Stewardship sermons often focus on finances. Even when preachers include stewardship of time and talents, emphasis on their use at church typically trumps application to the workplace or community. Amy Sherman wants church leaders to grasp a wider vision.

Amy Sherman

"I think most pastors do desire to see their people apply their faith to all areas of life and not compartmentalize it. The problem is that there is much in the life of the church—our language, our music, etc.—that inadvertently can entrench the sacred/secular dichotomy," said Sherman, author of Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good.

Churches commission missionaries and honor Sunday school teachers, but they may never recognize members who view their marketplace professions as places of ministry, she noted.

In the process, churches communicate the message, "The real work that matters in the kingdom is the spiritual stuff," she said. "We say, 'John left his job as an engineer to go into full-time ministry'—as though being an engineer wasn't ministry."

Many seminaries fail to give attention to issues of vocation and the integration of faith and work, said Sherman, a senior fellow both at the Sagamore Institute and at Baylor University's Institute for Study of Religion. And some preachers don't preach on the workplace because they lack significant work experience apart from church settings.

"Some pastors have little marketplace experience and so have few reference points for illustrations. They may feel intimidated to talk about the workplace or the world of business due to their unfamiliarity," she said.

When churches and their leaders gain a clear understanding about God's kingdom that transcends the local congregation, members expand their concept of vocation and stewardship mean, theologian Jim Denison noted.

Churches commission missionaries and honor Sunday school teachers, but they may never recognize members who view their marketplace professions as places of ministry.

"If a church embraces and communicates a kingdom vision rather than an institutional mission, her members will see their lives and work as part of God's larger purpose," the founder of the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture said.

Part of the problem rests in how churches and their members measure success, he continued.

"Our culture measures us by our performance, possessions and popularity. As a result, churches often measure themselves by their programs, property and people," said Denison, the Baptist General Convention of Texas theologian-in-residence. "By contrast, God measures us by our obedience to his kingdom assignment."

When a congregation understands the mission of God's kingdom reaches beyond the ministries inside the church's four walls, it may result in a reordering of priorities in terms of what leaders expect from members, Sherman noted.

"There has to be a conviction that the purpose of the church is to be on mission with King Jesus in his work of renewal," she said. "That work occurs outside as well as inside the church.

"So, if you embrace this conviction, you will care about external or community ministry. Therefore, you will scale back the responsibilities required of church members for the work of sustaining the institutional church—because you recognize that sustaining the institutional church is not what the purpose of the church is. So, with fewer such commitments, members are freed up for service in the world.

"If we really believe Jesus is calling us to join him in his kingdom work, then we will not be afraid. If we make our priorities what his priorities are, he will supply our needs."

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Some Christians live out their faith by ministering in churches, visiting prisoners or serving as missionaries. Jordan England does it by designing and selling furniture.

Jordan England (right), founder and CEO of Industry West, explains his company to Mihai Ciopasiu, executive director of the Ruth Project, a nonprofit that serves Gypsy children in Romania. England's Jacksonville-based online company designs and sells furniture. Meeting in a hotel restaurant in Fort Worth during Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly, the two discussed an arrangement for Industry West to furnish a Romanian school with modern classroom desks—just the kind of project the company was created for, England said. (ABP PHOTO)

"This is my calling," said England, the 31-year-old owner and CEO of Industry West, an e-commerce company based in Jacksonville, Fla., that produces designer furniture.

But the core purpose of the firm he founded in 2010 is to support charitable causes.

"I found this is the best way to live out my faith," said England, a member at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

Others are finding that the best way, too—and in growing numbers, according to experts who follow trends in social entrepreneurism and the burgeoning field of 'business as mission.'

"The movement is called 'BAM' and there are several books out there on it," said Tom Phillips, founder of Memphis-based Diversified Conveyors, Inc., and a regular speaker at workshops and conventions devoted to the subject.

Phillips' company manufactures larger conveyor systems used by airports and companies like FedEx. He founded it in 2000 as a way to generate money for local, national and international charities and ministries. It currently generates more than $1 million annually for 54 causes.

As the movement grows and more people hear about it, they suddenly see their business acumen as a spiritual blessing, he said.

"I think it's a way of taking our faith and the gifts God gives us—in my case entrepreneurship—and apply it to the kingdom," he said.

Phillips has been invited to more BAM workshops every year, including some hosted by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and he's seeing the number of such companies noticeably increasing.

"I think there's a pretty good paradigm shift going on," he said.

Part of the timing for that shift is connected to the recession and resulting bailouts and other fallout, said Linda Brennan, professor of management at Mercer University.

The economic downturn fostered distaste for greed and motivated some firms to increase transparency and social responsibility, she said. Some individuals simultaneously were inspired to seek new models for doing business, Brennan said.

England's represent a hybrid between the more overtly Christian business-as-mission model and the largely secular social entrepreneurism approach, she said.

England agreed, noting that his company's newly redesigned website has no references to Christianity or his being a Baptist.

Instead, it tells customers the company's purpose is about giving back and lists agencies the company helps to the tune of more than 10 percent of revenues.

Those include Project Ruth, which serves Gypsy children in Romania, and Hope Haven of the Low Country, a children's advocacy and rape crisis center in South Carolina.

By contrast, Phillips' website includes a verse from Scripture (Acts 1:8) and a mission statement declaring adherence to Christian principles.

England said his "under the radar" faith-based approach is intentional because it can turn off some customers and detract from the product.

The product isn't just furniture but how it's used, he said. England is headed to Romania in September to equip a school with newly designed classroom desks as part of a deal worked out with Project Ruth during the recent 2012 CBF general assembly in Fort Worth.

Making those kinds of deals, he added, is the company's reason for existence and his way of living out the gospel.

"I don't want to be Chick-fil-A where everyone knows we're a Christian business," he said. "But that is what drives me to make it successful."

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—For the Dove Award-winning group Sidewalk Prophets, Live Like That is more than just the title of their latest album. It's a reminder for believers to be aware of their words and actions while striving to be examples of Christ to the world around them.

The songs on the band's new album are designed to encourage Christians and are based on Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

"Our prayer is that every song on this album is dedicated to a glimpse of what it means to live like Christ," lead singer Dave Frey said. "We want teenagers to know that if they spend time in prayer and in the word, and serve as an example of Christ to their friends, then they are going to be blown away by what God has prepared for them. The journey is long and not always easy, but thankfully, it's also full of blessings and grace.

"My parents divorced during my junior year of high school. It was a tough time, but I realized that I could either run from God or run to him. Thankfully, I chose the latter. In both good times and bad times, God is always there. It might not always be an easy situation to endure, but God is always faithful to his children."

In addition to Frey, the group is made up of Ben McDonald, Cal Joslin, Justin Nace and Shaun Tomczak. The band members continue to receive messages about the impact of their debut album, These Simple Truths, released in 2009, that featured the hit songs, "The Words I Would Say" and "You Love Me Anyway."

"A teenager recently came up to us after a concert and, with tears in his eyes, told us about a time when he was on the brink of despair," Frey said. "This young boy said that just as he was about to end his life, a friend drove up beside him and the song playing in the car was 'You Love Me Anyway.' I get goose bumps just thinking about it. That's why we do what we do. It's God moving through songs."

While performing concerts around the country, the group hopes to offer more than a concert. They hope to provide a life-changing encounter with God.

"We often get so comfortable with our faith, but Christ calls us to have a faith that is powerful and moving," Frey said. "Whether it's taking a mission trip to Africa or visiting with your neighbors, we need to step out of our comfort zone so we can shine the light and love of Christ."

FREEPORT—Texas Port Ministry, located at Freeport, serves one of the fastest growing ports on the Gulf Coast, and its ministry reaches the ends of the earth.

Nearly 900 ships and 200,000 trucks come through the harbor at Port Freeport each year. About 23,000 seafarers from more 50 countries serve on those ships, and many of the truckers—particularly drivers based out of California—also hail from around the world.

Ministry Director Bobby Fuller uses Acts 1:8 to put it in perspective.

"The ends of the earth come to us on ships. Our Judea and Samaria come to us in trucks, and our Jerusalem makes its living right here in the Freeport harbor," Fuller said. "I don't know of anyone else that can do Acts 1:8 in one place. And I like it."

Texas Port Ministry volunteers meet needs by providing spiritual, social and physical care. Located just outside the port authority security perimeter, the ministry center provides a place where seafarers can relax on dry land and truck drivers can get a free shower.

Nearly 900 ships and 200,000 trucks come through the harbor at Port Freeport each year.

Guests immediately notice a Texas theme. Old West-style pictures hang on the wall next to rusted iron stars. A saddle rests against one of the walls—perfect for visitors to climb on, throw one hand in the air and get a quick picture. Computers offer free Internet access. Pool, table tennis and air hockey tables invite friendly competition, and a big-screen TV and several chairs provide places for relaxation. The center also supplies clean clothes and other necessities free of charge.

A bookshelf with Bibles in 56 languages allows seafarers and truck drivers from all over the world to read Scripture in their own language. "Jesus" films are available in several languages.

A Christian mariner from Costa Rica often asks Fuller for Spanish-language Bibles and tracts to share on docks in Colombia and Costa Rica.

Local churches provide and serve lunch for 30 to 50 truck drivers, seafarers and port workers every Monday.

Texas Port Ministry makes available copies of the Bible in 56 languages, allowing seafarers and truck drivers from all over the world to read Scripture in their own language.

"I want the people that come here to know that this church in our area is involved in what we're doing," Fuller said. "If they don't have a church, maybe they'll connect."

Fuller recently implemented Scripture reading and prayer with the meal.

"It's pretty simple. It's pretty short," he said. "But it's planting seeds of the gospel with every one of them."

Fuller recalled one trucker who walked into Texas Port Ministry during a meal and asked if his family could eat, too. He returned with his wife, a 2-year-old son and a 3-day-old baby. Then he told Fuller his story.

"We're basically homeless. We live in the truck. I'm trying to get my bills taken care of and get enough money to buy a house. Are you a pastor or something?" he asked Fuller.

After Fuller said he was, the man asked him to bless his baby. Fuller held the baby and said a prayer with the family at the Monday meal.

Fuller and volunteers visit ships in the port daily. On a visit to the Scandinavian Reefer, Fuller and Chaplain Robyn Crosby met Ferdinand, a 49-year-old Filipino seafarer who has worked on ships 28 years.

"Being away from the family is the hardest part," Ferdinand said.

He's been married 17 years—a difficult matter for a seafarer who can be gone up to nine months or more at a time. Loneliness and depression are common among seafarers and truck drivers. Seclusion for such a long time can be difficult.

Before leaving the ship, Fuller asked Ferdinand if he had the assurance he would go to heaven when he dies. The seafarer told him he lacked that certainty "because I have so many sins."

"I have good news for you," Fuller told him. "God forgives sin."

He explained how, through Christ, a person could be cleansed of sin and gain assurance of salvation.

"Today I have received a very good message," the seafarer said.

When the Scandinavian Reefer returns to the port, Fuller hopes to meet Ferdinand again.

In the meantime, he and the volunteers will continue to serve and share the gospel. But to do that, the ministry needs volunteers and money.

Texas Baptists provide some funds for the ministry through their gifts to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions. But after Fuller loses support from the North American Mission Board at the end of the year, he'll need additional funding.

"We pray for workers and for support all the time," he said. "Sometimes it's easy for people to give supplies, but it's harder for them to say 'yes' with their feet and to go. God's got to move in their hearts to bring them to the point where they'll say, 'Yes, I'll do what you want me to do.'"

Mission opportunities at the Texas Port Ministry center include:

• In-kind contribution such as magazines, snacks, Bibles, tracts, music audiocassettes and other items.

• Male volunteers to visit seafarers aboard their ships and to drive a van to transport seafarers to and from the port.

• Men and women to provide hospitality to seafarers at the center.

For more information, contact Bobby Fuller at (979) 233-5641 or visit the website at texasportministry.org

McKINNEY (RNS)—No matter where people live, they can go to church—virtually, at least—with Christ Fellowship in McKinney, which is on board with almost every high-tech gadget under heaven.

Christ Fellowship in McKinney offers worshippers a Facebook page, online sermons, live chats and QR codes.

Find the church by going online—the 21st-century version of sighting a steeple on the horizon. Beyond its website, Christ Fellowship also has a Facebook page.

The curious can download the worship program by scanning their customized-with-a-cross QR code. Worship services are streamed online from the church's Internet campus—with live chat running so participants can share spiritual insights in real time.

Afterward, Senior Pastor Bruce Miller said: ''Someone will ask you, 'How did it go? Did God help you today? How can we help you?' Just like we do when people come to our building in McKinney. We are here to help people find and follow Christ, wherever they are starting out from.''

And wherever they are in the digital world.

Christ Fellowship exemplifies most of the latest ways churches dramatically extend their reach beyond any one time or local address. Such congregations signal ''a willingness to meet new challenges,'' said Scott Thumma, of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, author of a study by Faith Communities Today of how churches, synagogues and mosques use the Internet and other technology.

