ALTERNATIVE Giving 4 Seeking a Less Crazy Christmas

>> This is the December 2013 issue containing the January Bible Study Lessons

Emmanuel McCall to receive 2014 Judson-Rice Award 6

baptiststoday.org ALTERNATIVE Giving 4 Seeking a less crazy Christmas

FA TH™ BIBLE STUDIES for adults and youth 17

John D. Pierce Executive Editor [email protected] Benjamin L. McDade Executive Vice President [email protected] Julie Steele Chief Operations Ofﬁcer [email protected] Jackie B. Riley Managing Editor [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge Contributing Editor [email protected] Bruce T. Gourley Online Editor [email protected] David Cassady Church Resources Editor NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCE: ISRAEL [email protected] Page 6 Terri Byrd Contributing Writer PERSPECTIVES Vickie Frayne Art Director We are fragile 7 Jannie Lister John Pierce Customer Service Manager [email protected] Welcome to Watonga 15 Kimberly L. Hovis Elizabeth Evans Hagan Marketing Associate [email protected] Check your congregational aroma 37 Lex Horton Bill Wilson Nurturing Faith Resources Manager [email protected] 38 IN THE NEWS Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus Responsible Freedom Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus Supreme Court afﬁrms monks’ rights Founding editor, current DIRECTORS EMERITI to sell caskets 10 editor discuss the mission Thomas H. Boland R. Kirby Godsey Sistine Chapel pollution may lead of Baptists Today Mary Etta Sanders to fewer visitors 10 Winnie V. Williams Religion not main motivator for FEATURES BOARD OF DIRECTORS home-schooling families 11 Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. (chairman) Hollywood looks to the Bible for screen- Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) Hispanic ‘nones’ growing play potential 41 Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. 11 Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. C. S. Lewis’ legacy shines in U.S., not in Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Church giving reaches Depression-era lows 12 Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. his homeland 42 James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. Falwell’s legacy: Liberty University Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. keeps growing 13 Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. Conservative Judaism turns 100, David Hull, Huntsville, Ala. Fisher Humphreys, Birmingham, Ala. seeks to hold middle ground 30 Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. Loss of biblical literacy impacts preaching 36 Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. Church news outlets struggle to keep Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. editorial independence 43 Macon Sheppard, Clemson, S.C. Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. Jim Strawn, Dunwoody, Ga. Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. DIG DEEPER: What will your class study Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. next year? 32 David Turner, Richmond, Va. Tom Waller, Alpharetta, Ga. Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN Cover photo by John Pierce. Many Christians are changing their buy- Cynthia Wise, Birmingham, Ala. ing habits and seeking more meaningful ways to celebrate Christmas. Donna Wood, Macon, Ga. Story on page 4 READERS SERVICES

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Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) is published monthly by: Baptists Today Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Baptists TodayAll rights reserved. Executive Editor Alternative Giving Seeking a less crazy Christmas

A hippopotamus for Christmas? No, but perhaps a water buffalo. That’s the kind of alternative Christmas giving some people are doing to combat the growing commercialization and frenzy of the season. ather than putting fancy wrapping and ribbon around a sweater for a friend or R relative whose closets are overflowing, a charitable gift in that person’s name might be considered a better way to honor God’s gift of the Christ child. Heifer International, like other charities, makes such alternative giving possible. For $250, a water buffalo is provided to a family in need as a source of both milk and labor. Or a $25 gift is combined with nine others to deliver the animal. A llama ($150), a sheep ($120), a pig Shaun King, the new pastor of Johns success if a family at least paused to consider ($120), a camel ($850) or a hive of honey- Creek Baptist Church in the Atlanta area, said a simpler, more redemptive way to enter and bees ($30) may also show up on this unusual his previous congregation, College Park Baptist engage the story of our Lord’s birth. What Christmas gift list. Church in Orlando, participated in Advent moved us was that families did far more than The range of charitable giving opportuni- Conspiracy (adventconspiracy.org) for two consider a different way; they seized it.” ties in honor of a friend or family member is years in a row. Through social media, church families wide — including local and global mission “It was more of a movement than a pro- shared their creative ideas. causes as well as non-profit groups that build gram,” he said. “We started in October, when “Perhaps the most exciting element was homes for the poor or provide mosquito nets Christmas marketing began to appear in the our decision to leverage the energy of the to combat malaria. malls. We began provoking the imagination movement for greater generosity toward the Alternative Christmas giving is as unique toward another way of entering the story of CBF Global Missions Offering,” he said. “We as the individuals and families who seek new Christmas.” encouraged families to purchase ‘one less gift,’ ways to celebrate the season together. He described the approach as “counter- and to instead redirect the money normally cultural,” even “subversive” in moving against spent toward our common (mission) goal.” MERRY ADVENT “the tide of overconsumption and indulgence.” PREACHING, PRACTICING The cultural capturing of Christmas has many Each of the four Sundays of Advent focused on Christians finding greater spiritual significance one of the themes: Worship Fully, Spend Less, “I routinely preach on the way we have turned in the Advent season as a way of preparing Give More, and Love all. upside down God’s values revealed through for the coming of Christ — and resisting the “Our aim was to take a congregational the Incarnation with our Christmas practices,” onslaught of commercials, social expectations breath and at the very least enter into the sea- said David Stratton, pastor of Woodhaven and half-price sales. son deliberately,” he said. “We considered it a Baptist Church in Apex, N.C.

4 In his Christmas Eve sermon last year, S.C., is well known for its annual Alternative he reminded his congregation that the gift of Gift Fair. Ellen Sechrest, minister of spiritual Jesus has far more significance than the many formation and missions, said the idea arose fol- trappings of the popular holiday season. lowing the Companions in Christ study, when “I’m continually concerned that the radi- participants “felt the nudging of the Holy cal nature of the love that God expressed at Spirit to do something meaningful for the Christmas gets buried under layers of sappy holiday season, and for others.” holiday sentimentality and materialistic She said it is an enjoyable and helpful way excesses,” he said in the sermon. “The event to refocus on the heart of Christmas. that we are celebrating is worthy of a huge “The beauty of the Alternative Gift Fair is celebration. But I am concerned that our cele- that it has become a tradition for many in the brations preserve virtually nothing of the spirit community as well,” she said. “Our event is of the first Christmas.” open to anyone and everyone. Those that work In order to better practice what he the event have worked it since it began because preaches, Stratton and his wife, Terri, also of the joy it brings to others, the church, and a minister, curbed and refocused their own ourselves.” approach to gift giving. They exchange gifts Rather than taking away from giving to with each other on Valentine’s Day. For and through the church, the gift fair enhances Christmas, they give what they would have it, she said. spent on each other to a charity such as CBF “It has been a real blessing for the people Global Missions, Malaria No More or a local who receive our donations, the people whose food bank. items we sell, and the person receiving these They give a few stocking stuffers to their thoughtful gifts,” she said. “So if you are in your specialty, whether music, art or sports. grown children along with cash gifts. the area Dec. 7-8, stop by and let us sell you Creatively chronicle your family history to “We tell them they can spend the money a goat, or maybe purchase lunch for a class at be passed along to the next generation — any way they see fit,” he said. “However, we the Ruth School (in Romania), or buy beans or two. suggest in a card that, in light of the lessons of and rice for a family in Honduras, or be part of And what is more personal and valued the first Christmas, they might consider giving a a project for Global Women. There are lots of than the giving of time? Some people, espe- portion to some charity that helps the needy.” great ideas for your Christmas list.” cially younger persons with limited financial resources, will give handmade coupons to be FAIR TRADE PERSONAL TOUCHES redeemed in the coming year. These may be for babysitting, lawn mowing, a car wash or Those with a passion for shopping have Alternative gift giving can bring out great cre- other service. options as well. The fair trade movement ativity with unlimited possibilities. Homemade Groups of friends or extended families makes available various products — from crafts gifts especially allow for unique, personalized may consider forgoing traditional gift giving to coffee — aimed at better sustainability and touches. and hosting a fun-filled “abundance swap.” equity. That is, those who put the most into A handmade recipe book may be treasured Creative ways of exchanging these gifts can add the products get their fair shares of the profits. long after a scarf is lost or tie is stained. Make to the joy of being together. So rather than buy Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, or bake something special. Offer lessons in gifts, gather those good things you no longer want or use and swap them around. Time together during the holidays, as families and friends, can be turned into generous giving. Participate together in a community project with other volunteers.

CAUTION Not all charities are the same when it comes to how donations are used. It is always wise to check out an organization before writing a check or making an online gift. Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) is the largest rater of charitable organizations with a focus on ﬁnancial health, accountability and effectiveness. Wise givers will want to check out the validity of charitable groups with which they are not personally familiar. This will ensure that well-intended gifts are actually used in ways that the donors desire. BT

5 Baptists Today to honor McCall with Judson-Rice Award

The annual Judson-Rice Award will be pre- of Theology as well as seminaries in Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria. sented in 2014 to bridge-building Baptist “There is such high and wide respect leader and influential pastor Emmanuel for the remarkable leadership Dr. McCall has McCall of Atlanta. A dinner event is set for given to Baptists, and on behalf of Baptists to the larger faith community,” added Pierce. Thursday, April 24, at Smoke Rise Baptist “We look forward to acknowledging those con- Church in Stone Mountain, Ga. tributions and celebrating this occasion with him, his wife Marie, and the many people who t is hard to think of mature, thoughtful love them.” leadership in Baptist life and not have The Judson-Rice Award was created Dr. Emmanuel McCall come to mind,” “I in 2001 to celebrate the contributions of said John Pierce, executive editor of Baptists early Baptist leaders Adoniram Judson, Ann Today. Hasseltine Judson and Luther Rice, and to A Pennsylvania native, McCall is a gradu- recognize a current Baptist leader who has ate of the University of Louisville, Southern demonstrated significant leadership while Baptist Theological Seminary and Emory maintaining the highest integrity. The 2013 University. He worked for many years on the award was presented to 100-year-old physician staff of the former Southern Baptist Home His significant leadership roles in the and missions advocate Virginia Connally of Mission Board where he helped to bridge racial larger Baptist community have included service Abilene, Texas, last April as part of the news division. as vice president of the Baptist World Alliance journal’s 30-year celebration. BT Currently, McCall fills the pulpit of his- and national moderator of the Cooperative toric Friendship Baptist Church in downtown Baptist Fellowship. Atlanta. His pastoral ministry also includes McCall served as chair of the trustees Note: Details on the Judson-Rice Dinner, serving as founding pastor (1991-2004) for the Interdenominational Theological including reservation information, will be pro- of Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Center in Atlanta, and has taught at Emory vided in upcoming issues of Baptists Today and College Park, Ga. and at Mercer University’s McAfee School on the website baptiststoday.org.

Let the lessons come alive! NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCE: ISRAEL with DR. TONY CARTLEDGE Nov. 3–13, 2014

urturing Faith Bible Studies writer Tony Cartledge, who and follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. holds a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Then visit the City of David and slosh through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, N Studies from Duke University, will lead Sunday school pray at the Western Wall, and walk around the Temple Mount. Baptists teachers and other interested persons on a personal tour of Israel In Bethlehem, visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Today Nov. 3-13, 2014. Field — then venture through the Valley of Elah to Moreshah, for Join Tony and other Baptists Today staff on this unique a hands-on archaeological dig, bringing pottery and other finds to opportunity to see firsthand the places where biblical stories came light for the first time in more than 2,000 years. Other highlights - to life and to gain insights into the culture and languages of this will include the Israel Museum and Israel’s Holocaust memorial. remarkable setting. COST: $3,800 includes airfare (from select cities), lodging, break- DESTINATIONS will include Megiddo and other ancient cit- fasts and dinners, and travel on a luxury motor coach for the entire ies, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Capernaum, the Mount of the trip. The group will be joined by one of Israel’s most experienced Beatitudes, the Golan Heights, the Jordan River, Jericho, Qumran, and sought-after guides, Doron Heiliger. Masada and the Dead Sea. Reservations, itinerary and other travel details will be avail- In Jerusalem, view the city from the Mount of Olives, walk able in upcoming issues of Baptists Today and online at down the Palm Sunday Road, visit the Garden of Gethsemane, baptiststoday.org. For now, hold those dates!

6 Editorial By John Pierce We are fragile

It happens at different times for when. And the bigger question is how we deal out of the understanding that no matter how with it. healthy, happy and/or successful we may be at different people: that moment when Preventative measures — good health hab- the moment, we need the presence of God and one realizes that mortality applies to its and health care — can only prevent so much. the presence of God found within others to all of humanity. The feeling of being 10-feet tall and bulletproof bring meaning and purpose to our lives. can be cut down to size Advent and Christmas are opportunities upposed youthfulness exemptions give quickly. for such greater purposes. Yet the meaning of way to graying temples or a constant Life is fragile. We are the season is easily masked by noise, busyness Saching knee. Signs of the aging process fragile. and the expectations of others. — or of human frailty at even a younger age — Self-sufficiency is It takes intentionality to push through the appear to everyone eventually. overrated; so is living in trappings of this time of year to get to the heart The timing and degrees vary, but the reality isolation. of the matter. Yet such is worth every effort. applies to all. Communities — and The coming of God in flesh — as a frag- Even fame and fortune can’t stop it or fully faith communities, in par- ile child, not a mighty warrior — has lessons mask its reality. Glen Campbell struggles with ticular — are designed for we have yet to learn and hopes we have yet to Alzheimer’s, and Linda Ronstadt has Parkinson’s. bringing individual gifts and strengths as well as embrace. The question is not whether human frailty acknowledged frailties and needs into the mix. Teach us more, O God. Give us more hope will make its presence known, but how and Discipleship, worship and service flow well for our fragile, yet purposeful lives. BT

Gratitude for Edgar Twine The Directors and Staff of

Baptists Today received an estate gift recently from Horace Edgar Baptists Today appreciate Twine of Tampa, Fla., who died in October 2012 at age 83. your readership and support. A native of Chowan, N.C., he graduated from Old Dominion University, the University of Richmond, and Southwestern and We wish you a meaningful Southern Baptist seminaries in preparation for ministry. Advent journey and a He served churches in Virginia and Maryland before going to the pastorate of Riverside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. joyful Christmas. He also worked in stewardship campaigns, assisting congregations in providing the needed finances for their building and ministry endeavors. An avid reader of Baptists Today, he often wrote letters in response to my editorials — about an even mixture of agreement and disagreement. No, I’d say they leaned about 60 percent in thoughtful disagreement. MAKING A GIFT to support the ministry of However, he always expressed appreciation for the openness of Baptists Today and our willingness to tackle relevant and Baptists Today is just one click away. even difficult issues without offering simple-minded, definitive answers. His well-stated responses were always appreciated and would often lead to an ongoing conversation for a while. Sometimes we would drop the matter at respectful disagreement. Likewise, his appreciation showed through in his letters, and even more clearly in his choosing to leave a portion of his estate to help Baptists Today continue its mission. We remember Horace Edgar Twine fondly, and are grateful Make a gift online at baptiststoday.org/donate. for his life, ministry and generosity. BT Your generous giving is most helpful and deeply appreciated.

7 From Faith BOOKS

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Congregational Life JOHN LEPPER Autobiography The ﬁrst next steps after a minister resigns WALKER L. KNIGHT MARK TIDSWORTH & IRCEL HARRISON The life story of a courageous Baptist journalist Realigning the church with the 21st-century world

LYNELLE SWEAT MASON WILLIAM POWELL TUCK, ED. A personal story of giving and ﬁnding acceptance Sermons that shaped a congregation

Devotional Life BLAKE MCKINNEY Baptist Ways Devotions that connect faith with everyday life E. GLENN HINSON JON R. ROEBUCK Recovering the contemplative tradition Devotional thoughts from every New Testament chapter

EDGAR V. MCKNIGHT MICHAEL L. RUFFIN Ways in which Baptists understand Jesus Heartfelt prayers for the daily pilgrimage

Order now at nurturingfaith.info quotation remarks —Pastor George Mason of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, in his book Preparing the Pastors We Need: Reclaiming the Congregation’s Role in Training Clergy —Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President (Alban, 2012) Albert Mohler, telling Mormon students at Brigham Young University that he sees a doctrinal divide but a shared commitment to “natural marriage” and other issues being threatened by a “moral revolution” (ABP) —A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) —TV host, comedian and lifelong Catholic Stephen Colbert (RNS)

—Shirley Taylor, former ministry assistant with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and founder of Baptist Women for Equality, in her book Dethroning Male Headship (One Way Press, 2013) Letter —Jonathan Rieder, in his book Gospel of Freedom: —Russell Moore, president of the —Mark Tooley, president of the Institute of Religion Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and and Democracy and a supporter of the Evangelical Jail and the Struggle That Changed a Nation Religious Liberty Commission (WSJ) Immigration Table’s “Pray4Reform” efforts (TIME) (Bloomsbury Press, 2013)

—Loyd Allen, professor of church history and spiritual formation at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology, on the sacriﬁcial service of early Baptist missionaries Ann and Adoniram Judson two centuries ago (EthicsDaily)

9 Supreme Court afﬁrms monks’ right to sell caskets

Religion News Service

ASHINGTON — A group of Catholic monks can continue sell- W ing their handmade caskets after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Louisiana funeral directors. “We really can now move forward without worrying about being shut down,” said Deacon Mark Coudrain, manager of St. Joseph Woodworks in Covington, La. “This is going to affect a lot of other people. A lot of people are going to have opportunities to do things that are their legal right to generate revenue.” In a little-noticed ruling on Oct. 15, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case between the brothers of St. Joseph Abbey and the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. In 2007, the abbey began selling handmade coffins, prompting the board to file a The Times-Picayune lawsuit that argued Louisiana law required a funeral director’s license for casket sales. “Whatever special expertise a funeral and “traditional” cypress caskets for $1,500 The monks later brought suit in federal director may have in casket selection is irrel- and $2,000, prices “significantly lower” than court and were upheld by both the Eastern evant to it being the sole seller of caskets,” the caskets at funeral homes, according to the 5th District of Louisiana in 2010 and the 5th U.S. decision said. Circuit Court’s decision. Circuit Court of Appeals in March 2013. The The monks had buried their own mem- Coudrain said selling caskets also serves as funeral directors appealed to the Supreme Court; bers as well as the occasional bishop or donor a way of sharing Catholic teaching about the by not agreeing to hear the case, the Supreme in handmade caskets for years. After Hurricane meaning of death. Court let stand the appeals court ruling. Katrina destroyed the abbey’s timberland, a “The theology of the church is that our The 5th Circuit said in its decision that source of revenue, the monks decided to sell bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and the Louisiana does not regulate the use or con- caskets to fund the medical and educational spirit has moved on, but we want to respect struction of caskets. People may purchase any needs of the abbey. the body as well,” Coudrain said. “Part of the casket from out of state and Louisiana law does The monastery invested $200,000 in Catholic tradition is you have a viewing, a not require the use of a casket at all. St. Joseph Woodworks and sold “monastic” funeral and a burial.” BT Sistine Chapel pollution may lead to fewer visitors

levels of dust, humidity and carbon dioxide, It was last restored in the 1990s, and Religion News Service then director Antonio Paolucci said he’d have recent studies show that dust and humidity to make the “painful decision” from the estimated 5.5 million OME — The head of the Vatican to limit visitors. visitors to the chapel each year Museums said in October that pollu- At stake is the health of could threaten the artwork. R tion levels inside the storied Sistine Michelangelo’s world-famous During high season, as Chapel are high enough to damage its price- fresco on the Sistine Chapel many as 20,000 people a day less frescoes and could lead to a reduction in ceiling — considered by many pass through the Sistine Chapel, visitors. scholars to be the world’s sin- which was again in the headlines The Vatican is installing a series of new gle greatest painting — and his earlier this year when it was air puriﬁers and a new air conditioning system masterpiece behind the main closed off for the conclave that inside the chapel that’s the site of papal elec- altar, The Last Judgment. selected Pope Francis. tions, and the new system should be online by The chapel also houses The Sistine Chapel is part the end of 2014. works from Pietro Perugino, of the massive Vatican Museums, If it works, visitor levels can stay as they Sandro Botticelli, Luca home to one of the world’s are. But if the new system can’t control the Signorelli and other masters. greatest art collections. BT

10 Fewer home-schooling families Hispanics who identify as ‘nones’ cite religion as main motivation increasing By Katherine Burgess decreased, but the percentage of those who list Religion News Service it as a first priority has dropped as other parents By Kimberly Winston join the home-schooling community for differ- Religion News Service ASHINGTON — When Jennifer ent reasons. Pedersen-Giles started to home- “You go to any cocktail party, church, any he number of Hispanic-Americans school her son Westen six years ago, group of people and you say, ‘I’m in the home- who say they adhere to no religion is W growing and now rivals the number of it was because he needed a more hands-on envi- schooling business,’ and all these women will T ronment than what public schools could offer. jump on it and say, ‘Oh, we home-schooled,’” Hispanic evangelicals, a new study has found. Now the eighth-grader studies writing, music, Edelson said. The share of Hispanics living in the art, geometry, literature and world religions Brian Ray, president of the National Home U.S. who say they are atheist, agnostic or from his home in Arizona. Education Research Institute, a nonprofit orga- have no religious affiliation has reached 12 Religion, in other words, had nothing to nization that conducts original research, said percent, according to the 2013 Hispanic do with his mother’s decision. years of studies on home education led to its Values Survey conducted by the Public She’s not alone. According to the federally increasing acceptance. Religion Research Institute. That is double funded National Center for Education Statistics, “In the earlier days of the modern home- the rate reported in 1990 by the American the share of parents who cited “religious or school movement, because home-schooling was Religious Identification Survey. moral instruction” as their primary motiva- such a tiny, tiny minority of the public, parents Researchers say Hispanic “nones” are tion for home-schooling has dropped from 36 had to be very strongly committed to what they now statistically equal to the number of percent in 2007 to just 16 percent during the were doing,” Ray said. U.S. Hispanic evangelical Protestants — 2011-12 school year. Gretchen Buck, administrator of Global 13 percent — and warn of a religious “You used to have to be a hero to home- Village School, the customizable home-school- divide in the Hispanic community that will school,” said John Edelson, founder and ing program that Pedersen-Giles uses, said there be felt for decades to come. president of Time4Learning, a curriculum pro- is more demand for home-schooling as public “Lots of attention has been given to vider for home-schoolers. “You were really going schools struggle. Many parents do not like the the rise of Hispanic evangelicals, but they against the mainstream. Your mother-in-law emphasis on standardized tests; others remove have a parallel universe in the religiously didn’t understand it, the neighbors didn’t under- their children because of bullying. unaffiliated, who think very differently stand it, police would stop you in the middle of Others, like Pedersen-Giles, realize their about many issues,” said Juhem Navarro- the day and wonder what was going on.” children struggle when asked to sit at a desk for Rivera, a PRRI research associate who As home-schooling slowly becomes more extended periods. worked on the study. “There is a kind of mainstream — 3 percent of American stu- “By third grade, school was more about polarization going on.” dents age 5-17 are home-schooled, up from production levels with the onus being on the The polarization is most evident in 2.2 percent in 2003 — most parents cited the child to adapt to the classroom environment,” social issues. The study found 80 percent environment of public schools (25 percent), not she said.“(Westen’s) individual needs were not of Hispanic nones favor same-sex mar- religious belief, as the main reason behind their being met. It would have taken so little for riage, while only 21 percent of evangelical decision to home-school. things to be different, but after exhaustive pleas Hispanics do. Similarly, 69 percent of Edelson said the number of home-school to teachers, I decided that I would have to create religiously unaffiliated Hispanics favor families who do so for religious reasons has not my own change.” BT abortion rights compared with 26 percent of Hispanic evangelicals. Because abortion and same-sex marriage are often hot-button issues in elections, politicians should be wary of viewing Hispanics as a monolithic group. “They think differently,” Navarro- Rivera said of Hispanic evangelicals and nones. “They serve as an ideological coun- terweight” to each other. The study, conducted among 1,500 American Hispanics, also found that the majority of Hispanics are Catholic (53 percent), while one-quarter are Protestant. The latter group is equally divided among mainline Protestants (12 percent) and evangelicals (13 percent). Only 6 percent identify with a non-Christian religion. BT Horton Web Design, www.HortonGroup.com Horton Web Design, December 2013 Information | 11 !" #$%&'()*' !+(,'--, Religion News Service

‘They’re not there as much, and consequently they’re not giving as much.’ Church giving reaches Depression-era lows

WASHINGTON — Collection plates Another reason could be a decline in church member attendance, Branaugh said. are growing even lighter as Protestant “I’ve heard some reference that phenom- church member giving reached new ena as the ‘grazer effect’ — people are not going to church every week now, and the weeks lows in 2011, and tithing probably they don’t go they’re listening to podcasts, will not recover from the recession, doing worship on their own or fellowshipping with people in other ways,” Branaugh said. according to a new report by Empty “They’re not there as much, and consequently Tomb, a Christian research group. they’re not giving as much.” Other churches struggle with how to talk s the issue that the church is not about finances, not realizing that churches providing an authentic alternative to must teach about how a relationship with God “Ithe consumer mindset?” said Sylvia involves giving — “stewardship,” as churches Ronsvalle, executive vice president of Empty would say, Branaugh said. Tomb. “Over a period of time, if the church “As a result, if it’s not being talked about isn’t providing more of an authentic alter- and it’s not really being taught, it may not native, the church will lose.” necessarily grow into the culture of that The percentage of a church member’s congregation,” Branaugh said. income given to the church dropped to 2.3 Churches need to embrace the idea that percent in 2011 (the latest year for which all money is God’s, not just a small tithe, said numbers are available), down from 2.4 percent Rick Dunham, CEO of Dunham+Company, in 2010, according to the Empty Tomb study. A collection plate is passed during a United a consulting firm that assists ministries in In 1968, church members gave an average Methodist Church of the Resurrection Sunday fundraising. Dunham is also on the executive of 3.1 percent of their income. evening service in Leawood, Kan. The Church of committee of the Giving Institute, an organiza- the Resurrection is known as the largest Methodist Giving has declined for four consecu- church in the nation. RNS photo by Sally Morrow tion that seeks to advance philanthropy. tive years, according to the report. The only “I think the decline in giving is in part other period of prolonged decline in giving per then compiled in the Yearbook of American because the church hasn’t really embraced the member was from 1928 through 1934, almost and Canadian Churches. In some cases, biblical mandate around true giving, the idea entirely during the Great Depression. Empty Tomb obtained data directly from of investment in eternity, in the stuff that mat- In 2011, the 23 denominations researched denominations. ters most,” Dunham said. “Not just putting by Empty Tomb received $22.94 billion. In The denominations included in the a little bit of money in the offering plate and 2010 they received $22.88 billion. report encompassed more than 100,000 thinking I’ve done my duty.” The steepest monetary decline was in the congregations across the U.S. and included Ronsvalle said part of the reason giving area of “benevolences,” spending that does denominations affiliated with both the has declined is because churches still treat peo- not apply to a local congregation’s needs but National Association of Evangelicals and ple as if they are living in “hard times” — even includes things like seminary support or mis- with the National Council of Churches, as when they are not. sions work. Giving to benevolences was at 0.34 well as unaffiliated denominations. Although “They’re hard because people want to percent of a person’s income, a decrease of 48 Catholics were not included in the report, take better vacations,” Ronsvalle said. “They percent since 1968 — its lowest level since that previous Empty Tomb research has found want to get more cars. They want to have more time period. that Catholics generally give at comparable or square footage.” Altogether, the report found, churches had slightly less rates than Protestants. Churches and their members need to real- $87.2 million less to spend in 2011 on work The decline could be attributed to a variety ize that if 100 million Christians gave an extra beyond their congregations than in 2010. of reasons, including economic struggles, said $50 a year, child deaths could be drastically Empty Tomb also reported that overall Matt Branaugh, director of editorial and business reduced across the world, Ronsvalle said. church membership has declined. development for the Church Law & Tax Group “The church doesn’t think that way,” Empty Tomb examined data reported at Christianity Today. Christianity Today has con- Ronsvalle said. “It has not understood its by congregations to their denominations and ducted its own surveys on church tithing. potential power for good.” BT

12 | Information December 2013 !" .$(" !'%& .$(#/')*, USA Today Falwell’s Legacy Liberty University painting an ‘unusual picture’ of growth

YNCHBURG, Va. (RNS) — A crimson- colored “LU,” emblazoned in 11-foot Liberty University chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr. has overseen a massive expansion of the L letters on a mountainside against a back- Lynchburg, Va. campus. Fueled by online drop of white limestone, tells students and their enrollment, the campus has multiple capital families they have arrived at Liberty University. projects in the works. Photo by Ryan T. The cacophony of construction across the Stone/courtesy USA Today 7,000-acre campus it overlooks suggests that the once-struggling Christian college has not only arrived but also plans to stick around. Dormitories built in the 1970s have been torn down to make room for high-rise residence halls. Soon to be completed is a $50 million library in which robots will retrieve books. The campus master plan calls for more seating in the football stadium, a sign of Liberty’s aspirations to one day participate in Division 1 bowl games. “We haven’t achieved all of our goals yet, but we’re well on our way,” says Jerry Falwell Jr., who took over as Liberty’s chancellor when his Liberty also keeps costs down for families. policy. father, Jerry Falwell Sr., died at his desk in 2007. Tuition and fees this year for students living on Today, Liberty attracts students from 50 The elder Falwell, a nationally known tel- campus total $20,768 — up 4 percent from last states and more than 95 countries to its online evangelist and prominent political figure, lived year’s $19,968, but still below last year’s average and on-campus programs combined. It has just long enough to see the Baptist college he tuition and fees. According to the non-profit hosted campus visits by conservative national founded in 1971 start down the road to pros- College Board, average tuition and fees last year figures, including 2012 Republican presidential perity, his son says. were $29,056 for private non-profit schools. candidate Mitt Romney and some of his GOP Most private non-profit colleges have Falwell says the online and residential contenders, including Donald Trump. remained cautious with their budgets amid programs complement each other. The online Liberty’s financial practices have drawn lingering economic uncertainty, but Liberty division, which operates in a former Sears scrutiny. Some Christian colleges won’t accept University is in the midst of a $400 million, department store, accounts for 61 percent of government aid. That’s not the case at Liberty, four-year spending spree. Its endowment this the university’s revenue but just 44 percent of whose students this year received what campus year topped $1 billion. expenses, Standard & Poor’s says. officials estimate to be $775 million in federal Its business strategy, including competi- The online surplus goes toward campus aid, including loans and grants. tive tuition and attention to customer service, is upgrades, and the residential campus gives Falwell said that the federal money goes to earning praise from financial analysts. Moody’s credibility to the online program. Many online students, not the college, and that most of it was Investors Service recently upgraded Liberty to students, who tend to skew older, may never used by students to pay their living expenses. one of its highest credit ratings. set foot on campus. But they can participate in He and provost Ron Godwin would prefer “It is quite an unusual picture,” says Karen graduation exercises and other campus activities. Liberty get more attention for its student-loan Kedem, a vice president and senior analyst for Some programs include week-long “intensive” default rate — 7.1 percent last year, about half Moody’s, a credit-rating agency. Liberty is courses on campus. the 13.4 percent national average. They tout the “continuing to see robust revenue growth, a In its early days, Liberty paid the bills quality of the education they offer, including stark contrast in what we’re seeing at a majority mostly with donations from parishioners at a 25 to 1 student-faculty ratio, and stress the of our universities.” Thomas Road Baptist Church, where Falwell school’s Christian heritage. The secret to Liberty’s financial health? One Sr. was pastor, and from viewers of his popular During a recent campus visit, tour guide is that it keeps costs down by hiring most instruc- national television ministry. Alyssa Hammond, 22, told students and par- tors on contract; only law faculty earn tenure. The school sank into debt in the early ents, “Every class is going to be tied back to the Another is what Standard & Poor’s calls the 1990s after sex scandals involving televangelists Bible. Every class will open with a prayer.” school’s “robust and successful” online program. Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart dealt a blow to Liberty also has invested heavily in recre- This year, it enrolled 92,500 online students. the evangelical Christian broadcasting industry. ational activities, including a synthetic ski slope Campus enrollments this fall are just shy of Falwell says Liberty paid off the last of its debt that operates year-round, an ice rink and dozens 13,000. in 2007 using the elder Falwell’s life insurance of opportunities for sports. BT

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Women’s Issues Worship Leadership JENNIFER HARRIS DAULT, ED. J. DANIEL DAY The stories of women who heard God’s call Engaging in worship that is actually about God

LAMAR WADSWORTH BRUCE MONROE MORGAN A novel about friendship, blessing and paying it forward Well-crafted, thoughtful sermons

WINNIE WILLIAMS WILLIAM POWELL TUCK Global life lessons in courage and faith (eBook only) Preaching from classroom to pulpit

Order now at nurturingfaith.info Guest Commentary By Elizabeth Evans Hagan Welcome to Watonga hen my husband, Kevin, and I made the decision last year to transport at W least half of our lives to Oklahoma because of his new position as president and CEO of Feed The Children, I was concerned about how I would be received as a Baptist pastor. Would I ever find opportunities to preach again in the state that self-identifies as the “buckle of the Bible belt”? Within months, most of my fears came true. Repeatedly I heard: “Are you sure you used to preach at a church every week? We’ve never heard of a woman doing such.” To make matters worse, potential male Elizabeth Evans Hagan (left) finds a warm welcome Baptist colleagues I met told me to consider from women of the Watonga Baptist family. lowering my expectations of acceptance. But, I wasn’t going to give up. There had myself and seemed delighted that I was a Ala., unknown to the church), and from the to be some community within Oklahoma that Baptist pastor. Cheyenne tradition, led by Ms. Ruth. My hus- would welcome me, female preacher-ness and “You should meet Quinton [Roman Nose], band, Kevin, who came with me that day even all. I’d just have to keep looking, even outside one of our other tribal elders,” she said. “We found himself playing the piano for the service the bounds of denominational leadership. always need preachers at our church.” because they didn’t have someone to do that After an email exchange with Jim Kee- Within an hour, pastor Kee-Rees and I either. Rees, I felt that I had met a clergy friend in shared lunch with Quinton at the only locally As I preached and then shared a lunch in town. He serves as a mission pastor to an owned restaurant in town. honor of the church’s mothers, I discovered Episcopalian mission congregation in Watonga, “You’re an ordained American Baptist the hope and the spirit of this community: the Okla. — a town about 60 miles from Oklahoma minister?” he soon asked over our RC Colas and children. The children under 14 outnumbered City situated within the Cheyenne and Arapaho plates of meatloaf and green beans. “Yes,” I said, the adults in the congregation. What a ministry reservation land. and Quinton smiled. opportunity gem! He invited me to Watonga on the rounds Without any hesitation he asked, “You I’ve been invited to return once a month of his pastoral visits one morning last March. It want to preach at our congregation sometime ever since. felt like a good opportunity to learn more about soon? We don’t have a pastor right now.” In our growing friendship between this Native American culture, if nothing else. Within a week, we set a date for me to congregation, my family and me, I’ve been Though I knew that I might not be readily come back. It did not seem to faze Ms. Ruth or reminded once again not to pay attention to welcomed as an “outsider” in such a community, Quinton at all that I was both female and pastor. the traditional narratives that might say, “You’ll I tried to arrive with the posture of a learner. My first Sunday I shared as the guest pas- never preach again,” or “Those people won’t To my surprise, by the time we reached tor at Watonga Indian Baptist Mission was welcome you.” the home of Ms. Ruth — a Cheyenne elder and Mother’s Day. It’s nonsense to think that female pastors leader at Watonga Indian Baptist mission for When touring the facility before worship, aren’t welcomed even in places like Oklahoma. which Kee-Rees also had a pastoral relationship Quinton pointed out a flyer posted on the bul- It’s nonsense to think that Native American com- in town — I felt received in kindness. letin board from the 2007 ABCUSA bi-annual munities aren’t welcoming to outsiders. We all Sitting down in Ms. Ruth’s living room, meeting in Washington, D.C. Pictured was one have callings to fulfill. All churches need pastors a house filled with her children, grandchildren of the Cheyenne tribal elders who had helped to love them, even those who enter as guests. and even great-grandbabies, I learned of her to establish a Baptist presence in the area in the I have been reminded to keep looking for enthusiasm about the ministry of the Watonga early 1900s. It became clear that being rooted in God in these unlikely places, most particularly Indian Baptist Mission, a congregation sup- a larger Baptist tradition meant a lot to Quinton among those who are marginalized, forgotten or ported by the American Baptist Churches USA and the church as a whole. poor. and one of 14 ABCUSA congregations in the When the service began, we sang hymns, The Watonga Indian Baptist Mission has state of Oklahoma (all Native American). both from the donated 1976 Baptist Hymnals already taught me so much about God’s wel- Ms. Ruth began to ask me more about (a gift from a congregation in Tuscaloosa, come. And I’m glad I have been here to learn. BT

December 2013 Perspective | 15 Media Story and photo by John Pierce Te a c h i n g church Pastors share lessons learned in congregational life

IRMINGHAM, Ala. — A lot of good space to tell their stories.” ideas are brewed over cups of coffee. Anonymous excerpts from the interviews B Such was the case for Birmingham pas- along with the authors’ interpretations are tors Sarah Jackson Shelton and Christopher M. grouped around the subjects of social ethics, Hamlin. So, in addition to ongoing support conflict management, grace and pastoral care. and exchanging of ideas, a book emerged. Two earlier chapters focus on the seminary “The story behind the book is that Chris experience and the role of a pastor’s first con- and I have become great friends, meeting for gregation in shaping pastoral identity. coffee at a shop halfway between our offices, Shelton calls them “sacred stories of those in order to share our concerns, victories and who said ‘yes’ to God’s call and the congrega- wounds from ministry,” said Shelton, pastor tions that were willing to say ‘yes’ to their of Baptist Church of the Covenant.“From that calling to teach and mold ministers into being friendship and its ensuing conversations, we true servants of the church.” realized that there was a lot that seminary did “As we began this study, we braced our- not teach us — not just skills of finesse, but address what the seminary did not teach min- selves to hear many horror tales, and we did,” basic ‘how to’ abilities that come only from isters,” he said.“However, we wanted to take a they write in the book. “But there was also being in a local congregation.” deeper look, especially at the first-church expe- a pervasive appreciation for congregations as They concluded that their congregations rience, to validate our thoughts.” they attempt to live their understanding of the had become needed instructors, hence the So they invited other ministers from gospel in a particular time frame and historical book’s title, The Teaching Church: Congregation various backgrounds into the conversation context.” as Mentor (Smyth & Helwys, 2013). — through 81 interviews — to explore what Hamlin and Shelton are careful not to be Hamblin, pastor of Birmingham’s they were learning through experiences with overly critical of theological education, which Tabernacle Baptist Church, who formerly congregations. they believe fills an important role, but rather served the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist “We were surprised that so many other to acknowledge that many important lessons in Church, said he and Shelton wrote the book to ministers not only felt the same way, but were pastoral ministry are learned in the daily labo- address the questions they were raising about willing to tell us their stories,” said Shelton. ratory of congregational life. who is responsible for teaching pastors beyond “In fact, as they would leave our interviews, we Hamlin said the education process is the seminary experience. often heard words of appreciation for asking unending and that “the church continues to be “Initially, it would have been easy to them questions and then giving them the safe an effective place where ministers learn.”

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16 | Media December 2013 The Bible Lessons that anchor the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are written by Tony Cartledge in a scholarly, yet applicable, style from the wide range of Christian scriptures. A graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div) and Duke University (Ph.D.), and with years of experience as a pastor, writer, ™ and professor at Campbell University, he provides deep insight for Christian living without “dumbing down” the BIBLE STUDIES richness of the biblical texts for honest learners.

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For adults and youth HOW TO USE THESE BIBLE STUDIES January lessons in this issue 1. Order a copy of Baptists Today news journal for EACH MEMBER of the class. The Bible Lessons are found only here. John 1:10-18 — The Word That Walks 2. Teachers can go to nurturingfaith.net to access all of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply JAN. 5, 2014 click on “Adult” or “Youth.” Acts 10:34-43 — Who Converted Whom? Teaching the Lessons JAN. 12, 2014 After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge starting on page 18, teachers can access 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 — Certain Strength helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at JAN. 19, 2014 nurturingfaith.net. These include: * Tony’s video overviews 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 — Perilous Polarities * A dult teaching plans by Rick Jordan JAN. 26, 2014 * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver * Tony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and ”The Hardest Question” Youth Lessons are on pages 22–23. * Links to commentaries, multimedia resources and more How to Order The Bible Lessons in Baptists Today are copyrighted and not to be photocopied.

* Orders may be placed at baptiststoday.org or Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan of the 1-877-752-5658. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina are available at nurturingfaith.net * The price is just $18 each for groups of 25 or more — for a full year — with no additional costs. Thanks, sponsors! * A ll online teaching resources are available at no These Bible studies for adults and youth are sponsored through generous charge and may be printed and used by teachers of gifts from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Bo Prosser, Coordinator of the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies. Congregational Life) and from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. Thank you!

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 5, 2014 John 1:14 – The Word That Walks “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of hat is God like?” a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” Inquiring minds want to “Wknow, and have wanted to know for as long as people have believed in a higher power. We’ve not been short on ideas. The ancients wondered what deity looks like, and so we have images of gods like Marduk and Ishtar from Babylonia, of Osiris and Ptah from Egypt, of Aphrodite and Zeus from Greece. We have wondered what divinity acts like, and so we have a world of mythology from the Greeks and the Celts, from the Incas and Aztecs, from Australian aborigines and forest tribes of Papua New Guinea. Every culture has traditions about the supernatural. embodied word of God in the form of a “It shall not return to me empty, but it Christians believe that God has taken man. shall accomplish that which I purpose, the initiative of self-revelation through and succeed in the thing for which I Prologue to the prologue the stories, teachings, letters, and other sent it” (Isa. 55:11). materials that make up the Bible. In the memorable and poetic prologue Greek readers could have imagined The Bible begins with the radical to his gospel (1:1-18), John describes the logos as a philosophical principle, claim that God has created humans in Christ as the divine logos, the Word of the projected thought of the transcen- God’s own image (Gen. 1:27), so that God incarnate. The basic meaning of the dent God, giving stability to life and there is something godlike in us, some term logos is “word,” but it is not limited forming a divine-human bond of spark of the divine, some shadow of to that. It could also carry connotations rational thought. God’s face. That in itself is a mind- such as “reason,” “wisdom,” “matter,” or Early Christian readers would boggling idea: that God could be revealed even the “reckoning” of an account. interpret logos as the proclamation of through human flesh or personality. Writers have often assumed that Christ through the preaching of the gos- The Bible ends with an even more John used the logos concept to make pel as a “ministry of the word” (Acts remarkable claim that God and human the gospel more appealing to Gentile 6:4), whose content was Christ himself believers will live together face to face, audiences familiar with Hellenistic (Luke 1:2; Acts 1:21-22). Jesus’ very for in eternity “God himself will dwell philosophy, but the word would com- life was a sermon on the nature of God among them, and they shall be his municate well with readers from a who offers the gift of relationship to the people” (Rev. 21:3). variety of backgrounds. human world. In between, John’s gospel declares William Hull has suggested at least Thus, Hull concludes, people of that God is revealed most perfectly in three approaches. Jewish readers could different backgrounds might first think the human life of Jesus Christ. Christ have thought of logos in terms of the of the logos/word as a divine power, as not only shows us the way to God; he Hebrew Bible’s witness to the word a rational principle, or as a redemptive is God, the very essence of God, the of God as a creative power that could proclamation, but in every case the true speak the world into being (Gen. 1; Ps. “Word of God” finds its fullness in a Additional background information 33:6, 9) or accomplish any divine pur- person, in Jesus Christ (“John,” in the online where you see the “Digging pose. “So shall my word be that goes Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 9 Deeper” icon out from my mouth,” Isaiah insisted. [Broadman Press, 1970], 211-12).

18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes Knowing Christ’s power the baptizer did not recognize Jesus’ (vv. 10-13) are available at importance at first, but God revealed it John declared that Christ came into the nurturingfaith.net to him (cf. John 1:25-34). world for the purpose of redeeming the world, but the world did not appreciate Knowing Christ’s grace (vv. 16-18) his unique person or mission (v. 10). grace and truth” (v. 14). Because the Creation did not recognize its creator! eternal logos became incarnate as a Since Christ is “full of grace and truth,” John found it especially heartbreaking mortal like us, because Jesus took on it follows that “from his fullness we that the people of Israel did not recog- the flesh and bones of our humanity, have all received grace upon grace” nize Christ as their own long-awaited we are better able to see and appreciate (v. 16). The grace we receive as believ- Messiah: “He came to what was his God’s true glory. ers has its source in God. Perhaps John own, and his own people did not accept The meaning of John’s description is suggesting that our human propensity him” (v. 11). of Christ as “a father’s only son” is to sin always leaves us in need of more Still, there were individuals who did subject to debate. The word he uses is grace, which we can receive “from his recognize Jesus as Lord, who believed monogene–s, which can suggest the idea fullness.” in him, and who accepted him as savior. of “only begotten,” but can also mean John draws his prologue to an end To these people, John said, “to all who “singular” in the sense of “the only one with a brief comparison between the received him, who believed in his name, of its kind.” Jesus certainly was the only way God was seen through the eyes of he gave power to become children of one of his kind, but the added phrase the law and through Christ: the law was God, who were born, not of blood or “of the father” leads us to choose “only given to humans through Moses, he of the will of the flesh or of the will of begotten” as the best translation. In a said, but “grace and truth came through man, but of God” (vv. 12-13). sense, God is the Father and begetter of Jesus Christ” (v. 17). To believe in Christ’s name is to all persons, but God’s relationship with God has been gracious from the believe that he is who he claims to be – Christ, the “only begotten,” is abso- beginning, but tablets of stone and the very Son of God, the Word of God, lutely unique. written laws could not communi- indeed, very God himself. To those The human Christ reveals God’s cate that grace as effectively as Jesus who believed in his name, Christ “gave matchless glory, and he declares it most could. Jesus was grace and truth in the power to become children of God” – the clearly through his nature, which is “full flesh, the living embodiment of divine divine Son of God empowered human of grace and truth.” John preserves a character. persons to become the mortal children careful balance by coupling these terms. Moses had once begged to see the of God. Grace is God’s free gift of love and Lord’s glory, but was only allowed to As the human Jesus was conceived forgiveness. Truth reflects God’s desire catch a brief glimpse of God’s “back” by God, John taught, mortals who to be consistent and trustworthy in deal- or “afterglow” (Exod. 33:23). The most become children of God enter the rela- ing with humankind. As Hull notes, interesting thing about this story is that, tionship “not by blood or the will of the “Grace without truth is easily seen as while passing by, God revealed the flesh or the will of man” (a threefold sentimentality while truth without grace divine nature in words: “The LORD, the reference to human birth), but by God’s can appear to be an inflexible rigidity” LORD, a God merciful and gracious, will and God’s work alone. Jesus’ (p. 218). In Christ, we see the depths slow to anger, and abounding in stead- earthly birth is the pattern for our spiri- of God’s compassion combined with a fast love and faithfulness” (Exod. 34:6). tual birth (cf. John 3:1-16). Thus, John devotion to what is right. Although the story claims that defines Christianity purely in terms John offers further testimony Moses spoke with God “face to face” of God’s grace: God loved the world of Christ’s glory in the parentheti- (Exod. 33:11), it also quotes God as enough to become incarnate in Christ cal remark of v. 15, where he quotes saying “you cannot see my face; for no so that we might believe and become John the Baptist as saying “This was one shall see me and live” (Exod. 33: children of God. he of whom I said, ‘He who comes 20). Thus, John insisted that no one after me ranks ahead of me because had truly seen God until the coming of Knowing Christ’s glory he was before me’” (cf. Matt. 3:11). Christ, for “it is God the only Son, who (vv. 14-15) Many people expected John to reveal is close to the Father’s heart, who has John’s description of Christ begins with himself as Israel’s Messiah, but John made him known” (John 1:18). the concept of the logos, then expands pointed to Jesus as the true Anointed The face Moses longed to see was to show more of Christ’s nature: “And One (the name “Christ” [Christos] is a the face beloved by John and Mary and the Word became flesh and lived among Greek form of the Hebrew “Messiah” Peter and James. It is the face of Christ, us, and we have seen his glory, the [mashiach] that means “anointed”). The the living embodiment of divine grace, glory as of a father’s only son, full of Fourth Gospel further argues that John God with us. BT

LESSON FOR JANUARY 5, 2014 | 19 Acts 10:34-43

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 12, 2014 Who Converted Whom?

ave you ever changed your mind about a social custom or belief H that you once held dear? Many of us who have reached our sixth decade grew up in an environment steeped in racism. Getting used to the idea that blacks and whites could share the same school, bathroom, restaurant, or water fountain was a struggle, but now most Acts 10:34b-35 — of us think little of it: we have learned to “I truly understand that embrace new attitudes toward people of God shows no partial- different racial backgrounds. ity, but in every nation How did this happen? We were anyone who fears him children of our age, awash in an envi- and does what is right is ronment of bias, but at some point, we acceptable to him.” began to see more clearly and began a long journey on the road away from pedigree and purity. boss, who was described as a “God- racism. Others may have seen a similar The books of Ezra and Nehemiah fearer,” a Gentile who worshiped the transformation in attitudes toward issues describe the establishment of policies God of the Jews but had not fully con- such as women in ministry or in growing that outlawed marriage to anyone out- verted through circumcision. The text acceptance of people who are gay. side of the Jewish community while also emphasizes Cornelius’s piety as a man Our journey to acceptance may have calling for closer adherence to purity who prayed constantly and gave gener- begun with a developing friendship with laws and more faithful support of the ous alms for the poor. someone different. We may have been temple. This conscious effort to cement a Earlier, as he had knelt for influenced by a powerful book or a pro- stronger ethnic identity proved very suc- Judaism’s regular mid-afternoon prayer phetic sermon. Or, we may have learned cessful, but also drove a wedge between time, an angel instructed Cornelius from a new environment, such as a col- the Hebrews and their neighbors. to send messengers to bring Peter to lege campus or military unit, where more This isolationist worldview pre- Caesarea. Peter arrived to find not only accepting viewpoints prevailed. scribed by his inherited faith was all Cornelius but also a large group of Prejudice is nothing new. Peter, one Peter knew, so God had to teach him Gentile God-fearers, all eager to hear a of Jesus’ closest disciples, had grown that Christ’s saving work was not word from God (10:17-33). up in an environment of suspicion and restricted to the Jews. Through a vision Peter knew that he was violating distrust between Jews and Gentiles that involving a hungry Peter and a bevy Jewish law by meeting with the group went back for hundreds of years. As of “unclean” animals, God revealed to and acknowledged some awkwardness Hebrews returned from exile in the fifth Peter that he should not regard anyone about it, but when he learned that the and sixth centuries, BCE, they lived as unclean (10:9-16). Gentiles sought eagerly to hear a mes- under Persian rule and had no national sage from God, he had little choice but identity. As a means of self-preserva- The Lord of all to preach. tion and an attempt to please God in (vv. 34-36) Peter began by relating what he hopes of future blessing, religious lead- himself had only recently learned: “I ers began a campaign that promoted As Peter was trying to make sense of the vision, three messengers from a truly understand that God shows no Additional background information Roman centurion named Cornelius partiality, but in every nation anyone online where you see the “Digging arrived, asking Peter to accompany who fears him and does what is right is Deeper” icon them to Caesarea and meet with their acceptable to him” (10:34b-35).

20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes The crusty apostle had begun to name to all nations, beginning from connect the dots between his vision of are available at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:45a, 47). unclean but edible animals that God had nurturingfaith.net Peter was beginning to understand declared acceptable and a house full of in practical terms what he had previ- “unclean” but eager Gentiles who also he says only that “they” killed him, ously known in theory: the gospel really feared God and who wanted to please using the third person plural form of the was for all people, and Jesus’ disciples God. verb. were to proclaim it in all places. As Peter spoke of God’s message Peter had already come to believe Peter’s speech suggests that he still to Israel through Christ, he threw out that Jesus’ death was a necessary part may have been uncomfortable with the a parenthetical statement that is key of his message and work in the world. notion, for he proclaimed the gospel to understanding his new view: “He is When God raised Jesus from the dead more as a warning than as good news. Lord of all” (v. 36b). Peter, like other and caused him to appear before wit- When he said the disciples were “to Hebrews, had long known and con- nesses, eating and drinking in their preach to the people and to testify,” fessed this truth. The Jews, however, company, the disciples became fully he used a word that can also describe had typically looked at it from a differ- convinced that Jesus’ message and a solemn warning. Since the context ent angle, believing that while God was God’s message were one and the same. involves the prospect of judgment, a Lord of all nations or ethnic groups, Even as he spoke, Peter was learn- better translation might be “to preach to Israel was chosen to be a special people, ing in practical terms that the good the people and to warn them …,” as in to live in a unique and potentially news was intended for all people. Peter NET. rewarding relationship with God (Exod. would have been present when Jesus All will be judged, Peter said, both 19:5-6). ascended to heaven and would have living and dead – and the criteria of Peter’s confession asserts that heard his parting words, which Luke judgment will be one’s response to God’s love is universal, but the mes- describes as a promise to the disciples Jesus. sage is not universalistic. The ones to that they would be empowered by the Peter concluded his speech with a whom God shows no partiality are those Spirit to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, claim that “all the prophets” had testi- who show reverence to God, and whose in all Judea and Samaria, and to the fied that “everyone who believes in him respect for God leads them to do what is ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). receives forgiveness through his name” right and pleasing to God. Now Peter found himself beyond (v. 43). The statement cannot be read Judea, beyond Samaria, speaking to a literally: not all of the prophets spoke A savior for all cosmopolitan group of people who may of a coming Messiah, and none of them (vv. 37-41) have come from “the ends of the earth” spoke in the specific terms that Peter After referring twice to God’s message as far as Peter was concerned. Peter described. (literally, “word”) through Christ, Peter may have felt like an Anglo preacher There was a belief, however, that finally got to the point: that God had in an African-American church, but he the prophets had envisioned a coming “anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and plunged ahead. age in which all peoples would come with power,” which Jesus demonstrated to worship God. In his speech on the by traveling about, doing good deeds A message for all day of Pentecost, Peter had quoted Joel and healing people, proving that God (vv. 42-43) 2:32a in saying “Then everyone who was with him and that he had power Peter recalled how Jesus had “com- calls on the name of the Lord shall be over evil (v. 38). manded us to preach to the people and saved” (Acts 2:21). Peter spoke as a witness of what to testify that he is the one ordained by Thoughts of Pentecost immediately happened next, of how “they” put Jesus God as judge of the living and the dead” arise when we read of what happened to death by “hanging him on a tree” (a (v. 42). next. While Peter was still speaking first-century idiom for crucifixion), and What “command” did Peter have in (and thus, before his audience made how God had raised him from the dead mind? We may think of Matt. 28:19-20, any outward response), “the Holy Spirit on the third day. commonly known as “the great commis- fell upon all who heard the word” so Note Peter’s tact in describing sion,” or of Luke’s version in Acts 1:8. that the Gentiles spoke in tongues and Jesus’ death. Charges had been brought Luke also had written of a post- praised God, astounding the Jews who against Jesus by the Jewish authori- resurrection occasion when Jesus had come with Peter (vv. 44-46). ties, but Roman soldiers had carried appeared to the disciples and “opened The evidence was clear and the ver- it out. Peter was a Jew in the home of their minds to understand the scrip- dict was in: the gospel truly was – and a Roman soldier and surrounded, no tures” that both taught of him and is – for all people. Peter was just begin- doubt, by other soldiers. Instead of declared “that repentance and forgive- ning to accept the radically inclusive assigning blame in the death of Jesus, ness of sins is to be proclaimed in his nature of God’s grace. Do we? BT

LESSON FOR JANUARY 12, 2014 | 21 Youth Lessons by David Cassady and online youth teaching resources (at nurturingfaith. net) by Jeremy Colliver build off of the Bible lessons by Tony Cartledge.

Youth lessons are made possible through the generous YoJanuary 5 — January u 26, 2014 th support of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation.

Knowing JANUARY 5 John 1:10-18 introducing Jesus as the “Word that Think About It: became ﬂesh” but goes on to explain why There are so many possible ways that God e all want to be “in the know.” Jesus came. Jesus came to redeem the could have revealed his grace and truth to We follow our friends and other world, but the world didn’t receive him. us, but God chose to be among us in the interesting people on Twitter There were those who believed him and W person of Jesus. What things do you do so so we can know what is going on in their what he claimed to be, and they became that others might also know Jesus? lives. We post pictures on Instagram of children of God. things we see and experience. We “check- John describes the nature of Jesus as in” on Foursquare so we know where our “full of grace and truth.” Jesus was full of friends are hanging out. We search Google grace because he was God’s free gift of Make a Choice: to know the answers to our questions and love and forgiveness. Jesus was full of truth There is always more to learn and know have news pushed to our phones so we because he lived in ways that were consis- about God. As you grow and mature, how know what is going on in the world. We tent and trustworthy. will you learn more about God? live in a time when knowing is important. We are able to know grace because In the ﬁrst chapter of John we are we know Jesus. We know that the source introduced to someone else whom we will of grace is God because we experience it come to know: Jesus. Through Jesus we through Jesus. We fully know grace and Pray: know God, because Jesus is God. truth as we come to know Christ — a God God, we give you thanks for coming to live John puts us in the know by who is with us, a God whom we can know. among us so we might know of your grace and truth.

All JANUARY 12 Acts 10:34-43 that God’s love is universal to all people. So Think About It: Peter preaches to these Gentiles out of his Differences abound in our culture and in s there really something that could be own experience and from what he knows. our world, so to imagine that God’s grace is for everyone? In a world that seems to be In spite of their differences in culture and for everyone is still as radical as in Peter’s more and more divided, specialized and worldview, Peter shares a story that is for I day. How can you show others that God’s customized, is there one thing that could everyone. grace is for everyone? work for everyone? Is there something that Peter tells them of Jesus being would work for all of your friends, people anointed with the Holy Spirit and the who aren’t your friends, and even those deeds that were done to prove that he had Make a Choice: whom you would consider rivals? Is there been anointed. He explains how Jesus was It’s easy for us to assume that God’s love is really such a message? Peter says there is. put to death and how God raised Jesus only for “people like us.” How do you need His message is that Jesus is Lord of all. three days later. Peter preaches that Jesus, to change in order to see that God’s grace is In today’s lesson, Peter is in an awk- and the message of Jesus, is for all people for everyone, no matter how different? ward situation because he is with a group — not just those who have witnessed these of Gentiles who want to hear a word from events, or even just for the people of Israel. God, but Jewish law forbids him from even Peter knows the inclusive nature of God’s meeting with such a group. But because of grace because he has experienced it and Pray: Peter’s experience with Jesus, Peter knows now is sharing it with others. Dear God, we give thanks that your grace has no limits.

22 | Youth Faithful JANUARY 19 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 ideas of what should happen within the Think About It: church. Paul writes to remind them what Even those of us who have the best inten- o you have that one person in your it means to be church and what they are tions fail at them sometimes. How can you life you can count on no matter what called to be. He explains that they are be more faithful to God? How can you be life brings? It is the person who will church because they are “sanctiﬁed in D more faithful to those people whom God answer your text message at 1:30 in the Christ” and are “called to be saints.” puts in your life? morning when you can’t sleep. It is the Paul helps the Corinthian church person who will be there for you when you remember that it is more important for lose someone you love. It is the ﬁrst person them to focus on what God is doing through you text when you receive wonderful news. them. He acknowledges the gifts they have Who is that person in your life? but reminds them that giftedness has to be Make a Choice: Paul reminds the people of the church translated into action. Most of all, though, We have a daily choice to turn to God as at Corinth that God longs to be that person Paul acknowledges that God is faithful even the one we rely upon, turn to for help, and for them. He knows that the church at when the people are not faithful to God. include in our celebrations. How will you Corinth has some issues because he had God will be with them as they move forward relate to God? seen their problems during a recent visit. and make the changes needed to be a The church had people in it with varying stronger community of faith. God, we give you thanks that you are there for us even when we don’t deserve it.

One? JANUARY 26 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Even if you don’t know something is Think About It: wrong in Corinth before reading Paul’s let- Why is it when we meet someone new we ave you ever been part of a sports ter, it quickly becomes obvious, since Paul tend to look at how we are different instead team? What about a mission group names the problem. He knows what divi- of how we are the same? How would your that painted a house or worked on sion will do to the church, so he reminds H perception of other people change if you a roof? them that they are to live in communion ﬁrst thought of them as children of God? Both of these kinds of groups work with one another as one people in God. best when everyone is on the same page Paul also understands that the cure and working together toward the same for the division is for people to remember purpose. Situations can get messy when whose they are: They are not Paul’s people Make a Choice: team members decide they want to do it nor Apollos’ people nor Cephas’ people, but When you face situations where divisions their way or attempt something completely they instead belong to Christ. Paul shows keep people from working together, how different. Successful teams work together how ridiculous it is for them to choose can you help be a unifying leader? even if there are differences of opinion. sides when they are all on the same side. Sometimes, turning around a broken team Christ cannot be divided, so why should the takes one person willing to step up and church be divided? help unify the group. Paul helps unify the Christians at The church at Corinth was in this sort of Corinth by reminding them what Christ did Pray: mess, and Paul was the one who stepped up for them and to whom they really belong. Dear God, forgive us when we forget that and attempted to get things back in order. we belong to you.

Youth | 23 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 19, 2014 Certain Strength

ave you ever been on the receiving end of a backhanded H compliment, when someone insulted you with a statement disguised as praise? “I like your dress: it makes you look so slim” sounds like a compliment, but it could be a left-handed way of observing that you’re trying to hide extra pounds beneath vertical stripes. Sometimes, backhanded compliments can simply be mindless: an old photo may spark “You used to be a real beauty.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 – They can also be biting: “The junior “God is faithful; by him you were called into the senator is well-spoken for someone with fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” so little experience.” And sometimes, they can be The Apostle Paul had a long and Individual members of the church carefully calculated attempts to say uneven relationship with the people of such as “Chloe’s people” (1:11) con- something nice without giving more Corinth. Along with Timothy and Silas, tacted Paul, perhaps through personal credit than is due. That’s the sort of he first came to the city around 49 or 50 visits, telling him of problems at thing we find in Paul’s greeting to the CE, during his “second missionary jour- Corinth. Paul also received at least one church in Corinth – a church with a lot of ney.” Paul met and was aided by Prisca letter from the church requesting his potential for a membership that was so (or Priscilla) and Aquila, a Jewish advice (7:1). immature, self-serving, and polarized. Christian couple who had emigrated In response, Paul wrote what we A troubled church from Rome after the emperor Claudius now call 1 Corinthians. Unfortunately, expelled Christians from Italy (Acts it appears that the letter was not well Let’s begin with a brief introduction 18:2). Paul may have lodged with received, leading Paul to make a visit to the city of Corinth and the believers Prisca and Aquila even as he supported to the church that he called painful (2 who lived there. himself by joining them in the leather- Cor. 2:1). After returning to Ephesus, he The Corinth Paul knew was only work trade, and remained in Corinth for wrote another letter that he described as 100 years old, a Roman metropolis built about18 months. tearful and difficult (2 Cor. 2:3-9; 7:12), on the ruins of an ancient Greek city. After a brief return to Jerusalem, and sent it by Titus. Some scholars think The city’s population included present Paul traveled to Antioch before depart- this “severe letter” may be partially pre- and former slaves, wealthy merchants, ing on his third missionary effort, going served in 2 Cor. 10-13, which is sterner shrewd traders, government adminis- overland to Ephesus, where he stayed in tone than the surrounding chapters. trators, Roman soldiers, and veteran for two years. While at Ephesus, Paul Later, Titus met Paul in Macedonia sailors, along with teachers, philoso- had several contacts with the Corinthian and told him the Corinthians had phers, and devotees of various religions. church. accepted his letter and were reconciled For a variety of reasons, Corinth was an The letter we know as 1 Corinthians to him (2 Cor. 2:12; 7:5-16). Paul wrote important city. was not Paul’s first letter to the church, 2 Corinthians to express his joy and to for in 1 Cor. 5:9 Paul speaks of a “pre- encourage the Corinthians to raise a wor- Additional background information vious letter” he had written (some thy offering for the poor in Jerusalem. online where you see the “Digging scholars think parts of that letter may be Later, Paul seems to have made a Deeper” icon retained in 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). third visit, probably around 55-56 CE,

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes writing his letter to the Romans while on what God had done for them, not there (Rom. 15:26). are available at what they had done for God. God’s nurturingfaith.net grace had enriched them “in speech A greeting of grace and knowledge of every kind” (vv. (vv. 1-3) 4-5), even though they had used speech As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, perfect in behavior, saints and sinners against one another and some believed he had learned that various factions concurrently. they had special knowledge that made existed, possibly with parties claiming Paul tactfully reminded the them superior to others – issues to be to follow Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Corinthians that they were not the only addressed later. Christ. Scholars have sought to identify church, but were called to be saints The witness of Christ had been con- various theological differences among alongside “all those who in every firmed among them, Paul said (v. 6), so the factions, but it seems clear that a place call on the name of our Lord they weren’t lacking in spiritual gifts struggle for power and leadership of the Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” (v. 7), though the use and distribution church fueled the dissension. (v. 2b). This remains a helpful word, of spiritual gifts had become a matter of The church appears to have for it’s easy for a church or denomina- controversy that Paul would address in included members across the spectrum tion to become isolated, thinking only chapters 11-14. of social classes, from slaves to relative of itself. Ecumenical activities remind This is a reminder that one’s spiri- elites, and there is evidence that some us that we are not alone, but part of the tual failings do not necessarily negate members considered themselves to be much larger body of Christ. spiritual gifts. One can be a spiritually superior to others on both spiritual and While secular letters of the period gifted shyster as well as a saint – as social grounds. typically began with the word “greet- demonstrated by charismatic evangelists How does one begin a letter to a ing” (chairein), Paul typically altered who draw many followers but use their church in turmoil? Paul followed the that to the word for “grace” (charis), offerings to enrich themselves. standard pattern for letters of the time and here added “peace” as well — Paul reminded the church that God by naming the sender and recipients, along with the reminder that grace and is faithful, even in difficult circum- followed by a brief greeting. peace derive “from God our Father and stances, even among unfaithful people. Paul first identified himself as the the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 3). God’s faithfulness would grant the writer, then, indicating that someone Corinthians “strength to the end” so named Sosthenes was with him and A faithful God they might be found “blameless” when perhaps contributing to the letter. (vv. 4-9) Christ returned (v. 8). God had called Paul further named himself as one In his letters, Paul usually followed them into fellowship on the basis of who was “called to be an apostle of Jesus the greeting with a prayer of thanks- God’s own faithfulness, not theirs: they by the will of God.” There is evidence giving for his readers, often subtly rais- were not only saved by God’s persistent that some members of the Corinthian ing issues that will reappear in the letter. grace, but also sustained by it. church questioned Paul’s authority as an In some cases, Paul affirmed his Paul’s prayer tactfully avoided apostle (an issue that later become more hearers with words of praise, as in any praise for the Corinthians, but did explicit, 2 Cor 10:12-18; 11:5), so he 1 Thessalonians, where he thanked God not condemn them either. Although wanted to emphasize from the beginning for “your work of faith and labor of they were sinners, he still called them that his authority lay not in himself, but love and steadfastness of hope in our saints. In spite of their shortcomings, he in his divine calling. Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3). Paul acknowledged their giftedness. In the address, Paul identifies his also praised the Colossians for their We, too, are called into fellowship audience as a church and reminds faith, love, and hope in Christ that was by God’s faithfulness. We also are gifted his readers that they are “sanctified in bearing fruit among them (Col. 1:3-6). by God’s Spirit. We also may fail and Christ Jesus” and “called to be saints” In writing to the Corinthians, how- fall short of God’s best hopes for us, but (v. 2a). Although the Corinthians were ever, the best Paul could offer was our faith is grounded in God’s faithful- unlikely saints, their calling — like backhanded praise. He thanked God ness, which will remain “to the end.” Paul’s — originated with God. for the grace that had been given to the If Paul were to write a letter to you, Saintly or not, Paul called them Corinthians, enriching them in every to your Bible study class, or to your “sanctified,” using a verb that means way and blessing them with spiritual church, what might he say? Would he “to make holy” in the sense of “to set gifts – but he extended no congratula- have to settle for backhanded compli- apart as sacred to God.” Believers are tions for what they had done with the ments, or could he offer unabashed, to be set apart for holy living, but the blessings they had received. grateful praise? What would you like Corinthians showed that church mem- Paul thanked God for the him to say? BT bers can be perfectly forgiven but not Corinthians, but his focus was clearly

