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Church influence low with young adults, study shows

March 24, 2015

Millions of "twentysomething" Americans have not made a commitment to church a priority in their lives as they move beyond the college years and into the workforce, a recently-released study indicates. Millions of "twentysomething" Americans have not made a commitment to church a priority in their lives as they move beyond the college years and into the workforce, a recently-released study indicates. That includes those who were active in the church during their teenage years, The Barna Research Group study also indicated twentysomethings are far less likely than older adults to donate to churches, to serve as volunteers or to read the Bible. However, the young adults do admit that they often pray to God. Still, in an American culture focused on individualism, some of the most crucial decisions made by people from age 20 to 29 are being influenced by people’s desire to determine their own personal fulfillment and purpose in life - and apart from the traditional sources of Christian input, researchers reported. This includes such life-altering decisions by young adults as whether to finish college, what career to pursue, where to live and whether to get married. Only three out of 10 twentysomethings attend church … [Read more...]

Baptist Collegiate Ministries on front lines in effort to reach young adults

March 24, 2015

As a recent study indicates, Southern Baptists face a challenge in reaching young adults - and keeping them involved.   Baptist Collegiate Ministries serves on the front lines of that battle, working to share the gospel and minister to college students across the United States. As a recent study indicates, Southern Baptists face a challenge in reaching young adults - and keeping them involved.   Baptist Collegiate Ministries serves on the front lines of that battle, working to share the gospel and minister to college students across the United States.   The challenge is a shifting one, Baptist collegiate ministers report. In today’s marketplace of college ministry, students are shopping to fill their spiritual needs with little brand loyalty, they say.   Following a pattern that mirrors many young adults’ church-hopping spirituality, a student may turn to a non-denominational group for Christian fellowship, a Methodist ministry for Bible study and a Baptist effort to do missions.   The Baptist name carries little attraction for today’s college generation, explained Allan Thompson, director of the Baptist Student Ministry at East Texas Baptist University. Most … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist ministers’ wives gather for fellowship, personal encouragement

March 24, 2015

Two-hundred fifty Louisiana Baptists recently attended the 2003 Ministers’ Wives Retreat to fellowship and enjoy a break from everyday duties. Two-hundred fifty Louisiana Baptists recently attended the 2003 Ministers’ Wives Retreat to fellowship and enjoy a break from everyday duties.   "The reason we had this is because every minister’s wife deserves a weekend to be treated like a queen," said Cindy Townsend, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of women’s ministry and missions. "The goal of the weekend was that every woman could be encouraged in her personal walk with the Lord."   Held at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, the Ministers’ Wives’ Retreat was the highest-attended gathering since the convention began sponsoring the event four years ago, Townsend reported.   "It was the most incredible weekend I’ve ever attended," said Donna Landry, wife of Hessmer Baptist Church pastor Norris Landry. "This ranks near the top with me. I’ve had several spiritual blessings in my life, such as when I became a Christian and when I had children, but this retreat ranks way up there."   This year, Townsend said her department made a conscientious effort to contact not … [Read more...]

Personal character must be priority issue for preachers

March 24, 2015

Note: The following article represents the second in an 11-part series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Note: The following article represents the second in an 11-part series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board.   Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer   Great preachers are persons of great personal integrity before they are great pulpiteers.   Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) was an early contributor to the Yale Lectures on Preaching. He once defined preaching as "truth through personality."   But exactly what did Brooks mean by "personality"? Is this what turns an actor into … [Read more...]

Good common sense

March 24, 2015

The Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention seems to be satisfied with the way board members are selected. Under the current way, the LBC Nominating Committee nominates board members and, then, presents them to the convention for approval. That may prove good for "equidistance" (whatever that is), but it sure does not do anything for the autonomous position of the churches. The Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention seems to be satisfied with the way board members are selected. Under the current way, the LBC Nominating Committee nominates board members and, then, presents them to the convention for approval. That may prove good for "equidistance" (whatever that is), but it sure does not do anything for the autonomous position of the churches.   I am sure that most Louisiana Baptists have been under the impression that the person from their local association was representing them on the Executive Board.   This is not the case.   During the last year, when so many people were concerned about what the Executive Board wanted to do with the associational directors of missions, the members of the Executive Board received a letter from then-Executive Board … [Read more...]

