Archives
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EDITORIAL: Lessons from an exploded mineshaft
Posted: 1/06/06
EDITORIAL:
Lessons from an exploded mineshaftGladness and relief melted into sadness and grief last Wednesday morning. Like millions of Americans, I scoured the newspaper as I poured my first cup of coffee. The most important headline reported encouraging news: “12 of 13 trapped miners survive.” I prayed as I poured milk over my cereal, thanking God for the safety of a dozen West Virginia coal miners I never would know.
A short while later, my wife, Joanna, walked in from the bedroom, where she had been watching TV. “What an awful tragedy; 12 of those 13 miners died,” she said. I showed her the newspaper article, confident–or maybe simply hoping–the happier report was true.
She called me as I drove to work. Unfortunately, the TV report she heard had been based on the latest information: Miscom-munication at the mine led to an incorrect early report. Instead of 12 survivors, the Sago Mine explosion claimed their lives, leaving only one survivor.
01/06/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Hollywood makes peace with God–when it pays
Posted: 1/06/06
From the fanciful science fiction themes of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (above) and Star Wars (below) to the classic Åmerican Western Shane (right), Hollywood has presented its share of on-screen Christ figures. (Photos courtesy of Lucas Films, Universal Pictures, Paramount) Hollywood makes peace with God–when it pays
By Joanna Connors
Religion News Service
HOLLYWOOD (RNS)–A mysterious visitor arrives from the heavens to walk among us. At first, hardly anyone believes in his existence. Gradually, though, more and more people come to know and follow him, as he teaches lessons of love to the meek and powerless.
01/06/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Wildfires destroy Kokomo church, prompt outpouring of ministry
Posted: 1/06/06
Kokomo Baptist Church near Gorman is pictured before and after the fire that destroyed its facility. For information on Baptist General Convention of Texas relief efforts for victims of the wildfires, call (888) 311-3900. Wildfires destroy Kokomo church,
prompt outpouring of ministryBy John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
GORMAN–Wildfires that swept across thousands of acres in North Texas burned down Kokomo Baptist Church, near Gorman.
01/06/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Texas Baptist Forum
Posted: 1/06/06
Texas Baptist Forum
Frog in the kettle
Your editorial chiding Christians for “angry, militant proclamations of 'Merry Christmas'” (Dec. 19) reminded me of a recent experience I had at lunch with my wife and another couple.
• Jump to online-only letters below Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.
"Lost: 29 trees. Gained: More light."
Calder Baptist Church
A sign on the Beaumont church's property during cleanup from Hurricane Rita. Jim Fuller is the pastor."Anti-Christian persecution and discrimination around the world … is ugly, it's growing, and … the mass media seem to generally ignore or downplay its gravity."
Charles Chaput
Catholic archbishop of Denver, speaking at a panel discussion on religious freedom on Capitol Hill. (The Washington Times/RNS)"I want to give all of my body to my husband."
Katie McMunn
A 17-year old who promised abstinence until marriage when she slipped on a "chastity ring" at a pro-abstinence event in Pittsburgh. (The New York Times/RNS)"Hip-hop has what all corporate America wants–18-35-year-old employed adults with growing families. That's why you see Russell Simmons producing clothes, Snoop Dogg hawking Chrysler. Everyone wants us. Why not the church?"
Tommy Kyllonen
Senior pastor of hip-hip Crossover Community Church in Tampa, Fla. (USA Today/RNS)As we prepared to partake, we held hands and said a blessing. A nearby diner rose and complained to the manager that our public display had offended him and his companion, who were atheists. The manager told him he would in the future seat the man in a prayer-free section.
01/06/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Pins mark 55 years perfect attendance
Posted: 1/06/06
Pins mark 55 years perfect attendance
By Charles Richardson
Howard Payne University
BROWNWOOD–Bob Sartain has 55 consecutive years perfect attendance in Sunday school classes at the churches where he has been a member, and he's on his way toward 56.
With pins to commemorate their achievement, Jan and Bob Sartain, who work at Howard Payne University, have more than 80 years of combined perfect attendance in Sunday school class. Their family has more than 146 years of combined perfect attendance. 01/06/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Texas Tidbits
Posted: 1/06/06
Texas Tidbits
Baylor professors return from Iraq. Four Baylor University professors returned to Texas after helping their colleagues at Dohuk University in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq establish and dedicate Dohuk's Center for Democracy and Diplomacy. William Mitchell, director of Baylor's Center for International Education; William Hair, associate dean and director of the University Libraries; Larry Lehr, senior lecturer in environmental studies; and Brad Owens, associate professor of journalism, visited Dohuk in early December on the eve of Iraq's national elections. They presented seminars and workshops for Dohuk faculty and other higher education leaders on curriculum development, the role of higher education in civil society, web-based and distance learning, teaching and research in comparative politics, and the role of the news media in civil society. It marked the third trip by Baylor representatives to the region since 2003.
Bellinger named Baylor religion department chair. William Bellinger has been appointed chair of the Baylor University religion department, effective June 1. Bellinger, an Old Testament professor and director of graduate studies in the religion department, has served as acting department chair since June, when he took over from Interim Provost Randall O'Brien. Religion professor Naymond Keathley will serve as acting chair during the spring 2006 semester while Bellinger is on a research sabbatical. Bellinger graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He earned his master of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and his doctorate from the University of Cambridge.
Bequest will endow Hardin-Simmons honors program. Trustees from Hardin-Simmons University voted to use about $7.2 million from the June Frost Leland bequest to endow the HSU honors program beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year. Through the honors program, students who meet the university's highest entrance requirements could qualify for up to $13,000 per year in scholarships. Total value of the Leland gift is estimated at $10 million. Of the remainder of the remaining bequest, $500,000 will go into the general scholarship fund over the next two years, and the balance will fund capitol improvements in the university's Securing the Future campaign.
01/06/2006 - By John Rutledge
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TOGETHER: Texans react to tragedy, opportunity
Posted: 1/06/06
TOGETHER:
Texans react to tragedy, opportunityThe beginning of 2006 has presented us with another painful start to a New Year. At the beginning of 2005, the world was fixed on the tsunami disaster in southern Asia. This year, our attention has been riveted on the fires in West Texas. People have died. Houses and barns have disappeared in the flames. Families are dealing with loss, grief and the emotional trauma that comes when we realize how little control we really have over some things in our lives.
Reports coming to my office make me so very proud of Texas Baptists. You are among the very first in every community to step forward and offer all the resources at your disposal to minister to and comfort everyone you can reach in your towns and neighborhoods. You, and the people you serve, are in my prayers.
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
Representatives from the Baptist General Convention of Texas have been in most afflicted communities, seeking to provide encouragement and resources to assist the pastors, directors of missions, churches and associations in their ministries to the people.
01/06/2006 - By John Rutledge
Glynn Beaty has resigned as pastor of Old Time Church in Riesel. 
