The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee approved legal documents at its semi-annual meeting Sept. 18 to allow GuideStone Financial Resources to set up five new subsidiaries providing, among other things, investment financial advice, its own property and casualty insurance and its own life insurance. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee approved legal documents at its semi-annual meeting Sept. 18 to allow GuideStone Financial Resources to set up five new subsidiaries providing, among other things, investment financial advice, its own property and casualty insurance and its own life insurance. GuideStone is the name of what once was called the Annuity Board. The Executive Committee passed the recommendation following one hour of discussion, most of which focused on whether the committee should study the issue until its next meeting in February. In the end, the recommendation passed on a show of hands. Some Executive Committee members said they wanted more time to study the proposal’s documents, which they said were extensive. Others responded by saying the entire Executive Committee needed to trust the work of GuideStone’s trustees. Jody Hudgins, a banker from … [Read more...]

The first Baptist church established in Louisiana no longer has any members. Its doors open only four days a year, but tens of thousands visit on those four days. FRANKLINTON – The first Baptist church established in Louisiana no longer has any members. Its doors open only four days a year, but tens of thousands visit on those four days. The Half Moon Bluff Baptist Church was constituted on October 12, 1812. It was located on the banks of the Bogue Chitto River at Half Moon Bluff, about 4.5 miles north of Franklinton, near Bogalusa.. Today a replica of the original log building with its clay floor resides in the Miles Branch Settlement on the Washington Parish Free Fair grounds. It is here that the visitors to the church come, during what is billed as the largest free fair in the USA. Each October during fair week, the Washington Baptist Association churches band together to continue the witness of the oldest Baptist church in the state. The Fair Association is dedicated to providing an interdenominational experience at the site, so the churches provide only hymn singing inside the structure. Each associational church sends a team to Half Moon Bluff Church for two hours during the fair. They sing old gospel hymns … [Read more...]

A county judge in Des Moines, Iowa, of all places, recently ruled in August that the state law allowing marriage only between a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection. A county judge in Des Moines, Iowa, of all places, recently ruled in August that the state law allowing marriage only between a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection. This isn’t New York or Massachusetts or California, mind you – this is our nation’s heartland. Iowa voters, with their own defense of marriage act in place for over a decade, thought they had settled the issue of “same-sex marriage.” While the judge’s decision has now been stayed, this action reminds us that the institution of marriage is still under constant threat from the whims of just one obscure judge. Anyone paying attention to the developing race for the White House knows that Iowa – with its first-in-the-nation presidential caucus – is crawling with aspirants for the Oval Office. Perhaps this decision by an Iowa judge will help place this issue front-and-center in the minds of voters across the nation and, thus, the presidential candidates. While some opponents of “same-sex marriage” … [Read more...]

Given the current cultural climate, Christians often face a conflict between values and higher values. I ran into one of those conflicts when an Iowa judge issued a decision legalizing “gay marriage.” In his opinion, which is being appealed, he stated that “marriage has evolved over time” and that “homosexuality is a normal expression of human sexuality.” Given the current cultural climate, Christians often face a conflict between values and higher values. I ran into one of those conflicts when an Iowa judge issued a decision legalizing “gay marriage.” In his opinion, which is being appealed, he stated that “marriage has evolved over time” and that “homosexuality is a normal expression of human sexuality.” In responding to Baptist Press, I indicated that we are not informed by our own opinions regarding such matters. We are informed and led by Scripture. Scripture defines marriage as a faithful, lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. That is a value that believers are not free to dismiss. Baptist Press understands that value. Others, with delightful exceptions, seemed to want a stronger statement from me. They were not satisfied with my expressed view that what we believe has nothing to do with any lack of … [Read more...]

The executive board meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention dealt with business when they met in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 25. They also took time to worship God, and speakers took care to encourage the 92 board members, plus LBC staff and other guests. WOODWORTH – The executive board meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention dealt with business when they met in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 25. They also took time to worship God, and speakers took care to encourage the 92 board members, plus LBC staff and other guests. “I do like the fact that it’s not all business. There’s some worship; I really think that sets the stage for doing the Lord’s work,” said Frank Ducharme, pastor of First Baptist Scott, in his first session this term as a board member. “I liked the fact that they were trying to streamline things,” he added. “It looks like Dr. Hankins is trying to make things better.” In Executive Director David E. Hankin’s report to the executive board members, he suggested the possibility of combining some board committees and reworking the schedule so the board would only need one day to complete its business. It wasn’t a matter to be voted on, he said. He just wanted the board to think about it and see if the … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Baptist Message is pleased to announce two new arrivals: ALEXANDRIA – The Louisiana Baptist Message is pleased to announce two new arrivals: The birth of Isaiah Marshall Sharp to Tammy and Kenny Sharp. The addition of Philip Timothy to the Message staff. Isaiah was born August 7 as the second son of Staff Writer Tammy Sharp. She has decided to stay home to raise her sons and work as a freelance writer. “We’ve appreciated so much the work Tammy has done with the Message, but we honor and respect her decision to be with her sons,” said Editor Kelly Boggs, Timothy comes to the Message staff from the Alexandria daily newspaper, The Town Talk. A 33-year journalism veteran, Timothy is reporting, writing and laying out pages. “You’ve already been seeing his work in the Message,” said Managing Editor Karen Willoughby. “He’s a well-rounded journalist who is committed to the Lord. We’re glad he’s part of the team.” … [Read more...]

STATEWIDE – Senior seniors. This is the third in a series of center spreads on early Louisiana leaders and the church members who “put their shoulders to the plow” for most of the 20th century, to help build God’s kingdom in this state and around the world. STATEWIDE – Senior seniors. This is the third in a series of center spreads on early Louisiana leaders and the church members who “put their shoulders to the plow” for most of the 20th century, to help build God’s kingdom in this state and around the world. We could go on for several issues more, and still not do an adequate job of reporting on our Senior Seniors – who they are; what they’ve done; what they continue to do – but we’re out of space. In this third and final center spread, the Message talked with several senior adult leaders and with the Louisiana Baptist Convention evangelism/church growth team to see the needs today of the senior seniors who have served God so faithfully for so many years, and for those who never have served God at all. Their needs: to be loved, valued, needed. Their circumstances: Decreasing contact with people; fixed income; things they’ve never dealt with before – government paperwork for all; auto repairs for women who outlive … [Read more...]

Actually, living this long has been a surprise to both my parents. Mom turns 91 in July and so far holds the longevity record in her large family, of whom she has only two siblings left. NEW ORLEANS – Actually, living this long has been a surprise to both my parents. Mom turns 91 in July and so far holds the longevity record in her large family, of whom she has only two siblings left. “We never thought about it,” she says. And with Dad’s taking retirement on disability back in 1961, I assure you he never thought about living this long either. No one would have given him a chance. Driving home from spending Easter weekend with Mom and Dad, I began reflecting on what life is like for them now that they’re in their 90s. Their circumstance is probably the same story for a lot of others in their age group. Each day is pretty much the same. You don’t feel like going anywhere, and even the occasional trip to the doctor is a big deal. So you stay at home. It’s the only place you want to be. You know all your doctors, nurses, and druggists as intimately as you do family members. In their case, the home health nurse arrives on a published schedule and Mom usually has lunch waiting on her. With the excellent health … [Read more...]

B.B. McKinney Born Baylus Benjamin McKinney in the small Webster Parish community of Heflin on July 22, 1886, he  was one of 10 children. Educated at Mt. Lebanon Academy, Louisiana College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminardy, Siegel-Meyers School of Music and Bush Conservatory of Music, he excelled in music. He was music editor for Robert Henry Colman (1918-1935); taught in the School for Sacred Music at SWBTS and served as assistant director and professor of voice, harmony and composition at SWBTS (1919 to 1931). After serving as an assistant pastor, he became music editor of the Baptist Sunday School Board and became secretary of the newly created Department of Church Music in 1941. Under his leadership the board inaugurated an annual Church Music Week at the Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly (1940), encouraged the practice of having a secretary of music employed by each state Baptist convention (1944), developed the church music training course (1946) and began the publication of the Church Musician (1950). He was the author of the words and music of 149 gospel hymns and songs, and he composed the music for 114 texts by other authors. Some of his best-loved songs are “The Nail Scarred Hand” (1924), “Let … [Read more...]

October 2007 4 – EKG-Louisiana Preparation Meeting, Fair Park, Monroe: beau.colle@lbc.org 4 – EKG-Louisiana Preparation Meeting, First Baptist Church, Broussard: beau.colle@lbc.org 8 – EKG-Louisiana Preparation Meeting, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge: beau.colle@lbc.org 8 – January Bible Study/Doctrine Study Training, Baptist Building: Sean.Keith@lbc.org or www.LBC.org 9 – Louisiana Church Building Conference: Sean.Keith@lbc.org or www.LBC.org 9 – Senior Adult Praise Festival, Temple, Ruston: kathy.doolittle@lbc.org or www.lbc.org/music 9 – WMU State Council Meeting: janie.wise@lbc.org or www.lbc.org/women 9 – January Bible Study/Doctrine Study Training, First Baptist Church, Ruston: Sean.Keith@lbc.org orwww.LBC.org 10 – DOM Training – Taking the Stew Out of Steward, Terry.Tanner@lbc.org 11 – January Bible Study/Doctrine Study Training, Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge: Sean.Keith@lbc.org orwww.LBC.org 12-13 – Ministers’ Wives’ Retreat, Tall Timbers: janie.wise@lbc.org or www.lbc.org/women 13 – SW Louisiana Sunday School CONNECTION: Sean.Keith@lbc.org or www.LBC.org 14 – World Hunger Promotion Sunday 15-16 – Baptist Golf Fellowship Fall Tournament, Lake Charles Country Club, Lake Charles: 800.376.7728 15 – EKG – Louisiana … [Read more...]