Three to receive missions awards_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Three to receive missions awards

A West Texas church, a Lubbock ministry entrepreneur and an Amarillo couple will be honored at a Texas Baptist Missions Foundation awards luncheon in Lubbock.

The awards luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Towers in Lubbock, immediately prior to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session.

First Baptist Church of Plains will receive the Adventurer Award for leadership in missions.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

Darrel Baergen, longtime Baptist dramatist, dies in Abilene_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Darrel Baergen, longtime Baptist
dramatist, dies in Abilene

ABILENE–Baptist professor, playwright, director and producer Darrel Baergen died Oct. 23 in Abilene after a long battle with cancer. He was 68.

Baergen committed most of his career to teaching speech and drama in three Baptist schools.

He began at Oklahoma Baptist University and later taught twice at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where he retired as chair of the department of communication in 2000. He also was professor and chairman of communication arts at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

Barna probes views on heaven & hell_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Barna probes views on heaven & hell

VENTURA, Calif. (RNS)–About three-fourths of Americans believe in heaven and hell, but almost one-fourth say they have “no idea” what will happen after they die, a study by the Barna Research Group shows.

Researchers found 76 percent of respondents believe heaven exists and 71 percent believe there is a hell.

Forty-six percent of respondents said they would describe heaven as “a state of eternal existence in God's presence” while 30 percent said it is “an actual place of rest and reward where souls go after death.” Fourteen percent said heaven is “symbolic,” 5 percent said they did not believe in life after death, and 5 percent were uncertain.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

BGCT to meet next week in Lubbock_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

BGCT to meet next week in Lubbock

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

Messengers from many of the 5,700 congregations affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas will consider a proposed $45.8 million budget for 2004 and elect a full slate of officers when they meet Nov. 10-11 in Lubbock.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

General comes under fire for anti-Muslim comments_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

General comes under fire for anti-Muslim comments

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Comments by a high-ranking Pentagon official casting America's struggle against terrorism as a Muslim-versus-Christian holy war are causing prominent news outlets to call for a reprimand by the Bush administration.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

Chapman speaks on Boykin, Episcopalians_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Chapman speaks on Boykin, Episcopalians

By Terri Jo Ryan

Special to the Standard

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–Episcopalians fleeing “trendy theology” with the ordination of the denomination's first openly gay bishop would be welcomed into the Southern Baptist fold, said Morris Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

Baptist Briefs_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Baptist Briefs

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

BUCKNER IN LUBBOCK: A place to call home_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

BUCKNER IN LUBBOCK: A place to call home

By Russ Dilday

Buckner News Service

LUBBOCK–For more than 25 years, members of the Joy Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Lubbock have opened their hearts and wallets on the first Sunday of each month to collect a special offering.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

Burnet readies for Bethlehem role_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

A man (left) who came up short in paying the tax collectoir (right) is about to be taken away by Roman guards in one of many scenes portrayed throughout the Bethlehem village in Burnet.

Burnet readies for Bethlehem role

By George Henson

Staff Writer

BURNET–While political unrest will keep tourists away from the city of Jesus' birth this Christmas, more than 20,000 are expected to descend on Bethlehem in the Texas Hill Country.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

cartoon_110303

Posted: 10/31/03 “And tonight, our pastor search committee will combine with our youth group for a unique scavenger hunt.” News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among…

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

CBF not a denomination but becoming more like one, Vestal tells council_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

CBF not a denomination but becoming
more like one, Vestal tells council

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

ATLANTA (ABP)–The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is not really a denomination, says CBF Coordinator Daniel Vestal, but it is becoming more like a denomination and indeed functions as one for some churches.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge

BGCT-endorsed chaplains urged to keep going, to fulfill their calls_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

BGCT-endorsed chaplains urged
to keep going, to fulfill their calls

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

BURNET–Comparing chaplains to marathon runners, Bob Vickers urged chaplains endorsed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas to “finish the race” of fulfilling their call.

10/31/2003 - By John Rutledge