Sermons by Bruce Miller, senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Church in McKinney, Texas, are part of the streaming worship service offered by the church's Internet campus.

The organization's national survey of 11,077 of the nation's 335,000 congregations found seven in 10 U.S. congregations had websites, and four in 10 had Facebook pages by 2010.

The use of QR codes—which allow users to scan a bar code with their cell phone and go directly to a related website—is too new to be measured yet, Thumma said. He recently began tracking churches that stream worship—about 1 percent of congregations, he estimates.

Future surveys may measure the explosion of digital applications. Christ Fellowship has one app for donating online and another for swapping goods and services to help others in the community—2,100 people at the North Texas church campus and God knows how many online.

Believers have been early adopters of every new form of communication since the first printed book—the Gutenberg Bible. Centuries later, examples abound beyond individual congregations:

• Pope Benedict XVI's annual World Communications address emphasized the importance of a Christian presence in the digital world. The Vatican has a Web TV channel and had a Twitter campaign during Lent.

• Confession: A Roman Catholic App—released for the iPhone a year ago by www.littleiapps.com, a U.S. company—has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Sacraments can't be done virtually so ''you are not YouTube-ing or emailing your confession,'' said Patrick Leinen, a cofounder of the company.

Confession: A Roman Catholic App has been downloaded more than 100,000 times since the aide to Roman Catholic confessions was released a year ago, according to co-founder Patrick Leinen.

The app is a ''personalized examination of conscience,'' an aid that prompts Catholics through the required preconfession soul-searching. Then they can bring notes right in to meet the priest, Leinen said.

• The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, a pioneer in print, radio, television and satellite-broadcast outreach for decades, now employs search-engine algorithms to steer people toward salvation.

Its Internet evangelism project, launched last fall, scours search engines for people who enter phrases such as, ''Does God love me?'' or ''Does God answer prayers?'' The results page includes a paid listing that highlights a website introducing Christ, www.PeaceWithGod.jesus.net.

People who sign on to the sinner's prayer on that page turn up in a real-time scroll of the latest ''decisions'' at www.SearchforJesus.net, a page that explains the Internet ministry.

• Believers can sing along with a new tablet hymnal from Church Publishing. In March, the Episcopal Church's publishing house released eHymnals for the iPad and other digital readers.

With the infinite reach of technology, ''people are able to confront God in unique ways even if they are hundreds of miles apart,'' said John Mark Reynolds, director of the honors institute at Biola University, a private evangelical school in La Mirada, Calif. Biola held a conference on blogging two years ago. It updated to a Web-focused conference last year, and this June, the conference zeroed in on digital technology.

No matter the technology, the overall focus remains the same, Reynolds said: ''How can the Christian church utilize the tools media has given us without being subsumed by them? You don't want delivery to become everything.''

Technology ultimately should be an enhancement, not a re-placement, for gathering in person for worship, discussion, debate and service to others, said Drew Goodmanson, CEO of Monk Development, which helps churches use the Internet to fulfill their missions.

Goodmanson appreciates that ''you can have a digital Bible in the palm of your hand or connect with others in prayer any time, anywhere.'' Even so, he cautioned: ''Jesus would not have a Facebook page. He wouldn't be stopping in an Internet cafe to update his status.''

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—For more than 25 years, Steven Curtis Chapman has been sharing songs and stories about God's redemption, grace, love and faithfulness with audiences around the world. Along the way, Chapman has garnered 56 Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, five Grammy Awards and 46 No. 1 radio hits.

Through it all, he has remained dedicated to shining the spotlight on Christ.

"Realizing that God has entrusted me with a calling to lead people before his throne gives a greater meaning and purpose to performing concerts and writing songs," Chapman said. 

"I love hearing stories about people accepting Christ during a concert or how a song on the radio inspired someone to follow the Lord. It is the greatest honor and privilege knowing that these songs are leading people to Christ.  

"With all the songs that I've written through the years, my prayer has been: 'Lord, I want to know you more. As you make yourself known, I want to make you known to others through what I write, sing and the stories I tell.'"

In addition to his music, Chapman desires to create platforms to reach out and help those in need.

As strong advocates for adoption and orphan care, he and his wife, Mary Beth, have adopted three daughters from China. They also established a ministry, Show Hope , that has given more than 2,600 financial grants to adoptive families and has affected the lives of children from 45 countries. 

In addition to financial aid, Show Hope empowers families, communities and churches with adoption and orphan care resources to assist them in advocating and caring for the millions of orphans around the world. Show Hope also provides for orphans with special needs through special care centers in China.

The Christian Alliance for Orphans presented the Chapmans with the Defender of the Fatherless Award at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.

In 2008, the Chapman family was devastated by the death of their adopted daughter, Maria Sue. However, they found comfort and strength through God's faithfulness and unfailing love.

Now, with an even greater passion and purpose for sharing the gospel through songs, Chapman hopes his music will help provide comfort for people dealing with the loss of a loved one.

"After Maria went to heaven, I was crying out to God in the midst of grief, darkness and despair," Chapman said.

"I kept saying, 'God, I trust you … even though I don't understand.' When I started doing concerts again, I found there was a new meaning, purpose and passion in the song lyrics. 

"Just as my family had walked through more valleys than we ever had before, I was singing about trusting God, his sovereignty and faithfulness. I found myself singing many of the lyrics with a new understanding and new desperation for the truth of the gospel.

"Even to this day, God is still leading us out of those dark places. We still wake up and face a heavy reality. In the midst of our sadness, we are reminded that Jesus is leading us on this journey, and we are going to make it through. God will never leave or forsake his children.

"I certainly don't have all the answers, but I know that as my family has walked through the deepest, darkest places in our lives that God has been right there with us every step of the way—sustaining us and giving us strength.

"After all these years and after everything that my family has been through, we can still declare that God is good and that he is faithful. 

"I want to encourage others not to lose heart or grow weary, because for those who have a relationship with Christ, this journey will take us home. That is the greatest promise and where we find our hope."

BROWNSVILLE—In recent months, Brownsville churches have seen marked growth in spiritual decisions made in a largely unreached community.

Josh Newton from Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas teaches children during a Vacation Bible School session in Brownsville. (BGCT PHOTOS/Courtney Wilmoth)

In March, Texas Baptist churches in Brownsville recorded 77 spiritual decisions, and 19 households pledged to become hosts to house churches, said Osvaldo Lerma, regional coordinator for Texas Baptist River Ministry.

Since then, churches have stayed busy discipling new converts and continuing outreach, added Lerma, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Filadelfia in Brownsville, who noted he has witnessed God's faithfulness.

Before the missions work in March commenced, significant spiritual preparation took place involving churches in Brownsville and a visiting team from Primera Iglesia Bautista of Fort Worth, coordinated by Texas Baptist River Ministry.

Texas Baptists support the ongoing work of River Ministry through gifts to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions and support for the Cooperative Program.

As a consequence of the spiritual groundwork laid in advance, God brought about divine appointments, Lerma observed.

He cited contact with Martha Hilda, who recently survived a horrific car accident that killed her mother and close friend.

Members of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Fort Worth were visiting women in the area where Hilda lived.

Local residents pointed her out to the church members, and consequently, they contacted her.

Since her accident, she has been "hungry for God," they learned, and the group was able to begin ministering to her regularly.

Hilda gets around on a walker, even doctors told her she never would be able to walk again after the wreck.

Josh Newton of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas leads activities during VBS in Brownsville.

She never was supposed to be able to carry on a conversation again, but she shares her story with those who will listen.

Although her entire left arm is constructed of titanium, she has full use of it.

"If you had asked me before my accident if I was ready to die, I would have said, 'Yes.' Now, I am not ready. Now, I know my life has a purpose," Hilda said.

Hilda's entire lifestyle has changed. She insists she is not angry about the accident and what it took from her. She believes God has a purpose in all of it.

"I know God is there for us. No matter the problem or the time, he's there," Hilda said.

"It's amazing to see how God is moving in her circle of influence," Lerma said.

In recent weeks, River Ministry focused on the children of the community. Iglesia Bautista Filadelfia partnered with Park Cities Baptist Church of Dallas to conduct four Vacation Bible Schools across Browns-ville—two in apartment complexes, one in a rundown housing community and another in the small home of a church member.

Ministry to children makes an impact on their mothers, who stay nearby during VBS, Lerma noted.

VBS allows the children to be watched, cared for and taught about Jesus, while the adults in the church can minister to their moms.

At each of the four VBS locations, children learned stories about Jesus, memorized Scrip-ture, made a craft, ate a snack and were allotted time to play games with their new Dallas friends.

Haydee Mata held a VBS in her home and on the last day was able to witness all the children come to know Christ.

Mata also ministered to her next-door neighbor, who eventually made her way to the VBS and heard the Bible stories.

At the VBS held in the housing community, three women made professions of faith in Christ while Park Cities young people ministered to their children.

Members of Iglesia Bautista Filadelfia understand the importance of reaching out to their community, Lerma noted. Rather than placing emphasis on getting people to church, they focus on taking Jesus to the people.

"Things are just beginning to roll. There will be an explosion in the next months or years of Christians," Lerma said with certainty.

"God is just looking for obedient people, and he will do the rest."

• Daniel Camp to Shiloh Church in Crawford as pastor, where he was youth minister.

• Shannon Eddins to Tabernacle Church in Ennis as minister of preschool.

• Clint Followell to First Church in San Marcos as minister to students.

• Michael George to Southwest Park Church in Abilene as student and media pastor.

• Jeff Jud to Baptist Temple in Edna as pastor, where he had been interim pastor.

• Chris Lange to Wellborn Church in College Station as associate pastor of students, children and missions.

• John Lassitter to First Church in San Marcos as minister of music/ administration.

• Jack Riley to Pershing Park Church in Killeen as interim pastor.

• Cary Todd to First Church in College Station as youth minister.

Views on voting for a Mormon unchanged. Nearly one American in five says he or she would not vote for a Mormon president, a percentage that hardly has budged since 1967, according to a new Gallup poll. It is unclear how the anti-Mormon inclination will affect Mitt Romney, the presumed GOP presidential nominee, Gallup said, since just 57 percent of Americans know he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Anti-Mormon attitudes are tied closely to education levels and partisanship, with nearly a quarter of Americans with a high school education or less saying they would not vote for a Mormon. That number decreases to just 7 percent among those with postgraduate degrees. Nine in 10 Republicans and 79 percent of independents said they would vote for a Mormon; just 72 percent of Democrats agreed. Gallup began asking the Mormon question in 1967, when 19 percent said they would not vote for a Mormon presidential candidate. This year, 18 percent said they would not vote for a qualified Mormon candidate, down from 22 percent in 2011. The anti-Mormon bias remains remarkably consistent, according to Gallup, considering that resistance to candidates who are black, Jewish or female has declined markedly since 1967. The Gallup poll is based on telephone interviews conducted June 7-10 with a random sample of 1,004 adults. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Religious donations decline again. Post-recession America is beginning to open its wallet to charities again but is not giving as generously to religious institutions. While charitable donations from individuals rose nearly 4 percent overall in 2011, according to the annual Giving USA report, donations to houses of worship and other religious bodies dropped by 1.7 percent—a decrease for the second year in a row. The report, compiled by the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, shows individual Americans gave nearly $218 billion last year, $96 billion of which went to religious organizations. The proportion of the charitable donations going to religious groups has been falling steadily for decades, said Robert Evans, of Giving USA's editorial review board. Evans offered several reasons for the decline, including increased competition from a proliferating number of nonreligious organizations, a decrease in church attendance and a general lack of sophistication within religious institutions regarding fund-raising.

Evangelicals propose code of ethics. The National Association of Evangelicals is urging pastors to seek a common moral ground by uniting under a consistent code of ethics. NAE leaders said the new code provides uniform guidance to church leaders across the 40 denominations that comprise the nation's largest evangelical group. The code puts into writing ethical guidelines that often go unspoken. Specifics include, among other things, sexual purity, regular financial auditing, not recruiting members from a pastor's former congregation and counseling ethics. A team of ethicists, pastors and denominational leaders working over an 18-month span compiled the code.

—Compiled from Religion News Service

Arab seminary needs new water well. The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon urgently needs a new water well after its old one broke in March, forcing the school to incur significant expenses buying water for daily use. The school is paying an additional $500 a week to purchase water for day-to-day needs. Expenses increase when the school hosts conferences and seminars, as it does often. The cost of digging a new well is $64,515, including drilling, installation, the pump and all needed accessories. Contributions can be sent to Texas Partnerships, Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246, Attn: Lebanon Water Well.

CBF Texas elects leaders, approves budget. At its Fort Worth meeting, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Texas chose Patricia Wilson of Waco as moderator-elect and Wesley Craig of San Antonio as recorder. Maria Monteiro of San Antonio assumes the post as moderator, succeeding Charlie Brown of Mesquite. The group approved a $161,538 budget for 2012-2013, a $4,310 increase over the previous year. CBF Texas affirmed three representatives to the CBF National Coordinating Council—Bobby Broyles of Ballinger, Roger Paynter of Austin and John Lockhart of Richmond—and approved Erin Conaway of Waco for the CBF national nominating committee. The group also elected 10 individuals to the CBF Texas Coordinating Council—Sarah Carabajal of Fort Worth; Debbie Connally, Amy Grizzle and Martus Miley of Houston; Mary Keller and Brad Jernberg of Dallas; Nora Lozano of San Antonio; John Roman of El Paso; Craig Nash of Waco; and Amy Wilkins of Coppell.

Texas state senator honored. The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission honored Wendy Davis, state senator from Fort Worth, with its Horizon Award for leadership in public service. The CLC recognized Davis for her efforts to curb predatory lending practices in the state. "Many people in Texas now have become consumers of payday loans … that trap them in a cycle of debt," Davis said, expressing a desire to make "a difference in the lives of people so terribly impacted by this." Davis received the award at a luncheon jointly sponsored by the CLC and the Baptist Center for Ethics during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly in Fort Worth.

CBF recognizes Tyler physician. Dick Hurst, a physician, Sunday school teacher and frequent mission volunteer from First Baptist Church in Tyler, received the second annual Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Advocate of the Year award during an event held in conjunction with the CBF general assembly in Fort Worth. "I've been with dedicated CBF workers in difficult situations," Hurst said. "We who hold the ropes, as they say, need to hold the ropes a little tighter. Our field personnel need us."

—Compiled from wire services

• Thirty teams of three to five workers each are needed for a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-sponsored mission in Pharr July 22-2, 2013. Teams will repair, paint and clean 35 classrooms and four restrooms of the Pharr Literacy Project. For more information, call (956) 627-6370.

• Dallas Baptist University will hold a preview day for prospective students and their parents July 27. The event includes a campus tour, meetings with faculty and administrators, and information about admissions, financial aid and campus life. The event is free of charge for the prospective students and up to two guests. For more information, call (214) 333-5360.

• East Texas Baptist University will serve as a satellite location for the Global Leadership Summit hosted by Willow Creek Association Aug. 9-10. The training event is broadcast live from Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., to more than 460 cities worldwide. ETBU will host the two-day event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center. Included among the speakers will be Bill Hybels, founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek; Condoleeza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State; Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of Harlem's Children's Zone; John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church; and Marc Kielburger, co-founder of Free the Children. Registration is online at www.etbu.edu/leadershipsummit. For information on discount rates, call (903) 923-2130.

• Howard Payne University's alumni association awarded scholarships to 18 students for the upcoming school year. Recipients are relatives of HPU alumni, selected by the association's scholarship committee. They include Brittany Bailey, Carolyn Barnes, Olivia Blevins, Nathan Byrd, Jaimie Easley, Ethan Halydier, Jeff Jackson, Ashley Miller, Ben Mohundro, Emily Murphree, Elizabeth Oliver, Cameron Polaski, Logan Polaski, Whitney Presbaugh, Kristian Simpson, Mitchell Sos-tarich, Joshua Woods and Brandon Yost.

• Graduating senior Kyle Timmerman of Rockwall received Hardin-Simmons University's George Skiles Anderson award. He now works for a firm that manages investment portfolios.

• Jeremy Case is assistant basketball coach at Houston Baptist University. He spent the last three years as an assistant coach at Southwest Missouri State University.

Anniversaries

• Chuck Beem, 10th, as discipleship and missions pastor at First Church in Brazoria, June 1.

• Chester Fehlis, fifth, as small groups coordinator at First Church in Bryan, June 1.

• Rodney Bowman, 20th, as pastor of First Church in Angleton, June 28.

• First Church in Angleton, 75th, Aug. 22. The church will celebrate throughout August with special events and guest musicians and preachers. On Aug. 5, Weldon Doherty will preach, and Keith Matney will be the guest musician. Terry and Darla Heeringa will be the missionary guests. A meal will follow the morning service. A fellowship breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 12. Lee Rickaway will preach, and Logan Doak will be the featured musician. Jim Doyle will speak Aug. 19, followed by a picnic at the American Legion Hall. Jim Howard will preach in the morning service Aug. 26, while Robin Butler will speak that evening. A pie-and-ice-cream fellowship will follow the evening service. Greg Smith is pastor.

Retired

• Robert Parker, after 48 years of ministry. He was pastor of churches in Louisiana, Tenn-essee and Texas, including Bluegrove Church in Bluegrove, Elkins Lake Church in Huntsville, Park Place Church in Houston, Northway Church in Dallas and most recently, First Church in McGregor. He served as associational moderator for both Tryon Evergreen and Union associations. He served on the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and was chairman from 1990 to 1992. He also served on the advisory board of Baylor University's Truett Seminary. He co-authored a revision of the friendship evangelism materials used by the evangelism division of the BGCT. He is now living in Fort Worth, and he is available for supply and interim ministry at (254) 424-7708.

Deaths

• Bill King, 82, June 17 in Abilene. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and a member of its Cowboy Band, he was a charter member of the Cowboy Band Foundation, serving as president during the time money was raised to build the university's band hall. A portrait of King hangs on the band hall's Wall of Fame in honor of his long support of the band. He also was a member of HSU's John G. Hardin Society. He was a member of First Church in Abilene and its various singing groups. He was preceded in death by his wife, Val Jean, in 2002. He is survived by his son, Boyd; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

• Kenneth Scheffer, 83, June 19 in Huntsville. He was a member and deacon of University Heights Church in Huntsville. He taught Sunday school, worked on various committee and was involved in men's ministry. He was preceded in death by his brother, Buck; and four sisters, Eunice Owen, Charlene Chancellor, Faye Keeling and Oleta Hall. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Merle; daughters, Donna Vernon and Gayla Roberson; son, Alan; sister, Velma Blake; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Ordained

• Burke Bullock, Mike Briggs, Robert Carden and Thomas Keeble as deacons at Tabernacle Church in Pickton.

ARLINGTON – For the 3,000 students in attendance at the 2012 Youth Evangelism Conference hosted by Texas Baptists, they heard a message from speakers and musicians of what it means to "glorify" the Lord with their lives, the theme for the event.

David Crowder of Waco performs a concert during the Youth Evangelism Conference in Arlington.

"The whole reason we are here is to bring God glory. It's an ancient vision that God has given us," said Leighton Flowers, Texas Baptists youth evangelism director. For those present, Mandy Meeker, YEC coordinator, believes that Romans 11:36, the theme scripture, truly came to life for them.

During the weekend event, 101 students made first-time decisions to follow Jesus. One hundred and thirty-six students made recommitments, and two students responded to the call to ministry.

"It was amazing. There was just a sweet spirit in the atmosphere all weekend," Flowers said.

Meeker agrees, saying it was the best overall YEC they've had.

Jason Castro of Rockwall, former top-five finalist on American Idol, performs a concert during the Youth Evangelism Conference in Arlington.

Everyone – artists, musicians, speakers – they all embodied the theme for the weekend and spoke the gospel," Meeker said.

Jacob Allen, who attended YEC with First Baptist Church in Crosby, was one of the students who accepted Jesus as Savior of his life on Friday night. "It was a great, fun experience. I enjoyed being able to worship God," Allen said of his time at YEC.

Students heard the testimony of Tedashi, Christian music artist. He shared about coming to know Christ as his savior on the campus of Baylor University, where he attended college. Far From Ordinary, a two-man drama team, challenged the students not to keep hidden the life-saving gift of knowing Jesus as Lord. They demonstrated this in a skit about finding the cure for cancer, saying no one would ever keep the cure for cancer a secret. Keeping the knowledge the students have of Christ concealed is just as unfathomable.

Clayton King and Alex Harris were the guest speakers for the weekend. Both men preached bold messages and asked for bold responses from the students.

"There's no such thing as a private relationship with Jesus. It's a personal relationship. The world needs to know," King said to students Friday night.

Students at Youth Evangelism Conference respond to a public invitation to follow Christ following a message by Clayton King. (PHOTOS/Courtney Wilmoth)

Harris challenged the students to take a look at the fruit their lives were producing, preaching from Luke 6:43-46. He gave students five questions to ask themselves in order to help them see the remnants of faith in their life or the lack there of.

Neither King nor Harris asked the students to repeat any words or quietly pray to themselves during the invitations. In fact, both men asked students to boldly stand up if they wanted to accept Christ as their Lord for the first time.

On Saturday, Harris called those who wanted to know Christ to stand up and yell "Jesus Christ is Lord." And students did.

"It moved me to tears," Flowers said of hearing the students yell "Jesus Christ is Lord."

Shane and Shane led worship both days for students, while David Crowder and Jason Castro gave the concerts on Friday and Saturday.

According to Meeker, the servant hearts of the musicians helped to make each day feel much more like a full worship service rather than a concert.

"It was a well-rounded weekend, and I know the Lord was honored and glorified through all of it," Meeker said.