Ouachita Baptist University Scholarly Commons @ Ouachita

Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine, 1985-1989 Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine

6-20-1985

June 20, 1985

Arkansas Baptist State Convention

Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/arbn_85-89

Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Mass Communication Commons

On the cover '85 SBC takes steps toward healing divisions by Betty Kennedy a nd Mark Ke ll y, ABN staff

Tu esday morning if it would require the conven:ion to make M essengers to the 128th annual meeting payments to honor financial contracts of the Sou thern Baptist Convention al ready already signed for Las Vegas. had set one record- for number registered ­ Several motions introduced addressed and were on th eir way to another-for more equitable representat ion of all resolutions-by the time th ey ended the first Southern Baptists on committees and session Tu esday morning. The registration boards. Several ca lled for limiting the total shortly after the 9 a.m. call to order was number from any one church, and one 40,723. would place limitations on the Committee The Tuesday morning figure tops a on Committees appointments, such as length previous high opening registration of 22,872 of service in a Baptist church or recommen­ at the Atlanta, Ga., meeti ng in 1978. dation by the sta te convention presiden t. The record number of messengers prese n­ The Committee on Committees is the sub­ ted problems. The ha ll where the conven­ ject of concern beca use that group chooses tion \YaS being held was filled beyond seating the Committee on Boards, Commissions and capaci ty when th e session was called to Stand ing Committees, which in turn order. During the morning, messe nge rs nominates persons to positions on the com­ overflowed into the arena in the sa me mittees and trustee boards of the SBC. Cur­ building, where the proceedings were on rently, the sse president has sole authority ABN pholo/MIIIie Gill closed-circuit television and the messe ngers to appoint th e Committee on Committees. A sea of messengers crowd the exh ibit had access to a microphone connected to Motions were not discussed during theses­ area of th e Dallas Conven tion Cenrer, the mai n hall. sion but were schedu led by the Committee many of them moving toward the Only duly registered messe ngers were be­ on Order of Bu sin ess for consideration at a registration area. By the close of theses­ ing admitted to the hall s. Ushefs stationed later time or referred to the proper sse stan­ sions Thursda y afternoon, 45,431 at the doors checked fo r the pink bac king ding committee. messengers had registered, although card on their booklet of ballots before ad­ four were unseated when the body mitting pe rso ns. was told they were not actually The tight secu rity kept fo rm er SBC presi­ members of the church they claimed. dent Franklin Paschall of Nashville from presenting to the messengers his planned " peace inititive" motion during the miscellaneous business session Tuesday morn ing. Dallas, Texas, June 11-13 Paschall had leh his ballot cards in his In this issue hotel room, so the motion was presented by Bill Hickem of Florida on behalf of Paschall Other molions called for a new Bible com­ and the pres idents of 37 Baptist state mentary to be published by Southern Bap­ .8 peace & healing in SBC · conventions. tists; opposed sa laried employees of SBC Editorial perspective on the annual meeting The motion requested an 19-member boards, agencies and institutions " taking of the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas committee be named to look into the causes sides in the controversies within our conven­ fast week focuses on the prospects for hea l­ of the curren t SBC controversies and suggest tio.n;" a.nd ca lled for the book of reports ing and unity. solutions for reconciliation by the 1986 necessa ry for the annual meeting be made meeting. avai lable to each church at least one month TYVO dozen other motions were introduc­ before th e conve ntion meets. (A shortage of 11 offering falls short ed in the opening session, but tYVO were rul­ the books this yea r prompted comments by Although the Lottie Moon Christmas Offer­ ed out of order immediately. One called for several messengers in the course of business.) ing for Foreign Missions recorded the biggest the messenge rs to nullify President Charles Messengers adopted a $130 million increase ever, it still feff $1 .2 miflion short of Stanley's appointments to the Committee on Cooperative Program budget for 1984-85 to the goal. Committees and replace them with state finance the denomination's multiple pro­ convention presi dents and state WMU grams of missio ns, education and other presidents. That would have suspended the ministri es. Th e budget was a major item of SBC Bylaws, which is not allowed under recommendation from the SBC Executive Robert's Rules of Order. Committee. Th e t985-86 budget was the However, the majority of the oth er mo­ same as th at for 1984-85, an effort to bring tions called for cha nges in the way appoint­ budget and receipts into closer harmony. ments are made to SBC committees and Th e committee reported that CP receipts agency and institution boards, including for the current yea r stand at $5.8 million and changing the appointment process from are more than $4 million ahead of the same resting so lely in the hands of th e pres ident. period la st year. However, this is 10.6 per­ Also ruled out of order was a motion to ce nt sho rt of total budget and 1. 5 percent rescind th e 1983 SBC's decision to hold th e short of basic operating budget. 1989 annual meeting in las Vega s. Another In the annual president's address, Charl es motion was then introduced asking the Stan ley, pastor of Fi rst Church of Atlan ta , messengers to set aside Robert's Rules of cha llenged South ern Baptists to put denomi­ Order and select another site for 1989, even national strife behind them and show a wat-

Page 2 ARKAN ~ A S BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE ching world that the message of love and last 10 yea rs-as evidence of Moore's "ab· elected Stan ley by a 3,656-vote margin. forgiveness they proclaim is au thentic. sol ute loyalty to his lord and unquestioned Sta nley polled 24,453 votes or 55 .3 percent Stanley, seeking election to a second one­ cooperation with His peopl e." Cunningham of the ballots. Moore drew 19,795 or 44.7 yea r te·rm, issued the challenge to more than ca lled Moore "a man of absolute integrity . . percent. 44,000 messengers just hours before the a healer" for the SBC. Regist ration· Sec retary l ee Porter told presidential ba lloting was scheduled to get After the two nominations, SBC First Vice­ messenge rs they had set at least three underway. President Zig Ziglar called for ba llots to be record s that afternoon. He first informed The messengers interr upted Stanley with cast, neglecting 10 check for further nomina­ them o nly 21 of th e 44,269 ba llots cast had applause seve ral times as he urged the heal­ tions or asking for a motion nominations been inva lidated by the Tellers Committee. ing of differences. Stanl ey granted that cease, an apparen t reflection of the In addition, he also sa id the ba lloting wa s Southern Baptists w ill not agree on eve ry­ widespread anticipation of the face-off not only th e largest ever taken in an SBC an· thing. " The wo rld isn't lookin g to see if all between Moore and Stan ley. nual meeting, but it also represe nted the So uthern Baptists agree," he said, " They're While wai ting fo r the record number of largest percentage of registe red messe ngers looking to see how we disagree. ball ots to be tabulated by the Tellers Com­ actually voting-98.2 percent. He ca lled for love, fo rgiveness and humili· mittee, messengers heard another round ·of With Stan ley officially declared the win­ ty, saying these are not feelings persons have, resolutions and motions introduced, in­ ner of the contest, the floor was th en open- · but are c6mmitments they must make. cluding one which suggested a tigh ten in g of ed to nominations for first vice-president. Messengers closed the session with a stan­ the 1963 Baptist Fai th and Message statement Bi ll Weber, a pastor from Dalla s, renomi· ding ovation after complying with Stan ley's on the ,t ru stworthin ess of Sc ri pture. nated Zig Ziglar, a layman from First Chu rch, request they stand fo r a minute of silen t Messe nge rs also received the fi nal install­ Dalla s, an d the incumbent in that office. T. l. prayer to symbolize "confess ion and repen­ ment of the SBC Executive Committee report McSwain, a pastof from l ou isvi lle, Ky. , ta nce before God and before the world ." and heard an an nual report from Darold nominated louisville attorney Henry Huff. Morgan, president of the SBC Annuity Board. Then, in a surprisi ng move, Ray Allen, a Tuesday afternoon At th e end of the afternoon session, pastor from Blacksburg, Va. , came to the Tension and expec tations mounted Tues· messengers were in fo rm ed they had re- pla tform to nominate Winfred Moore fo r the day aft ernoon as more than 45,000 posi tion. Allen explained it had suddenly messengers prepared for what virtua ll y occu rred to him th at Moore's election as fi rst everyone expected would be a decisive­ vice-president would suit the theme of and perhaps also divisive-vote on the direc­ peace-making and reconciliation Sta nley_had tion of th e So uthern Baptist Convention. voiced ea rl ier in his conven ti on se rmon. With convention center faci lities already Wa nting to be su re Moore was w illing to strained beyond capacity, messengers con­ have his nam e placed in nomination, Stanley.. tinued to file into the complex. Eventually, Dallas, Texas, June 11-13 called the Texas pastor to the platform. unregistered guests were asked to give up Moore, who had been besieged near th e their seats in a theater to allow more messengers to participate in the co nvention. By th e time th e floor was opened for presidential nominations, after an hour of in­ spi rational si nging and an unusuallO·minute prayer time, th e aisles in the main hall were fill ed a ll the way to the front. Ballots in hand, 45,049 messe ngers were waiting their oppor­ tunity to voice their preference for a presidential ca ndidate. As ex pected, the first name placed in nomination was that of incumbent president Charl es Stan ley, pastor of Fi rs t Church, At lanta. Stan ley was nominated by Morris Chap­ man, a pastor from W ichita Fa lls, Texas, who had been elected president of th e SBC Pastor's Conference only the day before. Chapman ca ll ed hi s nominee "one of the most ex trao rdinary men of God in our ge neration" and sa id he saw Stan ley as a man who sta nds for his convictions "without compromise.'' The seco nd nomination brought to the floor was no surprise either. Winfred Moore, pastor of First Chu rch , Amari llo, Texas, had been rumored for months to be th e ca n­ didate of choice for persons opposed to Stanley's continued leadership. One month prior to the annual meeting, Moore had an­ nounced he would allow hi s name to be placed into nomination. Moore was nominated by Milton Cunn­ ingham, a pastor from Houston, who pointed to First Chu rch, Amarillo's gifts to the Cooperative Program - $8 million over the

June 20, 1985 Page 3 platform by ca mera crews after election In other business in the session , motions th e occasion of Park s issuing a statement de­ results were . an nounced, stood at the were introduced to direct the Christian Li fe nouncing attacks on the cooperative mis­ podium next to Stanl ey, who asked him if Commission to promote a Sanctity of sions approach, which he said harmed he would allow his name to be placed in Human Life Sunday, to change convention missionaries. nomination. bylaws, to have books of report s for th e Cauthen's widow was welcomed to the Moore placed his arm around Stanley's annual meeting for order prior to th e podium with a standing ovation. She urged shoulders and replied, "let me ask you if you meeting and to assure equitable represen­ Southern Baptists to remember what Baker are asking me to do that." An obviously­ tation by state on boards and committees. James Cauthen had sa id. surprised Sta nley answe red he intended to All were referred to committees for study. do everything he could next year to bring Motions scheduled for later disc ussion by Wed nesday morning the denomiriation back into the mainstream the messengers dealt with denominational With their numbers appa rently reduced by of missions and eva ngel ism and indicated he leaders who take sides in controversies and two-third s, messengers to the annual meeting would welcome Moore's nomination. suspending "the rules to consider changing overwhelmingly adopted a plan for a Messengers cast their ballots for first vice­ the 1989 annual meeting from las Vegas. 22-member " Peace Comm itt ~e" charged president and moved on to the report of the Several resolutions also were introduced with the responsibility of studyin g the ca uses · Committee on Boards. At least three in the session. All were referred to the of the controversy within the SBC and challenges to the report were known to be Resolutions Committee for a later report to recommending possible solutions. planned, but only two were brought to the the body. Membership on th e committee, which was floor before the previous question was call­ Messengers heard reports from th e Baptist proposed by the presidents of 37 state Bap­ ed and the report was adopted as presented. Sunday School Board and the Foreign Mis­ ti st conventions, consisted of a carefull y Both amendments were defeated on a show sion Board in the session. The Sunday negotiated balance between persons of vary­ of ballots. School Board presentation included a ing viewpoints within the convention. Messengers closed the Tu esday afternoon testimonY. on BSSB ministries to local chur­ Before its adoption, the proposal was session si nging "Glory to His Name" as they ches by Steve Stege of Grand Avenue Church amended twice. Th e first change added the inched toward the exits. in Fort Smith. names of two women to the list: Christine BSSB President Lloyd Eld er called it a Gregory, a former first vice-president of the " report from the churches to the churches". convention and former president of the In the Foreign Mission Board's report, FMB Woman's Missiona ry Union, SBC, and Jodi President Keith Parks cautioned Southern Chapman, wife of Morris Chapman, the Baptists against tampering with either th e Wichita Fall s, Texas, pastor who had earlier Bible or missions, which he said are both nominated Stanley for the SBC presidency. basic to "our origin, our convictions, our pre­ A second amendment al so was approved: ii985 sen t and our future." " They are so inter· the addition ofSBC First Vice-President Win­ Dallas, Texas, June 11-13 woven that to tamper with either one di sto rts fred Moore as an ex officio member of the the true picture of who we are," he sa id. commillee. Ector Hamrick of Petersburg, Va., Tuesday evening Parks used th e metaphor of weaving to proposed the amendment "in the spirit of Messengers continued the process of elec­ show how Baptist have "sat at the loom of what happened here yesterday." Hamrick ting officers on Tuesday evening( and long­ love and th e fabric we weave is missions." referred to Moore's spon taneous nomination time Arkansas pastor W. 0. Vaught was one The report included testimonies from mis­ and landslide election as vice-president. of six persons nominated for second vice­ sionaries, as well as audiovisual presenta­ Convention president Stan ley al ready had president. He received 6,730 votes (36 per­ tions. Parks pledged to maintain Southern bee n pro posed as an ex officio member of cent) but faced a runoff ballot against Henry Baptist's bold commitment to both God's the committee with fu ll rights. Huff, a louisville, Ky., layman; who had Word and God's world. In adopting the peace proposal with vi r­ recei ved 2,996 votes (16.15 percent). Th e FMB head also pledged he and the tually no opposition, messengers apparent­ Dr. Vaught, pastor eme ritus of little Rock's Board will suppon SBC President Charles ly affirmed former SBC President Frank Immanuel Church, had been nominated by Stanley. " Though we may have our dif­ Paschall's declaration that " peace cannot James Bryant, pastor of Grand Avenue ferences," Parks sa id auhe beginning of th e come by war." Pa sc hall had told messengers Church in Fort Sm ith. Others nomirlated report, "we are not in disagreement." th e players in the SBC conflict had been " pit­ were Mrs. Russell Begaye of Arlington, Tex .; The repon included a tribute to Baker ting povver against power" and " no matter Dan Yeary, a pastor in Coral Gables, Fla.; James Cauthen, former president of the FMB, who wins, we all lose." Mrs. Earl Johnston of San Antonio, Tex.; and who called on Southern Baptists in 1979 to Elected to th e comminee were: Cha rl es Oliver Wolfenbarger, a pastor from Knox­ hold to the mandate for missions and do it Fuller, Roanoke, Va., chairman; Harmon ville, Tenn. cooperatively. Cauthen's death in April was Born, Rex, Ga.; Doyle Ca rlton, Wa uchula,

Lener~~ to thll lldltor ex.preulng opinions are Invited. letters ahou!d be typed doub!e1pece end must be llgned. Lenora must not conteln more th8n 350 words end must not defame the character ol persona. They must bll marked "lor publication." Photo• sub mined 101" publiCation will be returned only when eccompanled by a stomped, Nil· A~B eddresaed envelope. Only bleck end white photos csn be used. NEWSMAGAZIN~ Coplel by mall 50 cents esch. Arka"nsas' third largest publication, Dnthl ol mambera ol Arkansas churchel wm be reported In brlel fo rm when Information Is meeting the Information needs of Arkansas Baptists r11C411ved not tater than t 4 days alter the date o! deeth. VOLUME 84 NUMBER 24 Advertlalng ecceptlld In writing only. Retes on reque11. Opinion• el!preased In slgn&d at1lcles 8/e thoae ol the wrlter. J . Everett Sneed, Ph.D ...... •• .. . .. • ...... Editor Betty Kennedy ...... , . Monoglng Editor Mamber ol the Southern Bapt111 Preas Aaaocletlon. Erwin L. McDonald, Lltt 0 ...... •. Editor Emeritus ~~k~~~~·.~j~~~t :n~w~~~~~;Ye,~:;~~~~.!~2ra~\~s~~~:;ae:l~~·~~~~.e8~1~e~~ AlbMU a.pt!IC N._IIMgaJ,.. Boerd of D1racto,.: Lane StroiMr, Mountaln Home; prell­ AR . Subecrlptlon rates are $6.38 per yeer (lf'ldlvldual}, $5.40 per yeer (Every Resident Family o.nt Mrl. J. W. L Mimi Jr., Teutkana; Chlriel CMMef, Ce11111e: l yndon Finney, Little Rode; Pill!). $6.00 per year (Group Plllf"l)lfld St9.00 per year (to loffllgn llddreu). Second clu.a po1ta0e lltfOY Frilndl, FOf1 Srnftl'l; Mra. J immie Oarntr, Trumann; Merle M ill~. H11Hl10n; Tomm~ paid 11 Utile Rock, AR . POSTMASTER : Send eddrua ChlrtQIII to Arbnu1 Baptlat Robert.on, EJ Dorado: and the Hon, Ellljane Roy, little Rock. New1m.gulne, P. 0 . Box. !152, little Rock, AR 72203.

Page 4 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Presidents of 37 state conventions held a news conference Monday to present their Fla. ; Bill Crews, Riverside, Calif.; Robert Cut­ peace proposal for the Southern Baptist Conven tion. tino, lancaster, S.C. ; Jim Henry, Orlando, ABN pholofMirk Kelly Fla .; Bill Hull, Shreveport, L.a .; Hersc hel Hobbs, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Albert McClellan; Nashville; William Poe, Charlotte, N.C.; Ray Roberts, Columbus, Ohio; Adrian Rogers, Memphis, Ten n.; Cecil Sherman, Fort Worth, Texas; John Sullivan, Sh reveport , La. ; Dan Vestal , Midland, Texa s; Jerry Vines, Jacksonville, Fla.; Ed Young, Houston; and Cha rl es Pickering, laurel, Miss. Arkan sas Baptist State Conve ntion Presi ­ dent Jon St ubblefield saw the overwhelm· ing of the peace proposa l as evidence " messengers wa nt to see a solution to the problems w hi ch divide us so we ca n move forward in . . . missions .and eva ngelism without further delay." Stubblefield also sa id he believed th e SBC presidential election revealed the deep divi­ sio n within th e SBC but expressed " hopeful confidence" Moore's election as vice­ president would be a first step toward peace in the convention. Messengers also hea rd a challenge to the il985 Dallas, Texae, June ·11·13

report of the Committ ee on Committees. That group, appointed by the president, recommends. to the convention a slate of nominations to the Committee on Board s, Commissions and Standing Committees. That committee, in turn, makes nominations the following year to SBC committees and trustee boards of SBC agencies and institutions. When Committee on Committees chair­ man George Sc hroeder, a lay man from First Chu rch, Little Rock, brought th e slate of nominations for the Committee on Boa rd s, James Slatton, pastor of River Road, Church, Richmond, Va., rose to cha llenge the report. Sla tton moved that the slate presented be replaced in its en tirety by th e presi dents of the state conventions and state WMU organizations. He ca lled for th e convention to turn in the nam e of peace to such a group of persons, saying the slate presented by Schroeder's committee was " under a cloud." The power of th e Committee on Boards to nominate trustees ha s made it a foca l point of the struggle in the SBC. Slatton said much of th e distrust of recent years has stemmed from the suspicion of some that in· erra nt ists have stacked 'committees which nominate trustee ca ndidates. Approval of his proposal, he said, \VOuld remove that suspicion by naming persons who have been trusted enough to be voted ABN photo/ Millie 0 111 into leadership roles in state Bapt ist conven­ tions, free from the controversy which has Dallas' largest conven tion ever at limes overwhelmed downtown with crmvds and traffic. dominated recent SBC elections.

June 20, 1985 Page 5 Convention Parliamentarian Wayne Allen At issue was the Committee on Boards any motio'ns to change the SBC consti tution of Memphis, Tenn., ruled, however, that Slat­ slate, which the Committee on Committees or bylaws. Jon must make his challenges one at a time, nominates to the convention. The 1986 Chapman reported discussion on a motion posi tion by position. Although that ru ling Committee on Boards has two members to delete two words from th e Baptise Faith was sustained by th e chair, continued calls from each state, and they nominate to the and Message statement were sc hed uled for from th e floor for a vote by the messengers convention all perso ns for committees and Thursday morning. to confirm the ruling resulted in a floor vote boards. The committee cha irman then read into on the ma tt er. In the Wednesday morning session, the the record five motions which he sa id the When a standing vote proved too close to body had refused to sustain, by a vote of Committee on Order of Business was accep­ call, Stanley ca lled for a ballot. By a vote of 12,576 to 11,80 1, President Sta nley's ruling ting for consideration. Chapman revealed lit· 12,576 to 11 ,801, messengers refused to ac­ that messengers ca nnot amend the report of tie about the substance of the motions or cept th e ruling that the substitutions must be the Committee on Committees in its entirety. who was submitting them but did say that considered position by position. Further con­ On Wednesday evening, Stanley ruled, on they would not be printed in the daily con­ sideration of the matter was sc hed uled for advice of Parlaimentarian Wayne Allen, that vention bulletin for messengers to consider. the Wednesday evening business session. SSC Bylaw 16 prevents amending th e Com­ Normally, the person submitting a motion Messengers also received a report on a mittee on Committee's ·report . He said it introduces it in a busi ness sessio n an d the ba llot taken ea rlier in th e morning between must be eit her accepted or rejected by commi ttee anounces a time for its considera ­ l ouisville attorney Henry Huff and fo rmer messengers. tio n by the body. little Rock pa stor W.O. Vaught in a run-off Stanley immediately called for a vote by Chapman also reported his committee had for second vice-president. show of ba llots, then by standing, and even­ referred to the Executive Committee a mo­ With 16,636 messe ngers voting, Huff was tua ll y by ballot. The report was adopted by tion to require that all motions and resolu­ elected 9,302 to 7,334. The vote rep,.,nted a vote of 13,123 to 9,851, though the pro­ tions be compiled at the beginning of the an­ less than 37 percent of registration. Huff suc­ cess was clouded by charges of voting nual meeting and printed so mesengers ceeded Don Wideman, a North Kansas City, irregula rities. could consider them before time for voting. Mo., pa stor who did not seek re-election. Registration Sec retary lee Port er revea led The motion also prohibi ted consideration of to th e body as he announced the vote that any motion or resOl ution tha t had not gone numerous membersO f th e Tellers Commit· thro ugh th is process. tee had told him of ballots being pa ssed out Tha t motion had not been introduced outside the hall and in the parking ga rage. publicly prior to the referral. Porter explained he had to say no process Prefacing thei r report with the explanation ex ists fo r him to do anything about any they were bringing resolu tions which th ey irregularities. hoped would aid in healing, th e Resolutions Dallas, Texas, June 11-13 " Th e integrity of the balloting syste m Committee in troduced three resolutions. The depends on the integrity of local churches usual reso lution of appreciation to the host and individual messe ngers," Po rte r sa id. city, the planners and the convention officers Messengers also hea rd reports from the Messengers also dealt with several motions was ame nded to include SBC agency heads. So uthern Baptist Th eological Sem inary, the at the session. One opposing sa la ried A resolution affirming the priorities of SBC Stewardship Commission, Southwestern denominational employees " taking sides" in · evangelism and missions was changed to add Baptist Th eological Seminary, th e Christian SBC controversies was ruled out of order on education ·as a priority. A third resolution life Commission, New Orleans Baptist grounds it violated Article 7 of th e SBC Con­ called on chu rches and individuals to pra y Theological Sem ina ry, the Baptist joint Com­ si titution. That article dictates that all officers for spiritual awakening. mittee on Public Affairs, Golden Gate Bap­ of agencies, institutions and commissions be In misce llaneous business, Ad rian Rogers, ti st Theological Semminary, the SBC Foun ­ subject to the direction and control of their pastor of Bellevue Church in Memphis, was dation and th e Canada Planning Committee. trustees. named to bring the an nual sermon at the In th e annual convention sermon, Cha rl es The body also refused to suspend Robert's 1986 meeting in Atl anta. Homer l. lindsay Fuller, pastor of Fi rst Church, Roanoke, Va., Rules of O rder to aga in consider the 1983 Jr., co· pastor of First Chu rch in Jacksonville. and chai rman of the newly-elected Peace decisi on to meet in las Vegas in 1989. Fla ., was named altern ate. Committee, admoni shed messengers to Messengers approved another motion of­ Messengers took an offering for world return to ··purity and fairness of spi rit" or fering support for the sse president. hunger, fo llowing through with a motion lose the spiritual power which has Order of Business Committee chairman passed ea rli er in the da y, and collected characterized Southern Baptists. Morris Chapman also reported on motions $77,428.12. Fuller noted the strategies that have been referred to other entities. A motion ca lling Using th e parable of th e Good Samaritan, employed by players in the SBC controver­ for a second Sc ripture version to be ad ded Home Miss ion Boa rd Pres ident William G. sy in recent yea rs but warned no st rategy to Vacation Bible School materials was refer­ Tanner, told the messengers the confu sed would be blessed by God if it was "conceiv­ red to th e Baptist Sunday School Board . and sea rching people in our nation are ou r ed by minds which are bitter, arrogan t or Referred to the conve ntion's Executive respo nsibility. presumptuous.'' Committee were motions to hold the vote Th e Home Mission Boa rd's report, entitl­ Fuller th anked SBC President Stanley fo r for SBC president prior to the an nual Pres i­ ed "Spreading God's love through Ministry," the opportunities fo r prayer he had provid­ dent's Address; change the formula for deter­ was given five standing ovations as Tanner ed for messengers during the sessions. ''Th is mining en titlement to messengers by a and others related the agency's work . is not so much a time for prayer as a time church; and require disclosure of church giv­ for prayer and fasting," he said. ing and baptism ratios of any nominated or Thursday morning appointed to an SBC position. Frustration over Wednesday's parliamen­ Wed nesday eveni ng Also sent to the Execu tive Committee vvere tary wranglings spilled over into Thursda y Messengers got back to the most disputed motions to allow missionaries to vote by mail morning's bu si ness session, disrupting th e item of business of th e meeting on Wednes­ prior to the annual meeting of th e sse. orderly conduct of business until two pro­ day evening. After having the afternoon off, sc hedule meetings of the convention outsi de minent pastors came to th e platform to plead they came back to deal with a motion to the South and East; investigate simultaneous for an end to the harassment. amend the report of the president-appointed satellite meetings for th e SBC; and au to· Messengers had hea rd and received Committee on Comminees. matically refer to the Executive Committee without event a string of seven reports from

Page 6 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Since the Wednesday even ing deadline for the introduction of business had passed, Chapman asked messe ngers to suspend the rules and allow the motions to be introduc­ ed and referred to the O rder of Bu siness Co,;,mittee. Messengers refused th e request by a show of bal lots. Another item of busi ness w hich had not been reported out of committee was an amendment to the Baplist Faith and Message offered by Anthony Scotto of Florida. The amendment would have removed th e word s " mix ture of" from the third sentence of the BFM statement on the Scriptures : " It has God for its author, sa lvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its ABN pholo matter." SBC and oth~r Baptist agencies and institu­ cas ion of its 60th anniversary, urged Messe ngers so undly defeated the amend­ tions, ranging from the Radio and Television So uthern Baptists to educate th emselves on men t after a strong statement from Herschel Commission to the Baptist World Alliance. implementing new Equal Access legislation H. Hobbs, chai rman of the committee w hich When the final report of the Resolutions in their communities, advocated increased drahed the 1963 statement of faith . Committee came to the floor, however, a efforts by local ch urches to resett le refugees Hobbs noted the statement had been determined contingent of protesters stood and took a strong stand aga in st proposals for drawn from the New Hampshi re Confession ready at th e floor microphones. a national lottery. of Faith of 1833 and observed So uthern Bap­ Eight reso lutions were sc heduled for Other resolutions ca lled for Southern Bap­ ti sts had unanimously reaffirmed the wor- debate during the hour, but when the floor tists to protest laws which would class ify was opened for disc uss ion on the fi rst one, churches as politica l action committees if SBC President Charles Stanley found himself they address political/moral concern s, urg­ faced with messengers lined up at the ed Congress to reject any tax reform plan microphones. Eath time he called on a which limits deductions fo r charitable con­ microphone for discussion on the resolution tributions and challenged congrega tions to at hand, th e messe nger in line raised a point influence local public policies to eliminate of order rega rding the fact Stanl ey had th e availability of all forms of pornography. Dallas, Texas, June 11-13 ignored th e protests of messe ngers the A linal resolution deplored " the prolifera­ previous day in ca lling for the ballot on the tion of all homosexual pra cti ces" and reaf­ Committee on Committees report. firmed the biblical condem nation of such ding at th e 1981 convention in Los Angeles. Poin ts of order, when rai sed, are suppos­ pra ctices. It further opposed attempts to ex­ He also pointed out inerrantist leader Paul ed to take precedence over items of business tend affirmative action protectio n to Press ler of Houston recently had expressed at hand. Stanley had ignored repeated cries homosex uals as a minority. However, th e his unqualified support of the phrasing. of "Point of order!" on Wednesday evening resol ution did note the Bible "also teac hes after Parl iamentarian Wayne Allen had rul­ forgiveness and transformation, upon repen­ Thursday afternoon ed the attempted amendment of th e Com­ tance, through Jesus Chrish" Th e 1985 annual meeti ng of the Southern mittee on Committees report out of order. Three items of miscellaneous buSiness Baptist Convention was closed on a more Stan ley had forced through a vote on th e concluded the morning session. W illiam E. harmonious note with report s but no reso lu­ report, despite the protests of messengers Shoulta, a messenger from Kentucky, mov­ tions or motions. Thursday afternoon's ses­ scattered ac ross the floor. ed that a reso lution he had_pr esented ea rlier sion included the introduction of fraternal On eac h of th e first four reso lutions dea ling w ith sec ret tape recordings be messe ngers and reports from the American presented Thursday morning, messengers at brought out of the Resolutions Committee, Bible Society, Woman's Missionary Union, the microphones repeatedly challenged which had recommended no action. the SBC Historical Commission, the Commit­ Sta nley's actions of th e previous day. Each Shoulta ex plain ed to ·messe ngers he had tee on the Denominational Calendar, and time, Stanley refused to acknowledge the intended th e resolution as an effort to restore the denominational press. points of ord er th ey raised, insisting he integ rity, w hicli he saw as a pre-requi site to An amendment to the denominational would hea r only discussion and motions building trust in the conve ntion. He said he calendar was discussed but rejected by the dea ling w ith the resolution at hand. He rul­ wan ted the world to know that, "although messe ngers. The amendMent would have ed out of order all comments and motions Southern Baptists may be a divided people, renamed and changed the date fo r a Sanc­ not dea ling with the reso lution on th e floor. we are not an unethical people." tity of life Sunday, set fo r th e third Sunday After repeated protests from messengers, Resol utions Committee chairman larry in january. If changed, the day would have Second Vice- President Winfred Moore and lewis replied the committee had passed over been called Concern for life Sunday, to be Sh reveport pastor john Su llivan came to the many resolutions beca use of the divisive feel­ observed the ""' Sunday in April. platfo rm and made a plea for an end to the ings assoc iated with them. Messengers voted The secretary of the Credentials Commit· protests. Sullivan made a motion to that ef­ to leave the reso lution with the committee. tee appeared before the body in the closing fect, and Moore seconded, saying, " We are Messe ngers also rejected an appeal from minutes of the meeting to recommend the on the way towa rd hea ling. Let's do it, and Morris Chapman, chairman of th e Order of messengers vote to unseat four messengers let's do it now." Bu siness Committee, fo r the conve ntion to who registered from a church of which th ey Stanley ca lled fo r a vote on th e motion, suspend th e bylaws and accept the introduc· are not members. Th e motion was adopted. and it passed overwhelmingly. The remain ­ tion of five motions after the deadline. The messe ngers also voted to commend ing reso lutions were th en adopted with a Chapman had pe,.onally introduced the Registration Secretary Lee Porter and his staff minimum of resistance. motions Wednesday evening and only later for their work in registration and balloting. Messengers adopted resolutions which af­ discovered the requirement motions be in­ Adjournment and the final benediction firmed the Cooperative Program on the oc- troduced by the persons making the motion. came at 3:50 p.m.

June 20, 1985 Page 7 Toward peace in the SBC The editor's page J. Everett Sneed

It has often been said that, " Th e Southern Baptist Conven­ This committee should provide an opportunity to deal with tion is a ro pe of sand with the strength of steel." However, this the accusations of liberalism in the Convention. less than 10 can be true only when trust ex ists among Southern Baptists. Trust seminary professors have been accused of libera lism. Some of these is essen tial if we are to have healing from the division which has are no longer employed by any of our seminaries. We ha ve ap­ occurred within the Convention. proximately 550 seminary professors. If 10 are bad, this would be In the first portion of the 1985 annual meeting of the Southern about two percent. Baptist Convention, it appeared that healing would take place. But This editor knows, personally, approximately 100 seminary pro­ on Wednesday a cloud formed over the apparent efforts to unify fessors. on a first name basis. Every one of these is doctrinally sound. th e convention. Steps toward heali ng were th e election of both If there are any who are doctrinally or morally unsound, they Charles Stanley a,nd Winfred Moore as president and first vice presi­ should be dealt with. If, howeve r, the accused are doctrinally and dent, the activation of a Peace Committee, the good work of the morally sound, they should recei ve an immed iate apology. We Resolutions Committee and the record attendance of messengers. certainly should never practice guilt by association. This commit­ In an excellent address, President Charles Stanley outlined steps tee should provide opportunity to clear the air. It needs to st udy to be taken in the healing process of "a family." Stanley said the and recommend hOwever, not try to be the judge, jury and final same steps shou ld be used in healing a spi ritual family, such as appeals court-all rolled up in one. the SBC, as are used in a physical family. The Resolutions Committee deserves the praise of al l Sou thern Stanley said healing must first grow out of a willingness to Baptists. This committee did the best job of any committee in years forgive, just as Christ forgave our sins. Second, he said that this in presenting pertinent but non-controversial resolutions. Th e must be accomplished by a commitment to love other persons. guidelines adopted by this committee should be permanent Finally, he emphasized that we must show a spi rit of humility. guidelines for resolutions committees of the future. " Before you make a decision," Stanley said, " let me remind The cloud over the hea ling process occurred when a cha ll enge you of what we have at stake here. We know we will not always was made to the Committee on Boards, Commissions and Stan­ agree on many things. Th e world isn't looking to see if all Southern ding Committees. The process works as fo llows: The president ap­ Baptists agree. They are looking to see how we disagree. points a " Committee on Committees, composed of two members " Th ey are not goi ng to be impressed by our budgets, our from each qualified state and the District of Columbia ... in con­ buildings, our large chu rches and our numbers," he continued. ference with the vice presidents, one of whom shall be des ignated "What is going to impress them is how you and I respond to each as chair person" (Bylaw 21). Th e Committee on Committees other." nominates the Committee on Boards (Bylaw 16). Stanley emphasized that forgiveness, love and humility are not The Committee on Boards is th e most powerful committee in feelings we have " but commitments we make." We agreed with th e Southern Baptist Convention. This is where the power is vested, Dr. Stanley th at, if healing is to take place, each person must adopt since they nominate th e trustees for all agencies and institutions. these guidelines for himself, but not for others. And it is imperative This committee ha s the ability .to change institutions i~ the these principles be used by all messengers at the So uthern Baptist Southern Baptist Convention by nominating individuals who agree Convention. with their particular idea s. It is evident that the composition of Perhaps, the greatest cha nce for long-ra nge healing for the SBC many of th e boards of th e Southern Baptist Convention has been can come from the peace or reconciliation committee. The com­ changed over the past few years. mittee ha s several strengths. Among these are: (1) it will provide A motion was made from the floor that the Committee on opportunity for various sides or groups w ithin the convention to Boards be cha nged, for this year only, by substituting the presidents discuss differences in a constructive fashion; and (2) it will pro­ of state conventions and the state WMU presidents. The parliamen­ vide opportunity to look at issues, so they can be dealt with, tarian first ruled this would have to be done position by position. eliminated or cleared up. The individual who placed th e motion said he was prepared to The Peace Committee is a balanced committee. Everyone on do this but preferred to do it all in one vote. The chair ruled this the committee has been accepted by both sides or groups within could not be done. A vote was taken in which th e chair was not the convention. While this may not have been the best way to sustained. structure the committee, it did assure adoption by the messengers. In th e eveni ng session, the pa rl iamentarian ruled that there G rea t strength was added by the addition of Winfred Moore to could be no changes to the committee si nce the bylaw says, "The the committee. President Stanley was already a member by virtue Committee on Boards, Commissions, and Standing Committees of his re-election as president. sha ll be composed of two members from each state, who shall The record high attendance of more than 45,000 messe ngers be nominated to the convention by the Committee on Commit­ to the 1985 convention is a very healthy sign. This means that more tees." He maintained the word "shall" eliminated any possibility grassroots Bapti sts are becoming involved in the busi ness process of changing the report, the only poss ible action of th e conven­ of our denomination. The more Southern Baptists understand our tion being either to accept or reject the report of this committee, world missions enterpri se, the easier it will be to gain involvement according to the ruling. in finances, prayer and healing. If the parliamentarian's ruling was correct, then th e bylaws of The state presidents are to be commended for th e guidelines the Southern Baptist Convention contradict each other, since Bylaw laid down for this committee. The committee is to deal with the 32 says, ''The adoption of recommendations contained in reports sources of controversy within our convention and to use the 1963 to the convention shall not bind the convention on any other mat­ Baptist Faith and Message statement regarding theological issues ter in the body. of the report; but the convention reserves th e right as a guideline. The committee is to work with and through the to consider and amend the body of all reports." trustees of boards and agencies of the Southern Baptist Conven­ We have talked with 15 good parlimentarians, all of whom tion in determining the validity of the problems and in the pro­ believe the ruling was in error. We believe this was an honest cess of clearing them up. mistake by Pa rl imentarian Wayne Allen, who !j3id the matter Page 8 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE should be considered by the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. But messengers always become frustrated when they feel their right to speak out has been Don Moore taken from them. We feel the messengers who conducted themselves in a disorderly fashion were out You'll .be glad of order in te rms of Christian conduct. However, this is not without precedent. In the 1970 convention discussions dealing with the Broadman Commentary and the Christian life to know ... Commission, certai n conservatives felt their ri ghts had been taken from them. They were as upset then as the brethren on the other end of the spectrum were this year. If the use of state convention presidents and state WMU presidents were permanently This is being written before the conven­ structured into the bylaws of the Southern 'Baptist Convention, it would violate Baptist polity. tion, so 1 have absolutely no idea who will Each entity in Baptist life is separate without any direct connectional relationship to any have been elected president. Nor do I know other. This procedure would be inverted connectionalism, where the state conventions what other actions were given a major voice into the Southern Baptist Convention. The adoption of this pro­ may be taken. But cedure for a single year, however, would not have violated Baptist polity. there are some things The large number of messengerS who left th e convention frustrated need to know ih'e I do know will be true two processes that should ,be followed. The matter of the body's right to deal with the whatever takes place report of the Committee on Committees should be dealt with , ca refully studied and clarified in Dallas. by the SBC Executive Committee. It also should be brought to the attention of the Peace (1) All of our people Committee. w ill still have the We are grateful to john Su llivan and Winfred Moore fo r the motion to restore order freedom of their con­ to the convention and proceed with the business in. orderly fashion. This motion assisted science and their rela­ President Stanley in carrying on th e convention just as he protected the presidents of agen­ tionship with God. cies and messengers w ho were addressing the convention. (2) All of our We bel ieve that peace and healing can take place. There is far more that unites Southern churches will stil l be Moore Baptists than separates us. All Southern Baptists be lieve in missions and evangelism. We autonomous. should all pray for our president and vice presidents during the coming year. Hea ling ca n­ (3) All of the promises of God will sti ll be not take place unless we are willing to pray for our convention leadership and follow the intact. None of them will have changed. Holy Spirit's guidance. Even Romans 8:28 will be true of situations that may ex ist after the convention that didn't meet with our approval. (4) The church will still be God's plan, with all of its imperfections (Eph. 3:10). (5) Th e Great Commission will be even more imperative. (6) The Word of God will sta nd unscath· ed and ·untarnished by the fracas. (7) The Holy Spirit, though likely grieved and sometimes quenched, will remain God's abiding reality in our hearts. (8) The world will still be basically lost, ac­ cording to I John 5:19. (9) The gospel will still be God's dynamite to blast away unbelief and to regenerate dead spi rits. (10) lhe chu rches and pastors will need to devote themselves to their specific loca l responsibilities and not look back. (11) We will still need each other. (12) The grace of God will be available to enable us to be gracious in victory or defeat; to forgive where forgiveness is needed; to love when it isn't easy; to trust when we can­ More than 45,000 messengers jammed the D~lla s Con-vention Center june 7 7 for the not see; and to cooperate when we would first day of the 1985 Southern Baptist Convention. Th e attendance set a record that like to protest. far exceeded any previous annual meeting. (13) And Jes us Christ will still be Lordi Amen!

