Florida Baptists voice support for efforts to ban same-sex marriage_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

Florida Baptists voice support for
efforts to ban same-sex marriage

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) –Florida Baptists voted to back amendments to the state and federal constitutions to ban gay marriage and to work with other denominations for their passage.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

Florida voters narrowly approve call for local referenda on legalized slot machines_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

Florida voters narrowly approve call for
local referenda on legalized slot machines

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (ABP)– Though voters nationwide defeated most attempts to expand gambling Nov. 2, another razor-thin Florida vote count could bring slot machines to the state.

By a margin of 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent–or 3,606,045 to 3,524,019 votes–Florida voters approved an amendment to authorize two South Florida counties to hold referenda on whether to allow slot machines in existing parimutuel facilities.

Initial reports Nov. 3 said the slot-machine amendment had been narrowly defeated. But a later vote count showed supporters had eked out a victory.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Baptist Forum_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Baptist Forum

School support

I attended the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting in San Antonio and came away challenged, renewed and recommitted to do the work God has called me to do.

I was especially encouraged by the resolution affirming the public schools of our state.

My wife, my two daughters and one of my sons-in-law all work in the public school system. I frequently hear stories about administrators, teachers and staff who are interested in the spiritual as well as the educational needs of the students they work with. A recent incident at a North Texas high school bears this out.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

On the Move_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

On the Move

John Bisagno to Pecan Grove Church in Richmond as interim pastor.

James Collins to First Church in Palacios as associate pastor.

Tim Doremus to Purmela Church in Purmela as pastor.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Tidbits_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

Texas Tidbits

Wayland sets homecoming schedule. "Run the Good Race" is the theme for homecoming weekend, Nov. 19-20 at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview. Featured events include presentation of distinguished alumni awards, a golden anniversary celebration for the class of 1954, a banquet, crowning the homecoming queen and a basketball doubleheader pitting the Wayland Flying Queens against the University of Texas Permian Basin and the Wayland Pioneers against Howard Payne University. For reservations or information about any homecoming activities, contact the alumni services office at (806) 291-3600.

HBU Founder's Day set. Houston Baptist University will celebrate its 41st anniversary during a Founders' Day convocation at 10:10 a.m. Dec. 2. David Self, a 1973 HBU graduate and executive pastor at First Baptist Church in Houston, will be the guest speaker at the convocation in the Sharp Gym. Russ Clark, a 1982 graduate of HBU and choir director at Elkins High School in Fort Bend, will present special music. During the celebration, 37 HBU faculty and staff members celebrating an anniversary will be recognized, as well as the winners of the Who's Who among students in American universities and colleges.

ETBU & Wiley College sponsor health fair. Nursing students from East Texas Baptist University and students from Wiley College will conduct a health fair at Mallileu United Methodist Church, Nov. 20. "Project Outreach" is a cooperative effort between the two schools to promote good health. The United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service under its Learn and Serve America Higher Education Program granted Wiley College a $90,000 three-year grant to conduct health fairs in cooperation with ETBU and Texas State Technical College of Marshall. Ten health fairs have been scheduled over the next six months, offering free blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and mammogram screenings, as well as information on how to live healthier lives. For information, call (903) 923-2210.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

TOGETHER: BGCT makes progress in San Antonio_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

TOGETHER:
BGCT makes progress in San Antonio

After the mission service at the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session, a pastor said: “This was great. I saw a new vision for missions, and I felt the old feelings stirring again.” Several young pastors and church members paused to say: “This is what we've been waiting to hear and see. We can build on this.”

This was music to my ears. Our people have worked hard to tell the Texas Baptist mission story. Excitement is building. The work is growing. Texas Baptists working together are making a difference in people's lives in Texas and around the world.

We also adopted new mission, vision, values and priorities statements. Now, as we develop core strategies to help our staff and related ministries address our priorities, you will begin to see positive changes occurring in our approach to the work God has given us to do. The key thing to remember is that our convention staff is committed to getting closer to the churches in order to know you better and be able to work with you in facilitating the work God has given your church to do.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

Virginia Baptists elect first African-American officer; agree to apply for BWA membership_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

Virginia Baptists elect first African-American
officer; agree to apply for BWA membership

By Robert Marus

Associated Baptist Press

ROANOKE, Va. (ABP)–Messengers to the Baptist General Association of Virginia's 181st annual meeting elected the group's first African-American officer, agreed to apply for membership in the Baptist World Alliance and engaged in unexpected debate over the sale of a handful of properties.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

Cybercolumn by John Duncan: Blessed rest_111504

Posted: 11/12/04

CYBERCOLUMN:
Blessed rest

By John Duncan

I’m sitting her under the old oak tree, thinking of rest. Augustine once said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” I wonder if Augustine needed rest when he wrote those words.

As a pastor, I hear the words “I’m tired” as much as I ever have heard them. I am beginning to wonder if a persistent weariness circulates mysteriously like a virus, silently encircling the earth.

11/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

Christian illusionist uses stunts to present gospel message_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Christian illusionist uses stunts to present gospel message

By Leann Callaway

Special to the Baptist Standard

BAYTOWN–When illusionist Jared Hall wants to illustrate how sin separates people from God, he puts on a straitjacket.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Right to Life researchers critique abortion study_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Right to Life researchers critique abortion study

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Scholars associated with the National Right to Life committee point to what they consider as flaws in an evangelical seminary professor's study suggesting that the abortion rate has risen during the Bush administration. But the Baptist professor is standing by his conclusion.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Faith sustains military couples seeking to adopt_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Faith sustains military couples seeking to adopt

By Felicia Fuller

Buckner News Service

The Bible says it's the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It sustained U.S. Army Chaplain Lance Fadeley as he witnessed to soldiers amid death and devastation in Iraq. It sustained his wife, Shauna, as she read the headlines home alone in Texas.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Mothers who place babies with Buckner find help at retreat_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Mothers who place babies with Buckner find help at retreat

By Felicia Fuller

Buckner News Service

ROYSE CITY–Open adoption lifts the veil of secrecy once associated with placement, but Mayra Marquez, 21, says the process is no less painful–even 19 months after the ink has dried.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge