Posted: 11/20/03

ETBU linebacker wonders if he'll play,
or deploy to Iraq with reserve unit

By George Henson

Staff Writer

MARSHALL–Greg Washington is prepared.

He's just not sure if his preparation will take him between the lines of the gridiron or to the much more dangerous battleground of Iraq.

Washington, a linebacker for East Texas Baptist University, also is an Army reservist. He hopes to play in ETBU's final regular season game Saturday, Nov. 22, against Mississippi College, where a victory would give his club one-third of the conference championship.

Although the Marshall team would be tied with Mary Hardin-Baylor and Hardin-Simmons University if all three teams win as expected, tie-breaker rules for the American Southwest Conference would send the Tigers to the playoffs as an automatic qualifier. Mary Hardin-Baylor, highly ranked nationally, is expected to gain one of three at-large bids to the NCAA Division III tournament. Hardin-Simmons most likely would be left on the outside looking in.

Washington last week was told to pack up because he was being deployed. However, when the Army inadvertently issued duplicate orders for his unit, all orders had to be rescinded and the process began again. His football fate depends on how quickly those new orders come through.

Greg Washington

By one possible game plan, he would have to report for duty in Dallas by Saturday and wouldn't get to play in the last regular-season game. But if the orders get delayed, he might make another game or two.

The two-time All-ASC linebacker and ETBU career tackles leader is excited about being a part of the school's first conference championship, even one shared with two other schools. He said he won't be disappointed to help lead the team so far and then not get to finish the task if his orders do come through.

"I won't be disappointed at all, because this is why I wanted to come here, to be a part of a program that hadn't had a lot of success in the past and be a part of turning things around," he said. "But if I'm not here, they will do just fine. I'm just one piece of the puzzle, and we have other guys who can play."

As for the uncertainty, Washington said football and family help.

"I'm just taking it one day at a time and trying not to dwell on it," he said. "Some orders have even been revoked, so I really don't know what is going to happen."

Washington and his wife, Michelle, have two children–Jaiden, who is 2, and Greg Jr., born Sept. 23.

ETBU Head Coach Ralph Smith said Washington will be not be forgotten wherever he is.

"We all knew this day could come, and Greg is ready to answer the call," Harris said. "Greg's being called to do something he's prepared himself for since he came here. He will be in our prayers every day, and he will be on our minds every minute. He's part of us. Sometimes we get caught up in wins and losses so much that we forget the aspects of everyday life."

Posted: 11/14/03

Ken Hall: BGCT is a 'work in progress'

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–The Baptist General Convention is a “work in progress,” newly elected President Ken Hall told reporters Nov. 10.

Hall, president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences, was elected to the post without opposition earlier that day during the BGCT annual session in Lubbock.

He is the first institutional executive to hold the voluntary convention presidency in 38 years. The founder of Buckner Benevolences, R.C. Buckner, served as BGCT president 19 years in the early 20th century. The last institutional leader to hold the post was Abner McCall, then president of Baylor University.

Hall will serve alongside another institutional president, Albert Reyes of Baptist University of the Americas, who was elected BGCT first vice president. Dennis Young, pastor of Missouri City Baptist Church of Missouri City, was elected second vice president.

Ken Hall

Hall commended BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade's leadership and said he expects to follow Wade's leadership in guiding the convention.

However, Hall acknowledged more change is likely in store for the BGCT as it reshapes itself to meet changing missions and ministry needs.

“We as a convention need to simplify who we are so churches can easily connect with us,” Hall said.

“We are just beginning to catch the vision of what we are going to be as Texas Baptists,” he added. “We are in transition from a model that worked in one generation but needs to be adapted.”

God will not limit what Texas Baptists can do in the future, but Texas Baptists themselves must be careful not to limit themselves, Hall urged.

He commended Wade's executive director's report given a few hours before in which Wade said: “Nothing we do has to continue to be done just because it is what we have always done. We should ask questions about how what we do relates to our priorities and our passion.”

Hall predicted the BGCT will become “more lean in getting resources to the greatest needs.”

The shortfall in giving to fund BGCT ministries in recent years is indicative of both a poor national economy and years of conflict among Baptists, Hall said. But the BGCT will encourage greater giving to its missions causes by “telling the story of what we're doing well.”

Hall said he hopes to set a tone of “non-criticism” in his tenure as president. “We're not going to fight old battles.”

Asked by a reporter what kind of relationship the BGCT will have with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Southern Baptist Convention seminary in Fort Worth, Hall said that even though he is a graduate of Southwestern, he no longer identifies with Southwestern.

“My heart and my soul were broken several years ago when a man I respected was fired,” he said, referencing President Russell Dilday's firing by fundamentalist trustees. “My support is for the Baptist General Convention of Texas' two seminaries,” Truett Seminary and Logsdon School of Theology, as well as the Baptist University of the Americas.

Hall wished the best for Southwestern under the leadership of new President Paige Patterson. “I hope they succeed in their narrow slice” of theological education, he said. “I see their model being limiting and narrow.”

Hall was nominated by Jim Denison, his pastor at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

“I am convinced Dr. Hall is God's man to guide us in these days and to lead us into our future together,” Denison said.

He cited the precedent of R.C. Buckner's service as convention president and predicted Hall “will enable us to move forward in the same way.”

Hall is a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Park Cities. Before taking the helm at Buckner in 1994, he was pastor of four Texas Baptist churches, including First Baptist of Longview.

Reyes has led Baptist University of the Americas, formerly Hispanic Baptist Theological School, since 1999. Previously, he was pastor of Pueblo Nuevo Community Church in El Paso, in addition to other church and business experience. Reyes was nominated by Charles Johnson, his pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Young has served the Missouri City church since 1992 and previously was minister of music at South Park Baptist Church in Houston. He was nominated by Marvin Delaney, pastor of South Park.

Other officers are David Nabors, BGCT treasurer, who was re-elected recording secretary; Irby Cox of Dallas, who was re-elected registration secretary; and Bernie Spooner, a Dallas Baptist University employee, who was elected secretary of the corporation to succeed Gene Greer, who died.

Posted: 11/14/03

Demographic data called aid to church growth and ministry

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–All church leaders should understand the demographics of the communities they serve, according to Clay Price, director of research for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Price led a breakout session titled “Using Demographics for Church Growth and Ministry” during the BGCT annual session in Lubbock Nov. 10.

Clay Price gives messengers tips on how to use demographic data to focus the ministry of a local church.

He quoted California pastor Rick Warren, who has testified that when he set out to start Saddleback Church in suburban Los Angeles, he spent three months studying Census data and demographic studies of the area to learn who lived there and understand their needs.

“All church leaders should be able to know as much as possible about their communities,” said Price, who noted that his office stands ready to help provide customized demographic data to Texas Baptist churches.

He outlined four basic principles of data interpretation, beginning with an admonition to “let the data speak for itself.” Often, demographic data need no interpretation other than to make it known, he said.

Price also urged churches gathering demographic data to get the big picture, to compare local data with state or county data and to note similarities or dissimilarities between the church members and residents of the community.

Armed with research, churches should move forward to ask three questions, Price declared:

What should we do?

What can we do?

What will we do?

The latter is “the biggie,” Price said, because it moves from theory to action.

Thinking strategically, churches must consider what ministries to keep doing, what to change, what to discard and what new ministries to create.

The hardest part of that process will be discarding ministries that once might have been vital but today are no longer needed. However, demographic data can provide insight on where to make such changes, he said.

Price presented an illustration of demographic data he gathered for a Baptist church located near the site of the convention center. He used this data to demonstrate how an understanding of population, population trends, race and ethnicity, age structures and income can illuminate a church's strategic planning.

Normally, he said, churches should examine data for people who live within a five-mile radius of the church. In most Texas cities, that would translate into a 20-minute drive from the church.

However, in rural areas, the section studied sometimes should be increased to an eight- to 10-mile radius, he added.

Within a five-mile radius of the sample Lubbock church chosen, there are 42 Baptist churches with a combined membership of 33,000 and combined average morning worship attendance of 9,500. The same area is home to 170,000 people.

If Baptists are the majority religion in the city as believed, that means even taking into account people who attend non-Baptist churches, there are thousands of unchurched people to reach in Lubbock, Price said.

For information on how the BGCT can provide demographic data for a local church or association, contact Price at price@ bgct.org or call (214) 828-5138.

Posted: 11/14/03

Davis: Open a new window to evangelize

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–Have a life worth viewing, and then open a window to it.

That is the recipe for lifestyle evangelism in the 21st century, reported Rick Davis, who was quoting postmodern Christian strategist Andrew Jones.

Davis, director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Center for Strategic Evangelism, led a breakout session on evangelization during the BGCT annual session in Lubbock Nov. 10.

Evangelization is a two-fold process involving missions and evangelism, Davis said. By living out the love of Christ through missions, believers earn the right to declare the message of Christ, he added.

In an increasingly secular and biblically illiterate culture, “the demonstration of the gospel will be more necessary than ever,” Davis said.

He encouraged churches and believers to “plan to show and tell, not just tell. “An evangelism strategy that has only declaration is destined for problems,” he advised.

One of the emerging areas of evangelization in Texas will be through “advocacy evangelism,” Davis predicted. This will involve becoming advocates for millions of immigrants who need help adjusting to life in America and may also need to hear the Christian gospel.

Other unique areas churches ought to consider in developing evangelization strategies, Davis said, include reaching out to non-traditional families and connecting with 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds.

He cited research that early teens identify more closely with grandparents than with parents, siblings or peers.

That's a built-in opportunity for any Baptist church with a large number of senior adults to create a surrogate grandparent program, he said. “If you're in a church that's heavy with senior adults, you ought to be cruising the local junior high.”

Posted: 11/14/03

Messengers wouldn't bite on challenge to Baylor nominee

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–A nominee to fill the unexpired term of a Baylor University regent who resigned this fall was challenged on the floor of the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session Nov. 10.

The BGCT's Committee to Nominate Institution Boards nominated John Reimers of Beaumont to fill the seat vacated this fall by Duane Brooks, pastor of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston. Because Brooks' resignation came after the nominating committee had completed most of its work, the nomination for his replacement was not published along with the larger slate of nominees prior to the convention. Instead, it was printed in the first-day convention Bulletin.

Brooks resigned from the Baylor board after critics of the university's leadership pointed out that his service violated the BGCT's policies. His brother, David Brooks, is Baylor's chief financial officer.

Brooks was among the 25 percent of Baylor's board elected by the BGCT. The remaining 75 percent are elected by the Baylor board.

According to BGCT policy, the task of nominating someone to fill Brooks' unexpired term fell to the nominating committee and specifically its Baylor subcommittee. The committee operates through subcommittees for each institution. The subcommittees are comprised of members of the larger committee, along with representatives of the institution board and other Texas Baptists.

The Baylor subcommittee this year is chaired by Baylor regent Howard Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Amarillo.

That subcommittee recommended Reimers, who is a dentist and member of First Baptist Church of Beaumont.

When the slate of nominees was presented to the convention by CNIB Chairman Jordan Mills of First Baptist Church of Dumas, the Reimers nomination was challenged by Wayne Hodge, a member of Tallowood.

Hodge wanted the convention to fill his pastor's vacated spot on the Baylor board with another member of his church, Fred Cameron. Cameron is a former Baylor regent and former president of the Baylor Alumni Association.

“Baylor deserves the best, and I believe Fred is the best for this position,” Hodge said.

Mills responded that “all nominees are in compliance with BGCT and institution guidelines” and said he recommended following the committee's original nomination.

BGCT President Bob Campbell called for anyone who desired to speak in favor of amending the committee's report to do so. When no one rose to speak in favor of Hodge's motion, Campbell recognized Batson, who urged the convention to vote for Reimers.

“I ask the convention to trust the committee process,” Batson said, describing Reimers as having a “blue-chip Baylor resume” and being a “committed moderate.”

The motion to substitute Cameron for Reimers failed, with only a smattering of votes for Hodge's motion.

All other nominees for BGCT boards and committees were approved without discussion.

Posted: 11/14/03

Baptist University of Americas named

By Russ Dilday

Buckner News Service

LUBBOCK–A new name for Hispanic Baptist Theological School was approved by messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session Nov. 10.

After approving the new name, Baptist University of the Americas, messengers gave a standing ovation to the school and its president, Albert Reyes.

The action came during the BGCT Executive Board report given by Executive Board Chairman Brian Harbour, pastor of First Baptist Church of Richardson.

The restated articles of incorporation reflect the name change as well as the school's relation to the BGCT through the Christian Education Coordinating Board rather than the State Missions Commission.

“We have a responsibility for the Americas and beyond,” Reyes said. “And we pray that through the work of the Baptist University of the Americas and your continued support, that we have not seen the best days of what we call Texas Baptists.”

In other business, messengers approved by acclamation motions brought by Harbour from the Executive Board to:

Request that the BGCT president appoint a committee to work with the Executive Board staff in reviewing all BGCT documents and bring a report to the 2004 convention concerning recommended changes.

Approve a second reading of constitutional amendments regarding trustee selection and charter changes. The amendments call for changes in the trustee selection process, namely for the self-nomination of 25 percent of trustees for affiliated institutions that desire to do so.

Messengers also heard a report from BGCT Chief Financial Officer David Nabors, who noted that although Cooperative Program giving has declined over the past few years, current receipts are up about 1 percent over the same period last year.

“As we approach the end of 2003, we expect to be at about 88 percent of our (2003) goal,” he said, adding that BGCT ministries had been operating “at about 90 percent of budget.”

Posted: 11/14/03

Wade pledges openness to change, calls Texans to cooperate

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board staff is willing to meet changing needs of churches, Executive Director Charles Wade said in his report to the BGCT annual session Nov. 10.

"Nothing we do has to continue to be done just because it is what we have always done," he said. "We should ask questions about how what we do relates to our priorities and our passion."

BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade called Texas Baptists to cooperate in missions and ministry to reach a needy state and world with the gospel.

He added: “Our staff is committed not to promote their own programs or pet projects, but to listen to you and your church so that together you can find the best resources that are available to help you achieve your vision, advance the kingdom and be the presence of Christ in the world.”

However, Wade refuted the notion that all denominational ties have become obsolete, like a bridge that leads nowhere.

“All around us are signs that God's people and local churches want to do missions and develop strategies in fresh ways,” Wade reported.

The work of the BGCT is to “help awaken and stimulate our Texas Baptist people and churches so they can become faithful participants in God's kingdom work,” Wade said.

Through cooperative missions, Texas Baptists multiply their resources just like the mustard seed spoken of by Jesus that blossoms into one of the largest of plants.

And advancing Christ's kingdom should be the measure of where cooperative resources are expended, he suggested. “Nothing we are doing has to continue being done if it does not help us advance all the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.”

Starting churches remains a passion for Texas Baptists, Wade reported, noting a net gain of 1,920 congregations in the last decade.

“We must continue with an aggressive program of church multiplication. Why? The latest estimate is that Texas will add 1.7 million more people to our population total in the next five years.”

Wade also commended the launch of the BGCT's new missions network, WorldconneX, calling it “a new way to build a bridge that helps us go into all the world.”

He listed three priorities that “need to happen in Texas” if the BGCT will help churches advance the kingdom of God:

To provide students and support for the Texas Baptist universities and seminaries. “The future of our missions and ministry vision as Texas Baptists is in the hearts of our young people. … Our churches 10, 20 years from now will be no stronger than the quality of theological education and leadership development we provide now for our young men and women whom God is calling to service.”

To continue developing Bible study curriculum options “What happens in our Sunday Schools will have far greater impact on how ordinary Baptist people understand their calling, their responsibility, their opportunity and their resources than any other single thing that happens in most of our Baptist churches,” he explained.

To support the BGCT Adopted Budget.

Posted: 11/14/03

Motions call for study of HBU's ties and funds for restorative justice

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–The Baptist General Convention of Texas will evaluate the implications of Houston Baptist University's fraternal relationship with a competing state Baptist convention.

The BGCT Administrative Committee also has been asked to find a way to give an additional $250,000 to restorative justice ministries in 2004.

Robert Creech, pastor of University Baptist Church in Houston, joins other messengers in voting on an issue during the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session. At the Lubbock meeting, messengers agreed with Creech in calling for an evaluation of the BGCT's relation with Houston Baptist University. (Eric Guel/BGCT Photo)

Both actions were taken in response to motions made from the floor of the BGCT annual session in Lubbock Nov. 10-11.

The motion on HBU was made by Robert Creech, pastor of University Baptist Church in Houston. Creech is an HBU alumnus, former faculty member and former trustee.

He asked the BGCT Christian Education Coordinating Board to “evaluate fully the implications of Houston Baptist University entering into a fraternal relationship with another state convention and to clarify the status of the relationship between HBU and the BGCT, including future levels of funding provided by the BGCT to support HBU.”

In 2001, the BGCT finalized an agreement with HBU to resolve a dispute that began when the university unilaterally amended its charter to declare a self-perpetuating board. Previously, the BGCT elected all the school's board members.

After months of negotiation, both sides ratified a document granting the BGCT the right to name one-fourth of the board and pledging that HBU maintain a “unique affiliation” with the BGCT by “not affiliating or establishing a relationship with other denominations, conventions or religious entities.”

However, in September, HBU trustees affirmed a fraternal relationship with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention while at the same time declaring a desire to maintain its relationship with the BGCT.

Creech told messengers the action four years ago to create a self-perpetuating board was HBU's “first step of distancing itself from the BGCT.”

The subsequent agreement between the BGCT and HBU “explicitly promised not to align with any other state convention,” Creech asserted. “The spirit if not the letter of that agreement” has been compromised. “However carefully one parses the phrases, … the very heart of that good-faith agreement has been called into question.”

When given the opportunity to speak against Creech's motion, no one did so. The motion passed with little if any opposition.

By convention action, the coordinating board must report to the BGCT Executive Board no later than May 2004.

The motion regarding funding for restorative justice ministries was made by David Valentine of First Baptist Church of Huntsville.

He urged that the BGCT Administrative Committee “be strongly encouraged to find a way to secure $250,000 in the fiscal year 2004” for restorative justice ministries. The 2004 BGCT budget allocates $30,000 to restorative justice ministries.

Inmates, ex-inmates and their families represent one-third of the unchurched population of Texas, Valentine said. He spoke about the work of First Baptist Church of Huntsville in ministering to inmates upon their release. Within the next 12 months, 60,000 inmates will leave Texas prisons, he noted.

Kevin Dotson of Immanuel Baptist Church in Amarillo spoke against the motion, although not against prison ministry.

“We can only do so much,” he pleaded, noting the BGCT already has cut its budget more than 10 percent. “How can we justify a new quarter-million project?”

Steve Dominy of First Baptist Church in Gatesville spoke for the motion, calling restorative justice a “vital and important ministry” and noting that the state has cut funding for prison chaplains by a third.

The motion was adopted with little opposition.

Posted: 11/14/03

BGCT session gives survey of black Baptist history

By Craig Bird

Texas Baptist Communications

LUBBOCK–What if black Baptists offered a church history class and a bunch of white folks came?

Not only came, but heard how plantation owners encouraged or required their slaves to attend church. How the owners wanted their slaves to understand the biblical commands to obey and not steal. And how pre-Civil War black preachers delivered double entendre sermons that sounded submissive and safe to any white who happened to listen in, but their congregations heard as a call to freedom and dignity.

That's what happened the first morning of the 2003 annual session of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Forty-seven people, 60 percent of them white, participated in a breakout session on black Baptist church history in Texas. Andre Punch, black church consultant for the BGCT, was the primary presenter.

While bluntly acknowledging the pains and difficulties inherent in the “peculiar paternalism” that marked early and on-going relationships between white and black Baptists in America, Punch pointed out common interests and beliefs that have bound the two ethnic groups together.

Prominent among them:

The egalitarian concept of redemption.

Congregational rule that allowed each church to formulate its own forms of worship and call its own pastor.

Baptism by immersion, which appealed to blacks not only on biblical grounds but because of the similarity to a West African spiritual tradition of a water ceremony signifyng new life.

During a question-and-answer session, Punch was asked what white Texas Baptists could do to reach out to African-American Baptists. “Welcome them, celebrate their culture as well as your own. Have some of the joint meetings at their church,” he advised.

Near the end of the session, Punch noted that historically and today, church for many African-Americans provides a weekly refuge.

“African-Americans are scattered and often have few opportunities to enjoy their culture,” he said. “Often Sunday is a time of returning to that culture and familiar forms of worship where they can rest and heal from a week of battling.”

The room rang with amens.

Posted: 11/14/03

Be an army of one in ministry, McBride urges

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

LUBBOCK–Texas Baptists should be an army of one, moving out as the presence of Christ in a lost world, Paul McBride urged.

McBride, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in The Colony, delivered the convention sermon during the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session Nov. 11. Speaking on Veteran's Day, McBride recalled his own service in the United States Army. Although moving on different fronts, the Army marched in coordination with the Air Force, Marines and Navy, he insisted.

Paul McBride

“We were all one army for one nation, and we were serving to the glory of God,” McBride said. “I don't know where your church may be, but we're not separate and apart. We may be ministering in a different area, but when we come together, we are one family working to the glory of God.”

He urged Texas Baptists to unite within the BGCT as “the best thing going.” He added: “God … has called us out that we may do a work together.”

McBride preached from the Book of Acts, where the Apostle Paul answered God's call to take the gospel into Macedonia. He specifically referenced the account of a woman named Lydia, whom Paul found in Macedonia, praying to know more about God.

Texas Baptists should be like Paul and Lydia, he urged.

More than 160 million people in America don't profess to have any religious attachment, he noted. “Do we ever think where they're going to spend eternity?”

He urged Baptists to see the world as God sees it. “Do you see the lost and hurting who are dying?” he asked. “What value do we put in a soul?”

Texas Baptists should be willing to go and then shouldn't waste time getting where God sends them, McBride declared.

That may require letting go of the past, he added. “The future is now, but the past is still yet. We're still grasping on to much of the past. Somehow, Paul says, we've got to forget those things that are behind us and go forward to those things that are ahead of us.

“Go back to where you came from,” he urged. “Tell them about the presence of Christ.”

Posted: 11/14/03

Crossover Lubbock warms hearts on High Plains

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

LUBBOCK–Hundreds of High Plains residents found shelter from chilly temperatures in the warm welcome of Baptist church members during evangelistic outreach prior to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session.

Texas Baptists invited their neighbors to block parties and revivals and shared the gospel through inner-city outreach teams during Crossover Lubbock, a cooperative outreach between the BGCT and Lubbock Baptist Association.

Brandon Parker (left) and Armando Riojas play a basketball game during Nueva Vida Baptist Church's evangelistic block party Nov. 8. (Nan Dickson/BGCT Photo)

The work brought nearly half the churches in the association together to impact their communities for Christ.

