Storylist for week of 1/09/06

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

Posted: 1/17/06

BaptistWay Bible Series for Jan. 29

Story of the prodigal son still offers lessons

• Luke 15:11-32

By Ronnie Prevost

Logsdon Seminary, Abilene

The story of the prodigal son probably is one of the best known of Jesus’ parables. So familiar is the image of the prodigal son, it’s easy to overlook the depth and breadth of its message. It is a fascinating tale of greed, love, grace and forgiveness. More importantly, it contains a challenge for each of us.

The story of the prodigal son is the last of three parables Jesus told in response to the dismay of the Pharisees and others when they saw Jesus associating with the wrong kind of people (as they saw it).

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All three stories have to do with “things” of value and which had been lost—the sheep, the coin and the son. The first two exemplified God’s love by illustrating the determination of the owner to find that which was lost. And both tell of rejoicing when the lost was found. But in each of the first two parables, that which was lost had no true volition of its own. Neither the lost sheep nor the lost coin could realize its “lostness,” nor could it make conscious choices to change that condition.

The younger, prodigal son was different. He was deliberate and determined to gain what he had decided was his. He demanded his inheritance immediately. By the traditions of that day, his request was legitimate. However, it also meant that he would have no further claim —even if the family estate were to grow in value.

Perhaps the young man’s fortune seemed to be much more than what it really was. Though the inheritance certainly was limited, it must have felt like much more as he jingled it in his bag or pocket. That misconception may have been the source of his continuing ill-advised decisions. Gone as far away as possible from home (and the control of his father), his was a life of mishandling what resources he had—his life as well as his material possessions.

After some time, famine took from him what his mishandling may have left. Finally, finding himself in the direst of straits, he did something that neither the sheep nor the coin could do: he “came to his senses” (Luke 15:17), planned his return home (v. 18) and scripted his words of repentance to his father (v. 19). No longer would he demand a possession (“give me” in v. 12). Instead, he would asked to be changed (“make me” in v. 19).

Of course, the father was overjoyed to see his son return. He ran to greet his son and, interrupting the son’s planned apology, restored his son. Then, the father initiated the celebration he may have been planning and hoping for since the day the son had left. The older brother refused to join the festivities.

In excluding himself from the celebration, the older son was as far away from the will of his father as was the younger when in the “distant country.” Neither son was, nor had been, where their father most wanted them to be.

What is important to remember is that the father rejected neither son. When the older refused to even acknowledge the other as his brother (“this son of yours” in v. 30), the father reminded him of something vital. Yes, the one who had returned had not only been a lost son, he also had been a lost brother. That should have doubled their joy.

Certainly the younger son, usually called “the prodigal,” represented the “sinners” Jesus had welcomed. But the main focus of the parable really is the older brother. It is he who represents the Pharisees and the others who resented the celebration Jesus was having with redeemed sinners.

Through this parable, Jesus was trying to show the Pharisees, his disciples and us that God’s grace is for everyone. You see, as Luke tells us in 9:23, Jesus was on his way to the cross. The Bible tells us Jesus’ death on the cross was not for just a few. It was for all. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26-29, neither social standing, nor amount of wealth (or lack thereof), nor race or ethnicity—nothing of human consequence determines the grace God makes available to us. Just as all are one as sinners (Romans 3:23), so we are one in the grace of Jesus Christ.

As disciples of Jesus, then, we must realize that God’s grace extends to all people. It is not for us and our friends alone. Just as we might insert our names in place of “the world” and “whoever” in John 3:16, so must we understand that we can likewise insert the names of those whom we most despise and those who seem most unworthy of God’s love.

This is our calling: To share and celebrate the good news of God’s grace. We often may wonder what may have been the end of the story of the prodigal son. Did the older brother finally join in? Did he remain an outsider to the party? Do we?

The truth is that Jesus wants us to write the ending. We write the ending of the story every day with our attitudes and actions toward all people.

Discussion questions

• Do you ever think there are people God surely does not love?

• How should God’s grace influence the way we see and treat others?

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

Posted: 1/17/06

Family Bible Series for Jan. 29

God’s plan remains the only one that works

• Genesis 2:18-25; Proverbs 5:15-20; Romans 13:11-14

By Donald Raney

Westlake Chapel, Graham

“We are both consenting adults.” “Everyone is doing it.” “If it feels so good, it can’t be wrong.” “But we really love each other.”

These and other similar sayings have become engraved on the collective popular conscious of most Americans as justifications for all types of sexual activity. Since the sexual and social revolutions of the 1960s, the concept of moral standards, especially in the area of sexuality, has come under gradually increasing attack. As the idea of absolute truth has given way to the philosophy of relativism, morality has become a matter of personal preference and “living in the moment” rather than a principle of life guided by universally applied standards.

This certainly is nothing new in human history. The majority of the world’s great civilizations have experienced a widespread decline in morality shortly before their collapse. Yet from Genesis through the Apostle Paul’s letters, the Bible always has offered the consistent affirmation that morality was a part of God’s original plan for humanity.

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Indeed, there is a moral order to all of creation that is based on certain absolutes. It is only through living in line with these guiding principles that one can find real personal fulfillment and satisfaction in this world.

Genesis 2:18-25

God created humans for relationships. He wants us to have a personal relationship with him as well as interpersonal relationships with other people. Each person has an inherent need for companionship, and God specifically has designed various relationships in order to meet that need.

Among individuals, there are perhaps no more significant relationships than those within a family. It is within the family that people learn how to relate to others. It is the family relationships that most influence the kind of people we grow up to become. The family is so important that the Bible records the story of its creation by God.

Genesis 2 tells us that God specially created men and women so that they perfectly complement each other. They are each suitable partners for the other. According to Genesis 1:27, God created humanity in the divine image. Thus it is only when masculine and feminine come together as “one flesh” that God’s image in the world can be demonstrated.

This is the basis for the creation of the institution of marriage and the foundation for the family. The preservation and protection of the divine image also is an important part of God’s limitation of marriage as the only appropriate place for sexual expression.

It is significant to note that the initial immediate result of the first sin in Genesis 3 was an awareness of human sexuality. The first couple realized they were naked and sought to conceal their bodies from one another.

Since then, human sexuality has been perhaps the most difficult aspect of our lives to control. Marriage is God’s design for creating and expanding family relationships and for safe and proper expression of our sexual nature. The resulting relationships then become the means for meeting the relational and emotional needs of all the members of the family.

Proverbs 5:15-20

Ancient Israel’s sages also knew the influence sexual desire exercised in the life of individuals. They also knew God had established marriage as the place where those desires could be met. As mentioned above, within marriage, individuals may fulfill those desires in a way that allows them to participate in the fullness of the divine image.

According to the sage in Proverbs 5, marriage also creates an atmosphere of safety and protection for sexual expression through the mutual commitment each partner has made to the other.

Christians are compelled to honor that commitment by avoiding all sexual activity or exploration outside the bounds of the marriage. Respecting God’s boundaries for sex in marriage fosters health, satisfaction and deeper relationships. Disregarding these boundaries places one’s very life in jeopardy. As one experiences the security that this mutual commitment brings, one can enjoy the true fulfillment and even exhilaration that God intended.

Today, a multitude of tempting messages attack us daily. Billboards and magazines, television shows and commercials, websites and chatrooms all seek to draw us into inappropriate sexual activities outside God’s design.

The words of the sage speak just as loudly today. If you are single, avoid the house of the temptress that you might fully experience the fulfillment of God’s plan. If you are married, set your full desire on your spouse and rejoice in the satisfaction of committed love.

Romans 13:11-14

While sexual purity is God’s design for all humans, Christians have been given a special mandate to live lives of moral purity. We are called to lay aside all improper desires and live in proper relationship with all people. This is one of the ways we let our light shine.

While the world may criticize our actions, they will not be able to deny the fulfillment and satisfaction we experience as we live in accordance to God’s design. In his letter to the Romans, Paul provides us with a further motivation for living morally pure lives. Jesus has promised to return for those who believe in and live for him.

We do not know the time when that return will occur. It could be at any hour. Each Christian should strongly desire to be found pure when Jesus does return. Because of this, we are to maintain our lives in purity and refuse to give in to and satisfy the lusts of the flesh.

Human sexual desire is indeed a difficult animal to tame. God knows it is. God created us to be sexual beings. He created us to enjoy experiencing our sexuality. But God also created a world based on a moral order and placed guidelines for sexual fulfillment within that moral order. Life outside those guidelines leads to guilt, dissatisfaction and possibly physical danger. But as we live within those guidelines, we can experience all of the satisfaction and fulfillment in life that God desires for us.

Discussion questions

• In Genesis 2, God paraded all of the animals before Adam in order to find a suitable mate before the creation of Eve. What do you think was the purpose of this?

• What things do you do to avoid or withstand sexual temptations?

• How would you answer someone who said that what they do in the flesh (short of breaking the law) does not impact their spiritual life?

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

Posted: 1/17/06

Explore the Bible Series for Jan. 29

Accept others, and let God be their judge

• Romans 14:1-12

By Trey Turner

Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple

I have been interested in what allergies are and how the body responds to allergens. Like so many, I have allergies. My allergies are triggered primarily by meadow grasses. I live in the land of the cedar tree, but I do not have the reaction that some do to cedar pollen.

My daughter has several food allergies, which often come bundled with eczema. Since she was just a few months old, we have learned how to control some environmental factors so that she does not have the terrible and itchy skin “flare up.”

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Why all the talk of allergies? Because allergies are illogical. Often the body develops an allergic reaction to things that cannot hurt us. Some people develop a food allergy to chocolate, chicken, peanuts or other things. Some might develop an allergy to perfumes. These things could be around for years, but suddenly the body decides it will send its resources to counteract the nonharmful stimulus. It is hypersensitivity.

In Romans, Paul shines a light on hypersensitive judgment of people. We are to consider others favorably. Consider the judgmental criteria we use. Consider who really is the one who should judge. With humility, one refrains from having a hypersensitive spirituality.

Accept others (Romans 14:1-2)

Ironically, the person whose faith Paul states as being weak is not the one with the problem. Instead, the person in the weaker position is the one who thinks he is “stronger” in his faith.

For example, Paul understands his freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols. His faith grew because of convictions gained with prayer and reflection so that Paul could now accept the practice he previously would not have accepted. Now Paul is saying: “Roman Christian, do not overcast your personal convictions in matters that are not central to the Christian faith. Accept other people’s faith.”

Christians judge one another today. Because some in Southern Baptist Convention leadership decided there could not be room for Baptists to hold varying viewpoints and still loosely cooperate together, generations are growing up in a divided kingdom looking at churches wondering if “they are with us or with them.”

It is tragic and infuriating to meet people on a mission to divide the body of Christ declaring with both conviction and a scalpel, “If you do not have my viewpoint, you don’t believe the Bible.” Deliberately choose your criteria for fellowship. Accept others.

Avoid criticizing others (Romans 14:3-4)

Paul says to the church, “We are not the other person’s Lord, so do not judge.” Jesus emphasized the same point when in his parable in Matthew 13 he said, “Let the weeds grow. If you try to pull them, some of the wheat may be uprooted as well. At harvest, I will instruct the weeds to be bundled and burned.”

Except for matters of central importance, we hold back condemnation and let our brother’s or sister’s Lord respond to the matter. This is not to mean we are to be unconcerned with correct doctrine, but in the matters of conscience, be gracious and harmonious. Avoid criticism.

Live for the Lord (Romans 14:5-9)

Another reason not to be quick to judge is out of respect for the person’s conviction under the lordship of Christ. Respect for the other person is respect for convictions. Baptists have practiced “soul competency,” recognizing the right and responsibility of the human soul to respond to the Lord’s pursuit and act from obedience to his lordship. No person stands between one person and the Lord. Judgment is reserved for the Lord, recognizing differences between the practices of convictions.

Remember God’s judgment (Romans 14:10-12)

Ultimately, every person will give account of his or her own faith. Paul says, “So why judge our brother?” They are living for the Lord and God is their judge—that gives freedom for cooperation. It frees me to love people and have possible influence in their lives. God will act in due time for ultimate judgment. He will even act in personal discipline, in his own time. Christians can use their time so much more constructively than looking over other believers’ shoulders critically.

Discussion questions

• What would you say is a biblical core conviction people must hold for you to have fellowship with them? After reading Romans 14:1-12 again, does your list need to grow or shrink?

• If it is not worth breaking fellowship over, what can a person do to influence someone who believes differently about a particular doctrine or practice?

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

Posted: 1/13/06

Samford trustees elect Westmoreland as president

By William Nunnelley

Associated Baptist Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP)—Samford University’s board of trustees unanimously elected Andrew Westmoreland the Alabama Baptist school’s 18th president.

Westmoreland has been president of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., since 1998. He will replace Thomas Corts, who retires May 31 after leading Samford since 1983.

Westmoreland, 48, was recommended to the board by an 18-member presidential search committee after an eight-month national search involving more than 140 applicants.

Trustee Chairman William Stevens introduced Westmoreland at a news conference following his election at a special meeting of the board.

“The board is very confident that Dr. Westmoreland is just the person to lead Samford at this point in the university’s 164-year history,” Stevens said. “He comes to us highly recommended not just by the search committee and the constituent reference panels (who met with Westmoreland in December), but by everyone who was contacted about his ability to lead a great university like Samford.”

Stevens noted that Westmoreland “brings an outstanding record of academic leadership” and that he is a highly effective administrator and “a proven fundraiser.”

The board chairman, who also was a member of the presidential search committee, said that as the committee worked to narrow its focus in the fall, “it became very clear that Dr. Westmoreland was someone deserving of our attention.”

Westmoreland said he accepted the board’s invitation to become Samford’s president “with appreciation for their trust in me…and with a strong sense of excitement for Samford’s future.” He will continue as president of Ouachita for the next four months, but will be involved in some transition plans with Samford before June 1, said Stevens.

“The board has asked President Corts to be available through the summer months to consult with Dr. Westmoreland on transition plans, and he has graciously agreed to help in whatever is needed to make this a smooth transition for everyone and, most importantly, for the university,” said Stevens.

Westmoreland added, “I pledge that the transition between these administrations will be seamless, harmonious and respectful of the fabric of institutional life.”

Prior to being named Ouachita president, Westmoreland served 19 years in various administrative capacities at the Arkansas Baptist institution, including executive vice president and vice president for development.

He directed two campaigns that raised $68.7 million for Ouachita while serving in the development post. During his presidency, Ouachita completed another campaign that raised $62.5 million during 2002-05.

A Batesville, Ark., native, Westmoreland is a 1979 graduate of Ouachita. He earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

As Ouachita’s president, he also taught a course in political science each semester.

Westmoreland’s wife, Jeanna, is dean of the Ouachita School of Education and chair of the Arkansas Board of Education. Their daughter, Riley, is a high school sophomore.

Ouachita enrolls about 1,500 undergraduates compared to Samford’s 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students. U.S. News & World Report ranked Ouachita fifth in the South in its category (regional comprehensive colleges) and Samford third in the South in its category (master’s degree universities).

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

Posted: 1/13/06

Kentucky college off probation

By Trennis Henderson

Kentucky Western Recorder

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP)—One year after being placed on probation by its accrediting association, Georgetown College has been “given a clean bill of health,” President Bill Crouch reported.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools placed Georgetown on probation in December 2004 due to financial concerns. SACS’ Commission on Colleges reported at the time that Georgetown failed to demonstrate compliance with the requirement of financial stability.

In 2004, Crouch and other Georgetown officials expressed disappointment with the accrediting agency’s action, noting that the school had already made progress in addressing financial issues.

The 2004 SACS report, which followed a two-year monitoring period, noted that the school “has demonstrated significant recent accomplishments in addressing non-compliance” and had provided evidence to indicate “it will remedy all deficiencies within the 12-month period.”

In the wake of an economic downturn after 9/11, Georgetown’s net assets declined by more than $16.5 million, from $61 million to $44.5 million. Since that time, the school’s net assets have increased to $52.4 million, said James Moak, Georgetown’s chief financial officer. The school’s long-term endowment also has rebounded.

“We’re just glad it’s over with. It took a lot of our time and energy we could have used in other ways,” Crouch said, affirming the school’s efforts to address the accrediting agency’s concerns.

In addition to addressing the probation issue, Georgetown officials spent recent months negotiating with Kentucky Baptist Convention leaders about changing their financial and governance relationship. The plan, approved in November by Kentucky Baptist convention messengers, specifies that Georgetown will elect its own trustees beginning in 2006 and that the state convention will phase out Georgetown’s $1.3 million convention allocation over the next four years.

Citing the school’s successful efforts on both the SACS and state convention fronts, Crouch said, “We’ve had a really fine couple of months.”

Looking to the future, he added, “We think we’re going to have our most successful year ever in terms of enrollment and fund-raising.”

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

Posted: 1/06/06

CBF continues to help South Asia rebuild

By Carla Wynn

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

SARDU KADAPA, India–Sixty-year-old Ramajayamma believes one person can change a village. For 45 years, she has gone door-to-door sharing Jesus Christ with neighbors in her southern India fishing village. Over the years, her efforts have helped form four churches with more than 1,500 Christians.

But the church buildings–some already weak structures–were damaged in the December 2004 tsunami that killed more than 178,000 people in Southern Asia.

Through the gifts to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Asian Response, four new churches are being built in this fishing community–the first one dedicated on Christmas, nearly one year after the tsunami, said CBF Global Missions field representative Sam Bandela.

The Fellowship also has bought 200 school uniforms for children in the fishing village of Peddamynavani Lanka. After receiving uniforms and Bibles for each family, the entire village celebrated in an event that included local and state government officials.

“It's hard to get smiles off these boys' and girls' faces. During the celebration, these boys and girls were so happy, encouraged and excited, along with their family members,” Bandela said.

Between the CBF and its partner organization World Vision, more than 1,000 uniforms have been purchased for Indian children in the tsunami's aftermath.

Funds from the CBF tsunami offering also opened a sewing center in the village of Sardu Kadapa, where local teenage girls learned skills that will generate income for themselves and their families.

Because training is done in the girls' village, they still can live with their parents, preventing the safety concerns of having to relocate, Bandela said. Three additional sewing centers have been or will soon be opened in other villages.

Teenage girls who do not finish high school only have potential of earning 25 cents per day doing crochet work. With the new sewing skills they learn in the class, these girls will be able to earn around $2 per day by making dresses, more than an average wage for Indian women, Bandela said.

“We are helping them stand on their own feet with this newly acquired skill,” he said.

These projects are part of a holistic approach to missions, meeting a variety of needs in culturally appropriate ways, Bandela explained. And as a result, Christian workers are seeing a spiritual response.

“Many people are interested to know more about Christian faith. Many closed doors and hearts are being opened,” he said.

Other plans in India include buying pushcarts for up to 1,000 women who sell fish in villages. Currently, the women balance the fish supply on their heads as they travel the community selling fish, and carts will be less of a physical strain, Bandela said.

As many as 200 additional families will receive bicycles, which will enable better transportation for fishermen.

In helping meet physical needs, Bandela said, “we can develop a one-on-one, personal relationship to share the gospel.”

These tsunami-affected villages depend on the fishing industry, and as a Christmas gift, CBF provided 400 families in four villages with new fishing nets, Bandela said. Sanitation systems and water development projects also were scheduled.

