In biblical days, the "porch" - or "portico" - of the temple in Jerusalem was a public gathering place. It was where doctors of the law met to hear and answer questions, a place of commerce and worship. Jesus likely visited the area often, speaking and teaching to those who gathered during the day. In biblical days, the "porch" - or "portico" - of the temple in Jerusalem was a public gathering place.   It was where doctors of the law met to hear and answer questions, a place of commerce and worship. Jesus likely visited the area often, speaking and teaching to those who gathered during the day. His disciples also visited there to encourage and equip one another in the early days of the church.   But that was then - and this is ...   Well, actually, the "portico" concept remains alive and well through a First Baptist Church of West Monroe ministry to reach young adults with the gospel.   Since the fall of 2001, The Portico ministry has met in a former bank building adjacent to the West Monroe church.   Its stated goal is simple - "to recreate that (biblical portico) setting in such an authentic way that postmodern young adults feel inspired to follow the example … [Read more...]

For those who wonder where parents stand on the issue of sex education for their children, two recent polls offer no help. Indeed, they provide conflicting results. For those who wonder where parents stand on the issue of sex education for their children, two recent polls offer no help.   Indeed, they provide conflicting results.   One poll says the majority of American parents want sex education classes to emphasize abstinence until marriage.   The other says most parents believe the most appropriate approach is something called "abstinence-plus."   The first poll was conducted by Zogby International and Focus on the Family. It found that parents strongly oppose the values and messages of comprehensive sex education, which assumes teenagers will become sexually active and, therefore, must be given easy access to contraceptives.   The second poll was conducted by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. It found that only 7 percent of Americans say sex education should not be taught in public schools - but that a plurality believes the most appropriate approach is to teach that abstinence is best. At the … [Read more...]

It is only a novel, but many people are buying its message as history - and that has religious leaders worried. After all, "The Da Vinci Code" claims that Jesus actually wed Mary Magdalene and fathered a child with her. It is only a novel, but many people are buying its message as history - and that has religious leaders worried.   After all, "The Da Vinci Code" claims that Jesus actually wed Mary Magdalene and fathered a child with her.   It also states that the Bible was commissioned and manipulated by the Roman emperor Constantine for political purposes.   And people are believing these things.   "It definitely made me question all that I have been brought up to believe," said Holly Jespersen, a Presbyterian in Chicago.   "I was basically floored (by the assertion regarding the Bible)," said Glen Gracia, a former practicing Catholic who characterized the news as "historical information."   Alarmed by reactions like these, defenders of traditional Christianity have launched a counteroffensive on author Dan Brown’s fast-paced thriller.   It comes none too soon.   The book is in its 46th week atop The New York Times’ fiction … [Read more...]

For the week of March 18, 2004 Missouri Baptist lawsuit   A Missouri judge effectively has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Missouri Baptist Convention leaders against five institutions that removed themselves from convention control. Convention messengers voted in 2002 to sue the Word & Way newspaper, Missouri Baptist University, Windermere Baptist Conference Center, the Missouri Baptist Foundation and the Baptist Home retirement home system. In 2000 and 2001, trustees of all five agencies changed their institutions’ charters to make the boards self-perpetuating. Previously, the institutions’ trustees had been elected by the Missouri Baptist Convention. The lawsuit demanded the agencies’ trustee boards be returned to convention control. Because the Missouri Baptist Convention itself is an unincorporated association, leaders decided to name the state Executive Board and six convention-affiliated churches as the plaintiffs. However, a circuit judge said the convention’s constitution and bylaws are clear that its "members" are individuals called "messengers." He said the churches and Executive Board do not count as "members." Thus, the churches and Executive Board lack the right to sue under … [Read more...]

News about administrators of Louisiana College published on page one of this issue and on this page are certain to send waves of response across Louisiana in general, and among Louisiana Baptists in particular. News about administrators of Louisiana College published on page one of this issue and on this page are certain to send waves of response across Louisiana in general, and among Louisiana Baptists in particular.   When a relatively small college loses its president and one of his top administrators in one week, everyone’s attention is drawn to the occurrence.   Both Rory Lee, president of the school and Ben Hawkins, Vice President of Academic Affairs, sent the Baptist Message news releases about their departure. Both men were considerate to send the Baptist Message the releases in a way and time that recognized our weekly publishing deadline. Their statements are clear and to the point. There is no reason to read more into the statements than the men intend. If they want to opine more on matters later, that will be their choices and not ours. Everything beyond what the men say is speculation and speculation basically is worth the ink it takes to print it.   Because the Baptist … [Read more...]

When nothing else worked, Betty Neal says "The Passion of The Christ" movie caused her longtime friend to accept Christ. When nothing else worked, Betty Neal says "The Passion of The Christ" movie caused her longtime friend to accept Christ.   Neal is a member at Inglewood Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn. She says she has been praying for William Andrews to come to the Lord for three years.   He would go to church with her, but he kept pushing God away, recounts Neal, who actually had lived together with Andrews for awhile before she got right with God herself.   "I was saved when I was 14, though I didn’t live for Christ for a lot of years," Neal acknowledges. "When I went back to church three years ago and rededicated my life, I realized I couldn’t live like that anymore. I started trying to work with William and get him to go to church, but nothing seemed to work."   Unable to make progress, Neal says she prayed about shaping her life up and decided to move out on her own. Nevertheless, she says she continued to be friends with Andrews and sought to be persistent in sharing the gospel message with him.   "He would get real angry sometimes and tell me to … [Read more...]

Critics of the decision for local Louisiana Baptist associations to assume full administrative and financial control of their directors of missions - or of the process for making the move - voiced frustrations and concerns with state convention leaders last week. Critics of the decision for local Louisiana Baptist associations to assume full administrative and financial control of their directors of missions - or of the process for making the move - voiced frustrations and concerns with state convention leaders last week.   "People are at one of three places about all this right now," said Jim Duck from Adolphe Stagg Baptist Association.   "There are those who believe the right thing was done the right way, those who believe the right thing was done the wrong way and those who believe the wrong thing was done the wrong way."   Most of those who gathered last week for an informal discussion fell into the latter two groups. During the meeting, they voiced objections and concerns with how the decision was made and what effect it will have on the state Cooperative Program and on relations between associations and the state.   In turn, LBC Executive Director Dean Doster … [Read more...]

Louisiana College President Rory Lee has announced plans to leave the school in order to accept a position as executive director of the Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village. Lee announced his intentions to Louisiana College trustees early this week after being unanimously elected to the Mississippi post on March 11. Louisiana College President Rory Lee has announced plans to leave the school in order to accept a position as executive director of the Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village. Lee announced his intentions to Louisiana College trustees early this week after being unanimously elected to the Mississippi post on March 11.   He plans to leave the Louisiana Baptist school early this summer - at the end of the current academic year.   Lee, 54, has served at Louisiana College for seven years. His tenure has been marked by a 23 percent increase in enrollment, a 40 percent increase in the number of faculty members holding earned doctorates, a fund balance increase of more than $500,000 and completion of numerous building projects.   He came to Louisiana College in 1997, succeeding Robert Lynn, who had served as school president for 22 years. With his election, Lee became the … [Read more...]

When I received my Baptist Message today and read Diane Reeder, Baton Rouge, and Grace Lee, Pineville, letters to the editor, I just had to write and add my comments. When I received my Baptist Message today and read Diane Reeder, Baton Rouge, and Grace Lee, Pineville, letters to the editor, I just had to write and add my comments.   I love what Grace Lee said about how the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee "doesn’t represent me and millions of other Baptists in this decision (of cutting off funds and pulling out of the Baptist World Alliance)."   Too, what Diane Reeder said is if the Executive Committee decision (asking all agencies to make the denomination its sole member) " ‘solely’ a grab for more control and/or power over the SBC agencies and their boards by an elite few?"   Too, Janet Hoffman said the Woman’s Missionary Union view was to continue supporting women all over the world through the Baptist world family.   I wish I could have said these words - but applaud theirs.   I have always been proud of being a Baptist and saying, "We can interpret for ourselves." Having professors approve the material they can use and having the … [Read more...]

Fantastic news - the trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention are asking Southern Baptists to read the Holman Christian Standard Bible through in 2005. Fantastic news - the trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention are asking Southern Baptists to read the Holman Christian Standard Bible through in 2005.   If they are designating 2005 as "The Year of the Bible," what differences does it make which version is read?   The reason all the newer versions are printed - money.   All versions except the King James Version have copyrights and, thus, every one that "produces" a new Bible makes money. Why, if God’s Word is perfect and infallible, do we keep needing newer and simpler versions?   Are God’s creatures getting more and more simpleminded so that we have to dumb down the Scriptures or lower the reading level every few years? Or are we watering down the Word of God for the unbelievers and liberals.   It is hard to find a church where the pastor and congregations are all on the same page and same version. (At least, we all have the same hymn books.)   Is it any wonder the Muslims say we … [Read more...]