I just wanted to say that I was touched by the story about Richard Hall, the quadriplegic, on the July 24 issue of the Baptist Message (Page Twelve). There ought to be more people like him. I just wanted to say that I was touched by the story about Richard Hall, the quadriplegic, on the July 24 issue of the Baptist Message (Page Twelve). There ought to be more people like him.   Audrey Thibodeaux Pierre Part, La. … [Read more...]

Those were the first words that came to my mind as I read the July 17 article entitled "The sermon is about to begin - direct your attention to the overhead video screen." Here’s it in a nutshell. Those were the first words that came to my mind as I read the July 17 article entitled "The sermon is about to begin - direct your attention to the overhead video screen." Here’s it in a nutshell.   Mr. Lyle Schaller was basically saying the pastors of the smaller churches should "lead in other areas" but not be responsible for "providing quality preaching every Sunday." Oh, really, Mr. Schaller?   In other words, let the pastor of the local church do the marrying, burying, counseling, weeping, praying, leading, studying - and the list goes on - and let the "gifted pulpiteer" handle the task of preaching the Word of God to his flock?   What a shame that there are people in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ who would undermine the very people who are there for them in their most critical hours - the local pastor of the "small church." Mr Schaller, I may not be the pastor of one of your "megachurches." but I do love my church, and I will continue to be their pastor during the week and … [Read more...]

For the week of August 28, 2003 Briefs 8-28 Changes in the South The South is becoming less of a Christian stronghold, recent research indicates. Sunday School and church attendance and evangelism are all in decline in the region. A recent study by the Barna Research Group shows. Increased mobility is a large factor in this change, researcher George Barna said. As people from around the country move into the South, residents are exposed to more religious options. Some of these other choices are drawing younger generations, he noted. Additionally, senior adults are dropping out of the church, Barna noted. Senior attendance, evangelism involvement and volunteerism are all down nationally. African-Americans also appear to be less interested in traditional religion. Bible reading, evangelism and a belief in the “biblical God” have all declined among blacks, while the beliefs that Jesus sinned and that Satan is a symbol both increased. Since 1991, the country’s unchurched population has risen from 24 percent to 33 percent, Barna added. Even the spike in church attendance after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks should not be attributed to unchurched people but to believers returning to church, he said. ‘Softening’ … [Read more...]

Even 80 years after his death, the first Louisiana-born Southern Baptist missionary still calls Christians to be on the cutting edge of gospel ministries. Missionary David Wilson’s life is chronicled in Joe T. Poe’s book “Missions for a New Century: Lessons from the Life and Ministry of David A. Wilson.” Even 80 years after his death, the first Louisiana-born Southern Baptist missionary still calls Christians to be on the cutting edge of gospel ministries. Missionary David Wilson’s life is chronicled in Joe T. Poe’s book “Missions for a New Century: Lessons from the Life and Ministry of David A. Wilson.” “I finished the book with a chapter calling him authentic, genuine and dedicated,” Poe tells the Baptist Message. “Those characteristics gave me another hero. His example in missionary service is worthy of being known.” Poe says he wrote the book because of Wilson’s connection with the Baptist Spanish Publishing House in El Paso, Texas, where Poe worked for 42 years. Wilson started “El Expositor Biblico” Spanish Sunday School magazine, which became a publication of the Publishing House when the company began 15 years after the periodical was published in 1890. Another reason he says he wrote the book … [Read more...]

As summer nears a sweltering end, “40 Days of Purpose” is coming to the state of Louisiana. All Louisiana Baptist Building employees are preparing to engage in the study by Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren. As summer nears a sweltering end, “40 Days of Purpose” is coming to the state of Louisiana. All Louisiana Baptist Building employees are preparing to engage in the study by Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren. In addition, Baptist students at four Louisiana schools have been chosen to participate in a “40 Days of Purpose” pilot program this fall. The “40 Days of Purpose” study is based on a pair of books by Warren, pastor at Saddleback Church in California. “The Purpose-Driven Life” and “The Purpose-Driven Church” seek to foster spiritual growth by challenging persons and churches to embrace the purposes God intended. The books have captured the attention of the evangelical world. Indeed, “The Purpose-Driven Life” recently was named the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s Book of the Year for 2003. The companion 40-day study follows the thrust of the books and is designed to help persons focus on their lives and how they are being lived. Any number of Baptist groups have embraced … [Read more...]

Remember a few years ago when the state of Louisiana was introducing legalized gambling – and opponents were warning the industry quickly would become a 900-pound political gorilla? Well, do not blame them for checking the current Louisiana landscape these days and saying, “Told you so.” Remember a few years ago when the state of Louisiana was introducing legalized gambling – and opponents were warning the industry quickly would become a 900-pound political gorilla? Well, do not blame them for checking the current Louisiana landscape these days and saying, “Told you so.” A look at the 2003 session of the Louisiana Legislature is all one needs to know the warning was right. “Gambling scores legislative wins,” was how the June 30 issue of the New Orleans Times Picayune assessed the session in a front-page headline. “It was an especially good session for the video-poker industry, which established itself as the dominant political player among the gambling-industry sectors that view for lawmakers’ favor,” the ensuing article explained. Indeed, it was. But the rest of the gambling industry was not hurt by the session as well – and dodged some major bullets along the way. The major bullet of all was … [Read more...]

Report on 2003 Louisiana Legislature: As usual, there were victories and defeats on moral and social issues When asked to grade the 2003 session of the Louisiana Legislature in terms of how it handled moral and social concerns, Ken Ward has to preface his evaluation with an observation. When asked to grade the 2003 session of the Louisiana Legislature in terms of how it handled moral and social concerns, Ken Ward has to preface his evaluation with an observation. “You have to remember it is an election, year” said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. “That moves it up a letter grade – because for the most part, people tend to be much more sensitive to expressions of moral and social concerns in election years.” Having said that, Ward announced his view ... C-plus. “It was better than average,” he said of the session that ended earlier this summer. “One reason is the election year. But also, I sense a growing concern among legislators that they may have opened a Pandora’s box with legalized gambling. “I also see increasing concern about pornography on the Internet and alcohol and other issues. And there was responsible action taken on some issues it just made sense to … [Read more...]

I read with interest the “Bible drill contestants” article in the July 31 issue. I offer congratulations to those whose names were cited. I read with interest the “Bible drill contestants” article in the July 31 issue. I offer congratulations to those whose names were cited.  Reading the article brought back great memories of my own three years in the Junior Bible Memory Drill when I was 10-12 years of age, in the Intermediate Sword Drill in my teens and in the Better Speakers’ Tournament. I was privileged to place in the state drills each year in the Bible Memory Drill, to at least participate in the state Sword Drill and to win the Speakers' Tournament in Louisiana and  represent our state at Ridgecrest where I failed to place. I write this to say those were invaluable experiences for me. I could never express adequately my gratitude to Mrs. H. M. Clark, Mrs. Lucius Andrews, and Mr. Paul Peters, all now deceased, who worked so faithfully with many of us at First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge across those years. I would commend to the churches of Louisiana their considering seriously promoting the drills in their present form in their congregations. Youth will be impacted for life, the church will have … [Read more...]

For the week of August 28, 2003 Potpourri • HOUMA – First church:  “Let Freedom Ring” patriotic musical program; Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m, and 3 p.m.; David Rhodes, guest soloist; Chris Antill, minister of music; Steve Folmar, pastor. • LAFAYETTE – First church:  “America:  We Must Not Forget” patriotic musical; Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at Parc International in downtown Lafayette; free admission; Luther Burney, minister of music; Perry Sanders, pastor. • CHOUDRANT – New  Hope  church:  Generation Span in concert; Aug. 31, 6 p.m; love offering accepted; Dwayne Monk, pastor. • ZACHARY – Milldale church:  Labor Day Weekend Camp Meeting; Aug. 29, 6:45 p.m. - Sept. 1, noon; Danny Lovett, Jerry Spencer, Philip Robertson and Jerry Chaddick, guest speakers; Malcom Ellis, Bill Britt, Bill Sturm and Sonny Holland, evangelists; for information, call (225) 654-8168 or (225) 654-5065; Jimmy Robertson, pastor. • ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Temple church:  Angie Cripps Sasser in concert; Aug. 31, 6 p.m. with covered dish meal to follow; Bill Broadwater, pastor. • BETHANY – Camp Bethany:  Men’s fish fry; Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m.; $6 per person; Leo Hill, guest speaker; Johnny Dunn, music; for reservations,  call (318) 938-1221; … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists need to increase their overseas missionary force by at least one-half even to begin engaging all the lost in the world, missions leaders concluded recently. Southern Baptists need to increase their overseas missionary force by at least one-half even to begin engaging all the lost in the world, missions leaders concluded recently. “We realize this is a tremendous challenge,” said Jerry Rankin, president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. “We have in recent months had to slow down the flow of missionaries going overseas so we can stay within the financial support provided by the churches. “But our hearts are burdened by the overwhelming lostness of our world.” That burden was the focus of a recent strategy summit with regional and senior leaders of the mission board. The leaders agreed that meeting the challenge of the burden will require considerable effort, especially in a time of slowdown. Indeed, even as the call for increased workers comes, the reality of a reduced missions force looms for the board. The slowdown in missionary appointments means attrition will take a higher toll than usual on the number of missionaries working overseas. While that number stands … [Read more...]