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Mayors’ report says cities seeing more emergency food requests
Posted: 1/04/08
Mayors’ report says cities seeing
more emergency food requestsBy Adelle M. Banks
Religion News Service
WASHINGTON (RNS)—A majority of U.S. cities participating in a recent survey have seen an increase in the number of requests for emergency food assistance, the U.S. Conference of Mayors reports.
The Washington-based conference recently issued its annual Hunger and Homelessness Survey, saying 16 of the 19 cities that responded to questions about hunger saw increases in requests for emergency food aid in the last year. In addition, an average of 17 percent of people seeking food assistance are not receiving it.
Lawaune Stockton sits with her cup in front of a downtown fast-food restaurant in Washington and makes about $20 a day. The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently issued its annual Hunger and Homelessness Survey. (RNS photo/Ann-Marie VanTassell) 01/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Texas Baptist Forum
Posted: 1/04/08
Texas Baptist Forum
Remove applause cause
I asked one of my students who was in a college singing ensemble how the summer tour went. He told of singing at a megachurch in the Midwest. The group thought they were to be the special feature at the Sunday morning service, only to find out they were to be squeezed in between the free china giveaway and the parachute drop.
• Jump to online-only letters below Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.
“Americans have tested that wall (of separation between church and state) in every possible way. We’ve run trucks up against it, we’ve thrown firecrackers at it, and the wall has stood pretty strongly. And it requires, I think, constant vigilance.”
Jon Meacham
Newsweek editor (CBS News Sunday Morning)“We find ourselves capable of worry, but I heard recently a great saying that I want to pass on to you: Control those things of which you have control and let go of everything else.”
Roland Barlowe
Baptist minister affiliated with Marketplace Chaplains USA (RNS)“He who does not know how to say ‘no’ to himself does not know how to say ‘yes’ to his neighbors.”
Raniero Cantalamessa
Preacher to the papal household, speaking about how lust hurts both individuals and other people (Catholic News Service/ RNS)Do you feel your church is moving in that direction? The solution to this problem is simple. Here is a way to convert your church from an entertainment center to a worship center: Remove all elements in the Sunday morning service for which there is applause.
What remains are congregational singing, prayers, Scripture reading, responsive reading and sermon. I know it seems odd today to have only these things, but you will be amazed at what the Holy Spirit can do with them.
01/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
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2007 a quiet year, but signs of change in the air
Posted: 1/04/08
2007 a quiet year, but
signs of change in the airBy Kevin Eckstrom
Religion News Service
WASHINGTON (RNS)—History books are full of dates that mark seminal events: 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door and launched the Protestant Reformation; or 1973, when the Supreme Court legalized abortion.
But boldface dates are preceded by less prominent but nonetheless decisive times: 1516, when a Dominican named Johann Tetzel led the sale of indulgences that deeply angered Luther; and 1970, when a young Texas woman named Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe) filed suit to obtain an abortion.
The Christian Coalition decided to sit out the 2008 presidential race. 01/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Texas Tidbits
Posted: 1/04/08
Texas Tidbits
Texas Acteens Panelists named. Two teenaged Texas Baptists—one from Garland and the other from Austin—have been named to the Texas Acteens Advisory Panel for the next year. Carrie Busha from Freeman Heights Baptist Church in Garland is a senior at Naaman Forest High School. Laura Herrera from Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin is a senior at McCallum High School. Texas Acteens Panelists were selected on the basis of demonstrated commitment to ministry, missions awareness and servant leadership.
Carrie Busha Laura Herrera Wayland names mission center director. Veteran missionary Richard Shaw has been named director of the Wayland Baptist University Mission Center. Shaw will develop curriculum for the new center, as well as serve as an assistant professor of religion and dean of Wayland’s Kenya campus. Shaw’s goal in developing the curriculum is to incorporate all disciplines of study into a mission emphasis. Shaw served 12 years with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo. He also worked with the United Nations, serving as a human rights advocate and working with women, children and people with HIV/AIDS. He and his wife, Martha, have two children living at home—Benjamin, 9, and Grace, 7. Their older daughter, Faith, is a student at Asbury Theological Seminary, and their son, James, recently graduated from Baylor University.
Clarification: Due to a pending vote in Congress, Rep. Chet Edwards was unable to attend the Baylor University commencement Dec. 15 to receive the Abner V. McCall Religious Liberty Award. Baylor will present the award to Edwards at a later date.
01/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Book reviews
Posted: 1/04/07
Book reviews
Flawed Families of the Bible: How God’s Grace Works through Imperfect Relationships by David E. Garland and Diana R. Garland (Brazos Press)
We frequently hear discouraging statistics about family life in the United States—failed marriages, sexual abuse, violence and chaos. We don’t frequently hear reminders that the Bible, especially the Old Testament, brims with stories of the same problems. Some of them make today’s headlines look pale in comparison.
Diana and David Garland have provided a book that helps us face these stories and the issues they raise. Although the book makes a lot of guesses about what was going on in the minds of the biblical figures, it shines a reliable spotlight into dark corners that we need to see. The chapter on David and Bathsheba especially is eye-opening.
What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com. When reading through the whole Bible for the first time, or for the first time in years, people often ask, “Why in the world is that in there?!” Now we have a wise guidebook to explain why and to show “how God’s grace works through imperfect relationships.”
01/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
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EDITORIAL: BGCT in ’08: Purpose over pander
Posted: 1/04/07
EDITORIAL:
BGCT in ’08: Purpose over panderThis will be a pivotal year for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The outcome will turn on several factors, but none more important than this: We must focus on our historic purpose, not pander to self-interest.
The BGCT Constitution defines the “nature” of the convention straight-up: “This convention is and always shall remain, only and solely a medium through which Baptist churches shall work harmoniously in cooperation with each other, promoting the work and objects set forth in this constitution.” And what are those “objects”? “To awake and stimulate among the churches evangelism, missions, Christian education and benevolent work and enterprises; to cultivate a closer cooperation among the churches and promote harmony of feeling and concert of action in advancing all the interests of the Redeemer’s Kingdom.”
For generations, Baptists have set aside ego, turf and even minor theological differences to cooperate. We have done so based on this truth: We can do more together than we can alone. But I’m not sure we still believe it.
That’s because we mirror society, particularly the me-first Baby Boom generation, which idolizes the individual. From politics, to advertising, to education, to about everything in-between, it’s all about what “I” wants.
01/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
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TOGETHER: Gospel means evangelism & ministry
Posted: 1/04/08
TOGETHER:
Gospel means evangelism & ministryI have sounded the twin notes of evangelism and ministry throughout my time as your executive director. I have done this because I am convinced both notes must be played in harmony if our churches are to have a full and healthy response to Christ’s call to “follow me.” The spiritual idea that drives me is that we have been called to be a Jesus kind of people and to build Jesus kind of churches.
Jesus came preaching the good news of God: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). Sin has broken everyone and separated us from God, but God loves us so much that he doesn’t want to spend eternity without us. He sent Jesus into the world to make sure we knew that. And the followers of Christ respond to that love and salvation by reaching out to others.
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
Jesus also came demonstrating the heart of God and the will of God to the world. He spent time with the poor as well as the rich. He called those who have much to be generous in their attitudes and stewardship toward the needy. He demonstrated that people who love God also will love the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the prisoners (Matthew 4:23-24; 25:37-40; Luke 4:18-19).
These are not two gospels. There is only one gospel, and Jesus embodied all of it.
01/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
