Curriculum choice not prerequisite for help_41904

Posted: 4/16/04

Curriculum choice not prerequisite for help

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The Baptist General Convention of Texas Bible Study/Discipleship Center will continue helping Texas Baptist churches who use a variety of study materials to meet their “biblical challenges” of reaching non-Christians and equipping believers, according to BGCT staff members.

BGCT employees are working to strengthen churches and meet the needs of Texas Baptists through consultations and conferences, said Lynn Eckeberger, coordinator of the BGCT Church Health and Growth Section.

“Our goal is ministry,” Eckeberger said. “I think the vision and mission statement of this section and the Bible Study/Discipleship Center is clear. We are here to strengthen churches.”

The conclusion of the convention's contract with LifeWay Christian Resources, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, later this year will end BGCT staff members' required promotion of LifeWay materials and allow consultants openly to outline strengths and weaknesses of all materials, said Dennis Parrott, director of the BGCT Bible Study/Discipleship Center.

“By not having that obligation, we are free to help any church, no matter what they use,” he said.

Parrott said when a church calls his staff, a consultant will become acquainted with the vision, issues and needs of the congregation.

During that process, the staff member asks if the church leadership is satisfied with the Bible study curriculum.

If they are, the staff person encourages the church to continue using it, Parrott said. If they are not happy with it, the consultant introduces several other resource options, including those from BaptistWay Press, the BGCT publisher.

The BGCT offers free literature selection guides for Texas Baptist congregations to evaluate materials. The booklets help leaders understand which resources may best serve a church's needs.

The commitment to partnering with congregations regardless of the resources they use represents the BGCT's dedication to strengthening churches in Texas, Eckeberger said.

“We really do want to reach the lost and disciple believers, no matter what material they use,” he said.

The BGCT Bible Study/ Discipleship Center staff will continue to assist churches, whether the congregations choose LifeWay, BaptistWay Press or some other curriculum for Sunday school, convention leaders say.