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Posted: 8/22/03

CHURCH TACKLES FRAUD:
The believer's other security

By Bob Smietna

Religion News Service

DENVER (RNS)–When people walk in the doors at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Denver, they might be coming to volunteer at one of the church's outreach ministries, attend the Wednesday night service or take part in the Thursday night dessert-and-theology book club.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

Garland finds strength in telling families' stories

Barbara Massey

EthicsDaily.com

WACO–In today's world, where families face many uncertainties, what resource is better for understanding and dealing with challenges than the stories of other families who have had similar experiences?

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

19 Texas churches honored as top Lottie givers

RICHMOND, Va.–Nineteen Texas Baptist churches were among the top 100 congregations nationwide in giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions last year.

Together, Texas Baptists also outpaced all other states in gifts to the offering.

IMB officials recognized the top-giving churches in a news release Aug. 18.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

New tithers report freedom from past financial failures

By Ken Walker

Baptist Press

WOODSTOCK, Ga. (BP)–They have suffered such financial setbacks as bankruptcy, car repossession, staggering credit card bills and scratching for cash to buy their next meal.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

Churches keep greater share at home

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

The amount of money flowing through Baptist church offering plates has increased 112 percent in the last 15 years, but the amount of money churches give to missions causes has increased at only half that rate.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

State Baptist conventions feel
the pinch of decreased giving this year

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

Times are tough all over for state Baptist conventions seeking to fund their ongoing ministries.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

TITHING TAKES A TUMBLE:
Fewer households give a tenth

By Ken Walker

Baptist Press

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)–The news that tithing declined by about 62 percent last year presents the church with both a warning and a challenge, say several experts in Christian financial and theological circles.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

HISPANIC WOMEN'S CONFERENCE:
The meaning of life

By George Henson

Staff Writer

KELLER–Discovering your life's mission is crucial to having a life that renders eternal positive consequences, Albert Reyes told participants in the Celebrating the Hispanic Woman Conference.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

Professor proposes proper purpose of anger

By George Henson

Staff Writer

KELLER–Despite what many people think, anger is not a sin, Nora Lozano told women attending a breakout session of the Celebrating the Hispanic Woman Conference.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

Iraq workers anticipate arrival of food boxes

By Mark Kelly

International Mission Board

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)–Southern Baptist workers in Iraq are excited about the expected late-August arrival of 46,000 boxes of food packed by churches this past spring for hungry families in Iraq.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge

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Posted: 8/22/03

Groundbreaking set for
Baptist Learning Center

CORPUS CHRISTI–Groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled Sept. 12 for an addition to the Baptist Learning Center of South Texas.

The new structure will include four apartments, a conference room and office space for the Baptist Student Ministry at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Baptist Learning Center is an autonomous educational ministry that relates to the Baptist General Convention of Texas but receives no BGCT funding. The center collaborates with Howard Payne University and Hardin-Simmons University to offer courses toward the bachelor of arts degree and master of divinity degree.

08/23/2003 - By John Rutledge