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APRIL 2011 | Vol. 29, No. 4 | baptiststoday.org
Uniting a collective Christian voice A CONVERSATION WITH David Beckmann of BREAD FOR THE WORLD page 4
The state of religion according to Google page 13
JOSEPH LOWERY: ‘OUR WORK IS NEVER DONE’ page 26 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 2 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 3
John D. Pierce BAPTISTS TODAY APRIL 2011 | Vol. 29 No. 4 Executive Editor [email protected] Jackie B. Riley “To serve churches by providing a reliable source of unrestricted news coverage, thoughtful analysis, Managing Editor helpful resources and inspiring features focusing on issues of importance to Baptist Christians.” [email protected] Julie Steele Chief Operations Officer [email protected] PERSPECTIVES Tony W. Cartledge Contributing Editor > A better way than escalating the politics of marriage ...... 9 [email protected] By John Pierce Bruce T. Gourley An autonomous national Online Editor [email protected] > Godsey’s new book focused on moral quality ...... 14 Baptist news journal By Fisher Humphreys Vickie Frayne Art Director Jannie Lister Constructive approaches Office Assistant IN THE NEWS Bob Freeman, Kim Hovis to calling a minister > National debt new hot issue for evangelicals...... 12 Marketing/Development Associates By Jack Causey Walker Knight Jack U. Harwell Publisher Emeritus Editor Emeritus > The state of religion according to Google ...... 13 10 Board of Directors By Bruce Gourley Gary F. Eubanks, Marietta, Ga. (chairman) Kelly L. Belcher, Spartanburg, S.C. > Georgia pastor Bill Self announces succession ...... 23 (vice chair) Reflections on the first plan to congregation Z. Allen Abbott, Peachtree City, Ga. CBF General Assembly Jimmy R. Allen, Big Canoe, Ga. By John Pierce Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. By John Finley Thomas E. Boland, Alpharetta, Ga. Huey Bridgman, Columbus, Ga. > In memoriam: Peter Gomes, Harvard minister; ...... 24 16 Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. Evelyn Stagg, trailblazer for Southern Baptist women; Robert Cates, Rome, Ga. Oeita Bottorff, key organizer of CBF Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. > Rumblings of gay acceptance on evangelical campuses ...... 25 David Currie, San Angelo, Texas James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. > Blacks bristle at notion of ‘slave of Christ’ ...... 27 R. Kirby Godsey, Macon, Ga. Ben Gross, Chattanooga, Tenn. Leslie D. Hill, Lexington, Ky. > Global Baptists observe International ...... 30 Michael M. Massar, Tyler, Texas Women’s Day for 100th time J. Thomas McAfee, Macon, Ga. Michael G. Queen, Wilmington, N.C. Lee Royal, Greensboro, N.C. > LifeWay backs off warning label on some books ...... 38 Mary Etta Sanders, Dalton, Ga. Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. Macon Sheppard, Folly Beach, S.C. > Living Leviticus: Isn’t just reading it hard enough? ...... 38 Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. Charlotte Cook Smith, Raleigh, N.C. > Expanded, newly designed Baptists Today ...... 39 College presidents talk David M. Smith, Houston, Texas coming in June Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. about the state of higher David Turner, Richmond, Va. education: Part two Clement H. White, St. Petersburg, Fla. FEATURES Winnie V. Williams, Seneca, S.C. By John Pierce > Reflections from civil rights leader Joseph Lowery ...... 26 Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) 32 is published monthly by: Baptists Today > Baptists and the Civil War: April 1861...... 31 P.O. Box 6318 By Bruce Gourley Cover photo by Laura Macon, GA 31208-6318 Elizabeth Pohl. Subscription rates: Bread for the World president 1 year, $20 2 years, $35 > More Baptist women in N.C. serving well in pastoral roles....36 1 year groups of 25 or more, $18 By Tony W. Cartledge David Beckmann believes God 1 year groups of less than 25, $20 is calling Christians to change 1 year Canada, $35 the politics of hunger and 1 year foreign, $50 poverty. Story on page 4 Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing offices IN EVERY ISSUE POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Quotation Remarks 8 In the Know 22 Baptists Today P.O. Box 6318 Editorial 9 Classifieds 23 Macon, GA 31208-6318 (478) 301-5655 Media Shelf 14 Lighter Side 28 1-877-752-5658 www.baptiststoday.org Readers’ Responses 18 Reblog 29 © 2011 Baptists Today. All rights reserved. Bible Studies 19 April 2011 • Baptists Today | 3 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 4
FEATURE BY JOHN PIERCE
A conversation with A collective David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World Christian voice
BT: First, congratulations on winning DB: That’s a great question — and a funny world have recognized hunger and poverty as the 2010 World Food Prize. In what one too. Bread for the World is a collective inseparable for some time now. Despite ways will that award assist the efforts Christian voice urging our nation’s decision decades of progress, a sudden spike in global of Bread for the World? makers to end hunger at home and abroad. food prices in 2007-2008 and the onset of a We are an advocacy organization, not a worldwide economic downturn plunged mil- DB: Well, thank you. The World Food Prize charity and definitely not a global bakery. We lions of families back into hunger and poverty. was a great reward for Bread for the World know that any effort to alleviate hunger is In 2010, an estimated 925 million people were members because it recognized all that they — commendable and helpful, but if we are seri- suffering from chronic hunger. along with churches across the country — ous about ending hunger, our efforts must In the United States, hunger is certainly have done to get our government to help end include getting govern- not caused by a scarcity of food. There is more hunger in our country and around the world. ment to do its part. than enough food to feed everyone, and unlike U.S. funding for poverty-focused development That’s what differentiates many developing nations, we have the infra- assistance has tripled over the last decade; Bread for the World from structure in place to deliver it. nutrition programs for hungry people in this other nonprofits. There is a network of interstate highways country have more than doubled. and a trucking industry ready to move moun- This would not have happened without BT: Many may tains of food daily wherever it needs to go. the advocacy of members and local congrega- assume that world And the supermarket shelves are stocked to the tions of Bread for the World. I hope the World hunger is a simple David Beckmann ceiling. But none of this matters if customers Food Prize will encourage more people to get math problem: the have no money to spend on the food that is involved in changing the politics of hunger. result of too little food and too many available. Again, poverty plays a major role. people. But what are the real causes? BT: Just by its name, Bread for the BT: You sound very hopeful about World might cause the unfamiliar to DB: Quite simply, hunger is sure to exist addressing these causes and seeing think you run a global relief effort or wherever poverty exists, anywhere in the significant progress in the near future. perhaps even an expansive baking world. This is not surprising. What can realistically happen? And company. What exactly is the mission The indicators are slightly different for what is the basis of your optimism and of Bread? each region, but governments around the hope?
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Bread for the World is a collective Christian Young Baptist leader finds voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end ‘million hunger at home and abroad. reasons’ DB: In the United States, the fastest, most direct way to reduce hunger is through nutri- to fight hunger tion programs. People of faith may differ on various aspects of the tax package that Congress passed in December 2010, but the extension of tax credits for working poor fami- lies that was included will keep more than 1 million children out of poverty this year and provide billions of dollars in assistance to Photo by Laura Elizabeth Pohl. low-income working families. Unfortunately, the House of Represen- fter graduating from “Pick one. There are a million rea- tatives recently voted to cut spending on key Samford University with a sons I could choose to work for programs such as the Special Supplemental A degree in journalism and Bread. Really, it was a perfect fit for Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and mass communications, Luke Walker me because it merged my commu- Children (WIC) and emergency food aid. As wanted to travel for a couple of nications and PR background with long as these programs are on the chopping years and do something meaningful experiences in lobbying, outreach block, we must keep urging lawmakers not to while deciding on a career path to and advocacy — all for the common balance the budget on the backs of their most pursue. In his travels to 11 coun- goal of fighting hunger.” vulnerable constituents. tries, the young Baptist leader saw Walker feels strongly about fix- Globally, Bread for the World has been hunger right in front of him. ing the systemic problem of hunger advocating for improvements in U.S. foreign So he chose to continue with through legislation and actually get- assistance to make it more effective in reducing work that is meaningful and helps ting to the root of the issue to help hunger and poverty. Congress and the admin- people in need as a Cooperative others, versus simply giving aid and istration have taken the first steps toward Baptist Fellowship Congregational moving on to the next charity. He reform, with Bread’s encouragement. But there Fellow serving on the staff of Bread feels that both his Baptist back- is more work to do to ensure that our foreign for the World. ground and his opportunity to work aid dollars go as far as possible and give the When asked why he was drawn at Bread for the World are helping right kind of assistance — aid that enables the to Bread for the World, Walker said, him do this every day. BT people who need it most to begin to build a better life for themselves and their children. Foreign aid reform can open the door to BT: Concern about health and justice already there. an increase in U.S. poverty-focused develop- issues is found in people of all faiths But while this is crucial, it is just not pos- ment assistance — which will be necessary to and no faith. Yet Christians have a sible to “food-bank” our way out of hunger. meet the urgent needs of the poorest countries, rather serious call to eliminate suffer- All the food that churches and charities collect so that self-sufficiency can become more than ing. How can we bridge that often- for hungry people combined is only about just a dream for the majority of their people. untapped Christian compassion and 6 percent of what is provided by government Fortunately, none of these solutions are the action needed to seriously address nutrition programs — programs that might out of reach. I believe that ending hunger in hunger worldwide? have been cut last year without the advocacy of our time is possible, but it will require ordi- people like Bread members. nary citizens — especially people of faith — to DB: God’s grace in Jesus Christ moves us to Our members come from varied back- work with their legislators to change the poli- help our neighbors, whether they live in the grounds, but we are united in the mission of tics of hunger. It is within our power to help next house, the next state or the next conti- ending hunger. At some point in their lives, all moderate what the economy is doing to hun- nent. The great thing about Christians — and our members were faced with making a deci- gry and poor people and to set the stage for many people in general — is that they are sion about how to turn their compassion into rapid gains against hunger and poverty once already compelled to help by contributing to action, and this led them to work with Bread. the economy rebounds. food banks and charities, so the compassion is Taking a cue from our members, all you
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FEATURE
need to do to bridge that gap is to tell your bucket of the budget deficit, but they mean 2010, Bread for the World advocated for tax elected officials that the needs of hungry and the difference between eating and not eating credits for low-income working families poor people are important to you. It is as easy for millions of young children, low-wage because a long-term solution to hunger must as writing a letter. workers, elderly people and other Americans. respond to all the challenges facing low- We urge Congress not to attempt to bal- income families. BT: Often getting started is the biggest ance the budget at the expense of the country’s challenge. What first steps do churches most vulnerable people. One of our jobs at BT: Who out there is really helping the or groups within the congregation Bread is to make sure that programs that cause of reducing hunger and poverty, need to take to make a meaningful reduce hunger are not cut, particularly at a and what can we learn from them? difference? time when one in eight Americans receives SNAP (formerly food stamps) benefits. DB: There are several organizations that come DB: We know that confronting the problem of to mind when I think of others in this advo- hunger — especially on a global scale — can BT: Misinformation often stalls good cacy space that are helping to reduce hunger seem overwhelming. But one person can make efforts. What are some of the common and poverty. Internationally, the U.S. Global a big difference. Bread members write personal myths about hunger that need to be Leadership Campaign advocates for increases letters and emails and meet with their mem- corrected? in the international affairs budget, making bers of Congress. This outpouring of care and sure that the “smart power” tools of diplomacy concern sends a strong message to lawmakers DB: One common misconception is that over- and development are keystones of the United that we care about hungry people and are weight people cannot be hungry, when in fact States’ engagement with the world. urging our elected leaders to help. you can be malnourished but still overweight. The Global Leadership Campaign is I want people to know that they are not It costs a lot less to buy a bag of chips to put instrumental in ensuring that funding for ini- alone in their goal of ending hunger — or in in your child’s lunch than it does a bag of tiatives like poverty-focused development the work needed to meet this goal. Bread pro- apples or grapes. This is the kind of choice assistance isn’t cut. vides some great resources on our website for Domestically, the Center on Budget and how to engage your church or community Policy Priorities and the Coalition on Human organization in writing letters to Congress. Needs focus on national and state-level fiscal We offer a brochure on church involve- policies and public programs that affect people ment, and we also have organizers in each in need. At the heart of all three organizations region of the country who can provide infor- is a belief that we need to fund programs that mation or help getting started. Please visit our help low-income people — because it is the website at www.bread.org for resources and right thing to do, but also because it helps contact information. keep the United States safer in the long run.
BT: Since Bread works legislatively and BT: You’re a minister. Give us three brief we live in an era of fiercely divided par- points (no poem) on why Christians tisan politics, how do you accomplish cannot avoid the subject of injustice. your goals without the issue of hunger that low-income families often have to make. getting so politicized that some Another myth has to do with foreign aid DB: How about two? The Bible tells us to churches (with various political per- for developing countries. This is different from “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the spectives) are hesitant to engage? charity. The main driver of poverty reduction rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge in the world is the hard work of poor people righteously, defend the rights of the poor and DB: Hunger and poverty are not partisan themselves. Given the opportunity to improve needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). issues. We work with both Democrats and their communities and provide a better life for Therefore, I believe God is calling us to Republicans to influence policies that affect their children, they will seize it. change the politics of hunger and poverty by hungry and poor people, and we have a track We need to make sure U.S. foreign aid asking our government to address the funda- record of winning substantial support from reaches those who need it most and that it mental reasons people are hungry and poor. legislators on both sides of the aisle. supports their efforts to lift themselves, their The Bible also says, “Give the king your We are able to connect with churches — families and their communities out of poverty. justice, O God, and your righteousness to a no matter where they or most of their mem- The last myth I’ll mention is that you can king’s son. May he judge your people with bers are on the political spectrum — based on reduce hunger without reducing poverty. righteousness, and your poor with justice. May the unifying mission of alleviating hunger. To Many of the challenges facing hungry and the mountains yield prosperity for the people, me, that’s the bottom line. poor people are related and influence one and the hills, in righteousness. May he defend The new Congress is focused on reducing another. the cause of the poor of the people, give deliv- the budget deficit. This is important, but the This is why Bread for the World tends to erance to the needy, and crush the oppressor” fact is that the money spent on anti-poverty focus on overarching issues that are likely to (Psalm 72:1-4). programs makes a great deal more difference affect not only people’s food security and To me, that sums up our call for social to low-income families than it would to reduc- nutrition status, but their employment and justice. Simply put, we must stand up for hun- ing the deficit. The amounts are a drop in the economic situations as well. For example, in gry and poor people because God wills it. BT
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PERSPECTIVE quotation “ remarks ” “When there are 20,000 people “Hollywood pushed the homosexual “Does the faith community have high chanting your name night after night agenda in the sitcom ‘Three’s standards? You bet. But do we also after night, if there’s no sense of Company’ by making Mr. Furley look understand that we all fall short of faith, if there’s not a sense of some- like a clueless dolt — thus poking fun the standards? Yes, we do.” thing bigger than yourself, you can at those who oppose the homosexual —Robert L. Vander Plaats, an Iowa Republican get lost.” lifestyle.” leader, on efforts by former House Speaker Newt —Manager Scooter Braun, a producer of the —Editor Gerald Harris in his Feb. 24 editorial in Gingrich, a twice-divorced Southern Baptist-turned- Roman Catholic, to win evangelical support for a 3-D concert film/documentary Justin Bieber: the Georgia Baptist Convention newspaper potential presidential campaign (Los Angeles Times) Never Say Never in which the 17-year-old The Christian Index celebrity’s Christian faith is affirmed (RNS) “There’s a double standard that “Whenever the apostle Paul went Muslims are responsible for extrem- “The evangelical ‘Veggie Tales’ car- to Travelocity to make travel ism by people who happen to be toons — animated Bible stories plans, he bypassed the others and Muslim, but all Christians aren’t featuring talking cucumbers and went straight to the ‘prison’ tab, responsible for abortion clinic tomatoes — probably shape more knowing he’d end up there.” bombers or the KKK.” children in their view of scripture —Michael J. Brooks, communications professor —Peter Gottschalk, co-author of Islamophobia: than any denominational catechism at Judson College in Marion, Ala., noting that Making Muslims the Enemy and religion does these days.” the focus of Paul’s writings was not on the ease department chairman at Wesleyan University (RNS) —Russell Moore, dean of the Southern Baptist of Christian living Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., on “Neither Christians nor Muslims like declining denominationalism (Wall Street Journal) “Preachers in mainline denomina- them, because they are a group with tional churches, along with others their own ideas, but the rest of the “The church is strictly neutral in mat- who have tried to articulate values Muslims are good with Christians.” ters of party politics and will not and beliefs that differed from the —Eid Ibrahim, 41, an Egyptian Christian on comment at all on the personalities messages of right-wing talk radio concerns about the Muslim Brotherhood gaining and platforms of candidates, whether pundits, often have lost credibility power following the ouster of President Hosni or not they are members of the with those in their pews because Mubarak (RNS) church and irrespective of their party their church members put more affiliation.” stock in what they heard on Christian “The word ‘secular’ is a good word, —A statement released Feb. 1 by the Church of talk radio than what they heard from not a bad one. Here I am not talking Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding the the pulpit of their churches.” about that anti-religious, often atheis- possible presidential runs by Mormons Mitt Romney —Baptist minister, author and sociologist Tony tic, critique that would banish religion and Jon Huntsman Jr. (Salt Lake Tribune) Campolo in an article titled “Why the Religious to the backwaters of privatized faith. Right will dominate” (Christian Ethics Today) Rather, I mean the more friendly form “If we are to understand how others of secularism embraced by many peo- perceive our religion, we must “It just seemed like a lot of meetings ple of faith who simply believe that receive the good, bad and ugly and a lot of talk.” government should be non-religious.” stories of members of our faith.” —Pete Wilson, who dropped his Baptist ties but not —J. Brent Walker, executive director of the —Religion News Service columnist Dick Staub, beliefs, and started nondenominational Crosspoint Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty author of About You: Fully Human and Fully Alive Church in Nashville 10 years ago (htrnews.com) (Report from the Capital)
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PERSPECTIVE editorial There is a better way than escalating the politics of marriage By John Pierce
he National Association of Evangel- is secular. Yet it allows for full religious a couple regarding shared property, insurance, icals, the U.S. Conference of Catholic liberty for all persons. inheritance and medical privacy issues. T Bishops, Southern Baptist Convention The government grants legal status to Marriage, as should be touted by reli- leadership and other religious conservatives married couples by providing a license and gious leaders, would be a separate spiritual are pushing for congressional support of the certain benefits (taxes, shared property, etc.). ceremony carried out according to the beliefs misnamed Defense of Marriage Act This is a legal (not religious) status. and practices of individual faith traditions or (DOMA), a 1996 law that is simply an anti- However, most religious traditions refer congregations. This would be done without gay measure. to marriage as a covenant — a spiritual rela- the interference of government and the If marriage (as Christians and other faith tionship built on vows made before God and ridiculous current practice in which clergy leaders claim to believe) is a covenant to one another. become legal representatives of the state between two persons, then its defense can Therefore, it is called government. only occur in each covenantal relationship. “holy matrimony.” Want to have a government-recognized, While some politicians (even those with Secular government legal union? Go to the courthouse. Want to multiple marriages) will eagerly win points (again, by brilliant take spiritual vows and enter into a holy with religious conservatives by taking up design) is not in the covenant of marriage? Go the religious con- their cause, there is a much better solution. It “holy” business. gregation of your choice — and follow its is one that fits wonderfully within the consti- Therefore, government rules about marriage. tutional framework that our insightful should not be in the It really is that simple — and violates no national founders created. marriage business. person’s individual rights or religious free- A simple move from self-interest to It would be better for government to call dom. It only prohibits those religious leaders logical thinking is all that is needed to figure the legal unions of consenting adults some- and politicians who love to misrepresent this out. thing else — like, well, maybe a “legal church-state separation and use government The U.S. government, by grand design, union.” This license would extend benefits to force to impose their beliefs on others. Concerns about the definition (and defense) of marriage will then rightly leave the hands of a secular government and its Good news and gratitude posturing politicians and be determined by the various faith traditions, and (in the case aptists Today is pleased to series written by Dr. Tony Cartledge and of Baptists and others with local church announce that a generous gift sponsored by the Cooperative Baptist autonomy) local congregations. from the Eula Mae and John Fellowship Congregational Life office. B Sure, there will be some strong disagree- Baugh Foundation will fund a major More information on the upcoming ments there. But these exist already. Most redesign and expansion of the news redesign and expansion plans can be found church wedding policy manuals rival the journal. Beginning with the June issue, on page 39, the inside back cover of this hymnbook and Bible in size. Yet communities Baptists Today will become a 44-page, issue. Thanks to all whose creativity and of faith, with their unique doctrines and reli- all-color publication with new church generosity help Baptists Today to fulfill its gious practices, are the right places to talk resources including weekly Youth Bible role as an autonomous, national news jour- about the meaning of “holy matrimony” — Studies sponsored by the Baugh nal and give us the opportunity to expand not in the halls of Congress. Foundation and developed in partnership the publication’s unique mission of provid- It just makes sense. But then, if some with Faith Lab. ing “content for learning” (Bible studies religious and political leaders couldn’t use A new “Nurturing Faith” center and other resources) with the “context for emotionally-charged issues like this one to section in Baptists Today will provide chil- living” (news, analysis and features). divide Americans and advance their personal dren’s lessons and other church resources causes, they might have to do something con- as well — including a new Bible study John Pierce, Executive Editor structive and worthwhile for the greater good of us all. BT April 2011 • Baptists Today | 9 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 10
PERSPECTIVE BY JACK CAUSEY Constructive approaches to calling a minister
When a pastor search committee is EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of a yearlong résumés, an outside facilitator can be helpful. series titled “Transitions: Helping churches and There are resources to help the commit- working, it is the most important church leaders in changing times,” provided through tee prioritize candidates relative to the a partnership between Baptists Today and the Center committee in the church. pastoral leadership expectations developed in for Congregational Health (www.healthychurch.org) Stage Two. hurches used to search for the best based in Winston-Salem, N.C. preacher for the congregation, and Stage Two: Gathering Information Stage Four: Contacting and C the denomination provided the few Interviewing Candidates services needed to guide the process. Those The second stage is crucial to calling a pastor In the fourth stage, the committee narrows were simpler times; today the search land- who fits with the church. It is the same stage the search to 5-10 high priority candidates, scape has changed. It is far more complex. recommended for an intentional interim with the intention of interviewing at least Denominations are no longer homo- process. Although led by a team of lay leaders three of those. A letter of inquiry sent to each geneous, churches must depend less on and clergy, often with an outside facilitator or asks about the candidate’s interest, and seminaries for help, and the leadership skills coach, the congregation does the work. includes the church, congregation and required to lead congregations extend far Steps involve look- community profiles. beyond teaching and pastoral visits. ing at a church’s heritage All interviews must be confidential, and What is needed today to call a minister? — celebrating some the church should pay for travel, food and Certainly, two things have not changed — parts, grieving and heal- lodging. The initial interview should include whether for a senior pastor or a staff minister. ing from others. It the candidate’s spouse (if he or she has one) One, every search process is unique and involves looking at the and consist of carefully prepared questions. God’s spirit must lead the process. mission of the church — One important thing to learn about a candi- The other essential to calling a minister exploring the core values date is the person’s level of emotional is establishing and adhering to a multi-step of the congregation — intelligence. A candidate’s ability to relate to plan. The process should go in pre-determined and clarifying the vision. At every step of the people is as important as preaching ability or phases. That way the committee can keep the search, the committee must seek alignment public persona. congregation apprised of its progress by between the position for which it is hiring and A visit and worship in the candidate’s reporting on what phase it is in without the focus and mission of the congregation. church should precede a second interview. divulging a confidence. Leadership issues need to be determined during this second stage and connections The committee should consider candidates Stage One: Getting Organized with ministry partners/denominational one at a time and notify each in a timely and Acquainted alliances and relationships clarified. The manner as to where they stand relative to direction of the church must be prayerfully others in the process. The committee members must get to know considered and verbalized by examining the By the second interview, candidates each other by sharing prayer, faith stories, church’s resources and core values. should be offered an opportunity to interview experiences with former churches, pastors, Once that is established, members of the with staff ministers who accept the principle etc. It is important that members bring for- leadership team can develop a profile of the of confidentiality, and know that while their ward any personal agendas and biases. church and its demographics as well as a lead- observations are important, the committee During this initial stage, the committee ership expectations profile describing the must make the final decision. The committee should select officers and establish the search congregation’s expectations for its next pastor. should ask permission to conduct criminal process. It is important for the members to This phase must not be rushed. A congrega- and credit checks, and should check refer- determine exactly how they will make the tion must know who it is before calling a ences carefully, even “going behind” by final decision. Will it be a unanimous vote or leader. seeking additional references. a majority consensus? In consultation with the stewardship or If the pastor is part of the committee Stage Three: Considering Candidates finance committee, a compensation package searching for a staff position, will the pastor should be prepared. In doing so, it is worth- make the final decision? A coach or transition During the third stage, the committee gathers while to consider incorporating a sabbatical consultant can be helpful. Whatever the names for potential candidates from church or study leave and vacation time commensu- process, the committee must let the congrega- members and friends, organizations, seminar- rate with or greater than what the candidate tion know what is going on. Regular reports ies and divinity schools. As the committee has currently. Providing leadership coaching and requests for prayer are essential. begins to read and prayerfully consider 10 | Baptists Today • April 2011 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 11
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for a new minister is a wise way to encourage success. For new ministers, it is especially wise to offer coaching to help them transition from academia to the congregational environment. Some congregations provide in-church support teams. It is important to offer things unique to your congregation that can help your new minister to be successful. In the third interview, the formal com- pensation package is presented — but not with the entire search committee present — and any lingering questions are answered. It is important to establish whether the candidate will accept if called. If so, then determine when the candidate can visit the church and present a trial sermon.
Stage Five: Presenting the Candidate Now is the time for the candidate to visit the congregation. A warning: be careful when releasing the candidate’s name and biographi- cal information to the congregation, as he or she will want to carefully inform the home church. Coordinate that timing. This is an exciting time for the congrega- tion. When the candidate visits, opportunities must be set up for meeting as many people as possible … dinner with the deacons, breakfast with youth leaders, a congregational reception after church and lunch with more leaders. Send the candidate home exhausted, and vote that very day. The next step is extending the con- gregational call as soon as possible and welcoming the new pastor. Two items need to be emphasized about any search process. The first is to select the committee carefully. A strategically chosen committee, representing the various facets of the congregation, has more chance for success than a committee elected by popular vote. The second item of importance is to treat every candidate with utmost respect. Retain confidentiality and let candidates know where they stand during the search process. Conduct a search with authenticity, integrity and confidentiality. If someone feels mistreated, it can hurt the reputation of your congregation. The stages spelled out above are tried and true. Skipping a stage can result in a bad fit. The process is spiritually deep and intensive, but the reward is worth the effort. BT
—Jack Causey is coordinator of services to min- isters for the Center for Congregational Health. The center’s president, Bill Wilson, contributed to this article.
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INFORMATION BY DANIEL BURKE, Religion News Service National debt new hot issue for evangelicals
ASHINGTON — Many econo- money violates important biblical tenets. television program. “The Bible is very clear mists warn that the government’s And while religious conservatives have long about the moral dangers of debt.” W huge national debt is a looming mapped personal piety onto national poli- Likewise, the Washington-based Family threat to long-term prosperity. But according tics, some of the moral arguments against Research Council has delivered “action to a growing number of conservative excessive borrowing are getting a new hear- alerts” about the debt to its network of Christians, it is also immoral. ing among Christians already anxious about 40,000 pastors and myriad state-based advo- The concern is not only that the esti- the economy. cacy groups. The Christian Coalition, mated $14.13 trillion debt could cripple the “America’s growing debt is not just a Concerned Women for America, and the economy, some conservative Christian lead- financial issue, it’s a spiritual one,” said Jerry Faith and Freedom Coalition, a new group ers say, but also that borrowing so much Newcombe, host of The Coral Ridge Hour led by GOP strategist Ralph Reed, are also warning members with increasing intensity that the deficit is reaching immoral propor- tions. Reed said concern about the debt is not new, but has risen to the top of some Christians’ agenda partly because of the ris- ing tally and partly because the Tea Party and Fox commentator Glenn Beck have focused so much atten- tion on the issue. “You can’t give the Tea Party enough credit Jim Wallis in terms of raising the consciousness about this issue,” Reed said. John C. Green, an expert on religion and politics from the University of Akron in Ohio, said other factors, in addition to Beck and the Tea Party, have fueled interest in the deficit. First, the national debt is a good mobi- lizing issue for the Republican coalition, able to unite social conservatives and fiscal hawks, whose alliance has sometimes been strained. Second, it allows religious leaders to ride the Tea Party wave of anger against government spending. And lastly, it broad- ens the conservative Christian agenda beyond such culture war battles as abortion and gay marriage. While many evangelicals agree that the debt is a huge problem, some see partisan politics behind the recent surge in interest among conservatives. “I wish the Family Research Council and Coral Ridge Ministries would have rec- ognized the debt as a moral issue before they supported two unnecessary and immoral wars and endless corporate subsidies for years,” said Jim Wallis, head of the Washington-based group Sojourners. BT
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BY BRUCE GOURLEY, Online editor INFORMATION Searching for answers The state of religion according to
Conventional wisdom holds that the real-time interests of hundreds of millions of Internet users. The search in the 21st century, interest in engines’ vast treasure trove of data reveals • Fort Worth, Texas some definite religious shifts over the past denominational Christianity is on • Jackson, Miss. seven years (2004-2010). the decline, while spirituality • Nashville, Tenn. Based on what Internet users search for • Rocky Mount, N.C. characterizes a growing post- through Google, interest in all denomina- • Birmingham, Ala. tions is indeed in decline, with searches for denominational world. • Oklahoma City, Okla. all major denominational groups dropping • Louisville, Ky. mong Baptists, some scholars and by roughly 40-60 percent from 2004 to • Raleigh, N.C. long-time observers are now cau- 2010. • Charlotte, N.C. A tioning that in the face of growing One might suspect, therefore, that post- • Kansas City, Kan. ecumenism and the emergent church move- denominational Christian topics are much ment, the name “Baptist” may well become more popular now than a byword within the next four to five in 2004, yet the opposite In addition, “Southern Baptist” is most fre- decades. is true. Searches for quently queried in Little Rock, Ark., while The 21st century, after all, is a world in “emergent church” have Sioux Falls, S.D., leads in searches for which trends are closely watched and scruti- dropped by approxi- “American Baptist.” nized, yet can change in seemingly the blink mately two-thirds since By way of comparison, Louisville and of an eye. the term’s peak in 2008, Oklahoma City residents are tops in atheist- Remember MySpace? While in many while “spirituality” is related searches; Californians are most ways MySpace launched the social network- about half as popular as interested in “evolution,” while the ing craze, it is fast sinking into oblivion, it was in 2004. Bruce Gourley Ohio/Indiana/Kentucky area leads the way while five-year old Facebook is the current Christianity is not in “creationism”; Kalamazoo, Mich., domi- face of the Web. the only religion suffering a drop in interest. nates searches for “Calvinist,” and Jackson, By the time Facebook reaches its All major faiths are trending downward, Miss., for “Calvinism” (Louisville is second teenage years, will it still be dominant? Don’t with one exception: Islam has retained for both search terms); Baltimoreans are count on it. Indeed, a website that does not roughly the same level of interest throughout most interested in “fundamentalism,” and even exist today might well overtake the seven-year period. Nashvillians in “theology.” Facebook within four or five years. To be certain, there are a few notable And while “God is dead” in Pittsburgh But what of religion in America in the upward religious-related trends from 2004 to and Portland, the “King James Bible” reigns 21st century? Do the trends of the first 2010: Joel Osteen’s popularity is much in Memphis. decade of the century indicate that denomi- greater than in 2004, although it leveled off In the bigger picture, the center of “reli- nations are in the early stages of a death in 2007. gion” in America is Salt Lake City. Portland spiral? And where would one go to find a The biggest winner? The search volume is the most “ecumenical.” Louisvillians are good measurement of large-scale public for “atheist” in 2010 was roughly 70 percent most preoccupied with “Satan.” And the sentiment about religion? greater than in 2004. search for “God” is greatest in Nashville. One starting point is none other than Baptists might yet find hope within cer- So, where will Baptists be by mid- Google. While there’s no guarantee that tain cities, however. In proportion to all century? We’re still searching for an answer. BT Google will survive this decade, much less Google searches from within a given city, the the century, the ubiquitous search engine is following metro areas boast the highest level Note: This data was collected from nonetheless systematically collecting data on of interest in “Baptists”: www.google.com/trends.
One might suspect, therefore, that post-denominational Christian topics are much more popular now than in 2004, yet the opposite is true. Searches for “emergent church” have dropped by approximately two-thirds since the term’s peak in 2008, while “spirituality” is about half as popular as it was in 2004.
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MEDIA REVIEW BY FISHER HUMPHREYS Godsey’s provocative book concerns moral quality of human society
The psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg has proposed that human moral A review of Is God development moves through six stages. Those who reach the sixth stage a Christian? Creating a Community of are concerned not only about society and its survival, but also about soci- Conversation by R. Kirby Godsey ety’s being just, and they are prepared, when necessary, to engage in (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2011). civil disobedience in order to help society move toward justice.
he vision that Kirby Godsey, chancel- conversation. Godsey thinks that such a Our common calling as members of lor and former president of Mercer community is possible because of seven the world’s faith is to become T University, displays in this book is, themes found in all religions (he calls them instruments of light in a world I believe, a sixth-stage vision. “threads with which a new garment of where the demonic forces of dark- He is intensely concerned about the understanding might begin to be woven”). ness that perpetuate themselves entire human family, not just his own group. even in the environs of belief He is concerned not only about the survival 1. Every religion can listen to the stories of threaten to turn out the lights. of human beings, but also the moral quality the other religions. God’s grace enlightens us all and of human society. And he is willing to take 2. Every religion can affirm that each human only the God above all our gods unpopular steps in order to help human soci- life has meaning and purpose. can light our path so that we can ety move toward justice 3. Every religion must wrestle with the ques- live beyond despair toward hope and morality. tion of why God, who is good, allows and human redemption. Since the objective of suffering. a flourishing society is not 4. Every religion has holy books, holy times Part II is easier to summarize than Part III. fully displayed until the and holy places, and each can visit the Titled “Touching the Faces of God,” it is a third and final part of the others’. fact-filled survey of the ways in which God is book, I will begin by sum- 5. Every religion has to deal with a funda- known in seven world religions, in this order: marizing that part. It is mentalist distortion of its true message. Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, titled “Building Bridges.” 6. Every religion affirms compassion as its Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism. Fisher Humphreys Faith, Godsey says, is highest value. Preceding the survey is a single chapter different from belief. Faith is a commitment 7. Every religion provides its followers with (5) in which the author outlines interpretive leading to a covenant relationship with God. hope. principles that support his conviction that The commitment is risky, a choice one must these seven religions all know God. Those make without knowing for sure that it is To the extent that the religions appreciate principles include: realistic. these common themes, to that extent they For Christians, it is the story of Jesus are positioned to engage in a conversation, • People everywhere are searching for a God that makes possible the faith commitment to and not just that, but to experience a refor- they can trust. God. Members of other religions are able to mation. The book closes with these • In their journeys toward that God, people make similar commitments to God because hope-filled words: sometimes need to set aside versions of god of the stories of their prophets and other that they inherited (“your god is too leaders. For the sake of all humankind, we small”). The human race is awash in injustice need a new awakening, a new refor- • People know God before they have and violence. The violence has become so mation, a new creation whereby our language for God. intense that it threatens the existence of the religious embrace becomes wider • God will always transcend all human human race. Tragically, part of the violence and our vision of God’s presence language and thought. issues from religious differences. But the reli- becomes richer. Perhaps even now, gions can become a part of the solution and God is brooding and hovering on Once these things are recognized, it not just of the problem. the chaos created by conflicting becomes clear that, for all the differences in They can do this, as the subtitle of the faiths and speaking the creative what the various religions say about God, book says, by creating a community of word with us, “Let there be light.” people in all religions are seeking the same
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MEDIA
God and God is graciously present with Rejecting exclusivity does not require arrived at the conclusion that Jesus did not them. abandoning the central place of faith write the Lord’s Prayer. Some Christian scholars of religions in our lives and rejecting exclusivity I asked him, “Do you think Jesus wrote employ a three-part typology for describing does not require abandoning our the Lord’s Prayer?” He smiled and said, “Well, the relationship of Christianity to other reli- commitments. Being a Christian, I no. The only thing we know Jesus wrote was gions. Exclusivists say that Jesus gives the confess that my understanding of something on the ground.” only revelation by which God may be God and my sense of what it means Anyone who appreciates the message of known. to be here at all have been informed Israel’s prophets, and the message of Jesus, and Inclusivists say that, even though Jesus and shaped by the presence, the the message of the Protestant reformers, should gives the only revelation by which God may words, and the actions of Jesus. have an openness to hearing provocative mes- be known, people can benefit from Jesus’ Without question, Jesus plays a sages. To me, the most important question to revelation and know God without having a powerful and enduring role in under- ask is, “What is the objective the author hopes relationship with Jesus. standing my life and relationships. this provocative message will accomplish?” Pluralists say that each religion has its So, I confess my faith and invite oth- In the case of this book, the objective, as own revelation by which God may be ers to experience the light by which I we have seen, is the moral and spiritual flour- known. Godsey is a pluralist. live. And while I am grateful for the ishing of the human race. If it takes some Part I is titled “Breaking Down light which comes to me through the provocations to reach this objective, then we Barriers.” It begins with a chapter about presence of Jesus, I clearly am not want to welcome them. For this objective is, I how people meet God in unexpected places. fully enlightened or somehow magi- believe, also God’s objective, the extending of Most of this winsome chapter is an account cally devoid of shadows, of the reign of God over the lives of humans so of the author’s early experiences with God. uncertainties, of valleys of distress that they are empowered to live together in Even though Godsey thinks that much and distrust and misunderstanding. peace and with justice. Jesus called it the of the religion in which he was immersed as Kingdom of God. BT a child was wildly misguided, the important The fourth and final chapter in Part I is an thing is that Godsey did encounter God. His energetic assault on fundamentalism. Godsey —Fisher Humphreys is professor of divinity, childhood experience of the presence of God reminds us almost in passing that Jesus was emeritus, at Samford University in despite a lot of misguided religion seems to killed because he had launched an assault on Birmingham, Ala. Kirby Godsey’s book, be reflected in the way he interprets God’s some of his contemporaries who exhibited Is God a Christian?, is due out next month presence in the various religions, including arrogance and exclusivism and claimed too from Mercer University Press. Christianity, of course. much certainty. In chapters 2 and 3 the author describes In this chapter the author disputes some and criticizes the distortion, found in every teachings that are not the exclusive possession religion, known as fundamentalism. He of fundamentalism, such as hell and the penal zeroes in on two fundamentalist problems: substitutionary understanding of atonement. exclusivism and untenable claims of Here and elsewhere, he expresses reservations certainty. about the entire enterprise of Christian theol- His language about fundamentalism can ogy. be confrontational: “We have allowed the Certainly practice is more important to Christian religion to become captive to a him than doctrines. He associates doctrines horde of Bible-worshiping, chorus-singing, with a variety of problems: too much certainty, homophobic, fundamentalist bullies.” too much complexity, lack of respect for mys- Fueled by fear and arrogance, funda- tery, being a distraction from practice, and mentalism turns up in all religions and others. constitutes a threat to what is authentic in As readers of this review may be aware, each one of them. Godsey commends humil- Godsey writes in a provocative way, and my ity in place of arrogance and trust in place of summary has not done justice to his provoca- fear, he calls for Christians to affirm the rev- tions. For example, the author’s answer to the elation Jesus brought without attempting to book’s title, Is God a Christian?, is “No.” It is a confine God’s work to that revelation, and startling answer, but, upon reflection, it seems he urges everyone to embrace uncertainty as unavoidable. a place where God may be met. I am reminded of an experience I had in If you worry that Godsey’s attitudes the early 1990s. I was leading a study in a toward other religions suggest he is a rela- church in Louisiana. On Saturday morning a tivist, these criticisms of what is false in church member arrived for the study early and religions should put your worries to rest. He approached me with an article from the morn- resists relativism in a number of ways, one of ing newspaper. He told me he was alarmed to which is to offer this confessional statement: read that members of the Jesus Seminar had
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PERSPECTIVE BY JOHN FINLEY Three days in May Reflections on the first CBF General Assembly
Much has been written about the Vestal, pastor of Atlanta’s Dunwoody members of the Interim Steering Committee Baptist Church at the time, helped identify entered the room with incredulous expres- gathering of 3,000 moderate laypersons to serve on a Local Arrangements sions on their faces as if to ask: “Are we Baptists who assembled in Atlanta Committee. Quickly a group was recruited hosting a Baptist meeting in here or the that included George Astin, Ron Brewer, Ringling Brothers?” in August 1990 to contemplate their Betty Dickens, Brantley Harwell, Henry Since many of us had lived through con- future beyond the Southern Baptist Jasiewicki, Bob Johnston, Chester King, Gail tentious annual meetings of the SBC where Convention. Less has been Todd, Bill Trawick and Donn Wisdom. messengers attempting to speak at floor None of us had much experience in microphones had been arbitrarily cut off in recounted about the convocation of planning a convention, let alone one that mid-sentence, great pains were taken to make 6,000 persons that met again in might attract as many as 6,000 persons. Yet, sure that every person would be heard. Dan the responsibility was broken into a number Martin and Gaye Eichler converted the Atlanta the following May to form of smaller tasks. One person handled arrange- Atlanta Hawks press area into a newsroom. the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. ments for the stage, sound Michael Allen agreed to and lighting. Another serve as photographer hose three days in May remain among recruited registration work- and Bart Tichenor as the most formative in the 20-year ers and ushers. Someone parliamentarian. T history of CBF. else arranged for musical When the last seat had The 1990 meeting, following 12 years of instruments, while a physi- been placed on the coli- losses in the battle for control of the SBC, cian staffed a first aid seum floor, I thanked the had produced a new movement in Baptist room. crew chief for the help of life. Three hundred persons had been Meanwhile, a separate his workers in making expected at Atlanta’s Inforum; surprisingly, Convocation Committee, every preparation for the 3,000 attended. co-chaired by Hewett and Baptists. He said: “I hope An Interim Steering Committee was Oeita Bottorff, planned the you have a good meeting. named, and Daniel Vestal was cho- program titled But you might want to sen as chair. A strong sense of “Behold, I Do a New Thing.” pray real hard because the roof leaks pretty resolve determined that new funding Interest grew in the meeting that bad when it rains.” mechanisms and literature options was to begin on Thursday evening, More than 6,000 Baptists came — but, would be explored and that “The May 9, 1991. thankfully, little or no rain. Fellowship” would meet again the As I recall, the Interim Steering The Omni staff had provided our com- following year. Committee met on Thursday mittee with a private suite one level up and As co-chair of the convocation morning of that week, which was overlooking the coliseum floor. When I heard program committee, John Hewett also set-up day for the Local that Brantley Harwell had invited longtime wrote a letter in February 1991 and John Finley Arrangements Committee. We had Southern Baptist Theological Seminary profes- asked me to chair a Local Arrange- contracted with a man whose com- sor Dale Moody to attend as his guest, we ments Committee for this first convocation pany handled many public events held at the elevated Moody to the private box. He spent to be held in the former Omni Coliseum in Omni — ranging from rock concerts to sport- the first night telling friends that he was merely Atlanta on May 9-11, 1991. Hewett con- ing events — and whose actual name was doing what Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson fessed that he had just signed a contract with “John Wayne.” had done from their infamous “skyboxes” at the Omni for $25,000, and, while uncertain He and his rough-and-tumble crew of the 1979 meeting of the SBC held in Houston. that he had the authority to do so, he was “riggers” began installing cables and sound The Thursday evening program con- absolutely convinced that we had little money equipment as well as a 40-foot lighting truss sisted of addresses by Vestal on “Foundations to pay for the space. above the stage. As they finished, three simul- for Renewal” and Nancy Ammerman on We were about to plan a major Baptist taneously descended from the ceiling on long “Freedom: Our Baptist Distinctive.” Ann meeting on three months notice, with only a ropes — much like rock climbers rappelling Quattlebaum gave her testimony, and Ben promise of funds, and we were unsure how down the side of a mountain — and exactly Loring preached a sermon titled “A Matter of many people would attend. at that moment, Charles Wade and several Perspective.”
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PERSPECTIVE
Friday morning featured a testimony by Jim Johnson, an address by Scott Walker on “Priesthood: Our Baptist Distinctive,” and a sermon by Lynda Weaver-Williams on “Birthing New Life.” In a business session, Patricia Ayres led in a discussion and adop- tion of a proposed constitution and bylaws while Alan Neely presented “Strategy Proposals for World Missions.” Perhaps the most descriptive statement of the night was the report of the Interim Steering Committee titled “An Address to the Public.” Largely written by Cecil Sherman and Walter Shurden and presented by Shurden, the statement described why moderate Baptists were forming CBF, and outlined several basic differences with persons controlling the SBC, including views on the Bible, education, missions, the role of the pas- tor, women and the Church. Because the Omni previously had signed a contract to host a Sandi Patti concert on ing as the new moderator. In point of fact, Above: Current CBF Executive Coordinator Friday night, the Baptists dispersed to small Hewett came close to being seriously injured Daniel Vestal, then an Atlanta pastor, addresses the assembly. Below: Reporters work groups in various locations throughout minutes before his election, when the two learn more about the young Fellowship from the city during the afternoon and evening to rear legs of the chair on which he was sitting (l/r) David Rogers, John David Hopper and the first moderator, John Hewett. CBF photos consider “Strategies for Carrying Out the slipped off the back edge of the elevated plat- Great Commission,” “Literature Options for form. When we parted the black drapery Our Churches,” and to hold 18 state and behind the stage, we were surprised to find regional meetings. that there was no safety railing in place and Although the early sessions had been nothing to break one’s fall except a number of truly inspirational, there was a sense in which concrete steps and a floor six feet below. the convocation was slowly building toward Thankfully, he was uninjured. the Saturday morning plenary session. That In spite of the brief scare, the new moder- morning, following Buckner Fanning’s testi- ator offered a few parting words to those mony and Gary Parker’s address on “Servant assembled as everyone prepared to leave for Leadership: Our Baptist Distinctive” and home. Among many other observations regard- prior to Kenneth Chafin’s sermon on “A ing a shared 12-year journey and a future filled Dream for Tomorrow,” a business session was with much promise, Hewett coined a phrase new Baptist body as a totally new denomina- held where the gathered Baptists considered that has described the Fellowship movement tion now in direct competition with the SBC. and adopted funding plans, a Fellowship ever since: “We are free and faithful Baptists on Vestal, who in many ways had served as budget, a proposal on World Missions, and a mission to the whole wide world.” the spiritual guide of the Fellowship move- name for the fledgling organization. Reaction to the convocation was wide- ment since its inception, had spoken for many The plan all along had been to recom- spread and varied. The headline to an moderate Baptists in saying: “We’re here for mend “United Baptist Fellowship” as the new editorial in The Atlanta Constitution the fol- reasons far greater than protest or resistance. name, but when Dwight Moody reported for lowing week declared: “Baptist moderates: We’re here praying and sensing that God is the Interim Steering Committee that another free at last.” While noting that CBF had been doing a new thing in a movement that knits organization already had registered the identi- born in Atlanta the previous Saturday, the Christian people together in cooperation, cal name with the Georgia Secretary of State’s writer recognized “that many moderates may blending our diversity into a hymn of praise to office, silence fell across the coliseum. not yet be prepared to sunder all ties to the Jesus Christ and service to the world.” “Cooperative Baptist Fellowship” was sug- institutions of the SBC.” Twenty years later, while contemplating gested as an alternate name, calling to mind a Truth to tell, those in attendance left the new economic challenges, budget shortfalls long-time Baptist virtue as well as many good gathering convinced that they had created a and a fresh vision for CBF, perhaps we would associations with the heralded Cooperative permanent organization, while at the same do well to remember what inspired those Program of Southern Baptists. It was quickly time, many of them disavowed that CBF was three formative days in May 1991. BT approved. anything close to a new denomination. SBC A Nominating Committee report also leaders, including President Morris Chapman —John inley is a church historian and was adopted, thereby electing a permanent and R. Albert Mohler, then editor of The senior minister at First Baptist Church of coordinating council with John Hewett serv- Christian Index, tended to characterize the Savannah, Ga.
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PERSPECTIVE readers’ responses
Nonsense or naïve? in Britain, with Sharia courts given powers Where are the Baptists? to rule on Muslim civic cases … The gov- EDITOR: In the February 2011 issue EDITOR: (Re: Blake Kendrick’s “You are ernment has quietly sanctioned the powers (page 38), you printed “an analysis” of what your read,” p. 30, February 2011), I for Sharia judges to rule on cases ranging religious-freedom trends. This interesting am surprised that the pastor of a Baptist from divorce and financial disputes to those article addressed several issues. church in Greenwood, S.C., who named involving domestic violence …” Charles Haynes, First Amendment the authors whose books influenced him In the time since that item ran in the scholar at the Freedom Forum and director had so little awareness of Baptist scholars. I London Times, we have witnessed the tur- of the Newseum’s Religious Freedom only saw two on his list of 25 people moil that Islamic fervor has produced in Education Project, is quoted liberally whom I recognized as definitely being Britain and other European countries, not throughout the piece. In the “Battles over Baptists. to mention the Arab world. In my opinion, Islam” section, Haynes cites the November Right off the top of my head I could Haynes is naïve to believe there is no threat vote in Oklahoma to ban the use of Sharia have given him the names of 10 respected, from Sharia law in the United States. or Islamic law and contends that national published Baptist theologians. If this is Daniel A. Polk, Richmond, Va. politicians advocating anti-Sharia measures indicative of how little impact Baptist “are in peril of overplaying their hand.” Haynes responds scholars are making in moderate circles, we He warns that “it’s a big risk for have our educational work cut out for us. people who do it — because it’s so trans- EDITOR: The United States is not the Richard Pierard, Hendersonville, N.C. parently nonsense; … the more it gets United Kingdom. Under the First looked at, the more people will realize Amendment, religious courts may not (Editor’s note: When asked to name names, there is no threat from Sharia law in the replace or supersede civil law. Dr. Pierard, professor emeritus of history United States.” American Muslims are, of course, free from Indiana State University, responded: In the “Legal trends: Establishment to follow religious laws voluntarily — as “How is this for starters? Glen Stassen, and free exercise” section, Haynes expresses long as those laws do not interfere with or Molly Marshall, James Leo Garrett, Roger concern about the “erosion of free-exercise contravene American laws. Just as many Olson, Michael Quicke, Ron Crawford, protection under the First Amendment.” Roman Catholics voluntarily adhere to Phyllis Rodgerson Pleasants, Walter He suggests that most people “take for canon law and many Orthodox Jews follow Shurden, David Gushee, Bill Leonard, granted that they have freedom of religion Jewish laws, so many Muslims follow James Dunn, Steve Harmon, Dale Irvin. and are not concerned about government Sharia law in family and other matters. Does my list sound convincing?”) interfering with the practice of faith.” The Free Exercise clause of the First Haynes said people may not wake up until Amendment protects the right of religious it is too late; that the government might people to follow the laws of their faith. But Grow the faith religious laws may not be imposed on peo- preclude church expansion because of his- EDITOR: The action taken by the ple involuntarily. And religious laws may torical preservation or that a law might be Southern Baptist International Mission not violate or contravene civil laws. passed saying that nobody can distribute Board to pull out most of the physicians, The idea that Sharia law (a set of prin- literature in certain areas. He concludes: nurses, clinics, water and farming special- ciples with many different interpretations) “You know, it just doesn’t hit people until ists, etc., and send mostly pastors and can become in any way “official” in the it affects some practice that’s important to evangelists is a big blow to our missionary U.S. is absurd. Such claims are merely scare them.” statesmanship. tactics meant to stir anti-Muslim sentiment. Amen to that! But it is interesting that As a tree farmer, I prefer to plant trees The same ridiculous charges were he has juxtaposed his alarm for possible in the ground where they will grow. The made against Roman Catholicism in the interference with religious freedom by our best I can learn of all the years of the mod- 19th and early 20th centuries in the U.S. government with his complete lack of con- ern missionary movement, we have not The fear of a “takeover” by the Vatican, cern about Sharia law being accepted in made a dent in any of the other world reli- with Catholic law trumping the one or more of our political venues. gions. In fact, I understand we are losing Constitution, was nativist propaganda Since such a possibility is “transpar- ground in total net numbers. And this is intended to frighten the Protestant major- ently nonsense” to Haynes, I would suggest not the fault of our dedicated missionaries. ity. Islamophobia, not Sharia law, is the he consider what has happened in Great The Appalachian area of America could real problem in America today. Britain. Here’s a small excerpt from the be a more nearly ideal place for missionary London Sunday Times on Sept. 14, 2008: Charles Haynes, work. Let’s explore and try this area. “Islamic law has been officially adopted First Amendment Center, Washington, D.C. Henry V. Langford, Richmond, Va.
This forum gives readers a chance to participate in respectful, though often passionate, dialogue on important issues. Your opinion is welcomed. Please include your name, address and phone number, and limit your letters to 200 words. Send by e-mail to [email protected], or by mail to Editor, Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318. 18 | Baptists Today • April 2011 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 19
LESSONS FOR: Sunday, May 1-29, 2011
Written by Jim Dant, pastor 2011 of Highland Hills Baptist Bible Studies Church in Macon, Ga. These lessons follow the adult Formations studies from Smyth & Helwys Publishing www.helwys.com
May 1, 2011 list of “laws” to impose on other people. These But here’s the deal, not one of them “earned” same folk, however, rarely read Romans 2. that accolade. Not one of them successfully God’s righteousness Paul continues the discussion by admon- avoided every pitfall of adolescence. Not one ishing people of faith not to judge one another of them sailed through the teenage years never revealed according to these laws. In fact, he argues that saying — or at least thinking — something Romans 3:21-31 to judge someone according to the law is to less than positive about their parents. Not one There is no righteousness outside of God. The embrace the law. And if we embrace the law, of them graduated with a 4.0. They are per- only way I can ever know righteousness is if it we must be judged according to the law. And fect children, however, because I have deemed is a gift from God — given to me, graced to if we break even one law, we are guilty of the them so. I have graced them with that identity me, imputed to me. The word “impute” is whole law. And since none of us are perfect, it within my home. I see them the way I see sparsely scattered throughout the Epistle of would behoove us to lay the law aside as a sys- them — not because of their actions, but Romans. It means to assign to, credit or tem of determining or acquiring righteouness. because of my love. It is perfection — right- attribute to. The Apostle Paul is clear Because, as Paul states so eloquently on the eousness — that is given, not earned. throughout this grand epistle. The only way first stone of the Roman Road, “All have I want to live with that kind of graceful any human can know righteousness — be sinned …” righteousness. I need to afford others the righteous — is if righteousness is given, About a year ago I was leading a confer- privilege as well. graced, imputed to him or her by God. ence on the Book of Leviticus. During a time of discussion, one of the participants asked my I cannot become righteous by embracing May 8, 2011 the law. opinion on the biblical admonitions with Many of us Protestants — at least us regard to homosexuality. I told him that it God’s righteousness Baptists — were saved on the “Roman Road.” indeed was a part of the levitical code, but so For some it happened during Vacation Bible were hundreds of other laws that I do not hold illustrated over my parishioners. I also stated my refusal School. For others it was the annual trip to Romans 4:1-25 youth camp. Some of us actually endured con- to use Romans 1 as fodder for judging others secutive nights of a week-long revival and were since Paul tells me I am a breaker of all laws We have a resource closet in the basement of ushered down the Roman Road. just by breaking any one. The young man our church. It is filled with items traditionally For those of you unfamiliar with these scratched his head and looked bewildered. I used in the religious education of young stepping stones of spiritual rebirth, it all decided to explain further. I asked him if he minds: popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, construc- begins with Romans 3:23, “All have sinned had ever eaten a cheeseburger (the mixing of tion paper and Bible story pictures. When a …” The potential convert is then ushered to meat and dairy is prohibited in levitical law) flannel board is not available, we pull out the Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death …” and he said he had. I looked at him and said, Bible story pictures to illustrate the texts being And finally to Romans 10:9-10, “If we confess “Then you are a homosexual. If we break even relayed to the children. When Paul wants to with our mouths the Lord Jesus Christ and one law, we are guilty of them all.” This is not illustrate God’s righteousness, he pulls out a believe in our hearts that God has raised him the way we want to be judged, and it is not picture of Abraham. from the dead, we shall be saved …” The first the path to knowing righteousness. Abraham, after all, was the father of the step of my childhood heaven acquisition and I can only know righteousness through faith. He was the original patriarch of the first hell avoidance was that I had to admit I had the embrace of grace. holy family. If anyone could adequately per- sinned. Righteousness is imputed to me by God. sonify the reception and incorporation of Romans 3:23 is the pinnacle of an argu- Righteousness is given to me. It is an absolute God’s righteousness into a human life, it ment Paul makes throughout the first two gift. I can’t do enough or avoid enough to be would be Father Abraham. As we review his chapters of this letter. We often hear persons righteous. As Paul says in verse 20 of today’s life, however, we find he was not that different quote the latter verses of Romans 1 when they text, “We hold that a person is justified by from us. The simple similarity helps us believe feel the need to reprimand, reprove or judge faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” that we can have and hold God’s righteousness people who covet, gossip, murder, lie, disobey I’ve said it of all three of my daughters at as well. their parents, boast, envy and are gay. It’s a great one time or another, “She’s a perfect child.” It’s not what Abraham avoided that made
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship provides these Bible study resources to church leaders through this supplement to Baptists Today. For more information on how CBF is “serving Christians and churches as they discover their God-given mission,” visit www.thefellowship.info or call 1-800-352-8741 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 20
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him righteous. Avoiding particular behaviors that what she did had nothing to do with the must be established to protect us from all and sins does not allow a person to be deemed righteousness she experienced. ethereal episodes that fall outside the bell righteous by God. It may provide space for a In Abraham’s life, righteousness was the curve of orthodoxy. Creeds are established — little self-righteousness, but not the righteous- result of his faith and hope. In verses 18-21 of except for us Baptists, although we do pen ness of God. today’s text, we are told, “Hoping against hope documents and attend conventions and pass Avoiding particular behaviors have often … [Abraham was] fully convinced that God resolutions with regard to the opinion of the- been equated, however, with some degree of was able to do what he had promised. ologians and scholars. In the course of time, righteousness within religious circles. We’ve all Therefore his faith was reckoned to him as our experiences are minimized to mere — but heard the adage, “I don’t drink and I don’t righteousness.” Abraham knew the limits of powerful — words. chew and I don’t go out with girls who do.” his age and his body. Abraham knew that Grace is one of those words. We see grace We laugh when the line creeps into conversa- nothing he avoided or accomplished could when … A prodigal son returns home and is tion, but we often use such limited criteria to bring about God’s promise of child and unconditionally loved and welcomed by his bolster our own standing before God or to nation. And let’s not assume or assert that father. An adulterous woman is within tear down someone else’s. Abraham’s levels of faith and hope were super- moments of losing her life to first century cap- Who would choose to be an alcoholic? I human. More than once, Abraham questioned ital punishment, but Jesus calls down her have no problem avoiding alcohol addiction. I God concerning the promise. More than once, accusers and calls forth her best self. The can enjoy a glass of wine and never ponder a Abraham tried to take matters into his own Apostle Paul is on a zealously murderous ram- successive glass. Or, I can simply drink some- hands. Even these seemingly vivid acts of page through the countryside, but is blinded thing else with no craving or desire for the faithlessness were not enough to deter God by a light, ministered to by a stranger named wine at all. How often have we judged those from being generous and graceful. Whatever Ananias, and embraced as an instrument of who — because of a disease, not a rebellious measure of faith and hope Abraham was able the gospel by the risen Lord. Simply speaking desire — cannot avoid such substances? We to muster was enough for God. And that is the word “grace,” however, while forgetting deem them less than righteous because of good news for all of us! the experiences that prompted the term, leaves what they cannot avoid. the word empty. Abraham was reckoned to be righteous, Grace isn’t just an idea; grace is a person. May 15, 2011 not because he avoided every negative behav- Mrs. Morgan lived three doors down ior. The biblical text records his struggles and God’s righteousness from us in the town where I grew up. She was downfalls. an elementary school teacher and apparently It’s not what Abraham did that made him incarnate had all the kids she could stand during her righteous. In today’s text, Paul makes it clear days at school. She made it clear to the neigh- Romans 5:1-11 that Abraham’s righteousness was reckoned to borhood kids — and their parents — that she him prior to his circumcision. Circumcision The Apostle Paul begins Romans 5 with some did not want us on her property. The problem might have easily been interpreted as a sign of pretty lofty language, “… we are justified by with her request? She had the nicest, whitest righteousness. It was an act performed to faith, we have peace with God through our concrete driveway on our street. It was the show one’s identity with God and obedience Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have perfect distance, the perfect grade and the per- to God. This alone, however, was not a hall obtained access to this grace in which we fect shade of white for riding your bike as fast pass to the room of righteousness. stand …” This grace in which we stand is not as you could, turning into her driveway, slam- Mrs. Maggie Pearson was the matriarch just an idea. ming on brakes, and seeing how long of a of the little church where I spent my formative The bulk of our spiritual adventures is black streak your back tire could leave. We years. She sat on the third pew, right side as eventually whittled down to words. That only performed these feats when we knew you faced the pulpit. My family sat on the sec- seems to be the natural progression of things. Mrs. Morgan was not home. Five or six or ond pew, right side just in front of her. She We have a religious experience; something more neighborhood kids would enjoy a grand never missed a Sunday … and never missed an “happens” to us. The experience is then competition in her absence. hour of Sunday school. We always knew when described, and we’ve created a “testimony.” We As chance would have it, during one of she was settling behind us because we could want others to experience spirituality in the our competitions she drove up unnoticed. We hear her Sunday school perfect attendance pin same manner in which we did, and a “dogma” were caught. She knew us all. There was no collection slapping the back of our pew. Mrs. emerges. Before we know it, terms are tied escaping. She pulled into her driveway, quietly Pearson was well past 80 years of age, and her down into a manageable package and we’ve got out of her car, and walked into her house collection of pins was almost at her hem. got ourselves a religion. Within this progres- — to call our parents no doubt. Then, she Every year our pastor would latch another one sion, the final form of faith may be quite came back outside … with a tape measure. on, and the ensuing additional weight would dissimilar from our original experience. And She began measuring the marks we had left, further disfigure the fit of her blouse. I don’t we still aren’t through. posted them on a piece of paper beside our think Mrs. Pearson felt her pins made her These fond phrases, which describe the name, laughing and applauding our best righteous, but a lesser soul might have cer- depth and breadth of our religious experience, efforts at marking up her world. We never tainly garnered such a thought. After all those must then be pondered and probed by theolo- marked up her driveway again after that. She hours in Sunday school, I’m sure she knew gians and scholars. Appropriate boundaries came out and played with us; we never had
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the heart to disappoint her again. That’s grace joy are sung. In these regions where faith is May 29, 2011 … transforming grace. often disdained or even threatened, baptism The Apostle Paul says in verse 8 that and death are not strange partners. God’s righteousness God’s love was proved to us in the death of This death of baptism need not be a lit- Christ; that while we were in the process of eral death, however. The Apostle Paul could sets free marking up his world, he came to be with us have held both a literal and spiritual death in Romans 8:1-11, 31-39 … allowed himself to die for us. Or as Paul mind. Even in regions where faith is tolerated My grandmother loved gardening. says in Philippians, Jesus emptied himself of and accepted, baptism is still the beginning of Surrounding her little Jim Walter home all his heavenly stuff to come and be one of the Christian’s “life of death.” The followers were flower beds brimming with annuals us; he was obedient, even unto death. Once of Christ lived on and always will live on the and perennials: marigolds and lambs ear, Jesus has come to be with us, giving up all edge of death. We will identify with those who zinnias and touch-me-nots. She had one bed that is precious to him in order to do so, we face death. We will stare death — in its worst completely filled with purple irises. They don’t have the heart to disappoint him any- forms — in the face and confront it with our only bloomed for a short time each year, but more. That’s grace … transforming grace. It’s belief and faith in the one who holds life. when they bloomed it was spectacular. At not just an idea; it’s a person. Baptism is the beginning of our death watch the back of her yard was a delightful veg- and death experience. We do not fear death, etable garden. Every season of the year, May 22, 2011 however. We particularly do not fear the except the coldest, there was always some- worldly death that threatens. In baptism, we thing growing there. In the farthest corner God’s righteousness have already died to this world. We readily of the yard laid her compost pile. I can accept the idea that life is good … but life is recall many walks to the steamy mound to brings life not God. We are immersed in Christ. dump supper remnants, the skins of fresh- Romans 6:1-14 God’s righteousness brings death, but hulled peas or the morning coffee grounds. God’s righteousness also brings life. So Paul In addition to the gardens, there was an Everyone is baptized into something. Everyone ends verse 4 of today’s text by affirming that assortment of trees and bushes. A pecan tree is immersed into something. Much of what “… we too might walk in newness of life.” towered near the side road; I hated when the world immerses itself into impedes its And in verse 11 he concludes, “… consider pecans were wasted under the tires of cars. ability to sense and embrace God’s kingdom. I yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in A very climbable magnolia tree was on the have friends immersed in occupation, hobbies, Christ Jesus.” border of the front yard. A couple of peach family and even church. While none of these Musician, songwriter and recording artist, trees and mimosas were scattered here and areas are necessarily bad within themselves, Kyle Matthews, performed at our church a few they do have the capacity to call us away from there. She had flowering camellias, forsythia years ago. One of the songs he shared with us the true purpose of life — the glorification of and even a pomegranate bush. My grand- was titled “I’ve Been Through the Water.” God. mother was poor in earthly goods, but she The verses of this song take us through the In today’s text we hear baptismal lan- loved the rich earth. chapter of one man’s life. We see him as a guage. We hear the righteousness of God Her favorite plant in the yard was a child in baptismal waters. We see him as a bringing life to the believer. But before we bush she called “the bird of paradise.” I husband in the prime of his life. We see him wistfully wallow in this new life that is ours, have not seen once since. I’m not sure if as a grandfather in the final chapters of his we need to read the language carefully. Yes, that’s the actual name of the bush. I just life. In each verse and chapter there is a chal- God’s righteousness does bring us life. But we know that she treasured the bush. It was sit- need also to affirm that the first baptismal lenge — the taunting of childhood friends, the uated at the very end of one of her flower words are words of death. Paul says it this way temptations of marital infidelity and the final beds at the back corner of her home. in verse 3: “Do you not know that all of us befriending of death. In the face of each chal- One day my sister and I were playing who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were lenge Kyle’s lyrical character calls upon his chase at my grandmother’s. While running baptized into his death?” baptism to define his life. He has “been from my faster and older sibling, I cut the Concretely connecting the ideas of bap- through the water,” and that makes all the dif- corner at grandma’s house a little too close. tism and death is counter to our typical ference in the world in the way he lives and I plowed directly into the delicate bush, rip- religious practice of baptism. We tend to make dies. ping a couple of its flowering branches from baptism all about life. From christening gowns God’s righteousness does bring us life. It their tender source. My sister let out the to white robes, the event typically emphasizes is not a life, however, that denies or escapes expected childhood exclamation, “Ooooo, the idea of life. Smiling parents are pho- death but one that looks death square in the I’m gonna tell on you!” I begged her not to. tographed with covenant-covered children, and eye. It is a life that befriends, rather than I knew Grandma loved the bush. I told my the church celebrates its continued expansion bemoans, death; that defeats death rather than sister I would do anything if she didn’t tell. and growth. Again, this is counter to the fears death. It embraces a death that puts our Well, I did anything and everything all image of death evoked by baptism. In some old life behind us and allows us to be “raised day long. I had to play dolls. I had to take Christian communities in Latin America, bap- to walk in a newness of life.” the trash to the compost pile when tismal processions begin with funeral songs. It God’s righteousness brings both death Grandma asked her to do it. I had to set the is not until the end the service that songs of and life. table when she was asked to do it. I had to
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watch what she wanted to watch on tele- neither death, nor life, nor angels … nor vision. Finally, I had had enough. I went anything else in all creation will be able in the know to my grandmother, head hung low, and to separate us from the love of God in told her what I had done. She put her Christ Jesus our Lord.” Keeping up with people, hand under my chin, lifted my head, Not even my sister can externally tor- looked and me and said, “I saw you do it. ment me anymore. Why? Because I know places, and events I had already forgiven you. But, I’ve been who and whose I am. I know that I am wondering all day how long you would let God’s beloved — and I was my grand- Clint Dobson, 29, pastor of NorthPointe your sister make a slave out of you.” mother’s beloved. The internal freedom of Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, was Romans 8:1-11 reminds us that Romans 8:1-11 makes room for the exter- found dead inside the church March 3, the God’s righteousness frees us from our nal freedom of Romans 8:31-39. apparent victim of a crime that left a min- internal torment. God’s righteousness truly sets us free istry assistant severely beaten. Dobson was a The second portion of today’s text, — internally and externally. We no longer graduate of Baylor University and Baylor’s Romans 8:31-39, reminds us that God’s need to live with the “shoulds” and Truett Seminary. righteousness frees us from external tor- “oughts” imposed upon us by our internal ment as well. Paul says it in a multitude guilt barometers or our external judgmen- Donald V. Dowless has been elected as pres- of ways in these few short verses: “If God tal brothers and sisters. We are free to live ident of Shorter University, a Georgia is for us, who can be against us?” “Who connected to and comfortable in the care Baptist Convention school in Rome, Ga. He will bring any charge against God’s elect?” of God. We won’t take advantage of a love succeeds Harold E. Newman. Dowless “Who will separate us from the love of like that. We won’t intentionally respond comes from North Greenville University in Christ?” to that kind of unconditional care with South Carolina where he served as vice pres- The righteousness that God imputes intentional irresponsible living. We will ident for academic affairs. An ordained to us frees us from the typical external naturally love the things that God loves, Baptist minister, he is a graduate of the torments of “… hardship, or distress, or since God’s the one who set us free. … University of North Carolina, Southeastern persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or A broken bird of paradise bush became Seminary and Baylor University where he peril.” We can be convinced “… that somewhat of a shrine for me. BT earned a Ph.D. He formerly served at Charleston Southern University as well.
Tom Elliff has been picked to head the Express yourself! Express yourself! Express Southern Baptist Convention’s International yourself!Are you Express under 40 yourself! with something Express on your yourself! mind? Mission Board. A former SBC president, he ExpressThe newly yourself! updated Baptists Express Today web site yourself! has a blog spot Express just for you. served as pastor of First Baptist Church of yourself! Express yourself! Express yourself! Del City, Okla., (1985-2005) and as IMB vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations (2005-2009). Elliff, 67, and Seeking his wife Jeannie were IMB missionaries in Express Zimbabwe from 1981-1983. younger voices Keith Herron, pastor of Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., has yourself! been nominated as moderator-elect for the Express yourself! Express evotional, personal reflections or issue- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and Renée yourself! Express yourself! Express yourself! oriented opinion pieces on a variety of Bennett of Macon, Ga., chief operating offi- ExpressD yourself! Express yourself! Express cer with Morningstar Children and Family yourself!subjects Express— as long asyourself! they are wellExpress written, yourself! Services, is the nominee for recorder. Expressrelevant yourself!and free of Expressslander — areyourself! welcomed Express inclusions. John H. Tullock of Delano, Tenn., died yourself! Express yourself! Express yourself! Feb. 26. He was pastor of churches in ExpressThese submissions yourself! can be ExpressWhile the only yourself! remuneration is Express Tennessee and North Carolina, and taught yourself!never-before published, Express previously yourself!the glory of being Express published yourself! at Belmont University in Nashville for 34 published with the writer retaining online or perhaps gaining a little years where he chaired the department of Expressfirst rights, or yourself!something posted Expresstraffic to a personal yourself! blog site, Express religion. He was the author of The Old yourself!on a personal blogExpress site. Just tell yourself!please send your Express submissions toyourself! Testament Story, just released in its ninth
Expressus if/where it’s yourself! shown up before. [email protected]. yourself! ExpressGo ahead. Express yourself! edition. He and his wife of 64 years, Helen, took two one-year sabbaticals at Belmont to yourself! Express yourself! Express yourself! serve in Nigeria. BT
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CLASSIFIEDS
Senior Pastor: Midway Baptist Church is seeking Minister of Children and Youth: First Baptist Church Administrator: This position reports an ordained Baptist minister to fill the position of Church of Chattanooga, Tenn., is seeking candi- directly to the senior pastor to assist him in the effi- full-time senior pastor. We prefer someone with dates for minister of children and youth to serve as cient administration and leadership of the business both a bachelor’s and seminary degree and also six the staff coordinator for all programs and ministries affairs of the church and the allocation of resources years ministry experience, with three-plus years as for children (birth–grade 5) and youth (grades that enable and enhance the church’s ministries. senior pastor. Midway Baptist Church is a dually Overall duties include but are not limited to: fiscal 6-12). The church is seeking a person who will aligned CBF/SBC church that serves its members operations, financial and stewardship management, work to engage the children and youth of the with both traditional and contemporary services. human resources and supervision, facility manage- church and community to become the faithful and The church is also served by other part-time staff ment, building usage, and office operations. positions. The church’s vision statement is “point- mature Christians whom God has created them to Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in ing the world to Christ through love and service.” be. Candidates should have or be completing a business administration, finance or accounting or Midway is a quaint, small town in the heart of the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. Ministry have significant related experience. Excellent com- bluegrass surrounded by horse farms, close to experience is preferred. The congregation’s primary puter skills in Microsoft Office and Publisher as well Lexington and the interstate. Additional information partner for global missions is the Cooperative as demonstrated skills in budget preparation, regarding Midway Baptist Church and its ministries Baptist Fellowship. Please submit résumés to: finance and staff management are preferred. The can be reviewed at www.midwaybc.net. Send [email protected] or Minister of Children and successful candidate must be able to work inde- résumés to: [email protected] or Midway Youth Search Committee, First Baptist Church, 401 pendently, have good organizational skills, maintain Baptist Church, P.O. Box 352, Midway, KY 40347. Gateway Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37402. confidentiality, and possess the ability to perform in accordance with the mission, vision and values of Minister of Education and Outreach: First Baptist the church. A full job description may be viewed at Church of Mooresville, N.C., with an average atten- Associate Pastor for Children: A Master of www.fbcjc.org. Benefits and paid expenses are included. Interested persons may submit a résumé dance of 500 in morning worship, is accepting Divinity or equivalent degree is required from an to: [email protected] or 301 E. Capitol Ave., résumés until April 15 for a full-time minister of accredited seminary. The candidate must have Christian education and outreach. Address résumés Jefferson City, MO 65101. experience in planning, developing, supervising and to: Search Committee, 150 S. Church St., coordinating a ministry of children ranging in age Mooresville, NC 28115. from birth to sixth grade. For more information, visit Advertising ministry positions www.tabernacle.org. To apply, submit résumé by Minister of Students: First Baptist Church, in Baptists Today opens the April 15 to: [email protected] or Carrollton, Ga., seeks a person with a college and right doors. seminary degree who would be responsible for Children’s Pastor Search Committee, Tabernacle leading the youth and college programs. Send Baptist Church, 150 Tabernacle Dr., Carrollton, GA [email protected] résumés to: [email protected]. 30117.
Georgia pastor Bill Self announces succession plan to congregation
By John Pierce Self, who rose to prominence in the best in our history,” he said. “Our new denominational life as pastor of Atlanta’s children’s facilities will soon be ready and we ALPHARETTA, Ga. — William L. (Bill) Wieuca Road Baptist Church from 1964 to are exploring the possibility of an additional Self informed the congregation of Johns 1990, took the pastorate of nearby First worship service, as well as several new Creek Baptist Church in the northern Baptist Church of Chamblee, Ga., in 1991. Sunday school communities. We have a very Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta on Sunday, He helped lead the 118-year-old church to competent and dedicated staff poised to take Feb. 20, of his intent to retire upon a suc- relocate to a growing suburban area and us into the next chapter in our church life.” cessful search for his successor and a change its name to Johns Creek Baptist Love for the congregation, said Self, is three-month transition period. Self, 79, told Church. The congregation has experienced what led him to initiate the transition at a Baptists Today that he will remain as pastor phenomenal growth in membership, time while his “health is good and the through whatever period of time it takes for finances and facilities. church is doing so well.” the congregation to identify and call a new The church has built four buildings on In retirement Self said he intends to senior minister. its McGinnis Ferry Road campus, including speak, write and provide mentoring to “About five years ago I became con- a 2,000-seat sanctuary with a Ruffati pipe younger pastors. The former president of vinced that the traditional Baptist pastoral organ. The expansive facilities that house a the Georgia Baptist Convention, vice presi- transition model would not be suitable for wide range of ministries were completed at a dent of the Southern Baptist Convention, this church,” Self said in a letter read to the total cost of $50 million — and the church’s and president of the SBC’s Foreign (now congregation. “After much prayer and annual operating budget now exceeds $5 International) Mission Board, is now aligned research, I began to work with a group of million. with the more moderate Cooperative Baptist our leaders to develop a plan for this church, Self said the succession plan he has now Fellowship. which was approved two years ago.” initiated is designed to maintain the church’s An annual lecture series on preaching at The plan calls for a “seamless” succes- forward momentum during the pastoral Mercer University’s McAfee School of sion to be initiated solely by the pastor. Self leadership transition. In making his Theology was established in Self’s honor in told the congregation on Feb. 20: “The time announcement, he assured the congregation 1997. He has been guest lecturer and to implement the pastoral transition plan of a hopeful future. preacher on several college and seminary has come.” “I fully believe that this period can be campuses and at numerous conferences. BT
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IN MEMORIAM Baptist Gomes, Harvard minister, dies at 68
By Adelle M. Banks Christian morals and the church’s minister. lot of wind and a lot of motion and move- Religion News Service He was featured in pulpits across the ment, but it’s heading toward a precise country and named by Time magazine in target.” Peter Gomes, the longtime minister of 1979 as one of seven “star preachers.” He Long known as a conservative, Gomes Harvard University’s Memorial Church who participated in the inaugurations of made a surprise announcement in 1991 that was hailed as one of the nation’s top preach- Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. he was gay in response to anti-gay rhetoric on ers, died Feb. 28 at age 68. He defied Bush and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. campus. stereotypes throughout his life with his atypi- “He was one of the “I acted not as an outraged homosexual, cal attributes — a black Republican and nation’s truly great but as an outraged Christian,” he said after openly gay minister who grew up in preachers and one of the incident. Plymouth, Mass. Harvard’s truly great Leaders of the National Gay and Lesbian “A more colorful colleague none of us ... scholars,” said Harvard Task Force praised Gomes for being a coura- could ever imagine, nor a more faithful friend professor Henry Louis geous model for religious people who affirm and steady presence,” said Harvard Divinity Gates Jr. gay rights. School Dean William A. Graham in a mes- Gomes wrote best- “He came out as a gay man when it was sage to students and faculty following Gomes’ selling books on the scandalous for clergy of his position and cal- death. Bible and preaching and published 11 vol- iber, of any caliber, to do so,” said Rea Carey, The American Baptist minister spent umes of sermons. In a 1998 interview he the task force’s executive director. “And yet, most of his career at Harvard, serving first as explained why he described his preaching he did so with a clarity and grace that pro- assistant minister at the Memorial Church in style as “a precise tornado”: “There’s a lot of vided theological shelter for many a young 1970. In 1974, he became a professor of energy and there’s a lot of enthusiasm and a person struggling with their sexuality.” BT
Evelyn Stagg role model for Baptist women Oeita Bottorff, 87, helped launched CBF By Bob Allen New Testament church. By Bob Allen Associated Baptist Press Between 1935 and 1938, while Associated Baptist Press Frank Stagg was enrolled in the mas- LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Evelyn Stagg, ter of divinity program at Southern DALLAS — A key leader in the moderate response to the a trailblazer for Southern Baptist Baptist Theological Seminary in Southern Baptist Convention inerrancy controversy in the women in ministry, died Feb. 28. Louisville, Ky., Evelyn took the same 1980s died Feb. 25 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s She was 96. classes and sat for all the exams. Disease. Born Evelyn Owen in Ruston, In those days the seminary did Oeita Theunissen, 87, known professionally and in La., she was married for not grant degrees to church leadership as Oeita Bottorff, was director of Baptists 66 years to Frank Stagg, women, but she performed Committed, an organization formed by Baptists to oppose a a professor at two well enough that she was movementby Baptists into theoppose nation’s a movement second-largest in faith group known Southern Baptist asked to grade papers for alternativelythe nation’s second-largest as the “conservative faith group resurgence” or “fundamen- Convention seminaries beginning students in New talistknown takeover.” alternatively as the “conserva- for more than 30 years, Testament Greek. tive resurgence”She was a key or “fundamentalistorganizer of the Cooperative Baptist who died in 2001. In Throughout their mar- Fellowshiptakeover.” — a group that celebrates its 20th anniversary 1978 they co-authored riage, she worked behind this summerShe was —a key formed organizer after ofit becamethe clear that denomi- Woman in the World of the scenes as the first reader nationalCooperative loyalists Baptist would Fellowship be unable — toa hold onto SBC Jesus, a work that inspired a genera- and unofficial editor for dozens of leadershipgroup that throughcelebrates political its 20th means. anniver- tion of women preparing for journal articles and 10 books writ- sary thisPrior summer to the controversy— formed aftershe was it became recognized clear as that a leader ministry until more conservative ten by her husband. In later years amongdenominational Southern loyalists Baptists would in youth be unablerecreation to holdministries. onto SBC She voices seized control of the denomi- Mercer University awarded her an workedleadership a number through of political years with means. the Texas Baptist Christian nation and went on record against honorary degree to recognize her Life CommissionPrior to the controversy on issues including she was recognizedTexans Care as for a leader women’s ordination. early scholastic achievement and Children.among Southern In 1996 Baptists she coordinated in youth recreationa major project, ministries. She The book addressed women’s lifetime of shared ministry. “Violence,worked a number a Christian of years Response.” with the Texas Baptist Christian roles in the contemporary church by She is survived by her three Life CommissionShe is survived on by issues her husband,including Bruce,Texans two Care children, for a exploring the status of women in children, six grandchildren and grandson,Children. Intwo 1996 sisters she and coordinated two stepdaughters. a major project, A memorial the world that Jesus entered, how three great-grandchildren. She service“Violence, was aheld Christian on March Response.” 3 at the Episcopal Church of the Jesus related to women in his min- donated her body to the University AscensionShe is in survived Dallas, bywhere her husband,Oeita was Bruce, currently two a children, member. a Georgegrandson, Mason, two sisters pastor and of Wilshiretwo stepdaughters. Baptist Church BT where she istry and the status of women in the of Louisville School of Medicine. BT was a long-time member, gave the homily. BT 24 | Baptists Today • April 2011 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 25
BY CATHLEEN FALSANI, Religion News Service INFORMATION Belmont not alone On evangelical campuses,rumblings of gay acceptance
n February, the provost of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., announced that the school officially had
I www.belmont.edu Photo courtesy of Belmont University, recognized its first gay student organization. The announcement came barely a contribute constructively to the ongoing entire generation of Christian right leaders month after the Christian school changed exploration and dialogue on our campus.” had left its mark. Unfortunately the mark its anti-discrimination policy to include Eventually Black, who had been invited wasn’t mainly to change the culture; it was homosexuals, after a popular women’s soccer to Hope by students and faculty, screened to make Christianity look bad.” coach was forced out last December because Milk at a public theater in Holland — an As Gushee puts it, evangelicals — but her lesbian partner was expecting a child. event organized by the group Hope is Ready, especially younger evangelicals who have lit- The gay student group had twice been founded by college and community mem- tle taste or patience for the political battles turned down for official recognition. bers to foster dialogue about gay issues. of their parents’ generation — are looking Belmont Provost Thomas Burns said the Wheaton College in Illinois, the alma for a course correction. change of mind reflected an “ongoing mater I share with Billy Graham and count- “We can’t have the name of Jesus cer- campus dialogue about Christian faith and less other evangelical leaders, is widely tainly associated with hatred or contempt sexuality.” considered the pinnacle of evangelical for homosexuals,” Gushee said. “And in The thing is, that dialogue isn’t just Christian colleges. Earlier this year, several general we should be known by what we’re limited to Belmont. gay (and gay-affirming) Wheaton alumni for rather than what we’re against.” Belmont’s policy changes are the latest in started a Facebook page. A 2010 poll by the Public Religion a series of incidents at evangelical Christian The group is working to produce a col- Research Institute and Religion News campuses involving issues surrounding lection of “It Gets Better” videos to show Service found that a majority of young homosexuality. Some observers now wonder their solidarity with and concern for young adults favor allowing gay and lesbian whether a major shift in opinions about gay and lesbian students at their alma mater couples to marry and adopt children. homosexuality might be occurring among and elsewhere. Researcher Robert Jones said there is no younger evangelicals. While some of the policy changes are other issue with such a generation gap than The answer seems to be yes. new, the conversation isn’t. It’s just more the gay question. Last month, the student newspaper at open. Gushee cautioned, however, that a dif- Westmont College in California printed Since 2005, activists from the gay civil ference in attitude doesn’t necessarily equal an open letter signed by 131 gay and gay- rights group Soulforce have taken their a difference in belief, even as one might supportive alumni who said they had “Equality Ride” to Christian campuses to shape the other. experienced “doubt, loneliness and fear due spur dialogue about homosexuality. They’ve “The possibility that the church has to the college’s stance on lesbian, gay, bisex- been welcomed with varying degrees of been wrong on the ethics of committed ual, and transgender issues.” hospitality. homosexual behavior — that’s a momentous “We offer our names as proof that Whether the train of change among question,” Gushee said. “It’s obviously one LGBT people do exist within the Westmont young evangelicals has left the station is that people in the broader culture have community,” their letter said. certainly a matter of debate. Yet either way, determined a long time ago that the church In 2009, Hope College in Holland, some observers sense a rumble on the was wrong about. But I would say that, Mich., banned Milk screenwriter Dustin tracks. from the perspective of any kind of under- Lance Black from screening his Oscar- “Clearly attitudes are changing,” said standing of Christian doctrine and winning film or talking about gay issues on David Gushee, director of the Center for Christian ethics, it is not an easy thing to campus. College officials said Black’s “noto- Theology and Public Life at Mercer throw (overboard) the majority position of riety as an advocate for gay rights would not University in Georgia. “The activism of an more than 2,000 years.” BT
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FEATURE BY ADELLE BANKS, Religion News Service
freed everybody. You can’t keep a person in a ditch without part of you staying down with them. When we got out of the ditch we freed ‘Our work is white folks — our oppressors — from having to stay in the ditch. She was saying I want to serve you. I want to pay for your meal. What she was saying was “I’m free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!”
never done’ Q: You got into a little trouble for your comments at Coretta Scott Civil rights leader Joseph Lowery reflects King’s funeral, when you spoke of “weapons of misdirection” just feet Civil rights activist Joseph wife who barely avoided being shot away from George W. Bush. Do you during a demonstration in Alabama. think some don’t understand black Lowery, who worked alongside Did you ever think of stopping your church funerals? Martin Luther King Jr., has always work because of the danger? A: At a funeral we celebrate the life that we combined his work on secular A: If we did, it was only a fleeting moment. are mourning, but we also challenge the peo- ple who remain. If you really want to honor causes with a sacred message. It didn’t last long because we didn’t think we had any choice. It was a calling. this person’s life, don’t stop at just mourning. t age 89, the retired United Pick up the mantle. And that’s what we were Methodist pastor has written his first Q: You often say that despite the trying to do at Coretta’s funeral. A book, Singing the Lord’s Song in a accomplishments in race relations, Strange Land, in which he shares sermons there’s a ways to go. What are the Q: You seem concerned that people and memories of his work on race relations most important goals still to be are too sentimental about King. Are and human rights. Some comments have accomplished? people not remembering him or his been edited for length and clarity. message the way you would like? A: We’re still only 60- Q: As one of the more well-known some percent of the A: I think they’re remembering him more living leaders of the civil rights move- median income, 10 per- than they are the message, and I think we got ment, do you feel you have a particular cent of the net worth. I to learn to do both. I think we are celebrating responsibility to continue its message think there’s a little bit of the preacher but we are minimizing the ser- with those who come after you? a new kind of slavery mon and the message. It is good to exalt the under the criminal justice missionary, but we got to remember the A: Every generation ought to take the fight system. We are jailing black men — and now mission as well. just a little closer to the goal. And I think I women — far out of proportion to the popu- have a responsibility to do all I can to make it lation, and it’s going to impact our future. Q: What do you think about the future clear and to facilitate their witness. of the Southern Christian Leadership Q: You wrote that Christians who Conference, which you founded with Q: Your book is filled with sermons don’t vote aren’t good Christians. King, now that his daughter, Bernice, you have preached over the years. Why do you feel that way? has chosen not to be its president? How important were sermons for motivating and achieving the goals of A: We can’t love each other if we deny each A: I think it’s in deep trouble. It’s got new the civil rights movement? other opportunity and rights, and voting is a leadership again. I’m hopeful because I think sacred part of that. We are just as wrong to there’s a need for an SCLC. SCLC was an A: We’ve always been spiritually oriented. Dr. neglect the vote as they are wrong who would independent moral force that was good for King said make it plain that we are rooted in deny us the vote. the country. I’d like to see it survive. Whether the faith, and that without the basis in God it will or not, we just have to pray. and religion and spirituality we would not be Q: You wrote that white people, who we are. That’s why I’ve always had no including a Christian woman who Q: You received the Presidential difficulty mixing. I didn’t divide the world hated not being able to serve you in a Medal of Freedom. Is your work between sacred and secular. I think that it’s restaurant, were changed by the move- mostly completed now? all sacred, all God’s world and all God’s will. ment. What did that mean to you? A: Our work is never done. A Christian’s Q: You spoke of the sacrifices of work- A: I think it indicates the comprehensive work is never done. The spiritual says we’ve ing for equal rights, including your nature of the movement. The movement always got “one more river to cross.” BT
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BY ADELLE BANKS, Religion News Service INFORMATION Blacks bristle at notion of ‘slave of Christ’
or evangelical author John MacArthur, the best way to explain a Christian’s F relationship to Jesus is what appears to be a simple metaphor — one often used by the Apostle Paul himself. “To be a Christian is to be a slave of Christ,” writes MacArthur, the pastor of a non- denominational church in Sun Valley, Calif. His new book, Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ, explores the var- ied practices of Bible translators regarding the controversial term. It’s also drawing mixed reactions among African-American Christians whose ancestors were slaves in 19th-century America. MacArthur views the issue in almost con- spiratorial terms: While biblical texts use the word “slave” to describe actual slave-master relationships in biblical times, English trans- lators often opt for the word “servant” when An 1861 image by Theodore R. Davis depicts a slave auction in the South. RNS photo courtesy describing a believer’s relationship to God. Library of Congress. “The stigma was just too great with that word to use it to refer to believers, even Bible that might be unappealing — hell’s not a Theological Seminary, said it is inappropriate though they knew that was what doulos crowd-pleaser, either — but are nevertheless to “sanitize” the word by changing it to “ser- meant,” the white pastor said, referring to the key to reading and understanding the sacred vant,” but she disagrees with the idea that the Greek word for “slave.” text. master-slave relationship is the ideal image for In most translations, the Apostle Paul “You can’t let the Bible usage of the con- God and Christian believers. describes himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ” cept of slavery be informed by the abuses of the “We have so many more examples to show in Romans 1:1, but the Southern Baptists’ African slave trade,” said MacArthur. “That’s how to be in relationship with God,” she said. Holman Christian Standard Bible has him not the context in which it was written.” “A slave-master relationship is not one of will- using the term “slave of Jesus Christ.” But MacArthur said there’s an important ing obedience and what God seeks is willing It’s the same in Luke’s famous Nativity theological meaning to the term “slave,” how- obedience and a relationship of love with us.” account, where the Virgin Mary calls herself ever politically incorrect the word may be: Other African-American leaders, however, “the Lord’s servant” or “the handmaid of the “You give obedience to the one who has saved embrace both the use of “slave” throughout the Lord” in most versions, while the Holman you from everlasting judgment,” he said. Bible — and MacArthur’s interpretation of it. Bible calls her “the Lord’s slave.” When the more inclusive New Revised Vicar Dallas H. Wilson Jr. of St. John’s Ray Clendenen, who was the associate Standard Version of the Bible was being devel- (Episcopal) Chapel in Charleston, S.C., hosted editor for the 2004 Holman Bible, said he sug- oped in the 1980s, its translation committee a three-day workshop in February to promote gested the use of “slave” in such passages. “We sought advice from African-American scholars MacArthur’s book. Once, the black pastor weren’t trying to produce a traditional Bible,” about whether to use “slave” or “servant.” thought it “ludicrous” to embrace slave termi- he said. “We were trying to produce an accu- Cain Hope Felder, a New Testament nology, but MacArthur convinced him that it rate one.” professor at Howard University School of is “a biblical command.” Some African-American leaders have long Divinity, recommended “slave” when describ- “I think what we have done is we have stayed away from the slave language, and differ ing the institution of slavery, which was a part translated slavery ‘servant’ and watered it with MacArthur’s view that it’s the best way to of the Greco-Roman world known by biblical down,” said Wilson, who leads a predomi- relate to God. writers. But he said descriptions of church nantly black congregation of about 70 people. “Your will is broken in slavery, and I don’t leaders are “a totally different matter” and “Instead of condemning the system, we should think God wants to break our will,” said “servant” is more fitting. condemn the abuses.” retired United Methodist pastor and civil “A slave’s self-esteem is almost negligible,” Darrell Coulter, a black Southern Baptist rights icon Joseph Lowery. “I’m a little slow to said Felder. “Not having self-esteem, not hav- pastor in Charleston who attended the work- accept the word slave because it has such a ing rights, that certainly runs counter to the shop, agrees. nasty history in my tradition.” whole thought in the New Testament.” “The slave has always been a piece of MacArthur argues that using the word Mitzi Smith, an associate professor of property with no relationship,” he said. “But “slave” is just one of many concepts in the New Testament at Detroit’s Ashland with Christ, it’s different.” BT
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PERSPECTIVE the lighter side A preacher looks at 50 By Brett Younger
aybe the only thing I have in I’m only 50 years away “Happy quarter of a century!” — as though common with Bono, Amy Grant, half a century was too antiquated to even M Julianne Moore, Antonio from Willard Scott wishing imagine. Any minute now I will be replac- Banderas, Cal Ripken, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, ing Wilford Brimley as the spokesperson for Wayne Gretzky, George Stephanopoulos and me a happy birthday. Quaker Oats. Fabio is that we all recently turned 50. I’ve I’ve been told about a dozen times that been thinking about how to commemorate been to Luby’s yet, but I hear the food is “50 is the new 30” — which makes no my Jubilee year. My friend Julie Pennington- very good. Sometimes I nod my head when sense. I like to think that the writer of the Russell celebrated her 50th year by climbing I have no idea what the person on the other country song with the line, “I’m old enough Stone Mountain 50 times, so I’m consider- side of the table just said. I’m this close to to know better, but still too young to care” ing eating 50 pizzas or watching 50 episodes buying a magnifying glass. I take more time is 50, but he’s probably 30. of MASH. between haircuts. I have trouble remember- I understand the temptation to be the Carol gave me an elliptical for my ing the capital of Vermont — Montpelier — grumpy old man who complains that televi- birthday — which I’m trying to figure out even though I knew them all in the fourth sion shows don’t tell stories, the music on how to take as a compliment. I’ve heard grade. I am comfortable knowing that I will the radio is noise and the Google machines that every minute you spend exercising adds never again be awake for the end of the are making us stupid, but the truth is I am another minute to your life. The problem is Oscars. It’s almost certain that more of my happy to have an AARP card. I’m old that you’ve spent that minute exercising. life is behind me than ahead of me, but per- enough to skip the cake and have my son Turning 50 wasn’t really news to me. haps I’m only 50 years away from Willard bake a pie. My niece assures me that “The I’ve been getting older for some time. My Scott wishing me a happy birthday. Bieber Decade” is going to be great. mother stopped giving me a dollar per year People seem confused about what to Jimmy Buffett sings about “growing 10 birthdays ago. I no longer order spicy say. One 53-year-old offered this word of older but not up,” but it is a good gift to food. I am afraid to drink Dr Pepper after encouragement: “Turning 50 isn’t the end of recognize that you are growing older and 7:00. I eat less and weigh more. I haven’t the world.” One of my students exclaimed, up. I am not planning to be a late bloomer. I’ve figured out that some things are not going to happen, and I am fine with that. I’m not going to run a marathon or be on Dancing with the Stars. Being 50 gives you perspective. When you’re moving slower, you see more. Forgiveness comes easier. Prayer seems more natural. Most of my troubles are not nearly as big as I used to think. My parents point out that 50 isn’t 70, but it’s not 30 either. Fifty is old enough to understand that life is too short not to live it like you will wish you had lived it when it is over. Fifty is an opportunity to give up on impressing anyone and enjoy the things you love while you can. Recognizing that we are on borrowed time helps us appreciate each day. Fifty is a good time to ponder the rest of the path. There is still time for new beginnings, risks and dreams, but you also know to look for small wonders. I like being 50. I feel young again. BT
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REBLOG — Selections from recent blogs at BaptistsToday.org PERSPECTIVE
routinely blurred professional and per- sonal relationships. Sometimes it Blurring the lines embarrassed me. However, I’ve decided that approach By John Pierce cashiers and other service people more to human interaction isn’t all bad. I’d Posted Feb. 9, 2011 than was necessary. rather a customer tell a service employee www.baptiststoday.org/johndpierce-blog When I’d returned home to visit as a too much personal information than treat young adult, Mom had to introduce me to him or her in a dismissive, disrespectful uring a recent work-related trip, I everyone, everywhere we went including way. Dwas enjoying breakfast and watching restaurants. “This is our second son; he And now I’ve noticed some blurring the various people come in for their lives in Marietta; he went to college at….” of professional/personal lines in my own morning caffeine and nourishment. One I’d usually jump in and add: “… and life. For example, Facebook has brought woman placed her order and was asked he would like the baked chicken, pinto together a wide and odd assortment of the familiar question: “For here or to beans, turnip greens and cornbread, some 700 persons I’ve known throughout go?” please.” my life. [FB friends, you can decide Her reply was less than direct. The But, before the server could head for whether I’m calling you wide or odd.] employee simply wanted to know the kitchen, Mom would pick back up Some are relatives and longtime whether to put the bagel on a plate or in with a detailed explanation of how much friends while others have more profes- a bag. I always enjoyed the pinto beans and sional connections. But Facebook calls “Well, I don’t know,” the customer cornbread she made for me growing up — you my “friend,” so I will treat you as responded, as if mulling over the final but that she didn’t prepare turnip greens one. Jeopardy answer. “I guess you can put it although one of her relatives served them Similarly, some persons who began as in a bag. But I’m probably going to sit every Sunday. professional colleagues, subscribers, sup- over here and eat some of it … then I To my mother, there was no differ- porters, vendors, etc., have evolved into might take the rest of it home …” ence in the way she spoke to a cousin or personal friends as well. That’s a nice Of course, she could have put it longtime neighbor and to the persons who transition. another way: “To go, please.” sold her milk, shoes or cheeseburgers. There is something gratifying when I smiled, thinking this woman was Like the woman who recently offered those lines get blurred a little — if it much like my mother in that she always a long discourse on how and where she leads to new friendships and treating told restaurant servers, grocery store planned to eat her bagel, my mother people more respectfully. BT
almost certainly theological dispensation- Prospecting with the Bible alists, who have long considered the oil crisis to have prophetic significance. By Tony W. Cartledge of your father, who will help you, by the While it’s highly unlikely that old Posted Feb. 28, 2011 Almighty who will bless you with blessings Jacob had petroleum or natural gas in mind www.baptiststoday.org/cartledge-blog of heaven above, blessings of the deep when he blessed Joseph, interest in explor- that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts ing Israel for energy has grown in recent id you know the Bible predicts the dis- and of the womb.” years. For example, Rupert Murdoch and Dcovery of vast oil reserves deep The blessing appears designed to Jacob Rothschild have invested in the beneath Israel? That’s what John Brown, wish that God’s beneficent care of Joseph Genie Energy Corp., which is investigating chair of Zion Oil and Gas Co., believes, and will extend from the heavens above to oil shale projects in Israel, according to he’s been prospecting in Israel for the past the depths below, from the breast and The Tennessean. It’s been known for some three years because of it, according to an from the womb. The wish is probably time that Israel has large deposits of oil article in The Tennessean. related to fertility: it begins with “Joseph shale, but only recently has the combina- Brown was inspired by a passage from is a fruitful bough,” and in a dry land that tion of improving technology and shrinking Genesis 49, which is a catalog of blessings is prone to drought, fruitful- resources made the extraction of oil from given by an aged Jacob to his 12 sons. ness/prosperity comes from water, which shale economically feasible. Joseph, the favorite, gets the most falls from the heavens as rain and wells Brown says he believes what the elaborate blessing (vv. 22-25, NRSV): up from the depths as springs and rivers. Bible says, is willing to stake his money “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful Brown, however, prefers to think that on it, and that the discovery of oil will bough by a spring; his branches run over “blessings of the deep that lies beneath” prove the Bible is true. Personally, I’m the wall. The archers fiercely attacked is a reference to oil, even though the only glad that the value of scripture will not him; they shot at him and pressed him oil Jacob knew came from olives or ani- rise or fall on finding gushers of black hard. Yet his bow remained taut, and his mal fat. So, Brown started an oil gold. Indeed, the truths we find so self- arms were made agile by the hands of the exploration company that has recruited evident there are clearly far more Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the about 15,000 investors who think he’s on precious than any treasure, even vast Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, by the God to something. Some of the investors are reserves of oil. BT
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INFORMATION
Empowerment and Celebration Global Baptists observe International Women’s Day for 100th time
and the work of the Baptist relegated mainly to service industry family around the world.” employment. Women often experience In 1955, the BWA estab- inequality at home as well. lished its Women’s Department, The most shocking statistics, said with a call “to encourage and organizers, are the alarming numbers of celebrate unity in Christ among women and girls who face poverty as well Baptist women of the world.” as those who are still victims of various One way the BWA types of violence in all spheres of life. Women’s Department seeks to “The BWA realizes that many women ast month the Baptist World meet this goal is by providing around the world still suffer from immense Alliance (BWA) joined in the materials for the annual Baptist discrimination and injustice,” centennial anniversary of the Women’s World Day of Prayer said a BWA report on L observance of International held on the first Monday of International Women’s Day. Women’s Day by reminding Baptists that, November. In 2006 the BWA as Christians, the BWA is dedicated to the The Women’s World Day of General Council empowerment and celebration of women. Prayer unites the Baptist world as resolved that it “deplores International Women’s Day was first women from across the globe gather in the violence against women and observed in 1911, making the March 8, their own locations to bring common children and affirms that they are 2011 observance the 100th commemora- prayers for each other. Also, the BWA created in God’s image with the tion of the designated day. Organizers of Women’s Department challenges its con- right to live free from violence the global celebrations said the aim of the stituents to “dare to be a dangerous and exploitation.” anniversary was to “make the women of woman on International Women’s In recent years, the BWA the past proud, the women of the current Day.” For resources and additional Women’s Department has inspired, and the women of the future information of the work of the sent a delegation to the envisioned.” BWA Women’s Department, visit annual United Nations The strides women have made toward www.bwawd.org. Commission on the Status of Women equality were remembered while partici- While the recent (CSW), which is “dedicated exclusively to pants were challenged to continue the International Women’s Day gender equality and the advancement of quest for justice. 100th commemoration marked women.” The meeting held this winter The BWA reported that its longstand- much progress in the realm of focused on gender education with an ing commitment to women centers on gender equality, organizers stressed that emphasis on science, technology and honoring both the gifts of women and girls are still less likely to receive an educa- employment. seeking equality for them. For example, in tion worldwide. Disparity between genders A stated goal of BWA leaders is that 1988 the BWA General Council passed a increases at each educational level, and illit- “all Baptist Christians would ascribe to the resolution on women that states: “We cele- eracy is more prevalent among women. principles set out in Galatians that ‘there is brate the multiple gifts and sensitivities Occupationally, women of the world no longer male and female; for all of you women bring to the service of Jesus Christ are underpaid compared to men and are are one in Christ Jesus’ (Gal. 3:28b).” BT
Baptists Today’s representation at meetings of the Baptist World Alliance and coverage of the global Baptist movement are enhanced by a generous gift from Roy J. and Charlotte Cook Smith of Winston-Salem, N.C.
