Posted: 9/19/03

Baylor regents affirm Sloan's leadership 31-4

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

WACO–Rather than firing President Robert Sloan as five members of the board of regents and the Faculty Senate had asked, the 36-member board passed a vote affirming Sloan's leadership Sept. 12.

Before regents went into their closed-door meeting, five regents announced their intent to ask the board to fire Sloan because of unrest among faculty and alumni. When the board emerged nearly five hours later, they stood jointly before reporters to announce instead the vote of affirmation, adopted 31-4. One regent left the meeting early and did not vote.

The motion to terminate that had been previously announced by regents John Wilkerson, Carl Bell, Mary Chavanne-Martin, Toby Druin and Jaclanel McFarland apparently was not put to a vote.

Baylor University President Robert Sloan addresses reporters at a news conference after the board of regents meeting at which he was affirmed on a 31-4 vote. He was flanked by board members behind him and regents Chairman Drayton McLane at his side. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald Photos)

Presented with a negative possibility, the board decided instead to vote on a positive motion, Regent Charles Overby explained in an interview after a regents' news conference.

“We expressed our confidence in Robert Sloan, his leadership and his vision,” Overby said. “That was the decisive vote. It wasn't that we didn't allow the other vote.”

The vote should settle questions of Sloan's leadership, Overby said. “This vote is unambiguous. The issue of the leadership of Baylor University is no longer in question. This in effect starts the second term of Robert Sloan.”

Regent Toby Druin, editor emeritus of the Baptist Standard, confirmed he was the one person among those initially calling for Sloan's firing who changed his mind.

“I was the one who jumped ship,” he said. “It was just after hearing Sloan's pledges to try to remain open, I tried to put as positive a face on it as I could.”

Druin confirmed that Sloan made pledges to the board about what he would do in the days ahead. What those pledges are was not spelled out in the news conference.

Regents Chairman Drayton McLane, owner of the Houston Astros, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the regents will be overseeing Sloan's presidency to ensure he works with the Faculty Senate and other groups that have been critical of him.

“We're going to monitor Robert,” he told the paper.

Joe Cox, chairman of the Faculty Senate, speaks to reporters at a news conference three days previous to the regents' vote, when the Faculty Senate passed a vote of no confidence in the president.

At the news conference, McLane announced three committees would be appointed to investigate specific issues raised by critics.

One is a regents' review committee, which will examine issues such as faculty concerns, the alumni association and academic issues. It will be chaired by Will Davis of Austin. Other members are Stan Allcorn of Abilene, Jay Allison of Frisco, James Bowden of Waco, Steve Carmack of Hinton, Okla., Phil Lineberger of Sugar Land, Laree Perez of Corrales, N.M., Donell Teaff of Waco and Walker Harman of Dallas.

An audit review committee will study concerns that have been raised about tuition increases and school finances, as well as alleged conflicts of interest among board members. It will be chaired by Dale Jones of Dallas. Other members are Bill Brian of Amarillo, Bobby Dagnel of Lubbock, Sue Getterman of Waco, David Sibley of Waco and Harold Cunningham of Waco.

A legal issues committee will examine pending litigation. Its members are Joe Armes of Dallas, Joe Coleman of Richmond, David Sibley of Waco and Jaclanel McFarland of Houston.

In calling for Sloan's removal Sept. 8, the five regents were joined in separate but similar actions by the Faculty Senate, three former chairmen of the board of regents and the editorial board of the student newspaper, the Lariat.

Large numbers of other faculty, however, had expressed strong support for Sloan, several times holding public rallies. Some student groups also rallied for the president.

The Lariat editorial was written on majority opinion of the seven-member editorial board, on a 4-3 vote.

Sloan has been under attack by an array of critics for months. The dispute gained national attention this summer due to the media spotlight of a basketball scandal. However, the alumni and faculty critics of Sloan's administration have focused mainly on academic concerns.

Carl Bell and Jaclanel McFarland (above right) were among the four regents who voted against the affirmation of Sloan.

They have criticized the implementation of the university's 10-year strategic plan, Baylor 2012, for its $246 million bond debt, emphasis on hiring research-focused faculty at higher salaries than existing teaching-focused faculty and for alleged vindictiveness in treatment of faculty. When the administration essentially defunded the university's independent alumni association, more fuel was added to the fire.

The Faculty Senate, in its vote of no confidence in Sloan's leadership Sept. 9, cited a “chilling work environment, a climate characterized by distrust, anxiety, intimidation, favoritism, as well as profound concerns about the sanctity of academic freedom and professional standards.”

The five dissenting regents, in their letter calling for Sloan's termination, cited faculty unrest, “heavy and uneven-handed methods in seeking a particular kind of Christian professor,” the debt and “exorbitant tuition increases.”

To implement Baylor 2012, the university moved to a flat-rate tuition that started off with a 29 percent jump and is projected to increase about 8 percent per year until 2012.

In the news conference after the regents' meeting, McLane acknowledged “there has been a lot of discussion” about Sloan's leadership.

“There has been some controversy, lots of discussion,” he said. “That's part of the Baptist faith. There has been spirited debate in the last few months.”

However, the board “had a vote reaffirming the leadership of Robert Sloan,” McLane reported. “We feel very strongly about his leadership.”

Sloan spoke briefly to reporters, noting this has been “a very long and hot summer, and I have to say the entire experience has been a very humbling experience.”

He thanked the board “for this very strong reaffirmation of me today, not only of me but of the 2012 vision. … I will do everything within my power to reach out to all the Baylor family, faculty, staff, students, alumni. It's important for all of us to work together.

Sloan hugs his wife, Sue, after the regents vote of affirmation.

“The most important thing right now is to move forward, to make sure the Baylor family stands together.”

Asked how he intended to smooth things over with his critics, Sloan replied: “I want to make every effort to establish lines of communication.”

He talked of holding listening sessions with senior faculty and others. “I want to make sure their voices are heard.”

Asked what he had learned, Sloan answered: “I have learned from this and relearned the importance of communication. Communication means first and foremost listening.”

News of the board meeting made Page One headlines in major newspapers across Texas the next day, and both critics and supporters of the president sounded off in news releases, letters and paid advertisements.

The Committee to Restore Integrity to Baylor, an anti-Sloan group, released a statement calling the regents' action “a sad day for Baylor University.”

Rather than settling the matter, the regents' action “served only to prolong the divisiveness that has plagued the Baylor family” because the damage cannot be repaired without new leadership, the statement said. It was signed by the three former board chairmen who previously called for Sloan's termination–Glenn Biggs of San Antonio, Randy Fields of San Antonio and Gale Galloway of Austin–as well as Gracie Hatfield Hilton of Arlington, Bette McCall Miller of Dallas, Ronnie Rogers of Dallas and Joe Ross of Fort Worth.

Meanwhile, Baylor alumnus Harold Riley of Austin took out ads in major Texas newspapers the day after the regents' meeting to tell those opposed to Sloan it's time to give up the fight.

“I wanted them to understand I would not be supporting Baylor at the same level of commitment if anything happened to Robert Sloan,” the insurance executive told the Star-Telegram. Riley has given millions to Baylor and has pledged an additional $15 million. He also has been a major benefactor to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, where he gave $6 million to name the seminary's new Leadership Development Complex in honor of his former pastor, Ralph Smith.

Waco businessman Clifton Robinson, who started Friends of Baylor as a pro-Sloan group, told the Waco Tribune-Herald he was encouraged by the regents' action.

