Family ministry should focus on family strengths, Hardin-Simmons prof says_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Family ministry should focus on family
strengths, Hardin-Simmons prof says

By Miranda Bradley

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–During a time when families increasingly look different, a Hardin-Simmons University professor said it is important for churches to broaden their ministry scope.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Worship is an end in itself, not just a means to an end, Hardin-Simmons professor insists_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Worship is an end in itself, not just a means
to an end, Hardin-Simmons professor insists

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

SAN ANTONIO–True worship focuses on God, not on self-fulfillment or evangelistic outreach, a Texas Baptist music professor insists.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Illinois Baptists cut governing board membership by more than half_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Illinois Baptists cut governing board
membership by more than half

By Michael Leathers

Associated Baptist Press

TINLEY PARK, Ill. (ABP)–Amid concerns that too much power is being concentrated in the hands of fewer leaders, messengers to the Illinois Baptist State Association's annual meeting approved a constitutional change to reduce its board of directors by more than half.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Italian Baptists ask U.S. Baptists to appeal for peace in Iraq_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Italian Baptists ask U.S. Baptists to appeal for peace in Iraq

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Bap- tists in Italy–a nation President Bush counts as an ally in the Iraq war–are asking their American counterparts to help bring an end to that conflict.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Ivory Coast violence could spread across Africa, church leader warns_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Ivory Coast violence could spread
across Africa, church leader warns

By David E. Anderson

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, has warned that the violence in the Ivory Coast could spread to other parts of Africa.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Kerry failed to link vision to values, operatives say_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Kerry failed to link vision to values, operatives say

By Kim Lawton

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Operatives hired to guide Sen. John Kerry on religious issues say the campaign fell short in linking the presidential candidate's political vision to deeply held religious values and in mobilizing faith-based voters.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Laotian refugee found God and reason for living in a camp in Thailand_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Laotian refugee found God and
reason for living in a camp in Thailand

By Miranda Bradley

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Fifty-two-year-old Houm met God, one of two great loves of his life, in the most unlikely of places–a Thai refugee camp.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Baptist Forum_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM

Discerning eyes

The 2004 BGCT convention in San Antonio was one of the most historic conventions I can remember.

Our leaders put before us a challenging vision of our future. This new vision will streamline our governance and challenge our convention to be much more "church-centered" rather that “program centered.”

You can see the fingerprints of our Lord in much that was presented to us, but I am also deeply concerned about other trends.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Debate over academic freedom rages at Louisiana College_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Debate over academic freedom rages at Louisiana College

By Bruce Nolan

Religion News Service

PINEVILLE, La. (RNS)–With its neat red-brick buildings and green, impeccably groomed campus, Louisiana College, a small liberal arts institution owned by Louisiana's Southern Baptists, does not look like a tense, unhappy battleground. But it is.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas-based MercyMe receives American Music Awards honors_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Texas-based MercyMe receives
American Music Awards honors

By Adelle M. Banks

Religion News Service

LOS ANGELES (RNS)–The Texas-baseed Christian music group MercyMe was honored as the winner of the inspirational category at the American Music Awards.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Baptist mission trips to Mexico increase 25 percent with 620 groups_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Texas Baptist mission trips to Mexico
increase 25 percent with 620 groups

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Texas Baptist mission trips to Mexico through the Baptist General Convention of Texas River Ministry shot up more than 25 percent in the past year, including an increase in churches looking to serve in the nation's interior.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Mississippi Baptists elect first Hispanic officer_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

Mississippi Baptists elect first Hispanic officer, avoid effort
to make 2000 Baptist Faith & Message official doctrinal statement

JACKSON, Miss. (ABP)–For the first time in its 169-year history, the Mississippi Baptist Convention elected a Hispanic as an officer.

Messengers also threw their support behind state and national bans on gay marriage.

Joel Medina, bivocational pastor of Iglesia Internacional Las Americas in Carthage, was elected second vice president without opposition.

11/19/2004 - By John Rutledge