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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Gov. Edwards extends Louisiana’s Phase 2 restrictions until Aug. 7

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Gov. John Bel Edwards announced at a Tuesday afternoon press conference that Louisiana will remain in Phase Two of reopening the state for at least two more weeks, Citing a continued increase in novel coronavirus related cases and hospitalizations, Edwards said the decision was necessary to keep the state in Phase Two until at least Aug. 7. Phase Two was set to expire Friday, July 23. Edwards said as the number rose to No. 2 per capita in COVID cases in the state behind only New York. Louisiana's hospitalizations also continue to rise, as has the percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive. All restrictions issued under the current phase will remain in place. This includes: --a 50 percent capacity restriction for businesses and churches --a statewide mask mandate for anyone eight years or older or with a major health condition --limitations of bars to curbside food service only --and a reduction of indoor social gatherings to 50 people. Louisiana Baptists’ Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message he was not surprised by Edwards’ decision to keep the state in Phase Two. “Gov. Edwards has indicated from the beginning that he … [Read more...]

2020 Commission update: Use social media to help Louisiana Baptists share the Gospel

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are in the final year of implementing the President’s 2020 Commission Report, an initiative undertaken during the leadership of Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, and the LBC president in 2012-2013. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. Ten “key actions in reaching our state” – known as KAIROS – were developed to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group. These measures for improving the spiritual health and growth of the state were adopted by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. This article is the eighth in a series published by the Baptist Message to report what successes have been achieved toward the ambitious goals of the statewide initiative, as well as to note what objectives remain to be done. KAIROS 7 Provide training for leaders and churches in the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Vine, etc. Provide content for churches and ministries which will make their websites more … [Read more...]

Louisiana College, Christus St. Frances Cabrini establish Cabrini Scholars program

By LCNews Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and Louisiana College have partnered to establish the Cabrini Scholars program to provide economic support for nursing students. LC President Rick Brewer and CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital CEO, Chris Karam announced July 20 that the Cabrini Scholars program will provide grant money to eligible students enrolled in the college’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. “Unprecedented times forced upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the significant need for nurses,” Brewer said. “And not just for any nurses, but those who possess a skillset borne out of tenacity and discipline—the essence of LC’s ABSN program— and for adult students seeking a second degree and a new career.” Brewer said the missions of Louisiana College and CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini are similar. Both are built on the foundation of applying the Heart of Christ to the hurting of humanity. “We know the financial burdens of advanced specialty fields like nursing can sometime be overwhelming for students, especially in light of the national pandemic we are experiencing,” said Karam. “That’s why we are privileged to partner with Louisiana College to … [Read more...]

Children’s Home seeks applicants for ministry openings

By Louisiana Baptist Children's Home & Family Ministries MONROE, La. (LBCHFM) - The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home has announced an opportunity for a married couple to bless the lives of children on its campus in Monroe as cottage parents. Interested applicants may contact Susan Nolan at snolan@lbch.org. Qualifications are listed in the embedded ad below. … [Read more...]

A radical proposal to eliminate the harms of COVID-19

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Our state and our nation needs to pinpoint its COVID-19 mitigation efforts to focus laser-like on those vulnerable to its serious effects in order to end the crushing impact of this pandemic on our families, our economy, our education system and our future. A few days ago, I signed a joint letter with other Louisiana Baptist leaders to commit to wearing a mask as a measure for fighting back against the surging disease and to ask other Louisiana Baptists to join us in this simple thing. I truly believe in this initiative as part of the answer to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others. Research shows that wearing masks, socially distancing and sanitizing frequently are good general measures to make a difference in reducing the spread of this disease within the general population. But, I am also convinced by the data from the Louisiana Department of Health that a more aggressive approach is needed to end the hospitalizations, ventilations and deaths in the state – which should be the primary concerns driving public policy in response to the pandemic (and not just the number of cases). In fact, I would argue that the number of cases is only relevant to this … [Read more...]

Federal appeals court allows McRaney lawsuit against SBC’s NAMB to proceed

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – On July 16, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gave Will McRaney, former executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, a procedural victory in his lawsuit against the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention “for intentional interference with business relationships, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.” The BCMD is an independent state organization of Baptist churches and the NAMB is a ministry arm of the SBC, an independent national organization of Baptist churches. The BCMD and SBC are considered in good fellowship with one another, but each is an autonomous organization. A federal district judge in Mississippi had dismissed McRaney’s lawsuit in 2019 based on NAMB’s position that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine (also known as the religious autonomy doctrine, which prevents courts from deciding matters of faith such as religious doctrine) protected them from legal action. But a 5th Circuit panel of three judges ruled against this argument for now, stating that McRaney’s lawsuit was ended prematurely by that judge, because it was not clear that this legal principle was indeed … [Read more...]

Louisiana College to hold virtual ceremony in place of rescheuled Aug. 8 commencement

By LCNews Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - Louisiana College President Rick Brewer has announced changes to the rescheduled graduation set for Aug. 8 in response to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns. His statement is published in its entirety below. ----- ----- ----- -----  ----- ----- ----- -----  ----- ----- ----- -----  ----- ----- ----- -----  ----- ----- ----- -----  Following much consideration and the latest announcement by Gov. John Bel Edwards on the resurgence in COVID-19 cases in the state, I have made the decision to cancel Louisiana College 2020 commencement exercises that had been rescheduled for Aug. 8.   This was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my time as LC president, and it was made with much prayer and thoughtful consideration for the safety of our graduates and their families, as well as LC faculty and staff. To our graduates, please accept my sincere apologies that your time at Louisiana College ended the way it did.  Don’t let this diminish the many accomplishments you made.   We will hold a virtual ceremony honoring both undergraduate and graduate program students Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. I am asking all graduates to send a photograph in their cap and gown to Jennifer Dykes … [Read more...]

Pence urges use of masks, says reopening schools key to reopening economy

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) - Vice President Mike Pence, in a visit to Baton Rouge Tuesday, pledged continued support from the White House to help the state reopen schools amid a battle with the novel coronavirus pandemic. Gathered inside LSU’s Tiger Stadium with Gov. John Bel Edwards, White House COVID-19 task force members, state educational leaders and Louisiana’s delegation to Congress, Pence praised the state‘s efforts to reopen the economy and schools. “President Trump asked me to be here to send a very clear message to the people of Louisiana,” he said. “We’re with you and we are going to stay with you until we put this coronavirus completely in the past and we open up this economy, open up our schools and we move this state and this nation forward, bigger and better than ever before.” Pence said despite an increase in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state, he is confident Louisianans can slow the spread like they have done in the past. Furthermore, he said the White House will help ensure the state has enough testing, medicine and Personal Protective Equipment available to help schools reopen. “To open up America we’ve got to open up America’s schools,” he said. “We believe it’s … [Read more...]

Leaders urge Louisiana Baptists to wear masks, take part in three-day fast

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Steve Horn, Louisiana Baptist executive director, and other state leaders have offered their commitment to wear masks and are asking Louisiana Baptists to join them; and, they are encouraging people of faith across the state to take part, as they are able, in three days of prayer and fasting, July 20-22. The letter may be viewed by clicking here. . … [Read more...]

Patience and perseverance

By Waylon Bailey We all know the need for patience. When I think of the fruit of the Spirit, I am drawn to the quality of patience. I am drawn there because I often feel so inadequate with patience. You may feel the same. Frustration and aggravation sometimes seem to take over. But, it may not be patience that I need. What I really need is perseverance. This is the meaning of the word we normally translate as patience. I need to persevere. I need to be long-suffering. I need to not quit and not give up. I need to stand strong under the pressure. Perseverance and long-suffering is exactly what I perceive that we all need right now. We need it in our lives, and we need it as the church. We have all worked hard to keep going since March 13, but we may be getting weary in well-doing. It’s natural for us to get weary. After all, if that were not the case, Paul would not have written to encourage us to keep working and serving. I want to encourage you to keep on. Don’t give up on yourself and don’t give up on Christ and His church. Be found faithful and obedient. These are tough days, but our God is faithful. He will see us through until we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Waylon Bailey is pastor of First Baptist … [Read more...]