Weekly Announcements

March 24, 2015

For the week of November 6, 2003 Potpourri   • LIVINGSTON - Midway church: Down East Boys in concert; Nov. 21, 7 p.m.; Charlie McCants, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Broadmoor church: "Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers" seminar; Nov. 21, 7-9:30 p.m. for men and women; Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; free admission; Ken R. Canfield, keynote speaker; to register, call (800) 606-6470 or online at www.fathers.com/seminar by Nov. 17; Chuck Pourciau, pastor.   • MONROE - College Place church: Testify in concert; Nov. 9, 6 p.m.; Doug Allen, pastor.   • OAK GROVE - Hill church: The Gospel Echoes in concert; Nov. 8, 7 p.m.; Jan Russell, music director; Leslie Yates, pastor.   • JENA - East Jena church: Dallas Holm in concert; Nov. 17, 7 p.m.; $10 for tickets; Craig James, pastor.   • MONROE - North Monroe church: Testify in concert; Nov. 16, 6 p.m.; Bill H. Dye, pastor.   • PINEVILLE - Louisiana College: The Louisianians in concert in the Presser Recital Hall; Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.; free admission; Cleamon Downs, coordinator of department of music; Rory Lee, president.   • WOODWORTH - Tall Timbers conference center: "Coming Soon" Bible Prophecy … [Read more...]

Stanley clarifies statements – reporter releases transcript

March 24, 2015

Former Southern Baptist Convention President Charles Stanley has clarified comments regarding the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message and its stance on women. Former Southern Baptist Convention President Charles Stanley has clarified comments regarding the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message and its stance on women.   In a Baptist Press article, Stanley said he "absolutely" supports the faith statement. However, he did say one amendment should have been clarified and another not included in the faith statement at all.   Stanley’s comments come on the heels of a newspaper article that quoted Stanley as disagreeing with the Baptist Faith and Message on two issues - the role of pastor being reserved for men and the submission of wives to husbands.   Stanley said the article did not print comments in context and omitted significant ones. However, the reporter who interviewed Stanley has defended his article, releasing a written transcript of the taped interview.   Stanley is pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta and is a popular radio and television preacher. He was interviewed by Jim Jones of the Fort Worth Star Telegram newspaper while in Texas. Stanley said the article was meant to … [Read more...]

‘The anger had risen to a high point’

March 24, 2015

Everyone agrees - he preaches with the fervor of a prophet, and she sings like an angel.   Together, they are so dynamic that it is difficult to believe they have each experienced a bitter divorce and custody battle - with each other. Everyone agrees - he preaches with the fervor of a prophet, and she sings like an angel.   Together, they are so dynamic that it is difficult to believe they have each experienced a bitter divorce and custody battle - with each other.   On the outside, the Forehand family once seemed perfect. Dale was a successful businessman, a deacon at First Baptist Church of Trussville, Ala., and a Sunday School teacher. Jena was an accomplished soloist who immersed herself in choir activities and raising two children, Cole and Jorja.   However, on the inside, the Forehands’ marriage was dying.   Married couples "are looking to their spouses with unrealistic expectations, so they get very disappointed when these are not met," Dale Forehand says, looking back.   This disappointment often leads to a demand that needs be met by a spouse, he says. When this does not happen, the spouses feel defeated, and many quit.   Dale … [Read more...]

Weekly Briefs

March 24, 2015

For the week of November 13, 2003 Cooperative Program   Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled $15.7 million last month, an increase of almost $2 million (14.4 percent) from the previous October. The total also was $465,984 (3.5 percent) ahead of budget for the month. In addition, designated gifts totaled $19.1 million, an increase of about $2.6 million (15.7 percent). October marked the start of a new fiscal year for the convention.   Louisiana foundation   Funds invested at the Louisiana Baptist Foundation exceeded their benchmarks - or target goals - during the first nine months of the year, agency Executive Director Wayne Taylor reported recently. The foundation’s short-term, fixed, equity and group funds all exceeded performance goals, Taylor reported during the agency’s recent trustee meeting. At the same time, Taylor told trustees the agency is open to looking at alternative investment options that will help invested funds grow better and will limit losses. During the recent meeting, trustees approved a motion regarding the investment of gift annuities. The change is designed to give such funds a better chance of growing longterm. A gift annuity is … [Read more...]

In midst of LBC big numbers, there is a bigger number – one

March 24, 2015

This week in Lafayette, messengers from churches affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention met in Lafayette and "large numbers" were the order of the day. This week in Lafayette, messengers from churches affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention met in Lafayette and "large numbers" were the order of the day.   Messengers were counted in the hundreds and the number of churches affiliated with the convention totaled more than 1600. Total membership of these churches number more than 600,000. Messengers decided upon a budget that totaled into the tens of millions of dollars. Big numbers.   The millions of dollars will support in Louisiana dozens of missionaries and hundreds of mission works. It will also help educate hundreds of students and support faculty and staff at Louisiana College and a children’s home that cares for dozens of children. It will also support Collegiate Ministries for thousands of other students in the state’s colleges and universities. It will enable the Executive Board staff to equip and train thousands of people. The money helps provide a newspaper sent to tens of thousands and support a foundation that invests tens of millions of dollars. Big … [Read more...]

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Editorial

Finding hope amid the pain

After a painful experience, hope often feels fragile. I have learned to allow joy to begin in small moments. It might be a bird singing outside a window, a kind word from a stranger or a sunset painted across the sky. I’ve had to give myself permission to smile when laughter comes, even if it feels unfamiliar. … Read More

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