Texas Tidbits

Baylor VP for development resigns. Jerry Haag, vice president for development at Baylor University, announced his resignation from the university to return to his previous position as president of Florida Baptist Children's Homes. Haag joined the university in April 2011. "This decision, prayerfully made by Christi and me, came about quickly as Florida Baptist Children's Homes asked me to come back and be president again," Haag said. "Our hearts' deep passion is feeding children in the U.S. and around the world—not just feeding them physically, but also spiritually. We will always cherish our time here at Baylor, and although we will be in another state, we love Baylor University and will continue to be passionate supporters of our alma mater in this exciting time of progress." Haag's last day at Baylor is March 9.

CLC conference slated. "Christian Ethics: A Both/And Approach in an Either/Or World" is the theme of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission Conference, March 8-9 at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. Speakers will offer reflections on Both/And:A Maston Reader, a recently compiled collection of the writings by T.B. Maston, pioneering Christian ethics professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Featured speakers are Allen Verhey from Duke Divinity School, Bill Tillman from the Baptist General Convention of Texas office of theological education and Michael Evans, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield. To register, call (214) 828-5192 or visit www.texasbaptists.org/christianlifeconference.

Christians for Biblical Equality plans Houston conference. Todd Still, professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary, will speak on "Jesus, Paul and Women: Kingdom Mission, Gospel Expansion and New Creation" at the Christians for Biblical Equality conference April 27-28 at Heights Church of Christ in Houston. Other speakers include Philip Payne, author of Man and Woman, One in Christ; Katie Hays, pastor of Northwest Christian Church in Arlington; and J.R. Daniel Kirk, assistant professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. Early registration before Feb. 29 is $40 for CBE members, $46 for nonmembers and $30 for students. For more information, visit www.cbehouston.org.

Poetry book available at Engage events. Copies of Autumn at the Lake and Other Poems, a book by veteran Texas Baptist journalist Orville Scott, will be available for a reduced price at regional Engage evangelism conferences Feb. 25 at First Baptist Church in El Paso, March 21 at First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi and April 2 at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. The book includes poems Scott wrote related to the theme of the annual Texas Baptist Evangelism Conference during his tenure with the communications office at the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Baylor regents approve master's programs. The Baylor University board of regents approved two new master's degree programs—a master of arts in Christian ministry at Truett Theological Seminary primarily to assist second-career students as they pursue church ministry, and a joint master's of social work/master's of business administration degree program through the Baylor School of Social Work and Hankamer School of Business. Board members also authorized $2.9 million in maintenance and capital projects, including an information technology infrastructure project funded in part by a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to provide high-speed Internet connectivity from the Baylor campus to the under-construction Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative.