>> This is the April 2015 issue containing the May Bible Study Lessons

Dean Smith broke the rules on race in Chapel Hill

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Beyond the Blaze Biscoe Baptists known for warm, wide embrace 4

A conversation with Scott Willis about worship, BIBLE music and more 32 STUDIES for adults 17 FA TH™

BAPTIST PROFILES IN CONSCIENCE

John D. Pierce PERSPECTIVES Executive Editor [email protected] Politicized pronouncements of faith Julie Steele present problems 7 Chief Operations Officer By John Pierce [email protected] Jackie B. Riley But are they really Muslim? 11 Managing Editor By Tony W. Cartledge [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge A tribute to Eldred Taylor 16 Contributing Editor By Robert F. Browning [email protected] Bruce T. Gourley How “ill” are you? 30 Online Editor/Contributing Writer [email protected] By Bill Wilson David Cassady Church Resources Editor [email protected] 28 FEATURE Vickie Frayne TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES: Art Director A new William H. Whitsitt A conversation with Scott Willis about Jannie Lister Heritage Society Series worship, music and more 32 Customer Service Manager [email protected] ! Kimberly L. Hovis Nannie Helen Burroughs Marketing Associate [email protected] BY BRUCE GOURLEY THE FINAL COLUMN! Lex Horton Baptists and the Nurturing Faith Resources Manager [email protected] IN THE NEWS American Civil War Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus Understanding Islam’s Sunni-Shiite divide 10 BY BRUCE GOURLEY 36 Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus Todd Still appointed dean of DIRECTORS EMERITI Baylor’s Truett Seminary 12 Thomas E. Boland R. Kirby Godsey Report finds anti-Semitism on Mary Etta Sanders Gifts to Baptists Today Winnie V. Williams U.S. college campuses 12

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ‘Bishop Bling’ makes a soft landing IN HONOR OF Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. (chairman) in new Vatican post 13 JACK AND MARY LIB CAUSEY Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) Edwin Boland, Johns Creek, Ga. Myanmar’s religious noise pollution From Kim and Robby Ray Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. annoys locals 13 Bob Cates, Rome, Ga. Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Young Brits reject religion, IN HONOR OF Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. approve of atheist politicians 14 JOHN PIERCE and Doug Dortch, Birmingham, Ala. DRAYTON SANDERS James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. Court finds Applebee’s not liable for man Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. burned while praying over fajita skillet 14 From Dr. Virginia Connally Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. Evangelicals find that affirmation David Hull, Watkinsville, Ga. Becky Matheny, Athens, Ga. of gay members can be costly 15 Tommy McDearis, Blacksburg, Va. Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. BWA host: “Come over to Africa!” 34 William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas Rwandan Baptist to receive Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. Human Rights Award 34 Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. Charlotte Cook Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C. Online atlas “heat-maps” views Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. David Turner, Richmond, Va. on social issues 42 Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN Who’s watching all that Christian media? 43 Cynthia Wise, Birmingham, Ala. Donna Wood, Macon, Ga.

Cover photo by John Pierce. 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. !"#$% &'( )*#"#! +% ,#*' )-.$/. Beyond the blaze Biscoe Baptists’ wide embrace not tempered by challenges

BISCOE, N.C. — Typical for many mill for 30 years. But that’s what Larry did — and towns, Biscoe residents recall the heyday when although he retired last year, he’s still around. abundant jobs, recreation and social life sprang When asked why he didn’t move on to bigger from the large, bustling mill. Today, local jobs things, Larry quickly responded: “I take Jesus’ are fewer and keeping bright young people is admonition about money seriously; you can’t harder. serve God and mammon. And I believe in the The ’50s-style red brick, white-steeple local church.” home of the First Baptist Church here looks typical too. Well, it did until an electrical fire COMMUNITY in the early morning hours of July 22, 2014 Wilson, however, was never one to hole up turned the sanctuary into a pile of charred within the church walls. His pastoral presence rubble. throughout the community — personally and Atypical, however, is the congregation. through his writings in the local newspaper — While many churches claim diversity, Biscoe crossed familiar economic and racial divides. Baptists just live, worship and serve with a That approach to ministry is now comfortable mix of people from a variety of reflected in the congregation. ethnic, economic and social backgrounds. “The diversity of our people is our great- est strength,” said lay leader Dwight Saunders, WARM AND WIDE who grew up, left and then returned to the Congregants come from various Baptist back- area. grounds — Southern, National, Independent Rebecca Blake, also a local who grew Top, left to right: — as well as other church traditions including up in a more rural Baptist church, directs - AME Zion, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, the music ministries that members and visi- Church of Christ, Quaker and Pentecostal. tors rave about from the choir to the youth Above: There are educators, business profes- handbell ringers. Her husband, Jimmy, is sionals, political leaders, potters and painters, the town’s mayor and advocate for economic chicken farmers and more. You’ll also find a development. beekeeper, a banjo picker, a member of a beach “We’re held together by love,” she said of band and two taxidermists in the mix. the church’s unusually diverse mix, “and Larry they’ll come around,” he said. “And there are These assorted church members are quick has modeled that.” some really good people here.” to say that the wide, warm embrace of long- He’s also been a prophetic voice from the While the church has its problems like time pastor Larry Wilson is most responsible pulpit, in print and in person. all others, said Larry, there is a positive, caring for the atypical First Baptist Church family. “Most Baptist preachers preach like Jesus approach that prevails. He pointed to longtime And Wilson said he’s received a warm embrace lived six hours from his birth to crucifixion,” member Betsy Crisco as one of the “church in return. he said. “But what Jesus said mattered.” moms” who “gets things done without com- “I love the people here,” he said. “It’s not With pastoral sensitivities, he has urged plaining” and shows deep concern for persons big, but one of the most gifted churches.” the Biscoe community toward Jesus’ calls for in need. Neither is it typical for a young pastor to justice, grace and unconditional love. “My dog was sick and she called me,” come to a small, mill-town church and stay “If you show them what the Bible says, Larry said with an appreciative smile.

4 OPENNESS SPIRITUAL HOME the smaller room has its benefits. “We’re closer now,” said Rebecca Blake. Nancy Ruppert was recruited from Florida to Florence Cagle is one of several African- “And we wanted to go about the business of a health care job in Biscoe in 1991. She didn’t American members who’ve found a spiritual being church.” expect to be there long — and she sure didn’t home and a place of service in First Baptist Any temptation toward self-pity was think she’d ever be a Baptist. Church. She is a deacon and serves on the thwarted. Church members took meals to the But that was before she met Larry, whose committee charged with finding a new pastor. fire department in appreciation for the quick pastoral style she called “more open.” “Larry has touched lives all over this com- response — and the firewood cutting crew got “The community grew on me,” said munity,” she said of her friend and pastor. back to work quickly. Nancy, now a leading beekeeper and key vol- “Larry is everybody’s Larry.” The retirement of a longtime pastor fol- unteer in carving up firewood that the church She and her family visited the church for a lowed by a devastating fire were a lot for the makes available to people in need. And she while before becoming members 13 years ago. church to handle at one time, lay leaders admit. found First Baptist to be “warm and welcoming “I liked what I saw,” said Florence. “The “Those kinds of things either make or even to someone like me who was an outsider.” church cares about so many people, not just break a church,” said Nancy, adding that the The church’s openness, she said, is inten- the membership. I was satisfied that this was unsettling situation helped the congregation tional — not the lack of conviction. where God was leading me… I’m proud to be refocus on its true mission. “It’s not that we’re intentionally ambiguous; a member of First Baptist Church.” Dwight agreed: “Little things we bick- we’re open to a lot of people,” she explained. The local newspaper, Montgomery Herald, ered about — like which faucets to put in the “We don’t try to squeeze people into a mold.” recently carried a full-page feature on Florence women’s restroom — weren’t important any- After moving to Biscoe, Nancy said she in which she talked about growing up in a more. The fire gave us insight into what’s really heard that the pastor at First Baptist was family of hardworking sharecroppers. She important.” “different.” But that wasn’t enough for her to attended a school with “no heat, no running visit a Baptist church. water, no cafeteria, no bathrooms and no gym” THE FUTURE “I’d been there and done that,” she said of through the eighth grade. previous experiences with Baptists. “I’d been She recalled her mother cutting pencils Church member and mayor Jimmy Blake said told constantly that I was a sinner. I already in half so each child in the family would have new industries, including a foundry and a knew that.” one. But conditions improved when she moved yogurt plant, have brought jobs to Biscoe with When she finally relented and visited to high school. She excelled in all areas, includ- hopes of drawing or keeping residents in the First Baptist, she liked Larry’s sermon and the ing being honored as homecoming queen. “small and friendly” town. He runs a popular “really good music.” She was also impressed As a young adult she broke ground by local restaurant and cooks up a big monthly by the church’s concern for and responses to moving into positions in the mill never held by church breakfast that draws members out of people in need. a black person. She put in 30 years there. their beds. The church has gained that good When the First Baptist sanctuary burned The church is looking to rebuild from reputation. last summer, Florence said it “tore my heart the fire and find new pastoral leadership. Jack “In this area we’re the go-to church if out.” It brought back a childhood experience Causey of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship people need help,” said Dwight Saunders. For of watching the small wooden Olive Grove of North Carolina is guiding them through a example, the church’s youth started a food dis- Baptist Church, next to her home, burn to the process of conversations and worship to focus tribution ministry that is now supported by 14 ground after being struck by lightning. on the congregation’s core values, vision and area congregations. The more recent fire brought members pastoral needs. Nancy added that the church’s generos- together — embracing one another amid tears, He has discovered unique qualities in the ity sometimes gives the false appearance of she said. The tragedy also brought a new per- Biscoe church, he said: ethnic diversity, great music and deep care for the community. a larger, wealthier congregation — but that spective, she added. These marks of the congregation weren’t much is done through partnerships throughout “Maybe it’s a good thing that this fire the result of a strategic plan, but the natural the community, thanks to “Larry’s ability to happened,” she said reflectively. “We’re closer outcome of consistent prophetic, pastoral lead- get along with so many different people.” now; it’s more meaningful to be a part of this ership and a community willing to embrace the church.” changes and challenges of faithful living. Larry said he focused his ministry on FIRE ALARM three areas: fellowship, service and worship “Ruins” is a common word for the charred — with a strong conviction that all persons remains after a roaring fire has run its destruc- deserve to loved and served. tive course. However, the inclusive spirit, “Jesus never let people be reduced,” he generosity and warmth of Biscoe Baptists were said. “And I can’t do that.” not ruined by last summer’s fire. It is a message that has resonated with They are better, not bitter after the blaze, church members and is now reflected in the church members said. ways they worship, fellowship and serve, said The pulpit Bible and the brass cross with Rebecca. a flame-marked base were rescued and placed “We’ve heard the message of love, grace, in the fellowship hall where Sunday worship forgiveness and inclusion — and to live as now occurs. The close proximity required by Jesus truly showed us how to live.” BT

5 quotation remarks

—CNN religion writer John Blake, reporting on the March 6 death of Fred Craddock, 86, in Blue Ridge, Ga.

—Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York telling CNN that Islamic State militants terrorizing the Middle East are a distortion of Islam much as the Irish Republican Army was a perversion of Catholicism (RNS) —Protestant scholar and author Phyllis Tickle —Pope Francis in a February Mass at on the “religiously imposed schizophrenia” —Willy Silberstein, president of the Swedish St. Peter’s Basilica (RNS) of many women today (RNS) Committee Against Antisemitism, SKMA, on Muslim hostilities toward Jews that were recently captured on TV (RNS) —Andrew Cryans of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Durham, N.H., when record weekend snowfalls in February caused low attendance at church (RNS) —Molly Marshall, president of Central Baptist —Mark Wingfield, associate pastor of Wilshire Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kan. (BNG) Baptist Church in Dallas, on how some might view the Museum of the Bible, being erected in Washington, D.C., as a monument to the Bible (BNG) —Rabbi Rami Shapiro, noting that a student in his Bible class at Middle Tennessee State University believed the saying “This dog won’t hunt” is a biblical proverb (CNN)

—Miguel De La Torre of Iliff School of Theology, —Episcopal Church leader Gay Clark Jennings after —Brian McLaren, author of urging Anglo Christians who seek racial Bishop Heather Cook was cited for drunk driving We Make the Road by Walking understanding to visit African-American and that caused the death of a bicyclist (RNS) (Reform Magazine) Hispanic churches (RNS)

6 Editorial By John Pierce Politicized pronouncements of faith present problems

olitical ideology masked as Christianity gets passed along as part of our Christian iden- “witness” — which can cause the rejection of (or another religious faith) is costly. The tity — as well as the gospel that we seek to faith (or at least of our churches and related P high price is being paid again and again. proclaim. institutions) that is actually a rejection of According to survey results reported During a spirited political debate on social blurred, divisive political perceptions. by Religion News Service, current college media recently, one poster lamented: “We are It is always easier, however, to point out freshmen are distancing themselves from iden- losing our Christian values in this country like the obvious failures of others who misrepresent tifiable religious traditions. Nearly 28 percent, the right to own guns!” the gospel than to acknowledge our very own the study found, chose to not identify with any Political ideology contributions. Confession is much harder than particular religion. has become so entwined expressing our frustration of being identified Ajay Nair, dean of campus life at Atlanta’s with religious faith that, with a fear-based political ideology masked Emory University, has a good idea why this apparently, constitutional as religious faith that conflicts with our own number has risen by 12 percent since 1971. and religious debates are understandings. “Religion has become increasingly politi- one in the same. Yet we all have a responsibility to be more cized in recent years and, as a result,” he said, Of course, faith and humble in our conclusions, more generous in “I think students may be reluctant to identify politics are not com- our grace and more willing to hear a calling to with religious institutions.” pletely separable — but faithfulness that conflicts with what we often Dean Nair is probably right. But I’d their influence on one another should be well portray as religious truth. be quick to add that college freshmen — or noted. Our faith affirmations and resulting proc- students in general — are not the only ones Faith should shape one’s politics. Too lamations are important to us, as they should shying away from a religious identity that is often, however, politics shapes one’s faith. be. However, they also have a larger impact on clouded by associated politics. There is a real probability that falling others who may not be able to hear the gospel It is tiring, as well, for those of all ages identification with organized religion is not so over the high-volume political noise. BT to keep going through life trying to untangle much the lack of faith in God as it is the lack the confusing mess created by the conflicting of faith in those who claim to speak for God, merger of political ideology and religious iden- yet whose priorities and politics seem so far May the hope of Easter be lasting, tity. Many of us are weary of being associated removed from the daring disciples of old who even amid the darkness of life, and with those who bear our faith names but not dropped their nets and money bags to follow inspire us to live with deep faith, our understandings or convictions. Jesus. Conservative Christian preachers, for Whether on the left or right, or some- abundant goodness and great joy. example, recently were found to hold much where in between, we must take great care in more strongly than the broader population the how our preferred, passionate political persua- Board of Directors and Staff notion that Islamic State terrorists reflect the sions become public pronouncements of the Baptists Today / Nurturing Faith true nature of the Islamic faith. That ignorance Christian faith. Such statements become our

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7

Religion News Service Understanding Islam’s Sunni-Shiite divide

Sunni and Shiite Muslims, two main Ali became the fourth caliph, or spiritual leader of Muslims, but he was murdered and Poll: 1 in 4 Americans say Islamic sects of Islam, have been in conflict for his son was killed in battle, effectively end- State represents true Islam more than a millennium. Why does ing the direct line from Muhammad. Today’s Shiites consider all caliphs after Ali to be false. such an ancient division continue to Sunnis, meanwhile, believe Muslim lead- USA Today ers can be elected, or picked, from qualified influence politics, foreign policy and (RNS) More than a quarter of Americans teachers. So Sunni and Shiite Muslims do not and nearly half of senior Protestant pas- even wars today? recognize the same line of authority. tors say the Islamic State terrorist group That’s why the declaration by the Islamic ecently, militants from the Sunni-led offers a true representation of Islamic State group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, last Islamic State group have waged a bloody society, according to a pair of new surveys summer that it was establishing a “new caliph- war of conquest across parts of Iraq and by LifeWay Research. R ate” through its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Syria and have spread to parts of Jordan, Egypt Forty-five percent of 1,000 senior caused such a global stir. The Islamic State is and Libya. Boko Haram, an al-Qaida affiliate Protestant pastors surveyed say the a Sunni group and its stated goals are to cre- waging war across parts of Africa, is also Sunni. Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS, ate a territory run by a caliph and Shariah, or Here’s what you need to know: “gives a true indication of what an Islamic Islamic law. society looks like.” Forty-seven percent In a video announcing the caliphate last Q: Who are the Sunnis and who are the disagreed with the statement. June, the group described al-Baghdadi as Shiites? The pastors had a much darker view “descendant from the family of the Prophet, of Islam than Americans at large. In con- A: Both are sects of Islam and the adherents the slave of God” — perhaps an attempt to trast, in the second survey, 27 percent of of both are Muslims, all bound by the same legitimate him in the eyes of Shiites. If they — Americans say the Islamic State reflects Quran, the same Five Pillars of Islam — belief or any other Muslims — fail to recognize the the true nature of Islamic society. in one God, daily prayer, fasting, charity and new caliphate, they will be considered apos- Of the 1,000 senior Protestant pas- hajj, or pilgrimage. Both revere the Prophet tates and can be killed under Shariah. Muhammad, who founded Islam in 620. tors surveyed, 724 identified themselves A very rough — and admittedly imper- Q: Where do Sunnis and Shiites live? as evangelical; 474 consider themselves fect — analogy is the Protestant / Catholic / mainline. Pastors were permitted to con- A: In lots of hotbed places. Syria is a majority- Orthodox divide within Christianity. All three sider themselves under both labels. BT Sunni country, but the regime of President groups are Christian, but they have diverging Bashar Assad is a close ally of Shiite-dominated views on leadership, theology, worship rites Iran (Assad’s Alawite sect is a whole other story). and even sacred shrines. A: It’s a complicated question that can’t be Iraq is majority Shiite, but northern Iraq Some Catholics and Protestants view the reduced to a few sentences, but here goes: has a lot of Sunnis and the Islamic State group other as apostates, but the bloody conflicts Where once the conflict between Sunni has made increasing inroads into the country. between the two camps are mostly consigned and Shiite was religious, now it is more political. Neighboring Iran is majority Shiite, while to history. In Iraq, the Shiite-dominated army has next-door Saudi Arabia is majority Sunni. been seen as a strong-arm of former Shiite Yemen, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Q: What is at the root of their conflict? Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and an oppres- Lebanon have significant Shiite minorities. sive force by majority Sunnis in the north. A: Basically, Sunnis and Shiites differ on who Sunnis make up about 85 percent of the That’s why many were happy to have the should have succeeded Muhammad after his world’s Muslims (including the vast majority of Sunni-dominated Islamic State group make death in 632. Sunnis supported Abu Bakr, the U.S. Muslims). See the problem? gains across the north. And as the Islamic State prophet’s friend; Shiite Muslims felt the right- group grows in strength and numbers, the ful successor was the prophet’s son-in-law and Q: So, if all this happened 1,400 years ago, Sunni-Shiite conflict will intensify and spread. cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib. what are they fighting about now? Q: OK, but all this is taking place on the other side of the world. Why should I care?

A: Because Islam is a global religion, and America has significant strategic and mili- tary interests in the region. The number of Muslims is expected to rise by 35 percent in the next 20 years, according to the Pew Research Center, to reach 2.2 billion people. BT

10 Guest Commentary By Tony W. Cartledge, /#'"$-+0"-'1 .(-"#$ But are they really Muslim?

he savage inhumanity of ISIS’s brutal in scripture, but we don’t interpret them as many of his teachings from an aberrant inter- ideologues continued as the organiza- appropriate for civilized society. pretation of the Bible. T tion kidnapped hundreds of Christians The problem, then, is not with Islam Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, a to be used and abused in a sneering show of itself, as some outspoken critics would have schismatic group that broke from the Davidian radical imbecility that grows from a perverted us believe, but with sometimes twisted and Seventh Day Adventists, became increasingly interpretation of Islam. The terrorist group sometimes too literalistic interpretations of ingrown, retreated from society, and burned also released videos of manic members raiding Islamic scriptures. We must acknowledge that their compound — killing 79 children, women a museum in Mosul, smashing priceless arti- Christians have also been guilty of misappro- and men — rather than allow federal agents to facts of the Assyrian civilization. priating scripture. investigate charges of child abuse. But what if Christians interpreted the Catholic popes endorsed the Crusades “That wasn’t Christianity,” we would Bible in the same way the strategists of ISIS and offered advance pardon for all present and say — but cult members claimed it to be. We interpret the Quran? future sins to those who happened to die while should keep that in mind the next time we We’d also be breaking into museums and fighting the “infidels” — not unlike brain- hear someone blame the atrocities of ISIS on smashing every ancient representation of a washed terrorists who think martyrdom will Islam. god, rather than preserving them as invaluable get them immediately transported to heaven. There are more than 1.5 billion Muslims objects for the understanding of human devel- That was supported by the church, but was it in the world. The vast majority of those who opment and cultural diversity. The prophets Christian? are actually religious look to the Quran for often called for the Israelites to destroy their The Ku Klux Klan claimed to be a teachings of peace, justice and moral behavior. idols and tear down sites where other gods Christian organization trying to do right by Meantime, a few thousand have been brain- were worshipped. God and to preserve civil society. Does anyone washed into believing the exclusive hate-based We’d also be stoning children who cursed believe such bigotry and terroristic actions ideology of extremists who harbor visions of their parents, cutting off body parts for various were inspired by Jesus? grandeur and are mainly interested in gaining crimes, selling slaves, and committing other Jim Jones of the People’s Temple led a power for themselves — but they get all the acts that were embedded in Old Testament mass suicide of 909 cult members in 1978. headlines. law — relics of a bygone age that we now con- Jones claimed to be a Christian. “That wasn’t They’re not teaching true Islam any more sider to be barbaric. Horrific practices are there really Christianity,” we would say, but he drew than the KKK was teaching Christianity. BT

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11 Todd Still appointed dean of Baylor’s Truett Semi1nary ACO, Texas — Baylor University has announced that W President Ken Starr appointed New Testament scholar Todd D. Still as the fifth dean of the university’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Still currently serves as the William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. He will succeed David Garland, who will return to full-time teaching after eight years as dean of the seminary. “In Dr. Todd Still, Baylor University, Report finds anti-Semitism and our dear friends in the Texas Baptist a problem at U.S. colleges family, found a vision- ary leader to guide responded “yes” reported one incident. into a bright future Religion News Service That suggests “Jewish students are not our beloved Truett Seminary,” said Starr just being paranoid, because if they were, then in a university press release. “As a brilliant ASHINGTON — A comprehen- we would expect each of them to identify more scholar of the New Testament, Dr. Still is sive survey of anti-Semitism at than one incident of anti-Semitism per year,” widely recognized in the academy for the American colleges released in late the researchers wrote. quality of his research and writing. At the W February shows that significant hostility is Similar percentages of religious (58 per- same time, Dr. Still has maintained a strong directed at Jews on U.S. campuses. cent) and secular Jewish students (51 percent) commitment to educating ministers to lead The National Demographic Survey of said they had experienced hostility toward Jews the church in Texas and beyond while he American Jewish College Students, produced or Judaism. And while 58 percent of those who has personally served Baptist churches in by a Trinity College team well known for its say they are “always” open about being Jewish transition as a preaching pastor. He is a research on religious groups, found that 54 on campus said they had experienced anti- forward-thinking leader who cares deeply percent of Jewish students experienced anti- Semitism, 59 percent who said they “never” about Texas Baptists and Texas Baptist life.” Semitism on campus in the first six months of were reported the same. Still said he was “humbled and hon- the 2013-2014 academic year. As for the most common context of the ored” by the opportunity to serve in this role. Professors Barry A. Kosmin and Ariela anti-Semitism, 29 percent of students surveyed “As dean, I look forward to joining Keysar asked 1,157 students in an online ques- said the source was a single student, and 10 hands with colleagues and churches in tionnaire about the types, context and location percent said it happened in a college club or preparing students for ministry in Christ’s of anti-Semitism they had encountered, and society. Only 3 percent said the anti-Semitism name both within and beyond Texas,” he found that anti-Jewish bias is a problem for stemmed from the college administration. said according to the release. “I am deeply Jews of all levels of religious observance. Kosmin and Keysar’s survey follows the committed to the vital work of theological “And this is a national problem; it’s not 2013 Pew Research Center’s “Portrait of Jewish education and ministerial formation that just happening in pockets of areas,” Keysar Americans,” which found that 22 percent of takes place at Truett and am convinced that said. “Hopefully people will read this survey as young Jews reported being called an offensive there are great things in store.” a wake-up call. Clearly, the students want us to name in the previous year because they are Earlier Still taught at Dallas Baptist do something.” Jewish, a far higher percentage than older Jews. University (1995-2000), and at Gardner- The survey, she also noted, was given It also comes 10 years after the U.S. Commission Webb University’s School of Divinity to students months before last summer’s war on Civil Rights declared that campus anti- (2000-2003) where he held the Bob between Israel and Gaza, which ignited much Semitism had become a “serious problem” and D. Shepherd Chair of New Testament anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses, called for more research on the issue. Interpretation. He holds degrees from sentiment that at times crossed the line into Kosmin and Keysar end their report with Baylor, Southwestern Baptist Theological anti-Semitism. recommendations to address anti-Semitism on Seminary and the University of Glasgow, The question sent to Jewish students on campus, including the suggestion that admin- Scotland, where he completed a Ph.D. in 55 campuses asked whether they had person- istrators let it be known that “the university 1996. He and his family are members of ally experienced or witnessed anti-Semitism considers anti-Semitism a serious issue equiva- First Baptist Church of Waco. BT on campus. Most of the 54 percent who lent to other forms of hate and bias.” BT

12 ‘Bishop Bling’ makes a soft landing in new Vatican post

according to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, head But it also emerged that the expenses Religion News Service of the council. from the refurbishment of the residence The post was created for Tebartz-van included $300,000 for an ornamental fish ATICAN CITY — The German Elst and has the hallmarks of a “make-work” tank, $2.4 million for bronze window frames, churchman christened the “Bishop of job because the Vatican and $240,000 for a spiral staircase. The bishop V Bling” for lavish expenditures he made couldn’t figure out what also had a freestanding bathtub, created by on his residence and church offices has been else to do with the French designer Philippe Starck and featuring given a low-level post at the Vatican, nearly a prelate. headrests at both ends, installed at a reported year after Pope Francis ousted him from the Controversy over cost of about $20,000. Limburg diocese. Tebartz-van Elst’s In addition, a month after the expendi- Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst is residence in Limburg tures were first reported, Tebartz-van Elst paid now a “delegate” at the Pontifical Council for erupted in October 2013 a court-ordered fine of nearly $30,000 to avoid Promoting the New Evangelization, an office when it was revealed a perjury charge over his false claims that he in the Roman Curia. that costs to renovate did not fly first-class to India on a charity trip. Tebartz-van Elst will reportedly help the diocesan center and That all came just a few months after prepare catechism, or religious instruction, the bishop’s home ran several times over the Francis was elected pope and began inveigh- materials — his area of expertise — for various initial estimate, to some $40 million. Tebartz- ing against churchmen who live like princes national bishops’ conferences. But he won’t van Elst blamed the expense on a deputy who instead of leading humble lives marked by have his name attached to any documents, failed to keep track of cost overruns. simplicity and service. BT Myanmar’s religious noise pollution annoys locals

monks use loudspeakers to play music and Tazaungdaing festival. Religion News Service announce how much money each person has “We apologize for any disturbance that donated from the area. this religious practice, over which we have no ANDALAY, Myanmar — While “We have already contributed cash and control, may cause,” the note stated. Myanmar’s strict curbs on religious they have collected money door-to-door in Naing Tun Lin, the tour guide, said M freedom continue to draw interna- our area,” Ngwe Khee said. “They should not authorities should consult locals to set guide- tional scrutiny, its lax enforcement of noise ask for more donations by making noise. The lines for when music can be played and at what limits is attracting the ire of locals. noise is very disruptive and disappointing.” volume to minimize disturbances. Residents of the densely populated cities of U Hla Sein, a retired teacher in Mandalay, National law states that authorities must Mandalay and Yangon are demanding stronger agrees. grant permission to use sound systems or loud- rules and regulations to control the use of loud- “They should have more understanding, speakers and that existing rules and regulations speakers in the country’s many religious festivals. since this is a religious activity,” he said. “They must be followed. Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is a play music before religious ceremonies but the People who violate this rule can be fined predominantly Buddhist country in Southeast music is not related to faith at all. But because up to 5,000 kyat (about $5) or imprisoned for Asia with significant Christian, Muslim, Hindu they refer to religion, we cannot complain.” up to seven days. and animist minority communities. Myanmar’s temperate winters attract U Hla, an attorney from Mandalay, said Local Buddhist holidays, including Vesak foreign tourists at the same time many of the legal action is possible and would reinforce the and the Tazaungdaing festival, along with loudest and most popular Buddhist religious point that noise pollution is disturbing and Christmas, Diwali and Eid al-Fitr are often festivals are being celebrated. contrary to the ceremonies’ religious purposes. celebrated with music, dance, stage perfor- “People visit our country looking for a Buddhist religious sites and houses of mances and carnivals. Monks and revelers in peaceful place, but when modern music is worship are not the only ones keeping neigh- some communities use the Buddhist holidays played in these ceremonies it can be quite bors awake. Some Buddhist families play as an excuse to collect donations and play rock disturbing for surrounding residents, and recordings of monks’ teachings over loudspeak- and pop music over loudspeakers. also tourists may get the wrong perception of ers early in the morning to bring good luck. While complaints about loud church bells Buddhism,” Mandalay tour guide Naing Tun Other faiths are also causing complaints. or the Muslim call to prayer from minarets are Lin said. Maung Maung Swe, a journalist in the capital common in other cities, annoyed locals say the Some hotels have started preemptively city of Yangon, said the noise from a Hindu noisy atmosphere detracts from the festivals’ apologizing for the noise. temple near his house sometimes continues religious origins — and the country’s quiet Last November, the 79 Living Hotel until 2 a.m. Buddhist getaway image. in Mandalay greeted guests with a note in “It is quite annoying,” he said. “We don’t U Ngwe Khee, a Mandalay taxi driver, English explaining that monks would be col- want to blame it on religious activity, but no lives near a Buddhist Dharma center where lecting donations over loudspeakers during the one can sleep through the night.” BT

13 Mormon critic Young Brits reject religion, excommunicated approve of atheist politicians for ‘apostasy’ Religion News Service Salt Lake Tribune ANTERBURY, England —In marked contrast to the U.S., public figures ALT LAKE CITY (RNS) — who disavow belief in God tend Mormon critic and podcaster John C to win approval from a growing number of S Dehlin has been excommunicated British people. from the LDS Church. The official charge A survey of 1,500 adults released in against the founder of the “Mormon Stories” February by YouGov, a British market research podcast was “conduct contrary to the laws firm, shows that as many as a third of all reluctant to proclaim their faith. and order of the church,” but a letter from Britons do not believe in God or any kind of And it shows a marked divide between Dehlin’s North Logan LDS stake president, higher power. young people — who increasingly embrace Bryan King, called it “apostasy” and cited The poll found that Nick Clegg, deputy atheism — and older people, who identify evidence for the unanimous decision: prime minister, and Ed Miliband, leader of with their religious upbringing. the opposition Labor Party, were viewed posi- Almost one in three under the age of 24 tively because they state openly that they don’t declare themselves to be atheists, compared God and the divinity of Jesus Christ. believe in God. with only one in 10 people over the age of 60. That’s a stark contrast to the U.S., where Thirty-three percent of those surveyed and the Book of Abraham are fraudulent the number of openly atheist politicians in said they did not believe in “any sort of God or and works of fiction. Congress hovers around zero. spiritual power.” The survey shows that while atheists in The proportion of people who denied The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day England are ready to stand up and talk about belief in God rose to 46 percent among 18- to Saints as being “the true church with their nonbelief in God, most Christians are 24-year-olds. BT power and authority from God.”

King further noted that the Cache Valley-based podcaster has “spread these Court finds Applebee’s not liable for man teachings widely via the Internet to hun- dreds of people in the past,” and that burned while praying over fajita skillet Dehlin has said he plans to “continue to do None of the burns left any scarring, records so.” show. The action was not taken because The Star-Ledger He sued in state Superior Court, claiming Dehlin had doubts about the church or its he suffered serious injury after the restaurant history, the LDS leader wrote, but “because RENTON, N.J. (RNS) — A New negligently gave him hot food. of your categorical statements oppos- Jersey man cannot collect damages for The lower court dismissed the case, find- ing the doctrines of the church, and their T burns he suffered while bowing his ing that the danger posed by the sizzling fajita wide dissemination via your Internet pres- head in prayer over a sizzling steak fajita skil- plate was “open and obvious” and that Jimenez ence, which has led others away from the let at Applebee’s, a state appeals panel ruled in chose to put his face close to it. Jimenez church.” March. appealed, and an appeals panel agreed with the Dehlin is free to criticize the church In 2010, Hiram Jimenez visited the res- lower court’s findings. and to share his opinions, King wrote, but taurant with his brother, Rafael, and ordered “Here, the danger posed by a plate of siz- not “as a member in good standing.” a steak fajita, which was brought to him in a zling hot food was self-evident,” the two-judge Dehlin, who expected to be ousted sizzling skillet, according to court records. The panel ruled. BT from the Utah-based faith, maintains the waitress allegedly did not warn him the dish apostasy charges stem from his “unwill- was hot. ingness” to censor his podcast, his public After receiving the food, Jimenez and his expression of his doubts about the religion brother decided to pray, and Jimenez bowed and his visible advocacy for civil same-sex his head close to the table. As he was pray- marriage and the ordination of women to ing, he claimed he heard a loud sizzling noise the all-male LDS priesthood. followed by a grease pop, and felt a burning Despite the decision, Dehlin and his sensation in his left eye and on his face. wife, Margi, expressed “appreciation” for Jimenez said he panicked and knocked the their local lay leaders. BT plate of food on his lap, causing more burns.

14 Religion News Service A high price Evangelicals find that affirmation of gay members can be costly

ASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pastor Stan Mitchell’s announcement that his evan- N gelical GracePointe Church would fully affirm gay members was met with a standing ovation from some, stunned silence from oth- ers, but everybody prayed together quietly at the end of it. Then Mitchell began routinely receiv- ing emails inviting him to kill himself, often including the assurance they were sent in love from other Christians. Half of his 12-member board has left, along with half the average offering and about a third of the weekly atten- dance — once at 800 to 1,000 people. He’s met with dozens of disenchanted members and plans to see dozens more, apolo- gizing almost compulsively for his handling of The GracePointe Church choir performs during Easter service the issue. But there’s no going back, he says. in 2014. Photo courtesy of GracePointe Church/RNS He doesn’t even want to. One of his biggest fears is that talking publicly about what happened at GracePointe Highlands Church in Denver was among who has studied both homosexuality and could discourage countless other evangelical the first, suffering deep drops in attendance megachurches. pastors who he says are ready to make the same and donations but now recovering. EastLake “To be an evangelical Christian is more move. Community Church in Seattle announced its than the theology. It’s the tradition you were “I’m watching LGBT people finally make LGBT inclusion and affirmation; Mitchell raised in, the songs and hymns you sang as a peace with themselves because they couldn’t spent a February weekend there, huddling with kid,” he said. “There’s a pull to the expression get away from the authority of Scripture and church leaders. of Christianity they grew up with, where they what they thought it said about them,” said But there remains a high price: Last year, feel at home and where they feel the deepest Mitchell, 46. “The upsides, … they’re every- the Southern Baptist Convention expelled connection to God even if the theology said where in this.” New Heart Community Church in La Mirada, they didn’t belong there.” The shifts and conversations within this Calif., after its pastor changed views on homo- In some ways, the change is happening Bible Belt congregation mirror a larger debate sexuality. More recently, the Chicago-based from the inside out. Gay-friendly mainline among American evangelicals as they engage Evangelical Covenant Church cut off funding Protestant churches such as the Episcopal tricky and sensitive matters of human sexuality, for a church plant in Portland, Ore., when Church just don’t hold the same appeal for that the authority of Scripture and a rapidly chang- its pastor announced his support for LGBT group, said Brandan Robertson, 22, spokes- ing culture. equality. man for Evangelicals for Marriage Equality. That dialogue is being pushed by Several factors are coming into play in “It’s not that we’re ashamed or not grate- Christians who, like Mitchell, no longer the pastors’ decisions, observers say. Marriage ful to be welcomed,” he said. “But rather, we believe that the terms “evangelical” and equality has reached all but 13 states, forcing just want to be seen as normal Christians, not “LGBT-affirming” are mutually exclusive. churches to confront an issue many have long part of some ‘special group.’” Last year, evangelical ethicist David Gushee demonized or simply hoped to avoid. Polling Robertson, too, says there are dozens of at Mercer University wrote the book Changing by the Public Religion Research Institute evangelical churches on the precipice of mak- Our Mind, about his own theological shift — survey shows 43 percent of white evangelical ing announcements of their affirmation. Most, on questions of gay marriage and welcoming millennials support same-sex marriage, double however, are not. gays and lesbians into church leadership. Author the percentage of the oldest generation of that “There’s going to be polarity on this issue Matthew Vines’ Reformation Project and his demographic. either way you go,” said Dave Travis, CEO of book, God and the Gay Christian, drew atten- At the same time, gay Christians raised Dallas-based Leadership Network, a church tion from top evangelical leaders. in and rejected by evangelical churches haven’t consulting firm. “The vitality of American reli- A handful of large evangelical churches lost their love for those roots, said Scott gion is that people vote with their feet. … If are publicizing their supportive stances. The Thumma, a sociologist at Hartford Seminary (Mitchell) retains half, that’s about right.” BT

15 Guest Commentary By Robert F. Browning A tribute to Eldred Taylor

Editor’s note: Eldred M. Taylor died Jan. 15 in worlds apart. we mobilize church members to make hope Louisville, Ky., at age 93. Among his ministry set- He came of age during the Great Depres- visible to all people, especially those who have tings, he served as pastor of First Baptist Church sion and when the world was at war, as my no seat or voice at the table where decisions are of Somerset, Ky., 1958-1981. He was succeeded parents did. I came of age when our country made? How can we help our members to see by Robert Browning, who now serves as pastor of was at war with itself and our streets were filled that the church reflects the kingdom of God First Baptist Church of Frankfort, Ky. with blood. when it resembles a quilt rather than a blanket?” His generation val- How I enjoyed our many conversations, n 1982, I was called to be the pastor of the ued order and loyalty. which continued after I moved to Atlanta and First Baptist Church in Somerset, Ky. I fol- My generation measured upon my return to Kentucky. I found Eldred to Ilowed Eldred Taylor, who had served the faithfulness more by be a good listener, a trusted friend and a lifelong church for 23 years. I knew I was inheriting a the questions we asked learner. strong, vibrant, healthy church, and for this gift than the answers we I deeply appreciated the opportunity to and opportunity I was grateful. memorized. bounce ideas off of this brilliant scholar, theolo- What I did not see at that time was My generation gian, historian, statesman, preacher and teacher. another gift I was going to receive: Eldred became captivated by the I am especially pleased that his legacy will be Taylor’s friendship. I cannot begin to tell you prophets’ call for justice known by the students at Baptist Seminary of how much this relationship has meant to me the and peace and fell in love Kentucky through the Eldred Taylor Chair of last 33 years. with the Jesus who walked the dusty Palestinian Biblical Studies. No former pastor ever treated the person roads listening to people’s stories and pleas for In recent years, every conversation Eldred who followed him or her better than Eldred help that others ignored or tried to silence. and I had ended the same way. “I love you and treated me. He was gracious and kind in every I once told Eldred the challenge my genera- appreciate your friendship,” we both would say. way. He offered wise advice when I asked for it tion faced was figuring out a way to get people At his memorial service at St. Matthews and encouragement when I needed it. who experience and see life so differently to Baptist Church in Louisville, I had the privilege What made our close relationship unusual respect, listen to and love one another. of repeating these words for the final time. I yet mutually beneficial was that Eldred and “How can we get people to suspend their assured his family, though, that Eldred’s influ- I were different in many ways. We were born understanding of truth long enough to discover ence upon me would always be a part of my 30 miles from each other, but were actually what they don’t know?” I asked him. “How do testimony. BT

Classifieds Minister of Music, Youth and Families: Associate Pastor for Music and Children: Senior Pastor: - - - - Explore God’s loveShine Shine: Living in God’s Light - - shinecurriculum.com.

16 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.

Teaching resources at nurturingfaith.net

May lessons in this issue HOW TO USE THESE BIBLE STUDIES Season of Easter 1 John 4:7-21 1. Order a copy of Baptists Today news journal Deep Love for EACH MEMBER of the class. The Bible May 3, 2015 Lessons are found only here. 2. Teachers can go to nurturingfaith.net to access all 1 John 5:1-5 of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply click on “Adult” or “Youth.” Love Conquers All May 10, 2015 Teaching the Lessons 1 John 5:6-13 After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge starting on page 18, teachers can access Testimony helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at May 17, 2015 nurturingfaith.net. These include: Spritual Matters, * Tony’s video overviews * Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan Old Testament Style * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver Ezekiel 37:1-14 * Tony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and Can These Bones Live? ”The Hardest Question” May 24, 2015 * Links to commentaries, multimedia resources and more Isaiah 6:1-13 How to Order You Want Me To Do What? May 31, 2015 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! * All 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!

© Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org | 17 1 John 4:7-21

with Tony W. Cartledge

May 3, 2015 Deep Love

erhaps you have known someone, newly in love, who couldn’t P stop talking about his or her new it is like to be so deeply engrossed in a project or cause that you rarely spoke of The author of 1 John couldn’t stop talking about love – the love of God for humankind and the love we are called other things in his meandering epistle, false teachers who denied Christ’s incarnation and were soft on sin (4:1-6), 1 John 4:11 but kept circling back to his favorite “Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” 1 Corinthians 13, there is no profounder discussion of love in all of scripture they feel around each other, feelings is a bold statement, but not intended largely induced by brain chemicals such Knowing God’s love … (vv. 7-12) mates don’t arouse the same neuro- chemical buzz as in their courtship, they John has previously reminded his may look elsewhere for someone with readers that they are called to accept whom they have more literal “chemis- God’s love and share it with others through acts of divine love, but God’s feelings alone; it is a choice that keeps more deeply into what that kind of The writer addresses his readers we wouldn’t think of saying “light is An important thing to understand about Christian love – or any love worth urges them to be people who practice tant aspects of God’s character, but the name – is that love is a choice, not Christians are known because they our feelings, but we choose whether and everyone who loves has been born know such love, John tells us, because enemies, something we would never do does not consist of sentimental attach- ments, self-gratifying romanticism, or , Marriages sometimes fail because idealistic couples have based their distinguishing mark of God’s children concerned with birth than with unique- relationship too heavily on the way Additional background information Those who do not demonstrate such online where you see the “Digging love cannot claim to know God, John choice-making, self-giving agape love Deeper” icon

18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes are available at nurturingfaith.net think of other songs that celebrate God’s fed and clothed her, held her and played God sent Jesus into the world “so a permanent promise to those who with tears in their eyes and supported This statement is not just about living Yet more assurance is found in the forever – the concept of getting baptized She loves them – and learned how to to hell would have been completely alien Just so we love, John insists, the love of Christ is not just “pie in the faith and promises assurance: “God abides in those who confess that Jesus is in abundance, life that is lived as God John’s insistence on confessing God, would we dare to wear our “No but with the added reminder that we did Jesus as the Son constitutes another verbal dart aimed at those who denied that the human Jesus could also be - ciently pure or righteous, we will fail, manifest, to cover our sins and lead us reminds us that confession implies - into the loving fellowship that is found ship with God is in word only and not - Again John uses the word realize that our faith is a lie because it has no feet and no hands that reach out The gift of God’s love brings with it we have known and believe the love John typically draws sharp dichoto- who know God live in love, which mies, and here he sees no middle ground God’s love cannot help but to pass that between love and hate: “Those who say, love along: it has become a part of their As we abide or remain in fellow- sisters, are liars; for those who do not in their actions and attitudes that they ship with God, “love has been perfected love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have No one has seen God, John said not mean we become perfect or love perfectly: A better translation would be picture or send them a link to a Yahweh need is to display an absence of love, and as far as John is concerned, that’s equiva- anyone a tangible audience with God - standing before someone whose love we sively wish someone ill or passively have known in an abiding and ongoing allow them to suffer, the end result is John said, but “perfect love drives out have not shown love or given evidence Showing God’s love … - (vv. 13-21) Those who love as God loves show by believe God has sent the Son to cover says: “those who love God must love their lives that they abide in God, and our sins, if we consistently receive and As in 3:24, John share God’s love, why should we be offers further assurance of our relation- and because he has commanded us to was not a momentary miracle designed she love them as deeply if they had BT

LESSON FOR MAY 3, 2015 | 19 1 John 5:1-5

with Tony W. Cartledge

May 10, 2015 Love Conquers All

long to conquer our opponents V survive a rough patch in life, we smile 1 John 5:5 “Who is it that by vanquishing opponents or at others’ conquers the world but the one who us in a way that overcomes whatever believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Victory through belief (vv. 1, 4-5) believe that Jesus is the Christ have As 1 John continually warned against teachings that failed to acknow- one who loves the parent also loves his ledge Jesus as the Christ, we should also be aware of variant views about As he has done before, John circles win, you’ll always be losers: you gotta back to the theme of love as the proof otherwise, believe Jesus was a good of our relationship with God, for love and faith go hand in hand in Christian themselves, in their teammates, and in for God by obeying God’s command to recognize Jesus as a good man and an removed from the concept of sports as are not a burden we cannot bear, not that the one who gains victory over the we know it, but he understood that the something too hard for us, because world must believe that Jesus is more most important victory in life comes “whatever has been born of God than a preacher or prophet: he is the Son Showing how they are interrelated, John turns back to the importance of good man and an inspiring teacher, he church because they had been led to belief: “This is the victory that has believe that Jesus was not the Son of believe that Jesus is the Son of God, he God, but a human messenger on whom The one who overcomes is the one who the spiritual Christ had dwelt for a believes that Jesus is the Son of God visited by a spiritual Christ sent from Additional background information an unknowable spirit-god, as some think of trust in someone to the point of online where you see the “Digging Deeper” icon uses the present tense, indicating an (pisteuo) that incorporates the concepts

20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes John is not just saying that anyone are available at remembering that we don’t get to pick who gives intellectual assent to the nurturingfaith.net notion that Jesus is God’s son will about a belief that leads to faith, a are those who are best at building team chemistry, teaching their players to love That kind of belief puts Christ in the center of our lives, at the top of our team success is more important than did, we would tend to choose people is the Son of God, then he will become who are like us, who are socially the central concern around which all become a leading educator and advocate don’t bathe or youth who don’t behave That is not to say that life will be After he and other slaves gained their stretch beyond our comfort zone and Rather, as we contend with the world obtain an education and eventually reach out to people who don’t look like from day to day, we can be sure that in us, smell like us, sing like us, or even Christ and Time, Up every bit of ourselves that we give away compared the Christian life and struggle From Slavery is one more step toward the light, one one of the most onerous aspects of life more blow against the darkness of the as a slave was being forced to wear the Normandy invasion on D-Day, victory for the allies was assured in the Slaves’ clothing was made from the had a dozen or more chestnut burrs, or through us, then his commands are have tribulation, but be of good cheer, a hundred small pin-points, in contact a natural outgrowth of who we are as God’s children – children who are not Victory through love his older brother John would take Are there people in your church (vv. 2-3) As we seek a victorious life, it helps until the rough edges and sharp points to know that we are not in this strug- were worn smooth, absorbing the pain be understanding, even if you have to baseball or soccer players rely on their in slavery, there was victory, and it was teammates to win a victory together, members of the faith community can Christ the ability to love all people as offer help to one another, knowing that concept because our own love is so limited, but the love of God cannot be obey God’s commandments by loving become the presence of Christ to others – and we wouldn’t need cheerleaders The most successful coaches, Those who love God will also love to remind us that this is a victory worth especially in sports such as basketball, BT

LESSON FOR MAY 10, 2015 | 21 1 John 5:6-13

with Tony W. Cartledge

May 17, 2015 1 John 5:11 Te s t i m o n y “And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, hat comes to your mind when and this life is in his Son.” you hear the word “testi- W a criminal trial, in which witnesses to a crime or acquaintances of the accused are called to give testimony to what about scientists called to testify before a congressional committee about global warming, national health concerns, or th century, you may have in which volunteers were encouraged to stand before the church and “give a been suspended after admitting that he Christian, or how they went through a had stretched the truth about his time wild phase but reconnected with their on his own testimony, speaking of how he and others were eyewitnesses to the Sadly, false testimony can be found evangelism programs, you might have been trained to develop a short testi- for love as the preeminent witness of mony to use in witnessing to others of after emerging from a coma and claim- Christ’s presence in the lives of believ- to three other witnesses to the identity The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven, and power of Christ: the Spirit, the other people, and often make decisions but he later admitted that he had made More than one pastor has gotten into trouble after parishioners Googled a few lines from Sunday sermons and water and blood with the act of child- discovered they were hearing sermons birth, and John would not have denied the preacher found online, including Jesus’ humanity, but that is almost or even to their deaths, on the testimony ence to Jesus’ baptism, when his public newscast were disappointed to learn Three witnesses possibly including some who had left recently that a trusted anchorman had (vv. 6-8) Additional background information Throughout the letter we call 1 John, come upon Jesus at his baptism, but online where you see the “Digging the author has insisted that Jesus is the Deeper” icon Christ, the Son of God, the one through That is why John insists that Jesus

22 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes – the human Jesus and the divine Christ are available at believe God’s testimony and put their were one and the same from beginning nurturingfaith.net blood of the cross were both witness to Jesus as God’s Son do not have life, the life and work of Jesus Christ, the Son Spirit and love of God abide in them Spirit, which was made manifest at Jesus’ “Those who believe in the Son of God argument and begins drawing his letter his earthly ministry as Jesus taught with of 2:12-14, John reminds his readers of authority, wrought works of power, died need any further testimony than that of God’s Spirit, which witnesses to their to believe the truth and thus have a hope promised his followers that he would send the Spirit to testify of him, guide things to you who believe in the name believers into the truth, and empower believe make God out to be a liar by of the Son of God, so that you may Spirit revealed to Jewish believers at set those who denied Jesus’ divinity (Genesis 3) is based on the premise - not just misleading: Their refusal to - believe the divine testimony was Thus, John wrote, “There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water not want his readers to be led astray by Testimony of life the tempting words of false teachers (vv. 11-13) who raised doubts about the identity of the present tense, indicating ongoing Choosing to follow the false teaching Jesus as the Son of God or the life made of those who denied Christ’s divin- along with the continuing witness of ity was not a minor doctrinal quibble, the Spirit, agreed together that the Jesus who lived and died and rose again was own witness would have eternal conse- Thus, he writes “so that you may know forget the content of that testimony, he True and false testimony summed up the gospel message: “God (vv. 9-10) gave us eternal life, and this life is in As noted above, we often rely on the teaching by former church members testimony of other people, even though whoever does not have the Son of God who would lead them astray, John we know that humans are fallible and writes to assure believers that their sometimes their testimony is false – including that of those who denied not originate with us or result from our “so that you may know that you have believe the testimony of humans, John wrote, then certainly we can believe the to live as long as possible on the earth, eternal life as a future hope, but as a testimony of God, who can always be and some may go so far as to have their bodies or brains cryogenically frozen in believers have in Christ is qualita- hopes of being revived at a later date, tively different: The promise of eternal blood all testify to Jesus, behind all any hope of eternal life is far beyond life puts our present life in a different three stands the sovereign authority of perspective, enabling us to love, to risk, God, whose testimony is like a keystone in the arch of witnesses to the heart of those who are focused on self-survival the gospel, the identity of Jesus’ self- Secondly, John reminds us, “this grounded in the life, death, and resur- abide in God, and how the testimony, rection of Jesus Christ, who is God’s BT

LESSON FOR MAY 17, 2015 | 23 Ezekiel 37:1-14

with Tony W. Cartledge

May 24, 2015 Ezekiel 37:4 Can These Bones Live? “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD’.” ublic speaking is fraught with P only does the speaker need to have something to say and the ability to say it in an engaging fashion, but he or she also needs an audience with some tive, involved, or vocally responsive amplify the preacher’s own enthusiasm, enabling him or her to hold forth with

habitually reserved worshipers scattered through a large sanctuary, the preacher for their homeland, especially during is for a required program on a univer- crazy, and not just because he incor- of adults who had been captured had porated the roles of both priest and prophet – two groups that didn’t usually Trying to engage a sleepy audience engrossed in naps, homework, or smart- creatures, and a rainbow aura surround- the deadest crowds they’ve ever faced, that some modern authors cite him as but none can match the congregation of actual event, phrases like “the hand of A dead crowd (vv. 1-3) God had not forgotten them, relaying a trance-like state (see also 1:3; 3:22; 8:1; divine promise of new life in a renewed a symbolic vision, not a mass resurrec- your body the heart of stone and give however, a mind-boggling vision from God led him into a prophetic ministry within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my indicating that their owners were also Additional background information online where you see the “Digging Many people, however, remained Deeper” icon in secure tombs where their bones could

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes one’s skeleton scattered across the land are available at nurturingfaith.net of keeping the covenant, God’s grace The image suggests the aftermath of would renew life and the promised Spirit would motivate obedience: make you follow my statutes and be standing before a zombie army of the living dead, or did the scene suggest - the questions running through the stunned prophet’s mind before a word And how might this strange vision A modern scientist might envision a and at least replicate the genome, but A hopeful prophecy (vv. 11-14) cannot feel separated from God and cut The dried bones represented the “whole what it is like to feel dry of bone, numb probably intended to include the north- A lively sermon (vv. 4-10) the southern kingdom of Judah, which will ever be whole or that our life will The succeeding verses are familiar to congregation of dead bones, promising The people had given up, thinking feel as if our emotional ribs have been that he would re-articulate the skele- themselves as good as dead, “cut off picked clean by vultures and left to dry tons, then return to them muscle and sinew and skin before breathing once again the breath of life into their bodies have no worries, who think everything he felt a quaking and heard a rattling of graves, returning them to life and to the left them too blind to see that they are bones as the skeletons reformed, then dying inside, that their spiritual bones The new life God promised would like a time-lapse video of decomposi- come about through the active power of begin to change until there was a great collection of cadavers that could do any you on your own soil; then you shall our pathway to renewed life must begin medical school proud, but they were with a shaking of priorities that rattles come from the four winds, re-enter the bring new life to the dispirited disciples presence and power of God’s Spirit desires to live and work in our lives through the presence of the Spirit, as ruach) hope that they might yet return to their spiritual efforts are no more alive than a skeleton that has dried in the sun, when though on a less anthropomorphic but we open our hearts to the presence - of God, we may be sure that God’s ally breathing life into one man, God eternal Spirit will bring new life beyond whistled up the four winds to inspirit a BT

LESSON FOR MAY 24, 2015 | 25 Isaiah 6:1-13

with Tony W. Cartledge

May 31, 2015 You Want Me To Do What?

o you believe God has called you to any particular sort of ministry D professional ministers to feel called to a ministry of volunteering in soup kitch- ens or food pantries, of visiting lonely folk in retirement homes, or tutoring Sometimes our sense of calling is Isaiah 6:8 intrudes into our lives in such a way “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will with his sandals, he would surely have go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’”

A death and a vision (vv. 1-4) contained the great talisman of power and memory known as the Ark of the Covenant, a gold-plated rectangular from their shining appearance or from Azariah, had led the kingdom of Judah Two skin disease the last few years of his the Ark, with their wings stretched The living seraphim life, allowing his son Jotham to reign in vision seem to be analogues of the imagined that God’s presence was had been marked by a long period of Cherubim typically were animal in peace and prosperity for the inhabit- form, though sometimes with human ants of Judah, and many would have surely have sent him into a sensory faces, and were usually represented in overload of awe-inspiring sight, sound, young man with the imposing name likewise have been frightening, for many ancients believed that seeing God would ity (covering the head), two for modesty himself ushered into the very throne and two for mobility (with two they in such majesty that “the hem of his The seraphs were apparently sanctuary room before the smaller somewhat human in form or at least impression that the prophet averted his spoke in voices understandable to Additional background information eyes, for he says nothing about God’s online where you see the “Digging appearance other than the lowest part of joined in an antiphonal chorus declaring Deeper” icon the divine apparel, then quickly shifts to the magnitude of divine holiness and

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes are available at preach in such a way as to turn them emphasized God’s apartness, the divine nurturingfaith.net glory was perceived throughout the - was not about timetables, but a cry of The seraphs’ singing was not the was correct in assuming that his sinful- sweet, harp-playing music we tend to ness could not stand in the presence of God’s response offered only a associate with heaven, but a vocal blast divine purity, but incinerating the sinner Their voices caused the temple doors to enemies, a divine punishment for a live coal from the altar in a set of tongs, as an impressive outpouring of smoke the Assyrian king Sennacherib defeated was not torture, however, but the touch scattered its inhabitants, then pushed prophet had put himself in the right into Judah, destroying nearly all of its position and prepared himself for an seraph declared “your guilt has departed praying in the temple when the vision The thought of having a burning coal aimed at our mouths sounds still seem strange to us, but the impres- we might take to help us appreciate the horrifying, but we should not let the sion is that the verdict had already true confession without some measure transgressions had earned them a prison A call and response (vv. 5-7) The spectacular vision of Yahweh A commission and a question abundantly clear what was about to enthroned and the ear-blasting, door- (vv. 8-13) happen and why it would happen, with shaking declaration of God’s glorious no plea-bargaining allowed and the only hope being a remnant reminder: a stump tsunami, leaving him supremely aware of his smallness and unworthiness to totally counterproductive, it could also be understood as an intentional rhetori- stubbornly refusing to hear his call the fear of imminent death as a result of for change, the prophet’s insistence seeing God, but he seems as concerned even though God had not called him that God didn’t want them to hear and with what he has done as with what he - understand might goad the people into listening more closely and responding imagined, for God’s instructions seemed was to go and tell the people to listen without comprehending and to look us to live as lights that shine into the to proclaim God’s prophetic word of darkness of this world, and call other lips represents the entire person, rather would cause them to harden their hearts - and stop up their ears, lest they repent as long as there are people who need to ality with a people who had persistently BT

LESSON FOR MAY 31, 2015 | 27 +% +$0/. 1#0$2.%

Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series that highlights the Baptist principle of liberty of conscience. The series is supported by an endowment gift from the William H. Whitsitt Baptist Heritage Society, whose mission is carried on through the pages of Baptists Today.

BAPTIST PROFILES IN CONSCIENCE Nannie Helen Burroughs

On this 50th anniversary of the 1965 1870s, at which time Reconstruction ran out of steam in the face of growing white intransi- Voting Rights Act, the late Baptist gence and northern ambivalence. preacher and civil rights icon Martin Freed from the restraining presence of federal authorities, white southerners in the Luther King Jr. towers above the 1880s began reversing many of the gains made landscape in the ongoing narrative by African Americans. Black legislators and congressmen were soon voted out of office in of the struggle for human equality the South. The financial prospects of black in the 21st century. families dimmed. African Americans were increasingly isolated, openly treated with dis- is contributions and untimely death are dain and provided with few opportunities to memorialized in a national holiday as achieve successes of any kind. H well as numerous monuments and city Nannie Helen Burroughs’ childhood street names throughout America. Without was lived out in these hard years. One of King’s tireless championing of racial equal- the fortunate, the education she acquired in ity, alongside the equally important efforts of Washington was better than that which most many of his contemporaries in the civil rights southern black children received. But rather movement, the progress of human rights in than distancing her from the trials of many of modern America would be far less than it is her peers, Burroughs’ education heightened her for African Americans. The emancipation of today. conscience and instilled within her a desire to slaves resulting from the United States’ victory Many decades before King, however, help the less fortunate succeed. over the Confederate States in the American another Baptist leader and advocate of racial As the 1880s gave way to the 1890s, Civil War had ushered in an era of hope and equality helped prepare the way for the com- southern white oppression of blacks escalated, promise, known as Reconstruction, for African ing of the civil rights movement. An advocate leading to the systematic implementation of Americans in the South. of justice in an era of black disenfranchise- a system of racial apartheid. Disallowed from Government programs and northern mis- ment and lynching, Nannie Helen Burroughs forcing blacks back into slavery, whites resorted sionaries helped many black families acquire made such an impact in the nation’s capital so to other means to keep African Americans in a land, housing and rudimentary education. as to be honored with annual celebrations in With voting regulated by federal officials, a subservient state. Washington, D.C., to the present day. number of black southerners were elected to Between 1890 and 1905 every southern

serve in state legislators and as lawmakers in state passed laws designed to prevent African EARLY YEARS Washington. Americans from voting. During this same time, Nannie Helen Burroughs was born in 1878 Black Baptists in the South prospered state legislatures implemented additional laws in Virginia. Her mother, Jennie, was a former during these heady years. Exercising new- segregating blacks from whites. And in the slave, while her father, John, was born as a free found religious autonomy, they left the white 1890s and for many decades afterward, black person of color. Educated at the Richmond churches of their slave years and quickly men were lynched by the thousands in a reign Institute, John Burroughs was a Baptist formed hundreds of their own congregations. of terror that effectively intimidated African preacher. State and national Baptist associations of black Americans into submission and preserved the Providing the best education for their churches soon followed, with the National apartheid status quo. daughter was a priority of the proud parents. Baptist Convention eventually emerging as the Nannie Helen Burroughs thus confronted In 1883 the couple enrolled their then five- largest of the national organizations. both promise and peril as a young black year-old daughter in the highly regarded city Most southern whites, however, resisted Baptist woman in the South. Demonstrating schools of Washington, D.C. equality with blacks. White efforts to oppress her leadership abilities and exhibiting cour- As a child, Nannie Helen Burroughs grew freedmen were somewhat held in check by age and conscience, an 18-year-old Burroughs up during an exciting and challenging time the oversight of federal officials until the late helped establish the National Association of

28 Colored Women (NACW) in 1896, an organi- Endorsed by National Baptists, it emphasized Hoover’s words, was to help “meet the situa- zation formed to help counter the growing and self-sufficiency through a clean life, a clean tion presented by the present emergency, to widespread oppression of African Americans, body and a clean house. Bible, bath and broom alleviate the hardships that exist among home as well as to counter vicious attacks on the represented these three emphases. owners today, and to revitalize the building character of black women in the pages of Tireless in her efforts to help educate of homes as a factor of economic recovery, … southern newspapers. black women, Burroughs secured the support in its long distance view it was put forward in Burroughs stood alongside Harriet of prominent black Baptist leaders who helped the confidence that through the creation of an Tubman and others in forming the organi- raise funds to build and expand facilities. institution of this character we could gradu- zation that adopted the motto “Lifting We While the training school represented a ally work out the problem of systematically Climb.” The NACW devoted itself to help- monumental achievement and her leadership promoted home ownership on such terms of ing black women and children obtain health of the National Baptists’ Woman’s Convention sound finance as people who have the home- care, education, better clothing and housing, took much of her additional time, Burroughs owning aspiration deserve in our country.” along with supporting the woman’s suffrage did not limit herself to African-American uplift The conference ultimately helped bring movement. through Christian channels only. Concerned about the passage of the 1932 Home Loan Black churches and denominations, shar- that black women were typically left out of Bank Act, legislation that established means ing the common goal of uplift for African the woman’s suffrage movement, Burroughs for the federal government to work with banks Americans, supported the NACW. Burroughs’ became active in the National League of in providing affordable mortgage loans to involvement with the NACW helped launch a Republican Colored Women. Seeking to families. career of advocacy for black rights in partner- help black women earn more than poverty While African Americans in the years ship with the National Baptist Convention. wages, she became involved in the National following remained financially disadvantaged Association of Wage Earners. compared to whites, the legislation nonetheless WOMEN’S RIGHTS Woman’s suffrage was achieved in 1920. assisted many black families in acquiring their Increasing the earning power of black women own homes, thanks in part to Nannie Helen Following her father’s footsteps in ministry, proved to be an even greater challenge, of Burroughs. Nannie Helen Burrough’s first job was that which Burroughs nonetheless achieved notable of associate editor of the Christian Banner in successes through her school. Philadelphia in 1897. The South beckoned, ENDURING LEGACY Burroughs’ collective achievements led however, and she soon returned to her home Burroughs lived a long life of service and many of her contemporaries to compare region to take a position as a bookkeeper and advocacy, dying in 1961 in the early years of her to the venerable Booker T. Washington. editorial secretary for the Foreign Mission the civil rights movement, a movement made Meanwhile, Burrough’s broad advocacy of the Board of the National Baptist Convention possible in part due to her earlier, remark- rights of black women did not go unnoticed in in Louisville, Ky., a title she held until 1909. able accomplishments on behalf of African the halls of the nation’s capitol. During this time she took business classes and Americans. received an honorary degree from Louisville’s While Martin Luther King Jr. and other Eckstein-North University, a historically black ‘NEGRO HOUSING’ courageous black men and women capti- college. In the year following the stock market crash of vated the attention of the nation during the Burroughs quickly made an impression October 1929 that signaled the beginning of civil rights movement, Burroughs was not among National Baptists, advocating for the the Great Depression, U.S. President Herbert forgotten. In 1975 the nation’s capital set right of women to equally participate in the Hoover sought measures to shore up a plunging aside May 10 in her honor. “Nannie Helen missionary activity of the denomination. Her economy and reassure a worried public. Hoover, Burroughs Day” has been celebrated annually “How the Sisters are Hindered from Helping” after all, was up for re-election in 1932. in Washington, D.C. ever since. address at a denominational gathering led to With homelessness skyrocketing, one In 2009, 100 years after the founding the formation of the Woman’s Convention as an concern uppermost on the minds of many of Burroughs’ National Training School for auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention. Americans was that of home ownership. Women and Girls, the District of Columbia For more than 60 years Burroughs led the Thus on Aug. 30, 1930, President Hoover inaugurated an annual parade in her memory. organization in its efforts to raise money to announced a Conference on Home Building Each year the parade proceeds down Helen provide food, clothing, housing and education and Home Ownership to be held Dec. 2-5, Burroughs Avenue. for the poor. 1931. Marchers proceed past the school, Moving back to Washington, D.C., in In preparation for the conference, 25 which still stands and is a National Historic 1909, Burroughs brought her influence, expe- committees were created, of which a chairman Landmark. A local historian is on hand to dis- rience and passion to bear in the formation was chosen for each. Prominent businessmen, cuss Burroughs’ many contributions to the city of the National Training School for Women scholars and government officials occupied and beyond. and Girls. Focused on preparing black women most of the committee chairmanships, with The celebrations that continue to this day for employment, the school offered courses few women represented. One committee, that are a fitting tribute to a remarkable Baptist in subjects ranging from domestic science to of “Negro Housing,” was led by Nannie Helen leader who, through courage, conscience and secretarial skills to shoe repair to gardening, of Burroughs, by now a renowned black leader in bold action, enriched the lives of millions of which Burroughs taught many. the District of Columbia. disadvantaged persons and helped prepare a The school was distinctively Christian. The envisioning of the conference, in nation to embrace racial equality. BT

