• BGCT calls Christians ‘back home’ to transform Texas city centers_62303

  Posted: 6/20/03

  BGCT calls Christians 'back home'
  to transform Texas city centers

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  The Baptist General Convention of Texas is calling Christians to transform city cores–diverse, largely unchurched areas in the hearts of urban areas–by “coming back home.”

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  ANOTHER VIEW: Pastors should prohibit proselytizing others’ members_sisck_62303

  Posted: 6/20/03

  ANOTHER VIEW:
  Pastors should prohibit proselytizing others' members

  By Ron Sisk

  Most ministerial codes of ethics forbid “proselytizing.”

  By that, they mean seeking to increase your church membership by recruiting members from other Christian churches.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  DBU BASEBALL: Faith’s on first_62303

  Posted: 6/20/03

  Patriots pitcher Jeff Gilmore (left) aims a pitch at the plate, but pitching isn't the only area the university teaches him to keep a true aim in. DBU's athletic programs combine an intensive faith focus along with athletic excellence. "I want something to challenge me besides baseball," said Patriots pitcher Justin Orozco (inset below). Players often find fulfillment in ministry projects such as preparing Christmas gifts for needy children. Pictured (right) are Lance Bina and Diamond Belle Kaylee Reynolds.

  DBU BASEBALL: Faith's on first

  By Kambry Bickings

  Staff Writer

  DALLAS–A day in the life of a Dallas Baptist University baseball player consists of more than running, weight lifting, pitching and batting. DBU's coaches not only equip players for the next inning but for the game of life.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  DOWN HOME: Dogs get all the mosquito breaks_62303

  Posted: 6/20/03

  DOWN HOME:
  Dogs get all the mosquito breaks

  Here's a scientific breakthrough I can't figure out: If veterinarians can prepare a pill that protects dogs from all kinds of flying bugs, why can't doctors make medicine to keep mosquitoes, say, 10 feet from people?

  I can't turn on the TV without seeing a commercial about a new pill of some color and purpose. Most of the time, the announcer doesn't explain what the pill's for, only that you should “call your doctor.” (Don't you know doctors love that? Every time a new pill premieres, all the hypochondriacs call up asking if the brand-new Zynthrax would be right for them.)

  MARV KNOX Editor

  Forget human pharmacology. I've been intrigued by the commercial with the dog who trit-trots down the sidewalk, encapsuled in canine bliss because his owner fed him an anti-mosquito, flea and tick pill.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• EDITORIAL: SBC & BWA illustrate alternative approaches to unity_62303

  Posted: 6/20/03

  EDITORIAL:
  SBC & BWA illustrate alternative approaches to unity

  Credit Denton Lotz with the most ironic-yet-gracious line of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 17-18 in Phoenix.

  Messengers had just voted overwhelmingly not to reconsider the SBC's 2004 budget. Their decision clearly ensured the convention would cut its allocation to the Baptist World Alliance, which Lotz leads, from $425,000 to $300,000.

  Following the set agenda, SBC President Jack Graham immediately introduced Lotz, who stepped to the podium to present the BWA report.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  CYBERCOLUMN: Mowing & praying_duncan_62303

  Posted 6/23/03

  CYBERCOLUMN:
  Mowing & praying

  By John Duncan

  I am sitting here under the old oak tree, pondering the lazy days of summer and working up the energy to mow my yard. The desert monks coined a word for laziness, "acedia," which means listlessness. "Acedia" has Greek roots, meaning "an absence of care." Today I am listless, but the yard must be mowed.

  The poet Langston Hughes once lamented, "Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair." When it comes to my yard, the grass grows, the flowers fade and the yard must be mowed. My yard ain’t no crystal stair. I guess I will jolt myself out of this listless state and start mowing.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Tight budget taps out church funds_63003

  Posted: 6/27/03

  Tight budget taps out church funds

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  The Baptist General Convention of Texas Church Starting Center cannot fund any more church starts for the rest of the year.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  ANOTHER VIEW: Parents must reinforce messages_gushee_63003

  Posted: 6/27/03

  ANOTHER VIEW:
  Parents must reinforce messages

  By David Gushee

  Imagine you are trying to get into the mind of someone. Your goal is to communicate some kind of message to that person so that he or she will not forget it. What will your strategy be?

  The answer is repetition.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Oklahomans give Texas church a lift_63003

  Posted: 6/27/03

  Oklahomans give Texas church a lift

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  CRESSON–A group of Christians on mission from Oklahoma sees Cresson as more than “just a stoplight on the way to Granbury.”

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• BGCT to offer more curriculum online_63003

  Posted: 6/27/03

  BGCT to offer more curriculum online

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  The Baptist General Convention of Texas Bible Study/ Discipleship Center plans to offer free online curriculum for children's Bible studies in September.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  CYBERCOLUMN: Freedom_simpson_63003

  Posted 6/27/03

  CYBERCOLUMN:
  Freedom

  By Berry D. Simpson

  In the movie "Braveheart," the last word out of William Wallace’s (Mel Gibson) mouth as the English torturer was literally ripping his body apart was "Freedom!" I don’t know if that was historically correct, but it was certainly the theme of the entire movie, and it is the justification for many of the things we do.

  Freedom, however, is a dangerous thing. When you give someone true freedom they may not use it the way you wanted. They may not use it the right way.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Dobson returns to his roots with video series on raising boys_63003

  Posted: 6/27/03

  Dobson returns to his roots
  with video series on raising boys

  By Mark Wingfield

  Managing Editor

  At the apex of his career, James Dobson has returned to the communication medium that first made him one of the nation's foremost spokesmen for conservative Christian family values.

  10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge