Archives
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Study links video violence to aggressive behavior
Posted: 12/05/07
Study links video violence
to aggressive behaviorBy Ken Camp
Managing Editor
Repeated exposure to video violence—particularly interactive games—influences aggressive behavior more than drug use, poverty or domestic abuse, a University of Michigan researcher has asserted.
In fact, the correlation between media violence and aggression is at least as strong as the link between exposure to second-hand smoke and lung cancer, said Brad Bushman, psychology professor and research associate in the university’s Institute for Social Research.
12/05/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Family Place helps mother leave fear behind
Posted: 12/07/07
Family Place helps mother leave fear behind
By Analiz González
Buckner International
MIDLAND—Ambra Riley spent the night in her daughters’ room holding her baby tightly in her arms. She put something over the doorknob so she’d know if her husband tried to enter.
Her husband may have stolen her self-esteem and robbed her family of happiness, but he would not take her son, she reasoned.
Ambra Riley hugs her children outside her home at Buckner Family Place, a self-sufficiency program for single moms working towards a college education in Midland, Texas. 12/05/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Mission workers help bring clean water, love of Christ to Ethiopia
Posted: 12/07/07
Mission workers help bring clean
water, love of Christ to EthiopiaBy Carla Wynn Davis
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
RIFT VALLEY, Ethiopia (ABP)— Nearly 75 percent of Ethiopians—about 55 million people—lack access to clean water. It’s a crisis not discussed often enough, according to missionary workers there.
Many Ethiopians drink from rivers in areas known for famine, malnutrition and cholera outbreaks. That “silent tsunami” is responsible for the deaths of millions around the world each year, said David Harding, a field representative with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
In Ethiopia, children often spend a lot of their time each day fetching water instead of going to school or helping on their family’s farm. (CBF Photo) 12/05/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Need help understanding the Old Testament? Ask an African Christian
Posted: 11/30/07
Need help understanding the Old
Testament? Ask an African ChristianBy Hannah Elliott
Associated Baptist Press
SAN DIEGO (ABP)—African Christians tend to understand and appreciate the Old Testament far better than their Western counterparts, author Philip Jenkins told a group of evangelical scholars.
Jenkins, a professor of religious studies and history at Pennsylvania State University, spoke in San Diego to fellow members of the Evangelical Theological Society. His speech was one of several addresses and papers presented during the body’s 59th annual meeting.
Cultures that espouse tribal identities and are intimately acquainted with animal sacrifice, dietary restrictions, polygamy, sacred rocks and the like are well-equipped to read and identify with the Hebrew Bible’s stories 11/30/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Around the State
Posted: 11/30/07
Around the State
• E-mails of support for military personnel and their families are being collected for inclusion with Christmas cards and care packages to be sent to Iraq and Afghanistan during the holiday season. The e-mails can be sent to OperationEagle@comcast.net.
• Andy and Joan Horner have been named recipients of the 2007 Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award by Dallas Baptist University. Gov. Rick Perry was the keynote speaker, and Bo Pilgrim, founder and CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride, was the honorary chair of the dinner, which drew more than 1,200 in attendance. The Horners are the founders of the Premier Designs direct-sales jewelry company and are members of First Church in Dallas.
Judy Lyssy, a San Marcos Baptist Academy parent, made a $25,000 donation to the school to fund new media and development tools and equip the golf team with new equipment and uniforms. She made the donation in support of the school’s centennial celebration capital campaign. The campaign has a phase one goal of $2.1 million, and a $3.6 million goal for the second phase. Other projects slated for funding include dormitory renovations, improvements in the athletic fields, campus-wide technology upgrades, and building renovations and upgrades. • The East Texas Baptist University Office of Alumni Relations presented its J. Wesley Smith Achievement Award to Lanny Loe, executive pastor of First Church in Jonesboro, Ga., in recognition of his mobilization of more than 20 percent of the church’s members in foreign missions projects. The W.T. Tardy Service Award was presented to Jim and Janet Palmer. He taught at the school 26 years, and the couple has supported the school with their time and financial gifts. The Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Tequecie Meek and Randy Pegues in recognition of their contributions to society. Bob and Carol Braly received the Unsung Hero Award for his work as a pastor and chaplain to law enforcement agencies in Louisiana and her support of his ministry. Bonnie Kay, the university’s oldest-living alumnus at 99 years of age, received the Sallie M. Duncan Life Enrichment Award.
• Priscilla Heard, a piano teacher and music educator, has been inducted into the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor music department’s hall of fame as its 30th Distinguished Musician.
11/30/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Musical couple begins new phase of ministry in Australia
Posted: 11/30/07
Musical couple begins new
phase of ministry in AustraliaBy Jonathan Petty
Wayland Baptist University
PLAINVIEW—After three years in Australia performing Christian concerts, Clint and Jennifer Staj are spending the holidays state-side this year before starting work in January as youth ministers at an Australian Baptist church.
Three years ago, the Stajes—along with band members and fellow Wayland Baptist University alumni Greg and Sara Howle and Salem Posey—moved to Australia where they performed Christian concerts under the name Zuigia. About a year ago, the group members decided to go their separate ways.
Clint and Jennifer Staj, with 9-month-old Makarios, continue their mission work in Australia. After the first of the year, they will begin work as youth ministers at Cooma Baptist Church. 11/30/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Baptist bell-ringer tolls for Episcopal weddings, funerals
Posted: 11/30/07
Irene Raymond is a Baptist but has been ringing the bell at All Saints Episcopal Church in Mobile, Ala., for weddings and funerals more than 35 years. (RNS photo/Mike Kittrell/Press-Register of Mobile, Ala.) Baptist bell-ringer tolls for
Episcopal weddings, funeralsBy Roy Hoffman
Religion News Service
OBILE, Ala. (RNS)—Solemn and intent, Irene Raymond stands in the vestibule of All Saints Episcopal Church and clutches the rope that leads through a hole in the ceiling to a 1,500-pound bell.
Slowly, methodically, she puts the whole weight of her body into the first pull—gong. Then, as the bell swings the other way high above, she pulls down again, harder. Gong!
11/30/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Book Reviews
Posted: 11/30/07
Book Reviews
Higher Ground: A Call for Christian Civility by Russell Dilday (Smyth & Helwys)
Conflict is inevitable in any relationship. Unfortunately, most Christians are ill prepared to handle conflict in a Christ-like manner.
Russell Dilday provides an insightful option to how conflict can be addressed. He uses his personal experience in the Southern Baptist Convention controversy of the 1980s to call Christians to higher ground during times of conflict.
What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com. The conflict and methods of conflict that occurred in the convention easily could have names changed and possible tactics changed, but the results and motives would remain the same as the conflicts that occur within local congregations. This book is a somber reminder that by taking the name of Christ as our own, we are called to a different standard.
11/30/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Baptist Briefs
Posted: 11/30/07
Baptist Briefs
Florida Baptists adopt alcohol abstinence policy. Messengers to the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting overwhelmingly approved a bylaw revision requiring all trustee nominees to sign a pledge that they will abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages and using any other recreational drugs. The bylaw revision on alcohol abstention—proposed by the Florida State Board of Missions—passed with few dissenting votes. The abstinence provision resulted from a pledge announced by Executive Director John Sullivan at the Florida convention’s 2006 annual meeting. Reacting to a prolonged debate at the 2006 Southern Baptist Convention over the use of beverage alcohol, Sullivan said he was “embarrassed” by the protracted discussion and wanted to clarify Florida Baptists’ position on the issue. Messengers to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention annual meeting passed a similar measure binding on its staff and elected officials.
Kentucky Baptists hear ‘troubling’ report on spiritual maturity. Messengers to the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s annual meeting heard a sobering report on the theological views of average Kentucky Baptists. Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Christian Resources’ research department, presented findings from a study on the level of spiritual maturity and discipleship among Kentucky Baptists. Describing some of the findings as “troubling,” McConnell said only 49 percent of respondents disagreed with the “heretical statement” that “Christians must continually work toward their salvation or risk losing it” and only 45 percent disagreed with the statement that “if a person is sincerely seeking God, he or she can obtain eternal life through religions other than Christianity.”
11/30/2007 - By John Rutledge
