• Seminary attorney clarifies trustee statement_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Seminary attorney clarifies trustee statement

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary attorney Don Richard recently issued a letter to Southern Baptist Convention attorneys, providing documentation about sole membership language approved by seminary trustees during a closed executive session in mid-October.

  Previously, the exact nature of the actions taken in the closed session was unclear, even though the trustees publicly released two motions they had approved.

  The news is significant, observers noted, because it signals the seminary's compliance with the request by SBC messengers at the 2004 annual meeting that the seminary adopt sole membership at their October meeting by amending the seminary's charter.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  On the Move_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  On the Move

  Jim Anderson to First Church in Caddo Mills as pastor.

  David Askins has resigned as pastor of Fairview Church in Greenville.

  Jack Bodenhamer to Trinity Church in Sweetwater as youth minister from First Church in Comanche, where he was a youth ministry intern.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Central Texas Christians give record amount to Operation Christmas Child_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Central Texas Christians give record
  amount to Operation Christmas Child

  By Terri Jo Ryan

  Special to the Baptist Standard

  WACO–A record number of shoeboxes filled with small gifts were collected recently at Highland Baptist Church, the final stop in Central Texas for presents intended for Operation Christmas Child.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Prayer partnership sparks revival, DOM says_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Prayer partnership sparks revival, DOM says

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  Prayer is connecting Texas Baptists with Christians from New England to the Rocky Mountains, and it is bringing revival with it, firsthand observers report.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Poll shows Americans divided over question of evolution vs. creation_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Poll shows Americans divided over
  question of evolution vs. creation

  By Kevin Eckstrom

  Religion News Service

  WASHINGTON (RNS)–A Gallup Poll suggests Americans are divided over how the world was created–either through evolution or at the hand of God–but either way, they appear skeptical that it happened exactly as described in the book of Genesis.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Handmade lap quilts a labor of undying love for Garland man_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Handmade lap quilts a labor of undying love for Garland man

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  GARLAND–As a living memorial to his late wife, Jeanie, Tom Kelly continues a nursing home ministry she envisioned to warm body and soul.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Volunteers share love of reading with kids at children’s home_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Teachers from the Delta Kappa Gamma Society read to twin brothers during the Bountiful Book Party held on the Texas Baptist Children's Home campus. Members of the society brought three books each to share with the home's single parent ministry. Susan Lee (right), supervisor for Texas Baptist Children's Home's Family Care program, talks to one toddler about the books provided by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society of teachers during the Bountiful Book Party.

  Volunteers share love of reading with kids at children's home

  By Miranda Bradley

  Texas Baptist Children's Home

  Fifty teachers recently opened a new classroom in Round Rock on the Texas Baptist Children's Home campus. But instead of blackboards and erasers, the two cottages, which normally house up to 10 Family Care residents, were filled with books and children. And the one lesson these volunteers wanted to teach was a love for reading.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Pro-life Democrat, pro-choice Republican likely to lead Senate_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Pro-life Democrat, pro-choice Republican likely to lead Senate

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–Senate Democrats, whose party officially supports abortion rights, have elected an abortion opponent as their leader.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Baptist state conventions urge ban on same-sex marriage_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Baptist state conventions urge ban on same-sex marriage

  By Greg Warner

  Associated Baptist Press

  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP)– As “values voters” in 11 states sent a political message rejecting same-sex marriage, Baptist conventions in at least seven states offered a resounding “amen” by adopting resolutions against the practice.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Court declines review of same-sex marriage_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Court declines review of same-sex marriage

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–The Supreme Court has denied a request to review a Massachusetts court's decision that legalized gay marriage in that state.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

• TBM responds to flooding in Coastal Plains_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  TBM responds to flooding in Coastal Plains

  WHARTON–Flooding interrupted the Thanksgiving holiday for residents southwest of Houston, but Texas Baptist Men volunteers came to the rescue by providing meals and clean-up help.

  Four TBM disaster relief units have responded to flooding in the Coastal Plains. In less than a week, volunteers served more than 1,000 meals, and completed about 20 clean-up jobs, as well as providing showers and laundry service.

  Bill Pyle, a member of First Baptist Church in Karnes City and leader of the Gambrell Baptist Association clean-out/shower unit, said the water had receded after several days, and volunteers finally were able to get into all previously flooded areas.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Denton Baptists use holidays to share the gospel with international students_120604

  Posted: 12/03/04

  Lee Chen, 11, (left) catches his brother Yang, 9, admiring his piece of pecan pie during a Thanksgiving meal for international students. The event is part of a First Baptist Church in Denton ministry to international students at the University of North Texas.(John Hall Photos)

  Denton Baptists use holidays to share
  the gospel with international students

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  DENTON–Thanksgiving and Christmas are about more than turkey and dressing for some members of First Baptist Church in Denton.

  12/03/2004 - By John Rutledge