Posted: 5/09/08

BGCT launches Texas Hope 2010 evangelism initiative

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS—Randel Everett believes everyone needs hope: Hope they can find their next meal. Hope they can overcome the deep pain they are confronting. Hope they can fill the void that resides within them.

Christ is the only true hope that can meet those needs, he said. The sooner people have that hope, the better.

So, the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ new executive director has launched Texas Hope 2010, an initiative designed to help Texas Baptists work together to share the gospel with every non-Christian within Texas “in their own language and their own culture” by Easter 2010.

“We want to make sure every person in Texas has an opportunity to respond to the gospel of Christ, regardless of their ethnicity, language or socioeconomic status,” Everett said.

The campaign will focus on three areas—prayer, caring and sharing.

Prayer undergirds all evangelistic efforts, Everett said. It makes Christians more aware of opportunities to share their faith.

Caring about people through relationships and service provides opportunities for people to express what Christ has done for them, Everett said. This component of Texas Hope 2010 particularly will focus on meeting the needs of hungry people across the state.

Feeding the hungry

Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. More than 3.1 million people in the state don’t know where they will get their next meal, and nearly a quarter of the state’s children live in households classified as “food insecure.”

“One in 10 people in Texas is a Texas Baptist,” Everett said. “With those kinds of resources, if one person in this state goes to bed hungry, it’s our fault.”

The sharing component will focus on an evangelistic push, including Bible distribution, Everett said, noting he hopes Texas Baptists can present the gospel in a culturally correct way to each of the roughly 11 million Texans who are unchurched.

While sharing the gospel with 11 million people may seem daunting, Everett notes BGCT-affiliated churches claim 2.3 million members. That means each Texas Baptist needs to share his or her faith with six people by April 4, 2010, which Everett believes is possible.

An assignment for everyone

Each Texas Baptist, church, association and institution will have a unique role to play in Texas Hope 2010, he added. God calls each believer and each group to a “unique kingdom assignment,” creating a special place for each in a large evangelistic push.

Texas Baptists need to begin praying about their kingdom assignment and possible ways they can be part of Texas Hope 2010, Everett urged. The BGCT will begin identifying leaders in the areas of prayer, caring and sharing so they can help flesh out a strategy to reach non-Christians in Texas.

The key to the effort will be all Texas Baptists following God’s calling upon their lives as well as cooperating with the other Texas Baptists for maximum impact, Everett said. If that happens, the state could be radically changed.

“I pray that church attendance, baptisms and giving will go up,” he said. “I hope crime will go down. I hope legislation is passed to help the children in need in our state. I hope it makes a transformational impact on the state. I think it will if we can do this.”

For more information, visit www.texashope2010.com/.

Posted: 5/09/08

Texas WMU committee terminates
interim executive director

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

The executive committee of the Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas board dismissed Nina Pinkston of Fort Worth as interim executive director May 8 and named newly elected President Paula Jeser of El Paso to fill the interim post on a volunteer basis.

“It was not an easy decision. It was not a decision made in a matter of minutes,” Jeser said. “There was lengthy discussion. The executive committee recognized the repercussions.”

Pinkston was named interim executive after Carolyn Porterfield resigned as Texas WMU executive director-treasurer in October.

Pinkston’s contract was scheduled to expire July 2, but the committee decided to take immediate action, Jeser added.

“Texas WMU needs to move forward,” she said.

Jeser declined any further comment, citing a need for confidentiality and nondisclosure.

Regarding a candidate to fill the executive director-treasurer’s post permanently, Jeser said: “We may be closer than we think. I hope we may have someone by mid-June.”

The termination came without warning, according to Pinkston. She had been scheduled to attend a retreat with the consultant-level staff May 8. When she arrived at the retreat site near Kaufman, she said, she learned the retreat had been cancelled, and she was told to call the WMU office.

When Pinkston called, she was directed to Jeser, who read to her a statement regarding the termination of her contract, she recalled.

“I’m still puzzled,” she said. “All I was told was that the staff didn’t want to go on the retreat, and morale was not good in the office. I was told not to come to the office, and my things would be boxed up and sent to me.”

Pinkston acknowledged division among the Texas WMU staff. She also noted a perception held by some Baptist Building staff that Texas WMU was distancing itself from the BGCT and its Executive Board staff.

She particularly cited concerns by some that the BGCT Executive Board staff had been “shut out of the process this year” in determining Mary Hill Davis Offering allocations, as well as a persistent rumor that Texas WMU planned to move its offices away from the Baptist Building.

Pinkston said she met with BGCT Executive Director Randel Everett recently to offer assurances that Texas WMU wanted to continue its partnership with the BGCT.

“I had so much wanted to build bridges,” she said. “WMU would cut its own throat if it separated from the BGCT.”

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.

Posted: 5/09/08

ETBU President Riley
announces retirement plans

MARSHALL—Bob Riley has announced plans to retire in July 2009 as president of East Texas Baptist University.

Riley announced his retirement plans during the May 9 meeting of the ETBU trustee board. At his retirement, he will have served 16 years.

“Although this presidency has been a wonderful experience, Gayle and I believe that it is time for a new vision and leadership for ETBU,” said Riley, whose term as president is the second longest in the 96-year history of the school.

“God has blessed our university immeasurably over the years with outstanding men and women to serve as faculty, staff, and trustees at this very special place.”

During Riley’s tenure at ETBU, the school has posted record enrollments, significantly increased its endowment and completed more than $25 million in capital projects.

“Dr. Riley has led ETBU as its president for over 15 years,” said Hal Cornish, chair of the ETBU trustees. “During that time there have been many significant accomplishments at ETBU. The campus has been expanded greatly and beautifully through the addition of many new buildings and the renovation of several others. The quality of student education has also been greatly improved.

“Dr. Riley and his wife, Gayle, certainly deserve a long and enjoyable retirement. They have been good for ETBU and have represented the university well over the years both externally and inside the ETBU community. He has been a man of integrity and has engendered that quality within the faculty and staff.”

Trustees will follow established policy that defines how to proceed in the search and selection of a new president, Cornish said.

“Our goal is to conduct a national search and have a new president in place prior to Dr. Riley’s retirement next year to assure continuity in that important position,” he said.

From Howard College

Riley arrived at East Texas Baptist University in 1992, following eight years as president of Howard College in Big Spring.

“Universities are deeply blessed by continuity of leadership as the mission and purpose of the university is consistently advanced.  A short drive or walk through the campus bears evidence of the significant improvements under Dr. Riley’s leadership, including academic buildings, athletic fields, and residence halls,” said Paul Sorrels, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Nearly every building has been improved, extensively renovated, or built during his tenure.

“The more notable advancements, however, have been in the academic arena, the prime purpose of an educational institution.  The credentials and reputation of the faculty have significantly improved, with the number of faculty holding doctorates or terminal degrees increasing from 63 percent to consistently over 70 percent and at one point, even over 80 percent.

New fields of study

“Several new major fields of study have been initiated in athletic training, mass communication, liberal studies, university studies, and management information systems. Partnerships have been established or maintained with three international universities in China and Poland.  Nearly one-half of our graduates pursue additional formal study after graduation.”

“On a personal note, Dr. Riley has been a very supportive president, mentor, and valued friend and colleague.  His contribution and loyalty to the university, the faculty and staff, and many students cast a very long shadow, one which has and will benefit all of us for many years to come.”

Riley noted he will leave some unfinished goals for the new president, including the completion of the university student center and the design and construction of a new performing arts center.

 “There will always be a new building to build or a project to complete,” said Riley, 65. “Gayle and I believe what Ecclesiastes teaches, that there is ‘a time for everything,’ and now is the time for us to move on to the next chapter of our life. We leave with an almost overwhelming love for ETBU and the belief that the ‘light on the hill’ will never die.”

Posted: 5/09/08

RIGHT or WRONG? Prudence vs Passion

I’ve been told I just need the courage to act on my principles. My response is that sometimes prudence should be the driving force for doing the ethical thing. How can we balance these virtues?

In the middle of April, my Baptist principles and commitment to the gospel collided with American politics. On a Tuesday, the president of the United States drove to Andrews Air Force Base to welcome the pope to America. The pope was the first dignitary the president had greeted at the Air Force base in his seven years in office. Everyone else has been greeted at the White House, which symbolizes people come to the president. But the president went to the pope. This was a symbolic gesture that smacked of undue favoritism in my Baptist opinion. On Thursday of that week, the business of Congress was suspended so the 100 Catholic members could attend the Mass held in the Nationals ballpark. While no laws were made favoring or establishing a religion, this did feel like special treatment.

Wednesday of that same week, the Democrats were holding a debate for the Pennsylvania primary. Barack Obama said, “The point I was making was that when people feel like Washington’s not listening to them, when they’re promised year after year, decade after decade, that their economic situation is going to change, and it doesn’t, then politically they end up focusing on those things that are constant, like religion.”

My blood really began to boil. “Jesus is not fallback position for economic hard times,” I muttered to myself. By Thursday noon, I had put aside my planned sermon for Sunday morning and was ready to tackle the fickle beast of American politics.

On a drive Thursday afternoon, I told my wife of my outrage and my plans to put everything right on Sunday morning. She began talking me down from the ledge with the comment, “Will this sermon be helpful to our people, or are you just blowing off steam?”

I was like you, caught between the courage of my convictions and the prudence of doing the right thing in the right way. I did not have a solution to my anger. I would have been railing against an injustice I could not remedy, nor could the members of my church. I preached a sermon from John 7 asking the question, “Who is Jesus to you?”—a better and more important question.

You are right. We do need to balance prudence with courage, and courage with prudence. There are times when we are called upon to do the hard thing that changes the circumstances in our world. But in every case, we need to make sure our courage is tempered with helpful words and redeeming actions. Yet do not quiet your courage in the name of prudence. Let us do what is right with wisdom.

Stacy Conner, pastor

First Baptist Church

Muleshoe

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.

Updated: 5/09/08

Ethics and evangelism focus
of inaugural lecture at Howard Payne

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

BROWNWOOD—Evangelism and ethics both grow out of a vibrant relationship with the God who is love, speakers told participants at the inaugural Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics at Howard Payne University.

People cannot fully come to know God apart from the Bible, but they cannot really know the Bible apart from God, said David Sapp, pastor of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga.

“If God breathed it, how can we possibly understand it apart from knowing him?” Sapp asked.

Proper understanding of Scripture and application of its teachings in daily life require disciples to seek the mind of God, he said. Sapp suggested three themes that help Christians interpret Scripture—love, covenant and conquest of fear.

Love is the key

“Love is key to understanding the mind and heart of God,” he said.

But determining the most loving thing to do in the midst of any circumstance proves difficult, he acknowledged. Consequently, many Christians retreat to a rule-based ethic and treat the Bible as a “moral and ethical encyclopedia” from which they pluck isolated verses—usually ones that reinforce their own opinions and prejudices, he added.

God demonstrated his love through covenant relationships, and covenant serves as an interpretive key for reading Scripture, Sapp noted.

“Without commitment, there is no covenant,” he said. “Covenant commitment is an obligation not just of contract but of relationship.”

Covenant finds its expression in community, Sapp noted. In the Old Testament, God established covenant with Israel as a people, not strictly with individuals. While the New Covenant has more individual expression, he observed, it still offers invitation to enter into a larger community as part of the kingdom of God.

“Sin is social and not just personal,” he said.

The defeat of fear

Much sin grows out of fear, and “defeat of fear is part of the agenda of God,” Sapp said. “Much of our sin has its genesis in fear. Fear is fertile soil for evil.”

Both ethics and evangelism express God’s love, said Richard Jackson, director of the Jackson Center for Evangelism and Encouragement and pastor emeritus of North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix, Ariz.

“Evangelism is born in the heart of a God of love,” Jackson said. From the earliest passage in Genesis and throughout the Bible, Scriptures testify to God’s loving pursuit of spiritually lost men and women.

“Jesus Christ didn’t come to heal the sick, or he would have healed them all. He didn’t come to feed the hungry, or he would have fed them all,” Jackson said. “He came to seek and save the lost. He healed the sick and fed the hungry because of who he is.”

Likewise, Christians today evangelize because Christ gave them that assignment, he said. Christians meet needs and seek justice because of who they are.

“Because Jesus lives in me, I will reach out to help those who are hurting,” he said.

Evangelism and ethics

Evangelism and ethics—“winning people to Jesus and wanting people to act like it”—bring Baptists together, noted Jimmy Allen, former denominational executive and recent coordinator of the New Baptist Covenant celebration in Atlanta.

Allen recalled his experiences as pastor of First Baptist Church in San Antonio, leading a church with a historic commitment to missions and evangelism to recognize ethical challenges and injustices in their own community.

At the downtown San Antonio church, Allen noted, people already possessed the necessary desire. They just needed to be challenged.

“A church will follow the vision of its pastor if the pastor has a passion for it,” he said.

But in some churches, he added, members must be shaken from their complacency and challenged to look beyond the four walls of the church building to see community needs.

“The moribund church never looks outside its windows except to see if the grass is mowed,” he said.

Gary and Molli Elliston of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas established the Currie-Strickland lectures in honor of David Currie, executive director of Texas Baptists Committed, and in memory of Phil Strickland, longtime director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Christian Life Commission.

Posted: 5/08/08

Bible Studies for Life Series for May 18

Be trustworthy

• 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:4-7; 20:10-13, 16-17

By Gary Long

Willow Meadows Baptist Church, Houston

So far this month, we’ve considered two keys to unlocking your best relationships: Showing appreciation and working at communication.

Appreciation and communication are incredibly important aspects of any healthy relationship, but trust is the foundation. A relationship without trust is not a relationship at all. At the heart of every relationship is an abundance or a lack of trust that determines the quality and value of that relationship.

The goal of this lesson is to help your learners build strong relationships by placing an emphasis on trust and by committing to place trustworthiness in a significant relationship of their own. In this lesson, we turn to the triangle of Saul, Jonathan and David to identify what cornerstones we can lay in building a foundation of trust.

Strong relationships are built on trust, and we prove to be trustworthy through commitment, loyalty, honesty and consistency.

Commitment (1 Samuel 18:1-4)

In these four verses, we see Jonathan and David growing deeper in their friendship. As a sign of his commitment to David, Jonathan gives David his robe, tunic, belt, sword and bow. Be sure to note that these are no small gifts. They are symbolic gifts from a royal prince to a worthy subject, but they also are gifts of essential practicality. These are tools of a warrior, and Jonathan is showing his support for David in that role.

But there is more going on here. Jonathan is acting selflessly, and in the future this real and symbolic gesture of commitment will be relied upon by David. He will have to trust Jonathan with his life as an enraged Saul pursues him to take his life. David will have these tokens of Jonathan’s commitment to enable him to fully trust Jonathan.

Loyalty (1 Samuel 19:4-7)

Seeking to defuse a volatile situation between David and Saul, Jonathan speaks to his father on David’s behalf. While sometimes it is unwise to step in between two people who are in a dispute, other times it is a sign of loyalty to a friend to aid in a desperate situation.

Jonathan is displaying loyalty to David, a true helping hand for a friend in need. He is willing to take a risk for a friend in opposition to his own father, and this is a true mark of loyalty that is funded by trust and inspires trust in others.

We are inspired in our own lives to greater trust when others take a risk on our behalf. Ask your learners to remember someone who “stuck out their neck” for them to help them in someway. Ask them to consider how that risk on the part of another made them feel. Accepted? Valued? Trusted? In many life situations, trust takes a long time to build. But real risk is a mark of loyalty that has the direct and quick benefit of trustworthiness.

It is worthwhile to note that Jonathan’s willingness to mediate a dispute on behalf of his friend David foreshadows the greater work of mediator accomplished by Jesus Chris. Jesus stood between sinners and God with the goal of reconciliation by way of the cross.

Honesty (1 Samuel 20:10-13)

In 1 Samuel 19, we find the story of David’s desperate situation with Saul. Saul appears to be losing his mind, or at least driven by some jealous rage we don’t fully understand. On one occasion, Saul promises Jonathan he’ll not kill David (1 Samuel 19:6). Then Saul is back and forth in his commitment to spare David’s life or kill him. In a fit of rage, he hurls his spear at David while he is playing music for the king, and David naturally flees.

Jonathan meets secretly with David after the spear-throwing incident. Jonathan promises to honestly inform him of the king’s true attitude.

David is honest in disclosing his fears to Jonathan, and it is a sign of the health of their friendship. The beauty of this relationship is that loyalty and trust existed between them already, so the honesty David displays serves to build on their foundation of trust.

Jonathan’s move toward honesty in turn was to stay loyal—not turning his back on his friend. Jonathan could have taken the easy route of siding with his father in this dispute, but chose to remain loyal. This allowed their relationship to continue in covenant (1 Samuel 20:12-15), even under the extreme strain and tension of Saul’s pursuit of David.

Ask your learners to recall a time when they relied on a trustworthy friend in a time of distress. Perhaps you could lead them to reflect on a time when they were trustworthy and loyal to a friend that was personally costly.

Consistency (1 Samuel 20:16-17)

Jonathan swore an oath, an oath based on his consistent and unselfish love for David. He sounded out Saul on his disposition toward David, and kept David’s location a secret. He followed through on his promise to send word about David’s safety, and David’s life was spared as a result.

In all their friendship, Jonathan never wavered in his commitment to David. He truly displayed consistency. This type of consistency is the bond of a relationship for the present and the future.

God is trustworthy in similar fashion. God loves people consistently, and out of that love, decided through Jesus to reconcile and redeem. John 13:1 says, “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” We do well to celebrate God’s patterns of trustworthiness by striving for that trait in our relationships.

Bonus Teaching Helps

1. “State of Love and Trust” is a song by the band Pearl Jam. Use this with caution because the song illustrates negatively the impact of betrayed trust in a love affair. Pearl Jam is definitely not a church band, but referencing this song will help you connect the despair of a relationship where trust is breaking down with a generation of learners in their mid-30’s and younger. You can find the lyrics and other info about the band at www.pearljam.com/ songs/song.php?song=StateOfLoveAndTrust

2. A more tame but dated song to illustrate the need for trust and honesty in relationships is Billy Joel’s “Honesty,” a video of which can be found at www.youtube .com/watch?v=rgmJ1miBzek

3. The website www.wingclips.com offers free video clips for sermons and teaching. A quick search of the word “trust” at their website brought up fifteen movie clips you can download for use in your class to introduce the lesson or spur conversation.

Posted: 5/08/08

BaptistWay Bible Series for May 18

The only hope

• 2 Kings 22:1-23:4

By Kenneth Jordan

First Baptist Church, Alpine

Last year, scientists discovered something new. A new species of rat and a new species of opossum were found in the remote Foja Mountains of western New Guinea, Indonesia, on a June 2007 expedition. Researchers from Conservation International and the Indonesia Institute of Science previously had discovered several new species of plants and animals during a trip to the pristine rain forest region in 2005. The plants and animals are not new—they are just undiscovered because they were in a place no one frequented.

The young king Josiah had ordered a renovation of the temple at Jerusalem. The high priest made a discovery. It wasn’t new. In fact, it was quite old. It had just been placed in an area where people didn’t frequent (at least not for the right reasons). The Book of the Law.

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Some have argued across the years about which portion of the law was found. The passage here does not specify. We can give a “best guess” by looking at the reaction of the king when it was read. It seems to indicate an understanding of the blessings and curses that are found in the latter part of Deuteronomy.

Josiah reacted immediately. Contrition. Grief. Despair. There was a clear understanding of the Covenant made with YHWH—and a clear understanding of how the people of Judah blatantly had trampled on that agreement. Josiah turned to God to find out if it was too late for anything to be done. Once word came back to the king about God’s patience, Josiah began the reforms that would distinguish his time on the throne of Judah.

Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary to India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries is credited with saying, “Certain it is that the reason there is so much shallow living—much talk but little obedience—is that so few are prepared to be, like the pine on the hilltop, alone in the wind for God.”

In Josiah, we find that courage—the courage to stand and lead toward the teachings of Scripture when all around would point in the opposite direction.

Perhaps it was the severity of the overall spiritual condition that allowed for the sweeping reforms to take hold for at least a while. When the spiritual climate turns dry, then the refreshing from the Lord is all that more sweet (see Acts 3:19).

In 2007, the water level in Florida’s Lake Okeechobee hit record lows. In some areas, the shoreline receded more than a mile. When the water receded, the treasures of artifacts (some more than 500 years old) were revealed. Without the drought, the treasures would have been concealed.

It is important to note that the reign of Hezekiah and Josiah were bright spots in the decline of the southern kingdom. They obeyed God and instituted change and reform for the people they were charged with leading. Although their reforms did not last, they did not use that as an excuse to simply do nothing.

Faithfulness to the covenant of God took center stage in Josiah’s life. Finding the Book of the Law, reading it, reacting to it changed the course of a nation, if only for a little while. Josiah’s contrition garnered God’s promise that he would not have to see the coming destruction.

Josiah’s reliance on God can serve as an example of “how to do it” for our lives. Dust off God’s word. Read it. Let it soak in. Remove the idols you have allowed to multiply across your life. Change the way you live—honor God with your actions and thoughts. Say with conviction, “The Lord is my shepherd”—don’t wait for someone to carve it poetically on your tombstone.

Posted: 5/09/08

Around the State

• Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology has named its outstanding students. Kimberly Williams of Comanche received the Logsdon School of Theology Award, traditionally considered by the faculty to be the school’s highest award for comprehensive achievement and all-around fitness for ministry. Also honored with scholarships were Robyn Holtmeyer, Emma Ellis, Jacob Snowden, Krista Toten, Caleb Groteluchen, Kara Donaldson, Alyson Morton, Will Ricketts, Megan Dick, Erin James, Matt McGowen, Megan Donohue, Brendan Kelso, David Tankersley, Charles Glidewell, Emily Burrows and Michelle Moore-Mitchell.

• Julie Welker, associate professor of communication at Howard Payne University, has been named the recipient of the Travis G. Jones Memorial Outstanding Coach Award by the National Christian College Forensics Association. Welker has coached HPU’s forensic speech team since it began competing two years ago.

• East Texas Baptist University has honored several of its students for academic excellence. Lee Ann Melton of Frisco received the Robert L. Hunt Accounting Award and the Florence Wood Quinn Achievement Award for the highest grade point average among business students. Denise Tomme of Diana was named the outstanding business student. Zane Gruznina from Latvia received the Edwin F. Moore Award for excellence in economics. Craig Cohen of Carrollton received the Dr. Harm Harms Award, presented to a student who excels in any area of business study. Emily Foster of Mount Pleasant received the Earl Thames Award, given to the student who best exhibits outstanding Christian character. Rebecca Rinehart of Orange received the Chase Bank Award, presented to the student voted by the business school faculty most likely to succeed. Matthew Huffman of Ennis received the Outstanding Management Information Systems Student award.

• Dallas Baptist University has named Bob Burgin faculty member of the year. Burgin has taught in the college of education since 1999, serving as associate dean of the college, as well as assistant professor of education and director of the secondary education department.

• Jerry Bawcom, president of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, recently was named a 2008 distinguished alumnus of the College of Education at Texas Tech University.

• Richard Singleton has been named program supervisor of the counseling program at STARRY, a nonprofit organization based in Round Rock that provides counseling to children and families in Williamson County at no charge.

Anniversaries

• Juan Sanchez, 10th, as pastor of Oakview Church in Lockhart, March 15.

• Stephen Hatfield, 15th, as pastor of First Church in Lewisville, April 25.

• Ron McGee, 10th, as music minister/instrumental and worship media at First Church in Lewisville, April 27.

• Allen Moers, 10th, as pastor of First Church of Rockport, May 1.

• Larry Blackmon, 15th, as pastor of First Church in Hearne, May 18.

• L.C. Stout, 15th, as pastor of Faith Church in Deport, May 23.

• Trey Bledsoe, 10th, as minister of students at College Creek Church in Temple, May 31.

• Houston Garner, 45th, as pastor of Hebron Church in Bells.

• Scott Talbert, fifth, as pastor of McDade Church in McDade.

• Jerry Howe, 10th, as pastor of Second Church in Levelland, June 8. The church is sending Howe and his wife, Kathy, on a trip to the Holy Land beginning the next day.

• Baptist Temple Church in Houston, 100th, June 8. The worship service will include proclamations from the mayor’s office, the governor’s office, the White House, the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Union Baptist Association. Daniel Vestal, national coordinator for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will be the keynote speaker. Former music minister Gerald Ray will lead the music, along with a choir made up of current and former members. Kelly Burkhart is pastor.

• Willow Springs Church in Alvarado, 120th, June 15. The church will celebrate with homecoming services and a lunch. Former director of missions Bill Roe will be the guest speaker. No Turning Back will present the special music. Wilma Reed will make a historical proclamation. Michael Simons is pastor.

Deaths

• Benito Hinojoso, 70, April 14 in Plainview. He was pastor of Iglesia Alfa y Omega in Plainview 31 years. He was active in Caprock-Staked Plains Association, holding several leadership positions through the years. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Teresa Hinojoso. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eloisa; sons, Joel and Ismael; daughters, AnnaBell Mirelez, Rachel Esquivel and Ruth Hinojoso; brother, Santos; sisters, Aurora Nevarez and Amelia Lopez; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

• Cameron Byler, 79, April 28 in San Antonio. Byler was director of Baptist Men and coordinator of disaster relief for the Southern Baptist Convention Brotherhood Commission from 1985 to 1989. Byler joined the staff of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1989 in a similar position at the state level until his retirement in 1995. He also served as brotherhood director for the Alaska Baptist Convention and was state Royal Ambassador director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Byler was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce, in 1988 and his second wife, Andrea, earlier this year. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Garland; son, Chris; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

• Elsie Wheeless, 85, April 29 in Arlington. Her husband, Bill, is a retired long-time employee of the Baptist Standard. She had been a member of Fairview Church in Grand Prairie since 1980. She is survived by her husband of 66 years; and sons, William Jr. and Robert.

• Bill Schibler, April 30 in Temple. He entered the hospital for a hip replacement but subsequently suffered a stroke. At the time of his death, he was pastor of Grace Memorial Church in Clifton. He also had been pastor of churches in Golinda, La Grange, Cranfills Gap, Glen Rose, Hico, Cleburne and Meridian. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nita. He is survived by his daughters, Rita Ann Love, Vicki Cheek and Geraldine Walker; son, Gary; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Events

• Calder Church in Beaumont held a luncheon for laypeople to meet Randel Everett, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. More than 110 people from 10 churches attended the April 29 event and shared a time of food, music and fellowship. Everett met with area pastors earlier in the day. Jim Fuller is pastor.

Ordained

• Sam Rodriquez to the ministry at Primera Iglesia in Mathis.

Revivals

• First Church, McLean; May 18-22; evangelist, Robert Barge; music, Jeff Gore; pastor, Kenneth Martin.

• First Church, Desdemona; June 1-4; evangelist, Ron Owen; pastor, Jess McCabe.

Posted: 5/09/08

Book Reviews

Questions To All Your Answers: The Journey From Folk Religion to Examined Faith by Roger Olson (Zondervan)

Too many Christians live, breathe and have their being in a world of simplistic slogans, worn-out clichés and bumper-sticker theology. But in one of his latest books, Truett Seminary professor Roger Olson is out to change that.

Believing many evangelical Christians have succumbed to the sloppy thinking of “folk religion,” Olson challenges his fellow believers to heed the guidance of the Apostle Paul, who praised the Bereans for examining his own message through the lens of Scripture.

In 10 chapters, Olson raises questions about 10 popular answers—simplistic sayings that ring true to many people. These supposed answers often resist scrutiny and cut off further thought on the subject.

What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com.

For example, one chapter examines the idea that “all sins are equal.” But can this be true? Is reusing a stamp really on par with murder? Common sense tells us no, and courts of law agree. Olson’s book pushes us to reconsider such easy answers and offers compelling reasons why having a reflective faith is so crucial. The study questions at the end of each chapter will help guide the lively discussions this book is bound to create in group settings.

Kevin Collison, pastor

First Baptist Church, Eagle Lake

Why Jesus Makes Me Nervous: Ten Alarming Words of Faith by Joy Jordan-Lake (Paraclete Press)

Joy Jordan-Lake, former Baptist chaplain of Harvard University, shares personal stories of warmth and pain, drawing out deep observations of spiritual significance.

Each of the 10 chapters comments on an important biblical word such as “resurrection,” “community,” “blessedness” and “forgiveness”—concepts taught in seminary classrooms but more meaningfully understood as they have moved from antiseptic abstractions to vivid reality through the “refining fires of real life” experience and encounters with people. Whether describing what it’s like to be a transplanted southerner in Boston or directing a feeding ministry for the homeless, Jordan-Lake’s writing is sprinkled with humor and profound hope.

In the book’s foreword, Tony Campolo reminds us of the importance of story in the Old and New Testaments. God speaks and acts through stories—history. Campolo states, “In the end, all theologies are simply commentaries on the stories.” With this in mind, Jordan-Lake’s personal stories serve as earthy, modern-day reflections on strong theological words that express the grand story of God who continues to encounter us, leaving us a little unsettled, but hopeful.

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church, Duncanville

Connecting Women: A Relational Guide for Leaders in Womens Ministry by Linda Lesniewski (Baker Books)

The title, Connecting Women, can be read two ways. “Connecting” describes women who themselves serve as connectors in women’s ministries. But “connecting” as a verb expresses the sense of women’s ministry—connecting women with God, the church, other women and the world. Linda Lesniewski, women’s minister at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, does both by offering practical advice for exploring, expanding and extending women’s ministry in the church.

Lesniewski divides her step-by-step guide into four multi-chapter sections: “Sharing God’s Vision for Women,” “Heading Forward in Faith,” “Enjoying Fruitful Leadership” and “Proclaiming His Message.” Each chapter begins with an appropriate Scripture and the description of a woman, moves through several pages of practical guidance and closes with reflection. The book also contains nearly 40 pages of helpful appendices, reference notes and an extensive bibliography.

Whether beginning a women’s ministry, building on traditional missions organizations, or breathing freshness into an already successful operation, Connecting Women provides thoughtful assistance born of experience.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

Posted: 5/09/08

Russell joins Standard staff as marketing director

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

Brad Russell, vice president for university relations at Baptist University of the Américas, has joined the Baptist Standard staff as marketing director.

Russell, 44, will maintain the overall advertising program and develop a marketing strategy for the Standard, including promoting new resource content, products and services that will become available through the Standard’s growing online edition.

“In addition to professional expertise, Brad brings a creative mind, a heart for ministry and a love for Texas Baptists,” Editor Marv Knox said. “We feel blessed to have him working with us in this vitally important role.”

Russell joined Baptist University of the Américas in 2005 as director of communications and moved into the vice president’s position last year. He also taught as adjunct professor of missions.

Prior to joining the BUA staff, Russell created the rebranding strategy in cooperation with the executive staff when the school’s name changed in 2003.

Russell was founding pastor of The Springs Church of San Antonio, and he served previous pastorates at First Baptist Church in Gonzales and Edna Hill Baptist Church, near Dublin.

Before he entered vocational ministry, he worked in advertising with the Atkins Agency and the Pitluk Group in San Antonio and Parr Advertising in Austin.

Russell earned a doctor’s degree in evangelism and missions in a multicultural context from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He holds a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Texas at Austin.

He has held numerous positions in denominational service at the associational, state and national levels, including terms on the Baptist General Convention of Texas committee on committees and committee on Baptist integrity, as well as the Christian Life Commission’s council of consultants.

He and his wife, Kenda, have three children—Madyson, 13; Aaron, 10; and Alyssa, 8.

Posted: 5/09/08

Baptist Briefs

Texas Baptist volunteers honored for Scout activity. The Association of Baptists for Scouting awarded the Silver Good Shepherd Cross and Staff to three Texas Baptists—James and Dorothy Gebhart of Mission, members of Trinity Baptist Church in McAllen; and Inez Eggers, former administrative assistant at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving. The award denotes a minimum 50 years service to children, youth and families through churches and Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Explorer or Venturing units.

Baptists launch ministry for Caribbean immigrants. A group of Baptist ministers has launched a fellowship to minister to former residents of the Caribbean now living in English-speaking countries. According to the Baptist World Alliance, the fellowship has been discussed since at least 1993. Delroy Reid-Salmon, pastor of Grace Baptist Chapel in the Bronx, is president of the new Caribbean Diaspora Baptist Clergy Association.

Georgia pastor to be VP nominee. Bruce Barber, pastor of First Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va., announced he plans to nominate John Connell, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga., for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Connell has been senior pastor at Calvary since 2003. He previously served churches in Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Hammond and Ferriday, La.; Atlanta; and Brunswick, Ga. In the Georgia Baptist Convention, Connell has been chairman of the Committee on Order of Business, the Resolutions Committee and the strategy team for Cooperative Missions Champions. He has been a trustee of Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga., including a term as the board’s vice chairman. He served on the Southern Baptist Convention Tellers Committee in 1996 and 2007.

SBC 2nd VP nominees announced. A Dakota Baptist denominational executive and a Georgia evangelist will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Fred MacDonald, pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Rapid City, S.D., announced he will nominate Jim Hamilton, executive director-treasurer of the Dakota Baptist Convention, and Rusty Newman, pastor of First Baptist Church in Snellville, Ga., said he will nominate Brian Fossett, a vocational evangelist from Dalton, Ga. Hamilton has led the Dakota convention since Jan. 1, 2004. Prior to that, he was pastor of First Baptist Church in Sellersburg, Ind., four years. Hamilton has served as president of the Baptist conventions in Indiana and Alaska and chaired the Executive Committee of the Alaska Baptist Convention. He also has served on the SBC Committee on Nominations. Fossett is president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists and immediate past-president of the Conference of Georgia Baptist Evangelists. A member of Liberty Baptist Church in Dalton, Fossett has served as a member of the North American Mission Board’s National Evangelism Strategy Taskforce.

SBC baptisms lowest in two decades. The number of people baptized in Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated churches fell for the third straight year in 2007 to the convention’s lowest level since 1987. According to LifeWay Christian Resources’ Annual Church Profile, baptisms in 2007 dropped nearly 5.5 percent to 345,941, compared to 364,826 in 2006. Membership in Southern Baptist churches fell from 16,306,246 in 2006 to 16,266,920. On the other side of the ledger, the number of SBC-related churches grew by 1.1 percent to 44,696; primary worship attendance increased slightly to 6.15 million; and total mission expenditures topped $1.3 billion.

Posted: 5/09/08