Posted: 2/16/07

Definition of ‘evangelical’ debated

By Hannah Elliott

Associated Baptist Press

DALLAS (ABP)—One out of every four adults who call themselves “evangelical” is not a “born-again” Christian, according to a recent report from the Barna Group. And that’s just the beginning of the confusion surrounding the term “evangelical.”

For instance, some political pundits tend to qualify evangelicals mainly as people who vote against abortion rights and gay marriage. Many Roman Catholics think they’re evangelical. Most Mormons don’t.

The confusion has progressed so far that some “progressive evangelicals” have decided to forego the term completely, opting instead for the ambiguous label of “red-letter Christian.”

What’s the real cause of the misunderstanding and misuse? The very nature of what makes an evangelical has fluctuated for decades.

Barna’s report calls people “born again” if they have made a personal commitment to Jesus and believe they’ll go to heaven because they confessed their sin and accepted Jesus as savior. But many who also call themselves evangelical just don’t fit that bill, Barna Group founder George Barna said.

His report differentiates between two kinds of evangelicals—people who self-identify as evangelicals and people who meet a nine-point theological criterion that defines the identity.

All told, 84 million adults in the United States call themselves evangelicals, while only 18 million qualify as such using the nine-point filter, the report said.

Either way, “evangelical” was not used in the Bible and has become a “sloppy” way to label believers, Barna said.

“Responsible analysts … should be encouraged to re-examine the term and the measures they are using,” he said in the report. “Political commentators, reporters, educators and researchers continually make important claims about the spiritual life, lifestyle patterns, voting preferences and issue stands of evangelicals, even though it is clear that the criteria they use for identifying evangelicals are misleading at best.”

Barna’s nine criteria are based on earlier assessments conducted by the National Association of Evangelicals. They include the two qualifiers for the born-again label, plus belief that faith is “very important” in life; belief that Christians have a responsibility to tell others about Christ; belief that Satan exists; belief that unending life is possible only through God and can’t be earned through works; belief that Jesus lived a sinless life; belief that the Bible is complete and accurate; and belief that God is an all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created and participates in the universe.

Survey respondents were not labeled based on whether or not they attended church.

Along with the claim that not all evangelicals are born-again, the study found other discrepancies between the popular perception of who—or what—an evangelical is and who meets the Barna litmus test.

Researchers found self-proclaimed evangelicals are less likely to have graduated from college than their nine-point counterparts (29 percent versus 39 percent), are less likely to be married (63 percent versus 77 percent) and have lower household incomes ($40,250 for self-reporters compared to $49,194).

They also found political opinions misaligned somewhat between self-described evangelicals and nine-point evangelicals. For instance, the former are less likely to be socially conservative—45 percent of them are, compared to 65 percent of the latter.

All told, “there is only a 7-percentage-point difference in the number of Democrats and Republicans among the self-defined evangelicals but a 25-point difference among those who are deemed evangelical by virtue of their beliefs,” the report said.

Data for the survey came from nationwide telephone surveys conducted in January, April, August and October of 2006. In total, 4,014 adults were interviewed.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

DOWN HOME:
A birthday present from Dr. Bob

After a few months of working up the nerve, I finally accepted the 50th birthday present my doctor arranged for me.

Call it a cleansing experience.

Back in the good ol’ days—like when I was 49—Dr. Bob seemed content to ascertain my health by examining the outside of me. Oh, he wanted samples of my blood to send off to the lab, all right. But mostly, he just poked and prodded, and peered into my ears, up my nose and down my throat.

But now, just because I moved beyond the Big 5-0, Dr. Bob seems to believe he needs to actually see what’s going on inside of me. Since I literally trust him with my life, I pretty much do what he says to do. And thank God for medical science, none of this involves scalpels and stitches. So far.

Dr. Bob gave me a phone number to call.

“These are all good people,” he said.

“They will take excellent care of you,” he added, as if he realized I might not really care if they’re good people as long as they don’t hurt me.

So, I called the phone number Dr. Bob gave me and played Doctor Roulette. I told the nice-sounding woman who answered the phone that I needed to see one of her doctors. She asked if I had a preference. Since I didn’t know any of them anyway, I told her I didn’t care. So she asked me when I wanted to come to their office. And that’s how I came to meet Dr. Warren. Turns out, he was free to see me the same morning I was free to see him.

Right away, I liked the guy. He didn’t seem in such a hurry, and—even better—he actually speaks English, not Medicalese.

Dr. Warren asked me a few questions nobody else on the planet, with the possible except of Dr. Bob, would have a right to ask me. About Mother and Daddy, plus Mom and Pop and Grammar and Popo, and all my uncles and cousins. Also about me.

Then, he told me that the night before I came to see him again, all I had to do was drink two little vials of “medicine,” each mixed with four ounces of 7-Up or Sprite, six hours apart.

Right away, I loved the guy. Just about all my friends who had passed this way before me had warned me that Dr. Warren would tell me I would have to drink a full gallon of what could most graciously be called rotten liquid chalk. My stuff tasted like strong citrus juice and went down smooth.

What happened the next nine or 10 hours really is none of your business.

The next morning, Dr. Warren was at the hospital, waiting for me. Myrna, a wonderful nurse, told me another doctor would give me something that, among other things, would cause me to forget most of what happened next. She was partly right. I forgot the other doctor’s name.

But I do remember Dr. Warren telling me that if everybody would do what I was doing, we could just about wipe out deaths from colon cancer.

So, when the time comes for you, take Dr. Bob’s advice and go see someone like Dr. Warren. Call it your birthday present for the people you love the most.

—Marv Knox

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

EDITORIAL:
The Executive Board’s crucial agenda

The eyes of Texas Baptists will be upon the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board Feb. 26-27. We’ll watch to see if the board resolves three key issues:

• Church-starting scandal.

In a called meeting Oct. 31, Executive Board directors received a report on misappropriation of church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley. It told a terrible tale. Texas Baptists spent $1.3 million to start 258 churches and only have five churches to show for it. Staff disregarded their own policies. The convention wasted six years promoting a church-starting scheme that failed miserably. Even after the FBI inquired, board leaders failed to get to the bottom of things.

Independent investigators made seven suggestions for fixing the problem: (1) Review and revise church-starting guidelines, (2) gather accurate, accessible information about new-church mortality rates, (3) integrate recordkeeping between program areas, (4) institute better internal controls over disbursements and hire an internal auditor, (5) give the accounting department authority to control and design the reporting system, (6) respond immediately to allegations of impropriety and (7) trust but verify.

A committee of Executive Board directors has been working with staff to ensure the recommendations are implemented. Early reports seem positive, but staff must realize each correction must be addressed thoroughly. We will listen to learn how closely recommendations have been followed. We will be anxious to hear the status of efforts to provide documentation to legal authorities and to solicit restitution. And we will seek safeguards to ensure the problem will not recur. We wonder if the board will institute accountability practices for implementing policies. Cleanup of one mess is not enough; we want to know future messes will not be made.

• Convention authority.

Two weeks after the investigators reported, Executive Board directors gathered on the eve of the BGCT annual meeting to decide how to respond to the scandal. The response sounded encouraging. Among other steps, the board voted to implement “expeditiously and in full” the investigators’ seven recommendations and to evaluate whether to turn their findings over to “any appropriate government investigatory agency.”

During the BGCT annual meeting, a messenger sought to take that last idea one step further. Rather than depend upon the Executive Board to evaluate the possibility of turning findings over to government officials, he proposed a motion that would have directed the board to give the material to the FBI. The convention president ruled his motion out of order, citing a ruling by a parliamentarian that the Executive Board’s previous decisions “pre-empted any action by the convention.” This sent shock waves through the convention, since most Texas Baptists believe messengers to annual meetings comprise the ultimate convention authority and the Executive Board should serve the wishes of the messengers. While most Texas Baptists would agree some functions and authority should be delegated to the board, few would claim the board should wield authority superior to the messengers’.

So, we wait for the Executive Board’s response. Will the board repudiate the parliamentary ruling? Will it consider governance changes to ensure future parliamentarians do not rule similarly? Early indications are positive. But for almost 400 years, Baptists have practiced democratic polity, and Texas Baptists above all have championed fierce autonomy. So, a failure to reject the presbyterian form of governance to which the ruling leads would not only be ironic, but also historically repulsive.

• Leadership/future.

The alarm caused by the Valley scandal and the parliamentary ruling does not exist in isolation. These issues merely compound discomfort from several years of churning change. Discomfort has been agitated by awkwardly paradoxical convention reorganization—at once brash and timid, far-reaching and tentative, unable to be ignored at convention meetings but easily overlooked in local churches. Frankly, folks don’t have a lot of confidence in the Executive Board staff and directors these days.

