Ask Ken Ward to evaluate the latest legislative session as far as moral and social issues are concerned, and he will offer a reality lesson in politics. Ask Ken Ward to evaluate the latest legislative session as far as moral and social issues are concerned, and he will offer a reality lesson in politics.   "You have to remember this was the second year of a four-year term for this group of legislators," noted Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "And to be honest, moral and social concerns usually take a beating in the second year of a term.   "The legislators do not have to run for re-election for another couple of years, and they figure people will have short memories by that time in terms of what they do.   "So, we usually face a tough time."   However, that was not the case this year.   Indeed, set within the context of such political reality, the recent session of the Louisiana Legislature does not look so bad, Ward suggested.   "We won a few, and we lost a few," he acknowledged. "Some good things passed - and some things that did not pass has to be considered with the good."   A review of key areas … [Read more...]

LBM Associate Editor   The two men met on an early spring day in San Francisco - they had arranged to have lunch together as one of them passed through town for a few hours. LBM Associate Editor   The two men met on an early spring day in San Francisco - they had arranged to have lunch together as one of them passed through town for a few hours.   However, it was more than a casual get together. It was lunch with a purpose.   As the two men ate, a briefcase filled with $100 bills - enough to total $400,000 - rested in a car trunk.   The briefcase would change hands at the end of the meal.   But for now, one of the men was asking the other how he planned to move the money through security after being dropped off at the airport with the briefcase.   "That’s not a problem," the man said, opening his thick plaid shirt to reveal a chest-high, double-layered money vest.   The money would go there.   After lunch, the two men headed back to the airport. There, former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. deposited his passenger, who was headed to Vail, Colo.   As DeBartolo drove away, former Louisiana Gov. … [Read more...]

I am writing this letter on behalf of the National Fellowship of Baptist Educators, to inform student youth groups and their leaders of an exciting missions opportunity coming this fall. I am writing this letter on behalf of the National Fellowship of Baptist Educators, to inform student youth groups and their leaders of an exciting missions opportunity coming this fall. Without leaving home they can help to plant seeds of the Gospel and in some instances share their faith with Chinese students who are taking English and who want American pen-pals.   Each year, during September and October, students in participating schools and colleges in China write letters addressed "To my American Friend," and their teachers send the letters to the International Book Project of Samford University. From there the Fellowship of Baptist Educators distributes them to Christian groups who will answer them. We are looking for Baptist youth groups, Sunday School classes, Acteens, Challengers, Baptist Student groups on college campuses, and Christian clubs such as First Priority who would like to participate. Students participating should be in college or in grades 7-12.   To obtain letters, along with guidelines … [Read more...]

RE: Yet another article on the Prayer of Jabez.   If this book or this prayer of Jabez is giving hope, encouragement or even increasing faith - then I can’t see why we should criticize it in any way or judge it to be wrong. RE: Yet another article on the Prayer of Jabez.   If this book or this prayer of Jabez is giving hope, encouragement or even increasing faith - then I can’t see why we should criticize it in any way or judge it to be wrong.   I have prayed the prayer of Jabez many years, before even hearing of this current interest in the book written by Bruce Wilkinson. I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and any portion is sacred. If anyone reads God’s Holy Word and tries to apply it to their own life, I say, "Praise the Lord." Let’s not try to analyze every move that another Christian makes - or what God is doing through them. Going to God should be encouraged. When God has blessed someone through His scripture, and that person shares it with others, we should appreciate the history of what that scripture has done for them. In sharing what they have learned, it gives others the courage to do the same thing. We can start to believe, as the song goes, "what He has … [Read more...]

Thank you for your wise and timely editorial on declining the offer of government money for faith-based ministries (July 26). Thank you for your wise and timely editorial on declining the offer of government money for faith-based ministries (July 26).   In it, you refer to the House Judiciary Committee’s amendment requiring organizations to segregate direct government grants from other contributions. There is another kind of segregation that even more effectively avoids many of the problems that arise from accepting government money. It is to segregate the ministry from a religious organization altogether by forming a 501(c)(3)legal corporation separate from the church.   For example, members of a Sunday School class might form a corporation for the purpose of providing food for the poor in the community. The corporation could then apply for government funding to buy the food, and the food could be dispensed by volunteers. It might even be possible to dispense the food from the church's building. What could not be done is to use occasion of dispensing food to evangelize people. Also, if the corporation needed to employ persons to distribute the food, it could not discriminate against … [Read more...]

RE: "The Cooperative Program: tried and proven"   This is a great article placing importance of the SBC Cooperative Program above, and also as a focal point for, Baptists’ allegiances over the ongoing controversy in the Convention. RE: "The Cooperative Program: tried and proven"   This is a great article placing importance of the SBC Cooperative Program above, and also as a focal point for, Baptists’ allegiances over the ongoing controversy in the Convention. As a Christian and Baptist for 65 years, there have always been differences among Baptists. However in my life none became so large that people would give up their commitment to fundamental organizations that have carried out God’s will so diligently over such a long period and where there has never been any doubt that the efforts were, from the beginning, God’s will.   My wife and I have always supported the Cooperative Program, not only because it was part of our involvement with the SBC but more so because the evidence over 150 years was that it was God’s plan, and He has continued to bless it.   The continuing growth in resources and results for the Lord which are occurring through the Cooperative Program even … [Read more...]

For the week of August 16, 2001 Potpourri •BAKER - Faith church: Tony Gore and Majesty in concert; Aug. 23, 7 p.m.; Jodi Harriman, music director; Tom Simmons, pastor.   •HARRISONBURG - First church: Bible Drill, Speakers Tournament and TeamKid Leadership Training Conference; Aug. 23, 7 - 8:30 p.m.; Ralph Webber, pastor.   •SULPHUR - First church: Heart’s Desire in concert; Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m.; Donald W. Dukes, minister of music; Ronnie Burke, interim pastor.   •TIOGA - Faith church: Safely Anchored in concert; Aug. 26, 7 p.m.; Fred Alexander, minister of music; Rick Bullock, pastor.   •WALKER - Judson church: The Perry’s, Pickin’ Up The Pieces and The Harrell’s in concert; Aug. 18, 6 p.m.; Reggie Bergeron, minister of music; Merelin McCon, pastor.   •WEST MONROE - Mt. Vernon church: Southern Charm in concert; Aug. 26, 10:20 a.m.; Doyle Chambers, minister of music; Woody Rimes, pastor. Homecomings •BATON ROUGE - Oakcrest church: Aug. 19, 10:20 a.m.; Darwin Hall, speaker; Glorify Him, music; Phillip B. Hanna, music director; Ace McVay, pastor.   •MOREAUVILLE - Bayou Des Glaises church: Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m.; Bruce Wangle, speaker; dinner to follow; … [Read more...]

Church staff compensation is a sensitive area of consideration for churches. If one questions the validity of this statement, all that person needs do is sit in on a personnel committee, a finance committee, Church staff compensation is a sensitive area of consideration for churches. If one questions the validity of this statement, all that person needs do is sit in on a personnel committee, a finance committee, a budget planning committee or a church business meeting of the Baptist church discussing a budget.   Setting church staff salaries is usually a complex matter with many converging factors. And, just about every church goes about setting salaries and benefits in a manner unique unto itself.   As much as one might like to avoid such often controversial considerations, striving to provide staff adequate salaries and benefits is essential, so concerned church members might as well take an honest look at them.   One of the basic facts of staff salaries that congregations should keep in mind is this: There is a significant difference between what it costs for a church to have a minister in its care (employment) and what the staff member actually receives as … [Read more...]

Thanks for the article on "church firings’ and the aftermath that is involved. Having been through this kind of thing as a staff member, I have seen what it can do up close. Thanks for the article on "church firings’ and the aftermath that is involved. Having been through this kind of thing as a staff member, I have seen what it can do up close. And, like you said, they have continued this process with either subsequent pastors or other staff members. Even in the church I currently serve where the pastor was asked to leave because of immorality, the group that was vocal about his departure has not stopped, now venting their "feelings" on me. I pray God will help people who are stuck in that rut to move out of the rut and move on with their lives. Thanks again for a good article.   Name withheld by editor … [Read more...]

Re: "NAMB staffers decline to sign belief statement, leave agency" (Aug. 16)   The three staffers who refused to compromise their own convictions by signing the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message and lost their jobs at (the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board) are to be commended. Re: "NAMB staffers decline to sign belief statement, leave agency" (Aug. 16)   The three staffers who refused to compromise their own convictions by signing the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message and lost their jobs at (the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board) are to be commended.   I was disturbed by the report that one of the former employees declined to comment and that another said that he could not comment because he had been asked to promise not to discuss the matter publicly as a part of the agreement allowing him to take early retirement.   Ironically, in the same edition of your paper, Lacy Thompson reported that in order to receive their severance packages, the 148 employees terminated by the New Orleans casino were required to sign an agreement that they would not discuss the terms of their leaving (page 7).   Control and manipulation are to be expected in the … [Read more...]