Secretary of State describes crisis in Darfur as ‘genocide’_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

Secretary of State describes crisis in Darfur as 'genocide'

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–In the Bush administration's most powerful statement to date on the situation in the troubled Sudanese province of Darfur, Secretary of State Colin Powell told a Senate committee that black Africans were being subjected to “genocide” in the region–and the Arab-controlled government in Khartoum shared responsibility.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

DBU SWAT team_92004

Posted: 9/17/04 DBU SWAT team Dallas Baptist University incoming freshmen Amber Smith (left) and Lacey Scarborough help transfer boxes of toys to the Mission Arlington Christmas Store, where the toys…

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

Same song, second verse for disaster relief volunteers in hurricane season_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

Same song, second verse for disaster
relief volunteers in hurricane season

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

For Baptist disaster relief workers, the second verse is much like the first.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

DOWN HOME: Small-car-proof what’s important_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

DOWN HOME:
Small-car-proof what's important

“Well, I could've bought you a stronger sunglasses case,” Joanna said, handing me something like a black cocoon with a zipper.

“This should be just fine,” I told her, unzipping the case and testing my sunglasses–the new sunglasses she bought me for my birthday–to see how they fit.

True confession: I have a weakness for two luxuries–shoes and glasses.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: ’04 decisions will impact decades_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

EDITORIAL:
'04 decisions will impact decades

2004 will get a dog-eared and tattered page in Texas Baptist history books. Generations from now, our descendants will pore over these months, evaluating their impact on all that follows.

Next week, the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board will consider the most significant reorganization of the BGCT in at least five decades. The board will act on new mission, vision, values and priority statements that place the health and vitality of local churches at the center of everything the convention does. It will vote on governance proposals that drastically reduce the size of the BGCT's rambling decision-making apparatus and make the convention more accountable to the churches. And it will review strategies that will outline how the convention will serve churches to make them stronger so they can bring people to Christ and minister in Jesus' name.

If the Executive Board approves, then messengers to the BGCT annual session this fall will vote their approval or disapproval. And if the messengers ratify the changes, BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade will begin the vital task of assigning staff to new responsibilities and allocating budget dollars to make it all happen.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: Contest: Care for the poor_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

EDITORIAL:
Contest: Care for the poor

Like the tides, phases of the moon and the Texas Rangers' inevitable September nosedive, some events are predictable.

Take the responses that arrive every time an editorial calls on Texas Baptists to advocate government support for poor people. Say restoring funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Or helping the elderly and chronically ill with their prescription costs. Or maybe ensuring a basic level of education for all children, no matter where they or their parents were born.

Some responses are worse than others. Nobody these days enjoys being called a socialist. Most Christians don't appreciate their faith being called into question.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

Six BGCT-related schools post increases in fall enrollment; three universities show drop_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

Six BGCT-related schools post increases in
fall enrollment; three universities show drop

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

Six schools affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas reported student enrollment increases this fall.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

Reorganization will help BGCT meet Texas churches’ needs, leaders agree_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

Reorganization will help BGCT meet
Texas churches' needs, leaders agree

By Marv Knox

Editor

Reorganization of the Baptist General Convention of Texas is long overdue, BGCT leaders agree, but they predict the changes will enable the BGCT to improve its ability to meet the needs of Texas Baptist churches.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

Executive Board will consider streamlining BGCT governance_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

Executive Board will consider streamlining BGCT governance

By Marv Knox

Editor

A streamlined Baptist General Convention of Texas decision-making structure and an emphasis on accountability are the key ingredients in a historic proposal to reorganize the convention.

09/16/2004 - By John Rutledge

Group accuses two churches of endorsing Democratic candidates_92004

Posted: 9/10/04

Group accuses two churches
of endorsing Democratic candidates

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—A religious-liberty group often accused of attacking conservative churches for political activity has criticized two progressive Baptist congregations for Democratic advocacy.

09/10/2004 - By John Rutledge

‘Uncle Charlie’ leading Ugandan orphans to Christ_92004

Posted: 9/10/04

'Uncle Charlie' leading Ugandan orphans to Christ

By Leann Callaway

Special to the Baptist Standard

Five years ago, musician Charlie Bancroft picked up a nickname while on a mission trip to Uganda, and it’s stuck with him.

09/10/2004 - By John Rutledge

Floaters puzzled but happy with free water ministry on Guadalupe River_92004

Posted: 9/10/04

'Tubers' puzzled but happy with
free water ministry on Guadalupe River

By Craig Bird

Special to the Baptist Standard

CANYON LAKE—Every summer, the Guadalupe River becomes an international waterway. Mike Bates thinks that makes it a prime location to tell folks about a God who loves the whole world.

09/10/2004 - By John Rutledge