Church van wrecks on mission trip_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Church van wrecks on mission trip

ENID, Okla.–Three men from Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville escaped serious injury when the van they were riding in flipped four times during a traffic accident April 26.

While only the three men were in the church's van at the time of the accident, about 20 members of the congregation made the trip to assist First Indian Baptist Church in Enid, Okla.

The adult team worked to repair the church's roof, paint and other renovation tasks during the day, while Pastor Riley Hamilton preached revival services Sunday evening through Wednesday.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

ANOTHER VIEW: What if Baptists loved each other_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

ANOTHER VIEW:
What if Baptists loved each other?

By Jim Furgerson

Recently I visited another state. The state Baptist paper was lying on the coffee table in the home where I stayed. I could not miss the lead story. A graph plotted the baptisms reported by Baptist churches in that state for the last 20 years. My heart hurt as I examined the numbers. The baptisms plateau, and then the graph starts a gradual decline to a 20-year low in 2003. Why?

The Baptists in this state have experienced a theological division that has caused several of their institutions to leave the state convention. These actions have led to several lawsuits, Baptists suing Baptists. Many Baptists have taken great pride in the fundamental stance the state convention has taken. At the same time, many have felt disenfranchised and thrown away.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Supreme Court declines appeal to military school prayer case_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Supreme Court declines appeal to military school prayer case

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–The Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to a lower court's ruling that outlawed mealtime prayers at a state-run military college.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

downhome_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

DOWN HOME:
We won't forget this Mom's Day

Sometimes, timing can be a real bummer.

Like Mother's Day this year. It's next Sunday, a couple of days after the spring semester ends at Hardin-Simmons University, where our oldest daughter, Lindsay, is wrapping up her sophomore year.

“That's terrific!” you might say. “School's getting out just in time for Lindsay to move home for the summer! Joanna should be thrilled! What a great Mother's Day present!”

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: So what Apathy poses incalculable danger to church_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

EDITORIAL:
So what? Apathy poses incalculable danger to church

“Those commercials drive me crazy,” my wife, Joanna, said the other night. I looked up in time to catch another frenzied attempt to convince us to annihilate the hordes of termites chomping away inside the walls of our home.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, count yourself blessed. Anti-termite commercials swarm through TV cables this time of year. They're almost as annoying and obnoxious as termites themselves.

But when I see those ads–particularly the one where the woman hoes a weed by her foundation and the whole wall falls in–I'm reminded of a pernicious pest chomping away inside the souls and psyches of Christians, particularly Baptists.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Elgin deacons learn to become servant leaders in congregation, community_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Elgin deacons learn to become
servant leaders in congregation, community

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

ELGIN–Church finances, leaky roofs and plumbing problems easily can dominate discussions in deacons meetings.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

ETBU grad, former basketball MVP, killed in action in Iraq_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

ETBU grad, former basketball MVP, killed in action in Iraq

MARSHALL–A former East Texas Baptist University basketball star is among more than 700 American military personnel who have been killed in action in Iraq.

Capt. Arthur Felder of Lewisville, Ark., was one of four soldiers killed April 24 in Taji, Iraq, when mortar rounds hit their camp. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 39th Support Battalion, 39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Hazen, Ark.

Felder, 36, graduated from ETBU in 1989.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Human rights group ranks U.S. third in reported executions_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Human rights group ranks U.S. third in reported executions

WASHINGTON (ABP)–The United States ranks third, behind only China and Iran, in reported executions, said a new report by a human-rights group that opposes the death penalty.

Amnesty International's annual report on the death penalty, noted four countries accounted for 84 percent of the 1,146 government-reported executions worldwide in 2003–the United States (65), China (726), Iran (108) and Vietnam (64).

The report cautioned that the actual execution figures for China, Iran and Vietnam –known human-rights abusers–were likely higher due to unreported executions.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for May 9: Paul offers words of wisdom, encouragement_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for May 9

Paul offers words of wisdom, encouragement

2 Timothy 4

By David Morgan

Trinity Baptist Church, Harker Heights

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for May 16: Qualifications for church leaders spelled out_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for May 16

Qualifications for church leaders spelled out

Titus 1

By David Morgan

Trinity Baptist Church, Harker Heights

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Family Bible Series for May 9: Marriage should mirror the love of Christ_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for May 9

Marriage should mirror the love of Christ

1 Corinthians 7:1-9; Ephesians 5:18-33

By Rodney McGlothlin

First Baptist Church, College Station

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Family Bible Series for May 16: Children honor parents by loving their Father_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for May 16

Children honor parents by loving their Father

Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:1-8

By Rodney McGlothlin

First Baptist Church, College Station

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge