Posted: 5/25/07

DOWN HOME:
Adjustment needed in half-empty nest

Joanna and I are negotiating a phase of parenthood I’ve never seen written up in any book.

That’s amazing in and of itself. How could any aspect of parenthood go unexamined, unchronicled, unsold to desperate moms and dads frantic to figure out how to raise Junior and Bitsy to responsible adulthood?

Maybe this part got overlooked precisely because it’s so close to adulthood. Nobody thought to, well, think about it.

I’m talking about summer during college.

See, you raise this child as if her every breath for 18 years depends upon you. You start out walking her to sleep in the middle of the night. And then teaching her to talk (and sometimes praying she would forget … for just 15 minutes), and then how to read and to ride a bike. Later comes long division, and then driving a car, and also when not to get into a car driven by another kid who shouldn’t be driving. Eventually, you help her decide on a college.

Then she dumps you. Well, not really. But she goes off to college and has fun. From the sound of it, more fun than she had with you.

Along the way, you love every minute of all of it. Even sickness and fights. Especially bedtime stories and long talks late at night after movies. You realize that, in God’s great plan, whatever else you might have done—successes and failures, joys and sorrows, surprises and disappointments—all your life is worth the time and effort and protoplasm, just for the privilege of raising children.

But about the time you realize how good you have it, they go away.

Then comes the weird part: Sad as you are that you live in an “empty nest” with just your spouse and no kids, you really like that, too.

For one thing, for the first time in, oh, 21 or 23 years, you realize you still love that special someone who captured your heart when you were your kids’ age. For another, you realize life is simpler when you don’t have to think about curfews, when you no longer pull hairballs the size of chihuahuas out of the shower drain, when only two people have to decide what to eat for dinner tonight.

You feel guilty, but you admit this phase of parenthood, like all others, holds special delight.

And then comes summer. Like swallows to Capistrano, the chickees return to the nest.

Don’t get me wrong; I still love being a dad. The sound of Molly’s voice talking to her mother in the den puts Beethoven or even Norah Jones to shame. But still, summer means re-learning to live with “company” who share your gene pool. The untidy consolation is the kiddoes have to readjust to Mama and Daddy, too.

This summer, Molly’s only around for short, irregular stints. Just long enough to remind me that, while I enjoy the quiet of an empty nest, times with my kids are the “good ol’ days.”

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

Posted: 5/25/07

EDITORIAL:
The future of Texas depends on this

The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board made several far-reaching decisions during its spring meeting May 21-22. As significant as all of them were, the influence of one could extend well beyond the others.

First, the board approved a 15-member search committee to nominate the convention’s next executive director. This leader will help shape and focus the convention during the coming years, and the influence could extend for decades.

Second, the board accepted the suggestion of Stephen Wakefield, the convention’s attorney, not to file lawsuits to recover funds lost in the Rio Grande Valley church-starting scandal. “The likelihood of recovery of significant funds is speculative at best,” Wakefield told the board. Although many Texas Baptists are disappointed, his logic is solid. And while criminal charges still may be filed, this brings one portion of this sad saga to a close.

Third, the board allocated proceeds from a recent gift to help retire the debt on Breckenridge Village at Tyler. The ministry to special-needs adults has been strapped since it opened about a decade ago. By ensuring financial viability, the board can secure care for many of God’s children for generations.

But the most far-reaching consequence could flow from a report the board passed along for follow-up action.

About two years ago, the board formed a task force to help Hispanic youth finish high school and achieve higher education. The Hispanic Education Task Force created a paint-by-numbers portrait of poverty:

• Hispanics comprise 14 percent of the U.S. population, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing minority.

• More then 31 percent of Hispanic Texans age 25 and older received less than a ninth-grade education.

• Fifty-one percent of Hispanic Texas adults do not have a high-school diploma or GED.

• The teen pregnancy rate for Hispanic dropouts is more than 20 percent, far higher than the rate for Anglo dropouts.

• The average U.S.-born Hispanic dropout earns just $6,500 per year, compared to $7,300 for a white dropout.

• Nationally, Hispanic household wealth equals less than 10 percent of the wealth owned by Anglos.

• Because so many Hispanic parents are poorly educated, they are not equipped to help their children learn and stay in school, so the cycle of poverty spirals.

The Hispanic Education Task Force cited numerous reasons Texas Baptists should get involved. Reasons ranged from impact on the Texas economy and society, to the future of Texas Baptist universities, to “lack of leadership and limited financial support” for churches. But it also pointed to an ultimate reason for helping Hispanic youth get an education: “We are called as the Body of Christ to equip people to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives.”

The Executive Board authorized its Missions and Ministries Committee to lead in responding to recommendations to keep Hispanic children in school and help many of them earn college degrees. Bottom line: Churches of all ethnic backgrounds must open our arms and our hearts We will transform Texas—creating a bright future and a hope-filled eternity—when we become known as the people who refuse to let Hispanic kids fall through the cracks of the educational system.

Felipe Garza, the task force’s chairman and an executive with Buckner International, provided a poignant reminder of the proposals’ promise: He grew up in an alcohol-plagued, abusive, impoverished home. But a Baptist pastor knocked on his door and not only introduced Garza to Jesus, but also showed him how education could unlock the bonds of poverty and abuse.

And that’s why congregations will provide the key to the task force’s solutions, Garza said, stressing, “It can only be done through the local church.”

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Faith Digest

Many professors take dim view of evangelicals. About half of nonevangelical university faculty acknowledge they don’t have warm feelings about evangelical Christians, a new survey shows. A survey released by the San Francisco-based Institute for Jewish & Community Research found 53 percent said they have “cool/unfavorable feelings” toward evangelical Christians. In comparison, 30 percent said they had favorable feelings toward them, 9 percent were neutral, 4 percent said they didn’t know and 4 percent refused to answer. One-third of non-Mormon faculty reported unfavorable views of Mormons. Views about other religious groups were more positive, with Muslims getting a 22 percent unfavorable rating, followed by atheists (18 percent), Catholics (13 percent), persons not practicing any religion (10 percent), nonevangelical Christians (9 percent), Buddhists (4 percent) and Jews (3 percent). Faculty from any particular group were excluded from rating other members of their faith. Results of the online survey were based on a sample of 1,269 faculty members at 712 four-year colleges and universities. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Archaeologists uncover Herod’s tomb. Israeli archaeologists believe they have discovered the tomb of King Herod. Professor Ehud Netzer from the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem said his team discovered the tomb during ongoing excavations at Herodium, a once-magnificent palace located nine miles south of Jerusalem, in what is now the West Bank. Pointing to intricately carved remains from the excavation, Netzer said his team discovered a grave, fragments from a sarcophagus and a mausoleum on Mount Herodium’s northeastern slope. “The location and the unique nature of the findings, as well as the historical record leave no doubt that this was Herod’s burial site,” Netzer said. Herod, who was appointed by the Romans, ruled Judea from 37 to 4 B.C. The New Testament says Jesus was born during Herod’s reign and Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt because the king planned to kill the infant Jesus.

Methodist bishops table gay policy change. United Methodist bishops have tabled a proposal that would have loosened restrictions in the church’s policies on homosexuality. The bishops, meeting near Myrtle Beach, S.C., decided to keep intact the church’s current policy, adopted in 1972, that calls homosexual activity “incompatible with Christian teaching.” A bishops’ subcommittee had proposed language saying the church does not condone sexual activity “outside the bonds of a faithful, loving and committed relationship between two persons; marriage, where legally possible.” The bishops’ administrative committee tabled the measure because it “would not have been for the betterment of the church at this time,” said Committee Chair Robert Hayes of Oklahoma, United Methodist News Service reported. Because the issue was tabled, it never received a full vote by the assembled bishops, and it will not be presented to the church’s General Conference meeting, set for summer 2008 in Fort Worth.

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Granbury church believes in old-time
religion—first-century Christianity

By George Henson

Staff Writer

GRANBURY—Pastor C.C. Risenhoover and worship leader David Humphrey of Gateway Community Church in Granbury have more than 100 years ministry experience between them, and they say they are tied to tradition. But the tradition they seek to follow is the first-century church, as illustrated in the second chapter of Acts.

Recently, the church ordained eight members to serve as pastors for the church’s various ministries—Chad Carroll for evangelism, Randa Carroll for administration, Terry King for discipleship, Joanne King for fellowship, Jackie Solomon for media and youth, Margie Solomon for youth, Johnnie Couch for children and Lindsay Luedeker for children and outreach.

“I grew up in an era when we really stressed people being called to ministry,” Risenhoover said. “And here, on one Sunday, we had eight people come down and surrender their lives to the gospel ministry—and three of them were couples.”

Risenhoover and Humphrey met with the eight and talked about the areas of their giftedness so they could decide how each could serve best.

The ordinations were an integral part of the church’s new structure that enhances five essential functions of a New Testament congregation—discipleship, evangelism, fellowship, ministry and worship, Humphrey explained.

“We need pastors in all five areas to accommodate our rapid growth,” he said. “Until we can build new facilities, we’ll be cramped for space. So, to meet the needs of a growing congregation, each of these new pastors will be responsible for helping find creative alternatives to meet the specific needs of those who seek to serve Christ at Gateway.”

Only 16 people attended the Easter worship service in 2006 at Waples Baptist Church—the former name of Gateway. This year, 165 gathered for worship on Easter morning.

The church called Risenhoover as pastor last September, and Humphrey joined the team in January after attending for several weeks.

They don’t attribute the growth to themselves but to God’s Spirit working in the hearts of people.

The growth has challenged the church to look toward building a larger sanctuary since the current one is at capacity.

“We’re in trouble about room,” Risenhoover acknowledged. “But it’s a good problem to have and one we’re going to solve.”

The growth also has brought the right people to the church in the present to make the future easier to picture, he continued.

“We’ve had all kinds of people come here with all kinds of talent,” he said. “Not just talent for use in worship, but God provides for your future needs. We’ve got concrete guys who have joined, a couple of builders, a man with a land grader. Everything we’re going to need in the future, God has sent us.”

God also has sent special moments where the congregation was keenly aware of his presence, like the ordination service for the eight new lay-ministers, Risenhoover and Humphrey agreed.

“We wanted to do something different than the typical ordination service,” Risenhoover said. “We thought being ordained was almost like a marriage, in a sense. So, our ordination service was a kind of marriage ceremony between them and the congregation.”

The service began with hymns of praise, followed by Scripture readings. Then those being ordained faced the congregation and responded “I will” or “I do” to a litany of vows regarding God, the church and the Bible using the 1963 Baptist Faith & Message as the guide.

Risenhoover then washed the feet of the people being ordained as Humphrey explained to the congregation it was being done to symbolically demonstrate that the role of all ministers, including those being ordained that day, is the role of a servant.

“I think the washing of the feet really affected people,” Humphrey said. “It wasn’t showmanship, but it was to remind people that they are servants—that ministry is servanthood. We are not to lord over anyone, but the Lord is over us.”

After the footwashing, each candidate then took communion. Every member then had the opportunity to lay hands on those being ordained and to offer a prayer. The congregation filed out after their opportunity, taking communion individually before leaving the building.

“People had a hard time controlling their emotions,” Humphrey said. “It’s had a profound difference on the church. It’s made us all much more aware of the Holy Spirit, that we don’t come to church to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit, but that each of us brings the Spirit with us. … We’re trying to concentrate not on what we want, but what God needs us to do. Instead of moving away from Ninevah, we’re trying to break it down and in the process make disciples.”

Risenhoover has been pastor of four churches, been a professor at six universities and served long tenures with the Southern Baptist Convention Radio & Television Commission and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Humphrey is a former minister of music at First Baptist Church in Dallas, minister of music and worship at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, and co-author and executive producer of the popular Christian musical drama “The Promise.”

In spite of their years of service, the two ministers are not looking back over their shoulders at how they’ve done it before. Rather, they see the new opportunity for service at Gateway as a new lease on life—literally in Humphrey’s case. Gateway is the first church he has served since a liver transplant saved his life.

“I wasn’t called out of retirement. I was called out of death. After my liver transplant, I knew what death was—I was two weeks from it,” he said. “But in our maturity—between us we have more than 100 years in the ministry—we don’t want to live in the 1950s or the 1960s, but in Year 1 with the first-century church. We’ve got to get back to the basics of a life lived in Christ.”

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

Posted: 5/25/07

As Senate debates immigration bill,
Christian leaders say it’s worth a shot

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—It may face an uphill battle in Congress, but some Christian leaders are saying the Senate’s latest immigration-reform proposal is better than doing nothing on the issue.

The legislation passed an initial test when the Senate voted May 21 to move forward with considering it. However, the bill’s sponsors conceded that evening that it likely would be impossible to get to a final vote on it prior to the chamber’s long Memorial Day vacation. That meant critics would have more time to organize opposition to the proposal.

The complex package of provisions emerged as a compromise after months of negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans and the White House. However, shortly after it was introduced May 17, the bill came under withering criticism from elements of the far right and left.

Some immigration hard-liners object to what they call the bill’s “amnesty” provisions, giving legal status to the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants currently in the United States. Meanwhile, some Hispanic groups and labor advocates oppose a Republican-brokered provision that would provide hundreds of thousands of temporary “guest worker” visas to skilled laborers coming to the United States for short periods. And some are critical of the way in which the bill would alter immigration regulations that currently favor reuniting families with a member who is working in the United States.

Nonetheless, some Christian leaders who have fought for comprehensive immigration reform said the bill is better than doing nothing—which is what Congress has done for years.

Suzii Paynter, director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission, said the compromise bill was ”definitely a step in the right direction.”

Oftentimes, lawmakers are content to pass general legislation that addresses issues and leave it to agencies to work out the detailed rules and regulations, she said, but public opinion would not allow that approach to the immigration issue. Lawmakers had to deal with nitty-gritty details to find a “workable solution” that represents “immigration law for the 21st century,” she said.

The complexity of the proposal—with its creation of a new category of “Z visas” to document illegal immigrants and its system of awarding green cards based on marketable skills and family needs rather than a first-come, first-served approach—represent what Paynter called “part of a very technical solution to a very complex problem.”

“I think it’s a real effort at compromise to move toward solutions to fix what is a very broken immigration system,” she said. “It seems to be a genuine attempt to address some categorical—and what have been seemingly in-tractable—problems.”

Hardcore anti-immigration groups pronounced the bill a non-starter over the weekend between its introduction and the beginning of Senate debate. One conservative group—Grassfire.org—called it “‘amnesty-for-all’ legislation” and called for a “massive citizen revolt” in the form of messages to Senate offices opposing the bill.

But many conservative evangelical leaders have taken up the cause of comprehensive immigration reform in recent months, arguing from the Bible’s admonishments on taking care of “strangers” and “aliens.” They also have noted that the way the U.S. immigration system is currently structured takes a high humanitarian toll on illegal immigrants, with many left vulnerable to exploitation and even death because of their fear of being caught and deported.

Congress took up immigration-reform legislation last year, but it became bogged down by internal struggles in the then-Republican majority. The party was torn between anti-immigration hardliners and those, including President Bush, who wanted more comprehensive reform. The comprehensive reform would have included opportunities for undocumented workers in the United States to earn permanent status and start the process toward citizenship.

The House’s new Democratic leaders have promised to re-visit immigration this year, but have also said any bill that chamber passed would likely differ greatly from the Senate legislation.

The Senate bill is the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007,” or S. 1348.

Managing Editor Ken Camp contributed to this report

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Texas Tidbits

How ‘early’?

Francis Beckwith stated he returned to Roman Catholicism because he “became convinced that the Early Church is more Catholic than Protestant” (May 14).

This is according to how “early” he means. If he means the fourth century church of Constantine, then there may be room for debate.

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

“I feel I’m being tested right now—my character, my faith, how I conduct myself. It’s different. But I love it. If God allows this test to be on me, hey, I’m willing to carry it.” Mariano Rivera Closer for the New York Yankees, on his poor start this season (New York Daily News/RNS) “My party has to demonstrate that it’s not afraid to deal with the faith issue and has a candidate who the public thinks knows there’s something bigger than he or she is and is comfortable with that. We treat it like a third rail within our party.” Joe Biden Democratic presidential candidate (Associated Press/RNS) “Speaking as a private citizen and not on behalf of any organization or party, I cannot, and will not, vote for Rudy Giuliani in 2008. It is an irrevocable decision.” James Dobson Radio talk-show host and fundamentalist leader (WorldNetDaily/RNS)

But if “early” refers to the New Testament church, then there is little resemblance to Roman Catholicism.

James Semple

Dallas

Mixed blessing

To Christians, “gospel” means “good news.”

The political gospel Jerry Falwell preached was anything but good news except for the Republican Party, which benefited mightily from his use of a fundamentalist bully pulpit.

