Posted: 3/28/08

The Baptist Student Ministry of Texas A&M University led a tour of Texas for international students during spring break. Students from China, Iran, Taiwan and South Korea were escorted by several American students as they traveled to parts of Texas they previously had not experienced. While they enjoyed the Stockyards of Fort Worth, The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas and other sights, for many the Palace of Wax Musuem in Grand Prairie and its display of the ministry of Christ from birth through resurrection had great appeal, leaders said.

Around the State

• The International Mission Board will hold a missionary appointment service at First Church in Sunnyvale April 9 at 7 p.m. More than 90 missionaries will be commissioned.

• Theologian James Leo Garrett will speak at Howard Payne University April 17 at 7 p.m. He will give an overview of the work of 10 Baptist theologians since World War II.

• The Baptist General Convention of Texas will hold its Single Adult Leadership Conference at First Church in Sunnyvale April 18-19. For registration or information, go to www.bgct.org/singleadult.

• Wilshire Church in Dallas has been chosen by the North Texas Food Bank as one of 10 local congregations to participate in Oprah’s Big Give, a national community service project to be broadcast nationwide on ABC television. Wilshire members, and anyone else who wants to participate are asked to donate 18-ounce plastic containers of peanut butter with $1 bills attached by April 16. The peanut butter will be used for distribution through Food 4 Kids, and the cash will help North Texas Food Bank purchase additional food for the program. The goal is 10,000 jars of peanut butter and $10,000. The event will culminate on the afternoon of April 20, the date of the national broadcast.

• Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines, will be the featured speaker at Houston Baptist University’s Brown Lecture at 6:30 p.m. April 24. He will speak on how working together can lead companies through troubled times.

• The Addiction Ministry Education Network is sponsoring a free substance abuse ministry training seminar for churches May 2 at Lake Highlands Church in Dallas. The event is cohosted by Dallas Association and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. It will begin at 10 a.m. and feature several approaches to ministry. To register or for more information, call (214) 319-1166.

• Baylor University has been ranked as one of the nation’s top 50 “Best Values in Private Colleges,” according to findings published in the April edition of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Using a ranking system that measured academic quality and affordability, Kiplinger’s rated Baylor as the 38th “best value” among the nation’s top private colleges. In the area of “total cost” for an academic year—including tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and estimated expenses for books—Baylor graded out as the second most affordable school among the top 50 rated by Kiplinger’s. The full rankings can be found at www.kiplinger.com.

• Dallas Baptist University has added five faculty members. They include Norman Blackaby, assistant professor of biblical studies; Rebecca Dark, assistant professor of English; Ray Gal-loway, associate professor of kinesiology; Andrew LaFavers, assistant professor of geosciences; and Martha Oldenburg, assistant professor of education.

• Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas has been designated a Stroke Center of Excellence, according to a survey sponsored by NeuStrategy.

• Carl Matthews is seeking historical information about Mary Cree Cosby, who painted many baptistry scenes for Texas churches in the 1940s and 1950s. He also wants to compile a photographic record of her baptistry paintings. Anyone with information about Cosby or any of her work can contact Matthews at 1130 Madlynne Drive, Cedar Hill 75104; phone (972) 293-9309; or e-mail matthewscarl@hotmail.com.

Anniversary

• Wayne Spanhanks, 20th, as pastor of Spring Hill First Church in Longview, March 30.

Retiring

• George Mosier, as pastor of Pleasant Terrace Church in Dallas, where he had served five years, Dec. 16. He had been in ministry 45 years. Mosier also had served as associate pastor at First Church of Oak Cliff and Cliff Temple churches in Dallas, as well as in Baptist Student Ministry at Pan American University and Stephen F. Austin University. He is available for supply and interims at (972) 291-3441.

Deaths

• Gilbert Thornton, 84, March 19 in Longview. A pastor and chaplain, among the churches he served were Unity Church in Houston, First Church in China, Saunders Road Church in Houston. While in Rosharon, he served as a chaplain at several prisons, including the Walls Unit in Huntsville. He later moved to Longview and served as chaplain at the R.G. Letourneau Company, where he remained until his retirement in 1988. After retirement, he served as a Mission Service Corps pastor in Belize. Later, he returned to Longview and worked in the Vietnamese ministry of Mobberly Church and most recently with Church in the Wind. In addition, he helped the Baptist General Convention of Texas train almost 1,000 volunteer chaplains. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth, in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla; daughters, Ruth Thornton and Kathy Thornton; sons, Gary and Danny; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

• Daisy Judd, 92, March 21 in Waxahachie. She was a long-time member of First Church in Lancaster and the mother-in-law of Bill Pinson, retired Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention. She is survived by her daughters, Bobbie Pinson and Doris Linch; sons, James and Joe; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She willed her body to science for medical research. A memorial service will be held April 19.

Events

• A fashion show to benefit Mission Waco recovery programs will be held April 17 at Barron’s on 5th in Waco at 11:30 a.m. The fashions will be from Mission Waco’s resale store, The Clothes-line. Tickets are $25 each, and 10-seat tables are available. For more information, call (254) 753-4900, ext. 230.

• The choirs and orchestras of The Heights Church in Richardson and Hillcrest Church in Cedar Hill will present “Saviour” at 7 p.m. April 19 and 20. The Saturday presentation will be at the Richardson location and in Cedar Hill on Sunday. Soloist Scot Cameron and vocal ensemble One Voice will be featured. Both performances are free.

• Hymnologist Harry Eskew will present a program on Early American hymns at Columbus Avenue Church in Waco April 20 at 6:3o p.m. Many hymns will be sung after brief background information is given. The event is free.

• Gospel singer Blake Bolerjack will be in concert at Booker Friends Church in Booker at 6 p.m. April 27 and at Emmanuel Church in Wichita Falls at 10:45 a.m. May 11. Both concerts are free.

• “Saviour,” a modern oratorio will be presented by the choir and orchestra of First Church in Plano May 4 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Guest soloists are Barry Craft, Ben Owens, Scott Quinn, Jeffrey Snider and Dena Tartaglino. There is no charge for either performance.

Revival

• Brashear Church, Brashear; April 13-18; evangelist, Dean McMann; music, Psalm 100; pastor, David Burns.

Posted: 3/28/08

Baptist Briefs

Students to learn firsthand about global development. Three students with Texas ties—Samford University’s Mary Beth Gilbert of Dallas, Trinity University’s Emily Morrow of Aledo and Gordon College’s Meredith Wilkinson of Waco—will participate this summer in a seven-week Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missions immersion experience focused on the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. They are among 12 college students and recent graduates who will have the opportunity see firsthand how missions personnel are working to reach the goals. Sponsored by the CBF Student.Go program, participants will travel to Romania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Haiti, New York City and Washington, D.C. Students will have the opportunity to witness ministries that relate to all eight of the goals focused on hunger, education, child mortality, gender equality, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and other diseases, environmental sustainability and economic development. Students also will visit the United Nations’ headquarters in New York City, the ONE Campaign headquarters and Bread for the World in Washington, D.C., to learn how they can be advocates for hungry and hurting people around the world, and they will attend the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.

Baptist pastor released from prison. Zaur Balaev, the Baptist pastor from Azerbaijan who was sentenced to two years in prison Aug. 8, 2007, was freed from prison March 19. “Baptists from all over the world rejoice in God’s answer to our prayers for the release of our brother, Zaur Balaev,” said Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam. “His patience in suffering and courage in the midst of trial has provided for us a splendid example of discipleship in the modern world. We look forward to giving him a platform to talk to Baptists about his faith and his experience.”

Bangladesh leader named human rights award recipient. The Baptist World Alliance will present its 2008 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award to Dennis Dilip Datta, a Baptist leader in Bangladesh recognized for his advocacy for restoration of democracy and establishment of religious freedom in his country. Datta is founding general secretary and current president of the National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh, which takes special interest in human rights causes. Datta, former president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Baptist Fellowship, has served on the BWA General Council and as a member of the BWA Commission on Freedom & Justice and the communications committee. The human rights award will be presented to Datta during the General Council meeting in July in Prague, the Czech Republic.

CBF receives $1 million gift. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has received an anonymous $1 million gift to fund micro-finance loans in poor countries and other CBF ministries. Half of the $1 million gift will be used for a new finance initiative coordinated through the CBF Foundation. The group currently is conducting due-diligence research on creating a fund designed to give the organization and its partner churches and ministries a way to invest funds in micro-finance banks around the globe. Micro-finance banks lend small amounts of money to people in developing countries as start-up funds for small businesses. The donor designated the other $500,000 of the gift for a number of Fellowship-supported ministries, including equipping CBF field personnel with computers, supporting missions opportunities for undergraduate students, and care and wellness programs for missionaries.

Baptist women’s leader dies. Judith Chambers of Canada, president of the North American Baptist Women’s Union from 2002 to 2007, died March 14. During her tenure as president, the organization upgraded its communications, sought a deeper understanding of relationships across cultures, enlisted young women on the union’s Young Adult Committee, and focused on leadership training. She was a public educator more than 30 years and a longtime missions volunteer.

Schools’ group picks leader. The International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities has elected Michael Arrington, provost of Carson-Newman College, as executive director. Arrington, 62, succeeds Thomas Corts, who in September was named by President Bush to coordinate education initiatives for the United States Agency for International Development. Arrington will retire as provost at Carson-Newman effective at the close of the academic year.

South Louisiana church seeks mission volunteers. First Baptist Church of Houma, La., will begin construction on a Christian school May 1 and needs mission volunteers to help with the project in order to have the building ready for students Aug. 1. Adequate housing and shower facilities are available at no charge to volunteers. Contact Dean Legg or Steve Folmar for more information at (985) 851-2520.

Mohler recuperating from surgery. Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has undergone successful surgery to remove a tumor from his colon. The surgery was performed in Louisville, Ky., March 20. Results of pathological testing revealed the tumor was not cancerous. Doctors expect Mohler, 48, to have a full recovery.

Ouachita dean nominated for CBF post. Hal Bass, a dean at Ouachita Baptist University, has been nominated to be moderator-elect of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Bass is a native of Corpus Christi who graduated from Baylor University and Vanderbilt University. He teaches political science and is dean of the School of Social Sciences at Ouachita. North Carolina pastor Jack Glasglow is the current moderator-elect. He will assume the office of moderator June 20 at the conclusion of the CBF General Assembly in Memphis, Tenn. Harriet Harral of Fort Worth is the fellowship’s current moderator, and she will become chair of the nominating committee after the general assembly.

SBC preschool/children’s registration opens. Registration is open for families planning to enroll their children in June 8-11 preschool childcare or the children’s conference in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Indianapolis, Ind. For all information regarding registration, visit www.sbc.net and click on “2008 SBC Annual Meeting” then “Children/Students.”

Posted: 3/28/08

Book Reviews

The Great Awakening by Jim Wallis (HarperOne)

Spiritual awakening doesn’t become genuine revival until it moves beyond the salvation of individuals and begins to transform society in general, Christian social activist Jim Wallis maintains. Just as surely as an earlier Great Awakening led to the abolition of slavery, Wallis believes a new spiritual awakening is stirring. And it seems to be leading 21st century Christians to address social challenges that cut across categories of liberal and conservative politics.

In this engaging book, Wallis points to evidence of the Holy Spirit’s movement. He sees it in the insistence of some evangelicals that a consistent pro-life ethic not only includes opposition to abortion, but also demonstrates concern for the poverty that drives some women to make desperate choices about terminating a pregnancy.

What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com.

And with the passing of the old generation of the Religious Right, he sees the potential for a new politically engaged group of “values voters” to emerge—voters who believe it takes both a village and a family to raise a child, who care about stewardship of creation and who recognize the radical demands of claiming Jesus Christ as Lord.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard

Dallas

The Betrayed by Lisa T. Bergren (Berkley Publishing Group)

Lisa T. Bergren outdoes herself. The second novel in the Gifted Trilogy, The Betrayed delivers nonstop action and suspense.

Set in 1340, the story begins where it left off in The Begotten. Continuing their quest to discover God’s purpose for their spiritual gifts, the Gifted find themselves in a spiritual war against Venezia’s most powerful agent of evil. One by one, members of God’s select group lose ground, both physically and spiritually, until it appears all may be lost. But as in life, when the Gifted remain true to their calling, God’s strength is revealed in their weakness.

The Betrayed is not for the faint of heart. It’s nearly 400 pages of disaster in the face of tragedy. But for those with the courage to endure, Bergren offers not only a great story, but encouragement we can carry with us into our own trials. Read The Begotten for the beginning of the story. But then, by all means, put The Betrayed on your reading list.

Kathryn Aragon

First Baptist Church

Duncanville

May I Walk You Home? Sharing Christ’s Love with the Dying by Melody Rossi (Bethany House)

Melody Rossi has penned a book that is desperately needed in our Christian society. She aims specifically at people who know someone who is dying without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Her criteria for needing the book are straightforward: You know the person is not spiritually ready to die. And you don’t know what to do about it.

The book is easy to read, practical and sincere. It does not try to use guilt as a motivator, but rather focuses on the genuine desire not to see a loved one die without Christ. Rossi provides wonderful spiritual and moral support, as well as simple, clear suggestions that are helpful both in the spiritual and practical process of death and dying.

Every Christian ought to read this insightful little book. It is a valuable addition to anyone’s library.

Van Christian, pastor

First Baptist Church

Comanche

Posted: 3/28/08

Posted: 3/28/08

Capacity crowd at Congreso called to ‘higher life’

By Miranda Bradley

Texas Baptist Communications

BELTON—Nearly 3,000 teens and young adults gathered on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus Easter weekend, setting record attendance for Congreso, a gathering of Hispanic Texas Baptists.

“This is the biggest Congreso we have ever had,” said Angie Tello, Baptist General Convention of Texas Hispanic evangelism events coordinator. “I’m a little surprised that so many teenagers spent their Easter vacation here, but it shows just how dedicated today’s youth are to the Lord.”

They came on charter buses, passenger vans, and caravans of trucks and cars, packing the university’s Mayborn Campus Center. During the three-day event, every breakout session was filled to capacity. At one point, 300 students from 22 congregations committed to an afternoon of missions projects in the area.

For BGCT Hispanic Evangelism Director Frank Palos, it was evident from the start this would be a Congreso for the record books.

“On the first night, we ran out of decision cards,” Palos said. “The hallways were filled, and I couldn’t even get into the building.” 

By the end of the weekend, more than 200 students made spiritual decisions, including at least 48 young people who made first-time professions of faith in Christ. Many of those who made spiritual decisions described a need for healing in their lives and families. They spoke of craving God.

“I think we are in the midst of a spiritual awakening among our youth,” Palos said. “In the schools—that is where God is moving.” 

Many students present had to raise funds to attend the event, Palos noted, pointing out the average Hispanic Texas Baptist church has 50 members with 15 to 20 young people in attendance.

“Those small churches don’t have the funds to send all their kids to Congreso. The best many of them can do is provide a van or some sort of transportation,” he said.

Even so, it didn’t hold the youth back from giving when the offering baskets were passed. During the event, nearly $6,000 was raised for scholarships.

“Students are very generous,” Palos said. “I’m not surprised that they gave so willingly. They look at other students at Congreso and in their community as family. And we help family when they need it.”

Bands, including Obtain Paradise, Blind 1:11, The Grace Project, The Cockrell Hill Band and Sand Stone, provided the event with a ready-made soundtrack, pumping up the crowd for the 45 seminars geared toward teens from seventh grade and beyond. All were combined to drive home the message of this year’s Congreso—to live an elevated existence.

“This year, we were challenged as a staff to move to the next level, and that is what we wanted to pass along to the students,” Palos said. “We want them to live a higher life for Christ.”        

Dallas evangelist Cesar Oviedo drove home that message. On the last day, he reminded the teens to walk differently than when they first arrived.

“You will always be surrounded by people, but we as Christians have to be different,” he said. “When you leave this place, you will be walking at a higher level than you have ever walked before. That’s powerful.” 

At one point, Wayne Shuffield, director of the BGCT Missions, Evangelism and Ministry Team, urged participants to walk with power in Jesus.

“Let’s go show people who Jesus is by the way we talk, live and act,” he said. “Every day is filled with choices. Make the choice to be one of God’s soldiers.” 

Posted: 3/28/08

New Baptist Covenant: Another meeting
approved, but no permanent structure

By Robert Marus

Associated Baptist Press

ATLANTA (ABP)—Organizers of the recent New Baptist Covenant celebration are recommending a repeat of the historic event in 2011 but not a new denomination or other permanent organization.

The event drew an estimated 15,000 Baptists from across denominational, ethnic and ideological lines to Atlanta Jan. 30-Feb. 1 for fellowship, worship and discussion about cooperation on evangelism and other areas about which they can agree.

The meeting was spearheaded by Jimmy Carter and endorsed by the other living Baptist ex-president, Bill Clinton. Critics alleged it was a thinly veiled attempt to stir up Baptist support for Democratic candidates in an election year, but the event largely avoided partisan overtones and included prominent Republican speakers.

Carter, Mercer University President Bill Underwood and other event planners released a statement from a follow-up meeting held at Atlanta’s Carter Center. The document said that about 70 Baptist leaders from the groups represented at the meeting decided to repeat the event in three years “in the historic Baptist pattern of triennial meetings.”

The leaders also vowed to “be as active as possible during the intervening years.” They said they would expand the covenant’s steering committee from its original five members to “about a dozen” in an effort to engage a more diverse set of Baptists, including more young people and women.

The statement mentioned the possibility of convening several regional New Baptist Covenant events next year, but did not say the decision was final.

The organizers and other invited leaders “reconfirmed” their earlier decision not to form a separate permanent organization or denominational group under the aegis of the New Baptist Covenant.

The statement said the organizers will seek expert advice on “how we can assist actively in such major social issues as global warming, health care, poverty, criminal justice, human rights, religious liberty, elimination of nuclear weapons, and peace in the Middle East and elsewhere.”

The document also included a list of suggestions for specific action items and projects compiled from feedback by participants in the celebration.

It encouraged local congregations to work with other Baptist churches and organizations involved in the celebration as they felt led.

The suggested projects included enhanced giving to the cooperating denominations’ mission agencies, finding ways to minister to prisoners, working for fair tax policies, having regular joint worship opportunities with local churches of differing ethnic groups, working toward reducing the abortion rate, and making churches more environmentally responsible.

Posted: 3/28/08

Supreme Court to revisit decency standards

By Greg Trotter

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)—The U.S. Supreme Court announced it will revisit limits on on-air vulgarity in the court’s first case on unsavory speech in almost 30 years.

After Cher and Nicole Richie used expletives during the 2002 and 2003 Billboard Music Awards on the Fox network, the Federal Communications Commission reprimanded Fox and changed its policy to penalize “isolated” and “fleeting” expletives that invoke “sexual or excretory organs or activities.” Previous FCC policy had penalized only repetitive and deliberate obscenity on the airwaves.

Last June, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Fox. The court found the FCC’s policy to be “arbitrary and capricious,” and it said the agency violated administrative law by changing policy without adequate explanation.

Now the FCC will have the opportunity to explain the policy change to the Supreme Court.

“While the FCC has a statutory duty to enforce the indecency laws,” FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps said, “I continue to believe that all of us—government, industry and parents—have a role to play in protecting our children from inappropriate material.”

The Parents Television Council, a strong supporter of the FCC’s efforts to clean up on-air language, also is urging legislators to take on the issue of on-air indecency.

Congress could clarify that “fleeting” profanity still is obscene, said Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television Council.

Others doubt that any Supreme Court ruling would have any real impact in protecting children from obscenities.

“The idea that they’re saving the sensitivities of a few people is ridiculous,” said Bruce Fein, constitutional lawyer and a former FCC general counsel.

Any ruling for on-air indecency standards would not change the fact that there is no such standard for cable or wireless television, Fein said.

The court will hear arguments in the fall.

Posted: 3/28/08

DOWN HOME:
From ‘Please, Jesus!’ to a new morning

Theological insights sometimes occur at the strangest moments.

I realized this truth as I shivered under the covers in our guest bedroom, debating whether I really wanted to see another sunrise.

Here’s what I learned: Any time you’re praying in the middle of the night and the operative phrase is “Take me, Jesus,” you know you’re in sad shape.

Technically, my “shape” was the fetal position. It provided an appropriate metaphor for the angst a person feels in the middle of the night when you wonder if your insides are about to explode spontaneously.

Practically, I scrunched up in that little ball trying to generate warmth from my own body parts. The knit cap, socks and piles of blankets weren’t doing the trick. And I just didn’t have the mental or emotional energy to walk down the hall and override the automatic-timing feature on our heater.

So, I did what any Christian does when freezing on the outside and boiling on the inside: I rolled up into a heat-seeking ball and prayed short, fervent prayers.

If I’d been in the frame of mind to recall Bible verses memorized in my youth, I might have remembered the last parts of Romans 8:26, “… for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (This verse proves the Apostle Paul also got bit by a stomach bug in the middle of the night.)

Mostly, I could relate to the “groanings too deep for words” part. That night, in the guest bedroom, in a fetal position, was about the closest I’ve ever come to speaking in tongues. Some of my groanings were “too deep for words.” But I think I kept saying, “Please, Jesus!”

Once, I said or at least thought, “Take me, Jesus.” But I quickly recanted. As bad as a stomach virus feels at 2:49 in the morning, it wasn’t quite enough to make me seek transport to that fair land where all the fajitas that go down stay down and Montezuma never seeks revenge.

Even during my “groanings too deep for words” phase, I had a sense things could be worse. Like the fourth grader who got sick on the bus to camp the year the air conditioning went out. Or, more specifically, like my friend Glen, who nearly died of liver failure last summer, and my sister, Martha, who needs a new kidney, and my friends David and Gary, who have battled cancer and say the middle of the night is the hardest time.

Now that I think about it, I believe the memories of Glen, Martha, David and Gary were the answers to my “Please, Jesus!” prayers. God didn’t spare me the pain of a violent stomach ache in the middle of the night. But he gave me some perspective. And seeing your life from a broader scale always is a great answer to prayer.

Posted: 3/28/08

EDITORIAL:
Race relations, pastors & grace

Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright have raised two issues that are both sensitive and explosive—race in America and the relationship between pastors and churches.

The last time we saw such a clear picture of our U.S. racial divide occurred more than a dozen years ago, when a jury declared O.J. Simpson not guilty. Lately, we’ve seen endless news clips and YouTube loops of Wright’s angry sermons on white racism and Obama’s response. We’ve watched a plethora of pundits tar Obama with Wright’s brush, theorizing the presidential candidate must agree with his former pastor, or else he would have moved his church membership.

Sadly, we haven’t heard from many folks who seem willing to learn from what we’re seeing and hearing. Since the presidential nomination hasn’t been wrapped up, we’ve got Democrats bashing Democrats and Republicans exulting over an “October surprise” in March. But few voices have asked how we can parse reason from rhetoric.

Racial relationships are tenuous, and racial reconciliation is hard work. That’s true even under the best of circumstances, which excludes most of what passes for racial relationships in this country.

To look at an example where all the parties are trying hard, consider the Baptist General Convention of Texas and its 27 agencies and institutions. Theologically, we agree all people are created in God’s image, and people of every race are equal before God and among each other. Practically, we have stated this belief in our governing documents. Our vision embraces our diversity, and our values affirm the “worth of all persons.” We stipulate that at least 30 percent of our Executive Board shall be composed of persons of color, and many of our institutions are composed of higher percentages. Relationally, we work at this. We spend time together, look for ways to minister alongside each other, and genuinely not only love but also like each other.

Still, I have watched tension rise in a room as board members, usually minorities, raise racial issues. Anglos wonder, “Must everything be about race?” And minorities muse, “Why can’t they ‘get it’?” When we are at our best, these episodes help us see through each others’ glasses. That’s what we need. Whites must understand the layers of society—economic, educational, cultural, medical and more—through the interpretive lenses of racial-minority experience. And people of color must recognize the dimensions of American history as seen by whites—particularly whites of goodwill, who inherited this scenario, just as their sisters and brothers of color inherited it. I pray our churches and denominations will lead the way.

Speaking of church: It’s hard to comprehend the clamor for Obama to move his membership because his pastor said some ridiculous things from the pulpit.

You are blessed (or you’re not thinking for yourself) if you’ve never disagreed with your pastor. I like what Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow said on the subject: “I fully understand the concept of squirming in your church pew. I’m a Southern Baptist.”

The Obama-should-have-fled crowd either (a) doesn’t understand the dynamic of loyalty to a longtime beloved pastor, or (b) they don’t care about that and are intent on making political hay out of pastoral straw.

Think about the pastors who have made an impact on your life. In Obama’s case, the same person led him to faith in Christ, taught him how to live out that faith in a community marked by incredible need, performed his wedding ceremony and baptized his children.

Whatever you think of Obama’s politics, a person of principle doesn’t cut and run on a pastor like that, even when some of the things he says are embarrassing. He cuts him some slack.

In church, we call that grace.

Marv Knox is editor of the Baptist Standard.

Posted: 3/28/08

Faith Digest

ACU freshmen get cool gadgets. Abilene Christian University will be the first university in the nation to provide all incoming freshmen with an Apple iPhone or an iPod touch, according to school officials. ACU, which is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, said 93 percent of students already bring a computer to campus. iPhones or iPods will be distributed beginning this fall and will allow students to receive homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes, and check their meal and account balances, along with more than a dozen other web applications, said Kevin Roberts, the school’s chief information officer.

Bin Laden targets pope over Muhammad cartoons. A new audio recording by Osama bin Laden accused Pope Benedict XVI of participating in a “new crusade” against Islam, including the publication of cartoons that depict the Prophet Muhammad. “Your publication of these drawings, part of a new crusade in which the pope of the Vatican has a significant role, is a confirmation on your part that the war continues,” bin Laden said in the recording, addressed to “the wise persons of the European Union.” A Vatican spokesman quickly responded, calling bin Laden’s accusation “totally unfounded,” and stressing the pope had condemned the offending images. The drawings in question are evidently the 12 cartoon portrayals of Muhammad published by a Danish newspaper in September 2005, and subsequently reprinted in newspapers in other countries—most recently on the second anniversary of February 2006 violent protests by Muslims that left at least 50 people dead.

Former British PM to teach religion at Yale. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has accepted a one-year appointment at Yale University to participate in a course on the connection between religion and globalization. Blair has been appointed as Yale’s Howland Distinguished Fellow during the 2008-09 academic year. He served as British prime minister from 1997 to 2007 and converted from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism last year. He plans to launch a foundation this year dedicated to improving interfaith relations.

Scot to lead Chicago seminary. Alistair Brown, general director of BMS World Mission, the British Baptist mission agency, has been selected to be the 10th president of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago. Brown, a former journalist and pastor, was born near Edinburgh, Scotland. He first worked as a church planter in Livingston, and served more than 10 years as senior pastor at a church in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Polish priest wins Templeton Prize. Michal Heller, a Polish cosmologist and Roman Catholic priest whose commitment to combining the insights of science and religion stretches back to his youth in war-torn Europe, has won the 2008 Templeton Prize. He will receive the $1.6 million award May 7 at Buckingham Palace in London for his work in connecting physics, cosmology, theology and philosophy. Heller, 72, is a professor of philosophy at the Pontifical Academy of Theology in Krakow.

Posted: 3/28/08

Howard Payne students assist
community center in Austin

By Kalie Lowrie

Howard Payne University

AUSTIN—Baptist Student Ministries Director Katy Blackshear led 10 Howard Payne University students over spring break to work with the Baptist Community Center Mission in Austin.

Sophomore Jennifer Brock found that there were “many opportunities to serve Christ, you just have to be ready to do anything.”

Howard Payne sophomore Chris Beaty sings songs with children at the Baptist Community Center Mission. (Photo by Jennifer Brock)

Students worked in yards, painted a parsonage, served a noon meal at a local soup kitchen and even organized a car wash to raise money for the mission.

They spent their afternoons playing games, singing songs and sharing the gospel with the children who visit the mission after school. Sophomore L J McCulloch said he felt privileged to “be a part of these children’s lives, if only for a few days.”

On Sunday morning, the group was invited to lead the worship service at Baptist Temple in Austin. Chris Beaty led the worship, Tyler Malone gave his Christian testimony and L.J. McCulloch preached.

Howard Payne University student Rebekah Reed helps hand out bread through the Baptist Community Center Mission. (Photo by Jennifer Brock)

The group also canvassed the surrounding community, praying with families they encountered and telling them about the services available through the mission—including a mother with six children who had just moved to the area and did not know about the mission.

Their final night in Austin, the Howard Payne group organized a family fun night, inviting parents to visit the community center and enjoy a night of dinner and activities with their children.

Posted: 3/28/08

IN BETWEEN:
Welcome, all Texas Baptists

I want to thank Chairman John Petty, the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board and Texas Baptists for allowing me the privilege to serve you during these three months. Also, I want to thank the Executive Board staff, which in my opinion is the world’s best denominational staff.

March 31 marks the day when Randel Everett begins his ministry as our executive director. He has asked me to serve with him for a few weeks after his arrival, and I am honored to do so.

One discovery I made in these few weeks is the overwhelming need for all Texas Baptist leaders to continue welcoming those who align with the Southern Baptist Convention. I am not speaking of our brothers who have formed another state convention in Texas with SBC in its name. I am speaking of the hundreds of churches who identify with the BGCT and the national SBC and who send their offerings to both organizations.

Yes, it is important to be on guard for those who would lead us away from Baptist distinctives—religious liberty, priesthood of believers, authority of Scripture and the autonomy of the local church. Thankfully, there are those among us who watch carefully so we don’t walk down the path of creedalism.

Yet is it OK for a church that supports what we do as Texas Baptists also to support missionaries serving with the International Mission Board or the North American Mission Board? I believe it is not only OK; it’s commendable.

Yes, there are some Texas churches that identify completely with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. That is OK and commendable, as well.

But the overwhelming majority of churches working with the BGCT are what a pastor friend, Danny Dowdy from First Baptist Church in Memphis, uses to describe his church—“we are historically a Southern Baptist church.” I think he means the church is conservative in theology, evangelistic with lost folks and missionary from a kingdom perspective.

There have been some nasty rumors circulating that the nominating committee that recommended Randel Everett as executive director was dominated by “CBF folks.” The truth is that the committee members’ churches gave more than $1.4 million to SBC causes in 2007 ($442,470 Cooperative Program, $708,529 Lottie Moon and $308,287 Annie Armstrong); while their churches gave $193,550 to CBF ($174,800 CP and $18,750 CBF Global Missions Offering). Only two of the churches gave no money to the SBC. (These figures reflect the dollars channeled through the BGCT.)

Bill Pinson was right when he said, “We must be inclusive with all believers as we work among our churches—small and large, black and white, Hispanic and Asian, vocational and bivocational, rich and poor—all of us are on level ground when standing at the cross.”

It is time for us to make sure the welcome mat is out for all who go by the name Southern Baptists. Really, evangelism and missions bind us. Welcome, Texas Baptists and Southern Baptists. Welcome.