Don Moore is executive director of the More to come on SBC •.3(urs 'A.' N\U ---: Arkansas Baptist State Convention. ~.!- -- - Must the Southern ~~:Sre:~s"~n ~'!'_!!_'!gelists ~ 'Herein is love· . Baptist ConvEIIltlon annual meeting '>'""..:.., " -"""-· - ;.. · .A' (1 John 4:10) Q_OMS Pray for Arkansas' ~7°~!~ear~,P~~~~d~~~u~~iu~~preconvention and auxiliary events. foi\i.·~·- .:::_ _. . ~·.·.G~'~1 Brazil partnership

June 20, 1985 Page 9 Arkansas all over update by Millie Gill/ ABN staff writer people Pete Ramsey has resigned as minister of kenneth McClenny is serving as interim religious educa tion at Fayetteville First pastor of Crossett Second Church. Rick Stevens is serving as pastor of Church to. begin serving July 1 as a staff Calvary Church, lepanto. He is a member at First Church, Katy, Texas. graduate of Southern Baptist College and W~ile in Fayetteville, he has been involv­ briefly has attended Arkansas State University. ed in the Chamber of Commerce and Stevens and hi s wife, Marcia, have two Arkansas Baptist Religious Education Oak Cliff Church in Fort Smith daughters, Melissa and Kayla. Association, serving as president in 1984. celebrated its 25th anniversary June 14-1 6 He currently is serving as president of with activities th at included a noteburn­ Gary Parker is se rving as pastor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. ing service, ice cream fellmvship, worsh ip Meadowview Church nea r Pine Bluff. se rvices and al) old-fashioned dinner on Stewart Pickle has res igned as pastor o f the grounds. Speakers 'were Rick Ingle, John Finn of Little Rock is servi ng as in­ Trumann First Church to return to the Jack Bettis, Pat Campbell and Murl terim pastor of Highland Height s Churc h, Foreign miss ion field. Walker. Paul Heisner and R. C. Meadows Benton. directed music. Billy Barnett is serving as pastor of Cor­ Bill Hutchings has resigned as pastor of ners Chapel at Trumann. Delta Association will dedicate Stevenson Success Church to become pastor of Em ­ Hall at Wolf Creek, the associational manuel Church in Piggott. Wes Searcy of louisiana and Dana ca mp site,· July 6. The new conference McDaniel of Charl eston have joined th e center, named for Bryan Stevenso n, will Lynn Gober is se rving as pastor o f First staff of Fort Smith .Grand Avenue Church. be dedicated at 6:30 p.m. Rec reation and Southern Church in Redfield . Sea rcy is se rving as assista nt to the youth a hamburger supper will precede this se r­ minister and McDaniel is se rving for one vice, w ith activities beginnning at 2 p.m. Quenton Middleton is serving as pastor year as activities and youth intern . of Omaha Church . Siloam Springs First Church ordained Jim John Binkley of Poteau, Okla., is serving Allison to th e ministry june 16. Boyd Tannehill has resigned as pastor of as pastor of lone Church at Booneville. Parthenon Church. Park Hill Church in North Little Rock Paul D. McDaniel has resigned as pastor mission team has returned from Bluffton, Roy Crossland ha s resigned as pastor of of Pleasant Grove Ill Church at Waldron Ind., where th ey worked with the North to serve as pa stor of Trinity Church in White River Church at Oil Trough. Oaks Church in constructing a 2,300 Heavener, Okla. square foot building. The team w ill work Ray Taffar has resigned as pastor of in Brazil in September, according to James Young has resign ed as pa stor of pa stor Cary Hea rd. Northside Church at Batesville to con­ Shiloh Church at Black Fork. tinue his studies at Southern Baptist College Hacke« First Church ordained James . Carl Huddleston is serving as interim Jones and Gary Thomas to the ministry pastor of Flippin Church. Leslie Willis observed his fthh anniversary Jun e 16. Ordained as deacons were larry and Ronnie McBride. Jun e 2 as minister of music for Brinkley Jeff Houston is serving Harriso n First First Church. Church as interim music director. Augusta First Church youth recently M. L. Faler has resigned as pastor of David Masterton began serving Jun e 16 raised $350 for world hunger through Watso n Chapel Church at Pin e Bluff to as pastor of East End Church at Hensley, fund raising projects and sac ri ficial gifts. become pastor of Woolmarket Church in coming there from Amity First Church. Girls in Action and Royal Ambassador Biloxi, Miss. He has also served as pastor of churches missions organizations assisted. · in Indiana and Illinois. Masterton and his Jason Henderson has been selected to w ife, Marla, have t\r\10 sons, David and Faulkner Association is sponsoring a receive the Certificate of Distinction Daniel. senior adult retrea t Jun e 28 -29 at Cold Award for Outstanding score on the Springs Retreat Center on Acklin Gap National Sc holastic Aptitude Test. He is a Rissa Burchfield has joined the staff of Roa d near Conway. Program personalities member of South Highland Church in Pa rkway Place Church in little Rock as will include Bill Kreis, associational direc­ little Rock and is the son of O rland and youth minister. tor of missions, Buford Franci s, Anna Sharon Henderson. Allison, Donna Spurri er, John Birdso ng, Paul Parker has resigned as pastor o f !"rene Prince, Floyd Tidsworth, Red Baker, Paul Fox died june 1. A retired Southern Na il's Memorial Church in Utlle Rock . Jay Miller and Troy Prince. Baptist minister, he had served as pastor of Van Buren First Ch urch, Pi ne Bluff Im­ Dick L Cayce is servi ng as pastor of Union Avenue Church at Wynne ordain­ manuel Church and little Rock Calvary Roya l Church at Hot Springs, moving ed Danny Glover to the ministry June 2. Church. He has also served churches in th ere from London First Church. A native Glover, w ho is serving as minister of

Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky. He is of Texas1 Cayce has served as pastor of youth at Forrest City Second Church, is survived by his wife, Edyth Humberd Fox; other Arkansas and Texas churches. He attending Southern Baptist College, a daughter, Mrs. William Abel of Chat­ has been se rving, for th e past two years, w here he was recipient of th e president's tanooga, Tenn.; two sisters; a brother and as Dardanelle- Ru sse llville Association scholarship and Arkansas Governor's two grandchildren. director of church training activities. scholarship. Page 10 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Maston to receive Brooks Hays Award Psychology For Chrislian Living T.B. Maston, retired professor of Christian was made by Bill y White, pastor of Second ethics at Southern Baptist Theological Church. The award is presented annual ly as Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, has been a memori al to the Arkansas congressman chosen to receive the Brooks Hays Award for who twice served as president of the JOHN EWING HARRIS. M 01v. Pl'l 0 Christian Citizenship by little Rock's Second Sou th ern Baptist Convention. Hays was a lteenii(!(ICilusnan P~yt i'IOIOgl11 .Baptist Church. member of Second Church and taught a Th e presentation will be made at the sUnday Sc hool class which still bears his P.llt.DfCI~ · Suolel~ church june 30 in the morning wors}) ip ser­ name. lloOI Nun.-..., A_.... l

TOGETHER IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

When a famUy member Is IU, Baptist Medical System knows how Important It Is to be nearby. It's no time for family separations. At Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock and Memorial Hospital in North Little Rock, we have accommodations for fam ily members to remain overn ight in private rooms-night after night if necessary. We believe in the hea ling effect of family togetherness. Window seats or cha irs convert to comfortable beds at night. There are also moderately priced hotel accommodations for fa mily members at Baptist Medical Center if extra space is needed. Our commitment is rea l. It's anchored in the Baptist tradition. And we don't have to tell yo u what that means. So the next time your doctor tells you that you may need to be hospitalized. tell him you prefer a Baptist Medical System hospital. After all, we're Baptists, too. •

<·> BAPTIST MEDICAL SYSTEM

ArkmiStiS Rtfuibilitll lio n lmli!Uit•. Lllllt Rtxk I Oap/ISI Med ical Ct11trr. Lil!lt Red I Mtmorial Hospi tal. North Ul! lt Roci I T~a in Ri1'trs Mtdica/ On/tr, Madtlphfa

June 20, 1985 Page 11 Your state convention at work Christian Life Council Texas. Charles Chaney will conduct the Bi­ teaching people). The committee ~eeds to Rare opportunity ble studies and Stanton will bring a understand and believe in the laws of Sun­ message. The keynote speaker for Tuesday day School growth and have a working Arkansas &ptists and others seriously in­ night, July 23, isS. M. Lockridge from San knowledge of Flake's formula for growing terested in preserving religious liberty and Diego, Calif. a Sunday School. When the committee has separation of church and state have a rare You may contact Stanton at (417) a commitment to growth (and that may not ..--::.o=....,...,. opportunity to re­ 326-5281 or Henry Roe at (214) 729-2627 for always be numbers, though in most cases examine these impor­ additional registration information. Lodg­ it will), then they are better Prepared to seek tant concepts June ing and meals are available on campus for leadership who will be used by the Lord to 27-28. a nominal fee. We are hoping that several cause growth to happen, for it does not just Robert Maddox, of our pastors in Arkansas will take advan­ happen. executive director of tage of this conference. - Clarence Shell. In a departmentalized Sunday School, the Americans United for director nominating committee should serve as a Seperatlon of Church clearing house as the department directors and Stale, and Lee Missions recommend their department staff. Boothby, his chief Watch the models The booklet How to Discover, Enlist, and legal advisor, will Troin Sunday School Workers by James A. come from Washing- Reports of excellent progress are coming Chatham would be of help to your nomi­ Parker ton, D.C., to be a vital from the missions serving as models in nating committee. This booklet is available part of this conference. It will be held at Im­ Arkansas. I believe the Lord's hand has at the Baptist Book store. - Ed Hinkson. manuel C hurch in Little Rock. ""Z:J~ been on· this project aaaoclate Several Baptist pastors in our state will s-~ 4 from the beginning. be on the program. There will also be an Some outstanding WomanS Missionary Union opportunity to hear United States District thingsarehappening A mother's perspective Court Judge William Overton. Those who that can only be ex- opposed or. favored his ruling on creation plained by the leader- Deep inside the shell of this woman beats science will be interested in hearing him ship of the Spirit. - the heart of a GA. I am looking forward to speak. One church mis- my third GA Mother-Daughter Camp so This conference is co-sponsored by the sions committee that I can be a GA for 24 hours ... playing Cooperative Ministries with National Bap· member of First games, making crafts, singing silly songs, tists and the Christian Life Council depart­ Church, Marion, hiking and, best of a ll, learning about mis­ ments of the Arkansas Baptist State observed after a train- sions with my daughter. For this short time, Convention. Tidsworth ing session with them, I have quality time with my only daughter. Whether you can come or not. please en­ "Even though we had no training, we have This same GA inside me sees the new GA courage others to attend. Join others in be­ done what the Southern Baptist materials Mini-Camp as a time to help young girls en­ ing better informed about issues which say to do. Both must be lined up with the joy themselves and blossom into servants of should concern every Christian citizen. Spirit." our Savior. It is a time when the new Chris­ Bob Parker. director We are furnishing the best guidelines for tian can grow and hidden creativity can be each m

One .layman's opinion

Band Daniel R. Grant DR. DOUG SMITH, SBTS, Loulsufl/e, Ky PeT/ormer, conductor, composer Th e sad clai!Jl to fa me for Hoxha In a little-noticed news story recently, the Then th e reporter added that Hoxha claim· death of Enver Hoxha, 76-year-o ld com· ed with considerable pride that his was " the mun ist ruler of Albania, was reported. I must only truly atheist nation in the world." What admit that the headline made little impres­ sad epitaphs ·ro r a man's tombstone! si on on me beca use I could not have told There is one sense in which we all spend a Trivial Pursuit questioner the name of th e a lifetime building a fortress " to our own Camp pastor Albani an ruler, nor eve n where Albania is, views." One might even accuse Baptist BILL BRUSTER, Knoxu/1/e, except somewhere in the general area of Ita­ preachers, or Baptist college presidents, of Tenn, noted fo r his ly, Yugoslavia and Greece. For some reason, trying to do that. Let us all hope and pray character monologues my eyes lingered on th e story, and I that "our views" are in reality the mind of Opportunities: Choir, Band, Strings, discovered it was a sad story indeed. Christ, just as closely as we ca n make them. Worship, Theory, Handbe ll s, Voice, Hoxha had ru led Albania for 42 yea rs, But Mr. Hoxha was hard at work during a Plano, Fellowship , Swim , Camper I longer than any other communist leader in 42-year rei gn trying to build " the only truly Fac ulty Softball, Tennis and others. any country. His heroes ...vere Josef Stalin and ath eist nation in th e world:' Whatever hap­ M ao Tse-tung, and he never forgave th e ones pened to all those people who used to say, A retreat experience that will w ho downgraded those ruthless leaders. In " It doesn't matter w hat you believe as long beneDt both muolcally and addition to cru sh ing all political opponents, as yo u are sincere" ? Communist ruler Hox­ oplrltually. Contact the Church he closed all churches and mosques and ha was si ncerely breaking his hammer on ~~:w. ~;~~ it, ABSC for converted them into govern ment buildings, God's anvil. 79 wa rehouses and even stables. He outlawed I hope I can work as hard as Mr. Hoxha private automobiles, and restricted foreign (though not as long! ) at the task of strenthen· travel more severely than in any other Euro­ ing Ouachita as a truly Christian university. pean country. livi ng standards today are ...veil What wasted zeal, drive, enthusiasm and below Eu ropean standards, and few im­ leadership for Mr: Hoxha, and what a ported products are avai lable in Albania. twisted, wasted life. I was especially st ru ck by two statements in the news report. It was said that, " He Daniel R. Grant is president of Ouachita made Albania a fortress of his own views." Baptist University.

June 20, 1985 Page 13 A EW LOOK N ATAN

Page 14 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Lessons for living June. 23, 1985

International Life and Work Bible Book The Lord's complaint ,Fidelity in economics jesus on the Cross by Stephen P. Davis, First .Church, by Nelson Wilhelm, First Church, Waldron by Ben ). Rowell, Fi rst Church, Rogers Russellville Basic passage: Malachi 2:17-3:12 Basic passage: luke 23:26-49 Basic passage: Micah 6 Focal passage: Malachi 3:2-10 Focal passage: luke 23:33-47 Focal passage: Micah 6:1-8 Central truth: Economic views reflect the Central truth: jesus su'ffered ridicule and Central truth: Our religious activities are heart's spiritual condition. died on the cross in order to provide salva­ not acceptable as substitutes for our sin­ God always moves in a redemptive direc­ tion for all people. ful attitudes and actions. tion. God wants things to get better and Simon of Cy rene was seized by a guard as In Micah 6, the people were on trial for moves people toward his will. The words he passed by and was ordered to carry the bad religion. They practiced injustice, forgot " refine," " purify," "fuller's soap," and cross of jesus. What a tremendous blessing, God's saving acts in their history and thought " purge" all indicate a better condition is but I am su re he did not think so at the time. that some expensive gifts could please God expected. A great company of people followed him up and make everything they had not done or The passage opens with a forecast of that hill. Only Luke's gospel mentions this had done that was sinful all right. discipline in the hope of causing the peo­ episode. ple of God to give evidence of him in all they God's complaint was that he had long ago The crowd, mostly Of women, bewailed are and do. Our relationship to God will told them what he wanted from them, name­ and lamented him. They were beating their ly the practice of love, love of convenant show itself in personal values, social relation­ breasts and crying. The lord, with all of his sh ips and cultural standards. fidelity, and the discipline to walk carefully wonderful compassion, ministered to them Th ei r problem was that they had willingly with God. and said, "Weep not fo r me, weep for left God and his ways. Returning to God yourselves and your children:· Our Lord It is possible for us today to spend so much would not just happen by itself. A real symp­ time being " religious" that we have little knew what was ahead for them and, again, tom of their ungodliness was their self­ because he loved them so, even during his time being Christian. Our religious activities serving way w ith financial things. A person can be a good'means for the expression of terrible ordeal, he continued to ministe r un­ who causes everything to flow toward to their needs. He kne\\1 the awful ca lamities our faith ahd commitment. However, these himself will harm all those who are around soon to come upon them and their cities. deeds are not sufficient to make us accept­ him. He w ill not mind stepping on those he able to God. God's focus is first of all on what needs to step on to fulfill his greedy heart. They now came to Calvary and crucified we must be, before what we must do. It is a sad commentary on the hearts of our Jesus. The literal meaning of this word, "Calvary," is "a skull:' The place is also Three word s in Micah 6:8 fo rm one of the people when we have to have stewardship best summaries of true Christianity to be drives fo r giving. The problem is that the called Golgotha. This is a Hebrew word. If you travel to Jerusalem today, opinion is found in scripture or anywhere: justice, mer­ heart does not view Christ as lord. divided on the reallocation of Calvary. Some cy and humility. Each is important, but in­ Isn't it interesting that when God wants to complete unless balanced with the others. get our attention, he can quickly do so by say Calvary is at the church of the Holy They belong together. touching either our health or our finances. Sepulcher, and others have the opinion it is Economic erosion, inflation and recession Gordon's Calvary. 1 believe it is at Gordon's justice, as defined in the Bible, has two are ea'sy for God to control. People tithe Ca lvary, because it was outside the wall of dimensions. One concerns the setting right because they are spiritually responsible to the city w here the executions took place. of that which is wrong; the other concerns God in all areas of their spi ritual lives. God They crucified him between two malefac­ fairness in daily life and p ersonal certainly does not need our money; we need tors, making him the central figure, w hich relationships. to give to show his lordship. There is a very in that day meant he was the grea test God asks not only that we be just, but also deep principle behind jesus' comment about criminal of the three. Agai n his great divine that we be kind. Kindness is sa id to be the the widow at the Temple giving all she love was shown w hen he sa id, " Father child of love and is godlike. So, to love mercy possessed. forgi ve them." This was done as they were is to be tenderhearted, really sensitive to the So much of the prophet material d eals crucifying him. It was as if fo r a fe\\1 moments needs and suffering of others. To love mercy with the area of ethics- how V¥"e ought to fee l he forgot all about his pa in and suffering and is to help the weak, handicapped and and behave. At the heart of this word from thought only of them. underprivileged .. God is the examining of our va lues and prin- During this time, the soldiers are casting We are to live dependent on God. This re­ ciples of life. . lots to see which would receive his raiment. quires humility. We cannot nourish our con­ The passage closes with the encourage­ One Of the thieves then says to him, " you ceit and walk w ith God. Humility keeps us ment to get our hearts right, and blessings are the Messiah, aren' t you? Well then, save close to God. It also makes us teachable will come. yourself and us:' because it creates a joyful, w illing submis­ TNI.._.III...,.•IIIIUIIIM_.~ • ....,...,. .... Praise God one of the thieves turned to sion to God's w ill. Humility keeps us from Clwcb,ct,..rltM"Jtlli.....,.IUM!IIncrflillotJUitn._. ti11Collwdon . AI1rttftti~ . U.d"Jpennl ...... him for forgiveness. Even to the very end of begin arrogant and condescending toward his earthly life, jesus ministered. Then, he did others. God 's complai nt is that we don't a very !lignificant thing. He sa id, " Father in­ practice these three attitudes as we know to BAPTISTRIES to thy hands I commend my spirit." He then do. HEATERS. PUMPS FACTORY DIRECT dismissed his spirit as a voluntary act. TIIIIIIIIIIItrMCIMftlltbahtltaiiMIIItnliltllllllbi•~IOr , .. ... _,. lULL FREE 1-800·251·0679 Tll ll .... ----~~-...... ____ •"- ~1M .,_Mill. U1/ttrm SM!n. Co""'M Jllttfllltlt!\11 CetltCIJ of ___ leU.., ...... fciiCIIlloii . OM~pennlaltft . TN CALL COLLECT 615·875-0679 FIBERGLASS BAPriSTRV CO l•llllc:.....t~~~: AII,._,.._ , UIM~ ...... 3511 HIXSONPIKE•CHATTANOOGA. TNS=7415

