Posted: 11/12/04

EDITORIAL:
San Antonio provides historic stage for Texas Baptists

The symmetry of history cast a glow over the 2004 Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session in San Antonio.

Meeting just three blocks from the Alamo, Texas Baptists elected their first Hispanic president, Albert Reyes.

Reyes' choice would be exceptional, even if it weren't historic. He's one of the BGCT's most outstanding leaders. He's a successful pastor/church-planter and trained missiologist who now leads the rapidly growing and increasingly vital Baptist University of the Americas. He's articulate, a natural coalition builder, passionate and compassionate, with a gracious, Christlike spirit.

But Reyes' election also is historic. This year, Texas ceased to have a majority culture, as Anglos slipped below 50 percent of the population. Soon–and I hesitate to pick a date, because it keeps moving–Hispanics will comprise the majority. But while we still have a solid Anglo presence, we also have strong minorities from other groups, most notably African-American and Asian-American. We are a multi-cultural, poly-lingual state, and Reyes' election as the BGCT's leader marks a milestone on the road to ensure that the convention looks and sounds like our state.

“Ensure” is the operative word, because Reyes is no mere token. This year, he served as the convention's first vice president alongside an African-American second vice president, Dennis Young, and an Anglo president, Ken Hall. They named ethnics to chair the officer-appointed committees. Now, Reyes serves alongside an African-American first vice president, Michael Bell, and an Anglo second vice president, Stacy Conner. Hispanics have chaired the BGCT Administrative Committee and Executive Board, and the current Executive Board chairman is an African-American, John Ogletree. More and more ethnic leaders are serving on BGCT boards, committees and commissions. They're making tremendous contributions, shaping decisions in ways that were inconceivable just a few years ago–not because Anglo leaders were opposed, but because they didn't know to think that way.

This growing spirit of inclusiveness provides a tremendous reason to be excited about the BGCT. We are moving forward in a way that not only looks more like our state but, more importantly, looks and sounds like the kingdom of God. And we need to–and will–keep moving forward. Soon, we should elect an African-American as president, as well as a layperson, and a woman.

The BGCT also made history when messengers approved new mission, vision, values and priority statements and cast the first favorable vote to reorganize our convention. If messengers vote the same way again next year, they will amend our constitution. Key changes include trimming the Executive Board from 234 members to 90, as well as eliminating two coordinating boards, two commissions and the Administrative Committee and assigning their duties to the Executive Board. The impetus for the changes is to make the convention more effective and to increase both the responsibility and accountability of the Executive Board.

True to their heritage as Texas Baptists, messengers vigorously debated the changes. Opponents primarily worried West Texas and other rural areas would lose representation on the Executive Board. Some expressed concern the Christian Life Commission would lose its prophetic voice. Despite strong feelings, a positive spirit prevailed, as did the proposal, by an 82-18 percent margin.

And now for the really hard part:

First, the changes need to be fleshed out with bylaws, a final proposal for Executive Board representation and procedures for doing the convention's work under a new structure. Rural Texans have asserted their support is contingent upon not being left out of the decision-making process. Convention leaders now must demonstrate how all Texas Baptists will be fairly represented and how all voices will be heard.

Second, with the passage of the guiding statements, BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade is free to begin reorganizing and redeploying the Executive Board staff, to shape the convention according to what those statements say Texas Baptists want it to be. This task involves far more than strategy and tactics. It touches the lives and ministries of committed Christian servants. And it also will impact our churches and the lives of lost and hurting people across Texas and beyond for generations to come.

Now that the annual session has passed, the profile of the BGCT and these important issues will decline for awhile. But vital proposals of long-term consequence will be shaped in the coming months. Pray that wisdom will guide, harmony will prevail and God's kingdom will expand.
–Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com

Posted: 11/12/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Nov. 21

Jesus strings puts a few pearls on a string

Luke 12:1-59

By Pakon Chan

Chinese Baptist Church, Arlington

Chapter 12 is a typical example of Jewish preaching. Jewish preaching is called a “charaz,” which means stringing pearls. We can see very clearly that this chapter is compiled of several thoughts or themes not necessarily closely connected together. But if one wants to find the connection between these thoughts, he can find “a string” that puts all the “pearls” together.

Being Christians in this world, we should be honest and sincere. Even though we may suffer and be persecuted for our honesty and sincerity, we fear no man, for they cannot destroy our souls. Sometimes, they don't have power over our physical lives and possessions, so we don't need to worry, because God loves and cares about us.

Therefore, we need to set our priorities straight and live a simple life. Our life purpose is to seek God's kingdom and do his will. We always should be prepared and watchful for Jesus, because he is coming back any time.

During the end times, the conflict between Christians and the world will become more intensive, and we should be able to discern the signs and their spiritual implications. We should live peacefully with our brothers and sisters. Also, maintaining unity among Christians will be very important in church life to allow us to stand firm in any difficult time.