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BY BRUCE GOURLEY, Online Editor FEATURE
AND Baptists THE CIVIL WAR
in their own words the churches of all denominations within the Confederacy, to unite in n early April, Confederate army volun- observing days of fasting and prayer. teers throughout the Deep South prepare I Yet, Northern Baptists also laid claim to for what is widely viewed as an imminent war between North and South. Samuel the righteousness of the (opposing) Union Boykin, editor of Georgia’s Christian Index, cause. In 1884, an early historian of the on April 3 calls upon white Southern Baptists Narragansett Baptist Association of Rhode to support the Confederacy: Island (that state being the original home of Baptists in colonial America), founded less Whether the secession of the planta- than a year prior to the Civil War, recalled tion states was justified or not — how the organization’s 20 member churches whether the Government of the responded to Fort Sumter and the resulting Union has violated the Constitution war over black slavery: and oppressed the South and imper- 150 years ago iled our institution of slavery, and Before a year had passed, Civil War therefore made Southern life inse- burst forth in the land as suddenly cure, or not … we see … a special April 1861 and as unexpectedly to most as the interposition of Providence. Behold tornado on a delightsome summer what God has wrought! … to subjugate these States in violation afternoon. The thunders of Sumpter of the fundamental principles of fell upon the ear like that from light- Fort Sumter, off the coast of Charleston, S.C, American liberty; therefore, ning in a clear sky; its fall was as the proves to be the trigger that starts the war descent of an angel from on high call- when Confederate forces bombard the fort on Resolved, By the members of the ing with clarion tone, to arms! The April 12 and force the Union to surrender the Baptist Convention of the State of churches heard the summons; they structure two days later. Georgia, that we consider it to be at recognized the mandate of the U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, once a pleasure and a duty to avow Supreme, and promptly obeyed. Their relieved that the South fired first, presses the that, both in feeling and in principle, younger sons, clad in the full panoply border states to remain in the Union, calls for we approve, endorse and support the of war, and remembering what army volunteers, and pronounces a blockade Government of the Confederate Inspiration saith, “the powers that be of the South. In turn, Lincoln’s call to arms States of America. are ordained of God” and “therefore prompts Virginia to secede on April 17, Resolved, That while this he that resisteth the power with- becoming the eighth state to do so. Arkansas, Convention disclaims all authority, standeth the ordinance of God,” what North Carolina and Tennessee remain whether ecclesiastical or civil, yet as their fathers had suffered to secure the uncommitted. citizens, we deem it but a duty to urge priceless heritage they enjoyed not As the month draws to a close, Georgia the union of all people of the South in only through the turmoils of war, but Baptists meet in Athens for their annual con- defence of a common cause; and to from imprisonment and bonds and vention and issue a statement “on the present express the confident belief that, in stripes, and what their Master had political crisis” that declares: whatever conflict the madness of Mr. endured that whosoever believeth may Lincoln and his government may force have eternal life, at once entered the Whereas, the state of Georgia, in the upon us, the Baptists of Georgia will held, enthusiastically singing, “As He legitimate exercise of her sovereignty, not be behind any class of our fellow died to make men holy let us die to has withdrawn from the Confederacy citizens in maintaining the independ- make men free.” known as the United States of ence of the South by any sacrifice of America; and, for the better mainte- treasure or of blood. And thus, Baptists South and North, in addi- nance of her rights, honor and Resolved, That we acknowledge tion to many taking up arms, from the independence, has united with other with devout thankfulness to Almighty beginning of the war squared off in a verbal States in a new Confederacy, under God, the signal favor with which, up contest to define and defend freedom and the name of the Confederate States of to this time, He has blessed our arms liberty. BT America; and whereas, Abraham and our policy … Lincoln, the President of the United Resolved, That the Confederate For a daily journal along with references to States, is attempting by force of arms, Government be requested to invite source material, visit www.civilwarbaptists.com.
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FEATURE STORY AND PHOTO BY JOHN PIERCE • PART TWO
Franklin College
Baptists Today posed a series of questions to the presidents of several colleges and universities with Baptist identities. The first questions and answers appeared in the March issue. This is the second and concluding part of this exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing leaders in higher education. Challenges &Opportunities College presidents talk about the state of higher education
BT: How do you use terms such as statement describes us as ‘Christ-centered.’ we aspire for Samford to be a Christ-centered “Baptist,” “Christian” or “faith-based” While some colleges are moving to terms like institution. Many of my colleagues use the to define your school? And do you ‘evangelical’ or ‘historically Christian,’ we are same term when referring to the institutions have to redefine them since they carry remaining very much as we have been — an where they serve. I think that it captures our pejorative meanings? unapologetically Christian university, affiliated great hope — that we would seek to follow the with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. example of Christ in all we do.” JAMES “JAY” MOSELEY, Franklin “We all recognize that the Baptist world College, Franklin, Ind.: “We say that Franklin has been in a period of significant realignment MICHAEL CARTER, Campbellsville College is related by voluntary covenant to the and redefinition. However, for the foreseeable University, Campbellsville, Ky.: “We are American Baptist Churches USA and that future, we have no plans of departing from our very open about the historic mission of faith is one of the five primary values that Texas Baptist heritage.” Campbellsville University which has been, and define our institution.” remains, to provide a Christ-centered educa- JERRY MCGEE, Wingate University, tional experience in the Baptist tradition. In DAN LUNSFORD, Mars Hill College, Mars Wingate, N.C.: “Regretfully, a few institutions today’s world, there is great need for such Hill, N.C.: “We usually use ‘Christian’ and seem to have damaged these previously higher education institutions. ‘faith-based’ more often, with an emphasis on respected terms. At Wingate University we are “Vision 2025 — Preparing Christian Baptist heritage. There is still a market for very pleased with the way our faculty and staff Servant Leaders, which is a strategic blueprint Christian faith-based institutions; but with the model a Christian lifestyle for our students. for the future adopted by our Board of changing denominational landscape, the “While universities are not churches, a Trustees, speaks to our commitment to provid- Baptist name is of lesser importance to the meaningful education program understands ing quality Christian higher education in the consumer. Institution size and faith expression and includes opportunities for faith develop- and development remain very important for ment. We feel that being a faith-based Baptist tradition. Baptist higher education has many people.” university is more important than just includ- a very rich history and tradition, and our com- ing such language in your admissions mitment is to continue in that vein in the BILL ELLIS, Howard Payne University, materials.” years ahead. As I often say to various groups, Brownwood, Texas: “We regularly and consis- there has never been a greater need for tently use ‘Baptist,’ ‘Christian’ and ‘faith- ANDY WESTMORELAND, Samford Christian higher education than in 2011 and based’ to describe Howard Payne. Our mission University, Birmingham, Ala.: “I often say that beyond.”
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FEATURE
CHRIS WHITE, Chowan University, high academic quality. We focus on premier Murfreesboro, N.C.: “Chowan does use the services and quality-of-life enhancements for “I believe there will terms ‘Baptist,’ ‘Christian’ and ‘faith-based’ to our students. We provide more than a college always be a need describe our school. The term ‘Baptist’ is the degree to our students, in that we seek to offer for real teachers opportunities for spiritual, social, emotional most tricky, for many in the South automati- working directly cally assume ‘Baptist’ means ‘Southern and character development. with real students Baptist.’” “Many private and all public and for- profit schools do not concern themselves with in real time in a REX HORNE, Ouachita Baptist University, spiritual development and only provide limited real place.” Arkadelphia, Ark.: “We embrace Baptist, emphasis on social, emotional or character Jay Moseley Christian and faith-based. Since true evangeli- development. Being a smaller institution cal schools represent a very small percentage of affords us the opportunity to educate students institutions of higher education, we believe as individuals, matching professors, course- that authentic, caring and challenging work and support services to specific student Christian schools have a great role to play in educational needs. Because of our size, we can “Our commitment education and in the shaping of difference- focus on ensuring that each individual student is to use the makers of tomorrow. Ouachita is unapologeti- receives every support necessary for him or her technology but not cally committed to fostering a love of God and to succeed at HPU.” be used by it.” a love of learning in a Christ-centered learning community.” MCGEE: “We simply design our student experience with one thing in mind — no mat- Dan Lunsford LANNY HALL, Hardin-Simmons University, ter what students plan to study, they can come Abilene, Texas: “Hardin-Simmons University to Wingate University and major in having a is a Christian institution and is unapologetic great life.” “We provide more about that. In 1891, the founders of this insti- than a college tution said that this would be an institution WESTMORELAND: “Our common bond, that would “… bring young men and women of course, is that all our institutions seek to degree to our stu- to Christ, teach them of Christ and train them improve the condition of society through dents, in that we for Christ.” During its 120 years, HSU has education. Where we differ is with the consti- seek to offer oppor- remained committed to that mission. tutional protection enjoyed by institutions like tunities for spiritual, “Since 1941, HSU has been affiliated Samford to delve into matters of faith. You social, emotional with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. might guess that I would also argue that and character One-half of our students come from Baptist Samford has an advantage in forging personal development.” Bill Ellis backgrounds. While funding from Baptist relationships with our students, given our rela- sources has declined significantly in the last tively small size.” decade, HSU’s relationship with Texas Baptist “While universities churches remains strong. We provide ‘an CARTER: “Yes, we are Christian in the education enlightened by faith.’ Thus, the Baptist tradition, but we have many students, are not churches, a Christian dimension of our institution is including those from our primary service area meaningful educa- central to who we are as a university.” in the heartland of Kentucky, who are not pro- tion program fessing Christians. We are literally seeing the understands and BT: How do you distinguish your ‘world coming to Campbellsville’ with the includes opportu- college/university’s missions from other largest number of international students nities for faith private, public or for-profit schools? among Kentucky’s 20 nonprofit colleges and development.” Jerry McGee universities and ranking 18th in the nation MOSELEY: “Franklin College prepares men among baccalaureate institutions in the num- and women for significant careers through the ber of such students. liberal arts.” “We are committed to all students who “The key for places attend Campbellsville having the opportunity like Samford is to LUNSFORD: “This is most difficult. We use to hear the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus be nimble, not service/undergraduate research/community as Christ, and we find that many of these stu- always the earliest themes of emphasis. We also emphasize that dents do in fact receive Christ as Savior and adopter, and spend the educational experience at Mars Hill can be Lord while here. However, the Gospel is pre- our money with as transformational for the student who engages sented in a gracious and loving manner, and him or herself in the life of the institution.” our goal is to help all of our students to much wisdom as become Christian servant leaders — to give of possible.” Andy Westmoreland ELLIS: “We are a small, residential campus of themselves in service to others — to be
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engaged in servant evangelism and committed however, the necessity of positive and direct “Are there risks with technology? to ministering to the ‘least of these.’” relationships between teachers and students is Certainly, as with everything else in life. The analogous to the education requirements of key for places like Samford is to be nimble, WHITE: “Chowan is a publicly acknowledged young children. not always the earliest adopter, and spend our Christian institution. Christian words and “Those of us who have taught online money with as much wisdom as possible.” symbols appear on the website and publica- courses know that it is, in fact, more time- tions. However, we are careful to emphasize consuming work than face-to-face instruction, CARTER: “Technology is having a major terms such as openness, inclusiveness and in part because the professor must work to impact on higher education — resulting in moderation.” build the teacher-student relationship through more online courses and programs, having the limitation of electronic correspondence. I classrooms adequately wired for technology, HORNE: “We speak of who we are as a find it interesting that large online universities use of smart boards in classrooms across the Christian, liberal arts university. We are com- are now busy buying and building physical campus, Wi-Fi connectivity across the campus, fortable with who we are and do not represent campuses. video streaming of conferences and chapel ourselves as a fit for everyone.” “This is not to say that online education services, interactive teleconferencing allowing isn’t here to stay nor that technological advances us to connect teaching sites around the state HALL: “HSU clearly emphasizes our Christian will not bring dramatic changes to the way uni- and world, etc. perspective as part of our mission. We embrace versities are structured and interconnected. “Campbellsville University is utilizing the liberal arts tradition with our Foundational However, in the same way that TV church is a these and other technology advancements and Curriculum combined with the distinctive poor substitute for physically attending worship enables us to reach students and constituencies dimension of a Christian worldview. HSU’s with fellow believers, I believe the best form of literally around the world. One approach that faculty-student ratio is an important part of the education occurs through the face-to-face inter- we’re using very successfully is that of ‘blended way we deliver higher education, thus empha- actions between teachers and students. Without programs’ in which a portion of a degree pro- sizing the relational aspect (faculty to student) intending to demean quality online education, I gram is offered online coupled with a portion of learning/mentoring.” still believe physically attending a university offered via the traditional classroom setting. provides the most successful higher educational “There are certainly risks in technology BT: What is technology doing to the experiences.” that must be addressed — assuring quality of way higher education is and will be the student experience, and allowing sufficient delivered? Do you expect revolution- MCGEE: “Technology can be a wonderful time for interaction between the faculty and ary change in the next few decades? tool to help deliver educational opportunities. students. Looking to the future, technology Is the concept of students coming to Institutions, such as Wingate University, provides numerous alternative approaches to campus and sitting in classes going to believe that the great opportunity we have is to the delivery of higher education — the posi- change? Is there risk as well as advan- use technology appropriately but to value the tives outweigh any negatives. At the same tages to what technology offers total university experience which features per- time, there will continue to be need and educational institutions? sonal growth opportunities achieved through demand for the tradition of students coming international travel, campus cultural events, to campus and sitting in the classroom.” MOSELEY: “I think it’s too early to know leadership development, small classes and one- whether new modes of technology have on-one relationships with great teachers. WHITE: “Chowan sees increasing growth in enhanced learning. I believe there will always “The graduation rate at many of the name- online classes and degree programs. Given the be a need for real teachers working directly brand online institutions is between five and 12 pace of electronic innovation, it would be fool- with real students in real time in a real place.” percent — which is atrocious — and they often ish not to expect revolutionary changes in the are very expensive, therefore raising serious ques- next decades. However, we think the concept LUNSFORD: “There is a risk of students tions about their value. There is little doubt that of students coming to campus and sitting in becoming isolated through the use of technol- technology will continue to provide new oppor- classes will persist. For a significant number ogy. However, as technology advances and the tunities for all institutions of higher education. of people, comfort is tied to a face-to-face usage increases, all of higher education will Using it appropriately is the challenge we face.” interaction with a real person.” have to participate. Our commitment is to use the technology but not be used by it.” WESTMORELAND: “I think that there is HORNE: “While we do not ignore the oppor- still a bright future for ‘students coming to tunities technology affords, we believe the ELLIS: “Technology is a tool. Education is, campus and sitting in classes.’ Our approach place of professors and students learning in a always has been, and always will be relational. to education is built around that concept, and face-to-face classroom situation will be prefer- Education is more than the dissemination of there is a strong market for it. able for many. We may in the future be in the information, and for our university, it is more “Just the same, I believe that the use of minority, but those committed to excellence in than merely preparing students to obtain a job technology will continue to alter the ways that this approach will continue to do well.” upon graduation. we teach and learn. I think that our libraries “No one imagines elementary school edu- will continue to change in dramatic ways, and HALL: “Technology is enhancing the way we cation will become a series of online courses. very quickly. For instance, I’m a dinosaur, but deliver education. It is important that we Of course, college students are not children; I get most of my books on Kindle. embrace and harness the best that technology
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has to offer to our students. Just as there have plans might be, you must be able to fund them already been dramatic changes in past decades, properly in order for them to be successful.” “Innovation is we will, no doubt, see unanticipated improve- important. ments in the future. WESTMORELAND: “I think that innova- However, I suggest “Online education will continue to flour- tion has been important throughout the that flexibility ish. The number of hybrid courses (combining entirety of my three decades in higher educa- and adaptability online and face-to-face instruction) will increase tion, but the problem now is that it is even dramatically. I believe there will always be a more difficult to tell the difference between a may be more place for the traditional, residential Christian fad and the next really big thing. important.” higher education institution; however, the defi- “As president of Samford, I need to have Chris White nition of “traditional” will change as new around me people who are in tune with the technology enhances what we have heretofore trends, and I need to read widely so that I can known in the “traditional” institution. also anticipate change. After all, that’s the “Rather than be “Rather than be anxious about the future, approach we are trying to stress to our stu- anxious about the I believe we must embrace it. This will require dents. We need to model it for them in our future, I believe we thinking and acting in different ways than we own work.” must embrace it. have known in the past.” This will require CARTER: “Innovation is essential to the suc- thinking and acting BT: How important is innovation in cess of any leader of a large organization. in different ways leading an institution of higher learn- While holding on to basic values that survive than we have ing today? the test of time, a successful university presi- known in the past.” Lanny Hall dent must be able to contend with numerous MOSELEY: “We are trying to strengthen and constituencies and expectations. Innovation is improve our institution to deliver its mission at the heart of Campbellsville’s Vision 2025 “Baptist higher most effectively. We are not trying to innovate strategic blueprint as we work to make education has a ourselves into a unique kind of institution.” Campbellsville University one of the premier very rich history Christian universities in the nation. and tradition, and LUNSFORD: “Innovation is crucial in areas “We must look at innovation at all levels our commitment is of programs, delivery and marketing. The vari- of institutional life — from energy efficiencies ous publics expect it, and yet we have to and green technologies in the construction and to continue in that maintain a focus on our missions.” renovation of facilities to the use of state-of- vein in the years ahead.” the-art technologies in the classroom to the use Michael Carter ELLIS: “Innovation is essential to leadership. of social network media venues to communi- It is often observed that managers manage the cate the message of Campbellsville to the status quo but true leaders create change. involvement of students, faculty, and staff in “While we do not While there is a great deal of management servant evangelism to using innovative means ignore the opportu- work in the day-to-day tasks of a college presi- of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nities technology dent, there is also the essential work of the world. Innovation is absolutely necessary.” affords, we believe ‘revolutionary’ — the agent of change. “Certainly, most Baptist colleges have a WHITE: “Innovation is important. However, I the place of profes- history of struggling financially, and Howard suggest that flexibility and adaptability may be sors and students Payne is no exception. However, in today’s more important.” learning in a face- economy the margin for error is shrinking. If a to-face classroom Rex Horne college is standing still, it is losing ground to HORNE: “Innovation is a part of leading, but situation will be the competition. One must be willing to take clear communication, a passion for your uni- preferable for many.” measured risks. versity and conviction about the role of one’s “We must find innovative ways to posi- university are essential.” embrace and accept innovation as a way of life. tion ourselves in the marketplace and to Those institutions that do not focus on innova- distinguish ourselves from our competitors. We HALL: “As we have developed HSU’s strategic tion and change may be left behind. must be flexible in meeting our students’ plan for the next decade, we have chosen the “We have formed a ‘vision team,’ com- changing needs. In short, university leaders following vision statement: ‘Hardin-Simmons posed of faculty and staff who are not a part of must have creative wisdom.” University will be an innovative community of the formal administrative structure. A major servant scholars engaging the mind and nur- charge to this group is to review any and all MCGEE: “It is absolutely vital! Creative and turing the spirit of future Christian leaders.’ innovations that are proposed and to bring the visionary leadership seems to be driving our “Thus, we have chosen to make innova- best innovative ideas to the table for implemen- most successful institutions of higher educa- tion a centerpiece of our future work. If we are tation. This is, indeed, an exciting time to be in tion. However, no matter how innovative your to be ‘an innovative community,’ we must higher education!” BT
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FEATURE BY TONY W. CARTLEDGE, Contributing Editor Wondrous privilege More Baptist women in N.C. serving well in pastoral roles
Women can preach, as more and Chapel Hill, N.C., called Virginia Taylor second pastor at Providence Baptist in four-and-a-half years ago, it was one more Hendersonville, N.C., where Gail Coulter more churches are learning when step in recognizing women as leaders. The was the founding pastor. they invite a woman to the pulpit for church elected its first woman deacon in the Merritt Lee said she was drawn to the ’70s, Taylor said. Good experiences with church because she didn’t have to first prove a Sunday during the February strong women leaders made the congregation that a woman could be a pastor. “I was “Martha Stearns Marshall Month of more open to considering a woman as pastor. thrilled to go to a place where we could focus Andrea Dellinger-Jones, pastor of on what matters — the gospel,” she said. Preaching.” A smaller, but growing, Raleigh’s Millbrook Baptist Church for the Being a woman pastor brings with it number of churches have learned past three years, is that congregation’s first both potential advantages and disadvantages. that women are quite capable of far female pastor, but the church has a tradition Dellinger-Jones said some members of being progressive. Millbrook ordained two might be less inclined to take her word as more than a periodic cameo role. women deacons in 1922 and actively voted to “law” than they would a male minister. She They have called them as pastors. seat people of all races in 1963. considers that a good thing, however, because Dellinger-Jones said the church was that fits into her preferred model of congrega- arbara Bell has been pastor of Goshen seeking a younger pastor. They considered tional leadership: “I am happy for Millbrook Baptist in Leland, N.C., for 13 years. her résumé along with 200 others, and then to be lay-led and clergy-counseled.” B The church is in a rural setting, but proceeded without regard to gender. Bell said people treated her differently in members tend to have a higher-than-average Susan Pasour is also the first woman her former career as an engineer, and she educational level, and had a long history of pastor at Mount Adar Baptist Church in senses some of the same thing in the church. female deacons and women in leadership Mebane, N.C., where she is in her third year. A few senior adults seemed to find her intim- positions. The congregation has strong women leaders, idating at first, and some members are more They wanted a well-educated pastor, and and ordained a woman back in the ’80s, likely to call her “Miss Barbara” than Bell fit the bill: she had a Master of Divinity Pasour said. “Reverend Bell,” she said, but “on the whole, degree and was almost finished with a Ph.D. Bad experiences with two previous pas- I get plenty of respect from those persons when they called her. tors — both male — may have made the who have been around long enough really to A similarly educated, married male prospect of a woman pastor sound like a examine me as a pastor.” would have been unlikely to respond to a call good risk, she said. Bringing a medical background to the from a small church that could not offer the Julie Merritt Lee and Susan Joyce both pastorate may have more to do with the salary and benefits of a larger or more urban followed women as pastors. Joyce’s predeces- response she gets from some members than congregation, Bell said, but as a single female, sors at Antioch Baptist Church in a rural area her gender, Pasour said. “Both men and that wasn’t as much of a factor for her. near Enfield, N.C., included two women pas- women seem to be very open about physical When Lystra Baptist Church near tors and a female interim. Merritt Lee is the problems,” she said, including concerns
Barbara Bell Virginia Taylor Susan Joyce Andrea Dellinger-Jones Susan Pasour Julie Merrit Lee
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about bodily functions. to hear the narrative of someone’s life. When Pasour also likes helping people find their “I definitely think my relationship with I am able to join in — to become a character place to grow and serve. “It is just awesome women in my church is different than it in that person’s narrative — and to assist him when the shy lady becomes a Sunday school would be if I were a man,” Taylor said. “I or her in seeing how God is involved in teacher or the man who is lost in parenting wouldn’t call it crossing boundaries, but we building him or her as a human being, that is becomes a caring, effective deacon. It is definitely talk about personal things related powerfully fulfilling.” thrilling to see a woman who has been in a to women that I don’t believe they would feel Studying the Bible and teaching or devastating car wreck find her ‘new reason for comfortable talking about with a man.” But, preaching from it, talking about it, and seek- living’ as church treasurer, when a lady I she said, “I imagine that there are some ing to convey its meaning to others “is a would never expect to be open to it becomes things that the men don’t talk with me about wondrous privilege,” she said. a deacon, and a recent widower finds his because I’m a woman. That’s why we need Taylor finds preaching to be rewarding, place as usher.” both men and women in the ministry!” too. “It’s hard work and humbling work, but “Being involved in the fullness of the Clothing appears to be more of an issue I enjoy the privilege of being used by God to lives of my congregation gives me great joy,” for women than for men. Bell noted that speak to God’s people every week,” she said. Joyce said. “Because Antioch has a small some parishioners are more likely to com- But building relationships comes first, number of members, I am able to get to ment on her blouse than on the sermon as she said. “I love the people in my congrega- know extended family and friends and enjoy they exit the sanctuary. tion. It is a real privilege pastors have to be so a familiarity and camaraderie that I might Merritt Lee recalled that in a previous intimately involved in people’s lives. I don’t not find elsewhere. In that vein, pastoral care church, she tended to get a lot of comments take that for granted, and really treasure that and flock-tending and living out the gospel in about her dress or jewelry. Following the tra- trust.” deed is what keeps me going on those days dition of wearing a robe at Providence has Seeing people grow in faith as a result of when I ask, ‘Why me, Lord?’” been a welcome change, she said. pastoral planning and work is also rewarding, Merritt Lee likens her role as pastor to “Guys can throw on a pair of khakis and she said. that of a midwife. “I’m not the key player — a nice shirt or a dark suit and a tie and be As an associate pastor in a previous the one giving birth — but it excites me to fine in any setting,” said Dellinger-Jones, but church, Dellinger-Jones fell in love with the have a part in helping and guiding the church “there are higher expectations for what “high holy moments like baptisms, commun- through gestation and labor, where the Holy women ministers wear.” ion, ordinations, dedications, funerals and Spirit continues to move, bump up next to Being in a church where ministers wear weddings.” After three years of regular us, turn things over occasionally until we are robes resolved that issue for her, she said. preaching at Millbrook, though, she has birthed anew into the likeness of Christ.” Ministerial robes are not the tradition at grown to love that challenge. “In practical terms,” Merritt Lee said, Mount Adar, but Pasour said she deals with “I love the time spent in studying scrip- “this means having the privilege to ask and the clothing issue by going simple, wearing a ture and looking for a new angle,” she said. hear people say where they encountered God low-key jacket and slacks. Finding something new is like discovering a in their week. And in doing so, all of us lis- “I do not want people to wonder how diamond, “and I really like diamonds … tening are transformed. This is powerful and much money I spent on an outfit,” she said, I love sharing the good news.” holy. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this.” “or if it matches my shoes.” But relationships are also important. As Joyce said she hopes more churches will The most rewarding aspects of pastoral an extrovert, Dellinger-Jones said, “pastoral get beyond the issue of gender and be open to ministry are two-fold for Bell. The first, she visits in the hospital, home or coffee house women pastors. “… They have told us it was said, “is when I come to understand how a are life-giving for me.” Helping people find OK to knock on their doors, that God has person’s own story is impacted by God’s story. their place of service and fulfillment in the gifted and called women. Now it is time to I find people endlessly fascinating, and I love community is also rewarding, she said. open the door all the way and let us in.” BT
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INFORMATION BY RICHARD EAKLEY, Religion News Service
LifeWay backs off warning label for The Shack, other books
Southern Baptist bookstores have qui- musician Shaun Groves, who was upset that the program. McLaren, a sometimes contro- LifeWay was willing to warn customers versial emergent author whose books were etly suspended a four-year-old program about a book but still continued to sell it. flagged, said a decision to censor writings by that warned customers to read with The label read: “Read With Discernment. another Christian went against the Baptist This book may contain thoughts, ideas, or tradition of personal conscience. “discernment” books by several up- concepts that could be considered inconsis- “I think it is concerning when, espe- and-coming authors whose books tent with historical cially a Baptist bookstore acts as if a central evangelical theology. organization can make decisions on which “could be considered inconsistent with Therefore we encourage books are accepted and rejected,” McLaren you to read it with extra said. “Yes, I am very pleased (to see it historical evangelical theology.” discernment.” ended).” hris Rodgers, director of product LifeWay, the official Young, who wrote the New York Times standards and customer relations publisher and bookstore best-seller The Shack, said he wasn’t both- C for Nashville-based LifeWay, said of the Southern Baptist ered by the program, but still thought that the warnings were discontinued because Convention, down- LifeWay made “a good move” in ending it. they were “irrelevant to our customers.” played the program and the decision to end When Young heard his book had been Rodgers said. “No one asked about the it, saying the labels were an attempt to pro- labeled, he shared a laugh with his family authors.” vide customers with more information. and friends. He feels, however, that LifeWay The program flagged the writings of “The program has been called controversial, had good motives and understands the diffi- several emergent authors with labels that (but) the only real controversy was the culty of their situation. provided the address to a website to learn Groves blog,” said Rodgers. “Lifeway has a tough job, they have to more about the work or author; the website Some authors of the marked books, figure out how to be a part of a world in has since been disabled. including popular authors Rob Bell, Donald which ideas are larger than their commu- The program recently came under Miller, Brian McLaren and William Young, nity, but still maintain their allegiance to attack in a blog post from Christian were happy with the decision to terminate their denomination,” Young said. BT Living Leviticus: Isn’t just reading it hard enough?
By Cathleen Falsani — people choose to ignore Leviticus alto- Leviticus and its odd edicts as the “old law” Religion News Service gether. But Daniel Harrell, while a minister — one that Jesus fulfilled, replaced with at Boston’s evangelical Park Street Church, grace and is no longer applicable to believ- hen viewed through the lens of launched a preaching series on Leviticus. ers. But if Christians really believe that God modernity, Leviticus — the More than a few folks thought he was crazy. gave all of the Bible to humankind to show W third book of the Hebrew “Leviticus is that graveyard where read- us how to live, then what does Leviticus Scriptures that contains the laws, large and through-the-Bible-in-a-year plans go to die,” mean to faithful living? small, that God gave the Israelites — seems Harrell says. “They looked at me as if I were Harrell decided the best way to answer to be an arcane, strange and wholly irrele- attempting sermon suicide… Who’d get up lingering questions about the laws of vant book. on a Sunday to hear a homily on mildew?” Leviticus was to attempt to follow them in Take, for example, what it has to say Also Harrell convinced 19 of his con- real life. Keeping kosher, not cutting their about acne: “Anyone with such a defiling gregants to join him for a month-long beards, keeping their bodies and their disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair experiment in trying to obey the laws put homes as meticulously clean as possible, and be unkempt, cover the lower part of their forth in Leviticus. Some rules had to be strict adherence to Sabbath-keeping was as face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’” observed in spirit since most municipalities, difficult as he and his flock had anticipated. Why would God care about the condi- including Boston, frown on animal sacrifice. But also more rewarding than they imag- tion of our skin? Or what kind of meat we Harrell chronicled the adventures of his ined. eat? Or whether we wear a cotton-polyester would-be Levites in the book, How to Be Rather than affirm the idea that you blend T-shirt? Or ask us to sacrifice pigeons Perfect: One Church’s Audacious Experiment can either embrace grace or the law, Harrell to atone for our sins? Or need to remind us in Living the Old Testament Book of found that a faithful life involves both. “No not to have sex with our stepmothers, Leviticus. While the book is peppered with one can be perfect by following Leviticus’ nephews or pets? laugh-out-loud anecdotes, Harrell’s aim was laws … and realizing that leads, necessarily, It’s no wonder, then, that many pastors, quite serious. to the understanding that no one can be preoccupied with attracting — not repelling Many Christians simply dismiss perfect apart from God’s grace.” BT
38 | Baptists Today • April 2011 BT_April11_Nat_v4:2011 Baptists Today 3/15/11 4:19 PM Page 39 Coming in June! An expanded, newly designed Baptists Today
hen the June issue of Baptists Today lands in your hand, you will see and feel SOMETHING DIFFERENT. But don’t be alarmed: you are simply getting MORE THAN BEFORE. The expanded, newly designed news journal will have all the fea- W tures of the current publication along with new Bible studies and other resources for churches — and a fresh look. Expect it to be noticeably different, yet recognizably Baptists Today! WHAT’S THE SAME? new The mission of Baptists Today remains So what’s ? Big Launch Party unchanged: to provide churches with a Thanks to helpful feedback from readers, a long featuring singer/songwriter Pat Terry reliable source of unrestricted news, analy- creative process and the generous support of sis and features about relevant issues. friends, the June issue will have a fresh look and Sunday, May 22, 7 p.m. As always, the news journal enjoys feel. Cox Capitol Theatre unthreatened autonomy and edito- Most noticeably, the publication will have an 382 Second Street rial freedom that is boldly protected by an updated design with full color and more pages Downtown Macon, Georgia. independent Board of Directors. of content. The focus of Baptists Today is broad, An expanded new center section titled Food, fun and a sneak preview of the not limited by state or convention lines. “Nurturing Faith” will feature Bible studies new Baptists Today. Bring a group from Attention is given to the larger Baptist written by Dr. Tony Cartledge — as well as other your church. family. church resources. Extensive teaching materials will PREVIEW THE The qualities that have made Baptists be provided online, including lesson plans by Rick NEW BAPTISTS Today unique for 28 years will remain Jordan of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of TODAY! unchanged. North Carolina.
Studying the tarting in the June issue (with lessons that begin in Bible with July), Baptists Today will provide weekly Bible study S lessons written exclusively by contributing editor Tony Dr. Tony W. Cartledge and sponsored by CBF Congregational Life. Dr. Cartledge, who also teaches at Campbell University Cartledge Divinity School, has a scholar’s mind, a pastor’s heart and a writer’s pen. His ability to provide solid biblical scholarship with practical applications of faith has long been appreciated. FAITH ELEMENT BIBLE STUDIES These lessons for Sunday school classes and other FOR YOUTH weekly Bible study groups will follow the biblical texts found Sponsored by the Eula Mae and John Baugh in the Revised Common Lectionary. Unique and abundant Foundation, these new weekly Bible lessons teaching resources (such as video overviews, lesson plans and will be produced in partnership with David commentaries) will be easily accessible online at the Baptists Cassady and Faith Lab. Video and other teach- Today web site. ing aids will be available online at no extra Group or bulk subscriptions to Baptists Today will pro- cost. vide a full year of high-quality Bible studies from a trusted source with a Baptist perspective — along with relevant PLACE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION news, analysis and features. ORDERS NOW Individual subscriptions are $20 for one year and $35 for two years. Baptists Today goes on tour PREVIEW THE NEW BAPTISTS TODAY! Group orders (to different mailing addresses) The news journal staff will hit the road May 23-26 to introduce the redesigned, expanded publi- or Bulk orders (to a single address) are just $18 cation, with stops in Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Asheville and each for a full year (minimum of 25). Greenville. (Details will be posted at www.baptiststoday.org.) Additional tours and special To order, visit www.baptiststoday.org events will follow soon in many other cities. or call 1-877-752-5658.
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