The merger between two Lake Charles churches Feb. 20 was seven years in the making. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter The merger between two Lake Charles churches Feb. 20 was seven years in the making. What transpired during those years is a testimony to how God had his hand on the entire situation, says Alan Weishampel, pastor of the newly-merged East Ridge Baptist Church. “I’ve been in awe of everything that has happened to this point,” Weishampel says of the process. “It’s not us at all. It’s not the two congregations. “It’s God at work.” About 120 people were on hand last month to witness the official merger of Twelfth Street Baptist Church and Murray Street Baptist Church. The two congregations have chosen “East Ridge Baptist Church” as their new name from 46 submitted possibilities. The blended congregation currently is using the Murray Street Baptist Church facilities. However, when it relocates in the near future, facilities will be located on a ridge on the east side of Lake Charles, hence the new name. Danny Busby served as pastor of the former Twelfth Street Baptist Church and now serves as associate pastor of the new congregation. Weishampel serves as pastor of the new … [Read more...]

A major court battleground is – and will be for several years – the meaning, limits, enforcement and respect for the separation of church and state. A major court battleground is – and will be for several years – the meaning, limits, enforcement and respect for the separation of church and state. In Louisiana, this subject burst back into news headlines because United States District Judge Ginger Berrigan ruled that the Tangipahoa School Board could not open its regular meetings with prayer. Judge Berrigan’s ruling shows a continued lack of understanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States on the part of many in the court systems of our nation. In this case, the judge does not recognize the difference between public school officials leading prayer among a group of students in a required gathering in a public school and a group of adults exercising their freedom of religion by praying before a meeting of the school board. When a teacher or another school official leads a required gathering of students in prayer, that obviously is an agent of the government requiring – or strongly encouraging – students to engage in particular religious exercises. While we may think such action … [Read more...]

Our neighboring state to the west prides itself on excellent highways, as well they should. As much as it pains this dyed-in-the-wool Louisianian, one can usually tell when one crosses the state line from Louisiana to Texas. Our neighboring state to the west prides itself on excellent highways, as well they should. As much as it pains this dyed-in-the-wool Louisianian, one can usually tell when one crosses the state line from Louisiana to Texas. The roads get much better. So, it was with a chuckle I observed something that showed their road builders make mistakes along the way. There is a small town in East Texas with a gangbuster of an overpass. It is a small masterpiece. The overpass is to provide safe, uninterrupted passage over the railroad just on the edge of downtown, such as it is. The highway through town and downtown – there is no real way of knowing where one ends and the other begins – is a five-laner. It has two lanes headed south and two lanes headed north. A nice turning lane separates the southbound traffic from the northbound. It is a road any community would be proud to have passing through it. As the beautifully-constructed concrete overpass rises, it also bends into a slowly … [Read more...]

Each day, hundred of visitors arrive at a small science museum in Mobile, Ala., to view what many consider the archaeological find of the 20th century. Each day, hundred of visitors arrive at a small science museum in Mobile, Ala., to view what many consider the archaeological find of the 20th century. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 and are the oldest biblical fragments ever unearthed. Since the early days of 2005, various fragments of the scrolls have been on display at Gulf Coast Exploreum in Mobile. Each day, hundreds of visitors linger at one clear plastic display case in particular. It is the world’s oldest copy of the Ten Commandments, its tiny black text exquisitely inked onto the crinkled surface of a brown animal skin. Nearby is a 3-foot-wide document whose six columns of precise text contain all or parts of Psalm 135 and three other psalms. And just a few feet away are other scroll fragments – portions of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Isaiah and Jeremiah. Some of the fragments are barely larger than the palm of a hand – dark brown, inscribed with Hebrew text in words little bigger than a grain of rice. On larger manuscripts like the Psalm … [Read more...]

For the last quarter of a century, Southern Baptists have been told just 30 percent or so of their churches actually were healthy and growing – the rest either were plateaued or dying. That was bad enough. For the last quarter of a century, Southern Baptists have been told just 30 percent or so of their churches actually were healthy and growing – the rest either were plateaued or dying. That was bad enough. However, a new study suggests the real picture of the Southern Baptist Convention is even worse. Indeed, based on new measurement criteria developed by the Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, just a little more than one in 10 Southern Baptist churches  – 11 percent actually – can be classified as healthy and growing. In other words, that looming object in the rearview mirror is much, much closer than it appears. And the challenge confronting Southern Baptists is much, much larger than once believed. Indeed, when asked how big that challenge is, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley offers a succinct response. “Huge.” Defining growth For years, Southern Baptist leaders have used the 30 percent mark as a rallying … [Read more...]

Even as Southern Baptists leaders sound a renewed call to reverse a slow-growth trend in many denominational churches, Louisiana Baptists are facing their own homefront challenge. Even as Southern Baptists leaders sound a renewed call to reverse a slow-growth trend in many denominational churches, Louisiana Baptists are facing their own homefront challenge. A review of recently-released state convention statistics shows that Louisiana Baptists posted minimal growth or decreases in key membership areas in 2004. For the most-recent church year, annual statistics show that Louisiana grew no more than 0.7 percent from the previous year in any membership area. Increases were recorded in the area of: • Baptisms, which rose by 81 (0.6 percent). • Resident church membership, which grew by 1,557 persons (0.4 percent). • Total church membership, which grew by 3,221 persons (0.6 percent). • Vacation Bible School enrollment, which grew by 315 persons (0.3 percent). • Discipleship Training enrollment, which grew by 453 persons (0.7 percent. • Music Ministry enrollment, which grew by 116 persons (0.2 percent). • Woman’s Missionary Union enrollment, which grew by 147 persons (0.6 percent). At the same … [Read more...]

Many people are involved in missions in Iowa, but one particular person does it on a regular basis without leaving her home. She also does it while facing the mounting challenge of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Many people are involved in missions in Iowa, but one particular person does it on a regular basis without leaving her home. She also does it while facing the mounting challenge of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Despite her condition, Jenifer Barrentine, 27, helps coordinate mission projects with the help of a computer and a telephone. Her mother, Joan, helps pick up the workload when her daughter’s strength is failing. “I think I have a very unique opportunity to share Christ with some people who would not be open to hearing about Christ if I were not in this wheelchair or in this situation,” Barrentine says.         “Some people are curious about the illness when we talk on the phone or when I am out in the public with my motorized wheelchair. They will open up to me in a way that they probably would not do otherwise. “One day I was in a store, buying a birthday present, and a salesclerk took probably a half-hour visiting with me and opening up. I had a chance to share my testimony of knowing Christ, and it … [Read more...]

For some time now, leaders have warned that Southern Baptists are falling farther and farther behind in the task of evangelism – failing even to win many of their own children to faith in Christ. For some time now, leaders have warned that Southern Baptists are falling farther and farther behind in the task of evangelism – failing even to win many of their own children to faith in Christ. They have speculated that an entire generation – and perhaps even two – may be lost to the gospel. They have bemoaned the fact that many young people are growing up without a firm grasp of moral absolutes – indeed, even growing up with a belief that such absolutes do not exist. And they have shaken their heads in despair at the fact that surveys indicate Christians pattern their lives no differently from non-Christians. Now, a new Barna Research Group poll offers a clue as to why those conditions exist – although it definitely is not an easy one to hear. The poll indicates that the simple truth is – too few parents see spiritual development as an important part of their work. Apparently, that includes too many Christian parents. “The fact that most Christian parents overlook this critical responsibility is one … [Read more...]

As if legalized gambling does not have enough victims, it looks to be grooming another generation of players – today’s children and youth, Guy Clark said. As if legalized gambling does not have enough victims, it looks to be grooming another generation of players – today’s children and youth, Guy Clark said. And in case one thinks that is exaggeration, check out current video game titles, noted Clark, chair of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. A “Golden Nugget” title features “on-the-go versions” of games like blackjack, craps, roulette, slots and video poker. It even allows players to save their games, so they can return later with accrued balances. The “Slots” game features more than 40 slot machines. “This game is so close to the real thing, you’ll think you’re in Vegas,” its packaging boasts. Meanwhile, “DD Tournament Poker” selection includes a feature for managing live home poker tournaments. There are other selections as well – and all are available at local stores, usually on the children’s aisles. Indeed, without violence or sexual themes, many of the games are rated “E” – suitable for ages six or older. One rated “E” title even notes, “When you’re down on your luck, visit … [Read more...]

It may be a great idea for politicians, but it is a terrible idea for churches. There is a bill in the U.S. Congress that would allow churches and other “houses of worship” to endorse specific political candidates and parties without losing the congregation’s tax-exempt status. It may be a great idea for politicians, but it is a terrible idea for churches. There is a bill in the U.S. Congress that would allow churches and other “houses of worship” to endorse specific political candidates and parties without losing the congregation’s tax-exempt status. The bill has been named the “Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act” by its author, Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C. (See accompanying article below.) Presently, churches can speak however freely they like to on issues and encourage members to vote based on the issues. However, as a not-for-profit religious organization enjoying tax-free status from the federal government, they are not to endorse particular candidates or parties in order to avoid being overtly political. The Internal Revenue Service penalty for churches endorsing particular parties or candidates is the loss of their tax-exempt status. News reports indicate the Southern … [Read more...]