Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Baptists elect first Hispanic president

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

SAN ANTONIO–Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas elected their first non-Anglo president, and they gave initial approval to a streamlined governance plan as the first major step toward what likely will be the convention's most sweeping organizational reorganization in 45 years.

The 119th annual session drew 2,937 messengers from 1,226 churches for a two-day celebration of the convention's growing cultural and ethnic diversity, as evidenced by the theme: “Celebrando la Familia de Dios: Celebrating the Family of God.”

Albert Reyes, president of Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio, was elected by acclamation as president. He served this past year as first vice president.

Messengers also elected an African-American pastor, Michael Bell of Greater St. Stephen First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, as first vice president and a West Texas Anglo pastor, Stacy Conner of First Baptist Church in Muleshoe, as second vice president.

Reyes' pastor, Charles Johnson of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, described him as “God's man for this day.”

The BGCT stands “at a historic crossroads,” Johnson said, and Reyes “gets who we are as Texas Baptists and who we are rapidly becoming.”

In his post-election news conference, Reyes said his election “says that Texas Baptists recognize the changing demographics around us and want to be inclusive–not only for these groups to be a part of the BGCT but for the leadership to be reflective of that, as well.”

BGCT messengers voted 1,973-444 to approve constitutional changes that would dramatically streamline the convention's governance structure–and likely increase the percentage of non-Anglo representatives on the BGCT Executive Board. The proposal must be approved a second time at the 2005 BGCT annual session in Austin to go into effect.

The changes would reduce the BGCT Executive Board from 234 members to 90, plus about 10 ex-officio members. Board members would be chosen from sectors of 52,000 resident Baptist church members rather than from each Baptist association.

The plan will increase the percentage of board members coming from the Houston area from about 12 percent to nearly 17 percent, for instance. At the

Albert Reyes addressed the press after being elected president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the first Hispanic top officer in the history of same time, it will consolidate parts of West Texas into sectors covering more than 30 counties.

The plan also would eliminate the Human Welfare and Christian Education coordinating boards, the State Missions Commission, the Christian Life Commission and several committees and replace them with committees of Executive Board members.

The plan would give the Executive Board members, who are legally liable for decisions impacting the convention, more direct decision-making involvement, said Executive Board Vice ChairmanWesley Shotwell, pastor of Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle.

Although the measure passed by 81.6 percent, it sparked extended–but markedly cordial–discussion on the convention floor, particularly from messengers who were concerned the voices of small rural churches would no longer be heard on the Executive Board.

“I'm afraid if we approve this today, we are telling churches we don't want to hear you,” said Ron Danley, pastor of Lytton Springs Baptist Church in Dale.

But Josh Stowe, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rule, maintained the restructuring is about enhancing missions and ministry, not about representation. The new Executive Board is meant to be able to respond more rapidly to churches' needs.

“I'm not so concerned about representation as relevancy for the BGCT,” he said.

Dean Dickens of Garland initially suggested a motion to postpone the vote, but he withdrew it after BGCT leaders pledged to launch an extensive effort to inform churches of the implications of reorganization before the 2005 annual meeting.

An amendment to make only members of singly aligned BGCT churches eligible for the Executive Board failed. Shotwell noted many African-American congregations are aligned with other groups as well as the BGCT.

In other business, BGCT messengers:

Approved new mission, vision and value statements. The new mission statement says, “The Baptist General Convention of Texas encourages, facilitates and connects churches in their work to fulfill God's mission of reconciling the world to himself.”

The vision statement reads: “We are a fellowship of transformational churches sacrificially giving ourselves to God's redemptive purpose. Continually being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ, we join together to transform our communities and the world.”

The vision statement goes on to underscore the importance of engaging culture to reach people with the gospel, being on mission to continue Jesus' ministry, working together to give all people an opportunity to express faith in Christ and be transformed by him, seeking as local churches to be the presence of Christ in the world and seeking as individuals from diverse backgrounds to obey God's commands.

The convention adopted eight values–the Bible as God's written word, transformational churches, spiritual formation and discipleship, servant leadership, the worth of all people, Baptist distinctives, integrity as individuals and churches, and inclusiveness.

Adopted a $47.3 million budget for 2005, a $1.5 million increase over the current year.

More than $40.5 million is meant to come through the BGCT Cooperative Program. The remainder is to come through the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions, endowment income, allocated funds, fees and other sources.

Took no action on a motion to escrow funds allocated for Baylor University. Joan Trew, a member of University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, called for the BGCT to escrow its funds budgeted for Baylor until “unity is restored and confidence re-established in the administration.” The BGCT allocated nearly $2.5 million to Baylor in fiscal 2005.

BGCT President Ken Hall ruled the motion out of order for not being “in harmony with the spirit of the convention,” and messengers voted overwhelmingly to affirm his ruling.

Approved a resolution saying “the Bible teaches that marriage is a sacred union between and man and a woman” and affirming that “biblical understanding of marriage, while honoring and supporting those who are single.” Other resolutions urged support for public education and prison chaplains.

The next BGCT annual session will be Nov. 14-15, 2005, in Austin. James Wong, pastor of Chinese Baptist Church in Houston, will preach the convention sermon. John Nguyen, pastor of Vietnamese Baptist Church in Garland, is the alternate preacher. the convention.Nan Dickson

Posted: 11/12/04

Ministry awards go to church planter, pastor & social worker

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

SAN ANTONIO–The “trail boss of the Cowboy church movement,” a veteran Texas Panhandle pastor and a Christian social ministries leader received Texas Baptist Ministry Awards at a dinner held in conjunction with the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session.

Baylor University and the Baptist Standard presented the awards at the Friends of Truett Seminary dinner.

Ron Nolen, statewide consultant for Western heritage church planting with the BGCT Church Multiplication Center, received the George W. Truett Award for ministerial excellence.

The award–named for the Baptist statesman and longtime pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas–honors a Texas Baptist minister for a recent singular ministry achievement that exemplifies imagination, leadership and effectiveness.

Nolen started the Cowboy Church of Ellis County in 2000 to reach people “who prefer rodeo arenas to church sanctuaries,” said presenter Marv Knox, editor of the Baptist Standard.

The church has baptized more than 600 new Christians in four years and averages about 1,100 in worship.

Nolen went on to start the Frontier Church of Ellis County and the Ranchhouse Cowboy Church in Maypearl.

He also started the Ranchhouse School of Cowboy Church Planting to train other church starters for Western heritage-style congregations.

Charles Davenport, pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulia for 30 years, received the Winfred Moore Award for lifetime ministry achievement.

The award–named for the former pastor of First Baptist Church in Amarillo–recognizes a Texas Baptist minister for a lifetime contribution that exemplifies commitment, stability and effectiveness.

Davenport preaches and teaches a Bible study at a local prison, and he led the church to conduct an ongoing Bible correspondence program for prisoners.

The church also offers a Tuesday night Bible study designed particularly for children who do not attend church regularly, has opened its facility to an African-American congregation that needed a meeting place and has launched a truck-stop ministry.

Davenport has participated in more than 20 mission trips to Brazil, numerous trips to Mexico, and also has been involved in mission efforts in Australia and China.

He is a former first vice president of the BGCT, past chairman of the BGCT Administrative Committee and vice chairman of the BGCT Executive Board, as well as an institutional trustee.

Gaynor Yancey, assistant professor in the Baylor University School of Social Work, received the Marie Mathis Award for lay ministry.

The award is named for a past president of Woman's Missionary Union of Texas who led the Baptist University Student Union more than 25 years, served two terms as national WMU president and led the women's department of the Baptist World Alliance.

The award honors a Texas Baptist layperson for singular or lifetime ministry achievement.

Yancey served with the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board as an inner-city missionary in Philadelphia, Pa., and Camden, N.J., for which she was named the first recipient of the Clovis Brantley Award for outstanding service in Christian social ministries in the United States.

She later became president of the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank, growing the agency from a $200,000 annual operating deficit to a $500,000 surplus.

She taught at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa., before joining the Baylor social work faculty in 1999. She teaches in the school's graduate program and directs its baccalaureate program.

Also at the dinner, the Truett Alumni Association presented its inaugural alumnus of the year award to Joseph Parker, pastor of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Austin.

Posted: 11/12/04

God used headline to call minister to
invest his life in Minnesota-Wisconsin

By Miranda Bradley

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Bill Williamson had a feeling he was going to be part of something big when he picked up the Baptist Standard in 1956 and read a headline announcing a new Texas partnership with Baptists in Minnesota-Wisconsin.

“I had a warm feeling in my heart,” he said. “I just knew the Lord was working something out for me.”

Williamson was a seminary student, and he couldn't know just how imbedded the new relationship between Texas Baptists and Minnesota-Wisconsin would be in his life. Four years later he found out, when he was asked to join the effort. Today, he is retired as director of missions for Pioneer Baptist Association in Minnesota.

Since that time when a sprinkling of small churches dreamed of a convention of their own, Baptist work in Minnesota-Wisconsin has flourished into a ministry of great proportions.

In 2004 alone, 10 new churches of varying nationalities were started. From the Korean Church in Woodbury to Faith Vietnamese Church in Mennetonka, it has become apparent the relationship between Texas Baptists and Minnesota-Wisconsin continues to impact many, he said.

“Texas Baptists have had the absolute assurance that what has happened in Minnesota-Wisconsin will have eternal consequences,” said Charles Lee Williamson, retired missions leader with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Texas Baptists have benefited from the relationship between the conventions, he said.

“Texas Baptists have received the satisfaction of watching the development of a mission field as an example of where God has moved across a people,” he said. “And Texas Baptists have had the privilege to carry the blessings God has shared with us with others.”

Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Baptists pray for 'longer arms'
to embrace a world that needs Christ

By Craig Bird

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–A whirlwind of God-does-it-again stories, vivid documentation of the darkest spiritual and physical needs within reaching distance of Texans, straight-talking Scriptures that reveal God's redemptive heart, heart-felt music about grace and salvation–and even a finishing flourish of confetti–boiled down to a five-word prayer.

“God, give us longer arms,” said Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Director Charles Wade.

Texas Baptists–rich in resources, blessed with visionary churches and used to thinking large–need those longer arms to “wrap around a big world that needs to know that God loves them,” Wade said.

Wade was keynote speaker at the annual BGCT missions emphasis, but he wasn't the only storyteller.

Charles Wade

Texas Baptists told about wrapping their arms around hurricane victims in Grenada, patients at a children's hospital in Mexico and music-loving concert-goers in Brazil.

Two more described fire truck evangelism along the Rio Grande River and job training for economically hard-pressed women all across the state through the Christian Women's Job Corps.

Four young women told how Texas Baptists had made a vast and eternal difference in their lives.

In Moldova, the poorest of the former Soviet republics, scores of young girls who likely would have wound up as prostitutes and scores of young men who likely would have wound up in prison are escaping that fate, “because of churches like Kingwood Baptist Church in Houston and Christian Emergency Relief International,” a program of Baptist Child & Family Services, said Marina Florio–herself a native of Moldova.

A supporting video focused on “a small, rural church in East Texas”–First Baptist Church of Huntington–that not only makes regular trips to the landlocked country but, on a single Sunday, raised more than $34,000 to support CERI's efforts.

Ten-year-old Charity Chambers charmed the crowd when she thanked them for helping her church, World Missionary Baptist in Fort Worth, operate a private Christian school she attends. “In Bible class, they told me how to become a Christian and how to tell other people,” she explained.

The video showed how the small, mostly poor congregation is building a nursing home that will open in January 2005.

Five-year-old Christine Kim has spent most of her life as part of First Korean Baptist Church in Lewisville. “I'm glad I learned that Jesus loves me,” she said.

Begun with 20 members in 1999 as a joint project of Denton Baptist Association and the BGCT, the congregation now runs more than 300 and has baptized 87 in five years. The church's vision is focused on home cell groups and already has 16 operating.

Katie Smith, a member of First Baptist Church in Athens, shared how her life was changed when her church teamed with Baptist congregations in Lubbock and San Marcos to undertake continuing work with a remote Indian tribe in the mountains of Mexico. In addition to evangelism, Bible studies, medical care and providing food, the churches jointly support the work of an Indian missionary.

Maria Flores

“More and more of our people are discovering the joy of taking Jesus away from their own church and carrying him to other places,” Wade said.

“Everybody we meet is someone whom Jesus Christ died for. What the world sees as trash, God sees as treasure. What we see as expense, he sees as a resource. Faces that may look unfamiliar and frightening to us are people God wants to introduce to us that we might become friends–and invite them into the family of God.

“We are positioned to truly become a multicultural people in a multicultural world. Our mission work no longer stops at the state borders but reaches into the 'uttermost' parts of the world. We are called to be both ministers of reconciliation and messengers of reconciliation, and if we don't get this right, nothing else we plan to do–or even pray about–will make any difference.”

Bill Tinsley, leader of the WorldconneX missions network, agreed great opportunities for sharing the Christian faith are available–but only if Christians are willing to look at new ways to undertake that task.

“I'm a product of the 20th century,” he said. “I grew up in a world where a missionary went away, and we didn't hear from them for four years at a time. We developed strategies and systems built around that truth. But this is the 21st century. We can be in constant contact with people anywhere in the world. Young people called to missions today often have international jobs and are no longer asking, 'Who will send me?' But they wonder, 'When will I go?'

“We have churches sending and funding their own members to other countries. We have identified at least 3,000 separate mission-sending agencies, and 30 or 40 of them might be a good match for what your church wants to do.

“We stand ready to help you explore your response to God's call to go and tell–much of which drives us back again and again to the biblical book of Acts.”

Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Baptist Missions Foundation honors three laypersons

By Felicia Fuller

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Three Texas Baptists whose ministries focus on the health and well-being of children and families were recognized by the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation.

The foundation honored Delores Kube with the Innovator Award for creativity in missions; Wayne Grant, the Pioneer Award for service in missions; and Babs Baugh, the Adventurer Award for leadership in missions.

The three were honored at a luncheon during the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session in San Antonio.

“It's just a real honor that God even permits us to be part of his work,” said Kube. “I find it extremely rewarding just to know that I can be on mission for God, helping to be a facilitator of changing lives.”

Kube, who describes her work as “part missions, part social work,” serves as director of community ministries at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas. Her ministry in Texas began more than four decades ago when she served as a Home Mission Board summer missionary stationed in one of Dallas' most blighted neighborhoods.

Over the years, she has helped empower families in crisis by providing humanitarian aid, organizing health and dental clinics and teaching literacy classes. She also is noted for devising creative strategies to keep children off the streets and in the Scriptures.

“The work I do is for the glory of God … for Kingdom building,” she said.

The Innovator Award is given to a church or individual who has created a model for missions that others can adopt.

Previous recipients include First Baptist churches of Houston, Arlington, Midland and El Paso, Paul and Katy Piper, Pioneer Baptist Church of Rising Star, Otto Arrango, Donna Dee Floyd and Shirley Madden.

Grant, this year's Pioneer Award winner, is a pediatrician, child development specialist and author who has served children and families for more than 30 years.

He is a clinical faculty member of the University of Texas at San Antonio Medical School and formerly served as medical director of the South Texas Children's Habilitation Center.

Among his book credits are “Growing Parents Growing Children,” “The Caring Father” and “Strategies for Success–How To Help Your Child With Attention Deficit Disorder.”

The Pioneer Award goes to a long-time leader in missions or someone who has played a key role in beginning mission work that impacted Texas Baptist life. Previous recipients include A.B. White, Olen Miles, Charles McLaughlin, Elmin Howell, Bob Dixon, John LaNoue, Bill Pinson, Cotton Bridges, and Delbert and Mary Lou Serrat

Adventurer Award recipient Baugh has posted a service career as vice chairman of Baptist Child and Family Services and a board member of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs and Texas Baptists Committed, as well as the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio.

Previous responsibilities include the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Coordinating Council, Christian Education Coordinating Board and Baptist Child and Family Services Foundation. She directs the SonShine Singers, a group of vocalists who minister through song to nursing home residents throughout Texas.

She presides over the John and Eula Mae Baugh Foundation.

The Adventurer Award honors an individual who has advanced missions through direction of significant mission activities, outstanding financial support or leadership in ministry opportunities.

Previous recipients include Drayton McLane, Joe and Jayne Harper, Herbert Reynolds, John and Eula Mae Baugh, Noble and Jane Hurley, E. W. “Bud” Hudgens, Fred Roach, Harold Ellis and First Baptist Church in Plains.

Posted: 11/12/04

BGCT must bridge cultural divide, ethicist says

By Felicia Fuller

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Given the growth of America's black and brown populations, the Baptist establishment must bridge the cultural divide to reflect the body of Christ, Bill Tillman insisted.

“Texas has been an Anglo-oriented and -directed state politically, economically, socially and in the Baptist churches, but that's changing,” reported Tillman, who led a workshop titled “Transitioning to a Multiethnic Congregation” during the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting.

“Here are (ethnic minorities) we're living with and working with, so we should be worshipping with them, as well,” he insisted. “It's the starting point for living right.”

Tillman, a self-described Baptist bureaucrat, teaches Christian ethics at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon School of Theology in Abilene.

“Promoting cultural diversity should not be an exercise in political correctness but a commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission,” he said. “We must be ambassadors for reconciliation. Unfortunately, we're not very well prepared, because we're so entrenched in cultural frameworks.”

Although timely and topical, the 9 a.m. workshop drew only five participants, further evidence, some say, of a lack of cultural awareness and general acceptance of the status quo.

“The older folks in my church were raised in a segregated society and, despite changing demographics, they're still uncomfortable around people who are different,” said Keith Cogburn, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Grand Prairie. “They just don't grasp the necessity of bringing other races into the fold and especially giving them position or authority in the church.”

Charles Whitmire, pastor of Crestview Baptist Church in Austin, echoed that sentiment. “We're looking at becoming multiethnic, but while we have the vision, there's been some resistance,” he acknowledged. “We're a 50-year-old, largely white congregation with a median age of 65.”

Change, especially for seniors, doesn't come easy, he observed.

Whitmire, who laments he can't “preach Christians into diversity,” is modeling his multicultural initiative after churches that successfully merge cultures by recruiting leadership from African-American, Hispanic and Asian communities.

“You attract what you are,” he said. “These leaders bring in other people of diverse backgrounds, and it's been effective. I came here (to the convention) to find other models that I can draw from.”

Tillman said racial reconciliation must begin with frank discussion and cultural exploration on both sides of the divide.

“We've got some hard roads to go down, but it's a journey we must make,” he said. “We are called to win souls for Christ. There's no place for division.”

Posted: 11/12/04

BGCT elects top officers reflecting
the convention's growing ethnic diversity

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas elected officers representative of the state's–and the convention's–ethnic diversity.

Albert Reyes, president of Baptist University of the Americas, was elected the first non-Anglo president of the BGCT.

BGCT messengers elected Reyes, who served as first vice president of the convention this year, by acclamation. He is the second consecutive institution president to be named convention president, following Buck-ner Baptist Benevolences President Ken Hall.

Messengers also elected by acclamation Michael Bell, pastor of Greater St. Stephen First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, as first vice president and Stacey Conner, pastor of First Baptist Church of Muleshoe, as second vice president.

Charles Johnson, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, nominated Reyes. Johnson said Reyes' perspective is a perfect fit for a convention ministering in an increasingly Hispanic state.

Texas seems destined to become a predominantly Hispanic state in the coming decades, Johnson said.

The convention is at a “historic crossroads” where churches must minister among a multitude of cultures, and Reyes can help congregations do that, he said.

“No one is more uniquely equipped to lead us into this new era of mission and ministry,” he said.

Reyes inherits a convention in the middle of a massive reorganization effort. It is primed to overhaul its governance system, spread its Executive Board staff across the state and implement a new vision.

Officials also are trying to more strongly include non-Anglos and younger generations in leadership positions.

Prior to becoming Baptist University of the Americas president, Reyes was the founding pastor of Pueblo Nuevo Community Church in El Paso.

He has been chairman of the Hispanic Outreach Task Force of the White House Initiative for Hispanic Academic Excellence.

Reyes is a board member of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Texas Baptists Committed. He was a trustee of Valley Baptist Academy.

He earned master's and doctoral degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is working on another doctorate from Andrews University. He holds a bachelor's degree from Angelo State University.

He and his wife, Belinda, have three sons.

In nominating Bell for first vice president, George Mason of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas described him as “made to lead. … Electing him to this position only validates the work of the Creator who so gifted him.”

Bell serves on the BGCT Executive Board and Christian Life Commission. He also is secretary of the African American Fellowship of Texas and president of the Tarrant Baptist Association African American Pastors' Fellowship.

He is a member of the board of directors for Texas Baptists Committed and has been a member of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Coordinating Council and the Baptist Advisory Committee at Texas Christian University's Brite Divinity School.

He helped found the Tarrant Clergy for Inter-Ethnic Peace and Justice. He also led a CBF committee that helped the organization develop relationships with people groups.

He earned a doctorate from the Interdenominational Theological Center and Morehouse School of Religion. He has master's degrees from Howard University Divinity School and the University of Texas at Tyler. His bachelor's degree is from Wiley College.

He and his wife, Mary Louise, have three children.

In nominating Conner for second vice president, Lonny Poe of Sunset Canyon Baptist Church in Dripping Springs described him as having been brought up Texas Baptist and faithfully serving Texas Baptists.

Conner has been pastor at First Baptist Church in Muleshoe since 1991. Before that, he was pastor of First Baptist Church in Matador.

He is a trustee of Wayland Baptist University and is on the national Coordinating Council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

He is a former BGCT Executive Board member. He also served on the Christian Education Coordinating Board, including a term as vice chairman.

He earned a doctor of ministry degree from Texas Christian University's Brite Divinity School, a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University.

He and his wife, Debbie, have three childen.

Convention messengers re-elected Irby Cox as registration secretary, David Nabors as recording secretary and Bernie Spooner as secretary of the corporation.

Posted: 11/12/04

BGCT messengers affirm marriage
as union between a man and a woman

By Miranda Bradley

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–The Baptist General Convention of Texas overwhelmingly affirmed marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but not without verbal protest from a couple of messengers.

“I don't feel this resolution is in accordance with a sense of inclusion and allowing everyone who is Baptist to be part of this wonderful group,” said Charliene Hooker, a messenger from First Baptist Church in Fredricksburg.

All but one other comment supported the resolution, which received applause and a strong show of support from the crowd.

“Let us take firm our resolve and stand bold and tell the whole nation we serve a living Savior,” said Marvin Delaney, pastor of South Park Baptist Church in Houston.

The resolution passed by an overwhelming majority. It stated the BGCT affirms “the biblical understanding of marriage, while honoring and supporting those who are single.”

Another resolution promised Texas Baptists' commitment to pray for public school children and staff.

The resolution in support of public education noted, “Baptists were instrumental in supporting the development of public education in the United States” and pointed out public schools “provide education for 'the least of these' in our communities, including the poor, immigrants, refugees and special-needs students.”

It also pointed out thousands of Texas Baptists “serve ably and faithfully as public school teachers, administrators and staff out of a deep sense of Christian commitment to their communities.”

In addition to pledging prayer for the schools, the resolution promised Texas Baptists would “support the public schools in our communities in appropriate and tangible ways” and “support adequate funding for public education so that teachers, administrators and students can meet the critical challenges confronting them.”

A resolution on the role of churches and other volunteer organizations took a stand for Texas' poor and needy.

The resolution noted BGCT churches annually provide 180,000 volunteers to help people in need in their communities, and pointed out many churches provide such community ministries as food banks, emergency financial assistance, clothes closets, senior services, transportation and prisoner/ex-offender support.

However, it reported most churches are better-suited to provide short-term, small-scale relief and directed care, rather than ongoing, large-scale programs.

The resolution cited the Texas Health and Human Services Commission plans to close more than 200 regional offices and depend upon 1 million volunteer-hours to take up the slack. It called on state officials to recognize that partnerships with churches in the new initiative “must be based upon prudent judgments, research-based practice and adequate investment from both state and volunteer organizations.”

Another resolution noted the state legislature reduced the number of prison chaplains by more than 40 percent and called on state officials to “maintain all current correctional chaplain positions and support no more reductions of staff” in the next two years.

When asked if this resolution promised to send a BGCT representative to speak to legislators, the answer was yes.

“We need to repair some of the damage that has been done” by recent cuts, said Phil Strickland, executive director of the BGCT Christian Life Commission.

The convention also recognized the host city of San Antonio and local Baptists for assistance with the annual meeting and thanked convention officers and staff for their leadership and “untiring labor on behalf of Texas Baptists.”

Posted: 11/12/04

Seminar explores impact of BGCT reorganization on churches

By Marv Knox

Editor

SAN ANTONIO–The implementation phase of the Baptist General Convention of Texas' most significant reorganization in two generations will focus on helping churches, according to the consultant supporting the process.

Sherrill Spies, a specialist in organizational development, discussed “What Churches Can Expect from Restructuring” in a breakout session during the BGCT annual meeting in San Antonio Nov. 8.

“What's different?” she asked of how the BGCT will function once the reorganization is complete.

The convention will “shift from program-based to church-focused,” she answered.

“We need to be able to help your church. We're not going to tell you what God's vision is for your church, but we're going to help you get there, provide you with resources to get there,” said Spies, a member of First Baptist Church in The Woodlands.

The convention will continue to develop programs and new resources, but it also will take on a consultative role, helping customize answers for churches' problems, she said.

Spies outlined core strategies that will guide the convention to serve the churches. They include:

A service center.

This operation will enable Texas Baptists to place one call and access multiple resources, she said.

The center will be staffed by knowledgeable consultants who will be answer questions about convention goods and services, she noted, pledging they will be “more than an order-taker.”

The service center will enable churches to order materials over telephone or the Internet and pay by credit card.

It also will provide referrals to specialized consultations.

A redesigned website. "BGCT technology has been behind," she conceded. "We have not had sufficient (Internet) infrastructure. That is being redesigned."

The new website will be user-friendly, with an improved search engine, “so you can find what you're looking for.”

In addition to online ordering for materials and resources, the website will enable Texas Baptists to participate in electronic forums and weblogs, which will connect them electronically and enable them to encourage and strengthen each other, she said.

Congregational consultants.

They will be knowledgeable staff members who will live and work “in your area” all over the state, she said. They will specialize in partnering with churches, associations and institutions.

They will function from a consulting model, listening to churches and developing specific suggestions for meeting their needs–not merely “prepackaged” material, she said.

The consultants will help churches develop strategic plans for conducting missions and ministries, enable connection to resources and provide increased communication, both from and to churches and associations.

Ministry specialists.

These workers will have in-depth knowledge about specific ministries, missions ventures and other church functions, Spies said.

“The ministry specialists will be located not only in Dallas, but across the state,” she added. “They will be available by phone, on the web or in person.”

They will provide consulting, training and mentoring to churches and church leaders and will help them tap the resources available to them, not only those produced by the convention, but others as well.

Connecting churches.

The convention will help churches reach and communicate with each other, she said.

Among the byproducts of the connections will be sharing information about missions, explaining ideas for doing ministry, providing peer-to-peer training and engaging in fellowship that strengthens and encourages the churches.

Advisory groups.

Collections of Texas Baptists that have expertise in or passion for various issues will work together “in multiple sites across the state,” Spies said.

The advisory groups have been a point of particular interest for Texas Baptists who fear elimination of the State Missions and Christian Life commissions will diminish the convention's emphasis on those ventures.

But the advisory groups will support that work, and they will “shape and influence the ministries of the BGCT,” while they also provide opportunities for Texas Baptists to engage in “hands-on service,” she said.

Posted: 11/12/04

New BGCT president calls on Texas
Baptists to rally around missions

By Teresa Young

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Texas Baptists should unify around missions, new Baptist General Convention of Texas President Albert Reyes said shortly after his election.

“My vision is to call the Texas Baptist family to what we do best,” Reyes, president of the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio, told reporters during a news conference soon after his election as the first non-Anglo BGCT president.

“Historically, we have been at our best when we have focused our energies on the harvest, on people around us who are seeking answers to their spiritual questions–no matter their ethnic or cultural background,” said Reyes, the grandson of migrant farm workers who were converted through the efforts of Baptist missionaries.

Reyes' focus will be to help the BGCT's 5,700 congregations and 23 institutions channel energies into reaching the state for Christ through “going, giving and grounding our missional efforts.”

To achieve that goal, Texas Baptists must go cross-culturally, give of their resources and ground their mission work in prayer and deepening relationships with Jesus Christ.

As the convention's first Hispanic president, Reyes said his election speaks to the Texas Baptist family's embrace of the state's growing diversity and need to reflect that diversity.

The vote makes several statements about the state convention, he added.

“Texas has the opportunity to be a flagship and show that we know what's happening, and I hope we will step up to the plate and be a testimony for other groups everywhere,” Reyes said.

“We've been on a pattern of inclusiveness, and to come to this level says that Texas Baptists recognize the changing demographics around us and want to be inclusive–not only for these groups to be a part of the BGCT but for the leadership to be reflective of that as well.”

In response to questions about BGCT reorganization and the first vote to reduce the size of the convention's Executive Board, Reyes said the process will allow the convention to address the shifting population and the concentrations of ethnic groups.

Reyes pledged to allow churches across Texas to share their concerns the reorganization.

He said he would share facts about the current structure and guide the convention to move forward to achieve the real impact of doing missions work.

“I hope in the year to come we've talked about the issue and can move right past it to more concrete things,” Reyes said of reorganization.

“If there's only one thing I can get done this year, it will be to put our focus off of what's sidetracked us and back to what we do best–that's missions.

“If we can get our churches to focus on things outside the church, we'll have a better convention. The worst use of our time is to focus on things that don't touch others' lives.”

“Historically, we have been at our best when we have focused our energies on the harvest, on people around us who are seeking answers to their spiritual questions–no matter their ethnic or cultural background.”

Posted: 11/12/04

God rewarded TBM with expanded opportunities, leader insists

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–God noticed Texas Baptist Men's effective ministry within its home state, and he is calling volunteers to serve around the world, Executive Director Leo Smith told the Texas Baptist Men convention.

In the past year, Texas Baptist Men has continued to concentrate its ministry within Texas, but its members also have served in five other states and 15 countries.

TBM volunteers helped provide relief and recovery after flooding hit areas south of Dallas, and they did construction projects throughout the state.

God saw how TBM workers served obediently to God's calling, and now he is asking them to serve nationally and internationally more often, Smith said.

Nationally, 4,905 boys went to Royal Ambassadors camps last year. Nearly 750 people made decisions for Christ, including 732 professions of faith.

TBM Retiree Builders constructed a church in Denver.

TBM has been in demand internationally as well. The group recently sent 20.6 tons of dehydrated food to Mexico. Retiree builders helped construct a building in Canada and remodeled three churches in England. Disaster relief volunteers served in Grenada.

“God is at work in our world today,” Smith said.

And ministry opportunities continue rolling in. After the annual meeting in San Antonio, TBM leaders were scheduled to travel to South Africa to explore partnership possibilities. TBM will send a water purification unit to Zacatecas, Mexico, in the near future.

God has amazing plans in store for Texas men, Smith said.

“We're only beginning to see what God's about in Texas Baptist Men,” he said.

TBM honored Wayne Simpkins of Bryan during the group's annual meeting for his leadership among the Retiree Builders.

Simpkins was awarded a clock in recognition of his contributions to the builders, who completed many projects under his guidance, including My Father's House-Lubbock, which helps women in need.

In its business session, Texas Baptist Men elected a new president and amended its constitution to comply with February's decision to move its business meeting to the spring.

Tommy Malone of Park Central Baptist Church in Dallas was elected Texas Baptist Men president. Roger Hall of Midlothian was named vice president of the finance committee. Gene Wofford of Santa Fe was elected vice president of the policy committee. Randy Newberry of Round Rock was named vice president of the personnel committee.

The men's ministry organization altered its governing document to move its annual business meeting from the fall to the first quarter of each year.

The change was needed for Texas Baptist Men to move to its new schedule of an annual meeting in the spring and later rallies at the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention annual meeting, said outgoing TBM President Kevin Walker.

That schedule was adopted during February's TBM board of directors meeting.

To adjust for the new schedule, the next TBM annual meeting will be held in 2006.

Rallies at each convention's annual meeting will occur in 2005.

Posted: 11/12/04

Churches should prepare before
disaster strikes, TBM leaders recommend

By Teresa Young

For Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–When a disaster hits, will your church be ready?

Texas Baptist Men's Disaster Relief and Victim Relief ministries representatives raised the question at a workshop during the Baptist General Convention of Texas' annual session, and they offered tips on how a church can become prepared.

“We tend to think of disasters as a major event over a large area, like hurricanes, tornadoes or floods and things that happen somewhere else,” said TBM Executive Director Leo Smith.

“But we really need to think closer to home.”

Smith mentioned four church disasters in recent years to which Texas Baptists responded–a gunman who wreaked havoc at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth and bus crashes at Metro Baptist in Garland, Memorial Baptist in Temple and First Baptist in Eldorado. Being prepared for such events is key to picking up the pieces and healing afterward, he said.

“There is a need to think through these things before they happen,” Smith said. “When it hits, it's pandemonium, so you need to have a plan in place.”

Gene Grounds of Dallas, executive director of Victim Relief Ministries, said asking questions and playing through worst-case scenarios in advance are paramount for churches to be prepared to deal with disasters.

“There are so many things that are out of your control, so you need to have plans,” he said. “Church tragedies have a personality all their own, and churches tend to want to take ownership of everything quickly.”

Smith and Dick Talley of Dallas, ministry logistics director for TBM, said churches are in unique positions to respond to disasters that may hit their community, such as providing temporary shelter and meals for those displaced from homes, serving as a distribution center for food and supplies, providing temporary child care while families seek the help of social service agencies and offering a gathering place for counseling and relief.

To serve such roles, Talley said churches must prepare ahead of time by taking stock of their resources on hand and arranging for resources outside the church body.

Grounds encouraged churches to form a disaster and victim relief ministry team, and train leaders and key personnel how to deal with disasters affecting either the church family or the community.

It is important to know where to find emergency exits, breaker switches and phone numbers for entities that may be needed in disasters, he stressed.

Having a “crisis closet” with necessary items also is helpful, he added.

Making the church aware of who is on the crisis team and what procedures will be in case of a disaster are vital, said Smith.

"Have a plan of action that is approved by the church," he said. "You hope you'll never need it, but you'll be grateful to God if something ever happens that you had a plan."