Re; Translation decision (Baptist Message - 6/20/02)   Refreshing, indeed, to know that LifeWay Christian Resources will not carry Today’s New International Version of the Bible.   It would also be a much stronger stand if rejection would be forthcoming of all other versions, exclusive of the King James Version. Re; Translation decision (Baptist Message - 6/20/02)   Refreshing, indeed, to know that LifeWay Christian Resources will not carry Today’s New International Version of the Bible.   It would also be a much stronger stand if rejection would be forthcoming of all other versions, exclusive of the King James Version.   In our area, a group entitled "Friends of King James Version" has been organized and has met twice to compare versions. We are learning that the authorized version of 1611 is more modern and easier to read and that it maintains the truth of the oldest (yes, the oldest) manuscripts and isn’t corrupted by the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus manuscripts of numerous versions that often delete and obscure the precious truths of God’s Word. We’re not allowing a few "thees" and "thous" to dissaude us from true research.   Through the use of other … [Read more...]

More about housing allowances for ministers. Are they legal? Are they fair? Are they constitutional? For the better part of a century, ministers have been allowed a special deduction from their taxable income, called a housing allowance. Why, nobody knows. More about housing allowances for ministers. Are they legal? Are they fair? Are they constitutional? For the better part of a century, ministers have been allowed a special deduction from their taxable income, called a housing allowance. Why, nobody knows.   In 1996, Pastor Rick Warren threw a monkey wrench into this sweet deal. He apparently got a little greedy and deducted an amount deemed excessive by the IRS. This dispute ended in federal court, where they considered this and also making a determination of its constitutionality. The sky was falling. The sacred cow would be killed. Not yet. The court did not pursue it after Congress passed a bill on how the allowance is to be computed.   And now, the answers from this writer’s viewpoint. Are they legal? Yes. Are they fair? Absolutely not. Are they constitutional? No, not if you believe in separation of church and state. They are nothing but a federal subsidy to church … [Read more...]

Concord Baptist Association voted in its June Executive Board meeting our opposition to the five-year phase out funding of the directors of missions. We are against this, and we would call on other associations to oppose the proposal Concord Baptist Association voted in its June Executive Board meeting our opposition to the five-year phase out funding of the directors of missions. We are against this, and we would call on other associations to oppose the proposal that is before us and call on our LBC Executive Board members to vote this down in their September Executive Board meeting.   We feel this would be a step backward rather than reaching forth for our Lord.   Charles Davis Moderator - Concord Baptist Association Pastor - Downsville Baptist Church … [Read more...]

Having reread two small books about two great men, "T. Homer" (a book about Homer Mercer by Pat Lofton) and "Bower on the Bayou" (an autobiography by St. Clair Bower), I felt compelled to express some gratitude. Having reread two small books about two great men, "T. Homer" (a book about Homer Mercer by Pat Lofton) and "Bower on the Bayou" (an autobiography by St. Clair Bower), I felt compelled to express some gratitude. These men and others like them left a legacy of church establishment and growth that has been unsurpassed in recent times. They labored in difficult times, yet they "pressed toward the mark." It is my hope and prayer that we who have followed them might leave some building stones upon which others who follow us might build. Arthur Achord New Roads, La. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 … [Read more...]

Three Louisiana Baptist Convention committees are seeking input from church members.   Louisiana Baptists have been invited to submit names of nominees for service on state convention boards and committees and to submit resolutions for possible consideration at the 2002 Louisiana Baptist Convention. Three Louisiana Baptist Convention committees are seeking input from church members.   Louisiana Baptists have been invited to submit names of nominees for service on state convention boards and committees and to submit resolutions for possible consideration at the 2002 Louisiana Baptist Convention.   The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is beginning work to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees.   Currently, 22 nominees are needed for service on committees related to convention arrangements, credentials, Louisiana Baptist history, moral and social concerns, nominations, order of business and resolutions.   Committee on Committees Chair is June Johnson Hall of New Orleans.   In addition, the LBC Committee on Nominations is beginning work to fill vacancies on state boards.   At this point, 23 nominees are needed … [Read more...]

When doctors diagnosed Charles Marx with life-threatening brain cancer, one of his biggest worries was that he would not be able to produce any more Bibliociphers.   Created by Marx, Bibliociphers appear weekly in the Baptist Message and are puzzles in which one letter has been substituted for another, encoding a Bible verse.   Other state Baptist newspapers that carry the puzzles are the Mississippi Baptist Record, Florida Baptist Witness and Baptist New Mexican. When doctors diagnosed Charles Marx with life-threatening brain cancer, one of his biggest worries was that he would not be able to produce any more Bibliociphers.   Created by Marx, Bibliociphers appear weekly in the Baptist Message and are puzzles in which one letter has been substituted for another, encoding a Bible verse.   Other state Baptist newspapers that carry the puzzles are the Mississippi Baptist Record, Florida Baptist Witness and Baptist New Mexican.   "They meant a lot to him," says brother Harold Marx, who spoke on behalf of Charles. "After he had his surgery and got better, he talked about writing some more."   The Baptist Message will publish his puzzles through at … [Read more...]

Observers offer a host of precautionary steps persons can take regarding the use of 15-passenger vans to transport groups.   The following compiled list includes suggestions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Christian Ministry Resources and other sources. Observers offer various precautionary steps for those using 15-passenger vans to transport groups   Observers offer a host of precautionary steps persons can take regarding the use of 15-passenger vans to transport groups.   The following compiled list includes suggestions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Christian Ministry Resources and other sources.   The suggestions include:   • Drive with fewer than 10 occupants. In fatal, single-vehicle crashes, 15-passenger vans rolled over 85 percent of the time when loaded with 10 or more occupants, compared to 38 percent of the time when loaded with less than 10 persons. However, in a Church Executive magazine survey, only 14.3 percent of churches indicated they never load more than the recommended nine people in their vans.   • Load occupants from the front of the van.   • Require each occupant to … [Read more...]

Recent advisories and reports have raised safety concerns about a popular means of group travel - 15-passenger vans   Everything is set for the summer mission trip - the kids are all gathered around the van, and the luggage is all stowed, in the small trailer behind the van and on the van’s rooftop rack. Recent advisories and reports have raised safety concerns about a popular means of group travel - 15-passenger vans   Everything is set for the summer mission trip - the kids are all gathered around the van, and the luggage is all stowed, in the small trailer behind the van and on the van’s rooftop rack.   Thirteen teenagers and two adults are set for the long, 12-hour trip. It is not quite 6 a.m., but the early start is needed if the team is to reach their destination by night.   Everyone is carrying a pillow and a personal CD player it seems. It will be a long, crowded trip - with four hours of it on two-lane rural roads of another state.   The pastor gathers the team around as parents stand in the outer circle. The pastor offers a prayer for the work the students are prepared to do, for the people they will reach with the gospel, for the families … [Read more...]

The acid smell of July 4th firecrackers is out of the air and the minds of multitudes of Louisiana Baptists have turned to planning their churches’ budgets.   Among the numerous considerations churches must undertake, salaries of staff and employees may be one of the most important, and contentious items. The acid smell of July 4th firecrackers is out of the air and the minds of multitudes of Louisiana Baptists have turned to planning their churches’ budgets.   Among the numerous considerations churches must undertake, salaries of staff and employees may be one of the most important, and contentious items. Some committee members will be committed to paying "good" salaries, others will be committed to paying absolutely as little as possible. Unfortunately, many discussions about salaries will not be generated by facts but emotions, personal prejudices and preconceived ideas.   When the committees and eventually the churches come to the point of discussing salaries, hearsays and "I guarantee you" will probably be in greater supply than hard facts. Gathering facts on how much churches of comparable size and budgets pay their staff and employees often takes detective work on a … [Read more...]

For the week of July 18, 2002 Work and worship Louisiana College has scheduled its annual Work and Worship Camp on the Pineville campus for Aug. 4-9. The camp is held each year to provide Campers on Mission and others a chance to spend time on the campus and help prepare it for the upcoming semester. The college provides lodging and three meals a day for participants, who engage in a variety of work projects on campus. In addition, participants are able to join in fellowship and worship activities. Persons should contact Work and Worship coordinator Jim Elder at (318) 487-7137 or (318) 487-7118 for details or to register for the camp. Court decision A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that affirmed the right of religious, political and other interests to knock on doors to promote their causes was a victory for religious freedom, Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land said. The case involved an Ohio town, which sought to force groups to get a permit before going door-to-door for any reason. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses challenged the law, and the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in an 8-1 decision. "It should not be up to the government to decide whether or not a group … [Read more...]