While voicing a number of concerns about missions work done by the Southern Baptist Convention, a Texas Baptist study committee is suggesting little change in funding of that work. While voicing a number of concerns about missions work done by the Southern Baptist Convention, a Texas Baptist study committee is suggesting little change in funding of that work. The Baptist General Convention of Texas committee is recommending no change in state funding of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and no direct funding of the moderate/conservative Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The most significant recommendation of the group is to keep about $1.3 million of Cooperative Program money the state sends to the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board to be spent back in Texas. Mississippi Baptists took similar action several years ago. The committee says the change is not a "defunding" but simply a more efficient administration of funds that would have returned to the state anyway. The state convention would continue to send about $4.6 million in Cooperative Program funds to the North American Mission Board. This would not decrease funding of mission work outside Texas. Still, the Texas committee did … [Read more...]

Marv Knox Texas Baptist Standard   The American obsession with avoiding death robs Christians of the ability to accept death as God intended it, theologian Stanley Hauerwas said. The American obsession with avoiding death robs Christians of the ability to accept death as God intended it, theologian Stanley Hauerwas said.   Americans want to avoid death to such a degree that death-deferral has become the principle focus of medicine, said Hauerwas, professor of theological ethics at the Duke University Divinity School. He recently delivered a pair of lectures at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.   In two lectures - on death and on family - Hauerwas explored how American cultural ideals separate Christians from historic Christian understandings of church.   Hauerwas said he frequently asks people how they want to die. "They say they want to die in their sleep, quickly and painlessly, and they don’t want to be a ‘burden,’ which means they no longer trust their children," he continued.   The preference for sudden death has not been the norm in Christian history, he said. "Medieval people feared what we want - sudden death. They didn’t so much fear death … [Read more...]

Consider the tongue: "What a huge stack of timber can be set ablaze by the tiniest spark! And, the tongue is, in effect, a fire. It represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; it pollutes our whole being; it keeps the wheel of our existence red-hot, and its flames are fed by hell." (James 3:5b-6, NEB) Consider the tongue: "What a huge stack of timber can be set ablaze by the tiniest spark! And, the tongue is, in effect, a fire. It represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; it pollutes our whole being; it keeps the wheel of our existence red-hot, and its flames are fed by hell." (James 3:5b-6, NEB) We do well to remember that many of the harshest words in the Bible are about people misusing the power of the tongue to destroy or severely damage the life and/or reputation of another person, especially another child of God.   The Psalmist observed the wickedness of this misuse of the tongue and was inspired to condemn, "Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, Falsehood more than speaking what is right. You love all words that devour. O deceitful tongue." (Psalm 52:2-4. NAS)   The writings in … [Read more...]

Key issues still remain to be decided in the Louisiana Legislature - and there is still time for concerned citizens to have a voice in what decisions are made, Ken Ward insisted. Key issues still remain to be decided in the Louisiana Legislature - and there is still time for concerned citizens to have a voice in what decisions are made, Ken Ward insisted.   "There is still time to make a difference in the outcome of many legislative measures," said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "By acting now, Louisiana Baptists can help make a positive difference in the state in which they live."   Technology provides convenient means of monitoring bills and communicating with legislators, Ward noted. For instance, he pointed out that persons can identify and monitor bills via the Internet and can communicate with legislators via e-mail as well   "But along with the opportunity comes the responsibility to do so," Ward emphasized.   The current legislative session is scheduled to end June 18, which means the next few weeks will be critical for what happens in several areas, Ward noted.   The measures include:   • House Bill 37. … [Read more...]

The Louisiana College Chorale made their third overseas concert tour, traveling to the very cradle of Christianity.   The Chorale traveled to Italy to present concerts in Rome, Florence, and Marghera, a suburb of Venice. The Louisiana College Chorale made their third overseas concert tour, traveling to the very cradle of Christianity.   The Chorale traveled to Italy to present concerts in Rome, Florence, and Marghera, a suburb of Venice.   The Chorale is a select group of singers, representing all divisions of the college. Members are chosen through competitive auditions from the entire student body.The director is Curt Hamlett, professor of music at the school.   "This was the opportunity of a lifetime for these students, ..." Hamlett said.   "The choir sang less than a mile from the spot where Caesar Augustus declared that ‘all the world should be taxed’ and from the Apostle Paul’s dungeon where he wrote Second Timothy."   While in Rome, the Chorale performed three times. They then traveled to Florence, to perform at Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica Battista, one of the oldest Baptist churches in Italy. It was established in 1895.   The … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following list of hotels/motels for messengers attending the 2001 annual state convention in the New Orleans area this fall. Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following list of hotels/motels for messengers attending the 2001 annual state convention in the New Orleans area this fall.   Listed accommodations include:   • Travelodge Westbank   2200 Westbank Expressway   Harvey, LA 70058   504/366-5311   Rate: $70.00   • Holiday Inn Westbank   100 Westbank Expressway   Gretna, LA 70053   504/366-2361   Rate: $78.00   • Best Western Westbank   1700 Lapalaco Blvd.   Harvey, LA 70058   504/366-5369   Rate: $72.00 - $80.00   • Days Inn   3750 Westbank Expressway   Harvey, LA 70058   504/348-1262   Rate: $84.00   • Quality Inn Tower Hotel   100 Westbank Expressway   Gretna, LA 70053   504/366-8531   Rate: $75.00 … [Read more...]

