2nd Opinion: Participate in National Day of Prayer_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

Participate in National Day of Prayer

By Joe Alcorta

Thursday, May 5, marks the 54th annual observance of national prayer day since President Truman signed a joint resolution with Congress in 1952. President Reagan amended the resolution in 1988, designating the first Thursday of every May as the National Day of Prayer

President Bush has said publicly, “I believe in the power of prayer.” He has also said: “Laura and I have been touched by the number of people who come up and say, 'We pray for you.' Such comforting words. I hope Americans will continue to pray that everyone in my administration finds wisdom and always remembers the common good.”

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Lone Star Diversity_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

LONE STAR DIVERSITY

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Texas is becoming more ethnically and culturally diverse each day, and Baptist General Convention of Texas leaders repeatedly have emphasized a need for churches to reflect the state.

“We value including all persons redeemed by God's grace and called to serve in the missions and ministries of this body,” the BGCT vision statement says. “We embrace the mosaic of God's family, grateful for the richness of gifts, backgrounds and experiences.”

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Biblical commitment draws nonbelievers, church leader insists_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

Biblical commitment draws
nonbelievers, church leader insists

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–For Biblical Community Church, the name says it all.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Change in plans provides Hispanic church room to grow_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

Change in plans provides
Hispanic church room to grow

By George Henson

Staff Writer

FORT WORTH–Space constraints were hemming in Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor. Now that the church has elbow room, it has seen marked growth, Pastor Robert Arrubla said.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Growth in non-Anglo churches shows BGCT’s diversity_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

Growth in non-Anglo
churches shows BGCT's diversity

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The Baptist General Convention of Texas is becoming more diverse as the state's population becomes more varied, convention statistics reveal.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

High Pointe Church gives prime time, property to reach community_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

High Pointe Church gives prime time,
property to reach community

By George Henson

Staff Writer

CEDAR HILL–High Pointe Baptist Church is willing to give whatever it takes–time, money, land, tradition–to reach the African-American families who live nearby.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Switchfoot, Crabb Family big winners at Dove Awards_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

Switchfoot, Crabb Family
big winners at Dove Awards

By Adelle Banks

Religion News Service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS)–The alternative rock band Switchfoot and the Crabb Family, a Southern gospel group, were among the big winners of the Gospel Music Association's annual awards in Nashville, Tenn.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

DOWN HOME: Deep Mama to dad ‘Quit your whining’_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

DOWN HOME:
Deep Mama to dad: 'Quit your whining'

Deep Mama, my secret source on all things parental, sent me a message:

“Get over it.”

Deep Mama read my most recent column, in which I discussed my feelings about the “apartness” of raising children.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Universities’ identity Distinctively Baptist or broadly Christian?_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

David Gushee, professor of moral philosophy at Union University.	Bill Hull, provost emeritus at Samford University. (Photos by Alan Hunt/Baylor University)

Universities' identity:
Distinctively Baptist or broadly Christian?

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

WACO–Baptist higher education's future depends on a clear theological identity and vision, two prominent Baptist educators told a national conference. But they differed over whether the vision should be distinctively Baptist or rooted in orthodox Christian beliefs shared by many traditions.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Tyler volunteer answers Macedonian call to missions_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

Tyler volunteer answers
Macedonian call to missions

By Christy Carpenter

Associated Baptist Press

TYLER (ABP)–Dick Hurst of First Baptist Church in Tyler had worked as a missions volunteer 10 years, but no previous experience was quite as life-changing as his trip to the Balkans last summer.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

Legislature moves to require nonprofit financial accountability_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

Legislature moves to require
nonprofit financial accountability

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

AUSTIN–A bill in the Texas House of Representa-tives that requires annual financial audits for nonprofit organizations exempts churches and schools, but it likely would include many separate not-for-profit community ministries launched by churches.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge

On the Move_50205

Posted: 4/29/05

On the Move

Steve Butler has resigned as minister of music at Mount Carmel Church in Cleburne.

Eliezer da Silva to First Church in Gunter as worship pastor.

Tommy Derrick to First Church in Meridian as minister to students.

04/28/2005 - By John Rutledge