His group recently presented Sloan with a $1 million check for Baylor's endowment as a show of support. It also distributed bumper stickers and other spirit wear declaring support for Sloan and hired a public relations firm to help get out their message.

“We have said from the very beginning that the support is broad and the dissension is the minority,” he told the Waco paper. “We think the sleeping giant has now spoken.”

Editor's note: More stories about developing events at Baylor are available here.

Posted: 9/19/03

Proposed BGCT budget shows 10 percent cut

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The Baptist General Convention of Texas Administrative Committee has approved a $45.8 million operating budget recommendation for 2004, a 10 percent decrease from the 2003 budget.

At its Sept. 4-5 meeting, the committee voted to recommend to the BGCT Executive Board a $45,800,960 total budget for next year. Of that amount, $39.77 million is dependent upon the Cooperative Program giving of Texas Baptist churches.

The remaining $6.03 million is projected to come from gifts to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas missions, endowment income, allocated funds, fees and funding from LifeWay Christian Resources and the North American Mission Board.

The budget projects a 14 percent drop in Cooperative Program income from this year's giving goal of $46 million, but it is in line with projected income for this year, according to David Nabors, BGCT treasurer.

The Executive Board will consider the budget recommendation at its Sept. 30 meeting. Messengers to the November BGCT annual session in Lubbock will vote on the budget proposal approved by the board.

More than half the $39.77 million recommended Cooperative Program giving plan is budgeted for institutional ministries, including more than $15 million for 23 schools, hospitals, child- and family-care ministries, and homes for the aging. It also includes $3.8 million for collegiate ministries through Baptist Student Ministry programs on about 100 campuses and $3.4 million for theological education.

The proposed 2004 Cooperative Program budget also includes:

$4.6 million for the BGCT Church Missions & Evangelism Section, including about $1.26 million for new-church support through the Church Multiplication Center.

$3.66 million for the BGCT Church Health & Growth Section, with $1.24 million going to the Bible Study/Discipleship Center.

$1.54 million to the BGCT Associational Missions & Administration Section, which includes African-American ministries, Hispanic work, intercultural initiatives and ministries to bivocational ministers and small-membership churches.

$584,868 for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission and $48,762 for the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs.

Of more than $6 million reduced from the Cooperative Program budget for 2004, a little more than $1 million was eliminated through staff reductions. Other extensive cuts are proposed in ministry areas where staff remain.

Examples of ministry budget cuts include:

A church health and growth contingency fund that provided more than 5,000 staff consultations with churches in 2002 has been cut from a budget of $105,103 this year to zero next year.

Leadership development for bivocational and small-church pastors that was budgeted at $27,969 this year has been cut to $9,000 next year.

Budgeted funding for the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas and related ministries is cut dramatically, from $384,344 this year to $190,299 next year.

A line item that budgeted $23,803 this year for intercultural projects will receive no funding next year.

Grants for small churches through the church facilities office are cut from $25,000 this year to nothing next year.

In other business, the Administrative Committee endorsed a recommended ongoing partnership between the BGCT and the National Baptist Convention of Mexico. Under a covenant agreement, the two conventions would work cooperatively from 2003 to 2006, particularly in the areas of prayer, evangelism, church starting, missions, social ministries and leadership training.

The Administrative Committee also authorized $20,000 from available contingency funds for operational support of the Baptist World Alliance, and it allocated $180,000 from unrestricted earnings to the Texas Baptist Laity Institute for 2004.

With additional reporting by Managing Editor Mark Wingfield.

Posted: 9/19/03

Baptist Briefs

Annuity Board adds Blue Cross. The Annuity Board has reached an agreement with Highmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield that will give many participants in the Annuity Board's Preferred Provider Organization medical plans access to Blue Cross & Blue Shield PPO networks across the country. Effective Jan. 1, Annuity Board medical plan participants in many states will have a choice of networks. Current Annuity Board participants received information about the new medical plans and networks in mid-September. For more information, call (800) 262-0511.

ABP honors Wingfield. The Associated Baptist Press board of directors presented its inaugural "writer's award" Sept. 11 to Mark Wingfield, managing editor of the Baptist Standard. Greg Warner, ABP's executive editor, praised Wingfield as the "most prolific writer" in the network of contributing reporters to the news service. The award commended Wingfield's "skill, courage and tenacity" that have "distinguished him as a champion in the ministry of Christian journalism and the cause of religious freedom."

Central Seminary president to retire. Thomas Clifton, president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kan., for the past decade, will retire Dec. 31. Clifton is the ninth president of the 102-year-old theological school, which is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches in the USA and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Posted: 9/19/03

Texan volunteers livening up
some struggling British churches

By George Henson

Staff Writer

HOUSTON–Texas Baptists are breathing new life into several struggling British Baptist churches, inspired by the calling a retired layman.

Chuck McComb is founder and president of American Interim Pastors Ministries, an organization that connects pastorless British churches with interim pastors from the United States. The interim pastors help grow the congregations to a point of health that allows them once again to hire their own pastors.

The seeds for the ministry were planted about a quarter century ago when Monsanto Chemicals transferred McComb to England. While living there four years, he and his family attended Cambridge Road Baptist Church in Middlesbrough.

Later, as he approached retirement, McComb began to sense a call to ministry and earned a master's degree in religious education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The church in Middlesbrough learned of his graduation, and he was invited back to serve as interim pastor there after a 20-year absence.

While serving the British congregation, McComb noticed many small congregations were without pastors and struggling to survive. He learned there were not enough pastors available to meet the need.

A British Baptist official recently told McComb of 160 pastoral vacancies but only 31 pastoral candidates. Many of those pastorless churches have dwindled to the point they no longer can afford to pay a full-time pastor.

Currently, American Interim Pastors Ministries is working with two churches–Thornaby Baptist Church in northeast England and Milnsbridge Baptist Church in the north central region. Charles Vanderslice, founding pastor The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, is serving the Thornaby congregation, and Paul McClung, retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Ingram, is serving Milnsbridge.

McClung said he has encountered several surprises, including the fact that children under 16 do not stay in the worship service during the sermon. “The plan of salvation is never presented to children under 16 in the United Kingdom,” he said.

McClung also is working to rebuild a fellowship that has been without a building for a year.

“The old building was demolished to rebuild, then the pastor left. That was a year ago. So, for almost a year the church had no building and no pastoral leadership,” he said. Before McClung came, the congregation of about 40 met in a rented community hall each Sunday with one of the members bringing the message.

Since McClung arrived, two midweek Bible studies have begun to meet in the parsonage, and construction work is soon to begin on a new building.

He won't see the new building, at least on this trip, because he comes back to the United States Dec. 2.

Each interim pastor goes for six months, the limitation of a tourist visa. The church supplies round-trip airline tickets, a car, a house and utilities, but the pastor receives no salary.

However, the enthusiastic response to in-depth Bible study and expository preaching has been a reward in itself, McClung said.

Vanderslice also has seen great enthusiasm in the church he serves. Members are especially interested in reaching teenagers, an effort that has been aided when American youth groups on mission trips have visited.

Vanderslice is helping the church discover how to reach teenagers on a consistent basis. He also is helping them upgrade the church facilities.

Luther Scarborough, a member of Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth for more than 40 years, never had been a pastor until he took his turn as an interim at Thornaby. He found it a rewarding experience, however, to offer people the prospect of the assurance of eternal life in heaven after having retired from a career in life insurance.

When Scarborough came to the church, it was averaging below 30 in attendance. Attendance doubled in the six months he served there before his visa required him to return to Texas.

“I don't think they came because of my preaching, but to hear the Texas accent,” he quipped.

Ken Bugh, vice president of American Interim Pastors Ministires and also a former interim pastor of the Thornaby church, said the growth is crucial.

“The British Baptist organization has some money to help these churches, but they want to make sure they invest their money in churches that are going to survive,” he said.

The task is more than one person can accomplish in six months, all agreed.

“You feel like you left some unfinished business, but I guess you feel the same way if you retire from the First Baptist Church after 30 years,” Scarborough said.

Bugh agreed: “It's really hard to leave because you've made lifelong friends and you feel like the work's just begun.”

Scarborough devoted himself to building up the leadership base in the area, leading six men through the book “The Purpose Driven Life.”

McComb said laymen like Scarborough can be effective in this ministry. “They don't need to be dynamic pulpiteers but just willing to work energetically alongside the people there.” The three primary criteria for service, he said, are to love Christ, love people and have a willingness to listen.

For more information about the ministry, contact McComb at (281) 992-1695.

Posted: 9/19/03

Lesson for Oct. 12

Colossians 1:1-23

Who's No. 1?

By Joe McCammon

Truth is an essential part of any civilized society in our world. In order for a nation to hold together, it must have the strength of truth in government, economy, justice and foreign relations. From the most important supreme court decisions to legal disputes among neighbors, honesty backed up with law cannot be compromised. A witness in a court scene is required to stand before the judge and jury to pledge, “I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

The Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians was written with the urgency of guarding the truth of the gospel against a per-version, a popular philosophy which was more dangerous than it seemed to be. Gnosticism, which comes from the word meaning “to know,” professed to set forth a higher knowledge and a more severely ascetic morality. Some of the thinking and prac-tices which tended to obscure and diminish the glory of Christ seemed to mix the laws of Judaism with certain Gentile and pagan philosophies. Paul's fear was that the resulting consequence would be the loss of evangelistic zeal among Christians to tell the good news of Jesus.

While Paul was in prison at Rome, he learned of the false teachings in some of the churches in the province of Asia. The churches at Colossae and Ephesus seem to have been deeply affected by this false teaching.

Suggestions have been given about the nature of what is sometimes called the “Colossian heresy.” Some may have insisted that keeping the Jewish laws and rituals was important and had thus drawn some Christians into, or back into, such practices. Paul desired for his fellow believers to make Christ first in thought and practice. He felt the best way to get this across was for the readers to learn again exactly what makes him No. 1 in their lives–their identity in Christ, faith backed up with love, good works and personal holiness through him.

Their identity

Colossae was a city in the rich Lycus Valley, east of Ephesus. The church there grew up as a result of Paul's three-year ministry in Ephesus, the capital city of Asia. So far as we know, Paul never visited the church at Colossae though he was acquainted with its leaders and had a very vital interest in its welfare and progress.

Paul began the letter with his usual salutation. He identifies himself as an apostle, which to him was an honor and privilege. He humbly accepted the will of God in his life and the trials which went along with such a task set before him. He then points out his brother in Christ, Timothy, to be his companion and possibly one who helped him formulate some of the thoughts of the letter. It is possible that Timothy was well-known to the Colossians and was on their hearts as was Paul. Their identity as “brethren” drew them together to also identify with the gospel and their shared mission.

The apostle reminded them they themselves were saints, holy and faithful. They were to accept this honor with humility and gratitude just as he also had accepted his role in God's kingdom work. His first point was to establish the fact of who they were in Christ, and this in itself would continue the process of making him first in their lives. Paul knew that if they would acknowledge the proper place of Christ, the problems in their beliefs and practices would soon turn to that which brings glory to Christ.

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I the Son of Man am?” After they listed the popular notions of their peers, Jesus got a little more specific: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus was not interested in the popularity of his name among the crowds. His concern was for their personal recognition of the Christ as supreme in their lives. Identity is a very important part of faith as it secures who we are in Christ.

Faith and love

Paul often emphasized two things which to him should be prominent in the lives of believers and clearly seen in the church (v. 4). Faith and love meant so much to Paul perhaps because of the absence of these in his life before Christ. The false teachings of which he was concerned among the Colossians was antagonistic toward faith and love.

The life of faith, on the other hand, is all dependent on the righteousness of Christ given over to each one who trusts in him. To Paul, the hope of any Christian is in the truth of the gospel, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Roman 5:8). The love we share in Christ is central to our walk to please God and to influence our world for him. Christ is No. 1 in a life which walks by faith and love.

Good works

Paul's “fellowservant,” Epaphras, had shared with Paul the condition of the church in Colossae. The acknowledgment of Paul's great joy in their faith and love also was filled with an expression of the real need for prayer in their spiritual situation. He wanted the Colossians to continue to grow in Christ and strive for a mature faith. Paul had hoped and prayed for the transforming power of the gospel to make a difference in their wavering ideas and practices. They must walk in a conduct that would reflect their spiritual relationship with the Lord because of their salvation experience (vv. 9-11). To be fruitful is never an option for Christians. Paul charged his readers with the mandate for every believer to produce fruit as the by-product of good works to the Father.

The spiritual power afforded the Colossians by Christ was to be displayed “with endurance and patience, with joy.” Conforming to the will of God would assure endurance in their journey as a Christian and patience through all of life's trials. The expression, “redemption through his blood” refers to his purchase of his people from slavery to freedom. The believer must share this freedom with all the world.

Texas Baptists have a very real challenge before them to announce the spiritual freedom from sin which they have experience to millions of people who are lost without hope. The involvement of every church and every believer is the only hope for them to hear the gospel and know the joy of salvation for themselves. Bearing fruit through good works for Christ makes it possible for him to be No. 1 to all.

Who he is makes him No. 1

Paul follows up his words of hope and prayer for the Colossians with a proclamation of those things which make Christ No. 1. Jesus Christ is the image of God, the firstborn of God, creator of all things and head of the body (vv. 15-18). Paul writes that he is “the visible likeness of the invisible God” (v. 15).

Some describe him as someone you can't ignore, while others believe Christ is just derived from our imaginations. A dictionary defines God as “a being with power above all human power.” Children may describe God as a very old gentleman who lives in heaven, often to be confused with the nice giver of gifts who lives at the North Pole.

The Bible teaches us that what we know about God is most sufficiently shown in what we know as the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul expressed the surety that only Christ could be mediator to God, and he freely brings us to God's presence: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Paul assumed the Colossians would continue in the faith. He encouraged them to remain fixed, however, in their allegiance to the truth of the gospel. His exhortation for believers to endure and persevere to the end takes into account the assumption that all Christians realize salvation as a gift from God is not retractable by him because of his supreme love and the sacrifice made for our righteousness. Any implication that the true child of God could lose such a gift actually denies the truth of God's grace.

The 1963 Baptist Faith & Message in section 5, titled “God's Purpose of Grace,” states: “All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by his Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the cause of Christ, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.”

Who he is and who you have become in Christ mean you shall endure to the end. Do not lose heart. He will see you through this life and on to eternity.

Questions for discussion

Why were the beliefs and practices of the church at Colossae so important to Paul?

Describe the philosophy of gnosticism and how it affected many believers.

What was the name of Paul's “fellowservant” and why did he mean so much to Paul?

How can we be confident we will not lose God's salvation?

Posted: 9/19/03

Lesson for Oct. 19

Colossians 2:6-23

Lose the rules

By Joe McCammon

One of the all-time favorite children's fables is “Little Red Riding Hood.” Its popularity may be a product of its simple lessons taught. One of these lessons is to beware those who may deceive you.

The big, bad wolf had been watching his potential prey and devised a plan to get what he wanted. He would trick the girl into thinking he was her grandmother. The wolf locked the grandmother in a closet and disguised himself. The unsuspecting girl enters her grandmother's bedroom and looks curiously at the figure in the bed. She says, “Grandmother, what big eyes you have!” The wolf replies, “The better to see you with, my dear.” She then observes, “What big ears you have!” “The better to hear you with,” says the wolf. The little girl finally says, “Grandmother, what big teeth you have!” The impatient wolf then leaps from the bed and yells, “The better to eat you with, my dear!” The story has a good ending as a lumberjack rescues the little girl and the grandmother.

Paul's letter to the Colossians reveals he feared his fellow believers had been deceived into believing what eventually became known as the “Colossian heresy.” He felt the false doctrine of gnosticism was being disguised as a simplistic lifestyle which basically put man at the helm of achieving righteousness. The creeping heresy included a combination of speculations about the nature of God, strange powers, reverence to angelic creatures, food taboos and ascetic practices with similarities to Judaism.

Even though many parts of this philosophy can be assumed, still there is much we will never know of the extent to which this way of thinking affected their world. They claimed to have a secretive wisdom known only to those who accepted their philosophy and the “brotherhood” of its disciples. Paul did not confront the heresies point by point, but in a positive way reminded them of the life which they now had in Christ.

The Gnostics separated matter from thought, considering matter as evil which elevated knowledge as the ultimate way to salvation. This is why they did not want to admit to the humanity of Jesus. From Paul's point of view, the gospel of “grace unto salvation” was being compromised with a return to beliefs and practices leading to bondage under the law. He had told the Ephesians in a sister letter, written almost simultaneously with this epistle to the Colossians, “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

This letter follows the usual pattern of Paul's epistles in that he develops his main thesis in the first part and then makes very practical applications of this truth to daily living in the second half of the letter. In the second chapter, he stresses the way of holiness is not through asceticism (self-abasement), promoting only spiritual selfishness and efforts to control the passions. He contended that righteousness comes only by putting on Christ, setting one's affections on him, and thus removing everything from our lives contrary to his will. He emphasizes three points he wanted his readers to remember: They were established in Christ, they must beware of false teachings and they were free to live for Christ.

Faith established

Paul sums up his main emphasis for the remainder of the letter in verses 6-7, which exhort the Colossian believers to continue to demonstrate their faith in Jesus Christ and to express thankfulness for the privileges that were theirs in him. They must first come to a place where they should not seek to find “another gospel,” or “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6). His point is clear: If they would only remain established and settled in the way of Christ, they would have no problems with false doctrine which undermined the gospel of Christ.

Paul beseeches them to seek not only the first basis of their faith, but their continual “strengthening in the faith” which rests in him. In the gnostic teaching, faith was held good for the beginner or the common follower of this way and “knowledge was the bright particular jewel of those who went on to perfection.” Paul expresses the urgency of taking this false teaching seriously, since it could bring to void the gospel of Christ and his sacrifice for our sin.

The goal of every Christian, therefore, can be seen in at least three efforts: (1) keep the view of our final glory in Christ uninterrupted, (2) guard against all things which might be done of our own choice and (3) practice true humility of heart.

Beware of deceivers

Paul's real concern seems to elevate with verse 8. His urgency compelled him to warn the Colossians that they were susceptible to a very dangerous heresy which could possibly bring to void the teachings of truth brought to them. The word “spoil” is a military term which means to “take captive,” the spoils of spiritual warfare. The apostle conceded deceivers would always be out there, but believers should never surrender in defeat to the “enemy.” In this case, the efforts of the enemy were being manifested in a subtle way. It was very enticing to some to accept a doctrine which seemed to have all the “answers.”

When the serpent, Satan, enticed Adam and Eve in the garden, he approached first the woman with promises of having all the answers about life. He deceived them by claiming they would not really die if they disobeyed God. Little did they know the consequence would be spiritual death as a result of their sin. They would be separated from the fellowship with God which they had previously enjoyed. The truth of God cannot be intimidated by anything that is anti-Christ and antagonistic toward the gospel of grace through Jesus.

Many false religions today claim to have all the answers. It is often the case that just the assertion of possessing a unique or special teaching should be enough for the Christians to be suspicious.

Some true Christians even today may tend to still rely on and give more attention to rituals and rules, do's and don't's, oughts and shoulds–rather than to Christ. A short list of these would be: making our own deals with life and even with God for our salvation rather than relying on Christ by gaining knowledge and amassing good works; being famous or at least having a good reputation; acquiring money; having things; getting power; engaging in moralistic rule-keeping; attending church “every time the doors are open”; getting baptized; singing the right songs; not saying the wrong words; participating in community events; helping the needy; etc.

Paul would admonish all believers to stand firm on the truth of God in Christ and stay clear of such ways of allowing false teachers to take hold.

Dying to live

It was essential for the readers to acknowledge again that they had died to the ways of this world and the spiritual powers which sought to lead them astray. Paul wanted to turn their thinking back to the way of truth. With a couple of rhetorical questions, he wanted to know, first, why they were living as though still being part of the world without Christ; and second, why they had apparently made an about-face to turn back to the old ways of living under certain rules and regulations.

“The legalists used elementary ABC's of legalism to seduce the early Christians and steer them away from Christ. Paul observed about himself, 'When I was a child, I spoke as a child, thought as a child, reasoned as a child; when I became a man, I put away childish things, elementary things' (1 Corinthians 13:11). We are certainly not free of the possibility of the same heresy taking hold even today. How should we respond to legalism? Paul said we need a funeral. Die with Christ to such legalism (2:20).” (Duane Brooks, Baptistway Study Guide)

In the city of Athens, Paul was confronted by Jews, devout men and philosophers concerning this “new doctrine” which he was proclaiming (Acts 17:16-34). The apostle was “stirred within when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry” (Acts 17:16). He had the wonderful opportunity to share with them what God intended for everyone to know about the way of grace and the life that only Jesus can bring to them. He proclaimed, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). To the Colossians, he was saying, “Since you are alive in Christ, do not fall to anything that would bring to death the Spirit and presence of God in your lives.”

Spread the news

An additional concern for Paul was that gnosticism would undermine the very spread of the gospel. Either the gospel would be silenced altogether by default or the Christians would become judgmental toward those who did not accept the false teaching, which most of the rest of the world sees us to be even now. We can have moral standards, however, that reflect Christ and live in humility toward others exemplified by the Savior. We have a mandate as those who possess the truth of Christ. We must do all we can in the power of the Spirit and with the mission that God has set before us to win our community, our state, and our world for Christ.

How much better to obey willingly than by compulsion!

Questions for discussion

What were some of the evidences of legalism among the Colossian Christians?

Name some possible heresies among believers and false religions in our world today.

How can we guard the church from false teachings of the primacy of laws and rules?

What to Paul was the most grievous affect of the heresy which he confronted?

Posted: 9/19/03

Lesson for Oct. 26

Colossians 3:1-4:1

Live it up!

By Joe McCammon

Of all people in the world, Christians have every reason to be happy. God has looked upon us with his favor. With Christ alone we are forgiven, chosen, challenged and secure in our salvation. Could there be any more reason to be anything but joyful over what he has done on our behalf?

I recently read of a scene observed by a man in a fast-food restaurant. At the next table, a little boy was crying because he didn't get the toy he wanted with his food. Another kid dumped his drink over his sister's burger because she was stealing his fries. Then the smallest child fell off his chair. Clearly at the end of her rope, the mother dragged the boy up from the floor, placed him back in his chair and said, “Shut up, all of you, and eat your Happy Meals!”

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). That is quite a “Happy Meal” for all those who come to him. Yet, so often circumstances have a tendency to distract us from living with a joyful heart. Someone gets to “the end of their rope” and their joy is gone; another may decide they cannot get along in fellowship with another believer; someone else falls to sin and affects an entire congregation. These are just a few circumstances which can deter us from our mission to be light in a dark world and salt in a “tasteless” world with no life or joy.

Following Paul's discourse concerning false teachings and heresies among the Colossians, the third chapter puts a focus on some things which set us apart to live as a positive influences on the world. He desires for them to live up to their potential in the kingdom. Instead of yielding to the “enticing words” of false doctrine (Colossians 2:4), Paul admonishes them to set their “affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). He then warns them to stay clear of the trappings of temptation toward sin and the need for godliness toward one another.

Reasons to rejoice

A few years ago a secular pop group, The New Radicals, wrote a song titled “Dreamer's Disease.” In the song, they point out some of the trials of growing up in our world and that suicide is never the answer. They support this with these words, “You've got the music in you, don't give up, you've got a reason to live, you only get what you give.”

We live in a world of people who simply want to hear a “song” of hope and to know their reason for living. They need to learn they can have a constant melody in their heart by the grace and salvation of God.

The truth that the Christian's hope is in Christ alone makes up a big part of Paul's teachings. He wanted all believers to be fully secure in their faith in Christ. It is quite possible that Paul's emphasis on security had a lot to do with his life before Christ. His life had been filled with constant, daily attempts at being righteous and religious. As a religious leader of his day, he had all the credentials for being a zealot for the law. He finally learned through Christ that there was absolutely no assurance in the law.

Paul shares with his fellow believers that there are several reasons for rejoicing and for walking a kingdom walk–you are risen with him; you have the freedom to seek heavenly things; you can be assured Christ is seated at the right hand of God; you can have confidence your life is hidden with him and protected from evil; you have the assurance that when Christ returns you will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

An ounce of prevention

A comedian recently asked, “How do you know when its time to tune your bagpipe?” Christians should never be guilty of sounding out a sour note to the lost world. Paul warns believers that a sinful lifestyle which yields to temptation will certainly give out a sour note to the world. He wants them to prevent this from happening by watching how they live.

Paul comes forth with a listing of personal behaviors of which they should be wary (Colossians 3:5-11). He outlines a “baker's dozen” of at least twelve warnings (depending on your translation) that could prevent a believer from living out the joy which he has in Jesus.

He says “mortify” (get rid of) these–immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, greed, idolatry, disobedience, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication from your mouth, lying to one another. He reminded them that they should no longer use their bodies as instruments of sin. This list is generally organized into three results of ungodliness: (1) It destroys the spirit of Christ within, (2) tears away unity and (3) harms their witness to the lost world.

According to the apostle, these things threatened the gospel in light of the way the good news of Jesus had so rapidly spread throughout their part of the world. The new believers in Acts “were together … and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44). “They continued daily with one accord in the temple and breaking the bread of fellowship from house to house, doing so with gladness, singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all people … and God added” (Acts 2:45-47). From the beginning of the early church the local communities experienced spiritual awakening through the good news of Jesus and his power to save. This mission was spurred on by imperfect “vessels” God chose to use in revealing his grace and love to man.

Paul warns the Colossians to never allow ungodly behaviors to bring a hindrance to the gospel. They were to make a difference in their world for Christ instead of rendering the teachings of the apostles ineffective in bringing some to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Christians are to reflect Christ himself in their lives in order to prevent the hindrance to the good news we preach.

Uncommon living

How should our faith affect our lives? Paul's short answer is, “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). We find another list in this passage which effectively gets his point across that we should live with uncommon determination to please God in all we do.

The list of virtues of the Christian is presented as a “garment” to be worn before the world. “Put on mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, love, peace and thankfulness” (Colossians 3:12-15). Paul says these things will be lived out as we dwell “in the word of Christ,” teaching, singing praise and practicing good deeds (Colossians 3:15-17).

A popular expression these days among Christian circles is “walk the talk.” This is a good reminder to take a look at how we live each day and see if it matches our religious claims.

An equal part of this expression is to “talk it” first. If we are not telling the world about our faith in Christ, then how can our walk, either way, make a difference to anyone? Tell the lost first that you have given your life to Christ and then be accountable for your lifestyle.

Someone may take this phrase the wrong way by assuming, “if no one knows that I'm a Christian, then what does it matter how I live?” As children of God we should live so there will be no reason for anyone to doubt our sincerity as a believer.

Getting along

Following Paul's teaching on virtuous living, he gets quite personal in the next passage by giving application for daily living. It does very little for us to claim to have the virtues if it cannot be seen in healthy family living and harmony in the workplace (Colossians 3:18-4:1).

Paul literally “hits home” when he confronts the topic of family living. Every person in the household is to make Christ first in all they do and say. The home is to be dedicated to having the “sweet-smelling aroma of Christ” when people enter.

The family was very important to Paul. His reference to this subject also is presented in a very similar way to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5). The wife is listed first, possibly because to Paul she held of place of respect and honor as suggested by other references to the church being the “bride of Christ.” Husbands are to love their wives “as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

The idea expressed by Paul is not that wives are in any way inferior to their husbands. The point is more on the role of each spouse. The way I was taught growing up in church is that the husband is to be the spiritual leader in the home which suggests the roles of each are different rather than being an estimation of standing or an order of importance. The charge to the husband is no less admonishing with use of the word “love” having behind it the high opinion for the woman which would go so far as to be willing to die for her.

The commentator Zhodiates notes the role of women in the church today is still uncertain in some churches possibly because of centuries of speculation and misinterpretation of Paul's meaning.

Children are to live in obedience toward their parents, and the Lord gave the promise that the child who does so will have many days upon the earth (Exodus 20:12). Fathers are reminded to encourage their children as provoking would discourage them and break their spirit.

The remaining verses turn the attention to masters and servants (Colossians 3:22-4:1). One counterpart to this today would be the workplace, although we no longer use the terms.

Paul encourages working relationships to be supported by having mutual respect, working whole-heartedly, and practicing honesty and humility. The master is reminded to treat the servant as an equal and a brother as in God's family. He must realize that “you also have a Master in heaven.”

Will the church of today advance the gospel? Only if we “practice what we preach.” Do all to the glory of God.

Questions for discussion

For what reason is the Christian to be joyful?

What can threaten the gospel from having a much needed effect on the world?

How can we specifically put to practice the virtues of a child of God?

What to Paul was needed in the home and workplace to bring glory to God?

Posted: 9/19/03

Lesson for Oct. 5

Philippians 4:2-19

Live with genuine joy

By Joe McCammon

The scientific name for this very interesting bird is “mimus polyglottos.” Yes, it's the state bird of Texas. The proud and aggressive mockingbird, which is known for being quite an annoyance to unsuspecting cats and humans, has a unique ability to imitate the sounds of other birds, setting it apart from all the rest. One bird watcher recently reported a mockingbird that imitated 32 kinds of birds in only 10 minutes.

To simulate the songs of another bird is quite a skill. But one of the basic virtues of the Christian life, which cannot be fabricated, is genuine joy. Unwavering contentment for the believer should be a big part of the walk which sets him apart. We have every reason to be joyful when we know Christ in a personal way.

As the Apostle Paul shares some closing thoughts in the last chapter of his letter to the Philippians, he communicates to them the fact that abiding joy is a given for the child of God. The immediate circumstance in which Paul was writing was imprisonment in Rome (1:12-14). In spite of these circumstances, Paul had plenty of reasons to rejoice.

Many Bible commentators agree that the overall theme of the letter is, “I rejoice, you rejoice, we all rejoice together!” Chapter 4 effectively supports the theme, “in all things we should rejoice.” Abiding joy for the child of God is essential for all dealings of life.

Real or only assumed

Paul desired for all his brothers and sisters in Christ to have the determination to say along with him, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (4:11). He pointed out that he had experienced all the ups and downs of life and yet had found his only security in Christ. This kind of faith may be an assumed part of the Christian's life, but it is often unrealized for many who claim to have faith. We must recognize that there is a difference between happiness with the things of this temporal existence and abiding joy which is eternal. The emotion of “happiness” seems to be determined by pleasant surroundings and the bliss of having many things, only to find false security. Lasting joy for the believer, on the other hand, abides in spite of circumstances.

The original word for joy is supported by additional words such as “peace” (4:7,9) and “content” (4:11). A sense of joy, contentment, generosity and well-being permeates the letter, overflowing from Paul's life. The evidences of abiding joy as outlined in this passage were Paul's chief concern for all of his Christian brothers and sisters.

Promote peace

In the letter, we see Paul's warm feelings for the church. Paul called them “my joy and crown” (4:1). He was grateful for the Philippians and the support they had given him (4:10-19). We see his concern for his friends grow out of his real love for them. As the Philippian church's founding pastor, Paul wanted the disagreements the church was experiencing to be healed and he wanted the church to live their relationship to Christ in great faithfulness.

Paul felt it necessary to be specific about his concerns for the disunity among them. He named names so reconciliation could take place. There was no doubt about who needed to come together to restore unity. Nothing more is known of Euodia and Syntyche other than they were in some undesignated dispute. Whatever the reason, the dispute was disrupting the fellowship.

We may note that women in Macedonia apparently occupied a more prominent position in society than in other provinces in the first-century Roman Empire. Their prominence would have the effect of making the problem more visible within the community which they had been called to reach for Christ. The identity of Clement also is unknown, but the point is clear that Paul had a close working relationship with each of these individuals.

Wouldn't it be a sad epitaph for our lives if the only thing for which we are known is that we couldn't get along with others? The child of God should radiate a life of peace, and this includes our relationships with others.

Live an exemplary life

This letter shows Paul making the best of life, given the circumstances in which he found himself and the opportunities he had. In spite of all this, Paul's testimony to the readers is upbeat rather than somber. He had reminded the Philippians that “on Christ's behalf” they should not only believe in Christ, but also suffer for him, “having the same struggle that you saw in me” (1:29-30). He desired for his beloved congregation in Philippi to be examples to the lost as he had been an example to them (v. 9).

His constant prayer for them was to live an exemplary life with all the attributes of following Christ. He exhorts them to meditate (“think”) on the things of Christ (v. 8) and allow God to “keep their hearts and minds” (v. 7). The words which are listed; “true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtue and praise” are the basics for the walk of Christ's followers.

We can all appreciate the importance of being able to guide and control our thoughts. We can all understand that it must be a serious thing to have lost or not to possess the power of doing so. The life of genuine joy takes into account the essential ingredients of rightful living.

Be content

A young man in college had run out of money and sent his dad a note: “No mun, no fun, your son.” In reply, he received this note from his father: “Too bad, how sad, your dad.” It can be quite a challenge to be content when very few things around us are going our way. The Christian, however, has hope in things which are far greater than himself.

Paul had learned the discipline of contentment. The word “content” has the thought of being self-sufficient. Such a person has learned to meet crises with an inner strength. It was very clear to his readers that Paul had learned how to deal with them solely because of his relationship to Christ. “Content” has the idea of being independent of external circumstances. Paul says, “I know” (4:12) with great familiarity with the ups and downs of life. In good times or hard times he did not cease to rejoice (4:4).

Contentment, however, cannot be produced by our own efforts. He wanted his readers to understand that his sufficiency did not come from strength of his own character but from Christ Jesus who dwelled within him. Paul was strong enough to endure all things only in the strength of Christ who empowered him (v. 13). He was being filled (infused) with power so that he could “do all things” for the glory of God.

Practice generosity

It was my privilege some time ago to visit the present-day city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Looking out over the Aegean Sea, I realized Paul also had enjoyed this beautiful scene. I remember feeling a sense of awe at the greatness of God's creation and the wonder of time and space since the world has changed so dramatically over the centuries. Human nature has never changed, however. We must live in the presence of God and in cooperation with one another.

When Paul left Philippi, he traveled to Thessalonica (70-80 miles), where he ministered for several weeks. He also established a church in that city (Acts 17:1-9). Paul acknowledged that the Philippians had sent him material support on at least two occasions. It is quite possible that, as he looked out over the coast at Thessalonica, he had pleasant memories of his relationship with the people of Philippi. His words to them in the letter were intended not only to express his gratitude but also to encourage them. Their generosity was evidence of the influence Paul had upon their lives in living a life of joy and contentment.

As all should realize, generosity becomes a blessing for everyone involved, including the giver. As the ushers on Sunday take up the offering, the prayer often is expressed with the words, “bless the gift and the giver alike.” Texas Baptists have the great opportunity to be a blessing to so many millions who need to come to know Jesus as their Savior. It is a blessing to be part of our mission to spread the gospel throughout all of Texas. The Mary Hill Davis Offering, promoted throughout the year and particularly in the fall, allows every church and individual be a part of reaching many who are lost without the joy and peace which comes with knowing Christ in a personal way. So many who have given their lives to missions and ministry, like Paul, depend on the support of Christian brothers and sisters.

It's up to you

One important point about abiding joy is that you can't depend on others to bring it to you. The other person may be depending on you to bring a little sunshine into the room. We must learn that true happiness cannot be produced from within. It comes from Christ. We all have just one chance at life. We can allow our experience to be a pleasant one with God's help or make it an altogether unbearable existence on our own devices.

Questions for discussion

How would you define happiness? How does it differ from abiding joy for the Christian?

What was Paul's concern for his Christian brothers and sisters?

Why was Paul able to be so upbeat in light of his circumstances?

Where was Paul located when he received gifts from the Philippians?

What was the source of his assurance and contentment?

Joe McCammon is pastor of Wildwood Baptist Church in Mesquite

Posted: 10/3/03

Around the State

Allison Church in Lipan is compiling information on the church's history. Information is sought on any pastor who served the church prior to 1946, as well as the following: Bob Collard, 1955-1956; L.R. Looper, 1956-1959; Maurice Caldwell, 1959-1960; Harvey Willcox, 1960-1963; and Robert Chenault, 1970-1973. Contact current pastor Wayne Ford at (254) 646-2908.

Clay Polson was one of 18 chaplains endorsed recently by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He serves at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has donated 41 used computers to eight area churches including First Church of La Grange, Taylor's Valley Church of Temple, First Church of Belton, East Side Church of Killeen, Willow Grove Church of Moody, Plantersville Church of Plantersville, First Church of Moffatt and Canyon Creek Church of Temple. Above, Jeff Loudin, pastor of Taylor's Valley Church, loads some of the donated equipment. This is an annual upgrade process of the university. As one-third of the campus computers are upgraded, one-third of the older computers and printers are donated.

New faculty at Houston Baptist University include David Adcock, instructor in Christianity and philosophy; James Claycomb, assistant professor of physics; Curtis Henderson, assistant professor of biology; Jamie Johns, assistant professor of Christianity; Dorothy Johnson, associate professor of nursing; Cynthia Martindill, assistant professor of nursing; Robert McElroy, interim director of instrumental activities; Ray Newman, dean of the college of business and economics; Amie Ryan, assistant professor of mathematics; Doni Wilson, assistant professor of English; and Jacob Wonders, instructor of kinesiology.

New Hardin-Simmons University faculty include Tommy Brisco, professor and dean of the Logsdon School of Theology; Kenneth Lyle, associate professor of New Testament and Greek; Joanne Roberts, associate professor of sociology; Sharon Rogers, assistant professor of nursing; Sandy Self, associate professor of political science and legal studies; Ben Odhiambo, assistant professor of environmental science; Sharon Souter, assistant professor of nursing; Rich Traylor, assistant professor of history; Judy Creech, instructor of nursing; Ellen Boyd, instructor of nursing; Rick Adams, visiting instructor of art; Richard Kincaid, visiting instructor of communication; David Cory, visiting instuctor of social work; and Teresa Ellis, library liason.

Anniversaries

Richard Segars, 25th, as minister of education at First Church in Graham, Aug. 24.

Stan Hanes, 10th, as minister of music and adult education at First Church in Big Spring.

Moises Aguirre, 45th, in the ministry. He is pastor of Mount Horeb Church in McAllen.

Jerry Blake, 10th, as music minister at First Church in Graham, Sept. 14.

Roger Fancher, 40th, as pastor of First Church in Kempner, Sept. 25.

James Morrow, fifth, as pastor of Western Hills Church in Kerrville, Oct. 1.

Kenneth Jordan, fifth, as pastor of First Church in Bartlett, Oct. 4.

First Church in Lueders, 100th, Oct. 10-12. Festivities will kick off Friday night after the football game with a fellowship at the church. Saturday at 7 p.m., a gospel sing will be held with a dessert social to follow. Breakfast will be served before Sunday School the next morning. The service will feature guest speakers and special music. A luncheon will follow. Harold Barnes is pastor.

James Fuller, 10th, as pastor of Calder Church in Beaumont, Oct. 12.

South Park Church in Alvin employed an elaborate backdrop this year as it conducted its Great Kingdom Caper Vacation Bible School. The church decorates the sanctuary each year for the week of Bible study. This year's town setting was designed by church member Karen Dietrich, who was aided in its construction by Pam Buck.

Rock Crossing Church in Electra, 75th, Oct. 18-19. For more information, call (940) 552-0496. Richard Ingram is pastor.

First Church in Kennard, 100th, Oct. 26. A luncheon will follow the morning service. For more information, call (936) 655-2371. James Durham is pastor.

First Church in Kingwood, 25th, Oct. 26. Bill Pinson, former executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be the guest speaker. A luncheon will follow. Pastor Dearing Garner celebrated his 25th anniversary with the church in August.

First Church in Woodway, 50th, Oct. 26. The day will feature former staff, special music guests and the church's history. A picnic will follow the morning service. For more information, call (254) 772-9696. Mike Toby is pastor.

First Church in Bartlett, 120th, Nov. 2. Kenneth Jordan is pastor.

Westbury Church in Houston, 40th, Nov. 2. A reunion choir and covered dish luncheon will be among the activities. Bob Campbell is pastor.

First Church in Three Rivers, 90th, Nov. 9. Anyone who can help in locating former pastors and staff is asked to call (361) 786-2760. Robert Hobbins is pastor.

Events

A reunion of participants in the ministry of the Texas Tech Baptist Student Ministry will be held Oct. 10-11.

Timbergrove Church in Houston will hold a homecoming service Oct. 12 to commemorate its 53 years of service to the community. A former youth choir, the JAM Singers, will present a music program following the barbecue lunch to be served at noon. A.M. Stone is pastor.

Calder Church in Beaumont will hold homecoming services Oct. 12. Charter members will be honored, and a luncheon will follow the morning service. James Fuller is pastor.

The Duck Commander, Phil Robertson, will speak Oct. 21 in Harvey Hall at the fairgrounds in Tyler. Presented by Christian Hunters and Anglers and the men's ministry of Green Acres Church in Tyler, exhibits will open at 5 p.m., a catfish dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and Robertson will speak at 7 p.m., complete with a question-and- answer session. Tickets are $10. For more information, call (903) 525-1142.

A dedication service for the Baptist Student Ministry building at Stephen F. Austin University will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 25.

The Heights Church in Richardson will host the World Day of Prayer Nov. 3. The focus will be on the special needs of women worldwide. Baptist groups around the world will be joining in prayer that day in more thatn 150 languages. A free breakfast will be served from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m., followed by a program of music, drama, a guest speaker and prayer with missionaries who have served throughout the world. Debra Hochgraber, a consultant with the women's evangelism center of the BGCT, will be the guest speaker. Register through Oct. 29 by calling (972) 231-6047. Free childcare is available by reservation only. Gary Singleton is pastor.

Andy Bratcher will be honored with a reception Nov. 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at First Church in Lott. He has been either a pastor or interim pastor for 57 years and has preached in every church in Falls Association. He also served as chaplain of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Marlin, and since 1969 has officiated at 1,012 funerals.

Iglesia Getsemani in Fort Worth will hold a building dedication service at 11 a.m. Nov. 16. Julio Guarneri is pastor.

Deaths

Charles Bradshaw, 103, Aug. 22. A Baptist deacon and Sunday School teacher, he was a long-time member of the First Baptist churches in Corpus Christi and Beeville.

John Clayton, 60, Sept. 21 in Boston, Mass. He was a 1964 Hardin-Simmons University graduate and the 1995 recipient of the university's distinguished alumni award. He was chairman of the department of religion and director of the graduate division of religious and theological studies at Boston University until July, when health concerns led him to resign.

Revivals

Immanuel Church, Jefferson; Oct. 5-8; evangelist, Tim Ellis; pastor, Clarence Clevenger.

First Church, Jefferson; Oct. 5-8; *evangelists, Randy Fair Family; pastor, Joe Perkins.

College Heights Church, Cleburne; Oct. 5-8; evangelist, Bailey Stone; pastor, Mark Ely.

Nesbitt Church, Marshall; Oct. 8-12; *evangelists, Jim and Kelly Walsh; pastor, Dick Sawyer.

Central Church, Italy; Oct. 19-22; *evangelist, Jon Randles; *music, Steve Thomas; no pastor.

Hillcrest Church, Marshall; Oct. 19-22; *evangelist, Jim Bob Griffin; pastor, William Hogan.

Lebanon Church, Cleburne; Oct. 19-22; evangelist, Cody Whitfill; pastor, Randy Rogers.

*vocational evangelist

Sou

Posted: 10/3/03

Baptist Briefs

CBF launches ministerial sabbatical program. Applications are being accepted for a pilot program for ministerial sabbaticals offered through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. With a $1.9 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, the CBF will provide a limited number of stipends for pastors to take sabbatical study leaves from their churches. To qualify, pastors must have been in their current ministry setting at least seven years. Applications must be returned by Jan. 15. For more information, contact Terry Hamrick at (770) 220-1600 or thamrick@cbfnet.org.

Patterson inauguration planned. Paige Patterson will be inaugurated as the eighth president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth Oct. 21. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.

FamilyNet adds show. FamilyNet, a broadcast ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board, has added a new health-care program titled "Healthy, Wealthy and Wise with Frank Jordan." Jordan is a recognized expert on the immune system and related health problems, an instructor in health issues and a scientific researcher. The program will air weekdays at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday at 2 a.m.

ERLC honors Land. Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission surprised President Richard Land on the 15th anniversary of his hiring by selecting him to receive the commission's 2003 Distinguished Service Award and renaming the award for him.

Posted: 10/3/03

Twentysomethings found less likely to attend church

VENTURA, Calif. (RNS)–Americans in their 20s are less likely to attend church or read the Bible than older Americans, a Barna Research Group study has found.

Thirty-one percent of twentysomethings attend a worship service in a typical week, compared to 42 percent of those in their 30s and 49 percent of all adults ages 40 and older.

The level of Bible reading also decreases by age group. Researchers found 30 percent of twentysomethings had read the Bible in the past week, compared to 37 percent of Americans in their 30s, 44 percent of fortysomethings, 47 percent of Americans in their 50s and 55 percent of adults ages 60 and older.

Comparisons on giving are more dramatic–30 percent of Americans in their 20s donated to a church in the past year, compared to 61 percent of older adults.

Despite the lower percentages in religious practice, researchers found internal aspects of faith rank higher among those in their 20s. For example, 80 percent of twentysomethings said faith is very important in their life; 75 percent said they had prayed to God in the past week; and 57 percent said they had made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life.

“The notion that these people will return to the church when they get older or once they become parents is only true in a minority of cases,” said David Kinnaman, vice president of the research firm. “More importantly, that reasoning ignores the real issue–millions of twentysomethings are crystallizing their views of life without the input of church leaders, the Bible or other mature Christians.”

Research for the overall study was based on nationwide telephone interviews with 14,091 adults from January 2000 through May 2003, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point. A total of 2,660 adults in their 20s were interviewed, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Posted: 10/3/03

Face of campus ministry changing

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

In today's marketplace of collegiate ministries, students are shopping to fill their spiritual needs with little brand loyalty, according to Baptist collegiate ministers.

Following a pattern that mirrors many young adults' church-hopping spirituality, a student may turn to a non-denominational group for Christian fellowship, a Methodist ministry for Bible study and a Baptist effort to do missions.

At least one thing hasn't changed in campus ministry through the years: Food draws. BSM secretary Barbara Raines serves a plate at the first Vision luncheon of the year for the Texas A&M student ministry. More than 300 students enjoyed a home-cooked meal made by volunteers from local churches.

The Baptist name carries little attraction for today's college generation, explained Allan Thompson, director of the Baptist Student Ministry at East Texas Baptist University.

Most students do not see the value of denominations, he said. “Denominational loyalty is a thing of the past.”

Instead, BSM leaders today must rely on relationships to draw students, according to Clif Mouser, director of the Baylor University BSM. Students become part of the Baptist ministries through their network of friends.

“In the '40s and '50s, the name drew people. Now relationships draw them,” Mouser explained. “They get involved because they encounter other Christian students who want them to get involved.”

Although the initial draw is different, students' needs largely remain the same, added Arliss Dickerson, director of the Arkansas State University Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

“I don't think they've changed in what they want. I think they've changed in how they react,” Dickerson said. “I think the No. 1 thing is they want to belong to a group that loves them and encourages them.”

Baptist Student Ministry programs provide those ingredients in industrial-strength doses.

Last year, 886 Baptist collegiate ministries nationwide reached more than 248,618 students using many of the techniques that have been staples for decades, including free lunches and evening worship services.

New roles

BSM work is gaining in diversity as well. More than 10 percent of the 87,000 students actively involved in BSM programs last year were African-Americans, and nearly 8 percent were ethnics, according to statistics compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources. Another 10 percent were international students.

Texas A&M Baptist Student Ministry Director Joel Bratcher welcomes students to this year's first luncheon gathering. At right, international students served by the Texas A&M BSM come from Korea, China, Venezuela, Colombia, Uruguay, Poland, Egypt, Jordan, India, Thailand and Spain.

Campus ministry in newer-work areas such as New England, California and the Northwest is multiplying rapidly, thanks largely to the work of volunteers, said John Ramirez, director of collegiate ministries for the Baptist Convention of New England and a strategist for LifeWay.

On top of the traditional activities, college ministries attempt to ease the transition from high school to college. Campus ministers help students move in and get situated. They also often offer concerts and parties as social events.

But the biggest draw is a personal invitation from a friend, and today's Christian students are rising to that challenge, said Joel Bratcher, director of the BSM at Texas A&M University.

“Christian students are more passionate about their faith than when I started in this work,” he said.

The meaning of life

Michael Ball, director of the Mississippi State University Baptist Student Union, finds students are looking for meaning in their lives.

“At the heart of things, the needs are much the same,” Ball said. “When I first started out, I didn't want a cookies and Kool-Aid ministry. I was intentionally trying to challenge them. I think they're really wanting purposeful commitments in their own life.”

In this search for meaning, students are interested in exploring Christianity, campus ministers said. They are closely examining the faith and asking questions.

“Students by and large are trying to find what life is about, and they're open to examining God,” said Steve Masters, director of the Louisiana State University Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

While college ministries have been based on small-group studies in the past, many outreaches are building on the popularity of praise and worship services. The intense emotion of the services intrigues non-believers who want to know this passion, Masters said.

This college generation's desire to participate in missions is extremely strong, campus ministers also reported. Overseas mission trips once seen as dangerous or exotic are a normal expression of the students' faith.

Masters sees more students than ever answering a call to vocational ministry, but most are interested in becoming missionaries rather than serving local churches.

Servant evangelism is a draw as well, particularly in the newer-work areas. Such ventures vary from campus to campus, but examples include helping students move into dorms and serving hot chocolate during the winter in an effort to share the gospel.

“This generation is more about experience than exposure,” Thompson said. “They don't just want to know what's going on or see what's going on; they want to do what's going on.”

Like all generations, however, today's college students' strengths are balanced by their weaknesses, Dickerson said. He notes that students seem to have trouble applying their faith to their lives. Although the large worship service brings people in, there is a great need for small-group Bible studies, he reported.

Additionally, statistics have shown giving from this generation is significantly down compared to previous generations, a trend that could have major implications for the church, Thompson said.

“You either bemoan the fact they don't know good stewardship or work within the framework,” he said.

Coping with change

The speed of change in American life has become so great that college students and younger generations are absorbing changes without having a chance to examine them, campus ministers said. Constant change is part of their lives, and it will only become a larger part as the pace of change continues to increase.

Baptist collegiate ministers largely agree the changing world coupled with new stylistic expressions of Christianity will alter the church. The question is how much.

Several predicted the church will continue with a praise and worship style. The emotionality may decrease as today's students grow older, but the approach will remain.

Thompson sees more dramatic changes, however. He envisions churches aligned by practical ministries rather than doctrinal distinctions. Believers will regularly fellowship with several congregations to meet their spiritual needs. Outreach will be global as well as local.

“If you think it's a wild ride now, just hold on,” he said. “I think it's going to get a whole lot wilder.”