RE: Asbury students praying and singing around the clock

Congregations are talking about Asbury. Unfortunately, we still do church in the same fashion we have done for decades. On Sunday, believers come into church and sing three or four songs, read a Bible passage, musicians or choir play a special song, make announcements for the coming week, the pastor preaches his or her sermon, there is an altar call, and then everyone goes out to their favorite eating place. Many churches also take an offering. Now fast forward to a God revival.

Want a powerful church? The most powerful tool for believers is the “prayer closet.” Time and again when men and women pray earnestly, God answers.

Secondly, be a praising church. God “inhabits the praises of his people.”

False gods in the political arena can’t solve heart issues. God is not impressed with marketing plans. Praying people start God revivals. Souls are saved and people healed when his people pray. “Now-I-lay-me-down-to-sleep” prayers won’t get revival. Repentance, prayer and fasting is first.

Imagine if, instead of preaching every Sunday, we set aside one service every few weeks where after the songs, the Bible reading and the announcements, believers come to the altar to pray for unsaved friends and loved ones, pray for community, pray for the sick and afflicted, pray for troubled marriages, pray for God’s plans to come forth in our lives instead of telling him what we want.

This takes pastors and elders and prayer warriors to be on their knees during the week before Sunday service. Churches would begin to look like God’s house. God’s house should be more hospital where hurting people’s needs are met and souls saved than a country club where everyone is comfortable.

J. Owens
Kensington, Ohio

RE: Panelists see public schools as key to the soul of democracy

I am a recent graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a resident of Garland in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. I’m perplexed by this article.

The school districts in the metroplex are radically secular. My kids in public schools are encouraged to explore alternative sexuality—they shouldn’t even be exposed to sexuality, let alone LGTBQ+—and to assume all of the traditional history they’ve heard is a form of white oppression of nonwhites.

The public school system in Dallas-Fort Worth in no way holds a “neutral” position on spiritual matters and is staunchly anti-Christian; all other religions are welcome. Furthermore, I don’t know what your stance on critical theory is, but even reasonable atheists consider it to be a form of Marxism—see James Lindsay’s Cynical Theories.

I have no affiliation with Patriot Mobile and only learned of them in your article today, but I thank God for them. Unless Christians engage in supporting school board candidates who hold a biblical worldview, any remaining Christian influence in public schools will be totally wiped away.

A member of my Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Garland is a teacher in Richardson Independent School District—one of the most secular in Dallas-Fort Worth—and he will attest that there is an active movement within the school system from the top down to isolate students from the “traditional,” “racist,” “bigoted” ideologies of their parents, and to train them, not to discern or judge different ideologies, but to adopt secular ideologies—such as: you can choose your identity; gender is fluid and nonbinary; marriage is between who/whatever “loves” someone/thing else; all knowledge claims are power grabs; and truth is relative. Such beliefs are not compatible with a basic biblical worldview.

Mike Grammer
Garland, Texas

RE: Jubilant March for Life crowd prepares for state-level fights

I urge you to print the whole story about abortion and the need for women to have available the full means for necessary medical care, including access to abortion in proven situations.

As leaders of the right-to-life movement have learned since the decision to abolish the constitutional right established in Roe v. Wade, the issues related to women’s health in conjunction with pregnancy are not as simple as those advocates want to believe.

The medical experts have clearly shown that eliminating all abortions is not a scientifically acceptable solution in today’s world.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, abortion is essential for people’s health, safety and well-being, as well as essential to health care in general. Its website has lots of material about the need for and the science related to medical and surgical abortions.

That side of the story and the facts about it need to be published by publications like the Baptist Standard.

Bob Coleman
Dallas, Texas

RE: Editorial: Women in ministry still a question for BGCT

I’d like to thank Eric Black for his recent editorial on the Baptist General Convention of Texas and women in ministry.

Since the initial statement in 1998 affirming God’s calling of men and women equally, the overlapping constituency of the BGCT and Southern Baptist Convention has meant the BGCT has been decidedly muted on its initially clear statement.

I have taught in Texas Baptist life for most of my career, first at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, second as the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon Seminary, and now as the Director of the Baptist Studies Center at Abilene Christian University. In those 15 years, there has been quiet support from many for women at all levels of leadership, but not the clear and vocal affirmation many of my former students and colleagues have needed.

The BGCT indeed has faithfully scholarshipped, platformed and employed women at various levels within the organization. But when it comes time for my female students to look for ministry positions, they frequently find themselves having to look outside of Texas Baptist life, beyond the institutions and denomination that has supported and nurtured them. If they do not hear a clear voice supporting them from denominational leadership, their desire to minister fully within BGCT spaces will continue to be thwarted.

The day is coming and is now here for the BGCT to be clear in its affirmations of women in ministry leadership. I only hope that clarity is not too little too late.

Myles Werntz, associate professor of theology and director of Baptist Studies
Abilene Christian University

RE: Hunt defiantly returns to the pulpit after abuse allegations

“Hunt denied the allegations at first, then claimed the incident was a consensual encounter.”

I do not believe it was consensual, as most men claim this when they are caught. Even if it was, it still is considered a sexual offence, as he was a married man.

“See that no one is sexually immoral” (Hebrews 12:16).

“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people” (1 Corinthians 5:9).

How dare he use Psalm 119 in his case, as I believe he is guilty.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Hunt and those four men who reinstated him had no right to do so, and there is nothing in the Bible that states they could do this. These men also believe themselves to be above God by disputing his words where the Bible says no one who is sexually immoral can be a minister.

Debbie Vasquez
Weatherford, Texas

RE: Editorial: We need a clear definition of racism

As a lawyer practicing more than 50 years, I must remind you judges are nearly always judging matters “after the fact.” So, trying to determine whether a movie, book, performance, song or other expression is pornographic is perhaps best left to the “know it when I see it” standard.

Defining racism is made more difficult by the false claims of a constitutional right to free thought and speech used to allow racial hatred, bias, discrimination and generalized harm without facing any consequences, even if it is only peer pressure.

Too many have decided racism is an attack on white people that makes them, their families and children generally feel bad about themselves when “race” and the history of the treatment of non-white persons is discussed, even in the context of talk about historical events.

We cannot address a definition of racism unless we can openly look at its history. History in the United States regarding systemic racial discrimination is well documented.

Barring teaching the history of race and the treatment of all races by governments, schools, political parties, churches, society in general and in particular parts of the country—including the facts surrounding slavery from 1618 to 1865 and all the follow-ups that discriminated against persons who were and are not white—all this will prevent finding a definition of racism.

We have to be able and should be empowered by our churches and religious leaders to tell the man not wanting his daughter to date a Black classmate his thoughts show racist tendency, and his language is racist, and the woman who tells racist jokes, she needs to stop. The jokes are not funny and disparage another of God’s creation.

Bob Coleman
Dallas, Texas

Racism is the belief that a race—regardless of the presence or absence of any other characteristic of the members of that race—is inferior to another race.

For example, without that belief of inferiority, one is not a racist who disagrees with or criticizes the opinions or actions of an individual who is Black—such as Eric Holder; a group of individuals who are Black—such as Black Lives Matter; or a culture whose members are Black—such as a small but loud part of Blacks in the United States that has developed over the last 60 years or so.

Harris Maynord
Fairhope, Ala.

RE: Editorial: Who has authority to restore a pastor?

Sexual misconduct—whether physical or within the heart of the sinner—is fully explained by Jesus as nearly identical.

What I would like to hear addressed is what sort of restitution is offered to the victims in these cases.

In the case of Johnny Hunt, accused of sexual assault by the wife of another minister, you report he denies sexual assault but admits to “a ‘compromising situation’ and a ‘consensual encounter.’ If it was sexual assault, that is a crime in every state in the union.

Was Mr. Hunt ever prosecuted for the alleged assault? I Googled the statute of limitations for sexual assault in Georgia, and it’s two years from the date of the incident. So, he was completely and totally free from criminal prosecution when he admitted to a “compromising situation” and a “consensual encounter.”

Good Baptist ministers seem to be focused on reinstating this probably beloved minister to his full, former status, while completely ignoring the victim of what he admitted he committed.

