Posted: 10/17/03

Annuity Board asks for name change

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–The Annuity Board will change its name and begin serving evangelical organizations beyond the Southern Baptist Convention if SBC messengers approve the changes next summer.

Initial approval was given by the SBC Executive Committee.

The Dallas-based SBC agency proposes to change its name to GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The name change recommendation would require approval by messengers at two consecutive annual meetings. Next summer in Indianapolis, the convention will be asked to authorize the board to do business as GuideStone Financial Resources for one year, pending a second affirmative vote in Nashville in 2005.

“The Annuity Board's name has served us well, but it has been decades since our only retirement option was an annuity,” said George Tous van Nijkerk, chairman of the Annuity Board trustees. “The board now offers a myriad of distribution options to participants as they reach retirement, as well as many other products and services such as life and medical plans and personal investment programs including traditional and Roth IRAs.

“Our current name is no longer reflective of our organization, and a new name gives us the opportunity to communicate our image as an up-to-date, full-service provider of financial and insurance products and services,” Tous van Nijkerk said.

An amendment to the ministry assignment of the Annuity Board would include other evangelical organizations in addition to the churches and denominational entities it already serves. Relief would still be exclusive to Southern Baptist ministers and denominational employees, but retirement plan programs, life and health coverage, personal investment programs and institutional investment services would be open to others who qualify.

“Due to competitive pressures and limited growth potential, the Annuity Board must seek ways to grow our asset base so we can continue to be an advocate for our Southern Baptist pastors at the crossroads,” Annuity Board President O.S. Hawkins said.

Hawkins said the Annuity Board will use criteria similar to what the International Mission Board and LifeWay Christian Resources use in determining which evangelical organizations will be eligible for partnership.

The guidelines also are written to ensure that the other evangelical organizations never become the majority of those served by the Annuity Board, Hawkins emphasized.

Posted: 10/17/03

Around the State

New faculty at East Texas Baptist University include Doug Barlow, assistant professor of chemistry; Kay Caufield, instructor of nursing; Bob Conlin, instructor of kinesiology/assistant athletic trainer; Brent Farmer, instructor of music/ band director; Ray Herman, instructor of voice; Blanca Jenkins, instructor of Spanish; Rick Johnson, professor of religion; Brent Maddox, assistant professor of theatre arts; Allen Redmon, assistant professor of English; and John Sargent, assistant professor of education. New staff include Robert Hogberg, mechanical maintenance manager; and Mike Midkiff, director of public relations and marketing.

Renee Burns has been named director of academic advising at Houston Baptist University.

Waco Baptist Association sent nine people to Boston to lead Experiencing God sessions and provide Sunday School and Vacation Bible School conferences. The group also held prayerwalks in Southbridge, Mass., and portions of Vermont. Participating were Larrye Weaver, Larry Key, Billy Edwards, Margie Cox and Royce Montgomery; Jerry and Kathy Brooks, Paul Stripling and Rex Bland.

Larry Reeves has been named director of the Mayborn Campus Center and university host at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He formerly was director of campus activities and special events, campus and conference coordinator, and university host since 1982. He also is minister of music at First Church in Rosebud.

Abilene Association honored Mike Bradford of Fort Phantom Church in Abilene and Lee Fuller of Wylie Baptist Church in Abilene as pastors of the year during the association's annual meeting Oct. 20 at Beltway Park Church. Church of the year presentations were made to Ambler Church, Charles Maciel pastor, and South Side Church, Kevin Uekert pastor, both in Abilene. Jeff Reid, associate pastor of Pioneer Drive Church in Abilene, was named church staff member of the year. Wes Ratliff, also from Pioneer Drive, was tapped as layperson of the year.

Anniversaries

First Church in Ovilla, 100th, Sept. 28. Wes Edwards is pastor.

David Lowe, 20th, as associate minister of music/organist at First Church in Amarillo, Sept. 28.

Mario Davila, fifth, as pastor of Flint Avenue Church in Lubbock, Oct. 1.

Alvin Petty, fifth, as pastor of Calvary Church in Friona, Oct. 1. In commemoration of his service to the church and also his 34th wedding anniversary, the church is sending the couple to Washington, D.C., for a week to facilitate a visit to the Smithsonian Institute.

Anthony Sisemore, fifth, as pastor of First Church in Floydada, Oct. 5.

Scott Walker, 10th, as pastor of First Church in Waco, Oct. 5.

Wendyl Glenn, fifth, as pastor of First Church in Sherwood Shores, Oct. 7.

Jimmy Storrie, fifth, as minister of youth at First Church in Lubbock, Oct. 11.

Larry Solice, 50th, in the ministry, Oct. 12. A long-time Texas and Louisana pastor, he was honored at Immanuel Church in Paris. While retired, he continues to serve as chaplain of the Paris Police Department and at Christus St. Joseph Hospital. He also leads a weekly Bible study at a nursing home.

Lakeside Church in Breckenridge, 10th, Oct. 19.

Mickey Renteria, 10th, as pastor of Iglesia Jerusalem in Lorenzo, Oct. 26.

First Church in Burton, 150th, Oct. 26. Bill Tinsley, associate executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be the guest speaker. Ed Lovell, minister of music at Cliff Temple Church in Dallas, will lead the music. The old church building, which dates to the 1800s, will be open to guests. A luncheon will follow the morning service. Jack Broadwater is pastor.

Four of the five men who have served Amarillo Baptist Association as director of missions were on hand to help celebrate the association's recent 50th anniversary–Argus Burnett, 1957-66; Chester O'Brien, 1967-74; B.L. Davis, 1975-86; and Roy Kornegay, 1987-present. Stanley Brown, who served the association in 1955 and 1956, is deceased. The celebration was held at Trinity Church in Amarillo. A history of the association, “Light on the Plains,” also was presented.

