Posted: 9/17/04

Texas Baptists connected by family ties to
churches in Minnesota-Wisconsin Convention

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Like one family member helping another, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is nurturing ministry through its longstanding partnership with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention.

“We are the child of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist General Convention of Texas,” said Leo Endel, executive director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention. “It's almost like family–your lives are always connected. We hope that the connection remains strong.”

Texas Baptists were integral in launching Baptist ministry in Minnesota and Wisconsin 50 years ago, as Texas pastors and laypeople moved north to start the initial Baptist churches in the region.

Ties between the two regions have remained solid through the years. Minnesota-Wisconsin staff members regularly speak with BGCT Executive Board staff members. BGCT leaders facilitate conferences for Minnesota and Wisconsin pastors yearly. Texas Baptist congregations take mission trips to help their northern counterparts.

Texas Baptists also support the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention through the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions. This year, $100,000 is allocated to be sent northward.

The funds support a pastors' conference, a pastors' and wives' conference and church-starting efforts. The Rochester, Minn.-based convention started eight churches last year, including Vietnamese, Hmong and Hispanic congregations. The group also is strengthening work among Hispanics.

Mary Hill Davis funds provide some programming money for Woman's Missionary Union in the region.

About 150 churches now comprise the convention, thanks in part to Texas Baptists, Endel said.

“The role that Texas Baptists continue to play is the partnership in church planting,” Endel said. “That continues to be a lifeline for us. It allows us to put church planters on the field.”

The initial Texas Baptist-started congregations now are revisioning their ministries as they become more connected to the Minnesota-Wisconsin culture, Endel said. The ministries are led by natives who are contextualizing the work to the region.

The churches “have lots of challenges, but they're making the transition to native leaders,” Endel said.

Area Baptists still have much work to do in a region where more than 60 percent of the population is connected to a religious institution, but less than 5 percent of people are evangelical Christians, he said.

More Baptist churches are needed, Endel continued. Some Baptist congregations are the only evangelical presence within two hours' drive.

"Much of our region is very religious, but they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus," Endel said.

Posted: 9/17/04

Offering enables Texas Baptists to wrap arms around state

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Texas Baptists can put their arms lovingly around the state by cooperatively putting their hearts behind the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions, a state missions leader insists.

Together, Texas believers can accomplish more than they can by working independently, said Carolyn Porterfield, executive director of Woman's Missionary Union of Texas. That is the principle behind the $5 million in allocations earmarked for the 2004 Mary Hill Davis Offering.

“These allocations show missions can be accomplished more effectively if we do it together,” Porterfield said.

“A church in the Panhandle can touch the inner city of Houston by being a partner in the gospel. A church in the Rio Grande Valley can touch the Red River.

“An African-American church can come alongside a Cambodian church, and it strengthens the work of both. And the more we know and understand, the more we will pray and give of ourselves and our resources.”

Mary Hill Davis funds touch nearly every aspect of the Baptist General Convention of Texas' ministry.

Mega-associations–Union, Dallas, Tarrant, San Antonio, El Paso, Austin and Rio Grande Valley–are set to receive $200,000.

Another $270,000 is marked for special mission projects, strategic transitioning, leadership training and ethnic summer camps through Baptist associations statewide.

The offering directly serves churches as well. Bivocational and smaller-membership congregations will be helped by $55,000 tapped for efforts to strengthen their ministries.

The Mary Hill Davis Offering earmarks $150,000 to a small-church matching grant fund, facilitated by the BGCT Church Facilities Center. Congregations older than five years that serve fewer than 100 in worship can apply for up to $5,000 in matching funds for construction projects.

This grant inspires congregations to take on construction and remodeling ventures because the more money members raise, the more the BGCT grant will match, said Keith Crouch, director of the Church Facilities Center.

“This is a huge boost for smaller-membership congregations attempting a project in order to be better equipped for their ministries,” he said.

Community ministry programs such as outreach for at-risk youth, community transformation and family and inmate reintegration are to receive $180,000.

Offering funds impact the lives of women through Texas WMU, whose operating budget comes from the offering. The money supports the staff and provides some programming dollars for leadership development, mission awareness and ministry among various cultures.

Christian Women's Job Corps, a ministry to teach low-income women life skills in a Christian context, is allocated $30,000.

Ethnic ministries also benefit from Mary Hill Davis. Funds have been set aside to support ethnic youth and singles ministry, camps and cross-cultural outreach.

“Texas is a diverse state, and it takes diverse ministries to reach people,” Porterfield said.

“This year's allocations represent ministries that help equip God's people to understand and be involved in his mission. They represent ministries focused on connecting local churches as they grow in their missions outreach.”

The allocations recognize the importance of each Texas Baptist in God's kingdom, Porterfield added. Following the offering's theme–“Plant … Water … Harvest”–each believer is a part of furthering God's work.

“This year's theme is wonderful because it speaks to the role that all of us can play, because 'God has assigned to each his task,'” she said.

“One plants. Another waters. And another may reap the harvest, but it is God who makes it all grow. We are laborers in the harvest, and it takes lots of folks to work in the fields that are ripe for harvest.”

Posted: 9/17/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Sept. 26

Resisting temptation requires God's assistance

Luke 4:1-44

By Pakon Chan

Chinese Baptist Church, Arlington

When Jesus was about to begin his ministry, he was led by the Holy Spirit to go through some spiritual disciplines in the wilderness. Jesus was wholly God and wholly man. As a human being, Jesus went to the wilderness to prepare himself for his mission and ministry.

There is an interesting parallel between Moses and Jesus. Moses fled into the wilderness for 40 years in which he was prepared for the great mission of leading his people out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Likewise, Jesus was led and stayed in the desert for 40 days to prepare himself for spiritual warfare.

Oftentimes, we mistakenly think spiritual discipline is enjoyable and beautiful. We may sit in a comfortable room, read the Bible and dream of how to be a strong Christian or how to win a spiritual battle. It is not wrong to enjoy our devotional time; however, spiritual discipline is more than just feeling good in our relationship with God.

Spirituality many times comes from a difficult battle with temptations. The first step in spiritual discipline is to have a quiet time. This should include reading the Bible and praying. The real challenge is in the struggle with temptations and sins. We can meet God in the darkest valley of our life, and it is God's promise of victory (Psalm 23:4).

Jesus as a human being went through the darkest valley with victory in his spiritual tests for the ministry.

Jesus understands us

Jesus is the only high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, for he “has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Only a person who has experienced grief can comfort others in grief. Our Lord understands us because he was tempted.

We struggle very hard with daily temptations. We have more failures than victories. Our Lord Jesus knows that, and he knows our every situation. The Bible tells us he sympathizes with us. This means Jesus does not condemn us while we are struggling with temptations. He wants to help us, and all we need to do is to go to his throne of grace to seek help (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus overcame temptations

It is more important that Jesus was not only tempted in every way, but that he did not sin. Jesus overcame all temptations, so his encouragement and help are powerful.

We all are tempted by our lusts, Satan and the world. We are able to sympathize with each other. However, we cannot save each other nor are we able to overcome temptations by our own power. Only Jesus can save us, because even though he was tempted in every way, he did not sin. He has the power to overcome temptations. It is Jesus' power of overcoming temptations that gives us confidence that we can go to him for help.

Satan is the greatest deceiver. He will use every means to deceive us. He uses lusts, selfish desires, money, power and fame to deceive and tempt us. Most of all, he twists the meaning of biblical verses and uses them to deceive us. Jesus knew the motivation and the tricks of the Evil One and used God's word to correct the misused ideas of the Scripture by Satan.

Knowing half of the truth sometimes is even more dangerous. Nothing will be worse than abusing the Scripture with incomplete understanding. Jesus has set a very good example in fighting against the temptation of abusing Scripture to satisfy our selfish desires. He accomplished this using his complete understanding of the Scripture.

We can resist temptations

Jesus loves us, and he does not want to condemn us while we still are struggling with temptations. Jesus wants to help us to overcome all temptations. There are several things that we can do to help us resist temptations. They are:

Know that Jesus understands us and sympathizes with us.

Come to his throne of grace to receive mercy and help.

Have confidence in his love and power.

Study God's word diligently.

Use God's word to resist temptation.

Trust the Holy Spirit for he is interceding for us (Romans 8:26-27).

It is not possible to avoid temptation, no matter how spiritual we are. Temptation can be beneficial to us if we can overcome it. It also can serve as a passage to spirituality. We can pray to the Holy Spirit and ask him to lead us through the passage from temptation into spirituality.

Discussion questions

Are you afraid to come to Jesus when you are in temptation?

What kind of confidence do you have in Jesus when you come to his throne for mercy and help?

Posted: 9/17/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 3

Jesus still calls people to drop, kneel & follow

Luke 5:1-39

By Pakon Chan

Chinese Baptist Church, Arlington

The two following events occurred by a lake called Gennesaret. This lake also was known as the Sea of Galilee and the Sea of Tiberias. It was approximately 680 feet below sea level which created a tropical climate. As a result of this climate, the land west of the lake was very fertile and produced rich agricultural products.

Jesus could preach in any setting. In chapter 4, Luke tells us Jesus was preaching in the synagogues. Then in chapter 5, he was preaching on the lake and using the boat as his pulpit. Jesus shared the Good News anytime and to anyone who crowded around to listen to him.

A calling to catch men

This chapter begins with a tremendous need. “People were crowding around him and listening to the word of God” (5:1). There may never be an “ideal” place to preach, but Jesus grabbed every opportunity to share the gospel. If we wait for an ideal opportunity and the most favorable time to share the gospel with people, we may never do anything. Christians always should be prepared to share the gospel. If we are prepared, we will be able to see needs around us. People need to listen to God's word. Many people are crowding around us and waiting to hear the gospel. That is why it is important that we are prepared, so we can see their needs and minister to them.

Jesus accepted Simon's boat and asked him to place it near the shore. Many Christians may be willing to give to the gospel ministry. It is very important to give generously to help in the promotion of ministry. This was Simon's contribution to spreading the Word. He provided the boat, which was the pulpit Jesus used to preach the good news to the crowd.

After preaching, Jesus told Simon to let down the nets for a catch (5:4). Why did Jesus want to perform a miracle here at this time? There were many reasons, but one was to assure Simon he would be cared for if he responded to Jesus' call to be a “men catcher.”

It is human nature to worry about how we would support our daily needs if we respond to God's call into ministry, but he reassures us by this example. It was not the right time to go fishing because they had tried all night without catching anything. And as professional fishermen, they knew it was going to be fruitless effort to fish at that time (5:5). But to their surprise, the nets began to break for such a large number of fish (5:6).

Simon was scared of what he saw and realized Jesus was the most powerful Master. Then, Jesus turned to Simon, and said, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men (5:10).” Upon hearing Jesus' calling, Simon made a wise and courageous decision to leave everything and follow this powerful Master.

Calling the sick and sinners

Luke lists two separate callings in this chapter. After calling Simon to follow him, Jesus called Levi, the tax collector, to follow him at the tax booth. In verse 31, it tells the nature of the calling Jesus gave Levi. Jesus answered the accusation coming from the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, saying: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (5:31). This calling is for repentance and to reconcile with God.

Jesus did not come for the righteous; and in fact, there is not even one righteous person on earth in God's eyes. Paul points out, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all are sinners, and have spiritual sickness in our lives. Jesus is the Savior and the Almighty Doctor. He called Levi, and still is calling people to repent and to be healed by his merciful hand.

Even though Levi was rich with earthly wealth, he was sick and poor in his spiritual life. When he heard of Jesus' calling, he responded immediately by leaving everything and following Jesus (5:28). We may have a lot of money, but we have no sense of security. Money cannot buy us a genuine and happy relationship. That was exactly what Levi had in his life. He knew spiritually, so he grabbed this opportunity when he saw Jesus.

Your response

Simon left everything and followed Jesus when he heard the calling. He changed his career to become a fisherman of men. Many Christians responded to God's calling by changing their lifestyles or careers. We can no longer keep going our own way and focusing on our own interests if we really want to respond to God's calling.

Levi also left everything and got out of his tax booth to follow Jesus when he heard the calling. If still you indulge in sins, Jesus calls you to get out of it, leave all the sinful bondages behind and follow him. He wants to heal your spiritual sickness and gives the wealth you can never get from the world.

Discussion questions

If God calls you to be a full- time minister, will you answer him without any reservation?

What worries you about responding to his call to you?

Do you realize that Jesus is calling you to get out of your sins and follow him?

Posted: 9/17/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Sept. 26

God encourages us by allowing us to know him

Revelation 1:1-20

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

We conclude this month's theme of Knowing God Better with a lesson of hope and encouragement. At one time or another, believers in Jesus Christ need hope and encouragement which comes from knowing God. Today, we will look at a passage from the book of Revelation which will reaffirm and remind us of Jesus who was, Jesus who is, and Jesus who is to come.

John the Apostle is the author of Revelation. John also wrote the Gospel of John and three epistles called 1, 2 and 3 John. John wrote Revelation sometime between A.D. 95-96, during the reign of Titus Flavius Domitian. Domitian was threatened and angered with John's public testimony of Jesus; therefore, John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos–a rocky, barren island on the Aegean Sea.

While John was on Patmos, he received a vision, a revelation with instructions for him to write the seven churches in the Roman Province of Asia in Asia Minor. The message to these churches involved words of encouragement, instruction, hope and warning.

The foundation

John begins by reminding his readers of their foundation, God the Father. God is the source and foundation of all truth. John emphasizes this foundational truth by stating, “Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was and who is to come.” God does not change. He is the God of the present, the past and the future.

The foundation which John is forming is strengthened by the presence of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is described as the seven spirits who are before God's throne.

John completes the foundation by giving a rich description of both the person and work of Jesus Christ. John confirms all Jesus has done and continues to do. “He is the faithful witness” refers to Jesus' earthly life; “he is the firstborn of the dead” points to Jesus' death and resurrection; “he is the ruler of the kings of the earth” refers to Jesus' future reign over all things; “he loves us” is a reminder of Jesus' love which is continuous and forever; “he has freed us from our sins” points to a completed act; and “he has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve God” affirms we are true children of God through Jesus. As priests, we have unlimited access to God through Jesus.

This section closes with a picture of Jesus as the Eternal One who will come again. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus, like God the Father, is the Lord of the present, the Lord of the past and the Lord of the future.

The assurance

This section of Scripture reveals Jesus Christ as the Lord of glory. John sees a different Jesus than he saw when Jesus walked this earth ministering to the needs of others. Jesus' appearance is totally different from the one who was wounded, crushed and crucified.

John now sees a glorified Jesus. Jesus was dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white. His eyes were a blazing fire. Jesus' feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. Jesus held seven stars in his right hand. A sharp double- edged sword came out of his mouth. Jesus' face was shining like the sun in all its brilliance. John sees a vision of Jesus in all of his glorious majesty and power. This is a Savior who is holy, righteous, glorious and has authority.

The Lord Jesus reassured John by teaching him and speaking to him. The words “do not be afraid” are a wonderful encouragement for any believer of Jesus Christ. Believers do not need to fear life because Jesus is the Living One. Believers do not need to fear death because Jesus has conquered death by his resurrection. Believers do not need to fear eternity because Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. Keys are a symbol of authority. Since Jesus holds the keys, he has authority over death and the place of the dead. Jesus is the eternal one. He is the beginning of all things, and the ending of all things. Everything is under his control.

A word of encouragement

Believers can be encouraged by knowing God. We are to be encouraged because the past, the present and the future are in God's hands. Nothing takes God by surprise–no situation, trial, heartache or death. God's word tells us he will work anything that happens to us for our good (Romans 8:28) because his primary work is for Christ to be fully developed in our lives (Galatians 4:19). We need to be encouraged by remembering God's purposes will prevail.

Discussion questions

With the understanding nothing takes God by surprise, what do you need to release to God?

This week, who in your life needs to hear the gospel so they will not fear eternity?

Posted: 9/17/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Oct. 3

Showing love to others can bring about change

Luke 7:36-50

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

This month's Bible study theme is Looking for Change. The responsibility of the Christian is to be willing to be changed and to be in a position where God's ways can be the believer's ways.

Winston Churchill said, “To improve is to change. To be perfect is to change often.” By nature, individuals resist change. Change seems to shake one's comfort zone as it moves from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Yet for Christians, God calls us to the process of transformation. Change is a matter of being intentional with living a life which reflects Christlikeness. As we will see in this month's study, true change comes as Jesus Christ works his inner work in a believer's life.

Background

Some people have thought this passage in Luke is the same scene found in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8. Although the stories are similar, their differences are distinct. Three characters dominate the scene in this narrative: Simon the Pharisee, a sinful woman and Jesus. In this passage, Luke is showing us what happens when God's love invades a person's life.

The story

Jesus was invited to dinner at the home of a Pharisee named Simon. While Jesus was reclining at the table, a sinful woman entered Simon's home. She brought a bottle of perfume and stood at the feet of Jesus weeping. She used her tears to wet the feet of Jesus and dried his feet with her hair and then poured the perfume on the feet of Jesus.

When the Pharisee saw Jesus was allowing the sinful woman to wash his feet, he said to his other guests, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is–that she is a sinner.” He was offended and embarrassed by what was going on.

Simon knew what kind of woman she was, so as he judges her, he also judges Jesus. Simon thought, “If this man really were a prophet, he would know this is a sinful woman.”

Knowing Simon's thought, Jesus tells him a parable. By telling the parable to Simon, Jesus was in essence saying, “Simon, you really don't know what it is like to be forgiven the same way this woman has.”

Simon the Pharisee

In understanding this story, it's helpful to understand the etiquette and culture of Jesus' day. When a guest entered a house three things always were done: the guest was given a kiss of peace, cool water was poured on the guest's feet to cleanse them and a pinch of sweet-smelling incense was burned or a drop of fragrant oil was placed on the guest's head.

When Jesus arrived at the Pharisees' home, he received nothing. Simon does not give him a greeting, no cool water for his feet, and no anointing for his head. It is Simon who does not show Jesus hospitality. It is Simon the Pharisee who has not accepted or appreciated the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

The sinful woman

A woman enters the room because she wants to see Jesus. She must have heard he is a friend of sinners. She enters the room and goes directly to Jesus. The woman stood behind Jesus at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped her tears with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

The woman provided everything Simon failed to do for Jesus. She kisses Jesus' feet, she washes Jesus' feet, and she provides a fragrant aroma which fills the room. The woman says nothing in this narrative–a time when actions really do speak louder than words.

It is apparent the woman really knew Jesus. She had crossed the bridge of faith and experienced a changed life. Her extreme love for Jesus was proof she had been forgiven, cleansed and restored. She had discovered her deepest need, and it had transformed her life.

A changed life

The Christian life is a journey of transformation into the likeness of Christ. A good measurement of evaluating the transformational process is for individuals to evaluate how they are growing in their love for God and in their love for people.

Ken Gire makes this observation: “So it's the end of the day, and each of us is lying in our bed, reflecting. Have I loved well? Has love been the beating heart pulsing though all my activities? Can it be heard in all my conversations? Seen in my eyes? Felt when other people are in my presence? Was the truth I spoke today spoken in love? Were the decisions I made today based on love? Were my reactions? My devotions? Have I loved well?”

Christians can proceed through all the motions of spiritual life–worship, Bible study, daily devotions, journal entries, service and giving–yet without love, all of these things are meaningless in relation to spiritual transformation.

Discussion questions

What are three steps can you take this week to grow in your love for God and for people?

Is love the foundation of your spiritual life? How do you know?

Posted: 9/17/04

FamilyNet slashes budget; lays off 19 staff

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

FORT WORTH–Nineteen FamilyNet employees learned Sept. 9 their jobs were eliminated as part of a major cost-cutting measure that reduces the broadcasting network's annual operating budget from $8.5 million to $4 million.

The layoff reduces the workforce in Fort Worth from 66 to 47 employees at FamilyNet, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board.

“The financial cuts we have implemented will result in a very lean network but one that will be able to live within its revenues and have the opportunity to expand both distribution and programming as revenues grow,” said Randy Singer, special assistant to mission board's president.

Salaries and benefits account for $2.5 million in savings, and the remaining $2 million in budget reductions come primarily from cutting contract workers, freelancers and promotional expenses, said Marty King, director of convention relations at the board.

Responsibilities for tasks previously performed by people who lost their jobs will be reassigned to remaining employees, transferred to mission board staff in Alpharetta, Ga., or eliminated altogether.

While the cuts were “across the board” at the network, King noted in particular that production of radio programming and television documentaries “are not a part of the core programming focus.”

For now, supervision of those tasks has been transferred from FamilyNet to the mission board, and their future has not yet been determined, he said.

Affected staff at FamilyNet received severance packages based on prior job responsibilities and length of service.

FamilyNet is a 24-hour television network that airs more than 50 hours of original programs each week to a potential audience of more than 32 million households.

The network operates from facilities that previously housed the Southern Baptist Radio & Television Commission, which was eliminated in an SBC reorganization.

About two years ago, the mission board announced it was reorganizing FamilyNet to allow the network greater organizational independence and to make it more accountable for its own future.

The board committed to subsidize the network $9 million with the objective of it becoming self-sustaining in three years.

Singer noted the network “has made dramatic advances this past year in programming and increasing cable subscribing homes, but the projected advertising revenues have not kept up with expenses.”

The mission board “cannot provide additional help to FamilyNet beyond the amounts specified in the three-year business plan at a time when NAMB is unable to fill missionary positions in the field,” he continued.

“As a result, it was necessary to reduce expenses for FamilyNet for the remainder of 2004 and into 2005, resulting in a sound financial basis from which to expand.

“These difficult changes will help FamilyNet be in the black financially next year for the first time in its history.”

The layoff reduces the FamilyNet workforce in Fort Worth from 66 to 47 employees.

Posted: 9/17/04

Students urged to examine, obey God's calling to ministry

By Laura Cadena

Texas Baptist Communications

FORT WORTH–Vocational ministry demands a clear sense of calling, a willingness to prepare and tenacious obedience, Pastor Dennis Wiles told a Texas Baptist collegiate conference.

Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church in Arlington, told participants at Focus–a conference sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas–he did not want to be a pastor when he enrolled in seminary, and it took time for God's call to become clear to him.

“The calling of God is diverse, because we are diverse,” he said. “In the Bible, people's callings are different; and once you determine your calling, you need to be obedient to that calling.”

Wiles noted that “every (church) member is a minister. You don't have to be in full-time vocational ministry to be a minister. But I believe God singles out men and women to specific calls in the ministry.”

Gabriel Lawrence of West Texas A&M University takes notes during Focus.

In ministry, there are times when ministers feel alone, Wiles said. He urged students to rethink going into full-time vocational ministry if they can't be “tenacious” in their call, because vocational ministry is “difficult, yet it's wonderful.”

Wiles encouraged students who sense a calling into full-time ministry to embrace their unique gifts and find ways to develop their gifts.

Students who sense a call to ministry should get involved in the church body and use their gifts, he advised.

“Others in the church family often see something in you before you see it,” he said.

“The church is a dream team because everyone works differently. There is no one with less value because the calling of God is different for everyone.”

Wiles advised students preparing for ministry not to neglect their own spiritual nurturing.

Once in ministry, students should “pay attention to your core, conform to the will of God in your life, and take care of your core because the only person that can take care of your core is you.”

Ministry is not always easy, he noted.

“When you begin to face the challenges, remember you are a pilgrim on the journey,” Wiles said.

The church is full of people, and people can hurt their leaders, he acknowledged.

Challenges test a minister's character but passing those tests provides the confidence to face the next challenge, Wiles said. The most important aspect of ministry, he said, is to “live your commitment.”

Posted: 9/17/04

Volunteers develop longterm love for borderland

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

GEORGETOWN–Travelers to the Mexican border town of Acuña find families living hard lives in great need. And if timed properly, they also witness a group of Texas Baptist churches ministering to the people living “an hour and a half past the Great Commission,” mission volunteers in one Central Texas community say.

For the 12th consecutive year, a coalition of congregations spearheaded by First Baptist Church in Georgetown recently served in and around the border town of Acuña. This year their sphere of ministry expanded to several hours outside the city.

Volunteers from 14 churches ministered in a variety of ways throughout the area. Medical clinics, manned by Texas and Mexico volunteers, served 580 people in four days and four locations.

Volunteers pulled about 80 teeth and distribued 450 health kits and 15 baby care kits. The team also gave away 240 pairs of glasses and more than 30,000 vitamins.

The medical relief may be the easiest ministry to measure, but it's not the most important work, said Carol Hyndman, who worked on a medical team. While doctors and nurses work, other volunteers share the gospel with the families who are waiting. That can have a much stronger impact.

“I hope that somewhere along the way someone has said something that brings them back to the saving grace of Jesus,” said Hyndman, a member of Northridge Community Church in Round Rock.

She also praised the work of the volunteers who led the Vacation Bible schools. About 67 children attended the events each day. The Texas Baptists partnered with Mexican leaders in an effort to strengthen local ministries and encourage leaders, said Charlotte Watson, minister of missions at First Baptist Church in Georgetown.

