Contains SEPTEMBER Nurturing Faith Lessons

Serving Scientist 34

AUGUST 2013 baptiststoday.org

Artistryas Ministry Frank Murphy brings creative expressions of faith to church 4

The influence of Mister Rogers continues 36

™ BIBLE STUDIES for adults and youth 17 SEPTEMBER lessons inside August 2013 Vol. 31, No. 8 baptiststoday.org

John D. Pierce Executive Editor [email protected] Benjamin L. McDade Executive Vice President [email protected] Julie Steele Chief Operations Officer [email protected] Jackie B. Riley Managing Editor [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge Contributing Editor [email protected] Participants in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, held in June in Greensboro, N.C., visit the Baptists Bruce T. Gourley Today exhibit and Nurturing Faith bookstore. Several attended a workshop on the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies found Online Editor [email protected] inside the news journal. See page 40 for the texts and themes for 2014. Photo by John Pierce. David Cassady Church Resources Editor PERSPECTIVES [email protected] Terri Byrd What to do with inherited faith 9 Contributing Writer by John Pierce Vickie Frayne Art Director Life in the aftermath of Sandy Hook 14 Jannie Lister by Jason Coker Customer Service Manager [email protected] How I became a lectionary preacher 39 Kimberly L. Hovis Marketing Associate by John Fairless [email protected] Lex Horton IN THE NEWS Nurturing Faith Resources Manager [email protected] Baptist Women in Ministry Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus celebrates 30 years 11 Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus BOARD OF DIRECTORS Exodus International shuts down, leader apologizes 12 FEATURE Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. (chairman) Robert Cates, Rome, Ga. (vice chair) Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Study: Gays find most U.S. faiths unfriendly 12 LILY WOMBLE Kelly L. Belcher, Asheville, N.C. Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. Young woman advocates for Huey Bridgman, The Villages, Fla. Southern Baptists condemn Boy Scouts policy 13 women near and far Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. By Terri Byrd Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Gettysburg museum explores role of faith Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. in Civil War 13 43 James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. American Baptists re-elect Roy Medley Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. Quotation Remarks 8 Ben Gross, Chattanooga, Tenn. to two-year term 42 Leslie D. Hill, Lexington, Ky. Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. Editorial 9 Fisher Humphreys, Birmingham, Ala. Michael M. Massar, Baton Rouge, La. Classifieds 16 William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. MEDIA Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas In the Know 16 Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. Bono calls for Lee Royal, Greensboro, N.C. action over ‘signs of Baptists and the Civil War 30 Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. 15 Macon Sheppard, Clemson, S.C. righteousness’ Lighter Side 31 Charlotte Cook Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C. Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. Reblog 32 Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. David Turner, Richmond, Va. Cover photo by John Pierce. Frank Murphy balances painting and Tom Waller, Alpharetta, Ga. Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN sculpting in his home studio with a ministry to college students. An autonomous, national Cynthia Wise, Birmingham, Ala. page 4 news journal since 1983 READERS SERVICES

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In the Posture of Prayer / Camp Pinnacle, Clayton, Ga.

Artistryas

Ministry Detail of Georgia Baptist Missions & Ministry Center ceiling Frank Murphy brings creative expressions of faith to church

OME, Ga. — The women in Frank Baptist campus ministries at two local col- that I might “bury” myself in my artwork Murphy’s weekly art class enjoy paint- leges, Murphy is as multifaceted as the weekly because I am basically an introvert, but I knew Ring and laughing together. Frank moves schedule he juggles. A sports enthusiast and I needed an outlet for staying engaged with from one canvas to another giving advice — musician as well as visual artist, his signature people, students and ministry. and sometimes a stroke or two with the brush. paintings hang in the First Baptist churches of Ministry keeps me grounded and more well “That’s worth $5,” joked one budding Tallahassee, Fla., and Rome and Dalton, Ga., rounded in my approach to everything I do. I artist when Frank trims down the figure of a along with other places where he is asked to try to keep my schedule consistent on a week- girl in a beach scene. “Well, I’ve got 10 more bring a biblical story or theme to life. to-week basis so that I know what times to give dollars to earn,” he responds. Baptists Today editor John Pierce, who to ministry and what times to give to my art. Another woman tells of taking an earlier years ago enlisted Murphy to paint original Usually the nighttime works better for painting home and hearing her husband say: magazine covers, asked him about his approach doing art simply because it allows me the most “That leaf looks great!” to artistry as ministry. uninterrupted time. But there is a need to get “It should,” she said sarcastically. “I paid some things done during the day when I am Frank $15 to paint it.” BT: How do you balance your time as an fresher mentally and creatively. So parts of One gets the idea that these art students artist and minister? One calls for pulling some days are devoted to art, and some nights away to create while the other calls for consider their $15-a-week painting class to are more devoted to ministry activity. leading and engaging people. be one of their better investments. And for Murphy, it is the chance to interact with others FM: When I made the commitment to give BT: Who and what experiences have influ- enced you as both artist and minister? who seek to express themselves in creative ways. more of my time to my artwork, one of the A bi-vocational minister who balances things that was very important to me was con- FM: Artistic influences have been those who his painting and sculpting with leading tinuing in my role as minister. I was concerned were both great artists and committed in their

4 | Feature August 2013 Rapunzel / The B.B. Comer Memorial Library, Sylacauga, Ala.

Detail Pieta / Property of the artist faith. Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Bach come to mind first. Obviously Bach was no visual artist, but he was a dedicated composer who transformed what I could do. Ronnie Brewer (now pastor of the way we worship. Michelangelo, especially as First Baptist Church of Bristol, Va.) was also an he matured, realized the great importance of his enormous friend and confidant in helping me faith, and it became more and more evident in become the person that I am. his work. He also was one who didn’t always agree BT: How do you perceive congregations with the religious leadership when it came to — especially Baptist ones — today when it comes to incorporating art into worship their perception of his art and vision, and he and other aspects of church life? often felt frustrated at their inferior ideas and lack of vision. Yet he remained devoted and FM: One of the great challenges of the church pushed forward with his work despite the today is to completely use the full range of the obstacles. I can relate to that. arts for worship. Tim Keller in the book, Making Also, my love of marble sculpture gives me Art for the Glory of God, says that the arts are how a great appreciation for the power of his work. we try to “get the praise out” when it comes to Rembrandt was the ultimate expresser of worship. They are the main means for us to try art and faith. He has been hard to equal among to express our faith and our inspiration. painters and etchers when it comes to expressing I cannot imagine what worship would be the heart and soul of art. The 350-year period like without the arts. Of course, we use music in since his time has been something of a challenge remarkably diverse ways in worship and praise, because he raised the bar so high. but the other arts — drama, dance, visual arts, ALANA AND ALICIA The stained glass windows of my home etc. — are either placed out of the reach of the church, First Baptist Church of Sylacauga, Ala., church or used in such poor ways that you could In the 1990s, Frank Murphy painted this portrait of two sisters for the Lanier family were my first influence. They are so magnificent hardly describe them as having anything to do in Rome, Ga. About two years later, Sylvia and stimulated me in ways that most sermons with “getting the praise out.” Lanier, the mother, asked Frank to come didn’t while I was growing up. Visual arts were at their zenith in the take a closer look at the painting. “Did you Certainly my parents have had a great church in the Renaissance, but much of what paint a third figure in the portrait?” she influence on my faith, as well as others who is done today is poorly conceived or rejected asked. No, Frank said. Rather, in the back- have challenged me. Friends like Doug Dortch outright. Few in church leadership seem to have ground he had added figurines in a glass (now pastor of Mountain Brook Baptist Church any vision of what architecture and painting and case that created a reflection. To Sylvia’s in Birmingham, Ala.), who encouraged me to other visual forms do to enhance and inspire the eyes, however, it was a memorial to an try Baptist Student Union summer missions church to worship and give God glory. older daughter who had died. “It means so while in college, were instrumental in my first Dr. Robert White of the Georgia Baptist much to me,” she said of the portrait that efforts of serving. Convention had a great vision of what the is treasured now even more than when it My two campus ministers, Rodney Ellis convention’s new Missions & Ministry Center was first completed. and Bob Ford, had great influence on me too. could be architecturally and visually, but so Frank Murphy’s art will be exhibited at Rodney went out of his way to see that I got few others seem to share that kind of vision for Berry College in Rome, Ga., Oct. 21–Nov. 15. involved in BSU, and Bob gave me a vision of expressing faith. Baptists, especially, seem almost

August 2013 Feature | 5 BT: Your paintings hang in several churches. As an artist, what do you like to hear from someone commissioning art for a church?

FM: I like to hear: “Hey, we’d like to have you do a painting/sculpture for us. This is the broad idea we’d like you to consider as a theme. Please come to visit with us so you can get to know us. We want to be fair with you on the cost of doing this. Then be as creative as you like. We trust you as an artist.” Period. No suggestions of ideas or the colors you want. Trust the artist.

BT: What are you working on now?

FM: I am working on a marble sculpture of a woman and camellias. I have beautiful camel- lias growing for months in my yard that need to be used. I have a good idea about how to incorporate them, and I have been at the Marble Festival in my hometown of Sylacauga, Ala., where I have gotten a start on this sculpture. A lot of this Lowering the Paralytic to Jesus / First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Fla. summer will be spent working on this piece. I am also painting a piece for First Baptist antagonistic to the idea of art in the church. FM: My work is almost exclusively involved Church of Tallahassee, Fla., of Jesus Washing Perhaps it is the residue of the Reform- with the human element: emotions, struggles, the Disciples’ Feet. I am really excited about this ation. But it seems that many Protestants have redemption, forgiveness, character, and the piece and how it will be hung in the church thrown the baby out with the bath water. narratives that develop those themes. with another piece I just finished, Lowering the A new vision, not bound to technology and As a painter, I think the narrative becomes Paralytic to Jesus. cutting corners, is needed to make the church the key element to my work, even if it is a sim- After that I have a large painting of Jesus more vibrant in worship and with a greater ple picture of a young mother holding a child. Feeding the 5,000. And I just got a great 350- vision of what the church can be in expressing Somewhere in that image is “the” story or “a” pound block of marble that I’ll start dreaming the glory of God. It seems that the extent of story that draws us to the image and makes it about how to bring to life. creativity in the “new worship style” is relegated come alive for us. Also, I am going to the CIVA biennial con- to a rock band and a bunch of praise choruses. The composition is another key element, ference at Wheaton College near Chicago, and A true vision would include a larger cross- artistically speaking to my work as a painter. As am looking forward to interaction with other section of the artistic community than guitarists a sculptor, the human form seems to take prece- artists and for the inspiration it will bring. And and drummers. Dancers, writers, composers, dence over the narrative. I will try to see the Cubs and/or the White Sox theatre specialists and visual artists could bring a The beauty of the shape and the contours while I am there also. BT fuller vision of worship. of the figure are most interesting to me and I belong to an organization of artists cause me to create and contemplate the artwork. —Artist Frank Murphy can be reached at called Christians in Visual Arts (CIVA) whose I suppose that makes sculpture more vibrant to [email protected]. goal is to see that the visual arts find their me right now because it calls for more creativity rightful place in the church’s mission. This is a and passion. national organization founded in the Midwest I would probably do nothing but sculpt if by Christian artists from various denomina- the right offer came my way — hint, hint. tional backgrounds. These days the ideas for my artwork seem They have made great strides in some areas to be relegated to what commissions I am and have introduced me to other artists who doing, but I try to continually have something are making an impact across our nation. The “other” going on that is not what I am asked to South has been a little slower in catching up to do. That’s what keeps me fresh and interested this vision, which makes living here more of a as an artist. That’s what drives me to do more challenge — although there are certainly other excellent work. things worth the trade-off: Go Braves, Roll Tide! I am very conscientious of doing quality

work and doing what is best. I always hope that BT: How do you approach painting or the things I am doing reflect both quality and sculpting? What is on your mind? Where do passion. The Adulterous Woman / the ideas, concepts and results come from? Privately owned

6 | Feature August 2013

“This is not parachute missions. This is self-sacrificing, biblical, honest, holistic service that provides quotation a platform for meaningful church engagement and sustained national ministries. This is co-missioning. It is not cheap; nor is it the kind remarks of venture that can be run for the change left over in your car cup holder. This type of Christian “We oppose demons, we don’t “Superman has always had a bit of a engagement is worth the lives of our demonize opponents; …we can’t fight messiah complex, born as a modern-day partners and field personnel, and it is like the devil and please the Lord.” Moses in the imagination of two Jewish guys during the Depression and over worth our serious investment.” —Russell Moore, Southern Baptists’ new ethics and religious liberty leader (ethicsdaily.com) the years developing and amplifying his —Suzii Paynter, new executive coordinator of Christ-like characteristics.” the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, speaking to the CBF General Assembly in Greensboro, N.C., “[People today are often] less willing —David Gibson of Religion News Service, reporting about the array of missions and ministries tied to let strangers into their homes. Their on the movie, Man of Steel, whose creators are to the Fellowship main points of contact with others are seeking a strong Christian audience often via the Internet.” “We should not have a cultural elitism —Mormon apostle L. Tom Perry on the church’s that hinders passing the torch to a new 70,000-strong missionary force making greater use generation of leaders. If your church of online technology and doing less door-to-door loves the way you do church more than outreach (Salt Lake Tribune) your children, it loves the wrong thing.” “Bring back (family) dinner if “Throughout much of history, men have —Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research (Outreach) you want to improve how children defined religious norms and texts, and learn history.” women’s voices were silenced. It is time “It seems to me the institution of —Historian David McCollough (60 Minutes) for women to reclaim their religion.” marriage is alive and well — and in serious trouble … The trouble is —Ziba Mir-Hosseini, a founding member of poverty. The less affluent you are, the Musawah Global Movement for Equality and Justice more likely you are to have a child in the Muslim Family, speaking at a June event at The Carter Center in Atlanta without the benefit of a partner, at an age too young for effective parenting, “However audacious our calling and and in chaotic living arrangements.” “The purpose of church is so claims may seem, remember that our —Tom Ehrich in a Religion News Service column people can get together and audacity must be traced to God. God, titled “The real threat to marriage” remind themselves to think about who had the audacity to empty divine something other than themselves. grace and truth into humanity and It’s just not important right now. We’re Most churches fail miserably! We place it in the world in Jesus, is at work not doing politics here.” take ourselves to church often with us.” —Pastor John Crowder of First Baptist Church of knowing what we want to get out West, Texas, on doctrinal differences among the —Judge Wendell Griffen, pastor of New Millennium variety of Christians giving aid following a deadly of it before we arrive.” Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., during a June 27 fertilizer plant explosion in April (ABP) —Michael Elliott, a longtime Baptist social commissioning service at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in Greensboro, N.C. ministries leader in Louisville, Ky., and “Profanity is a primary vehicle that Savannah, Ga. (Facebook) “When it comes to God and country, brings disrespect, anger and hostility white evangelicals report the most into our lives. Try to imagine using intense patriotic feelings in a new poll, profanity in a kind, civil way … The with more than two-thirds (68 percent) prevalence and acceptance of profanity, saying they are extremely proud to be however, has altered the way people an American.” treat each other.” —Joel Snider, pastor of First Baptist Church in —Reporter Lauren Markoe of Religion News Service Rome, Ga. (ethicsdaily.com)

8 | Perspective August 2013 Editorial By John Pierce What to do with inherited faith

or some people, inherited faith lasts a class, who first encountered scholarship that This is a slower process that unfolds lifetime. Little or no alteration is needed; contradicted something she had been taught as rather than is forced. It happens when an Fit just seems to fit fine — for the long a child, responded: “That may be true, but I intriguing sentence is read a second or third haul. The certitudes of faith handed from one like believing the way I always have.” time — and then the book is set aside for a few generation to the next remain certain and often Also, fear that one’s entire belief system moments of quiet reflection. unchallenged. might unravel can result in the fortification of It occurs when a son or daughter asks a For many others, inherited faith no longer all aspects of inherited faith. This fear doesn’t question that would have never been raised in fits. Those steeped in a certain understand- allow for any serious reconsideration of the one’s own childhood and youth. It results from ing of faith often have experiences, insights belief system that was handed down from a conversation with a neighbor or coworker and questions that cause discomfort with the those most trusted and who grew up with a very different worldview theology, worldview, religious practices and instilled deeply since — yet is very unlike the stereotyped version of priorities passed on to them. childhood. such persons that we once imagined from an In such cases, reactions vary. For some A second possible impersonal distance. there is outright rejection and perhaps even response is to reject the Reconsideration of inherited faith is a natu- rebellion. Many others simply shed a few layers whole package of inher- ral consequence of life that includes growth. It is of the old for the new along the way. ited faith as being out only shocking to those whose faith is too fragile It is rare that anyone could experience the of date or out of touch. to stand vigorous analysis or so frivolous that is vast technological and sociological changes of Sometimes one’s par- can be thrown away with the first excuse. the modern era and have no questions about ticular understanding of The late Baptist theologian John Eddins what was once passed along as truth for all Christianity that has been inherited is general- counseled his students who were diving into times. ized to be fully representative of Christianity fresh waters of theological exploration to not What seemed so clear and certain in — and it all gets tossed away in one swift move. discard inherited faith in whole. another time and place will brush up against Persons who feel they were misled or “Hang on to what you have until you have realities not known earlier. Exposure to new mistreated by the persons and institutions pro- something better to replace it,” he advised. ideas and experiences, as well as new people viding religious instruction will often take this The irony is that faith can be both firm who bring different perspectives and dispel our approach. They may even feel cheated out of and flexible. In fact, there is a refreshing free- notions of having all the truth packed away in time by those who taught them that Christians dom in asking questions of one’s own inherited our little boxes of beliefs, can be either threat- believe and act in certain — usually very belief system without fear of losing it all. ening or refreshing — depending on how open restrictive — ways. What one does with inherited faith is as one is to new possibilities for seeking truth. While some may respond in anger to varied as the kind of teaching or indoctrination Those who encounter realities that bring inherited but now rejected faith, others do so one received — some of which deserve quick earlier ideas of truth into question tend to with appreciation for the care and nurture they dismissal. For many of us, however, we look react in one of three ways. received — even if they no longer hold to what appreciatively at the nurture and support we The first possibility, and one that brings they were taught as truth. received but remain open to new discoveries the most immediate comfort, is to simply Such gratitude is often a part of the third and good replacement of parts along the way. ignore any information or experience that possible response: to rethink, re-evaluate and On one hand, our understanding of truth contradicts those earlier teachings. A college reshape one’s belief system rather than embrace stays open to new possibilities. On the other, it student in an introductory New Testament or reject inherited faith in whole. remains firm in all of life’s ebb and flow. BT

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August 2013 Perspective | 9 !" !*/+) 0$/*1)", Online Editor Answersto Baptist Questions from a historical perspective QUESTION: What do Americans think about Baptists?

Do you ever wonder what the a Google search and notice how Google tries to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. complete your search. And while Baptists may be perceived as American public really thinks about To illustrate, a recent search using the disliking Catholics, the general public, accord- Baptists? Well, wonder no more. phrase, “why are Baptists” resulted in Google’s ing to Google, also thinks Catholics are mean, autocomplete feature supplying the following wrong, arrogant, weird, judgmental, strict Google, that online fount of all knowl- suggestions: and arrogant. It thus appears that Baptists edge, has compiled what everyone and Catholics occupy much online common ground. thinks about everything — well, What about public opinions regarding almost. Muslims and Mormons? Google reveals that Muslims are considered angry, strict, afraid of hen typing in a search term, Google dogs, radical and extreme. automatically supplies additional And when searching for “why are Baptists so,” Mormons, on the other hand, stand apart Wwords in the search box. This it turns out that the general public wonders: from other religious groups in terms of their “autocomplete” feature, according to Google, public image. They are perceived as elders “predicts and displays queries to choose from. (referring to the title of “elder” as applied to The search queries you see as part of auto- adult male adherents who meet certain quali- complete are a reflection of the search activity fications; the title is prominently displayed on of all web users and the content of web pages name tags worn by Mormon missionaries), indexed by users.” successful, rich and secretive. Results vary over time, reflecting shifts in Looking under the hood of Google- As to other faiths, public perceptions are a public perceptions. In addition, a user’s geo- revealed public opinion a bit more, we find mixed bag. Buddhists are perceived as vegetar- graphical location can influence results. that Southern Baptists in particular are consid- ians, happy, bald, selfish, peaceful, annoying Translated, this means that Google is ered narrow-minded, judgmental and against and Muslim killers. And Hindus are vegetar- keeping track of what web users are searching alcohol. As to Christians at large, public per- ians, rich, cheap, peaceful and rude. for and what people are writing online on web ceptions are a bit more complex as they are If, by this point, you are wondering about pages, in blogs, on Facebook, in discussion viewed as weird, fake, nice, hypocritical and the validity of Google’s database of public forums, and in other online venues. persecuted. perceptions, do a Google search for “why is In other words, if you want to know what Yet, according to Google, there is not [my state]” and note how Google finishes the the (online) world thinks about a given subject enough data for definitive public opinions on search query. matter, start typing the relevant keywords into more moderate Baptist organizations such as In the case of my state, the public won- ders why Montana is “called big sky,” why the state is “so liberal,” why it is the “treasure state,” and why the state name is “Montana.” Maybe you’ve asked one of those very same questions about Montana at one point or another. I suggest you Google it; everyone else does. BT

—This series is provided in partnership with the Baptist History & Heritage Society. Bruce Gourley serves as executive director of the society and as online editor for Baptists Today.

10 | Perspective August 2013 !" !$! 211)&, Associated Baptist Press

Baptist Women in Ministry celebrates 30 years

GREENSBORO, N.C. — “Tonight Nancy Sehested, an early organizer of Baptist Women in Ministry, said founders “simply we have come here to give thanks to stood up and said, ‘I am … a daughter of God God for Baptist Women in Ministry,” and the church’.” Photo courtesy of ABP. said Pam Durso, the organization’s executive director. “Tonight we are especially grateful for those who 30 years ago founded this work.” hirty-three women gathered March 20-21, 1983, in Louisville, Ky., to form T an effort to encourage women to fuller ministry in churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. That June, 75 people attended the first meeting of the group, initially called Women in Ministry, SBC. The organization changed its name in grenades across enemy lines in hopes that it by GAs, Acteens, missions involvement and 1986 to Southern Baptist Women in Ministry would explode in new conversions,” Sehested Baptist colleges and seminaries in light of the and in 1995 dropped the “Southern” des- said. “It went back and forth like that for a Baptist tradition of being “against the status ignation, since by that time the nation’s while. Then we realized the Bible could be quo” and to “create a place for the marginal- second-largest faith group officially discour- used to justify just about anything.” ized and oppressed.” aged women from serving in pastoral roles. “We soon learned to ask simply one ques- Suzii Paynter, the first woman to named Nancy Sehested, co-pastor of the Circle tion to our detractors: What are you afraid of?” executive coordinator of the Cooperative of Mercy Congregation and prison chaplain at she said. “Transforming of heart and mind for Baptist Fellowship, described Baptist Women Marion Correctional Institution in Asheville, most of us does not come through a verse or in Ministry as “a chorus of Baptist women of N.C., was keynote preacher at the anniversary two of Scripture, but the living letter of human call.” celebration. Sehested, an early catalyst in the beings who bear witness to this radical gospel “Be diligent to voice potential as much as movement, told of meeting a stranger on a of love.” you are to assess limitations,” she challenged plane who said he had never heard of or met Elizabeth Flowers, assistant professor of the audience. “We are not in charge of the a Baptist woman in ministry. She joked it was American religious history at Texas Christian inspiration and the arc of our lives toward the because they are all “in the witness-protection University, said the first known ordination of a Kingdom of God, but we are in charge of our program.” Southern Baptist woman in 1964 gained little obedience to Christ.” “I want to thank Baptist Women in denominational attention. The numbers of BWIM established two new awards: The Ministry for 30 years of protecting the witness ordained women grew during the 1970s, she first Baptist Women in Ministry Church of of women in ministry,” she said. said, and by the 1980s women’s ordination was Excellence recognition went to Watts Street Like most Baptist movements, Sehested a full-blown controversy, with churches being Baptist Church in Durham, N.C., that was said, BWIM “started with a sense of outrage.” disfellowshipped for calling women as pastors. first to ordain a Southern Baptist woman, Women who huddled at convention gatherings In 1984 the Southern Baptist Convention Addie Davis, to the gospel ministry in 1964. and talked in late-night phone calls about their passed a resolution encouraging the service of The inaugural Frankie Huff Granger exclusion from full participation in Baptist women “in all aspects of church life and work Distinguished Mentor Award went to Anne life didn’t discuss starting an organization other than pastoral functions and leadership Thomas Neil, a retired missionary to Nigeria for justice and equality for women in Baptist roles entailing ordination.” and Ghana who at age 60 was present for the churches, she said. “We simply stood up and In 1990 the SBC amended the Baptist founding of BWIM and served as the organiza- said, ‘I am … a daughter of God and the Faith & Message to specify: “While both men tion’s convener in 1984. The award is named church.’” and women are gifted for service in the church, for the longtime minister of education at First In the early days, Sehested said, Southern the office of pastor is limited to men as quali- Baptist Church in Berea, S.C., who was a role Baptist women in ministry were “practiced in fied by Scripture.” model for younger women discerning their the art of ducking when three little words were While some in the SBC viewed both own call to ministry. spoken: ‘The Bible says …’ Duck! Run for liberalism and feminism as enemies of the Durso also announced a new campaign, your lives!” faith, Flowers said, others worked to develop BWIM 360, challenging supporters to give “And there were even times when we tried “a uniquely Baptist theology of women in $30 a month for the next 12 months to help to define ourselves by tossing Bible verses like ministry.” They re-imagined a calling shaped the organization expand its ministries. BT

August 2013 Information | 11 Study says gays Exodus International shuts find most U.S. down, president apologizes faiths unfriendly By Sarah Pulliam Bailey up to people publicly ‘on my side’ who called Religion News Service you names like sodomite — or worse.” By Adelle M. Banks Chambers, who is married to his wife, Religion News Service xodus International, a group that Leslie, said his core beliefs about sexual- billed itself as “the oldest and largest ity have not changed, and admitted he still ay Americans are much less religious EChristian ministry dealing with faith wrestles with his own same-sex attraction. than the general U.S. population, and and homosexuality,” announced in June that Chambers, who was hired in 2001, Gabout three in 10 of them say they it’s shutting its doors. had already disavowed reparative therapy have felt unwelcome in a house of worship, a The announce- at the annual Gay Christian Network con- new study shows. ment came just after ference in January 2012, and his apology The Pew Research Center’s study, released Exodus president Alan “is the acknowledgement many of us have June 13, details how gay, lesbian, bisexual and Chambers released a been waiting to hear for a long, long time,” transgender Americans view many of the coun- statement apologizing said GCN executive director Justin Lee. try’s prominent faiths: in a word, unfriendly. to the gay community “Alan has been moving this way for The vast majority said Islam (84 percent); for many actions, awhile … but this apology is much more the Mormon church (83 percent); the Roman including the organiza- explicit and leaves no room for support for Catholic Church (79 percent); and evangelical tion’s promotion of Alan Chambers change therapies or demonizing gays.” said churches (73 percent) were unfriendly. Jews efforts to change a per- Warren Throckmorton, a psychology pro- and nonevangelical Protestants drew a more son’s sexual orientation. fessor at Grove City College who has long mixed reaction, with more than 40 percent Exodus functioned as a support group observed the ex-gay movement. considering them either unfriendly or neutral for men and women who were struggling Chambers announced the closure of about gays and lesbians. with their sexual orientation, and early on Exodus at the ministry’s 38th annual confer- Ross Murray, director of news and faith embraced the idea that gays and lesbians ence in Irvine, Calif. Local affiliated Exodus initiatives for the gay rights group GLAAD, said could become straight through prayer and ministries, which are autonomous, will con- relations between the religious and gay commu- counseling. tinue, but not under the name or umbrella of nities have warmed in recent years, but before But the belief in “reparative therapy Exodus. the last decade they were “pretty painful.” was one of the things that led to the down- In his apology, Chambers acknowledged He thinks the sense of unfriendliness fall of this organization,” Chambers said in stories of people who went to Exodus for comes in part from the loudest voices of faith an interview, noting that Exodus in recent help only to experience more trauma. speaking through an anti-gay frame. years redirected its focus to helping men and “I have heard stories of shame, sexual “The leading anti-gay voices always put women work through their sexual identity. misconduct, and false hope,” he said. “In it in religious terms, which taints how people “I am sorry we promoted sexual orienta- every case that has been brought to my atten- view religion,” Murray said. tion change efforts and reparative theories tion, there has been swift action resulting While Pew researchers found that U.S. about sexual orientation that stigmatized in the removal of these leaders and/or their gays noted increased social acceptance, 29 parents,” Chambers said in the apology. “I organizations. But rarely was there an apol- percent of those surveyed said they personally am sorry that there were times I didn’t stand ogy or a public acknowledgement by me.” BT have felt unaccepted in a house of worship. That compares to 39 percent who say they’ve been rejected by a close friend or family Baptist Identity Resources: $5 each member, and 21 percent who say they’ve been treated unfairly by an employer. A Capsule History of Baptist Principles (Brackney) Almost 50 percent of gay, lesbian, bisexual A Capsule History of Baptists (Gourley) and transgender adults say they have no reli- A Festschrift in Honor of H. Leon McBeth gious affiliation, compared to 20 percent of the A How-to Manual for Your Church’s History (Deweese, et. al.) general population. One-third of religiously (Honeycutt) affiliated gay and lesbian adults say there is a Henry Clay Vedder conflict between their faith beliefs and their No Longer Ignored (Deweese & Durso, ed.) sexual orientation or gender identity. Not a Silent People (Shurden) Although many gay Americans seem to On Mission with God (Durso & O’Brien, ed.) eschew faith, the majority of those who are The Baptists (Brackney) religiously affiliated are Christian. Just like the general public, younger gays and lesbians are less likely to have religious ties. BT

12 | Information August 2013 Southern Baptists condemn Scouts policy, but no boycott

By Adelle M. Banks what they saw as the company’s gay-friendly not condoning homosexuality. Religion News Service policies. That boycott was ended in 2005. “We believe the BSA policy is fully con- Nonetheless, Southern Baptists expressed sistent with how Southern Baptist churches outhern Baptists overwhelmingly voted their “continued opposition to and disappoint- respond to young people in their congrega- June 12 to stand with churches and fami- ment” with the recent change in policy. The tions, and (it) allows them to maintain their Slies that drop ties with the Boy Scouts lengthy resolution notes their concern that beliefs about homosexuality and minister to of America over its decision to allow openly gay some BSA officials and gay advocates expect children who are still learning and developing,” Scouts, and urged the BSA to remove leaders the May decision will eventually lead the he said soon after the vote. who supported the change in policy. Scouts to allow openly gay adult leaders. A.J. Smith, president of the Association Members of the nation’s largest Protestant “We encourage churches that choose to of Baptists in Scouting, also supported contin- denomination, gathered on the final day sever ties with the Boy Scouts not to abandon ued ties to the Scouts, saying troop-chartering of their annual meeting in Houston, also their ministry to boys but consider expanding churches can enforce a conduct code that acknowledged the right of churches to remain their Royal Ambassadors ministry, a distinc- prevents “any kind of sexual activity” and can in Scouting, urging them to “seek to impact as tively Southern Baptist missions organization to remove those who violate it. many boys as possible with the life-changing develop godly young men,” the resolution stated. “I believe that it is possible, even desir- Gospel of Jesus Christ.” BSA spokesman Deron Smith said his able, for Baptist churches to continue to The Baptists’ resolution stopped far short organization has “deep respect” for Southern utilize Scouting as an outreach ministry of of calling for an all-out boycott, as they did Baptists but stressed that the new policy is the church,” said Smith, whose association in 1997 with the Walt Disney Co. to combat about accepting a boy with same-sex attraction, includes Southern Baptists. BT Gettysburg museum explores role of faith in Civil War

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Located on the campus of the Lutheran Religion News Service Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, the Gettysburg Seminary Ridge hen Confederate soldiers bore down Museum is able to explore the history of the seminary and the larger role on Gettysburg, Pa., in 1863, a quiet that religion played in the 19th century. Wseminary building atop a ridge was Photo courtesy Gettysburg Seminary transformed — first into a Union lookout, Ridge Museum . RNS photos then a field hospital for 600 wounded soldiers. Now the structure that stood at the center of the Civil War’s bloodiest and most pivotal battle has been transformed once again. On July 1, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Schmucker Hall, located on the campus of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, reopened as a museum reflecting on the epic battle, the costly war and the complex role of faith. up in these events, and trying to be as faith- develop, popularizes new insights from recent Seminary Ridge Museum takes visitors into ful as they could be as good Christians,” said scholarship, including how clergy on both sides the minds of those who fought and explores Maria Erling, professor of church history at the were physically attacked for taking unpopular their conflicting ideas of freedom. Some seminary. “They were consoled by those faith stands on slavery. 750,000 soldiers died during the Civil War and commitments.” “It’s really a war of words that precedes the many of them carried and quoted from the In interactive exhibits, visitors grapple with war of sabers and guns,” Franco said. “The slav- Bible. But they read it in divergent ways that mid-19th century moral dilemmas: Would you ery debate is very influenced by biblical passages still reverberate in a polarized America. harbor a fugitive slave if it meant you could go to support one side or the other.” “People have found it comfortable to find to prison? What motivated nurses, such as the As it turned out, both sides came to inter- a way to think about the Civil War in terms of Catholic Daughters of Charity, to tend to the pret Scripture in ways that would support their valor and heroism,” said Barbara Franco, execu- injured on both sides? views on slavery. tive director of the museum. “We want to really Exhibits also showcase religious belongings “The North had its own agenda, its own look at these other parts of it — causes, con- of soldiers who fought at Gettysburg including reasons for reading the Bible the way it did,” sequences — and leave people thinking there’s a 3-inch-by-2-inch Bible carried by Medal of Erling said. “And the South had its own reasons more to this than just the simple answers.” Honor recipient Jefferson Coates. for reading the Bible the way it did. … That’s “Here were these young men, caught The museum, which cost $15 million to how we have a Bible Belt.” BT

August 2013 Information | 13 Editor’s note: This article in the series “Transitions: Helping churches and church leaders in changing times” is provided by the Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org) based in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Life in the aftermath of Sandy Hook

By Jason Coker

Here is the conversation I had with For the next several weeks we picked up our so many good intentions after the Sandy Hook children from school, who had to walk around tragedy, but that intended goodwill crushed my 6-year-old first grader before he a police car to get to us. Newtown. returned to school the Monday after Some parents cried. All of us grabbed our In events such as these, leadership effec- the Sandy Hook massacre: kids and lifted them up in bear hugs. tively communicates the real needs, and In the aftermath of the tragedy, people intercepts responses that are well intended but on, a man who was very sick in his wanted answers. Many turned to clergy and provide a sense of relief for those responding “ head came into a nearby school and other care providers for help. Personally, I was rather than those in need. Sending a teddy bear Shurt a lot of children and teachers.” looking for answers myself and was trying to may make someone feel like they are helping, (Immediately) “Is he going to come to my find someone to follow who had all the answers. which makes them feel good, but thousands of school and hurt me, Daddy?” To my shock, I discovered that everyone teddy bears only get in the way of real work. “No, son, he can never hurt anyone in my purview was looking to me for answers. Leadership helps communities navigate the again.” I was the pastor, and for space between the help that is needed and the (Immediately) “Why, Daddy?” many this made me the help that is offered. Although this kind of lead- (Pause) “Because he died, Son.” mouthpiece for God. ership may concentrate on mechanics of crisis, (Immediately) “Did he go to heaven, In an attempt to it provides those who are most affected by crisis Daddy?” provide provisional with the space to feel the way they need to feel. (Pause) “I don’t know, Son. I hope so.” answers and help process Community is essential. Those most (Immediately) “Do you think God and the depth of these expe- affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy will never Jesus can help his head, Daddy?” riences, I worked with be the same. This crisis is not something they (Pause) “Of course they can, Son.” others to develop a con- will “get over.” Rather it is a crisis that has ference that would equip altered their lives, and they will have to live in It’s hard to write that exchange without pastors and care providers in our region to help a “new normal.” being overcome with emotion even after sev- others. It was designed to help the helpers. In processing this tragedy, my own com- eral months. Taking away my son’s innocence In April our church hosted “Clergy and munity — both local and national — has been and replacing it with anxiety was never part of Crisis: A Conference in Response to the Sandy essential. Belonging to a larger community my parental plan. Hook Tragedy.” Care providers from all over empowered our church (and me as an individ- Although the tragedy of the Sandy Hook lower Fairfield County, Conn., and the New ual) to be more than it could be for our area. massacre was felt widely, our proximity to York metro area came. Some had counseled The relevance for denominations and Newtown made it more acute in the Fairfield Newtown teachers. greater fellowships has never been more pro- County area. All of our schools were locked The conference was transformative. nounced in my career as a pastor. The larger down when the events at Sandy Hook were I learned several things that are universally community to which we belong came as guest taking place, and we parents were notified by applicable in situations of crisis and trauma. speakers, financial resources and intellectual our local superintendents of schools that police No one is exempt from crises. Traumatic resources that functioned as the real presence were dispatched to our children’s schools as a experiences happen, so churches and other of God. safety measure. places where people come for answers and help In a world where we have to have painful That was a phone call I never thought I’d need to be prepared at some level. conversations with our kids because we have receive, and nothing can truly prepare you for As a pastor, I need to be ready to field traumatic experiences like Sandy Hook, I hope it. I’m a pastor and my wife is a social worker, the questions people have and to be a “non- these reflections are helpful at any level no and we were still taken aback by the call. anxious presence” that helps rather than hurts. matter how provisional they may be. BT Other parents in Newtown received much In crises, leadership is essential to help worse news, of course. Our experience was one coordinate the responses so that responses will —Jason Coker is pastor of Wilton Baptist of secondary trauma, but trauma nonetheless. “give life” rather than “take life.” There were Church in Wilton, Conn.

Community is essential. Those most affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy will never be the same. This crisis is not something they will “get over.”

14 | Perspective August 2013 Media

Blues, Rock By Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Religion News Service and the Gospel Bono calls for actions over ‘signs of righteousness’

U2 frontman Bono exchanged Bible thing. But remember, Jesus didn’t have many the person he stopped on the road for. This is manners as we now know.” why we call it The ONE Campaign,” he said. references and bantered about music, Bono recalled the section in Luke 9 when “You and I can have many disagreements on theology and evangelicals’ role in AIDS Jesus told a man not to wait and bury his father many philosophical, theological things. But on but to follow Jesus immediately. Daly responded this we know we can agree on.” activism in a June radio interview with to Bono’s summary, “Seems cold-hearted.” Daly said he expects potential blowback Focus on the Family President Jim Daly. Bono replied, “No, seems punk rock to me. from Focus listeners who might see Bono as He could see right into that fellow’s heart. He unorthodox. rowing up in Ireland with a Protestant knew he wasn’t coming and he was just, it was “Does he use a bad word here and there? mother and a Catholic father, Bono pretense. We’ve gotta be a bit more cutting edge, Yeah, probably. Does he have a Guinness every Gimitated C.S. Lewis in Mere Christ- not look to the signs of righteousness. Look to now and then? Yeah, probably,” Daly said. ianity, where Lewis argued that Jesus was a the actions.” “When you look at it before the throne of God, lunatic, liar or Lord. Bono made an explicit connection between I think (God will) say, ‘You saved so many “When people say ‘Good teacher,’ his faith and his work with the ONE Campaign, children.’” ‘Prophet,’ ‘Really nice guy,’ … this is not how the humanitarian organization he founded to Daly said his predecessor James Dobson Jesus thought of himself,” Bono said. “So, you’re fight poverty and disease. might not have done an interview with Bono, left with a challenge in that, which is either “It’s very annoying following this person but Dobson did get blowback for having Dr. Jesus was who he said he was or a complete and of Christ around, because he’s very demand- Laura Schlessinger on his program because she utter nut case.” ing of your life,” he said while chuckling. “You is Jewish. “And I believe that Jesus was, you know, don’t have to go to university and do a Ph.D. to “Bono clearly accepts Jesus as Lord. I the Son of God,” Bono said, according to a understand this stuff. You just go to the person wasn’t prepared for his quickness in inserting transcript provided to Religion News Service. “I of Christ.” Scripture into the dialogue,” Daly said of the understand that for some people and we need to Daly threw a C.S. Lewis quote at Bono: artist who has been married to his wife, Ali … if I could be so bold, need to be really, really “When a man is getting better, he understands Hewson, for decades. “I celebrate with them respectful to people who find that ridiculous.” more and more clearly the evil that’s left in him. that they have four children and have been mar- Bono made comparisons between biblical When a man is getting worse, he understands ried 30 years. Not everyone in the Christian characters and music. his own badness less and less.” community can say that.” BT “First of all, David’s a musician so I’m Bono jokingly replied, “Yeah, that could gonna like him,” Bono said. “What’s so power- turn up on the next U2 album, but I won’t give ful about the Psalms are, as well as they’re being him or you any credit.” New Release gospel and songs of praise, they are also the In his work on HIV/AIDS, malaria, pov- blues. It’s very important for Christians to be erty and other areas, Bono noted the challenge honest with God, which often, you know, God of finding the right issue to take on. Most of the is much more interested in who you are than 9 million HIV/AIDS victims who were saved who you want to be.” are alive because of treatments funded by the As Bono praised David’s “honest language U.S., Bono said. with God,” Daly noted that “sometimes it gets “I am here to thank the American people you into hot water with the more orthodox for that,” he said. “And I also want to thank folks, because they see you as edgy, maybe too the evangelical community for that, because it edgy at times.” wouldn’t have happened without their leader- It’s a criticism that Bono’s used to hearing. ship, because they like myself, pestered George “You’ve gotta be very careful that grace Bush and the administration, who actually and politeness do not merge into a banality of deserve praise for starting this out.” behavior, where we’re just nice, sort of ‘death by He compared HIV/AIDS to biblical stories Available as a digital download cupcake,’” Bono said. of leprosy. (ebook) or in print at “Politeness is, you know, a wonderful “People don’t understand in that Scripture, nurturingfaith.info thing. Manners are in fact, really an important the Samaritan was at odds with the ideology of

August 2013 Media | 15 Classifieds In the Know

Senior Pastor: Jonesboro Heights Baptist Ronnie Brewer is pastor of First Baptist died June 22. Hustad, once full-time Church in Sanford, N.C., dually aligned with Church of Bristol, Va., coming from the organist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic CBF and SBC, is seeking a senior pastor with Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Association, served on the faculty of strong leadership skills and capable of leading where he had been coordinator since 2010. Southern Seminary’s School of Church a pastoral staff of four members. JHBC is very mission minded both internationally and locally. Earlier he was pastor of Trinity Baptist Music from 1966 until his retirement in We are a diverse, intergenerational congregation Church in Madison, Ala., and was Baptist 1986. He continued to teach courses and of 400-plus, with a focus on building relation- campus minister at the University of lecture at the seminary in Louisville, Ky., ships and family ministry. The senior pastor will Alabama. for the next 20 years. He published five have ministry preparation credentials from an books, including Jubilate! — a book that accredited university or divinity school. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package. For Cherilyn Crowe is director of analyzes evangelical church music and sets more information about the position, see communications for the Baptist Joint forth his own philosophy of church music jhbc.org. Send résumés to 316 W. Main St. Committee for Religious Liberty in — and True Worship: Reclaiming the Wonder Sanford, NC 27332 or [email protected]. Washington, D.C. She had served as & Majesty. associate director since 2009 and formerly Pastor: Community Baptist Church, worked as a television producer in Nashville. Dale Peterson was recognized for 40 years Milledgeville, Ga., is seeking a pastor who will as minister of music at the First Baptist work with the congregation, deacons, and D. Perry Ginn died May 17 at age 84. Church of Auburn, Ala. He also serves as committees to sustain and expand its focus on His pastorates included First Baptist composer in residence for the church and missions and ministry, and to identify goals and visions for the future. For more information, Church of Gainesville, Ga. (1965-1973) teaches at Auburn University. visit cbcmilledgeville.com. Send résumés to and Peachtree Baptist Church in Atlanta [email protected]. (1990-1997). He and his late wife Betty Charles Watson Jr. is education and established a lecture series on faith and outreach specialist for the Baptist Joint Associate Pastor of Youth and College science at Mercer’s McAfee School of Committee for Religious Liberty. A gradu- Students: Morningside Baptist Church, located Theology. ate of The Citadel and Mercer’s McAfee in Spartanburg, S.C., is seeking a full-time associ- School of Theology, he has served as ate pastor of youth and college students with a Don Hustad, 94, a leader in evangelical children’s director at Atlanta’s Buckhead heart for God and students. The candidate will church music who taught for decades at Baptist Church and as a Cooperative plan, implement, and lead a balanced and cre- ative ministry to youth and college students. This Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Baptist Fellowship-endorsed chaplain. BT person will need to have a proven record of effec- tive student ministry, an outgoing personality, team-building skills, communication excellence and administrative skills. He or she will need to be willing to work collaboratively with the other Advertise today pastors on staff and incorporate the youth in the overall life of the church. The candidate will have Print OR Web Classified Ads Web Display Ads (1 week) a Master of Divinity from an accredited seminary, and we prefer at least 3 years full-time ministerial (1 month) experience in a church. Go to msidechurch.org to learn more about Morningside. If interested, send your résumé to [email protected]. Baptists Today has received gifts: IN MEMORY OF … KATE GOODSON From Caroline H. Bentley JAMES F. YATES Children’s Sermons From Linda Jenkins

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

Teaching resources at nurturingfaith.net

For adults and youth HOW TO USE THESE BIBLE STUDIES September lessons in this issue 1. Order a copy of Baptists Today news journal for EACH MEMBER of the class. The Bible What God Really Wants Lessons are found only here. 2. T eachers can go to nurturingfaith.net to access all Jeremiah 2:1-13 — Lost Love of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply SEPT. 1, 2013 click on “Adult” or “Youth.” Teaching the Lessons Gospel Lessons for Daily Living After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge starting on page 18, teachers can access Luke 14:25-35 — Counting the Cost helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at SEPT. 8, 2013 nurturingfaith.net. These include:

* T ony’s video overviews Luke 15:1-10 — Counting Sheep * Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan SEPT. 15, 2013 * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver * T ony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and Luke 16:1-13 — Counting Coins ”The Hardest Question” SEPT. 22, 2013 * Links to commentaries, multimedia resources and more Luke 16:19-31 — Counting Options How to Order SEPT. 29, 2013 The Bible Lessons in Baptists Today are copyrighted and not to be photocopied. Youth Lessons are on pages 22–23.

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

© Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org | 17 Jeremiah 2:1-13

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 1, 2013 Lost Love Jer.emiah 2:13 – “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of t happens all the time, really: Children living water, and dug out cisterns for who appear to adore their parents themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold Iwhile young grow up and turn a wary no water.” eye toward all they’ve been taught, rejecting the path their parents had set them on and choosing to follow their own way. Sometimes that’s a good thing: Not all parents provide the kind of example that children should follow. Often, how- ever, it’s discouraging, as children who were brought up to honor God and par- ticipate in the church turn their backs on both God and the community of faith.

What God remembered (vv. 1-3)

Today’s text offers the small comfort Yahweh, Jeremiah spoke wistfully of captured more than 100 years previ- of knowing, at least, that the pattern how God remembered the days when ously, and now the southern tribes is not new. Jeremiah portrayed God Israel’s people, freshly delivered from (often referred to as “Judah”) were in as a caring parent whose children had their bondage in Egypt, were convinced danger, too. once been devoted to the one who had of God’s presence and devoted to God’s Believing that judgment was both delivered them from bondage, but later way. imminent and a direct result of the peo- turned their hearts to gods who could The prophets often spoke of Israel’s ple’s desertion of God, Jeremiah called not deliver a fly from the mud. time in the wilderness in idealized them on the carpet for their unfaithful The Hebrew prophets often spoke fashion, imagining it as a sort of honey- ways. in oracles, messages that claimed to moon period in which God and God’s God’s desire to be recognized as be a direct word from God, and that people enjoyed a time of mutual love the only true God was made clear in could be directed toward any number of and devotion. the Ten Commandments, given through subjects. Much of Jeremiah 2-24 But the honeymoon, if it ever Moses on Mt. Sinai: “You shall have consists of oracles of judgment against existed, was over. Jeremiah insisted no other gods before me” (Exod. 20:3). the people of Judah and Jerusalem. that the people who were once devoted The worship of images was specifi- Jeremiah 2:1-13 includes two ora- to God had turned their backs and redi- cally condemned (Exod. 20:4-5). Yet, cles, both illustrative of the prophet’s rected their allegiance to empty idols. the narrative declares that God’s cho- preaching against the people of Judah sen people persistently followed the and Jerusalem. What Israel forgot lead of their neighbors by incorporat- The first three verses are not (vv. 4-8) ing Canaanite idols into their worship included in the lectionary text, but Jeremiah’s work covered the last practices. provide crucial background for quarter of the seventh century and the Thus, God asked: “What wrong understanding vv. 4-13. Speaking for first dozen years of the sixth century did your ancestors find in me, that BCE. Israel had been in the Promised they went far from me, and went after Additional background information Land for 500 years, but the northern worthless things, and became worthless online where you see the “Digging tribes (often referred to as “Israel” or themselves?” (v. 5, NRSV). Deeper” icon “Ephraim”) had been conquered and Jeremiah’s commentary was sharp.

18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes The word translated “worthless” is the insubstantial smoke and mirrors of hebel, the same word Qoheleth used are available at the Canaanite prophets. in Ecclesiastes when he said “Vanity nurturingfaith.net With v. 13, Jeremiah used a strik- of vanities, all is vanity.” The word ing metaphor of spiritual thirst both to derived from the image of smoke that summarize his charges and to intro- blows from a fire, or the fog that rises they didn’t need a separate or local duce a more detailed description of in the morning but quickly blows fertility god in order to grow crops in the people’s sin. They were guilty of away. The term carries the connota- Canaan. “I brought you into a plentiful two major evils, he said, forsaking the tion of something empty, insubstantial, land to eat its fruit and its good things,” divine fountain of “living water” in worthless. he said, in God’s behalf. “But when you favor of cisterns of their own making, Jeremiah’s word choice was also entered, you defiled my land and made broken tanks that could hold no water clever in that Israel had deserted Yah- my heritage an abomination” (v. 7). (v. 13 – see “The Hardest Question” in weh for Baal, and the word hebel Even those who should have known the online resources for more). looks and sounds much like habacal, best failed to be faithful, Jeremiah It’s easy for us to join Jeremiah in the Hebrew way of referring to Baal. insisted: there were failures at every condemning Israel, but we should look They were worshiping hebel habacal, level. The priests did not call on God, in the mirror before doing so. It’s not Bulemic Baal, the vapor god. the experts in the law didn’t know the uncommon for church members to trade Looking back, we are tempted to God who gave them the law, the leaders in their devotion to God like a used car. wonder how the people could do such of the people led them away from God, It’s possible to think of oneself as a a thing: How could they forget the God and prophets declared that they spoke follower of God while for all practical who delivered them and turn to the god for Baal rather than Yahweh (v. 8). purposes living as a deserter. of their Canaanite neighbors? Is it any wonder that Jeremiah – We have known people who were Jeremiah was even more incredu- who had remained faithful to Yahweh raised in church and loved God as a lous, amazed that they would forget the – was flabbergasted by Israel’s shift in child, but left their allegiance to God God who delivered them from Egyptian allegiance? when they left home. oppression, led them through a desert Others may have followed God wilderness filled with danger, and kept What difference it makes for a long time, but when things didn’t them alive in a forsaken land (v. 6). (vv. 9-13) work out as they expected or some trag- Perhaps, in the polytheistic envi- To emphasize the seriousness of Israel’s edy came into their lives, they became ronment of the ancient Near East, the rebellion, Jeremiah spoke as if God angry with God. To express their disil- Hebrews came to think of Yahweh as were bringing a formal lawsuit against lusionment, they may have stopped a desert god only, as a traveling god or Israel, a common pattern of speech praying or going to church, thinking a war god. After getting settled in the among the prophets. that if God could not or would not pro- Promised Land, what they cared about “Therefore once more I accuse you, tect them from trouble, there was little most was having more children to pro- says the LORD, and I accuse your chil- point in worship. vide social security for their old age, dren’s children” (v. 9). We may also know people who and having more cattle to provide them The word translated as “accuse” can have wandered from God, but who with wealth, and growing more crops to mean “strive” or “contend” in a generic learned that fast times or big dollars feed themselves and the cattle. sense, or “bring charges” in a specific or alternate religions did not feed their Their Canaanite neighbors claimed legal context. Jeremiah’s terminology spiritual hunger, and they returned that their gods, particularly Baal and suggests that Israel’s abandonment of to God. They discovered that God is Asherah, could promote fertility and Yahweh was not a new problem. waiting and willing to forgive, always make it rain so the land would produce God had charged their ancestors longing for relationship with us. crops – and the Canaanite gods were a with the same kind of behavior, and It is entirely possible, of course, big hit with the Hebrews. expected to indict their grandchildren that we might find ourselves in any one It didn’t hurt that serious Baal wor- for the same thing. Still, God spoke or more of those categories. It is good ship involved drinking a lot of wine with disbelief that Israel, among all the to know that no matter how far off track and having sex with temple prostitutes. nations, had traded in the “glory” of we may wander, God still loves us and Some evidence suggests that prac- their God for the impotence of idols. does not give up on us. God is always tices from Baal worship were even The word translated as “glory” willing to welcome us home with open introduced at the temple in Jerusalem. has its roots in the sense of something arms, where we find the meaning and People can convince themselves that being heavy, substantive, or worthy hope and joy that come with trusting the just about anything is right if they want of respect. Israel had exchanged the God we knew as children, the God who to do it badly enough. weighty substance of the true God for is. Jeremiah reminded the people that

LESSON FOR SEPT. 1, 2013 | 19 Luke 14:25-35

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 8, 2013 Counting the Cost

ave you ever given up on something that seemed way Htoo difficult for you? Run- ning a marathon, for example – is that something you would even consider attempting? Or climbing Mount Everest – is that on your bucket list? What about being Jesus’ disciple? Would you give that a try? After read- ing today’s text, you might change your mind. Luke 14:27 – Radical demands “Whoever does not carry the cross and (vv. 25-27) follow me cannot be my disciple.” There is no getting around the difficulty of this text, which contains some of what he said? however, the word “hate” is jarring. It Jesus’ hardest teachings and portrays A common approach is to suggest demands love and commitment to Jesus discipleship as something so radical that that Jesus was using a Semitic hyper- at such a high level that love for family very few would even aspire to it, much bole – exaggerating for effect. Just as will seem like hate by comparison. less attain it. we would say “If I’ve told you once, The bottom line, the unavoidable Our challenge is to do the passage I’ve told you a million times” – know- requirement, is that to qualify as Jesus’ justice without watering it down to ing full well that we haven’t come close disciple, one must love Jesus more than make Jesus’ demands more palatable, to a million – Jesus could say “hate” one’s own family and be willing to act or writing it off as unattainable and thus when he really meant “love less.” on that love, even if it means leaving beyond serious contemplation. That, in fact, is the way Matthew family behind. Luke observes that “large crowds puts it in his version of the same story: Leaving one’s family is just one were traveling with him” (v. 25). The “Whoever loves father or mother more aspect of what it means to carry one’s immediate target of Jesus’ teachings, than me is not worthy of me; and who- cross while following Jesus, which is then, was the conglomeration of the com- ever loves son or daughter more than me the second requirement (v. 27). mitted and the curious, the groupies and is not worthy of me …” (Mat. 10:37). Here we must again avoid the ten- hangers-on who had coalesced around So, we are not off base in suggest- dency to dilute this demand by thinking Jesus and followed him about. ing that Jesus used the word “hate” in of day-to-day burdens as cross bearing. Jesus’ first demand was that those a figurative rather than a literal sense. It’s common in our language to describe who would be his disciples must hate Jesus consistently taught an ethic of a physical ailment or a live-in relative their families – parents, spouse, chil- love, calling for his disciples to love as “my cross to bear,” but Jesus was not dren, and siblings (v. 26). one another (John 13:34-35), to love talking about being burdened. He was What? How do we deal with such their neighbors (Mark 12:31), even to talking about dying. an outrageous statement? Are there any love their enemies (Matt. 5:43-44). Crucifixion was the Romans’ interpretive gymnastics that can save us It’s inconceivable, then, that Jesus favorite means of execution, especially from believing that Jesus actually meant would want his followers to truly hate for slaves. To make public examples their families, at least in the sense of har- of those perceived as wrongdoers, the Additional background information boring hostile emotions or ill will toward Roman authorities would often force online where you see the “Digging those who should be closest to them. them to carry their own crosses to the Deeper” icon Even understood figuratively, place of execution.

20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes Jesus wanted disciples who were disciples are likewise good for nothing. willing to follow him all the way, even are available at Jesus’ concluding statement that anyone to death. This demand packs little punch nurturingfaith.net with ears to hear had better listen was for modern readers in countries where a clear warning against half-hearted Christianity is the dominant religion. discipleship. We have no sense of what it would to some sort of subordinate status. What can modern readers do with be like to face death for the “crime” As unappealing as that thought a text like this? Do we know anyone of following Jesus and refusing to might be, it would be a better outcome who meets these requirements for dis- acknowledge the emperor as a god. than sacrificing many lives in a battle cipleship — anyone who has shown a Luke’s readers would have known one seems destined to lose and having willingness to forsake their families, this, however. Some of them lived in the enemy invade the country, raping forgo all possessions, and carry the places or during sporadic times of perse- and pillaging as they go. cross of risking their lives for the sake cution when Christians could be hung on It’s also possible that a king might of the gospel? a cross or used as lion-bait in the arena determine that his soldiers, though out- And if we’re not in that category, for refusing to worship the emperor. numbered, were better trained, more does it mean there is no hope for us? The demands of discipleship are committed, and thus capable of defeat- Perhaps we should acknowledge, hard. Are any of us truly willing to meet ing the enemy – but only if the king as Richard B. Vinson suggests, that it’s them? risked everything by sending them into just too hard for most of us and that we battle, knowing victory would come at don’t qualify as disciples, but can still Pointed parables the high cost of many lives. take intermediate steps toward fuller (vv. 28-33) Jesus knew that his followers would discipleship (Luke, Smyth & Helwys Luke’s account includes two brief para- be outnumbered and many would die, Bible Commentary [Smyth & Helwys, bles not found in the other Gospels. The but he still called for a total commit- 2008], 497-98). parables, both in the form of questions, ment that risked everything. Instead of giving up, if we’re describe quite different dilemmas, but The conclusion, in v. 33, is that already contributing financially to sup- both relate to the theme of counting the real disciples must be willing to risk it port church and charitable efforts, we cost. all, specifically in terms of renouncing could set a goal of increasing our level The first parable asks whether worldly possessions and giving up all of commitment and living on less so anyone would set out to build a tower their stuff. more ministry could be done. – probably a farmer’s watchtower from How much risk is there in our faith? If we are already giving some of which one could guard crops from our time to Christian-inspired social predation by either humans or animals Words of warning ministries that help the poor or home- – without running the numbers to see if (vv. 34-35) less, perhaps we could give more – even he could afford it. A half-finished tower The lectionary text stops at v. 33, but if it takes us away from our families. would be not only a waste of resources the literary unit is clearly designed to Our admitted failure at becoming but also a source of ridicule by the include Jesus’ stern warning in vv. the sold-out disciples Jesus called for – community (vv. 28-30). 34-35. These words seem to be directed and who were particularly needed in the The message is that would-be toward those who had already decided early years of the Christian movement – followers should count the cost and not to follow Jesus rather than those who does not mean that Christ’s grace does start what they can’t finish. were still counting the cost. Jesus not extend to us as we strive to become The second parable is more dif- speaks of salt that has lost its saltiness better disciples and to be, if not yet pure ficult, because the king in question is and become worthless. salt, at least good for something. already in a tight spot: An enemy is Unappetizing food can always be The great danger is that we write apparently approaching, though still seasoned with salt, but there is no help off these hard words as not applying far away, and he must decide whether for salt that has lost its saltiness – or to us at all. Too many evangelists and to march into battle and fight against for disciples who don’t live up to or pastors have portrayed discipleship as forces that outnumber him two-to-one maintain their commitment. Such salt, something that is easy, imploring sin- or send an envoy to negotiate terms of Jesus said, was good for nothing – not ners to walk the aisle, “give their hearts peace (vv. 31-32). even for killing weeds on the soil or for to Jesus,” and be assured of eternal sal- The problem here is that the price kick-starting decomposition in a manure vation – with no mention of the cost of of peace would almost certainly cost pile – and is subsequently thrown away. real discipleship. him and his country something. To keep (For more on salt, see “The Hardest Jesus sets before us a real challenge, the enemy from invading, they would Question” online.) demands so hard that they seem impos- have to pay tribute and probably agree The message is that insipid sible. How will we respond? BT

LESSON FOR SEPT. 8, 2013 | 21 Youth Lessons by David Cassady and online youth teaching resources (at nurturingfaith. net) by Jeremy Colliver build off of the Bible lessons by Tony Cartledge.

Youth lessons are made possible through the generous YouSeptember 1 — September 29,th 2013 support of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. Drifting Away SEPTEMBER 1

Jeremiah 2:4-13 Jeremiah begins when the relationship Think About It: was on good terms — when the people of We aren’t so different from the people of t really isn’t that uncommon: You were Israel were wandering around in the wilder- Israel. The gods we turn to have names that best friends with someone in elementary ness. But he soon focuses on how they turned relate to individualism, greed and desire. Ischool, maybe even played on the same away from God. He blames the fall of Israel What are the things in your life that get in teams. When you got to middle school, you on the fact that the people had started the way of your relationship with God? were placed in different classes and started following the Canaanite god Baal. to make other friends. You promised you Jeremiah does not understand how would always be friends, but you saw each the people can abandon the God who led other less and hung out even less often. By them out of bondage. He reminds them that Make a Choice: the time you got to high school, you just the Canaanite gods are not promising them We have more choices today than ever before. passed each other in the hall with a nod but anything new, and that they have pledged We are constantly bombarded with informa- didn’t really know what to say. themselves to the one true God. tion and ads. How will you choose not to We all have friendships that have The people of Israel have committed succumb to these pressures and instead to drifted apart. The text from the second two major evils: forsaking God and favoring keep God in the center of your life? chapter of Jeremiah addresses a similar rela- their own empty desires. Because of this, tionship, but in this case it is the people of Jeremiah claims they have turned from God Israel who drift away from God. to make themselves gods. Pray: O God, may we make you first in our lives and may everything we do be done for you.

The Cost SEPTEMBER 8

Luke 14:25-35 Jesus is calling us to a high level of Think About It: devotion and love. Our first love is to be Jesus asks a lot of those who want to follow ave you ever looked at something and Jesus, even if that means leaving our family him. What are some things you might have thought, “There is no way I’m even behind. That call seems minor to the next act to give up or change about your life to fol- Hgoing to try that”? Maybe it was try- Jesus calls us to: carrying our cross for Jesus. low Jesus? ing out for a team at school or applying to a In his day, carrying a cross meant execu- prestigious college. Maybe it was getting an tion was near. Jesus is calling each of us to “A+” in the subject you despise or walking a follow him, even to the point of death. Not tightrope across the Grand Canyon without that we have to die to follow Jesus, but if put Make a Choice: a safety net. Whatever that “thing” was, you in the situation where we will die for follow- Jesus doesn’t say we have to follow him; had some clear reasons for not saying no. ing Jesus, we are to do it. he gives us a choice. And before we make Now, read Luke 14:25-35 and ask your- The parable about salt further empha- that choice, he lets us know what it will self if you really want to follow Jesus. Really sizes the point: If salt loses its saltiness, cost. What will you choose? Will you follow read it. Don’t just skim over it and decide, it has no use. Jesus is calling us to make Jesus? because this is the cost of following Jesus. If a clear, real choice. If we aren’t willing to we are honest with ourselves, we know this accept the costs, why act as if we are fol- text isn’t easy to read or completely follow. lowing Jesus? Does Jesus ask too much? Pray: God, forgive us when we have not really followed you. Give us the courage to fully give ourselves to you.

22 | Youth Lost and Found SEPTEMBER 15

Luke 15:1-10 Why does Jesus tell these two para- Think About It: bles? He wants the Pharisees and scribes to What kind of party would Jesus throw when ave you ever lost your cell phone understand why he is hanging out with so someone who has been lost is found today? or driver’s license? Did you stop many “unsavory” people — those who soci- Heverything else to go and look for ety rejects. it? Maybe you retraced your steps or The parables seem illogical to the Make a Choice: called your friends trying to track it down. Pharisees and scribes because they would Would you choose to go after just one friend What fears ran through your mind as you never leave the 99 to save the one, and even if you had 99 others? searched? How did you react when you they certainly won’t throw a party for find- found it? When this happens to me, I usu- ing one coin — much less a party that cost ally feel a wave of relief and gratitude. more than the coin is worth. But for Jesus, Pray: Luke 15:1-10 offers two parables the lost are found! It is time to rejoice and God, may we value others — even the outcast where excitement comes about because be glad. ones — just as you do. Thank you for seeking something that had been lost is found. us even when others seem not to care.

I Serve SEPTEMBER 22

Luke 16:1-13 as soon as we start to divide our devo- Think About It: tion, our relationship suffers. The parable Why do you think the boss was pleased ave you ever tried to have two best of the dishonest manager in Luke 16 is no with the manager lowering the bills of the friends? I mean really try and give different. people? What does this say about how God Hyourself equally to both people — In the parable, a manager has been wants us to treat others? time, energy, money, re-tweeting their trusted with the boss’s property but he tweets. It’s hard to do, and in the end, you wastes it. The manager finds out he is Make a Choice: can’t do it. You end up treating one differ- about to be fired and knows he will have What areas of your life call for your atten- ently or you wear yourself out trying to keep nowhere to go, so he adjusts all the tion and tempt you away from God? everything equal. accounts so that the people owe less. We Jesus knew the problems with split- might expect the boss to be displeased, but ting our attention. That is why he wants us he instead commends the manager for act- Pray: to devote our entire lives to him, because ing shrewdly. God, may we be generous in using what you have given us so that we may improve the lives of others.

Extremes SEPTEMBER 29

Luke 16:19-31 When they are both alive, the poor Think About It: man (Lazarus) is hungry and begs for the How do think God wants us to treat the t is easy to imagine what it might be like rich man’s table scraps, but he is ignored. poor and hungry today? if we were rich and famous. It is easy to When they both have died, their situations imagine because this dream is promoted are reversed and the rich man is begging to I Make a Choice: everyday through ads, movies and TV have even a drop of water on his tongue. shows. Now, can you just as easily imagine When the rich man is denied, he We have wealth beyond our needs. the face of someone who is homeless? If wants to save his five brothers and asks for What small steps can you make to help you can, do you know that person’s story Lazarus to go and warn them. But Abraham those who have too little? and needs? refuses him and says that if the brothers The parable from Luke 16 features a cannot learn from the teachings of Moses, Pray: rich man and a poor man when they are even a risen man will not change them. God, when we see the poor and hungry, alive and after they have died. may we feel your care and mercy for them. Help us find ways to make a difference in our world.

Youth | 23 Luke 15:1-10

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 15, 2013 Counting Sheep

ears ago I read about a woman named Mandy who lost a choco- Ylate Labrador retriever named Wheeler. She’d had the dog for three years before it wandered away from home while Mandy was out of town. The woman who’d been hired to look after the pets let him out to run one day, and Wheeler didn’t come back. Mandy was convinced the dog had set out to look for her. Over the next weeks, Mandy placed Luke 15:10 – dozens of hand-lettered cardboard “Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one signs along area roadsides. She taped sinner who repents.” up hundreds of colored posters in con- venience stores. She mailed scores of letters to area veterinarians. She put ads Carping critics common sinners. in several local newspapers, and created (vv. 1-2) So it is that vv. 1-2 set up the three enough attention to rate a feature article parables that follow: “Now all the tax in the local newspaper. Perhaps Mandy would understand our text for today much better than many collectors and sinners were coming near By that point she had spent more to listen to him. And the Pharisees and than $1,000 on the search, and offered of us. Luke 15:1-10 consists of an introduction (vv. 1-2), followed by two the scribes were grumbling and saying, a $1,000 reward to anyone who found ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats Wheeler (from the Raleigh News and parables that make the same point from slightly different angles. with them.’” Observer, Sept. 11, 1995). Their near-sighted critique deserved I remember being amazed that any- The truth, of course, is that there are actually three parables in Luke 15 an enlightening response, and Jesus was one could care that much about a dog, happy to provide it. and it’s not as if Wheeler was Mandy’s that make the same basic point, for the only friend. She also had three cats and story commonly known as “the prodigal son” completes the chapter: Luke has A lost sheep two other dogs, but she searched for (vv. 3-7) Wheeler as if her life – or Wheeler’s – brought together the parable of the lost depended on it. sheep, the parable of the lost coin and Jesus first told his audience to imagine Years later, I walked into a local the parable of the lost son. that each of them owned a hundred attorney’s office on some unrelated Why the apparent overkill? Luke sheep – a premise that would likely business and discovered that the para- wanted to emphasize how Jesus have been offensive to his detractors. legal occupying the outer office was that deflected criticism from a group of reli- The Pharisees and scribes probably same Mandy – and lying on the floor gious leaders who couldn’t understand considered keeping sheep to be a step beside her was a chocolate lab: Wheeler why he insisted on hanging out with below their station in life. But, a hun- had been found, and the story she told unsavory people – the same type of dred sheep – why, that’s quite a lot. involved some serious celebrating. people for whom Luke may have That’s enough to make you well-to-do, written his Gospel. even if tending them makes you smell- Jesus’ pious critics thought he to-do. Additional background information should follow their example of relating A man had a hundred sheep, Jesus online where you see the “Digging only to the righteous rather than risk- said, but lost one of them. So, he asked, Deeper” icon ing bad influence from associating with “if you were in his sandals, wouldn’t

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes you leave the other 99 in the wilder- it’s unlikely that we would throw are available at ness and go in search of the lost sheep a party to celebrate. One lost coin until you found it? And when you had nurturingfaith.net wouldn’t be that important to us – but it safe in hand, wouldn’t you call in all every lost sinner is important to Jesus. the neighbors and throw a big party to even beyond the margins. And when There’s something strange and celebrate?” one of those precious souls is brought amazing about a woman who would Considering how Jesus posed the from the outside to the inside, all throw such a celebration over finding question, we would expect the answer heaven rejoices. one little coin – and there is something to be “Of course!” But the real answer that seems equally crazy about Jesus is, none of the scribes and Pharisees The parable of the lost coin getting so happy when a sinner like you would have done that, and few of us (vv. 8-10) or me repents and turns to God. would, either. Some parables were designed to leave We’d consider it irresponsible We don’t get that excited, but Jesus hearers wondering, but this one made a to leave the other sheep unattended, said the angels in heaven do: “Just so, I clear point. Even so, Jesus bolstered the where they could be stolen or attacked tell you, there is joy in the presence of message by telling another parable to by predators or wander apart. A smart the angels of God over one sinner who shepherd would put them in a pen or illustrate the same truth. He asked those repents” (v. 10). have someone watch them while he or listening to imagine that they were The kingdom of God is like a party, she went searching for the lost one. housewives. If he had not offended his which Jesus once compared to a wed- officious critics before, he surely would If we found the rambling trouble- ding feast (Matt. 22:1-2). It’s a party to have offended them now. maker, we’d probably be too angry to which everyone is invited, where there None of the scribes or Pharisees throw a party for it. And if we did host is no division between the pious and the would want to picture themselves as the the kind of banquet Jesus described, prurient because we know that we’re all we’d probably have to kill other ani- peasant’s wife Jesus described, living in a small house with a dirt floor, minimal sinners and none of us deserve to mals to provide the food. None of that be there, but that’s the way God wanted makes economic sense – and that’s the furniture, and a fire pit for cooking. it. point. The woman didn’t have much, God isn’t like us, but we are chal- The gospel has a reckless quality Jesus said, but she did have ten silver lenged to be more like God. about it that might seem like foolishness coins, ten drachmas, each one equiva- to our ordinary ways of thinking. Pru- lent to the standard “minimum wage” These short but remarkable parables dence would have us focus on keeping for a day’s labor. suggest the joy that comes with our own the 99 safe, but Jesus focused on seek- Somehow, the woman noticed that sense of being found should send us on ing the lost. one of the coins was missing, so she lit mission to seek others who are lost. God is not like us, and that’s good a lamp, started searching, and didn’t We can be stiff and self-righteous news, because we’ve all been lost. quit until she found it. “Wouldn’t you if we want to. We can sit on the side- What is more, to hear Jesus tell do that?” Jesus asked. “Wouldn’t you lines like the angry elder brother who it, nothing brings God more joy than forget everything else and burn the got mad when his father had a barbecue to find the lost sheep and welcome oil and turn the house upside down to celebrate the prodigal’s return, but them into the kingdom. “Just so, I tell until you found the coin?” Maybe they if we do, we’ll miss the party God has you, there will be more joy in heaven would, if they were poor enough. prepared for us. There’s little doubt But then things go strange again. over one sinner who repents than over that the people who will enjoy the party Jesus pictured the woman as inviting ninety-nine righteous persons who need most are the ones who brought the most no repentance” (v. 7). all of her friends and neighbors over people with them. Perhaps we should perceive more to celebrate. What is unspoken is that Jesus welcomes everyone to his than a little sarcasm in that statement. hospitality would require her to prepare table: men and women and children, The 99 “righteous” sheep were not as food and drink for all of the guests – a saints and sinners and in-betweens. righteous as they thought they were, or celebration that could easily cost more as needless of repentance (and neither than the coin was worth. And, as we celebrate the love of a God are we). But Jesus showed no interest in Again, Jesus asked the question who cared enough to search us out, that: he wants us to move beyond law as if the normative answer would be we’re challenged to join God in search- abiding and to become loving. “Sure! That’s exactly what we would ing for others. Ultimately, then, we can In Jesus’ economy, and that of the do!” But it’s unlikely that we would. also join in the dance of the angels, for kingdom, there is always special con- Even if one of us managed to retrieve a with every person who accepts the invi- cern for the people on the margins, or lost diamond ring from the sink drain, tation, heaven goes wild. BT

LESSON FOR SEPT. 15, 2013 | 25 Luke 16:1-13

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 22, 2013 Counting Coins

ost of us would agree that Jesus was an innovative and Meffective teacher. He knew that people liked stories and would listen to them, so he did most of his teaching in stories. Today we call them parables. Jesus also knew that people would remember a story better and think about it more if it had a surprise ending, so many of his parables conclude with an unexpected twist.

A surprising parable Surprises can be fun, but they can also Luke 16:13 – make us uncomfortable. Who wants to “No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either read a book where the bad guys win? hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one Or who wants to hear a biblical parable and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” where a crook is congratulated? It just doesn’t seem right. He told the story of a lost sheep, prodigal son wasted his inheritance. But there it is. We cannot avoid a lost coin and a lost son who wasn’t Luke wants us to see the connections in it. Here is a parable Jesus told about a punished for his wastrel ways, but these stories. low-down, double-dealing, two-timing welcomed home with a party. The Phar- The wealthy man trusted his man- scoundrel, yet Jesus held him up before isees didn’t like that surprise ending. ager so much that he didn’t check up his flabbergasted audience and said, Jesus likened them to a sanctimonious on him, and didn’t know he was being “You can learn something from this elder brother who got mad and wouldn’t robbed until someone blew the whistle – man.” come to the party. maybe another employee who hoped for How? a reward or a client who was also being We can begin by taking a look at the A troublesome story fleeced. Convinced of the manager’s literary setting. Luke is the only Gospel (vv. 1-8) guilt, he summoned the shyster and told to record this parable, and we can under- From there we come to this troublesome him to turn in the books as quickly as he stand why. But look at where Luke puts story about a rich man and his crooked could, then clean out his office (v. 2). it: Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, business manager. Every now and As the manager went out to get the knowing that a cross was at the end of then we read about some newly rich books in order, he did some fast think- the road. His mind was on eternity. actor or athlete who hires a business ing: “Yikes! What can I do now? I’m A group of Pharisees confronted manager to look after all that wealth, too weak for construction work and too Jesus about his tendency to hang around and the manager steals him or her blind. proud to beg. How will I eat when he with sinners and others less pious than That’s nothing new, apparently. kicks me out?” (v. 3). An ancient car- they. In response, Jesus told them a The rich man entrusted the business toonist could have put a little oil lamp in series of parables about being part of dealings of his estate to a manager, but a balloon over his head as the manager the kingdom of God. he was not a trustworthy man. In fact, got an idea: He would get all of his boss’ he squandered a great deal of his boss’ creditors indebted to him so he could go Additional background information property (v. 1). It’s not a coincidence to them for assistance later (v. 4). online where you see the “Digging that the word for “squander” is the same Plan in hand, the tricky thief made Deeper” icon Greek word used to describe how the the rounds of everyone who owed

