• Request for church directories may have violated IRS rules_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Request for church directories
  may have violated IRS rules

  By Daniel Burke

  Religion News Service

  WASHINGTON (RNS)–On the same day the Bush-Cheney campaign asked churches to host a “coffee/pot luck dinner,” Internal Revenue Service officials said handing over a congregation's membership list could violate federal regulations.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  America’s Junior Miss cites vital Christian faith as her source of strength_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  America's Junior Miss cites vital
  Christian faith as her source of strength

  By Chris Otts

  Religion News Service

  MOBILE, Ala. (RNS)–Some parents have trouble trying to tote young children to church. But young Shannon Essenpreis helped get her family focused on faith.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Texas Baptist Forum_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
  Editor should join 'outfit'

  I received my July 12 Baptist Standard the other day, and it seems the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has taken over our editor and the Baptist Standard.

  I would suggest that you resign and join that outfit. Don't drag Texas Baptists down with you.

  E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com

  The Bible says that in the latter days, there will be a falling away of the elite. I see it happening.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Funny paper provides serious path to learning how to read, author says_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Funny paper provides serious path to
  learning how to read, author says

  By Mary Crouch

  BGCT Summer Intern

  WACO–The funny pages offer a serious gateway to literacy, author Glenda Reese believes.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• New Literacy ConneXus encourages ministry_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  New Literacy ConneXus encourages ministry

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  WACO–Literacy ConneXus, a ministry to encourage churches to reach people by teaching them to read and write, has been launched by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Missions Equipping Center and Baylor University.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Innovative literacy program offers hope to Waco families_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  A volunteer teaches adults to read and write through an innovative family literacy program co-sponsored by Baylor University.

  Innovative literacy program offers hope to Waco families

  By Sarah Farris

  BGCT Summer Intern

  WACO–The words “Yes You Can, Si Se Puede” frame a large wall at Cesar Chavez Middle School in Waco.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Malpractice crisis limits care for patients in free clinics_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Malpractice crisis limits care for patients in free clinics

  By Kirsten Pasha

  Associated Baptist Press

  WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (ABP)–High-priced malpractice insurance, which is prompting many physicians across the country to reduce their practices or leave the field, also is limiting health care for patients who use free and Christian-operated clinics.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Judiciary committee sends Marriage Protection Act of 2004 to House floor_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Judiciary committee sends Marriage
  Protection Act of 2004 to House floor

  By Robert Marus

  Associated Baptist Press

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–The same day a gay-marriage ban failed to move forward in the Senate, a different approach to opposing same-sex nuptials passed a House committee.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Churches minister to isolated Mexican Indians_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Churches minister to isolated Mexican Indians

  By Ferrell Foster

  Texas Baptist Communications

  GUAGUACHIQUE, Mexico–Three Texas churches have their mission eyes looking steadily southward, and they've banded together to reach a people group that years ago fled to the isolation of Mexico's mountains.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  STEVE MUNSON: Frontline ministry_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Chaplain Steve Munson, pastor of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Fort Worth, conducts an outdoor worship service in Iraq during his 14-month tour of duty. He served as chaplain to the 607th Military Police Battalion.

  STEVE MUNSON:
  Frontline ministry

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  FORT WORTH–Steve Munson doesn't feel comfortable in his bed just yet, but his pulpit fits fine.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  New churches most effective in reaching people for Christ, experts insist_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  New churches most effective in
  reaching people for Christ, experts insist

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  The need for more congregations can be summed up in several ways, but the bottom line is new churches mean more people come to know Christ, according to Texas Baptist leaders.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  New Orleans Seminary trustees will weigh sole membership alternatives_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  New Orleans Seminary trustees will
  weigh sole membership alternatives

  NEW ORLEANS (BP)–New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees apparently will weigh alternatives to sole membership during their October meeting, according to comments by the trustee chairman reported in the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper.

  Messengers to the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis voted this summer to ask seminary trustees to adopt sole membership. Sole membership seeks to clarify–in legal language–that the convention owns all of its entities.

  The other five seminaries previously have adopted sole membership, as have the North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and Annuity Board.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge