Texas Baptist Forum

Posted: 8/17/07

Texas Baptist Forum

Committee really listens

Four members of the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ executive director search committee came to Austin to “listen” to Texas Baptists in this area. 

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

“My religious affiliation, my religious practices and the degree to which I am a good or not-so-good Catholic, I prefer to leave to the priests. That would be a much better way to discuss it. That’s a personal discussion, and they have a much better sense of how good a Catholic I am or how bad a Catholic I am.” Rudy Giuliani Republican U.S. presidential candidate, and a Catholic (Associated Press/RNS) “My church says I can’t drink alcohol, right? OK, should I say as governor of Massachusetts, we are stopping alcohol sales? No. My religion is for me and how I live my life. So don’t confuse what I do, as a member of my faith, with what I think ought to be done by government.” Mitt Romney Republican U.S. presidential candidate, and a Mormon (ABCNews.go.com/RNS) “Every time I see my sweet girl Lisa, I believe in God. Every time I see Bart, I believe in the devil.” Homer Simpson Father in “The Simpsons,” when asked about his religious beliefs during an “interview” (USA Today/RNS)

Like many Texas Baptists, I was concerned that the committee had an agenda and came to talk rather than listen. I left the meeting invigorated by the conversation. They really did come to listen and ask some probing questions about what we thought should be the characteristics and attributes of the new director.  Yes, and they even took notes and listened to our concerns. 

I would like to tell you many Texas Baptists attended; unfortunately that was not the case. I encourage Texas Baptists to attend these sessions when they come to their area. 

The search committee wants to know what we think.

Bruce M. Murray

Austin

Pray for all troops

Baptists are generous; yet “most” nonmedical, nonveteran Baptists probably will be shunning American war veterans of other races and other faiths who have been seriously injured in the current wars—who have lost limbs, been otherwise maimed, been brain injured or become mentally ill.

Why? Because few Baptists in America are aware of how valuable the troops of other races and other faiths are to the troops Baptists care most about—those of our own race and faith.

The safety of every American troop on the front line of a war depends upon the skills and devotion to duty of American troops and American military officers of other races and of many other faiths—whether Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Caucasian, Black or Jew; whether Methodist, Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim or another faith, even atheist. Practically speaking, the only way we can rightfully expect God to keep “our own” safe is for us to ask God to keep safe all of our troops and their officers—of every race and faith.

Could we Baptists do that? Certainly! And as we value these who keep “our own” safe in war, we will come to value disabled American war veterans of every race and faith, dedicated men and women who have made some of the most precious sacrifices imaginable for America and for us.

Let’s start consciously praying for all of our troops and their officers.

Cherie Mills

San Antonio

Pope & the church

Regarding Pope Benedict XVI’s statement about the church of Jesus Christ existing fully only in the Roman Catholic Church (July 23), I have two comments:

• During the first four centuries, there were few, if any, references to the church at Rome as the head of the Christian church and no acceptance of the claim then or later by many churches, especially in the East.

• The pope appears to confuse the organic church—the corporate body of Christ made up of all regenerate believers as determined by God (John 6:56, Colossians 1:13)—with the organizational church, which always has been a mixed bag of regenerate and temporary “hangers on” believers (John 8:30, 1 Corinthians 11:18, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 3:4 and 4:11) and never an organizational unity.

Even the four apostolic missions—of James, John, Paul and Peter—that gave us our New Testament operated independently, although in cooperation (Galatians 1:15, 2:9).

Earle Ellis

Fort Worth

ATMs in church

I have been reading that a lot of churches are putting ATM machines in their buildings. I already was bothered that many houses of worship had security cameras inside, and no trespassing signs outside in their parking lots, and bingo nights, but using ATMs seems to be going too far.

Can’t ATM machines be considered money-changers? According to the Bible, Jesus got very upset when he visited the temple in Jerusalem and saw the animal sellers and money changers.

What would Jesus do if he walked into your church and saw an ATM?

Chuck Mann

Greensboro, N.C.

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. Maximum length is 250 words.