Posted: 4/13/07

CYBER COLUMN:
Transcendence

By Berry D. Simpson

I was reading an article in a recent issue of Runner’s World about the ultimate long-distance running race—the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race.

It lasts 51 days during the summer heat. The course consists of a 0.5488-mile concrete loop that circles Thomas Edison High School in Queens, New York. Last summer, there were 15 athletes from 10 countries who took part in this race, each competitor running between 60 and 70 miles every day. And what’s more—in case you think something so unbelievable could never be repeated—2006 was the 10th annual running of this race.

Berry D. Simpson

I have learned to be careful with magazine articles like this, because when Cyndi, my loving wife, sees me reading them, or worse, hears me quoting my favorite parts to her, she gets worried that I might want to enter the race. And, in fact, a part of me is drawn to ultra-endurance events like this—where athletic skill is trumped by strength of will and patience and stubbornness. The actual part of me that is drawn to long distances is my brain, surprisingly enough; unfortunately, my body has consistently found ways to stay injured so that I haven’t sent in my entry. So if you see Cyndi, tell her its OK. I’m not going after a 3,100 mile race.

The question a race such as this presents is simple: Why? Why would someone enter a race so long? Apparently, they do it for spiritual reasons more than for physical reasons. Runners apparently see themselves as pilgrims on a spiritual retreat rather than mere ultra-marathoners. The race director was quoted as saying: “It’s all about self-transcendence, about looking inside, determining what you’re capable of, and going significantly beyond that. It’s about finding a peace and using that to accomplish amazing things.”

Well, maybe so. At a peaceful 10 minutes-per-mile pace, the competitors would have at least 517 hours of reflection time. That’s pretty transcendent in itself.

I’m reminded there’s a peace that passes all understanding, that guards our hearts and minds, but it doesn’t come from running 3,100 miles or from self-transcendence or even from going significantly beyond our capabilities. It comes from God.

However, in spite of the spiritual nature of the Sri Chinmoy Race, it is still a race, not a retreat. They keep track of laps and split times, and there is a winner. Wolfgang Schwerk from Germany won last year’s race. He completed the 3,100 miles in 41 days, 8 hours, 16 minutes, and 29 seconds—an average of 75.1 miles every day. And what’s more, after briefly responding to his victory celebration, he went back onto the course for another 13 laps to reach an even 5,000 kilometers. I guess he felt better, enlightenment-wise, in round metric numbers.

The thing is, I can understand how someone might try something like this race, hoping for transcendence, whether searching for the god within or the God of the universe. Some of my own best communion times with God have come while I’m running or walking or hiking. Could it be the reason this race seems so over-the-top is because I’m simply not hungry enough? If the disciples of Sri Chinmoy are willing to do that to find themselves, why won’t I do that to find God?

Well, for one thing, if I’m going to cover 3,100 miles on foot in search of God, I’d rather do in on the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail. I’m not sure my knees could take almost 6,000 half-mile laps on concrete. And I think occasional changes in scenery help when looking for God.

As it turns out, God is easier to find than all that. In fact, he wants us to find him. According to the Bible story of the Wayward Son and Loving Father, God watches for us to turn in his direction and comes running toward us when we do. He makes himself available, findable. But close communion with God requires time and focus and intent on our part, and the 15 athletes in the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race have challenged me to pursue God with a bit more diligence.

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: 4/13/07

BaptistWay Bible Series for April 22

Every Christian is called to missions

• Acts 11:19-26

By Leroy Fenton

Baptist Standard, Dallas

God always stands above our human theology for correction and reproof. The limited understanding of the infinite mind of God is illustrated well in Acts 11:1-18.

Reason, at its best, falters at the doors of deity where faith, at least the size of a tiny mustard seed, is required to enter. Theology, too easily, accommodates itself to the culture in which it thrives. We make God into our own image like a chameleon adapts to its environment.

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Some theology passes muster, resists change and is passed on, but some has to be rewritten because of heightened understanding of God or the need to find new ways to communicate the living God in the changing culture. The theological supposition affirms God is the final authority. Otherwise, human prejudice and spiritual ignorance will prevail, throwing the gospel train off its destined track.

The Apostle Peter returned to Jerusalem, following the conversion of Cornelius, to face the criticism of his friends, the circumcised believers. His testimony of the uncircumcised Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit was part of his argument for their acceptance into the church.

Peter’s final point clearly defines the issue of authority when he says, “… who was I to think that I could oppose God?” (v. 17). Seeing God at work convinced Peter everything he had been taught about racial and spiritual exclusiveness was wrong.

Down through the years, the church has had to face up to its inadequate, erroneous, impractical and contrived theology because of the powerful movement of God. The Reformation forced a new look at the doctrine of salvation taught by the Catholic church. Our Baptist forebearers were forced by laws of government and improving social values to change its theological position on the race issue.

Behind great movements of change are leaders who beat upon the closed doors of traditional thought until the door comes down and the shackles fall off. God’s impartiality prescribes that neither human prejudice nor common tradition should decide who would receive the Holy Spirit or who would be acceptable to the Father.

I find it an extraordinary compliment that Peter and the new church, so steeped in Jewish teaching, could change so quickly their mindset on who could be saved (v. 18). God’s grace works wonders to transform the heart and mind, creating new attitudes of openness and acceptance.

Pentecost was like an explosion. We tend to read Acts as though these early stories occurred in chronological sequence. Rather, it seems to have been different things happening in different directions at the same time, more like a starburst than a highway.

The church broke free of its bindings of theology and practice and became a force to convert the world, touching anyone who would listen, receive the message, confess sin and believe in the crucified, resurrected Savior. The Samaritan revival, the conversion of the African eunuch, Saul, the Pharisee, Cornelius and the Roman centurion may have occurred at similar times and in different directions like a starburst centered in Jerusalem.

For example, Acts 8:4 is similar to Acts 11:19, both speaking of the scattering of the Christians because of persecution. The next major movement of expansion of the Christian faith shifted to Antioch where the movement was highly successful and a great new Gentile church was established.

Evangelism explosion (11:19-21)

Ideally, the explosion of the gospel would come naturally out of the empowerment of these new converts to Christ who were bold, aggressive, courageous and faithful. Some, no doubt, were.

However, the word “scattered” is significant as we acknowledge history’s accounting of the spiritual benefits of extenuating circumstances. The scattering seemed caused by persecution more than by the Holy Spirit.

Luke is either stating historical fact or acknowledging the influence of strong antagonism by the traditionalists—the scribes, priests, Pharisees, and Sanhedrin—who vented their fury with the same murderous intent of Saul. These new Christians left Jerusalem in a hurry to avoid being killed or imprisoned. The hostility, no doubt, was a primary motivation for the Christian message to move beyond the ancient walls of Jerusalem, at least so quickly.

Let’s raise the question of whether the contemporary church, under similar circumstances, might be pushed beyond its walls to extend its witness or might choose rather to deny its existence and disappear in retreat.

The “scattering” had very positive results. The Spirit of God used these circumstances with explosive evangelistic results. The hostility intended to crush and destroy became the catalyst for its immediate extension and expansion. Persecution, causing the dispersion of believers, actually turned the smoldering blaze into a roaring fire, like pouring gasoline on burning embers.

The gospel burst quickly beyond the borders of Galilee. Phoenicia was a Syrian territory within the Roman Empire located on the shores of the Mediterranean, west and north of Galilee with major cities being Tyre and Sidon. Cyprus, further northwest of Phoenicia, is one of the larger islands of the Mediterranean Sea and lay to the west and south of Syrian Antioch. In both these areas, the gospel was preached to Jews only.

Antioch was an extremely significant city, the third-largest in the area with 800,000 population and a center for trade with a seaport on the Orontes River, one of the principle harbors of the eastern Mediterranean. Founded in 300 B.C., some 20 miles from the seashore, Antioch was a Syrian city with Greek culture and had a large contingency of Jews.

Exposed to Judaism and the mystery cults, the population of Antioch had an intellectual openness and interest in religion. Known as a very wicked city, it held tremendous opportunity for sharing the gospel. Luke does us a great favor by reminding us some witnesses were timid and directed their preaching to Jews only, while others from Cyprus and Cyrene, more bold and daring, defied the traditional theology and broke down the Jewish barriers, bringing the gospel to the Greeks at Syrian Antioch (v. 20). The evangelism was done by individuals who were unnamed men, probably Greek Jews, providential associates in the powerful plan of God. Luke generalizes that “great numbers of people believed and turned to the Lord” (v. 21).

Faithful, but unidentified, these witnesses courageously entered into the swarming crowds of this sinful city. Often in the Christian experience, unidentified persons have staggering influence on the spread of the gospel.

Every Christian should be this kind of missionary. Every person given the gospel has the responsibility of sharing it. The only credential needed is a living faith in the Lord Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit to give boldness.

Their initial work gave opportunity for the missional focus of God to relocate in Antioch from Jerusalem and become the base camp to missionize Europe, and later, America.

One can assume that in heaven we can identify these individuals who so humbly blessed the world. The gospel for the world could not be denied its place in the hearts of all people. The prophecy of Christ at the ascension was being fulfilled (Acts 1:8).

Evangelical examination (11:22-24)

Travelers from Antioch carried the news of the success of Christianity back to Jerusalem (v. 22). Again, for examination, help and encouragement, the Jerusalem congregation sent their beloved Barnabas to study the situation and lend his wise and powerful guidance.

This same Barnabas, meaning son of encouragement, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a piece of land and brought the revenue from the sale and laid it at the apostles’ feet (4:36-37) to support the new community of believers. When the Jerusalem church was afraid of Saul, after his dramatic conversion, and was reluctant to include him, Barnabas testified in his behalf, providing Saul with friendship and affirmation (9:26-30).

Perhaps coincidentally, Barnabas was from Cyprus and may have had some association with these Cyprian preachers to Antioch (v. 20). Barnabas could be trusted not only to help, but also to bring back critical information that could authenticate the evangelical relationship of the Antioch revival.

Luke summarized Barnabas’ discovery in what he saw, what he sensed and what he said. What he saw (v. 23) was clear and authentic evidence that God had produced the believers in Antioch. They were for real. There was no question in his mind that God had come to Antioch, and salvation had come to those who believed in the resurrected Lord.

We are not told specifically what evidence he saw, but it was totally convincing. What he sensed (v. 23) was emotional, a gladness of heart. Unlike Jonah, who was angry and depressed when Nineveh repented, (Assyria had been one of the cruel opponents of Israel) Barnabas was filled with joy to see this Syrian city turn to God. His joy must have been threefold: joy in the nature of God to love everyone, joy in the response of Gentiles to the gospel and joy in the faithful, spontaneous obedience of these new believers to share their witness.

Barnabas’ adventure of faith deepened his understanding of the love of God who showed no partiality. His vision of missions widened far beyond the periphery of a covenant nation into a perspective of a spiritual kingdom of the heart.

Jesus approached Jerusalem for the Passover, facing his own rejection and crucifixion, and wept over the city (Luke 19:41). In contrast, Barnabas exults in gladness over the people of Antioch receiving the good news of the death and resurrection of Christ.

What he said were words of encouragement (v. 23). Imagine this sweet spirited pastoral figure standing before these babes in Christ and giving them a verbal pat on the back with the exhortation to “remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (v. 23).

Luke, who knows Barnabas well, describes him as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (v. 24). Luke seems to be conveying that Barnabas’ presence and encouragement contributed to the further growth of this extraordinary revival with an additional “great number brought to the Lord (v. 24). He was emotionally sensitive and wise in his guidance.

Extensive education (11:25-26)

Barnabas found a place of ministry in Antioch and did not directly report to Jerusalem of his Antioch reconnaissance. He saw the potential in this city and sought out the brilliant, educated, skilled and passionate Saul in Tarsus. Barnabas knew where Paul went when he was whisked off to Tarsus, his hometown, for safety from the Grecian Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 9:30).

Antioch had a more favorable climate for growth and expansion than did the tumultuous Jerusalem counterpart. The word “look” (v. 25) conveys the idea of a strenuous and thorough search. Saul of Tarsus is now prepared and ready for his calling to minister to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15) and Barnabas would do whatever he had to in order to locate Saul.

The insightful Barnabas, aware of Saul’s testimony of God’s calling, pushes Saul to center stage. Now Saul was to prove himself again as he and Barnabas “met with the church and taught great numbers of people” for a whole year.

This school of theology led by the professor of pastoral care, Barnabas, and the doctor of theology, Saul, created such a strong constituency of followers who were educated in their faith, they were given the name Christian—little Christs, or the Christ people. No more an infant, but a formidable, mature cadre of people with a well- thought-out statement of faith.

The evangelistic fervor that flamed at Pentecost is undergirded with a legitimate, understandable and credible body of knowledge amassed by the most brilliant and learned of teachers. If Jerusalem was the cradle, Antioch was the bassinet of the formation of the Christian movement, where the teachings of Christ, the crucified and resurrected Messiah, emerge into a force of love and truth. Saul, the teacher, can now assume his role as Saul, the missionary, the greatest interpreter of Christ and push the Christian good news of salvation toward its world destiny.

Application

Every Christian is called to missions. Every witness by unidentified people has the potential of creating a new congregation and a new missionary enterprise far beyond the local church campus. Making the gospel inclusive of everyone not only is a theological truth, but, also a missional necessity.

The church should not offer platitudes toward missions without participating in the task, or the shouts of hypocrisy will be much more intense than the sermons spoken. Words may be only a vacuum that sucks the breath out of the mission sails.

Is there partiality and racial apathy in the church? It is rampant and fatal. There is all the difference in the world of being a missionary and taking up a mission offering on Sunday morning for the saints who do the hard work of preaching Christ to everyone.

How quickly do we change when we discover new truths from Scripture? Should change, first, be submitted to the constitution committee of your church for study and a recommendation? Why do you suppose other races and socio-economic groups to not frequent your services? What is your church doing to reach the other racial groups in your community and including them into your fellowship?

Discussion question

• If the name “Christian” were no being used today, what would people in your church be called?

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

Posted: 4/13/07

Bible Studies for Life Series for April 22

Loving like Christ bears fruit

• John 13:31-15:17

By David Harp

First Baptist Church, Stanton

Ken was my Sunday school teacher at Belmont Baptist Church in Pueblo, Colo. I was a junior high school student, and I don’t think I remember a single lesson Ken taught. I can remember the room—it was upstairs. I can remember Ken sitting in his chair, and the rest of us were seated in a circle around our teacher. Ken taught God’s word.

Sometimes Ken would read the verses, and sometimes Ken would have one of us read the verses. Ken was a plumber, a school teacher, a husband and a father.

Many years passed, and I had not heard from Ken in at least 10 years. The night before my graduation from seminary, my telephone rang. Imagine my surprise when I learned it was Ken.

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Ken was calling from Conroe, where he was living, to ask what time graduation ceremonies started. Ken asked, “David, would you mind if I come to your seminary graduation?” I know I repeated Ken’s words to my wife three or four times. I was shocked. How did he find me? Where did he get my number? How long has it been since I have seen Ken? All I had were questions.

The next day was a blur. Family and friends and gatherings and then finally the graduation ceremony took place.

Afterwards, on the front lawn of Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, my junior high Sunday school teacher and I had a reunion. Ken simply said to me and my many questions, “Love finds a way.”

When we begin to love like Jesus loves, we will obey his commands, and he will produce fruit in us that will last.

Love one another (John 13:34-35)

Jesus set a new standard for love among believers. “A “new” commandment I give to you,” he said. Why was this new? It was new because until now, loving God was the command to be kept. It was new because up until now, love for God’s law was a focus of their lives. But Jesus says this is an altogether new dynamic in that you are commanded to “love one another.” Jesus sets forth for us what many have called an “observable” behavior.

“Love” here is the highest form for love—agape love. Agape is a love of acceptance that seeks the highest good on the part of another. More than affection. More than romance. This love has staying power and will maintain its discernment. Mostly, this high form of love will have an impact on the world—“Love one another as I have loved you …” (John 13:34).

God never will command us to do something that he will not empower us to do.

