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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

FIRST PERSON: As goes the family, so goes the culture

By Gene Mills, Louisiana Family Forum president BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Public policy matters, especially regarding the health and growth of families, the basic building block of any flourishing society. As we have seen throughout history, as goes the family, so goes the culture. Unfortunately, for too long this fundamental principle has been more of a talking point than a driving force when it came to tax policy in Washington. However, as recently as 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), was enacted, making sweeping changes to tax policy. But it was the re-prioritization of the family in it that was the most significant accomplishment. Two provisions made an immediate impact on working families—a doubling of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) from $1,000 per child to $2,000 and an Employer Tax Credit (ETC) for businesses which offer Employee Paid Family Leave (45S). Further, both provisions are prime examples that it is possible—even essential—to promote strong family policy through reasonable tax policy. Both the CTC and the ETC are overwhelmingly supported by voters on both sides of the aisle, and both have proven to be essential support for families during the unpredictable inflation during 2017-present. Now Congress … [Read more...]

PREVIEW: SBC 2025

By staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- The Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting (June 10–11), will be hosted in Dallas, Texas, under the theme, “Hold Fast: Confession and Cooperation,” inspired by Hebrews 10:23–24, with 10,000 messengers and guests expected to visit the city for the business meetings and related events. ELECTIONS President Clint Presley, pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be nominated for a second term as SBC president by Michael Criner, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Rockwall, Texas.  First VP Daniel Ritchie, an author and evangelist from North Carolina, will be nominated for first vice president by Matt Capps, lead pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina.  Second VP Craig Carlisle, current Alabama Baptist State Convention president and director of missions for Etowah Baptist Convention, will be nominated by Jared Cornutt, pastor of North Shelby Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Tommy Mann, pastor of Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas, will be nominated for SBC second vice president by Jim Gatliff, associational missionary for Hunt Baptist Association. Registration Secretary Don Currence, current SBC … [Read more...]

Baptist leaders celebrate CP’s 100th anniversary

By Baptist Message staff MEMPHIS, Tenn. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn and Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee Trustee and past Louisiana Woman’s Missionary Union President Carolyn Fountain joined Baptist leaders from across the nation, May 13, to sign a Declaration of Cooperation that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program. Seventy-three of the more than 175 individuals gathered inside Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee, made it on stage to sign the document on the podium once used by M.E. Dodd, pastor with First Baptist Church, Shreveport (1912- 1950), who brought the idea of the CP to Southern Baptist Convention messengers in 1925. According to The Baptist Paper, the event was held exactly 100 years to the date, time and nearby location (the Ellis Auditorium, which is no longer standing) of the launch of the CP and included representatives from all Southern Baptist national entities and every state convention. Additionally, various ethnic groups, pastors, pastors’ wives and other women serving in ministry positions as well as the current SBC officers also gathered for the celebration. DECLARATION OF COOPERATION WHEREAS, Upon the … [Read more...]