VENTURA, Calif. (ABP)—If a recent survey is correct, there is a bigger generation gap between Baby Boomers and Baby Busters than most people care to admit, especially when it comes to opinions about sex.

12/01/2006 - By John Rutledge

John and Phyllis Carrier of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas are both over 60. They’re retired, in good health, and part of an army of seniors looking to make a difference by offering their time and years of professional experience to do some good.

The Carriers, both former educators and international travelers, found a perfect fit when they volunteered as educational consultants for Buckner in Romania. For three months, they helped research and develop a detailed plan for construction and operation of a child development center in the gypsy-populated region of Tarneveni.

Phyllis Carrier comforts a mother and child during her long-term missions stay with Buckner in Romania.

12/01/2006 - By John Rutledge

WASHINGTON (RNS)—The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has expressed “deep and abiding sorrow” for the persecution of Anabaptists nearly five centuries ago in Europe.

The ELCA’s church council, which issued the apology at its recent biennial meeting, hopes it will soothe relations between the Lutherans and present-day Anabaptists, including the Mennonite Church USA.

12/01/2006 - By John Rutledge

Garza raised money for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus missionary fund and the school’s general missions fund Veteran’s Day weekend by running and walking from Austin to Belton—70 miles in less than 24 hours.

12/01/2006 - By John Rutledge

When a Congregation is Betrayed: Responding to Clergy Misconduct by Beth Ann Gaede, editor (The Alban Institute)

The difficult topic of this new book is this: Adult, heterosexual misconduct by ministers in a church setting. Clergy sexual misconduct devastates the victim or victims, the minister’s family and the congregation.

Gaede’s collection of 30 chapters written by 12 experts (plus an extended bibliography), offers a thorough treatment of the dynamics that lead to such events. Then, with clear, step-by-step instructions, the reader learns how to respond.

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

The authors consider different ways to care for victims, church leaders, the congregation, the perpetrator and his (the book points out it is overwhelmingly a male perpetrator) family, and even the “Afterpastor” interims and ministers.

12/01/2006 - By John Rutledge

Alabama Baptists pray for Wal-Mart. At the Alabama Baptist State Convention’s annual meeting, messengers approved a resolution that calls on Baptists to pray for the store’s leaders and asks local and national Wal-Mart officials to reconsider their recent decision to join the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. A resolution dealing with the conflict in Western Sudan called for Baptists to pray for the suffering people of the Darfur region, as well as offer advocacy and humanitarian aid on their behalf. A resolution on ethics in government urged messengers to ask state governments to ensure that officials cannot use power for personal or private gain.

CBF needs volunteers in Louisiana. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship needs volunteers to build houses and build hope for Hurricane Katrina victims April 23-May 5 in Baton Rouge, La. More than 325 volunteers a day are needed for the two-week Habitat for Humanity build. Twelve families who lost their homes during Katrina will be chosen for the new homes. Habitat for Humanity subsidized the cost of the homes, with several Baptist organizations contributing the remainder. The Fellowship has given $105,000 to the effort, which included an initial three-house build in October. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed to work in a variety of areas, including construction, hospitality, landscaping and painting. Volunteers are invited to stay for the entire two-week build or for just a few days. Fellowship volunteers should register and receive additional information through CBF’s volunteer office, which is coordinating the Fellowship’s volunteer efforts on this project. A $100 per week fee covers three meals a day and lodging. If other lodging facilities are used, the fee is $50. For more information, contact Timothy Wood at (800) 782-2451 or twood@thefellowship.info.

12/01/2006 - By John Rutledge

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP)—Leaders of the American Baptist Churches USA have approved selling the organization’s Pennsylvania headquarters building and confirmed the appointment of a new head for the denomination’s international missions organization.

The ABC’s General Board voted nearly unanimously recently to sell the ABC-USA Mission Center in Valley Forge, near Philadelphia. Of those present, 72 voted in favor of a recommendation from the board’s executive committee to begin the process. There was one abstention, according to the American Baptist News Service.

12/01/2006 - By John Rutledge