Keep God’s commands (John 14:15, 21-24)

Jesus taught love for him and obedience to him accompany each other—one cannot separate love for Jesus apart from obedience to him. Jesus taught in John 14:21, 23-24 the powerful impact of obedience and love. Jesus does not say or imply that we earn his love. Rather, Jesus says emphatically, “whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me” (v. 21).

Jesus repeats his teaching by saying, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching” (v. 23). Jesus now states the truth again in a negative way by saying, “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching” (v. 24).

I have seen obedience at work. I have mentioned before that many years ago my mother lost her eyesight and is blind. She received a wonderful gift a few years later—a seeing eye dog, a beautiful black Labrador retriever, named Jackie. Both my mother and Jackie were trained at an obedience school. Both human and animal were trained together. Much time needed to be spent together.

A love developed and has grown. Jackie is obedient and trained to be the eyes for a blind person. Each learned to walk together and Jackie had to learn to listen for and obey the voice of her new master.

Produce fruit that lasts (John 15:9-16)

Jesus wrapped up his teaching on loving obedience by reminding the disciples that he chose them for the purpose of producing lasting fruit. Jesus gives us the reminder that we cannot bear any fruit that lasts apart from remaining in him. Jesus also reassures us that real joy comes only from him. Jesus also sets before us the fact that love is demonstrated by the sacrifice it makes and the action it takes.

Jesus speaks about the fruitful life of the believer. Our results for God will always be a failed crop unless God controls the field, the showers, the sunshine and the servants. A life yielding fruit that lasts will be pointing people to Jesus, bringing people to Jesus and helping people to come to Jesus. Love will always find a way.

Discussion questions

• In what ways is it possible to show our love for Jesus?

• How is it possible to for us to bring glory to God?

• What are some ways we can find real joy in serving Jesus?

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

Posted: 4/13/07

Explore the Bible Series for April 22

Christians should exude Christ when squeezed

• 1 Peter 4:7-19

By Kathryn Aragon

First Baptist Church, Duncanville

The world places a lot of stock in our intelligence quotient (IQ), but as Christians, we must place more value in our attitudes, especially our attitude toward difficulties. Take a short quiz and see how your suffering quotient (SQ) rates.

The questions are purely hypothetical. Try to imagine what you would do if you were in such a situation. Remember, you must choose the answer that reveals how you would react in a similar situation, not how you ought to act. There may be more than one answer.

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1. Your best friend publicly insults you … loudly. You immediately

a. Write off the relationship and vow never to speak to him again.

b. Take offence and respond rudely … and loudly.

c. Try to communicate that he is being rude by your facial expressions and tone of voice, but otherwise let it slide.

d. Quietly take him aside and address the issue.

2. Someone at work or church continually talks about you behind your back. You

a. Pray that God will bless them.

b. Try to find out what they are saying about you so you can defend yourself.

c. Blackmail them.

d. Confront them and tell them you don’t like what they are doing.

3. Your family borrows money from you and never pays it back. You

a. Demand they repay it and then disown them.

b. Plan on buying them smaller Christmas gifts this year.

c. Decide to make it a gift and pray they’ll make good use of it.

d. Pray for God to bless you for your generosity.

4. The promotion you deserve was given to the coworker who rarely pulls his own weight. He is rewarded for work you did to make up for his laziness. You

a. Tell everyone the truth, that your coworker was lazy and the promotion should be yours.

b. Forgive him.

c. Decide to work harder for the next promotion.

d. Sabotage his next project by refusing to do your share of the work.

5. Your supervisor gives you a bad review because you refuse to help cover one of his mistakes. You

a. Speak to his supervisor to appeal your review.

b. Expose him.

c. Work half-heartedly while looking for another job.

d. Pray for him and keep silent.

As we discussed last week, we too often react to life’s circumstances rather than respond to them. As we grow in maturity in our faith, we must learn to see life through Jesus’ eyes and respond as he would.

The Apostle Peter is the perfect person to teach us this lesson. He, too, tended to react to life. It wasn’t until his rashness caused him to reject Jesus that Peter began to learn his lesson. Now he wants us to learn from his mistakes and shares with us his method in verses 7 and 8: “Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Learning to respond instead of react

Every Christian principle we learn must be applied to our lives, because unless it changes the way we do things, we haven’t really learned it. Trouble is, the process is never easy. First, we must recognize the need to change. Then, we must begin to examine our past behavior and how it differs from God’s ways. And finally, we must go through the grueling process of changing our behavior.

That’s the part where most of us stall out. If we ever are going to reach maturity in our faith, we must make the hard decisions that lead to change.

In this case, we must grasp the difference between reacting and responding during stressful situations. When we are under attack, we must be able to step back and look at the situation through Jesus’ eyes, weigh all the options and choose the one Jesus would choose. All this in the blink of an eye.

Knowing God’s principles well enough to discuss them during a Sunday school class isn’t enough, because in the heat of the moment, we’re likely to forget our religion and react emotionally to difficulties. No, when the heat of the moment arrives, we must have already chosen our preferred behavior.

Of course, you would think making the decision would be enough, but it never is. Though Peter reminds us not to be surprised at the trials we suffer, we always are. And in that moment of surprise, we’ll all too often revert back to old behaviors.

Accepting the truth about suffering

Somehow we still carry with us the idea that life should be fair. To accept the truth would mean giving up this expectation of fairness, something we tend to resist. But Jesus never promised an easy life. Although he tells us his “yoke is easy” and his “burden is light” (Matthew 11:30), he also teaches he “did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).

The fact is, life is hard. It is full of hard decisions and bad consequences for right choices. It isn’t fair, and it isn’t supposed to be. We forget Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, something we pay the price for today. If God were really fair, we would have no hope for heaven. But because God is merciful, we know we will be rewarded someday for making the hard decisions we face every day.

Commit and continue

We can’t simply talk about right and wrong. We have to make a decision. Somewhere deep inside ourselves, we have to commit to God that we’ll do things his way whether it hurts or not, no matter how hard it may be. And then, having made that commitment, we must stand by it. That’s what Peter is telling us in verse 19: “So, then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

We couldn’t ask for a better teacher than Peter. If we lack self-control, he had less. If we behave rashly, he did more. If he can learn this lesson, so can we. But hopefully we can learn from his mistakes.

The secret to responding rather than reacting to life, he tells us, is in our minds. We must be clear minded and self-controlled. Rather than cluttering our mind with the things of this world, we must fill it with the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Notice Peter tells us to develop self-control so we can pray. Prayer isn’t the reaction that comes naturally when difficulties arise. We must gain control over our wild nature so we will remember to call on our Strength in times of trouble. It’s a discipline that must be learned and practiced.

So what’s your SQ? The quiz may give you an idea. But the true test is how you react to real situations in your own life. If you choose to do right when everyone else is doing wrong, if you respond with compassion and kindness to cruelty, if you forgive the unforgivable, your SQ is high. But if you’re still reacting to life, you need to stop talking about how to act and make the hard decision to control your actions.

Discussion questions

• On a scale of 1 to 10, what would you say your SQ is?

• Do you identify more with Peter before or after he learned his lesson about self-control?

• Are you willing to respond as Christ would no matter what the cost?

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

Storylist for week of 4/16/07

TAKE ME TO: Top Story |  Texas |  Opinion |  Baptists |  Faith & Culture |  Book Reviews |  Classifieds  |  Departments  |  Bible Study





• The church in parenethesis


• The church in parenethesis

• Churches show lasting benefits from intentional interim ministry, study says

• Self-examination benefits church with pastor, too

• Wade announces plans to retire as BGCT executive director

• Text of Wade's retirement announcement

• McKissic and Southwestern trustees reach peace agreement

• Missional leaders needed for churches

• Texas Baptist named to head international aid ministry

• Standard, others launch new era of collaboration

• When Howard Payne students show love to child, it leads Muslim family to church

• San Angelo bus ministry takes gospel to travelers

• Churches seeking pastors put plenty of hooks in the water

• Student actors say portraying Christ becomes role of a lifetime

• On the Move

• Around the State

• Texas Tidbits


• Board fires Missouri Baptists' embattled executive director

• Are some people born to be religious?

• Baptist Briefs


• Small coffee company takes ‘fair trade' one step further

• Fair Trade sales skyrocket

• Spiritual ‘smorgasbord' reveals hunger for ultimate meaning

• Novel challenges readers to view gospel through the eyes of Judas

• Faith Digest


• Books reviewed in this issue: River Rising by Athol Dickson, The Gospel According to Starbucks: Living With a Grande Passion by Leonard Sweet and Why Study the Past? The Quest for the Historical Church by Rowan Williams.


• Cartoon

• Classified Ads

• Texas Baptist Forum

• On the Move


• EDITORIAL: BGCT prepares for torch to be passed

• DOWN HOME: Bundle of fur mends broken hearts

• TOGETHER: Moving forward in a time of transition

• 2nd Opinion: Good manners & speaking truth

• RIGHT or WRONG? Santa and lying

• Texas Baptist Forum

• Cybercolumn by Berry D. Simpson: Transcendence



• BaptistWay Bible Series for April 15: Barriers do not have to be barricades

• Bible Studies for Life Series for April 15: The way of Christ involves service and sacrifice

• Explore the Bible Series for April 15: Acting like Jesus in the face of suffering

• BaptistWay Bible Series for April 22: Every Christian is called to missions

• Bible Studies for Life Series for April 22: Loving like Christ bears fruit

• Explore the Bible Series for April 22: Christians should exude Christ when squeezed


Previously Posted
• Mission Waco volunteers offer pure water, living water

• Evangelical leaders join broad coalition urging immigration reform

• Friona church's furniture bears mark of 92-year-old carpenter

• Buckner orphan writes her story

• Frye has seen change over 50 years at the organ bench

• Wanted: Gospel preachers for South Africa

• Study shows intact, religious family reduces achievement gap for minority children

• Texas House bill would expand CHIP

• Study shows intact, religious family reduces achievement gap for minority children

• TBM delivers computers to Mexico

• Houston students unite to serve in Acuña


• See a complete list of articles from our previous 4/02/ 2007 issue here.

Posted: 4/13/07

Student Jeff Sutton portrays Christ during the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor outdoor Easter pageant, a campus tradition for more than 60 years. (Photos/Carol Woodward)

Student actors say portraying
Christ becomes role of a lifetime

By Jennifer Sicking

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

BELTON—Three times Jeff Sutton was raised up on a cross, and each time he felt the power of what it represented.

“It is powerful to realize that what I did was imitation, acting, but what Christ did was real,” Sutton, a religion major from Dallas, said about his role as Jesus in the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s 68th annual Easter pageant. “Every time I would lay down on the cross, my heart would get in a knot. Christ did it for real. Nails would go through his hands; his blood was shed.”

Each year UMHB President Jerry Bawcom chooses someone to portray Christ, as well as the students to play Mary and to direct the pageant. A committee composed of faculty and staff gives the school’s president two or three students’ names, from which he makes his selection.

“It’s always a tough decision,” he said.

The director, he said, usually is easier, since it is someone who has “come up through the ranks.” In choosing the two main roles, Bawcom looks for students already exhibiting certain characteristics.

“Everyone I remember just has the spirit of Christ or the character of Mary within them,” he said.

For the past year, Sutton studied Scripture and prepared to portray the life of Christ. He said he was shocked when he was chosen, but it also humbled him.

That’s something two others who portrayed Jesus expressed.

Justin Bunting of Edgewood played Christ in 1996, and Elizabeth Underwood McAnelly of Hondo played Christ in 1941, when UMHB was an all-female school.

“I remember saying to the man who told me, ‘That’s the most humbling honor.’ And I still feel that way,” Bunting said.

McAnelly, from class of 1942, agreed the role was humbling, but also challenging.

“There were so many girls that I looked up to who were models to me,” she said of being awarded the role.

She also faced other challenges in taking on the role.

“I dyed my hair, glued on a beard, and they tried to teach me to walk like a man,” she said with a laugh.

Through preparing for the role, Sutton said he felt himself being changed.

“It challenged me to grow in ways I could not imagine,” he said. “My walk with Christ deepened.”

Bunting also felt the role’s impact. “You just try to put yourself in his shoes. It’s hard to believe that he could really do that for you. Reading about it and acting it out make you feel it so much more.”

McAnelly said she agreed with what another woman who portrayed Christ said.

“That is still our daily responsibility (to portray Christ), not in a program, but in our daily living,” she said. “I so often fail him, but I try.”

About 5,000 people attend the pageant each year in the week before Easter to watch about 90 students portray the Passion of Christ. Each year, directors bring different elements into the production, which takes place outdoors in front of the Luther Memorial arches.

“It’s neat to see how it’s grown through the years,” said Bunting, who brought his 5-year-old son to the show for the first time. “Instead of it becoming stale, it’s good to see it flourish and change.”

McAnelly has seen the most change. While the latest production begins with the first years of Jesus’ life and continues through his ascension, in 1941 the play concentrated upon the Passion Week, beginning with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Costumes and scenery were simple, she said, since they didn’t have money.

“The story is the same; it doesn’t change,” she said. “It’s about God’s unfathomable love.”

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

Posted: 4/13/07

RIGHT or WRONG? Santa and lying

What should I tell my preschooler about Santa Claus? Is it wrong to tell a “little white lie” if it brings happiness to a child?

You actually have asked two separate “right or wrong” questions. One concerns whether it is right or wrong to tell a “little white lie” to a child if it brings happiness. Parents avoid telling their children the absolute truth all the time. Usually, this is done when the parents determine the child does not need to know the truth, or when the child is not mature enough for the whole truth, or even when the absolute truth would hurt or discourage the child.

For example, most parents will proudly display their child’s crayon stick figure on the refrigerator door and tell the child it is the most beautiful picture they have ever seen. The truth is that it is not the most beautiful picture they have ever seen, but because they love the child and want to show support and encouragement, they do not tell the whole truth.

Honesty is a value, and values come into conflict. Honesty can lose out to a higher value. Look in the Bible. The Hebrew midwives feared God and refused to obey the king’s order to kill the newborn baby boys. When confronted, they lied to the king and told him they couldn’t get there in time. Exodus 1:20-21 says God blessed the midwives, and because they feared God, he gave them families of their own. In Joshua 2, Rahab boldly lied when asked about the spies. Not only was she saved when the city was taken, but she became an ancestor of Christ himself.

Still, what do we do with Santa? We make the decision based on the higher value. Some people see Santa as an embodiment of evil, the exact opposite of everything they believe Christmas represents. They see a figure who infringes on attributes God alone can possess—omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience. He rewards children based on works, not grace. He emphasizes the joy of receiving rather than giving. He steals the glory of the holiday given to the birth of Christ. In short, they have no problem seeing Santa as an anagram for Satan. This evil endangers their child.

Others see a harmless figure who represents the joy of giving. They believe their children will have no trouble differentiating between the reality of Christ and the fantasy of Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. The fantasies are merely innocent stories that serve a purpose of entertaining and bringing joy to their children.

Which one is right? Is Santa an idol, or just a story? Unfortunately, there simply is no perfect right or wrong answer on this one. What’s right for one family will not be right for another. Wishing, or demanding, that it is different will not make it so. Perhaps the greater question deals with how we respond to people who will handle this decision differently than we do.

Van Christian, pastor

First Baptist Church

Comanche

Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.

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

Updated: 4/12/07

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade talks with Associate Executive Director/COO Ron Gunter after Wade’s retirement announcement (BGCT photo).

Wade announces plans to retire
as BGCT executive director

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

DALLAS—Charles Wade, who led the Baptist General Convention of Texas through major changes in its governance and reorganization of its Executive Board staff, has announced plans to retire as executive director Jan. 31, 2008.

Wade told Baptist Building employees of his plans at an April 11 staff meeting after he informed BGCT President Steve Vernon and Executive Board Chairman Bob Fowler.

• Listen to Charles Wade announce his retirement with comments from Bob Fowler and Steve Vernon.

• Read the text here .

In his letter to Fowler, Wade wrote: “It has been an honor to serve Texas Baptists these past seven years. I felt the calling of God in the invitation by the Executive Board in 1999 to serve our convention in this role, and across the years of my service I have had the deep and abiding sense that God and his people have walked alongside me in this journey of leadership and faith. Now, I have that same gracious sense from God that this is the time for me to begin the next phase of my obedience to his call issued 55 years ago.”

Fowler told the staff Wade flew to Houston March 21 to inform him of his decision to retire. He praised Wade as his mentor in denominational involvement.

“Dr. Wade has provide strong and thoughtful leadership as executive director, both to his staff and to the many volunteers who have had the privilege of working with him,” Fowler said. “In these times that have often been challenging in Texas Baptist life, Dr. Wade has been a tremendous asset to us, and I am certain that he will continue to be so. Texas Baptists have been fortunate to have had both the mind and the heart of Charles Wade for these years of his service to the kingdom through the BGCT.”

BGCT President Steve Vernon likewise expressed praise and appreciation for Wade’s contributions to Texas Baptists.

“Dr. Wade’s leadership has been exemplary in leading this convention to continue to be Baptists, to continue to be missional and to be a strong witness for the kingdom of God,” Vernon said. “Charles has truly been a pastor of all BGCT churches in Texas—a pastor to the churches, to the ministers and to the people.”

BGCT Executive Board chairman Bob Fowler

BGCT bylaws outline the process for naming a 15-member search committee to recommend a new executive director. The chairman and vice chair of the Executive Board will nominate seven members from the Executive Board, and the BGCT president and two vice presidents will nominate eight members from the convention at large. The five officers also will nominate a chair for the search committee from the 15 members.

Both Fowler and Vernon stressed they hope the search committee will represent—as much as possible—the various constituencies in Texas Baptist life. At the same time, they emphasized members will be selected on the basis of their experience.

The search committee and its chair then are subject to Executive Board approval. The board meets May 21-22.

“It is my hope that this committee will be able to bring back to the board in September a nominee for executive director who will be God’s person to lead us into the future,” Wade said.

During Wade’s tenure, the BGCT went through its most thorough reorganization in more than a half-century. Governance changes streamlined decision-making processes and vested more authority in the Executive Board, which was reduced in size from 230 to 90 members. Staff changes included placing congregational strategists in regions throughout the state.

He told the BGCT Executive Board staff that over the next nine and a half months, he plans to “work diligently to imbed in our organizational culture the gains we have made.”

In his comments to Baptist Building personnel, Wade focused on four key changes in the organization:

• “We are moving our staff into the field and communicating to local churches and associations that the BGCT is here to serve them.”

• “We are breaking down any sense of private agendas and narrowly focused goals that build up individual priorities or program dominance.”

• “We are working with the churches and associations to connect them to a worldwide vision and truly kingdom-size vision.”

• “We are working with the new governance structures of the Executive Board, groups, teams, councils, committees and commissions to ensure excellence through continued training, the development and implementation of policies and the achievement of a high level of understanding and confidence in their new roles.”

In his remaining time as executive director, Wade said he also will work with institutions and ministries that face challenges, such as Baptist University of the Americas as it seeks a president; give priority to missions, particularly the missions exchange meeting that will seek to develop a strategic plan to help churches, associations, institutions and BGCT personnel work collaboratively; and encourage Texas Baptist involvement in the Celebration for a New Baptist Covenant.

Wade’s retirement takes effect during that event, scheduled Jan.30 to Feb. 1 in Atlanta, Ga. He serves as co-chair of a prayer committee for the gathering, which will involve the country’s four largest predominately African-American Baptist conventions, as well as other groups who are part of the Baptist World Alliance’s North American Baptist Fellowship.

In his retirement announcement to the Baptist Building staff, Wade made no mention of a scandal that emerged during his tenure involving the mismanagement of BGCT church-starting funds in South Texas. Independent investigators discovered 98 percent of the 258 new churches reported by three church planters in the Rio Grande Valley between 1999 and 2005 no longer exist, and some never existed—except on paper. Those churches received more than $1.3 million from the BGCT.

In their report, the investigative team faulted the BGCT Executive Board staff for poor oversight, uneven management, failure to abide by internal guidelines and misplaced trust.

Wade pledged to “clean up the mess,” and a special oversight group reported significant progress to the BGCT Executive Board at its February meeting.

BGCT Second Vice President Roberto Rodriguez noted Hispanic Texas Baptists in the Valley have appreciated the way Wade responded to the crisis, as well as how he worked from the beginning of his time as executive director to be responsive to that part of the state. Wade’s first trip as executive director was to the Valley, he recalled.

Wade has been “a friend to the churches in the Valley and to Hispanics” in Texas Baptist life, Rodriquez said.

As pastor of First Baptist Church in Arlington from 1976 to 1999, Wade led the congregation to become a national trendsetter in outreach and community ministry through Mission Arlington. When he left the pastorate, Mission Arlington was touching about 3,000 people each week in 200 locations, mostly in multi-housing complexes.

Wade graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University and earned master’s and doctorate degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He and his wife, Rosemary, have four adult children—Mark, Roshelle, Karee and Mary Robin.

 

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

Posted: 4/11/07

Text of Charles Wade's address to the BGCT staff

As I have said to Texas Baptists in many places and many times: “I thank my God every time I think of you. I pray for you with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Especially, I am glad to say that to this staff who serve Texas Baptists in myriad ways with steadfast faith and impressive skill. No leader of Texas Baptists could ever hope for a more dedicated and able group of women and men to serve alongside than I have enjoyed the past seven years.

Charles Wade

We have accomplished much together, and there is more to be done. We will continue to give our full energies to the task Texas Baptists assigned to my care and God called me to do when I began this journey with you in November 1999.

It is now time to announce that I will retire from the role of Executive Director of the BGCT on January 31, 2008. Though I will continue to give leadership and encouragement to you, the Executive Board of the Convention, and Texas Baptists for the next 9 1/2 months, it is necessary for me to give this advance notice so there can be adequate time for the Executive Board to initiate the search process to find the next Executive Director whom I believe God has already been preparing to take up this critical and special calling.

In my letter to the chair of the Executive Board today, I wrote: “It has been an honor to serve Texas Baptists these past seven years. I felt the calling of God in the invitation by the Executive Board in 1999 to serve our convention in this role and across the years of my service I have had the deep and abiding sense that God and his people have walked alongside me in this journey of leadership and faith. Now, I have that same gracious sense from God that this is the time for me to begin the next phase of my obedience to his call issued fifty-five years ago.”

Our Constitution and Bylaws give good direction to this task. The officers of the Executive Board–Bob Fowler and John Petty–will nominate seven members of the Executive Board to serve on the Search Committee, and the three officers of the Convention–Steve Vernon, Joy Fenner, and Roberto Rodriguez–will nominate eight others from the convention as a whole to make up the fifteen members of the Executive Director Search Committee. The Executive Board in its May meeting will be asked to approve this committee of fifteen. It is my hope that this committee will be able to bring back to the Board in September a nominee for Executive Director who will be God’s person to lead us into the future.

No matter before us deserves more earnest and unceasing prayer than that God will guide Texas Baptists in every step of this journey to seek and discover the one whom God has prepared for this assignment.

I know that you will join me in daily prayer as the officers nominate this committee, the Executive Board assigns them the task, and the Search committee patiently and prayerfully works to present to the Executive Board the person they believe God has led them to recommend.

There will be time enough before I lay down this responsibility to recount the achievements of our service together, but for a moment I want to express what I will be working to help us achieve over the next nine and a half months.

First – I intend to work diligently to imbed in our organizational culture the gains we have made:

• We are moving our staff to the field and communicating to local churches and associations that the BGCT is here to serve them. We are providing access to specialists in church life and growth, resources to assist them in ways that cannot be matched anywhere, leadership development opportunities, and institutional relationship connections that put them in touch with ministry and mission needs throughout Texas and the world. The BGCT has a kingdom vision and we are committed to advancing all the interests of the Redeemer’s kingdom.

• We are breaking down any sense of private agendas and narrowly focused goals that build up individual priorities or program dominance. We are learning to value every ministry of a local church and every type of church and support them in achieving their kingdom goals.

• We are working with the churches and associations to connect them to a worldwide vision and a truly kingdom-size vision. For example: starting of vital new churches, growing mission passion and involvement, revitalizing evangelistic zeal, energizing understanding and giving through the BGCT Cooperative Program.

• We are working with the new governance structures of the Executive Board, groups, teams, councils, committees, and commissions to ensure excellence through continued training, the development and implementation of policies, and the achievement of a high level of understanding and confidence in their new roles.

Second – I will work with our Baptist institutions and Baptist Student Ministries that are dealing with particular challenges as they move to the future. The Baptist University of the Américas is in a search process for a new President that is critical for their future. Baptist Child and Family Services of San Antonio is working diligently to achieve a debt free status for the Breckinridge Village in Tyler. And we are completing the funding of a new BSM center for the University of Texas at Tyler and laying groundwork for a strategic plan to fund the refurbishing or rebuilding of BSM centers across the state which are, in some cases, forty to fifty years old.

Third – I will work to encourage a productive Missions Exchange meeting later this month to help churches, institutions, associations and our BGCT staff to craft an approach to strategic planning for mission ministry that involves all of our partners in a synergistic and collaborative manner. The goal is that significantly more mission impact can be achieved by our people than ever before. This will include hands-on mission involvement paired with long-term presence and critical analysis to ensure we are using our energies, time, dollars and prayers in a thoughtful, faithful, and effective manner.

We will work intentionally with convention officers, committees and staff to put mission calling, vision, strategy, and opportunities at the heart of our annual meeting in Amarillo this October.

Fourth – I will work with the Executive Board and staff in helping our Texas Baptist people be involved in the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant in Atlanta, January 30-February 1, 2008. This first in our lifetime opportunity has arisen because of our involvement in the Baptist World Alliance’s North American Baptist Fellowship. For several years now we have been working to establish awareness and friendship between the Baptist bodies of North America.

For the first time ever, the four great National Baptist Conventions making up the majority of African-American Baptists are gathering with the Anglo conventions from the North, South, East, and West to celebrate our unity in Christ, to worship together, to be inspired by one another, to be challenged by the prophetic words of our Lord as He set forward His agenda for life and ministry, to voice a Baptist witness to our common faith and hope in Christ Jesus and our Baptist response to the critical needs of our nation and the world.

We will take home with us practical, hands-on ideas and ways to encourage one another in preaching the gospel with new fervency, righting wrongs, speaking a Jesus word into a culture that hasn’t heard Him in a while, in expressing our unity in obeying the commands of our Lord to love God and to love our neighbors.

I have been asked to be a co-chair of the Prayer Committee charged with preparing for this meeting by getting the Baptist people of America to pray for God to get hold of our lives and conscience, our plans, our hopes and turn them to His vision, His passion and His great gospel. I will need your help in this assignment.

I want to express deep appreciation to Myla McClinton and Sandra Sewell for their direct help in managing our office. Chris Liebrum is an extraordinary associate in helping me move forward the important work of our convention. Don Sewell has represented us faithfully in building mission relationships with Baptist bodies around the world.

I could not have led us to this place without David Nabors and Ron Gunter, who have served remarkably during this transition as our CFO and COO. I thank them.

I began by saying how much all of this staff means to me, but I want again to say that you and your dedication to God’s calling in your life has been a source of unceasing inspiration to me. Thank you, everyone.

I am grateful for Bob Fowler, Jim Nelson, and now John Petty, who have and are giving extraordinary leadership to our new Executive Board. Their prayers, assistance, and wise counsel have been and are greatly needed and appreciated.

I have served with wonderful Convention officers through the years, and I am deeply in their debt. Steve Vernon, Joy Fenner, and Roberto Rodriguez are especially to be mentioned because they have been especially helpful as we have considered the approach of this announcement. They love you, and they love Texas Baptists.

All five of these current leaders sense the enormous potential of Texas Baptist people, churches, institutions, and associations. They hold as a sacred trust the challenge they now have to seek God’s will as they appoint the new search committee. In God’s timing he has brought them together to help lead us to the future.

I express appreciation to the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and to all of our pastors, ministers, leaders, and people in our churches across Texas. You are a great people and God will use us beyond our ability now to even imagine. I have observed that Texas Baptists believe there is nothing that cannot be done if God is in it and someone will lead the way. Our churches, institutions, and convention are a historic testimony to the truth of that happy statement.

To my wife, Rosemary, my children and their families, I must also express special appreciation. With their support, prayers, encouragement, and presence I have been able to do what I never could have done without them. They are part of what prepared me for this task, and they are part of the reason I am now ready to move forward in the journey God has called me to walk. There are no words adequate to say how their love for God and for our Baptist work has encouraged, blessed and inspired me all these years.

There is much to be done. Together we will do what God has given us to do. I look forward to these next months, and I look forward in helping the one whom God will call to take up this work as we move to the fullness of God’s future, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

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

Posted: 5/30/03

OneDay03 perpetuates passion for following God

SHERMAN–Rather than spending Memorial Day weekend at beaches or amusement parks, nearly 30,000 college students and young adults sought God on a 400-acre ranch near Sherman.

OneDay03 encompassed the weekend, climaxing in seven hours of worship, teaching and prayer on Memorial Day.

Almost 30,000 college students converged on a ranch near Sherman over the Memorial Day weekend to participate in OneDay03, a nationwide "sacred assembly" designed to help them focus on God. (Leann Callaway Photo)

Led by Louie Giglio, founder and director of Passion Conferences for youth and young adults, OneDay included a number of well-known speakers, worship artists and other Christian leaders.

OneDay's purpose was to draw students into a “sacred assembly” dedicated to seeking God, reflecting the Old Testament passage Joel 2:15: “Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.”

The event's organizers maintained that focus by declining to release the names of speakers and musicians prior to the weekend. Yet students still came, which Giglio saw as evidence they kept their focus on God.

“They didn't come to see us,” he said. “They didn't come to see people. They came to see the living God.”

That's exactly what Giglio wanted for thousands of young adults who are defining how they will live the rest of their lives, he said.

“When a college student leaves their home, they leave their parents, the church of their youth, their community and their world that was known to them,” he explained.

“They step into a completely new environment, which is challenging them intellectually, morally and spiritually, in every single way. Their life becomes redefined, and whatever is defined in those moments sets the course for the kind of person they're going to be, the kind of family they're going to have, the kind of business they're going to go into.

“I personally feel like it is the crossroads of our lives, and I want to be standing at that crossroads when those decisions are being made, when everything's being re-evaluated, when everything's being questioned. … I want to be standing at that crossroads and saying: 'Look at Jesus. Think about Jesus. Listen to the words of Jesus. Accept the invitation of Jesus. With all these ideas and the whole range of opportunities, consider Jesus.'

“To see a student in that moment choose him and begin to see their life defined by him is one of the most rewarding things on earth.”

A passion to see God drove students and leaders past many obstacles to arrive at a North Texas ranch for the weekend.

Groups drove or flew from across the nation and overseas to attend the weekend, many staying in campsites located across the ranch's rolling hills.

Bible studies began even as cars lined a country road to enter the ranch. (Hoganson Media Relations Photo)

“We believe (God) had something very specific to accomplish in each of these lives,” said Beth Moore, a Houston-based

speaker and author who delivered one of the Memorial Day messages.

Moore and the other speakers challenged students to make their sole purpose living for God's fame.

Pastor and author John Piper of Minneapolis defined the day as “the gathering and the awakening of a generation passionate for the holiness of God.”

Monday's speakers also included actor Kirk Cameron and Heather Mercer, a missionary captive under the former Taliban regime in Af-ghanistan.

Cameron is best known for his character as Mike Seaver on the popular 1990s television series “Growing Pains.”

“Most of you are probably wondering what Mike Seaver is doing up here with a Bible,” he said as he took the stage.

Growing up in Hollywood, Cameron thought he had it all. But his life changed when a friend invited him to a church service. After hearing about sin and God's mercy, he became a Christian in his late teens. His fame had to die in order for him to be saved, he admitted. “Christ alone is the famous one.”

Cameron instructed students to trust in Jesus the way they would trust in a parachute if they were jumping out of a plane at 25,000 feet.

“We're consecrating this as holy ground. The word of God has gone over this place, and we're saying this is sacred ground,” he said. “We're calling for the God of holiness to come here. That's a frightening thing to me. God does not fool around, in his holiness, with sin and hypocrisy. The word of God has gone out over this field, and the Bible says that it is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edge sword.”

Giglio also discussed the importance of mobilization opportunities.

“The word 'mobilization' is a unique word,” he explained. “Some people would use the word 'missions,' but we happen to like the word 'mobilization' because 'missions' has a little bit of a stigma, even in a Christian community.

“People think, 'Oh, you have to choose to be a missionary, which means you have to move to Africa and live there for the rest of your life.' We feel that the better word is 'mobilization,' because the whole world has been created by God and the whole world has been created for God.

“Our desire is to share that with everybody on this planet. We know that whenever we're with God, and in the presence of God, that our heart is in turn going to beat with his heart. When your heart beats with God's heart, your heart starts beating for the whole world because God cares about the entire world.

“So, … we just wanted to keep elevating God's heart for the nations: Not some pressured call to go and be a missionary because people need to hear the gospel, but just to keep hearing God's heartbeat and rejoice in what he's already doing.

“My prayer is not that a hundred students would find a way into the nations, but thousands of these students would find their way into the nations because of today.”

Students gathered in “prayer triangles” to ask God for spiritual awakening in America (Hoganson Media Relations Photo)

Worship was a large part of the assembly, which not only included much singing but also involved Scripture, art displays, poetry and other forms of praise.

Many well-known artists led worship, including Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall and Matt Redman, who began the main session on Monday with “O Come, Let Us Adore Him.” Similar hymns were used throughout the event, as were contemporary worship songs.

As students worshipped and listened to the call to live for God's renown, they were urged to take their passion for him to the ends of the earth.

Dozens of missions organizations gathered on-site to help students mobilize for international outreach.

For example, workers at the Planet 268 mobilization tent offered to prepare students for those opportunities. Marc McCartney, events director for the RightNow Campaign to mobilize young people in missions and ministry, managed the tent.

“A lot of awareness is taking place,” McCartney said. “God's teaching them something, and the guides are here to help them understand how to activate what God's placed in their lives.”

The RightNow Campaign will contact every student who visited the tent, McCartney said. “It may be 10,000 of them, and we're going to communicate with each one. We are going to keep taking them on that journey and communicating with them for as long as it takes–a week, a year or two years. The goal is to build conversations and help them move until they feel ultimately ready to go on one of these opportunities.”

While many students were particularly attracted to missions or other aspects of OneDay, others simply enjoyed worshipping with so many Christians their own age.

On student from Duke University delighted in the unity of students from so many places and denominations. “Not growing up around a lot of Christians, I was just overwhelmed with the magnitude and the amount of people that were there,” she said.

OneDay03 leaders described the current generation of students as experiencing a special movement of God. Moore compared it to a “peppering” rain of the Holy Spirit. However, she also cautioned that students' zeal must be matched with true knowledge of God and his word.

Reported by special correspondent Leann Callaway and Ben Hines of Baptist Press

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: 4/05/07

BaptistWay Bible Series for April 15

Barriers do not have to be barricades

• Acts 11:1-18

By Leroy Fenton

Baptist Standard, Dallas

Barriers do not have to be barricades. Every major effort to succeed in reaching people with the gospel, to exceed the ecclesiastical status quo, to establish a new vision for God, to do something significant or to put new ideas into old thinking will encounter barriers of one kind or another.

My first church in Texas was in a small rural community and was made up of wonderful, loving, salt-of-the-earth kind of people who were faithful in Bible study, worship and financial support.

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I had taken the seminary course on Sunday school evangelism, taught by Othal Feather, who had developed a fresh approach that had been successful in other churches. Serious about evangelism, I was convinced the approach would work in our church.

Since the church was 150 miles away and contact was extremely limited, I followed Feather’s book very carefully, spending hours of late night effort, examining in detail the Sunday school classes and organizing the church for outreach.

Announced in advance, on a Sunday night, I presented the plan to the church in explicit detail. Asking for discussion and input, one faithful deacon rose to speak and stated his appreciation for the purpose of the project, the work I had put in, and concluded with, “But, it won’t work here.”

There was no other person who spoke; the program died on the floor of the business conference. The barrier became a barricade. I learned quickly who was the leader of the congregation and that, regardless of the distance, I should have involved the leadership in the planning.

My assessment is that involving them in the decision-making process would not have changed the outcome. The leaders of the church were not going to do evangelism. No reason was given, no explanation offered and no details provided. The barricade was up.

Barriers come in many different shapes and sizes—prejudice, apathy, tradition, theology, training, leadership, attitudes, fear, governance, funding, protectionism and countless others. The churches can love and enjoy walls that isolate and insulate them from the community and from responsibility for the salvation of people, especially people who are not their kind.

The dominant theme of Pentecost is that the gospel is for everyone. When a church resists this example, admonition and commission, it resists the Spirit and becomes stiff-necked in defiance.

Affluence, race, language and education tend to segment congregations into divisions as a result of human psychology. After a time, these barriers become rigid, definable and expected.

In Cornelius’ case, the barrier was both sociological and theological. Cornelius was of another race, of a despised vocation and sociologically elite. When religion is based on legalism rather than grace, nothing but havoc, division and antagonism will result. Righteousness demands rightness be tempered with grace, love and acceptance. Such creates the opportunity for healthy spiritual change.

Serious barriers brought about a crisis in the early church. Pentecost forced open new doors and confronted these old barriers. The initiative of God had brought about the transformation of life in the real world.

The success of the new church with the Samaritans, the Ethiopian and now the Gentile, Cornelius, forced the church to face their inadequate theology, national arrogance, crushing legalism and racial exclusiveness. Each step away from Jerusalem represented a wider racial and national barrier. The early church saw those barriers tumble down like Jericho’s walls. The racial prejudice in America, at its worst, was miniscule compared to the gap between the Jew and the Gentile. How could or would the new Christian Jew face their own community when such antagonism and hatred existed?

News spreads quickly (Acts 11:1-3)

Like reading the Baptist Standard, religious news travels fast and far. The experience of the conversion of Cornelius, the Gentile, spread like wildfire “throughout Judea” (v. 1). Those who criticized were Jewish believers, Judaizers, in the Jerusalem church still zealous for old, traditional beliefs and ways a Gentile had to be circumcised—become a Jew in order to become a Christian.

The theological battle that started here caused continual antagonism in the church known by Paul. I would have to imagine that every household in Judea heard the rumors and expressed their opinion on Peter’s disregard of Jewish thought and tradition. He had violated their inerrant word that Israel was God’s chosen people.

The comments might have been, “Who in the world does this poor fisherman think he is?” It was bad enough that he had fallen out of favor because he had become a follower of Jesus, the resurrected Christ, but now he had started meddling into the Jewish covenant made with Abraham. Peter should understand Israel is favored above all the nations of the earth.

The diatribe continued when they heard that Peter actually went into the home of an uncircumcised Gentile and ate with him. How could such things be, right here in Judea, the heart of Judaism? Observation by the non-Christian Jew might have been this: “Peter needs a rabbi and a scribe to bring him back to his senses. Perhaps he will be apprehended and placed in a dungeon or even crucified like his mentor, Jesus.”

When Peter arrived in Jerusalem, he faced severe criticism for the breach in the racial barricade. His liberal ways would have to be corrected. No one could be included in the new Christianity unless they were of “like faith and order.”

Luke considered Cornelius’ entrance into the church, as the first Gentile, to be of incredible significance. The Samaritans and the eunuch had been converted, but they were not part of the new Jewish church fellowship. Distance allowed some comfort of soul and protection from traditional feelings of exclusiveness.

Modern Christianity is nonetheless stricken by this same abnormality where we rejoice at the salvation of all people, as long as they do not sit on our pew and stay in their place.

Explanation of the breach (Acts 10:16-11:17)

One has to observe the courage of Peter as he faces his contemporaries to explain the circumstances and his own personal experience. His leadership role continues to develop. There seems to be no fear, quite unlike facing his accusers at the foot of the cross (Luke 22:54-62).

The story of how Cornelius and Peter connected is marvelous and fits so well with how God communicated in biblical times. God had to do something powerful and supernatural to make an impression on Peter whose mindset of prejudice and religious favoritism had been taught to him and his family for generations.

Peter’s learning curve continues in a critical experience with similar impact as his revelatory declaration that Jesus was “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20). Three times the sheet filled with unclean animals came down from heaven in the vision and three times the same message was given (Acts 10:16). God was convinced Peter had finally understood the message. The barrier between races, cultures, nations and people groups must come down for the gospel of the risen Christ has universal application.

A Roman centurion, Cornelius, stationed in Caesarea, was a God-fearer, who was uncircumcised and consequently considered unclean. Cornelius, who was devoted to family values, social justice and worship of God (10:1-3), had a vision in which an angel spoke to him. Obeying the instructions of the angel, he sent some of his men to Joppa, about 30 miles south, to bring back Simon Peter (10:3-8).

During their journey to Joppa, Simon Peter fell into a trance and had this powerful vision of unclean animals let down out of heaven. Peter, who experienced Pentecost, still was struggling with prejudice and his old values. The vision was to teach Peter not to “call anything impure that God had made clean” (10:15).

Peter got this staggering and disturbing message, but was not quite sure how it applied when he was summoned to the door to greet the three strangers from Caesarea. Peter went with them, and when he entered the centurion’s home, the wall of partition was broken. The centurion, a symbol of Roman power and paganism, was loathed by the Jews. While seeking spiritual answers for his empty life, he became the chosen spearhead for opening the door to the world.

This pagan soldier-seeker must have been amazed when what he had seen in a vision took place as revealed and Peter was, likewise, when the lesson he had learned had to be applied to the unclean centurion (10:30-33).

The first thing out of Peter’s mouth was incredible, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (10:34-35). Before Peter completed his sermon, “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message” and the “circumcised believers … were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” (10:44-45). This time the Spirit came with the preaching of the word and before baptism. Evidence for the coming of the Spirit was “speaking in tongues and praising God” (10:46), similar to Pentecost, unexpected and unsolicited.

Then, Jews and Gentiles were baptized into the same fellowship of believers. No favoritism or distinction is made by the Spirit between Jew or Gentile. God’s position on his created humanity was understood and affirmed through the grace of God in the salvation experience.

Having recounted in 11:4-15 what had happened in 10:1-48, Peter quoted from the Lord the statement, “For John baptized with water, but…you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5, Mark 1:8, Acts 11:16) and concluded, “if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could opposes God?” (11:17).

Removal of the barrier accepted (11:18)

The criticism seemed to be, primarily, Peter’s association with Cornelius, the Gentile, and not his preaching to them or even their response to the gospel. What turned the tide, so to speak, seemed to be the argument or explanation that Peter would not oppose God’s will. Those who criticized had a change of heart and even “praised God” for granting “even the Gentiles repentance unto life” (v. 18).

Summary and Application

According to research, about 75 percent of churches in the Southern Baptist Convention are plateaued. The world is being brought to Texas from the east and from the south. English is the language of the economic world, making communicating the gospel much easier. The demographics show rural areas are being repopulated, downtown areas are having urban renewal and our state is the second largest state in the union and growing rapidly.

There are churches on every corner, of every shape, size and color, yet the barriers to sharing the gospel are so strong. Bastions of impenetrable walls isolate congregations from the real world. Churches are wealthy, have buildings that stay unused most of the time, have budgets designed for internal programs, with worshippers who spend most of their money on themselves.

Governance allows a congregation to be guided by misguided people who study little and pray less, but with good intentions to see the bills are paid. There is more rejoicing over a financial report that is in the black, than over a lost sinner snatched from the doom of hell. While the population is growing and Baptists fight their political battles, fewer and fewer people are being saved, often because of barriers of tradition, theology, socio-economic concerns, racial prejudice, materialism, time, broken homes and so on, and so on, and so on.

What barriers exist in your church? Are they there because of God’s will or do they need to come down? The church at Jerusalem was open, teachable. They listened to Peter’s testimony and when convinced of the new truth, they made the necessary faith and lifestyle change. I commend the new church at Jerusalem that saw the light, changed their attitude and rejoiced the door to the world was opened. I doubt they had any idea as to the consequences of their change of heart or could conceive of the future of God’s work because of what happened. Our obedience could change the course of Holy history. God only knows. What will you do about the barriers in your church?

Discussion question

• What barriers keep your church from doing all God wants you to do?

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

Posted: 4/05/07

Bible Studies for Life Series for April 15

The way of Christ involves service and sacrifice

• John 13:1-17

By David Harp

First Baptist Church, Stanton

I got my first job the summer I turned 15 years old. I worked at the Black Mule Gas Station. I was a “service attendant,” which meant I pumped gas into the car for people.

Remember what “full service” meant? Wash the windshield. Check the air in the tires—make sure the pressure was just right. Check the oil gauge to see if any oil needed to be added. Since my dad was a mechanic, I knew he was proud.

My job at the Black Mule gas station lasted two weeks. A customer (from our local church) drove off while the gas pump was still in his gas tank!

My manager said I needed to learn more about the meaning of service. The truth is, I have spent many years trying to learn what it means to serve. We live in a world that seeks recognition, honor and fame.

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What does it mean to serve others?

How can we humbly follow in the steps of our Servant-Savior, Jesus Christ? In this final study from the book of John, we will discover what Jesus wants from us as his followers.

The perfect example (John 13:1, 3-5)

Jesus is the perfect example. He becomes a servant. Jesus takes a basin and a towel, and he washes the feet of the disciples. A servant loves, and a servant is strong. Where in the world did we get the idea that to be a servant was to turn in our strength?

Jesus knew the time was right and he was ready. “He came from God and was returning to God.” Jesus had a strong sense of his own identity. Jesus knew “his time had come to leave,” which tells us servants must have a sense of direction. Jesus also knew “all things were under his power” (v. 3). This tells us servants must have a sense of authority. Under great personal stress, service wasn’t disregarded; in fact, it was the main message taught by Jesus.

The natural response (John 13:6-10)

Peter’s natural responses of embarrassment, arrogance and pride all get in the way of his understanding. Jesus offers him no explanation now—only that he will understand it all at a later time. Peter was willing to fight for a throne but not for a towel. The disciples were willing to do battle for a rightful place in the kingdom but not a rightful place of service.

We often don’t recognize how and when Jesus is working in our lives. Like Peter, we can be confused and misunderstand these events and try to explain them away.

Peter is so human, and we should acknowledge that. He says, “You’ll never wash my feet,” but Jesus does. Peter says, “I’ll lay down my life for you, Jesus,” but he doesn’t.

Notice in these verses that John is careful to point out that Jesus washed the feet of Judas also. Judas the betrayer is not ignored; he is served like the other disciples. Jesus doesn’t turn away from us—we always turn away from him. Servants serve all kinds of imperfect people.

The divine blessing (John 13:12-17)

Jesus asks, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” (v. 12). Jesus is not asking for information. He knows, and he is asking to reinforce to the disciples to make sure they know the meaning of his example. Jesus’ example is much more than just foot washing. It involves the whole of his life, death and resurrection. “Humble service” consists of much more than performing menial tasks or demonstrating humility—it involves sacrifice.

The disciples and Jesus entered a room. A basin with water and a towel was there. Remember it was a custom of the time because of the dirt and the dusty roads that someone washed their feet. Jesus became the servant. Jesus leaves us with an example.

Look for the opportunity to meet a need in someone’s life. Look for the little thing. Follow the example of Jesus. Do it because you love people. Do it even if there’s a Judas in the room. Do it even though the room is filled with imperfect people.

A powerful contemporary Christian song “If We Are the Body,” sung by Casting Crowns, illustrates it best: “But if we are the body why aren’t his arms reaching? Why aren’t his hands healing? Why aren’t his words teaching? And if we are the body, why aren’t his feet going? Why is his love not showing them there is a way?”

There is a way to Jesus. It involves the sacrifice, humility and service of all believers.

Discussion questions

• Can you remember a time when Jesus met a need in your life?

• Do we try to tell God how to do His work in our lives?

• How easily do you give up on people?

• What are some ways we can begin to serve people this week?

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