For more than three and a half decades, the retired treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Texas possessed a historical treasure he did not even recognize.   Jay Skaggs shot one roll of slide film in downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dealey Plaza. For more than three and a half decades, the retired treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Texas possessed a historical treasure he did not even recognize.   Jay Skaggs shot one roll of slide film in downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dealey Plaza.   Never particularly impressed with his photos from that fateful day, Skaggs shared them only with close family.   However, when he and his wife decided to make their first visit to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Skaggs brought his slides and a series of prints made from them.   The museum curator said Skaggs had the last known still image of Kennedy taken prior to his assassination. He also had one-of-a-kind color photos taken inside the perimeter of the crime scene investigation. Those rare images are part of a current exhibit at the Sixth … [Read more...]

A two-foot high magi leans against the cushions of the couch - his traveling companions sprawl on either side. On the floor, in front of the off-the-floor couch, lies a sheep - and a donkey. The baby Jesus rests in his makeshift wooden crib nearby. "Hey, you got your manger scene out already," the son notes to his mother as he walks into the patio sunroom. "I got everything out the other day - it’s that time of year," the mother replies. "Where you going to put it?" he asks. Note: The following is the second of three devotions on the Nativity to be published in the Louisiana Baptist Message in celebration of the Christmas season. This devotional was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson. A two-foot high magi leans against the cushions of the couch - his traveling companions sprawl on either side. On the floor, in front of the off-the-floor couch, lies a sheep - and a donkey. The baby Jesus rests in his makeshift wooden crib nearby. "Hey, you got your manger scene out already," the son notes to his mother as he walks into the patio sunroom. "I got everything out the other day - it’s that time of year," the mother replies. "Where you going to put it?" he asks. "I’m not sure," the mother responds. … [Read more...]

Despite a weakened market and economy, Louisiana College closed their most-recent fiscal year in the black and continues to operate by sound fiscal principles, Rory Lee reported.   Lee delivered his annual financial report to Louisiana College trustees during their scheduled meeting last week. Despite a weakened market and economy, Louisiana College closed their most-recent fiscal year in the black and continues to operate by sound fiscal principles, Rory Lee reported.   Lee delivered his annual financial report to Louisiana College trustees during their scheduled meeting last week.   The session was marked by little business or debate - and by a 30-minute executive session.   In his report, Lee noted the school has an operating reserve approximating 30 days of operating expenses - as the Louisiana Baptist Convention has asked of its agencies.   He also noted the college’s debt had decreased by more than $470,000 (3.9 percent) in the fiscal year ending July 31.   "A financial plan is in place to service (remaining) debt, ..." Lee told trustees. "The debt service plan is on target and is reviewed quarterly as pledges are updated."   Lee also … [Read more...]

When he was growing up, Josh Weidman some-times would play a game called "Hide, Seek and Scare" with his father. Later, he would find himself doing the same with God at times, Weidman told more than 4,000 high school students at the 2002 Louisiana Baptist Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria last month. When he was growing up, Josh Weidman some-times would play a game called "Hide, Seek and Scare" with his father. Later, he would find himself doing the same with God at times, Weidman told more than 4,000 high school students at the 2002 Louisiana Baptist Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria last month. "So many times, I walk through the dark hallways of life, searching dark bedrooms and screaming for God to come out," explained Weidman, a Moody Bible Institute student and Christian speaker from Littleton, Colo. "And sometimes, it’s crazy, because I’ll never find him," he said. "And just when I think he’ll never be found, he jumps out and finds me." However, it is not as if God is hiding from one, Weidman noted in one of four addresses at the annual Louisiana Baptist youth gathering. Indeed, he is simply waiting. "Sometimes, we have those moments God makes himself so clear to you, you can’t deny … [Read more...]

From the time the Southern Baptist Convention voted to accept the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, indictments of abandoning our Baptist heritage in favor of a "creedalistic" theology have increased. Having lost the battle over inerrancy of Scripture at a national level, battles are being fought close by. From the time the Southern Baptist Convention voted to accept the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, indictments of abandoning our Baptist heritage in favor of a "creedalistic" theology have increased. Having lost the battle over inerrancy of Scripture at a national level, battles are being fought close by. Many are revising history with the intention to validate their stance against the SBC through a distorted advocacy of "soul competency." A careful study of Baptist history uncovers how precious the doctrine of soul competency is. Yet, it also reveals Baptists have rarely known or promoted a view of soul competency at the expense of biblical authority!   Dr. David L. Allen, in an open letter to Dr. Charles Wade, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, notes, "In the 18th and 19th centuries, General and Particular Baptists affirmed the fact that one’s conscience could be mistaken, … [Read more...]

For the week of December 12, 2002 Potpourri • JONESBORO - First church: Sherry Blackwell, former missionary to Brazil, guest speaker; Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m.; Matthew D. Wohlfarth, pastor. Youth • ALEXANDRIA - Temple church: Christmas drama/musical; Dec. 15, 6 p.m.; Rachel Langston, youth director; Bill Broadwater, pastor.   • NEW IBERIA - Highland church: "Yo! Christmas Tree" musical; Dec. 18, 7 p.m.; Rich Murray, minister of youth; Zack Young, minister of music; Steve Horn, pastor.   • HOUMA - Coteau church: Children’s choir presents "Meet Me at the Manger," Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m.; J. P. Cox, children’s choir director; Steve Neesley, pastor.   • PITKIN - First church: "Yo! Christmas Tree" musical; Dec. 15, 6 p.m.; Kimmerly Laughlin, director; Stephen Laughlin, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Goodwood church: "What Child Is This?" children’s drama and special music; Dec. 15-16, 7 p.m.; Dana Lux, minister of music; David Campbell, pastor.   • LEESVILLE - East Leesville church: "Yo! Christmas Tree" musical; Dec. 18, 7 p.m.; Barry Pounds, minister of music; Gil Arthur, pastor.   • ST. FRANCISVILLE - First church: Children’s choir presents "It All Happened in the … [Read more...]

Do church youth groups serve a beneficial purpose - or are they simply babysitting services for teenagers?   They definitely serve a purpose, a recent report by the National Study of youth and Religion indicates. Do church youth groups serve a beneficial purpose - or are they simply babysitting services for teenagers?   They definitely serve a purpose, a recent report by the National Study of youth and Religion indicates.   Indeed, the report shows that regular religious service attendance, a high emphasis on faith and years spent in religious youth groups are clearly associated with high self-esteem and positive self-attitudes for young people, the report shows.   American 12th graders who participated in religious youth groups for at least six years are more likely to have positive attitudes toward themselves and feel that they have something to be proud of than those who had never participated in youth groups, the recently-released report concludes.   Similarly, high school seniors who participated in youth groups for any number of years are significantly more likely to feel good to be alive and to enjoy school than those who have never been in a religious … [Read more...]

Twenty years ago, one could not find more than a handful of missionary-sending organizations or ministries dedicated to recruiting blacks, T.P. Perrin said.   That was then. Twenty years ago, one could not find more than a handful of missionary-sending organizations or ministries dedicated to recruiting blacks, T.P. Perrin said.   That was then.   Now, while the number of such groups remain small, they are growing, said Perrin, president of Great Commission Global Ministries, an organization dedicated to training and empowering African-Americans and other people of color as global missionaries.   Indeed, more and more independent and parachurch leaders and missionary-sending agencies actively are courting black Christians for long-term assignments and short-term domestic and global mission projects.   Jim Sutherland still does not describe the change as a movement but "the front end of a groundswell. ...   "We have a tremendous pool of resources (among African-American churches), but for now, they are a sleeping giant that’s just beginning to stir," said Sutherland, president of Reconciliation Network Ministries in Chattanooga, … [Read more...]

Do we need gasoline?" my lovely bride asked. She referenced something about me running out of gas on I-49 at the midnight hour, on a Saturday, 15 miles from the nearest gasoline station, and emphasized she did not want to have a similar experience today. Do we need gasoline?" my lovely bride asked. She referenced something about me running out of gas on I-49 at the midnight hour, on a Saturday, 15 miles from the nearest gasoline station, and emphasized she did not want to have a similar experience today. "No, we do not need gasoline. I checked when we went through Raton, New Mexico, and we have enough to get us to Alamosa." We were on our way to Creede, Colo., as we have been dozens of times. She gave me that wifely look that says, "I know better, but I am going to trust you, so you had better not be wrong." We left Walsenburg, Colo., headed west. We passed a couple of gas stations but I was discouraged, even at my wife’s urging, from stopping by the line of cars waiting to buy gasoline, and the high prices. "We can make it to Alamosa. It is just some little ways. " Actually, 72 miles of virtually uninhabited wilderness. We were in the truck. The car we drive is a technological wonder with a computer that … [Read more...]

For the week of December 19, 2002 Message trustees Louisiana Baptist Message trustees approved a 2003 budget of $931,987 last week, an increase of just $9,800 (1.1 percent) from the current year. Trustees noted that the almost standstill budget is a reflection of state Cooperative Program giving, which looks to close the year at about $2 million behind budget. Despite the shortfall in Cooperative Program giving this year, trustees were told the state newspaper expected to close the year in the black, with expenses not exceeding revenue. In other action during the recent meeting, trustees also elected a new vice chair by acclamation. The action was necessitated when former Chair Glenn Price moved out of state and had to resign from the board. Vice Chair Jim Garlington then assumed the position. Garlington is pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Pollock. Last week, trustees elected Naida Sexton to serve as vice chair. Sexton is a member at Trinity Heights Baptist Church in Shreveport. Clergy ratings The Roman Catholic sexual abuse scandal has sent the public’s view of clergy spiraling down to its lowest point ever, 12 points lower than last year’s rating, a new Gallup poll indicates. Asked to rate the … [Read more...]