For 40 years, Melba Voda was a fixture at the Louisiana Baptist Convention building in Alexandria.   An administrative assistant to four state convention executive directors, she retired in June 1989, leaving behind her "family" of secretaries, directors and others at the Baptist Building. For 40 years, Melba Voda was a fixture at the Louisiana Baptist Convention building in Alexandria.   An administrative assistant to four state convention executive directors, she retired in June 1989, leaving behind her "family" of secretaries, directors and others at the Baptist Building.   "I feel like I’m leaving my family," Voda said in a May 27, 1989 article that appeared in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk newspaper.   Voda witnessed numerous changes during her denominational tenure, both in Alexandria and the world.   When she started as secretary in 1949, Brooklyn, N.Y., fielded a Major League Baseball team, and Alaska and Hawaii were not part of the United States.   During her time as secretary, she witnessed the relocation of state convention offices from downtown Alexandria to what then was a mostly-undeveloped area of the city on MacArthur Drive. The third … [Read more...]

Note: The following is part of a series of articles about the state Cooperative Program and how it is at work in Louisiana and the rest of the nation and world. The articles are being published in the Baptist Message during the year to highlight Cooperative Program missions and ministry work. The following article was provided by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Public Relations Department. Note: The following is part of a series of articles about the state Cooperative Program and how it is at work in Louisiana and the rest of the nation and world. The articles are being published in the Baptist Message during the year to highlight Cooperative Program missions and ministry work. The following article was provided by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Public Relations Department.   When non-Louisianians think of the things that make their state unique, many cities and places might pop into their heads.   For example, Natchitoches is known for its illustrious "City of Lights" display. And of course, New Orleans is marked worldwide for its famous cuisine and infamous "Big Easy" style.   Each help make Louisiana different.   But one place that does not automatically pop up in … [Read more...]

Few people could escape the talk about the stock market in the past year - how it is doing, how much it has dropped, what it means.   But for churches, another financial trend quietly has come to bear. And as ominous as the stock market performance has been for many investors, this one could have a crippling impact on churches for years and years to come.   Fewer and fewer people are tithing. Few people could escape the talk about the stock market in the past year - how it is doing, how much it has dropped, what it means.   But for churches, another financial trend quietly has come to bear. And as ominous as the stock market performance has been for many investors, this one could have a crippling impact on churches for years and years to come.   Fewer and fewer people are tithing.   Of course, that is not really news. For awhile now, noted observers have warned that giving patterns are changing as an older, more loyal generation moves off the scene and a younger, less denominationally-oriented one arrives.   However, to hear the warnings is one thing.   To see the black-and-white figures is another proposition entirely. And the black-and-white … [Read more...]

For the published week of June 5, 2003 Potpourri • SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: The Crusaders in concert; June 8, 10:45 a.m.; Marty J. Wright, pastor.   • BLANCHARD - First church: "God In Us" presented by the praise choir and orchestra; June 16, 7 p.m.; Steve Moore, minister of worship; James D. Hill, pastor. Youth • WEST MONROE - Highland church: Youth choir presents "Life on the Edge," June 15, 6:30 p.m.; Stan Taylor, minister of music; Skip Dean, pastor.   • BASTROP - Greenacres church: Morehouse Associational Youth Rally; June 7, 7-9 p.m.; Royce Christmas, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Highland church: "Life on the Edge" musical/drama presented by youth choir; June 15, 6:30 p.m.; Stan Taylor, minister of music; Skip Dean, pastor. Homecomings • ENTERPRISE - New Ouachita church: June 8, 10 a.m. concert with the New Liberty Boys; service at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow; Dale Mercer, guest speaker; Alton Thompson, pastor. Anniversaries • DERIDDER - Smyrna church: 140th anniversary and Worship/Family Life Center dedication; June 8, 10:30 a.m. with dinner on the grounds to follow; A. F. Ott Jr., pastor. Ordinations • WEST MONROE - Ouachita church: Kenny Coates, Mike Gates, DeWayne … [Read more...]

How safe is so-called "safe sex?" Not very - if scientific studies about sexually-transmitted diseases are to be believed.   "The simple answer is that condoms do make sex safer for some things but not for others - and "safe" actually becomes a relative term, ..." notes a report in the June issue of AFA Journal. "For example, when condoms are typically used, they prevent pregnancy 86 percent of the time. ... How safe is so-called "safe sex?" Not very - if scientific studies about sexually-transmitted diseases are to be believed.   "The simple answer is that condoms do make sex safer for some things but not for others - and "safe" actually becomes a relative term, ..." notes a report in the June issue of AFA Journal. "For example, when condoms are typically used, they prevent pregnancy 86 percent of the time. ...   "(But) The issue becomes more muddled when the topic is sexually-transmitted diseases," the recent journal article continues. "For some diseases, wearing a condom may provide some protection.   "That’s may, as in guesswork, because the scientific community can present little concrete evidence of condom effectiveness when it comes to preventing … [Read more...]

