MARCH 2008 | Vol. 26, No. 3 | baptiststoday.org | 25TH ANNIVERSARY $2.95

A call for unniityy New Baptist Coveenanntt partiicipants emmbrace common coommmittmments pagee 1100

Honoring Walker Knight page 4

John D. Pierce MARCH 2008 | Vol. 26, No. 3 Executive Editor [email protected] Baptists Today serves churches by providing a reliable source of Jackie B. Riley unrestricted news coverage, thoughtful analysis and inspiring Managing Editor features focusing on issues of importance to Baptist Christians. [email protected] An autonomous national Keithen M. Tucker Baptist news journal Development and Marketing Director [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge P E R S P E C T I V E Contributing Editor [email protected] > After the Celebration: Now what? ...... 7 Bruce T. Gourley John Pierce Online Editor [email protected] > Why I read Baptists Today...... 9 Jannie T. Lister K. Hollyn Hollman Office Assistant Lauryn C. Dant > Baptists find renewed message ...... 37 Circulation Assistant Joe Phelps Walker Knight Jack U. Harwell Publisher Emeritus Editor Emeritus Board of Directors Thanks Friends! For supporting Baptists Today Page 14 Winnie V. Williams, Seneca, S.C. 38 (chair) Gary F. Eubanks, Marietta, Ga. I N T H E N E W S (vice chair) Z. Allen Abbott, New York, N.Y. > New Baptist Covenant Celebration...... 10 Jimmy R. Allen, Big Canoe, Ga. Ann T. Beane, Richmond, Va. draws thousands seeking unity Kelly L. Belcher, Spartanburg, S.C. Thomas E. Boland, Alpharetta, Ga. > Novelist John Grisham calls fellow Baptists ...... 13 Huey Bridgman, Columbus, Ga. Robert Cates, Rome, Ga. to respect diversity Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. > BWA youth conference to be held in ...... 13 James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. Germany this summer James L. Evans, Auburn, Ala. W.M. Gilbert Jr., Lavonia, Ga. R. Kirby Godsey, Macon, Ga. > Outspoken trustee Burleson resigns ...... 30 Leslie D. Hill, Lexington, Ky. from IMB board Cover photo by Rod Reilly. Jimmy Little, Hartselle, Ala. Michael M. Massar, Tyler, Texas The Morehouse College Glee Club J. Thomas McAfee, Macon, Ga. F E AT U R E S brings joy to the Celebration of a New William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. Baptist Covenant. Page 10 Ella Wall Prichard, Corpus Christi, Texas Michael G. Queen, Wilmington, N.C. > Walker Knight’s dream becomes reality...... 4 Mary Etta Sanders, Dalton, Ga. John Pierce Charlotte Cook Smith, Raleigh, N.C. welcome David M. Smith, Houston, Texas Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. > A Snail’s Pace: Pastor helps others find rest ...... 32 Clement H. White, St. Petersburg, Fla. and restoration NEW GROUP SUBSCRIBERS Advocates John Pierce Edenton Baptist Church Mary Jayne Allen, Chattanooga, Tenn. Randy L. Hyde, Little Rock, Ark. > N.C. Baptist volunteers leave lasting imprint ...... 36 Edenton, N.C. Sherry McGlaughlin, Liberty, Mo. David B. Brooks on Gulfport David Woody, Daniel Island, S.C. pastor Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) Steve DeVane is published monthly by: • Baptists Today > Church suppers change to meet changing needs...... 38 Hope Valley P.O. Box 6318 Macon, GA 31208-6318 David Briggs Baptist Church To subscribe or place Durham, N.C. an advertisement, Lloyd Braswell call 478-301-5655 or toll-free 1-877-752-5658. pastor Subscription rates: 1 year, $18; 2 years, $32 I N E V E R Y I S S U E 1 year groups of 25 or more, $15 1 year Canada, $35 Quotation Remarks 6 Faith Experience 25 1 year foreign, $50 Periodical postage paid Editorial 7 In the Know 26 at Macon, Ga. 31208 Back-row Birdie 18 The Lighter Side 27 POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Formations Commentary 19 Readers’ Responses 28 Baptists Today P.O. Box 6318 Macon, GA 31208-6318 Resource Page 23 Reblog 29 © 2008 Baptists Today. Classifieds 24 The Media Shelf 35 All rights reserved.

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 3 F E A T U R E STORY AND PHOTO BY JOHN PIERCE Knight’s dream becomes reality Baptist news journal to celebrate 25 years, honor founding editor

ECATUR, Ga. — Next month ing. He addressed, head-on, issues such as marks the 25th anniversary of the the struggle for racial and gender equality, Dnational news journal Baptists the Jesus Movement and changing attitudes Today. The first issue, dated April 1983 and about human sexuality. He even wrote an then called SBC Today, was produced under article asking if Native Americans should the capable guidance of veteran journalist trust white Baptist missionaries. Walker L. Knight. “We frankly dealt with most subjects,” On April 3, 2008, friends and support- Walker recalled. ers will gather in Atlanta to mark the To provide a more personal and emo- publication’s milestone and to pay tribute to tional connection, Walker hired talented the founding editor who made great per- photographer Don Rutledge and gifted writ- sonal sacrifices to launch the uniquely ers like Dallas Lee to enhance the magazine’s autonomous Baptist news journal. appeal. College students in particular were Knight, now 84, lives in Decatur, Ga., drawn to the relevant and challenging and remains active in Oakhurst Baptist publication. Church where the publication was started. Not every Southern Baptist, however, He has been a key leader in the innovative was pleased. Attempts to censor Walker or congregation, known for its commitment to tame his journalistic instincts were met with social justice, since joining in 1959. the strong defense of HMB President Arthur To understand and appreciate the life- Rutledge, who repeatedly stated: “Walker is long commitments of Walker Knight, who a man of integrity and should be trusted as set a new standard for Baptist journalists, editor.” requires a trip back through his personal That same support did not continue, journey. were meshed. Walker noted, when Bill Tanner became Walker’s father deserted his family. But Even now, Walker vividly remembers as HMB president in 1977. before his painful departure, he exposed a youth hearing Oscar Johnson speak at “He kept calling me into his office,” young Walker, the oldest of nine children, Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly on Jesus’ beati- Walker recalled. He would hold up the lat- to the hectic pace of the newsroom where tude, “Blessed are those who hunger and est edition of the magazine and ask, “What his father was managing editor of the thirst after righteousness.” Johnson said it does this have to do with home missions?” Henderson Gleaner-Journal in Kentucky. meant to “see things set right,” Walker Walker’s answer was that mission stories Even his name, Walker Lee, came from recalled. could only be understood properly in their the paper’s publisher and business manager. “I think that has characterized my min- social context. But he knew his explanations When World War II pulled away needed istry,” said Walker. “Trying to set things were unconvincing. staff, Walker became a teenaged reporter by right.” Over the next few years, Walker day while finishing high school at night. That perspective remained with Walker remembers having casual conversations with “It was hard working for your daddy,” throughout his many years as a Christian other Baptist journalists about the need for a he recalled recently. journalist. At the Standard, he served first truly autonomous news journal unrestricted In 1943, after completing high school with editor David Gardner and then E.S. by geography, narrow topics and heavy- and the year after his father disappeared, James, a father figure known to tackle the handed denominational executives. It grew Walker joined the Army and edited an Air tough issues of his day. into a dream for him. Corp weekly in Tyler, Texas, before serving “E.S. James changed Baptist news- In late 1982, a group of ministers con- in China as a radio operator. papers,” Walker recalled. “My idea of being cerned about the redirection of the Southern With his military service complete, an editor was shaped by him.” Baptist Convention sent Larry McSwain Walker headed to Baylor University where In 1959, Walker moved to Atlanta to from Louisville, Ky., to hear Walker’s dream he earned a journalism degree followed by a work with the Southern Baptist Home for a new publication. Any new initiative, stint as editor of a county newspaper in Mission Board where he became the editor Walker told him, would have to be three Marlin, Texas. of the popular and oft-times controversial things: autonomous, national and Baptist. In 1950, he was called as associate edi- magazine, Home Missions. When news of the conversation leaked tor of the Texas newspaper, Baptist Standard. Walker told the mission stories in the out and the group of ministers agreed to His dual callings to journalism and ministry social context needed for proper understand- raise some funds, Walker announced that he

4 | Baptists Today • March 2008 F E A T U R E would leave the Home Mission Board in rolled off the presses. The dream had early part of Jack’s service and returned as early 1983. become a reality. interim editor in 1997. At age 59, with the full support of his In recording the early history of Baptists Although the news journal has gone wife, Nell, he accepted a 50 percent reduc- Today, Walker made this observation about through various changes over the past 25 tion in salary to create the independent the role he hoped the new publication years, the work of each editor has been built news journal from scratch. Nell continued would fill: on the realized dream and strong journalistic working at the Home Mission Board as an “[I] saw SBC periodicals as either nar- foundation of Walker L. Knight. Both assistant to longtime family friend Don row in focus such as mission magazines or printer’s ink and Baptist courage run Hammonds. narrow in circulation such as state papers. through his veins. BT With nothing more than a dream, a big The new publication would be a non-profit dose of courage and some promises of start- [organization], governed by a board of direc- up funding, Walker and Nell went to their tors, and operating as an autonomous unit, most trusted source of inspiration, support thus avoiding the pressures to report less join us! and community — the Oakhurst congrega- than the truth by either distortion or by tion. avoidance of the unpleasant.” Founding Editor Walker Knight and the In a tradition borrowed from the To that end, Walker, along with his Oakhurst Baptist Church will be recog- Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C., associates and volunteers, birthed and grew nized during the 25th Anniversary Walker “sounded a call” before his Oakhurst a new kind of Baptist publication that could Celebration of Baptists Today on family. He announced the start of a new never fall under the thumb of a denomina- Thursday, April 3, at the Loudermilk publication and asked if others might feel tional executive or any censor. Center in Atlanta. An address by Daniel led to help. Ongoing financial support, especially Vestal, executive coordinator of the The response was overwhelming. Forty- from laypersons, has been the lifeblood of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will fol- five fellow church members — 12 of whom Baptists Today — which continues its mis- low the presentation of the eighth annual had journalism experience — offered their sion as an autonomous, national Baptist Judson-Rice Award to Walker Knight. For time and talents. Oakhurst also provided news journal a quarter-century later. office space and an initial gift of $5,000 to Walker served as editor from the found- dinner reservations ($25) and other purchase the needed equipment to begin ing in 1983 until 1988 when Jack U. details, visit www.baptiststoday.org or publication. Harwell began a nine-year tenure as editor. call 1-877-752-5658 or 478-301-5655. The first issue — dated April 1983 — Walker continued as publisher during the

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 5 P E R S P E C T I V E quo a ion t t r e m a r k s

EDITOR’S NOTE: These quotations come “I’m not used to that.” “The reason that we have to put love from or are in response to the historic —African-American pastor William Shaw, above everything else is because we Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant, president of the National Baptist Convention, see through a glass darkly and know Jan. 30-Feb.1, in Atlanta. USA, Inc., on being given an assigned topic in part. The reason we have to love and a 25-minute time limit to preach each other is because all of us might “To be a ‘child of the South’ and not be wrong. understand and not appreciate the “What do you get t“he person who —Former P”resident Bill Clinton significance of this kind of event for has everything? Nothing. But you the future is beyond my comprehen- don’t have the guts to pull it off, do “Baptists tend to run before they are sion. you?” sent. Prayer is the personal commu- —Church historian and Baylor University —Sociologist, author and speaker Tony Campolo nication with the divine. professor Doug Weaver —Loyd Allen, professor of church history and spiritual formation at Mercer University’s “It is a long-haul ministry. It is McAfee School of Theology “[Respectfulness] runs out of steam at the 50-yard line. But love, like not a quick fix or a Band-Aid.” “Just as it is ludicrous to suggest that Forrest Gump, runs all the way down —Cara Lynn Vogel, of Woman’s Missionary the field, through the end zone and Union of North Carolina, on tackling poverty we hire more morticians to treat can- cer and AIDS, it is ludicrous to hire into the parking lot.” more police and jailors and to build —Pastor Julie Pennington-Russell of more prisons to handle nonviolent “I don’t get into [the age of the earth]. First Baptist Church, Decatur, Ga. drug offenders.” We had a trial in my home state.” —Wendell Griffen, judge in the —Environmental activist and former Vice President “People who say they are Baptists Arkansas Court of Appeals Al Gore, jokingly referencing the 1925 Scopes usually are.” Trial in Dayton, Tenn. —Program co-chair Jimmy Allen, responding to a “We have no problem going to see the sick. But if someone says it’s question from a Baptist Press reporter about how “People in Antioch asked, ‘What is time to go visit a person who is organizers define a Baptist this? People of different faiths on the incarcerated, we don’t want to do it.” same bus?’” —Dee Dee Coleman, pastor of Russell Street “We thought he was a pretty good —Pastor Gerald Durley, of Providence Missionary example of a devout Baptist and a Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, who created Baptist Church in Atlanta, on traveling Wings of Faith in 2002 with the goal of returning follower of Christ.” internationally with Christian, Jewish and imprisoned persons to society and limiting their odds —President Bill Clinton about Muslim clergy from the U.S. of going back President Jimmy Carter, who has been criticized by fundamentalist Baptists “It’s a moral issue when the public “Whether we have a wall or a zone or hospitals of this country are having a rickety fence or whatever, we must “Some have questioned our motives. trouble keeping their doors open. continue to have at least a strand or Some have criticized us at every turn.” This country needs a commitment to two of barbed-wire to keep the institu- —David Goatley, executive director of the Lott universal access to care, and we tions of religion from cozying up to Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention and need it soon.” the institutions of government.” president of the North American Baptist Fellowship —Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher —Professor James Dunn of Wake Forest University Divinity School 6 | Baptists Today • March 2008 P E R S P E C T I V E e d i t o r i a l After the celebration: Now what? By John Pierce

n his closing address at the Celebration and build respectful relationships was a tion. While certainly imperfect and without of a New Baptist Covenant Feb. 1, for- major aspect of and attraction to the New a completely cohesive message, the Celebra- I mer President Bill Clinton was gracious, Baptist Covenant. The Celebration was a tion was enriching and inspiring in so many inspiring, insightful, biblically-astute — and, step forward to new relationships, not a ways. as promised, politically nonpartisan. backward step to ones that painfully failed. Worship was uplifting, abundant and HvleifwhBoeclrtialneisvaepnyhgtoilstowHtsed,hcdoetcraeitsht(debilrecwodafntyfiapdystecraifsnvoiafueconalbirtnayeiwls.vrdtehi)pnbiortinhcoaltnet.erat The purpose of the New Baptist varied in style. Many wonderful gifts and Much of his focus, however, was on the Covenant was/is not about the impossible talents were shared. division in the Southern Baptist Convention task of reconciling alienated former In special interest sessions, Baptists with over the last quarter-century between funda- Southern Baptists with similar concerns — yet often previously mentalists and moderates that led to the those who know not unacquainted — tackled some of the most formation of new, more inclusive Baptist reconciliation, only challenging issues facing churches and ways of belonging. dominance. In fact, the communities today. Not only have many recovering very week of the Now, after the throngs of Baptists have Southern Baptists — affiliated with groups Celebration, one agency vacated the Georgia World Congress Center, like the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the board of the non-partic- the dominant question remains: What does Alliance of Baptists, the Baptist General ipating SBC pushed out this gathering mean for the future? Association of Virginia and/or the Baptist a trustee over the The answer will not come immediately, General Convention of Texas — already “crime” of dissenting opinion from the but over time. moved on, but many others in attendance at majority. Bumtmiotspwoa,ynrmelthtByezkbc“tgnaeliutosratglswp,tsit”enanteHsdi.goulttoswhtpedyvoelrnmatplit,ptoNacfthewBCasptovteniandtownehsrotitowsteheosbtehnidotpodohdeium. the Celebration have had no previous SBC Despite the repeated questioning of The significance will be defined and ties. reporters and the attention given to the sub- determined by the growing relationships They are happily involved with other ject in President Clinton’s address, the and cooperative ministry efforts that occur denominational groups such as the historic gathering was not about the SBC at outside the glaring spotlight of an Atlanta American Baptist Churches, USA (whose all. stage. BT breakup with Southern Baptists occurred The larger conglomeration of “other more than 160 years ago over slavery) Baptists” of varied hues and histories came and/or various historically black National together in Atlanta to build new, hopeful Baptist groups. relationships based on mutual trust and That is not to suggest every Baptist respect, not to revisit old ones severed by group doesn’t know something about the suspicion and condemnation. pain of exclusion and division. The New Baptist Covenant is about a An effort to reach across racial divides promising future of inclusion and coopera- “Yes, I want to subscribe today!” Please fill out this form and return it to Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318

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March 2008 • Baptists Today | 7

P E R S P E C T I V E Why I read Baptists Today 1983 25 2008 By K. Hollyn Hollman This appreciation and understanding of YEARS our differences is displayed in the breadth of n a recent edition of Baptists stories featured in Baptists Today. As BT cel- ebrates its 25th year, I am reminded of how Today, editor John Pierce told Forest Divinity School, and Neville Callam, I consistently the publication demonstrates general secretary of the Baptist World the story of a hippie college the variety and richness of Baptist life. Alliance. BT is an excellent resource for original professor who challenged Leonard and Callam are two Baptist features, in-depth inter- leaders from different countries and back- those in his class to think out- views and wire stories. grounds leading Baptist institutions, and side of the box. Although By focusing on a diver- sharing a deep commitment to the Baptist sity of people, events tradition. By exploring their words and differing ideologically from the and institutions, readers work, BT provides a glimpse into important, professor, he said, “The lesson gain a more substantial current manifestations of the Baptist view of Baptist life. for me is that one should never experience. The news journal Not just on Sunday mornings and not discount what can be learned features conversations K. Hollyn Hollman only in houses of worship, but on any given from others — even those with with various Baptist day of the week and all over the world, leaders, which in the past have included Dr. Baptists are involved in a variety of religious, very different starting points.” Bill J. Leonard, founding dean of Wake cultural, political and educational move- ments. Denominational disputes and contro- Baptists Today invites you to attend versies are aspects of Baptist life that often make headlines. While such issues are cov- The 25th Anniversary Celebration and ered, BT also sheds light on items of interest Annual Judson-Rice Dinner to the Baptist community that do not always see prime time. As one who works for a Baptist entity Honoring: that serves 15 denominational bodies, each FOUNDING EDITOR WALKER KNIGHT with distinct characteristics, I also appreciate the attention BT gives to exploring coopera- tive work among Baptists. BT helps promote Thursday, April 3 The Loudermilk Center cooperation among Baptists by reporting on 6:30 p.m. EST 40 Courtland Street the latest events in the lives of individuals, Atlanta, Georgia congregations and Baptist institutions. Its “In the Know” section helps me to stay con- ! Speaker: nected to individuals and churches within Daniel Vestal our member bodies and in the larger Baptist Executive Coordinator community. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship From features on Free Will Baptists to educating about the principle of religious lib- $25 per person erty, BT accurately pushes its readers to think beyond any narrow assumptions about Reservations by March 15: Baptists today. By doing so, it continues to www.baptiststoday.org remind us of that valuable lesson its editor 1-877-752-5658 • 1-478-301-5655 learned in college that we should never dis- count what we can learn from each other. BT Note: This celebration conveniently precedes the annual meeting of the —K. Hollyn Hollman is general counsel for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia, April 4-5, at First Baptist the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Church of Decatur, Ga. Georgians Liberty in Washington, D.C. are encouraged to attend both events in the Atlanta area.