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes money to his boss. To the first man, he not mean we buy our way into heaven – said “How much do you owe?” are available at it’s what true believers do. It’s another The answer was 100 jugs of olive nurturingfaith.net way of saying we should lay up trea- oil, each containing eight or nine gal- sures in heaven rather than on earth. lons – the annual production of a very Luke has collected several proverbs large olive grove, painstakingly squeezed on the proper use of wealth and attached fact that he did this by dodgy means is in stone-weighted olive presses, worth them to this verse. Ultimately, they all apparently beside the point. He used his many thousands of dollars in today’s make the same point. Our earthly deci- head, he used the money entrusted to currency. “Okay,” said the sneaky sions have eternal consequences. At him, and he made enough friends to be steward, with a big wink, “here’s what some point in life we have to decide sure he’d always have a place to stay. we’ll do. Take your bill, cross out the So, Jesus says, all of us should learn whether eternity is important to us and ‘100,’ and make it ‘50.’ Don’t ask any to make wise decisions about our future, to determine what our priorities are. questions – just don’t forget who cut you and use what wealth is entrusted to us We have to understand that we can- so much slack” (vv. 5-6). to lay up treasure in heaven rather than not serve two masters (vv. 10-13). We He asked the next creditor the same on earth (Matt. 19:21). This is a difficult cannot be devoted to material gain and question, and the answer was “100 verse to understand, and there’s no way serving God at the same time. Those kors of wheat.” That’s probably about around it. Jesus says “And I tell you, who are wise will recognize that our 1,000 bushels – all the wheat produced make friends for yourselves by means very life is an extended moment in by more than 100 acres, painfully har- of dishonest wealth so that when it is crisis, for we never know when the jig vested and threshed. “Okay,” said the gone, they may welcome you into the will be up, when the bills will come charlatan. “Here’s your bill. Mark that eternal homes” (v. 9). due, when our life will be over. How down from ‘100’ to ‘80’ kors. Don’t ask The reference to being welcome we handle our wealth in the present – any questions – just don’t forget” (v. 7). in the eternal homes (literally “tents” whether faithful in much or little – is And so the manager did with all as dwelling places) calls to mind the an outward sign of our inner decision his employer’s clients, and he did it steward’s plan to cultivate friends who regarding Christ and the future. so boldly that the boss knew about it. would “welcome me into their homes” Those of us who have had loved You would expect him to be furious, (v. 4). ones unexpectedly die – or who have to blister the manager’s ears, to try and But can this be right? Is Jesus rec- come near to death ourselves – have have him thrown in jail. The manager ommending that we use dishonest gain learned how close our transition to certainly deserved it. to buy a ticket to heaven? In the first eternity can be. Such an understand- Instead, the rich man just laughed. place, we must understand that Jesus ing makes a marked difference in the His books may have been doused with was probably using “dishonest wealth” way we look at life, at the future, and at red ink, but he knew that his own repu- (or “unrighteous mammon,” KJV) as worldly wealth. tation had risen among his clients, for a euphemism for money of any sort – Money is always to be used, not everyone was feeling better about what for treasures on earth. What we own is loved, and people are to be loved, not they owed. And, he was impressed really “on loan,” as it were, from God. used. Being at home in the kingdom is at the crooked but clever steward’s So, there is a sense in which our wealth so much more important than accumu- resourcefulness. “You’re a genius!” is no more ours than the money used by lating wealth on earth. If we believe he said. “You’re an evil genius, but a the dishonest steward belonged to him. that, we can’t keep living like the rest of genius nonetheless!” (v. 8a). If we grant that “dishonest wealth” the world. is a reference to money or material pos- Jesus wants us to know that we can A confusing commentary sessions in general, how do we use it to learn, even from a crooked, low-down (vv. 9-13) make friends for ourselves so that, when scoundrel – but a smart scoundrel – That’s where the story ends, with Jesus worldly wealth is gone, we’ll have an that when we recognize the moment of commenting that his hearers could learn eternal home? crisis, it is crucial to act decisively and something from the scalawag. There Let’s think about that. Who lives in wisely. was another time when Jesus encour- God’s eternal home? According to the The good news of the gospel aged his disciples to be wise as serpents Bible, God does. Angels do. The saints declares that the smartest decision we and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16). who have gone before us do. What is can make is to acknowledge Christ This man could teach them something one way we can make them happy and as Lord, to repent of our sins, and to about the “wise as serpents” part. He gain their appreciation? We can do that devote our lives to following him. was smart. He used his head. When he by using our money wisely and respon- That’s living wisely in the present with saw a crisis coming, he acted decisively sibly, by being generous, by supporting an eye to the future. We never know to ensure his future well-being. The God’s work in all its forms. That does when we’ll be surprised. BT

LESSON FOR SEPT. 22, 2013 | 27 Luke 16:19-31

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 29, 2013 Counting Options

ow do you think it would feel to belong to the idle rich – to lie Haround the pool all day while the hired help brought you grapes and gave you back rubs and kept your lemonade fresh? What would it be like to dress in the finest clothes and to wear fine linen underwear imported from Egypt? Could you get into that? On the other hand, imagine being so poor that you can’t even afford clothes, and so sick that they won’t even take Luke 16:39 – you in at the homeless shelter? What “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and would it be like to sleep on the street, the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if too weak or crippled to move, pray- someone rises from the dead.’” ing for someone to toss you some table scraps and too weak to fight off the dogs who lick your ulcerated skin and wait for you to die so they can drag The two men lived side by side, A surprise twist away your skin and bones? except that the aristocrat slept in a (vv. 22-26) soft bed within his comfortable gated The story begins as we would expect, A sad picture home, while Lazarus slept in the street, with the rich man. In the second act, (vv. 19-21) exposed to the elements, apparently however, the poor man appears first – unable to relocate his feeble body It may be hard for us to imagine either by dying. (v. 20). of those extremes, but such is the pic- In first-century Judaism a belief had Although Lazarus is named, he is ture Jesus paints in today’s text. It is developed that everyone went to the peripheral. The story is mainly about an ugly picture: a rich man who thinks underworld (here called Hades), where the plutocrat who lived an openly osten- only of himself and refuses to help the they would await the final judgment. It tatious life, wearing expensive purple poor, even those who sit outside his was believed that the dead might enjoy garments and feasting fabulously while own gate, and a poor man whose life is – or suffer – a foretaste of what might ignoring the frail and incapacitated man one misery after another. lie ahead after the judgment (for more, who was dying on his steps (v. 19). Lazarus is the only character in see “The Hardest Question” online). The text makes a point of saying Jesus’ parables who was given a name. Lazarus, however, appears to have that what fell from the rich man’s table It is the Greek version of the Hebrew skipped this step. There is no mention would have been more than enough to Eleazar, which means “God helps.” of him being buried: he simply died and feed Lazarus, but the scraps were left No one else was helping Lazarus. God “was carried away by the angels to be for the dogs, who cleaned the floor and was his only hope. The man who had with Abraham” (v. 22a). For the Jews, then licked Lazarus’ sores for dessert. everything remained unnamed, fore- to rest “in Abraham’s bosom” was as The men lived only a few yards from shadowing the reversal of fortunes that good as it gets in the afterlife. each other, and there came a night when lay ahead. The rich man, in contrast, “was they died near each other, as well. (v. 21). buried” (v. 22b), and found himself in Lazarus’ death would have been unre- the underworld, suffering the same sort Additional background information marked, but the rich man’s demise would of lack that Lazarus had experienced on online where you see the “Digging have been surprising news, and his burial earth. The poor man’s skin must have Deeper” icon would have been an elaborate affair.

28 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes burned as the dogs licked his sores and he Micah, and Isaiah of Jerusalem. Recall ached for something to slake his thirst. are available at the words of Isaiah that we studied just No longer in his world of privilege, nurturingfaith.net a few weeks ago, as Isaiah spoke about the rich man felt a burning sensation and the sort of piety God desires: “Is it not longed for a drink of cool water. The to share your bread with the hungry, parable imagines that the man could look and bring the homeless poor into your into Paradise and see Lazarus resting unselfish thought. He remembered his house; when you see the naked, to cover (and possibly feasting!) with Abraham, five brothers, who would no doubt be them, and not to hide yourself from and initiated a conversation with the enjoying the family wealth even as they your own kin?” (Isa. 58:7). illustrious ancestor (vv. 23-24). spoke, digging their own graves in full To his disciples, Jesus said “Who- From the conversation we learn that confidence that they were blessed, and ever has two coats must share with the rich man had been aware of Lazarus without a clue about what was coming. anyone who has none; and whoever has – he knew him by name – and yet had Dead but wiser – though still food must do likewise” (Luke 3:11). failed to help him: his was not a sin of expecting Lazarus to do his bidding Jesus so identified with the poor and ignorance. We also learn, surprisingly, – the no-longer-rich man asked Abra- downtrodden that we cannot distinguish that though he may have learned that ham to send Lazarus back to warn his between doing something for the poor his wealth had not followed him to the brothers, thinking that if the old beggar and doing something for Christ. When next world, he had yet to learn that social should come back from the dead like Jesus told the story of the great judg- status did not carry over. Although he the ghost of Christmas past, they would ment between the sheep and the goats, had done nothing for poor Lazarus, he repent and change their ways (vv. he said “Truly I tell you, just as you did expected Lazarus to fetch for him (hav- 27-28, 30). it to one of the least of these who are ing Lazarus dip his finger in water just to Once, again, Abraham’s answer members of my family, you did it to cool his tongue is almost certainly hyper- was disappointing. He flatly refused the me” (Matt. 25:40). bole: surely he wanted more than that). request, insisting that if what his brothers It is not possible for Christ’s dis- Finding himself in the less privi- learned from Moses and the prophets did ciples to have the love of God in them leged position would have come as a not convince them to obey God’s teach- and not share with others. The writer surprise to the rich man. He had grown ings and lay up treasure in heaven by of 1 John put it this way: “How does up with a theology that taught wealth caring for the poor, they would remain God’s love abide in anyone who has the was a sign of God’s blessing and unconvinced, even if one should return world’s goods and sees a brother or poverty was the mark of God’s curse – from the dead (vv. 29, 31). sister in need and yet refuses help?” though he had apparently ignored that So what is the point? When we shut (1 John 3:17). system’s clear instructions for those out the poor, we shut out God. There is We cannot separate loving God and who were blessed to help the poor. no more sin in being rich than in being loving the poor. We cannot dig a moat Abraham explained that the tables poor, but there is great sin in keeping between ourselves and the poor without had been turned – permanently. God’s blessings for ourselves alone. also digging a moat between ourselves All his life, the rich man had been God has always had a special and God. That is what this parable is digging a great chasm between himself concern for the poor, and the Old Testa- teaching us. Like the rich man, we may and the poor, separating himself from ment instructs God’s people to show not believe it until we die. The lure of those who needed his help. Little did he compassion for the less fortunate. What materialism is strong, but Jesus made it realize that the great gap would follow did “Moses and the prophets” say? clear that when we follow him, we rec- him into eternity. And even less did he Deuteronomy quotes Moses as the ognize that our resources follow, too. understand that, all the while he was mediator of God’s instruction: “Since How then do we approach the ques- digging that ditch of separation between there will never cease to be some in tion of Christians and wealth? The first himself and the less fortunate, God was need on the earth, I therefore command letter to Timothy closes with a word of on the side of the poor. Now the ditch you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and advice to the prosperous: “They are to was dug and there was no way to cross needy neighbor in your land’” (15:11). do good, to be rich in good works, gen- it, no way to fill it in. He had chosen to And this was not to be a grudging mini- erous, and ready to share, thus storing live for himself alone, and he had died mum: Israel was told to “Give liberally up for themselves the treasure of a good to spend eternity alone. and be ungrudging when you do so, for foundation for the future, so that they on this account the LORD your God may take hold of the life that really is A stubborn people will bless you in all your work and in all life” (1 Tim. 6:18-19). (vv. 27-31) that you undertake” (15:10). Many people love the old hymn To his credit, the man who had lost And what about the prophets? They “All to Jesus, I Surrender.” Do we … everything seemed to have at least one had much to say, especially Amos, really? BT

LESSON FOR SEPT. 29, 2013 | 29 !" !*/+) 0$/*1)", Online Editor In their own words

AND THE AMERICAN

ollowing Union victories in the battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July, Demonstration at Vicksburg National Military Park. Photo by John Pierce. FConfederate Gen. Robert E. Lee offers his resignation to President Jefferson Davis, who refuses the offer. Discouragement and disil- lusionment settle over the South, mixed with a determination on the part of many soldiers and citizens to fight to the end. In the North, the victory over Lee leads citizens, soldiers and politicians to anticipate a quick resolution to the war. A national day of Thanksgiving is filled with sermons and speeches rejoicing that African slavery is almost banished and victory over the South is at hand. One such discourse is delivered in the Baptist church of Brookline, Mass., by John D. Murdock, who near the conclusion declares:

It is the glory of our National Constitution that it bases itself on the sacred rights of 150 years ago Amid the animated discourse, little formal human nature. It recognizes the divine military action takes place this month. But foreordination of freedom for all men. Chief ! far to the west, Quantrill’s Raiders, a band of among its objects was to promote the gen- August 1863 southern guerrillas, attack Lawrence, Kan., and eral welfare, and to secure the blessings of kill some 183 men before burning the town. freedom to posterity. And though it has been Two weary years of war have wrung this On Quantrill’s hit list is Jacob Ulrich, a German perverted and thwarted by men whose aims question from the agonized heart of our Baptist minister, and Abraham Rothrock, an were alien to its spirit, it has at last been bleeding country. “Oh! That we could have elder in Ulrich’s church. Neighbors, the two wrested from their hands, and freedom is peace!” exclaims the statesman, as he ponders men are prominent abolitionists. Warned of the now proclaimed under the broad shield of its the problems that demand solution at his impending attack, Ulrich and his family flee and authority, throughout all the land, to all the hands. “Peace,” sighs the soldier, as he wraps hide in the nearby woods, as does Rothrock. The inhabitants thereof. Hitherto its exceptions his blanket around him and lies down to raiders set the Ulrich’s house and barn on fire, have been exalted above its leading design. sleep upon the open field. “Peace!” moans but the family saves the house once the men ride Its temporary provisions have been set in the widow, as she reads the fatal news of her away. opposition to its fundamental principles. But heroic husband fallen on some bloody field, Union forces retaliate by evacuating at length the exceptional wrong has given and bitterly thinks of the darkened future in Confederate sympathizing citizens out of four place to the essential right. If the people have store for herself and her orphaned children. Missouri counties and burning homes, barns and only the virtue and firmness to stand upon its The prayer of the land is for peace. You crops. noble aims, and the public policy just inau- may hear it in the sanctuary, at the fireside, Meanwhile, black soldiers are entering gurated in pursuance of them, the clouds will around the family altar, in the silent cham- Union army ranks in droves. The American soon clear away, and a new day of freedom ber, on the tented field. When will it come? Baptist Missionary Convention seeks U.S. and prosperity will dawn on the land. The President Abraham Lincoln’s permission to send Constitution shall at last be recognized as the Tichenor goes on to express his confidence black Baptist chaplains among black soldiers. bond, while the Flag shall be the symbol, of that God is on the side of the slave-based Lincoln replies that their “object is a worthy one, Universal Freedom. And out of this chaos of blood and strife a new order of equality and Confederacy: and I shall be glad for all facilities to be afforded justice shall emerge, and the rejoicings of the them which may not be inconsistent with or a free shall be like the song of the sons of the If God governs the world, then his hand hindrance to our military operations.” morning in the dawn of creation. is in this war in which we are engaged. This month thus sets the contours of the It matters not that the wickedness of man second half of the war: A confident Union In no mood for celebration, the brought it upon us, that it was caused by presses a withering but defiant Confederacy, Confederate nation observes a day of fasting. the mad attempts of fanaticism to deprive both sides certain of God’s favor, while U.S. Southern Baptist divine I.T. Tichenor delivers us of our rights, overthrow our institu- army ranks swell with soldiers of the very race the fast day message before the Alabama legisla- tions, and impose upon us a yoke which, that the South is determined to keep enslaved in ture, in which he laments: as freemen, we had resolved never to bear. perpetuity. BT