First Church in Lake Jackson, 60th, Oct. 26. Former pastors Johnny Beard, D.O. Foster and James Reimer will attend as will former ministers of music Bob Griffin and Fred Guilbert. A luncheon, for which tickets are required, will follow. For lunch reservations, call (979) 297-2496. John Hatch is pastor.

First Church in Knott, 95th, Oct. 26. Special music, testimonies and a fellowship time will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. John Kinman is pastor.

Mike Garrett, 15th, as pastor of Monaville Church in Brookshire.

Marsha Miller, fifth, as music minister at First Church in Columbus.

Chester Sassman, 35th, as pastor of Calvary Church in Bay City.

Bryan Butler, fifth, as minister of education at First Church in The Woodlands.

Ron Davis, 15th, as minister of education and music at First Church in Liberty.

First Church in Markham, 100th, Nov. 2. Former pastor Joe Ramsey will speak in the morning service, followed by a luncheon. For more information, call (979) 843-5442. Howard Harper is pastor.

South Main Church in Houston, 100th, Nov. 9-16. The celebration will kick off with William Tanner as the guest speaker in the morning services. A luncheon and birthday party will be held beginning at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday will include a special service of remembrance and commitment. Friday will spotlight the church's music ministry beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday will feature an open house, reunion and prayerwalk from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. with box lunches available. A coffee honoring past and present staff members will follow from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The centennial celebration dinner will be held at the Radisson Hotel Astrodome at 6 p.m. Pastor Stephen Wells will preach a special centennial message in both services the next morning, with a commemorative photo taken in both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.

First Church in Normangee, 130th, Nov. 16. A thanksgiving service will be followed by a luncheon at noon. For more information, call (936) 396-2181. Kip Riley is pastor.

Events

First Cedar Valley Church in Salado will host a concert by the McKameys at the Belton Junior High Auditorium Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. The Messenger Quartet also will perform. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. For more information, call (254) 947-5100. J. Floyd Franks is pastor.

Deaths

Carl Day, 94, Sept. 28 in Leesville, La. He was pastor of several Texas and Louisiana churches during his 65 years of ministry. He also worked for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board for 15 years, and was associational minister for Johnson Association. He is survived by his wife, Lucille; sons, John Carl and Leslie; step-son, Raymond White; sister, Lucy Lee Hagins; 10 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren.

Ordained

Aaron Peck to the ministry at Willow Creek Church in Fort Worth.

Marion Antley, Lark Caldwell, Jim Collier, Charles Seely and Sue Turner as deacons at Broadway Church in Fort Worth.

Jason Nichols and Mike Lonigro as deacons at First Church in Canyon Lake.

Norman Poer as a deacon at Willow Creek Church in Fort Worth.

Don Finch, Roy Gray, Jim Kennedy, Terry Nance and James Shepard as deacons at First Church in Nixon.

Revivals

Tolar Church, Tolar; Oct. 19-22; evangelist, Jerry Poteet; music, Jeff Ashley; pastor, Armo Bentley.

Central Church, Carthage; Oct. 26-28; evangelist, Ronny Marriott; music, Ronny Stribble; pastor, William Everett.

First Church, Bartlett; Oct. 26-29; evangelist, Bill Gravell; pastor, Kenneth Jordan.

First Church, Devers; Oct. 26-30; evangelist, Gary Newman; music, Sam Craig; pastor, Harry McDaniel.

Immanuel Church, Paris; Nov. 2-5; evangelist, BO Baker; music, Dick Baker; pastor, Randall Scott.

Posted: 10/17/03

Americans eat big, give little

VENTURA, Calif. (RNS) –Americans spend almost 50 times as much money on fast food in a year than they do on helping poor children, a survey by the Barna Research Group shows.

The typical respondent reported his or her household spends about $240 a year on fast food. In that same period, a typical household spends only $5 on assisting children in poverty.

The survey indicated half of respondents' households had not donated anything to organizations helping the poor in the last year.

Six in 10 Americans said they don't think it's their job to aid poor children abroad.

“Although it is a disappointment that so many Americans don't feel responsibility for children in poverty, I believe more people would participate if they knew who to trust and knew what to do,” said Wesley Stafford, president of Compassion International.

Two-thirds of respondents said the government of a child's country and the parents of poor children should bear “a lot” of responsibility to help poor children. Thirteen percent said individuals should have “a lot” of responsibility.

The survey results were based on 1,002 telephone interviews of adults older than 18, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Posted: 10/17/03

Church helps Baylor students take a load off

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

HEWITT–Members of Brazos Meadows Baptist Church in Hewitt are taking loads off students' minds and washing machines.

Church families “adopt” Baylor University students, treating their new children to meals, inviting them to their houses and sometimes doing their laundry. They also may attend university sporting events together.

More than that, they connect with the students relationally and spiritually, discussing the trials a student may encounter. The adoptive parents encourage and comfort the young adults as needed.

“Most of them really do click,” Pastor Billy Edwards said. “They hug on each other and love on each other. In some ways, they begin to look a lot like families.”

Fostering loving relationships is one of the 11 characteristics of church health adopted by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Each student needs something different, explained Diane Haun, who has adopted two students. Sometimes people miss the feel of a bustling house or the smell of home cooking. Others may need practical help such as car repair.

She views the adoption program as an opportunity to impact lives at a crucial stage. The biological mother of two daughters hopes to be a good example to the students and help them through their struggles.

“You get to be part of their lives,” she said. “One of the girls is really in the process of growing as a Christian. The other is just amazing. My jaw just drops when I listen to her.”

Jonelle Stokes, one of Haun's adopted students, said the experience has helped her find her way around Waco. Haun also provides a “grown-up prayer partner” on whom Stokes can lean.

“Diane has a really big smile, and she's really nice,” she said. “She's this really sweet, warm person.”

Families also gain from the arrangement, Haun reported. The young adults keep her young and encourage her to grow in faith. Both parties learn from each other through their conversations.

In the larger picture, the effort allows college students to feel they are part of the full congregation, not a segmented group. The phrase “church family” takes on more meaning as students get to know many non-student members.

The students also have brought excitement and a different perspective to the congregation, Haun said.

Posted: 10/17/03

Santa needs help at Mission Arlington

By George Henson

Staff Writer

ARLINGTON–Wanted: People with enough mechanical ability to inflate a tire and light up a smile. Additional mechanical ability a plus. Call (214) 405-5223 or (817) 226 8143, ext. 233 for more information.

The Seekers Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Arlington decided earlier this year to help Mission Arlington, a ministry arm of the church, by fixing up bicycles to give to underprivileged children at Christmas time. So far, working every Tuesday night since August, they have reconditioned more than 100 bikes. The exact count was lost long ago because the men are too busy fixing bikes to count them.

Jim Smith of First Baptist Church in Arlington gives a bicycle a diagnostic inspection before making repairs.

Donations have far outstripped the number repaired, however, and now almost 500 bikes are awaiting attention.

“A lot of times, it's just a matter of airing up the tires and adjusting the cables,” explained Ron Helmintaler. “But those things have to be done, and they take time away from the bikes that need more extensive repairs.”

The Tuesday night work crew typically is four to six people. They are praying some additional helpful hands might come forward.

“If they had some mechanical abilities and a tool set, that would be great, but some of the bikes need attention just about anyone can provide,” Helmintaler said.

Helmintaler, who put himself through college assembling bicycles for Sears, and Jim Smith do most of the extensive repairs, but Smith said they are looking for some people to share the load.

“If someone has some mechanical ability, I'm an instructor by trade, and I can teach them what they need to know,” he said.

The men say they enjoy the time they spend together preparing the bikes that will make many children's Christmas much more enjoyable than it would have been.

“I enjoy fixing things and working with my hands,” Smith said, “but I really don't look at this as labor. It's fun and a lot less frustrating than golf.”

Louis Heinze said he doesn't have the mechanical ability of the other men, but he does whatever is needed. One of his primary duties is transporting the bicycles. And until warehousing space recently was acquired, the repairs were done in his garage.

“The time we put in this is well worthwhile,” he said. “We are trying to help Mission Arlington, which is in turn helping so many kids.”

Helping Mission Arlington was the impetus behind the donation of the current repair shop on Division Street, west of Six Flags Mall.

“When we called Karen Siewinski to see if she had any space available, she was thrilled to help. She is not a member of First Baptist, but she was aware of Mission Arlington and its efforts to help families and said she had always wanted to do something to help Mission Arlington,” Helmintaler said.

Now the men don't have to transport bikes to be fixed each week; they have 500 of them waiting in the borrowed space, with the prospect of more to come.

They've got the wheels. Now they just need some helping hands.

Posted: 10/17/03

BJC reduces budget, updates board, elects officers

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Directors of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs adopted a smaller budget and heard a report on the organization's work–including its involvement with an important upcoming Supreme Court case–during the group's annual meeting this fall.

Convening at First Baptist Church of Washington, directors of the religious-liberty watchdog organization adopted a 2004 budget of $1.06 million–slightly less than the 2003 budget.

Executive Director Brent Walker noted the BJC finished 2002 with a sudden upswing in contributions and significant growth in its number of individual donors. However, he said, “The bad news is that the first eight months of this year have been terrible–like night and day.”

Walker noted that an anemic stock market made the situation worse for income from the organization's endowment funds.

General Counsel Holly Hollman highlighted several legislative and legal areas in which the group is working to promote the separation of church and state. She also announced the BJC has weighed in on a case the Supreme Court agreed to hear that deals with the use of government funds for religious instruction.

The high court agreed in May to hear arguments in Locke vs. Davey. Joshua Davey applied under a program in Washington state that provides scholarships to disadvantaged students who want to attend in-state colleges. The scholarships may be spent at any accredited school, including religious ones.

Davey, who qualified under the program's rules, elected to spend his scholarship at Northwest College, a Seattle-area Bible school affiliated with the Assemblies of God. However, the state revoked the scholarship when officials found out Davey planned to major in theology and business management.

State officials cited a provision in Washington's constitution that prohibits the state from spending any money on religious instruction. Davey sued the state with the help of the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal-advocacy group founded by Religious Right leader Pat Robertson that often opposes a strict interpretation of church-state separation.

Davey won in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, generally considered one of the nation's most liberal federal appeals courts. A three-judge panel of that court ruled 2-1 that the Washington constitutional provision, as well as a similar state statute, violated Davey's freedom of religious expression under the U.S. Constitution. Washington Gov. Gary Locke appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court.

Hollman said the BJC had joined the American Jewish Committee, the American Jewish Congress and the American Federation of Teachers on a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, asking the justices to overturn the 9th Circuit's ruling.

Hollman said the ruling, if upheld, could set a dangerous and wide-ranging precedent for government funding of religious groups. While the Supreme Court previously ruled it is permissible for government organizations to provide vouchers or scholarships that can flow indirectly to religious groups, the Locke case has the potential to extend that into a finding that states are required to include religious groups in such programs if they already include secular groups.

Referring to the specific ban on state support for religious schools in Washington's constitution and similar provisions in other state constitutions, Hollman said, “The Locke vs. Davey case is really a frontal assault on these state constitutional provisions.”

In other action, directors elected new BJC officers for 2003-2004.

The new board chairman is Jeffrey Haggray, a representative from the Progressive National Baptist Convention and executive director of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. He is a member of Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. Haggray replaces Reginald McDonough of Virginia.

The BJC's new vice chairman is Ray Swatkowski, a representative from the Baptist General Conference and the conference's executive vice president. He lives in Zion, Ill. Swatkowski replaces Ed Massey of Kentucky.

The new second vice chairman is Glen Howie, who represents the North American Baptist Conference. He is an attorney and also serves as the part-time pastor of Mowata Baptist Church in Eunice, La. Howie replaces Margaret Ann Cowden of Pennsylvania.