This has cast a shadow over fine Christians. Texas Baptists openly speculate about the tenure of Charles Wade, the Executive Board’s executive director, whose record as a creative and passionate pastor is sterling. Likewise, the fate of the newly reorganized Executive Board is an open question. It’s only been in existence for a year, but it has reached a moment of truth. Will it step up, restore trust and lead the BGCT to a bright future, or will it be seen as a bit player in the decline of a once-vibrant convention?

Marv Knox is editor of the Baptist Standard.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

El Paso couple train Ethiopian medical personnel

By Carla Wynn

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia—In overcrowded outpatient clinics in Ethiopia, patients wait many hours to see medical personnel. When their needs are too complex, they’re often referred to Black Lion Hospital, where Ethiopians travel often hundreds of miles for treatment. And thanks to a Texas couple, more Ethiopians might see healing happen.

Don and Patsy Meier of First Baptist Church in El Paso recently went to Addis Ababa, where they helped introduced new and more effective medical procedures to personnel at Black Lion Hospital.

Patsy Meier helps train hospital personnel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Our goal in going to Ethiopia was to demonstrate in tangible ways God’s love to the people of this country through a ministry of healing and medical education in Jesus’ name,” said Meier, a professor of pediatric surgery at Texas Tech University.

It was their second trip this year, having gone in February 2006 with David Harding, one of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Global Missions field personnel who serves as international coordinator for disaster response and has facilitated water purification and medical relief projects in Ethiopia. On their February trip, the Meiers “were so overwhelmed with the needs we saw … that we went back on our own,” Meier said.

In their 10-day follow-up trip, the Meiers assisted in 22 operations . Meier showed Ethiopian surgeons new surgical techniques, and his wife, a retired operating room nurse, helped facilitate procedures and show nurses new skills.

“It’s what the Meiers do best—empower local medical personnel,” said Harding. “That is the heartbeat of their ministry.”

By teaching doctors and nurses, the Meiers contribute to long-term change. They don’t accomplish as much numerically as other medical volunteers that perform surgeries themselves. However, “in terms of impact on the local community, I think (teaching) is a far better way for me to do things since the expertise that I leave behind will continue after I have returned to my U.S. practice,” Meier said.

The Meiers also volunteer with a mission hospital in Aldama, Mexico, and have helped equip four operating rooms, which will open soon in medical clinics in Aldama and Chihuahua, Mexico.

Other Fellowship involvement in Ethiopia includes Water is Life, a water supply and purification initiative launched by Harding. It is committed to implementing sustainable solutions to bring clean water to Ethiopian communities.

More that 55 million people in Ethiopia do not have access to safe drinking water.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

Faith Digest

More Americans want less religion in public life. For the third consecutive year, the number of Americans calling for less religious influence in public life exceeded the number of Americans who want more, a new Gallup poll revealed. Most Americans, however, remain “generally satisfied” with organized religion’s role in the United States, the survey found. About 40 percent of Americans say religion’s level of influence in the nation should not change, 32 percent would like it to have less influence and 27 percent would like it to have more, the survey showed. Weekly churchgoers are much more likely to agree that religion should have greater influence on government and politics than people who go to church less frequently, the survey found. The number of Americans who think religion should have less impact has increased 10 percentage points since 2001, according to Gallup.

American economy linked to spiritual health. Most adults in the United States say the overall health of the nation’s economy is dependent on how spiritual Americans are, a survey by the Gallup Organization shows. Seventy-seven percent of the respondents said the nation’s economic health depends a “great deal” or to “some” degree on its spiritual health. The survey, called “The Spiritual State of the Union,” was conducted for the Spiritual Enterprise Institute, a West Palm Beach, Fla.-based center that focuses on building understanding of how spiritual values affect economic life. Of those Americans surveyed, more than half say their religious beliefs greatly affect their feelings about the future, and more than one-third say they affect their relationships at work and how involved they are in volunteer activities. Fourteen percent of those surveyed said they consider a decline in society—ethically, morally or religiously—to be among the top problems facing America today.

Muslims concerned about excavation near holy site. More than 100 Muslims held a peaceful protest in Jerusalem to demand a halt to Israeli plans to construct a pedestrian bridge leading to the Temple Mount out of fears that the construction will desecrate the site, which is holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians. The bridge will replace the Mugrabi walkway, which engineers deemed structurally unsafe for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the mount, which Muslims call Haram al-Sharif and is home to the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque. Due to its holiness and its political significance to both Jews and Arabs, the Temple Mount has been the site of numerous violent confrontations. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, where the Temple Mount, Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and countless other holy sites are located, to be the capital of their future state. The construction of the bridge, coupled with excavations by archeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority hoping to “rescue” antiquities buried at the construction site, sparked Muslim anger throughout the Middle East.

American Jewish population larger than reported before. The Jewish population in the United States is 20 percent higher than previously reported, according to a new study released by the Brandeis University Steinhardt Social Research Institute. The institute estimated there are 6 million to 6.4 million Jews living in the United States, along with another million people with Jewish ancestry, by analyzing survey data collected by a range of government, academic and private foundations. This report disputes the earlier National Jewish Population Study, which reported only 5.2 million American Jews. The telephone-based survey had underestimated non-Orthodox Jews and those under age 55, the new study concludes.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

Texas Baptist Forum

Too much like Jesus?

Charles Wade asked if Baptists could be “too much like Jesus” (Jan. 22). Seven pages later, a story reported “about one-third of a penny” for every dollar of income of the average church member supports “benevolent causes outside the congregation.” Is this “too much like Jesus”?

• Jump to online-only letters below

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

“I recognize we are meeting here today to consider a bill to protect chickens. But isn't protecting our nation’s young women … equally, if not more, important than our dinner entree?” James Sensenbrenner U.S. congressman, R-Wis., discussing his unsuccessful attempt to add an amendment outlawing taking minors across state lines for an abortion to a bill increasing penalties for transporting animals across state lines for the purposes of fighting (RNS) “It’s not like we’re sitting in the pews. It’s the honor system plus some third-party oversight.” Nancy Mathis Internal Revenue Service spokeswoman, speaking about how the agency doesn’t launch investigations into churches violating IRS rules about politicking unless it receives a complaint (USA Today/RNS) “My faith explains me. … We are a nation of faith. It doesn't necessarily have to be mine. But we are a nation that believes that faith is an important part of describing who we are, and our generosity, and our sense of optimism and hope. That does describe me.” Mike Huckabee Republican presidential candidate, former Arkansas governor and former Baptist pastor (Meet the Press/ABP)

Most of us have no desire to really be like the One we call “Lord.” We are too comfortable with our lifestyles and reputations to strive for the changes necessary in our lives and churches to be accused of being like Christ.

To be viewed like Jesus, the church must stop using building programs as a marketing method of excitement or as “upgrades” for the “glory of God.” This is nothing more than materialistic churches choosing to spend their money on themselves. New buildings for nongrowing churches are more for our comfort than “God’s glory.” If God had a vote at most business meetings, he would vote to spend the dollars on the needy instead of on the satisfied. 

We must admit the majority of the church, like the majority of the world, will never adopt the “Jesus agenda” that Wade speaks of. The question is: “Will we fulfill Christ’s call of self-denial and sacrifice, or will we let our desires to fill pews and appear relevant continue to strangle real life out of the church?”

Greg Willis

Granbury

New Baptist Covenant

I do hope the convocation on the New Baptist Covenant (Jan 22) will serve its purpose. It sounds like a good thing. But please don’t expect me to believe politics are not a factor. Not with former President Bill Clinton’s wife running for president.

Former President Carter and Clinton would be more credible if, as professing Christians and Baptists, they would include the unborn in their concern for the “least of these.”

The abortion president—Bill Clinton—did enormous damage to the moral fabric of our great country that we may never recover from when he pushed and promoted abortion, as well as the gay/lesbian lifestyle, thus undermining marriage. The Bible clearly addresses these issues. Intelligent people cannot plead ignorance.

How can healing take place without first the repentance of God’s people, as in 2 Chronicles 7:14? It can’t.

Yes, Baptists should be known for our love and caring, and I believe we are, but we should also be known for what we’re against. There are two sides of the coin.

Joyce Lucas

Midland

I have been a subscriber to the Standard for many years and have marveled at the fair-minded handling of the letters to the editor. Equal treatment of letters is a stretch some times, I am sure. However, the Feb. 5 issue left me wondering about the Christian attitude of some of the writers: You would think the letters section was from a political forum.

I am sure I have never read such vicious and malicious attacks on any of our former presidents of these United States. It seems these letters had more of a political bent than a religious expression. We do not need that in our state Baptist news.

These former presidents (Carter and Clinton) do not deserve this treatment when their involvement in the convocation for the New Baptist Covenant is to further the cause of uniting various bodies of Baptists into a worldwide noble effort to bring Jesus to hurting sinners. I applaud these men that they would lend their names to this effort.

Shame on these writers who use the liberty of your pages to vent their hate on two honorable Baptist laymen. “He that is without sin among you cast the first stone.”

Harry G. Clay

Weatherford

Covenant leaders repel

The convocation for the New Baptist Covenant may well be a worthy endeavor, but it seems if one wants to unite Baptists one would pick people as representatives who are not so divisive and polarizing.

The Carter/Clinton combo is as likely to repel as many as it is to recruit. Both men have far too much political and personal baggage. One can join with many different Christian groups that exist to do the same type of “good works” and have more in common with them then to join with fellow Baptists whom one doesn’t understand or comprehend.

Jean Whitmore

Okinawa, Japan

Saddam, Islam and the war against Satan

As I digested my Feb. 5 Standard, I read two things that disturbed me.

In “Out Loud,” David Gushee mentioned “… democracy such as the one on display at the execution of Sadam Hussein.” In “Right or Wrong?” Philip Wise notes “… the undignified execution of Sadam Hussein.”

Sadam Hussein was directly responsible for the murder, slaughter, massacre of a million people. We should be concerned with the “dignity” of his execution? The academic credentials of Gushee and Wise make their statements even more disturbing, exemplifying the phrase “Ivory Tower.”

Allah is Satan parading as the God of Abraham. Mohammad was a prophet of Satan. If one questions this, look at their works.

The last thing this country or our church needs is academia supporting Islamic terrorists by undermining the war against Satan.

Fred Rosenbaum

Gainesville

Wal-Mart bashing

Some Baptists have joined many liberal groups in Wal-Mart bashing. They ignore many less-successful businesses.

Since Wal-Mart came to Port Lavaca—and, I’m sure, many other areas—they hired chronically unemployed people, as well as many people who traditionally were unemployable, due to physical, educational, age or mental challenges.

Wal-Mart has saved the working poor—and many of the rest of us—far more money than many businesses out there. What about the recent $4 charge on prescriptions? Unheard of!

Why do you think the banking industry rose up as a whole to challenge—and defeat—Wal-Mart’s attempt to get a banking permit? No one complained. Who else allows many charitable organizations to collect donations at their door?

People work for Wal-Mart because they want to and Wal-Mart will hire them. The workers probably think their part of the Golden Rule is getting a paycheck.

Baptists can find enough real evil in America upon which to spend our efforts. What about our movie and TV industries or credit card companies? Or do we have two Golden Rules?

Incidentally, I don’t own even one share of Wal-Mart stock.

Jerry Pentecost

Point Comfort

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

On the Move

• Bob Alber to Longbranch Community Church in Midlothian as minister to students.

• Curtis Barrett to First Church in Muskogee, Okla., as minister of preschool and children from First Church in Lewisville, where he was children’s minister.

• David Bristow to New Life Church in Covington as pastor, where he was interim.

• Dan Bullock to First Church in Weinert as pastor.

• Doug Childers has resigned as pastor of Midway Church in Ferris.

• Shayne Childers has resigned as minister of music and education at First Church in Cross Plains.

• Doug Crabb to Gribble Springs Church in Sanger as pastor.

• Sean Culpepper has resigned as minister of youth at College Heights Church in Cleburne.

• Tyler Doyle has resigned as minister of youth at First Church in Celeste.

• Jack Earwood to Cana Church in Burleson as minister to the deaf and hard of hearing.

• Pat Flowers to Lake Tomahawk Encamp-ment in Livingston as camp manager.

• Patrick Hamilton to First Church in Olton as pastor.

• Brooke Holloway to Central Church in Marshall as minister of youth and community missions.

• Brian Jennings to Alsbury Church in Burleson as student minister from Ferris Avenue Church in Waxahachie.

• Billy Norris has resigned as pastor of First Church in Fate.

• Chance Perkins to College Heights Church in Plainview as youth minister.

• James Ralson to Shady Grove Church in Greenville as pastor.

• James Reid to Navarro Mills Church in Purdon as interim pastor.

• Troy Sikes to Brushie Church in Dawson as pastor.

• Angie Stevens has resigned as minister to children at Georgetown Church in Pottsboro.

• Brandon Treadway has resigned as minister of music at First Church in Cleburne.

• Sherry York to Northview Church in Lewisville as minister of preschoolers and children.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

Texas Tidbits

Howard Payne, DBU honored for community service. The President’s Higher Education Community Honor Roll program recently recognized Howard Payne University and Dallas Baptist University. This year, the program specifically emphasized hurricane relief projects conducted by university students.

Foundation awards challenge grant to Howard Payne. Howard Payne University has received a $750,000 challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Okla., to support the university’s Sharing the Vision Capital Campaign. To qualify for the grant, Howard Payne must raise the balance needed for the total group of projects by January 2008. The total cost of the projects is $7,625,000. More than $5.2 million has been raised to date.  Adding the anticipated $750,000 from the foundation, a balance of about $1.6 million remains to be raised. The Mabee grant and additional funding will be used toward renovation of existing buildings to create an art program facility, a Faith and Life Leadership Center and the welcome center, as well as creating endowments and scholarships.

UMHB dedicates administrative complex addition. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has dedicated the new wing of its Sanderford Administrative Complex. The two-story, 16,500-square-foot addition includes offices for the president, provost, executive vice president, human resources department and the vice president for businesses and finance.

Endowed scholarship established at ETBU. The Obie Baker Foundation has established an endowed scholarship at East Texas Baptist University in his memory. Baker—a College of Marshall graduate who was instrumental in forming the ETBU alumni association—was principal 33 years at the consolidated school of East Mountain and was pastor of New Bethlehem Baptist Church 31 years. The scholarship will benefit students majoring in education or full-time Christian ministry.

ETBU campaign tops $330,000. East Texas Baptist University surpassed its $180,000 fund-raising campaign goal by more than $150,000. The $330,000 raised will be used for student scholarships and special projects.

Baptist Health Foundation awards scholarships. The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio has awarded 130 spring semester scholarships to students at Baptist Health System’s School of Health Professions. These scholarships provided $156,710 to students enrolled in the school’s nursing and allied health educational programs. Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio was established to fund not-for-profit health-care services throughout Bexar County and contiguous counties in South Texas and scholarships at the School of Health Professions.

Endowed memorial scholarship established at Hardin-Simmons. Renee Heathcott has established the Pete and Naomi Fast Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Hardin-Simmons University in memory of her parents. The scholarship will benefit church music students in the School of Music and Fine Arts. Fast was a Hardin-Simmons graduate who served Baptist churches in Sweetwater, Abilene, Fort Worth, Odessa, San Benito, Port Arthur, Tulia and Houston as minister of music and education. Mrs. Fast served on staff at Hardin-Simmons University as the accompanist for the music department.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

TOGETHER:
Matters of nature; matters of prayer

God’s creation amazes us. The natural world in which we live and breathe sustains physical life and, at times, sends blatant reminders of its power.

In New Orleans this month, we have been reminded again of nature’s power, as tornadoes struck an already-damaged city. And in Texas, we have been reminded we have a stewardship of creation none of us can ignore.

David Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans, said in the latest storm’s aftermath: “It’s like the picture you see of a severely beaten man who is on his knees, bleeding, and then he takes another blow. You wonder if this is the point where the poor fellow will just fall over and lie still.”

Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

In the midst of the trauma, First Baptist in New Orleans is reaching out to help the people of the city. “We took water, food, chainsaws and other clean-up supplies to the debris-strewn areas,” he reported. “It was another opportunity to share the love of Christ.”

Tornadoes and hurricanes, with their random displays of force, give us only a chance to respond. But in other matters of how we deal with our stewardship of creation, we have the chance to be proactive. Such is the case in Texas as we determine how to meet our energy needs.

Christian Life Commission Director Suzii Paynter recently issued an appeal for our governor and legislature to consider carefully the issues related to building new power plants in Texas.

This matter needs discussion in Texas life. It cannot simply be a decision made by people with a financial interest in the matter. This issue affects all of us. It deserves to be thought through, and time must be given for people to consider the best options.

This is not a partisan political issue. It is clear from widespread discussion that Republicans and Democrats both are concerned about the long-term results of this decision.

This is truly a moral, biblical and theological issue. God gave the human race stewardship over creation. He gave the earth to us so we might use and enjoy it, to have dominion over it. But nowhere does he give any of us the right to destroy it or to use it up for our own advantage without regard to our children and their children, or without regard for others who share the planet with us.

I take that to mean that if you cut down trees, you plant more. If you farm the land, you practice good conservation policies. If you care about the health of people, you give attention to plumbing and sewers, and you don’t pollute the rivers and streams. If the air we all breathe is not respected and protected as far as is possible, we have been careless and disrespectful of the Creator’s gifts.

The Christian Life Commission position is not that there should be no coal-fired power plants. Paynter is calling for the state to slow down the permit process in order to consider important health and technology information requested by city leaders.

The CLC is not speaking for Texas Baptists, but it is saying to us that this issue needs our consideration and involvement.

Our thoughtful, earnest prayers are needed both for our New Orleans friends and our state leaders. Our actions are needed, as well.

We are loved.

Charles Wade is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

CYBER COLUMN:
Predictable

By Berry D. Simpson

I walked up to the counter at the fast-food restaurant at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, and the woman with the bright smile and twinkling eyes and pulled-back hair said in her deep voice, “Here you are.”

She was pushing a tray with a large drink cup and a serving of hotcakes (no sausage), along with all the accessories. She was clearly proud of herself for having my order ready before I actually ordered it—in fact, before I said even one word.

“Well, you certainly have me figured out,” I told her.

“Is this what you want this morning?” she asked.

“Yes, it sure is,” I replied, paying her $3.55 for my high-class power breakfast and sat in a booth with my friend, Keith. We’ve met for hotcakes-and-large-Diet-Coke every Tuesday morning for seven or eight years, and I guess the professional wait staff picked up on our predictable behavior.

Keith was smiling when I sat down, having overheard the entire exchange at the counter and knowing they had my order ready even as I was walking in the front door. “There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you like,” he said.

“That’s right!” I said.

Keith is an attorney, I am an engineer, and being predictable is one of our best assets. We don’t need a lot of change in our lives. We find what we like and stick to it. While others may be tossed to and fro every time they stand in front of a menu, trying to decide what they feel like eating that morning, we already know. On the table in front of Keith was a tray containing hotcakes (no sausage) and a large Diet Coke—just like mine.

I wouldn’t have thought someone in a fast-food restaurant that serves hundreds of people every day would remember one customer’s order, even an order repeated weekly for 300 times. I’m always surprised when I discover someone else has been noticing the details of my life. Who knew they were paying such close attention all this time? It makes me wonder how many other people are keeping track of me, and I haven’t yet noticed. It makes me wonder if I pay enough attention to people around me to notice the small details of their lives. I’m afraid I’m usually too absorbed in my books and journals to notice much.

Maybe it isn’t that they pay so much attention to me, but because I do the same things over and over week after week it’s impossible not to notice. Maybe my predictable life draws attention through its very repetition.

Sometimes, I wonder if living a predictable life is not such a good idea. It’s no good trying to be unpredictable on purpose. In fact, people who make it a point to be unpredictable, who brag, “You never know what I’ll do,” are a lot of trouble. They feel compelled to do the unexpected simply trying to live up to their reputation. That isn’t what I mean about being less predictable. What I mean is this: Should I loosen my grip a bit? Does it get in the way of the Holy Spirit’s influence? Am I so locked into my habit patterns I can’t be directed by the Spirit?

John 3:8 says: “You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”

Well, I’ve been born again, into the Spirit of God. Am I standing still like a tree when I should be blowing on the wind?

There is a Greek word, pneuma, which in the Bible is commonly translated as “spirit” or “breath.” “Pneumatology” refers to the study of spiritual beings, particularly the interactions between humans and God. Leonard Sweet writes that we Christians should be wind riders, traveling by faith in God, sharing Jesus and led by the Holy Pneuma-Wind, the Spirit. We’re Pneumanauts for God

Well, when I walked back through the dining area to visit the men’s room, I passed a man and woman from my church, only they were sitting at a table on the left instead of the corner booth on the right, where they sat week after week. It was a significant move, I thought. I said, “You two moved across the room? Just like that?”

“Yes, it was time for something different.”

“Wow, so unpredictable. You’re very brave.”

Berry Simpson, a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Midland, is a petroleum engineer, writer, runner and member of the city council in Midland. You can contact him through e-mail at berry@stonefoot.org.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

Lebanese, Palestinian Baptists
ask for prayer amid strife

By Robert Marus

Associated Baptist Press

BEIRUT (ABP)—Amid continuing strife in their areas, Baptists in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip requested prayers from their brothers and sisters around the world.

Nabil Costa, director of the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development, sent an e-mail alert titled “Pray for Lebanon!” to colleagues and supporters.

“This is a critical time for Lebanon!” he wrote, referring to two bus explosions that killed at least 11 Lebanese early Feb. 13. The explosions took place in a majority-Christian area near Beirut.

“It is with much apprehension that we’ve been watching this current week, particularly since a pro-government rally is scheduled for … Feb. 14, close to where the opposition supporters have been holding a sit-in,” Costa noted.

February 14 marked the two-year anniversary of the assassination of a Lebanese political leader that led to political upheaval in the divided nation. The most recent conflicts are outgrowths of a weeks-old protest that supporters of Hezbollah, an extremist Shiite Muslim political party in Lebanon, and its allies have waged against the Sunni-led government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The unrest followed a devastating bombing campaign by Israeli fighter jets and naval vessels in July and August of 2006 mainly aimed at Hezbollah-friendly areas of the country.

In late January, street fighting erupted near the Beirut Baptist School’s campus. Costa’s group runs it and the nearby Arab Baptist Theological Seminary.

“Please pray for wisdom for the leaders of the different political groups that they may restrain their followers and avoid a repetition of the clashes that took place last January,” Costa wrote.

Meanwhile, members of a Baptist church in Gaza City have been able to reclaim their building amidst a cease-fire in fighting between rival Palestinian factions.

Open Doors, a United States-based group that tracks persecution of Christians around the globe, reported Palestinian Authority police officers had relinquished control of the six-story Gaza Baptist Church building, which they had seized Feb. 2.

Hanna Massad, the church’s pastor, said authorities view the church building as a vital position because of its location adjacent to Gaza City’s main police station.

According to the Open Doors statement, Massad said the church had sustained some minor damage during the seizure, affecting the front door and some windows.

The police are controlled by the relatively moderate Fatah political party, which has struggled with the Islamist Hamas party since Palestinian parliamentary elections put Hamas into power last year. In December, the conflict erupted into open violence in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Since then, nearly 100 Palestinians have died in the fighting.

A breakthrough in ongoing talks between Hamas and Fatah on Feb. 9 caused the police to leave the church building. Massad said the congregation held its regular Sunday services Feb. 11, after canceling them the previous Sunday.

However, Massad added, the cease-fire remains fragile. “We are afraid they will come back if things get bad,” he said. “I think people feel much better, but they’re still watching, waiting.”

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 2/16/07

Young Baptist leaders address
social justice at Current retreat

By Patricia Heys

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

AUSTIN (ABP)—More than 100 leaders from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship gathered a few blocks from the Texas state capital to discuss social justice.

Current, the fellowship’s network for young leaders, hosted its eighth annual retreat at First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.

“The theme of social justice hits home with our generation,” said Jeremy Colliver, youth minister at Faith Baptist Church in Georgetown, Ky., and a student at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky.

“I think our generation’s mission lies in not just changing lives but changing communities. This retreat has been beneficial because it has brought in people who are experts in their field and who have offered theoretical and practical application.”

Young leaders in attendance also participated in a variety of workshops each day, including sessions on hunger and advocacy, terrorism, economic justice and immigration.

Adam Taylor and Suzii Paynter were the retreat’s keynote speakers. Taylor is a senior director at Sojourners/Call to Renewal, a 34-year-old Christian organization that integrates spiritual renewal with social justice. He spoke to attendees about poverty, HIV/AIDS and advocacy.

“As Christians we are called to the role of justice and the role of compassion,” Taylor said. “Jesus healed people’s pain, but he also spoke out against the things that caused people pain.”

Paynter serves as the director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, ethics and public-policy arm of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

“We are a country where our direction is determined by the voices that speak and are listened to,” Paynter said. “If we don’t speak, that voice isn’t there. We often have an assumption that someone is speaking for us, so we don’t speak. I think that makes Jesus weep.”

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