Senate overwhelmingly approves amendment that extends _62804

Posted: 6/25/04

Senate overwhelmingly approves amendment that extends
federal hate-crimes protection to include gays and lesbians

WASHINGTON (ABP)–By a large majority, the Senate voted to extend federal hate-crimes protections to homosexuals.

Senators voted 65-33 to add crimes based on a victim's real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability to the list of hate crimes that federal law-enforcement agents can investigate or assist local officials in investigating.

The move came as an amendment to the bill appropriating Department of Defense funding for 2005.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

Hendrick Health Systems selects new president to succeed Waters_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

Hendrick Health Systems selects
new president to succeed Waters

ABILENE–The Hendrick Health System board of trustees has named Tim Lancaster to succeed Michael Waters as president and chief executive officer.

Waters is slated to retire Nov. 1.

The board unanimously selected Lancaster, who has been chief executive officer of Brownwood Regional Medical Center since 1998, during a recent called meeting, said Chairman Scott Hibbs.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

Illusionist uses sleight-of-hand tricks as visual aids for gospel presentation_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

Illusionist uses sleight-of-hand tricks
as visual aids for gospel presentation

By Leann Callaway

Special to the Baptist Standard

FORT WORTH–For more than 20 years, Christian illusionist Bruce Chadwick has been cutting people in half or making them float in the air as illustrations for his sermons.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Baptist Forum_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Practice the pledge

As Southern Baptist Convention messengers voted to pull out of the Baptist World Alliance, our church was having Vacation Bible School.

Each day, I felt personal grief as we pledged: “I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands, one brotherhood, uniting all Christians, in service and love.”

I can remember as a child we said, “uniting all mankind,” but that was changed to “uniting all Christians.” Problem is, 'neath the banner of the cross, we can no longer even say, “uniting all Baptists.”

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

Immigration to Texas presents new opportunities for missions outreach_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

Immigration to Texas presents new
opportunities for missions outreach

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

The continuous influx of immigrants to Texas creates an avenue for churches to improve the lives of large numbers of people, according to observers familiar with immigration statistics.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

Missions partnerships build relationships, expand ministries_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

Missions partnerships build
relationships, expand ministries

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communication

Texas Baptists are expanding ministries through relationships fostered by the Texas Partnerships Resource Center of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

Subcommittee hears debate on religious expression_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

Subcommittee hears debate on religious expression

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Former judge Roy Moore and church-state expert Brent Walker squared off in a lively debate about religious expression and the First Amendment during recent testimony before a congressional subcommittee.

Moore, Walker and others testified before the Constitution subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Alabama officials removed Moore as chief justice of the state Supreme Court last year after he defied a federal judge's order to remove a Ten Commandments monument he had placed in the rotunda of the state judicial headquarters.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

On the Move_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

On the Move

Jerry Duffer has resigned as minister of worship/music at First Church in Friendswood to join a ministry in Botswana, Africa.

George Easter to New Hope Church in Vernon as pastor, where he had been minister of education.

Eric Emblem has resigned as minister to students at First Church in Friendswood.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

And the walls came tumbling down_62804

Posted: 6/25/04 And the walls came tumbling down Workers tear down the facilities of Ross Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas. An electrical fire charred much of the congregation' s historic…

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

African-American Southern Baptists examine their history_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

African-American Southern Baptists examine their history

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–Citing progress in minority representation and optimism toward racial inclusiveness, speakers at the annual African American Southern Baptist History Project said God is continuing to work among Southern Baptists.

Chronicling the growth of racial inclusiveness in the 16-million-member denomination, several speakers pointed to new growth since Southern Baptists became proactive about seeking change. The meeting at Gabriel Missionary Baptist Church was held prior to the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Indianapolis.

“The SBC's racial image is becoming more Christian as churches increasingly reflect the values of Christ toward other people groups,” said Sid Smith, director of the Florida Baptist Convention's African American ministries division.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

Bush assures Southern Baptists he will defend traditional view of marriage_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

Bush assures Southern Baptists he will
defend traditional view of marriage

By Steve DeVane

North Carolina Biblical Recorder

INDIANAPOLIS–President Bush promised messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting he would “defend the sanctity of marriage against activist courts.”

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay vice president announces departure; president to set retirement date early next year_62804

Posted: 6/25/04

LifeWay vice president announces departure;
president to set retirement date early next year

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)–Gene Mims, a key vice president at the Southern Baptist Convention's publishing house for 12 years, announced he is leaving to return to the pastorate.

06/25/2004 - By John Rutledge