The focus is on restoring the perpetrator to his full and former glory, while the victim is left possibly to wonder why in the world she should remain a member of a denomination that rewards abusive men and ignores women left to suffer untold misery for the rest of their lives.

Bonnie Dove, former paid staff member of Mayfield Road Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas; Arapaho Road Baptist Church in Littleton, Colo.; and First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas
Arlington, Texas

RE: Editorial: Accountability requires more than four pastors

Thank you for the article discussing “moral inappropriateness” and restoration. The activities and plans remind me a bit of the movie The Apostle, which apparently parallels some of the life experiences of Jimmy Swaggart or is, at least, extremely reminiscent.

I have added interest in that I am a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with more than 25 years of full-time ministry, but also with a distant cousin—a Baptist pastor—who died back in the 1970s in Huntsville as a repeat offender for pedophilia, reportedly including assault of my former father-in-law’s sister.

I never met this cousin from my dad’s generation, but he served as pastor for churches in Texas and Arkansas, being hired multiple times, even after serving time. This was back in the first half of the 20th century, but the postal service was certainly available to inquire and have confirmed the circumstances in question. With today’s technology, there can be no excuse for lack of information.

I don’t think the world needs to know details of every morally inappropriate action, but search committees and networks of churches need to know as they consider staff.

Perhaps for Johnny Hunt, his best next step forward is to serve humbly in a “lower” position while being monitored. I am highly disappointed there were no women in his accountability group, nor was the woman with whom he was morally inappropriate mentioned or addressed. There’s still too much of a closed “boys’ club” among Baptist leadership, I fear.

Thank you, again, for the article and for your ongoing vigilance to report issues of interest.

Jim Ekrut
Benbrook, Texas

RE: Editorial: Not everything is better in Texas

I read your editorial in today’s Baptist Standard about the developments being “pushed” by young ministers, including their idea for a residency program. It is a shame the Baptist General Convention of Texas severed its relationship with Wilshire Baptist Church, since for many years it has had the leading residency program for young men and women seminary graduates called to be senior pastors, including successfully placing qualified persons as senior pastors all across the country.

It was sad, however, when I searched the website for the BGCT and found no place where women serving as senior pastors or pastors was directly mentioned anywhere. When Phil Strickland and Suzii Paynter March headed the BGCT’s Christian Life Commission, that was not the case. They fought for women in ministry and for them to be called as pastors. The current BGCT leadership seems to have forgotten God’s call to ministry as pastors is open to all women and men.

Bob Coleman
Dallas, Texas

RE: Former faith supporters tepid toward candidate Trump

Newsweek reports Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, said he would “happily” support Trump if he wins the Republican nomination for president of the United States. I find this shocking, to say the least. This is not a matter of politics, but character.

Billy Graham said he had one political regret—publicly supporting Richard Nixon, who later covered up the Watergate burglary and lied about it. Afterward, Dr. Graham refused to align with any candidate publicly.

I have read reports of evangelical leaders backing away from Trump. Even some of his close family are backing away from his political aspirations and candidacy. I hope someone who has his ear will take Jeffress aside privately and ask him to reconsider “happily” supporting any candidate.

Trump made those eager leaders look foolish when he rallied the insurrectionists on January 6, and failed to intervene to stop the assault on the Capitol. He has disqualified himself as being a man seeking power, not the truth, for he perpetuates “the big lie” about the 2020 election being stolen. How can any pastor worth his salt “happily” support such a person for any office?

To such a person I would say, “Pastor, please consider how your testimony, your credibility as a witness to him who is the Truth, might be compromised by your ‘happy’ support of such a questionable character and public record.”

A pastor should preach biblical principles from Scripture and expository sermons pertaining to godliness that will inform and guide Spirit-led Christians in their political choices.

Let us hope the presidential campaign produces trustworthy candidates—men or women—who will seek truth and put principle above privilege, personal power and profit.

Maurice Harding
Mineola, Texas

Celebrating a pastor’s ministry

I had the opportunity Nov. 13 to participate in Homer Walkup’s final service as pastor of Lake Shore Baptist Church in Lake Dallas. Homer has been their pastor 33 years. He has served local churches as a senior pastor for more than 50 years. He retires at the age of 79.

Homer has been a faithful servant, but his retirement will not make many of today’s periodicals. Homer has faithfully preached God’s word. He reminds me of Jesus’ admonition in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 to invest our talents and reap a reward for the master. For that individual, Jesus said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

When I first heard of Homer’s upcoming retirement, I went to see him. He said, “Even though I am retiring from full-time ministry, I still want to preach.” I was reminded in those words, just because one retires doesn’t mean God’s call has gone out of the individual.

May you and I be willing to serve faithfully like a man of God named Homer Walkup, who still burns with a desire to preach and share the gospel. May we live our lives in such a way that we would hear Jesus say of us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Morgan Malone
Denton, Texas

RE: Churchgoers prefer congregation that shares their politics

For every true believer, Lifeway Research has given you one of many reasons America’s evangelical churches are in trouble.

Here is what Lifeway didn’t learn:

Churchgoers prefer a church that shares in being a strong missions-giving church.
Churchgoers prefer a church that shares in a strong ministry for feeding the hungry.
Churchgoers prefer a church that shares in a strong ministry for ministering to the sick.
Churchgoers prefer a church that shares a strong ministry for the lost being led to Christ.
Churchgoers prefer a denomination that supports bringing immigrants to America.
Churchgoers prefer a church and denomination that believes more in the power of prayer than the power of politics.
Churchgoers prefer a church that has a strong base of Jesus values, not political preferences.

What might Jesus say in response to Lifeway’s findings of fact?

 “For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you brought me in and welcomed me and gave me lodging. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you ministered to me. I was in prison, and you came to see me” (Matthew 25:35-66).

My Jesus doesn’t care about your political views or preferences.

J. Owens
Kensington, Ohio

Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving” is a Biblical word.

“Offer unto God thanksgiving.” “Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks!” (Psalm 50:14; 75:1; 100:4 KJV).

Congress passed the following proclamation 243 years ago, written by Thomas Jefferson, “recommending to the states … “A day of publick and solemn THANKSGIVING to Almighty God for his mercies … his goodness wrought in conducting our forefathers to this western world; … that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance; … that he hath … shielded our troops … pointed their swords to victory; … prospered our commerce; … and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel [2 Corinthians 4:4], whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer [Jesus Christ], we may become the heirs of his eternal glory. …

“And of PRAYER … that he would … influence our publick Councils … pour out his holy spirit on all Ministers of the gospel … and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; … that he would in mercy pardon our sins, receive us into his favour; and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue”[—not upon diversity, equity and inclusion].

America was founded upon Christianity! Today the mention of Almighty God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible are removed from every aspect of public life. Even on Thanksgiving Day, anyone is thanked but God.

“They glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful.” “Ah, sinful nation!” (Romans 1:18-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Isaiah 1:2-4).

The Bible warns, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17; Isaiah 60:12).

Michael Ellis
Belton, Texas

RE: Saddleback pastor says he will encourage women to preach

Not only in regard to women deacons and pastors, it seems as though when a church “shifts” from what is called the norm, it always begins with, “We believe.” Never, to my knowledge, is the statement, “Being led by the Spirit.”

I remember years ago when River Bend Church in Austin first ordained women deacons. I can remember Gerald Mann saying, “We believe it is time to ordain women as deacons.”

F.A. Taylor
Copperas Cove, Texas

RE: Editorial: Attacking politicians starts at home

Thank you for clearly addressing an issue that has been bothering me a lot lately. It seems to me, as society, we have forgotten how to have civil discourse. The outright contempt with which we hear members of one political party vilifying members of an opposing political party is horrific to me.

Plus, the casual way in which we listen and sometimes even agree is the most disturbing aspect of all, because as we surround ourselves with this wickedness, we lose our sensitivity to the evil of it and actually seem to begin to consider it normal.

I’m thankful that as a Christian, I can still feel outraged over the situation, while still doing my best to hold at least a modicum of respect for all parties. That is becoming more and more difficult, though, because the speech is so horrible and the words so harsh, I have to constantly remind myself these are people God loves. Therefore, I am also called to love them.

You are correct when you state this begins at home; however, I believe it’s firmly reinforced by much of what passes for public media. When did we devolve into having liberal media versus conservative media? How can we tell what’s true anymore? Where’s Walter Cronkite when we need him?

Thank you for being a voice of reason in a world drowning in shouts of discord, hatred and fear. Please continue to speak with wisdom and love about some of the most serious issues of our time.

Bonnie Dove
Arlington, Texas

RE: Pastor reflects on Texas Death Row ministry

This was a fairly typical anti-death penalty article in one, familiar manner: less than 1 percent (it is often 0 percent) of the article mentioned the innocent murder victim’s name and left out all the life and loves of that person, Pablo Castro. More than 99 percent of the article was about murderers and their suffering on Death Row.

The primary reason Rev. Dana Moore finds death row inmates “ordinary” is because they are on Death Row, where they have no access to illegal drugs nor innocents to rob, rape and murder, although they do occasionally murder in prison—or after escape or release—becoming not ordinary again.

Rev. Moore wrongly puts the death penalty only in the context of the Old Testament, when death penalty support within the New Testament is overwhelming as well, with many additional reasons for support today, primarily justice as always has been the case. Genesis 9:5-6, Jesus with St. Dismas, and the Holy Ghost with Ananias and Sapphira are just a few examples.

I admire Rev. Moore’s specific ministry, which is duplicated on Death Rows throughout the country, but I never have seen one for the surviving loved ones of those who have been murdered in a capital, death-eligible murder. Why is that? Their suffering is horrendous.

The Baptist Standard might present an article interviewing the children of innocent murder victim Pablo Castro, just as Rev. Moore may start that new ministry. I respect Moore’s calling, which he must follow. Sometimes they adjust.

Dudley Sharp
Houston, Texas

RE: Letters: ‘Celebrating Baylor’s Rise’ and ‘immigrants’

A letter last week claims: “No one hates these people [meaning ‘immigrants’]. No one is mistreating them.”

That would be news to many Christians and other Americans, as we see political figures using bigotry toward these unfortunate people for political gain. Whom would you rather live next door to you, a refugee or one of those political figures?

Have I ever lived next door to refugees? No, but I have shared our home with them. The first refugee family to settle in the Washington, D.C., area after South Vietnam fell came to live with our family of four in our tiny Army quarters on Fort Belvoir.

The refugee family consisted of a young man, woman and week-old baby. The baby was the first baby boy born to refugees in Camp Pendleton, Calif. They lived with us just longer than two weeks until we found housing and a job for the young man. They now have four children who address my wife and me as “Grandma” and “Grandpa.”

We hear a lot of talk about “border security.” The biggest threat we face is internally from those who orchestrated and/or carried out the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Carl Hess
Ozark, Ala.

RE: ‘Celebrating Baylor’s Rise to Preeminence as a Christian Research University’

In a recent letter to Baylor alumni and friends, Baylor President Linda Livingstone raved about Baylor’s status as an R1 research university. Therein she also quoted Romans 12:2—“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

This bespeaks of hypocrisy, I believe. How can she claim to “be not conformed to this world,” while Baylor grants an LGBT organization recognition on campus?

Rev. Bob Gillchrest
San Diego, Calif.

RE: Editorial: What to do with immigrants

Where is your anger over the midnight flights by our government from the border to towns across our nation? Dropping off illegal immigrants in the middle of the day to towns across the nation brought it to the attention of the Main Street media. And you, too, apparently.

Are you aware there has only been one news outlet covering the border until now? Why? Did you know that almost 5 million illegal immigrants have crossed our border just since President Biden has taken office? He stopped the building of the wall and ‘remain in Mexico’ policy, which was a message that resonated around the world that the border was open.

You only mentioned the small border towns at the bottom of your rant. Shame on you.

No one hates these people. No one is mistreating them. We have allowed them in, spent huge amounts of money on them via our travel, food, housing and more.

They can say it’s a closed border, but our eyes tell us differently.

I don’t understand your sudden interest in this subject.

Pat Bowlin
San Antonio, Texas