Posted: 9/03/04

Williams resigns as Baptist Laity Institute
head; program's future 'up in the air'

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–After five years at the helm of the Baptist Laity Institute, Dan Williams has resigned as president.

Williams, 51, announced his resignation during the institute's August board meeting. It is effective Sept. 30.

The institute began in 1999. At that time, it needed someone with an “entrepreneurial spirit” to move it from the idea stage to an active, “charging forward” ministry, Williams said.

Now the institute is ready to move into another phase with a leader more attuned to management, he explained.

Five years ago, there was no advanced theological education designed specifically for Texas Baptist laypeople.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas responded by creating the Baptist Laity Institute and hiring Williams as president.

Williams “started with nothing” and developed the institute into what it is today, said John Cash Smith, chairman of the institute's board and a member of First Baptist Church in Orange. The institute has created curriculum for nine courses that can be taught throughout the state by trained “mentors.”

“These courses are like an advanced college or graduate school seminar,” Smith said.

Now that the institute is established with curriculum and a course structure, it needs to enter a new phase, Smith said.

The Baptist Laity Institute needs a leader to “market it and develop money,” and Williams and the board “recognized we are in a different situation,” he explained.

“It was a very emotional thing when (Williams) announced his resignation,” Smith added. “Everyone deeply appreciates what he has done.”

As for the institute's future, Smith said: “It's very, very up in the air. I'm sure it's going to continue. I'm not sure in exactly what form.”

More than $1 million has been invested in the institute, and the number of classes doubled this year, he added.

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade praised Williams' passion for developing lay leaders.

“Texas Baptists owe a debt of gratitude to Dan Williams for his pioneering effort to establish advanced theological education for our local churches,” Wade said.

Keith Bruce, coordinator of BGCT institutional ministries, said Williams “led in crafting the organizational structure, developing the basic curriculum and implementing the initial program and course offerings” of the institute.

“There has been consistent growth in the number of people participating in … programs and many individual testimonies of how this process has positively impacted the lives of participants,” Bruce said.

In the five years of Williams' leadership, the institute grew into a statewide theological education effort that this year will offer more than 50 classes with more than 400 people enrolled. Class size is limited to 12 students.

The institute “raises the level of expectation for learning and ministry involvement for lay people,” Williams said.

The institute's annual operating budget is $305,000. Two-thirds of that amount comes from funds allocated by the BGCT Administrative Committee, and the remainder is from individual donors and foundations.

“I'm so excited” about the institute, Williams said. “I've seen the transformation in churches and individual lay members. I've seen an amazing transformation in staff members when they see their lay members turned on and turned loose to minister.”

Linda Cross, vice president of the institute, will “carry on the work during the coming months of transition,” said Royce Rose, director of the BGCT theological education office.

“A record number of classes are scheduled for this semester in 21 locations in Texas and other states.”

Williams has no specific plans for the future.

“My wife (Anita) and I felt it was time for a change in vocational direction but still feel very committed to and called to local-church enhancement,” he said.

They are members of First Baptist Church in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas.

Rose encouraged churches interested in offering laity institute classes to call the laity institute for more information.

The web site is www.tblaity.org, and the phone number is (214) 820-3935.

Posted: 9/03/04

Houston-based online program offers
theology classes for church planters

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

HOUSTON–Church planters worldwide will no longer have to leave their calling temporarily to receive specialized theological training, thanks to SemiNEXT, an online educational program being developed by Houston-area Baptist leaders.

This fall, organizers are unveiling the initial courses connected to SemiNEXT, which can be accessed at www.seminext.com.

The offerings include Old and New Testament as well as a theology class.

The courses are tailored to meet the needs of church planters who have other jobs but would like some theological training to strengthen their ministries, said Alan Brehm, SemiNEXT executive director.

Each class consists of five units made up of six web pages apiece, and students can work at their own pace.

Participants will be able to dialogue through online communication such as e-mail and discussion rooms. Courses eventually build to a certificate, but no seminary credit is given.

SemiNEXT is the latest example of a changing paradigm in higher education, where organizations take courses to students rather than waiting for young people to step on campuses, organizers of the program note. Secular and religious groups are creating online programs to serve target audiences.

The goal for SemiNEXT is to provide sound training and improve ministries through conversations, Brehm said.

“We're not a seminary,” Brehm said.

“We're targeting people who already have degrees and perhaps even careers, so a seminary degree isn't really that important to them. We're a virtual learning community that intends to meet face-to-face as well.”

Organizers already have developed partnerships with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Union Baptist Association and are looking to start relationships with groups that work with younger generations of ministers.

The program has gained some recognition from believers worldwide because it is the latest development of Leader's Edge, a Union Baptist Association effort to support church planters that started in the mid-1990s. Church planters in Texas, the United States and several countries around the world have contacted Brehm.

“Many people want a high-quality accelerated theological education but are at a place in life where traditional seminary is impractical or unavailable,” said Robert Creech, pastor of University Baptist Church in Houston and one of the founders of Leader's Edge.

“After a branch of the postmodern seminary opened in Austin, I began to dream beyond simply duplicating groups of teachers and curriculum.

“What if we could create a web site that would facilitate an online community where discussion and learning could take place?”

Posted: 9/03/04

Baptist University of the Americas holds
strategic role, president maintains

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

SAN ANTONIO–Baptist University of the Americas leaders believe God has a strategic role for their institution in a state where Anglos no longer claim majority status.

“Our mission is the formation, from the Hispanic context, of cross-cultural Christian leaders, both male and female,” said Baptist University of the Americas President Albert Reyes, noting 40 percent of the student body is female.

“The Hispanic context is the point of departure for us,” Reyes continued.

“We ask of everything, 'How does this take on incarnational value in a Hispanic context?' And Anglos, African Americans and others increasingly are attracted to that because they want to know how to relate in the changing demographic reality, in light of population trends.”

Baptist University of the Americas equips students to cross cultures–a mandatory requirement for Great Commission Christians in the 21st century, Reyes insisted.

“We are preparing cross-cultural Christian leaders to share the presence of Christ,” he said.

Baptist University of the Americas offers an intensive English language program for students who lack English skills, a college-preparatory curriculum for students who are need help academically before entering a bachelor's degree program, and even a high school equivalency program for students who need to earn a GED.

“We say: 'If God is calling you to ministry, then we are going to open every pathway we can for you. If God calls you, our answer is yes,'” Reyes said.

While the school is “not driven by ACT, SAT or any other test scores,” he noted Baptist University is attracting a growing number of students “who could enter any of our universities and excel. But they are drawn to BUA by the uniqueness of our context–our focus on cross-cultural ministry and mission.”

Baptist University of the Americas' student body includes representatives of 15 countries, including nine Latin American nations.

"We're becoming a place where people from the Third World find they have a real affinity with us," Reyes explained. "It's a non-Western perspective–not exclusively Hispanic, but consistent with Third World culture."

Baptist University of the Americas offers a bachelor of arts in biblical theological studies and is accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education.

“We consider ourselves a theological university, not a liberal arts university or a seminary. That is something new in higher education,” Reyes explained.

“I do not see us becoming a liberal arts university,” he continued.

“I do see us enlarging our course offerings to equip students in multiple ways for vocational ministry.”

Posted: 9/03/04

BGCT, Richmond seminary offer online
classes for ministers of small churches

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

BELTON–The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond is partnering with the Baptist General Convention of Texas bivocational/smaller membership church development office to offer specialized online classes tailored for ministers of small churches.

This fall, the seminary will offer courses on the biblical foundation for bivocational ministry, an introduction to team building and leadership, as well as social dynamics in ministry as the initial classes in a certificate program. Experienced Texas Baptist bivocational ministers will facilitate each online course.

Kim Siegenthaler, program coordinator for the seminary's school of Christian ministry, said the classes are an effort to meet small-church ministers' desire for theological education without giving up their pastorates.

The program allows ministers to become better equipped for God-given tasks at their own pace, Siegenthaler added. Students can work around their schedule in doing homework and studying.

Bob Ray, director of BGCT bivocational/smaller church development, said the courses will be contextualized to Texas bivocational ministry as the teachers draw on their years of bivocational experience.

The partnership is the latest cooperative effort between the seminary and Texas Baptists. The school also is working with the Baptist University of the Americas to produce an online Hispanic certificate program and with the Texas Baptist Laity Institute to develop online courses designed to equip laypeople.

All three programs are part of the seminary's vision of taking training to congregations, not relying on churches to send members and leaders to the school, Siegenthaler said.

For more information, visit www.btsr.edu.

Posted: 9/03/04

San Marcos Baptist Academy makes major changes this year

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN MARCOS–Students and faculty alike describe San Marcos Baptist Academy as a family–nurturing, supportive, caring and helpful.