LESSON FOR JANUARY 19, 2014 | 25 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 26, 2014 Perilous Polarities

ave you ever ridden a “Tilt-a- whirl,” “Octopus,” or something Hsimilar at a traveling fair or an amusement park? The nausea-inducing rides consist of a series of arms, each with a seating compartment at the end. While the entire contraption goes round and round, the seating pods spin and the arms go up and down in a stomach-lurching orbit that threatens to launch partially digested funnel cakes, hot dogs, and tur- key legs into the surrounding crowds. 1 Corinthians 1:10 – I get dizzy just thinking about it, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of and continue to wonder why people you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in would willingly spend money to get on the same mind and the same purpose.” a ride designed to make them sick. I thought of those devil-inspired Paul knew the serious danger that a series of four statements introduced by contrivances while contemplating division can bring to a church, so he had the initial particle “men,” meaning some- today’s text, in which Paul confronts already reminded the Corinthian believ- thing like “indeed” or “on the one hand.” a problem of division and dysfunction ers that they all were called by God to What were these divisions about? that was sickening the Corinthian con- live in koinonia (fellowship or com- Scott Nash argues that disagreement over gregation. The thought of competing munion) with Christ and other “saints” whether to accept Paul’s authority was factions – and there appear to have been wherever the gospel was known. at the heart of the matter (1 Corinthians, several in Corinth – reminds me of the With v. 10, Paul spelled things out Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary seating pods on that amusement ride: more clearly, making an earnest appeal [Smyth & Helwys, 2009], 24-29, 84-85). each one spins on its own axis with “that all of you be in agreement and that The city of Corinth, like other great cit- little thought that all of them are there be no divisions among you, but ies of the time, would have had its share connected to a central point. that you be united in the same mind and of homegrown or traveling sophists and One appeal the same purpose.” rhetoricians who were known for their (vv. 10-12) He knew that wasn’t the case. A sparkling speech and clever arguments, visit from “Chloe’s people” had ﬁlled and visitors like Paul would have been The carefully worded way Paul began him in on the current state of the church. measured against them. his letter hinted that there was trouble “I belong to Paul” (literally, “I am of Paul, by his own admission, was a in the air, and he wasted no time in Paul”), some said, while others said “I steady worker and faithful witness, but confronting it: the church in Corinth, am of Apollos” or “I am of Cephas.” not a polished speaker. In a later letter, immature but proud, was riddled with The verse ends with “I am of Paul quoted his critics’ judgment that dissension. That matter was so grave Christ.” Was there a fourth faction who “his letters are weighty and strong, but that, in one way or another, Paul’s claimed to be the true Christ party? Or, his bodily presence is weak, and his efforts to deal with it stretch from could the last statement be Paul’s exas- speech contemptible” (2 Cor. 10:10). 1 Cor. 1:10 to 4:21. perated response: “I belong to Christ!”? Apollos was known as “an eloquent The NRSV and other translations insert man, well-versed in the scriptures,” Additional background information “or” between each of the options listed, according to Acts 18:24, so it is not online where you see the “Digging but that is for clariﬁcation; there is no surprising that some would prefer his Deeper” icon corresponding Greek word for “or,” just leadership. Peter (Cephas) was not

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes known for his scintillating speech, name of Christ, even if some of them but was regarded as chief among the are available at seemed to put more emphasis on the apostles. Apollos spent some time in nurturingfaith.net preacher than the savior. Corinth (Acts 19:1), but there is no firm Paul’s comments about which per- evidence that Peter had visited the city, 90s know how ugly such conflict can sons he had baptized do not address the and we have no reason to suspect that be. While that conflict was couched in question directly, for they have to do either would have sought to cultivate a theological terms, there was an undeni- with the act of baptism, not whether the following in opposition to Paul. able undercurrent of politics and power new believers were baptized in Paul’s It is possible that local members of struggles. name. Even so, Paul expressed some the church who were practiced in the Similar factions can develop relief that he had baptized only a few of skill of rhetoric and public speech had within churches, even small ones. Can the Corinthian believers – not enough to developed their own followings and divorced-and-remarried men serve as create a viable faction! named their parties for one of the more deacons? Can women be allowed to Crispus, a former leader of the syn- famous leaders of the early church. preach or called as pastors? Will the agogue, along with a man named Gaius Scholars have long speculated church welcome people who are gay or and the household of someone named what theological differences may have transgendered? Should worship follow a Stephanas were the only people Paul divided the Corinthians (for more traditional model or a more contempo- could remember baptizing in Corinth. on this, see “The Hardest Question” rary approach? Should the church buy Paul didn’t want anyone claiming supe- online), but the dissension may have a new van for mission trips and fellow- riority because they had been baptized been as much about church politics and ship outings, or donate the money to by the church’s founder, and certainly power as about theology. direct mission support? not because they were baptized in his Division comes in many forms, name (vv. 14-16). Three questions and arises for many reasons. When At all times, Paul sought to keep (v. 13) we frame our personal desires in theo- the spotlight on Christ. Jesus had not Paul, despite his perceived shortcom- logical language and use the Bible as called him to baptize but to preach the ings as a public speaker, was a master of a weapon against others, we find our- gospel, and that “not with eloquent wis- rhetoric, and he understood the power selves desperately in need of Paul’s dom” such as the Corinthians loved, but of pointed, even sarcastic questions. In appeal to overcome divisions and “be with straightforward speech, “so that v. 13, he launched into three sharp que- united in the same mind and the same the cross might not be emptied of its ries: “Has Christ been divided? Was Paul purpose” (v. 10b). power” (v. 17). crucified for you? Or were you baptized Paul’s goal was to see people come in the name of Paul?” One answer to trust in Christ, not because a slick- The first question exposes the (vv. 14-17) tongued evangelist had persuaded them absurdity of Christians choosing sides While Paul asked three questions, he to do so through an emotional appeal when all are called to follow the same addressed only the third one directly. or because a skilled apologist had con- Christ. We are human, however, and The first two questions were primarily vinced them with a rational argument, will have different understandings of rhetorical, designed to show the foolish- but because they recognized the central- what it means to follow Christ. ness of factionalism. ity of Christ’s atoning death. Some believers take a fundamental- “Is Christ divided?” Of course not, Paul wanted to maintain the priority ist position, insisting that the only way though his followers might turn against of the message over the messenger, but to honor Christ is to regard the Bible as each other because they hold to quite some members of the church in Corinth inerrant truth and interpret it literally different images of Christ’s life, work, had it the other way around: they were – including social mores from the Old and call. more loyal to a particular leader or a Testament that suit their conservative “Was Paul crucified for you?” No polished style or a theological position tastes. one would have raised such a ridiculous than they were to Christ. Other believers take a more open question, but some may have shown Where does our loyalty lie? Have view of scriptures and believe that more practical allegiance to Paul than we ever found ourselves more con- Christ is best served when we adopt his to Christ, and such a query might shock cerned about a decision relative to the approach of extending compassion to them into considering where their deep- church building or the style of wor- all people, with more emphasis on grace est loyalty should lie. ship or the calling of a pastor than we than law. The third question also had its were about serving Jesus? Can we rally Those who lived through the con- absurd aspects: “Were you baptized in around Christ as the unifying center that troversy that wracked the Southern the name of Paul?” Paul knew that all is stronger than our differences? Baptist Convention in the 1980s and of the believers had been baptized in the Those are not rhetorical questions. BT

LESSON FOR JANUARY 26, 2014 | 27 Classiﬁeds

Senior Pastor: Walnut Grove Baptist Church college students matriculate within our ministry children. A four-year degree from an accredited located in Mechanicsville, Va., a suburb of radius. We seek a candidate who is dedicated college or university with additional training Richmond, is seeking applications for the to the faith, self-starting and energetic. He/she and experience in ministering to preschool position of senior pastor. Walnut Grove has affili- must hold baccalaureate and seminary degrees and children through fifth grade at church or ations with the BGAV, CBF and SBC, and affirms from accredited institutions. This minister in a church-related environment are required. the BFM 1963. We are a multi-service, historic must be highly involved on campus and in the Responsibilities would include coordinating church of 250 active members who affirm church, and be capable of developing outreach/ and planning goals and activities for preschool women in leadership and engage in a variety of evangelistic ministries, personal counseling, and elementary school children in the area of local and global missions. This is a full-time posi- spiritual growth, and mission projects involving understanding the Bible, spiritual growth, rec- tion that requires a Master of Divinity degree students and working in and relating to a highly reation, fellowship and mission involvement. and a minimum of five years pastoral experience. diverse community and a strong church staff. Duties would also include mentoring families The candidate must have a passion for biblical The position is open to males and females of any with young children. Greystone is a contributing teaching and preaching, the ability to relate to ethnicity. Please send résumés with references member of CBF and CBFNC, is affiliated with all age groups, strong strategic leadership skills, to Blacksburg Baptist Church, 550 N. Main St., the Raleigh Baptist Association, and partners and the ability to direct the administration of the Blacksburg, VA 24060 or to bbc@blacksburg with local ministries. Our 750+ member church church. Qualified candidates should submit their baptist.org. affirms and ordains men and women as leaders, résumés to the Pastor Search Committee at including deacons and ministers. Please submit [email protected]. a résumé by Dec. 15 to Children’s Search Team, Pastor of Children and Family Ministries: 8313 Apple Orchard Way, Raleigh, NC 27615 or Memorial Baptist Church of Columbia, Mo., is to [email protected]. Please also visit our Pastor: First Baptist Church in Corbin, Ky., affili- seeking a passionate and committed individual church website, greystonechurch.org. ated with CBF and Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, to lead in the areas of children and family minis seeking a full-time pastor. FBC is a traditional, istries. The right person will possess the skills to progressive church with a community focus. The provide comprehensive leadership and oversight Minister to Children: First Baptist Church in church has a proud 118-year history in Corbin for all children’s related ministries (birth-grade 5) Huntsville, Ala., is seeking a full-time minister to and is ecumenical in its approach in reaching and to promote and establish effective working children. This ministerial staff position is respon- the communities of Southeastern Kentucky. partnerships between Memorial Baptist Church sible for the spiritual development of children in Located in historic downtown Corbin, the church and parents for the overall spiritual formation grades 1-6. A seminary degree with experience in is within minutes of I-75. The congregation of of their children and families. In addition, this children’s ministry is preferred. A full job descrip- approximately 400 members welcomes diversity person will be Memorial’s primary advocate and tion and more information about our church and inclusiveness while celebrating many gifts driver for strengthening families and equipping are available at fbchsv.org/search. Résumés and among its members for service and ministry. parents. Applicants should possess an accredited inquiries may be sent to [email protected]. Interested candidates should submit résumés to undergraduate degree in children and family the Pastor Search Committee at fbc_resumes@ ministry or a related field. Seminary education is Development Specialist: The Cooperative yahoo.com. a plus. Experience, a proven track record of effec- Baptist Fellowship is seeking to add a develop- tive ministry, and alignment with Memorial’s ment specialist to its staff in Decatur, Ga. This vision, values, and purpose is required. For Interim Minister of Education: Southside person will help plan and implement strategies additional details, or to submit a résumé, Baptist Church, Birmingham, Ala., is seeking to meet current and future financial needs, visit memorialbaptist.org/#/additional-info/ an interim part-time minister of education to including the Offering for Global Missions, childrenfamilies-pastor. coordinate opportunities for Christian education the Annual Fund, and endowment and future and related activities. This position will coordi- capital campaigns. For a full job listing, visit nate Christian education for preschool, children, Minister to Families with Children: thefellowship.info/About-Us/jobs/Development- youth and adult Sunday school. A graduate Smoke Rise Baptist, a CBF church in Stone Specialist. Inquiries and résumés should be degree in Christian education or a related field Mountain, Ga., is looking for a creative, orga- directed to Allison Tennyson, director of human is required. Please submit résumé to Personnel nized and energetic individual to coordinate resources: [email protected] or Committee, Southside Baptist Church, P.O. Box a comprehensive program of ministry for (770) 220-1608. 55058, Birmingham, AL 35255 or to champton@ families with children. The ideal candidate will southsidebirmingham.org. have a seminary degree and prior experience Graphic Design Specialist: The Cooperative in a similar position. Maturity, flexibility and Baptist Fellowship is seeking to add a graphic a desire to create spiritually enriching experi- Minister of College Outreach and Student design specialist to its staff in Decatur, Ga. ences for children are essential traits of the Ministries: Blacksburg Baptist Church (BBC) This person will design, lay out, and produce candidate. For a complete job description, (blacksburgbaptist.org), affiliated with the publications and artwork for projects such as see smokerisebaptist.org/visitors/about/ Baptist General Association of Virginia and the fellowship! magazine, visual presentations, website employment.aspx. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, seeks a full- and e-newsletter graphics, newsletters, flyers, time minister of college outreach and student brochures, and other print collateral. For a full job ministries. BBC is one of Virginia’s largest and Associate Minister of Preschool and listing, visit thefellowship.info/About-Us/jobs/ most missional churches, and is located across Children: Greystone Baptist Church, located Graphic-Design-Specialist. Inquiries and résumés from Virginia Tech. It is also within the minis- in a diverse and growing area of North Raleigh, should be directed to Allison Tennyson, director try area of Radford University and New River N.C., is prayerfully seeking a part-time (20 hours of human resources: atennyson@thefellowship. Community College. Approximately 50,000 per week) associate minister of preschool and info or (770) 220-1608.

28 | Information December 2013 In the Know

Latha Bandela died Oct. 11 in Atlanta at Peter and Sarah McCurdy of Madison, Tim and Kathy Rice have been endorsed by age 66. She served as a Cooperative Baptist Ohio, were endorsed by American Baptist American Baptist International Ministries Fellowship ﬁeld worker for 17 years. Along International Ministries to serve as mis- to serve with the Baptist Community of the with her husband, Sam, she started the sionaries in Santo Domingo, Dominican Congo. Tim, a medical doctor, and Kathy, a Chamblee-Doraville Ministry Center in Republic. registered nurse, will train nurses and medi- Atlanta and then worked with a variety of cal students at Vanga Evangelical Hospital. ministry areas in India. Curtis Murdock is retiring after a long He comes from the faculty of the School of tenure as minister of music at Beech Haven Medicine at St. Louis University, Mo. They Robert W. Bowman has retired as senior Baptist Church in Athens, Ga. have made 10 previous trips to the Democratic associate pastor at Central Baptist Bearden Republic of the Congo as volunteers. in Knoxville, Tenn., after 25 years there. Samuel Park is assistant to the dean for Next year, he will relocate near Houston, Korean language education administration Travis Russell is pastor of First Baptist Texas. and assistant professor of practical theology Church of Graham, N.C. and contextual ministry education at Central Paul Burgess is pastor of Benson Baptist Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Terry Megginson Walton of Cornelia, Ga., Church, N.C. Kan. died Oct. 17 at age 51. A native of Fairhope, Ala., she was pianist for several churches Kathy Charland of Westﬁeld, Mass., Kathy Pickett is pastor of Prairie Baptist and worked in public relations for Broadway has been endorsed by American Baptist Church in Prairie Village, Kan. She had Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas, and her International Ministries to serve as a mis- served on the staff of Holmeswood Baptist alma mater, Mobile College. For the past 15 sionary in Kinshasa, the Democratic Church in Kansas City, Mo., since 1998. years she worked for the Cooperative Baptist Republic of the Congo. Fellowship in Atlanta.

Dorothy Jordan Fletcher died Oct. 16 at age 80 in Abilene, Texas. She was married to Jesse Fletcher, president emeritus of Hardin- Advertise today Simmons University, and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest Print OR Web Display Ads in Abilene. Web Classiﬁed Ads (1 week: large/medium/small) Just 90¢ per word J. Hoffman Harris died Sept. 25 in Hickory, N.C., at age 87. He served churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri before accepting the pastorate of Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., where he served for 29 years.

Alabama CBF names Terri Byrd as coordinator

By John Pierce exhibited leadership skills The Alabama CBF Coordinating Council during this interim time unanimously approved the search commit- BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Terri Byrd becomes which give us conﬁdence tee’s recommendation. Byrd succeeds Ronnie coordinator of Alabama Cooperative Baptist that she will do a won- Brewer who left the coordinator position Fellowship (ALCBF) on Dec. 1. She has served derful job” said Gary earlier this year to accept the pastorate of First as associate coordinator for congregational life Furr, pastor of Vestavia Baptist Church of Bristol, Va. for the past four years. Hills Baptist Church and Byrd recently served as interim pastor of A graduate of Mercer University and the moderator of ALCBF Crosscreek Baptist Church in Pelham, Ala. She Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School, who chaired the search is also a contributing writer for Baptists Today. Terri Byrd she served in church staff positions prior to committee. “My assess- Her work appears in both the national edition coming to Alabama CBF. ment is that Terri, with and the Alabama edition through a collab- “Terri believes in our mission, meets our support and voted conﬁdence in her, will orative effort between the news journal and everyone as a friend and colleague, and has soar as a leader.” ALCBF. BT

December 2013 Information | 29 !" /$+('* .$(#2', Religion News Service Conservative Judaism turns 100 Works to welcome those who have lost touch with roots, reverse decline

For those who care deeply about passing In 1971, Conservative Jews accounted for tradition and the Reform movement’s openness 41 percent of American Jews. Today, they rep- to change. on Judaism to future generations, a new, resent a graying 18 percent, according to the As the United Synagogue of Conservative exhaustive study on American Jews is landmark Pew Research Center survey, released Judaism — the umbrella group for the nation’s in October. more than 630 Conservative congregations — rife with worrisome statistics that show “Rescue the Conservative movement,” celebrates its 100th anniversary, Conservative increasing numbers of the disinterested. The Forward, the national Jewish newspaper, Jews are confronting their undeniable shrink- pleaded in an editorial after the Pew study’s ing stature. ut if the trends look bad for Jews in release. In advance of United Synagogue’s annual general, they look especially perilous “Further shrinkage would be a tragedy,” conference held in Baltimore in mid-October, for the Conservative movement, which it continued, citing the movement’s anchoring the movement opened the “Conversation of B th for much of the 20 century was the largest role at the center of Jewish life, sandwiched the Century,” asking members to discuss pub- branch of American Judaism. between Orthodox Judaism’s adherence to licly their fears and hopes for their future. “It’s not a pretend conversation,” said Shira Dicker, a public relations consultant — and the daughter of a Conservative rabbi — known for her offbeat approach. Hired by United Synagogue to help the denomination confront its challenges and brainstorm solutions, Dicker does not hesitate to describe the formulaic services at some old- style Conservative synagogues as “deadly.” And she pushed United Synagogue to produce an unscripted video that features a wide spectrum of Conservative Jews asking elephant-in-the- room questions. “Why are we embarrassed to say we’re Conservative Jews?” asks one woman in the video. “This is our reset moment,” said Rabbi Steven Wernick, CEO of the United Synagogue, who added that Conservative Jews were well aware of their poor retention rates long before Pew released its study. Years ago, he said, some bright lights within the Conservative movement began to experiment with ways to bring more meaningful services and programs to Jews of all backgrounds. A cadre of creative rabbis, mostly in urban centers, is drawing crowds of young unafﬁli- ated Jews by infusing Jewish ritual with yoga, music and meditation — sometimes outdoors or in a funky cafe. Perhaps tellingly, two of the most talked- about young rabbis in the nation, the magnetic Rabbi Sharon Brous in Los Angeles and the soulful Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum in Seattle, were both ordained in the Conservative movement’s Jewish Theological Seminary, but both lead nondenominational Jewish communities.

30 | Information December 2013 “People who have grown up in Conservative Judaism are playing an extra- ordinarily impactful role in the larger Jewish U.S. Jews say others face discrimination world,” said Wernick. But how many Jews will continue to grow By Lauren Markoe The ADL’s 1964 benchmark survey, up in Conservative Judaism? Religion News Service conducted by University of California According to the Pew study, the Reform researchers, showed that 29 percent of movement is the largest branch of American merican Jews say they face discrimi- Americans held hard-core anti-Semitic Judaism, claiming 35 percent of U.S. Jews. nation in the U.S., but they see views. The ADL’s latest poll, in 2011, Conservatives represent less than one in five, A Muslims, gays and blacks facing found that 15 percent did. and the Orthodox have held their ground with far more. But interpreted differently, the Pew 10 percent. This and other findings from the numbers can also paint a portrait of a But the future looks particularly tough recently released Pew Research Center’s Jewish community that sees anti-Semitism for the Conservatives. Among young American landmark study on Jewish Americans help as a persistent problem. Jews (those 18-29), just 11 percent identify as make the case that Jews — once unwel- The more than four in ten (43 per- Conservative, compared with the 29 percent come in many a neighborhood, university cent) Jewish Americans who see Jews facing for Reform Jews and 41 percent who have no and golf club — now find themselves an “a lot” of discrimination in the U.S. is still formal affiliation. accepted minority. a “pretty substantial” proportion, said Alan Though they claim the same share of “While there are still issues, American Cooperman, co-author of the Pew study, young Jews as the Conservative movement, the Jews live in a country where they feel they “A Portrait of American Jews.” Orthodox are relatively fertile, and for this and are full citizens,” said Kenneth Jacobson, Seventy-two percent of American Jews other reasons the Pew researchers predict that deputy national director of the Anti- surveyed believe that Muslims face “a lot” their numbers will grow. Defamation League, which was founded in of discrimination in the U.S., and the same “I know some people are willing to write 1913 to combat anti-Semitism. percentage said gays and lesbians face such the whole Conservative movement off and say “You have (Jewish) Ivy League presi- levels of bigotry. Slightly fewer — 64 per- Kaddish for it,” said Jonathan Sarna, professor dents in schools that used to have Jewish cent — said blacks face such prejudice. of Jewish history at Brandeis University, refer- quotas,” he said. “One way of looking at these numbers ring to the Jewish prayer for the dead. Most American Jews are descendants is to say that Jews perceive a lot of discrimi- But he hopes enough people, both within of the great migration of Jews to the U.S. nation against a whole bunch of groups in and outside the movement, do not want to stand from 1880 to 1920. Today, they make up American life,” Cooperman said. by as the demise of Conservative Judaism leaves a little more than 2 percent of the popula- Reform Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of hole in the center of American Jewish life. tion, but their influence is outsized. Jews the largest movement of Judaism in North “One needs a new middle lest one ends up make up 10 percent of the U.S. Senate, and America, called Jews’ perceptions of preju- with two Judaisms,” Sarna said. “The middle, they lead major cities, corporations, philan- dice against others “inspiring.” it seems to me, has been very valuable in keep- thropies and arts organizations. “Because of our somewhat painful ing things together. They understood both Anti-Semitism has most certainly history of persecution, we have a deep sensi- sides. They talk to both sides.” waned in the U.S. tivity to the suffering of others,” he said. BT Rabbi Rachel Kobrin is another Conservative-trained rabbi mentioned as one to watch, and she still works within the move- A language barrier is not keeping main- non-Jews, according to the Pew study, and ment as the assistant rabbi of Conservative line Protestants from church. But Andrew H. while some Reform clergy will officiate at those Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin, where Walsh, of the Leonard Greenberg Center for ceremonies — especially if the couple plans she founded, among other programs, “Selah.” the Study of Religion in Public Life at Trinity to raise their children as Jews — Conservative “Selah,” which translates to “amen” in College, said there are plenty of parallels clergy will not. Hebrew, attracts 100 mostly unaffiliated Jews between Conservative Judaism and the shrink- Something else Conservative Jews may to Shabbat services at a satellite of the main ing Protestant mainline — which captured want to consider: their name. synagogue in hipster-heavy South Austin. one-third of Americans 40 years ago, and As the Pew study shows, American Jews, The descendants of American Jewish between 10 and 12 percent today. as a group, are far more likely to line up immigrants have assimilated beautifully into Conservative Judaism’s challenges reflect behind liberal than conservative politicians and American life, Kobrin said, excelling in school- those of centrist movements in general — causes, and many Jews feel “Conservative” is and their professions. But in the process, many they’re traditions that don’t easily follow the a bad fit for a movement that ordains women lost touch with their Jewish roots — and the culture, especially cultures that emphasize indi- and gay rabbis and has written guidelines for Hebrew language, which is the lingua franca of vidual choice. A movement that “tries to hold its clergy to preside at gay marriages. a typical Conservative service. on in some serious way to tradition might be Some new names have been bandied Here is what goes through their heads in trouble,” he said. about — “Centrist” Judaism, “Conservationist” as they sit through Conservative services, she That’s why, Walsh continued, Conser- Judaism — but none has yet captured the imag- said: “I feel smart in every other aspect of my vative Jews are going to have to confront the ination of the people left in the pews. life and I walk into this synagogue and I don’t phenomenon of interfaith marriage. “I’m a Conservative rabbi,” Kobrin said, even know what page we’re on.” Nearly six in 10 young Jews are marrying “but I’m a liberal!” BT

December 2013 Information | 31 Nurturing Faith: Texts and Themes for 2014 !" %2*" 3. 4$(%/'5,' *Order the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies within Baptists Today at 1-877-752-5658 or nurturingfaith.net.

Jan. 5 – John 1:10-18 Feb. 9 – 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Season of Easter June 22 – Jeremiah 20:7-13 “The Word That Walks” “Spiritual Secrets” Apr. 20 – Matthew 28:1-10 “Fire in the Bones” In Jesus we learn what God is like – Some things are beyond purely mental “Who’s Afraid?” Jeremiah learned that a personal and how to live as God’s children. comprehension. The post-resurrection Jesus told the message from God isn’t easy to ignore. women not to be afraid, but others Season of Epiphany Feb. 16 – 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 needed to hear the message more. June 29 – Jeremiah 28:1-17 Jan. 12 – Acts 10:34-43 “Baby Talk” “Not Just Yoking Around …” The words Jeremiah heard led to some “Who Converted Whom?” The Corinthians’ immaturity frustrated April 27-June 1 Paul, who called them babies and peculiar behavior and intense confron- Cornelius and company became Chris- The Challenges of a Changed Life pleaded with them to grow up. tations. Are we ready for that? tians, but Peter may have had the most significant conversion of all. Apr. 27 – 1 Peter 1:3-9 Feb. 23 – 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 July 6 – Zechariah 9:9-13 “Hopeful Faith” “Prisoners of Hope” January 19-February 23 “Quality Construction” Faith and hope are closely related; we All believers begin with the foundation Those who have been captured by Things That Matter can’t have one without the other. Christ laid; what we build on it is up to hope are free to hear God’s promise of us. How do our temples look? freedom. Jan. 19 – 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 May 4 – 1 Peter 1:17-23 “Certain Strength” Mar. 2 – Psalm 2 “Deep Love” July 13 – Isaiah 55:6-13 Deep love isn’t a surface phenomenon; Paul thanks God for the Corinthians’ “More Than Meets the Eye” “The Fertile Word” it comes from the heart. progress in the faith and affirms his Believers, like kings in Israel, are Where God’s words are planted, confidence in them. “adopted” by God and brought into amazing things grow. a special relationship that calls for May 11 – 1 Peter 2:13-25 Jan. 26 – 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 transformation. “Paradoxical Living” July 20 – Isaiah 44:6-20 “Perilous Polarities” How can people be slaves and free at “The Real Thing” Divisions and polarization can threaten Season of Lent the same time? God’s word to Isaiah reveals the glory even strong people, and strong opin- March 9-April 13 of God and the folly of idolatry. ions can lead to strong divisions. Songs for Serious Seekers May 18 – 1 Peter 2:1-10 “Living Stones” July 27 – 1 Kings 3:3-15 Feb. 2 – 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Mar. 9 – Psalm 32 The temple of God is built of the living “A Listening Heart” “Foolhardy Wisdom” stones of God’s people. Deep wisdom comes from listening – “Forgiveness” Paul’s thoughts on wisdom and foolish- to God. Observing Lent begins with repentance ness may be surprising. and forgiveness. May 25 – 1 Peter 3:13-22 “Good Suffering?” Aug. 3 – Matthew 14:13-21 Mar. 16 – Psalm 121 Can anything good come out of “A Picnic to Remember” suffering? Jesus fed the multitudes with far more On the “Preservation” than physical food. The confidence needed for bold living Nurturing Faith comes from God. June 1 – 1 Peter 5:6-11 “Lion Taming” August 10-August 31 Bible Studies Talking Tough Mar. 23 – Psalm 95 Temptation never goes away, but it can by Tony Cartledge “Worship” be tamed. Aug. 10 – Romans 10:5-15 in Baptists Today: The closer we come to God, the more we are drawn to worship. June 8 – 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 “No Distinction” “This curriculum … “One and Many” We may draw social lines consciously or unconsciously, but Paul reminds us The gift of the Spirit connects many is a huge time-saver Mar. 30 – Psalm 23 that God does no such thing: that salva- persons into one body – a marvelous, over what I had been “Trust” tion is for all. miraculous feat. doing. All the gather- Sheep thrive when they trust the shepherd. ing, culling and Aug. 17 – Romans 11:1-32 “What about Israel?” creating have been Season after Pentecost Apr. 6 – Psalm 130 Paul struggled to understand and done, and I feel like the “Hope” June 15-July 27 explain the ongoing place of Israel in online resources are quite Even the strongest believers face trials Words about Words — from God God’s plan. It’s not an easy issue. helpful. THANK YOU!” that force them to rely on hope. June 15 – Genesis 1:1-2:4a Aug. 24 – Romans 12:1-8 —ELAINE ANDERSON SARRATT, Apr. 13 – Psalm 118 SPARTANBURG, S.C. “And God Said …” “Everyone Is Gifted” God’s grace, like God’s salvation, is “Multi-tasking” The Bible begins with a lesson on the available to all. Every believer is gifted The psalmist blessed God, prayed creative power of divine speech. “Thank You!” for deliverance and celebrated God’s for service and responsible to be a good answer – all at once. steward of those gifts.

32 | Information December 2013 “This has been a wonderful study for our class. None of us had ever ven- tured into a study of Revelation because we were worried about not understanding the symbolism that seemed so diﬃcult to understand. We feel this book has become in our American culture a symbol about ‘doom and gloom’ rather than the book of encourage- ment it was written to be. All of the class members have really enjoyed this six-week study. Tony’s videos have been extremely helpful. Thanks again for helping us stretch our comfort zone and realize that this is a book to encourage and not threaten us in our walk with Jesus.”

—ANN BOLINGER, WEAVERVILLE, N.C.

Aug. 31 – Romans 12:9-21 Nov. 2 – Joshua 3:7-17 “A Labor of Love” “Crossing the Jordan” Paul unleashes a string of imperatives – all of which Crossing rivers with no bridges calls for creativity can be fulﬁlled through genuine love. and faith.

September 7-September 28 Nov. 9 – Joshua 24:1-25 Hard Lessons “Making Choices” Joshua’s call to “choose this day” is really a call to Sept. 7 – Matthew 18:15-20 make good choices every day. “Confrontation and Community” What should we do with sinners in the church? Nov. 16 – Judges 4:1-17 “What Women Can Do” Sept. 14 – Matthew 18:21-35 Women can do whatever needs doing – as illustrated “The Power of Forgiveness” by Deborah and Jael. Forgiveness is not a one-time thing; it is a life-long attitude. Nov. 23 – Ezekiel 34:1-31 “The Good Shepherd” Sept. 21 – Matthew 20:1-16 Sometimes it’s good to be a sheep. “A Question of Fairness” When the first are last and the last first, what’s fair Season of Advent about that? November 30-December 21 An Adventurous Advent Sept. 28 – Matthew 21:23-32 “Who’s in Charge?” Nov. 30 – Isaiah 64:1-9 Honoring human authority while remaining faithful to God can be tricky. “The Cry of the Clay” The Advent season begins with a cry of hope. October 5-November 23 Growing Pains Dec. 7 – 2 Peter 3:8-15a “While We Are Waiting” Oct. 5 – Psalm 19 Israel and Christians alike look toward a coming day of “Silent Speech” consummation. While waiting, our behavior matters. God speaks in many ways; not all of them are audible. Dec. 14 – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 Oct. 12 – Exodus 32:1-14 “Imperatives Abounding” “Rebels Without a Cause” Paul could get very specific about what God expects from those who anticipate the Messiah’s arrival. The golden calf episode was a tragedy; Moses’ intercession was instructive. Dec. 21 – Luke 1:26-38 Oct. 19 – Exodus 33:12-23 “When Heaven Comes to Earth” “Holy Boldness” Gabriel’s visit to Mary set world-changing events in motion. Moses’ determination to seek God and intercede for the people earned a reward. Season of Christmas

Oct. 26 – Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Dec. 28 – Galatians 4:4-7 “A Good End to a Good Life” “Children of God” Moses’ death was a reminder of both possibilities and As we celebrate a baby in a manger, we remember limitations. that we are all children of God.

December 2013 Information | 33 !" !(+4' ,2+(/'", Online Editor In their own words

AND THE AMERICAN

inter weather limits troop move- 150 years ago The second half of 1863 has been marked by ments and allows generals time to ! major battlefield losses. Soldier deaths are rapidly Wdevise new tactics for future battles. mounting. Confederate soldiers are deserting in This month the war is waged primarily on the December 1863 record numbers even as fresh recruits are hard home front, where imagination and memory to come by. Home-front families, hungry and serve in place of military strength. despondent, are fomenting domestic unrest. Momentum is decidedly on the side of In desperate times true believers double the United States. With much of the South down, and this is no exception. In the ideologi- now under Union control, Lincoln offers a cal heart of the Confederacy, the South Carolina proclamation of pardon that lays out the basic legislature holds a day of “fasting, humiliation elements of Southern reconstruction. At the and prayer,” reaffirming their commitment to same time, an uncharted, post-war future of the godly cause of African slavery and their confi- freedom for blacks is being imagined on the dence in ultimate Confederate victory. grounds of a prominent former plantation. Believers also, Baptist denominational lead- Days after the Civil War began on April ers and newspaper editors of the South assure 12, 1861, U.S. Col. Robert E. Lee had resigned their white constituency that despite the dif- his commission from the United States Army ficult times at hand, God would ultimately lead to cast his lot with the Confederate States of ironic makeover of the plantation. Religious his chosen nation to victory over the barbarous America. His decision effectively ceded the Lee ceremonies and speeches by army and govern- northern abolitionist enemies. plantation, Arlington Estates, to the North. ment officials mark the occasion. Hundreds Georgia Baptist Christian Index editor The estate, inherited by Lee’s wife Mary from of free black families move into their newly- Samuel Boykin epitomizes the desperate hopes her father and located across the Potomac River constructed homes and begin acquiring an of a white Christian South. Dismissing the from Washington, was occupied by the Union education while learning job and living skills. present “dark cloud,” he looks to the past and in late May. Even though the settlement is operated under writes of “a prophetic vision” of a southern Arlington Estates in the months and years military rule, visions of a future of racial equal- future “flecked” with “snowy” cotton where following becomes a microcosm of the unfolding ity are conjured. “happy negroes throng the fields” while “indul- narrative of the war over slavery. While fighting Religion is central to the freedom move- gent masters” dwell in “luxurious farm houses” to preserve slavery, then-Conf. Gen. Robert E. ment and the black experience. By the end and “church spires innumerable point grate- Lee in 1862 was required by the stipulation of his of the month, a non-denominational village fully to heaven.” father-in-law’s will to free the family’s remaining chapel opens for services. Yet many if not most Boykin’s message to his white readers ends slaves. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s 1862 village residents are Baptists, and the first two thus: emancipation of slaves in D.C., followed by his denominational churches constructed on village Arouse from your apathy! Cease from your national Emancipation Proclamation of Jan. 1, grounds are of Baptist persuasion: Mt. Zion money-getting! Fly to the arms and rush 1863, resulted in a great influx of former slaves Baptist Church and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. to the rescue! Let God and men and angels into the capital city. Overcrowding in the city led Freedmen’s Village is dismantled in 1900, while behold the terrible earnestness of your pur- Lincoln to turn the Lees’ plantation into a tem- the Baptist congregations remain to this day. pose to be independent! Be not dismayed porary camp for freedmen. Meanwhile, within the Confederate States by disaster; for before you lies a path of This month, Freedmen’s Village is formally the growing number of emancipated slaves con- honor and renown all lit up by suns of established at Arlington Estates, completing the tributes to widespread national gloominess. glory… Arise, then, in your might, and hurl the invaders from your border, and soon shall be filled this prophetic vision.

Believers and dreamers, the past and the future thus intersect as the year draws to a close. Much has yet to transpire before the war is over, yet a trajectory is emerging. Many non-combat- ants North and South recognize the inevitability of the outcome of the great conﬂict and are even now lending hands and minds to begin mend- ing the present brokenness, a process in which reality, imagination and memory battle for the upper hand. BT

34 | Feature December 2013 The Lighter Side By Brett Younger Waiting for Christmas

People who want Christmas to hurry up Along with the sadness you feel at their absence, you are surprised by gratitude for the time that and get here have not thought it through. you had together. Every once in a while we hear a grinch … A moment when you almost hear the complain that the folks at Wal-Mart put up songs of angels, and cannot figure out why it would happen to you. their decorations before Halloween, but We cannot make Christmas meaningful, we need more Christmas — not less. because we are not in charge. The best we can do is take the spotlight off the distractions and think It’s a Wonderful Life should have its own look for the star. We stay open to the possibil- cable channel 12 months of the year. Cooks ity that God is present. Waiting for a surprise Ishould use nutmeg in September. McDonald’s sounds contradictory, but that is how Christmas should sell eggnog shakes in October. Trees look happens. We give up the lesser expectations of just as good in the living room in November. the kind of Christmas we can create and open Mistletoe should be included in Thanksgiving our hearts to God’s joy. We need the days of centerpieces. “Joy to the World” is a fine hymn waiting because it takes us a while to learn how to sing in January. We need more candles in to listen to the songs God is always singing, February and more flutes in March. The people always waiting for us to hear. with whom I grew up in Mississippi understood We join the chorus singing the carols not that you should never take down your Christmas because everyone expects us to, but because lights. something stirs within us. We give and receive We need more preparing because waiting gifts not because it is required, but for the joy of is the best part. We get to drive into the parking Our earnest, misguided attempts to force it. We look carefully at the manger and feel what lot that used to be a landing strip in hopes of Christmas to come may backfire. Some of you the shepherds felt as earth rose to heaven and making it to the zoo that used to be the mall. will be ready for your children to go back to heaven stooped to earth. We listen to Manheim Steamroller and wonder school about December 23. Some have visitors These days of waiting are a gift. Christmas what songs they play the rest of the year. We on the way that you wish were not coming. We happens when we least expect it, when we hang sentimental ornaments whose story we have moments when we are tempted to skip the receive Christ as a hope, born in our hearts. BT cannot remember. A few brave souls try to whole thing. Why are we the ones doing all the re-create the smell that came from grand- work? Why is Scrooge so misunderstood? Where mother’s kitchen. can we get one of those “Humbug” buttons? We look at plastic figures kneeling on By the time Christmas Day gets here, it is a NOW AVAILABLE floodlit lawns. Mary is always in blue. Jesus, racecar that has run out of gas. We end up sit- who looks about two years old, wears what ting on the hillside tending our sheep as though seems to be a onesie — not the traditional it was an ordinary day. translation for “swaddling clothes.” We can Our mistake is thinking we are in charge. distinguish between Joseph and the shepherd If we let go of the idea that we are in control, only because Joseph stands a foot closer to the we can be surprised again. God will astonish us bassinet. The shepherd has an easy job because with moments of grace: there is only one sheep. An angel playing a harp … A moment when a child gives you a leans against the flagpole. Santa Claus shimmies handmade Christmas card with a big “Merry down a rope while four reindeer wait on the Christmess” on the front and your eyes mist up. roof. Three turbaned wise men stand in a line. … A moment when you open a peculiar The magi bring a jewelry box, a golden football gift from someone you adore. You feel like you and a silver sausage. should pretend it is what you want, but you can- We spend December secretly hoping that not imagine how the giver could ever picture you Available as a digital download we will feel like children. We want to hear bells. as funny enough to wear antlers that light up. (ebook) or in print at We want it to snow. We want everything to be … A moment when you think of someone wonderful. We try to make Christmas happen. who was with you last year, but is not this year. nurturingfaith.info

December 2013 Perspective | 35 !" 6'77 !(+./'", Associated Baptist Press Loss of biblical literacy impacts preaching

Religious literacy has declined to the in the church — is to now realize what kind of translation is necessary in this insider vs. out- point where modern audiences would sider language,” Hudson said. be baffled at films such as Monty Baptists in particular are experiencing these shifts, especially outside the Bible belt Python’s 1979 The Life of Brian, A British where they are still relatively known, said Broadcasting Corp. official said recently. Bruce Gourley, moderator of CBF West, executive director of the Baptist History omedians are also affected, Aaquil and Heritage Society, and online editor for Ahmed told The Independent news- Baptists Today. paper in England, because audiences C “Out here in the West, the general con- don’t have the basic biblical knowledge cept is that all Baptists are Southern Baptists required to get certain jokes. or Westboro Baptists,” he said. “They can’t go into specific stories any- Baptist, Christian and religious literacy more because no one knows what the stories in general has been in rapid decline in the are,” he said. Western states well before the concept of the Some Christian leaders on this side of “nones” gained national headlines in 2012. the Atlantic agree with Ahmed’s observation, “We moved to Montana 20 years ago and adding that a drop in religious literacy is a I immediately realized that some of the stories natural result from the rise of the “nones” of the Bible that I took for granted ... were not — that growing population of church-averse known by many people,” Gourley said. “Even Americans. the Christmas story was not known by many And it’s more than an academic issue for changed to accommodate visitors and new- children.” the nation’s churches as those trends are chang- comers who grew up without church. The South is headed in the same direction ing how newcomers learn the Bible and the “That’s a very different audience than “if the trend of the ‘nones’ continues,” he said. way preachers preach. people who have been in Sunday school for The rise in religious illiteracy doesn’t “One of the results of biblical illiteracy is 20 years,” said Hudson, pastor at Crosscreek bother Susan Sparks — either as a pastor or a that sermons are, for the first time in centuries, Baptist Church in Pelham, Ala. “They don’t stand-up comedian. However, Sparks has had to getting longer,” said Brett Younger, associate know the general narrative.” get more basic with her preaching at Madison professor of preaching at Mercer University’s Church members must also make room Avenue Baptist Church in New York City. McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta. for worshippers who aren’t steeped in bibli- “I have to lay more of a foundation before “Precisely because people have not grown cal stories and the traditional teachings about I can spin off of it,” she said. up with the stories, many preachers see their them. It calls for patience for longer sermons Bible studies tailored to previously un- job as explaining the text rather than helping and a willingness to avoid church-speak around churched adults also have been introduced, she worshippers experience the hope of the story,” those who are learning, he said. added. he added. “One of the real challenges for those of us In her stand-up routines, when she makes Brandon Hudson said his preaching has who grew up in the church — and now work religious references, she keeps them broad, like: “The Bible says to love your neighbor, but Baptist Identity Resources: $5 each what if your neighbor is a telemarketer?” But Sparks disagrees with the BBC’s A Capsule History of Baptist Principles (Brackney) Ahmed that younger audiences wouldn’t laugh A Capsule History of Baptists (Gourley) at humor presented in The Life of Brian. They A Festschrift in Honor of H. Leon McBeth might miss the specific references, but they A How-to Manual for Your Church’s History (Deweese, et. al.) would get that authority, judgment and hypoc- Baptist Heritage Library booklets (any 5) risy are being lampooned. Baptist Origins pamphlets (pkg. of 100) That’s because, while un-churched, young Baptist Style pamphlets (pkg. of 100) people have a strong sense of right and wrong Henry Clay Vedder (Honeycutt) and a yearning for ethical living, Sparks said. No Longer Ignored (Deweese & Durso, ed.) Plus, in some ways they are more comfort- Not a Silent People (Shurden) able in church than many who grew up there. On Mission with God (Durso & O’Brien, ed.) “They are walking in not carrying that stigma against laughing in church,” Sparks said. BT

36 | Information December 2013 Editor’s note: This article in the series “Transitions: Helping churches and church leaders in changing times” is provided by the Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org) based in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Check your congregational aroma By Bill Wilson

Like many of you, I regularly read out- takes its cues from those in significant leader- of the day, you know you have a rotten cul- ship positions. If congregational leaders cut ture. Back to the accelerators/decelerators side the world of congregational life corners on their work ethic, devotional life or designation: identify who is critical for moving in an effort to understand leadership personal morality, or display sloppy work hab- forward. Build up the accelerators. its, it has a trickle-down effect on the whole issues. Recently, in Fast Company, I ran congregation. 5. YOU DON’T PLAY TOGETHER. across an article dedicated to help- Conversely, seeing a leadership model I recently spent three days with a church staff that is diligent, conscientious, humble, focused as part of their annual weeklong staff retreat. ing start-up entrepreneurs establish upon the needs of others and attuned to spiri- It was amazing what those days away did for healthy practices in their ranks. tual discernment sets a standard that others their sense of unity and shared mission. want to emulate. They balanced their strategic and calendar he title “6 Signs Your Company Culture work with hilarious games, incredible food Stinks” was a little off-putting, but I 3. YOUR MANAGERS’ HANDS ARE and true re-creation. I realized that my paltry T quickly recognized that much of what TOO CLEAN. efforts at twice-a-year overnight staff retreats writer Matt Ehrlichman was talking about I’ve watched many a minister send an uncon- paled dramatically beside this much deeper resonated with the life of a congregational scious, yet powerful message to a congregation: version. leadership group. “I’m too busy/spiritual/important to do that.” Building a culture of healthy congrega- Let’s see if your congregational aroma Asking others to do what tional leadership includes regular times for play needs some attention as you consider whether you are not willing to do as well as planning. Despite the eye rolling your congregation’s culture stinks: is a short route to a dys- from your stick-in-the-mud staff members, do functional congregation. it anyway. 1. YOU’VE GOT GOSSIPS IN YOUR A healthy engage- One staff that I was part of took the four RANKS. ment with hands-on “5th Tuesdays” of every year and planned a The book of James is right in describing ministry means showing fun afternoon away from the church as part the tongue as being “a fire sent from hell.” up and pitching in, man- of our ongoing effort to create a positive team Not only is gossiping a nuisance in the local aging by walking around, experience. church, but it also has a toxic impact upon the being accessible and The church leadership group that doesn’t life of a church. engaged, having an open door, and making it a make time for team building or relationship While transparency and collaboration are point to be focused on the needs and concerns building outside the office inherently faces the marks of a culture that people enjoy being of others. unity and retention risks. part of, cliques, malicious smear campaigns, When a minister sends the unconscious and hidden agendas are the marks of a place no or conscious message that “you or your class or 6. YOU LACK SCHOOL SPIRIT. one wants to be. Healthy congregational cul- your project or your problem is an intrusion Is it possible for congregational leaders to ture is built upon trust. upon my valuable time,” it is a congregational maintain a spirit of joy and meaning about I once went through a training event aroma killer. their task? I believe it is not only possible, dedicated to the idea that trust was the critical but also essential to the effectiveness of the link to building a healthy relationship culture. 4. YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE ministry. A key idea: there are “trust accelerators” and COMPETING — WITH EACH OTHER. A unified understanding of your call, “trust decelerators” in your congregation. The Center where I work does a significant mission, vision and strategy is a necessary Gossips are some of the most effective amount of conflict intervention work in local prerequisite. The moment you stop actually decelerators to the work of the Spirit in your churches. Almost without exception, when we believing in your church, something essential midst that you will ever encounter. Find them, begin to peel back the layers of the conflict in begins to ebb. name them, and confront them or be controlled order to design an appropriate intervention, *** by them. staff competition and/or broken relationships How about it? How would you describe are found at the heart of the issue. your congregation’s leadership culture aroma? BT 2. YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM HAS BAD When members of a leadership team HABITS. spend more time competing with each other —Bill Wilson is president of the The prevailing culture of your congregation than banding together to meet the challenges Center for Congregational Health.

December 2013 Perspective | 37 Responsible freedom Two editors talk about the mission of an independent news journal

Throughout this year Baptists Today has been celebrating 30 years as an autonomous, national news journal through special articles, a commemorative book, a dinner event and a video tribute. During a break between interviews for the video, current editor John Pierce and founding editor Walker Knight talked about the publication’s mission. This article is adapted from that conversation as a ﬁnal nod to three decades of the news journal’s unique role as the ﬁrst child of a moderate Baptist movement.

PIERCE: When SBC Today (now Baptists Today) started, I was a subscriber without any idea that I would have a second career in journalism. And I certainly never expected to be editor of this publication. But it was with great admiration of you that I became a subscriber. And one of the things that impressed me so much about the publication early on was that you addressed the issues that were being talked about in the corners of Baptist life. Often those issues weren’t front and center because they would be considered divisive. That’s really been a mark of your editorship, even before you started SBC Today, right?

KNIGHT: Very definitely. In fact, it goes all the way back to the Baptist Standard, when I was associate editor there and Dr. E.S. James became editor. He called me in to ask what we should Current Baptists Today editor John Pierce presents the author’s copy of the autobiography, From Zion to Atlanta, to Walker Knight at an April celebration in Gainesville, Ga., in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the news do about a situation. I said, “Well, Dr. James, journal. Knight founded the independent publication, first known as SBC Today, in 1983. Photo by David Cassady the things that are going on in the corridors of the convention are not being discussed in would have never known there was a Civil really what Southern Baptists needed to do. the newspaper, and we should address those Rights Movement or a Vietnam War. And so we did that. because that’s where peoples’ concerns are.” Then when I came to the Home Mission KNIGHT: Right. And we covered all those PIERCE: Which reminds me of another thing Board, for 24 years we covered those issues. issues in depth. I heard you say once: that an editor really can- When I first came to the Home Mission not do his or her job if afraid of being fired. PIERCE: And that got you in trouble Board, I was asked not to publish information sometimes. about blacks, even though we had a depart- KNIGHT: That is true. And the amazing ment with National Baptists. thing was that we were able to address all of KNIGHT: It was not unusual for me to I was called to the president’s office once these issues, and address them sometimes be called to the president’s office and hear, and he said, “We’ve got all the integration that before any other publication addressed them. “What’s that got to do with home missions?” we can stand.” For example, the Jesus People movement. And we had one (black) secretary out of We were the first publication to address that PIERCE: I remember you saying one time that about 100 staff. I didn’t answer him, but I issue, and we sent photographers and jour- if people only received their news from denomi- determined that I would continue and they’d nalists around the nation to cover what was national publications in the ’60s and ’70s, they just have to fire me to stop it. Because this was happening.

‘People who read the publication have to believe that we are presenting the truth as best we know it at the moment.’ —WALKER KNIGHT

38 | Feature December 2013 Then Tyndale House put those articles in do have to be conscious about which one we’re this work alone. It’s done with a wonderful a book called Jesus People Come Alive, and used doing at the time. staff and with a Board of Directors that gives our photographs and writings. They sold over And I’ve had people say to me, “I read the freedom to do that. And then with a really 100,000 copies; it even went into French and something in Baptists Today that I disagree large number of supporters who value what Spanish editions at that time. with.” I will say, “Well, I disagreed with that we’re doing, believe in what we’re doing, and We addressed other issues, like women in column too, but I thought it was well stated rally to support us. ministry, back in that time. And a lot of people and that that opinion deserved to be heard.” have just now discovered that. So it’s not about protecting the paper KNIGHT: That’s exactly right. If you have the from other voices other than our own, as edi- right kind of staff and the right kind of Board, PIERCE: Often I use the term “responsible tor, but inviting those people in for a healthy then you’re going to grow and learn with them. editorial freedom,” because there are reckless dialogue around important issues. And there will always be that kind of give and ways of dealing with controversial issues, take, both with the readers and within your and then there are responsible ways. KNIGHT: Right. In fact, I felt staff. It doesn’t mean that you shy that if I did not get letters away from the issue. But you of reaction from our PIERCE: That’s really true. In fact, one of the use the publication to edu- readers, I hadn’t really challenges we face now is determining which cate people on a particular done my job. good opportunity to tackle first. issue, so that they are able to You talked about But ultimately we know that the audience wrestle with it in their own being careful as an is made up of those church leaders, laity and minds and hearts. editor. Sometimes clergy who every day deal with the reality of there is a thin line trying to do effective ministry in their current KNIGHT: Exactly. And we between covering honest social context. tried to make sure that all sides of issues and sensational- It’s not easy. So we want to provide reli- an issue were presented. izing issues. And I think one able information and resources that help them of the responsibilities of an editor in discerning what they do as a congregation to PIERCE: When you started SBC Today, which is to be very clear about that distinction. reach out and minister effectively today. BT became Baptists Today, you were dealing with We do not want in any way to keep a valid denominational controversy and the issues opinion from being shared, but we also do not surrounding that. Did you feel pressure from want to sensationalize an issue. people on one side wanting you not to talk too It comes back to that one word you use strongly about the fundamentalism that was over and over again, that I really do believe is taking place and, on the other hand, people the foundation on which Baptists Today is built, wanting you to be more aggressive toward the and that is “integrity.” People who read the pub- fundamentalists? lication have to believe that we are presenting the truth as best we know it at the moment. KNIGHT: Yes, both sides were there. In fact, I remember a committee of the moderates com- PIERCE: I have told you before how much I ing to me wanting me to be more aggressive in appreciate you and your vision and the sacrifice the publication. that you made, during a very important time I told them, “Well, I can only publish that in Baptist life, to start this publication. which I can publish with integrity. If you want Each day when I go to work, I have a to write an article along that line, I’ll see if we sense of gratitude that I’m building on a firm can publish it at that time.” foundation. And I appreciate what you have But I wanted one that deals with all of the done. facts; that really deals with it truthfully and doesn’t make false claims. If it’s going to be a KNIGHT: Well, thank you. And I appreciate free publication for free Baptists, it has to hold the leadership that you’ve given us. We were their integrity as well as mine. doing in kind of a miniscule way some of the things that you now have made departments of Walker Knight’s autobiography PIERCE: Often that is done by being very the work. From Zion to Atlanta is available clear about what is an opinion piece and then It has been very astounding to me the at nurturingfaith.info. The com- what is news that can be verified. When people success you’ve had. And it has pleased me very memorative book Baptists Today express opinions, we label it as such. much that we’re now in book publishing and @ 30: Enabling, Recording and We’re in unique positions in that we write curriculum development as well as the publica- Shaping a Baptist Movement opinion pieces and news pieces and feature tion of Baptists Today. may be ordered at baptiststoday. pieces, rather than just one of those. It’s won- org/30th-anniversary-book-video. derful that we’re able to do all of that, but we PIERCE: As we know so well, no one can do

December 2013 Feature | 39 Reblog

Selections from recent blogs at baptiststoday.org

Uncovering evangelical obsession with Israel

By John Pierce everything — and often argue that Israel is identity in America. “the apple of God’s eye” and, therefore, should I’ve spoken with Jewish persons who live t is not unusual to hear certain politicians, be free to act in any way current leaders in Israel and in the U.S. who admit the odd- commentators, preachers, and their follow- choose. They have the divine seal of approval, ity of finding strong uncritical support of the Iers express strong support for the nation of and anyone who opposes any of Israel’s policies Israeli government from this segment of the Israel. In recent years, however, these calls for or actions is opposing God and risking godly American population that tends to not value unwavering loyalty to the Israeli government, retribution. interreligious activities and often seeks govern- regardless of their policies or actions, have To say that many evangelical Christians mental preference for their own faith tradition grown in frequency and intensity. are politically obsessed with Israel might seem over others. Where does such an obsession come from? like an overstatement to some. But consider Scratch deeper and one finds that the The two-fold answer is: political ideology and the latest results of a recent Pew Research political ideology that drives this obsession has religious eschatology — that often get mixed study of American Jews. roots in a version of eschatology — end-times together. Twice as many white American evangelical beliefs — that calls for the preservation of Some who espouse unfailing support of Christians (82 percent) believe that God gave Israel as an essential step leading to the Second Israel are simply delivering yet another line the land of Israel to the Jews than do American Coming of Christ. picked up from a voice they believe offers truth Jews (40 percent). Even after subtracting from Perhaps that explains a little bit more why — and finding it to be another handy way of the survey those who do not claim a belief in so many white conservative Christians are so expressing displeasure with a political leader or God, evangelicals still top Jews (82 percent to adamant about giving a foreign government party they view with disdain. 55) in holding to that position. their unquestioning loyalty while heavily criti- Few of these supporters have had seri- The study also found that white evangeli- cizing their own. But then, advancing a political ous conversations with Israeli Jews or Arab cals favor stronger American support of Israel ideology mixed with bad theology is the likely Christians who live daily in such tender-box than do American Jews — although American answer to many questions that arise today. tensions. Some don’t even know there are Jews still identify very heavily with Israel. But I’m still quite surprised by the results Christians in Palestine — who suffer and are Politically, however, American Jews tend of this extensive study of American Jews — declining in number. to be less conservative than evangelicals. And and how overwhelmingly and passionately The complexities of the Middle East are unwavering political support of Israel has evangelical Christians have bought into this not of interest to those who like to simplify become another mark of conservative political theologically shaped, political ideology. BT Give your pastor a break

By Tony W. Cartledge track and display the message for the entire that they’re doing the work of the Lord and day. It turns out that Phil Parsons Racing, constantly meeting others’ needs, sometimes orking at a card table in front of the which owns the car, and Energize Ministries, have a hard time recognizing that they have TV on a Sunday afternoon allowed of Winston-Salem, decided to team up on needs, too — and that running themselves Wme to keep tabs on the Goody’s the project for Clergy Appreciation Month, into the ground can be counterproductive 500 NASCAR race at Martinsville. Most of which is promoted in October of each year. both for themselves and for the church. the race was typical short-track racing: lots of The fast-paced, white-knuckled, high- You can’t be an effective pastor when bumping and shoving, spinouts and drivers stress environment of a NASCAR race is not a you’re constantly running a hundred miles getting short-tempered as the day went on. bad metaphor for the life of a busy pastor, and an hour. Jeff Gordon won the race, his first win it’s not good for the pastor’s health. A recent Praying for your pastor is a great thing, in 2013, but what caught my attention was article in the New York Times documented the but if you really want to help your pastor, toward the back of the pack. Amid all the serious health risks that pastors may face, espe- make sure that he or she has adequate vaca- high-speed billboards for beer, motor oil, cially if they’re not good at getting some time tion time and at least one designated day off insurance and fast food, the 98 car driven by away for personal rejuvenation. during the week, and insist that he or she Michael McDowell devoted its entire hood Pastors suffer from higher rates of obe- takes that time away. to the words “Pray for your pastor.” sity, hypertension, and depression than most Don’t just suggest or support it: insist McDowell finished in 26th place, two Americans, according to one study, and have on it, and both your pastor and your church laps down, but he managed to stay on the a shorter life expectancy. Pastors, believing will be better equipped to finish the race. BT

40 | Perspective December 2013 !" -$($& 8+//)$. !$)/'", Religion News Service A passion for Christ Hollywood looks to the Bible for screenplay potential

EW YORK — Studios and filmmakers are rediscovering a classic text as source Nmaterial for upcoming mainstream films: the Bible. Nearly 10 years after the blockbuster success of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, which earned $611.9 million worldwide, studios are looking to the Good Book for good material. Future films include: * LD Entertainment is financially backing Resurrection, a drama set immediately after Jesus’ death and directed by Hatfields & McCoys director Kevin Reynolds. * Paramount will release Noah, a $125 mil- Diogo Morgado plays Jesus lion adaptation starring Russell Crowe next year. in Son of God. RNS photo * 20th Century Fox is developing Exodus, a courtesy Lightworkers Media. Moses film starring Christian Bale. * Warner Bros. has another Moses-themed religious leaders ranging from megachurch In some ways, Hollywood’s fascination film titled Gods And Kings, which Steven pastor Rick Warren to Washington Cardinal with the Bible isn’t new: Hollywood drew on Spielberg flirted with directing. Donald Wuerl. biblical storytelling after World War II, espe- * Warner Bros. also is working on a film on Previous generations of filmmakers largely cially with Charlton Heston, who played Moses Pontius Pilate. stayed within their own traditions without in The Ten Commandments, and Ben-Hur, a * Sony is producing Will Smith’s The much interest in what other Christians were movie about a Jewish prince sent into slavery Redemption of Cain, on the sibling rivalry of making, said Dallas megachurch pastor T.D. and rescued by Jesus. Cain and Abel. Jakes, who hosted a film festival earlier this year. But some films flopped when they took * Lionsgate has been developing Mary “Faith is not limited or incarcerated by too much license. The Last Temptation of Christ, Mother of Christ, described as “a prequel to labels that restrict it from being able to be Martin Scorsese’s 1988 film about the life of The Passion of the Christ.” woven into the fabric of the human experience,” Jesus and the temptations he faced that included Alongside the string of upcoming Bible- he said. “I think that faith is best worn when it sex scenes, took in only $8.4 million domesti- related films, producers from the History is part of the totality of the human experience cally amid a widespread boycott led by Roman channel’s The Bible miniseries announced that rather than relegated over to a tribal expression Catholics. the series’ film adaptation Son of God will be of a particular group of people.” Independent films have dealt with the released in theaters nationwide in February with Taking a cue from Gibson’s success with Bible in the past, but it’s significant that major 20th Century Fox. The Passion, film marketing campaigns now Hollywood studios are taking this up, said Tom The couple behind the show, Mark Burnett go after pastors’ endorsements through special Allen, a partner in Allied Faith & Family, a and Touched by an Angel star Roma Downey, said advance screenings to secure endorsements from Hollywood marketing firm. mixing Hollywood and the Bible can be tricky. big-name religious leaders. “We’re beyond the cheap ministry movies “It’s not just some story,” said Burnett, “No pastor went to seminary to put people that appeal only to a certain constituency,” he who produces The Voice and Survivor. “There’s a in (theater) seats or build revenue for a film said. price to pay for failing to stay on track and fail- producer,” said A. Larry Ross, who has handled As Hollywood looks to epic tales of floods, ing to get the right advisers.” publicity for several religious leaders and organi- burning bushes and parting seas, films with “It’s not enough to have good intentions,” zations. “Many pastors are realizing that in this biblical themes will also continue to pop up. said Downey, who plays Jesus’ mother Mary in video-driven culture, stories are the vessels of Nicolas Cage is slated to star in Left Behind, a the series. “It has to be told in a way that’s rel- meaning.” movie based on the book series on the Second evant to a contemporary audience.” “For many faith and family films, the Coming of Christ. The couple have been able to reach across impact on the screen is less the answers given Sony’s adaption of the popular book traditional religious divides in getting promo- than it is the questions asked that you could Heaven is for Real is also scheduled for next year. tions; Downey is Catholic and Burnett considers discuss over coffee with someone who would But sticking strictly to the Bible starts with a himself a nondenominational Christian. Their never go to church with you but go to a movie financial upside — no one collects copyright or efforts have received endorsements from with you,” he said. licensing fees. BT

December 2013 Feature | 41 !" %('92( ,(+*5", Religion News Service

C.S. Lewis’ legacy shines in U.S., not in homeland

CANTERBURY, England — When he After the war, he returned to Oxford and in 1925 was elected a fellow and tutor in died on Nov. 22, 1963, hardly a soul English literature at Magdalen College where blinked in Northern Ireland where he he served until 1954. His conversion to Christianity was slow was born or in England where he spent and laborious. Reluctantly, he fell under the influence of Oxford colleague and friend J.R.R. most of his working life as one of the Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton, who met every world’s greatest Christian apologists. Tuesday morning at a local public house in Oxford and formed a debating club called live Staples Lewis was a week short “Inklings.” of 65 when he suffered a heart attack In his autobiography Surprised by Joy, he C at his home in Oxford. The obitu- said that the night he turned from atheism to ary writers barely noticed his demise, in part Christianity he became “the most dejected and because he died on the same day that President reluctant convert in all England.” John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Tolkien and Chesterton were disappointed British indifference to Lewis half a cen- that their new convert turned towards the tury ago was examined at a one-day seminar at Church of England, not Rome. Wheaton College in November, co-sponsored C.S. Lewis went on to write acclaimed by the Marion E. Wade Center, the Institute books about Christianity — The Screwtape for the Study of American Evangelicals, Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space and Wheaton College’s Faith and Learning Trilogy, Mere Christianity, Miracles and The program. Problem of Pain — the latter written after Lewis may be the most popular Christian Statue of C.S. Lewis looking into a wardrobe. The Searcher by Ross Wilson. Photo by “Genvessel.” he watched his American Jewish wife, Joy writer in history, with millions of copies of Davidman Gresham, die of bone cancer in his books sold, the vast majority in the United between 1.5 million and 2 million copies a 1960. States where his influence is far greater than in year. The following year, Lewis experienced his native country. C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast, on Nov. medical problems and on Nov. 22, 1963, Was it Lewis’ modesty or British fear of 29, 1898. His father, Albert James Lewis, was he collapsed in his bedroom. He is buried discussing religion that fueled such indifference a lawyer; his mother, Florence Augusta Lewis, in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, in Britain and Ireland? was the daughter of an Anglican vicar. Headington, near Oxford — now a place of A mixture of both, said Paul Johnson the His mother died of cancer in 1908 when pilgrimage. prominent British journalist, author and for- C.S. (known as “Jack” to family and friends) Celebrations of his life were held last mer editor of the New Statesman magazine. was 9. month in Belfast. On Nov. 22, he was honored Writing in the Catholic Herald, Johnson, Shattered by her death, Lewis abandoned with a memorial in Poets’ Corner, Westminster a leading British Roman Catholic, said he first his inherited faith at the age of 15 and threw Abbey, where the kings and queens of England met Lewis when he was a student at Magdalen himself into a study of mythology and the are crowned and where some of the world’s College, Oxford University, where Lewis was a occult. greatest writers are buried. don, specializing in Renaissance literature. In 1916, when he was just 17, Lewis was His friend Johnson said Lewis, along with “When I knew him, just after the Second awarded a scholarship at University College, Tolkien, provide a counterbalance to the enor- World War,” wrote Johnson, “he was famous Oxford. World War I was raging, and the mous flood of atheist literature, especially in for his work in English literature. … When we following year he joined the army. children’s books. went for walks together, we discussed Chaucer He served in the Somme Valley in France “It is one of Lewis’ great merits that his and Dickens, Shakespeare and Dryden. ‘The with an English infantry division and experi- tales can be read with equal pleasure by teen- Chronicles of Narnia’ were never mentioned. enced the horrors of mass slaughter. He was agers and grown-ups,” said Johnson. “He is Indeed, I had no idea he wrote stories.” wounded when a British shell falling short of thus, in a sense, the answer both to Richard Half a century later, his books sell its target killed two of his colleagues. Dawkins and Harry Potter.” BT

42 | Feature December 2013 !" #$%&'()*' !+(,'--, Religion News Service

Church news outlets struggle to keep editorial independence

The closing of several Protestant denomi- United Methodist Reporter, bought the digital organizations, to write a statement affirming assets of the publication after it ceased publi- religious journalism. national newspapers, magazines and cation in May when UMR Communications “We were seeing the eroding of sup- other news services has played a part in closed after months of financial losses. He port for and trust in an independent voice now runs it as a much smaller, Web-only within traditions and denominations report- eroding the standards of professional reli- publication. ing the news,” said Jones, a former editor gious journalism, according to members “We still think there is an important of DisciplesWorld, which ceased publication of the Associated Church Press. need for a voice in the Methodist Church that in 2010. “It’s not optional, because the free is independently operated from the official exchange of ideas is central to the living s denominational news services con- Methodist structure,” Voorhees said. “The out of Christian community. It’s important tend with fiscal challenges that have reality is that it’s very, very difficult to find a for accountability; it’s important for news A beset secular media as well, church funding model that will allow for independent sharing.” press officials worry these outlets have lost journalism that is not simply regurgitating Jones, who also serves on the board of their editorial independence and are increas- what is coming out in press releases from Religion News Service, added that sometimes ingly performing public relations roles for their denominational agencies.” news is not good for a denomination, point- denominations. Joe Thoma, executive director of ACP, ing to scandals involving clergy sexual abuse of “There has been a strong commitment on said his organization has seen a “significant minors as an example. the part of many denominations to promote change” in its membership as news services Other publications that have shut religious journalism that lives up to the stan- contract. Many denominations have resorted their doors include The Progressive Christian, dards of what professional journalism should to telling the “good news” only, Thoma said. Episcopal Life, United Church News and the be,” said Meinrad Scherer-Emunds, chair of Verity Jones, executive director of the Church Herald. BT the ACP Religious Journalism Task Force. Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian “We feel that has been limited in more recent Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, said (Editor’s note: Baptists Today is a fully autono- years.” this shift toward public relations led the mous news journal with an independent Board Jay Voorhees, executive editor of The ACP, which has more than 100 member of Directors to protect editorial freedom.)

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