A recent report showing that nearly one in five young teenagers has had sex highlights the need for increased parental involvement in their children’s lives, Richard Ross said.   "Far too many parents are hoping their words and perhaps their example will be enough to positively shape the sexual behavior of their kids," said Ross, professor of student ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of the founders of the True Love Waits sexual abstinence campaign for young people. A recent report showing that nearly one in five young teenagers has had sex highlights the need for increased parental involvement in their children’s lives, Richard Ross said.   "Far too many parents are hoping their words and perhaps their example will be enough to positively shape the sexual behavior of their kids," said Ross, professor of student ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of the founders of the True Love Waits sexual abstinence campaign for young people.   "They hope this even while they neglect any kind of relationship with those middle-schoolers. Career advancement, adult social lives, failing marriages and a host of other preoccupations leave the … [Read more...]

The young mother decided to take her three-year-old son to see a drama produced by her church. Some of her friends who had seen the play warned her that there were some parts of the drama that might be a tad strong for her son. Actually, they said, the realism of the play might frighten him.   The mother decided to take the risk. The young mother decided to take her three-year-old son to see a drama produced by her church. Some of her friends who had seen the play warned her that there were some parts of the drama that might be a tad strong for her son. Actually, they said, the realism of the play might frighten him.   The mother decided to take the risk.   They found seats toward the front (obviously, there was not going to be preaching) so only a couple of rows of benches separated the two from the action.   The tike not only sat through the drama, he got into it. The mother said he was standing during the drama to get a better view. He raised himself on his tiptoes and craned his neck throughout the performance.   The next day, her friends asked her how her outing with her son at the church drama went.   "O, he loved it. He seemed to stay right with … [Read more...]

For the edition published June 12, 2003 Louisiana death Susan Sutton, 54, died early June 6, following an eight-year battle with cancer. She was the wife of Mark Sutton, pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church and former Louisiana Baptist Convention president. Sutton’s struggle against cancer was well-known because of publicity she received in gaining approval from the Southern Baptist Annuity Board for particular treatment procedures a number of years ago. She is survived by her husband and three daughters. Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled $16.8 million last month, a drop of $1.15 million (6.4 percent) from the previous May. For the year, gifts total almost $124 million, an increase of $259,570 (0.2 percent) from the same time last year. The total is about $6 million (5.1 percent) ahead of budget as well. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled $17.7 million last month, a drop of about $7.9 million (30.9 percent) from the previous May. For the year, designated gifts total $129.5 million, a decrease of $13.5 million (9.5 percent) from the same time last year. Abortion ban The House of Representatives voted in convincing fashion last week to outlaw the late-term … [Read more...]

With less than two weeks remaining in the 2003 Louisiana legislative session, the focus has become clearer, Ken Ward said.   There are a few good bills that need to pass - and a few bad bills that need to fail, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. With less than two weeks remaining in the 2003 Louisiana legislative session, the focus has become clearer, Ken Ward said.   There are a few good bills that need to pass - and a few bad bills that need to fail, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation.   "This is a good news-bad news deal," Ward said. "The Legislature must adjourn on June 23, which leaves little time for acting on issues.   "The good news is there still is time for those concerned about the moral climate of the state to help pass a few good bills that are needed.   "The bad news is there is still time left for some of the really bad bills also to make it through," Ward explained.   In upcoming weeks, there will be time to celebrate the victories and lament the losses of the session, Ward said.   "But it is important now to focus on what more can be done by … [Read more...]

Hats off to David Crosby, Baptist Retirement Center trustee, for his solitary stand at the recent board meeting. (May 29, 2003, Louisiana Baptist Message). Hats off to David Crosby, Baptist Retirement Center trustee, for his solitary stand at the recent board meeting. (May 29, 2003, Louisiana Baptist Message).   Apparently, he understands that without support of the local community, the Baptist Retirement Center will not likely become an institution that Louisiana Baptists will want to "but into."   It is First Baptist Church of Arcadia that, since the center first opened in 1959, has continuously provided Sunday School teachers, worship and Bible study leaders, musicians, visitation ministers and countless volunteers for other resident ministries. That local support is far more valuable than mere knowledge of the center in other areas of the state.   Continuing to alienate local citizens - Baptists included - by way of ill-advised changes to the bylaws does not bode well for the Baptist Retirement Center. Furthermore, although the Baptist Retirement Center is non-profit, it is not a "charity" facility. The care of every resident is paid for either from private funds, Medicare or … [Read more...]