Micah Challenge sets goal of cutting worldwide poverty in half by 2015_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

Micah Challenge sets goal of cutting
worldwide poverty in half by 2015

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

NEW YORK (ABP)–Christian leaders from around the world are launching a major anti-poverty initiative this month in New York City with an ambitious goal–to cut worldwide poverty in half by 2015.

The campaign–named the Micah Challenge after the Old Testament prophet of justice–represents more than 3 million congregations worldwide and 260 Christian relief and development organizations, including the Baptist World Alliance and Baptist World Aid.

But those groups don't plan to fight poverty alone, said Michael Smitheram of England, international coordinator for the Micah Challenge.

Instead, they are “calling on their (political) leaders to live up to a promise they have already made,” Smitheram said.

He referred to the United Nations-approved Millennium Development Goals, adopted by the U.N.'s member countries in 2000. Those eight goals represent “kind of a benign framework (Christians) can get behind,” he said.

“We're not asking them to get into an argument” over which anti-poverty strategies are best, he added.

Central in the international strategy is canceling the debts of Third World countries and eliminating trade inequities, Smitheram said. But even that won't be enough to cut poverty in half, he said.

It will require commitment to all eight U.N.-adopted goals–eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

The Micah Challenge was initiated by the Micah Network, an association of 260 Christian relief and development organizations, which recognized the need to “become more involved at the political level to support what they are doing on the ground,” Smitheram said.

The network sought the help of the World Evangelical Alliance, the primary international network of evangelical churches.

The Micah Challenge was slated to make its international debut at a ceremony and press conference at the United Nations in New York Oct. 15–coinciding with the U.N. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Smitheram said the objective is to get the attention of the international Christian media.

Scheduled participants included Njongonkulu Ndungane, archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa; Katherine Marshall of the World Bank; Salil Shetty of the United Nations Millennium Campaign; and Christian leaders from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe.

Within days of the New York debut, national campaigns will be launched in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Peru and the United Kingdom. Campaigns are forming in nine other countries, including the United States, Smitheram said.

Progress in the United States has been slow, he acknowledged.

“What we tend to have in the United States is parts of the evangelical church that are well used to being involved in social action,” he said, naming several Baptist and Mennonite groups, “but then there is an enormous amount of evangelical Christians who are reticent to be involved in multinational (social) efforts.”

The Baptist World Alliance, through its General Council, endorsed the Micah Challenge in August, calling Christians to take “prayerful, practical action in their nations and communities” and to hold their nations and global leaders “accountable in securing a more just and merciful world.”

So far, however, the National Association of Evangelicals, the largest U.S. evangelical network, has declined to sign on to the Micah Challenge, although its humanitarian arm, World Relief, is involved.

The National Association of Evangelicals “is broadly supportive of the Micah Challenge, but they're not looking for a leadership role,” Smitheram said.

“There's lots and lots of interest in the United States,” he continued.

“We're just taking our time, trying to create the best campaign we can. It's just going slowly.”

The group is trying to enlist 25 million Christians worldwide to endorse the movement through its Web site, www.micahchallenge.org.

“If we can get something that grows from underneath, maybe the leaders will take a more active role,” Smitheram said.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




New NAMB church-starting guidelines won’t impact BGCT, officials maintain_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

New NAMB church-starting guidelines
won't impact BGCT, officials maintain

DALLAS–Guidelines adopted by the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board that require members of new churches to affirm biblical inerrancy and male-only deacons will not impact church-starting efforts funded through the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Executive Director Charles Wade insists.

“Texas Baptists have their eyes firmly set on a path that leads to hundreds of new churches in coming years,” Wade said. “Our church starters will continue to help open congregation doors under the same standards and requirements that we have used for years.”

Mission board trustees voted Oct. 6 to approve a 34-page document titled “Ecclesiological Guidelines to Inform Southern Baptist Church Planters.”

"Our church starters will continue to help open congregation doors under the same standards and requirements that we have used for years."

—BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade

As a detailed interpretation of Scripture and Baptist church polity, it adds a new layer of requirements beyond the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement.

“Church-planting strategies and endeavors must be conducted in such a way that they are obedient and submitted to the New Testament for faith and practice as well as committed to Baptist ecclesiology as stated in the Baptist Faith & Message 2000,” the guidelines state.

The guidelines indicate new congregations should have a covenant that members can agree upon as a condition for membership.

“Covenants are based upon and must reflect biblical principles,” the guidelines state. “Although they may state the various beliefs and convictions of the congregation, the covenant of a Baptist church must minimally affirm three things–the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the church and its members; the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of the Bible; and the membership of the church consisting only of regenerate persons who have professed their faith in believer's baptism by immersion.”

Written by Stan Norman, associate professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, the document was affirmed by the deans of the SBC's six seminaries and by two seminary presidents, Paige Patterson of Southwestern and Phil Roberts of Midwestern Baptist Theological seminaries.

Ken Hall, president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, criticized the new guidelines.

“This act saddens me and further breaks my heart that Southern Baptist agencies and institutions are continuing to move away from historic Baptist positions,” said Hall, president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences in Dallas.

“I am thrilled that the BGCT and other free Baptists are focused on reaching a lost world and strengthening the work of local churches.”

The BGCT will not require adherence to the mission board's guidelines, Wade said.

“It is important to remember that churches start churches–not agencies or conventions. The BGCT works with established Bible-believing churches that maintain theological standards for the new churches they plant. We are committed to kingdom enterprises that will spread the good news of salvation through Christ to everyone.”

Each state Baptist convention requests funding from NAMB for church-starting projects. The BGCT will not request funds from NAMB that require church planters to compromise their convictions by affirming the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message, said E.B. Brooks, coordinator of the BGCT's church missions and evangelism section.

Compiled from reports by Associated Baptist Press and Texas Baptist Communications

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




On the Move_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

On the Move

Dwight Foster has resigned as pastor of Primera Iglesia in Goliad.

bluebull Greg Horn to Bois D'Arc Creek Cowboy Church in Fannin County as interim pastor.

bluebull Jerry Hutchings has resigned as pastor of Oaklawn Church in Texarkana.

bluebull Josh Lockett to Independence Church in Brenham as youth director.

bluebull Bill Louthan has resigned as worship leader at First Church in Midlothian.

bluebull Patrick McCrory to Kingsland Church in Katy as minister to youth from First Church in Garland.

bluebull Daryl Mize has resigned as pastor of Mount Pleasant Church in Kosse.

bluebull Darrell Paulk to New Hebron Church in Waskom as pastor.

bluebull Enrique Perez has resigned as pastor of Primera Iglesia in Giddings.

bluebull Tim Ramsey to Tanglewood Church in Lexington as pastor.

bluebull Lupe Rando to New Life Church in Vernon as pastor from Primera Iglesia in Cameron.

bluebull Tim Reed to First Church in Bloomburg as pastor from First Church in Redwater, where he was minister of music/associate pastor.

bluebull Sonny Riley has resigned as pastor of Henry Prairie Church in Franklin.

bluebull Danny Simmons has resigned as minister of music/youth at Oaklawn Church in Texarkana.

bluebull Sean Taylor to First Church in Marlin as minister of youth and children.

bluebull Jose Torres to Second Church in Marshall as associate pastor of Hispanic ministry.

bluebull Phillip Vogelsang to Battetown Church in Cameron as minister of youth and music.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Poll: Good news, bad news for U.S. Muslims_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

Poll: Good news, bad news for U.S. Muslims

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–A new survey commissioned by an Islamic civil-rights group offers both good news and bad for American Muslims.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations released the nationwide poll of 1,000 respondents showing, among other things, nearly one-fourth of those surveyed held a negative stereotype of Muslims.

In addition, from 26 percent to 29 percent of people interviewed agreed with one or more of a set of negative assertions about Muslims, such as “Muslims teach their children to hate.”

And 32 percent of all interviewees, when asked what comes to mind when they hear the word “Muslim,” responded with a negative image. Only 2 percent responded with a positive image. The remaining 67 percent were neutral.

However, the council's poll also showed 67 percent of Americans believe Islamic terrorists are abusing the faith's teachings, and 47 percent agreed American Muslims were cooperating in the war against terrorism. Only 21 percent of respondents disagreed with that assertion. But half of the respondents said Muslims were not doing enough to condemn terrorism, while 46 percent disagreed with that statement.

Council officials said they commissioned the study–conducted between June 23 and July 2–after releasing a civil-rights report in May that showed hate crimes against Muslims increased nationwide each year since Sept. 11, 2001.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Teens choose friends over ministers in making ethical choices, poll says_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

Teens choose friends over ministers
in making ethical choices, poll says

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Teenagers who want help making ethical decisions are about six times more likely to seek out their friends than to ask a minister for guidance, a poll shows.

Eighty-three percent of teens said they would turn to their friends for help in making such choices, followed by their parents (68 percent), teachers (27 percent), the Internet (24 percent) and clergy (14 percent).

The poll also showed that almost one-third of teens surveyed think they have to “bend the rules to succeed.”

A smaller percentage–20 percent–gave that answer in a similar poll last year.

Harris Interactive conducted the poll for Junior Achievement, an organization focused on educating young people about business, and Deloitte & Touche, a major accounting firm.

“These poll results indicate that teens are getting mixed messages, so we continue to believe that ethics education must begin early, during formative years,” said James Quigley, chief executive officer of Deloitte & Touche.

The survey of 624 students was drawn from a larger Harris Interactive poll conducted by e-mail, and it was weighted demographically to represent the nation. Conducted during the summer, it has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




BGCT leaders maintain proposed changes won’t narrow participation_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

BGCT leaders maintain proposed
changes won't narrow participation

By Marv Knox

Editor

Reorganization of the Baptist General Convention of Texas would not “narrow the tent” of participation, BGCT leaders insisted.

The proposal is part of a yearlong process to chart the convention's course well into the 21st century. If approved, the BGCT would undergo its most significant change in about 50 years.

The BGCT Executive Board overwhelmingly approved a set of mission, vision, values and priority statements at its regularly scheduled fall meeting Sept. 28. But board members asked for more time to consider reorganizing the convention's structure. They will take up that issue in a called meeting Oct. 26 in Dallas.

Click map for larger PDF image
This tentative map, based on information in the 2003 Annual Church Profile data, shows proposed sectors. The map is an example of how boundaries can be drawn. If the Executive Board and convention pass the proposed constitutional amendments, the sector boundaries will be drawn in a similar manner based on 2004 data. While 30 sectors have been discussed, the map shows 22. Some major metropolitan areas are subdivided to make the 30 sectors.

The reorganization would decrease the size of the Executive Board from 234 members to less than 100.

Currently, each of the BGCT's 114 affiliated associations has at least one member on the Executive Board. The new system would divide the state into 30 geographical sectors of 50,000 resident church members. Each sector would get three board members.

The reorganization also would eliminate the convention's two coordinating boards, which act as liaisons to the BGCT's schools and human-welfare ministries; its two commissions, which give direction to Executive Board staff programs; and the Administrative Committee, which serves as the convention's finance, personnel and review committee.

Those functions would be assigned to new Executive Board committees, which would meet for two days three times a year.

During the September Executive Board meeting, members expressed several concerns with and questions about the proposed reorganization. Several convention leaders addressed those issues in a post-meeting conference call:

bluebull Would reorganization “narrow the tent” of participation among Texas Baptists?

No, responded Wesley Shotwell, vice chairman of the Executive Board, a member of the team that drafted the reorganization documents and pastor of Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle.

“We need to change the paradigm of what it means to parti-cipate in the convention. Participation is not necessarily a function of governance,” he explained.

“Up to now, we've defined participation as serving on the Executive Board, a coordinating board, a commission or an institutional board. But participation should not be determined by how many people are involved in decision-making, but how many are involved in missions and ministry. We are broadening the tent by allowing Texas Baptists to be more involved in missions and ministry.”

Albert Reyes, the convention's first vice president and president of Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio, agreed.

“By restructuring, we have an opportunity to create new possibilities for participation,” he said. “We will redefine what it means to participate.”

Another avenue to participation is involvement in BGCT institutions, Reyes added.

“There are plenty of opportunities to participate in leadership roles in the 23 institutions affiliated with the BGCT,” he said. “Plus, Texas Baptists will be able to serve on advisory councils and development councils,” which will provide specialized guidance but not governance oversight to convention work.

“Most institutional leaders would welcome folks who might not have access to governance. Institutions also are easier to plug into. They're spread throughout the state. People can participate with institutions close to where they live.”

"Participation should not be determined by how many people are involved in decision-making, but how many are involved in missions and ministry. We are broadening the tent by allowing Texas Baptists to be more involved in missions and ministry."
—Wesley Shotwell, vice chairman, BGCT Executive Board

Texas Baptists need to remember governance is merely a means to an end, stressed Bob Fowler, chairman of the BGCT Administrative Committee and a lay member of South Main Baptist Church in Houston.

“We're not restructuring the convention for the benefit of the governance, but we're restructuring the governance so the convention will work better,” Fowler said.

“The object of the convention is not to get people to participate in governance, but to involve them in missions and ministries. … The governance helps it happen.”

bluebull How will ethnic involvement be impacted by reorganization?

John Ogletree, the Executive Board's chairman and pastor of First Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston, noted the new structure actually should ensure more representative involvement.

“Even though the Executive Board will be smaller, it will be more inclusive,” he said. For example, members of the convention's nominating committee will be able to set goals for including Hispanic, African-American and Asian-American representation that actually reflect those groups' proportion of the convention.

“Our representation from 30 sectors allows us to be more inclusive of ethnics than ever before,” Shotwell said. “One of the systemic problems we've had is the fact we have had representation from associations where it's impossible to get ethnic representation like we need. … We want to make it a policy that 30 percent of the Executive Board ought to be ethnic.”

Reorganization “gives us an opportunity to reflect the way our state is changing,” Reyes said. “It gives us an opportunity to witness that we are an inclusive group of Baptist Christians. We don't just talk about it; we do it. We will have a very bright future.”

bluebull Would rural areas of the state–such as West Texas–be under-represented in a reorganized Executive Board structure?

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade said he is encouraged by the distribution of Executive Board membership revealed on an early draft of a map that divides the state into the 30 sectors.

“When you look at the way these sectors fall out, the percentages of people who will be coming from the more rural areas are similar to the percentages now,” he said. “It's not exactly the same, and there is some reduction, but it is not significant.

“Obviously, the sectors reflect the urban population centers, but we've always had high representation from those areas.”

bluebull Could reorganization make selection of Executive Board members political?

The process for selection will not change, Shotwell said, noting, “The Executive Board membership still will be nominated to the convention by a nominating committee, just like now.”

BGCT President Ken Hall urged cautious realism in use of the word “political.”

“We always have been a people who used process to elect our leaders, whether it's board members, committees or officers,” said Hall, president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences. “There have always been people talking to each other, making decisions. I don't see that changing from what historically has gone on in the convention.

“Granted, at times we probably have gone to extremes. … But the way we will arrive at who will be our leaders will be the way we've always done it–through our people. Accountability increases confidence the process is working.”

Wade added: “The thing that has always protected us still will be in place. The president will act alongside the two vice presidents in all appointments, and the Executive Board chair will work in concert with the vice chair. So, what you have is input from a board that's elected by the convention and from officers who are elected every year.

“You get current reflection of where the convention is by its officers and a more time-tested view from the Executive Board, whose members may serve two three-year terms. This creates balance.

“It's important that we honor the messengers (to the annual sessions) and the right of the convention to make its decisions. The voice of the people can be heard.”

Hall pointed out the reorganization process itself illustrates a desire not to politicize. “We worked with the system currently in place,” he said. “We used our people–staff, volunteers, board members and officers. The Executive Board will have heard and considered three separate reports. From the beginning, we have reported to the people through the Baptist Standard. And the messengers to the convention will consider the proposals.”

bluebull What about the possibility of concentrating power in the Executive Board, since its committees will do the work currently managed by the coordinating boards, commissions and Administrative Committee?

“Under our current system, entities–such as the coordinating boards and commissions–that make decisions don't really have the responsibility for those decisions, and the Executive Board has the responsibility but does not have the opportunity to make informed decisions,” Shotwell said. “These changes will give the people with the responsibility the opportunity to make informed decisions.”

Ogletree agreed. “In the new structure, we'll have a more informed and involved Executive Board,” he said. “The accountability will sweep through the state.”

While the Executive Board will not “control” the BGCT's 20-plus institutions, Hall predicted, the proposed system would improve governance functions at all levels.

“Our current system is cumbersome. It allows for confusion that doesn't need to exist,” he said, noting it has functioned as well as it has because of the quality of leaders through the years. “To act quickly and appropriately, we need a system that is fine-tuned and efficient.”

Fowler affirmed that assessment, illustrating with the way the Administrative Committee and Executive Board currently interact.

“Although we're technically a committee of the Executive Board, we operate essentially independently in two ways–hiring and salary administration of the Executive Board staff and allocating discretionary spending outside the convention budget. …

“The Administrative Committee has taken on governance outside the Executive Board and has succeeded because we've had lots of good people working on this through the years. But in terms of the Executive Board's responsibility according to our governance documents, it has abdicated control to the Administrative Committee, which does not have legal responsibility.”

Shotwell noted the proposed reorganization will divide financial and personnel oversight. Separate finance and audit committees will deal with those issues, and a new executive committee will be responsible for personnel.

bluebull How can the Executive Board offer the level of oversight now provided by the two coordinating boards and the two commissions?

The current system is inconsistent, Hall noted, pointing out the Christian Education Coordinating Board provides some budget-setting guidance, while the Human Welfare Coordinating Board has “zero budgetary responsibility for the institutions.”

The organizational structure–which provides institutional oversight through an Executive Board committee, will bring consistency to the process, he predicted.

And a new two-day format for Executive Board meetings will provide the board's committees with more time for focus on the BGCT's institutions than the coordinating boards' meetings now offer, Shotwell and Wade said.

The expanded format also would strengthen the Executive Board, Wade added.

“We currently meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1 or 2 p.m. without lunch and only one break, and the members do not have an opportunity to get to know one another, to really understand the issues and to discuss them,” he described.

“Executive Board members are wonderful people. It is a testimony to their quality that they are willing to serve. But the opportunity they have to interact is very limited. These changes would correct that and create a better dynamic for governing and creative thinking as they have time to pray and talk with one another and plan for the future.”

The overall reduction in number of meetings also will benefit Executive Board staff, Shotwell said. “Instead of preparing for and going to meetings, they will be able to be in the field.”

bluebull What is the importance of reorganization to the convention's new mission, vision, values and priority statements?

“The better we can develop our governance model, the more effective we are going to be in fulfilling all we described in the statements,” Wade said. “To have the Executive Board organized to assist us will be invaluable.

“I don't want to suggest nothing will be done if we don't adopt this model. We will continue to work. But it does matter what we do.

“In the past, as we made statements and priorities, no one has been specifically charged with holding all of us accountable to get these things done.”

Hall noted accountability would be widespread. “It is extremely critical to note that this affords more accountability–not just to (Executive Board) staff, but to our institutions and all our constituencies. We're all more effective if we're accountable.”

bluebull Will the BGCT staff be reorganized and deployed, whatever the outcome of the governance vote?

“Yes,” Wade said.

bluebull How would the transition from one structure to the next occur?

“If the convention votes this, we will use the next year as a transition time,” Wade explained.

“All the coordinating boards and commissions will remain in place, but we will be working in the nominating process to prepare new recommendations. So, if the convention gives final approval in 2005, we will have prepared a list of the 90 members to be on our (reorganized) Executive Board, and we will conclude the work of the commissions and coordinating boards.

“We will institute, beginning in 2006, a new Executive Board and committee structure.

“While we cannot require anyone to resign from the Executive Board, if current members wish not to resign and have terms to complete, we will honor that. But we will institute the new constitution upon its adoption,” at the conclusion of the 2005 BGCT annual session.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




African-American Christian women urged to intercede for the nation_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

African-American Christian women
urged to intercede for the nation

HOUSTON–College student Andrea Punch grew up believing missionaries were white-haired women serving God in Asia. That stereotype vanished this summer when Punch became a missionary in Cuba.

Punch, a student at Baylor University, spoke during the first Sisters Who Care conference for African-American women, held recently at First Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston.

She challenged participants to go home and get busy, because God has called each of them to be missionaries wherever they live.

Debra Berry

The challenge to engage in missions came from a variety of speakers during the conference sponsored by Woman's Missionary Union of Texas.

But the women didn't just talk about missions, conference organizers noted. They brought items and filled hundreds of “hygiene kits” for people in need.

The kits will be distributed through Houston Baptist missions centers; Gracewood, a ministry of Texas Baptist Family Services in Houston; Miracle Farm; the Seaman's Center in Freeport; and Christian Women's Job Corps.

Seminar leader Debra Berry insisted African-American women need to stand in the gap and intercede for a nation “under siege.”

Berry, national WMU consultant for Sisters Who Care, compared Christians' behavior today to Nehemiah of the Old Testament. When told of Israel's destruction, Nehemiah fasted and prayed.

Berry challenged women to return to the first commandment and love the Lord with all their being and love their neighbor as themselves.

“We are falling short of the commandment of God” when the United States is the third- largest recipient of missionaries and when women head 50 percent of African-American households, she said.

“When men aren't there, we must stand.”

If women fast and pray, “I believe God can fix our situation,” Berry insisted. “What Nehemiah did when he heard of the state of his nation is a lesson to us. … Ask the Lord to break your heart for the broken world. And stand on his promises.”

The Sisters Who Care conference drew 300 women from 51 churches across Texas.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Texas Baptist Men hope disastrous season is winding down_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

Texas Baptist Men hope
disastrous season is winding down

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Texas Baptist Men's disastrous fall finally is starting to slow down.

After months of nonstop disaster relief in Florida and Alabama, Texas Baptist Men volunteers are beginning to pull out as the need for assistance wanes. The last emergency food-service unit left Florida Oct. 13. Other units will end their service soon, but teams may be called in to help with the cleaning effort.

“The wrap-up is going to be a long process,” said Leo Smith, the group's executive director. “We're going to be in and out on smaller jobs.”

As Texas Baptist Men teams move out of the area, Florida and Alabama Baptists will continue relief efforts. They will call upon other state conventions when deemed necessary.

TBM mobilized several hundred volunteers for ministry following a series of hurricanes that blasted all of Florida and portions of Alabama.

The workers were part of a widespread effort coordinated by the Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board, which activated Christian volunteers who prepared more than 3 million meals.

This effort tested the coordinating agencies involved. Volunteers were moved in and out of the state several times as storms came and went.

This series of trials pressed the American Red Cross and the North American Mission Board, both of which were in transition. TBM's disaster relief fund was drained.

Smith praised the volunteers for their eagerness to serve and for their flexibility.

Texas Baptists played a wide range of roles in making the relief effort happen.

"The thing that always grips my heart is the people of Texas who work with Texas Baptist Men were willing to go," he said. "Sometimes they would wash their clothes and be ready to go again. It shows a will that is hard to break."

The Texas Baptist Men office continues to receive notes from people in Florida who appreciate the volunteers' ministry, he noted.

The workers' faith in action will serve as an example for many who saw them for a long time, Smith added.

“I think that's a message that will ring far and true,” he said.

To support this effort, send checks designated “disaster relief” to Texas Baptist Men, 333 N. Washington Ave., Dallas 75246.

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Texas Baptist volunteers continue ministry to hurricane victims in Grenada_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

Texas volunteers join in prayer with Christians in Grenada before leaving Grand Anse Baptist Church to serve in various areas of the island.

Texas Baptist volunteers continue
ministry to hurricane victims in Grenada

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada–Texas Baptist Men's disaster relief ministry may be nearing its end in Florida, but it is in full swing on the island of Grenada.

Working with Victim Relief Ministries, Texas Baptist Men volunteers are cooking meals with turkey fryers at 10 churches across Grenada. The plan is for those sites to draw people who are seeking food. Victim relief chaplains and counselors will then be available to help as needed.

Eventually, nearly 40 workers will train residents to use the fryers so they can provide the meals. Residents also will be able to use the food Victim Relief Ministries shipped to Grenada.

Larry Burks (left) of First Baptist Church in Plano and Gene Grounds, director of Victim Relief Ministries, offer Christian compassion to a girl at Grand Anse Baptist Church in St. George's, Grenada. (Rex Campbell Photo)

Hurricane Ivan damaged 90 percent of the buildings on the Caribbean island, including two Baptist churches that lost their roofs. The kitchen and pastor's office in one of those churches was destroyed as well.

The needs remain great, said Jason Smith, a chaplain from Lake Pointe Baptist Church in Rockwall. Grenadines devoured 300 meals in less than 20 minutes.

Paul Newton, pastor of Glorious Church in Grenada, said Grenadines are thankful for the much-needed assistance that is helping people across the island.

“We are very grateful,” he said. “It will assist both the church members and people in the community who don't have food. One of the things that has happened, though the food has been coming in, the distribution of it has been slow.”

Because the Texans' ministry is reaching such a broad audience, Vonnia James of the Grenada Baptist Association hopes many people will come to know Christ as Savior through this effort.

Volunteers are meeting needs and sharing Christ's love, he said.

“I see this as big evangelism,” he said. “We will get some people to talk and share the gospel in a time when they need it.”

Albert Fuller of First Baptist Church in Plano said he is in Grenada in hopes of helping hurting people while strengthening local congregations.

“We believe in God and trust him,” Fuller said. “Ivan came through here, and we're here to care for his people.”

For more information, visit www.helpgrenada.com.

Rex Campbell of Texas Baptist Communications contributed to this article.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Court hears cases concerning display of Ten Commandments_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

Court hears cases concerning
display of Ten Commandments

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–The Supreme Court has agreed to wade into one of the day's most explosive church-state issues–whether displays of the Ten Commandments on public buildings ever can be constitutional.

The justices consented last week to hear appeals arising from conflicting lower-court decisions in two Ten Commandments cases.

In Van Orden vs. Perry, a Texas resident is challenging a lower court's ruling from late 2003. In it, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that a massive granite Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol in Austin did not violate the First Amendment's ban on government establishment of religion.

In that ruling, Judge Patrick Higginbotham, writing for the court, said the commandments monument had a secular purpose in teaching about the history of the development of the state's legal system and could not be viewed by a reasonable observer as an endorsement of religion.

“Even those who would see the Decalogue as wise counsel born of man's experience rather than as divinely inspired religious teaching cannot deny its influence upon the civil and criminal laws of this country,” Higginbotham wrote.

He also noted the monument's long history–it had been donated to the state more than 40 years ago by the Fraternal Order of Eagles–and its placement amid other monuments on the building's grounds emphasized its secular importance.

“We are not persuaded that a reasonable viewer touring the Capitol and its grounds, informed of its history and its placement, would conclude that the state is endorsing the religious rather than the secular message of the Decalogue,” he said.

In the second case, McCreary County, Ky., vs. ACLU, a divided panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found in late 2003 that much newer Ten Commandments displays in courthouses and a school district in three Kentucky counties violated the First Amendment.

The majority of the justices said the displays were not erected with a sufficiently secular purpose and that they appeared to endorse religion, even though they had later been modified to incorporate legal and historical documents beyond the commandments.

These cases mark the first time since 1980 that the high court has dealt with the issue of Ten Commandments displays on government property.

That year, the court decided Stone vs. Graham, in which they found unconstitutional a Kentucky law requiring public schools to post the commandments on the walls of each classroom.

Since then, the lower federal courts have developed a hodge-podge of rules on allowing Ten Commandments displays in public settings–with some displays found acceptable when they were included as a part of a larger exhibit on the development of Western law and some displays found unconstitutional.

The Texas and Kentucky cases provide an opportunity for the justices to break new ground in legal definitions of what sorts of religious displays can be allowed on government property.

According to one Baptist advocate of church-state separation, the case could also lead the court to clarify a test it has used in similar cases in the past–whether a “reasonable observer” would surmise from a display that the state was endorsing a particular kind of religious belief.

“The case has the potential to clarify the lines of what is acceptable, and to reaffirm the 'reasonable-observer' standard for deciding government endorsement of religion,” said Holly Hollman, general counsel for the Washington-based Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

Nonetheless, she added, government displays of religious texts are fraught with danger.

“We should be more concerned with following the Ten Commandments rather than merely posting them on government property,” Hollman said. “To display them in a courthouse and hope for the best seems to be a poor strategy for promoting religious values.”

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Texas Tidbits_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

Texas Tidbits

Child care offered for BGCT. Free child care will be provided for out-of-town messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting Nov. 8-9 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Care for young children–infants through 5–will be offered on-site in Ballroom A by the Texas Baptist Men Child Care Unit. The unit is licensed and certified by the state, and all workers have passed training courses and criminal background checks. The service will be offered Monday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the times are 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Parents will be responsible for their children's meals, but snacks will be served during their stay. For reservations, contact Tracy Barber, TBM childcare director, by Oct. 29 at (972) 782-8418 or tracy@bartandtracy.com. A registration packet will be mailed to parents.

Resolutions requested. Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting who wish to present resolutions for consideration are encouraged to submit the resolution in writing prior to the convention, said Dan Treviño, chair of the resolutions committee. The deadline for submitting resolutions at the convention is 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8. But to allow adequate consideration by the committee and because of printing deadlines to include the resolutions in Tuesday's convention Bulletin, Treviño encourages early submission. Resolutions must be signed by an elected messenger, with church name included. Proposed resolutions may be submitted to Dan Treviño, Harlandale Baptist Church, Box 14278, San Antonio 78214.

Baylor honors Amarillo couple. Baylor University recently named Randy and Stacy Sharp of First Baptist Church in Amarillo as "parents of the year." The university recognized the Sharps during a halftime ceremony at a Baylor Bears football game during parents' weekend. The Sharps both graduated from Baylor, receiving their bachelor's degrees in business administration in 1976. Their eldest daughter, Meridith Sharp Genuchi, received her bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's of accountancy in 2002. Their other three children currently attend Baylor: Austin, a senior majoring in business and environmental studies; Troy, a junior business major; and McKay, a freshman business major.

McAllen church-starting office opens. The Baptist General Convention of Texas Church Multiplication Center has opened an office in McAllen, where consultant David Tamez will lead church-starting efforts along the border. Tamez can be reached in the office at (956) 578-0352. The office is located at 5003 N. McColl Road, Suite A, McAllen 78504.

Laity Institute moves. The Texas Baptist Laity Institute has moved its office into the Baptist Building in Dallas. The institute previously used free office space in buildings owned by Baylor Medical Center. The new address is 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246, the phone number is (214) 828-5174, and the e-mail address is linda.cross@bgct.org.

UMHB missions emphasis set. Heather Mercer, a mission worker in Afghanistan who was captured by the Taliban, will be on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus as part of missions emphasis week, Oct. 25-29, sponsored by UMHB Baptist Student Ministries. Justin Bullock, a student organizer for the event, said the week has been set up to give students as much exposure to missions as possible by allowing them to interact with missionaries in classrooms, at meals, in chapel, during Bible studies and other campus events. They include representatives from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and North American Mission Board, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions, WorldconneX, Wycliff Bible Translators and the American Baptist Board of International Missions. For more information, contact Shawn Shannon, director of Baptist Student Ministries, at (254) 295-4234.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




TOGETHER: Convention needs to be reorganized_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

TOGETHER:
Convention needs to be reorganized

This year, the Baptist General Convention of Texas has taken a close look at itself. We've looked at what we're doing and what we can, by the grace of God, do in the days and years to come.

It has been a productive process, leading to development of new statements regarding our mission, vision, values and priorities. These will guide us.

Those statements, however, will be worthless if we do not become more effective and intentional as a kingdom enterprise. With that in mind, in coming months we will restructure our staff and the way we do our work. Everything will be geared to serving churches better.

CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board

Churches do not exist so there can be a strong convention, associations or institutions. The convention, associations and institutions exist to help the churches be strong and effective in reaching and discipling people in their communities and in touching Texas and the world.

But reorganizing our staff is not our only need. While developing our guiding statements, it became clear we need to look at governance issues.

Since the time I served as an Executive Board member while a pastor, I have believed something needed to be different about the way we govern ourselves as a convention. My concerns were simple: First, the Executive Board was not involved directly in shaping proposals and recommendations that it was asked to vote upon. Second, the Executive Board was too large to allow for extensive discussion. Third, board members had little interaction with each other or with the Executive Board staff.

After I became executive director and worked closely with the Executive Board, I realized more fully the responsibility of the board for governance of convention work between annual meetings. Therefore, the Executive Board needed to be more involved in shaping the recommendations and policies they vote upon. They are the ones who must hold the executive director accountable for fulfilling the goals and carrying out the decisions of the Executive Board through the work of the staff.

In a time when the actions of boards of directors have gained increasing public attention and liability issues have grown, governance has become a very important and critical responsibility of the Executive Board. Thankfully, we always have had men and women of great integrity serving on the board and on the staff; and, so far as I know, we never have been put at risk.

We look, however, for a better way. A subcommittee of our Strategic Planning Committee has worked with me to propose a governance model that is both reflective of our Texas Baptist family and able to provide guidance and governance to the work of our great convention.

The Executive Board will consider this matter Oct. 26. If the board approves the constitutional changes required to bring a new governance model into being, then an amended constitution will be brought to the convention in San Antonio. If approved by a two-thirds majority, it will be brought again in 2005 to the convention for another vote, since it takes two years for changes to the constitution to be approved.

Please be in prayer for these important meetings of the board and the convention as we all seek God's will for how best to do his work. Challenging and exciting times are upon us. With God's direction and power, we will do things beyond our own imaginings.

We are loved.

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

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.