For the week of May 17, 2001 Potpourri •ALEXANDRIA - Parkview church: Central La. Association Evangelism Rally; May 20, 6 p.m.; Tim Everett, pastor.   •BUNKIE - First church: Testify in concert; May 20, 6 p.m.; Clint Aclin, minister of music; Michael McIntosh, pastor.   •LONGVILLE - First church: Relations Quartet in concert; May 19, 7 p.m.; Gene Morgan, minister of music; Stuart Graves, pastor.   •MANY - Bethsadia church: The Martin Family in concert; May 26, 7 p.m.; Russell Devore, pastor.   •RIVER RIDGE - Riverside church: "Fish Tales" children’s musical; May 20, 6 p.m.; Debbie Pugh, minister of music and children; Joseph Miller, pastor.   •SHREVEPORT - First church: "English As Second Language" and "Tutoring Children and Youth" literacy training; May 17, 6 - 9 p.m.; May 18, 5 - 9 p.m.; May 19, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; cost is $25; for information, contact Judith Lim at (318) 687-9429 or Patricia Collins at (318) 925-0957; Jon Stubblefield, pastor.   •WALKER - Judson church: "Experiencing God" musical; May 27, 10:30 a.m.; Reggie Bergeron, minister of music; Merelin McCon, pastor. Anniversaries •DERIDDER - Temple church: 50th; May 27; Sunday School, 10 … [Read more...]

Eastern New Mexico University religion professor Greg DeMarco received Christ as his savior in the parking lot of a biker bar 31 years ago. But he says he did not sense God’s call to ministry until a decade later. By then, the former rock-and-roll musician had become a deep-sea diver in the U.S. Navy. Eastern New Mexico University religion professor Greg DeMarco received Christ as his savior in the parking lot of a biker bar 31 years ago. But he says he did not sense God’s call to ministry until a decade later. By then, the former rock-and-roll musician had become a deep-sea diver in the U.S. Navy. Because he re-enlisted in 1987, DeMarco says he never dreamed of someday fighting the Navy in court. However, the former chaplain is one of five Southern Baptists who have sued the Navy last year for alleged discrimination in promotions and other areas of the Chaplain Corps’ administration. Officially, the Navy will not comment on the case. Legal briefs contend the plaintiffs have no valid claims, and the Navy should have the latitude to administer its chaplaincy program. However, DeMarco alleges the corps was dominated by those from liturgical backgrounds and included inappropriate treatment of officers by their … [Read more...]

With more than 800 million chronically-hungry people throughout the world, it is easy to wonder if there is anything at all one person can do to help remedy the situation.   Well, Steve Nelson has an idea. With more than 800 million chronically-hungry people throughout the world, it is easy to wonder if there is anything at all one person can do to help remedy the situation.   Well, Steve Nelson has an idea.   Actually, it is an old idea - but adapted to modern, high-tech capabilities.   Nelson calls it "high-tech gleaning."   Of course, gleaning does not sound like a way to attack the overwhelming problem of world hunger. After all, the Old Testament practice referred to the command of harvesters to leave a little of their crop in the fields for the poor to gather.   Surely, it will take more than a few "leftovers" to feed the hundreds of millions of people hungry in the world.   Not necessarily, said Nelson, director of hunger concerns for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   "God cares about people in need," he explained. "He calls his people to reach out to them. And when they do - even in the most modest way - he … [Read more...]

Faith equals increased cash. At least that is what you think if you agree with purveyors of what some call the gospel of prosperity. Faith equals increased cash. At least that is what you think if you agree with purveyors of what some call the gospel of prosperity.   The gospel of prosperity goes something like this. If you believe in God and trust Him for financial prosperity, your financial condition gets better and better. The more you believe, the more you prosper.   "Blessings" are seen almost exclusively in terms of material wealth. God’s favor means God putting more material wealth in your possession. Non-tangible blessings, such as peace of mind or better personal relationships, are lagniappes of the primary blessing of more money.   Some purveyors (to call them preachers is a shameful misuse of this marvelous word) of this pop gospel add some other stipulations. One would have you "speak your prosperity" into existence. The combination to unlock the safe holding your gems of prosperity is speaking it aloud in faith. Faith in this scheme is believing really hard, without doubting, that you will get what you want.   Certainly, one of the stipulations for receiving … [Read more...]