Let us now look at several pearls closely to appreciate their beauty.

Whom should we fear?

Fighting against terrorists became one of the major concerns of this country. We are living in fear of terrorism and trying to do everything to protect ourselves and the country from attack. As Christians, we always are under attack. Jesus has told us that people will hate us just because we are his disciples (John 15:18-19). It is good if we can develop certain security-alert systems in our spiritual life to warn us of spiritual attacks or danger.

We are alert and prepared, but fearless. There are two reasons we should not fear any attack from people. First, people may destroy the body or take away possessions, but they cannot destroy our souls (v. 4). It happens all the time in church history, but the church prevails and grows even stronger. Second, God will take care and protect his churches and us. Jesus used sparrows and our hairs to illustrate how God will care about us. “Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows,” Jesus said (v. 7).

But Christians should fear losing their faith. Satan will use physical persecution to threaten our faith. He wants to destroy our souls and throw us into hell (v. 5). We may not have any physical persecution in the United States, but we have a lot of spiritual persecution in the form of lust and temptation. They will destroy our souls and throw us into hell. James offers a tactic to fight against these enemies: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Set the priority straight

One of the most dangerous enemies is our materialistic lifestyle. From church building to church program, and from Christian mentality to lifestyle, we are almost totally materialistic from inside out. Christian services and programs are more professional than spiritual. We measure God's blessings with our physical well-being and wealth. People waste their money on junk food that can feed a whole family in other countries.

A person's life is just like a barn, and it can only store a certain amount of things. If he puts more physical things in it, he has to empty some spiritual stuff to make room for his wealth. Even if he wants to build a bigger barn, the world is much bigger than his barn and will fill it up, leaving no room for spiritual things. That is why Jesus says, “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (v. 21).

We need to set our priority straight if we want to serve God. Whom should we serve, God or Mammon (money)? (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). A simple lifestyle is one of the spiritual disciplines we need to put back into our discipleship training. If we can live a simple life, then we will have more energy and resources to serve and invest in the kingdom ministry (vv. 32-34).

Be watchful and ready

Our Lord will return at any time, and we, as servants, need to be alert and prepared. It is a very important reason why we should live a simple life and give high priority to God's kingdom works, because our Lord is coming, and he will come back at any time. When we know Jesus is going to return very soon, we will not waste our time and energy in any less-important things. How to define a faithful servant? A faithful servant knows how to set priority and focus on the task. Jesus also warns us that when he comes he will bring judgment to us (vv. 46-48).

Discussion questions

What is your priority as a Christian?

Does your lifestyle reflect your Christian priority?

Do you have difficulty in setting a priority that will please God?

Posted: 11/12/04

Falwell plans to 'resurrect' Moral Majority with new name

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

LYNCHBURG, Va. (ABP)–Jerry Falwell will “resurrect” his Morality Majority with a new name in order to turn conservative momentum from the recent national elections into an “evangelical revolution.”

The Southern Baptist pastor and political activist announced the formation of the Faith and Values Coalition one week after “moral values” voters helped re-elect President George W. Bush and denounce gay marriage in 11 states.

Falwell said the new group will build on “the national momentum” of the Nov. 2 elections and encourage evangelicals to continue to “vote Christian.”

In a news release, Falwell described the new coalition as “a 21st century resurrection of the Moral Majority.”

That earlier group, founded by Falwell in 1979, helped launch the Religious Right to national prominence by supporting Ronald Reagan and other conservative Republican candidates and campaigning against abortion and other perceived social ills.

“At that time, God burdened my heart to mobilize religious conservatives around a pro-life, pro-family, strong national defense and pro-Israel platform, designed to return America to her Judeo-Christian heritage,” Falwell said.

“And I distinctively feel that burden again. Our nation simply cannot continue as we know it if we allow out-of-control lawmakers and radical judges, working at the whims of society, to alter the moral foundations of America.”

Falwell made news in the early 1980s by publicly wishing for the death of liberal Supreme Court justices so they could be replaced by conservatives. More recently he called on President Bush to kill terrorists “in the name of the Lord.”

He and other evangelical political leaders have claimed credit for President Bush's re-election and called on the president to enact conservative moral reforms, such as bans on gay marriage and abortion.

“One of our primary commitments is to help make President Bush's second term the most successful in American history,” said Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, who joined the Southern Baptist Convention in 1997.

Helping Falwell in the new coalition are “Left Behind” co-author Tim LaHaye, who will serve as the coalition's board chair; Falwell's son, Jonathan, who will be executive director; and Mathew Staver, president of the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel, vice chair.

The Faith and Values Coalition, Falwell said, will organize in 50 states and pursue three goals–passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment banning gay marriage; confirmation of “pro-life, strict constructionist” judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal bench; and “the election of another socially, fiscally and politically conservative president in 2008, along with other state and national candidates.”

“The thought of a Hillary Clinton or John Edwards presidency is simply unacceptable–and quite frightening,” he said.

Falwell, 71, said he disbanded the Moral Majority in 1989 to devote more time to his Liberty University. He committed to lead the new coalition for the first four years.

“On election night, I actually shed tears of joy as I saw the fruit of a quarter century of hard work,” Falwell said.

“Over the past few days, I have been inundated with requests from across America to 'finish what you started 25 years ago,'” he added.

Falwell said more than 30 million evangelicals “voted Christian” Nov. 2, when 116 million Americans cast ballots. He predicted the number of evangelical voters will jump to “at least 40 million” in 2008.

Posted: 11/12/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Nov. 21

Thanksgiving should be a regular occurrence

Psalm 65:1-13

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

David wrote this thanksgiving psalm. Most likely, the Israelites would sing it when they gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Booths. This feast was a harvest festival.

After the harvest had been gathered, the Israelites would hold a great festival in Jerusalem. They would make booths out of branches and live in these booths seven days. These booths would remind them of their temporary shelters when they were traveling in the wilderness to Canaan. During these seven days, the Israelites would give special thanks to God for his goodness in rescuing them, giving them land and the good harvests from the land.

Psalm 65:1-4

The opening verses of this psalm establish a personal dimension of the people's relationship to God. God is the one who answers their prayers, forgives their sins and enjoys their worship. God does the same thing for us–he answers our prayers, forgives our sins and enjoys our worship. These three things alone should cause us to have a heart of gratitude for all God does for us.

Psalm 65:5-8

David wrote about the mighty power of God evident in nature. These verses celebrate the role of God as Creator. God did not merely create matter and put it in order; he established order out of chaos. God formed the mountains and quieted the raging oceans. The psalmist described these actions as the awesome deeds of God. The awe and wonder of God create a spirit of worship.

Psalm 65:9-13

The concluding verses of this psalm remind us God cares for the land by sending rain which produces an abundance of crops. David tells us the hills, meadows and valleys shout and sing to God for joy. It is God who provides all we have.

A grateful spirit

Psychologists tell us a grateful spirit is the healthiest of all human emotions because a spirit of gratitude produces more positive emotional energy than any other attitude in life. Gregg Easterbrook writes, “People who describe themselves as feeling grateful to others, and either to God or to creation, in general tend to have higher vitality and more optimism, suffer less stress and experience fewer episodes of clinical depression than the population as a whole.” Thanksgiving enables us to have a proper perspective of ourselves and of God.

Practical ways to develop thanksgiving in our lives

One of the first things we can do to practice thanksgiving is to remember everything we have is from God. Everything we own or receive is ultimately from God, and we need to give him thanks. James 1:17 reads, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Second, we need to eliminate the art of complaining in our lives. Complaining is the enemy of thanksgiving. It spreads discontent and discord, which causes us to take our eyes off of God. God's word tells us to do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14).

Last, we need to be intentional, continually giving thanks to God. Thanksgiving must be a daily habit. My dad always tells our family we celebrate Christmas every day. I think we could put his saying into being thankful–we should celebrate thanksgiving every day. One practical way of incorporating thanksgiving into our lives is to keep a gratitude journal. In an experiment with college students, those who kept a “gratitude journal,” a weekly record of things they should feel grateful for, achieved better physical health, were more optimistic, exercised more regularly, and described themselves as happier than a control group of students who kept no journals but had the same overall measures of health, optimism, and exercise when the experiment began. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances.

Robert Bruce describes the following incident: “While walking along a busy street one day, I heard someone singing. His sweet voice was distinguishable even above the noise of the traffic. When I located him, I noticed he had no legs and was pushing himself through the crowd in a wheelchair. Catching up with him I said, 'I want you to know, friend, that to hear singing from a person in your condition gives everyone a lift.' He answered with a grateful smile, 'When I stopped looking at what I had lost and began concentrating on all I had left, I found much for which I could rejoice and be happy.”

May we do the same.

Discussion questions

What are some personal ways you can live out a grateful spirit?

How can you make this Thanksgiving more meaningful for you and your family?

Posted: 11/12/04

Florida Baptists voice support for
efforts to ban same-sex marriage

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) –Florida Baptists voted to back amendments to the state and federal constitutions to ban gay marriage and to work with other denominations for their passage.

The motion passed apparently without opposition during the annual meeting of the Florida Baptist State Convention, held Nov. 8-9 in Jacksonville.

The action calls on Florida legislators to define marriage “as the union between a man and a woman” and “the God-ordained building block of the family and bedrock of civil society.”

Lakeland pastor Jay Dennis introduced the motion, which urged Florida Baptists “lovingly, yet with passion and conviction,” to support the constitutional amendments.

In discussion, Dennis said the measure was not intended to “bash” homosexuals but to establish a clear legal definition of marriage.

“This is an issue that churches should take up,” said Dennis, pastor of the 6,500-member First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland. “The church is the voice of morality.”

He said Florida Baptists should work through state legislators to initiate the amendment. If that fails, he said, a grassroots petition campaign involving other denominations should ensue, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Newly elected convention president Hayes Wicker endorsed the convention action. Wicker, pastor of First Baptist Church of Naples, said Florida Baptists should “unite with other people of faith to stem the tide of what we believe is a perversion of God's original pattern of marriage.”

Florida already has enacted the Defense of Marriage Act that limits marriage to heterosexual couples. But conservatives say the constitutional amendments are necessary to prevent “activist” judges from ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.

Stephen Wise, a Republican state senator from Jacksonville, told the Florida Times-Union it will take a minimum of two years to get a state constitutional amendment on the ballot for approval by Florida voters.

Florida Baptists also celebrated their 150th anniversary during the 2004 convention, which drew 1,900 messengers.

In other business, the convention tightened its bylaws to enforce the “theological integrity” of member churches and associations. The change requires each Florida Baptist church to adhere to the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message doctrinal statement “or any other declaration of faith which parallels the tenets of our historic Baptist faith.”

“Any church or association which undertakes questionable theology, faith, practice or polity shall be subject to having fellowship withdrawn by the Florida Baptist State Convention,” the bylaw amendment reads.

The revision authorizes the State Board of Missions to determine if a church or association is compliant with the new requirements or should be expelled.

Another revision requires member churches to file a standardized statistical report each year and contribute at least $250 to the Cooperative Program. A church that violates either requirement for three consecutive years can be expelled.

Messengers also passed a brief motion asking convention administrators “to find ways to strengthen and support Christian schools and home schooling” among the convention's churches.

Because of that action, convention leaders decided it was not necessary to consider a much longer resolution condemning public schools and calling all Christians to abandon public education.

The more strident resolution, part of a nationwide anti-schools campaign led by the group Exodus Mandate, was introduced by messenger Robert Dreyfuss. It would denounce the “anti-Christian” influence of government-run schools and urge Christians to remove their children from those “godless” public schools and put them in “thoroughly” Christian schools or educate them at home.

Last June, the Southern Baptist Convention declined to act on the anti-schools resolution, but supporters promised to seek passage in at least 10 Baptist conventions.

The Florida convention adopted a budget of $37 million that earmarks 51.75 percent for Florida Baptist Convention causes and 40 percent for Southern Baptist Convention causes.

The remaining funds will be used for pastoral aid and annuities.

Florida Baptists changed their bylaws to ensure the “theological integrity' of affiliated churches. The change requires each Florida Baptist church to adhere to the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message doctrinal statement “or any other declaration of faith which parallels the tenets of our historic Baptist faith.”

Posted: 11/12/04

Florida voters narrowly approve call for
local referenda on legalized slot machines

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (ABP)– Though voters nationwide defeated most attempts to expand gambling Nov. 2, another razor-thin Florida vote count could bring slot machines to the state.

By a margin of 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent–or 3,606,045 to 3,524,019 votes–Florida voters approved an amendment to authorize two South Florida counties to hold referenda on whether to allow slot machines in existing parimutuel facilities.

Initial reports Nov. 3 said the slot-machine amendment had been narrowly defeated. But a later vote count showed supporters had eked out a victory.

Gambling opponents in Florida immediately cried foul when a South Florida TV station reported Nov. 4 that a glitch in Broward County software had resulted in a massive undercount of absentee ballots.

When the counting was done, an additional 78,000 votes had appeared, with 90 percent of them voting in favor of the amendment.

“Clearly, these new results are highly questionable,” said Carey Theil, an activist and slot-machine opponent. “We have reacted immediately, and rest assured that Amendment 4 opponents are preparing legal action now.”

All requests for a recount were denied, according to gambling opponents. An automatic recount would be triggered if the margin of victory was less than 0.5 percent. The final count showed a difference of about 0.8 percent.

The amendment does not immediately authorize slot machines in horse-racing, dog-racing and jai alai facilities but only allows residents of Broward and Miami-Dade counties to consider the possibility.

Taxes on the proceeds from the machines are supposed to benefit education.

Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Baptist Forum

School support

I attended the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting in San Antonio and came away challenged, renewed and recommitted to do the work God has called me to do.

I was especially encouraged by the resolution affirming the public schools of our state.

My wife, my two daughters and one of my sons-in-law all work in the public school system. I frequently hear stories about administrators, teachers and staff who are interested in the spiritual as well as the educational needs of the students they work with. A recent incident at a North Texas high school bears this out.

At the end of a pep rally on the day of the school's final regular-season football game, a teacher was pushed to the floor by a group of students as they left the gym. The teacher was then walked on by several students and sustained numerous injuries as a result.

