Each week I write this “little something extra” (Lagniappe, pronounced lan-yap) for the members and attenders of First Baptist Church. I use it to keep each one up to date on where we are as a church.

Our new building is getting closer to being ready, and we have many new names for different areas.

By now you probably know that we have given the parking lots (three of them) directional names. The lot closest to Ponchatoula and Hammond is the West Lot and the one closest to Covington is the East Lot. The new parking lot at the 21 and 1085 intersection is the South Lot.

Each entrance has the corresponding name as well–the West, East, and South entrances. We also have a West Wing (or Hallway) and a East Wing. Both of these contain adult Bible Study classes.

We are also changing the name of our Weekend Bible Study groups to Connect Groups. We believe the name will better reflect what we want people to do as we meet together for fellowship and Bible Study. To be specific, we want people to connect to Christ in relationship and to others in community. We want these groups to connect to God’s Word and to connect to care for others.

The Connect Groups will have the same core essentials as Bible Fellowship Groups: Bible Study, Outreach, Care, Fellowship, Prayer and Worship, and Ministry and Missions.

What we have generically called the commons area will be the Connection Center, containing the Information Area and the Connect Café and the Equip Bookstore.

We are having to either name or rename almost every area of the church. At this point we have not decided the new name for our present worship center.

You probably have enough to absorb for one day. We will keep emphasizing the new names and places and continue to keep you up to date.