The new secretary is Sue Bennett, representing the Religious Liberty Council. Bennett is president of Bennett Enterprise in Tulsa, Okla., and a member of Southern Hills Baptist Church. She replaces Richard Bloom of Illinois.

Posted: 10/17/03

Edwards rallies support for united
response to church-state attacks

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Christians who support the separation of church and state should step up their battle against forces that are eroding that principle, said Rep. Chet Edwards.

In a speech to a group of Baptists, Edwards, D-Texas, called for Christians who believe church-state separation is good for both democracy and religion to make their voices heard in the public sphere.

“I've never been more concerned about the principle of church-state separation,” Edwards said.

He later suggested Christians who agree should form a political action committee to champion church-state separation and support candidates who do.

“If we don't ratchet up dramatically our efforts, we're going to lose this fight,” he said.

Edwards spoke at the conclusion of a two-day conference called “Reclaiming an Historic Baptist Principle: Separation of Church and State.” The conference, sponsored by the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies, brought about 140 Baptists from around the country to the nation's capital.

Edwards said the Religious Right is winning both legal and public-relations victories in its decades-old battle to erode the wall separating church and state. And the debate has become too polarized, he added, with much of the public thinking all Christians would naturally oppose church-state separation.

“We cannot afford the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State to be the only voices heard in America” supporting strict separation, Edwards said, referring to two secular advocacy groups that have been on the legal and media frontlines fighting church-state battles in recent years.

The recent legal battle that resulted in a Ten Commandments display being removed from an Alabama courthouse was a mixed blessing, Edwards said. “While we won an important legal victory in Alabama lately, it was a brutal public-relations defeat,” he said.

Listing a host of congressional and judicial efforts in recent years that he claimed threaten the First Amendment's ban on government promotion of religion, Edwards said religious people need to speak up to change the perception that only “secularists” or people who are “anti-religion” support the principle of strict church-state separation.

Edwards–whose congressional district includes President Bush's ranch outside Crawford–said Bush and his congressional allies are behind much of the onslaught against religious liberty. While he believes Bush has sincerely good motivations in his efforts to provide government funding to religious schools and charities, Edwards said he believes Bush is sincerely wrong.

“On this issue of church-state separation, I just don't think he gets it,” Edwards said. “I don't think he understands the first 16 words of the First Amendment.”

Those words are: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Edwards also noted much of the long-term ability to affect church-state issues lies in the president's power to appoint judges to federal courts, including the Supreme Court. President Bush has cited the two members of that court who are most hostile to church-state separation as his model for judges–justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

Edwards said many of his colleagues in Congress tell him privately that they agree with him on important church-state issues but then do not vote with him. Sometimes it's due to ignorance on a particular issue, he said, but “it is an ignorance exacerbated by a fear … that, as we are running for re-election, we will be perceived as anti-religion.”

Because of all that, Edwards said, Christians who agree with him on church-state issues should form both grassroots organizations and think tanks to combat the well-funded and well-organized effort on the other side.

He mentioned EMILY's List, a group that encourages its members to donate to the campaigns of progressive Democratic women running for public office. He suggested that “people of faith” who support church-state separation could create a similar list to encourage donations to candidates who promise to support separation.

Asked by a reporter if he were suggesting the formation of a political action committee, Edwards said he was.

“We could call it the 'Jefferson-Madison List,'” he said, referring to the fathers of the First Amendment's religious-liberty clauses.

Leaders of two conservative Christian lobbying groups scoffed at Edwards' proposal.

Bill Murray, media coordinator for the Family Research Council, cited public opinion polls he says support government funding of religious programs, “especially” Christian programs. “The public doesn't seem to be clamoring for more separation of church and state,” he said.

“You have secularists out there–apparently, who Congressman Edwards was also railing against–who are trying to take God completely out of the public square,” Murray said. “What we're trying to do is protect the freedom of expression that is guaranteed to all of us in the Constitution.”

“I don't understand Congressman Edwards' complaint,” added Jim Backlin, director of legislative affairs for Christian Coalition of America. “The liberals such as Chet Edwards have always had very liberal organizations such as the National (Council) of Churches. … And there's no reason why pro-family and conservative Christians can't get behind conservative organizations, because they have First Amendment rights too.”

Edwards' current congressional district, which includes the Waco area, has been redrawn this year by the Texas Legislature. If this redistricting proceeds with court approval, most congressional observers believe Edwards either will not run for re-election or will not win re-election.

“If we don't ratchet up dramatically our efforts, we're going to lose this fight.”

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards

Posted: 10/17/03

BJC meeting highlights religious freedom threats

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Under the watchful gaze of Baptist pioneer Roger Williams, speakers at a convocation sponsored by two Baptist organizations sounded notes of serious concern about the status of religious freedom in the United States.

Several speakers noted what they consider serious threats to religious freedom during a meeting in Washington, called “Reclaiming a Historic Baptist Principle: Separation of Church and State.”

Most of the convocation's sessions were held at the historic First Baptist Church of Washington, which contains two stained-glass windows devoted to Roger Williams. After getting kicked out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for refusing to practice Puritanism in accordance with the wishes of state leaders, Williams founded both the colony of Rhode Island and the first Baptist church in the New World.

Speaker after speaker suggested modern American political events might make Williams wonder what happened to his vision of religious liberty for all and opposition to state enforcement of religious values.

“Events of the past three years confirm that we are in the midst of a very serious re-ordering of church-state law and policies,” said Melissa Rogers, who is stepping down as director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life to become a visiting professor at Baptist-related Wake Forest Divinity School.

Rogers referred specifically to two cases involving government aid and religious institutions–the 2002 Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris ruling and the 2000 Mitchell vs. Helms ruling.

The Mitchell case affirmed a federal program that provides computers and other instructional materials to public, private and religious schools.

Regarding this case, Rogers said, “Four justices on the current Supreme Court have made it clear they would toss out one of the fundamental propositions of church-state constitutional law–the prohibition on the use of direct government subsidies for religious purposes.”

Therefore, Rogers added, “We are only one justice away from a ruling court majority that would uphold this radical departure from traditional constitutional interpretation.”

In the Zelman case, the court found constitutional an Ohio program that provided tax-funded vouchers for parents to send their children to religious schools.

Detroit minister Charles Adams warned the “sacred separation of church and state” is in dire need of defense from such court attacks.

Delivering the convocation's opening address, Adams specifically denounced President Bush's efforts to provide public money to religious institutions–such as parochial schools and church-based drug-treatment programs–to conduct social services.

“To mingle government funds with church funds is to entangle the church with government–and control the church by government,” he said, speaking on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

Adams is pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, a historic African-American congregation in Detroit. Although Bush has relied heavily on inner-city churches operating social ministries to push his “faith-based initiative,” Adams said those churches will regret it in the long run. For instance, he said, accepting government funds inevitably opens a private organization to a whole host of legal regulations and problems.

That, according to Adams, could eventually hurt the effectiveness of the very ministries that inspired the government support in the first place. “If you want to protect yourself against legal challenges, you're going to have to know more about the federal code than about the holy Bible,” he said.

Adams, Rogers and other speakers also argued that Christians who support church-state separation have public-relations challenges.

Rogers said that, in a public discourse on church-state issues that often pits liberal secularists against religious conservatives, the voice of Christians who support separation for theological reasons often gets drowned out.

The meeting was sponsored by the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies.

Posted: 10/17/03

Baptist Briefs

New PK head is Baptist. The new president of Promise Keepers, Thomas Fortson, is a member of Riverside Baptist Church in Denver, a Southern Baptist Convention church. Fortson had been executive vice president of the ministry.

Huckaby at Southwestern. Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will speak at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's Veterans Day chapel service Nov. 11. Huckabee, a former pastor, attended Southwestern.

Robert Burton

Bryan dies. Charles Willis Bryan, a former Southern Baptist missionary to Costa Rica, Peru and Colombia and retired senior administrator for the Foreign Mission Board, died Oct. 11. He was 80. Missionary colleagues praised Bryan as a visionary leader who had a gift for involving others in creative strategies to take the gospel to the whole world. In 1980, he was elected senior vice president for overseas operations and joined the staff at the IMB home office in Richmond, Va. After his 1988 retirement, Bryan helped Virginia Baptists establish missions partnerships with seven countries as director of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's newly formed mission partnerships department. Most recently, he has served as a volunteer in the partnership missions department of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Prior to missionary appointment, he served in the U.S. Navy and was pastor of Sadler Baptist Church in Sadler. He is survived by his wife, the former Patricia Morgan Deaton of Wilmington, N.C.; two daughters, Carol Ann Griggs of Fort Worth, and Elizabeth Ann Bryant of Fort Worth; two stepdaughters, Joanna Deaton Bradley of Greenville, N.C., and Andrea Deaton of Philadelphia, Pa.; and four granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha, and his second wife, the former Lois Blackburn.

Burton dies. Robert Burton, distinguished professor emeritus of conducting at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, died Oct. 8 after a brief bout with cancer. He was 78. Southwestern Seminary inaugurated an academic chair in his name in 2001, the first endowed chair in the music school. Burton taught at Southwestern from 1956 until his retirement in 1990. He conducted the Southwestern Singers and Oratorio Chorus, supervised conducting projects and theses and taught conducting classes and seminars. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rosemary, three children and their spouses and three grandchildren.

Posted: 10/17/03

Nov. 16

1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12, 5:14-22

Instructions for walking with God

By Dan Curry

The Christian life has been compared to walking with God. We find this example throughout the Bible, and it is one of Paul's favorite terms to describe a person's relationship to God.

Growing up in a minister's family, I heard my father preach many times, and a few of the things he said I still remember well. I remember his description of what it means to walk with God. He emphasized that a person is not walking with someone if they are ahead of the person or behind the person. He said, “You are only walking with a person if you are side by side.” In trying to walk with God, it is easy for one to fall behind or sometimes to get ahead of him. However, to please God, we must walk with him.

Enoch is a great biblical example of a person who walked alongside God. His story is found in Genesis 5. The author of Genesis writes that after the birth of Enoch's child, Methuselah, Enoch began to walk with God. The Bible tells he walked with God 300 years. The amazing part of Enoch's story is the way it ends. The Bible implies Enoch did not die but just walked off with God and was no more. That would be a beautiful epitaph for anyone.

How does a person walk with God in this manner? Paul answers that question as he gives instructions on how to walk in a manner pleasing to God in 1 Thessalonians. Paul in chapter 4 shares practical instructions on how to walk pleasing to God. He says, “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more” (v. 1). The key word is “walk.” Paul had requested of them, he had exhorted them and he had instructed them on how to walk to please God. It was to be a walk of excellence. How does a person do that?

Walk morally pure

First, a person needs to walk morally pure. The Roman Empire had influenced the ethics of the people in Thessalonica, and the moral climate was not healthy. Promiscuity and the total disregard of marriage were the norm. Greek and Roman practice allowed for intercourse with prostitutes and slaves. As long as a man supported his wife and children, there was no shame in this behavior.

It was to people who were raised in this culture that Paul wrote these words. What may seem simply common to us was rather new to them. Paul shared with them a new ethic that championed purity and protected the home.

Paul shares with the believers the will of God regarding personal purity. He says, “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality” (v. 3). They were to be different. They were to live lives “sanctified” or “set apart” from the heathen world where they lived.

The word “avoid” means complete abstinence from any form of sexual sin. Paul used a broad term for “sexual immorality,” the word “porneias.” It is a term used to describe any form of illicit sexual behavior. Paul gave his authority for these instructions as coming from God and his commandments. A person never has to seek to know the will of God in this matter. God tells us clearly, “You shall not commit adultery” (Deuteronomy 5:18). In all God's commands concerning sex, the purpose was to protect marriage. From the beginning, God created sex both for the continuance of the race and for pleasure of the marriage partners within the marriage relationship.

Paul defends this standard of living with three arguments. The first is that respect for others demands “no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him …” (v. 6). Tampering with another man's wife or scheming for another woman's husband is despicable. Paul reminds them that for such acts the Lord himself will judge. The second argument Paul uses for a life of purity is the holy call from God. God had a greater purpose for their lives, and sexual immorality was not a part of his plan. The third reason Paul gives for obeying his admonition was that disobeying it would mean they were rejecting God's spirit. They would not be merely disobeying Paul. They would be rejecting the very Spirit of God in their lives.

If a person desires to walk with God, he or she must avoid sexual immorality. The practice of sexual sin violates the commandments of God. It corrupts the Lord's will and disregards his plans. Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians should prompt all that desire to walk with God to abstain from all forms of sexual sin.

Walk in brotherly love

Second, one needs to walk in brotherly love. Two characteristics that set the early church apart from its society were the purity of the lives of the early followers and the love they had for each other. Jesus had correctly pointed out this fact when he said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Paul departs from talking about purity and focuses on loving each other. Earlier, Paul had prayed the Lord would increase the love the Thessalonians had for everyone. Then in these words he urges them to continue to love all the brothers throughout Macedonica. Paul uses the word “philia” to describe the kind of love they should have for one another. The word expresses a love of deep affection, such as brothers would have for brothers.

Has anyone ever heard of someone receiving too much love? Neither has Paul. In fact, Paul urges the church to love more and more. He knew that no matter how much people love, they are able to love still more. Brotherly love is a relationship, an attitude, a commitment, a way of looking at others and a way of treating others. If a person is going to walk in a way pleasing to God, his life will reflect God's love by the way he treats others.

Walk in honesty

Christians not only have an obligation to love one another, they also need to be good witnesses by the way they live. Paul says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (vv. 9-10).

Paul used two verb forms almost directly opposite of each other. The term he uses to says, “Make it your ambition” means “to be zealous and strive eagerly.” However, the next term translated, “to lead a quiet life,” means, “to be silent, not speaking inappropriately.” It is as if he is saying, “be zealous about speaking appropriately.”

If a person desires to please God, they must be careful in all relationships to walk in honesty. Paul makes it clear it is not just what a person says that needs to be appropriate, but also how they work. It requires great wisdom to have contact with others without contaminating one's witness. Paul's exhortation is the foundation of all evangelism. Believers who care about others conscientiously focus on keeping their lives in order at home and in the workplace knowing that doing so enhances their witness.

Walk in service to others

Walking a life pleasing to God involves service to others. Paul outlines the ministry and the people who need to receive help. He says: “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else” (vv. 14-15).

John MacArthur describes this group that needs assistance as the wayward, the worried, the weak, the wearisome and the wicked. A life pleasing to God is one of service and ministry to others.

Walk with enthusiasm

Paul says, “Do not put out the Spirit's fire” (v. 19). This is the key verse in these last instructions Paul gives to the church at Thessalonica. They are words on how to walk with enthusiasm or “in the Spirit.” How does a person keep from extinguishing the Spirit? Paul gives us an action list. First, by having an attitude of rejoicing in all circumstances. Second, by being totally open to God's will. He says, “Pray without ceasing” or be continually open to what God desires. Third, he says a person should have a thankful attitude. Fourth, he warns us to respond to God's word and be discerning in doing God's will. Finally, he exhorts us to avoid every form of evil.

If a person does not heed these admonitions from Paul, it will not be long before his or her spiritual life will stagnate. If a people desire to please God, they will desire to remain on fire for God.

Questions for discussion

How can Paul's emphasis on pleasing God help us make obedience to God a top priority in our lives?

Name some prevention actions people can do to avoid sexual immorality in their lives.

What are some ways a person can set a good example for others in their work?

How important is it for one to cultivate brotherly love today?

List some ways a person can remain “on fire” for God.

Posted: 10/17/03

Nov. 2

1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10, 2: 13-14

A church for which to be grateful

By Dan Curry

While I was in college, I had the opportunity to pastor my first church. It seems like yesterday, but it was 27 years ago that the only church in the little community of Progress called me to be their pastor. I still hear from that congregation.

What amazes me is that many of the people in that church who molded my ministry are still serving God right there. Since then I have had the privilege to pastor five other wonderful churches. Each of those congregations is still special to me. I love to receive word from each church, and occasionally I make time to go back and visit. Nothing thrills my soul more than to hear about the progress each church is making.

From Paul's letter to the church at Thessalonica, I know he felt the same way I do. He was grateful for the church at Thessalonica and was moved by the news of its progress.

Several things led Paul to travel to Thessalonica and then to write the church he started in that city. Paul was on his way to Asia when in a dream God directed him to go to Macedonia. The first city Paul visited was Philippi. After departing Philippi, the book of Acts (Acts 17) records for us that Paul went to Thessalonica, the capital city of Macedonia.

It was a large city and a city of great importance in the spread of the gospel. The road to the east and the road to the west converged at Thessalonica. If Paul could plant the gospel in this crossroad, the good news would soon spread to the east and the west.

Paul preached the gospel for three consecutive Sabbaths in the Jewish synagogue, and many believed. However, the unbelieving Jews created such chaos and opposition it became imperative for Paul to leave. After a brief stay in Berea, his friends took Paul to Athens. It was there that Silas and Timothy caught up with Paul after staying back for some time.

And it was from Athens that Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica. He could not rest until he had received information about the work in Thessalonica. Timothy then returned to Thessalonica and brought word back to Paul, who by that time was in Corinth. After hearing about the good work, Paul began writing the words in the text today.

These beginning words are words of thanksgiving. Paul was excited about what he heard and grateful about the ongoing ministry of this church. Three times in this letter, Paul gave thanks for the church and the way it had responded to his message (1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2:13, 3:9).

A close examination of this text will reveal the characteristics in this church that made Paul so thankful. Paul helps outline this text in the first phrases of his prayer. Paul says, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). As we examine Paul's words and discover the characteristics that marked this church, we must ask the question, “Are these the characteristics that mark my church?”

Paul was thankful for their life-giving faith

Paul said he was thankful for their “work produced by faith.” He uses the ordinary term for “work” that could also be translated “business.” Paul was saying their faith was being productive, and the direct results of that faith were the good deeds in their life.

How did they come to have such faith? They came to this faith because God initiated it out of his love. Paul says, “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, … ” (v. 4). It was God who moved first in the heart of Paul and led him to Thessalonica.

Then as Paul proclaimed the gospel, the Holy Spirit worked with power and conviction. The result was repentance. Paul says, “… you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, …” (v. 9). When these men and women in Thessalonica repented and turned to God, a change began to take place in their lives. This change produced good deeds. People who respond to God's call with repentance and trust will see a dramatic change in their lives. Those whom God chooses, he changes.

A great example of this is found in the conversion story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Luke tells us how Zacchaeus met Jesus and as a result of that encounter repented and became a follower of Jesus Christ. The dramatic results were demonstrated in a changed life.

One of the most dramatic conversions in recent years took place in the life of Charles Colson. He might be better known as “the hatchet man” for Richard Nixon. Charles Colson was implicated in the Watergate scandal in 1974. As a special assistant to the president, he was at the top of his career and still a very young man. He was sentenced to prison in 1975 for his part in Watergate.

However, two years earlier, Colson had publicly professed his faith. He recounts that story in his book titled “Born Again” (1976). It was a friend by the name of Tom Phillips that God used to share the gospel with him. As the Holy Spirit then worked in power and conviction, Charles Colson repented and trusted Jesus Christ. The dramatic result was he went from “the hatchet man” to the founder of a ministry that shares the gospel with prisoners. In much the same way, Paul went from being a “hatchet man” to sharing the gospel with people who were prisoners of sin.

As Paul looked at the church at Thessalonica, he saw lives being changed and the change producing works. He was thankful for what he saw.

Paul was thankful for their contagious love

Paul wrote that he was thankful for their “labor prompted by love” (v. 3). These people were contagious as they lived the word of God and shared the gospel. The impact of their contagious love is found in the their witness and the testimony of others about their faith.

Paul writes: “You became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia–your faith in God has become known everywhere” (vv. 7-8). Their “labor of love” expressed itself in sharing the gospel. The verb “rang out” actually means “to sound as a trumpet.” They were sounding the gospel as a trumpet.

Although Paul possibly overstated his remarks for emphasis, he paid the Thessalonians a high compliment by declaring the report of their faithful witness had extended beyond Macedonia to “everywhere.” This witness was due to the love they had first experienced from Paul and then in their relationship to Christ. They became imitators by sharing Christ's redeeming love everywhere.

Today, more churches are needed where the people are contagious with the love of Jesus Christ. George Barna, a Christian research analyst, shares in his book, “Evangelism That Works” (1995) that since the beginning of the 1990s, the proportion of the adult population that is unchurched has risen significantly, to 32 percent from about 25 percent. That equals about 60 million to 65 million un-churched people in the United States. These numbers echo the fact that the church needs to be sounding the trumpet of the gospel once again.

Paul was thankful for their expectant hope

Paul says he was thankful for their “endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 3). The word “endurance” is from the Greek word “hupomone,” which conveys the idea of perseverance. It denotes the condition of staying under pressure. Paul shared clues to the fact that these new converts had suffered many hardships. He says, “In spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit” (v. 6). The word Paul uses for “severe suffering”is the Greek word “thlipsis,” which means “intense pressure.” So the new converts experienced severe persecution, but they never lost their joy. How could this be possible? It was possible because of their hope.

Like Paul, many often use these words–faith, love and hope. Most people can describe the meaning of faith and love. However, it is difficult to define hope. The Greek word for “hope” means much the same as our English word. It means “to anticipate.” It is having the expectation that someday one will experience the fulfillment of desire. It has been said by many that a person can live weeks without food, days without water and only minutes without oxygen. However, without hope, it is impossible to live.

These new converts at Thessalonica had hope. Their hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ. When they had worshipped idols, they had no hope. But when they trusted in Jesus Christ, they had a living hope. That hope was demonstrated by their expectant waiting for the Lord's return. Paul had heard these young believers had turned from idols, they were serving the Lord, and they were waiting for his return.

The church that lives in the expectation of seeing Jesus Christ at any time will be a dynamic congregation. Expecting the Lord's return is great motivation for soul-winning and godly living. Living expectantly helps every church stay focused and sense the urgency of living our faith and sharing our love.

Questions for discussion

Ask someone to share how his or her life has been changed because of your church.

How is the word of God being shared in your church?

What are some ways individuals can share their love of Jesus Christ with others?

List some ways salvation has given you hope.

Dan Curry is pastor of South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington

Posted: 10/17/03

Nov. 23

1 Thessalonians 4:13- 5:11

Hope for loved ones and ourselves

By Dan Curry

Hope … where can you find it? Authentic hope must have a reliable source, sustain us in all of life's circumstances and see us through the end of time. Only Jesus Christ can give that kind of authentic hope.

When Paul preached the gospel in Thessalonica, he proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ in its fullness. He told the story of the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Then he shared the assurance of Christ's presence and power with them. Everything he shared culminated in the good news that Christ would be returning as victorious Lord.

Paul had preached the Lord's return, and these young believers at Thessalonica were expecting it very soon. Many of them had become obsessed with questions and concerns about Christ's return. Paul's preaching must have contained a great degree of urgency, because they fully expected to be alive when Jesus came.

As time passed and some believers died, they were worried about those believers. The term “fallen asleep” in verse 13 means death. Would those who died miss the Lord's return? The questions they had revealed how imminently they had expected the Lord's return. Paul's word to those anxious about death is filled with hope.

Paul wrote these words because he did not want the Thessalonians to be ignorant or grieve like unbelievers. This does not mean Christians should not grieve over the loss of a loved one. To grieve is a normal human experience. However, the grief of a believer differs from that of an unbeliever because the lost have no hope. Paul gives us the basis of an authentic hope for our loved ones and ourselves.

Our hope starts with Jesus' death

The foundation of our hope begins with Jesus' death. Paul writes, “We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (vv. 13-14). Hope begins with Jesus' death. His death gives us hope because it assures us of God's love. In this one act, Jesus Christ demonstrated his love and grace for us. Paul's simple statement summarizes all the richness of Christ's atoning work that provided the necessary foundation for every believer's salvation. His death satisfied the demands of God's righteousness, holiness and justice by paying in full the penalty for each believer's sin. We have hope because Christ has paid the price for the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus' resurrection strengthens our hope

Our hope is strengthened by the next phrase Paul uses. He says, “We believe Jesus died and rose again” (v. 13). Jesus' resurrection spells defeat for death. His resurrection proves he conquered sin and death and has become the source of resurrection life for every believer.

Then Paul says because we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, “We believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (v. 14). Paul uses the term “fall asleep” as a reference for death. By this, Paul was saying death is not the last act. God's plan does not stop there. Paul uses the word “asleep” to emphasize physical death is not final. When Paul writes about the body being “asleep,” he is thinking of the body being raised from the dead. The emphasis also is on the promise that God will bring with him when he returns those who have died in him. Jesus' resurrection and his promise to bring our loved ones with him gives hope to believers.

Jesus' words support our hope

As Paul addresses the issues raised, he makes his words as authoritative as possible. He reveals the source for his information when he says, “According to the Lord's own words … .” The Lord will return; his teaching is clear.

Remember what Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 24 about the coming of the Lord? Remember the parables of the pounds and the talents where Jesus told of the absent landowner who would come back to judge his servants according to what they had done while he was gone? Then there is the parable of the 10 virgins who were expecting the Lord to come.

There is no doubt that the words of Jesus supported Paul's argument. What better ground for hope can we have than the pledge of Jesus? He who is the resurrection and the life has promised to return.

The second coming of Jesus satisfies our hope

Paul proceeds to give the details of the Lord's return. He has assured the Thessalonians their departed loved ones will not miss the Lord's return. Paul then gives a step-by-step description of the Lord's return we find in verses 16 through 18.

First, Paul makes it clear it will be the Lord himself that returns. The emphasis is upon his bodily return. Some people equate the coming of the Lord with his presence at a time of grief or crisis. Others think the coming of the Lord will occur when one dies and he comes to receive them. This is not what Paul says. The language Paul uses puts the matter beyond question when he says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven.”

Second, Paul also makes it clear Jesus' return will not be in secret. He says, “Jesus will come down from heaven, with a loud command.” The Greek word is “keleusma,” which is a military term with reference to an order, as if the commander is calling his troops to fall in. This command will come from the voice of the archangel and will be followed by the “trumpet call of God.” One thing is clear, Christ's return will be announced from heaven forcefully and dramatically.

Third, Paul says, “the dead in Christ will rise first.” How will God raise the bodies of people who were buried hundreds of years ago? There are some questions for which we have no answers. Just because we are not aware of the answer does not mean the God who created the universe out of nothing is not fully capable of reassembling all the believers from all times.

Paul does give us some information. Their resurrection will precede their coming because he says they will rise first. So those who have died in Christ will rise with him, and the resurrected Christ will be accompanied at his return with his followers who have died. The emphasis of Paul's argument is there is no possibility those who died in Christ ever will be separated from Christ.

Fourth, Paul writes: “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (v. 17). The previous verse explains the future of the believers who have already died when Christ returns. This verse deals with what happens to the believers who are alive. Paul says the believers who are still alive will be “caught up” with the others in the sky. The Greek term for “caught up” is the word “harpazo” and it means to seize or to carry off. It is from this phrase the thought of the “rapture” comes to Christian theology. Even though the word “rapture” is not used in the text, it is the translation of the Latin word that corresponds to the Greek word “harpazo.” Many believers today distinguish the rapture from Jesus' return to earth. They believe that the great tribulation will follow the rapture and the Lord's return to earth will end the great tribulation.

However, the emphasis in this verse is found in that the resurrected believers will join with living believers at the return of Christ, and together they will share the presence of the Lord on that day and forever. There is a danger in focusing so closely at the details of Christ's coming that we miss the best meaning. The expectation of seeing the Lord and one's family face to face is unique to the Christian faith. There is great hope to be found in the fact our fellowship with Jesus will never be broken, and one day every believer will be reunited with loved ones.

The awareness of this hope demands believers stay alert

Paul follows his teaching on the Lord's return with some spiritual advice for how we are to live until he returns. Paul says we are not to pay attention to time schedules because “you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (v. 2). Instead, he instructs us to stay alert to the signs of Jesus' return. They will be like labor pains, getting closer and closer together until he appears.

Two truths are conveyed in these illustrations. First, when the Lord comes, there will be no time for preparation, so we must be ready now. Second, with the illustration of the woman in labor, Paul was noting the symptoms were already appearing and there is a need to be ready for the inevitable.

Therefore, Paul wrote, “let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled” (v. 6). We are to be alert and self-controlled; as different from the unbelievers as daylight is from darkness.

As we wait, God has provided for us the breastplate of faith and love and also the helmet of the hope of salvation. We don't have to worry about what is going to happen. We can wait for his return with hope, faith and love because we are ready for him.

Questions for discussion

Where do you find hope in these words from Paul?

How can Paul's teachings about Christ's return help us to commit ourselves to trust Christ as Savior?

Why should Paul's teaching about the uncertainty of the time of Christ's return motivate us to live in constant readiness for his return?