Despite the warm feelings, enrollment at the residential secondary school has declined in recent years. So the academy called in an outside consultant to evaluate its program.

As a result, the 97-year-old school made changes this semester.

The military program is no longer mandatory for boys.

A program to help students with “learning differences” has been expanded.

The academy's advisory program has been enlarged to include all full-time employees working with assigned students on an almost daily basis.

San Marcos Baptist Academy has 206 students in grades six through 12–three-fourths living in campus dormitories and the rest being "day students." The school is supported through the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Cooperative Program.

For years, many people viewed the academy as a military school, said Vic Schmidt, president since 2001.

“We didn't see ourselves as a military school,” but others perceived it that way, he said.

“I've seen it always as a Christian school” with three programs–academic, military and athletic, said Byron Robinson, who has taught 37 years at the academy.

With this year's changes, the academy still has a Junior ROTC military program. Boys must be in the program at least one semester, but girls are not required to be involved.

One of the visible changes on campus is how the students dress. Military-style uniforms have given way to polo shirts with khaki pants or plaid skirts.

A less visible change related to the military is seen in the boys' dorm. It no longer functions as a military residence hall with ranking upperclassmen having special duties. The boys' housing is organized by halls with dorm directors and resident assistants, just like the girls' dorm.

The change in approach regarding the military has been difficult to swallow for some alumni and long-time supporters, Schmidt said.

He hopes they will understand the change was not based on a “whim” but on information derived from the independent study and on the need to increase enrollment.

Leadership training, a major component of Junior ROTC, will continue to be stressed with all students, Schmidt said.

The corps of cadets at the school numbers about 80, he added.

Kameron Allison, a junior day student from San Marcos, said he likes the Junior ROTC change, because the new uniforms “feel more casual.”

Garrett Day, a senior resident student from Sugar Land and a Junior ROTC battalion commander, preferred the old military approach but said the new way “benefits others,” so he understands the need for the change.

While San Marcos Academy turns away from some its past identity, it has its sights set firmly on becoming known for something else–its learning skills program.

Children learn in different ways, said Margo McClintock, director of the program.

The academy helps students determine their preferred learning styles and then fashions programs that help them learn.

For instance, analytic learners do best with details and sequential information, while global learners want “the big picture” and react quickly. Traditional classroom teaching favors analytic learners, McClintock said.

That's just one example of different learning styles.

The academy's learning skills program seeks to help students who struggle with the limitations of traditional teaching.

It already had been a part of the academy's academic approach, but this year the school added two more staff members, Tom and Keri Rhodes, to work with McClintock.

The academy also provided extra training on learning styles for all its teachers prior to the start of classes, Schmidt said.

McClintock said students will give an “amazingly different kind of response” to testing when learning styles are understood and appropriate help is given.

Thirty-two of the academy's 206 students are in the learning skills program this fall, including honor students.

Jojetta Steptoe, a senior from Houston, is one student who benefited from the precursor to the learning skills program when she came to the academy two years ago.

“My grades are a lot better, and I got more help than I was getting in other schools,” she said.

Another new effort, the school's advisory program, is one of special interest to President Schmidt. Every full-time employee is involved, he said. “Student advising is just as important as the primary job” of an employee.

Advising involves being with students during devotional times and chapel services, visiting them in their dorm and contacting parents to keep them informed of their child's progress or needs.

The connection between students and adults showed up in comments from several students.

“Everybody cares about you a lot,” said Adelita Ayala, a junior resident student from Tabasco, Mexico. The teachers “all know who you are and what kind of person you are.”

Eighth grader Rachel Blewett, from Kingsbury, boiled everything down to its simplest. The academy is “really cool,” she said. “The teachers are really nice, everybody's nice. … It's really fun.”

While the academy has gone through some tough times, including running “deficits the past few years,” it still is debt- free, Schmidt said.

“We are working for a zero-loss budget,” he said.

The academy needs about 20 more students this year to reach that level, and enrollment remains open and more students are expected.

The need to grow enrollment motivated this school year's changes, but there are deeper motivations, as well.

The academy is a ministry, Schmidt said. “We're helping a lot of kids, both Christian and non-Christian. … You don't have to be here long” before the ministry aspect becomes apparent.

Schmidt remembered the words of a long-time academy employee, the late Katherine Schultz. The president quoted her, saying: “When you first come to the academy, it can sometimes get under your skin. But if you stay here for any length of time, it will get embedded in your heart.”

Posted: 9/03/04

Academy staff see themselves as missionaries

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN MARCOS–Devon Banta gets paid to be a teacher, but she also sees herself as a missionary.

Banta recently started her second year of teaching at San Marcos Baptist Academy, a residential secondary school supported through the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Cooperative Program.

When she came to the school, she thought she was just coming to teach. After getting settled in, she changed her mind.

“We are missionaries,” Banta said, referring to teachers and other workers at the school.

Since many of the students are not Christians or don't come from Christian homes, the academy becomes a flesh-and-blood Christian testament, especially for international students, faculty members noted.

“Sharing God's love and our Christian commitment is one of the main reasons we're here,” explained Margo McClintock, director of the academy's learning skills program.

Byron Robinson, a teacher at the academy for 37 years, said it's important that academy students understand the Christian concepts being taught along with the academic lessons.

“It's a treasure that you can give to the kids that they would not receive otherwise,” he said. And it provides “inner strength and inner hope” a student might not have otherwise.

“This is not a school to me,” Robinson said. “It's a community, a family. … The students I teach become like my own children, grandchildren.”

Banta says it simply: “I love my students.” Because of that love, she spends “a lot of time with my kids.”

Academy President Vic Schmidt noted the faculty and staff serve as role models for the students.

“We live Christian lives, and our kids know that,” he said.

Posted: 9/03/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Sept. 12

Make sure there is room for Christ in your life

Luke 2:1-52

By Pakon Chan

Chinese Baptist Church, Arlington

The birth of Christ

The Israelites looked forward to the coming of the Messiah for hundreds of years. God had promised them a Savior, but they had no room for him when he was born.

Indeed, people need a Savior who can bring peace and hope to this world. Like the Israelites, they are so busy with so many things they never give any attention to Jesus' message. People still struggle for peace and hope.

The reason the message of the birth of the Messiah was brought to the shepherds was because of their simple life. They had room for it. Matthew's gospel tells us, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel–which means, God with us” (1:22-23).

Jesus is the Son of God. He is God himself, incarnated to bring the good news of reconciliation to those who believe in him. Augustine is right, and people cannot find peace and joy unless they find God.

The root problem of all problems in this world is our estrangement from God, the Creator of all human races. This estrangement confuses our identity and image, so that we have problems knowing ourselves. This estrangement also twists our relationships with people, nature and the Creator, thus filling the world with conflicts and hatred.

Worst of all, these problems cannot be solved by our efforts alone. We need to be forgiven and to reconcile with God. Jesus is the message of forgiveness and reconciliation from God. This is the reason why the angel told the shepherds he had good news for them, and that good news would bring great joy to all people (2:10).

Good news for all people

We have entered into a new era where people talk almost about everything from a global perspective. We start to realize all people stand on the same earth and under the same heaven. However, when we come to the topics of faith and religions, tribal influence is still obvious. We are Chinese, so we do not need a western god, some say.

In the Bible, we learn from the first book that our God is the God of all people. God has called Abraham to be the father of all nations. God has a plan for all people. God wants to save all people through his son Jesus Christ. Simeon was a righteous and God-fearing man, and was waiting for a savior to save his people (2:25). But when he saw this child Jesus, he was touched by the Holy Spirit to proclaim that the salvation through Christ was for all people (2:31). This is the very motivation of the Great Commission to call Christians to preach the gospel to all nations.

Jesus not only is the Savior for Israelites and Americans, he is the Savior for all people regardless of culture and ethnicity. Through knowing and accepting Jesus, people will know the will of God (2:32).

Jesus also will restore the glory of his people Israel, for they were the first bearer of this good news (2:32). God has used this group of people as a medium to bring forth the Savior to all mankind. We should appreciate the Jews in this regard, but Jesus did not just come for the Jews. We thank God for the truth that we all can have hope and joy in Jesus.

His childhood

We thank all the gospel writers who gave us clear and accurate records of Jesus' life and work. Jesus Christ is not a mythical person. He had a human birth from the womb of a woman, even though his conception was divine and extraordinary. Jesus had his childhood. He lived about 30 years with his parents to fulfill his human responsibility as a son before the beginning of his ministry.

