JEFFERSON CITY – In addition to pro-life victories reported in the May 21 edition of The Pathway, Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission (CLC) saw success regarding many facets of Christian living during the 2013 General Assembly. “The CLC has not been sitting by idle,” said Kerry Messer, CLC lobbyist. “As ambassadors of Christ and representing the CLC, it’s our responsibility to be salt and light in every area of conduct.” Among the battles fought and won was the passage … [Read more...]
Supreme Court decisions do not end marriage debate
JEFFERSON CITY - Decisions June 26 by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding California’s Proposition 8 and a key provision in the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) do not sound the death knell for the marriage debate, according to John Yeats, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention. The Court let stand a lower court ruling setting aside Prop 8, which California voters enacted in 2008 barring same-sex unions. Prop 8 is similar to laws in more than 30 other states. The court … [Read more...]
DON HINKLE: Reflecting on Houston, homosexuality, RU-486
Some random thoughts on a variety of subjects as we enter the summer of 2013: Three thoughts come to mind as I reflect on this year’s Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in Houston June 11-12. 1. The low attendance. Barely 5,000 messengers showed up and the question everyone wants answered is why? The SBC surveys messengers to gauge their feelings about various aspects of the meeting. It may be awhile before we have that data, but I am sure it will be studied closely. I … [Read more...]
Gov. Nixon vetoes ‘anti-Sharia’ bill
JEFFERSON CITY (BP) – Missouri’s governor vetoed legislation June 3 that some were calling an anti-Sharia law bill, keeping Missouri from becoming the seventh state to prohibit judges from considering foreign laws – including Islamic law – in their decisions. The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 267, passed both chambers in May to create a Civil Liberties Defense Act mandating that any court, arbitration, tribunal or administrative agency ruling would be unenforceable if based on a foreign … [Read more...]
A visit with Missouri’s Speaker of the House
On May 30 I had the pleasure of meeting with Missouri Speaker of the House Tim Jones. In April, the Eureka Republican – in a remarkable visit to the Baptist Building – spoke to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board. His remarks were informative and warmly received, despite being a new name on the Missouri political scene to some. I was unable to attend because of my kidney surgery, so the occasion to visit with him – at his invitation – at his office was a welcomed … [Read more...]
Pro-life bills finish strong as session ends at Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY – Pro-life issues gained considerable ground during the 2013 session of Missouri’s General Assembly which ended May 17. In its final week, the Legislature passed House Bill 400 (HB 400) which requires the same safety features for chemical abortions as exist for surgical abortions; that is, a medical doctor with hospital privileges must be physically present in the room when a woman takes the medication to abort her baby. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist … [Read more...]
Churches urged to consider marriage policy
JEFFERSON CITY – With the U.S. Supreme Court weighing the issue of gay marriage and the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, now is a good time for Missouri Baptist churches to develop policies that clearly define their biblical stance on marriage. That’s the advice of Michael K. Whitehead, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) chief legal advisor and principal of Whitehead Law Firm LLC in Kansas City. “Southern Baptist churches around the country are considering ways to … [Read more...]
Liquor control bills seek balance
JEFFERSON CITY – Much of the state’s public policy may be contingent on the outcome of two liquor control bills before the General Assembly which address liquor law regulations struck down earlier by a federal judge. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission, said Missouri Baptist churches should take note and, preferably take action. Missouri’s regulatory structure divides the industry into three basic categories – producers, distributors and … [Read more...]
Missouri Speaker of the House addresses MBC Executive Board
JEFFERSON CITY — For the first time in recent memory, the Missouri Speaker of the House visited the Baptist Building and spoke to the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board at its April 9 meeting. Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, delivered a 13-minute speech in which he traced current concerns and outlined the healthy condition of alliances, particularly between his Catholic denomination and Missouri Southern Baptists. “There are a lot of common elements we’ve been working on … [Read more...]
Gambling expansion possible
JEFFERSON CITY – The legislative liaison for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) said it is imperative that Missouri Baptists become involved in two issues during the current General Assembly that involve the gambling industry. Kerry Messer, president of Missouri Family Network which provides lobbying services for the MBC’s Christian Life Commission, reported that the state lottery is hoping to expand its offerings without going through the formal legislative process. He also reported … [Read more...]
When did it become unconstitutional?
Perhaps the most important question asked in the Supreme Court during the two days of argument on gay marriage was a rhetorical question posed by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia to pro-gay marriage attorney Ted Olson. “When did it become unconstitutional to exclude homosexual couples from marriage?” Implicit in the question “when did it change” is the question “who changed it?” The answer to those questions exposes the fundamental difference between two competing worldviews in the … [Read more...]
MBC to appeal ruling on Windermere
JEFFERSON CITY - The Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention has voted to appeal a Camden County judge’s decision April 3 granting summary judgment in favor of Windermere Baptist Conference and other defendants. The Executive Board will appeal to the Southern District Court of Appeals in Springfield. The convention is seeking the return of 1300 acres of Windermere real estate, which was removed from MBC control when Windermere’s board secretly voted in 2001 to become … [Read more...]