Texas Baptist volunteers provided arts and crafts materials and snacks for the Vacation Bible Schools, but Mexican leaders taught the lessons. Vacation Bible schools increase the number of contacts a pastor makes, Watson said. Those initial relationships develop into later ministry opportunities.

The volunteers found an unexpected ministry opportunity of their own as they entered Acuña. They were invited to serve in a nursing home, where volunteers visited residents, produced a puppet show and fit glasses for those who needed them.

But residents were touched particularly when the Texans went the extra step by shaving the men, clipping nails and applying lotion to and massaging women's hands, Watson said.

“It was one of the most tremendous mornings,” the minister of missions said.

Brad Reeves, who coordinated the team's travel, noted the volunteers' actions were all meant to point Mexicans to Christ. The Texans' faith in God propelled them to act as they did.

“It's a demonstration,” said Reeves, a member of First Baptist Church in Georgetown. “It's an act of kindness. It's a response to God's love.”

Each year the trip re-energizes Hyndman. The hugs and smiles of grateful children spur her to return.

“I love going across the border and seeing those smiling faces,” she said. “You really can't explain it until you experience it.”

Posted: 9/17/04

Number of poor Americans lacking
health insurance rises for third year

WASHINGTON (ABP)–The number of Americans living in poverty rose 3.4 percent last year, to 35.8 million people, while the number without health insurance climbed to 45.0 million, an increase of 1.4 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

It was the third straight annual increase for both categories.

About 12.5 percent of the population lived below the poverty line in 2003, an increase of 1.3 million from the 34.5 million in poverty in 2002. The number of children in poverty rose as well, to 12.9 million or 17.6 percent of those under 18 years old.

The average poverty threshold in 2003, according to the Census Bureau, was $18,810 for a family of four, $14,680 for a family of three, $12,015 for a family of two, and $9,393 for unrelated individuals.

Meanwhile, the average household income, when adjusted for inflation, remained unchanged in 2003 at $43,318.

The percentage of Americans without health insurance rose slightly, from 15.2 percent to 15.6 percent, but the increase was smaller than in 2001 or 2002. A census official said the increase paralleled the rise in unemployment.

“Certainly the long-term trend is firms offering less generous (benefit) plans, and as people lose jobs they tend to lose health insurance coverage,” bureau analyst Dan Weinberg said.

Posted: 9/17/04

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM
Carter clarification

In your Aug. 23 issue and at other times, I have noticed an incorrect description of my belief concerning abortion.

As a Christian, I have never believed that Jesus Christ would approve abortions except, perhaps, to save the life of the mother.

Jimmy Carter

Plains, Ga.

Democratic ID

I am amused by the letters of our Democratic brothers and sisters in the Sept. 6 Texas Baptist Forum.

Let me tell you how you can quickly identify a Democrat:

First, if Christ were here today and declared himself a Republican, Christian Democrats would find fault with him. He would have been too brutal and uncompassionate by driving the money changers out of the temple. He should have sat at a table with them and negotiated the issues with them and then held hands and sang praise songs.

Second, if Satan declared himself a Democrat, excuses would be made for him such as God was very unfair by “booting” him out of heaven, since “he was only expressing himself.”

Finally, with tongue in cheek, I cannot understand how a Christian can be a Democrat.

F.A. Taylor

Kempner

'Big Two'

This is in response to David Huebner's letter (Sept. 6) regarding Joyce Lucas' comments (Aug. 23) about George W. Bush.

The many other issues Huebner lists–besides same-sex marriages and abortion–are political, cultural, social and financial.

But the Big Two–same-sex marriage and abortion–require Christians to take a stand. These two issues are directly opposed to biblical truth and are an affront to all that is holy. The other issues will be with us and have been with us since before Christ. But the two big ones have just popped up and will, if not stopped, destroy society.

That's why Christians cannot morally and spiritually support any candidate or organization that supports these two totally heathen policies.

Mick Tahaney

Port Arthur

Coercive taxation

Your editorial regarding responses to demographic shifts in Texas (Aug. 6) is concise and to the point. Having been a wide-eyed political liberal prior to my salvation, I would identify what you spoke of as social morality and economic ethics as the redistribution of wealth for the purpose of maintaining power. I confess I have never seen this or any other government take care of the cause of genuine poverty effectively, regardless of how much money was thrown at it.

The tool of coercive taxation does provide the left with the ability to take money out of one person's pocket and put it in another's, thus making it a certainty that the one on the receiving end will vote for them next time around. Cynical I know, but it has proven true over the 55 years I have watched our system at work.

Nonetheless, great suggestions and a word to the wise.

Tom Edwards

Palmetto, Ga.

National cornerstone

Across America, actions of organizations and individuals have convinced local governmental leaders, schools and much of the public that any expression of Christianity or public display of its symbols is unconstitutional.

It is time that Christians of the Bible Belt not be the silent majority but stand firmly for what we believe is right by speaking out on these issues.

The cornerstone of our democracy is God. Our Founding Fathers were God-fearing men, who first invoked the aid of deity before entering upon the laudable undertaking of writing the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. Throughout these noble documents, you will find spiritual reverence given to God.

The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Does this mean separation of church and state or separation of God and state? Our forefathers' intentions were for churches and religion to be free from government rule, not to take spirituality out of our government.

The cornerstone of our laws is the Ten Commandments. As you walk up the steps of the Supreme Court building, you can see near top of the building a full row of law-givers facing one in the middle. It is Moses holding the Ten Commandments.

Today, we see many trying to chip away and remove the “cornerstone” of America's moral foundation.

The cornerstone of a building is the first stone laid and strongest part. If you remove the cornerstone, the building will weaken, and soon it will crumble.

James Denby

Huntington

Carolina bound?

Regarding your editorial opposing the Christian Exodus movement (Aug. 23), I guess the Jews should have remained slaves in Egypt and the protestants should have just stayed in England! Forget the long history of Christians packing up and leaving when evangelism was futile or cultural differences too great to overcome.

I guess we should be thankful that Southern Baptists weren't around back then. No telling where we would be–or wouldn't be.

Jay Banks

Tennessee Colony

Scriptural worship

Jesus Christ is the same “yesterday, and today, and forever,” according to Hebrews 13:8. God is always the same. He is always at work to complete his plan. He is at work today in music too, just as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. Do we draw the line?

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:1). Here we see that God wants us to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs in our worship. As a song leader, I fear rebuke for not singing the psalms.

Many people today do not know the hymns but have come to love them as they were incorporated into worship with the contemporary songs. Many have also come to love the contemporary songs as they were incorporated into worship with the hymns. It works both ways.

We should concentrate on keeping our worship scriptural. One who is truly in the ministry of music will seek God's guidance in each and every song service. He also should have a clear direction from God as to how he is to lead. Congregations should seek such leaders.

Controversy? Refer to Colossians 3:16, “teaching and admonishing one another.” We should be careful what we teach. One day, we will stand face-to-face with the Author of it all.

Ross H. Hardwick

Devine

Posted: 9/17/04

On the Move

Robert Arrubla to Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer as pastor.

Carl Bilderback has completed an interim pastorate at Hyde Park Church in Denison.

Andy Buchanan to Calvary Church in Garland as pastor.

Josh Deerinwater to First Church in Wichita Falls as junior high minister from First Church in Joy, where he was pastor.

Antonio Estrada has resigned as minister to Hispanics at South Main Church in Houston to enter the clinical pastoral education residency program at Methodist Hospital in Houston.

Aaron Fenlason has resigned as minister of youth at South Burleson Church in Burleson.

John Hassert to Hyde Park Church in Denison as pastor, from First Church in Snellville, Ga., where he was minister to children.

Blake Hockaday to Bell Avenue Church in Amarillo as youth minister from Southeast Church in Amarillo.

Chris Johnson to First Church in Covington as minister of youth.

Bob Lynch to Union Grove Church in Richards as pastor.

George Martin to Central Church in Luling as pastor from First Church in Nixon.

Tommy Morris has resigned as minister of youth at First Church in Lillian.

Michael Murphy to First Church in Smithville as pastor from Parkview Church in Lufkin.

Mell Plunk to Fellowship Church in Morgan's Point as pastor.

Stephen Roberts to North Shore Church in Avinger as pastor.

Glenn Tatum has resigned as pastor of First Church in Stockdale to become worship leader at a California church.

Paul Winegeart has resigned as youth minister at Bell Avenue Church in Amarillo.