29 Editor’s note: This article in the series “Transitions: Helping churches and church leaders in changing times” is provided in partnership with the Center for Healthy Churches (healthy-churches.org). How ‘ill’ are you? By Bill Wilson

y grandmother often used a word to and the way we live? “ill” people surging through our churches is describe herself or other people. It Dallas Willard, theologian par excellence, a direct result of our failure to take seriously M was the word “ill.” suggests that we have made secondary the spiritual transformation into Christlikeness as She did not use it to describe someone inner transformation that Jesus made primary. the exclusive primary goal of a healthy local who was sick with a cold or the flu. She used it When we neglect the spiritual disciplines, our church. Such a priority would permeate our to describe an attitude, a demeanor or a spirit. surface spirituality melts away quickly when efforts at worship, evangelism, education, For example, if someone were rude or emotions get heated or issues become intense. age-group ministries, small groups, etc. Such a stern with her, she would describe them as Far too often, our inner self has been focus would fundamentally change many of us. being “ill.” If someone were sour or negative shaped and formed by the culture we live in Transformation is not optional for a and brought a wet blanket to every gathering, rather than the Christ we follow. Willard sug- Christ-follower. It is why we are here and she described them as “always being ill.” gests: “The greatest need what we are to be about. Re-forming our lives While not meaning that they were you and I have is the ren- from the inside out will surely change us and physically sick, she was accurately describing ovation of our heart. That reshape us in profound ways. another kind of sickness. This sickness is spiritual place within It might even make a difference in the spiritual and emotional. us from which outlook, way we conduct ourselves in a church business It is the dreaded disease characterized choices and actions come meeting when emotions are high and tensions by grouchiness, sullenness and negativity. has often been formed are up. If not, then we may need to admit that Unfortunately, it is a disease that is present in by a world away from we have managed to hear dozens, even hun- pandemic proportions in local congregations God. Now it must be dreds, of sermons, Bible studies, Sunday school today. transformed.” lessons and the like and have managed to not The “ill spirit” that pervades many I recently spent a very pleasant weekend take internally those teachings. churches is born of personal frustration, anxiety, with a group of Baptist deacons who wanted to Rather, what if we sought diligently to unmet expectations and general unhappiness. talk about transformation. We began by admit- personally cultivate a loving spirit that became It is often brought into the life of the church ting that most of us are a bit frightened by the a defining characteristic of our congregation? from the workplace, the media, the economic idea of transformation. (John 13:35) realities we live in, our dysfunctional families or We are more interested in slight modi- What if we took seriously the idea that our own personal emotional struggles. fications or subtle adjustments than genuine our transformation is why Jesus came and lived We show up at church “ill,” and at the transformation. among us? (John 10:10) first opportunity, we share our “illness” with After all, we are bright, intelligent, self- What if the fruit of the Spirit, rather than all those within reach. made men and women who tend to become being called “ill,” became the defining trait of I recently was in a congregational meet- self-absorbed and somewhat proud of our lives. each of us? (Gal. 5:22) ing that was punctuated with mean-spirited The last thing most of us want to be accused Such would be a church that would honor comments and actions. The entire evening had of is being a zealot or a religious fanatic. and not embarrass our Savior. BT an unpleasant feel to it. The trust level among Transformation sounds like more than we those present was so low that nothing was signed on for. —Bill Wilson is president of the taken at face value. I am convinced that the tidal wave of Center for Healthy Churches. Everything was subject to skepticism. In the end, the gathering was embarrassing. I walked away saddened and embarrassed that a people who call themselves Christian could treat one another in such brutal and unhealthy ways. As I left, I wondered how is it that some people are able to attend church for a lifetime, call themselves Christians, and yet so easily revert to being un-Christ-like in the way they treat others. How are we able to produce so many righteously mean Christians? How have we managed to create a theology that allows such disconnect between the one we claim to follow

30 The Lighter Side By Brett Younger How to give your testimony

The well-dressed man standing at as prominent. In each place of service I was with them to help them remember and live the respected by several people in the community. story. The best of our ancestors were not only the pulpit is sharing his testimony. The fourth largest seminary in Atlanta thought faithful to the story, but also added to its glory. The pastor, Brother Will B. Done, I should be shaping young minds, so now I’m Not many years ago, some people in one of the 14 finest professors at the McAfee Mississippi told the story to my grandparents sits behind him. School of Theology. who told it to my mother who claimed it as her Telling our story that way is fun, but there story, too. A college student in San Antonio he testifier shouts, “Brothers and sis- are a variety of ways to tell your story. You can told the story to my father, who decided that ters, I’m not the man I used to be! Yes, tell your story without it meaning anything. he wanted it to be his story. My parents and friends, I used to be a drunkard.” T One thing happens, then another, random those with whom they shared the story helped Will B. Done calls out, “Tell it brother.” occurrences without meaning. Sometimes we me slowly but surely understand that my life “And I used to be a gambler!” tell our story that way. has meaning in the light of God’s story. “Tell it brother!” I was born in South Dakota. I went to Several churches encouraged me to “And I used to carry on with women!” elementary and junior high in Mississippi and explore God’s gracious invitation to ministry. “Tell it brother!” high school in Ohio. I graduated from college. At seminary I met a most genuine Christian “And I used to dress my Doberman in Carol and I met in Louisville and got married. who worked at an inner city church. Carol’s ladies’ clothing.” I took a job in Indiana. Graham was born. mother and father had taught her Christ’s way “Ooooh … I wouldn’t tell that!” We moved to Kansas. Caleb was born. We of compassion. I was way behind and still am. Testimonies used to be a favorite part of moved to Waco, then Fort Worth, and now A church in Indiana welcomed us and worship, because someone might say some- Atlanta. That’s the story. cared for us through a painful miscarriage. thing juicy. When missionaries gave their All the facts are right, but it does not When Graham and Caleb were born, we rec- testimonies, they included oddities such as eat- mean anything. To see our lives as meaning- ognized that they were gifts of grace. We have ing scorpions and learning languages you have less happenstance or as the product of our own served delightful churches and a wonderful to spit. Evangelists had the best testimonies. labors means we have missed the point. seminary. Through those caring sisters and They dropped out of high school, went into This is my testimony: Way back in the brothers God has taught me. My story is all show business, were miraculously converted, beginning, God’s goodness erupted and created about God’s grace. My testimony and yours is and stopped sleeping around — “Hallelujah!” the heavens and the earth. God made people to the story of God loving us, through good and Testimonies have a long, checkered his- hear their stories. bad, helping us find hope in a story bigger tory. Some people tell their story as though it Two thousand years ago, my story took than our own. BT is an achievement. They consider themselves a dramatic turn in the story of Jesus. We see self-made. We are tempted to tell our sto- the heart of God broken and opened in front —Brett Younger is associate professor of ries as if we pulled ourselves up by our own of us in Jesus’ life and death. The people who preaching at Mercer University’s bootstraps. loved Jesus’ story discovered that the Spirit was McAfee School of Theology. For instance, I grew up in the turmoil of the Deep South in the 1960s and the hardships of the Rust Belt North in the 1970s. I chose Baylor, the world’s largest Baptist university, FROM Faith BOOKS a demanding school with a terrible football team. My parents wondered if I would have The Lighter Side is a collection of humorous, enough money to pay tuition — it was $45 a semester hour — but I took a grueling job in yet meaningful observations about life and the bookstore, worked as many as eight hours faith, including “Windshield Wiper Wisdom,” a week, and I made it. I moved to Louisville, “The Young and the Waistless, the Old and Kentucky, where I finished a master’s and a Ph.D. in only eight short years. I set my the Beautiful,” and “The Joy of Sox.” sights on a beautiful woman whose parents considered her way out of my league, but I Available as a digital download (ebook) or in print. persisted. I served as a pastor for 22 years in four churches that my mother would describe Order now at nurturingfaith.info

31 !"#$% &'( )*#"#! +% ,#*' )-.$/. Transformative experiences

just as an older generation steeped in hymnol- A conversation with ogy can be interested in the intimate personal nature of modern worship music. Worship is a transformative experience, and Scott Willis about people are discovering a variety of creative ways worship, music & more to express their love for and devotion to God. BT: You clearly care about “multi- generational corporate worship.” Why? URFREESBORO, Tenn. — Scott And how do you make that happen in an Willis has been playing guitar, writ- intentional way? ing songs and engaging in worship M SW: I believe that experiencing worship with leadership for a long time. In college he trav- people older and younger in the faith adds eled nationally with a musical group of Baptist richness and perspective and opens things up students called Intermission, sponsored by BT: Often worship music is discussed in to more variety. We have a good cross section National Student Ministries. divisive ways, particularly in terms of of ages in our “contemporary” service, and I After seminary graduation, he served as age and style. Yet not every person of the want to be inclusive with our music choices a campus minister in Georgia and Arkansas. same age prefers the same kinds of music. And many people find a variety of musical — from a familiar timeless hymn (sometimes Now Scott is a worship leader at First Baptist styles to enhance worship. Have you found re-imagined), to classic worship choruses, to Church of Murfreesboro, Tenn. that to be true? current worship songs. Recently, he launched worship150.com, an Planning also involves creating good flow SW: What concerns me is that people can online resource that offers songs to “enhance the with the music and smooth transitions into corporate and personal worship experience.” become territorial about different styles of other elements in the service. I am intentional Editor John Pierce talked with Scott about worship music. It’s not helpful, and it can be in involving all ages — from children to youth his decades of musical experience and what he hurtful to those who welcome variety. to adults — singing, ushering, reading sees happening today in corporate and personal I find that young people can readily scripture and leading in prayer. worship. embrace the style and liturgy of classic hymns BT: Will you share a bit about how you connect music to the sermon and the larger worship objective? That seems to be a mark of your worship planning experiences.

SW: I like to settle in with the scripture text and a summary of key points in the sermon. I’ll read commentary as well that helps stimu- late ideas for songs that tie into certain themes. It helps to be familiar with a large catalogue of songs, and online music worship resources are readily available. Sometimes I’m inspired to write a song to fit the theme. That adds a personal touch that hopefully will connect with others.

BT: As a songwriter, when you pick up your guitar, what’s usually on your mind?

SW: I am thinking about a song that will enhance a theme, topic or scripture text. I want the music to complement the lyric. A pleasing hook in the melody or rhym- ing pattern in the lyric always makes the song more accessible. If I am writing a song to be sung by the congregation, then I hope to keep it simple and “singable.”

32 BT: Tom Long, who teaches at Emory experiences on Sunday, be enhanced with University’s Candler School of Theology, music? has said that worship leaders tend to draw a vertical line that only allows for a partic- SW: Each of us should create some sacred ular style of music. He suggested drawing space for listening for God. Music can and a horizontal line with “good” above the should draw us to that sacred place. Anyone line and “bad” below, and that all styles can do this by playing recorded music or just deemed “good” are appropriate for wor- singing quietly. ship. Do you agree? Look for a “heart song” — a classic hymn, chorus or modern worship song that brings SW: I agree that it’s easy to become one- you into an experience with the Holy; centers dimensional when it comes to music style and you; defines and describes where you have been content. Getting feedback from the worship and where you are on your faith journey. band, ministers and the congregation can be a great help. BT: Why did you launch worship150.com? Recognizing sound theology is certainly What have been the results, even surprises a criterion. Just because a song is currently so far? And what are your hopes for this popular doesn’t mean it’s appropriate or usable. web site? I look for songs that say something familiar in a fresh new way. SW: Creating original music for worship has been a passion of mine for several years. I am BT: We all have our personal preferences offering this site as a resource for churches to about worship. Yet sometimes those supplement the songs they access from major preferences are equated with a sense of worship writers and artists. superiority. Doesn’t that contrast with the My songs are grouped according to theme very attitude needed for worship? or event. I also want individuals to discover songs that inspire and encourage them. SW: Whenever we approach God in worship, it The site was launched Feb. 26. I am requires genuine humility. Preferences are fine; pleased that this dream of mine has finally we all have them. But we should not try to taken off. It’s too early to determine specific dictate what defines authentic worship. results, yet I am hopeful that worship leaders If those preferences lead to the belief that will find useful song content and benefit from “my way is right and your way is wrong,” then insightful blog posts. it’s time to take a serious step back and allow I want folks to let me know how their “surrender” rather than “control” to become church has been blessed or how they have been the operative last word in worship. touched. My prayer is that all the work has BT: How can personal devotional expe- been for a purpose even beyond what I had riences, beyond corporate worship imagined. BT

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33 Contributing Editor BWA host: ‘Come over to Africa!’

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — When thou- Paul Msiza, a pastor from the South African capital Pretoria and former president of sands of Baptists gather in Durban, the All Africa Baptist Fellowship, will become South Africa for the 21st Baptist World president of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) at the end of the Congress. He will be the Congress, July 22-26, it will mark the second BWA president from Africa: William first such meeting ever held on the Tolbert of Liberia served from 1965-1970 and African continent. went on to become president of his country in 1971, holding that office until he was assassi- rganizers hope more than 4,000 nated in 1980. Baptists from around the world will Cultural interchange and colorful worship O gather for inspirational worship, highlight the BWA World Congress, which is music, workshops and fellowship. Advance held every five years in a different part of the registrations are lower than anticipated, how- globe. The last three meetings were held in ever, according to a report given to the BWA Australia (2000), the United Kingdom (2005) Executive Committee, which met March 2-4 in and the United States (2010). Smaller annual Falls Church. members and help prevent the spread of the gatherings are held in the intervening years. Emmett Dunn, who leads youth work virus. The Ebola crisis has passed, he said. Speakers, choral groups, soloists and and conference organization for the BWA, said African Baptists are looking forward to workshop leaders for the upcoming Congress slow registrations were due in part to ongo- hosting the meeting, Ayanronola said with a will represent each of the six geographi- ing fears of the Ebola virus — even though smile: “They are already cooking for you, and cal regions of the BWA. Keynote speakers Durban, in the southeastern corner of the con- the aromas are delightful.” He urged members will include Joel Gregory of North America, tinent, is thousands of miles from where the of the Executive Committee to allay fears in Anthony Carroll of the Caribbean, Donald now-abating outbreak occurred in West Africa. their home countries and encourage persons to Ndichafah of Africa, Dimitrina Oprenova Duro Ayanrinola, general secretary of the attend the historic Congress. of Europe, Peter Chen from the Asia Pacific All Africa Baptist Fellowship, told the BWA “You are not guests in Africa, but fam- region, and Luiz Roberto Silvado from Latin Executive Committee March 4 that poten- ily,” he said. “Come over to Africa,” he urged, America. tial visitors should have no fear. Ayanrinola, to have fellowship with brothers and sisters. Information about the Congress, includ- who lives in Nigeria, outlined ways in which “Come over to Africa,” he concluded, “and ing a link for registration, can be found at Baptist groups have worked to educate church praise the living God!” bwanet.org/congress. BT Rwandan Baptist to receive Human Rights Award orneille Gato Munyamasoko, gen- When the Rwandan genocide of 1994 young, he promoted peace and reconcilia- eral secretary of the Association of spilled over into the DRC, with Hutu invad- tion clubs in secondary schools, and later C Baptist Churches in Rwanda, will ers killing Tutsi residents, Munyamasoko launched a movement of “peace camps” receive the BWA Congress Human Rights moved his family to Rwanda in hopes of that help young adults from different eth- Award in July, following action by the BWA helping to rebuild his native country. nic backgrounds come to terms with the Executive Committee meeting in Falls Working as a principal in a Baptist violence they had witnessed and to gain a Church on March 4. high school near the Rwanda-DRC border, greater appreciation for one another. Munyamasoko was lauded by the award Munyamasoko witnessed many atrocities, Munyamasoko has also worked with committee for having dedicated his life to including the murders of the entire student church leaders in the DRC and Kenya to Christian ministries, to promoting peace and body of a nearby boarding school. He and his promote peace and reconciliation, the com- reconciliation, and to combating the stigma wife, Anne-Marie, took in children orphaned mittee said, and has tackled other social associated with HIV and AIDS. by the genocide to be raised as their own. concerns, as well. Munyamasoko was born in Zaire, Later elected as deputy general secretary Aware of a strong stigma in the churches now the Democratic Republic of the of the Association of Evangelical Baptists of against persons suffering from HIV and AIDS, Congo (DRC), where his parents fled fol- Rwanda, Munyamasoko oversaw 51 schools he began training pastors to become role mod- lowing an outbreak of ethnic violence in and regional churches in addition to serving els in caring for people with HIV and AIDS. Rwanda in 1959. As a teacher in the DRC, as pastor of a local church. The result, Munyamasoko told the committee, Munyamasoko worked to help Rwandans Believing that the country’s future is that the stigmatization “is no longer an issue and Congolese overcome ethnic differences. depended on changing attitudes among the in our congregations.” BT

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THE FINAL ARTICLE; NEXT, THE BOOK EDITOR’S NOTE: For more than four years we have followed the month-by-month summaries of Baptist engagement in and interpretations this well-researched and insightful material in book form. Sponsors will have their names in the book and receive a signed copy. The $100 sponsorship, minus the cost of the book, is a charitable gift. Make your contribution online at baptiststoday.org/donate or mail to Baptists Today,

AND THE AMERICAN

Like a towering, thundering wave 150 years ago have been dreaming a horrid dream for four " years, and now the nightmare is gone. I want crashing upon the shore, the army to see Richmond.” April 1865 Union troops march into the city to the cheers of blacks who were slaves just hours breaks through the Confederate lines earlier. The sight of black troops brings joyous at Petersburg on the morning of the tears to the eyes of many. second day of the month, a Sunday. The arrival of Lincoln on April 4, however, elicits the greatest response of all. Instantly rec- t is the moment the North has long ognizing the president, former slaves greet the awaited, and the moment long dreaded man who is widely viewed as their Moses. I by Confederate officials. Having rolled up Adm. David D. Porter, accompanying Rebel defenses, the road to Richmond is open. Lincoln, describes the scene: “As far as the eye Within hours a telegram is delivered to could see, the streets were alive with negroes Confederate president Jefferson Davis, who is and poor whites rushing in our direction…. attending a Sunday morning church service. They all wanted to shake hands with Mr. The message is from the commander of the Lincoln or [touch] his coat tail or even to kneel South’s armies, Gen. Robert E. Lee: “I advise down and kiss his boots!” that all preparation be made for leaving With Richmond fallen, Lee surrenders to Richmond tonight.” Grant on April 9 at Appomattox, Va. Although Jumping up, Davis rushes to his office and some Confederate forces remain afield and instructs officials to destroy government docu- Jefferson Davis is not captured until weeks ments and then leave town. Stacks of papers Jefferson Davis later, the war is effectively over. are hauled outside and set ablaze. The rebellious states have been defeated, Startled observers see the flames. As the Confederate officials’ insistence that there was the Union preserved. Four long, agonizing smoke drifts skyward, rumors begin swirling a shortage of food. years and more than 600,000 deaths have been around town. Something is wrong. Has the An enraged crowd quickly forms and required to fulfill the promises of 1776 that fighting at Petersburg been renewed? begins looting at will. Amid the looting, sol- bound the original colonies together. At four o’clock in the afternoon the depar- diers set fire to tobacco and cotton bales. The “All men are created equal,” the “unani- ture of the Confederate government is formally flames mingle with those from piles of govern- mous Declaration of the 13 united States announced. Mayhem immediately ensues. ment documents yet burning. of America” had boldly decreed back then. From late afternoon through the night, The wind picks up, spreading the flames “Liberty” is an inherent “right.” And “when- Richmond’s white elites stream out of town. to the business district. Loaded shells at the ever any Form of Government becomes On horseback, in train cars and carriages and ironworks go off, then the arsenals aboard destructive of these ends, it is the Right skiffs and boats, or pulling carts, they take docked warships explode with such force that of the People to alter or to abolish it,” the what they can. windows are shattered for a radius of two Declaration had trumpeted. During the night, Confederate soldiers miles. The southern states had denied these very work quickly to destroy the stocks of tobacco, The morning of April 3 dawns on a city words of the nation’s founders, insisting that cotton and food stored in warehouses. When devastated, and devoid of most of its lead- liberty belonged to whites only. For almost local poor whites see the massive quantities of ing white citizens. U.S. President Abraham a century southern white elites had enriched food being brought out of secret storage, they Lincoln is notified. themselves off of slave labor, preaching white react with disbelief, having for many months “Thank God,” the president responds. solidarity while leaving crumbs to common lived on the edge of starvation because of “I have lived to see this! It seems to me that I white folk and censuring dissenting voices.

36 military, trade their soldier uniforms for cleri- cal garments. Collectively, black Baptists begin establishing denominational structures to help in the tasks of missions, education and uplift of the black race. Many northern Baptists, black and white alike, provide assistance. White southerners confront a land destroyed and a society, culture and economy devoid of slave labor. Southern Baptists face the daunting prospects of rebuilding their churches and denomination, eventually emerg- ing organizationally stronger than ever. Southern ideologues, meanwhile, set about turning defeat into victory. Unwilling to concede that the South was in the wrong in going to war with the North, they create a narrative of righteousness. Southern Baptist leaders such as John William Jones, well-known Confederate chap- Architect of the Capitol lain and denominational administrator, play prominent roles in this task. Ignoring the his- torical records of the Confederacy that clearly Many Baptist elites in the South had dead. Might their newfound freedom somehow portrayed the South as going to war to pre- joined the chorus, sanctifying black slavery be snatched away? serve black slavery, Jones and other southern with a literal interpretation of the Bible while Nonetheless, celebrations of freedom are apologists create a “Lost Cause” mythology, condemning evil northerners, including held in many black Baptist churches. Former recasting the war as a noble and moral fight for Baptists, who insisted that God willed slaves praise God and Lincoln’s Republican states rights and southern traditions. freedom for all people. Party. At an April 23 gathering at the State While the godless North won the war due The South had gone to war with the Street Baptist Church in Mobile, Ala., the to military dominance, the superior southern North for the stated purpose of preserving packed crowd of former slaves sings: way of life had not been conquered. Quietly set black slavery. But God’s hand ultimately found aside in public discourse is the fact that “states expression in northern military might, bestow- Free workmen in the cotton-field, rights” and the “traditional” southern “way of ing freedom to all and thus completing the And in the sugar cane; life” were shorthand for black slavery. The new American Revolution — or so many northern- Free children in the common school, narrative thus preserves white supremacy while ers believe as celebrations erupt throughout the With nevermore a chain. downplaying slavery. North. Then rally, Black Republicans — Nonetheless, many remain convinced that As joyful as are the northerners, the bitter- Aye, rally! We are free! God yet wills that the black race be subservient ness and despair of many white southerners is We‘ve waited long to the white. Some openly voice such senti- every bit as visceral. An actor and Confederate To sing the song — ments. In the 1890s Southern Baptists support sympathizer named John Wilkes Booth, hate- The song of liberty efforts to take freedoms away from blacks, ful of Lincoln as have been many southerners including the implementation of apartheid during the war, seeks revenge. The immediate post-war years are full of laws and the suppression of black votes. On April 14, five days after Lee’s surren- promise and hope for black citizens in the The end of the war, it turns out, is any- der, Booth assassinates the president, shocking South and North. The 13th Amendment for- thing but. Not only are blacks in the post-war the world. Seemingly no one is left untouched mally ends slavery in December 1865, while South gradually stripped of many of the by the murder. the 14th and 15th amendments in the years freedoms to which they are legally entitled as Northerners are outraged and deeply following extend legal protections to blacks American citizens, but racism remains all too saddened. In the days and weeks following and decree that suffrage cannot be predicated real in the post-war North. the killing, from many Baptist pulpits in the on the basis of race. The Civil War was thus a second revolu- North, black and white alike, flow tributes En masse in the South, black Baptists tion, but an incomplete one. Legislatively, full to Lincoln for his sacrificial commitment to leave white churches and form hundreds, then freedom and equality for black citizens will not freedom. On the other hand, many white thousands, of autonomous congregations. Some come until the passing of another 100 years. BT southerners believe Lincoln got what he individuals, such as South Carolinian and war deserved. Others, especially the poor, mourn. hero Robert Smalls, become political leaders in —Bruce Gourley is executive director of the Blacks everywhere are shocked, while state houses and in Washington, D.C. Baptist History and Heritage Society and online many are fearful. God’s agent, their deliverer, is Others, having served in the Union editor / contributing writer for Baptists Today.

37 Fayetteville Observer Beliefs into Action The night Dean Smith broke the rules on race in Chapel Hill

ames Forbes was at a conference of pas- Ask Forbes about the night when he, of Churches called the Student Interracial tors on Sunday, Feb. 8, in Virginia when Seymour and Smith went to The Pines, Ministries. J he got a call from his brother. “Have you an upscale Chapel Hill restaurant that was “They would place black pastors in white heard the news?” his brother asked. staunchly segregated, and he’ll tell you about congregations and white pastors in black Dean Smith, the revered former basketball Binkley Baptist. congregations to at least begin to overcome coach at the University of North Carolina, had In 1962, Forbes, who was born in Burgaw separation and to make it possible to recognize died. in eastern North Carolina, had just graduated that our faith makes us one,” Forbes said. In the days since, Forbes has heard all the from New York’s Union Theological Seminary Seymour invited Forbes to Binkley and tributes. He’s seen the remembrances of Smith’s but didn’t have a job lined up. So he took part Chapel Hill. on-court success and off-court courage. in a program run by the National Council The Chapel Hill that Forbes found was far “Listening to all the words people have been saying about what a special human being he was, I’ve just been saying ‘Amen!’” Forbes said. “Yes, that’s just the kind of man he was.” While Forbes, the senior minister emeritus at New York’s Riverside Church, didn’t have the same close, decades-long relationship with Smith as many of the people who remembered the coach recently, he did play a role in a central piece of Smith’s legacy. As a young black pastor, spending the sum- mer of 1962 on the staff of Chapel Hill’s Olin T. Binkley Baptist Church, Forbes was part of the most famous meal in the town’s history. The dinner he shared with Smith and the pastor at Binkley Baptist, Robert Seymour, at The Pines restaurant helped kickstart the town’s path to integration. It’s a story that has been retold recently as evidence that Smith turned his beliefs into action in a way that almost overshadows what he did as a coach. When Forbes first met a then 33-year-old Smith, who had just finished his first season as the Tar Heels’ head coach and was on the church’s deacon board, he quickly grasped the innate decency that has been referenced often in the wake of his death. “You see, black people sort of understand when people are trying to bend over back- wards to be accepting versus the times when we encounter people for whom it is natural,” Forbes said. “... You can sense it. You can smell it. You can feel it. In his case, there was no straining to have to be open and accepting… The comfort level, the genuineness, what I’d call - the unfeigned sense of friendship, that’s what you found in Dean Smith.”

38 from the tolerant place it has become. Forbes The story is that Seymour first approached Church, a diverse and influential parish on remembers leaving a church service and walking Smith with the idea of the three trying to get a Manhattan’s upper west side. uptown to restaurants with parishioners only to table there. With Smith’s stature in the town, Along the way, he never stopped advocat- get turned away. He recalls afternoons when he the owners wouldn’t dare turn him away. ing for change. would umpire youth baseball games and hear In his 1999 autobiography, Smith described He also never lost touch with Seymour. The racial epithets shouted after unpopular calls. the meal as uneventful, saying the only hiccup now-retired pastor officiated Forbes’ wedding in Once, when he visited the hospital after was a slight delay in finding the trio a table. Wilmington and, just last summer, traveled to one of Binkley Baptist’s white parishioners had When asked once more for his memories of New York to speak to his congregation. given birth, he was greeted by a that night, Forbes paused. You Forbes didn’t stay in as close contact with nurse at the door to the maternity see, he explained, he has none. Smith. As the coach built the Tar Heels pro- ward. She was certain he was on “In those days, part of gram into a powerhouse, Forbes was content to the wrong floor. Black babies, she the way you survived was to watch from afar. told him, were somewhere else. anesthetize yourself to the “My contact with him was, every time I While Chapel Hill still indignities that would come saw him on the floor, to say ‘I know that man,’” had its racial barriers, Binkley quite frequently,” Forbes Forbes said. did not. said. “Should you have lived Very quickly after Forbes arrived in Chapel “The extraordinary open- with exposed nerves to all the Hill in the summer of 1962, Seymour decided ness of the people at Olin T. slights and slings and arrows, to take a vacation. So for a few weeks, Forbes Binkley Baptist Church made you might have become a was left in charge. all the difference and indicated kind of basket case. But black He said it was an important time for him what I learned for many years, people learned how to live as as he was still learning how to run a parish. and that is you cannot put all the if the pattern was a temporary In the decades since, his brief period at the people from any ethnic group arrangement based on faulty helm of Binkley Baptist has taken on an addi- in the same basket,” Forbes said. understanding, that in the tional meaning, one that he said continues to be “That is true for black people. That is true for course of time, it would be better. a source of pride. white people. I was glad to have an experience “You don’t always sit around nursing these “I could really say ‘I was Dean Smith’s pas- that confirmed that philosophy of life.” things. So I suspect if I were in hypnosis, some- tor,’” Forbes said. “That’s a real distinction.’” BT Ask Forbes again about the night he dined body could help me to remember a whole lot of at The Pines and he’ll tell you about Seymour. things that I chose not to be as fully aware of or —Stephen Schramm is a staff writer In his three decades as Binkley’s pastor, not to remember.” for The Fayetteville Observer in Fayetteville, Seymour was an unwavering progressive voice. For those who learned well after the fact N.C., where this story first appeared. He spoke out against the Vietnam War and the about the nation’s struggle to move past Jim It is reprinted with permission. death penalty and advocated for tolerance and Crow, it can be too easy to confine it to the pages helping the poor. In the early 1960s, he took of books or discussions in history class. One can aim at Chapel Hill’s oppressive racial climate. lose sight of the fact that the fight was waged by He had an ally in Smith, who had been real people who had to endure it in living color. taking similar stands since helping to integrate What in hindsight reads like a triumphant his high school basketball team in Kansas. march toward progress was in fact earned one This led to a belief among the Binkley awful, degrading, fearful moment at a time. congregation that the racial status quo must be “You could either choose, as some people challenged. do, to dwell on [your] scars, or you can celebrate “We must attempt to do what we pray the healing that comes amidst the assaults and about,” Forbes said. “We prayed ‘Thy will be bruises and unjust arrangements,” Forbes said. done on earth as it is in heaven.’ They were fully “I guess we could actually enjoy having many aware of the racial difficulties and continued black people who have managed to survive.” prejudices. But the pattern was, let us model For Forbes, the details of that night at The what we believe the way society ought to be, Pines aren’t important. More than a half century fully aware that not everybody was up to it and later, the only thing that matters is that he was “Seeking Justice: there would be an emotional and psychological there. Baptists, Nashville, and Civil Rights” lag. So what we were going to do, while I was So was Seymour. there, was let us act as naturally as we would And so was Smith. APRIL 20-22, 2015 wish to be. And if we encounter negativity, then Forbes’ time in Chapel Hill was brief. After we will deal with that.” the summer ended, he went on to serve at the American Baptist College The dinner at The Pines was part of this Holy Trinity Church in Wilmington. N.C. First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill push. The restaurant was one of the fanciest in Later, he preached at a church in Nashville, Tennessee Chapel Hill. Richmond, Va., and went back to Union Smith’s teams dined there often. All of the Theological Seminary to teach. In 1989, he Information: http://www.baptisthistory.org/ patrons were white. became the first black minister at Riverside bhhs/conferences/2015conference.html

39 Reblog

Selections from recent blogs at baptiststoday.org ‘Caving into culture’ often needed

By John Pierce most every societal shift including women’s One doesn’t have to dig too deeply to rights, dancing, interracial relationships, blue know that more-conservative Christianity has henever a hot-button issue arises laws, slavery and many others. consistently come down on the wrong side of within the larger society, as well as The charge in each situation is: You cave one social issue after another related to equal- Wwithin church life, there are those into modern culture while I remain true to the ity and human rights. And, in each case, the who charge proponents of social change with unchanging Bible. go-to argument was one of staying true to the abandoning the Bible and caving into culture. Within that charge is the arrogant assump- Bible while the less faithful were “caving into One does not have to be an indefatigable tion that one’s long-held social position could not culture.” historian to find ready examples about all kinds have been influenced by earlier cultural norms That reality does not mean that every new of shifts that faced such criticism and opposi- that shaped what one claims to be biblical. issue that arises should be embraced without tion — from Sunday recreation to racial and To strengthen that position, the charge questioning or even appropriate opposition gender equality — voiced by leading Christian of apostasy (as well as failed patriotism) is first where one’s conviction lies. But it should cause figures at the time. employed. The 19th-century Presbyterian min- a sense of humility and caution that doesn’t Southern Baptist Convention president ister and writer James H. Thornwell of South quickly dismiss those with a different perspec- Ronnie Floyd recently took up that charge Carolina took such an approach in defense of tive as unbelievers. regarding the fast-moving political embrace African slavery. Indeed, following Jesus is counter- of marriage equality, according to Baptist He labeled supporters of abolition as cultural. However, what many assume to be Press. “Even religious leaders are caving in to “atheists, socialists, communists [and] red a “biblical worldview” or “Christian culture” the shifting sands of cultural change …,” the republicans,” according to Christianity Today. often misses the very essence of Jesus’ words Arkansas pastor is quoted as saying. Then his argument of holding the one true and deeds. While it is possible to make a biblical case biblical position followed. And, as a result, history and the Bible for most sides of any debate, this familiar way Because of such historical evidence, much have often been found on the side of those who of standing in opposition to social change is caution about labeling others as failed disciples at the time were deemed heretics who caved in. riddled with problems. who cave into culture should rest with conser- On any side of any debate, however, cau- Chiefly, it has been the common refrain vative evangelical Christians. The track record tion is always needed before claiming that one’s used by defenders of the status quo through is simply not good. own perspective is assuredly shared by God.BT

Are they really working?

By Tony W. Cartledge A friend who’s interested in doing a social is mainly for networking, but I’m aware that media campaign recently pointed me to an one popular use is for job hunting or prospect- y students are allowed to use laptop “infographic” (we used to call them charts) ing for possibilities. computers in class because I want about peak times for social media use — and Perhaps managers should worry that so Mthem to take good notes, and most they mostly come during business or school many employees are checking out the site dur- people can type faster and more legibly than hours. ing lunch break and at the end of the workday they can write by hand. But I often ramble If the chart is correct, the highest number — but, then, maybe the managers are doing around the room to make sure they have a of click-throughs on Facebook occurs between the same thing. word processor open, rather than Facebook. 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays, with the peak Fewer people than you might expect are Workplace managers might want to look time being at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays. Hump cruising social media at night: the worst time over a few shoulders, too. Apparently, many day is actually marked by a hump on the graph. for Facebook is after 8 p.m. on weekends. folks who sit behind a computer are checking If you want people to read your tweets, Twitter calms down after 8 p.m. every night, out more than the price of pork bellies or the the most popular Twitter time is between 1 and LinkedIn hits the skids after 10 p.m. status of the latest contract. I suppose that p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday. The take-home, apparently, is that if you should not come as a surprise. The business-related site LinkedIn is want more people to see the latest cute picture Of course, students and others who have most popular Tuesday through Thursday, with or charming insight you have to share, post it smart phones can do the same thing beneath peak times being at noon and between 1 p.m. during a workday afternoon. the desk without the need of a computer. and 6 p.m. My understanding is that LinkedIn Here’s to productivity! BT

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Phone ______Email______Thank you for Signed ______Date______your support! Religion News Service Online mapping: Atlas ‘heat-maps’ views on abortion, gay marriage, immigration

ASHINGTON — Anyone from SAME-SEX MARRIAGE politicians to scholars to the simply Percent who favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally W curious can now see just how deeply the nation is divided on abortion or same-sex marriage — and discover there’s significant consensus on immigration — with a new online mapping tool. The latest edition of the American Values Atlas, released in late February, allows users to “heat-map” views on those issues across all 50 states and 30 metropolitan areas to see where attitudes blow hot or cold. The Public Religion Research Institute launched the atlas last year featuring political and religious affiliation and demographic data such as age, race and ethnicity. With the new data on abortion, gay mar- riage and immigration, users can see that “Americans are all over the map” on the hot social questions of the day, said Robert P. Jones, CEO of PRRI. To give a sense of the partisanship on issues, Jones looked at the degrees of difference. Source: PRRI, American Values Atlas, 2014 | ava.publicreligion.org Across the U.S., there’s a 43-point spread between the state where the most residents amid an acrimonious legal and financing debate political and social viewpoints state by state, but “favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to be in Congress and Pope Francis’ frequent calls for the profile feature is not yet available by cities. able to marry legally” (New Hampshire, at 75 people to welcome the stranger. However, on the views toward immigrants, percent) and states where the fewest percentage The atlas shows that more than 62 percent one city on the pope’s tour revealed some nega- of people agree (Alabama and Mississippi, each of people in the cities on the pontiff’s itiner- tive views. One in three Philadelphians surveyed at 32 percent). In Massachusetts support is at ary favor offering immigrants who are in this (35 percent) said illegal immigrants are “a bur- 73 percent. country illegally a path to citizenship (with den on our country because they take our jobs, On whether abortion should be legal in all requirements). More than 17 percent would housing and health care.” or most cases, the gap stretches 36 percentage offer permanent residency but not citizenship. Because the data were drawn from a large points; it’s highest in New Hampshire (73 per- Nineteen percent want to see these immigrants sample — 50,000 interviews, conducted in cent) and lowest in Wyoming (37 percent). identified and deported. 2014 by landlines and cellphones — users can The atlas also maps a second question on “All the states are in majority territory” on search demographic data both by large religious abortion: whether “at least some health care offering a path to citizenship, Jones said. The traditions (and those with no religious brand) professionals in your community should provide nationwide gap on immigration is also smaller and by subgroups. legal abortions.” — just a 14-point spread between Delaware (66 That means it’s possible to see locations According to the atlas, in all three cit- percent) and Wyoming (52 percent). and demographic distinctions among Hispanic ies that Pope Francis is scheduled to visit in PRRI also asked a second question, mea- Catholics, white non-Hispanic Catholic and September — Philadelphia, New York and suring people’s view of immigrants. Again, other Catholics, including other ethnic groups. Washington — more than 60 percent say that attitudes were chiefly positive. It also means religious minorities such abortion should be legal in all or most cases and Politicians headed for the Iowa caucuses as Jews, Muslims, Mormons, Hindus and that at least some health care professionals in and the 2016 presidential race might want Buddhists are represented. Even Unitarian their cities should offer it. More than 60 percent to take heed: In Iowa, 57 percent agree that Universalists — fewer than 1 percent of all also favor legalizing same-sex marriage. “immigrants strengthen our nation.” Americans — can be searched if you want to However, Jones said, there is also “surpris- Atlas users can find out everything Iowans know, for example, that New Hampshire is the ing consensus” on immigration. The issue is think by using the atlas state profile feature, only state where they reach 2 percent of the timely, given President Obama’s push for reform which offers demographic, religious and population. BT

42 Religion News Service Who’s watching all that Christian media?

ll the preaching, teaching, music and of 1,009. The margin of error on the Internet entertainment beamed by Christian portion of the results is plus or minus 2.9 A TV and radio is primarily consumed percentage points; on the phone portion, plus by evangelicals and weekly churchgoers — or minus 3.1 percentage points. the folks most often found in the pews. Among the phone survey highlights: Meanwhile, 2 in 3 Americans are tuned out, a new survey finds. watch Christian-based programming on But Ed Stetzer, executive director of television. Those who do watch at least LifeWay Research, which released the data Feb. sometimes are overwhelmingly self-identified 25, sees good news in the numbers evangelicals (69 percent) and weekly church- “Most people would be surprised that 1 goers (62 percent). in 3 of their neighbors is watching Christian TV. Do 1 in 3 watch the nightly news? I don’t worship service, they may still be people of radio. Those who do are similar to the think so. It’s an overlooked segment of society faith. For some people, Christian media is their Christian TV crowd — 67 percent are evan- that is larger than most people think,” he said. church,” he said. gelicals and 57 percent are weekly churchgoers. A look at online use found that 1 in 4 Among those few who said they turn to Americans say they watch or listen to Christian Christian media sometimes, many said they only listen to Christian-themed podcasts. Books programming every week on their computer, tuned in on religious holidays. That may be good and movies fared slightly better: 33 percent phone or tablet. news for NBC, which has timed the release of its said they at least sometimes read Christian- Fewer than 3 in 10 unchurched people A.D. miniseries — sequel to Mark Burnett and based books. And 40 percent report seeing a — people who don’t attend worship services — Roma Downey’s series The Bible — for Easter. Christian movie in the last year. are in the Christian media audience, yet Stetzer The National Religious Broadcasters Stetzer found it “fascinating” that 14 per- still strikes a positive note. sponsored the research based on an online cent of people are using podcasts, “a medium “Even if they rarely or never attend a survey of 2,252 U.S. adults and a phone survey that didn’t exist 10 years ago.” BT A new release FROM Faith BOOKS

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43

Adventure and Inspiration

NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCE: MONTANA Historic Belton Chalet, West Glacier JULY 13-18

Leader: Ken Mottram, a hospital chaplain and experienced guide with deep knowledge of the Glacier region and 29 years of exploration

Hosts: Editors John Pierce and Bruce Gourley, who will offer a photography workshop

his Nurturing Faith Experience offers a unique opportunity to enjoy classic Western hospitality (beltonchalet.com) and some T of nature’s most remarkable beauty with a personal touch. From airport arrival to departure, our group will be well hosted by local friends who will provide opportunities for shared experiences as well as optional recreational activities.

While the itinerary is still being developed, Monday and Friday nights will be spent in Bozeman with a welcome dinner at the Montana Ale to Bozeman, Mont., arriving by 3 p.m. on July 13, with departures House and a get-acquainted session. The other three nights will be at anytime on or after July 18. (Add $250 to guarantee a private room the highly praised Belton Chalet where nightly sessions will be casual throughout the stay.) but informative. Daytime tours and optional recreational activities will fill the daylight hours. TO SECURE A SPOT, please send a deposit of $400/person to Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318 or call COST $1,850/PERSON includes all personalized ground transporta- (478) 301-5655 to pay by credit card or register online at baptiststoday. tion and tours, lunch and dinner daily, a cowboy cookout, boat ride org. Deposit is refundable until May 1. Balance of payment is due and group sessions. Participants are responsible for their own airfare on June 1. Questions? Email [email protected].

LOOKING AHEAD: NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCE: COASTAL GEORGIA SEPT. 28 – OCT. 2 With theologian John Franke, author of Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth FA TH Registration details to follow. EXPERIENCES 2015