Posted: 2/04/05

Incomplete gospel yields nominal Christians, Willard says

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

IRVING–An incomplete gospel is leading to “nominal Christians” and weakening the church, according to author and professor Dallas Wil-lard.

Pastors are preaching alternative “gospels” that do not reflect the true meaning of Christ's message, Willard said.

Conservative mi-nisters present Christ's work exclusively as one that provides forgiveness of sins, and liberals emphasize a “gospel of liberation,” he said.

Christ's work is liberating and enables the forgiveness of sins, but the true gospel is that salvation brings “life now in the kingdom of God,” where God's will is followed, Willard said. Jesus called people to rethink their lives because they can move now into the realm of “God's effective will.”

“The root of nominal Christianity is people have moved away from a gospel of life and replaced it with something else,” Willard said during Epicenter, a Baptist General Convention of Texas-sponsored evangelism and missions conference.

“If you're preaching the gospel (only) as forgiveness of sins because Jesus died for you, what you will have is nominal Christians you will have to prod to get going.”

The availability of the kingdom is the only message that leads to character transformation through discipleship, Willard said. The gospel encourages people to trust Jesus for life in God's will.

Ultimately, Wil-lard said, each minister should ask, “Is what we do in our local congregation suited to carry out the Great Commission that Jesus gave us?”

Trusting Jesus involves rethinking one's life, becoming humble and being born from above, Willard said. God will assist people in following his will and changing their lives through grace, a term Willard described as God helping individuals accomplish what they could not do on their own.

Churches can stop creating nominal Christians by intentionally forming disciples or “apprentices” of Jesus.

This is done by depicting a clear picture of “new life” through trusting Jesus, including many of the disciplines–prayer, Scripture memorization, fasting and worship–that strengthen spiritual lives.

“As a disciple of Jesus, I am to lead my life in the kingdom of heaven as he would lead my life if he were I,” he said.

To accomplish this goal, many churches need to rethink what they are doing and focus all efforts on following the great commission of sharing the gospel and creating disciples, Willard said. Several-month seminars can be held on topics such as how to love your enemy or how to forgive.

“What we need is people who are more Christ-like,” he said.

Three general steps in creating a disciple-
making church, according to Dallas Willard:

Vision. The church must depict the life that Christ has given believers, creating an image believers can cling to.

Intention. The congregation must commit to intentionally live out that vision. This means rethinking every activity of the church, making sure it carries out the vision.

Means. These are the tools that make the vision reality. They may include extended seminars about how to live out certain aspects of the Sermon on the Mount, creating mentoring opportunities between believers and discussion of spiritual disciplines such as prayer.

Posted: 2/04/05

Founders of Habitat for Humanity International dismissed

By John Pierce

Baptists Today

AMERICUS, Ga. (ABP)–Millard and Linda Fuller were immediately dismissed Jan. 31 from their jobs with Habitat for Humanity International, the worldwide Christian housing ministry they founded and led for 29 years.

The organization's executive committee charged the Fullers with being “divisive and disruptive to the organization's work” through their public comments, according to a press release.

The Fullers and the Habitat board of directors have been in conflict for several months over a transition of leadership. Directors wanted Millard Fuller to retire as president this month when he turned 70. Fuller wanted to remain at the helm until the 200,000th house was dedicated later this year.

The issue seemed resolved in October when it was announced Fuller would become “founder president” and serve with his wife, Linda, as ambassadors for the ministry, while daily operations would be conducted by managing director Paul Leonard.

“I will remain very engaged in the ministry as a spokesperson and strategist, and will help in every other way I can to strengthen and expand the work of Habitat for Humanity throughout the United States and around the world,” Fuller said at that time.

However, board chairman Rey Ramsey, a Baltimore attorney, said the board tried repeatedly to resolve differences with the Fullers confidentially, but the Fullers publicly criticized the board's efforts.

“In every instance, the Fullers ultimately have rejected or been openly critical of any and all steps taken toward appropriate compromise,” said Ramsey. “The board must therefore fulfill its fiduciary obligation to the organization and our moral responsibility to all those who share in Habitat's mission.

“No issue, no person, no debate can be permitted to compromise the integrity and work of this extraordinary ministry.”

Former President Jimmy Carter expressed his continuing personal friendship with the Fullers, as well as his support of Habitat for Humanity International.

He will serve as an honorary chair of the search committee to find Fuller's successor.

Fuller admitted to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he is “a hard charger” and “sometimes damages relationships,” particularly with the Habitat board.

Fuller called their firings an “extreme decision” but urged continued support for Habitat.

“Habitat is my life work,” said Fuller. “I do not want to harm the ministry in any way.

“I applaud President Carter for his pledge to continue his involvement. I urge others to do the same.”

The Fullers started Habitat in 1976. The housing ministry, which partners with needy families that purchase their homes at no interest and no profit, now has affiliates nationwide and in 100 countries.

Posted: 2/04/05

Renewed love for hymns makes a comeback among youth

By Leann Callaway

Special to the Baptist Standard

Melodies and instrumentation have changed, but the lyrics remain the same, as young worshippers find new meaning in traditional hymns.

Some observers attribute the trend toward renewed interest in hymns to the Passion Conferences movement, established in 1995 by Louie Giglio.

They consider music from Passion Conferences–which incorporates traditional hymns with contemporary songs–the leading edge in worship music and the spark that has kindled a renewal of hymn-singing among teenagers, college students and young adults.

“Somewhere along the way, tradition became a casualty in the explosion of contemporary worship that has swept the church around the globe in recent decades,” Giglio said.

“Yet we would be fools to discard the rich treasures of the church through ages past just because they are old. It says in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10: 'What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, 'Look! This is something new?' It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.'

“For us, these words cast modern worship in a whole new light and cause us to wonder if the cutting edge of worship might not be deep in the recesses of the past, after all.

“And clearly these words remind us that the God we worship is timeless, concerning himself less with the age of our songs and more with the condition of our hearts.”

Worship leaders at Passion Conferences, including Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and Charlie Hall, seek to recapture the rich treasure-store of theology in ancient hymns and recast them for a new generation, he noted.

Passion recently released a seventh worship album, Passion: Ancient and Modern Hymns–Live Songs of our Faith. This CD, which includes traditional hymns, represents the growing trend toward hymnody.

“Making a CD of traditional hymns has been on our hearts for a long time,” said Tomlin, who grew up in Grand Saline. “With this modern worship movement that's going on, we've noticed that a lot of hymns are being lost or not appreciated.

“It's our desire for people to rediscover these songs. For people who haven't grown up with hymns, we hope they're like: 'Wow, I didn't know these songs were out there. I didn't know it was like this.'”

The hymns that were chosen on this CD include “O Worship the King,” “Doxology,” “Fairest Lord Jesus,” “How Great Thou Art,” “All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name,” “On Christ, the Solid Rock,” and “Take My Life.”

“Every time I've led worship, I've always used hymns,” Tomlin noted. “They've been a big part of my faith growing up. They're powerful, powerful songs.

“As far back as I can remember, 'All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name' has been a favorite hymn of mine. I love the reverence and grandness that this song evokes in me. It's a song that commands your worship. Every time I sing it, I feel like I'm in the midst of thousands and thousands of people and angels bowing down before God.”

Furthermore, Tomlin emphasized the importance of finding a balance between contemporary songs and traditional hymns in churches today.

“I think hymns are extremely important, because you realize that you're standing in a long line of believers that sang these songs,” Tomlin said. “So that's what we're trying to hold onto with Passion.

“It's sad there's controversy in churches over music. There shouldn't be. These songs are all songs of our faith, and I think to abandon one in choice of the other is a really wrong thing.

“This 'hymn/chorus' battle isn't going on in other countries, especially since they're happy to get together to sing.”

Tomlin added it's important for people to remember some traditional hymns were not widely accepted when they were first introduced.

“In the 1700s and 1800s, some of the hymns were brand new, and people were going, 'What's up with these new songs?'

“In the 1800s, they were like, 'I'm not so sure about this new song, 'Amazing Grace.' They were all new songs at some point, and to say one song is better than the other is wrong,” he said.

Likewise, Crowder–who helped establish University Baptist Church, a postmodern congregation in Waco–is bringing students back to an appreciation of hymns.

Crowder said he has fond memories of singing the “Doxology” each Sunday morning as a child. He now regularly sings this hymn and others, in addition to his original material, at events around the country.

“It's one of my first memories of church,” Crowder explained. “I have this recollection of singing the 'Doxology.' No music was played. Our voices echoed its lyrics.”

“Modern worshippers have tended to discard these ancient confessions of worship because they are old, while traditional worshippers have failed to embrace modern confessions because they feel they are shallow and void,” Giglio said.

“We want to create a common ground where worshippers, traditional and modern, can join in worship and realize that worship is not about the music but the state of the heart.”

Worship leader Hall can relate to the sentiments of many modern worshippers.

After growing up in a Baptist church and regularly singing hymns, Hall moved away from his traditional roots because he felt it hindered authentic devotion to God.

But Hall recently realized the beauty of hymns and discovered what congregations were missing by not including hymns.

“I grew up singing 'How Great Thou Art' but never fully appreciated it until recently,” he said.

“This is a beautiful song that describes the greatness of God through his creation, the sacrifice of his son and the return of Christ. This song inspires me on all three accounts.

“Another hymn, 'On Christ, the Solid Rock' has become one of my greatest confessions over the last few years. The song has a mixture of human need and beautiful theology. God has given an oath and a covenant to be a sure thing in a shifting world.”

Today, worship leaders around the country are taking cues from the Passion movement and giving younger generations an appreciation of traditional hymns.

As Todd Agnew leads worship at “The Loop,” a weekly Bible study for college students in Memphis, Tenn., he reflects back on singing hymns while growing up at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, and he often takes the opportunity to share the meaning behind these songs of our faith.

“We have a powerful heritage in the church,” Agnew explained. “We are tied to generations of worshippers who have honored God with their lives. Hymns are a part of that legacy.”

Posted: 2/04/05

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:

Faith of a child

We entered the church through the old worship center doors. I had three small boys (6, 4 and 2) loosely under control. I mean loosely, because at their ages, they are likely to bolt in three different directions at any instant.

Nicholas, 6, asked if we could stop to see the prayer chapel. So, I explained that if I took them to see it, they had to realize this was a solemn place. They had to agree to use their best manners and be silent if anyone was inside praying. Naturally, they all agreed.

When we entered the chapel, it was completely empty. Candles bathed the area in a warm light, and soft music was playing. Sam, 4, bolted inside, then stopped dead in his tracks after going about six feet into the old sanctuary. He pressed both hands tightly over his eyes, and quickly blurted out: “Dear God, I love you. Amen.”

Sam then ran back to me at the rear doors. He cast his eyes downward and quietly said, “Dad, I just had to tell God I loved him 'cause he first loved me.”

Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.

"The best response to accusations of stinginess is not to be defensive, but to be generous. And the measure of generosity is not what you offer when the spotlight is upon you, but what you do when the spotlight moves on." Nicholas Kristof Syndicated columnist, commenting on charges of U.S. stinginess (New York Times) "Let's acknowledge that America's increasing decadence is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. When we tolerate trash on television, permit pornography to invade our homes on the Internet and allow babies to be killed at the point of birth, we are inflaming radical Islam." Jim Henry Former Southern Baptist Convention president, on why many Muslims despise the United States (BP) "Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world." Antonin Scalia U.S. Supreme Court justice, speaking to a Catholic student gathering (RNS)

It was so sweet and simple, it brought tears to my eyes.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Luke 18:17).

David Alvey

Dallas

Getting a 'rise'

You did make changes in the Standard, especially creating controversy. I said I was going to try to contain myself in writing letters, but you got a “rise” out of me.

For example: “We are here illegally” and your editorial, “We can't wait for immigration reform” (Jan. 24).

Even though I have empathy for the illegals, I was shocked that Ernesto is a deacon. Whether you want to admit it or not, he is willfully breaking the law, and the people of his church are accessories. Do we just ignore the laws we don't care to observe?

As Christians, we offer help and salvation to those in need, but we don't harbor them and assist them in breaking the law and in turn break the law ourselves. This is not Nazi Germany, and we are not harboring Jews who would be murdered if we didn't.

In conclusion, I have read John Cornyn's bill concerning immigration. It's a joke and will never work. Sen. Cornyn doesn't have a clue.

F.A. Taylor

Kempner

Three strikes; you're out

You really blew it this time–“Student develops resource to help churches grasp immigration issues” (Jan. 24). Equating Abraham and Christ with illegal immigrants is not even close.

I care for Ernesto (no last name), but I do not condone what he is doing, God is clear about obeying our government and its laws, no matter how oppressing they might be as long as they are not against God himself. Ernesto is not qualified to be a deacon in his church, because he is not a man of integrity but rather living in open sin. His prayers should be for forgiveness and to go back home until he can come to America legally. Paul was very clear, as was Jesus, that even slaves who were treated mostly poorly by their masters were told to live in peace and not to break the law. How is this any different?

And please, Patricia Heaton: “Jesus was really against all kinds of exploitation.” Why glorify her?

“Theologian offers key to understanding U2's Atomic Bomb“: Even Satan knows Scripture. Why glorify a group of men that say one thing and do another almost exclusively? The Christian community seems to continue to fall in line with wolves dressed like sheep. Shame on us as Baptists.

Ken Ansell

Waxahachie

Compassionate Christianity

I commend you for bringing Mexican immigration to the forefront most forcefully (Jan. 24).

The idea that any geographic locale is the exclusive province of any one ethnic group is an anachronism, due to transportation and communication capabilities. Recognition of this fact should be the beginning of the solution to the immigration problem between the United States and Mexico.

As long as economic disparities exist between our countries, there is going to be northward movement of the people. Such movement has produced economic benefits to both countries and should be given appropriate legislative recognition and approval.

There is a cry to “deport the illegals and seal the borders,” apparently without due consideration to the social upheaval and strained relations with Mexico that would result.

Many problems are associated with a solution satisfactory to both nations, but all pale in comparison to increasing hostilities which risk open warfare.

This is a problem for which there is no solution that ignores its spiritual aspect. We are a nation whose people have been blessed materially beyond any nation in history, and our God who supplied this bounty has commanded us to love your neighbors as ourselves.

A compassionate Christianity should demand no less than that we reach out to those less fortunate.

S.T. Bogan Jr.

Norman, Okla.

Congressional investigation

After visiting your website (www.-baptiststandard.com), it appears your organization is hell-bent on violating federal law by aiding and abetting illegal aliens!

I know three families who have had loved ones murdered by Mexican illegal aliens, all who claimed to be here “just to work”!

I'm a God-fearing individual who happens to have a very good relationship with my congressman, who also happens to be vehemently opposed to Bible-thumping organizations that thumb their noses at the law in the name of helping the less fortunate!

I have forwarded your info to my congressman, who just may want to investigate your illegal activities! I recommend you pray for some of those poor American citizens who have lost everything due to the millions of illegal alien workers taking jobs, housing and medical care! I recommend you clean up your act before an investigation ensues, or do the right thing and devote your time and effort to helping American citizens!!

David Kendrick

Buena Park, Calif.

A sad day

I am a Baylor graduate from the School of Education and Truett Seminary. I was sad when Robert Sloan stepped down from Baylor. He led Baylor into the 21st century.

It is the underhanded work of some prominent Texas Baptists who have led the charge against him. They have tried to manipulate votes in various ways in various avenues.

I am one sad Texas Baptist. I am sad there are people who believe Baylor was becoming too spiritual. I am sad there are people who don't care if Baylor drifts from its Christian and Baptist heritage. I am sad Baylor has lost a visionary leader.

I am not saying he was perfect and made no mistakes, but no human being deserves this treatment. His detractors have used the tactics of the Southern Baptist Convention, and either they don't even see it or they don't care. It is all about power, control and money. They were out to destroy Dr. Sloan. I am sure this is what Jesus meant when he called us to love our enemies.

I am sad that his family had to endure this hatred by some.

It's sad that in our Baptist family, we see enemies. For a people who are supposed to love and care for each other even when we disagree, it is a sad day. I would ask all those involved to sit down to pray and ask God to forgive their evil deeds, as I must ask God to forgive my anger toward those who have tried to destroy a good and godly man. It is a sad day.

Daniel Downey

Lorena

Presidential intercession

I am a huge presidential history buff. Recently, a church member gave me a clipping from an old issue of the Baptist Standard in which a new president wrote to the editor. It was President Lyndon Johnson, and it was not too long after President Kennedy had been assassinated.

What struck me most about the letter from President Johnshon and the editorial that followed were the similarities to today–a new president (or at least a new term), many tough decisions to make, a divided nation and an unpopular war to fight.

I greatly admired what the editor of the Baptist Standard wrote: “As a citizen, I owe the president my loyalty, and as a Christian, I am privileged to claim the promises of prayer in his behalf. The new president is human, and he will err; but he will still be my president. I will not always be happy with his decisions, but I will never accuse him of acting from an un-American motive.”

As citizens, we owe the president our loyalty and support, and as Christians, we should pray for him.

Blake O'Dell

Brady

Do what is right to become legal

In regard to “We are here illegally” (Jan. 24), as an ordained deacon in my church, I was very disturbed about the lack of biblical standards that Ernesto has not taken to heart as a Baptist.

I refer to the conditions set forth in Scripture about the qualifications of being deacon, in particular 1 Timothy 3:10. Being blameless includes not breaking immigration laws!! Ernesto’s pastor should not allow him to be a deacon. If you are here illegally, you do not deserve the rights and privileges afforded to hard-working law-abiding citizens. I am not against helping the illegals if they need help, but helping does not include breaking the law. There are many here legally. I don’t have a problem people being in Texas that way.

We should do all we can to teach the biblical truth to all, including the Ernestos and Marias of this world. In teaching these truths to illegal aliens, they will do what is right to become legal. This is what biblical truth demands of us once we become believers in Christ.

Charlie Edmonson

Bryson

Hitler's faith-based values

Perhaps it is time to review the faith-based values of Adolf Hitler:

“My feeling as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter” (1922).

“Providence withdrew its protection and our people fell. … And in this hour, we sink to our knees and beseech our almighty God that he may bless us, that he may give us the strength to carry on the struggle for the freedom, the future, the honor, and the peace of our people. So help us God. …

“We want to fill our culture again with the Christian spirit. … We want to burn out all the recent immoral developments in literature, in the theater and in the press. …

“With a tenth of our budget for religion, we would thus have a church devoted to the state and of unshakable loyalty. … The little sects, which receive only a few hundred thousand marks, are devoted to us body and soul” (March 1936).

“I would like to thank Providence and the Almighty for choosing me of all people to be allowed to wage this battle for Germany. … I follow the path assigned to me by Providence. There is a God. … And this God again has blessed our efforts during the past 13 years” (1940).

Deja vu all over again.

Robert Flynn

San Antonio

Sloan persecuted

Robert Sloan is a man that has attempted to bring Baylor back to its religious roots. The Bible says that those who stand upon the word of God and take a strong stand for God will be persecuted.

I just find it shameful that they would be persecuted at a Baptist School.

Steve Joiner

Abilene

Religious Right needs revival of humility

Jim Bryant, in condemning the wrongs of the left, is wrongly judging many Christians who are just as strong in their own prayerful convictions (Jan. 24).

What’s more, he and those like him may be ignoring important questions. When any Christian aligns himself with any earthly institution—political party, church or denomination—that Christian aligns himself with an imperfect institution, one that can be used by those who are contrary to the cause of Christ.

Christians are followers, and we have a history of following deceivers. We must also remember that conviction, no matter how passionate, is not always correct. Two thousand years of church history confirms this, as does 300 years of Baptist history.

Perhaps it is time to exert the same outrage against child abuse, sexual abuse and abuse against women that we do with our outrage against abortion. Perhaps we should pray that God would remove our disdain for homosexuals for treating them like lepers.

All too often, Christians misjudge with self-righteous conviction people and cultures. We make faulty moral judgments and even wrongly condemn scientific discovery, admitting our errors only hundreds of years later.

The Religious Right is at risk of selling its soul for political power, choosing to ignore the teachings of Jesus that do not fit into their personal or political agendas. It is running blindly to its own destruction and perhaps judgment. For the Religious Right to be right on, perhaps it should start with a revival of humility, repentance and self-evaluation.

Charles Ledbetter

Cleburne

Epicenter's call for commitment

A spiritual teacher was asked what was the best religious education for children. He replied, “None!” When asked what he meant, he said: “If you educate children in religion, you may inoculate them against the real thing. Instead, teach them to love God and do what God asks.”

Today, religion abounds, but the real thing is lacking. Every Sunday morning, churches across this country show evidence of inoculation by nominal Christianity. We have multitudes of consumers who come for the show. But as for commitment, the pool of participants dries up faster than a watering hole in a West Texas drought.

What can we do?

This was the theme of Epicenter put on by the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Center for Strategic Evangelism. Attendees participated in one of the most practical, real and inspiring conferences I have attended.

Kudos to Rick Davis for his insight and leadership in bringing to Texas Dallas Willard and others who not only understand the problem but have real solutions that work.

I hope this event was taped. Why? So pastors who did not attend can watch and receive material that can transform our inoculation of nominal Christianity into real-thing discipleship. I cannot wait to make reservations for next year if it’s half as good as this conference.

David Montoya

Mineral Wells

Illegals start with disrespect for law

The problem of illegal aliens is not reduced because some of them happen to be Texas Baptists (Jan. 24). The fact that a number of illegal aliens remain in this country is due to a much more serious problem. The fact that our borders are not as secure as they should be is one of the contributing factors of 9/11.

True, there are some now here illegally who just want to make a better life for themselves and who could be upstanding citizens. But when you start with an act that is itself an utter disrespect for the law of the land, this cannot be tolerated. Remember, Jesus instructed us, “Render unto Caesar.” Surely it is a nation’s right to secure her own borders.

Incidentally, one of the qualifications of a deacon is that he be a, “man of good report.” How a person who is in this country illegally could be a person of good report is beyond my comprehension.

Mike Sheeran

Houston

Let them come legally

I respectfully disagree with the stand taken by those who would snub their noses at the law of the land and aid those who are here illegally (Jan. 24). With hundreds of jobs moving to Mexico and other places, let illegal immigrants stay in their own country and work.

As my grandfather always said, “The only jobs Americans won’t do are the ones fellow Americans are not willing to pay for!”

Let them come to America as my great-grandmother did—legally. They are here illegally. Feed them, clothe them and send them back.

I am not paying all these taxes to provide welfare and social services to those who are not my fellow countrymen, regardless of what Washington or Austin thinks.

Michael L. Simons

Cleburne

Posted: 2/04/05

Evangelicals urge Bush to focus on poverty issues

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–A group of prominent evangelical Christian leaders–including heads of two Texas Baptist schools–have asked President Bush to pay more attention to poverty issues in his second term.

The group of 76 academics, activists and other leaders sent the letter to Bush in mid-January, on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. It asked Bush to invest political capital in improving economic conditions for the poor in the United States and around the world.

The letter noted that overcoming poverty is as important an issue to Christian voters as are issues often cited by other evangelical leaders and media outlets as crucial to evangelicals.

“Precisely the commitment to moral values (including the sanctity of human life) that shapes all our political activity compels us to insist that as a nation we must do more to end starvation and hunger and strengthen the capacity of poor people to create wealth and care for their families,” the letter read.

The letter's signers include several progressive evangelicals, such as Ron Sider of Evangelicals for Social Action and Jim Wallis of Sojourners, who have been highly critical of Bush's economic policies.

But it also includes many evangelical leaders who have stayed out of politics or spoken out frequently in favor of Bush policies, such as Christianity Today editor David Neff, Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, and Salvation Army head Todd Bassett.

Several Baptist college presidents signed the letter, including Paul Ames of Wayland Baptist University and Doug Hodo of Houston Baptist University. Others were David Black of Eastern University in Pennsylvania, Jerry Cain of Judson College in Illinois and Pat Taylor of Southwest Baptist University in Missouri.

The leaders said the poverty rate and lack of health insurance–even for hard-working families–in the United States is morally unacceptable.

Sider said the letter “offers clear evidence that the widespread view that President Bush's evangelical constituency care only about abortion and family issues is simply false. … As the president charts his agenda for the next four years, he needs to understand that large numbers of his evangelical 'base' insist on expanded efforts to reduce poverty.”

Posted: 2/04/05

Critics claim SpongeBob promotes gay families

By Celeste Kennel-Shank

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Conservative Christian groups are criticizing a multicultural children's video featuring SpongeBob SquarePants and other TV characters, claiming it promotes acceptance of gay and lesbian families.

Nile Rodgers created the video, “We Are Family,” based on his 1970s disco hit of the same title. After 9/11, Rodgers formed the New York-based We Are Family Foundation to promote tolerance and diversity.

Rodgers said his video, featuring more than 100 children's characters–including Arthur, Barney and Clifford the Big Red Dog–will be sent to 61,000 public and private elementary schools across the country in March to affirm diversity.

“Cooperation and unity are the most important values we can teach children,” Rodgers said. “We believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbor.”

