Post-war miseries continue in bombing-devastated Serbia, a Baptist-based humanitarian ministry leader reports in a recent e-mail newsletter. "The economic and political situation continues to cause much distress and uncertainty," writes Jasmina Tosic of the Bread of Life ministry in Belgrade, capital of the remaining nation of Yugoslavia. The area was the target of last years NATO bombing campaign to counter ethnic cleansing. Post-war miseries continue in bombing-devastated Serbia, a Baptist-based humanitarian ministry leader reports in a recent e-mail newsletter. "The economic and political situation continues to cause much distress and uncertainty," writes Jasmina Tosic of the Bread of Life ministry in Belgrade, capital of the remaining nation of Yugoslavia. The area was the target of last years NATO bombing campaign to counter ethnic cleansing. Tosic notes that statistics show continuing inflation, even as wages decline; that a severe drought has jeopardized food supplies for the coming winter; that hospitals are working without the most basic supplies; and that schools and kindergartens do not have adequate food or supplies for children. "From many parts of … [Read more...]
Christianity Today magazine addresses Baptist Faith and Message changes
The new Baptist Faith and Message Statement "brings needed clarity - but maybe at the cost of honest diversity," a Christianity Today editorial suggests. "We applaud most of the changes as they will discourage the liberal drift experienced by other large denominations," notes the two-page editorial in the August 7 issue of the national magazine, which is recognized by most as the foremost publication of evangelical Christianity. The new Baptist Faith and Message Statement "brings needed clarity - but maybe at the cost of honest diversity," a Christianity Today editorial suggests. "We applaud most of the changes as they will discourage the liberal drift experienced by other large denominations," notes the two-page editorial in the August 7 issue of the national magazine, which is recognized by most as the foremost publication of evangelical Christianity. "At the same time, we wonder if the (Southern Baptist Convention) has gone too far, both in seeming to eliminate discussion of some beliefs and in alienating opponents." The Baptist Faith and Message initially was adopted by Southern Baptists in 1925 in response to a Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy, the Christianity Today editorial notes. It was revised in … [Read more...]
Absurd conclusion
Re: Rick Henson’s letter to the editor of 8/17/00. He asks, "Can you imagine the Southern Baptist Convention supporting such a group (Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America)?" The group criticized for sharing some intersecting points of concern with the BPFNA is the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Re: Rick Henson’s letter to the editor of 8/17/00. He asks, "Can you imagine the Southern Baptist Convention supporting such a group (Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America)?" The group criticized for sharing some intersecting points of concern with the BPFNA is the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Henson challenges, "I call on the CBF and its past moderator to take a biblical stand against the Baptist Peace Fellowship and anyone who distorts Scripture concerning homosexuality." Daniel Vestal, CBF executive director, has spoken clearly to the concern Henson raises, 8/10 Baptist Message, Page Two. If Henson’s letter is the way we promote understanding, cooperation and the extension of Christian objectives around the world, then allow me to follow his lead. The largest single contributor to the Baptist World Alliance is none other than the Southern Baptist Convention. … [Read more...]
Very concerned
Re: L.B. Millers letter in the August 3rd issue I am very concerned about recent changes made by the SBC. Who voted for and approved these changes? How much did it cost the SBC Sunday School Board to change the name to LifeWay? How much did it cost to change all the signs on the Baptist Book Stores? Is our Sunday School Board ashamed of being Baptist? How much did it cost and what was the purpose of changing the name of the Home Mission Board and Foreign Mission Board? Wouldnt this money have been better spent on spreading the gospel? Re: L.B. Millers letter in the August 3rd issue I am very concerned about recent changes made by the SBC. Who voted for and approved these changes? How much did it cost the SBC Sunday School Board to change the name to LifeWay? How much did it cost to change all the signs on the Baptist Book Stores? Is our Sunday School Board ashamed of being Baptist? How much did it cost and what was the purpose of changing the name of the Home Mission Board and Foreign Mission Board? Wouldnt this money have been better spent on spreading the gospel? Why is the series of SS book we have used for decades no longer available? How much did it cost to send all … [Read more...]
On the teaching of values
It is an issue sure to engender debate - should values be taught in schools? If so, what values? Whose values? Apparently, however, the only ones really debating those questions are the adults. The kids are clear on what they wish to learn. Indeed, a recent Gallup Poll found strong agreement on young people on what values they wish to be taught in school - respect for others, fairness, racial acceptance, honesty, moral courage. It is an issue sure to engender debate - should values be taught in schools? If so, what values? Whose values? Apparently, however, the only ones really debating those questions are the adults. The kids are clear on what they wish to learn. Indeed, a recent Gallup Poll found strong agreement on young people on what values they wish to be taught in school - respect for others, fairness, racial acceptance, honesty, moral courage. Some may find the results surprising in a time when so much focus falls on the question of what is wrong with modern young people. They also offer a challenge. In the Gallup poll, young people were offered a list of personal traits and values that might be taught in public schools and asked whether they thought the … [Read more...]
One second – nothing but promise; the next – just nothing
They are the street-corner entrepreneurs of boring summer days. These staples of American commerce sprout up in the late summer like tents on a campground. Little League baseball has run its course. Summer camps are over. Swimming pools have turned dry with overuse. Daytime television is - well, daytime television. They are the street-corner entrepreneurs of boring summer days. These staples of American commerce sprout up in the late summer like tents on a campground. Little League baseball has run its course. Summer camps are over. Swimming pools have turned dry with overuse. Daytime television is - well, daytime television. The children and their parents have used up every diversion from summertime boredom. Except this one. One suspects that the tradition travels generation to generation more through desperate parents than industrious children. One can imagine a longsuffering parent being pushed across the line of toleration by summers end. "If you kids dont get outside, Im going to . . . " The kids respond, "There is nothing to do outside." And they are probably right in these concrete-bound, fence-divided holding pens called modern neighborhoods. "Go over to Billys to play." "His mother sent us over … [Read more...]
Exactly what is biblical worship meant to accomplish?
Was "worship" ever intended to accomplish what many churches are demanding of it today? Was "worship" ever intended to accomplish what many churches are demanding of it today? Trying to determine a correct, precise definition and purpose of worship cannot easily be accomplished. Of the multitudes of books written about worship in the last century, almost none of them give the same definition of worship, much less the exact same guidelines for worshiping. The Bible says clearly we are to worship God "in spirit and in truth," but worship is not defined in that passage, nor are we told exactly the process of worship. There seems to be an intentional openness to expand the meaning of worship and to provide significant latitude in the process and style of worship. Baptists are in what many call the "free style of worship." Basically, this means each congregation interprets the meaning of worship, arranges the order of worship and decides the style of worship best suited for its people, while hopefully striving to reflect the teachings of the Bible about these matters. This is in contrast to liturgical churches that have carefully-designed orders of worship meant to include certain components of worship as approved by … [Read more...]
‘Hello? Hello? Is anybody there? Hello? Anybody?’
It happened several years back, but he still remembers the day. And why not? It was a really bad day. But that is not the part he remembers most. The part he remembers is walking the downtown streets of his adopted city, trying to think, trying to understand, trying to figure out what he needed to do. It happened several years back, but he still remembers the day. And why not? It was a really bad day. But that is not the part he remembers most. The part he remembers is walking the downtown streets of his adopted city, trying to think, trying to understand, trying to figure out what he needed to do. His walk brought him by the First Baptist Church of the city, an impressive, inviting structure located on the "main drag." He thought to go in, to find a place where he could sit and think - and pray. He tried the front door, then the side door, then whatever door he could find. Nothing. All were locked. Much is made these days about making a church accessible, visible. A lot of attention is paid to - and for - advertising. Do people know where your church is? Can they find it … [Read more...]
This Louisiana student took her summer trip to the ends of the earth
Melissa Murrell of Pollock spent some of her summer vacation at the ends of the earth. Through a Southern Baptist International Mission Board initiative, Murrell spent June working among the Tai Lue, an unreached people group. Murrell is a student at Louisiana College in Pineville and just one of many Louisiana collegians who participated in missions efforts this summer. Melissa Murrell of Pollock spent some of her summer vacation at the ends of the earth. Through a Southern Baptist International Mission Board initiative, Murrell spent June working among the Tai Lue, an unreached people group. Murrell is a student at Louisiana College in Pineville and just one of many Louisiana collegians who participated in missions efforts this summer. The Tai Lue are Buddhists who inhabit closely-clustered villages along the Mekong River Basin of upper-Southeast Asia in the subtropical "Golden Triangle," area - infamous for producing drugs and opium. Most of the one million souls of this colorful ethno-linguistic race have yet to hear the Good News in a culturally-relevant and understandable way. That is slowly changing with efforts by Southern Baptists. Focused on … [Read more...]
Sports and missions – a good combination
Sports has become like a world religion - people "live and die" for it, a missions leader noted recently. So, why not use sports to help people know how to live - and know what will happen to them after they die? Sports has become like a world religion - people "live and die" for it, a missions leader noted recently. So, why not use sports to help people know how to live - and know what will happen to them after they die? "People live and die for their sports," said Courtney Cash, vice president of International Sports Federation, a network of Christian athletes, coaches and project coordinators who work with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board to share the gospel around the world. "When you combine national pride and the religion of sports with 2 million people, you have to be innovative in the way that you share the gospel with them. "That is where sports comes in." Cash discussed the value of sports in missions during a recent workshop at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The workshop was designed to help teach students how to conduct sports clinics in preparation for an upcoming missions trip to Australia for the … [Read more...]
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