A couple of days after the incident, the injured teacher sent an e-mail to the faculty and staff of the school, thanking them for their prayers for her and her recovery. She closed her message by asking that her fellow workers especially pray for the students of the school. What a great example of praying for those “who persecute you.”

Without the presence of Christian administrators, teachers and staff members, I cannot imagine what our public schools would be like.

Thank you, Texas Baptists, for voicing your support for these dedicated people.

Richard Rose

Arlington

Haunting implications

I am the mother of two children who have died from a terminal illness that perhaps, if stem-cell treatment had been available years ago, could have benefited from new medical advances.

I know without the slightest doubt, however, that I never would have allowed aborted fetus tissue to be used for a “maybe” regression of loss of bodily function.

I don't believe the Old Testament story of Joseph and his fate correlates at all to terminal illness and treatment derived from embryonic stem cells (Nov. 1). As one familiar to suffering, I see Joseph's plight as one of encouragement in suffering, knowing it is the will of God for us to join in his suffering, not a “pie-in-the-sky” hope that a doctor with unsubstantiated experiments might improve one's life skills.

As one who has had conversations with women who have aborted babies, I wonder if the Newton and Lyles families have thought of the haunting implications of being able to live with such a decision.

My letter is sent with the understanding of such a terrible situation but also with the firm conviction that a murdered child's tissue is not the answer.

Kelley Forster

San Antonio

Amazing stance

I want to let William Reddick (Oct. 4) know that as a Southern Baptist myself, I deeply welcome his fellowship in our denomination. And furthermore, I don't have a problem with him being a Democrat.

However, he did say that he does not “agree that any abortion should be illegal.”

I would like to know why he supports abortion. I realize some Christians may sincerely believe abortion is not murder and therefore not a sin. Maybe he believes the “pro-choice” crowd has some good points.

But the truth is abortion is the most evil and heinous violation of human rights (in this case, fetus rights) in human history.

An evil committed against adults is bad enough, but abortion is committed against the most innocent and helpless of all humans.

The moment the sperm fertilizes the egg, it becomes a living organism. If it is living, then, by definition, it has life. A fetus is alive; it is not dead. Therefore, everyone should be against abortion except, perhaps, when the mother's life is in danger as a result of the labor.

Again, I welcome him in the SBC. I just would like to encourage him to rethink his stance on abortion. It just amazes me.

If a person in the United States were to take the egg of a bald eagle and throw it against a wall, destroying it, they would do jail time. But if one kills a human baby while it is still in the womb, it is perfectly legal.

Larry A. Jones

Beaumont

Loving acceptance

I do not feel accepted in my church when others make remarks like this: At a post-election adult choir rehearsal, at least half of the singers loudly remarked that they were pleased with the election of a Christian president. This is their privilege. I voted for a Christian Democrat, and he lost.

As a Christian, I have tried my best to accept others who do not believe or act as I do. But I wonder about others who are like me. Are they as considerate as I try to be? Or will they leave the church and attend nowhere? Or will they find a church where they can be happy not being put down by fellow members and pastors.

What about non-Christians in our churches? Twenty years ago, a number of non-Christian Vietnamese attended our mission. Many still attend as Christians today. When I first ministered with them, how far do you think I would have gotten to have come at them strongly against their former religion? Rather, I accepted and loved them even while I still held my Christian convictions. By myself, I did not try to get ahead of Christ Jesus in convicting them of their need of him. He saved them.

Do you want to reach others for Christ? First, learn to accept and love others who do not believe like yourself.

Gilbert Thornton

Longview

Repeating history?

A Baylor University law professor and the university's provost recently debated academic freedom and institutional governance. The debate was suggested by several events, including proposed changes to the university policy on academic freedom, the administration's response to a Lariat editorial on homosexuality and a speech the provost delivered at Wheaton College.

There were many issues that the Texas Baptist community would find interesting, but one I found alarming. In the course of making a case for the emergence of a broader institution denominationally and more of a uniform focus theologically, the administration sees a Baylor in which there will be a decrease in Baptist faculty and students (it is noticeable already); indeed, the provost suggested there may come a day when there are very few Baptists left at Baylor.

I came to Baylor largely because of its leadership in the Baptist world of higher education. I was director of a short-lived program in Baptist studies that was the envy of other institutions who lacked a graduate program. I saw the potential Baylor had to become virtually the paradigm in the Baptist tradition for a full-scale church-related university.

As a Texas Baptist by choice, I am greatly alarmed by this type of projection. Baptist history is replete with recognized colleges and universities that have severed ties with their Baptist constituencies for much the same reasons–Brown, Colgate, Bucknell, Chicago, Richmond, Stetson and Wake Forest, to name a few. Are Texas Baptists prepared to let history repeat itself at Baylor?