June 20, 1985 Page Supreme Court strikes down prayer law WASHINGlON (B PI- The U. 5. Supreme characterize prayer as a favored practice. Subscriber. Services Court struck down an Alabama law june 4 Such an endorsement is not consistent with requiring the observance of momen'ts of the established principle that th e Govern­ The Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine offers sile nce ''for meditation or voluntary prayer,'' ment must pursue a cou rse of complete subscription plans at three different rates: but suggested strongly that more generally neutrality toward religion:' Every Resident Family Plan glues worded "silence" statutes do not viola te the Two justices in the majority filed concurr· churches a premium rate when they send Constitution. ing opinions. Justice lewis F. Powell Jr. wrote ·the Newsmagazine to all their resident Acting on the most publicized of seven he would ha ve voted to uphold the law "if households. Resident families are church-state cases considered during th e it also had a clea r secular purpose." But he calculated to be at least one-fourth of the current term, the court ruled 6·3 that the added, "Nothing in the record before church's Sunday School enrollment. Chur· Alabama law-passed in 1981-violated the ous ... identifies a clear secular purpose, and ches who send only to members who re · Constitution's ban on an official establish· the State also has failed to identify any non· quest a subscription do not qualify for this ment of religion because it " had no secu lar religious reason for the statute's enactment:' lower rate of $5.40 per year /or each purpose." Ju st ice Sandra Day O'Connor, who join· subscription. In an opinion written by justice John Paul ed the majority in its judgment but exercis· A Group Plan (formerly called the Stevens, th e court majority upheld conten· ed the option of issuing sepa rate opinion Club Plan) allows church members to get a tion of agnostic Ishmael Jaffree of Mobile, setting forth her own reasons for voting to a better than indiuidual rate when 10 or Ala., that enactment of the si lent prayer strike down the law, wrote: "Nothing in the more of them send their subscriptions statute advanCed religiO-n and i!lfringed on United States Constitution as interpreted by tnnPih~r through their church . Subscribers the rights of his three school·age children. this Court or in the laws of the State of • "'0 ·------, jaffree contended throughout his lengthy Alabama prohibits public school !students " ...... I challenge to th e Alabama law that his from voluntarily praying at any ti me before, ~"' ...... , I children were held up to ridicul e by other during, or after the sc hool day. 0 0"' I pupils and teachers critical of his action. But three justices dissented, two of them I Stevens' opinion relied heavily on the bitterly. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, who "'"' ..... Are you I nn testimony of the bill's primary sponsor, state in 1971 came up with the "secular purpose" "'"'pPO I c:r:x moving? I senator David Holmes, that the legislation test used by the majority to strike down the m -c Please give us two I was an "effort to return voluntary prayer" Alaba ma law, labeled the result "ironic" and n weeks advance I to public sc hools. The law was one of three ''bizarre:' :zo I passed in quick succession between 1978 Addressing the majority's principal finding O:l< notice. Clip this portion with your I and 1982 by Alabama's legislature and that the fatal flaw in the Alabama law was "'"'...... old address label, designed to circumvent the Supreme Court's its specific mention of prayer, Burger supply new address historic 1962 and 1963 decisions forbidding declared : " To suggest th at a moment-of­ "'"'"'...... sta te-written and state-prescribed re ligious silence statu te that ihcludes th e word "'"'oo below and send to z Arkansas B~ptist exercises in public schools. 'prayer' unconstitutionally endorses religion, Newsmagazine. Besid es the challenged law, a sepa rate while one that simply provides for a moment P. 0. Box 552, 1978 statute set aside one minute at the of silence does not, manifests not neutrality Little Rock, AR beginning of the school day as a period Of but hostility toward religion :· 72203 silence, without specific mention of prayer. He added: " ... our responsibility is not to That law was not challenged by )affree. apply tidy formulas by rote; our duty is to The third statute-challenged along with determine whether the statute or practice at the silent prayer law-gave classroom issue is a step toward establishing a state teachers authority at their disc retion to lead religion." students in an oral prayer written by the so n That same point was discussed in detail by Name of then·gove rnor Fob James. Although the Justice William H. Rehnquist, who in a law was upheld by U. 5. District Court judge lengthy dissent suggested the court reassess Street Brevard Hand, it was struck down by the al l its church-state decisions of the past 40 Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, a decision years in light of.what he described as the na­ City affirmed unanimously by the Supreme Court tion's founders' intent that the establishm ent last yea r. clause do no more than forbid establish ment State Zip _ _ _ On the same day it affirmed that decision, of a national church or favor one Ch ristian I th e high court agreed to review the si len t sett over another. L ------~ prayer statute. Rehnquist specifically atta cked Thomas through the group plan pay $6 per year. In assessing the law, Stevens w rote: "The Jefferson's metaphor of a wall of sepa ration Individual subscriptions may be pur· legislative intent to retu rn prayer to the between church and state as an inadequate chased by anyone at the rate of $6.36 per public sc hools is, of course, quite different basis for th e court's church -state rulings. year. These subscriptions are more costly from merely protecting every student's right Rehnquist declared: " It is impossible to because they require Individual attention /or to engage in voluntary prayer during an ap· build sound constitutional doctrine upon a address changes and renewal notices. propriate moment qf silence during the mistaken understanding of constitutional Changes of address by Individuals school day. Th e 1978 statute already pro· history, but unfortunately the Establishment may be mode using the form above, which te.cted that right, containing nothing that Clause has been expressly freighted with Jef­ appears regularly In this space. prevented any student from engaging in ferson's mislea ding metaphor for nearly 40 When lnqulrlng about your subscrlp· voluntary prayer during a silent minute of years. Rehnquist concluded: ''There is simply tton by mall, please Include the address meditation:' no historical foundation for the proposition label. Or call us at (501) 376-4791, ext. By specifying the period was for prayer, that the Framers (of the Consti tution) intend· 5156. Be prepared to give us your code Stevens said, " the State intended to ed to build th e 'wall of separation .. line Information.

Page 16 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE