By Russell Meek, Louisiana College PINEVILLE (LBM) – Ecclesiastes, sometimes thought to be the “black sheep” book of the Bible because of its several seeming unorthodox statements and sometimes doleful tone, is in fact a frank discussion of the issues that we all face – death and injustice. Indeed, the author invokes the image of Abel (whose name is the same word commonly translated as “vanity,” “meaningless,” and “futility” in most English translations) in his presentation of several situations that do not turn out, perhaps, as we might think they ought. Such “inconsistencies” with our way of thinking include “the race is not to the swift, or the battle to the strong, or bread to the wise, or riches to the discerning, or favor to the skillful . . .” (Eccl. 9:11, CSB). Likewise, blunt statements such as Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 tend to offend our senses: “[T]he fate of the children of Adam and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath . . . all come from the dust, and all return to the dust.” Finally, the lack of fairness in some of the wisdom that is offered -- “there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Jay Johnston will be nominated for the office of first vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2017 LBC Annual Meeting. Tom Harrison, executive pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, plans to nominate Johnston for the position. Johnston, who is associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington, is the only announced candidate for the office. “He has been a convention leader who has effectively served Louisiana Baptists and Southern Baptists,” Harrison said in an e-mail to the Baptist Message. “He is a man of prayer, recently serving as chairman of the Louisiana Governor Prayer Breakfast and as the volunteer state coordinator for the National Day of Prayer. “Jay is a man of integrity, a leader, caring minister, master of resources and an outstanding Christian man,” Harrison wrote. Johnston said, if elected, he would work with LBC leaders to advance Louisiana Baptists’ campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in the state. “I am grateful for the vision of current LBC leaders related to the Harvest emphasis,” Johnston said. “The emphasis reveals the heart our leaders have for people without Jesus … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Scottie Gray is the new pastor at New Hope Baptist Church, Monroe. John Walker is the new associate pastor/administrator at Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. Tony, wife Nikki, Campanale has resigned as pastor at Greenacres Baptist Church, Monroe to become pastor at First Baptist Church, Oak Grove. Cecil Marr is the new pastor at North Shreve Baptist Church, Shreveport. Danny Taylor resigned as pastor at Belle Park Baptist Church, Haughton. Donny Bradley resigned as pastor at Mansfield Road Baptist Church, Keithville. Lee, wife Tina, Whitley is the new pastor at Tom Hebert Road Baptist Church, Lake Charles. Chad Mack is the new pastor at Crosspoint Church, Galliano. Nathan Stanford is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Grand Isle. Mike Davis is the new pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, Mathews. HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Hornbeck: 29th Annual Homecoming, Aug. 20, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow worship services. Special Music: First Hornbeck choir. Pastor: Jack Bell. Mount Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe: 180th Anniversay, August 20, Sunday school, 9 a.m. Worship Service, 10:15 a.m. A pot luck lunch will follow the service. Speaker: Wayne Sheppard. … [Read more...]