“We share the same dreams and hopes,” said Manny Longoria, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Templo. “It's really been a shot in the arm for churches.”

His church's fall festival featured a cake walk, praise-and-worship band and children's games based on Bible stories.

“We're all about reaching our community,” said Margie Oswalt, who directed the effort. “We're here for them. There's a place here for them and their families.”

By reaching out, Longoria hoped the congregation could change the image some people have of Christians.

“A lot of people have their image of Christians as sour-faced and judgmental people who don't have freedom to do anything,” he said. “I want them to know following Jesus is not a dreary life. They can find acceptance here and can find a new life.”

In all, 348 professions of faith in Jesus Christ were recorded through Crossover Lubbock ministries. Forty-nine Lubbock-area Baptist churches and members of eight Baptist churches from around the state participated.

The blitz included 63 events, ranging from block parties to fall festivals to an international gathering at the Texas Tech Baptist Student Ministry.

Posted: 11/14/03

Hunt still on for Texas Baptist Men executive director

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

LUBBOCK–Texas Baptist Men continues looking for a permanent executive director.

Outgoing President Andy Andreason announced Nov. 9 that the search committee has made significant progress but is not ready to nominate someone for the position. He made the report during the organization's annual meeting, which preceded the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session in Lubbock.

Kevin Walker of Fort Worth, chairman of the personnel and search committees as well as the newly elected president of Texas Baptist Men, reported during the organization's Nov. 8 executive board meeting that the search committee has surveyed Texas Baptist Men to learn their desires for a leader, sifted through resumes and interviewed five people.

Garland Clark (left) and E.D. Morgan receive Silver Hammer awards from Texas Baptist Men for outstanding service as retiree builders.

Although Andreason and Walker indicated they would like to see someone nominated at the organization's February board meeting, they said they are awaiting God's lead.

“It is imperative to have God's man,” Andreason said. “God willing, we will present that man at the February meeting.”

Meanwhile, Texas Baptist Men is re-evaluating when is the ideal time to hold its annual meeting. The event historically has been held in conjunction with the BGCT annual session.

Earlier this year, the autonomous BGCT-funded ministry entered into a “fraternal relationship” with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention while affirming its “unique relationship” with the BGCT. The SBTC was formed by former BGCT churches that desired a closer relationship to the SBC.

Andreason expressed concern that some members of Texas Baptist Men who affiliate with SBTC churches might be reluctant to attend a meeting so closely tied to the BGCT annual session. He suggested it might be better to convene prior to the SBTC annual meeting, because it falls earlier in the year.

The SBTC annual meeting typically falls in the latter half of October, while the BGCT typically meets in early November.

Andreason appointed a committee to study when Texas Baptist Men should hold its annual meeting.

Andreason said the committee would attempt to meet with Charles Wade, BGCT executive director, and Jim Richards, SBTC executive director, before making a recommendation.

Executive board members also were told the SBTC had sought to retain the identification of its unique disaster relief units. SBTC churches currently have constructed two chainsaw clean-up units.

However, those units will move into action when called upon by Texas Baptist Men.

Executive Director Emeritus Bob Dixon of Dallas pointed out during the meeting that more members of SBTC churches were in leadership positions than BGCT church members during the relief effort related to Hurricane Claudette.

Nevertheless, Andreason reaffirmed the unique relationship with the BGCT in comments after the board meeting.

“We will always be wed to the BGCT,” he said. “We will never separate from the BGCT in my lifetime.”

In other business, Texas Baptist Men presented Silver Hammer awards, given to outstanding retiree builders, to E.D. Morgan of Trinity and Garland Clark of Gary.

This year's Parabaloni Award, granted to a member who risks his life to spread the gospel through the organization's ministries, was presented to Dick Talley of Dallas, logistics coordinator, who helped develop water purification systems in war-torn Iraq during the past year.

Talley then recognized Interim Executive Director Leo Smith for his leadership during the past year.