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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Edwards keeps Phase 3 restrictions, files lawsuit against attempts to overturn

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in Phase 3 of reopening the state’s economy until at least Dec. 4, even as Gov. John Bel Edwards’ COVID-19 restrictions are being challenged in court. Edwards has been at odds with House Republicans, who have asked for easing of restrictions and on Oct. 23 65 representatives signed a petition that called for the governor to suspend his order. A hearing is scheduled Nov. 12 to determine whether the restrictions and mask mandate should be overturned. State Attorney General Jeff Landry will represent House Speaker Clay Schexnayder in court. "The Governor not only rejected attempts by one of his co-equal branches of government to provide input and oversight, but he also ignored the checks and balances that underpin our government,” Landry said in an Oct. 29 statement after the court filing. “He then filed a lawsuit in an attempt to gain extraordinary powers unfounded in law. But today, the people’s representatives responded with a legal petition of their own to ensure the Governor follows the rule of law. And by following the law, the people will get their seat at the table. After all: the powers authorized by the Louisiana Constitution, as enshrined … [Read more...]

Nov. 16 deadline for churches who have hosted Boy Scouts

By Baptist Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—The Boy Scouts of America have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganization and as a result will not be liable for keeping their pledge to hold churches harmless against sexual abuse lawsuits that may be filed in the future for actions in the past. Consequently, churches need to file a “placeholder claim” with the courts by Nov. 16 in order to have protection against any claims arising from any relationship with the Boy Scouts of America – whether having chartered a troop or merely hosted one and regardless if that troop is still active or not. “For people who don’t notify the court that they have a claim by the deadline of Nov. 16, there may not be any coverage,” Jaime Jordan told Baptist Press. Jordan’s firm, Guenther, Jordan & Price serves as general counsel to the Southern Baptist Convention. “I advise churches, if they have now or have ever had a Boy Scout troop, that they should contact legal counsel to see if they need to file a prospective claim before Nov. 16,” Jordan urged. COURT: District of Delaware CASE NO.: 20-10343 PHONE: (866) 907-2721 WEBSITE: www.OfficialBSAclaims BAR DATE: Nov. 16, 2020 (5 p.m. Eastern) … [Read more...]

William Smith to be nominated as LBC 2VP

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – William Smith, pastor of Lakeshore Baptist Church in Monroe, will be nominated for the office of second vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2020 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 10, at Louisiana College’s Guinn Auditorium. Neil Everett, pastor of First Baptist Church in Calhoun, plans to nominate Smith for the position. Smith is the only announced candidate for the office. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Everett said Smith has demonstrated a faithfulness to Christ and the Word of God while serving 43 years as pastor of the Lakeshore congregation. “He loves the church and has personified servant leadership,” Everett told the Baptist Message. “No matter the position, William takes his responsibilities seriously and serves with a humble, Christ-like spirit. It is an honor to nominate Brother William Smith to serve our Convention as second vice president.” BY THE NUMBERS The database of the Annual Church Profile shows that in 2019 Lakeshore Baptist Church contributed $38,237 for cooperative missions and ministries through the Cooperative Program, 8.99 percent of undesignated receipts totaling $425,024 from Sept. 1, 2019-Aug. 31, 2020. The … [Read more...]