30 | Feature August 2013 The Lighter Side By Brett Younger And justice for all

I was recently honored to receive appointment and gathered with 300 other when Rusty (not his real name) told us to go to devoted protectors of the Bill of Rights. A few lunch. We were escorted to the “prison food” notice that I had been named Juror looked a little too eager, as though they were — as a fellow citizen put it — where I paid Number #145308. Like you would be, about to burst out: “I would love to be paid $9 for a “Lucky Sub” that was named after $30 to judge someone. Pick me! Pick me!” an inmate named Lucky who made the bread I was excited to get my invitation to Most seemed to be preparing their early in a long sentence. report to the Gwinnett Justice and excuses: By 1:30, it felt like we were doing hard Administration Center. “I am attracted to the prosecutor. Is that a time. I sent Carol a text, “Bring a cake with a problem?” file in it.” I started humming Bob Dylan: “Any or a few misguided slackers, the goal is “I don’t understand what’s so great about day now, any day now, I shall be released.” to get out of jury duty. I told Carol that being impartial.” Judge Wapner could have been through a FI would be home soon. Most lawyers are “As my mother used to say, ‘You may not dozen cases by now. not eager to try their cases before ministers. be guilty of this, but you probably did some- When the bailiff said to Panel 6, “We’re This line got me rejected once before: “As a thing else.’” only going to take 15 of you,” jurors 16-19 Baptist minister, I think our justice system “I can tell if people are guilty just by look- seemed delighted, but I felt sad as I turned in needs to focus on redemption rather than ing at them. Like the guy in the robe.” my plastic badge. revenge.” Dressing inappropriately was a popu- John Milton wrote, “God doth not need Conventional wisdom is that if you wear lar strategy. George wore his baseball cap man’s work … They also serve who only stand a “Jesus Is Coming Soon” T-shirt, carry a King at an angle that screamed, “I do not belong and wait.” This would have been more appli- James Bible, and whistle “What a Friend We on a jury.” Miranda was dressed like Kim cable if I had not spent the day sitting and Have in Jesus,” you will be back for lunch. But Kardashian; she would not be chosen to serve waiting. deep down I wanted to be picked. These are on a jury dealing with solicitation. Ivan’s tat- The Catholic church in Garrison Keiller’s small dues to pay for living in a country that toos and chains said, “Felons are not eligible fictional hometown is called “Our Lady of values justice. I was eager to do my civic duty, for jury duty. I’ve committed several felonies, Perpetual Responsibility.” Many of us grew and felt no contempt of court. but I haven’t gotten caught. Does that count?” up in the “First Baptist Church of Unending Juror #145308 started preparing. I read When the bailiff came, he looked nothing Obligation.” We might wish we did not have the Book of Judges, which was not as helpful like Bull on Night Court or Rusty from People’s such a deep-felt need to do our part, but even as you might hope. (Samson, in particular, is Court. Knowing these references makes me when we do not recognize it, there is some- not an exemplary magistrate.) I looked at old. They kept explaining who’s who in the thing holy about showing up. BT 1 Kings 3 where King Solomon suggests, courtroom by saying, “If this were Law and “Cut the baby in half,” but am still not sure Order, he would be …” I am the —Brett Younger is associate professor of preaching the baby would recognize the wisdom in only person who has never seen at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. this. Law and Order. I had dreams of Richard Gere tap We watched a video — dancing around the courtroom in How to be a Juror — that will Chicago, Al Pacino shouting, “You’re make no one forget To Kill a out of order,” and Jack Nicholson Mockingbird. They moved us screaming, “You can’t handle the around the room much like cow- truth!” I would be Henry Fonda in boys move cattle. I was thrilled to Twelve Angry Men. I would keep an be in Panel 6 with Judge Carol innocent man accused Brown as Juror #20. of shoplifting from I tried to start the electric chair. He a conversation would owe his life with Juror to me and would #19, but never know my Elise had an name. iPhone. Available as a digital download I got there Panels (ebook) or in print at at 7:40 a.m. 1-5 were in for my 8:00 courtrooms nurturingfaith.info

August 2013 Perspective | 31 Reblog

Selections from recent blogs at baptiststoday.org

A quintet of musicians greets participants in the Baptist World Alliance annual gathering in July as they arrive at the Roaring River Great House near Ocho Rios, Jamaica, for a welcome celebration sponsored by Baptists in the host country. Photo by Tony Cartledge. Baptists and the Holy Spirit in Ocho Rios

By Tony W. Cartledge tended to undervalue the third person of the firm believers in that teaching who also died Trinity, but he expressed hope that further slow and painful deaths. he Baptist International Conference on dialogue with other Christian groups on the Hill reviewed several texts often cited as evi- Theological Education (BICTE) meets doctrine of the Holy Spirit may bring more dence of God’s desire to heal (Isa. 53:4-6, Matt. Tevery five years in conjunction with “variety and energy to the Body of Christ.” 8:16-17, and 1 Pet. 2:24), and offered a critique the Baptist World Alliance. This year’s meet- Burchell Taylor, pastor of Bethel Baptist of the claims. Texts such as “with his stripes ing was in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where more Church near Kingston, Jamaica, offered a paper we are healed,” spoken of the coming Messiah than a hundred theologians, pastors and other on “The Holy Spirit and Social Justice.” Taylor in Isaiah and cited in the New Testament, are Baptists were surrounded by party-happy vaca- called for a “Spirit-empowered praxis” that pro- largely metaphorical he said, though not entirely. tioners at an aging but all-inclusive resort. pels believers beyond the walls of the church to To the extent that the Messiah was expected to While other guests slept off hangovers or join the Spirit in the healing of creation and the bring restoration to Israel-in-exile’s suffering, baked on the beach, we Baptists heard papers on promotion of justice and peace for the world. physical aspects could be involved. a Baptist understanding of the Holy Spirit. Day two focused on a continued discussion Hill said the Kingdom of God has present William Brackney of Acadia University of Baptists and the Holy Spirit before turning and future dimensions. Believers are spiritually shared a paper on “Baptist Contributions to to ecumenical dialogue and emerging trends in healed in this life, and may experience physi- Theological Reflection on the Doctrine of the theological education. cal healing from time to time (though with no Holy Spirit.” Starting with Thomas Helwys, Graham Hill, of Morling College near guarantees) while awaiting the ultimate healing he noted that Baptists have typically focused Sydney, Australia, spoke on healing as it relates that will come with the bodily resurrection. The mostly on Christology, mainly echoing views to the atonement and one’s understanding church needs a broader, more robust, deep, bib- on the Holy Spirit that reflect other Trinitarian of the Holy Spirit. Many Pentecostals and lically sound theology of healing, he said: groups and responding to others’ doctrinal Charismatics believe the Bible promises healing “We are also such pragmatists that we discussions rather than sparking our own. to those who have sufficient faith and enough don’t want to think too deeply about theological Overall, Brackney said, Baptists have people praying for them, he said, but he knew issues imbedded here.”

32 | Perspective August 2013 Deji Isaac Ayegboyin of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria wrote on understandings Trying to make sense out of atonement and the Spirit as they relate to material prosperity. He noted that advocates of SBC decision making of the prosperity gospel have become popular, promising material wealth and claiming that By John Pierce can’t imagine why everyone would not want God wants it to be that way. to be just like them. So they are attempting The paper was mainly a critique, noting n its constant pursuit of a narrowly defined to avoid a growing split over Calvinism. that the prosperity gospel picks and chooses orthodoxy, Southern Baptist Convention A report from an advisory committee verses that speak of God’s desire for people to leadership refuses to let logic interfere with called for “unity” based on the odd idea prosper while ignoring texts calling for the rich I decision making. Hence, the recent well- that it is OK to believe “more” than what’s to become poor and indicating that God is often publicized efforts to ostracize Boy Scouts and found in the convention’s doctrinal state- on the side of the poor. to keep peace with the Calvinists who are ment but not “less.” Logically, if one dares In many cases the church has lost its gaining ground among them. to think about it, that means their mini- prophetic voice, Ayegboyin wrote, by buying Making sense out of how Southern mums of faith are the most important ones. into the prosperity gospel. The scripture does Baptist leaders make decisions — and what Therefore, for example, a fellow emphasize positive use of resources, he added, rises to the top of their priority list — can Baptist who believes a woman can be but it is dangerous to conclude that success is be challenging. But why not give it a try? called to pastoral ministry (something SBC due to one’s own striving or positive thinking. SBC leaders are bent out of shape that Executive Committee President Frank Page Doug Weaver of Baylor University pre- BSA leaders won’t, by policy, exclude or once defended as biblical in his doctoral sented a paper on Baptists, the Holy Spirit and dismiss youthful participants who might dissertation) does not meet the minimal corporate worship. Early Baptists, beginning confess to same-sex orientation. (Sexual requirements of Southern Baptists. with John Smyth, he noted, spoke often of the behavior, Scouts leaders have continually However, if a fellow Baptist believes role of the Spirit in worship, believing it was a affirmed, is not permitted in Scouting.) that God died for a predetermined few, restoration of New Testament worship. So the hatchets of several Southern rather than for the whole world (as John The Spirit played a role both individually Baptist pastors — including the cur- 3:16 claims and Page argued in his book, and communally in Baptist worship, he said, as rent SBC president, the past convention Trouble with the TULIP), that is an accept- seen in baptism, which is intensely personal but president and the chairman of the SBC able “more” belief that allows for inclusion also a communal event. The Baptist emphasis Executive Committee — have fallen on the within the Southern Baptist fold. To on experiential religion depends on a belief merit-badge-seeking, knot-tying boys and Southern Baptist leaders, that’s a minor that the Spirit is at work in worship in every troop leaders tied to their congregations. doctrinal difference compared to the role of way, from the inspired scripture to preaching to Logically, one must ask: Will these women in church leadership. prayer to music and the individual’s response. churches treat youth within their congrega- I’m trying hard to make sense of this. An emphasis on the availability of the tions in the same way they want Boy Scouts So if I were interested in being a Spirit also contributed to the Baptist emphasis to be exclusive? Southern Baptist again — and I’m not — on the freedom of conscience, he said, believing For example: If a faithful teen (perhaps I could embrace the belief that one of my that God could lead individual believers as they even the son of a minister or deacon) who two daughters is destined for heaven while formed beliefs and made decisions. has long been active in the church confesses the other is destined for hell (regardless of “A free conscience was integral to authentic to his youth minister that he feels same-sex the spiritual nurture we provide or her own worship and tied to each believer’s relationship attraction, will he be booted from the youth response to Jesus). But I cannot believe that to God,” Weaver said. group and have his name removed from the one of them might receive a divine calling The past 100 years have seen an explo- church roll? to pastoral ministry. sion of interest in “the explicit longing for the It is a fair, yet unanswered question. When you think about it, that’s how presence of the Holy Spirit in the experience of Apparently, many churches have no Southern Baptist leaders believe now — worship,” Weaver acknowledged, as emphasized problems treating gay and lesbian persons “more” or “less.” in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. so harshly. A recent Pew Research Center But, as one friend asked me: “What if Baptists have absorbed several aspects of study shows about one-third of gay and I believe my daughter is predestined to be a this movement, Weaver said, including contem- lesbian persons stating they have felt pastor?” Don’t confuse the matter, please. porary worship’s emphasis on heart-touching unwelcome in a house of worship. Once again, as hard as I try, it is songs and hands raised in prayer, what he called So I guess the strong response from impossible to make sense out of current “a generic evangelical Pentecostalization of wor- SBC leaders toward the Boy Scouts makes SBC decision making and priorities. Yet ship in Baptist and other churches.” BT a lot of sense if you don’t think about it too one thing is clear: Southern Baptist leaders much. But taking such actions to their prefer to obsess over orthodoxy by hold- —Baptists Today’s involvement in and cover- logical conclusions can be baffling. ing and defending a narrow view of “being age of the Baptist World Alliance is supported However, SBC leaders themselves seem right” that trumps grace and love as well as by a generous gift from Roy and Charlotte Cook baffled by their denominational decline and logic. BT Smith of Winston-Salem, N.C.

August 2013 Perspective | 33 34$*" 2&5 '%$4$3 !" #$%& '()*+)

Louisiana layman Kenny Crump is a serving scientist

USTON, La. — Risk assessment may not capture the attention of many, but RBaptist layman Kenny Crump finds such data intriguing. A scientist who majored in electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech, he did graduate studies in mathematics at the University of Denver and then Montana State University where he earned a Ph.D. Kenny met his wife, Shirley, through the Baptist Student Union at Louisiana Tech in Ruston where they returned to raise their fam- ily. Kenny taught and did research at his alma mater. However, his growing interest in risk assessment was soon followed by the realiza- tion that the field was wide open for research. So Kenny took a one-year leave from teaching to make “a bigger impact on the world” — and became a visiting scientist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in North Carolina. Shirley and Kenny Crump “I found myself doing research in the field of risk assessment and developing statistical models that could be used to set standards for exposure to toxic chemicals,” he said. “The field and was undergoing rapid changes at that time, and Data I was fortunate to become engaged at an oppor- tune time.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted some of the methods Kenny Discipleship had developed, and he began getting requests to work on various projects and provide commemorated a seminal paper he had written For 11 summers, Kenny and Shirley taught consultation. many years earlier. English classes in China. One year his class So in 1980 he left his position at Louisiana To date, he has authored 135 scientific consisted of 10 pastors from some of the largest Tech to begin a consulting company based in papers in peer-reviewed scientific literature and congregations in the nation. Ruston, and traveled widely. Seven years later he has served on a number of science advisory “Shirley has a passion for helping inter- sold his company to a Washington, D.C., con- boards including the Science Advisory Board of nationals and has taught an English class every sulting firm, but continued to work for the firm the National Center for Toxicological Research, Wednesday at our church for the past 25 years,” for another 20 years. the Science Advisory Board of EPA, the Science he said. Kenny then returned to Louisiana Tech Advisory Panel of the Mickey Leland National Also the Crumps are engaged in a Sunday for three years as a research scientist on projects Urban Air Toxics Research Center, and the school class for internationals that Kenny funded by EPA grants. Today he works out of Board of Scientific Counselors for the National started in 1993 with Dan Erickson who had his home on select projects that interest him. He Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. come to Louisiana Tech as director of inter- has made a lasting mark in the important field of And while Kenny has also served on sev- national affairs. For the past seven years, Kenny determining the impact of toxins on human life. eral committees of the National Academies of has served as the teacher — with the class now He was the keynote speaker for an annual Science, he has not spent his life squirreled away using the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies within meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis, which in a lab or at his computer. Baptists Today for the attentive students who

34 | Feature August 2013 come to nearby Temple Baptist Church. Louisiana since 2004. Students were from Viet Nam, Uganda, When not engaged in family activities, Gabon, China and Armenia on a recent and volunteer service or sorting through risk “pretty typical” Sunday, said the teacher assessment data, one is most likely to find known affectionately as “Dr. Kenny.” Kenny on his bike. “It’s all about relationships,” said Shirley For six summers he and his son took of their engagement with international long bike trips to destinations in the West students. “That’s what really matters.” or in Europe. In 1993 they rode all the way As if that is not enough, Kenny also across Canada. leads the music (a role he defines as “song- More recently Kenny has taken his picker-outer”) for a small Baptist church biking adventures to Oregon, California, that meets earlier on Sunday mornings and Hawaii, Ireland and, his favorite, New is deeply involved in an ecumenical prison Zealand. ministry called Kairos. “I am blessed because Shirley enjoys “It about what is really important,” he sagging for me,” said Kenny of the impor- said. “It is nonjudgmental and emphasizes tant role of having a support vehicle. “I still the four L’s: love, love, listen, listen.” often carry my bike on land trips, and I sel- The Crumps are well invested in their dom use my car except on Sundays.” family too, which includes six grandchildren. Born and reared in the small town of One daughter’s family is in Ruston, and the Haynesville in northern Louisiana, Kenny other is in Katy, Texas. has seen a lot of the world and done a world Their son is a medical doctor and of good with his groundbreaking research researcher at Stanford University in Palo and caring ministries. Alto, Cal. He also picked up a master’s An inmate who participated in a retreat degree in theology along the way and further that Kenny helped lead last April said appre- stirred his father’s interest in reading theo- ciatively: “You treated me with respect.” logical works. That’s the way Kenny and Shirley relate Kenny serves on the board of direc- to everyone. They love, love and listen, listen Kenny Crump (left) talks with Bernd Schroeder, chair tors of Baptists Today and has been treasurer — because “relationships are what really for mathemathics and statistics at Louisiana Tech. for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of matter.” BT

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August 2013 Feature | 35 !" !)4% 6(33(1)77, Religion News Service Still making neighbors Influence of Mister Rogers continues a decade after his death

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Fred Rogers, the man behind the long-running Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood children’s show, died 10 years ago, but his influ- ence is still felt deeply here, the city he called home. n June, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary devoted its summer leadership conference Ito insights from his life and work. The con- ference drew an eclectic mix of participants, including psychologists and social workers, educators, clergy and laity. It also functioned as a reunion of various cast members and staffers from the show, which ran on the Public Broadcasting Station from 1968 to 2001. Two films about Rogers were screened, alongside panels on Rogers’ ability to handle life transitions creatively. Rogers’ widow, Joanne, wearing a Neighborhood Trolley pin, spoke briefly as well. Rogers earned a degree in children’s minis- try from the seminary and later was ordained a Photo courtesy of RNS minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He never led a church, but saw his career in broad- demonstrate the experience of having a physi- produced by WQED from 1953 to 1961. It casting, including 33 years as writer and star of cal exam. Breck recalled the producers took also looked at some of the experts Rogers came the Pittsburgh-based children’s program, as a with them tongue depressors and otoscopes to in contact with — psychologists Erik Erikson, ministry. inspect ears. Then she was asked to find two Anna Freud and Margaret McFarland, as well as His show taught children how to respond children who might be comfortable having a full pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock. Adult audi- to challenges, fears and life transitions. And physical exam on camera. ence members sang along as the movie played while it was never overtly religious, it cultivated Now a part-time student at the seminary, clips from the children’s television show. the virtues: neighborliness, hospitality and Breck recalled how Rogers was attuned to what James Davison, director of continuing respect for others. made children anxious. education at the seminary, spoke of the Children’s spirituality “is not an add-on to She’ll never forget the question he asked Christian principles he glimpsed in the show, children’s lives but part and parcel of who they her: “When you look in my ears, can you see suggesting that the parable of the Good are,” said Patricia Crawford, associate professor through to my brain?” Samaritan formed the basis for the show’s of education at the University of Pittsburgh. She “He really was the way he played himself central question, “Who is my neighbor?” said the conference helped her understand that on TV,” she said. “Spending time with Fred Davison believes what was unique about children’s sense of “caring and kindness” needs Rogers left an indelible mark on everyone’s soul Rogers was his “ideas of how to treat others to be nurtured. and psyche.” from his biblical religious background,” deep- Retired Pittsburgh pediatrician Jane Breck Judith A. Rubin, the “art lady” on Mister ened by Rogers’ studies of psychology. came to the conference to pay tribute to Rogers, Rogers’ Neighborhood for three seasons, screened That neighborliness was never just a TV who earlier in her career had asked for her help a documentary on Rogers. She recalled the free- construct. Margaret Eisen Fischer, a Pittsburgh in explaining physical check-ups to children. dom he gave her on the set to help children and resident, recalled that her son’s preschool was She remembered the show’s producers parents explore their creativity. out walking one morning on a Pittsburgh street visiting her practice in 1993. They wanted to Her movie examined Rogers’ early days on when Fred Rogers saw the group and told them: replicate the feel of a real pediatrician’s office to the The Children’s Corner, a live puppet show “I’m glad to know you’re my neighbors.” BT

36 | Feature August 2013 !" 4$&" 8. +2*41)50), Contributing Editor

For those who had the rare privilege of The sweatered crusader knowing Fred as friend, just being around him was a constant lesson in self-understanding and he summer blockbuster movies are other-appreciation. sprinkled with heroes who come from Almost 20 years ago, on a cold day in other planets, are altered by nuclear T December, I sat in Fred’s tiny office above radiation, or are simply gifted at violence, but the Pittsburgh studio where Mister Rogers’ when I hear the word “hero,” I don’t think of Neighborhood was filmed. There was no desk make-believe characters that populate comic or computer, just a couple of broken-down books and movie screens. Photo by Tony W. Cartledge of a display in his office honoring Fred Rogers, who was supportive couches and a chair piled with research materi- I think of Mister Rogers. following the death of Tony’s daughter due to a als, hand-written scripts, and toys to autograph It has been more than 10 years now since drunk driver. for children. Fred McFeely Rogers zipped up his white sweater appreciate who God made them to be, and to None of his many awards were displayed, and sat down to put on new sneakers from St. feel better about themselves. but the walls bore inscriptions about love and Peter’s Provision Company, and I miss him. In The World According to Mister Rogers: grace in Hebrew and Greek, along with a large You can still find reruns of old shows and Important Things to Remember, he said: “Some piece of Chinese calligraphy. He said it should a web site packed with more lessons than the days, doing ‘the best we can’ may still fall short be translated: “If you want to see yourself Land of Make Believe. of what we would like to be able to do, but life clearly, don’t look in muddy water.” But I miss knowing that he would read isn’t perfect on any front — and doing what we There was nothing muddy about Mister my letters and write back on a gray note card can with what we have is the most we should Rogers: he helped you discover that deep sense with a red trolley on the front and a flow- expect of ourselves or anyone else.” of who you are, things you knew as a child but ing script from a teal-colored Flair pen on the For those who find ourselves constantly have forgotten as an adult. That’s what a hero inside — knowing that every word would reflect trying to do more than is humanly possible, is to me: someone who not only enriches the something of what I’d sent him with affirming a recent Family Communications newsletter world, but also reflects back the goodness and thoughts that were as real as the stamp. reminds us of these sage words: potential that lie in others. He was a friend to me when he had no “You rarely have time for everything you Such living leaves a trail of starry-eyed need to be, and I will never forget it. want in this life, so you need to make choices. smiles behind, the happy response of people Fred was always on a quiet crusade to help And hopefully your choices can come from a who know a hero when they see one — and are people get past their own heavy self-judgment, deep sense of who you are.” inspired to be one. BT FROM Faith BOOKS

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August 2013 Feature | 37

Guest Commentary By John Fairless How I became a lectionary preacher

If Paul was a Hebrew of the Hebrews I finished the tally, I was ashamed to see how The church year — telling the story little of the “Good Book” I had spoken from of God’s work through time — begins with (Phil. 3:5), then I lay claim to being a and how often I returned to my favorite pas- Advent (the four Sundays before Christmas) “Baptist of the Baptists.” The Cradle sages and topics. It seemed that the Holy and moves through events such as Epiphany, Spirit’s leading often coincided with what I the baptism of Jesus, Christ’s passion and Roll ladies enrolled me before I was liked to read and talk about from the Bible. death, and Easter. born, and my Sunday school lineage While doing some study in a non-denom- There’s the ascension of Jesus, Pentecost inational divinity school, I encountered the and then a stretch known as “Ordinary Time” includes Beginners, Primaries, Juniors Revised Common Lectionary in a homiletics — which is a great time to catch up on some and Intermediates. class. The “preaching list” I had heard about of those marvelous Old Testament texts. many years earlier was actually an organized By following the lectionary, I was able was baptized at age 9, and even secretly plan to take preachers to give my members a much broader, more enjoyed Training Union when I was a teen- and their congregations theologically diverse diet of Holy Scripture Iager. And, to top it all off, I graduated from through the Bible (more than when I just “picked the texts” on my own. an “official” Southern Baptist seminary in due than 90 percent of it) over And, true to the promise of Christ, the Spirit time. the course of three years. was often at work so that events and questions My spiritual formation taught that the For each Sunday that were on the mind of my listeners were preacher must be led by the Spirit to discern there were four or more amazingly in sync with the text(s) for the day. from the Almighty just exactly what text to texts from which a Support for studying the lectionary texts lay before the people. Given 66 choices on preacher could pick and is abundant. Our own Baptists Today offers a any given Sunday, what’s a pastor to do about choose: one from the John Fairless full Bible study curriculum based on lectionary choosing scripture from which to declare, Hebrew scripture, one texts. I became so enthused with the possibili- “Thus saith the Lord”? from Psalms, one from an epistle of the New ties for preaching, that I began working with I don’t remember the first time I encoun- Testament and one from a gospel (alternating my Lutheran friend to publish a weekly com- tered the word “lectionary.” But I had a vague among Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.) mentary website (www.lectionarylab.com.) sense that Catholics and some of those “other” I called a Lutheran pastor friend for some The lectionary assures that I will regularly denominations had preachers who were told help, who enlisted Methodist, Presbyterian and engage with a healthy balance of scripture as I what they had to preach. They couldn’t just Disciples of Christ ministers to join a scripture seek God’s word for my congregation. When pick a text and humbly follow the Spirit like study group. I began to discover a whole new the Spirit so leads, I can still “step out” of the I could. world! lectionary to prepare and deliver any relevant So for years I dutifully labored selecting I dipped my toe in the water that first topical sermons. Then, all I have to do is “step texts and building sermon “series” according to year with an extended sermon series I called, back” in. the needs of my congregations as best I could. “Telling the Story of Jesus from Advent to I encourage others to give it a try, and find I thought I was being pretty conscientious in Easter.” I was still nervous about using the a group of preachers who are using these texts. trying to cover the Bible over time. I was will- word lectionary in a Baptist church. But, when Get together to talk and pray about them (the ing to tackle the occasional Old Testament it was all said and done, they liked it. texts, not the preachers!). And, I hope that you story, preaching from what a visiting evangelist I went back to my old habit of building will be every bit as amazed and energized as I once called the “white pages” of the Bible due series and topical sermons from scratch — but was. BT to their lack of underlines and penned-in noticed that it seemed like a lot more work sermon notes. than it used to. Then I stepped in and out of —John Fairless is pastor of First Baptist Church After about 10 years of preaching effort, the lectionary for a few more years. of Gainesville, Fla. Resources for lectionary however, I decided to see just how much of Then I took the plunge, using the lection- study include textweek.com, lectionary.library. the Bible I had covered in my sermons. When ary for an entire year. vanderbilt.edu, and nurturingfaith.net.

By following the lectionary, I was able to give my members a much broader, more theologically diverse diet of Holy Scripture than when I just “picked the texts” on my own.

August 2013 Perspective | 39 Nurturing Faith: Texts and Themes for 2014 !" 4$&" 8. +2*41)50) *Order the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies within Baptists Today at 1-877-752-5658 or nurturingfaith.net.

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

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

—ANN BOLINGER, WEAVERVILLE, N.C.

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

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

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

August 2013 Information | 41 !" !$! 211)&, Associated Baptist Press

“How do we live out the life of Christ as a people in the midst of those who deal with despair, who deal with fear, who ask what future they will have where the gap between rich and poor seems to grow ever wider?” American Baptists re-elect Medley to two-year term

Roy Medley, American Baptist Churches the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation “How do we live out the life of Christ as th USA general secretary since 2002, has been Proclamation, the 200 anniversary of the a people in the midst of those who deal with arrival of the first American Baptist missionar- despair, who deal with fear, who ask what elected to a two-year term as head of the ies, Ann and Adoniram Judson, to Burma, now future they will have where the gap between 1.3-million-member body that met in metro- known as Myanmar, and the 375th anniversary rich and poor seems to grow ever wider? Is politan Kansas City in June. He plans to retire of the First Baptist Church in America in there a way for us to be a blessing to our com- Providence, R.I. munity that we have not been before?” BT when the term ends Dec. 31, 2015. The gathering took American Baptist News Service reported on a new format that Medley’s re-election June 19, the second day of grouped participants a three-day meeting of the ABC/USA Board of in “Mission Summit General Ministries. Conversations” to explore A native of Ringgold, Ga., who joined a wide range of ministry American Baptists as a young adult, Medley and mission topics. served previously as executive minister of the “I want people to American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, one Roy Medley come away from these of 34 regions within the denomination, from conversations with a 1992 until 2001. He was ordained in 1975 by sense of encouragement derived from our his- First Baptist Church of Trenton, N.J., where tory, but also with a sense of freedom,” said he served as a seminary intern and then associ- Medley, “a freedom to try new things.” For daily news and editors’ ate pastor (1974-1977). He also encouraged American Baptists to blogs, visit baptiststoday.org. The biennial gathering also marked ask new questions. NEW FROM Faith BOOKS

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42 | Information August 2013 34$*" 2&5 '%$4$ !" 4)**( !"*5 Young woman advocates for women near and far

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — At age 21, how women’s rights were uniquely affected by war and post-war experiences. Lily Womble’s advocacy for young Returning to Milsaps, she became the cam- women has already had a rippling pus ambassador for Half the Sky and brought effect around the world. the documentary to her school, showing it to hundreds of her peers. She also began doing hen Lily was an eighth grader, her workshops in schools to raise awareness about youth group at Vestavia Hills Baptist global issues relating to girls, such as education WChurch in Birmingham looked to and equality. But she also saw many of the same International Justice Mission to learn about issues in Mississippi. justice issues around the world. “The issues of poor self-esteem, access to “We studied human trafficking and slavery, opportunities, the poverty divide, and issues praying for ministries and people around the regarding education are just as prevalent in world facing these issues, and it was very inspi- Jackson, Miss., as they are in other countries,” rational and life-giving for me,” she said. said Womble. Older friends in the group formed a local This spring, Lily went to Cameroon in chapter of IJM and held a concert to raise aware- Central Africa with nine other students to study ness and money. It opened Lily’s eyes to the t-shirts as an act of support. development, social change, and women’s issues reality of making a difference through action. The bill passed a year later, and the lob- while living with a local family and traveling Then, in the 11th grade, she used a school bying efforts of JustUs and the leadership around the country. After returning, she was project to address human trafficking and was of a 17-year-old made an impression on the asked to be a panelist at the Women Deliver horrified to discover that human trafficking community. conference in Malaysia. wasn’t just an issue in other parts of the world. After entering Millsaps College, Lily dis- The panel dealt with how to sustain wom- “As a young person, I felt so safe and was covered a non-profit organization called Smart en’s movements — and Lily shared information blessed with a good family,” said Womble. “I Girls At The Party that highlights girls who on JustUs and her continuing quest to make a couldn’t believe there were girls just like me who make a difference by being themselves. So Lilly difference for women around the world. were literally enslaved in our own backyard. I began interviewing young girls in Jackson, “Before (going to Cameroon) I would have couldn’t stop at a research paper.” Miss., about their hopes and dreams. said that the solution to many issues, such as Lily met Sara Jane Camacho, founder of She also attended the Women in the World inequality, was to send a girl to school,” said Freedom to Thrive, Alabama’s anti-trafficking conference in New York City where she met Womble. “But now I’ve learned that, though coalition, and offered to start a youth compo- Jane Sloan, vice president of development for education is an important solution, it is not the nent. She called it “JustUs.” The Global Fund for Women. Sloan invited Lily only solution that we need to be looking at.” “I began going to youth groups at churches to lunch a couple of days later and made it clear In Cameroon, rape has been on the rise to tell them about human trafficking, sex that she wanted to invest in Lily and her future. since the 1970s where the majority of victims trafficking in particular, and its presence in “I have been inspired by incredible women are ages 11 to 15, said Womble. At the same Alabama,” she said. “We made t-shirts and all of my life, especially in the church,” said time more girls are attending school. ornaments to raise money to help fund the Womble. “But this was that pivotal moment “Learning that paradox opened my eyes,” anti-trafficking coalition.” when a professional woman believed in me and she said. “…We tend to simplify things here … JustUs had grown to approximately 50 wanted me to succeed.” and I’m uncomfortable with that.” teens when Camacho and several Alabama state Sloan offered to send Lily to the Assoc- Now Lily is seeking where God is leading representatives wrote Alabama’s first anti- iation of Women’s Rights in Development her from this point. trafficking bill. Lily was invited to go with them to conference in Turkey so she could learn about “I was on a plane over Japan, coming Montgomery to present the bill to the legislature. the movements on behalf of women going on back from Malaysia, looking at the sunset and JustUs members called on legislators to around the world. Three weeks later Lily and realized that it’s not my job to come up with a inform them of the bill and to lobby for its pas- her mother were on a plane to Turkey. vision … that has already been done and it is sage. For a week the youth handed out cards There she interviewed women living in God’s,” she said. “I guess my job now is to live about the bill and asked people to sign their current and former conflict zones. She heard into that vision.” BT

August 2013 Feature | 43 P.O. Box 6318 Macon, GA 31208-6318