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 9 I N F O R M A T I O N STORY BY MARV KNOX, Baptist Standard New Baptist Covenant Celebration draws thousands seeking unity, cooperation ATLANTA — Fifteen thousand participants in the New Baptist Covenant convocation arrived in Atlanta Jan. 30 seeking unity in Christ and departed Feb. 1 won- dering where their quest will lead.

n the meantime, they demonstrated racial, theological and geographic harmony as Ithey prayed, sang, listened to sermons and attended workshops focusing on ministry to the people Jesus called “the least of these” in society. The unprecedented event brought together diverse Baptists representing 30 groups affiliated with the North American Baptist Fellowship, the regional affiliate of the Baptist World Alliance. Shared prayer and other acts of worship They heard from two former U.S. presi- drew the diverse Baptists together, as did personal relationships. dents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and a Photos by Rod Reilly. former vice president, Al Gore — all Baptists. Participants scaled a 163-year-old wall that Atlanta, a Baptist pastor, shared with all of us has divided the denomination since U.S. his dream: One day, on the red hills of Baptists parted company over slavery more Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the than a decade before the Civil War. sons of former slave-owners would be able to As women and men of numerous races sit down together at the table of brother- sat side-by-side through sermons and hugged hood,” Underwood said to sustained promote religious liberty and respect for and laughed in hallways, they embodied a applause. religious diversity.” dream-come-true for Baptists who dreamed “Today, here on those red hills of That effort piggybacked on a historic of racial reconciliation in their denomination. Georgia, Baptists have come together to take gathering of the four predominantly African- “This is the most momentous event of a step in the long and difficult journey American Baptist conventions three years my religious life,” declared an emotional toward achieving Dr. King’s great dream. ago, plus ongoing discussions of unity within Carter, a son of the South and a lifelong After generations of putting up walls between the North American Baptist Fellowship, Baptist. us — separation, division by geography, by NABF President David Goatley said. “For the first time in more than 160 theology, but most of all division by race — a “The New Baptist Covenant is a public years, we are convening a major gathering of new day is dawning. … Today, we all sit witness to our common commitment to the Baptists throughout an entire continent, down together at the table of Christian gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed,” without any threat to our unity caused by brotherhood and sisterhood.” explained Goatley, executive director of the differences of our race or politics or geogra- Leaders of most of the participating Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission phy or the legalistic interpretation of groups first affirmed the New Baptist Convention. Scripture,” said Carter, who co-chaired the Covenant in April 2006, when Carter and “Never before have Baptists on this scale gathering with Mercer University President Underwood invited them to Atlanta to talk sought to cross the boundaries we choose to Bill Underwood. about bridging Baptists’ racial, theological live behind — ethnicity, ideology, theology Carter’s euphoria echoed the aspiration and geographic divisions by working together … We are at the threshold of great possibili- of another Baptist from Georgia, and the “to promote peace with justice, to feed the ties,” Goatley said. convocation fulfilled the prophecy of Martin hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the home- Prior to the convocation, critics sug- Luther King Jr., Underwood told the crowd. less, care for the sick and marginalized, gested one of those possibilities was politics. “Forty-five years ago, a native son of welcome the strangers among us, and They claimed organizers stacked the program

10 | Baptists Today • March 2008 I N F O R M A T I O N in favor of Democrats, citing the presence providing housing for poor people, he said. She cited a litany of statistics that reveal the not only of Carter, but also Clinton and “I say this in good conscience: We all depth of poverty, neglect and risk that Gore. believe we are doing what we can. But so do describe the United States’ 13 million chil- Carter refuted that charge in a news con- they. They read the obligations of Scripture dren in poverty, noting they add up to a ference, noting the all-Baptist program also in a different way,” he noted. national catastrophe. featured Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Calling for humility and respect, “They are not acts of God,” said Organizers invited Republican presidential Clinton urged: “We should not let our Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense candidate and former Baptist pastor Mike response to the people who disagree with us Fund. “They are our choices as citizens and Huckabee, who accepted and then declined be dictated by what they say about us or even as a nation. We created them; we can and months ago, as well as Sen. Lindsay Graham, how they treat people we care for. If there is must change them.” R-S.C., who bowed out at the last minute to any chance that this covenant can become an campaign for another presidential candidate embracing one, that there can be a whole Noted author Tony Campolo said Jesus who attends a Baptist church, John McCain. community, then there has to be a chance pronounced his priorities in Luke 4, begin- Georgia’s Republican governor, Sonny that we can find love.” ning with preaching good news to the poor. Perdue, a Baptist layman, welcomed the Other speakers amplified the unity “Do you think Jesus meant what he said, crowd during the convocation’s opening theme from a range of perspectives: or do you think he was kidding?” he asked. session. “There is nothing wrong with making a In that session, Carter made a promise Christian oneness centers on fulfilling million dollars. I wish you all would make a that also sounded like a warning to other Jesus’ “radical mission,” stressed William million dollars. There is nothing wrong with speakers. Imploring the diverse Baptists to Shaw, president of the National Baptist making it, but there is something wrong with make unity the distinctive element of their Convention, USA, one of the four African- keeping it,” he said. “My Bible tells me in gathering, he pledged, “There will be no American conventions, and pastor of White 1 John 3:17, ‘If anyone has the world’s goods criticism of others — let me say again — no Rock Baptist Church in Philadelphia. and sees his brother in need but shuts off his criticism of others or exclusion of any Jesus wasn’t satisfied merely to bring compassion from him — how can God’s love Christians who would seek to join this relief to the persecuted and victimized, he reside in him?’” cause.” explained, noting Jesus “concretized” his mis- Near the end of the meeting, he told sion by seeking to reverse the structures and Gore called for Baptists to protect the reporters the convocation lived up to his situations that caused oppression. environment, pleading for participants in the nonpolitical billing. The heart of that quest is establishing convocation to make creation care one of “We have deliberately avoided any iden- justice and uprooting injustice, Shaw noted. their major initiatives. tification by politics,” he declared. “It’s been a “When God made mankind, he made us wonderful mixture of cohesive, different male and female — in his image. To do See COVENANT page 12 ­ groups. All of us, so far as I know, have been injustice to anybody is to do injustice to the completely unified.” reality of God, because we are in his image, Plenary sessions focused on creating and his image is not to be demeaned.” Baptist unity by following Jesus’ mandate set That calls Baptists to seek change in soci- out in his first sermon: “to preach good news ety, he added. “You can’t embrace the mission to the poor … to proclaim freedom and of Jesus and not encounter the reality of injus- recovery of sight to the blind, to release the tice. He came not with actions of charity. He oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s came to change. … Justice says we need to favor.” change the structures of victimization.” Clinton even called for unity toward the Southern Baptist Convention. The SBC Love is the key to unity, claimed Julie pulled out of the Baptist World Alliance — Pennington-Russell, pastor of First Baptist the organizational common denominator for Church of Decatur, Ga. She accepted an all the groups affiliated with the New Baptist assignment to speak on respecting diversity, Covenant — several years ago, citing alleged but she said respect isn’t sufficient to build “liberalism.” unity. Clinton described the rift with the SBC Respect alone “has no power to change as competing interpretations of the New something that is broken between you and Testament Epistle of James, “that people me,” she said. “Only love can do that. … Let would know our faith by our works.” love take you by the hand and lead you like a Photo by Rod Reilly. Baptists who gained control of the SBC child to a new way of seeing that brother or focused on “works” related to issues such as sister, and look for Jesus in the face of that “In every crisis there is an opportunity opposition to abortion, the Equal Rights person.” . . . to do things better,” former Vice Amendment and gay rights, he noted, while “more progressive Baptists” focused on fight- Marian Wright Edelman called for President Al Gore told fellow Baptists. ing poverty, protecting the environment and Baptists to unify around protecting children.

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 11 I N F O R M A T I O N

­ COVENANT from page 11

The former vice president and Nobel laureate discussed the research behind his Oscar-winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, during a luncheon attended by 2,500 participants. “There is a distinct possibility that one of the messages coming out of this gathering and this new covenant is creation care — that we who are Baptists of like mind and attempting in our lives to the best of our abilities to glorify God, are not going to countenance the continued heaping of contempt on God’s creation.”

Ironically, the world — for the first time in history — began producing enough food Students thank Oklahoma layman Bob Stephenson (center) for funding an educational program to eliminate hunger altogether in the 1960s, that drew 200 students from 16 divinity or theology schools to the Celebration. Photo by Rod Reilly. Grassley said, noting one in seven people worldwide goes to bed hungry each night. Satcher, of the Morehouse School of Medicine. on a range of poverty, racial, equality, peace- “Unfortunately, this condition, this Inequities persist in the United States’ making and other policy issues. increased food productivity, has not solved health-care system, he noted. “An African- “Where we go from here will be very hunger throughout the entire world,” he said. American baby is 21/2 times as likely to die in important,” Carter told reporters. “People “Poverty, war, natural disasters contribute to the first year of life as a majority baby,” and stop me and say, ‘We don’t want this to be the cycle of hunger. But we also confront globally, child-mortality disparities between just a moment, but a movement.’” 21st-century complexities that affect a whole- the wealthiest and poorest countries are far This spring, the convocation leadership some, stable and deliverable food supply.” worse. group will reconvene in Atlanta to consider Grassley said increasing free trade will “For me, that is not a political issue; it’s hundreds of suggestions and discuss how to help alleviate hunger worldwide, but a moral issue,” he said. follow up, he said. Christians in the United States should begin The answer will not be creating yet focusing on practical ways of alleviating Setting the captive free also is a moral another Baptist convention, Allen added. hunger themselves. “If ever there was a time issue, echoed Charles G. Adams, pastor of “This movement will not be centralized. It for unity, now is the moment-building con- Hartford Baptist Church in Detroit. If can’t be. … We’re not an organized structure. sensus between agriculturalists and Baptists do not share freedom with others, We’re stimulating and reflecting a movement conservationists, and building the food sup- “then our souls will be destroyed and our of God that is bigger than us.” ply can create sustainable farming methods freedom with it,” he said. Answers likely will include opportunities that protect the environment.” “We are filled with the Spirit only to for individuals, congregations and larger empty ourselves in the liberation of others,” Baptist groups “to add our voice to common The presence of “strangers” in the he said. “We are loved only to love others. commitment” to implement the ideas for world provides a point for Baptist unity, We are free only to accept the responsibility ministry that surfaced in Atlanta, Carter said. stressed Joel Gregory, a professor of preaching of setting others free.” Historian Walter Shurden, recently at Baylor University’s Truett Theological retired director of the Center for Baptist Seminary. Convocation participants fleshed out the Studies at Mercer University and one of the “Behind us, in front of us, ahead of us repeated calls for unity through ministry in 32 early organizers of the convocation, said the we meet the face of the stranger in the word special-interest sessions. They featured practi- event could become “a major step in racial of God,” he said. “It is not a marginal issue. cal applications of the unity/service theme. reconciliation and gender recognition of It’s a central concern.” Those sessions are likely to provide the Baptists in North America.” Unfortunately, Christians often try to backbone of structure for fleshing out what “I’ve never been to a Baptist meeting care for strangers, foreigners and outsiders in the convocation means and how participants where there was the equality as well as the the abstract, Gregory said, but “behind every will continue what began in Atlanta, pre- presence [of multi-racial, multi-gender partic- generalization is God’s particularity — that dicted Jimmy Allen, program chairman for ipation],” he said. “It bears the marks of the person in front of me right now.” the event. ministry of Jesus.” BT Ministerial students who attended each Another group that needs the force of session took notes on the outcomes and pro- —John Pierce contributed to this article. Baptist unity is composed of the 47 million posals for cooperation in ministry, he said. Additional coverage can be found Americans who do not have medical insur- They also gathered e-mail addresses of partic- at www.baptiststoday.org and ance, said former Surgeon General David ipants who want to continue collaboration www.newbaptistcelebration.org.

12 | Baptists Today • March 2008 I N F O R M A T I O N In rare public address, novelist Grisham calls on fellow Baptists to respect diversity

By John Pierce literal. There was wiggle room after all.” of the attention. In choosing a church today, Grisham Grisham, who opened the address by ATLANTA — Best-selling author John said, he expects more openness to diversity. telling of his frustration in trying to define Grisham contrasted the Mississippi Baptist “If there is a hint of discrimination,” he and defend his Baptist faith to a reporter church of his childhood with the greater said, “my wife would go somewhere else and during a book tour, concluded with three openness of his current congregation, take me with her.” suggestions. University Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Grisham said the move toward openness To get off the defensive and to restore Va., during a rare public address concluding has not occurred in all Baptist churches. the good name, he said, Baptists should first the Jan. 31 evening session of the “Sadly, in many ways and in many truly respect diversity. Celebration of a New Baptist “God made all of us, loves Covenant. Novelist John Grisham, us equally and expects us to love In a message titled, an active Baptist layman, each other equally without “Respecting Diversity,” Grisham gave a rare public address respect to gender, race, sexual during the New Baptist told of how his childhood church Covenant Celebration. orientation or other religions,” was not open to racial diversity Photo by Rob Reilly. he said. or the inclusion of women in Second, he said the church leadership roles. The biblical must stay out of politics. cases for exclusion were based on “As a church, our mission is literal interpretations of selected to serve God through teaching, scripture passages, he said. preaching and serving others,” “Even as a child, I didn’t he said. “When the church gets understand this,” he said. involved in politics, it alienates Grisham acknowledged many of the very people we are women as “the backbone of the called to serve, and those who church,” yet they were not per- push politics will pay a price.” mitted to hold certain positions Third, Grisham urged fel- of spiritual leadership. He suggested, how- places that church still exists today,” he said. low Baptists to spend as much time out on ever, that not all members agreed with such Grisham said the name Baptist is not the streets in ministry as in the church. literal interpretations. widely respected in many circles because it is “Jesus preached more and taught more “My mother may have paid lip service associated with exclusion. about helping the poor and the sick and the to this submission stuff,” he said, “but she “The reason is because, for so long, so hungry than he did about heaven and hell,” really didn’t believe it.” many Baptists have worked so hard to he said. “Shouldn’t that tell us something?” In fact, he said, even those who found exclude so many.” Grisham said Christians are needed by biblical justification for racial segregation Clearly alluding to but not naming the the sick, the homeless, neglected seniors, and male dominance had limits to their fundamentalist-controlled Southern Baptist scarred war veterans, impoverished children, insistence on literal interpretation. Convention, which did not formally partici- refugees, immigrants and prisoners. “When Paul told Timothy to have a lit- pate in the historic Atlanta gathering, “We cannot pick and choose,” he said. tle wine …,” Grisham said to laughter and Grisham said the “largest Baptist conven- “We need to get on with the business of applause. “Well, some things were not so tion” affirms biblical inerrancy and gets most serving others.” BT Baptist World Alliance plans world youth conference in Germany WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Baptist Past BWA youth conferences were in which was founded in 1409 and is one of World Alliance has scheduled its next global 1998 in Houston and in 2004 in Hong Europe’s oldest universities. youth conference for July 20-Aug. 3 in Kong, drawing 8,000 and 4,000 people, Events at the conference will include Leipzig, Germany. respectively. This year’s host city is notable worship services, concerts and evening ses- Thousands of teenagers are expected to as the home of the Thomaskirche (St. sions with keynote speakers. Opportunities gather in the central German city to “join Thomas Church), the Lutheran church to participate in mission projects throughout together in worship and in missions and to where famed composer Johann Sebastian Europe prior to and following the confer- see what God is doing among youth around Bach worked as organist and choirmaster. It ence will also be available, organizers said. the world,” organizers said. is also the location of Leipzig University, Early registration will end March 31. BT

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 13 I N F O R M A T I O N Thanks to our many friends whose generosity in 2007 supported the communications ministry of Baptists Today

Abbott, Z. Allen, Peachtree City, Ga. Blanton, Bill, Stone Mountain, Ga. Cantwell, E.H., Baton Rouge, La. Abernathie, Everette L., Lubbock, Texas Blase, Bill, Springfield, Mo. Caraway, Michael/Claudia, San Angelo, Texas Acord, Barry/Fran, Athens, Texas Bleakney, M.E., Houston, Texas Cardwell, Mary Jane, Waycross, Ga. Adams, Clarence/Bonnie, Charlotte, N.C. Blevins, F. Zane, Hopewell, Va. Carp, Barbara M., Pensacola, Fla. Adams, Juanita K., Gainesville, Ga. Blomstrom, David, Richmond, Texas Carpentar, Bob/Dot, West Helen, Ark. Alexander, Max, Jonesboro, Ark. Bodkin, Tom, Raleigh, N.C. Carpenter, Dorothy, Dahlonega, Ga. Alexandre, Christine B., Beltsville, Md. Boland, Colleen, Baton Rouge, La. Carpenter, Florence, Irving, Texas Allen, Jimmy R., Big Canoe, Ga. Boland, Tommy/Beth Ann, Alpharetta, Ga. Carson, Jack, Henderson, Ky. Allen, Richard/Lois, Richardson, Texas Bonner, Frank, Shelby, N.C. Cartee, James W., Mclean, Va. Allison, Richard L., Hattiesburg, Miss. Bonner, Stephen L., Sulphur Springs, Texas Carter, Charles, Madison, Miss. Allport, Dorothy, Alexandria, Va. Booker, Lewis, Richmond, Va. Carter, James/Ann, Jacksonville, Fla. Ammons, Justus, Raleigh, N.C. Bowen, I.W., Forsyth, Ga. Carter, Jimmy/Rosalynn, Plains, Ga. Anders, Sarah Frances, Pineville, La. Bowen, Irene/Charles, Dalton, Ga. Cartledge, Tony/Jan, Apex, N.C. Andersen, John, Bedford, Texas Box, Dr./Mrs. Benton H., Clemson, S.C. Cartledge, William/Hollie, Lincolnton, Ga. Anderson, Billy/Carolyn, Macon, Ga. Boyd, Kirk/Hazel, Moultire, Ga. Case, J.V., Bowling Green, Ky. Anderson, Carmen, Germantown, Tenn. Bradley, Floyd C., Lubbock, Texas Cassidy, Donald, Premium, Ky. Andrews, M./Mrs. E.C., Anderson, S.C. Bradley, Ruth S., Nashville, Tenn. Cates, Robert/Martha, Rome, Ga. Angley, Doug, Warm Springs, Ga. Branch, Judy, Tifton, Ga. Cates, Robert J., Greensboro, N.C. Anonymous Brandon, Thomas W., Winston-Salem, N.C. Causey, Jack/Mary Lib, Statesville, N.C. Anonymous Brannan, B.J., Chickasha, Okla. Chaddick, RoGene, Clovis, N.M. Ariail, Dan/Nell, Plains, Ga. Brantley, Maurice/Edna, Tucson, Ariz. Chaffin, Charlie, Benton, Ark. Arnold, C.J., Cocoa, Fla. Braswell, George/Joan, Wake Forest, N.C. Chafin, Barbara B., Bellaire, Texas Ashcraft, Jesse M., Evanston, Ill. Brewer, Donald/Joey, Gainesville, Ga. Chance, Jane, Dalton, Ga. Austell, Patricia, Greenville, S.C. Brewer, Paul D., Jefferson City, Tenn. Chandler, Jimmy, Huntsville, Ala. Austin, Marian, Edna, Texas Bridges, John/Roxanne, Kings Mountain, N.C. Cherry, Russell T., Lumberton, N.C. Avery, Joel/Nannette, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Bridgman, Huey/Charlotte, Columbus, Ga. Chevallier, Jerry L., Maryville, Tenn. Babcock, Carla L, Baton Rouge, La. Brinkley, Dot W., Hartselle, Ala. Chisolm, Ivan, Jasper, Ala. Bagby, Dr./Mrs. Daniel G, Richmond, Va. Britt, Sylvia, Ahoskie, N.C. Christensen, Mr./Mrs. Boyd, Ponca City, Okla. Baggett, William R., Alpharetta, Ga. Britt, Tim, Barnwell, S.C. Clark, David L., Snellville, Ga. Bailey, Doyce R, Huntsville, Ala. Britton, Vera M., Seneca, S.C. Clark, Sarah D., Cocoa, Fla. Bailey, Ebbie W., Charlotte, N.C. Broadhurst, Carl/Margaret, Fayetteville, N.C. Clark, William/Margaret, McDonough, Ga. Bain, Claud, Granbury, Texas Brooks, Jim, Waco, Texas Clarke, James A., Brimingham, Ala. Baird, Ancil/Nancy, Commerce, Ga. Brown, Cleon M., Hanahan, S.C. Clemons, Hardy/Ardelle, San Antonio, Texas Baird, Kitty R., Danville, Ky. Brown, Harold, Port Neches, Texas Clevenger, Toni, Pensacola, Fla. Baker, Barbara E., Winter Park, Fla. Brown, J. Lillian, Austin, Texas Cloar Jr, Ralph M., Little Rock, Ark. Baldree, J.D., Shleby, N.C. Brown, Kent/Ann, Gretna, Va. Clontz, Marie, Asheville, N.C. Ball, Dennis, Lees Summit, Mo. Brown, Lavonn D., Norman, Okla. Cluff, Dorothy, Orange, Va. Barham, Mary J., Raleigh, N.C. Brown, Lucile, Wilmington, N.C. Coble, Mary S., Charlotte, N.C. Barnes, Barbara, Ridgeland, Miss. Brown, Pat S., Baton Rouge, La. Cockrum, Howard B., Knoxville, Tenn. Barnes, Charles D., Lousiville, Ky. Brown, Sue DeLoache, Tifton, Ga. Coe, Charles/Elbia, Stone Mountain, Ga. Barnes, Jerry/Bobby, Grove, Okla. Brown,Tom, Murfreesboro, Tenn. Cole, David G., Milledgeville, Ga. Barnes, Mildred M., Duluth, Ga. Browne, Rodney/Linda, Macon, Ga. Cole, Newton, Houston, Texas Barnes, Walter G., Birmingham, Ala. Browning, Edwin/Faye, Madison, Fla. Cole, Paul/Sarah, Houston, Texas Barnes, Charles/Laura, Annapolis, Md. Browning, Robert/Jackie, Lilburn, Ga. Cole, Robert, Plattsmouth, Neb. Barnett, Mr./Mrs. Richard C., Winston-Salem, N.C. Brunson, Mr./Mrs. Nolen, Greenville, S.C. Coleman, Lucien, Weatherford, Texas Barnett, Stan, Jasper, Ga. Bryan, Sigurd F., Birmingham, Ala. Collins, Charles E., Signal Mountain, Tenn. Barnwell, William, Dalton, Ga. Bryant, C.A., Garner, N.C. Coltharp, Art/LaNell, Austin, Texas Barry, Grace, Pensacola, Fla. Bryant, Jim, Harrison, Ark. Colwell, Jack V., Macon, Ga. Basden, Jeter/Clandette, Waco, Texas Bryant, Thomas/Linda, Columbia, S.C. Conn, Walton, Franklin, Tenn. Basler, Eddie/Ruby, Stillwater, Okla. Bunch, Lynette, Murfreesboro, N.C. Connally, Virginia Boyd, Abilene, Texas Batchelor, Gary/Rosalind, Rome, Ga. Burge, W. Lee, Atlanta, Ga. Cook, Eugene, Musella, Ga. Batson, Lloyd E., Easley, S.C. Burgin, John, Jefferson City, Tenn. Cook, Richard/Grace, Saraland, Ala. Baughn, Dean, Rutherfordton, N.C. Burks, Gilbert, Albertville, Ala. Cooley, Ray N., Wallingford, Conn. Baumgardner, James L./ Paula L., Oliver Springs, Tenn. Burks, Margaret E., Flowery Branch, Ga. Cooper, Melvin, Prattville, Ala. Baxley, Edward, Chickasaw, Ala. Burlington, Hugh/Vickie, Greenville, N.C. Copeland, Mike/Nancy, Macon, Ga. Beane, Ann T., Richmond, Va. Burns, Virginia, Salisbury, N.C. Cornell, Lionel, Citra, Fla. Beard, Edith S., Tampa, Fla. Burt, Bruce S., Manchester, Ga. Cosper, Wilma, Cullowhee, N.C. Becker, Emil V., Stephenville, Texas Byard, William/Rodney, Montgomery, Ala. Couch, Rex G., Baytown., Texas Belcher, Philip/Kelly, Spartanburg, S.C. Byrd, Dr./Mrs. Robert, Nashville, Tenn. Courson, Janis/Russell, Monticello, Fla. Belcher, Robert/Mary, Washington, N.C. Byrd, Frieda, Macon, Ga. Covington, Dr./Mrs. R.W., Waco, Texas Bellis, Gerald/Mary, Bullard, Texas Byrd, T.L., Big Lake, Texas Coward, Roderick W., Charlotte, N.C. Bennett, Eddie, Gillsville, Ga. Calaway, Bernie L., Cullowhee, N.C. Cox, Joanne, Kings Mountain, N.C. Bewley, Ray/Ann, Bradenton, Fla. Calcote, Ralph, Wesson, Miss. Crabb, Stanley, Hopkinsville, Ky. Bingham, Mack, Knoxvile, Tenn. Caldwell, Jack, Macon, Ga. Crenshaw, B.M., Kennessaw, Ga. Binns, Mary Arnold, Atlanta, Ga. Calhoun, Mr./Mrs. James E., Champaign, Ill. Crocker, Marge, San Antonio, Texas Bishop, Jack/Eve, Lake Junaluska, N.C. Calhoun, Tommie, Durham, N.C. Cross III, G. Lee, Atlanta, Ga. Bissett, Ruby, Sarasota, Fla. Callaway, Nancy, Ringgold, Ga. Crossland, Betty, Lewisville, Texas Bittick, Lindel, Tampa, Fla. Calvert, Sim, Vinemont, Ala. Crouch, Henry, Macon, Ga. Black, Tom/Doris, Columbus, Ga. Campbell, Nancy A., Huntsville, Ala. Crump, Kenny/Shirley, Ruston, La. Blackburn, Mr./Mrs.David M., Athens, Ala. Campolo, Anthony/Margaret, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Crumpler, Carolyn Weatherford, Cincinnati, Ohio Blackstock, R.T./Nita, Penney Farms, Fla. Canipe, Chris/Sandra, Greensboro, N.C. Crumpler, James/Susan, Mason, Ohio Blackstone, Billy B., Chandler, Texas Cantrell, C.C./Sachiko, Mountain View, Mo. Culberson, Sarah B., Gasden, Ala. Blake, Keith, Lake Waccamaw, N.C. Cantrell, Kenneth, Lawton, Okla. Culpepper, Alan, Stone Mountain, Ga. 14 | Baptists Today • March 2008 I N F O R M A T I O N

Culpepper, Jim, Decatur, Ga. Fuller, Betty B., Matthews, N.C. Hays, George H, Liberty, Mo. Cumbie, W.J., Springfield, Va. Fuller, Doug/Cindy, Manchester, Ga. Hays, Wilma, Camilla, Ga. Cunningham, Dorothy, Chesterfield, Mo. Fuller, Jean S., Bowdon, Ga. Hazel, Mr./Mrs. Robert, Baton Rouge, La. Currie, David, San Angelo, Texas Gabhart, Norma Baker, Nashville, Tenn. Heard, Phil/Dorothy, Madison, Fla. Curry, Bradford, Standford, Ky. Gaddy, Clifford G., Danville, Va. Heath, Neil/Anne, Macon, Ga. Cuttino, Thomas E., Columbia, S.C. Gafford, Grady D., Macon, Ga. Hedrick Jr., Norman, Richmond, Va. Dale, Robert, Richmond, Va. Galloway, Dr/Mrs. W.H., Stone Mountain, Ga. Hefner, Fred/Janice, Macon, Ga. Dalton, Amy H., Richmond, Va. Gannon, Truett/Margaret, Stone Mountain, Ga. Helms, Frances E., Candler, N.C. Daniel, T.R., Evans, Ga. Gardner, Jess/Davis, Lexington, Ky. Henderson, W.F., Cumming, Ga. Dantzler, Debbie, Conway, S.C. Gardner, Jimmy/Annie Faye, Alpharetta, Ga. Henry, E.L., Baton Rouge, La. Daugherty, John/Phyllis, Pineville, La. Gardner, Robert/Anne, Macon, Ga. Herring, Jack, Summerville, Ga. Davidson, Mrs. Rudolph, Birmingham, Ala. Garner, Evelyn, Waycross, Ga. Herring, John, Albemarle, N.C. Davis, George/Kathryn, Richmond, Va. Garrott, June Rose, Bowling Green, Ky. Herron, Don, Heath, Texas Davis Jr., Mr./Mrs. Luther J., Washington, N.C. Gastineau, Robert M., Pittsburgh, Pa. Hester, Versie, Huntsville, Ala. Davis, Phil/Joyce, College Station, Texas Gaustad, E.S., Santa Fe, N.M. Hiers, Gene/Reba, Metter, Ga. Davis, V. Virginia, Brentwood, Tenn. Gaventa, Alice P., Richmond, Va. Highfill, Mr./Mrs. Richard E., Garland, Texas Dawson, Irvin/Elinor, Stockbridge, Ga. Gentry, Joe/Pat, Rock Hill, S.C. Hightower, Brenda J., Mobile, Ala. Day, Dan, Raleigh, N.C. George, Virginia, Nashville, Tenn. Hill, Les/Jan, Lexington, Ky. Day, Jerry/Roena, Tucson, Ariz. Gibbs, Lois, Athens, Ga. Hill, Tom/Joan, Canton, Ga. Day, Troy L., Kannapolis, N.C. Gibson, Billy R., St. Simons Island, Ga. Hines, Mary L, Birmingham, Ala. Day, William, Waynesboro, Va. Gilbert Jr., Wyatt M., Lavonia, Ga. Hinson, Charles/Shirley, Valdese, N.C. DeArmon, Marvin, Fort Myers, Fla. Giles, Joseph/Alice, Baltimore, Md. Hinson, Keith, Oakboro, N.C. DePriest, Marjorie, Nashville, Tenn. Gillis, Pat Ingle, Statesboro, Ga. Hipps, Richard/Sherril, Cordova, Tenn. Dean, Joseph/Carol, Birmingham, Ala. Ginn, Perry/Betty, Decatur, Ga. Hixson, Floyd M., Fresno, Calif. Deason, Loretta, Maryville, Tenn. Girtman, Harry, Irmo, S.C. Hobbs, Dan, Norman, Okla. Deavours, George C., Jasper, Ala. Glaze, Dr./Mrs. R. E., Cullman, Ala. Hobbs, Dewey, Winston-Salem, N.C. DeLossa, Sue/Al, Glendale, Ariz. Glover, Ann O., Orangeburg, S.C. Hobbs, Jerry, Norman, Okla. Dempsey, Craig, Liberty, Mo. Godsey, Kirby/Joan, Macon, Ga. Hodges, Sam, Dallas, Texas Dempsey, Edward, Athens, Ga. Goepfert, Robert, Carbondale, Ill. Hogan, Jane H., Athens, Ga. Dennis, Francis A., Alexandria, Va. Good, Ed/Peggy, Greer, S.C. Hollaway, Ernest L., Hermitage, Tenn. Dickey, J. David, Fairfield, Ill. Goode, Eloise, Apex, N.C. Holmes, Cynthia, St. Louis, Mo. Dier, B.J./Patricia, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Goodman, William, Cookeville, Tenn. Hooker, William Hamilton/Charliene, Las Vegas, Nev. Dillworth, Robert H., Knoxville, Tenn. Goodwin, Arthur P., Little Rock, Ark. Hooper, Dr./Mrs.W.L., Bolivar, Mo. Dixon, Don, Tullahoma, Tenn. Goss, Betsy, San Angelo, Texas Horner, Bill, Lewisburg, Tenn. Doggett, Jerry/Mary Ann, Houston, Texas Gottman, Nanita, Montezuma, Ga. Hoskins, Barbara A., Kingsport, Tenn. Drewry, Miriam T., Athens, Ga. Gourley, Bruce/Debra, Manhattan, Mont. Houston, Bessie F., Ringgold, Ga. Duke, Barbara J., Juliette, Ga. Gragg, Alan/Jessie, Asheville, N.C. Houston, Douglas W., Starkville, Miss. Duke, Wil, Ballwin, Mo. Graves, Thomas/Wendy, Midlothian, Va. Howell, Joe/Virginia, Hartselle, Ala. Duncan, Margaret F., Statesboro, Ga. Gray, J.L./Libby, Charlotte, N.C. Howle, Bill, Wickliffe, Ky. Duncan, Mr./Mrs. Michael, Eminence, Ky. Gray, Lucy M., Pensacola, Fla. Howle, David, Plainview, Texas Dunlap, Donald/Kay, Christiansburg, Va. Green, Herman, El Paso, Texas Hudson, David E., Augusta, Ga. Dunlop, Darrell, Euless, Texas Greenhaw, William, Macon, Ga. Hudson, R.D., Hendersonville, N.C. Dunn, James/Marilyn, Winston-Salem, N.C. Grier III, James C., Rock Hill, S.C. Hudson, Robert R., Silver Spring, Md. Eckert, Juanita, Belleville, Ill. Griffin, David, Carrollton, Ga. Huff, Clara, Wilmington, N.C. Edgington, Owen W., Flat Rock, Ill. Griffith, Ish, Union City, Tenn. Huff, James A., Oklahoma City, Okla. Edmondson, Dorothy, Austin, Texas Griffith, James N., Newnan, Ga. Hunt, Alma, Roanoke, Va. Edwards, J. Don, Athens, Ga. Grigg Sr, C. Irvin, Kernersville, N.C. Hurst, C.R., Tyler, Texas Elkins, Cliff, Raleigh, N.C. Grinstead, Audrey H., Danville, Va. Hux, Mary B., Reidsville, N.C. Elliott, Betty Gail, Alexandria, Va. Grogan, Jane, Columbus, Ga. Isbell III, John, Fort Payne, Ala. Ellis, Bill/Charlotte, Richmond, Ky. Gross, Ben/Helen, Chattanooga, Tenn. Ivey, Marilyn S., Knoxville, Tenn. Ellis, Mrs.R.B., Lenoir, N.C. Guinn, Neva, Alexandria, La. Jackson, Murl/Gwen, Chattanooga, Tenn. Elmore, Tom/Ruby, Winston-Salem, N.C. Gullatt, Tom/Vera, Fairburn, Ga. Jacobs, Walter/Jean, Greenville, S.C. English, Patti, Fredericksburg, Va. Hackle, Emma Jeane, Winter Haven, Fla. James Jr, J.W., Richmond, Va. Erwin, Janet L., Abilene, Texas Hadaway, Mr./Mrs. Earl J., Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. James, Glen W., Cookeville, Tenn. Eskew, Harry, Macon, Ga. Hagan, Danny, Statesboro, Ga. James, Mary M., Edmond, Okla. Eubanks, Gary/Virginia, Marietta, Ga. Haig, Barbara, Atlanta, Ga. Janson, Kathryn G., Alexandria, Va. Evans, Lee, Dahlonega, Ga. Hall, Andrew, Fayetteville, Ark. Jarvis, Holly, Waco, Texas Evans, Sid/Laura, Picayune, Miss. Hamby, Mary Frances, Simpsonville, S.C. Jeffcoat, Bob/Elaine, Durham, N.C. Ezell, Leonard R., Union Point, Ga. Hammett, Michael E, Seneca, S.C. Jenkins, Linda, Yazoo City, Miss. Fain, William/Sarah, Ridgeway, Va. Hammonds, Richard/Betty, Avondale Estates, Ga. Jenkins, Woody, Goochland, Va. Faris, Oran, Frankfort, Ky. Handy, Michael, White Hall, Ark. Jennings, Martha, Muskogee, Okla. Farmer, Lynn, Decatur, Ga. Haney, Carl/Elizabeth, Odessa, Mo. Jennings, Theron/Sherry, Carrollton, Ga. Fausett, James G., Marietta, Ga. Haney, Don/Debra, Tunnel Hill, Ga. Johnson, Carroll/JoAnne, San Antonio, Texas Fellows, Richard, Louisville, Ky. Hannah, Perry/Eunice, East Wenatchee, Wash. Johnson, Charles/Carleen, Sikeston, Mo. Fendley, Archie, Knoxville, Tenn. Harbin, Betty, West Union, S.C. Johnson, J. Gilmer, Asheville, N.C. Ferguson, Jack C., Birmingham, Ala. Hardee, Hoyt/Martha, Loris, S.C. Johnson, J. Katherine, Scottsdale, Ariz. Ferguson, Jane, Alto, Ga. Harden, Jimmie/Carley, St. Augustine, Fla. Johnson, Jim/Joan, Box Springs, Ga. Ferrell, E.E., Black Mountain, N.C. Hardiman III, Mr./Mrs. Lawrence J., Roswell, Ga. Johnson, Lavaughn/Peggy, Dadeville, Ala. Findley, Jill, Pensacola, Fla. Hardy, Richard, Port Orange, Fla. Johnson, Raymond/Mary, Lizella, Ga. Finley, John/Norma, Savannah, Ga. Harley, James/Carolyn, Pueblo, Colo. Johnson, Paul B., Buies Creek, N.C. Ford, Annie H., Huntsville, Ala. Harman, Betsy B., Salem, Va. Jones, Barry W., Athens, Ga. Fortner, Mr./Mrs. L.L., Columbus, Ga. Harrelson, Walter/Idella, Winston Salem, N.C. Jones, Jamie, Fayetteville, Ariz. Fortune, Laura D., Evington, Va. Harris, Colin/Faye, Stone Mountain, Ga. Jones, Joseph M., Huntsville, Ala. Foster, Billie D., Conroe, Texas Harris, Hoffman/Norma, Decatur, Ga. Jones, Mr./Mrs. William D., Owens Cross Roads, Ala. Fowler, Robert/Anne, Houston, Texas Harris, Joseph B., Washington, Ga. Jones, Peter Rhea, Atlanta, Ga. Frank, Janice, Kansas City, Mo. Harston, Jana, Charlotte, N.C. Jones, Sherwood, Dalton, Ga. Frazier, Karen B., Asheville, N.C. Haskins, Robert E., Mobile, Ala. Jones, Thomas D., Pamplin, Va. Freeman Jr., Sam W., Roswell, Ga. Hatton, William/Anniel, France Jordan, Monty/Diane, Brentwood, Tenn. Freeman, George B., Lugoff, S.C. Hawes, Betty B., Buena Vista, Va. Joyce, J. Daniel, Houston, Texas Freeman, Tom, Knoxville, Tenn. Hawes, William, Burke, Va. Junker, Bill/Patsy, Brentwood, Tenn. Freisinger, Jacqueline, Molino, Fla. Haynes, Henry/Betty, Vinita, Okla. Kahn, Mr./Mrs. Jack H., Plano, Texas

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 15 I N F O R M A T I O N

Keadle, Jackie C., Forsyth, Ga. Marchman, Ray, Greensboro, Ga. Newberry, Dan/Sue, Columbus, Ga. Keller, Charles W., Broussard, La. Maret, Randall T., Dalton, Ga. Newman, Van, Columbia, S.C. Kelly, Earl, Jackson, Miss. Marion, Russ/Gail, Clemson, S.C. Nichols Jr., Dr./Mrs.F.T., Savannah, Ga. Kemp Jr., H.B., Columbia, S.C. Marler, Parkes, Forest, Miss. Nimmons, Billy, Dalton, Ga. Kennedy, Lalah, Claxton, Ga. Marquez, Grace E., Birmingham, Ala. Nolan, Paul/Anne, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Kenney Jr., Leslie, Desoto, Texas Marshall, George/Charlotte, Athens, Ga. Noles, Thomas/Shirley, Milledgeville, Ga. Kent, Thomas I., Atlanta, Ga. Martin Jr, William, Raleigh, N.C. Norman, Onida L., Davis, Calif. Kersey, Gerald, Lawrenceville, Ga. Martin, Fred, Pensacola, Fla. Norris, Beth, Seagrove, N.C. Kessler, A.B., Shreveport, La. Martin, Patricia B., Huntsville, Ala. Northcutt, LeGrande/Cassandra, Longview, Texas Key, Fred/Doris, Albuquerque, N.M. Mason, Tom P., Frankfort, Ky. Norton, Sidney, Gaffney, S.C. Keys, Marilynn T., Little Rock, Ark. Massey, Charles/Carolyn, Tifton, Ga. Nunnelley, Amber, Ohatchee, Ala. Kidd, Bill/Anne Hester, Washington, N.C. Massey, Kathryn R., Cary, N.C. Nutt, Jackie, Raleigh, N.C. Killebrew, Horace, Kennesaw, Ga. Matthews, Jerry T., North Augusta, S.C. O'Leary, Ruth S., South Pittsburgh, Tenn. Killian, W. Harold, Greenville, S.C. Matthews, Mr./Mrs. Ron, Bartlesville, Okla. O'Neal, Tom/Amelia, New Market, Tenn. Kilpatrick, Allie C, Milledgeville, Ga. Matthews, Rick, Winston-Salem, N.C. Olive, David, Bluefield, Va. King, Chester C., Demorest, Ga. Mattox, William H., Elgin, S.C. Oliver Jr., John, Richmond, Va. King, Tom, Tallashassee, Fla. May, Walton/Margaret, Richmond, Va. Otto, Francis R., Macon, Ga. Kirkland, J. Frank, Americus, Ga. Mayfield, Mrs. Melvin, Little Rock, Ark. Outland, William R, Washington, N.C. Kirkpatrick, Kathryn S., Waynesville, N.C. McAbee, Harold/Rochelle, Lizella, Ga. Pace, Steven, Phenix City, Ala. Kiser, Cleve, Fayetteville, Ga. McAfee, Carolyn, Macon, Ga. Padgett, Dan/Polly, Westville, Fla. Kluttz, Joyce, Concord, N.C. McAfee, Tom/Julie, Juliette, Ga. Page, Jimmy/Joyce, Ormond Beach, Fla. Knight, James R, Cullman, Ala. McCain, Charles S., Shreveport, La. Parks, Keith/Helen Jean, Richardson, Texas Knight, Walker, Decatur, Ga. McCall, Emmanuel, Atlanta, Ga. Parris, Robert/Paula, Dunwoody, Ga. Knowles, Larry, Riegelwood, N.C. McCall Jr., P.L., Society Hill, S.C. Patterson, Wayne/Cheryl, Clemson, S.C. Koiner, J. Michael, San Antonio, Texas McCall, Mr./Mrs. Richard, Kansas City, Mo. Patton, Mr./Mrs. William, College Station, Texas Kong, Mary Eleanor, Honolulu, Hawaii McCall, W. Reaves, Hartsville, S.C. Paulson, Gayle, Commerce, Ga. Kuhn, Mr./Mrs. Charles L., Marietta, Ga. McCartney, Evelyn, Vero Beach, Fla. Paulson, Marlin, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Ladd, R.E., Pinehurst, Texas McClanahan, Rosalind, Birmingham, Ala. Peacock, Julia Deane, Crestview, Fla. Lam, Virginia, Tucker, Ga. McClure, A., Falls Church, Va. Peck, Helen D., Atlanta, Ga. Lamb, Bob/Rhea, Shelby, N.C. McCormick, Gwenn, Morriston, Fla. Peebles, John E., Jefferson, Ga. Lancaster, Jeanne, Houston, Texas McCracken, Alden/Linda, Clemson, S.C. Pentecost, Julian, Richmond, Va. Landers, Burnell, Independence, Mo. McCracken, Benny, West Yellowstone, Mont. Perkins, Henry, Clemson, S.C. Landon, Rick/Judy, Lexington, Ky. McCrory, Frank, Birmingham, Ala. Perrin, Tom, Tallahassee, Fla. Laney, Reid H., Burlington, N.C. McElligott, Shelby, Pensacola, Fla. Peters, John E., Columbia, S.C. Langdon, Kenneth, Gainesville, Fla. McElrath, Hugh T., Penney Farms, Fla. Phillips, Harold/Gwen, Liberty, Mo. Langford, Henry Victor, Richmond, Va. McFadden, Isabel, Cleveland, Tenn. Pierce, John/Teresa, Macon, Ga. Langston, Eugene/Sara, Pensacola, Fla. McKinley, Hugh/Rebecca, Apex, N.C. Pipkin, Joseph M., Orlando, Fla. Lark, H.J., Pickens, S.C. McKinney, Eugene, San Antonio, Texas Pitchford, Roy W., Alexandria, La. Lasater, Roberts, Charlotte, N.C. McKinney, W.H./June, Athens, Ga. Pittard, Roger/Elizabeth, Richmond, Va. Latimer, James, Denver, Colo. McLane, Henry/Barbara, Williamsburg, Va. Pitts, Bill/Ruth, Waco, Texas Lawrence, John/Anne, Raleigh, N.C. McLean, W. Legette, Laurinburg, N.C. Poole, Gene/Carol, Charlotte, N.C. Lawton, Ben R., Corpus Christi, Texas McPhaul, Mary O., LaFayette, La. Porter, Nathan, Crawford, Texas Leach, Barbara M., Rome, Ga. McSween Jr., James C., Newport, Tenn. Porter, Walter/Mary Lynn, Dadeville, Ala. Lee, Clyde, White Marsh, Md. Melton, Max/Martha, Monroe, N.C. Poss, Ann D., Cuthbert, Ga. Lee, Grace, Pineville, La. Miles, Andrew, Lyons, Ga. Potts, Robert J., Columbus, Ga. Lennon, Robert/Anne, Wilmington, N.C. Miles, Bertie, Blackshear, Ga. Powell, Bill/Sara, Hartwell, Ga. Lesch, Marie/Gomer, Bowling Green, Ky. Miller, David/Elaine, Abilene, Texas Powers, Mr./Mrs. Joe C., Midwest City, Okla. LeVines, Tom/Shirley, Palmyra, Va. Miller, Fred S., Columbia, S.C. Poythress, Mary J., Houston, Texas Levy, Jan, Radford, Va. Milling, Robert, Atlanta, Ga. Prager, Ray E., Grand Junction, Colo. Lewis, James, Louisville, Ky. Mills, James F., Augusta, Ga. Price, Marshall, Winston-Salem, N.C. Lewis, David H., Penhook, Va. Mitchell, Harold M., North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Prichard, Lev/Ella, Corpus Christi, Texas Lewis, Edward, Timmonsville, S.C. Monk, Mollie L., Meridan, Miss. Priest, Nibby, Henderson, Ky. Lewis, James A., Kissimmee, Fla. Montacute, Paul, Falls Church, Va. Prince, John R., Raleigh, N.C. Lewis, Paul/Marsha, Macon, Ga. Mooney Jr., Mr./Mrs. M.H., Sandy Springs, Ga. Proctor, T.G., Clemson, S.C. Lewis, Rhonda, Gonzales, La. Moore, Jean B., Owensboro, Ky. Pryor, Dorothy M., Decatur, Ga. Light, Sandra S., Lexington, S.C. Moore, Mrs. John A., Brownwood, Texas Puryear, Dr./Mrs. James B, Augusta, Ga. Limbaugh, R. Leslie, St. Louis, Mo. Moore, Paul G., Greenville, S.C. Queen, Mike/Bobbie, Wilmington, N.C. Lingafelt, Charles, Gretna, Va. Morgan, Bruce/Emma, Gainesville, Ga. Quisenberry, Virgil/Judy, Central, S.C. Little, James/Daisy, Hartselle, Ala. Morgan, Dennis/Polly, Bainbridge, Ga. Raborn, Mr./Mrs. Wiley B., Baton Rouge, La. Little Jr., W.J., Jackson, N.C. Morrison Jr., A.L., Montgomery, Ala. Ragans, Sherrill, Tallahassee, Fla. Little, Lolete, Birmingham, Ala. Morse, Martha, San Antonio, Texas Ragsdale, John G., Little Rock, Ark. Lockhart, James E., St. Louis, Mo. Morton, Jack/Ann White, Cumming, Ga. Ramsey, Jed/Frances, Beaumont, Texas Loftin, Elliott, Lincolnton, N.C. Morton, Thelma, Charlotte, N.C. Ratliff, Joseph/Joan, Greensboro, N.C. Loftin Jr., Robert, Nashville, Tenn. Moses, Austin, Austin, Texas Ratterree, Mack/Laura, Atlanta, Ga. Logan, Walter H., Greenwood, S.C. Moses, Judith, Little Rock, Ark. Rauch, Robert/Ruth, Moorsville, N.C. Logue, Tom, Little Rock, Ark. Mullally, Mike/Vickey, Jonesboro, Ark. Ray, Annelu M., Carthage, N.C. Long, Jody/Julie, Macon, Ga. Mullin, James O., Weatherford, Texas Ray, Dan, Greer, S.C. Longshore, Bob, Mesquite, Texas Murphree, Garvice/Dorothy, Asheville, N.C. Reagan, Jimmy M., Houston, Texas Love, LaVerne, Lubbock, Texas Myers, David A., Signal Mountain, Tenn. Reeve, Jackson, Cumming, Ga. Lovegren, August, Cedartown, Ga. Myers, Emily, Macon, Ga. Renfro, Mr./Mrs. Grady W., Knoxville, Tenn. Lovegren, Norman, New Orleans, La. Myers, Harold E., Talbott, Tenn. Rentz Jr., Ben A., Charlotte, N.C. Lowe, Bruce, Dallas, Texas Naish, Jane, Clayton, Ga. Reynolds, Sam A., Atlanta, Ga. Lowe, Nancy, Little Rock, Ark. Naramore, Penny, Alabaster, Ala. Rhodes, James/Verna, Columbia, Mo. Lunceford, Malcolm, Richmond, Ky. Neal, Jeff, Anderson, S.C. Rhodes, William S., Atlanta, Ga. Lunsford, Dan, Mars Hill, N.C. Neal, William/Judy, Stone Mountain, Ga. Rice, Norman, Birmingham, Ala. Maddux, Charles/Fannie Louise, Pembroke, Ky. Nelson, Bardin H., Bryan, Texas Rich, J.T., Clemson, S.C. Magness, Bonner/Clara, Lufkin, Texas Nelson, Morgan, Roswell, N.M. Riley, Dan/Jackie, Macon, Ga. Mallow, Ronald/Sonia, Frederick, Md. Nelson, Paul/Virginia, Arlington, Va. Rivers, Ernest/Louise, College Station, Texas Maloch, Jim, Little Rock, Ark. Nelson, Robert H., Albany, Ga. Rivers, Jim, Morehead City, N.C. Malone, Bill/Drexel, Shawnee, Okla. NeSmith, Mrs. H.G., Oneonta, Ala. Roberts, J.W./Mildred, Fayetteville, Ga. Maner, Charles/Kimberly, Gastonia, N.C. Nettles Jr., William C., Salem, S.C. Roberts, Jack, Kenbridge, Va.

16 | Baptists Today • March 2008 I N F O R M A T I O N

Roberts, Leta Faye, Dalton, Ga. Spinks, Calvin/Charlene, LaGrange, Ga. Wallace, Billy C., Stillwater, Okla. Robinson, John, Springdale, Ark. Spivey, Bryant, Elgin, S.C. Wallace, James O., San Antonio, Texas Robinson, Ron/Carol, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Spratt, J. Lee, Columbia, S.C. Wallin, Sadie, Mars Hill, N.C. Rockwell, Bruce L., Monroe, Va. Sprawls, Perry/Charlotteå, Montreat, N.C. Ward, Carolyn, Marietta, Ga. Roda, Jane E., Asheville, N.C. Stafford, Thomas/Catharine, Jonesboro, Ark. Ward, James/Ruth, York, Pa. Roddy, James R., Candler, N.C. Stallings, David/Grace, Cairo, Ga. Ward, William, Weaverville, N.C. Roden, William H., Coker Creek, Tenn. Stancil, D.H., Memphis, Tenn. Ware, Todd, Monroe, Ga. Rogers, James/Mary Ann, Memphis, Tenn. Stanfield, David/Jean, Greensboro, N.C. Warren, Don, Spruce Pine, N.C. Rogers, Elton/Beverly, Colonial Heights, Va. Stanfield, Margarette, Luling, Texas Warren, Reggie, Carrollton, Va. Rogers, John/Jean, Bainbridge, Ga. Stanton, James, Gadsden, Ala. Washburn, David, Durham, N.C. Rogers, Lynn, Colonial Heights, Va. Steinig, Ronald D., Lawton, Okla. Watson, E.C./Mary Anne, Elgin, S.C. Rogers, Tad, Trumann, Ark. Stella, Tony/Mary, Pearland, Texas Watson, Jane, Monroe, La. Ross, Joan L, Dalton, Ga. Stephens, Ann, Decatur, Ga. Watson, Yin, Bolivar, Mo. Ross, Robert L., Tulsa, Okla. Stephenson, Dr./Mrs. Henry L, Washington, N.C. Watt, Joseph R., Hawkinsville, Ga. Roth, Benjamin, Woodstock, Ga. Stephenson, Robert L., Norman, Okla. Watts, Mildred A., Leland, N.C. Rowell, Edd/Ruth, Macon, Ga. Stevens, Lila, Two Harbors, Minn. Watts, Philip/Barbara, Birmingham, Ala. Royal, Mr./Mrs. A. Lee, Charlotte, N.C. Stevens, R.L., Raleigh, N.C. Weaver, Milford A., Martinsville, Va. Rudert, Barry/Rosalie, St. Louis, Mo. Stevens, Velma, Fort Worth, Texas Webb, Len/Marian, Crestwood, Ky. Rutland, S.F., Charlotte, N.C. Storey, I. Harold, Rome, Ga. Webb, Wallace/Alma, Dunedin, Fla. Salser, Coy, Houston, Texas Strange, James/Carolyn, Tampa, Fla. Weeks, Robert, Bullard, Texas Sample, Mr./Mrs. George, Greenville, Tenn. Strawn, Bud, St. Petersburg, Fla. Welborn, Charles, Anderson, S.C. Sanders, Drayton/Mary Etta, Dalton, Ga. Street, Gail, Columbus, Miss. Welch, Carroll B., Madison Heights, Va. Sanders, Sandra H., Bogart, Ga. Strickland, Ann, Pendleton, S.C. Wells, Olen, West York, Ill Sandford, Rob/Bettina, Norfolk, Va. Strickland, Clarissa, Lilburn, Ga. Wentz, Mary/Wendell, Rockwall, Texas Sapp, Clarence, Houston, Texas Stripling, W.S., Norcross, Ga. West, G. Allen, Louisville, Ky. Sasser, C.G., Conway, S.C. Summerville, Jim/Marion, Chapel Hill, N.C. Whitaker, Dr./Mrs. Bruce, Raleigh, N.C. Savage, Stanley/Andrea, Moultrie, Ga. Swann, Patricia, Cave Spring, Ga. Whitaker, Dan/Joyce, Ringgold, Ga. Savell, Bill/Jan, Maryville, Tenn. Swedenburg, Mary, Hoover, Ala. White, Clement/Carole, St. Petersburg, Fla. Scaggs, Robert A., North Augusta, S.C. Tate, Marvin E., Louisville, Ky. White, Eugene, Stanleytown, Va. Schaaf, Jim/Beverly, Macon, Ga. Taylor, Gloria J., Fairbanks, Alaska White, Mr./Mrs. Reuben, Marietta, Ga. Schuler, Henry C., Metropolis, Ill. Taylor, Nathan/Bryn, Richmond, Va. White, Virginia L Swaim, Arlington, Va. Schultheiss, Eloise, High Point, N.C. Teal, Mr./Mrs. Dewey, Carrollton, Ga. Whitfield, Bryan J., Macon, Ga. Schutte Jr., Herb/Alice, Lilburn, Ga. Terry, Thomas R., Blackville, S.C. Whitson, Charles, LaFayette, Ala. Segars, Don, Lawrenceville, Ga. Thomas, P. Leon, Southport, N.C. Wilbanks, Wayne/Nicky, Commerce, Ga. Seymoor, Robert/Pearl, Chapel Hill, N.C. Thomas, Pheroba, Fort Payne, Ala. Wilbanks, Willena F., Tallahassee, Fla. Sharpe, James V., Middlesboro, Ky. Thomas, William, Lafayette, Ala. Wiley, Mrs. Thomas, Tupelo, Miss. Shauf, Elton/Rebecca, Cordele, Ga. Thomason, Ben, Winston-Salem, N.C. Wiley, Paul G., Springfield, Va. Shaw, Jack A., Spring Hill, Tenn. Thomason, Robert/Catherine, Clinton, S.C. Wilkinson, J.A., Seabrook, Texas Shelby, David R., Knoxville, Tenn. Thompson, Alec, Forsyth, Ga. Williams, Charles A., Carrollton, Ga. Shell, Dr./Mrs. E. Wayne, Auburn, Ala. Thompson, Pam/Raymond, Birmingham, Ala. Williams, Claude, Durham, N.C. Shelley, Don/Susan, Greenville, S.C. Tice, John D., Rocky Face, Ga. Williams, Claude/Charlotte, Athens, Ga. Sherwood, Johnnie D., Vero Beach, Fla. Tichenor, W.B., Columbia, Mo. Williams, Donnie, Ardmore, Okla. Shipley, Hal/Jean, Murray, Ky. Tilley, Clyde/Nancy, Seymour, Tenn. Williams, James/Susan, Montgomery, Ala. Shore, Steve/Darlene, Apex, N.C. Tilley, Jim/Claire, Hartselle, Ala. Williams, Joe P., Louisville, Ky. Shriver, George H., Statesboro, Ga. Tillman, Earl/Carolyn, Rome, Ga. Williams, Mr./Mrs. Donald D., Timonium, Md. Shurden, Walter/Kay, Macon, Ga. Timmerman, Ed/Sarah, Cairo, Ga. Williams, Pat, Snellville, Ga. Simmons, Rose A., Watkinsville, Ga. Todd, George/Helen, Vero Beach, Fla. Williams, Paul/Mary Ann, Orange Park, Fla. Simms, Helen, Richmond, Va. Tolbert, Malcolm, Baton Rouge, La. Williams, Preston, Montezuma, Ga. Simpson, Vivian, Buies Creek, N.C. Tonks, A.R., Brentwood, Tenn. Williams, Richard M., Suffolk, Va. Sims, Leon, Tallahassee, Fla. Torbert, John W., Pineville, La. Williams, Richard Pharr, Decatur, Ga. Sims, Robert/Sara, Tyler, Ala. Townley, Mrs. Durelle T., Pensacola, Fla. Williams, W. Fred, Greensboro, N.C. Singleton, Mary, Hendersonville, N.C. Travis, Kenneth, Smyrna, Ga. Williams, Woodie/Winnie, Seneca, S.C. Skelton, Virginia C., Clemson, S.C. Trawick, William/Margaret, Stone Mountain, Ga. Williamson, James, Macon, Ga. Small, Martha H., Baton Rouge, La. Trott, Mildred, Montgomery, Ala. Williamson, M.J., Conyers, Ga. Small, R. Lephon, Florence, S.C. Troy, Laura, Atlanta, Ga. Willis, Tommie /Lucy, Birmingham, Ala. Smartt, Walter H., Rising Fawn, Ga. Tucker, Fred, Hoover, Ala. Wilson, Chappell, Marietta, Ga. Smith, Roy/Charlotte Cook, Winston Salem, N.C. Tucker, Julia B., Albany, Ga. Wilson, Charles E., Sylacauga, Ala. Smith, David M., Houston, Texas Tucker, Keithen/Sarah, Macon, Ga. Wilson, Charlie/Jill, Aliceville, Ala. Smith, Gene S., Sumter, S.C. Tull, Howard M., Slidell, La. Wilson, David/Ann, Maryville, Tenn. Smith, Guy A., Midland, Ga. Turnage, Becky, Washington, N.C. Wilson, Dr./Mrs. O.R., Florence, S.C. Smith, Iris H., Cairo, Ga. Turner, Bill/Earlene Rentz, Lancaster, Ky. Wilson, Frances, Statesville, N.C. Smith, Janie W., Richmond, Va. Tuttle, Walter/Beverly, Wake Forest, N.C. Wilson, Glenn, Wilsonville, Ala. Smith, Joel, Phenix City, Ala. Twine, H. Edgar, Tampa, Fla. Wilson, Henry/Faye, Gravel Switch, Ky. Smith, John B., Montrose, Va. Tyer, Mrs. Charles L., Belfast, Maine Wilson, Hilda C., Dunn, N.C. Smith, Johnny J., Zebulon, N.C. Tyndall, Robert/Llew, Washington, N.C. Wilson Jr., Robert/Charlie Faye, Pensacola, Fla. Smith Jr., W.J., Charlotte, N.C. Upchurch, James/Wilma, Carrollton, Ga. Wilson, Mary, Shreveport, La. Smith, Kathryn M., Little Rock, Ark. Utley, Sue M., Jackson, Tenn. Wilson, Oliver, Wilsonville, Ala. Smith, L.E., Bowling Green, Ky. Vaughn, Joe F., Richmond, Va. Wilson, Tom/Allie, Charlotte, N.C. Smith, Mary Elizabeth/Bob, Macon, Ga. Vazquez, A.M./Elaine, Macon, Ga. Windham, Mrs. Roland H., Aiken, S.C. Smith, Neron, Raymond, Miss. Vick, Lucy H., Cincinnati, Ohio Withers, Sara, McDonough, Ga. Smith, Oxford, Eclectic, Ala. Vinson, Bill/Dotty, Knoxville, Tenn. Wood, Wade/Barbara, Gray, Ga. Smith, W. Ches, Tifton, Ga. Vipperman, David E., Rock Hill, S.C. Woodson, Robert/Carolyn, Stone Mountain, Ga. Smith, Walter E., Arden, N.C. Wade, Del/Clark, Winterville, Ga. Wright, Charles/Mary, Midland, Texas Smitherman, Johnny/Kathy, Hoover, Ala. Wainwright, Jack/Carol, Greensboro, Fla. Wright, Randy, Spartanburg, S.C. Snell, Carolyn R., Hattiesburg, Miss. Walden, F. Pruett, Forest City, N.C. Wyatt, Dr./Mrs.Roy, Knoxville, Tenn. Snider, Aubrey J./Patricia A., Bradenton, Fla. Waldrop, Glen G., Atlanta, Ga. Yancey, Lucille, Clinton, N.C. Snider, Ted L, Little Rock, Ark. Walker, Brent/Nancy, Falls Church, Va. Yarbrough, Leroy, San Antonio, Texas Snyder, Milton, Milledgeville, Ga. Walker, Charles, Tallahassee, Fla. Yates, James F., Yazoo City, Miss. Soroka, Alexander, Colonial Heights, Va. Walker, Charles O., Jasper, Ga. Yoo, Jim Dai/Soo Hi, St. Charles, Mo. Spencer, W. Jesse, Rockingham, N.C. Walker, Mary Suthell, Sprindale, N.C. Young, Donald E., Macon, Ga. Sphar, Elizabeth, Lexington, Ky. Walker, Roy E., Whiteville, N.C. Yue, Sing Chi, Bakersfield, Calif.

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 17 P E R S P E C T I V E b a c k - r o w b i r d i e Baptist like me By Keith D. Herron

ince there are only three former U.S. me this as we sat in the terminal waiting to “So what is it you want most from our presidents alive these days, whenever board our flight. Baptist brothers who also happen to be for- Stwo of them agree to co-host a meet- “Birdie, what makes you think you’ll mer presidents deserving of our highest ing calling on thousands of Baptists from meet our two distinguished Baptist esteem and honor?” groups all over the nation to meet in Atlanta Presidents? I’ve seen President Carter at a few “Easy, Mister Tall Steeple Preacher. I under the canopy of a very big Baptist tent, book signings, and the Secret Service keep a want an autograph from each one of them ... it’s a big deal … a very big deal. In fact, it’s close eye on who gets near him. You don’t something in their own hand … something quite extraordinary that two of the three for- look menacing to me, but I know you well.” that indicates we were in each other’s pres- mer presidents are Baptists. So compelling That last line and its unspoken inference ence and they were gracious and humble was the invitation by these two mega-Baptists didn’t go unnoticed, but she let it dangle, as enough to pause for five seconds and recog- that every significant Baptist group was repre- she knew I would know she heard me. nize we are really just two human beings sented with the exception of the world’s Silence can be as intimidating as any word created in the image of God who happen to largest Baptist body that instead condemned spoken, and Birdie was deft in knowing when share a faith story.” the meeting from its inception. That kind of to use them both. I pressed harder … “I don’t know what collaborative disenlightenment continues to “Pastor, maybe you feel their sentinel kind of numbers each Baptist group will amaze me for its dogged unwillingness to join presence because you’re the kind they most bring, but it’s bound to be big. The Southern any party they don’t dominate. want to monitor closely. I’m pure in heart! I Baptists alone claim more than 15 million Was I there? Absolutely! But what I only have love and adoration to bestow on members if you can believe that number.” found intriguing was Birdie’s announcement Jimmy and Bill.” “Well, then, it’s good they’re not com- last fall that she too was planning to go by “I know you’re not uninformed, and ing! Listen Rev, I figure Presidents Carter pronouncing, “How can it be a party unless I you’re anything but clumsy in delicate social and Clinton won’t get to shake everybody’s show up?” And with that, she made her plans matters, but you can’t call them ‘Jimmy’ and hand and personally tell them how glad they to be there. Birdie even talked Sophia, her ‘Bill.’ They’re our former presidents, and they are we came, but there’s surely going to be American Baptist neighbor, into coming deserve to be called in a more dignified somebody they’ll want to meet. How dumb along. In the Midwest, former Southern manner!” can you be? They’re politicians! They’re your Baptists (also known as “refugees of funda- “My lord, you don’t know diddly about equal in terms of getting out and pressing mentalism”) have found true kinship with the being a Baptist! Of course I know I shouldn’t the flesh. I figure they’d love to meet a few of American Baptists who have served this call them by their first names. Even I know us, so I mean to hang out where they’ll likely region for at least as long and probably better they are to be respected. I do respect them be. And when they show up, I plan to step than Southern Baptists ever did. As a result of both. But they’re also my Baptist brothers. up proudly and look them in the eye and our cultural split with the Fundie-Baptists, We share something in common. We’re like say, “Thank you for making yourself avail- we rediscovered our Baptist cousins with family!” Sophia watched in horror as Birdie able to serve our country. Thank you for whom we can trace our shared lineage. and I bantered back and forth because in her caring enough to make your gifts available to Birdie and Sophia each stated their church, the pastor was more revered than God. Thank you for calling all us own reasons for attending. Birdie Birdie’s unique type of love. Baptists together for this grand went to meet Presidents Carter purpose.” and Clinton — not just to hear For once the tear in the them speak, but to meet them. corner of Birdie’s eye stopped Sophia, on the other hand, is a me from saying anything in long-time African-American reply. Even Sophia was silent as member of an American Baptist she entered into this holy moment. congregation and she went to see her “God bless Jimmy and Bill,” I National Baptist sisters welcomed in a prayed silently, “God bless our meeting that brought us all Baptist presidents.” BT together. “We’ve been distant cousins since we got off the slave —Keith D. Herron is pastor of boats … it’s high time we got Holmeswood Baptist Church in together!” She beamed when she told Kansas City, Mo.

18 | Baptists Today • March 2008 Illustration by Scott Brooks 2008 Formations Commentary Bible Study resources for the adult Formations lessons available from Smyth & Helwys Publishing (www.helwys.com)

LESSONS FOR: on those two disciples and their actions, we Discuss: Can you recall a personal decision Sunday, April 6-27, often feel contempt for Judas and understand- that was life altering for you? How would life be 2008 ing for Peter. different if you had not made that particular Written by Kathy Manis Discuss: Have you ever left a task or a mis- decision? Findley, a former pastor sion unfinished? If yes, how do you feel about A wise person once posed this question and now executive direc- having done so? to a group of students: “Is what you are doing tor of Safe Places in Little As told by Peter, today’s story indicates worth giving your life for?” He went on to say Rock, Ark. Judas probably fell into the category of those that whatever a person does literally shortens who say: “I quit! I don’t care about this. life by some measure. What’s in it for me, anyway?” Peter speaks as if he believes the unfin- April 6, 2008 Peter’s point is that Judas had a place of ished mission ahead is definitely worth giving leadership among the disciples of Jesus, but his life to accomplish. The disciples could Unfinished business by his actions abdicated that position. Peter have given up, despondent because they Acts 1:15-26 uses one of David’s psalms to reinforce his thought their journey with Jesus should have conviction: “May his place be deserted; let accomplished the ultimate dream. They Is what you’re doing worth giving your life there be no one to dwell in it … May another might have said, “We failed the first time, so for? Sometimes a person takes on a challenge take his place of leadership” (v. 20). what’s the use? What if we fail?” and leaves the task unfinished. One individual Regardless of what happened in the past, Reflect: How much do I fear failure? Does may put forth a valiant effort, but face insur- however, the critical business in this story is fear keep me from dreaming? mountable obstacles. Another might begin to choose someone to take the leadership More times than not, one who follows with good intentions and lose heart. Someone position Judas once held. Two men meet the after must finish the work of someone who else might make an irreparable mistake and criteria: Barsabbas and Matthias. The group came before. Many times, someone has a not get a second chance. Another person might simply fail and not understand why, follows two well-defined steps in making this dream but never sees the fulfillment of that while another might purposely say: “I quit. I important decision. (1) They pray and (2) dream. Instead, the dream is committed into don’t care anymore.” they cast lots. Presumably, the group believes the hands of another person. Ask any 10 people, and you will hear 10 their prayer will influence the casting of the On April 3, 1968 — the day before his different reasons for unfinished business. In lots. assassination — Martin Luther King Jr. essen- today’s text, Peter stands among a group of Matthias is the winner of the lot casting. tially said to his hearers that they were to about 120 believers and gives every painful Perhaps he is also an answer to the disciples’ continue the quest for the dream; to finish detail of the failure of Judas to finish God’s prayer. So they now move forward in what the unfinished business: “I just want to do business. Peter describes Judas as “one of our they call the “apostolic ministry” (v. 25). It is God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go up to number” . . . one who “shared in this min- now their destiny to attend to the unfinished the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve istry” (v. 17). Peter might be saying this is so business ahead. seen the promised land. I may not get there serious a betrayal that the “wickedness” of Certainly, the disciples had been through with you. But I want you to know tonight, Judas gets him exactly what he deserves a great deal as they walked with Jesus to his that we, as a people, will get to the promised (v. 18). Instead of finishing God’s business, death and on to his resurrection. Being mor- land.” Judas spilled his intestines in a field — an tals, they will now make a life-altering choice In concluding our thoughts on unfin- appropriate outcome for such a wicked person! about how they will deal with this unfinished ished business, consider the enduring words Perhaps Peter seems a bit harsh in judg- business. One choice would be to return to of Abraham Lincoln in The Gettsyburg ing Judas, given his own mistakes. As the normal life and forget the events that had Address: “It is for us the living, rather, to be disciples followed Jesus from the day of John’s changed their existence. dedicated here to the unfinished work which baptism to the day Jesus was taken up out of The second choice changes the course of they who fought here have thus far so nobly their presence, they probably made many mis- human existence for generations to come. advanced.” takes as individuals. The ones we most This is the choice the disciples make, and the Discuss: How can you relate Lincoln’s words remember, however, are the betrayal by Judas result of that choice will soon bring the sound to the work of the church? What do you see as the and the three-fold denial by Peter. of a rushing, mighty wind from heaven. It is church’s “unfinished business”? How is your faith Still, when we place our own judgment one of those life-changing moments. community working on that unfinished business?

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship provides these Bible study resources to church leaders through this supplement to Baptists Today. For more information on how CBF is “serving Christians and churches as they discover their God-given mission,” visit www.thefellowship.info or call 1-800-352-8741. F O R M A T I O N S C O M M E N T A R Y

sets a powerful tone for this message. able power not just for a few, but for all peo- Without holding back, Peter stresses that ple. Consider the responsibility of receiving April 13, 2008 there is a challenge ahead, and that there this sacred gift called the Spirit. Unimaginable power would be more than enough Spirit power Discuss: Do you believe that only a few available to meet the challenge (vv. 17-18). receive unimaginable power or that all Acts 2:1-21 He wants to make sure the people know that Christians have such power? Does the church of Here is Peter, the same man who 50 days if they are willing, God is able to provide today need “unimaginable power” to fulfill its before denied Jesus, now proclaiming the whatever they need for the days to come. mission? If so, why? Do you believe the church’s amazing events to come and claiming Peter’s declaration of the church’s mis- mission is for “everyone who calls upon the unimaginable power. Perhaps in an attempt sion would require enormous dedication, name of the Lord”? Why or why not? to assert some authority he feels he does not unwavering commitment and perseverance. It would be a mission dependent on the out- deserve, he calls upon Joel the prophet to April 20, 2008 speak on his behalf. pouring of the Spirit on all the people, a No doubt, Peter has not forgotten his mission built upon the prophetic words of Unfeigned devotion recent actions, actions that may remind him God’s “sons and daughters.” It would require Acts 2:37-47 of his humanity. “Who am I to speak to the seeing of visions and the dreaming of these people and proclaim Jesus the dreams (vv. 17-18). Peter continues in this passage engaging hear- Messiah?” is perhaps a question that lingers Discuss: What do you see as the mission of ers in powerful ways. It is not strong enough in Peter’s mind. “Who am I to proclaim that today’s church? Do you think the church’s mis- to simply say to the people that Jesus is Lord. God raised him from the dead?” (v. 24). sion still requires strong commitment and Peter chooses to say it this way: “Let all Israel With these self-reflective questions, Peter perseverance? Why or why not? be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, does not rely upon his own authority. Instead Never escaping from the shadow of hav- whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” he calls upon the prophet Joel and quotes ing denied the Messiah, Peter makes it clear (v. 36). what is perhaps the clearest prophesy con- that this divine mission is not for the faint of “Whom you crucified” seems to be the cerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: heart or those who lack the Spirit’s unimagin- stabbing phrase Peter uses it to make a force- “In the last days … I will pour out my able power. He is perhaps trying to make this ful point, perhaps intending to cut to the core Spirit.” With these power-filled words, Peter point by using haunting images: “wonders in and set off a sense of guilt in the people. If takes what is happening in those moments heaven and signs on the earth,” “blood and that is his intent, it works. The first verse of and makes a powerful declaration: there is a fire and billows of smoke,” “a sun turned to today’s text tells us that when the people hear mission ahead. That mission is nothing less darkness,” “a moon turned to blood.” Take Peter’s words, they are “cut to the heart” and than the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus heed, Peter might say, the church’s mission is say: “Brothers, what shall we do?” (v. 37). Christ. not for the weak. So we blew it. What do we do to make Discuss: Do you think Peter felt he had the But is not this mission for “everyone up for that? So we failed. How shall we authority to speak? Why or why not? Why do who calls upon the name of the Lord”? Is the pick ourselves up and try again? So we dis- think Peter quoted the prophet Joel rather than church’s mission only for those who are appointed ourselves and others. How can we speaking to the crowd in his own words? divinely chosen? Is it only for those with make amends? We were present at the most So where is Peter coming from? unique power? important time in the history of humankind, Remember that some very important events There is no doubt that these disciples to and we played a part in crucifying the Son of preceded his address. We might call it Peter’s whom Jesus appeared after the resurrection God. How do we even begin to move on inaugural day or the day the church was can claim a kind of “anointing” for the mis- from this? launched. We could mark it as the day of sion ahead. They are, of course, the ones who Reflect: Can I identify times in my life mighty wind and flames of fire! saw many signs and “proofs” that Jesus was when the words in the preceding paragraph It is the day of Pentecost — the day alive. They are the ones who heard Jesus described me? How did I move on after feeling when the group is gathered together to try to speak the words that are forever etched in the like I had failed? figure out what had happened, what it all church’s collective memory: “You will receive Guilt. Regret. Shame. Sometimes mov- meant and what they should do next. Seeing power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; ing on feels all but impossible. When a tongues of fire is an unusual, even frighten- and you will be my witnesses.” And then he person feels like a failure, moving on some- ing, happening. The scripture says they are was taken up before their eyes into a cloud. times feels completely out of the question. “amazed and perplexed” (v. 12). If being witnesses to the glory of God is Sitting in the depths of a valley of regret Jews from every nation who have come what bestows this unimaginable power, then makes climbing to the top of a mountain to Jerusalem are hearing the “wonders of these who saw and heard him are the only seem far beyond reach. But in those times God” in their own languages, an event that ones who will possess it. People like us, who when there is not enough hope for moving causes them to say that these people have came after, are on our own. Yet, we still hang on, perhaps there is grace for it. simply had “too much wine” (v. 13). At that on to Peter’s words from the prophet: “In the Peter hears the question, “What shall we moment Peter stands up and begins to speak, last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit do?” and gives an immediate reply. He needs affirming first that “these men are not drunk, on all people.” no time to ponder any sort of restitution as you suppose.” Consider the implications of such a requirement in order for the people to move Peter’s quotation from the prophet Joel prophecy. Consider the promise of unimagin- on. Peter simply says those grace-words we

20 | Baptists Today • March 2008 F O R M A T I O N S C O M M E N T A R Y know so well: “Repent and be baptized in the sounds like a life of faith, community and John being released. As Peter and John report name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of devotion that is not available to us. Yet, Peter to the people about all that has happened, a your sins” (v. 38). promised this would be “for their children, prayer meeting spontaneously breaks out. What Peter says next is the most amaz- and “for all whom the Lord our God will What a powerful prayer it is! When the ing part of all: “You’ll be on probationary call” (v. 39). people hear the story of what has happened to status for six months so that we can be cer- Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, also Peter and John, “they raise their voices tain of your motives.” “We’ll be watching to called Saint Edith Stein, was a Carmelite nun together in prayer to God.” This is no weak see if your repentance is genuine, and then who left behind a legacy of devotion she prayer. It comes from the collective hearts of a decide what to do with you.” “We’ll be able lived out in the face of atrocity. She was powerful people, a people who have received to discern by your good works whether or taken from the Echt Carmel in the from God the power to live in the midst of not you’re worthy of reinstatement.” Netherlands on Aug. 2, 1942, and trans- the enemies of the Gospel. Peter’s response is none of the above. His ported to the death camp of Auschwitz where Discuss: Do you believe that Christians of response instead is plain and simple grace: she died in the gas chambers on Aug. 9. Her today live in the midst of enemies of the Gospel? “You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” devotion comes through clearly in her writ- Why or why not? Have you personally ever faced And even beyond that, Peter tells them this ings: “In order to be an image of God, the a situation in which you felt your faith was chal- promise is not only for them, but also for spirit must turn to what is eternal, hold it in lenged? If so, how did you face that challenge? their children and “for all whom the Lord spirit … and embrace it in the will. The lim- Listen to the power of the people’s prayer. our God will call” (v. 39). itless loving devotion to God, and the gift In one unified voice they name their Discuss: What is your response to this pas- God makes of Himself to you, are the highest “Sovereign Lord” as one who created all sage that began by saying the people were the elevation of which the heart is capable; it is things. “Why do the nations rage and the peo- crucifiers and ended with an offer of forgive- the highest degree of prayer. The souls that ple plot … Why do the kings and rulers of the ness? How do think the people responded? have reached this point are truly the heart of earth stand against our Lord and against the Clearly, many respond positively to the the Church.” Lord’s Anointed One?” (4:25-26). message of grace and repentance because the Discuss: If you were asked to describe in a Having earned a place of leadership story tells us that about 3,000 of those pres- through trial and tribulation, Peter might have paragraph your personal devotion to Christ and ent are baptized. From that number a prayed for the people. John might have led the church, what would you write? fellowship of grace emerges, and the story of this prayer. The group gathered there might their fellowship has intrigued every genera- have chosen the leader they considered most tion of Christians to this day. April 27, 2008 eloquent to pray. Most of us have never seen or experi- What happens instead is arguably the enced their kind of fellowship. For many, it Uncompromising witness most powerful expression of collective prayer can only be a dream. For others, it is imprac- Acts 4:23-31 in all of scripture. It is the prayer the people tical and impossible. Some try to replicate it pray together. It is “The People’s Prayer.” And in today’s world, while others fear it. Is it a Peter and John have just gotten out of big therein is the power of it. description of a genuine community of trouble. Their unbridled devotion has resulted From the heart of God’s people emerges a unfeigned devotion, some might ask, or is it in their uncompromising witness, and they prayer that calls upon strength to persevere, a cult-like group of people living out a reli- definitely have made an impression on the boldness to bear witness without compromise gious fantasy? Here is the description of the powerful ones (4:1-21). Not just a few of the and the tangible power of God to heal. No fellowship of grace: “big shots” are troubled. Peter and John raised author’s commentary can describe more elo- the ire of the priests and the temple guard and quently what this prayer expresses: “And now, • They devoted themselves to the apostles’ the Sadducees; the rulers, elders and teachers Lord, consider their threat and enable your teaching, to breaking bread and to prayer. of the law; the high priest and his entire servants to speak your word with great bold- • The apostles did wonders and miracles, and family of priests. ness. Stretch out your hand to heal and everyone was filled with awe. This is worrisome behavior — worrisome perform miraculous signs and wonders • All the believers were together. enough that they throw Peter and John in jail. through the name of your holy servant Jesus” • They had everything in common, selling The charge is teaching the people, proclaiming (4:29-30). their possessions and giving to everyone as the resurrection of Jesus and healing a crippled “The People’s Prayer” becomes their dec- he or she had need. beggar (3:1-16). After incarcerating, question- laration of faith — unwavering and • They met together every day in the temple ing and threatening, the “leadership” still uncompromising faith. The prayer literally courts. cannot decide what to do with Peter and John. bears witness to the fact that these people • They broke bread in their homes and ate It is probably that hint of uncompromising believe their lives should proclaim the resur- together. witness in verse 20 that makes it so difficult: rected Christ. No turning back! No holding • They had glad and sincere hearts. “Judge for yourselves whether it is right … to back! • They praised God and enjoyed the favor of obey you rather than God. For we cannot help The result of this prayer is something all the people. speaking about what we have seen and heard” most of us have probably never witnessed. (4:21). “After they prayed, the place where they were Without any doubt, this description sounds This looks like an impasse, which brings meeting was shaken. And they were all filled like unfeigned devotion, an idyllic life. It us to today’s text that begins with Peter and with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 21 F O R M A T I O N S C O M M E N T A R Y

God boldly.” Ultimately, every person makes his or her own choice about those things that deserve uncompromising dedication. Sadly, some indi- viduals never find that cause or life passion or faith commitment that gives life ultimate meaning. Most of us can name persons — per- haps famous persons — who clearly lived for something greater than themselves. Often we venerate them. Sometimes we envy them or try to become like them. Most of the time we simply wish for the kind of courage that made them famous. American journalist and abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison made the injustice of slavery his life’s mission. In the first issue of his abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, pub- lished in 1831, Garrison wrote these words as a part of his famous open letter: “I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as jus- tice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation … urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the pres- ent. I am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — And I will be heard.” Reflect: Is being uncompromising in my Christian witness something I can achieve? BT

22 | Baptists Today • March 2008 R E S O U R C E S

Brought to you this month 2008 by Edward Hammett The Resource Page ... creative and practical ideas Transformed lives and churches

• How does the message of Christ enter an what people will respond to and what will increasingly secular culture? for more information transform those who participate. • How does the powerful and transforming Transformed churches will only come message of Christ penetrate and permeate when we have leaders with transformed lives, an apathetic church membership and an Reaching People Under 40 While values, behaviors, attitudes, beliefs and rela- ill-equipped and disillusioned, if not Keeping People Over 60, Edward tionships. Discipleship permeates all of life. depressed, clergy? Hammett It’s not just about what we memorize from • What does it take to transform lives filled Reframing Spiritual Formation, Edward the scriptures; it’s about a shift from selfish- with shame, pain, aimlessness, loneliness, Hammett ness and self-centeredness to selflessness, isolation and lostness? Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard gratitude, obedience and love. • How long will our church leaders continue For leaders and churches wanting to Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age, to fight to keep those things that are not make the shifts of heart called for by transforming lives? Edward Hammett Willard, and more importantly by Christ, • Are we fighting to retain our jobs and/or The Quest for Vitality in Religion, consider the following: comfort levels or to keep us from being Findley Edge intentional in taking risks, being creative, www.revealnow.com • Set up account- and trusting the Holy Spirit and following www.thecolumbiapartnership.com ability for him into the places of brokenness in our someone to ask www.sustainingpastoralexcellence.com world? the tough • What drives and fuels our debates or pas- www.transformingsolutions.org questions. sions to preserve: transforming lives or www.valwoodcoaching.com • Enlist a professional preserving our jobs or institutions? Christian coach to • What leadership skills and Christian virtues help you identify and gifts are required if we are to be about I attended. He is convinced that transformed needed shifts and your transforming lives? churches begin with a transformed pastor — plans for moving through • What would a church look like with a a pastor who understands, models and them. membership focused on selflessness, proclaims that the call to salva- • Read the work of Dallas Willard and other gratitude, obedience and love? tion, the call to discipleship authors concerned about life change and • What types of leaders and ministries and the call to ministry are becoming effective witnesses in a 21st would this kind of church have? one call. He believes that if pas- century world. • What type of worship and equip- tors are not disciples first, they • In consultation with church leaders, create ping would nurture this cannot and will not be disciple a plan on what it will take to build a regen- transformation and celebrate makers. erative membership of disciples and the transforming power and Current research suggests that par- disciple makers. presence of Christ? ticipating in church activities usually • Join with a group of persons on a similar • How can we move from where we are to does not produce healthy, mature and journey. where God would have us be? reproducing disciples. There is a disconnect • Keep a written journal about what the between what the church wants to provide in Spirit is saying to you, what shifts you are Author Dallas Willard addressed these programming and ministries — often based being called to make and your plans to and other issues in a recent conference on tradition more than effectiveness — and make them happen. BT

THE RESOUCE PAGE is provided by the Congregational Life office of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in partnership with Baptists Today and for those dedicated lay leaders working in the educational ministries of local churches. This month’s page was written by Edward Hammett, author, church consultant and leadership coach with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Resource Page Archives are now available at http://www.thefellowship.info/ Resources/Church-Resources/Baptists-Today-resource-page.

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 23 C L A S S I F I E D S

First Baptist Church of Hyattsville, Md., is seeking a Oakmont Baptist Church in Greenville, N.C., a Green Valley Baptist Church, Hoover, Ala., is seek- pastor. The applicant must be an ordained minister 1200-resident member missional congregation ing a full-time youth minister for middle school and possess an M. Div from an accredited theologi- (CBF, SBC and other ecumenical partnerships), and high school students. A seminary degree is cal seminary. To request an application package, seeks a full-time minister of education to serve required. Send résumé to: Rob Hardman, Green contact: Pastoral Search Committee, c/o Kent York, with six other full-time ministers. This minister will Valley Baptist Church, 1815 Patton Chapel Rd., 4228 Oglethorpe St., Hyattsville, MD 20781 or lead the church in its outreach and evangelism Hoover, AL 35226 or [email protected]. [email protected]. Applications must be efforts, guide the work of three Bible study hours postmarked no later than Monday, March 31. on Sunday, work with church ministry teams, and First Baptist Church, Spruce Pine, N.C., a mid-sized serve as the resource person for our singles min- moderate church in the western North Carolina Meadow Oaks Baptist Church in Temple, Texas, istry. He/she will evidence a clear calling to mountains, is prayerfully seeking a children and seeks a full-time pastor. Located between Waco educational ministry, and demonstrate strong orga- youth minister who will be responsible for lead- and Austin on the I-35 corridor, MOBC is a small, nizational skills and a growing faith. Minimum ing/coordinating a full program for children and moderate Baptist church that prefers the 1963 qualifications include a Master of Divinity or youth with parents and staff (discipleship, music, Baptist Faith and Message and maintains affilia- Christian Education and five years experience in special events, missions). Candidate should be tions with the Baptist General Convention of Texas educational ministry. Experience with multiple energetic and enthusiastic with good communica- and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The pre- Sunday Schools is preferred. Send a letter of tion skills. Mail résumés to: Search Committee ferred candidate will possess strong preaching and introduction, résumé and references to: Attn.: Karen Phillips, Chairperson, First Baptist pastoral care skills, will be committed to outreach, [email protected] or Minister of Church, 125 Tappan St., Spruce Pine, NC 28777. and will hold an M.Div. or its equivalent from an Education Search Team, Oakmont Baptist Church, accredited seminary or graduate program in reli- gion. Interested persons should send their vita to: 1100 Red Banks Rd., Greenville, NC 27858. Minister to Children, Youth and Families: First K.W. Johnson, Pastor Search Committee Chairman, Baptist Church, Whiteville, a mid-sized moderate at [email protected] or 4501 Hickory, Temple, church in southeastern North Carolina, is prayer- TX 76502. First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, Mo., affili- fully seeking a minister who will be responsible for ated with CBF and BGCM, is seeking an associate leading/coordinating a well-rounded program of pastor of discipleship. This minister will develop, ministry and missions with children, youth and Mount Zion Baptist Church of Macon, Ga., is administer and promote an effective and holistic their families, as well as serving as part of a min- receiving résumés for senior pastor. We are seek- discipleship ministry for adults of all ages and life istry team to lead the congregation in its service to ing an experienced minister of the gospel with situations that will enhance spiritual formation and Christ. Send résumés to: Kendell Cameron, First strong leadership skills and a heart for the people growth. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is Baptist Church, 412 N. Madison St., Whiteville, NC of the community of faith to help lead our church required; a master’s is preferred. A complete job 28472. to the next step in its bright future. The candidate description is available at www.fbcjc.org. Please needs to possess excellent preaching skills, have a send résumés to: Dr. Doyle Sager, Senior Pastor, stable work history, and be able to work with and Minister to Young Families: Main Street Baptist love people of all ages. Mount Zion is a historic, First Baptist Church, 301 E. Capitol Ave., Jefferson Church, Hattiesburg, Miss. Responsibilities with 175-year-old church affiliated with the SBC and City, MO 65101 or [email protected]. children birth through sixth grade and their fami- CBF. Weekly attendance is 225-250. Mail résumés lies. College degree and previous experience by April 15 to: Chairman of Pastor Search required; seminary preferred. Send résumé to: Dr. Committee, Mount Zion Baptist Church, 7015 Rivoli First Baptist Church of Sylva, N.C., located near Jon Stubblefield, pastor, at drjon@mainstreet Rd., Macon, GA 31210. Western Carolina University, is seeking a full-time baptistchurch.org. minister of youth (grades 6-12) and young adults (to age 25) and their families. A seminary First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, Mo., affili- Music Pastor: First Baptist Church of DeLand, Fla., degree (or near completion) is required, with salary with both traditional and contemporary worship ated with CBF and BGCM, is seeking an associate based on experience and education. The church services, seeks a gifted man or woman who can pastor of children and families. This minister will has a vibrant youth program with an active, sup- shepherd our entire worship/arts ministry. develop, administer and promote a seamless min- portive youth committee and a strong commitment Candidates should have a degree in music. istry spanning birth through childhood that will help Experience is preferred. Send résumés with refer- from the membership. Mail résumé to: First Baptist cultivate strong, godly families and loving relation- ences to: Jeannie Maddox, Search Committee Church of Sylva, P.O. Drawer 1024, Sylva, NC ships in our fellowship and community. A Chair, at [email protected]. 28779. bachelor’s degree in a related field is required; a master’s is preferred. A complete job description is available at www.fbcjc.org. Please send résumés Minister to Students and Families: First Baptist to: Dr. Doyle Sager, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Read about it in Church of Hopewell is a growing, moderate church Church, 301 E. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, MO affiliated with the Petersburg Baptist Association, 65101 or [email protected]. BAPTISTS Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. We have great Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, seeks a possibility and potential with an average atten- full-time minister of missions. Wilshire is affiliated TODAY dance of 350 between the traditional and with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the contemporary worship services. We have lots of Baptist General Convention of Texas. Desired quali- children and youth who are looking for someone to fications include excellent organizational and Discuss minister alongside of them and build relationships communication skills, enthusiasm for missions, an with them. If you have a passion for the future of ability to inspire a passion for missions in others, it at the church and want to be a part of a growing and experience leading mission trips and events. ministry, please send your résumé to: Send résumés by March 31 to: Mark Wingfield, [email protected] or Search Team, associate pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 BaptistLife.com First Baptist Church, 401 N. 2nd Ave., Hopewell, Abrams Rd., Dallas TX 75214 or mwing- VA 23860. [email protected].

24 | Baptists Today • March 2008 P E R S P E C T I V E

Minister to Youth f a i t h e x p e r i e n c e South Main Baptist Church, Houston, Texas (smbc.org), is seeking a minister to youth. We are in ministry partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World My odyssey in Alliance. We encourage applications from both men and women. We seek a person who enjoys working with youth and draws energy from these relationships. practical Christianity This minister will: • Develop relationships with youth. By John Roy • Lead the Christian education ministries and programs for youth grades 6-12. • Recruit, enlist and equip youth leadership, his month we turn our eyes and As Martin Luther King wrote, “In the end including Sunday school leadership. attention toward the cross and empty we will remember not the words of our • Provide training and educational resources tomb. From the History Channel to enemies, but the silence of our friends.” for youth ministry workers. T Newsweek, stories will abound about Jesus Complacency is the sound of silence, • Supervise youth ministry staff and volunteers. and what brought about his demise. From the result of investing too much in this • Plan, coordinate and conduct programs and sacrifice to myth, the angles and stories are world and not enough in the one to come. It events for youth and their families. too many to number. is when courage is traded for compromise • Serve as a member of the pastoral team, Who is to blame for and truth for safety. reporting to the pastor. the death of Jesus? Was it I am a vanilla Christian. Because I was • Promote the youth ministry both within the church and in the community. the Jews, the Romans or raised in this faith, I have been baptized into the politically ambitious? practical Christianity. “All things in modera- The preferred candidate will: Was it Pilot or Judas? tion” … “Don’t rock the boat” … “Attitude • Have a passion for helping youth discover Was it the cheering determines altitude” … These are the sensi- Christ and grow in faith. crowd or the silent allies bilities I inherited from years of Sunday • Work effectively as a key part of the who are to blame for this school, church camp and seminary. They pastoral leadership team. • Hold an earned seminary degree. life cut short? Of course there are those who have served me well; my map has provided • Be skilled at organizing programs and will rise up and say this was God’s purpose, me good safe, reliable direction. Nevertheless, events in a volunteer setting. so who’s to blame is of little relevance. Yet in the pursuit of faithfulness my mind was • Communicate effectively in both written we are a generation raised on Law and Order inadvertently closed. My personal faith correspondence and oral presentations. and there must be a culprit; the finger must became my private faith and, in time, I grew *Compensation is competitive for the market be pointed at someone. Could it be, how- silent in the name of peace and pragmatism. and experience level of the successful ever, the finger does not point at someone While we will never be arrested for a candidate. but at behavior? closed mind or publicly shunned for indif- Could the closed mind be guilty of cru- ference, there is a price for practical faith. In Résumés: cifying the open arms of Jesus? It is no crime the end at least two behaviors — legal but [email protected] to have a closed mind. Even today it is not a malignant — contributed to the death of crime to make your mind up and stay on a Jesus. Jesus died because good people kept particular course. Another description of a quiet and because others could not trade the Advertise in Baptists Today closed mind might be determination, which tried and true for the new and better. 1-877-752-5658 is more of a virtue than a vice. In religious Of course the resurrection is God’s circles the closed mind is often considered answer to our indifference. We can remain valuable. Persons established in their beliefs quiet, prudent and practical, but God will Line Classifieds and no longer blown around by the winds of make some noise. The empty tomb is God’s • One month print/web = $1.00 per word false doctrine are praised. Being anchored to not-so-subtle way of saying, “Don’t mock • One month web only = 50¢ per word the truth, oddly enough, is a virtue with a the new until you have given it a chance.” • No frequency discounts nasty side effect. Yet it is sad when the On resurrection morning, minds were • $25 min. print/web church is the most productive laboratory for expanded to believe the impossible and the closed mind. We forget it was the close- hearts were granted courage to live boldly. minded religious leaders who paraded Jesus The empty cross and empty tomb remind us Textbox Classifieds toward the cross. there is even hope for those of us with closed • One month print/web = $30 per linear inch Indifference is not a crime either. On its minds and silent voices. BT • One month web only = $15 per inch best day indifference is seen as ambivalence, • No frequency discounts pulled in two directions. On its worst day —John Roy is pastor of Pelham Road Baptist • $30 min. print/web it is nothing more than complacency. Church in Greenville, S.C.

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 25 I N F O R M A T I O N i n t h e k n o w Keeping up with people, places and events

PEOPLE Ircel Harrison will complete his service as Perkin F. Simpson is vice president of coordinator for the Tennessee Cooperative finance for the American Baptist Foundation. Candace Cox is chief investment officer for Baptist Fellowship on Dec. 31. He was the the ABC Ministers and Missionaries Benefit group’s first full-time coordinator beginning Tom Stocks is field strategist for the Board. in September 1998. Virginia Baptist Mission Board serving in the Valley Region. He had served as pastor John Daugherty is pastor of First Baptist Janice Haywood retired Jan. 15 as team of Rosalind Hills Baptist Church in Church of Fort Myers, Fla. He was coordina- leader for church ministries at the Baptist Roanoke, Va., since 1989. tor for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of State Convention of North Carolina where Louisiana. she served 31 years. She is a childhood min- Tim Willis will retire June 30 from the staff of First Baptist Church of Clemson, S.C., where istry specialist and author of Enduring Carolyn Erwin-Johnson has joined he has done college ministry for four years. Connections: Creating a Preschool and American Baptist Churches National Earlier he served as a Baptist campus minister Children’s Ministry (2007, Chalice). Ministries as a communications associate. at Clemson University and in Texas. He plans to work as an intentional interim pastor. Mabel Claire Maddrey died Jan. 14 at age Randel Everett was elected as executive 100. She was a deacon at the First Baptist director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, succeeding Charles Wade who retired churches of Raleigh, N.C., and Ahoskie, PLACES N.C. She served on the Southern Baptist Jan. 31. Everett comes from the pastorate of Baptist Women in Ministry of Georgia is Convention Executive Committee and as the First Baptist Church of Newport News, receiving nominations until March 15 for Va. He has also served as president of the president of the Woman’s Missionary Union Distinguished Churchwoman of the Year. John Leland Center for Theological Studies of N.C. In 1998, she was featured in a New Nominations should be mailed to: Deedra in Arlington, Va. York Times article about First Baptist Raleigh Rich, 322 Valley Brook Crossing, Decatur, and other churches leaving the SBC over Ga. 30033. William C. Gaventa Jr. received the highest women in ministry issues. honor, the COMISS Medal, from the ecu- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North menical network for chaplain and pastoral C.F. McDowell III is senior pastor of First Carolina has created the Randall and Lou care ministry. Gaventa, a longtime American Baptist Church in Laurinburg, N.C. He Lolley Fund for theological education. Baptist institutional chaplain, works with comes from Baptist Children’s Homes of Randall Lolley is former president of persons with developmental disabilities and North Carolina where he served as executive Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary those who serve them. vice president of special ministries. in Wake Forest, N.C. BT YES! I WANT TO BE A FRIEND OF FREEDOM! I am / We are pleased to make a gift commitment to Baptists Today of $ ______per year for three years.

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26 | Baptists Today • March 2008 P E R S P E C T I V E t h e l i g h t e r s i d e Singing harmony By Brett Younger

confess that I usually sing the melody, but not too many Sundays ago I sat by I Jeff Newton. During the second stanza of “My Jesus, I Love Thee” I realized that while I was making a dull unison contribution, Jeff was taking off on the tenor line. By the time we got to “If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now,” I was doing my best to add the bass line. Unison is easier, but at the best churches — in our best moments — we sing harmony. Churches should be more spirited har- monization than unthinking agreement, more Baskin Robbins than plain vanilla. Not “My way or the highway,” but “Our way is spaghetti junction.” Diversity is more compli- cated, but it’s also more interesting. It’s a small church that only has room for one set of opinions. When visitors come, we should be able to say, “We’ve got people like you. We have Huckabees and Hillaries. We drive Lexuses, Escorts and don’t drive at all. We watch Washington Week in Review and American Gladiators. We listen to Mendelssohn and Willie Nelson. We went to The Great Debaters and Alvin and the Chipmunks. We have Dallas Cowboys fans and those who have learned to keep their opinions to them- selves.” We sing harmony, because we’re the church. The best churches encourage creativ- ity and new ideas. It takes courage to bless a Illustration by Scott Brooks variety of opinions, but Carlyle Marney said, The Kingdom of God is bigger than we have disagree on what the resurrection looked like, “The church that has not lost its courage will imagined. When we discover a difference of but we all sing “Christ the Lord is Risen never have to advertise its location.” opinion it’s an opportunity to go beyond Today.” Christians have different lists of who We sing harmony, because we’re Baptist. merely tolerating one another to celebrating gets into heaven, but we sing “Amazing One of the best things about having no creed our diversity. Grace” together. but the Bible is that you end up meeting When people suggest that churches have The best churches are big enough for such interesting people at church. The people to be all this or all that, those who sing har- everyone who wants to sing of Christ. What with whom we disagree are often the ones mony know it isn’t true. A choir with only holds us together is the affirmation “Jesus is from whom we can learn the most. In real tenors isn’t really a choir. Christ’s followers Lord.” God calls us to be loyal to Christ Baptist churches, members are forever saying, listen carefully to one another and add our before anything else — even before our opin- “I won’t let our differences get in the way of different parts to the one song. ions. We don’t have to sing the same notes at our friendship.” Christians have different perspectives on the same time. We just have to sing the song We sing harmony, because we’re follow- the incarnation, but we all sing “Silent of God’s love together. BT ing Jesus. If you take seriously the hard Night.” Christians have a variety of ideas on questions of discipleship, you have to make the atonement, but we all sing “When I —Brett Younger is pastor of Broadway Baptist room for answers that aren’t always simple. Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Christians may Church in Fort Worth, Texas. March 2008 • Baptists Today | 27 P E R S P E C T I V E

r e a d e r s ’ r e s p o n s e s

Minister reflects on Celebration gave this tired body and soul a good shot of quet on Thursday, April 3, 2008, in the spiritual adrenaline. It is the only event in Loudermilk Center in downtown Atlanta. EDITOR: Being anything but cynical my 52 years that has had this effect on me, We hope to gather several hundred support- requires trusting in a future that usually but it might have been enough to keep me ers of for this festive occasion. doesn’t seem likely. Baptists Today going. Daniel Vestal will be our featured Today I am not cynical. Connie Stinson, Arlington, Va. speaker, and special tribute and acclaim will For the first time since I realized the (Stinson is pastor of Luther Rice Memorial be given Walker Knight. Please prayerfully Southern Baptist Convention would cease Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Md.) consider: being the way through which God called me as a female teenager to a lifetime of voca- Recognition is worthy cause • Making plans to attend the April 3 tional ministry, I feel proud and grateful to EDITOR: Walker Knight did not ask me if banquet and enlisting others from your be a Baptist. he could begin a new Baptist news journal church and community. For the first time in my adult life, I feel back in 1983, but he did tell me he was • Promoting attendance in your congregation. as though I can confidently say to the world going to start one. I remember being less • Becoming an individual sponsor or leading as well as to my unchurched neighbor that I supportive than I should have been. your church to be a sponsor by sending a am one of “those Baptists” who cares about I was thinking of the void he would designated gift of $250 to Baptists Today, the state of our world and am resolved to do create by moving to this new position. I P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208. something to help. And along with other recognize now how perceptive he was. The kindred spirits — the likes of which met in We want as much table fellowship with as current Baptists Today news journal is a stun- Atlanta — I am building relational bridges many supporters as we can assemble. And ning tribute to Walker’s perceptive insights to share concerns and plan strategies to the sponsorships will help bear the costs of concerning the religious needs of 21st- address them. this wonderful opportunity to celebrate our century Baptists. I have already spoken with two other news journal and its founder. Baptists Today is planning to celebrate this pastor friends, who had similarly positive Dinner reservations and additional year’s 25th anniversary of Walker’s decision. I responses to the gathering, about an urgent information are available by calling have accepted current editor John Pierce’s need to come together and begin the process 1-877-752-5658 or by visiting www.baptists invitation to chair the anniversary celebration locally. today.org. I look forward to seeing you on committee because I trust so implicitly in his Beyond acquiring a new sense of mod- the first Thursday evening in April in Atlanta. leadership, have deep confidence in the pur- erate Baptist identity, my inner spirit was J. Truett Gannon, Stone Mountain, Ga. pose of Baptists Today and want to honor (Truett Gannon is retired as pastor of Smoke Rise fed in Atlanta. I was deeply moved by the Walker for his courageous decision. Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, Ga., and as convictions of others in the face of their There will be a 25th anniversary ban- professor at McAfee School of Theology.) weariness and loneliness. I shouldn’t have been surprised to dis- cover that some highly visible public Gator sports mix-up basketball championships with a national servants have been deeply discouraged, but I football championship tucked in between, EDITOR: I enjoyed reading your article was. Perhaps I have been so consumed by not vice-versa. I was still active with the on Mars Hill College (February 2008, my own troubles that I didn’t bother to football team for their first national page 4). In fact, I enjoy reading all your think about the fact that others in “high championship in ’96, but had to watch articles. places” might have similar ones. Through from our seats in the stadium for the next I was surprised when you opened them, I was reminded of why I do what I three national championships. your comments on Mars Hill with an do. It was a great feeling of satisfaction to illustration from the University of Florida, Two and a half days spent with more know I was where God wanted me to be, where I retired as Baptist campus minister moderate Baptists than I have ever seen in touching the lives of great young people in 1999 after 27 years — and as Gator one place gave me a glimpse of what could of great talent. Keep up the good work. chaplain of all sports in 2003 after 17 be if we did a better job combining forces, Otto M. Spangler, Gainesville, Fla. years. albeit our weak, broken, weary, spiritually (Editor’s note: Thanks, Otto. Sorry for the error. Correction: It was two national deprived ones. The basketball is the round one, right?) The New Baptist Covenant Celebration

This forum gives readers a chance to participate in respectful, though often passionate, dialogue on important issues. Your opinion is welcomed. Please include your name, address and phone number, and limit your letters to 200 words. Send by e-mail to [email protected], by fax to (478) 301-5021, or by mail to Editor, Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318. 28 | Baptists Today • March 2008 REBLOG — Selections from recent blogs at BaptistsToday.org P E R S P E C T I V E

The fine art of sleeping in church By John Pierce, posted Jan. 22, 2008 Bernice. think you are praying and therefore more www.bteditor.blogspot.com Though a longtime Baptist, Bro. spiritual than sleepy. Clinton seems to have forgotten the Step three: Each time you awaken, he video of former President Bill trusted three-step plan for sleeping in nod in affirmation and hope that the TClinton nodding off in church was all church. preacher just said something with which over the Internet and morning news Instead, he tried unsuccessfully to you should agree. The former President shows. The setting was a Jan. 20 service hide behind the wide preacher. But the did this step well. But his omission of the honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at wide lens caught him. first two made the nodding unconvincing. Convent Avenue Baptist Church in For such situations in the future, I However, there will be many oppor- Harlem, N.Y. offer this advice to both former Presi- tunities in the future for him and the rest I come to President Clinton’s defense dents who sit on stages during significant of us to work on more refined ways to with both empathy and advice. It has services and ordinary pew riders like catch a few Zs in church. It is amazing happened to everyone except maybe many of us. that after all these years so few have some pagan who has never experienced a Step one: Place your hands together perfected it completely. long service in a warm sanctuary with with fingertips to your nose. This pro- Oh, there is one more word of padded chairs or pews. vides both support of the head and the advice: Unless you attend a loud Plus, Marty King III was speaking. appearance of praying. Pentecostal or contemporary service, Sadly, he didn’t get the oratory skills of Step two: Upon closing your eyes, keep your chin up enough so that you his late father. Those went to little sister move your lips a little so people will don’t snore. BT

the data, because it happens around the Younger folks still have so much Not happy? Get older world and across the board: to men and energy and so much life ahead of them By Tony Cartledge, posted Feb. 6, 2008 women, to single and married people, to that happiness comes easier. Older folks, www.tonycartledge.com rich and poor and to people with and generally, have learned to make peace without children. with their place in life, and inner peace line from an old song by Donovan Andrew Oswald of Warwick said “one is directly correlated to a sense of Asays “Happiness runs in a circular possibility is that individuals learn to adapt happiness. motion ...” to their strengths and weaknesses, and in I’ve always said that growing old is Actually, scientists say, happiness midlife quell their infeasible aspirations” not a bad thing and certainly beats the follows a U-shaped path. A recent study — which sounds a lot like jargon for recog- alternative. And there’s more to being shows that people are happiest their nizing limitations and giving up on dreams, old than holding an AARP card and get- younger and older years, and most which can be pretty depressing. ting senior discounts. miserable during middle age. Several factors come to mind. It’s my The psalmist spoke of faithful folk in The study, which incorporated data observation that folks in middle age tend their senior years: “In old age they still from two million people in 80 nations, to have the most responsibilities and produce fruit; they are always green and found that people are least happy (or stress in regard to both family and work. full of sap” (Psalm 92:14 NRSV). most depressed) at about age 44. In the They’re deepest in debt, and under Speak at as many senior adult events U.S., women are gloomiest at age 40, the greatest pressure to perform. Their as I have, and you’ll see what I mean. while men hit the bottom around 50. bodies are beginning to show the inex- So, if you’re middle-aged and miser- The researchers, at Dartmouth orable effects of aging, and they begin to able, don’t let those sore knees and College in Hanover, N.H., and the realize that dreams of sailing around the cranky co-workers get you down — you University of Warwick in Coventry, world, hiking to Machu Picchu, or explor- can’t get any younger, but getting old is England, weren’t sure what to make of ing the Galapagos may never happen. really a good thing. BT

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 29 I N F O R M A T I O N Outspoken Burleson resigns from IMB

By Hannah Elliott terms or staying silent on matters about letter Jan. 29, Burleson said, Floyd told Associated Baptist Press which I disagreed. … I want you to know the group the executive committee did not that I never expressed my dissent out of a accept the apology. He then dismissed all GAINESVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Wade desire to harm the work of the IMB or any non-board members to enter a closed Burleson, the prominent pastor and blogger of you, my fellow trustees and brothers and session. who railed against what he saw as an exces- sisters in Christ. Instead, I did so out of an Floyd reportedly then told the board sive narrowing of parameters within the exercise of my conscience.” the apology was insufficient because Southern Baptist Convention, has resigned Burleson said in the letter that he Burleson did not apologize for violating the from his position as a trustee of the SBC’s wanted to get along with trustees and would newer standards of trustee conduct that pro- International Mission Board. “no longer violate, intentionally or other- hibited any public dissent of board-approved Burleson, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist wise, our new trustee standards of conduct. actions. Those standards were adopted Church in Enid, Okla., said he also plans to If I find myself in disagreement with a pol- in 2006, and Burleson has said he intention- write a book about recent disputes in the icy or proposed policy of the board, I will ally violated them by blogging about his denomination. express my disagreement using the channels disapproval of the new restrictions on His resignation came after a Jan. 29 that are available — for example, plenary- missionaries. plenary session at the board’s meeting in forum sessions, “I intentionally violated that policy for Gainesville. At the meeting, Burleson read a trustee-forum sessions, a higher moral good. It is a matter of con- letter he had originally sent to IMB and private communica- science for me,” he said. “I said, ‘I will Chairman John Floyd in December. The let- tion with fellow trustees always apologize for people being offended ter was an apology for violating a rule — but will not take my — I want to be at peace with everyone — against board members publicly criticizing disagreement outside of but I cannot apologize for breaking that IMB policies. those confines to the policy.’” Burleson said the letter was a “good- blogosphere or world at It was “the worst policy in the history faith effort” to “apologize for people being large.” of the SBC,” he added. offended” and to “live at peace with every- Burleson has long Wade Burleson “The narrowing of these doctrinal one.” But, he said, it became clear during clashed with some of his parameters of cooperative mission work is the meeting that the apology would not colleagues on the board. In 2005, IMB dangerous to our convention and threatens work, and he quit on the spot. trustees voted not to appoint missionary our belief in the historic Baptist principles “I am resigning because I am a distrac- candidates who said they practice “private of the sufficiency of Scripture, cooperative tion to the work of the IMB board,” he said prayer language” or who have not received missions, and religious liberty,” he said in Jan. 30. “It was the work of last night’s letter “biblical baptism.” Burleson protested, say- his resignation letter, posted on his blog to the IMB board to [allow me to] stop ing the board should not create doctrinal (kerussocharis.blogspot.com). “Worse, the being a distraction, and it was not accepted. requirements for missionaries narrower than 2006 revised trustee standard of conduct But I will not go away. I will continue to the strictures in the SBC’s Baptist Faith and that prohibits public dissent is uncon- work to effect change in the Southern Message doctrinal statement. He also wrote scionable, unbaptistic, and will one day Baptist Convention.” on his blog that some trustees should not be viewed by Baptist historians as a tragic The resignation was not planned long conduct secret meetings to plan the board’s mistake.” in advance, Burleson said, but was formal sessions. Burleson said he plans to spend the prompted by the events of the meeting. Then, in January of 2006, several time he’ll gain from not participating as an Soon after receiving the letter last trustees requested that Burleson be removed IMB trustee by documenting other missteps December, Burleson said, Floyd told him it from the mission board. They later by convention leaders. was an insufficient apology, but that board rescinded their motion but placed limita- “The point of the book is not a tell-all leaders would present it to the full panel at tions on his involvement with the board, of the IMB, though there will be illustra- the Gainesville meeting. effectively barring him from executive ses- tions from the dangerous effects of stifling When the IMB executive committee sions and committee meetings. Other dissent, moving beyond the [Baptist Faith did not report the letter during the Jan. 29 trustees complained that Burleson had bro- and Message] on doctrinal policy and attack- session, Burleson requested and was allowed ken confidentiality agreements by blogging ing people who disagree,” he said. “It is a to read it to the full board. about IMB business. wake-up call to Southern Baptists that we “I do admit that I have in the past Burleson said in the December letter better start cooperating despite our differ- intentionally violated our newly revised that if the apology was accepted, he would ences, or we will dry up and shrivel away as internal standards of conduct,” Burleson shut down his blog, and if he disagreed with a convention.” BT said in the letter. “In particular, I publicly an IMB policy in the future, he would disagreed with certain actions taken by this resign. board, rather than speaking in supportive After allowing Burleson to read the — Robert Marus contributed to this story.

30 | Baptists Today • March 2008

F E A T U R E STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN PIERCE

slowing down to a snail’s pace

Baptist pastor helping others to find rest and restoration

SALUDA, N.C. — After 34 years of pastoral ministry, mostly in two upstate South Carolina churches, Randy Wright headed in a new direction early last year. He now labors so others can rest.

have only been here for a year, but have heard testimonies that “ are very inspiring,” said Wright, who completed a 22-year pas- I torate at Fernwood Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C., the end of 2006 to become executive director of The Snail’s Pace retreat center in Saluda, N.C. “I have met some incredible, deeply spiritual people.” For several years, Wright had taken advantage of the spiritual and emotional benefits of getting away for rest and restoration in the relaxed setting near the quaint mountain town the late crooner Perry Como liked to call home. The Snail’s Pace is comprised of three houses — and a one-person “hermitage” or studio — offering retreats for individuals and small groups. In 2005, he was asked to join the female-dominated board of directors. The ministry had begun in the late ‘60s when two women, Connie Furrer and Frances Dudley, discovered a shared calling to begin a retreat center.

32 | Baptists Today • March 2008 F E A T U R E

The two Episcopalians started saving ministry. He simply sees what money in snail-shaped ceramic banks to pur- needs to be done at the retreat chase the century-old “little house” with a center and does it. welcoming front porch. Two other houses He has built a rock garden were added to the four-acre site in following and repaired a deck overlooking years. hemlocks and rhododendrons. He Both Wright and assistant director Linda has improved a walkway, tiled Welch are trained spiritual directors available floors and added fresh paint as to provide their services or simply a place for needed. those retreating. Some persons come individ- “I’ve done stuff I didn’t know ually, others as a group. how to do,” said Wright, who “A spiritual director is someone you can helps in the kitchen as well. talk to about what you sense God is doing in “Meals are important here,” your life,” said Wright, noting that the con- he said. “A lot of what I do is cept is not well known among many Baptists. around the table and in the “It is someone who is willing to walk along- kitchen.” side you — to listen and ask questions.” At one point last year, Wright Wright said the role of a spiritual direc- recalled, he was washing dishes tor is different from that of a counselor or after a group dinner and thinking other mental health professional. “Spiritual this was a different career path direction is focused on listening to God and than he anticipated while earning trying to understand how God is active in two seminary degrees and gaining your life.” pastoral experience. But he was The discipline of spiritual direction, having fun. both formally and informally, has been signif- “At the heart of it, service icant in his own life, said Wright. That with a purpose is all we are called practice, along with other benefits of retreat- to do,” said Wright, relaxed and ing is something he is eager to share with eager to help others to make that others — especially ministers who tend to discovery. BT spend a lot of emotional and spiritual energy that is not replaced. “I’m trying to get pastors to come here, saying: ‘Let us take care of you for a change.’” The ecumenical retreat center is owned and operated by a non-profit board and relies on donations and suggested fees for guests. Details are available at www.snailspace.org. “There has been a lot of pain and ago- nies shared here as well as joy and discoveries,” said Wright. One woman returns each year on the anniversary of when she once attempted sui- cide. It has become a way of joyfully celebrating her life. Church staffs come for planning. Preachers come for sermon preparation. Women’s groups, Sunday school classes and church leadership councils visit too. An Episcopal search committee seeking a new bishop did their deliberations at The Snail’s Pace as well. “Mostly, we provide the hospitality — not the program, but the place and the meals,” said Wright. “I think we do it well.” The daily routines have changed for Wright — who lives at the center most of the week — from his time in pastoral

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 33

P E R S P E C T I V E t h e m e d i a s h e l f Reviews by John Pierce

What Should We Believe for a teaching or preaching series on the vari- from one who recalls and About Jesus? ous titles/roles of Jesus, including teacher, interprets the significant shift E.B. Self prophet, priest, king, Son of Man, Son of in Southern Baptist life over God, Messiah and Savior. the last three decades that Ben Self is a Baylor, Harvard affected him personally. and Vanderbilt-trained $19.95 / pb / 204 pp / Inkwater Press / Seat and his wife, June, pastor/professor. He takes a ISBN 10-1-59299-319-2 / www.inkwaterpress.com served 38 years as Southern close look into the life and Baptist missionaries to Japan where he, for the teachings of Jesus. Fed Up with Fundamentalism last eight years, was chancellor of the 10,000- Self provides insight into how various A Historical, Theological and Personal student Seinan Gakuin University. world religions view Jesus and explores the pic- Appraisal of Christian Fundamentalism He began writing this book on Sept. 1, ture of Jesus offered in the Gospel accounts. Leroy Seat 2004, his last day of employment with the His writing is scholarly, but highly readable. Southern Baptist International Mission Board. This book is a good resource for teaching Longtime Baptist missionary Leroy Seat is fed “The final years of our missionary and preaching about the central figure of our up with fundamentalism. But he is being career,” he writes, “were clouded by a strong faith. In chapter four, he explores the various thoughtful and reflective about it. shift to Christian conservatism, interpreted by ways the death of Jesus is interpreted with His work is not a rant, but rational and many as fundamentalism, and we were caught insights into the strength and weaknesses of amazingly thorough. One gets the sense this in the stormy winds of change which led to each theory. book had been growing within the author and our being forced to retire as Southern Baptist As Self notes: “With a person as powerful needed to be written even if no one read it. missionaries.” and as profound as Jesus, there are many But we should read it. It is a careful and interpretations.” detailed blend of testimony, Baptist history, $18.95 / pb / 308 pp / 4-L Publications / Chapter six could be a jumping-off place Christian ethics and theological reflection ISBN 978-1-59526-859-4 / [email protected]

Fellowship of Baptist Pastoral Musicians Inaugural Gathering

Polyphony — The Holiness of Beauty April 3-5, 2008 First Baptist Church Asheville, N.C.

ExhhkqQ Presenters Sigrid Johnston, St. Olaf College George Mason, Wilshire Baptist Church

Registration $50

Information [email protected] [email protected] http://groups.google.com/group/ fbpm/web/conference-information

March 2008 • Baptists Today | 35 F E A T U R E STORY AND PHOTO BY STEVE DEVANE Biblical Recorder a job well done Dedicated Gulfport volunteers leave lasting impression

ULFPORT, Miss. — North Gulfport mayor Brent Warr talks Carolina Baptists who spent a year with Eddie and G or more in Gulfport helping victims Martha of Hurricane Katrina say they’ll probably take Williams about N.C. Baptist a little time off, but feel sure God has more relief efforts for them to do. that rebuilt After rebuilding more than 700 homes in more than 700 homes. the Gulfport area, N.C. Baptist Men (NCBM) officially wrapped up relief efforts in the area Jan. 12-13. Local officials such as Mayor Brent Warr showered praise on the Tar Heel volunteers, who returned the keys to an old armory they completely refurbished to use as headquarters for the rebuilding efforts. Eddie and Martha Williams, of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, N.C., coordinated efforts in Gulfport. They described their 28-month commitment as an exciting journey. “I think God has used this to train us for something else,” said Eddie Williams, always needed to be done. teams with needs and made sure materials looking ahead. “I wouldn’t ask anything of the volun- were on-site, so teams could start working as He was among the first N.C. Baptists to teers that I wouldn’t do myself,” he said. soon as they arrived. arrive in Gulfport after the hurricane hit in Martha Williams, who previously Edith Holland said they encouraged vol- August 2005. Martha joined him in October. worked as a controller, entered data and unteers to listen to the Gulfport residents In the early days three couples worked made sure the finances were in order. She will who “all have a Katrina story to tell.” and lived in Gulfport, sleeping briefly each long remember the elderly men and women J.E. and Betsy Skinner of Memorial night in recreational vehicles or trailers in a who needed help. Baptist Church in Williamston, N.C., served parking lot. The staff eventually grew to 16. “Over and over they’d say, ‘Without as warehouse coordinators until December “God put a lot of good people in our your help, I don’t know where I’d be,’” she 2006. They were replaced by Curtis and pathway,” Eddie Williams said. said. “I’ll never forget their faces and their Joyce Thrift, members of Emmaus Baptist Others who served long-term in love for us.” Church in Pittsboro. Gulfport were Gary and Edith Holland, Eddie Williams said he will always While most of the volunteers were N.C. Elmer and Barbara Farlow, Curtis and Joyce remember the kindness of the people. He Baptists, workers came from 42 states and Thrift, Don and Syble Freeman, J.E. and said it wasn’t uncommon for N.C. Baptists in several other countries to help rebuild Betsy Skinner, Scott and Janet Daughtry, their well-known yellow shirts and hats to be Gulfport. Many came back multiple times. In Tom Kimball, Bobby Suggs, and Charles stopped in a grocery store or at a traffic light all, more than 30,000 volunteers helped Abernethy. by someone wanting to thank them. storm victims in and around Gulfport. Martha Williams said that whenever Now the Williamses plan to help “The Lord’s blessed so much,” Joyce someone was leaving, God would send some- NCBM leaders launch a new missions ware- Thrift said. “He just kept sending people.” one to take their place. During the summer house and operational center in Red Springs, The Thrifts said serving God in missions of 2006, more than 1,000 N.C. volunteers N.C. is a blessing. And Curtis warned: “If you were working in the Gulfport area each week. Gary and Edith Holland, members at don’t want to go back, don’t go the first At the operation’s highest point, more than Windy Gap Baptist Church in Franklin, time.” BT 1,200 volunteers were helping. N.C., were the rebuilding coordinators for Eddie Williams oversaw the entire opera- the Gulfport mission. They arrived in late —Steve DeVane is managing editor of the tion to make sure everything was running 2005. Biblical Recorder where this article first smoothly. He was willing to do whatever The couple matched volunteer work appeared. Used by permission.

36 | Baptists Today • March 2008 P E R S P E C T I V E g u e s t c o m m e n t a r y Baptists find renewed message By Joe Phelps

ifteen thousand ministers deeds but, truth be told, it was too often a form a toxic cocktail was exacerbated in the kind of bait and switch: we mostly did good last two decades when fundamentalist F and laypersons represent- things in order to impress non-believers in Baptists used partisan politics as a way to ing churches across the land hopes that they might be attracted to the promote their particular religious agenda. faith and be converted. We were conversion They rewrote history to their liking, turned met recently in Atlanta under machines. the First Amendment disestablishment the banner of the New Baptist The New Baptist Covenant recognizes clause on its ear and worked to restore the there is more to Jesus’ message than saving U.S. to its supposed place as a Christian Covenant to offer a progressive souls for heaven. Jesus’ inaugural sermon nation. quotes from the Progressive Baptists wanted no part of voice for Baptists. All Baptists prophet Isaiah about this bastardized history or this partisan con- in North America were invited, good news for the poor, scripting of politics. So some worried when blind, prisoners and politicians were invited to the Atlanta gath- and every major group signed oppressed, and pro- ering, fearing that partisan politicking and on except Southern Baptists. claims a new day. electioneering would creep into the agenda. Converted people What we are discovering is that there is This ground-breaking event affecting — that is, those who a profound difference between sectarian par- millions of Baptists received no coverage in respond to the call to tisan politics that seek power and politics my part of the country, but was an image- be Jesus’ disciples — that selflessly focus on the common good of changing, agenda-shifting event worth the are charged to re-enact his sacrificial, healing all people regardless of religion or practice. attention of people even beyond Baptist compassion for the least and last in our The New Baptist Covenant was politi- borders. world. cal but not partisan. It focused on Jesus’ That black, white and Hispanic Baptist We progressive Baptists still seek to concerns for poverty, child welfare, equality, groups met together seems hardly signifi- convert people, not only to an ideology, but the environment and other issues that affect cant, though it was a historic first meeting also to active participation in caring, heal- the common good. of its kind. The three-day event was organ- ing, becoming good news for broken people, It never once came close to promoting ized and orchestrated by a cross-section of and not merely as a ploy for recruitment. one candidate or party over the other, but leaders from participating conventions and With so many Baptists in the U.S., this rather held up those concerns we believe fellowships. new self-understanding could have many Jesus would champion. This approach felt There were obvious differences in prac- hopeful, helpful implications for our faithful to our Baptist heritage and to the tices (the crowd more animated and community. people of our communities who need us to participatory when black pastors spoke; Coupled with this deeper, more faithful be our best. BT quiet and reflective for a white speaker) and understanding of conversion is a deeper in beliefs (we differ on who can preach, who understanding of one of Baptists’ most cher- —Joe Phelps is pastor of Highland can join and what the text says here or ished principles: the separation of church Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. there). and state. But differences were tolerated, even Baptist children are taught that our welcomed, because of what united us. I forebears championed the Bill of Rights’ Baptist News think we were being brought together by a First Amendment that protects both religion deeper understanding of the Baptist concept and government from each other. Baptist Views of conversion. Somewhere along the way, however, we For too long, personal conversion has falsely assumed that this Baptist hallmark BAPTISTS been the sum total of the Baptist message: limited our voice in the public square. We become a disciple, then go make disciples. were told that politics and religion don’t TODAY My childhood memories as a Baptist are of mix, that churches should only focus on conversion sermons three times a week personal conversions instead of worrying (twice on Sundays, once on Wednesday). about today’s needs. 1-877-752-5658 We were also encouraged to do good The notion that politics and religion March 2008 • Baptists Today | 37 F E A T U R E STORY BY DAVID BRIGGS, Religion News Service food for thought

Marcus Kimmie, 8, eats at a church supper at Broadway United Methodist Church in Cleveland. Many churches have revamped the traditional church supper to meet the changing needs of busy families. Religion News Service photo by Lynn Ischay/The Plain Dealer of Cleveland. Church suppers change to meet changing needs

AKRON, Ohio — Andrew Hamilton can still taste the homemade apple, cherry and peach pies that capped off the church suppers of his youth in Lakeville, Mass. Those were the days when children played on their own for hours while adults spent Sunday afternoons in conversation. The church seemed like one big family, said Hamilton, 44, pastor of Akron’s Springfield Church of the Brethren.

very Thursday night, his church opens its the needy and to encourage people to come to weekly supper to the community, and about a programs. third of those who attend aren’t even church “The church supper has extended beyond Sunday,” E members. It’s all part “of an authentic witness said Psyche Williams-Forson, assistant professor of sharing the basic necessities of life with people in the American studies at the University of Maryland. “Many community,” he said. churches are finding more creative uses for the church Still, those leisurely feasts of food and fellowship are supper.” few and far between. Today’s church supper is a different Ask religious leaders about the church suppers of meal, one that often features a simpler menu — sand- their youth and they smile and gaze off into the dis- wiches and soup or fast food — and has a more complex tance. People who grew up in the 1960s or earlier purpose. remember a simpler lifestyle before 24/7 superstores, Churches still offer meals to promote the joy of travel soccer tournaments and wall-size televisions with community, but they also hold them to evangelize, serve hundreds of cable channels.

38 | Baptists Today • March 2008 I N F O RFMEAATTIUORNE

What separates many of the church suppers today from meals offered in past generations is that they are open to the community.

At that time, many Christians not only main dish at its quarterly potluck suppers. family dinner after Sunday services. On reserved what they considered the Lord’s That allows young parents to bring an appe- those days, worship attendance often Day for church, but they also stayed after tizer or dessert, or even come empty-handed. increases from around 35 people to more the morning service to share a community Since the change, attendance has almost than 50. meal. doubled, from 50 to 100 people, with more Like the church suppers of days past, In many Baptist and Pentecostal young families, said Judy Wismar Claycomb, the meals provide time for conversation and churches, people would stay all day. The the church’s pastor. a way to get to know one another, Yvonne noon meal was a bridge between morning Deaconess Judy Hoshek of the Conner said. and afternoon or evening services. Northeast Ohio Synod of the Evangelical “This is what people really respond to,” Then came the rise of Sunday shopping Lutheran Church in America said making she said. “And we have good food.” and the movement of women into the work sure people don’t have to worry about What separates many of the church force in large numbers. Few people were preparing dinner is one reason for the grow- suppers today from meals offered in past willing to devote entire Sundays to church. ing popularity of a weekly Lenten program generations is that they are open to the Now in many churches, clergy say, that offers a meal beforehand. community. In Cleveland, St. Luke’s some congregants don’t let the door hit More than half of the 204 synod Episcopal Church invites members and them on the way out to children’s activities, churches now offer it. neighbors to its family night every movies, shopping trips or televised sports. The meals are simple soup and a sand- Wednesday. “We allow other things to crowd in. wich so they offer busy church members David Bargetzi, rector of St. Luke’s, sees Breaking bread together was a form of sustenance and the chance for fellowship this combination church supper-neighbor- fellowship,” said Rodney Maiden of and spiritual reflection without burdening hood outreach program as an expression of Providence Baptist Church in Cleveland. “I volunteers with the responsibility of prepar- Christian community that dates to ancient do think something is missing” without the ing something elaborate, she said. times. opportunity for table fellowship. Broadway United Methodist Church in About a third or more of the 100 to Some congregations have made adjust- Cleveland offers weekly meals after religious- 120 weekly diners are among the 60 to 80 ments to make it easier for members to education programs on Wednesday nights. people who worship on Sundays. The home- attend church suppers. The menu can be as simple as hot dogs and less, working poor and other neighborhood A couple of years ago, Westlake United chips. folks also come for meals, such as roast Methodist Church started providing the Last year, the church began a quarterly pork. Bargetzi stands at the door greeting people by name, while “prayer waitresses” walk around asking people for prayer requests. A 63-year-old man on Social Security who lives up the street and worships at St. Luke’s said he enjoys leaving the house and seeing people he knows at the suppers. “Everybody’s real friendly,” said Lee, who declined to give his last name. “Some churches you go to, they treat you like you’re a piece of dirt. Here, they treat every- body the same.” BT

—David Briggs writes for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.

Markesha Kimmie, 10, arranges Kool-Aid for a supper at Broadway United Methodist Church in Cleveland. Religion News Service photo by Lynn Ischay/The Plain Dealer of Cleveland.

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