Annuity Board expands service in Texas with three representatives_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Elkins	Harris	Thompson

Annuity Board expands service
in Texas with three representatives

DALLAS–The Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has tripled its staff devoted to helping Texas Baptist ministers and other clients of its retirement programs.

Previously, one area director related to the 5,700 congregations and 115 associations within the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Now, three area directors will share the responsibility.

Chris Elkins will work with churches and associations in the Panhandle and West Texas. His major cities include Abilene, Lubbock, Amarillo, El Paso, Brownwood and surrounding associations.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Around the State_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Aaron Epps	Tiffany Epps	David Humphrey	Danyel Humphrey
Dennis Janz	Jody Janz	Jeremy Taliaferro	Susan Taliaferro

Around the State

Mathematics professor Marsha Pool recently was honored with Dallas Baptist Univeristy's highest honor of Master Teacher. Pool is the first person so designated by the university. Also voted professor of the year in 1991, Pool came to the campus in 1966. She is a member of First Church in Duncanville.

Appointments

Four couples with Texas ties were among the 61 missionaries commissioned by the International Mission Board Sept. 7 at Great Hills Church in Austin:

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Ballpark preacher for the Fort Worth Cats_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Ballpark preacher for the Fort Worth Cats

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

FORT WORTH–Some might say life threw Jim Hollars a curve ball when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. But the church starter-turned-baseball chaplain just saw it as a change-up and adjusted his swing.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Barna probes why many small churches remain small_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Barna probes why many small churches remain small

VENTURA, Calif.–Small churches are small, and big churches are big for a reason, according to pollster George Barna.

There's more at work than location and population growth, two factors often cited as reasons for church growth.

In addition to those factors, Barna said, certain types of people prefer small churches or large churches, and all size churches play a role in doing God's work.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Statement from Duane Brooks on resigning from Baylor board_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Statement from Duane Brooks on resigning from Baylor board

A little over three years ago, I accepted the nomination of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and was elected to the board of regents at Baylor University. Some months later, my brother David Brooks was chosen by President Robert Sloan to be Baylor's vice president and CFO. I neither participated in the interview process nor voted on his hiring.

When I first learned of President Sloan's intention to hire my brother, I immediately offered to step down from the board to remove any possibility of a conflict of interest. This offer was studied and considered by the Baylor administration and legal counsel. After the review was completed, I was assured by Baylor that my continued service was both desired and proper.

To safeguard against any potential conflicts of interest, Baylor developed very specific and strict guidelines about my participation in board activities. I have never served on any committee or participated in any board activity which directly related to my brother's work. I have voluntarily left board meetings when his salary or job performance was considered and voted upon. On a number of occasions during my tenure, I have renewed my offer to Baylor to resign as a regent in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Each time, I was told that my continued participation as a regent was fully acceptable to Baylor and permitted under the bylaws of the Baylor board of regents.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Brooks leaves Baylor board; internal auditor disputes charges of conflicts _92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Brooks leaves Baylor board;
internal auditor disputes charges of conflicts

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

WACO–Houston pastor Duane Brooks resigned from the Baylor University board of regents Sept. 18, citing concerns raised in a newspaper article about a potential conflict of interest.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Baylor enrollment drops; some measures improve _92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Baylor enrollment drops;
some measures improve

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

WACO–Fall enrollment at Baylor University is down, but the university made gains against some key enrollment goals this year.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Baylor board meets behind closed doors for business_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Baylor board meets
behind closed doors for business

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

WACO–At the Sept. 12 news conference where Baylor University regents Chairman Drayton McLane announced the board's strong support for President Robert Sloan, he was flanked by 34 of his fellow regents, many of whom stayed afterward to talk with reporters.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Baylor regents affirm Sloan’s leadership 31-4_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Baylor regents affirm Sloan's leadership 31-4

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

WACO–Rather than firing President Robert Sloan as five members of the board of regents and the Faculty Senate had asked, the 36-member board passed a vote affirming Sloan's leadership Sept. 12.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Proposed BGCT budget shows 10 percent cut_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Proposed BGCT budget shows 10 percent cut

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The Baptist General Convention of Texas Administrative Committee has approved a $45.8 million operating budget recommendation for 2004, a 10 percent decrease from the 2003 budget.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Baptist Briefs_92203

Posted: 9/19/03 Baptist Briefs Annuity Board adds Blue Cross. The Annuity Board has reached an agreement with Highmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield that will give many participants in the…

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge

Texan volunteers livening up some struggling British churches _92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Texan volunteers livening up
some struggling British churches

By George Henson

Staff Writer

HOUSTON–Texas Baptists are breathing new life into several struggling British Baptist churches, inspired by the calling a retired layman.

10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge