Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Mon, 02/11/2013 - 09:18 By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) - As gun control takes high priority on Capitol Hill, state legislatures increasingly are allowing concealed guns in our most sacred place, the church, either for personal protection or for worshippers designated as church security personnel. Arkansas, on Feb. 4, became the eighth state to pass legislation allowing concealed guns specifically in churches. In a lopsided bipartisan vote, state legislators voted to allow each church to decide whether individuals with concealed carry permits could take guns in church for personal protection. "A person should be allowed to carry a firearm in a church that permits the carrying of a firearm for personal security," the Arkansas Church Protection Act reads, deeming such an option "immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, and safety" because "personal security is increasingly important." Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming also have laws allowing concealed guns specifically in churches, with varied stipulations, including the possession of a proper permit, training, church approval and … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 08:53 Prayer, fervent prayer, before the 2013 Louisiana Evangelism Conference helped prepare both participants and speakers. By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor LAFAYETTE – Fervent prayer before the 2013 Louisiana Evangelism Conference prepared both participants and speakers. More of the same during the Jan. 28-29 event at First Baptist Church of Lafayette contributed to what many said was one of the best evangelism conferences they had ever attended, said Wayne Jenkins, director of the LBC evangelism/church planting team. “For the second year in a row, Louisiana Baptists began the year with 21 days of prayer and fasting,” Jenkins said. “When more people are united in prayer, God seems to move, and that’s what happened here. “We had more than 450 churches with prayer ministries to assume responsibility for the conference and for individuals speaking or singing, so it was extremely well prayed over,” Jenkins said. “Our speakers commented specifically on the number of notes they received from Louisiana Baptist churches. … In fact, one commented that they had never experienced that kind of response from the people.” First Lafayette staff estimated … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 08:57 Canned goods and other staples were piled window-high in the designated area of the foyer at First Baptist Church of Lafayette, host of the 2013 Evangelism Conference that emphasized servant evangelism. By Staff, Baptist Message LAFAYETTE – When Hattie Miner, 75, of Evangelistic Baptist Church in New Orleans, heard from her pastor, Anthony Pierce, of the plan for those attending the 2013 Louisiana Evangelism Conference to bring a can of food to the Jan. 28-29 event, she knew just what to do. Even though she was not going to be able to attend, she could still contribute, she decided. So despite her limited income, every time she went to the grocery store, she bought a couple extra cans of food, and every time she went to church – which involved a bus ride including at least two transfers – she took the canned goods she had purchased with her. LAFAYETTE – When Hattie Miner, 75, of Evangelistic Baptist Church in New Orleans, heard from her pastor, Anthony Pierce, of the plan for those attending the 2013 Louisiana Evangelism Conference to bring a can of food to the Jan. 28-29 event, she knew just what to do. Even though she was not going to be able to attend, she could … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor A Ugandan homosexual rights organization has filed a federal lawsuit against an American pastor claiming his biblical views on homosexuality have influenced many citizens in their country and resulted in crimes against humanity. Massachusetts pastor Scott Lively has been accused by the group Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) of inciting the persecution of homosexuals in Uganda. During a hearing, which took place in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on Jan. 7, Lively was accused of “violating the law of nations” and “crimes against humanity” as well as conspiracy and various “civil rights” crimes. In the filing, SMUG listed a number of violent acts committed against homosexuals in Uganda that they claim Lively’s speeches against homosexuality have incited. The suit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages, attorneys’ fees, and a “declaratory judgment that the Defendant’s conduct is in violation of the law of nations” as well as “all such other and further relief that the court may deem just and proper.” SMUG is being represented in the United States by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR). According to its website, CCR “is a … [Read more...]

By R. Albert Mohler, President Southern Baptist Theological Seminary The announcement that the Boy Scouts of America may rescind its national policy prohibiting the participation of openly homosexual members and leaders fell like a thunderclap. The B.S.A. national board could well make the change in May. It should be noted the aforementioned board announced six months ago that no change would be made, citing the unanimous recommendation of a special study committee. Back then, the B.S.A. CEO said that the “vast majority” of Boy Scout parents supported the policy. That was then, but this is now. Just six months later, the B.S.A. board is prepared to capitulate to massive pressure from gay rights activists and their allies, some inside the board itself. The proposed policy amounts to a local option, with each Boy Scout unit deciding its own policy. As for the Boy Scouts of America, the national group says it will “under no circumstances” dictate a national policy on the question of homosexuality. This capitulation and the abandonment of the B.S.A.’s longstanding policy will, in the end, please no one. The new policy is a half-measure that amounts to cowardly moral evasion. No group can remain divided on a question of … [Read more...]

By Andy Johnson, Pastor Cross Roads Baptist Church Farmerville, La. Reality shows are a dime a dozen these days. While I don’t watch too much television, I am a sucker for a good reality show. Note that I said a good reality show. Particularly interesting to me is the reality series “Amish Mafia” that airs on the Discovery Channel. The program focuses on the underground Amish church that seeks to do their Lord’s bidding by enforcement of the strict code of ethics and religious observations the Amish live by. Anyone caught stepping out of the lines of the traditional Amish way of life is confronted with words of warning or destructive actions. Some have even suffered financial loss after the mob boss, who goes by the alias of “Lebanon Levi,” speaks to the Amish church bishop concerning certain ungodly activities within the confines of the community. Levi has henchmen who assist when he imposes his will on those who would attempt to corrupt the community. More times than not they are the ones who confront the perpetrators in order to keep Levi’s image clean and to insure he remains in good standing with the church. One episode shows a non-Amish man setting up a produce stand on the side of the road. It seems there are … [Read more...]

By Perry Lassiter, semi-retired Pastor Ruston, La. One summer my mother hijacked me to accompany her to a wedding at a small country church. I knew no one involved and, at the time, hated any kind of ceremony. However, knowing I would one day be performing weddings, I paid attention. The bride came down the aisle radiant. Everyone seemed very happy. From somewhere came the thought, “Every wedding is the most important.” Whether or not the Lord whispered in my ear, I don’t know, but I do know it stuck. The thought of the importance of every wedding occurred to me again when Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in all the glory of a royal wedding. I thought of the young couples I’ve married over the years. Some were in small sanctuaries with only a handful present; others in auditoriums crowded with friends and relatives. No matter the setting, each couple just as happy as the royal bride and groom. Indeed, all events in small churches strike those involved as important and significant. And I had as much fun and received just as many blessings in smaller churches as I did at some larger ones. My most recent pastorate was an interim at a country church that averaged about 25 in weekly attendance. … [Read more...]

By Pete Charpentier, Caskey School of Divinity One of my favorite people in the Bible is Moses. As someone who has served in various ministry settings, I’ve seen some difficult days in ministry, but it appears Moses hardly ever had “a good day at the office!” Yet, Paul writes that whatever was written before was written for our instruction – Rom. 15:4a. So we can learn key leadership lessons from Moses’ struggles, especially as we look at Num. 11:10-30. In these verses we find Moses getting painfully honest with God.  As he faced the frustrations of leadership, he opened his troubled soul to the Lord. He wanted to know why God was bringing so many trials into his life (vs. 11). Next, Moses basically told God that he didn’t ask for all these troubles because he didn’t conceive and give birth to the Israelites (vs. 12a), and since he didn’t give birth to them, he wondered why he was bearing the weight of leading God’s people into the Promised Land (vs. 12b). Lastly, after confessing his inability to shoulder the load of leadership (vs. 14), Moses finished venting with a request to die (vs. 15)! Does anything here sound familiar to you? Have you been at this place before in your service to the Lord? Have you … [Read more...]