• Methodists have cut 259 jobs_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Methodists have cut 259 jobs

  DALLAS (RNS)–The United Methodist Church has cut 259 jobs over the past two years–a 21 percent drop–according to the United Methodist Reporter, an independent newspaper.

  The nation's second-largest Protestant denomination, facing a drop in revenues because of the lagging economy, laid off 65 people between Sept. 30, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2003. Sixty additional empty positions were kept vacant, while others were not filled after retirements.

  In addition, statistics provided by the church and compiled by the newspaper showed the church has lost 305 missionaries–14 percent of its overseas force–since 2001.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Ministerial searches go digital_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Ministerial searches go digital

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  For more and more churches and their ministers, a match made in heaven may have been launched in cyberspace.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Headhunters stake out new territory in churches_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Headhunters stake out new territory in churches

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  LEWISVILLE–Can a headhunter replace a search committee?

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Linguistic duty translates into new home for Congo family_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Linguistic duty translates into new home for Congo family

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  FORT WORTH–An African refugee family has found a new beginning in Fort Worth, thanks to what at first seemed to be a chance encounter with a group of missionaries.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Mississippi won’t cut out CBF leaders_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Mississippi won't cut out CBF leaders

  JACKSON, Miss. (ABP)–Messengers to the Mississippi Baptist Convention voted down a proposed constitutional amendment Oct. 28 that would have excluded Cooperative Baptist Fellowship members from serving in leadership positions in the convention.

  The amendment, proposed during last year's annual meeting by Ralph Henson, pastor of Arrowood Baptist Church of Meridian, Miss., would have disqualified anyone who is currently serving in an “employed, elected or appointed position with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship” from serving in any capacity with the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

  In accordance with the convention's constitution, Henson's motion was referred last year to the constitution and bylaws committee for action at this year's annual meeting. Rick Courtney, an attorney and chairman of the committee, reported the committee was unanimous in recommending the proposal be rejected. Messengers agreed by a vote of 572 to 376.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Missouri breaks ties with Jewell_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Missouri breaks ties with Jewell

  ST. LOUIS (ABP)–The Missouri Baptist Convention broke a 154-year tradition and voted Nov. 4 to stop funding William Jewell College in Liberty, citing the college's positions on homosexuality and morality.

  The convention eliminated the Baptist school from its 2004 budget. Last year, the convention gave William Jewell $900,000, about 3 percent of the college's budget.

  Roger Moran, a layman from Winfield whose guilt-by-association reports on state convention agencies and churches fueled a fundamentalist takeover of the Missouri convention, argued for cutting the college's funds.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Churches urged to address multicultural needs of Texas_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Churches urged to address multicultural needs of Texas

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  Whether the message is “Jesús te ama,” “Jésus te aime” or “Jesus loves you,” Baptists need to reach out intentionally to all people in an increasingly multicultural state of non-believers, according to Baptist General Convention of Texas staff.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  On the Move_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  On the Move

  Jeff Addison to First Church in Quitaque as pastor from Lee Street Church in Dimmitt.

  J.C. Baker to First Church in Weinert as pastor.

  David Brumbelow to Lee College in Baytown as Baptist Student Ministry director. He also is pastor of Northside Church in Highlands.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Houston pastor put on two-month leave after misconduct allegations_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  Houston pastor put on two-month
  leave after misconduct allegations

  HOUSTON (BP)–The longtime pastor of a prominent Houston church has been given a two-month paid leave of absence from the pulpit following allegations he sexually assaulted a 37-year-old man.

  The action to suspend Brentwood Baptist Church Pastor Joe Ratliff was taken Oct. 27 during a regularly scheduled business meeting. About 5,000 people attend the church every Sunday morning.

  During the next two months, Ratliff will continue his administrative duties while other staff members provide ministerial leadership, according to a statement from the church. He will return to the pulpit Dec. 31.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Russian orphans ready for adoption_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03

  Russian orphans ready for adoption

  Several children living in Russian orphanages are available for adoption by Christian families and singles through Buckner International Adoption Services. Among them are the children shown here, who recently were identified as adoptable by Russian authorities.

  While Russian orphan children are identified as candidates for adoption, there is no guarantee that a specific child will remain available to Buckner for adoption for long.

  Debbie Wynne, clinical director for Buckner International Adoption Services in Dallas, said adoption through Buckner is the result of “a positive relationship we have developed because of our humanitarian work in Russia. They know our heart for children.”

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• SBTC elects Osborne president and marks fifth anniversary in Corpus_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  SBTC elects Osborne president
  and marks fifth anniversary in Corpus

  CORPUS CHRISTI (BP)–Chris Osborne, pastor of Central Baptist Church of Bryan, was elected president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention during the convention's fifth annual meeting.

  A total of 831 messengers registered for the convention, representing 338 of the SBTC's 1,371 uniquely or dually affiliated congregations. The SBTC formed as a breakaway from the Baptist General Convention of Texas by a group desiring to be more closely aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention.

  Osborne was nominated by Gil Lane, pastor of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo. Osborne, who served as Pastors' Conference president this year, succeeds George Harris, retired pastor of Castle Hills First Baptist Church in San Antonio.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge

• SHARED SPACE: With six you get an eggroll_111003

  Posted: 11/07/03
  

  SHARED SPACE:
  With six you get an eggroll

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  BEDFORD–Some congregations spend years trying to discern God's will. Leaders of Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Bedford believe God laid a vision in their hands.

  Christopher Sham, pastor of Bedford Chinese Baptist Church, and his wife Alphra pose with a church member (far left) and Woodland Heights Baptist Church minister of Education Pat McDanal.

  11/07/2003 - By John Rutledge