By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are in the final year of implementing the President’s 2020 Commission Final 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 first 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. FIRST AUDIENCE –THE NEXT GENERATION “The LBC Executive Director will form a ‘Next Generation Task Force’ whose assignment will be to 1) study the needs of the younger generation, 2) discover and develop … [Read more...]
Candidates for governor’s race throw hats in the ring
Although the next primary election for the state's highest office will not be until October 2003, the air is filled with politicians' hats flying toward the ring. This means it is not too early for citizens to begin thinking about what to ask candidates, and then which candidate to support. There are several key issues most concerned Louisiana Baptists will want to ask. Certainly abortion will be at the top of many Baptists' lists, although that issue has pretty well been settled in the state. There may be some differences about so called "exceptions," such as rape, incest, severe fetal deformity and the life of the mother, but overall, Baptists will want a candidate who is pro-life. Baptists who demand a pro-life position by a candidate will not be alone. Anti-abortion forces are strong in the state and there is not much chance of a gubernatorial candidate's race including a pro-choice position. The Baton Rouge The Advocate, in its July 16 editorial, encourages Louisianans to require a stance to oppose the expansion of gambling by a candidate before giving him or her support. Actually, the editorial picked up the idea from U.S. Representative David Vitter, R-Metairie, who has already tentatively entered and … [Read more...]
