Nearly two-thirds of wired American adults surf Net for spiritual reasons_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Nearly two-thirds of wired American
adults surf Net for spiritual reasons

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Nearly two-thirds of American adults with Internet access have used it for spiritual or faith-related reasons, according to a recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life project.

The 82 million Americans who use the Internet for religious activities represent 64 percent of all wired adults in the United States.

The study found one-third of U.S. Internet users have sent or received e-mail with religious content or spiritual greeting cards, or go online to read current religion news. Others look for information about religious services and holidays.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Baptist Forum_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Ten Commandments

Phil Strickland asserts, “We undercut the profound truths … and the moral instruction of the Ten Commandments when we give responsibility of teaching to the government and don't embrace that responsibility in the churches” (April 19).

The Ten Commandments were given by God to a chosen Hebrew leader, Moses, to teach all people how to behave themselves. God wanted to establish a nation–not a church–and this is how he commanded people should conduct themselves and their affairs.

The Founding Fathers established a great nation–these United States–because they feared God. And the Ten Commandments were guiding principles in establishing the Constitution, a task made more difficult because now there were more “religions.”

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Annuity Board staff member joins BGCT as director of information technology office_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Annuity Board staff member joins
BGCT as director of information technology office

DALLAS–Dave Lyons has joined the Baptist General Convention of Texas staff as director of information technology.

Lyons will serve in a new position that is the direct result of a technology review pursued by the BGCT in 2002, said David Nabors, chief financial officer and treasurer of the convention.

Lyons comes to the BGCT from the Southern Baptist Annuity Board in Dallas, where he was a business systems development and support team leader. He had been with the Annuity Board since 1995.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Growing churches have deep roots, clearly defined purpose_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Growing churches have deep roots, clearly defined purpose

By Kari Hawkins

Religion News Service

ATLANTA (RNS)–Why does one church grow and another just down the street fall stagnant?

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Christian leaders should maximize abilities, pastor suggests_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Christian leaders should maximize abilities, pastor suggests

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

SALADO–Leadership is not telling people what to do, but working with and for others, a Rockwall pastor told the Baptist General Convention of Texas Ministers of Education Retreat.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Missouri convention appeals suit dismissal_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Missouri convention appeals suit dismissal

By Robert Marus

Associated Baptist Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP)–Attorneys for the Missouri Baptist Convention have appealed the dismissal of a lawsuit against five breakaway institutions, and state convention messengers will be asked to authorize the use of Cooperative Program funds to pay for the ongoing lawsuit.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Multicultural retreat_50304

Posted: 5/03/04 Multicultural retreat Kate Leong of Southwest Chinese Baptist Church in Stafford and Delbert and Mary Lou Serratt of First Baptist Church in Amarillo enjoy a lighthearted moment while…

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

New Orleans Seminary leaves sole member vote to SBC messengers_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

New Orleans Seminary leaves sole
member vote to SBC messengers

By Lacy Thompson & Robert Marus

Associated Baptist Press

NEW ORLEANS (ABP)–New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees will leave up to Southern Baptist Convention messengers a final decision on how best to tie the institution to the denominational body–but in the process may have only deepened their dispute with the SBC's Executive Committee.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Relief agency seeks to improve life for Nigeria_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Relief agency seeks to improve life for Nigerians

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

A Texas Baptist relief and development organization wants to improve living conditions at an African Baptist ministry outpost plagued by scarce water and rudimentary sanitation.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

On the Move_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

On the move

Gerald Austin has resigned as interim pastor of Friendship Church in Ennis.

Byron Ayers to Mildred Church in Corsicana as youth minister, where he had been interim.

Charlie Barganier to Arcadia First Church in Santa Fe from Heights Church in Temple.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Oregon judge halts gay marriages, instructs state registrar to record unions for benefits_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Oregon judge halts gay marriages, instructs
state registrar to record unions for benefits

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Both sides of the gay-marriage debate found something to cheer in an Oregon judge's recent decision to put a halt to the same-sex marriages one county in the state had been performing.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Christians face persecution, charges of blasphemy in Muslim Pakistan_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Christians face persecution, charges
of blasphemy in Muslim Pakistan

By Deann Alford

Religion News Service

LAHORE, Pakistan–A market vendor sold Christian brothers Saleem and Rasheed Masih ice cream, then told them they had to pay for the bowls because he couldn't again serve a Muslim from the now-defiled utensils.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge