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  Suffer the Children: State may look to private providers to ease CPS crisis_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  About three-fourths of foster children in the Child Protective Services system are placed by private agencies, many of them faith-based. (Photo courtesy of South Texas Children's Home)

  SUFFER THE CHILDREN:
  State may look to private providers to ease CPS crisis

  By Ken Camp

  Managing Editor

  More than 500 Texas children died of abuse or neglect in a 2 1/2-year period. One-fourth of them had been investigated by Child Protective Services caseworkers. In response, Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order last summer directing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to review and recommend reforms in the system.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Abuse victim finds restoration at Buckner Children’s Village_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  Abuse victim finds restoration at Buckner Children's Village

  By Felicia Fuller

  Buckner News Service

  BEAUMONT–A family member stole her innocence. Her Heavenly Father restored her soul.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Shelter workers respond to emotionally, physically abused children_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  Shelter workers respond to
  emotionally, physically abused children

  By Craig Bird

  Baptist Child & Family Services

  SAN ANTONIO–They are the first responders to the emotional and physical wreckage of abusive and violent homes. With a maximum of 90 days to do their jobs, the men and women who serve as direct-care workers in emergency shelters for children must deal with the anger, fear and trauma of infants to 17-year-olds forcibly removed from their home.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Cybercolumn by John Duncan: Bonnie, a flower in the desert_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  CYBERCOLUMN:
  Bonnie, a flower in the desert

  By John Duncan
  

  I’m sitting here under the old oak tree, remembering Bonnie, a flower in the desert of my life.
  

  The year was 1987. In those days, life was a seed planted and soon to sprout. I pastored a small church in a rural community. The world at large buzzed with news—nuclear testing in Nevada; a plane crash killing 156 people in Detroit; the first heart-lung transplant in Baltimore; Fred Astaire died; Hillary Duff was born; Prozac made its debut in pharmaceuticals; Lethal Weapon was a popular movie; and Wal-Mart planned to build a Super Wal-Mart here in Granbury.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

• Execution of minors ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  Execution of minors ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–The Supreme Court ruled March 1 that the execution of convicts who were under the age of 18 at the time of their crimes constitutes the sort of “cruel and unusual” punishment barred by the Eighth Amendment.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  DOWN HOME Do redtip ‘sticks’ have real purpose?_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  DOWN HOME:
  Do redtip 'sticks' have real purpose?

  Deb handed the phone off to her husband, David, and I got right to the point: “Do you provide marriage counseling?” I asked, somewhat anxiously.

  David didn't expect that question. He owns a landscaping business and has one of the greenest thumbs I know. However, my guess is that very, very few folks have come to him for marriage counseling.

  But he's a kind, good-natured guy who's always willing to help. So, after pausing briefly, he chuckled and answered: “Well, sure. I guess so.”

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  EDITORIAL: Parents must keep eternity in mind_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  EDITORIAL:
  Parents must keep eternity in mind

  The woeful state of child protection saddens the soul and staggers the imagination. Multiplied thousands of Texas children suffer from abuse and neglect. A package of articles in this issue of the Standard describes that need and details how Baptist General Convention of Texas child care agencies are deployed to help children and strengthen their families.

  But while the shortcomings of the state's Child Protective Services grab headlines, many well-meaning Christian parents benignly neglect the eternal spiritual needs of their children. We'll get to that point in a minute.

  A new survey sheds light on America's parents. The Barna Group, the religion research organization headed by pollster/author George Barna, conducted the survey late last year.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Religion front and center at Grammy awards_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  Religion front and center at Grammy awards

  By Adelle Banks

  Religion News Service

  LOS ANGELES (RNS)–Religion played a prominent role at the Grammy Awards, with the late Ray Charles honored in the new gospel performance category and artist Kanye West winning in the top rap song category for “Jesus Walks.”

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

• Hispanic convocations set to train 1,000 volunteers_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  Hispanic convocations set to train 1,000 volunteers

  By Orville Scott

  Special to the Baptist Standard

  Hispanic Baptist Convocations of the Laity this year are expected to reach and train about 1,000 laymen to organize Brotherhood and Royal Ambassador chapters across the state, said Eli Rodriguez of Dallas, statewide coordinator for the program.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

• STCH joins Buckner for Russia/Latvia mission trip_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  STCH joins Buckner for Russia/Latvia mission trip

  By Felicia Fuller

  Buckner News Service

  Buckner Orphan Care International and South Texas Children's Home will link arms and aims in Russia and Latvia July 31-Aug. 7.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  On the Move_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  On the Move

  John Allen to Living Proof Church in Cleburne as minister of youth.

  Steve Allen has resigned as associate pastor of North Shore Church in Lewisville.

  Clif Anderson to First Church in Longview as minister of evangelism/recreation from Johns Creek Church in Alpharetta, Ga., where he was recreation minister.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge

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  Pastors/laymen focus on sharing the gospel with next generation_30705

  Posted: 3/4/05

  Pastors/laymen focus on sharing
  the gospel with next generation

  By Teresa Young

  Wayland Baptist University

  PLAINVIEW–Churches, ministers and Christians in general must change their thinking and their actions to reach the next generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ, speakers at the 84th annual Panhandle-Plains Pastors' and Laymen's Conference insisted.

  03/04/2005 - By John Rutledge