For more information on the Fellowship's continued response to the Southeast Asian tsunami, visit www.thefellowship.info/disaster/tsunami.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

Posted: 1/09/06

CBF tsunami relief to continue for two years

By Carla Wynn

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

ATLANTA (ABP)—On Dec. 26, 2004, in an instant, a roaring wave and a rush of water changed life for coastal residents of South Asia. For some, the water took everything—personal belongings, houses, cities, friends and family. More than 225,000 people lost their lives, and those who survived were left with a profound sense of suffering and loss.

An ocean away, Baptists saw the destruction and responded. Churches took up special offerings. Children gave from their allowances. Others found unique ways to raise relief funds.

In all, more than $2.56 million was contributed to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Asian response fund, which is aiding in tsunami relief and development projects in South Asia. As of early December, more than $885,600 had been distributed to help in restoration, rebuilding and development, which will continue for another two years.

Here is an update of the work so far:

— In Sri Lanka, the Fellowship is partnering to build a new 77-house village that will house “squatter” families, who lived on borrowed land within 100 meters of the Indian Ocean. When buffer zones were established for post-tsunami construction, these families lost their land. Nearly 50 houses are in some stage of construction. The new village will include a community center with specialized programming, such as day care and skills training.

— The tsunami flooded many wells and destroyed other means of obtaining clean water. Through drilling new wells and constructing water towers, clean water is being made available to communities. Repairs have been made to other water systems damaged by the tsunami. In one area where only 17 percent of water-storage tanks were functional, repairs have restored the system to serve about 3,000 people. The Fellowship has also provided water purification tablets in India and larger purification systems capable of cleaning 600 gallons of water per hour. A new affordable well-drilling technology and method has been introduced by CBF and its partners in Sri Lanka, with the intention of using this in other areas.

— More than 45 schools throughout the tsunami areas have been helped through rebuilding or supplies such as books, clothing and shoes.

— Alternative-energy sources have been developed using solar power and wind power. Some solar power systems are pumping clean water to communities. In another area, a windmill is generating energy for lighting.

— “Livelihood kits” specific to occupations have been provided to get carpenters, fishermen, farmers and mechanics back in business, thus providing an income for their families. The kits “help us to stand back up and not become a generation dependent on handouts,” said one local resident.. These tools are essential … to rebuild our future.” More than 1,300 kits were distributed this fall. The Fellowship has also helped repair or purchase fishing boats to enable fishermen to return to their livelihood. In India, plans include buying push carts for women who sell fish in villages and bicycles that will provide better transportation for fishermen.

— The Fellowship continues to partner with local churches and international groups such as Habitat for Humanity, Mercy Foundation and other relief organizations for new housing projects in all countries affected by the tsunami destruction.

— The rainy season brings further complications, particularly to those living in tents at camps. Some tents continually sit in puddles of water. The Fellowship helped provide wooden floors, which give temporary relief.

— In India, where many churches were damaged or destroyed by the tsunami, the Fellowship is funding new church buildings.

Volunteers helped with construction projects and served in medical clinics that treated thousands of tsunami survivors. The Fellowship’s priorities for relief funds and volunteers include construction of education centers, development of water-treatment systems, economic development through micro-enterprise, home construction or rehabilitation, and medical and dental clinics.

“Because of the outpouring of love and concern from CBF partners and friends, shattered lives are being restored, new hope is being engendered, and those who felt they had no future are slowly embracing courage to face another day,” said Jack Snell, interim CBF global missions coordinator. “We are deeply grateful to all whose on-going support through the Offering for Global Missions enables our personnel to be on the field, and whose generosity has provided resources so we can respond to these devastating needs.”

Needs in the region are still great. Most of the displaced tsunami survivors are still living in tents or other temporary shelters. Rebuilding is a slow process, but the Fellowship has committed to meet long-term needs. The Fellowship will maintain its presence through its partners and field personnel in tsunami-affected areas, officials said.

For more information on the Fellowship's continued response to the Southeast Asian tsunami, visit www.thefellowship.info/disaster/tsunami.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.