In his first letter Peter commands his readers to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15). Christian apologists rightfully see this statement as a mandate to defend the faith. It is certainly this – and more. In his first letter Peter commands his readers to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).  Christian apologists rightfully see this statement as a mandate to defend the faith. It is certainly this – and more. This passage is first and foremost a call to devotion.  “Christ as Lord” is central, making a defense for the hope that we have is certainly important but it follows from sanctifying Jesus as the center of our lives, not vice versa. What does it mean for Christ to be Lord?  In short, it means that he is master of every arena of our lives, our private thoughts and desires, our relationships, our vocations—every area. This includes how we relate to our culture. Christ as … [Read more...]

According to a recent U.S. Census report, 54 percent of mothers with advanced degrees do not work full time. Additionally, Census Bureau statistics reveal that over the past 10 years there has been a 15 percent increase in the number of stay-at-home moms. These figures reflect a trend that more and more women are choosing to focus on their families rather than their careers. According to a recent U.S. Census report, 54 percent of mothers with advanced degrees do not work full time. Additionally, Census Bureau statistics reveal that over the past 10 years there has been a 15 percent increase in the number of stay-at-home moms. These figures reflect a trend that more and more women are choosing to focus on their families rather than their careers. This exodus of women from the workplace has at least one feminist up in arms. Linda R. Hirshman, who recently retired as the Allen/Berenson Distinguished Visiting Professor at Brandeis University, has written a book and numerous columns assailing the trend of women choosing home over office. In an article titled “Homeward Bound” that appeared in The American Prospect magazine, Hirshman pulled no punches when she indicated that educated women who choose to … [Read more...]

The old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” has proven to be true in the battle over abortion. The picture, painted by the decade-plus-long battle to ban the heinous procedure known as partial-birth abortion, has changed the debate. The old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” has proven to be true in the battle over abortion. The picture, painted by the decade-plus-long battle to ban the heinous procedure known as partial-birth abortion, has changed the debate. Americans are polling increasingly pro-life partly because we’ve had a gruesome demonstration of the baby who – under current law – can legally be murdered as long as his or her foot remains in the birth canal. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of the federal ban on partial-birth abortion will be announced next year, and hopefully that will put an end to these murders. But in the quest to end all abortions, it is necessary to continue painting pictures. Before ending the 109th Congress, members of the House of Representatives got out their art supplies once again. The December vote on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act was taken under an expedited calendar, which allowed only 20 minutes of debate and … [Read more...]

When is physician-assisted suicide not really suicide? Apparently when medical professionals say it isn’t. Culture whitewashes words: WASHINGTON (BP) – When is physician-assisted suicide not really suicide? Apparently when medical professionals say it isn’t. The American Public Health Association has joined the Oregon Department of Human Services in redefining the act of a terminally ill person taking drugs to kill himself. Terms such as “suicide” or “physician-assisted suicide” should be rejected in favor of such phrases as “aid in dying” or “patient-directed dying,” the APHA decided in a resolution announced Dec. 20. The APHA’s Governing Council adopted the resolution in early November as an interim policy until it is confirmed in 2007. The resolution calls on reporters, public policy makers and medical personnel to use the “value-neutral terms” to describe a “mentally competent, terminally ill” person taking his own life. The council cited in its resolution Oregon’s October decision to halt the use of “physician-assisted suicide” to describe those who take their own lives with the aid of lethal prescriptions from doctors. Instead, the state’s Department of Human Services will refer to … [Read more...]

Only the church has the authority to completely eradicate AIDS, said Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and an increasingly prominent AIDS activist, during the 2006 Urbana Student Missions Conference, Dec. 27-31 in St. Louis. ST. LOUIS (BP) –- Only the church has the authority to completely eradicate AIDS, said Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and an increasingly prominent AIDS activist, during the 2006 Urbana Student Missions Conference, Dec. 27-31 in St. Louis. “Even if we had drugs for everybody today, if we had a cure for everybody today, we could not get it to the people without [the help of] the churches. It’s not going to happen,” Warren said during a Dec. 30 news conference with his wife Kay and several AIDS activists with World Vision. “The church is the only global organization in the world,” the California pastor said. “It was global 200 years ago before anyone started talking about globalization. It’s bigger than China and India put together. People don’t realize it is the only network in the world. It meets in far more languages than the United Nations.” Because of its unique influence and spiritual mandate, Warren said the church should play a leading role in … [Read more...]

The most recent study by LifeWay Research reveals young adults are falling away from church and many are finding church irrelevant to their lives. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The most recent study by LifeWay Research reveals young adults are falling away from church and many are finding church irrelevant to their lives. – According to the research, the need to reach people age 18 to 34 can be seen by simply comparing the following statistics: n In 1980, more than 100,000 young adults were baptized in Southern Baptist churches. In 2005, slightly more than 60,000 young adults were baptized in SBC churches; a number drastically lower with the United States population climbing above 300 million. • Seventy-three percent of church members and 47 percent of non-affiliated young adults indicated that community with other young adults is extremely important in their lives. • The second most important thing for young adult churchgoers is participation in small-group meetings to discuss life application of Scripture (71 percent). • The small-group atmosphere is where this generation can find “advice from individuals with similar experiences,” is one of the top five most important things to both … [Read more...]

Is the church losing out on its greatest resource? In underutilizing Millennials -- students born between 1977 and 2000 -– some missions workers believe Southern Baptists may miss out on the greatest opportunity to impact the Kingdom that the convention has seen in more than 50 years. ST. LOUIS (BP)--Is the church losing out on its greatest resource? In underutilizing Millennials -- students born between 1977 and 2000 -– some missions workers believe Southern Baptists may miss out on the greatest opportunity to impact the Kingdom that the convention has seen in more than 50 years. Touted for their global perspective and service-oriented personal goals, Millenials turned out in droves for the 2006 Urbana Student Missions Conference in St. Louis in late December. Yet, Southern Baptist workers indicate there is a downward shift in the number of students volunteering for mission projects. Mike Lopez, director for student mobilization for the SBC’s International Mission Board, says two years ago about 8,000 students signed up for missions through his office. In 2006, the number has dropped to 6,500. “I’m seeing that with other organizations too,” Lopez said. “I don’t want to say our numbers have disappeared, but … [Read more...]

Baptist Collegiate Ministry is a Cooperative Program ministry on 34 campuses funded by the Louisiana Baptist Convention. It is a ministry that works to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ on campus, help students grow in their commitment to Christ and gives students the opportunity to serve locally and around the world. Baptist Collegiate Ministry is a Cooperative Program ministry on 34 campuses funded by the Louisiana Baptist Convention. It is a ministry that works to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ on campus, help students grow in their commitment to Christ and gives students the opportunity to serve locally and around the world. Mark Robinson is state director. Contact him at mark.robinson@lbc.org or call 318-448-3402 or (in Louisiana) 1-800-622-6549. The campus directors are: Reginald Alford, Grambling State University reginaldalford@bellsouth.net 318.255.1982 Scott Belmore, University of Lafayette scott@ullbcm.com 337.234.8732 Keith Cating, McNeese State University kcating@hotmail.com 337.477.4866 Bill Collins, Northwestern State University of Louisiana nsubcm@cox-internet.com 318.357.6464 Patrick Frey, Louisiana State University at Alexandria & Louisiana … [Read more...]

It has been nearly two years since an earthquake and a deadly tsunami hit parts of eight Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Many survivors have tried to move on with their lives, while others are still working to regain normalcy and stability. RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – It has been nearly two years since an earthquake and a deadly tsunami hit parts of eight Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Many survivors have tried to move on with their lives, while others are still working to regain normalcy and stability. There are constant reminders of the day family, friends, homes and businesses were lost. But many survivors have found hope through the Southern Baptist Convention. In a new website launched through the International Mission Board, tsunami victims thank Southern Baptists for helping them rebuild their lives. The new website features personal “thank yous” from tsunami survivors, video footage of the devastation and rebuilding efforts plus witnesses’ personal accounts of that tragic day. Many Southern Baptists traveled to South and Southeast Asia volunteering their time. Others offered $16.8 million in financial support to help hundreds of … [Read more...]

The Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845 mainly to create two mission boards—the Foreign Mission Board and the Domestic Mission Board (now North American Mission Board). Staff International Mission Board RICHMOND, Va. – The  Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845 mainly  to create two mission boards—the Foreign Mission  Board and the Domestic Mission Board (now North American  Mission Board). This was precipitated by controversy  with northern Baptists over appointing slave owners  as missionaries. The Foreign Mission Board, in Richmond,  Va., held its first commissioning service in 1846.  Since then more than 15,000 missionaries have been appointed,  a third of them still serving today. After Southern Baptists assumed support for some missionaries in China, the denomination’s missionary efforts grew slowly. The Civil War and the South’s agrarian economy made support difficult, and the board often was hampered by debt between 1861 and 1943. Significant growth in the board’s overseas work did not occur until after World War II. Empowered by the support of the Cooperative Program, founded in 1925, and an enlarged worldview, Southern Baptists answered the call, reaching 1,000 … [Read more...]