in the midst of changing how we do our cooperative missions work. We are changing the definition of cooperative giving. The Cooperative Program, as we have known it, is changing." Southern Baptists are in the midst of an "identity crisis" that threatens the future of their cooperative efforts, Dean Doster warned.   "Southern Baptists have an identity crisis, ..." said Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. "Southern Baptists are in the midst of changing how we do our cooperative missions work. We are changing the definition of cooperative giving. The Cooperative Program, as we have known it, is changing."   Doster addressed the changes in comments to the convention Executive Board last week. He told board members he also had discussed his concerns with national leaders.   In his report, Doster reviewed convention efforts regarding prayer, human needs ministries, evangelism … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders discussed the future last week - and signaled continued commitment to missions by proposing a record state Cooperative Program budget for the upcoming year.   Board members also approved a study committee to look at future budgeting in light of ongoing increases in fixed costs. Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders discussed the future last week - and signaled continued commitment to missions by proposing a record state Cooperative Program budget for the upcoming year.   Board members also approved a study committee to look at future budgeting in light of ongoing increases in fixed costs.   They also approved a proposal to clarify that a church must cooperate "monetarily" with the convention in order to be eligible to send messengers to annual meetings.   Board members approved a proposed budget of $22,750,000 for 2001, an increase of $1,250,000 (5.8 percent) from the current budget. If approved by convention messengers in November, it would be the fifth-straight budget increase for the state.   The proposed budget was approved without debate or dissent. It includes $250,000 to be taken "off the top" to pay for health … [Read more...]

Kangaroos and koalas, "g’day" and "no worries." Ask folks where they most would like to travel, and chances are good they will include a mention of Australia. With its rugged landscape and rugged people, red rock outback and Ocker pride, Australia is the dream adventure for millions of city-bound around the world. Kangaroos and koalas, "g’day" and "no worries." Ask folks where they most would like to travel, and chances are good they will include a mention of Australia. With its rugged landscape and rugged people, red rock outback and Ocker pride, Australia is the dream adventure for millions of city-bound around the world. Bill Whelan is Aussie to the core - and one of his country’s biggest fans. But the spiritual state of Australia brings a particular pain to his heart, he says. Whelan is a deacon at Windsor District Baptist Church and was backbone of the church’s sprawling "Tent City" housing Christian volunteers during the Olympics. He says he desires one thing for Australia - revival. Whelan can give his own testimony to the life-saving power of Jesus Christ. "I was a 19-year-old submariner serving in the Royal Australian Navy. Mine was a non-Christian background, like most Australians. Like … [Read more...]

Boyd Hall does not fit the stereotype of a missionary whacking through the African bush with a Bible in one hand and a machete in the other. Hall carries a basketball. A Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionary in Capetown, South Africa, Hall was one of the 600-plus volunteers staying at Windsor District Baptist Church’s "Tent City" Olympic village. He came to Australia as part of the South African Sports Federation. Boyd Hall does not fit the stereotype of a missionary whacking through the African bush with a Bible in one hand and a machete in the other. Hall carries a basketball. A Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionary in Capetown, South Africa, Hall was one of the 600-plus volunteers staying at Windsor District Baptist Church’s "Tent City" Olympic village. He came to Australia as part of the South African Sports Federation. As a former basketball player and sports coach, Hall spent his days doing a different kind of evangelism - sports evangelism among young people. "Our goal is to teach them good basketball skills and build relationships with them," Hall says of such efforts. "We want to get to know them and see what’s going on in their lives. Then, at the end of the day, … [Read more...]

Thank you very much for your timely and extremely well-written editorial entitled "Bravo for war on tobacco - now regarding alcohol..." Thank you very much for your timely and extremely well-written editorial entitled "Bravo for war on tobacco - now regarding alcohol..."   I believe you hit the nail on the head when you wrote "Our government is addicted to the income from taxing alcohol and from the political contributions of its manufacturers."   I hope your editorial will help us all to realize that as bad as tobacco is for us - alcohol adversely affects, to a greater degree, the health of the user and an untold number of innocent people. It surely is time to go after the beverage industry with the same justification and zeal as we do the tobacco industry.   I appreciate your in-depth and substantive discussion of this important issue. Sam Lane Desoto, Texas … [Read more...]