Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:55 By Staff, World News Magazine WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama plans to put his “full weight” behind the push for new gun control legislation in the aftermath of the shooting in Newtown, Conn. During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, the president said he would make the new legislation one of his top priorities in 2013. The president appointed Vice President Joe Biden to head a committee that will make recommendations about gun-control measures, and other safety initiatives, in January. The President already has a list of items he wants to see banned: assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. He also supports increased background checks for people buying guns. Speaking separately on Sunday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he thought rural Americans, who enjoy hunting as a way of life, were ready to start talking about gun control. The debate must start with a respect for the Second Amendment’s protection for gun ownership, Vilsack said, but the Newtown incident has changed the way people think about the issue. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, appeared on Meet the Press before Christmas, and said … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:57 By Jay Johnston, Special to the Message STATEWIDE – On January 12 it was three years since a devastating earthquake took place in Haiti. Louisiana Baptist churches were quick to respond to the relief efforts including Buckets of Hope, Disaster Relief and Prayer for Haiti. Two churches that were first responders to the earthquake recovery efforts were First Baptist Church of Covington and First Baptist Church of Lafayette. Since that time these two churches along with other churches from Louisiana have continued to share the love of Jesus in Haiti. First Covington and First Lafayette took up the challenge by Wayne Sheppard of the Louisiana Baptist Convention to form a Louisiana Baptist and Haiti partnership, which currently involves work in Croix des Bouquets and Canaan in cooperation with the leadership of Haitian Pastors and the Haitian Baptist Convention. These two churches sent teams during the first week of January 2013 to Haiti. They worked together conducting Medical Clinics and Vacation Bible Schools. They saw 565 patients in the medical clinic and led more than 300 children in Vacation Bible School. The medical team helped individuals … [Read more...]

Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:13 Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, honored Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter with the Carver Medal, named in honor of the late George Washington Carver. Luter (second from right) is shown with (from left) Simpson College President John Byrd, Simpson senior Elijah Knox and Carolyn Dallinger, Simpson associate professor of social work and criminal justice. Photo by Luke Behaunek. By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press INDIANOLA, Iowa (BP) -- Southern Baptist Convention President and Louisiana Baptist pastor Fred Luter has been awarded the Carver Medal of Simpson College. The Iowa school hailed Luter, who serves as pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist in New Orleans, as exemplifying the commitment and service of the late agricultural scientist, inventor and Christian, George Washington Carver. John Byrd, president of the private United Methodist Church-related college in Indianola, recognized Luter as courageous and committed to faith in Christ in the face of challenging obstacles. "I believe George Washington Carver would have recognized some of his own experiences in the life of Rev. Fred Luter," Byrd said. "... George Washington … [Read more...]

Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 21:30 By Michael Foust, Baptist Press IRVING, Texas (BP) -- The Boy Scouts of America is seriously considering lifting its ban on gay and lesbian troop leaders and could make the change official the first few days of February, a move that likely will disappoint Southern Baptist churches and many faith-based organizations that comprise a majority of all sponsors. About 70 percent of all Boy Scout units are chartered by faith-based organizations, and the Boy Scouts national organization just six months ago reaffirmed its policy on homosexual leaders following a two-year review. But now the national organization appears poised to change its policy under pressure from some local troops and corporations. Boy Scouts spokesman Deron Smith told ABCNews.com in a prepared statement that the new policy would mean "there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation" and the decision on a policy would be up to each sponsoring organization. A final decision could be made at the Boy Scouts board meeting next week. In July, Bob Mazzuca, then the chief Scout executive of the Boy Scouts, said a "majority of our membership agrees with the … [Read more...]

STATEWIDE – Louisiana Baptist churches and other non-profit organizations could be eligible to receive money as part of the court settlement for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They are encouraged to apply for funding soon, though claims are to be accepted through April 2014. According to attorneys representing churches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and parts of Florida, the BP oil company established a compensation fund as part of its ongoing remediation efforts following the disaster that resulted in widespread economic losses, the death of wildlife and long-term negative effects on habitation in affected areas. “This is a rare opportunity for churches and non-profit organizations throughout our region,” said Mike Johnson, a Shreveport attorney. “The BP settlement is unusual because BP has agreed to remove all the typical hurdles and hassles of litigation in favor of a voluntary claims process. The company wants to make things right, and it knows that churches and charities, like local businesses, will wisely use the funds they receive and reinvest in building their communities.” To qualify, small businesses, churches and non-profit organizations need to show only that they … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 08:29 Women from the interdenominational “Silent No More” campaign stood as public witnesses to the private pain of abortion at the third annual Louisiana Life March, which took place Jan. 12 in Baton Rouge at the State Capitol. By Mark H. Hunter, Regional Reporter BATON ROUGE – Little Jeremiah was so full of energy his mother had a hard time keeping up with the 3-year-old as he darted through a forest of adult legs near the State Capitol steps. The youngster was among the crowd of 1,500 to 3,000 people estimated by various officials to be participating in the third annual Louisiana Life March on Jan. 12. Many marchers carried posters declaring the event’s motto: “Stand Strong, March On, 40 years have come, 55 million lives are gone,” since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion on Jan. 22, 1973. In Louisiana, 457,434 abortions have been performed since then, according to Louisiana Right to Life. The Life March was sponsored by Louisiana Right to Life, Louisiana Family Forum, Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Conference of Catholic Bishops, Knights of Columbus, Baton Rouge Right to Life, the Hippocratic Resource and Concerned Women for … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 08:32 By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director STATEWIDE – Louisiana Baptist churches and other non-profit organizations could be eligible to receive money as part of the court settlement for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They are encouraged to apply for funding soon, though claims are to be accepted through April 2014. According to attorneys representing churches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and parts of Florida, the BP oil company established a compensation fund as part of its ongoing remediation efforts following the disaster that resulted in widespread economic losses, the death of wildlife and long-term negative effects on habitation in affected areas. “This is a rare opportunity for churches and non-profit organizations throughout our region,” said Mike Johnson, a Shreveport attorney. “The BP settlement is unusual because BP has agreed to remove all the typical hurdles and hassles of litigation in favor of a voluntary claims process. The company wants to make things right, and it knows that churches and charities, like local businesses, will wisely use the funds they receive and reinvest in building their … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Editor Baptist Message Georgia pastor Louie Giglio was pressured to step down from offering the benediction at President Obama’s upcoming inauguration due to what has been deemed by some as unacceptable remarks made in a sermon almost 20 years ago. Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta and founder of Passion Conferences geared toward college students, delivered a sermon at a conference in the mid-90s titled “The Christian’s Response to Homosexuality.” Think Progress, a blog that identifies itself as liberal and associated with the Center for American Progress Action Fund, reported January 9 on Giglio’s sermon and described the address as “vehemently anti-gay” and full of “rabidly anti-LGBT views.” In the eyes of homosexual activist groups and apparently the White House, Giglio’s transgressions were that he dared not only to articulate the biblical truth that homosexuality is categorized as sin, but he also called attention to the true nature of the activists’ goals. In reality, the only transgression Giglio could be charged with is being right. He not only was theologically correct, but he also was spot-on concerning the sociological goals of the homosexual movement. I listened to … [Read more...]

By Wayne Taylor & Jerry Love, Louisiana Baptist Foundation As usual the title given to a bill recently passed by congress doesn’t reflect what the legislation actually does. Most of the provisions in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 don’t apply to all American taxpayers; most of the provisions apply to upper income earners. The new legislation also provides very little relief to taxpayers.  It wasn’t even passed or signed in 2012. Neverthe-less, it is a legislative act and must be dealt with. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation assists individuals with gifts that benefit Baptist churches and Baptist ministries in Louisiana and worldwide. As part of our service to Louisiana Baptists we attempt to stay current and provide information on changes in the tax code in general, especially how it impacts charitable giving. Here is a summary of the good, the bad and the ugly of the so-called American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.   The Good n The IRA Charitable Rollover was renewed through 2013. This reinstates the ability for individuals age 70 ½ and above to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) up to $100k directly from an IRA to a charitable organization (other stipulations also apply). A … [Read more...]

By Albert Mohler Jr., President Southern Baptist Theological Seminary A new chapter in America’s moral revolution came recently as Atlanta pastor Louie Giglio withdrew from giving the benediction at President Obama’s second inaugural ceremony. In a statement released to the White House and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Giglio said he withdrew because of the furor that emerged Jan. 9 after a liberal watchdog group revealed that almost 20 years ago he had preached a sermon in which he had stated that homosexuality is a sin and that the “only way out of a homosexual lifestyle ... is through the healing power of Jesus.” In other words, a Christian pastor has been effectively disinvited from delivering an inaugural prayer because he believes and teaches Christian truth. The fact that Giglio was actually disinvited was made clear in a statement from Addie Whisenant of the Presidential Inaugural Committee: “We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection, and they don’t reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural. “Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part because of his leadership in combating human … [Read more...]