The video does not explicitly mention homosexuality, but some Christian groups allege it promotes different kinds of families in singing “We Are Family.” The video encourages children to go to the We Are Family Foundation's website to sign a tolerance pledge.

“If you look at the website, it becomes pretty clear that a part of the agenda is to change the definition of family to include virtually anyone who chooses to be called a family, including homosexual couples and homosexual couples raising children,” said Peter Sprigg, senior director of policy studies for the Washington-based Family Research Council. “Much of what they have is coded language that is regularly used by the pro-homosexual movement such as 'tolerance' and 'diversity.'

“Ultimately, we feel that this is being used as propaganda to indoctrinate very small children to accept a different definition of family.”

Sprigg said the companies behind SpongeBob SquarePants and the other cartoon characters may not endorse gay and lesbian families but are being employed to give that message legitimacy.

The pledge was written by the Southern Poverty Law Center–a civil rights group based in Montgomery, Ala.–as part of its National Campaign for Tolerance. The pledge advocates respect for differences between individuals–including differences of culture, belief and sexual identity.

The New York Times reported that James Dobson, founder of the Colorado-based Focus on the Family, said the popular cartoon figure SpongeBob SquarePants would appear in “a pro-homosexual video.” Dobson made the comment while speaking at a congressional dinner in Washington.

“We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids,” Paul Batura, an assistant to Dobson, told the newspaper.

Ed Vitagliano, a researcher for the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association, said he was the first to raise public concern about the video after receiving word it would be sent to schools.

“We are concerned that children who go to the website might encounter a moral message about homosexuality that their parents might not approve of,” said Vitagliano.

In addition to the pledge, he said he was alarmed by a teacher's guide produced by the Anti-Defamation League that was “aggressive in its message about normalizing homosexuality.”

The We Are Family Foundation website says the video will arrive at schools by March 11, the same day the video will air on Nickelodeon, PBS and the Disney Channel.

Posted: 2/04/05

Superheroes offer insights into
human nature, social observers say

WASHINGTON (RNS)–When he was growing up, Mike Mignola had two great loves–monster movies and superheroes. So when Dark Horse Comics offered him the chance to write and illustrate his own comic book, Mignola decided to combine the two.

The result is Hellboy, a wisecracking, good-hearted, old-fashioned superhero with one problem: He's a red-skinned, cloven-hoofed demon summoned by the Nazis to bring about the end of the world. When the Nazis' plans are foiled, the then-infant Hellboy is taken in and raised by human beings. He forsakes his demon heritage and pledges to fight for good.

But can he really escape his destiny? Mignola, who has been writing Hellboy comics since 1993, isn't sure.

“It's the ultimate question of predestination versus free will,” said Mignola from his home in New York City. “It really is a quandary.”

Mignola has discovered one of the untold secrets of the comic book world. It's the characters, not the costumes and secret identities, that matter most. From Superman to the recent Pixar film The Incredibles, comics have served as social parables, with superhuman characters revealing insights about the human condition.

In The Incredibles, superheroes are forced into hiding when public opinion turns against them. Mr. Incredible turns in his costume and “Incredible-mobile” for a Yugo-sized commuter car and a desk job at an insurance company.

But he can't give up the desire to save people, no matter what it costs his family.

“It's not about super powers,” says Michael Brewer, lifelong comics fan and author of a new book about “finding virtue, vice and what's holy” in comics, Who Needs a Superhero?

“It's about finding your place in the world and, dare I say, family values.”

Brewer, pastor of Crescent Springs (Ky.) Presbyterian Church, has been weaving comic book stories into his sermons for 25 years.

Some observers see Hellboy (above) as an example of how comic book characters can become parables portraying the human condition. (Illustration courtesy of Dark Horse Comics)

He says The Incredibles, like classic comics Batman and Superman, shows characters who find meaning in suffering.

“Batman has a choice when his parents are killed,” Brewer said. “He can be crippled for life or deal with tragedy in a way that makes the world a better place. Superman loses everything–his world, his family, his home.

“Instead of remaining a stranger, he decides to adopt these people of Earth as his own.”

Another example can be found in the pages of the Green Arrow comic. Green Arrow has recently taken on a sidekick named Mia, who was once a teenage runaway. During her days on the street, she contracted HIV.

“Having faced the trouble in her life,” Brewer said, “she wants to make a difference in the world. I can't think of a more heroic thing to do.”

Brewer, whose comic book collection tops 10,000 issues, argues that comics often showcase Christian virtues like humility and being a servant.

In one of his favorite storylines, super villain Lex Luthor programs a computer to discover the connection between Superman and Clark Kent. When the computer concludes Kent is Superman, Luthor cannot believe it.

How would a being with Superman's powers be content as a lowly newspaper reporter?

Superman is content as Clark Kent, “because he is genuinely good,” said Brewer.

“He has superhuman power, and he has chosen to use it responsibly and not for his own benefit. That's not a far cry from Jesus, who could have summoned legions of angels to save himself from the cross and didn't.”

Posted: 2/04/05

Texas Tidbits

DBU to launch leadership studies doctoral program. Dallas Baptist University will launch a doctor of philosophy program in leadership studies next fall through its recently renamed Gary Cook Graduate School of Leadership and Christian Education. Karen Bullock is academic director of the new doctoral program.

UMHB offers Spanish for Christian workers. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will offer a course for Christian workers in conversational Spanish, June 1-30. The introductory course presents the basic structures of Spanish, with vocabulary especially adapted to Christian witness. It includes extensive use of Scripture and dialogues geared to common witnessing situations, a conversational approach with alternating class presentations and lab practice. Cost is $1,000, which includes tuition, fees and books. The course is equivalent to two semester hours of Spanish. University housing is available for an additional $285 per person. To register, contact Judy Arnold at (254) 295-4631 or e-mail jarnold@umhb.edu.

ETBU sets Tiger Day. East Texas Baptist University will hold its annual Tiger Day preview event for prospective students and their families March 5. For more information, or to register, visit the school's website at www.etbu.edu or call (800) 804-ETBU.

Health care fellowships set San Antonio meeting. "With These Hands–Touching the World in Jesus' Name" is the theme of the Baptist Medical Dental Fellowship and Baptist Nursing Fellowship as they gather for their national meeting March 17-20 at First Baptist Church in San Antonio. Albert Reyes, president of Baptist University of the Americas and the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will speak on "missions in a changing world," and Javier Elizondo, dean at BUA, will lead Bible studies. Workshop topics include starting a church-based medical/dental clinic and "How Do I Get Involved in an International Healthcare Missions Project?" Continuing education credits are available for health care professionals. Medical missionary Sam Cannata will be the speaker at a fiesta-style banquet March 19 at San Antonio's Crowne Plaza Hotel. For more information, visit www.bmdf.org, e-mail BFDF1@cs.com, call (888) 275-8485 or write to the Baptist Medical Dental Fellowship at 920 Madison Ave., Suite 825, Memphis, Tenn. 38103.

Posted: 2/04/05

TOGETHER:
Vision demands a new spirit of unity

As President Bush delivered his State of the Union address, an Iraqi woman lifted her ink-stained finger in appreciation to the president and Congress. She had voted in her first free election a few days earlier. Moments later, the parents of a slain American soldier from Pflugerville stood to received heartfelt gratitude from the crowd.

When the Iraqi woman turned around to thank the mother of the soldier who had given his life in Iraq, they fell into each other arms in a tight and emotional embrace. One was a mother whose heart was broken but proud of her son. The other was an Iraqi woman amazed that she and her people had been able to vote freely and to begin the long journey toward a democratic society. Our hearts went out to that mother and father and to the young woman who would never know the names of all the men and women, American and Iraqi, who have been wounded or died so she and her fellow citizens could live in freedom.

Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

Is there anything for which you would be willing to lay down your life? Listen to Jesus. He never advocated taking another's life, but he did lay down his own. And he invited those who would follow him to take up their cross as well. A cross is where people die. But Jesus promised, “Whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34-35). The Apostle Paul pleaded: “I urge you … to offer your bodies as living sacrifices. … Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).

I asked those who helped me draft the Baptist General Convention of Texas vision statement to ask God for a vision so bold, so full of Christ's passion, so right for the time in which we now live that Texas Baptists would be willing to draw together in a new spirit of cooperation and unity, so exciting and powerful that we would be willing to give our lives to see it accomplished unto the glory of God.

As we studied the Scriptures and prayed for God's guidance, the vision below formed in our hearts. Our convention adopted it last November. I encourage you to ask God to paint in your soul a picture of what we can be unto his glory.

We are a fellowship of transformational churches sacrificially giving ourselves to God's redemptive purpose. Continually being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ, we join together to transform our communities and the world. Engaging culture, we reach people where they are for an encounter with Christ.

We are on mission with God to continue Jesus' ministry of teaching, sharing the good news and meeting human needs through our churches, institutions and organizations. Our ministries reflect the heart of Jesus.

We share a vision of the world's peoples coming to know Jesus Christ and becoming transformed in his image. As a fellowship of diverse churches, we advance the kingdom in ways individual churches cannot do alone, and we celebrate our unity in the larger body of Christ's church. As local churches, we are called to be the presence of Christ in the world.

We accomplish our work through individuals with diverse backgrounds who love Jesus Christ and his church. Lives, families, communities and nations are transformed as ordinary Christians take extraordinary steps of faith in obedience to God.

Could you place your life at God's disposal for a vision like that?

We are loved.

Posted: 2/04/05

THE FIRST WAVE:
Texas Baptist volunteers return from Sri Lanka

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Sri Lanka looks like the aftermath of a fatal "car wreck." The bodies are gone, but the devastation remains a vivid reminder of the pain caused by a series of tsunamis that slammed the island nation, volunteers with the first wave of Texas Baptist Men relief reported.

Empty land along the coast is all that remains where people once filled villages, Matt Patterson said. Homes are damaged, as are many other structures. The industrial infrastructure is largely gone. Landmines that heavily cover some areas of the country are one of the few signs of civilization along the coast. People wear smiles, but pain lies just beneath them.

“People were killed, but people are smiling,” said Patterson of Hunters' Glen Baptist Church in Plano. “It's a feeling that is hard to explain because you don't feel it every day. You don't want to feel it every day.”

Texas Baptist volunteers regularly heard stories of children rushing to their deaths just before the tsunamis hit. As the waves neared the shore, water along the coast receded quickly and exposed pockets of fish that flopped on the sand. Children ran to grab them, only to be slammed by surges of water.

Another man said he went to town and returned to find his wife and children gone. “His heart will never be the same,” said Larry Blanchard, a member of First Baptist Church in Lindale. “We just loved on him, hugged him.”

That experience is typical of some of the help that Texas Baptist Men brought with them. Chaplains were part of the teams, but anyone who would listen was helpful.

“A lot of these people need a shoulder to cry on,” said David Beckett, a missionary in Sri Lanka who recently was named director of Children's Emergency Relief International's work in the country.

Texas Baptist Men also brought help in the form of supplies. After some initial struggles, volunteers perfected a way to clean wells that have been contaminated by saltwater. Ten water purification teams each cleaned about 25 wells a day.

As the teams moved across Sri Lanka, children and adults began leading them from well to well. They communicated with Texas Baptist volunteers as best they could, mostly relying on hand gestures. That was good enough. The Texans trained Sri Lankans to clean the wells.

A father and daughter wait their turn at a medical clinic near Eravur, in the Batticaloa district of eastern Sri Lanka. (Photo by Rex Campbell)

The teams gave pumps and supplies to local pastors who can use them as tools to share the Christian message. Recovery will move faster with more people cleaning wells, leaders said.

Texas Baptist disaster relief workers also set up a mobile kitchen that has fed thousands near Batticaloa. The teams attempted to set up a kitchen in a refugee camp, but the Sri Lankan government told them to stop because it wants people to return to their villages rather than staying in the camps.

Texas Baptist Men provided a washer and dryer to get a Sri Lankan hospital functioning once again. The institution had run out of clean linens to use for its patients and was afraid of spreading infections.

In the process of bringing relief, the volunteers are altering many Sri Lankans' image of Americans and especially Christians. Residents commonly told the teams they did not expect Christians to help without trying to trick them. Those conversations opened witnessing opportunities.

Much work remains. For the people to return to their villages, the wells must be cleaned. Homes will need to be built. The industrial infrastructure needs to be recreated. The challenge is great, but Texas Baptist Men is meeting needs, Blanchard said.

“There's literally thousands of wells to do down there,” he said. “You say, 'How could we make a difference?' Well, to those who needed water, we made a difference.”

Posted: 2/04/05

Hungarian Baptist Aid sets

pace in global disaster relief

By Tony Cartledge

North Carolina Biblical Recorder

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (ABP)–Americans might not think of Hungarians as being in the forefront of international relief efforts, but a relatively young Hungarian organization is a pacesetter in worldwide disaster relief.

Hungarian Baptist Aid was founded in 1996 by Sandor Szenczy, a Baptist pastor who continues to serve as president, according to Ferenc Tisch, director of international operations for the organization. Prior to that, Tisch said, Hungarians sought mainly to aid other socialist countries.

Hungarian Baptist Aid has helped Hungarians understand the importance of helping all people, he said. The group has been among the first organizations on the ground–and one of the last to leave–in several recent disasters, including the killer earthquake that leveled Bam, Iran, Dec. 26, 2003, exactly one year before South Asia's tsunami.

“People think of us as 'those crazy Hungarians,'” Tisch said. “We were still in Iran after other relief organizations had left.”

Tisch hopes Hungarian Baptist Aid will be able to follow the same pattern of relief in Sri Lanka that proved helpful in Iran. Initial relief there was followed by long-term development efforts, medical projects and establishment of orphanages, he said.

Posted: 2/04/05

Baptist relief focuses on new homes, pure water

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Now that Texas Baptist volunteers have learned how best to meet the needs of Sri Lankans, their disaster relief efforts are pushing forward with constructing homes and cleaning water wells.

Texas Baptist Men workers have identified the ideal way to clean contaminated wells across the country and have started to implement that process, said TBM Executive Director Leo Smith. A cleaning team can service as many as 30 wells a day working alongside Sri Lankans.

To further expedite the process, TBM volunteers are training residents to clean their wells and are equipping pastors with pumps and tractors. The ministers can use those supplies as tools to improve people's lives and share the gospel.

TBM workers also are building a model frame for houses that can be duplicated across the island. The metal frame will be approved by the Sri Lankan government, and residents will be trained in how to weld them together.

Initially, residents will be able to throw tarps across the frames for temporary housing, but over time they will be able to build walls out of cinder blocks or other materials, Smith said.

Training Sri Lankans gives residents skills they can use later, Smith noted. It also provides a continuing boost to the economy as Texas Baptist Men continues buying supplies in Sri Lanka.

“I think we've just touched the surface of the opportunities available to us,” said Dick Talley, TBM logistics coordinator. “We need to stay faithful in everything we promise we are going to do.”

David Beckett, a missionary in Sri Lanka who initially contacted Texas Baptists, has been named director of Sri Lanka ministry for Children's Emergency Relief International, an arm of Baptist Child & Family Services. Beckett is in the process of registering his organization as a nongovernmental aid agency in Sri Lanka so it can begin working to establish a foster care system within the country.