Two proposals to reduce funding for Southern Baptist Convention causes were approved easily by members of ths Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board last week.   The proposals now go to state convention messengers at the end of this month for final action. If approved there, Texas Baptist funding for Southern Baptist Convention seminaries would drop from $5.3 million to no more than $1 million, the SBC Executive Committee would receive minimal funding and the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission would be defunded by the state denomination.   Two proposals to reduce funding for Southern Baptist Convention causes were approved easily by members of ths Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board last week.   The proposals now go to state convention messengers at the end of this month for final action. If approved there, Texas Baptist funding for Southern Baptist Convention seminaries would drop from $5.3 million to no more than $1 million, the SBC Executive Committee would receive minimal funding and the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission would be defunded by the state denomination.   The proposals have touched off considerable debate, with … [Read more...]

Apair of Louisianians are scheduled to be honored during upcoming Founder’s Day ceremonies at Louisiana College in Pineville.   A Founder’s Day chapel service is set for October 12 at 10:50 a.m. at the school, established in 1906.   In the service, a pair of persons will receive Trustees’ Distinguished Service Awards, given for exceptional service to the church, outstanding achievements in the arts and exemplary service to philanthropy toward Louisiana College. Apair of Louisianians are scheduled to be honored during upcoming Founder’s Day ceremonies at Louisiana College in Pineville.   A Founder’s Day chapel service is set for October 12 at 10:50 a.m. at the school, established in 1906.   In the service, a pair of persons will receive Trustees’ Distinguished Service Awards, given for exceptional service to the church, outstanding achievements in the arts and exemplary service to philanthropy toward Louisiana College.   In addition, the first recipient of the James Young Professorship in Religion will be named. The professorship is named in honor of James Young, who served for years as chair of the Louisiana College religion department. Young is scheduled to … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists are in the midst of an "identity crisis" that threatens the future of their cooperative efforts, Dean Doster warned.   "Southern Baptists have an identity crisis, ..." said Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. "Southern Baptists are in the midst of changing how we do our cooperative missions work. We are changing the definition of cooperative giving. The Cooperative Program, as we have known it, is changing." Southern Baptists are in the midst of an "identity crisis" that threatens the future of their cooperative efforts, Dean Doster warned.   "Southern Baptists have an identity crisis, ..." said Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. "Southern Baptists are in the midst of changing how we do our cooperative missions work. We are changing the definition of cooperative giving. The Cooperative Program, as we have known it, is changing."   Doster addressed the changes in comments to the convention Executive Board last week. He told board members he also had discussed his concerns with national leaders.   In his report, Doster reviewed convention efforts regarding prayer, human needs ministries, evangelism … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders discussed the future last week - and signaled continued commitment to missions by proposing a record state Cooperative Program budget for the upcoming year.   Board members also approved a study committee to look at future budgeting in light of ongoing increases in fixed costs. Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders discussed the future last week - and signaled continued commitment to missions by proposing a record state Cooperative Program budget for the upcoming year.   Board members also approved a study committee to look at future budgeting in light of ongoing increases in fixed costs.   They also approved a proposal to clarify that a church must cooperate "monetarily" with the convention in order to be eligible to send messengers to annual meetings.   Board members approved a proposed budget of $22,750,000 for 2001, an increase of $1,250,000 (5.8 percent) from the current budget. If approved by convention messengers in November, it would be the fifth-straight budget increase for the state.   The proposed budget was approved without debate or dissent. It includes $250,000 to be taken "off the top" to pay for health … [Read more...]

Kangaroos and koalas, "g’day" and "no worries." Ask folks where they most would like to travel, and chances are good they will include a mention of Australia. With its rugged landscape and rugged people, red rock outback and Ocker pride, Australia is the dream adventure for millions of city-bound around the world. Kangaroos and koalas, "g’day" and "no worries." Ask folks where they most would like to travel, and chances are good they will include a mention of Australia. With its rugged landscape and rugged people, red rock outback and Ocker pride, Australia is the dream adventure for millions of city-bound around the world. Bill Whelan is Aussie to the core - and one of his country’s biggest fans. But the spiritual state of Australia brings a particular pain to his heart, he says. Whelan is a deacon at Windsor District Baptist Church and was backbone of the church’s sprawling "Tent City" housing Christian volunteers during the Olympics. He says he desires one thing for Australia - revival. Whelan can give his own testimony to the life-saving power of Jesus Christ. "I was a 19-year-old submariner serving in the Royal Australian Navy. Mine was a non-Christian background, like most Australians. Like … [Read more...]

Boyd Hall does not fit the stereotype of a missionary whacking through the African bush with a Bible in one hand and a machete in the other. Hall carries a basketball. A Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionary in Capetown, South Africa, Hall was one of the 600-plus volunteers staying at Windsor District Baptist Church’s "Tent City" Olympic village. He came to Australia as part of the South African Sports Federation. Boyd Hall does not fit the stereotype of a missionary whacking through the African bush with a Bible in one hand and a machete in the other. Hall carries a basketball. A Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionary in Capetown, South Africa, Hall was one of the 600-plus volunteers staying at Windsor District Baptist Church’s "Tent City" Olympic village. He came to Australia as part of the South African Sports Federation. As a former basketball player and sports coach, Hall spent his days doing a different kind of evangelism - sports evangelism among young people. "Our goal is to teach them good basketball skills and build relationships with them," Hall says of such efforts. "We want to get to know them and see what’s going on in their lives. Then, at the end of the day, … [Read more...]

Thank you very much for your timely and extremely well-written editorial entitled "Bravo for war on tobacco - now regarding alcohol..." Thank you very much for your timely and extremely well-written editorial entitled "Bravo for war on tobacco - now regarding alcohol..."   I believe you hit the nail on the head when you wrote "Our government is addicted to the income from taxing alcohol and from the political contributions of its manufacturers."   I hope your editorial will help us all to realize that as bad as tobacco is for us - alcohol adversely affects, to a greater degree, the health of the user and an untold number of innocent people. It surely is time to go after the beverage industry with the same justification and zeal as we do the tobacco industry.   I appreciate your in-depth and substantive discussion of this important issue. Sam Lane Desoto, Texas … [Read more...]

Being a hero is not easy, but try it parents usually do. The family pooch was heavy with pups. Very heavy.   The mother pup’s family, being the loving sort, wanted to provide the best for its expectant mother. The doghouse was all ready, filled with appropriate materials to make it a birthing place. If that did not suit the dog’s mothering instincts, there were countless other places in the garage, under the carport, on the back porch. Being a hero is not easy, but try it parents usually do. The family pooch was heavy with pups. Very heavy.   The mother pup’s family, being the loving sort, wanted to provide the best for its expectant mother. The doghouse was all ready, filled with appropriate materials to make it a birthing place. If that did not suit the dog’s mothering instincts, there were countless other places in the garage, under the carport, on the back porch. Each location not only provided a wonderful place to birth puppies, but a convenient place at which the loving family could appropriate proper interest and care for the new arrivals.   Maybe that is why the mother chose to make her delivery room a snug place under the front porch of the family’s newly-constructed … [Read more...]

Budget time should mean the time to make sure your church does not short-change its staff in salary and benefits. Every church needs a committed group of advocates for adequate staff member benefits, regardless of how large or small the staff may be or whether or not the staff members are full-time or part-time. Budget time should mean the time to make sure your church does not short-change its staff in salary and benefits. Every church needs a committed group of advocates for adequate staff member benefits, regardless of how large or small the staff may be or whether or not the staff members are full-time or part-time. Ideally, such a group will be the personnel committee or whatever group serves in that capacity. But, if the official committee does not function as an advocate for employees, another unofficial group may need to take up the mantel.   One of the items such a group should be sensitive to is inflation. Because inflation has not been at a rapid rate for the last few years, some churches have tended to cut overall budget expenses by ignoring inflation when figuring staff salaries.   But inflation at a 3 percent a year rate cuts staff salaries if raises are not given at least … [Read more...]

He looks to be about 15 years old. He tries to keep a stern, defiant glare on his face as he shows off his weapons of war - a quiver of homemade arrows tipped with rusty nails, cardboard for the feathers.   His eyes reflect fear. One wants to grab him and say: "You know you’re not going on a turkey-shoot, don’t you? These are people with guns, and they’re shooting back." He looks to be about 15 years old. He tries to keep a stern, defiant glare on his face as he shows off his weapons of war - a quiver of homemade arrows tipped with rusty nails, cardboard for the feathers.   His eyes reflect fear. One wants to grab him and say: "You know you’re not going on a turkey-shoot, don’t you? These are people with guns, and they’re shooting back."   But looking in his eyes, one is pretty sure he understands.   The week has been spent in Ambon, the seat of Indonesia’s Spice Islands. A three-person team - photographer, videographer and writer - spent the time searching for the truth behind the clashes between Muslims and Christians in the Maluku Islands, which have been raging for nearly two years.   It is difficult to prepare oneself for this type of … [Read more...]