The biblical gospel Falwell preached had to suffer from his being preoccupied with furthering a narrow, unloving, power-seeking political agenda. His status as an American icon is due primarily to his involvement in the political realm. He has been a mixed blessing for the GOP. As time goes by, the impact he had on politics will lessen considerably.

Paul L. Whiteley Sr.

Louisville, Ky.

Global missions shift

Looking forward can cause us to look back—to understand our church and our association for what they are. In the evaluation, if truthful, we gain perspective on what priorities are important.

For our church and the association, we would look at our community, denominational realities, the culture of the borderlands, our world vision and, in particular, God’s heart and vision for the world.

We must ask: Who are we? What do we need to look like? What can the new realities tell us about methods of ministry? Are we more inward or outward?

Nothing opens one’s eyes like going to a mission field. Yet North America and Europe receive missionaries from Brazil, Africa, Asia and China. Yes, there’s been a global missions shift.

Is your church’s mission viewpoint to plant a self-sustaining, self-governing, self-propagating body of leaders to reach a community your church cannot reach, or plant a church on every continent on the face of the earth?

There are many unreached people groups. Let’s look in the mirror and pray to have God’s missional heart for the world.

George A. Morrison III

Harlingen

What do you think? Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: marvknox@baptiststandard.com. Due to space limitations, letters must be no longer than 250 words, and only one letter per writer will be published in any three-month period

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Men’s groups plan event to mark 10th
anniversary of Washington Mall rally

By Adelle M. Banks

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Leaders of a network of Christian men’s ministries have announced plans to hold a 10th anniversary gathering of men on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

Leaders of the Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries and the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries are sponsoring the Stand in the Gap 2007 event. It is set to take place Oct. 6, a decade after Promise Keepers, an evangelical Christian men’s ministry, brought tens of thousands of men to the National Mall.

“Today we’re offering a fresh perspective on the issues that are facing men, while holding firmly to the roots of our faith grounded in the holy Scriptures,” said Marty Granger, executive director of Stand in the Gap 2007, in announcing the event.

“We’re calling upon men of all ages … to come together in one place on one day with full regard and respect for racial, ethnic, denominational and political diversity to declare to each other … the works of God, the purpose of God and the plan of God for their generation.”

Granger is the founder of Faith in the Family International, a Springfield, Va., nonprofit, and the co-founder of the Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries.

Rick Kingham, president of the Redmond, Wash.-based National Coalition of Men’s Ministries, called the 1997 event a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” but he said he hopes those who attended it and those who did not both will be drawn to the gathering this fall.

Organizers said they have Promise Keepers’ endorsement but that group is not able to sponsor a 10th anniversary event. A Promise Keepers’ spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kingham and Granger said they expect the fall event to cost about $2.5 million. They did not disclose how much they have received in donations but said they have a “significant amount” of “seed money.”

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Ministry provides Michigan-to-Moldova link

By Craig Bird

Baptist Child & Family Services

AN ANTONIO—A World War II veteran in Michigan and orphans in Moldova could play six degrees of separation—the parlor game that challenges people to connect random people or places in six steps or fewer—thanks to Children’s Emergency Relief International.

Step one—Moldovan orphans capture the hearts of volunteers with Children’s Emergency Relief International, the overseas arm of Baptist Child & Family Services.

Step two—Volunteers John and Elizabeth Myers return home to Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Step three—The volunteers’ testimonies inspire another member of Woodland Baptist, Robert Callahan, who edits a newsletter he publishes for World War II veterans who served with the 50th Troop Carrier Squadron, 314th Carrier Group.

Step four—Callahan mails his newsletter, and Donald Van Reken, a retired airman living in Michigan reads it.

Step five—Van Reken sends a donation to Children’s Emergency Relief International.

Step six—The financial contribution benefits orphans in Moldova.

A story about the needs of orphans is “sort of out of line” for a veterans’ newsletter, but Callahan said he was convinced his World War II comrades would be impressed by the ministry of Children’s Emergency Relief International—particularly its program to provide gloves and winter boots for more than 12,000 residents of Moldova’s 66 orphanages.

“These are men who fought to make the world a better place in World War II, and I knew they would be interested in how some folks are making the world a better place today,” he said.

“I am only one person with an opinion, but I am persuaded supplying 12,495 pairs of shoes to these needy children can be as helpful—or maybe more so—than millions of dollars of government aid … that sometimes winds up in the wrong pockets,” Callahan wrote in the closing lines of his article. “Every citizen of Moldova has been made aware of what a few concerned American citizens have done to help their children. … It is doubtful if such a project will ever be forgotten, particularly by those children.”

A few days later, Van Reken received the newsletter and, like he always does, read it cover to cover.

Van Reken, age 86, considered it his Christian duty to help out the orphans in Moldova.

So, he made out a check to Children’s Emergency Relief International and mailed it to Callahan, who delivered it to the agency.

For more information about Children’s Emergency Relief International and its work in Moldova, visit www.cerikids.org or www.bcfs.net.

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

Posted: 5/25/07

On the Move

• John Barnard to First Church in Brenham as student minister.

• Jerry Benavidez has resigned as pastor of Broadway Church in San Marcos.

• Brian Blackburn has resigned as pastor of First Church in Pearsall to become camp director for the Georgia Baptist Convention.

• Josh Bolch to Pandora Mission Church in Pandora as pastor.

• Bill Brewer has resigned as minister of youth and children at First Church in La Vernia.

• Tracey Cody to First Church in Sulphur Springs as preschool director.

• Wayne Cotton to First Church in Lewisville as children’s minister.

• Kyle Cox to First Church in Kyle as interim pastor.

• Dustin Creech to College View Church in Abilene as pastor.

• Donna Fagan to McQueeney Church in McQueeney as youth director.

• Jason Goings to First Church in Belton as assistant pastor and minister to college and missions.

• Larry Johnson to University Church in Alpine as pastor.

• Forrest Lowry to First Church in Lexington as pastor.

• Shelton Markham to First Church in Chilton as pastor.

• Chip Parmer to San Gabriel Church in Thorndale as pastor.

• Marlon Pritchard to University Church in Fort Worth as youth minister from South Seminole Church in Seminole.

• Jimmy Smith to First Church in Pleasanton as interim pastor.

• Greg Spears to Cowboy Church of Milam County in Rockdale as pastor.

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Southern Baptists may consider
another public school resolution

By Greg Horton

Religion News Service

HOUSTON (RNS)—A resolution calling on Southern Baptist churches to “create more Christian alternatives to the public schools” has been drafted and submitted for the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting June 12-13 in San Antonio.

Bruce Shortt, a Houston attorney, and Voddie Baucham, pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, drafted the resolution. They have introduced an education resolution every year since the 2004 convention.

The 2005 resolution received a great deal of attention because it called on Southern Baptist parents to investigate their school districts for homosexual clubs or curriculum that was pro-homosexual. The 2006 education resolution died in committee.

It “will be hard for this resolution to make it out of committee,” Shortt predicted. “The committee system was added several years ago so the guys (at the SBC Executive Committee) in Nashville can control everything.”

Southern Baptists first approved resolutions supporting home-schooling in 1997 and 1999.

Al Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Seminary, called on fellow Baptists to develop an “exit strategy” from public schools in 2005.

Last year in an interview, SBC President Frank Page encouraged churches to start more Christian schools while making sure provision is made for people who can’t afford tuition.

Shortt sees that as evidence momentum is building to remove Baptist students from public schools.

“We’ve had the wrong model of education all along,” Shortt said. “An aggressively anti-Christian institution will produce an anti-Christian worldview.”

The resolution also “applauds the many adult members of our congregations who teach in government schools … and should be construed to encourage adult believers who are truly called to labor as missionaries.”

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Port Neches senior to represent Texas
Baptists at national speakers’ contest

By Barbara Bedrick 

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS—Christopher Mahfouz was so determined to make it to his senior prom, he didn’t stick around to hear the announcement that he won the state championship at the 2007 Youth Speakers’ Tournament.

Mahfouz, a Port Neches senior, turned off his cell phone as he flew from Dallas to Houston. When he was back on the ground, he checked his voicemail. Then pandemonium broke loose. Jumping for joy and getting strange looks, especially from airport security, Christopher realized he won the state tournament, sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

“I was so excited and overwhelmed,” said Mahfouz. “I am honored to represent Texas Baptists on a national level. I have heard Texas has won the last four years. I want to uphold the tradition.”

