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...]
Religious liberty of child care providers threatened
JEFFERSON CITY – Church child care ministries will no longer be exempt from government regulations if a bill filed by Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, D-Waldo, becomes state law. “House Bill 493 is a threat to religious liberties,” said Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission. The question of licensing such ministries has been a recurrent effort in the Missouri General Assembly, but Messer calls HB 493 “the most direct frontal assault on church child care … [Read more...]
Lawmakers consider rights protection measures
JEFFERSON CITY–The rights of parents and health care workers are being addressed in bills recently filed with the Missouri General Assembly. Speaker of the House Timothy Jones, R-Eureka, is sponsoring House Bill 457 (HB 457), which seeks to protect the conscience rights of health care workers who decline to participate in medical procedures or research that violates their consciences. Jones is joined by 57 other representatives in sponsorship of the bill. “The bill protects employees in … [Read more...]
Missouri layman lead counsel in religious liberty / Obamacare win
JEFFERSON CITY – A Missouri-based plumbing products manufacturer, whose lead legal counsel is a Missouri Baptist layman, has won the opening legal battle over whether the company must comply with the ObamaCare mandate and provide abortion-inducing drugs in its health care coverage to its employees, even though it violates the conscience of the company’s owners. Kansas City-based Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co., does not have to immediately comply with the ObamaCare mandate until the 8th U.S. … [Read more...]
Pro-life pastor, lawmaker stands strong
JEFFERSON CITY – Rep. John McCaherty, R-Murphy and pastor of First Baptist Church, Murphy, and 41 other members of the Missouri House of Representatives believe that a mother should not be coerced into having an abortion simply because she wants a child of the opposite sex. They have joined together to sponsor House Bill 386 (HB 386) which would also protect unborn babies who have been diagnosed with possible physical or mental disabilities. “We are trying to stop the sales process,” … [Read more...]