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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Two Louisianans among 345 to graduate from SBTS

By Staff LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two Louisianans were among the 345 students to graduate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary during the 231st Commencement ceremony, May 12. Victoria Arledge of Walker received a Master of Arts in Missiology while Garrett West of Jena was given a Master of Divinity. “The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ produces this,” SBTS President Al Mohler told the graduates in his remarks. “Godly churches produce this. Faithful pastors preaching the word of God in season and out of season produces this. Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit of God that produces this.” He continued, “More than anything else, this is not a celebration of human achievement. More than anything else, it is just visible evidence of the faithfulness of God.” Basing his address on James 5:7-11, Mohler encouraged the graduates with the ongoing need for their work as ministers of the gospel until the Lord returns. He urged them to establish their hearts on Christ as they prepare for decades of ministry and faithfulness to the local church. “The exhortation here is that we settle ourselves and establish our hearts knowing that all things in the name of Christ for the gospel will be fulfilled,” Mohler said. Based on reporting … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists to vote on women pastors at annual meeting

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – The Southern Baptist Convention Credentials Committee reported May 16 that two churches who were disfellowshipped in February for ordaining women pastors plan to appeal the decisions during the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, which is going to be hosted in New Orleans, June 13-14. This means messengers will vote to decide whether women pastors, now excluded by the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, will be allowed to serve in member congregations. Those two congregations are Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California, and Fern Creek Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky. Meanwhile, Freedom Church, Vero Beach, Florida, intends to appeal its ouster for alleged lack of cooperation in resolving concerns regarding a sexual abuse allegation. The Credentials Committee said it would set aside “a time for miscellaneous business during the afternoon session on Tuesday, June 13, for the consideration of the appeals received.” A representative of each church will be allowed to speak, and a member of the Credentials Committee or Executive Committee will speak. Afterward, messengers will be asked to vote on the question, “Shall the decision of the Credentials Committee and … [Read more...]

SBC CP rises in April, trends down for FY 23

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) -- The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the April 2023 financial report, May 8, showing that gifts to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program rose 1.92 percent while designated giving for the month dropped 12.64 percent compared to April 2022. Meanwhile, year-to-date figures showed both funding channels in decline. From October 2022 through April 2023, CP contributions were down 6.41 percent overall compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year. Likewise, designated giving was down 4.94 percent year-to-date for the same months. Both the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering were negatively affected. The national report showed April giving to SBC causes by Louisiana Baptists rose 8.78 percent for CP and dropped 8.48 percent for special offerings. However, the year-to-date data showed Louisiana Baptist giving through the CP and to designated offerings trended higher for both funding channels, 1.62 percent and 9.18 percent, respectively. … [Read more...]