TOGETHER: Engage all Texans with Christ’s gospel

Posted: 10/12/07

TOGETHER:
Engage all Texans with Christ’s gospel

Jesus interrupted the parade and called the despised Zacchaeus out of the tree. He invited himself to go to his house. “Why would he go home with a cheating tax collector?” the crowds murmured?

Jesus gives his own answer when he explains to Zacchaeus, who clearly is touched and changed by the interest Jesus takes in him, “The Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

It’s time for us to interrupt our own parade and see the people in the “trees” around us, the people who do not know Jesus but need him in their lives.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas will help us do this by holding the new “Engage: Evangelizing Texas Conference” Jan. 13-15, 2008, at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, near Dallas. Evangelism Director Jon Randles and his staff are praying and preparing for this special gathering.

10/12/2007 - By John Rutledge

Cybercolumn by John Duncan: A sea of change

Posted: 10/12/07

CYBER COLUMN:
A sea of change

By John Duncan

I’m sitting here under the old oak tree, musing about change. To me, three things in life appear constant—death, taxes, and change. I look around Granbury and see change over the last 20 years, from Wal-Mart to Home Depot, to new schools and restaurants, to the roads once narrow now wide, to new people who bless my life.

I look at Lakeside Baptist Church and see a sea of change. The people have changed through the years, and so have I. We used to have pot-luck dinners, and now we have to have stuff catered. Change arrives in many venues, but as good Baptists, we still eat the same thing—friend chicken and biscuits, of course. Some things change, but some do not. I love change. It challenges all of us!

10/12/2007 - By John Rutledge

Storylist for 10/15/07 issue

Storylist for week of 10/15/07 TAKE ME TO: Top Story |  Texas |  Opinion |  Baptists |  Faith & Culture |  Book Reviews |  Classifieds  |  Departments  |  Bible Study • The Spirit in Stone •…

10/12/2007 - By John Rutledge

BaptistWay Bible Series for October 21: It’s God’s life in you

Posted: 10/12/07

BaptistWay Bible Series for October 21

It’s God’s life in you

• Romans 8:1-11

RIGHT or WRONG? Strings attached

Posted: 10/12/07

RIGHT or WRONG?
Strings attached

A well-to-do couple in our church has offered to buy our softball team’s church-league equipment and uniforms if the church will elect the husband as a deacon and name him chairman. If this request is as haywire as I think it is, how can we respond as a church?

10/12/2007 - By John Rutledge

BGCT Executive Board OKs reduced budget, staff reduction

Posted: 9/26/07

BGCT Executive Board OKs
reduced budget, staff reduction

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

DALLAS—After extensive debate, the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted 52-28 to approve a $50.1 million budget recommendation—a move that eliminates 25 to 30 Baptist Building staff positions.

The board will recommend to the BGCT annual meeting in Oct. 29-30 in Amarillo a $50,126,356 total budget for 2008—a $473,644 reduction from the 2007 budget. It includes $43,326,356 from the Cooperative Program budget and an anticipated $6.8 million from investment earnings and other sources.

10/05/2007 - By John Rutledge

BGCT launches internal audit regarding more alleged improprieties in the Valley

Posted: 9/27/07

BGCT launches internal audit regarding
more alleged improprieties in the Valley

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

For the second time in less than a year, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is looking into alleged misuse of church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley.

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade reported to the Executive Board Sept. 25 that an internal auditor will examine questions raised regarding $26,550 in church-starting funds the BGCT provided to First Baptist Church of Weslaco. The BGCT Missions Funding Committee had approved $21,000 for the church in 2005 and 2006.

10/05/2007 - By John Rutledge

BGCT employees notified about layoffs

Posted: 10/04/07

Update: BGCT eliminates 29 staff positions by end of October

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

DALLAS—Twenty-nine Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board employees—almost 10 percent of the workforce—received notice Oct. 1-2 that their positions are being eliminated effective Oct. 31.

Of the 29 affected employees, 12 are program staff and 17 are in support and clerical roles.

10/05/2007 - By John Rutledge

BaptistWay Bible Series for October 14: It’s a new way of life

Posted: 10/05/07

BaptistWay Bible Series for October 14

It’s a new way of life

• Romans 6:1-19

Bible Studies for Life Series for October 14: High-impact believers

Posted: 10/05/07

Bible Studies for Life Series for October 14

High-impact believers

• Matthew 5:13-20

Explore the Bible Series for October 14: Be patient with others

Posted:10/05/07

Explore the Bible Series for October 14

Be patient with others

• Matthew 13:1-53

California church leaders question IRS investigation into war sermon

Posted: 10/05/07

California church leaders question
IRS investigation into war sermon

By Robert Marus

Associated Baptist Press

PASADENA, Calif. (ABP)—The Internal Revenue Service has informed a California church it will not be sanctioned for an anti-war sermon preached there in 2004, but church leaders are asking for an apology for an investigation they believe may have been politically motivated.