There are not many descriptions about his childhood and upbringing. This chapter in the Gospel of Luke gives a very vivid and important description, which serves as a summary and a remark of his childhood. Luke uses two similar phases to describe Jesus' childhood: “The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him” (2:40); and “Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favor with God and people” (2:52). Jesus lived a perfect life physically, mentally and spiritually; therefore, he is our Savior, and as a sacrifice accepted by God for our sins (Romans 3:25-26).

Jesus was in the temple

What does a 12 year old know about faith and religion? Jesus was just a 12-year-old child, but he had discussions with Jewish teachers and amazed them with his wisdom and intelligent answers (2:47). In Jesus' conversation, we find he was fully aware of his identity as the Son of God. He responded to his parents, and said: “Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?” (2:49).

Twenty years later, he cleaned the temple with a whip and called the temple the “house of prayer” (19:45-46). The temple in Jesus' time was corrupted and had lost its spiritual function. Jesus came to rebuild the temple by replacing it with his own body so people can meet God in him through faith.

Discussion question

Does the knowledge of Jesus change your life?

What will you do if you realize that the good news is for all peoples?

Posted: 9/03/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Sept. 19

Like John the Baptist, draw people to Jesus

Luke 3:1-38

By Pakon Chan

Chinese Baptist Church, Arlington

John the Baptist may be considered the greatest preacher because his preaching was so powerful it drew people to him. People “were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ” (3:15).

John was ordained by the Lord in his mother's womb to be God's servant by preparing people's hearts before the coming of the Messiah (1:14-17). He not only preached repentance and prepared people's hearts, but also lived a unique lifestyle to prepare himself for his mission. He consecrated himself to live a life separated from the secular world (Matthew 3:4; Luke 1:15). His preaching was powerful because his life reflected his word.

Why is our preaching not heard and our witness without power? It is not because we do not have a powerful message. The message itself always is powerful, but our lifestyle does not reflect the word and preaching. If people do not observe a difference in a Christian's lifestyle, they will wonder why they should listen to his preaching. We need more preachers and Christians like John the Baptist to prepare themselves first, in order to prepare people's hearts for the Lord.

The warning

The preaching of John was very bold and blunt. He was by no means running a show to entertain the audience. He was “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin” (3:3). When people were coming to receive his baptism, he condemned them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” (3:7). He boldly pointed out their sins.

The people of Israel thought their religion and tradition could save them. They told themselves that as long as they could keep the religious rituals and traditions, they were all right and deserved God's blessings. After all, they were the descendants of father Abraham.

John warned them against relying on Abrahamic descent. He reminded them, “Out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham” (3:8). What is the use of religion if we do not commit our life to it? Why does God want to spare us if we have no heart in him and his commandments? “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (3:9).

The fruit of repentance

A fruit tree is of no use if it cannot bear any fruit, and it does not matter how gorgeous it may look. A true repentance has to have observable effects in one's life and lifestyle. When people heard John's preaching and understood the seriousness of this message, they asked John: “What should we do then?” (3:10). John's answer was simple–live a life according to God's commandments. The core of God's commandments is to love God and people. When we love God and people, we will do our duties, be fair and care for others. We also will live in peace and be content with a life free from selfishness and envy.

God has already told us what to do when we repent: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

John's baptism versus Jesus' baptism

John clearly understood the baptism he preached was very different from the baptism Christ would give. John could only baptize people with water. The act of baptizing with water is only a ritual that signifies a person's repentance and their moral effort of doing good. Water has no power to transform a person's life. John's baptism was meaningful only if people repented with determination of observing the laws and bear good fruits.

Christ's baptism is very different from John's baptism, for Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire. This baptism was a life-giving act. The Spirit would give life to those who received it (John 6:63). Later, Paul expounded this baptism in the light of Jesus' death and resurrection, by telling us “we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).

The fire of this baptism symbolized the power of purification and judgment. Through this baptism people will be purified and claimed as righteous. This baptism also has served as a judgment to judge their faith in Christ (Malachi 3:2).

The same question was asked by people after they heard Peter's preaching: “'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sin. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'” (Acts 2:37-38). Baptism is the first fruit of repentance, and it is very meaningful if our repentance is genuine and our life bears good fruits.

Discussion question

Re-examine your baptism experience to see if it reflected your repentance.

Does your life witness your repentance?

Posted: 9/03/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Sept. 12

Worship begins with a glimpse of God's holiness

Isaiah 6:1-13

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

Of all the attributes of God, holiness is the one that seems to take center stage. In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah was given a vision of God and his holiness. This week's lesson will show how Isaiah responded to God's holiness.

The dictionary suggests these definitions for holiness: “to divide,” “to mark off” and “to set apart from all else.” The word “holy” has come to mean “spiritually pure, sacred, sinless.”

A.W. Tozer describes God's holiness in this manner: “We know nothing like the divine holiness. It stands apart, unique, unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable. The natural man is blind to it. He may fear God's power and admire his wisdom, but his holiness he cannot even imagine.”

Isaiah saw the Lord

In Uzziah's 52-year reign, many people were away from the Lord and involved in sin; therefore, Isaiah was living in a critical time in history. Although Isaiah was already a prophet, he was being called to a more difficult task. Isaiah's mission came in the form of a vision directly from God.

Isaiah 6:1-4 records the greatest vision anyone can ever have–to see the Lord! Isaiah saw God on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. At God's side were seraphs. The seraphs' task was to give glory to the Lord. The seraphs praise with a threefold repetition of the word holy. Repeating a word three times for emphasis is common in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 22:29; Ezekiel 21:27). God is holy, holy, holy, and no one else is close to being like him. God was the central object of all praise.

This image of God is designed to point us to God's majesty, which should move us to reverence and awe. Worship begins when we catch a glimpse of God's holiness. Worship begins when we stop and grasp the awe, wonder, power and sacredness of God.

Isaiah saw himself

After this incredible glimpse of God, Isaiah saw himself as he really was. He was convicted of his sinfulness. He no longer felt worthy. Isaiah cried out: “Woe to me! I am ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among people of unclean lips.”

As Isaiah looked at his life in light of God's holiness, he was most conscious of his unclean lips. Isaiah was a prophet of God. Isaiah's role was to represent God to the people. The avenue for this representation was by mouth. His lips were used by God and for God, yet Isaiah saw his lips as sinful. When Isaiah stood in the presence of the living God, he became aware of his sinfulness, his arrogance and his self-righteousness.

Isaiah saw God's cleansing power

When Isaiah realized his sin, the cleansing began. The seraph took a live coal off of the altar with tongs, flew over and touched Isaiah's lips. The live coal was not intended to hurt but to heal. The coal was a symbol of purification and cleansing. Matthew Henry said, “The seraph being kindled with a divine fire put a new life into the prophet that fired his soul with a zealous love for God.”

Isaiah saw his mission

God is now looking for a messenger. Isaiah, who has been transformed by grace and made alive by the mercy of God, says: “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah's encounter with the holiness of God enabled him to respond to God's call. Isaiah understands a nation of people are in desperate need of the same cleansing he has just received. Isaiah was willing to commit his life to God's service.

A modern-day insight

How do we respond to the holiness of God? With awe? With reverence? Annie Dillard gives this enlightening observation: “Why do people in churches seem like cheerful, brainless tourists on a packaged tour of the Absolute? On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of the conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews.”

Dillard is reminding us we serve a holy, powerful God who needs to be sought after with reverence and awe. God is holy, and his holiness motivates people to respond by confessing sin and serving him with all their hearts.

Discussion questions

Can you think of a time when you had an awesome spiritual experience?

How can you and I effectively reflect God's holiness in the world?

What is God calling you to do this week? How are you going to respond to God's call?

Posted: 9/03/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Sept. 19

Christ is the only way to the throne of God

John 14:1-14

By Angela Hamm

First Baptist Church, Lewisville

Jesus is the one and only way to God. He is the source of all transformation. Jesus offers people who are spiritually dead the very way, truth and life of God. Our victory is in him and in him alone.

When Christ is being formed in us, when we open ourselves up to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, when we continue to grow in our love for God and people and when we begin seeing the world differently–the result should be increased intentionality to be with people outside our Christian community. This is God's primary plan for our lives, the one Jesus modeled so powerfully, to spread God's grace and truth person to person until there is an epidemic of changed lives around the world.

The promise of a place

This chapter begins with disciples who were troubled and discouraged. They were troubled because (1) they were aware Jesus would soon leave them, (2) Jesus told them Peter would deny him, (3) Judas had mysteriously left them and (4) they had just had their last meal with Jesus.

They were confused and possibly getting nervous about the days ahead. So, Jesus starts with a pretty amazing statement, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus gives his disciples two reasons for not letting their hearts be troubled.

The first reason is found in Jesus' statement, “Trust in God; trust also in me.” Jesus is telling his disciples to believe in God. When they believed in God, they also would believe in him. One author writes, “The identity of Jesus and the Father was so complete that belief in one demanded belief in the other.”

Second, Jesus says he is going away to prepare a place for them –for all those who believe in him. This can mean a place in heaven, but it also can mean a place here and now. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we are reconciled with God, and through faith in Jesus, we can have a relationship with God now.

The promise of a person

Jesus' statement, “I am the way and the truth and the life”, is the sixth of Jesus' seven “I am” statements in the Gospel of John (6:48; 8:12; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). Jesus says he is the way–he is the way to God, and the way to eternal life. Jesus is the way because he is the truth and the life. Jesus is the truth because he accurately explains the truth of God to us. Jesus is the life because he has God's life inside and provides that life to us. Jesus can lead those who trust him on the right path.

Jesus' words, “No one comes to the Father except through me” stressed salvation is not obtainable through many ways. All who come into God's presence must come through Jesus; no one can come any other way. Only one way exists, and this is through belief in Jesus.

A story is told of a missionary traveling to a remote village to train leaders of the local church. A guide was selected to take him to the village because the only way to reach this remote place was to walk through the jungle. The journey started out without much of a problem; the path was good and easy to follow. Soon, however, the path literally disappeared as the guide cut away at the overgrown jungle with his machete. The missionary grew concerned and asked, “Where is the path?” The guide smiled; looking back, he told the missionary, “I am the path.”

Looking for directions? Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Follow him.

The promise of prayer

God will continue the work of Jesus through his disciples and through you and me. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do God's work, share the gospel with others and bear fruit. Prayer is one of the ways we can stay connected with God. Prayer is an avenue of seeking God. Prayer allows us to ask God to put people in our path who do not have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ so we can share the incredible gift of salvation with them.

Practical helps

The gift of salvation has been offered to us through Jesus, but each of us must respond by receiving it (John 1:12; Romans 10:13).

This is how we are to respond–ask Jesus to forgive our sins and lead our lives. God will give us the strength and guidance to make a fresh start and to begin living a life pleasing to God (1 John 1:9; 1 Peter 3:15).

When we respond by putting our faith in Jesus, a spiritual transformation occurs. God's Spirit comes into our lives and changes us from the inside out so we can begin our spiritual journey (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Discussion question

Who do you know who needs to hear Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life?

How is your prayer connection holding up? How can prayer help you communicate that Jesus is the only way to God?

What is God leading you to do today?

Posted: 9/03/04

Florida vouchers ruled unconstitutional

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (ABP)– A divided state appeals court has upheld a lower court's ruling that the state's school-voucher program violates the Florida Constitution.

In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the state's First District Court of Appeals ruled the voucher program is unconstitutional because it allows government-funded scholarships to be spent at religious schools.

The relevant section of the Florida Constitution states no state money “shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid … of any sectarian institution.”

Attorneys for Gov. Jeb Bush and other Florida officials had argued the program was constitutional because the provision in question did not impose any greater restriction on funding of religious schools than does the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court said a similar Ohio voucher program did not violate the clause of the First Amendment that forbids government from making a law “respecting the establishment of religion.”

Authoring the majority opinion, Judge William Van Nortwick said that argument was spurious.

“For a court to interpret the no-aid provision … as imposing no further restrictions on the state's involvement with religious institutions than the (federal Constitution's) Establishment Clause, it would have to ignore both the clear meaning and intent of the text and the unambiguous history of the no-aid provision,” he wrote.

Van Nortwick also said a more recent Supreme Court ruling–the Locke vs. Davey decision, handed down earlier this year–meant provisions such as those in Florida's constitution did not violate the other half of the First Amendment's religion clauses–that government could not limit religious expression.

But Judge Ricky Polston dissented, saying the Florida provision shouldn't be interpreted as being any more restrictive than the First Amendment.

He also said the state government already provides indirect funding to religiously affiliated groups and shouldn't treat schools any differently.

“There is no distinction between this Opportunity Scholarship Program and the state Medicaid program that funds religiously affiliated or operated health care institutions providing free or subsidized medical care,” Polston noted.

“Other examples are legislative programs providing public funds to any public or private person or organization for preservation of historic structures, rent paid to churches for use of their facilities as polling places, and government subsidized pre-K or childcare programs operated by churches or faith-based organizations.”

The case, Bush v. Holmes, began when a collection of civil-rights and educational organizations sued the state on behalf of a group of Florida parents who believed it was unconstitutional. In 2002, a trial judge agreed with them, and ordered the program halted.

Bush and other state officials appealed the ruling.

In the current ruling, the appeals court asked the state Supreme Court to review the case.

Posted: 9/03/04

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Salt & light

In reference to your editorial on some Christians' decision to remove themselves from society (Aug. 23): We must be “salt and light” in the world, not sheltered from it!

Our deeper problem is we shelter ourselves from real involvement and yet live so much like our neighbors that we cannot challenge anyone. Most differences are surface matters–we don't drink or smoke, etc. Otherwise, we share their priorities and lifestyles.

Suppose Christian families really lived differently from their neighbors. What if they had fewer activities (ballet, soccer) and dined together almost every night? What if the family went together to visit a nursing home each week? Or regularly invited their neighbors over? What if they saw life in terms of opportunities to serve rather than opportunities for self-satisfaction? And what if they were known as the household to turn to in an emergency, because they love people?

Instead, Christian families go in different directions every evening. Kids spend only minutes a day with their parents, like their friends. Evenings are spent in silence in front of the TV, or family members are apart in their own worlds.

We can't be salt and light if we are not different from our neighbors–no more involved in the community than them. We must do many things differently and give up some of the “advantages” our neighbors enjoy (TV time, “exciting” activities, etc.).

Creating a “Christian society” is worthy, but we must do this within the existing community. This means sacrifices and lifestyle changes.

Let's get busy!

Fred Smith

Lynchburg, Va.

Carter's Christianity

I find the contrast between Jerry Falwell and Jimmy Carter by Joyce Lucas (Aug. 23) quite interesting.

If Lucas had ever read any of Carter's books, she would know he does not favor abortion and certainly is “pro-family and pro-traditional marriage,” in her words.

It bothers me that some Christians believe only Republicans are the righteous people. Personally, I'll take Jimmy Carter's brand of Christianity over George W. Bush's, or Jerry Falwell's for that matter.

Donald O. Baxter

Oklahoma City

Other issues

With reference Joyce Lucas' letter concerning her support for George W. Bush (Aug. 23): Why do some Christians believe there are only two issues–gay rights and abortion–in every election?

As a pro-life Democrat, I challenge Christians to think and reflect on the many other issues facing voters–presidential leadership, educational funding, foreign policy, government spending and deficits, tax loopholes for the wealthy, Social Security, alternative fuels, alliances with other nations, nuclear proliferation and health insurance.

And isn't it truly pro-life to support taking good care–it's called stewardship–of God's creation? So how about thinking about clean air, clean water and preservation of our great natural parks and forests?

And concerning Jimmy Carter's Sunday school class: I have seen him teach. His lessons are biblical and reflected in the positive actions in his own life. Here is a man who continues to travel the world helping people find new resources for better health and new housing for the poor and indigent. Did not Christ reflect upon these as ways to live out the Christian life?

Let's not forget that Scripture and our lives need to reflect more than just two issues.

Welcome to the big, wide world of Jesus Christ!

David Huebner

Spring Hill, Tenn.

Innocent blood

Joyce Lucas' letter regarding Jerry Falwell and Jimmy Carter (Aug. 23) obviously was trying to make a point for the re-election of George W. Bush.

Yes, God's word does have something to say about shedding innocent blood. But Lucas must be reminded the present administration made the unnecessary, unjustified invasion of a country that had done nothing to America. The administration has sent almost a thousand Americans and several thousand innocent Iraqis to their deaths.

The invasion of Iraq is one of the biggest mistakes any president of the United States has ever made. So, why doesn't he admit his mistake and get out of Iraq?

Do you think the Lord is excusing him because he says he is a “compassionate” conservative?

Ross Redding

Denton

Worldly church

While on vacation last year, my wife and I were surprised that we couldn't find a Christian radio station that played anything but contemporary gospel music. The loud, brash boom of gospel rock, with lyrics no one can understand, is also replacing traditional gospel music in many evangelical churches.

While the world gets churchy, the church is getting worldly. Babbling-brook music wants to change the deep flow of gospel music, but when church music makes you want to dance instead of worship, something's wrong. Who said the church had to fit in the world anyway?

Are our hymns of calm reasonableness going to die? Will the church go rock like the world? It hasn't happened yet, but it's sure heading that way. If old-time gospel music does die, some people won't even know it's gone.

But some will. And we'll mourn its death.

Doug Fincher

San Augustine