As his speaker’s topic, he selected “Black or White in a Gray World”—a subject he considers appropriate for the challenge facing youth in America today.

“The question posed in the Old Testament about how to live in a gray world and in uncertain times is relevant in our time,” he explained. “We do that by believing Christ is the truth and the only way. … As Christians, we must remember our standard to live by is the word of God.” 

With a passion for his topic, Christopher said the issue burdened his heart. In his speech, he illustrated how often people put their own face on God and stray from foundational beliefs.

Pointing to a situation revealed by a contemporary blogger, he described how a teacher had walked by and noticed a group of children creating their own religion one day at lunch. 

“People believe what they personally believe is the truth,” Mahfouz said. “We create our own spin and adopt our own face.”

But he reaffirmed his belief the only way to salvation is the path revealed in the Bible.

As the state youth speakers’ tournament champion, Mah-fouz receives a $5,000 scholarship from Baylor University and a $500 award from the BGCT to help offset expenses of traveling to compete in the national competition June 8 in North Carolina.

He plans to pursue law school following his graduation from Baylor.

“We were excited to see Chris reach this achievement,” said his father, David Mahfouz, pastor of First Baptist Church in Port Neches.

“We’ve seen him grow in his spiritual walk with the Lord during the time of his study and preparation, and certainly it has strengthened his leadership skills.”

Mahfouz noted he always encourages students in his congregation to be a part of the Bible drill and youth speaker’s tournament competition because, he said, it’s a wonderful opportunity for them “to grow spiritually and to grow in an understanding in what they believe in.” 

Taking second place in the youth speakers’ tournament was Katelyn VanDeaver from First Baptist Church in New Boston. Students rounding out the top five youth speakers are Matt Howerton of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ennis, Jamie Lorenz of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and Mary Tess Eggebrecht of First Baptist Church in College Station.

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

Posted: 5/25/07

Texas Tidbits

Baylor regents change chairs. The Baylor University regents elected a new chairman and approved a $345 million operating budget for the university at their May meeting. Regents elected Harold Cunningham of Crawford as chair, effective June 1. He succeeds Jim Turner, who served a one-year term as chair. Howard Batson of Amarillo was elected vice chair. Next year’s budget, which takes effect June 1, reflects an increase of $19 million or 5.9 percent over the adjusted 2006-2007 budget. The new budget includes an increase of $12.8 million or 16.9 percent in merit and need-based scholarships, and graduate assistantships. Four regents were re-elected to three-year terms—Joe Armes of Dallas, Albert Black of Dallas, Tommy Bowman of Waco and Buddy Jones of Austin. Five regents completed their terms on the board—Bill Brian of Amarillo, Joe Coleman of Houston, Will Davis of Austin, Laree Estes Perez of Albuquerque, N.M., and John Wilkerson of Lubbock.

Baptist Church Loan Corporation names president. The Baptist Church Loan Corporation’s board of directors elected Gerald James as the nonprofit corporation’s president and chief executive officer. He assumed his new role May 11 upon the retirement of Charles Pruett. James, who began his career with the Baptist Church Loan Corporation in 2000 after 17 years in the banking industry, served as the corporation’s executive vice president prior to his promotion. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University and graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. James serves as a deacon at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. He and his wife, Laura, have two children.

Academy graduates give scholarship. Members of the San Marcos Baptist Academy class of 2007 gave back to their school by establishing a one-time academic scholarship for a member of next year’s graduating class. At their commencement ceremony, class officers Chelsea Martin, Katherine Vest, Emily Rainone and Josh Brame presented a $2,800 check to the academy.

Breckenridge Village receives gifts. Baptist Child & Family Services received major gifts—a $250,000 grant from the Meadows of Foundation of Dallas and $200,000 from an anonymous donor—to help retire capital debt on Breckenridge Village of Tyler, a residential care facility for mentally handicapped adults. May 31 marks the deadline for the agency to raise $2.7 million and qualify for a $1 million challenge grant from the Rogers Foundation. The BGCT Executive Board approved $350,000 from a fund established by the estate of Sam Combs of Levelland to help Breckenridge Village reach its goal by the deadline.

Correction. In a photo accompanying the article about Congreso in the May 14 issue of the Baptist Standard, a guitarist was incorrectly identified as being a member of Release, the praise band from Mission. He is from The Gathered, a band from Kingsville.

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