William H. Brackney

Waco

Reaching out

I could not agree more with your editorial calling for civility to be restored to the American scene (Nov. 1). But I hope you are not saying that President Bush should be any more responsible for this than the man on the street.

President Bush was re-elected, and he still is our president, so the people across the aisle should be doing the reaching if they want to have successes in their districts.

One explanation for the uncivility of our nation is the type of television broadcasting being “fed” to our populace. It is now the norm to belittle other people, your parents, your authority and each other.

I would like for us Christians to be more outspoken and proactive about stopping some of the filth that is sent over the airways. I am convinced we must take our Christianity out to the streets and into the schools to make a difference.

We were given a gift on election day, in that a clearer mandate was set forth for the election, and Christians can be very proud of their accomplishments. But we must use this gift wisely as we Republicans must use this power discreetly. We must be diligent to see that we offer up candidates who have those values that we voted to preserve.

Yes, civility needs to return to America, but I believe it has to start in the home and by example. And indeed President Bush must do his part in sharing the power, and I believe he will.

Betty Westbrook

Plano

Posted: 11/12/04

On the Move

John Bisagno to Pecan Grove Church in Richmond as interim pastor.

James Collins to First Church in Palacios as associate pastor.

Tim Doremus to Purmela Church in Purmela as pastor.

Jerry Gibson to First Church in Brookshire as interim pastor.

Don Higginbotham to First Church in Fredricksburg as pastor from First Church in Harlingen.

Rod Hite to Mimosa Lane Church in Mesquite as minister of praise and worship from Calvary Church in McAllen.

Bob Hobbins to Memorial Church in El Campo as pastor.

Jay Johnson to Open Range Cowboy Church in Whitney as minister of music.

Gary Kreder to Vaughan Church in Abbott as pastor.

John LaNoue to Cornerstone Church in Corsicana as pastor.

Keith Manning to Central Church in Hillsboro as pastor.

James Mantooth to First Church of Groceville in Cut and Shoot as pastor from First Church in Paducah.

Dusty Maxwell to Central Church in Thornton as youth minister.

Joey Meador to Central Church in Hillsboro as youth minister.

George Merriman to Trinity Church in Corsicana as interim pastor.

Mark Nelson to Bethel Church in Buffalo as pastor.

Louis Neyland to Ephesus Church in Jewett as youth minister.

Rhonda Parker to Leona Church in Leona as youth minister.

Kevin Poole to New Life Church in Covington as minister of music.

Doyle Purifoy to Shiloh Church in Mexia as interim pastor.

Todd Pylant to First Church in Benbrook as pastor from First Church in Augusta, Ga., where he was minister to young families.

Carol Raulston to Fort Graham Church in Whitney as music minister.

David Reeves to First Church in Kerens as youth minister.

Jared Wellman to Powell Church in Powell as interim pastor.

Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Tidbits

Wayland sets homecoming schedule. "Run the Good Race" is the theme for homecoming weekend, Nov. 19-20 at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview. Featured events include presentation of distinguished alumni awards, a golden anniversary celebration for the class of 1954, a banquet, crowning the homecoming queen and a basketball doubleheader pitting the Wayland Flying Queens against the University of Texas Permian Basin and the Wayland Pioneers against Howard Payne University. For reservations or information about any homecoming activities, contact the alumni services office at (806) 291-3600.

HBU Founder's Day set. Houston Baptist University will celebrate its 41st anniversary during a Founders' Day convocation at 10:10 a.m. Dec. 2. David Self, a 1973 HBU graduate and executive pastor at First Baptist Church in Houston, will be the guest speaker at the convocation in the Sharp Gym. Russ Clark, a 1982 graduate of HBU and choir director at Elkins High School in Fort Bend, will present special music. During the celebration, 37 HBU faculty and staff members celebrating an anniversary will be recognized, as well as the winners of the Who's Who among students in American universities and colleges.

ETBU & Wiley College sponsor health fair. Nursing students from East Texas Baptist University and students from Wiley College will conduct a health fair at Mallileu United Methodist Church, Nov. 20. "Project Outreach" is a cooperative effort between the two schools to promote good health. The United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service under its Learn and Serve America Higher Education Program granted Wiley College a $90,000 three-year grant to conduct health fairs in cooperation with ETBU and Texas State Technical College of Marshall. Ten health fairs have been scheduled over the next six months, offering free blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and mammogram screenings, as well as information on how to live healthier lives. For information, call (903) 923-2210.

HBU Guild features Gloria Gaither. Songwriter Gloria Gaither will be the featured speaker for the Houston Baptist University Guild's Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Dec. 3, at Houston's DoubleTree Hotel-Post. Gaither has written the lyrics to more than 600 gospel songs, recorded more than 60 albums and written several best-selling books. Individual tickets may be purchased for $45 each or a table of 10 for $450. To order tickets, reserve a table or obtain additional information, call (281) 649-3006. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit graduate scholarships at HBU for career classroom teachers.

DBU establishes Pinson lectures. Dallas Baptist University has established the William M. Pinson Baptist History Lecture Series as an expression of gratitude for Pinson's service to Baptists throughout the United States. The university has placed $50,000 at the Baptist Foundation of Texas for this endowed lectureship. Pinson is the Baptist General Convention of Texas executive director emeritus, having served as executive director from 1983 to 2000. He currently is a distinguished university professor at DBU.

UMHB names music department chair. Lon Chaffin has been named chairman of the music department at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, effective June 1, 2005. Chaffin has been with the university five years as an associate professor of music, serving as coordinator of music theory, composition and technology. Before coming to UMHB, Chaffin served on the music faculty of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., and was director of choral activities at Paris Junior College and Temple College. He is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University, and he earned his master's degree and doctorate from Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Susan, are members of First Baptist Church of Temple.

Posted: 11/12/04

TOGETHER:
BGCT makes progress in San Antonio

After the mission service at the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session, a pastor said: “This was great. I saw a new vision for missions, and I felt the old feelings stirring again.” Several young pastors and church members paused to say: “This is what we've been waiting to hear and see. We can build on this.”

This was music to my ears. Our people have worked hard to tell the Texas Baptist mission story. Excitement is building. The work is growing. Texas Baptists working together are making a difference in people's lives in Texas and around the world.

We also adopted new mission, vision, values and priorities statements. Now, as we develop core strategies to help our staff and related ministries address our priorities, you will begin to see positive changes occurring in our approach to the work God has given us to do. The key thing to remember is that our convention staff is committed to getting closer to the churches in order to know you better and be able to work with you in facilitating the work God has given your church to do.

There are three key verbs to consider–encourage, facilitate and connect. The BGCT takes seriously its role of encouraging the churches to see what can be done. To encourage is to “put heart into” someone who has been discouraged, who had “the heart cut out” of them. Our purpose statement says we are to “awaken and stimulate” the churches. We will advocate with you on behalf of God's mission to reconcile the world to himself.

We also will seek to facilitate your church's efforts to do the work of gospel reconciliation. We will provide easier access to resources and quicker response to questions, and we will follow up with the churches to see if what we worked together to develop actually worked.

Then we will connect your church to other churches so you can do more evangelism and missions, more Christian education and Christian ministry to hurting people than you could by yourself.

The convention approved the first reading of the revised constitution, which gives us a better governance structure. This called forth strong discussion. Clearly, most felt the basic idea was on target. The Executive Board chairman and I will work with Executive Board members and others to fashion the bylaws and make sure concerns raised by our Baptist people will be addressed.

There was great appreciation by messengers for the patient, fair and generous demeanor of our BGCT president. Ken Hall has led Texas Baptists well. The president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences was in top form on Monday as he preached and then presided over the business session. We saw Baptists doing their work freely and openly, respecting one another, honoring one another in the Lord. Ken Hall deserves and was given hardy applause for his leadership. The two vice presidents served admirably as well. Albert Reyes was elected our new president. He is a gifted communicator, visionary leader of Baptist University of the Americas, and will be an encourager of churches in our work together. Dennis Young is the former president of the African-American Fellowship, gifted preacher, builder and pastor of Missouri City Baptist Church in Missouri City. He presided beautifully in the Tuesday business session.

Our new leaders will follow in these deep footprints. Joining Albert Reyes, Michael Bell, pastor of Greater St. Stephen First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, and Stacy Conner, pastor of First Baptist Church in Muleshoe, will be strong servant leaders as the two new vice presidents. All together, these three good men will bring their gifts and passion for God's work to bear on the challenges before us.

I am glad God has called us all to serve him, knowing all the while …

We are loved.

Charles Wade is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas

Posted: 11/12/04

Virginia Baptists elect first African-American
officer; agree to apply for BWA membership

By Robert Marus

Associated Baptist Press

ROANOKE, Va. (ABP)–Messengers to the Baptist General Association of Virginia's 181st annual meeting elected the group's first African-American officer, agreed to apply for membership in the Baptist World Alliance and engaged in unexpected debate over the sale of a handful of properties.

The meeting in Roanoke drew about 1,500 messengers. While they approved proposals to apply for full membership in BWA–an umbrella group for national and regional Baptist denominations worldwide–and to increase funding for the organization, a proposal to sell a group of properties drew significant attention.

A proposal to sell the convention-owned Baptist Student Union building at Virginia Commonwealth University to the school inspired the most disagreement. The chair of a convention task force charged with studying the feasibility of maintaining all of Virginia Baptists' BSU properties said the building's liabilities outweigh its assets.

The motion to sell the BSU building ultimately passed, although it was amended to reflect that it was authorizing Virginia Baptist Mission Board officials to sell it rather than demanding they do so.

In addition, messengers approved a $14.4 million budget for 2005, a slight increase over the 2004 budget of $14.3 million. Virginia Baptists have three different giving plans–one that supports traditional Southern Baptist Convention causes, a second that includes support for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and other entities outside the SBC, and a third that allows individual churches to customize their giving plans.

In the second budget option, messengers approved a proposal that increased the percentage funding of the BWA in 2005 and reduced the percentage going to the SBC's International Mission Board. The Southern Baptist Convention voted to withdraw from BWA earlier this year, leaving the BGAV as the group's single largest funding entity, according to BGAV Executive Director John Upton.

The change would not alter the giving to SBC causes through the convention's traditional plan.

In addition, messengers approved–with little dissent–a motion to apply for full membership in BWA. BGAV has provided the organization with funding without requesting membership.

Messengers also elected three new convention officers and re-elected a fourth. All ran unopposed.

Richard Smith of Vienna, Va., was elevated to president from the convention's first vice president position. Smith is an attorney and a member at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, near Washington, D.C. He succeeds Don Davidson, pastor of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Danville.

Bert Browning, pastor of Huguenot Road Baptist Church in Richmond, was elected the convention's first vice president.

For the second vice president position, messengers elected Mark Croston as the BGAV's first African-American officer. Croston is pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk. Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond President Tom Graves said Croston's election was “an historic and long-overdue moment for Virginia Baptists,” adding it was time “to proclaim that the Civil War is over.”

The convention's 2005 annual meeting will take place Nov. 10-11 in Woodbridge, near Washington.

Posted: 11/12/04

CYBERCOLUMN:
Blessed rest

By John Duncan

I’m sitting her under the old oak tree, thinking of rest. Augustine once said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” I wonder if Augustine needed rest when he wrote those words.

As a pastor, I hear the words “I’m tired” as much as I ever have heard them. I am beginning to wonder if a persistent weariness circulates mysteriously like a virus, silently encircling the earth.

Baptists notoriously know how to fill up a calendar with “busy-ness.” Baptists schedule enough stuff to make them feel like marathon runners near the end of a race.

In “Painted House,” author John Grisham affirms the Baptist reputation for busy schedules and saintly weariness. He writes: “Nobody met as much as us Baptists. We took great pride in constant worship. Pearl Watson, my favorite Methodist, said she’d like to be Baptist, but that she just wasn’t physically able.”

Here under the old oak, tree I find myself thinking about rest. What does the Bible say?

Joseph desired to rest and be buried with his fathers (Genesis 47:30). Exodus spoke of a Sabbath rest when all work ceased (Exodus 34:21). God told the people of Israel, “My presence will go with you and give you rest.” (Exodus 34:20). God gave rest from enemies, a long, hard nap on a pillow after a hard-fought war (Dueteronomy 25:19). Even the land deserved rest from war (Joshua 14:15). Such rest called for praise to God from his people (1 Kings 8:56). Job lamented, much like many people today, “I have no peace; no quietness; I have no rest, only turmoil.” Was Job trying to put three toddlers down for a midday nap?

The psalmist acknowledged, “My soul finds rest in God alone” (Psalm 62:1). He picturesquely described God as a bird spreading her wings over her young to protect, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

Isaiah thundered, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust in your strength” (Isaiah 30:16). Jeremiah spoke of a battle and a sword, asking, “How long till you rest?” (Jeremiah 47:6). Ezekiel gently wafted a verbal blessing, “May a blessing rest on your household” (Ezekiel 44:30).

Jesus rested on a pillow in a boat dead center in the Sea of Galilee in the midst of a storm. The winds and waves seemed not to bother him. The disciples, though, that was another story. They panicked, immediately woke up Jesus, and pondered their possible deaths in wide-eyed fear. “Peace be still,” Jesus spoke, ending the chaos and calming the storm. Jesus gives rest. That is what he does best. He later invited us into his rest, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:30).

So, here I am under the old oak tree. All this “rest” talk makes me weary. I think I’ll clean the acorns and lay my head on a few leaves and take a nap. Hey, maybe, I will live to the ripe old age of 100. Recently I read where 100-year-old B.C. Watts, a man who voted in 19 presidential elections, said the key to his long life was his nap every afternoon.

As for you, Robert Frost puts it best: “It’s rest I want—there, I have said it out—/From cooking meals for hungry hired men/And washing dishes after them—from doing/Things over and over that just won’t stay done.”

The undone creates restlessness.

While thinking of the injustice in the world, the poet Langston Hughes appropriately lamented, “Jesus, ain’t you tired yet?”

All in all, our Lord never faints nor is weary. He gives rest (Isaiah 40:31). For this, I am eternally grateful. Thanksgiving blessings of rest to each of you.

John Duncan is pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas, and the writer of numerous articles in various journals and magazines