Volunteers with Texas ties launch Coast Guard Academy student ministry_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

Volunteers with Texas ties launch
Coast Guard Academy student ministry

By Janelle Bagci

Staff Writer

NEW LONDON, Conn.–Two Mission Service Corps volunteers with Texas ties are launching a student ministry in one of the nation's most spiritually needy areas.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

ANOTHER VIEW: Distorted lenses show false division_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

ANOTHER VIEW:
Distorted lenses show false division

By Jimmy Dorrell

All Christians wear glasses of sorts. The lens of one's worldview, often shaped by the culture a person grows up in, impacts how faith and mission are seen. The lens of Western thinking has distorted several biblical, historical, and practical factors and caused an unfortunate myopia about the relationship between evangelism and social ministries.

Biblical lapses.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

Lawmakers introduce bill to provide debt relief to world’s poorest nations_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

Lawmakers introduce bill to provide
debt relief to world's poorest nations

By Daniel Burke

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–A bipartisan group of legislators has introduced the Jubilee Act in the House of Representatives–a bill that would cancel debts the world's poorest countries owe the International Monetary Fund.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

Disney boycott thrust SBC leaders into national spotlight_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

Disney boycott thrust SBC
leaders into national spotlight

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

ORLANDO (ABP)–Southern Baptists' much-publicized boycott of the Walt Disney Co. had little effect on the media conglomerate, but it established the Southern Baptist Convention as the dominant denominational voice for conservative values, says the author of a forthcoming book.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: Represent God for $29.95_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

EDITORIAL:
Represent God for $29.95

Here's the latest from the this-would-be-funny-if-it-weren't-so-pathetic department: You can become a “legally ordained minister” within 48 hours.

At least that's what a new e-mail spam offers.

Yes, brothers and sisters, for only $29.95, anyone with a credit card and access to e-mail can get ordained. This is a value “easily worth $100,” according to IIS Ministries, the spammer behind this eternity-changing opportunity.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: Catholics, Kerry & church discipline_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

EDITORIAL:
Catholics, Kerry & church discipline

Pity Catholics in this election year. They're divided over whether politicians who support abortion rights and/or gay marriage should receive Communion (what most Baptists call the Lord's Supper). And for Catholics, it's not just a ceremony tacked onto the end of worship service once a quarter. Taking Communion is understood as central to being Catholic–and obtaining salvation.

If a bishop were to deny the “body and blood of Christ” to John Kerry due to his support for abortion rights, the results would reverberate spiritually and politically. Imagine the anguish of rejection by your own church. Imagine the fallout if Catholic voters feared a similar fate for supporting a fallen candidate.

Such censure does not await George Bush. One reason is because he agrees with the Catholic hierarchy on those issues. Another is because he's beyond their reach. Protestants don't believe the Roman Catholic Church can dispense or withhold God's grace. So, while the Catholic bishops' implied support may be politically comforting, the threat of their disapproval (he does counter their teaching on capital punishment) is not spiritually daunting.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

Moore honored with Texas Baptist Elder Statesman Award_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

Moore honored with Texas
Baptist Elder Statesman Award

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

INDEPENDENCE–Winfred Moore served as a pastor in the Panhandle for more than 30 years. He was honored on a statewide platform June 8 as an “elder statesman” in recognition of a lifetime of ministry.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 20: God uses unassuming people to do his will_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 20

God uses unassuming people to do his will

2 Kings 5:1-27

By David Morgan

Trinity Baptist Church, Harker Heights

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 27: Life viewed through eyes of faith brings clarity_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 27

Life viewed through eyes of faith brings clarity

2 Kings 6:8-22

By David Morgan

Trinity Baptist Church, Harker Heights

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Family Bible Series for June 20: Building God’s kingdom focus of church leaders_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for June 20

Building God's kingdom focus of church leaders

1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17-18;

Hebrews 13:7, 17-18

By Rodney McGlothlin

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

LifeWay Family Bible Series for June 27: God gave you to your church for a reason_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for June 27

God gave you to your church for a reason

1 Corinthians 12:4-15; 20, 27

By Rodney McGlothlin

First Baptist Church, College Station

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

After 50 years, Gallup passes his poll on to next generation_61404

Posted: 6/11/04

After 50 years, Gallup passes
his poll on to next generation

By G. Jeffrey Macdonald

Religion News Service

SOUTH HAMILTON, Mass. (RNS)–For the past half century, the Gallup Poll has been phoning strangers, asking personal questions and then telling the world what Americans believe on topics from prayer to haunted houses and the afterlife.

06/11/2004 - By John Rutledge