Ins FEBRUARY Nurturing Faith Lessons ‘New Beginning’ for NW Georgia Church 5

Contains FEBRUARY Nurturing Faith Lessons ‘New beginning’ for NW Georgia church 5

JANUARY 2013 baptiststoday.org

Baptists and the Emancipation Proclamation | p 8

Moderators talk about Fellowship transition | p 32

Peacein the Valley ™ BIBLE STUDIES Little Cataloochee quietly for adults and youth 17 welcomes reﬂective FEBRUARY lessons inside travelers | p 38 Cover photo Little Cataloochee Baptist Church, now part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, provides a January 2013 reﬂective stop for hikers. Photo by John Pierce. Vol. 31, No. 1 Page 38 baptiststoday.org

John D. Pierce Executive Editor PERSPECTIVES [email protected] Pat got it right this time: will we? 7 Benjamin L. McDade Executive Vice President By John Pierce 7 [email protected]

Julie Steele Churches and the Chief Operations Officer Church Everlasting 30 [email protected] By Aaron Brittain 30 Jackie B. Riley Managing Editor [email protected] Why do Baptists ordain ministers and deacons? 36 Tony W. Cartledge 9 Contributing Editor By Bruce Gourley 36 [email protected] King’s impact closely Bruce T. Gourley Young adults crave community, Online Editor tied to Baptist pulpit space for searching 42 [email protected] By Jenny Lee 42 David Cassady Church Resources Editor IN THE NEWS [email protected] New Congress more religiously diverse 12 Terri Byrd Tiffany’s lasting Contributing Writer Judge rejects much of Schuller’s claims against impact on Vickie Frayne Art Director Crystal Cathedral 12 American 40 Jannie Lister church design Customer Service Manager Cru demotes Southern Seminary student for not [email protected] letting women teach coed Bible study 13 Kimberly L. Hovis FEATURES Marketing Associate Survey finds less cheating among [email protected] high school students 13 Birmingham pastor, congregation Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus celebrate milestone 16 Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus U.S. dominates world’s The might of the ‘widow’s mite’ 31 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ‘500 Most Influential Muslims’ 13

Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. (chairman) ‘The Rock’ provides positive hangout Robert Cates, Rome, Ga. (vice chair) Secession theology runs deep in Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. American history 14 for teens 35 Kelly L. Belcher, Asheville, N.C. Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. Huey Bridgman, The Villages, Fla. Commission suggests ways to keep closer A church start with a history 41 Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. eye on lavish ministries 15 Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Quotation Remarks 6 Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. Anglicans vow to vote again on James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. women bishops Editorial 7 Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. 15 Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. Ben Gross, Chattanooga, Tenn. Baptists and the Civil War 8 Leslie D. Hill, Lexington, Ky. Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. Classiﬁeds 28 Fisher Humphreys, Birmingham, Ala. News journal to Michael M. Massar, Baton Rouge, La. In the Know 28 William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. celebrate 30 years Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas 10 Lighter Side 29 Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. of freedom, expansion Lee Royal, Greensboro, N.C. Media Shelf 34 Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. Macon Sheppard, Clemson, S.C. Reblog 37 Charlotte Cook Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C. Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. A gift to Baptists Today has been received Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. David Turner, Richmond, Va. from Harold Brown of Port Neches, Texas, An autonomous, national Tom Waller, Alpharetta, Ga. in memory of WINNIE BROWN. news journal since 1983 Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN Cynthia Wise, Birmingham, Ala. 2 | Feature READERS SERVICES

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!"#$% &'( )*#"#! +% ,#*' )-.$/. “We were able to go further,” said Deacon Paul Croft of the new Mt. Peria Missionary Baptist Church building, that replaced three others destroyed by a tornado, due to insur- ‘New ance and generous donations. Beginning’ Georgia church experiences renewal after deadly storms rip through town

INGGOLD, Ga. — After 19 months of or destroyed as well. meeting in the local American Legion “I saw a need, and decided Rbuilding, the members of Mt. Peria I wanted to recommit myself to Missionary Baptist Church were beaming with helping my community get back excitement as they prepared for a community- on track,” said Maddox, who now has also launched new ministries, he said, such wide open house and the first worship services chairs the church’s laymen’s council, designed to as mentoring and after-school programs. in their new facilities in early December. “take a little pressure off the pastor.” A car pulled into the church parking lot, “Whoever wants to come,” said longtime Thanks to good insurance and gener- and the driver’s window came down. “I’m so member and deacon Paul Croft, retired from ous donations from near and far, the church glad for you; I’m so glad for all of us,” the older the DuPont plant in nearby Chattanooga, of the replaced the three buildings with an impressive woman said to Maddox before driving away. congregation’s open invitation to join in a time new one. The mostly-white Concord Baptist Maddox thanked her and then said: of thanksgiving. Church in Temple, Ga., held a fundraiser and “People have been so nice.” The missing canopy of trees that once presented the church’s pastor Jimmy Ingram Responses to the storms brought the com- covered Ringgold, vacant lots where structures with a check for $120,000, according to the munity closer together across racial and religious once stood, and a few remaining piles of debris Chattanooga Times-Free Press. lines, he added. And while no one would wish are the only physical evidence now of the deadly The congregation’s gratitude is so strong, such tragedy on a community, Maddox said tornadoes that ripped through the small county- said Maddox, they plan to support a church both the church and the town are better for the seat town in Northwest Georgia on the night of in New Jersey or New York that was damaged wear. April 27, 2011. But the memories remain strong more recently by Hurricane Sandy. The church “It’s a new beginning.” BT — and so do the lessons learned from going through a storm with neighbors who have now become closer friends. Phillip Maddox retired from the Electric Power Board where he was a research ana- lyst and moved from Chattanooga to scenic Cherokee Valley just over the ridge from Ringgold’s downtown eight years ago. It was the hardest hit area — where homes were devastated. Maddox said the power had gone out, and he heard the tall hickory trees — that had attracted him to build a home there — snap- ping. But he was stunned when someone from Atlanta who was following the storms called and said: “Ringgold’s been destroyed.” The next morning he learned that five of his neighbors had died and many others lost their homes. Maddox said he and his wife decided to join Ringgold’s century-old Mt. Peria Church Lay leader Phillip Maddox speaks with a Chattanooga TV station about the early-December open that had suffered significant damage to its three house and first worship services in the new facilities of Mt. Peria Missionary Baptist Church in Ring- buildings — and was surrounded by homes, gold, Ga. The church suffered extensive damage from the April 2011 tornadoes but now has stronger businesses and schools that had been damaged community ties, a larger membership and expanded ministries, he said.

Feature | 5 “This is what, to me, is the essence of Christianity.” —The late jazz pianist and composer Dave quotation Brubeck, stating that the heart of his sacred music is the profound biblical message to love your enemies (RNS) remarks

“The [Baptist World Alliance] is deeply “Church steeples make an excellent concerned about the continuing attacks location for a cell site … It’s giving being perpetrated by extremist groups, good connectivity, and people “Traditional Christian language is in many cases targeting Christians.” don’t even see it.” now almost fatally infected by the appearance of ideological bias and —BWA General Secretary Neville Callam following —John Britton of AT&T to San Francisco’s KPIX on political taint. This is the damage the killing of two Baptist pastors amid recent violent paying churches to use steeples as cell phone towers done by a national habit of self- attacks in Nigeria (CBS News) satisfied partisan division — and dragging religion into it.” “The court found that couples who “For me, actually, when it comes to the wish to marry without involving clergy age of the Earth there is no conflict. —Columnist Ray Waddle in The Tennessean have many alternatives for doing so.” I believe that in the beginning God —Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller after a created the heavens and the earth, and I federal court rejected atheists’ requests to preside at think scientific advances have given wedding ceremonies, saying only clergy or public us insight into when he did it and officials are licensed to do so (RNS) how he did it.” “I don’t have the right to ask the Anglican Church to change its “Some of us play it overly safe, —Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Roman Catholic who often attends a Southern Baptist church, in an traditions for me. I’m the one guarding our routines and practices, interview with Politico (Baptist Press) who has got to make the changes. thereby missing growth opportunities Anglicanism has always been for ourselves and for God’s church. “It’s taken awhile to find our hesitant to define doctrine because Remember who we follow and seek audience because nobody knows it has opposing factions. It has left to imitate?” what our show was.” doctrine blurry. People can believe —Mark Tidsworth, president of Pinnacle Leadership almost mutually opposing beliefs.” —NBC’s Today host Kathie Lee Gifford on her Associates, encouraging ministers not to confuse short-lived Broadway musical Scandalous: The Life —Larry Gipson, 70, former rector of the nation’s “life balance” with rigidity (ABP) and Times of Aimee Semple McPherson, about the largest Episcopal church, on becoming a Roman controversial female evangelist (RNS) Catholic, which has slowly received married “The work to them is meaningful. Episcopalians as candidates for priesthood since They enjoy process.” 1983 (RNS) “Of the different faith segments …, —Gary Rosenthal, who employs two 51-year-old, evangelicals were the most opposed autistic men in his company known for creating to the Electoral College. Seventy-three excellent contemporary Jewish art (RNS) percent preferred the popular vote.”

“Over the years, we’ve heard from —Napp Nazworth, reporting for the Christian Post “A steady diet of tepid or poorly people around the world how Grady on a Barna poll showing 64 percent of Americans and nearly three-fourths of evangelicals oppose the current prepared homilies is often cited as touched their lives. We couldn’t think system for electing a president a cause for discouragement on the of a better time to communicate with part of laity and even leading some his fans and release some of Grady’s “People are so worried about what they to turn away from the Church.” best material.” eat between Christmas and the New —From a document approved by the U.S. —Toby Nutt, son of Baptist minister and comedian Year, but they really should be worried Grady Nutt who died in a plane crash 30 years ago, Conference of Catholic Bishops calling for about what they eat between the New on the release of a commemorative two-CD collection better preaching (RNS) Year and Christmas.” of previously unreleased tracks and other clips at gradynutt.com (Baptist Press) —Author unknown (quotegarden.com)

6 | Perspective Editorial By John Pierce Pat got it right this time; will we?

Pat is right. Yes, that Pat. Often he is but to affirm a young earth, despite significant inquiring young minds. In the process, Jesus is scientific evidence to the contrary, and those easily dismissed along with the rejected science not, but television host and former who believe the creation stories are concerned that doesn’t add up and the political positions presidential candidate Pat Robertson with more significant truth than scientific data. that seem to contradict the basic characteristics And while that debate is sure to continue of Christianity. offered an important insight to his reli- for a long time — perhaps 6,000 years or more Churches and other Christian groups giously conservative viewers. It is one — the old televangelist and political operative must provide safe places for open and honest offered an additional, much more important inquiry. Otherwise, bright young people — that needs to be heard and heeded by comment that should not be missed. who are or would be compelled by Jesus’ call to the larger Christian community as well. “If you fight science, you are going to compassion and service — will bypass or feel lose your children, and I driven away. ack on Nov. 27, while hosting the long- believe in telling them the We need strong public affirmations of the running The 700 Club on his Virginia way it was,” he added. Christian faith — without the many debat- BBeach-based Christian Broadcasting Read it again. Let it able and often weak add-ons to what it means Network, Robertson responded to a viewer’s soak in. to be Christian. When left with a false choice question about young-earth creationism. So often, bright between Christianity and critical thinking, To the surprise of many, he forthrightly young Christians (or many will choose the latter that gives them dismissed Archbishop James Ussher’s claim those who might affirm room to doubt, explore and grow. — included in the Scofield Reference Bible the call to follow Jesus) When Christianity gets reduced to, and — that the earth was created instantaneously feel they must choose presented as, a firm checklist of beliefs that some 6,000 years ago. To be more precise, between some group’s rigid religious doctrine includes such matters as literal interpretations Ussher calculated the date of the earth’s (as well as political ideologies that are too often of the ancient biblical story and narrow politi- creation to the year 4004 B.C. tied to the Christian faith) and the realities cal ideologies, many young people will simply Robertson wasn’t buying this. they are discovering in the educational process check out — and, frankly, others who are not- “There was a time when these giant rep- and in their own life experiences. Such is a so-young will too. tiles (dinosaurs) were on the earth, and it was false choice. Give Pat Robertson credit. However, the before the time of the Bible,” said the 82-year- However, many vocal Christians proffer media’s wide reporting that he rejects young- old founder of Regent University and other their personal understandings of right belief earth creation is really not the big news. enterprises, who is known for making some (doctrine, politics, personal behavior) as the Rather it is his important warning that rather foolish comments on occasion. “So, only acceptable Christian perspectives — and Christianity loses — especially among bright, don’t try and cover it up and make like every- equate their conclusions with a so-called bibli- searching minds — when the compelling call thing was 6,000 years. That’s not the Bible …” cal worldview. to follow Jesus gets bundled up with debatable As expected, the wide reporting of Their affirmations of certain scientific scientific theories. And, whether Robertson Robertson’s response brought more energy to theories and political positions on hot-button would say so or not, the same goes for many the ongoing debate between those who believe social issues get equated with Christian belief of the political positions he has advocated a literal reading of the Bible gives no choice to the point that it often creates a dilemma for through the years. BT

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Perspective | 7 +% +$1/. 2#1$3.%, Online Editor In their own words

AND THE AMERICAN

In the midst of a war vividly marked by death and destruction on a scale unprecedented in American history, January 1 witnesses the most important moment yet in the great conflict — a moment not about death, but rather an affirmation of life. n this first day of the new year and against the backdrop of growing ONorthern support for abolition, President Abraham Lincoln formally issues the 150 years ago when patience was well-nigh exhausted, Emancipation Proclamation, officially freeing ! and suspense was becoming agony, a man all remaining African slaves in areas that are (I think was Judge Russell) with hasty yet in rebellion against the federal government. January 1863 step advanced through the crowd, and Slavery, clearly understood by both the United with a face fairly illumined with the news States and the Confederate States as the one already-emancipated Southern blacks in areas of he bore, exclaimed in tones that thrilled substantial issue over which the regions dis- the South now controlled by the U.S. Army — all hearts, “It is coming!” “It is on the agree, is an intractable divide. It is the issue over are ecstatic. Along the Union-controlled South wires!” The effect of this announcement which hundreds of thousands of white men are Carolina coast, black freedmen on New Year’s was startling beyond description, and sacrificing their lives — Southerners commit- Day pack Baptist churches from morning into the scene was wild and grand. Joy and ted to a long-standing commitment of denying the night, celebrating not only their freedom, gladness exhausted all forms of expression liberty to Africans, and Northerners increasingly but also the coming freedom of all African from shouts of praise, to sobs and tears. devoted to a vision of freedom not defined by Americans. My old friend Rue, a colored preacher, a the color of one’s skin. Similar scenes take place in the North. man of wonderful vocal power, expressed Within the past two months, almost every Frederick Douglass, in Boston on January 1, the heartfelt emotion of the hour, when Northern Baptist state convention and many describes the scene among the city’s black popu- he led all voices in the anthem, “Sound (perhaps most) regional associations have voiced lation gathered at the Tremont Temple Baptist the Loud Timbrel O’er Egypt’s Dark Sea, support for Lincoln’s plan of emancipation for Church: Jehovah hath Triumphed, His People Are African slaves. This month, white Northern Free.” About twelve o’clock, seeing there Baptists rejoice over the advancement of liberty Eight, nine, ten o’clock [a.m.] came and was no disposition to retire from the hall, and freedom central to their understanding of went, and still no word. A visible shadow which must be vacated, my friend Grimes God’s kingdom. seemed falling on the expecting throng, (of blessed memory), rose and moved that Yet while white Northern Baptists which the confident utterances of the the meeting adjourn to the Twelfth Baptist are joyous, black Baptists — including speakers sought in vain to dispel. At last, Church, of which he was pastor, and soon

8 | Perspective that church was packed from doors to invested with a peculiar, thrilling inter- as glorious as those which have already pulpit, and this meeting did not break up est which can only pass away with their attended our efforts to establish our till near the dawn of day. It was one of lives. It opened gloomily enough for the independence, and have won for us the the most affecting and thrilling occasions Southern cause, and gave no indications admiration of the world. I ever witnessed, and a worthy celebration of the radiant glory which marked its of the first step on the part of the nation at close. All remember well its first months Thus, black freedmen celebrate as never its departure from the thraldom of ages. of darkness and depression, when our foes before — and black slaves dare hope that their confident and boastful, were closing in liberation is nigh — while at the same time As black freedmen celebrate, most white around us, and our destruction seemed white Southerners rejoice in battlefield victories Baptists of the Confederate South remain sure … It was a sense of darkness, of for white supremacy. Both seize the mantle of firmly committed to liberty for light-skinned imminent peril, the most critical period liberty. Both praise the Almighty as the author persons only, insisting that a biblical faith in our national history. Let it not be for- of their respective salvation. Suspended pre- demands the enslavement of the African gotten. If [a]day of disaster should come cariously in the middle of this epic struggle is race. An editorial in North Carolina Baptists’ again, let us turn to it and remember the freedom itself. Yet only one God can prevail: Biblical Recorder this month ignores Lincoln’s signal deliverance which followed. either the creator of a new future envisioned Emancipation Proclamation, instead celebrating … Who could have anticipated the by an enslaved people and their Northern a great achievement for the white race — the pleasing change? … It has come through allies, or the lord of a dark past to which white recent and decisive Confederate victory at the blessing of God on the energy and skill Southerners are fiercely devoted. For Baptists, Fredericksburg, Virginia: of our leaders …. Let us recognize the the dividing line runs right through the Bible. hand of God in all this … and implore Southern biblical conservatism is firmly rooted The year 1862 will ever stand forth the continuance of His mercies to us. To in America’s racist past, while a future of racial pre-eminent among the great epochs in Him belong the honor and the glory … equality hinges upon a newer understanding the history of our race. To the men of the Such are the prospects of the opening year. of scriptural interpretation unfettered by the South it possesses a deeper significance, is We hope it will be marked by triumphs chains of biblical literalism. BT King’s impact closely tied to Baptist pulpit Story and photo by John Pierce sermons affirm the potential for being truly doers, not just hearers of the Word. King was reluctant to have his sermons Themes of courage, justice and social published, claiming, “A sermon is not an change surround Martin Luther King essay to be read but a discourse to be heard.” Yet, the powerful words often leap from the Jr. Day, a federal holiday celebrated pages to convict, inspire and motivate now on January 21. With international as they did when bouncing off the walls of acclaim for the civil rights leader and Baptist churches in Montgomery, Atlanta, and elsewhere. Nobel Peace prize laureate gunned In his preaching, King often called for down on April 4, 1968, it is possible courageous yet balanced living — marked by “tough mindedness” and “tender hearted- to overlook the fact that King was by ness.” He challenged “blind conformity” vocation a Baptist preacher. The pulpit of historic that leads to suspicion and the protection of Ebenezer Baptist Church unjust systems. e assumed the pastorate of He proclaimed that narrow provincial- Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in leader and honored in death with a memorial ism gives an obstructed view of the value of HMontgomery, Ala., in 1954, and then befitting a president, it should not be forgot- all persons; that forgiveness is the catalyst joined his father as co-pastor of Atlanta’s ten that King was at his core a preacher.” for new beginnings; that materialism is false Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1960. And, as Warnock notes, King himself wealth; that both “superficial optimism” and His powerful sermons that informed said: “I am fundamentally a clergyman, a “crippling pessimism” should be avoided; and inspired the movement have been Baptist preacher. This is my being and my and that deeper thinking matters, or as collected into various volumes including heritage …” he put it: “Never must the church tire of A Gift of Love: Sermons from “Strength to For pastors who fear their words fall on reminding [people] that they have a moral Love” and Other Preachings (Beacon Press, deaf ears, King’s sermons serve as a reminder responsibility to be intelligent.” 2012). Current Ebenezer pastor Raphael G. that such proclamation can work its way into And he said this and more from Baptist Warnock, in a second foreword to an earlier hearts, minds, hands and feet. For listeners pulpits, believing that those who heard his one written by Coretta Scott King, notes: who wonder if the message of the hour can words could change their communities, “Hailed during his lifetime as a civil rights impact the challenges of daily living, these nation and world for good. BT

Perspective | 9 News journal to celebrate 30 years of freedom, expansion

MACON, Ga. —Throughout 2013 the Baptists Today is also seeking organizations and individuals as sponsors for the event. independent, national news journal The $1,000 sponsorships will be customized Baptists Today will celebrate 30 years of regarding dinner tickets, exhibit space and rec- ognition. Call the Baptists Today office or email publishing. The highlight will be a din- Ben McDade ([email protected]) for ner event at the First Baptist Church of details. Gainesville, Ga., on Thursday, April 25. The inaugural issue of what was then known as SBC Today rolled off the presses in offices, found reception time for fellowship, book April 1983. The publishing ministry was the leadership from numerous signings and visiting exhibits will begin first of many new moderate Baptist organiza- directors and staff, and more recently Aat 5:30 pm. The dinner will start at tions to form in the decades during and after expanded its mission to provide Bible studies, 6:30 and feature recognitions, a media presen- the Southern Baptist Convention’s turn toward books and other church resources. tation, and music by singer/songwriter Kate political and theological fundamentalism. In addition to the April 25 event and pub- Campbell of Nashville. Participants will receive Since founding editor Walker Knight and lication of the news journal’s history, a series of a copy of Bruce Gourley’s upcoming history of a horde of volunteers, many from Oakhurst articles will appear each month in 2013 focus- Baptists Today. Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., where the ing on how Baptists Today has recorded and Reservations can be made at baptists- publication was first housed, brought the first helped shape the moderate Baptist movement. today.org or by calling the Baptists Today office issue to life, the news journal has experienced The memoirs of Walker Knight will be (1-877-752-5658) and paying by credit card. many changes over the past three decades. published as well through Nurturing Faith, Individual reservations are $25. A designated In addition to multiple redesigns and new Inc., the book-publishing arm of Baptists Today. table for eight is $250. The church is located focuses through ongoing denominational and He and all other Nurturing Faith authors will at 751 Green St., N.W., in Gainesville. cultural shifts, Baptists Today has relocated participate in book signings on April 25. BT BAPTISTS TODAY A celebration of 30 years! Thursday, April 25 First Baptist Church 751 Green St., NW Gainesville, Ga.

$25 individual reservation $250 designated table for eight $1,000 sponsorships (organizations or individuals)

5:30 Reception, book signings, exhibits, fellowship

6:30 DINNER CELEBRATION with recognitions, media presentation, and music by singer/ songwriter Kate Campbell

JOIN US! Bring others! Receive a copy of Bruce Gourley’s new history of Baptists Today. Reservations: baptiststoday.org / 1-877-752-5658

10 | Information Editor’s note: Thirty years ago a visionary editor, a horde of volunteers and generous supporters brought to life a uniquely autonomous, national publication now known as Baptists Today. A big celebration (see information on page 10) is planned for April 25 in Gainesville, Ga., for all who can attend. Throughout the year, reﬂections on the shaping of Baptist life from within the pages of this news journal will be highlighted.

IN THE BEGINNING… the chronicling of what proponents called “the Longtime Baptist editor Walker L. Knight conservative resurgence” and opponents called had endured enough knocks on his door from the “fundamentalist takeover” of the Southern denominational leaders who wanted him to Baptist Convention that would occupy most stay clear of anything that might be considered of the pages and much of the passion for many controversial — particularly issues of racial and years to follow. gender equality, justice and peace. He dreamed “By being autonomous, SBC Today can of something freer — that would serve think- best serve Southern Baptists in presenting news ing and engaged Baptists in the pews who took and opinion,” said Knight in his ﬁrst editorial. notice of changing times and were willing to In that inaugural April 1983 edition, wrestle with complex issues. church historian Walter B. Shurden, then In Louisville, Kentucky, some Baptist of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary leaders had gathered to plan resistance to polit- and now chair of the Baptists Today Board of ical and theological fundamentalists gaining Directors, wrote: “Some Southern Baptists’ control of the Southern Baptist Convention. knowledge of their denominational heritage With an understanding that a free press is reaches all the way back to the last meeting not favored in such circles, they talked of the of the Southern Baptist Convention they importance of having an open, trusted source attended.” of information with unprecedented editorial In the years that followed, many new freedom. Baptist organizations and institutions would Those dreams connected in late 1982 emerge — with the news journal reporting on — with Knight agreeing to leave his denomi- and helping shape a new Baptist movement national post to launch a new publication rooted in deeply-held principles of freedom. Founding editor (known ﬁrst as SBC Today) and the leaders The formation of the Cooperative Baptist Walker L. Knight agreeing to raise startup funds. It would be Fellowship was still nearly a decade away. BT

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Information | 11 New Congress more religiously diverse

By David Gibson Democrat, and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, a majority, with about 56 percent of the mem- Religion News Service fellow Hawaii Democrat. bers in both chambers. But that continues a An analysis of the incoming Congress steady decline since 1961, when 75 percent of hree Buddhists, a Hindu and a “none” by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life members were some variety of Protestant. will walk into the 113th Congress, and also notes that Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Jews in Congress will see a decline, going Tit’s no joke. Rather, it’s a series of “firsts” Democrat who narrowly won a seat in the from 39 seats to 32 seats — though at 6 per- that reflect the growing religious diversity of House, is the first member of Congress to cent that is still a significantly larger share than the country. publicly describe her religion as “none” — the their proportion in the overall U.S. popula- When the new Congress is sworn in this popular name of a fast-growing category of tion, which is just under 2 percent. And even month, Hawaii Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, an Americans who say they have no particular though Mitt Romney, the Mormon standard- Iraq war veteran, will represent the state’s 2nd religious affiliation. bearer, lost the presidential election, the Congressional District and will become the After Sinema’s win was heralded by non- number of Mormons in Congress remains the first Hindu in either chamber on Capitol Hill. theist groups, her campaign said she does not same, at about 3 percent, or 15 seats overall. The 31-year-old Gabbard was born in consider herself an atheist but rather “secular.” Roman Catholics appear to be the big American Samoa to a Catholic father and a The Pew Forum — which based its con- winner from the Nov. 6 vote, edging up from Hindu mother, and moved to Hawaii as a gressional analysis on data collected by CQ about 156 seats, or 29 percent of Congress, to child. She follows the Vaishnava branch of Roll Call — says that about one in five U.S. 161, or just over 30 percent. That compares Hinduism, which venerates the deity Lord adults describe themselves as atheist, agnostic with the 22 percent of the wider U.S. popu- Vishnu and his primary incarnations. or “nothing in particular.” Ten other members lation that identifies as Catholic. Catholic Gabbard takes over the seat held by Rep. of the 113th Congress (about 2 percent) do not Democrats outnumber Catholic Republicans Mazie K. Hirono, who won a Senate race in specify a religious affiliation, Pew says, up from in the House by a 73-61 margin, and by an November and will become the first Buddhist six members in the outgoing 112th Congress. 18-9 margin in the Senate. to sit in the upper chamber. There were The new Congress will also see significant Two Muslim members of the House — already two other Buddhists in the House shifts among the mainstays of the American Minnesota’s Keith Ellison and Indiana’s Andre of Representatives, both of whom won re- religious landscape. Carson, both Democrats — will return to election: Rep. Hank Johnson, a Georgia Protestants will still comprise the Capitol Hill. BT

Judge rejects much of Schuller’s claims against Crystal Cathedral

By Adelle M. Banks rights to the “Hour of Power” television show Religion News Service that is copyrighted under Crystal Cathedral Ministries. rystal Cathedral founder Robert H. Carol Schuller Milner, a daughter of Schuller failed to get most of the $5 Schuller’s who joined him in the case, called Cmillion he requested in a bankruptcy the ruling a “travesty” that would lead the case against the Southern California mega- family to “start liquidating everything,” the church he started 57 years ago. Los Angeles Times reported. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kwan of Los “It’s an avoidance of responsibility for Angeles ruled Nov. 26 that Schuller, 86, an organization to not take care of those and several family members did not prove who have gone before them,” she said. “It’s many of their claims of breach of contract tragic.” and copyright infringement against Crystal In a fall 2011 bankruptcy proceed- Cathedral Ministries. ing, the cathedral, fraught with huge debt Kwan awarded the family less than and family squabbles, reached a $57.5 mil- Robert H. Schuller. $700,000, with Schuller himself receiving lion deal to allow the Catholic Diocese of RNS photo by Ted Parks about $600,000, The Orange County Register Orange to purchase its iconic glass sanctuary reported. in Garden Grove. Its existing congregation of Orange County and, through the Hour The Schullers argued that they had will move to a former Catholic church next of Power, to the world,” John Charles, the donated books and other materials to the year and the diocese will rename the Crystal Crystal Cathedral’s chief executive officer, ministry, but alleged that it took advantage Cathedral, calling it Christ Cathedral. said in a statement. of their intellectual property. While the for- “The ruling will enable the final credi- “The trial was painful for everyone mer religious broadcaster and prolific author tors to be paid and give us the money we involved, and our congregation is ready to owned the rights to his books, the judge need to move on with our ministry, spread- move on. We love the Schullers and wish said his family did not prove who owned the ing a message of hope and love to the people them well.” BT

12 | Information Cru demotes Southern student for not Survey finds allowing women to teach coed Bible study less cheating By Bob Allen personal cost” in a blog Dec. 1. Associated Baptist Press Cru spokesman Mark DeMoss told World in high schools that Harman’s removal wasn’t over theology but he director of the University of Louisville’s rather his refusal to abide by the ministry’s pol- By Cathy Payne chapter of Cru, formerly known as icy. Burk labeled that explanation “nonsense.” Religion News Service TCampus Crusade for Christ, has been “Cru’s policy represents an egalitarian view demoted after refusing to allow female staff to of ministry roles, and that stance is irreducibly re American students making the teach Bible studies to mixed-gender audiences. theological,” Burk wrote. “Daniel was demoted grade when it comes to ethics? A According to World Magazine, Daniel because of theological conviction, not because of Anew survey from the Josephson Harman’s views on women in ministry appar- an arcane dispute about Cru’s bureaucracy.” Institute of Ethics finds that the portion ently weren’t a problem during his eight years Burk said from time to time he will hear of high school students who admit to as a Campus Crusade missionary in Eastern people argue that complementarianism applies cheating, lying or stealing dropped in Europe, but that changed after he moved to the only to the local church and not parachurch 2012 for the first time in a decade. Louisville post in 2009. groups such as Campus Crusade, an inter- The reasons aren’t totally known, Harman, a student at Southern Baptist denominational ministry started in 1951 by but the results of the poll of 23,000 high Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., con- Bill and Vonette Bright now on 1,140 college school students give leaders of the Los tends that Cru’s policy requiring that male and campuses nationwide. Angeles-based nonprofit organization female campus staff share teaching duties vio- “This has never been a compelling hope. lates Bible verses like 1 Timothy 2:12, “I do not argument to me,” Burk said. “It is true that The survey is “a pretty good sign permit a woman to teach or to exercise author- parachurch groups are not the church. They that things may be turning around,” ity over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” cannot baptize or administer the Lord’s Supper. said Michael Josephson, the founder and Southern Seminary houses offices of the There is a worthwhile discussion to be had president of the Josephson Institute. “I’m Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, about the existence and role of parachurch quite optimistic this is the beginning of a which promotes a “complementarian” position organizations in relation to local churches.” downward trend.” that says while males and females are created as “At the very least, I think everyone should Among the highlights from the equals, the Bible assigns leadership roles in the agree that parachurch orgs should never adopt survey, which is done every two years: church and home to men. ministry practices which would undermine the Denny Burk, associate professor of biblical teaching and discipline of actual churches,” an exam in the past year plunged from studies at Boyce College, Southern Seminary’s Burk continued. “For that reason, the comple- 59 percent in 2010 to 51 percent in undergraduate arm, commended Harman “for mentarian/egalitarian issue cannot be skirted by 2012. standing upon the truth of God even at great groups like Cru.” BT lied to a teacher in the past year about something significant fell from 61 per- More ‘Most Influential Muslims’ from U.S. cent in 2010 to 55 percent in 2012. (RNS) — There are more Muslims from America Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim had stolen from a store in the past year. than any other country on this year’s “The nation, with 24. In 2012, 20 percent said they did so. Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential “Compared to the global Muslim popula- One reason for the decline may be Muslims,” compiled by the Royal Islamic tion, the representation of U.S. Muslims in this more attention to character. Strategic Studies Centre, a respected think tank list is disproportionate, but yet representative in “Changes in children’s behavior in Jordan, including two in the top 50. the way they shape global discourse,” said Duke of this magnitude suggest a major shift Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson, a California- University Islamic studies professor Ebrahim in parenting and school involvement born convert who founded Zaytuna College, an Moosa. in issues of honesty and character,” Islamic college in Berkeley, Calif., and is a lead- Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah took the Josephson said in a statement. ing Islamic authority in America, ranked No. list’s No. 1 spot. Brian Jacob, a professor of education 42, two places ahead of Seyyed Hossein Nasr, an Other Americans to make the list include: policy at the University of Michigan, said Islamic studies professor at George Washington Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, all-time NBA scoring providing students with more informa- University known for his work in Islamic leader, and boxing legend Muhammad Ali; tion is one way to help curb cheating philosophy. Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council in schools. For instance, Jacob, who America’s 2.6 million Muslims are a tiny on American Islamic Relations in Washington, has looked at plagiarism in college, said fraction of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims, D.C.; Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., and Rep. research shows that you can help students but they took 41 spots on the list. Countries Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the only two Muslim understand, through tools such as an with the next highest number of names were members of Congress and Aasif Mandvi, actor, online tutorial, what constitutes plagia- Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United frequently appears on Comedy Central’s The rism and strategies to avoid it. BT Kingdom, with 25 Muslims each, followed by Daily Show. BT

Information | 13 +% 2. ,.44$.% 5&/(#'&3(, Religion News Service Secession theology runs deep in American religious and political history

orruption has gone too far. The righ- He offered the example of unsanctioned wars. teous must break away. Hope now rests “Article One, Section Eight (of the Cwith a holy remnant that will honor Constitution) says Congress should have foundational texts. authority to declare war and to prosecute a war,” The message sounds familiar. A church Longcore said. “There hasn’t been a declared schism? No, mounting calls for secession from war since World War II, but we’ve been in an the United States. awful lot of wars.” Since President Obama won re-election, Other narratives help secessionists, as well more than 750,000 Americans have petitioned as religious isolationists, understand their efforts the White House website to let their respective as part of a noble tapestry. Evangelical groups states secede, from Alaska to Iowa to Maryland have for years supported Christians in South and Vermont. Those leading the charge are Sudan, which broke off from Sudan last year framing it, observers say, in terms that suggest after persistent clashes with Muslims in the a deep-seated religious impulse for purity- north. Some now laud how Sudanese Christians through-separation is flaring up once again. separated and hope American Christians would But this time, it’s playing out on a political do similarly by withdrawing at least culturally, if stage. not legally. “Today’s secessionist movements are just Those inspired by such examples include the latest example of a long parade of breakaway Jim Rawles, an evangelical blogger and novelist groups (in American history) seeking to restore A tribute to commander of Union forces Gen. who teaches survival skills for the coming day Winfield Scott, shown as the mythical Hercules some lost ideal,” said Peter J. Thuesen, professor when America’s economy collapses. He sees no slaying the many-headed dragon or hydra, here of religious studies at Indiana University-Purdue symbolizing the secession of the Confederate point in seceding, since the federal government University Indianapolis. “The problem is that the states. would “hammer” such efforts anyway. ideal is invariably a mirage.” corrupt, secessionists are picking up the Instead, he’s getting more response these Seeking purity through separation has breakaway-for-purity motif and running with days, he says, to his call for Bible-believing marked American religious history since the it. Radio host Alex Jones, whose show airs in 60 Christians, Orthodox Jews and Messianic Puritans sailed from Holland to establish a markets, alleged on Nov. 15 that “foreign mega- Jews to relocate to what he calls the American holy beacon in the New World. It helps explain banks have hijacked the government” and have Redoubt: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, eastern why Baptists, Presbyterians and others have made secession necessary. Washington and eastern Oregon. splintered into countless subgroups over the “We do not want to secede from the Union One reason he gives on his website for years, and why the Episcopal Diocese of South to destroy the republic, but to restore it,” Jones separation: “Even if God has withdrawn his Carolina disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church said. “Go to the White House website. Do your blessings from our nation as a whole, he will this fall. own petitions to reinstall the Declaration of continue to provide for and to protect his The pattern commonly involves one group Independence. ... It’s now time to launch the remnant.” breaking off to re-establish a holy community second American Revolution.” “It’s time to distance ourselves from the vile by living in fresh accord with sacred texts. Secessionists, such as Russell Longcore of corruptness that we see inside the Washington, Religious purists have the Bible to guide their Marietta, Ga., take inspiration from history. He D.C., Beltway,” said Rawles, who blogs at quest; secessionists look to the Constitution and sees secession as pursuit of God-given liberty, survivalblog.com. “It is analogous to the Puritan Declaration of Independence. Both insist these such as when American colonies seceded from exodus (from Europe). They couldn’t fit in and centers of authority have suffered neglect and Britain in 1776, when Southern states left the said, ‘We’re going to move to completely virgin must be restored. Union in the 1860s and when the Soviet Union territory and start afresh.’ ... In effect, we’re “That’s a persistent line of thought,” said dissolved into 15 separate states two decades ago. becoming pistol-packing Amish.” Alan Wolfe, director of the Boisi Center for In his view, petitioning the federal gov- Some scholars still aren’t buying it. As Religion and American Public Life at Boston ernment is “silly” because states don’t need Wolfe sees it, calls for secession and cultural College. “There are people who are dis- permission to secede, but he regards the peti- withdrawal are just sour grapes. appointed with the direction the United States tioners’ goal as nonetheless serious and moral in “It’s not religious in inspiration at all,” has taken. ... It’s primarily political and eco- nature. Wolfe says. “It’s like in the Old South, where if nomic, and then they just find a religious cover “The moral decay comes from the fact you gave (secession) a religious cover, you made for it (as) they tap into pre-existent religious that Washington, D.C., has summarily ignored it sound better. But it’s just people who basically language.” the Constitution,” said Longcore, an insurance have difficulty accepting that we have a two-party Dismissing the United States as hopelessly claims consultant who blogs at dumpdc.com. system. One party wins. One party loses.” BT

14 | Information +% &(.33. 5. +&'6!, Religion News Service Evangelical commission suggests ways to keep closer eye on lavish ministries

special commission created by the about “love offerings” — monetary gifts to threaten the freedoms of those who are not Evangelical Council for Financial sometimes given to clergy outside of regu- the problem,” said Batts, a former ECFA chair- AAccountability has called for clearer lar congregational offerings — to avoid the man, in an introduction to the report. IRS guidance and greater involvement among “mistaken impres- Grassley’s three-year probe concluded donors to address “outliers” among congrega- sion that there is 100 that evangelists Benny Hinn of Texas and tions and other nonprofits that are not being percent correlation Joyce Meyer of Missouri had made “significant financially accountable. between deductibility reforms” to their operations. Its 91-page report was a response to by the giver and tax- Grassley’s final report said Texas-based a request for recommendations from Sen. ability to the receiver.” Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Georgia pastors Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, after he concluded Creflo Dollar and Eddie Long, and Florida a three-year investigation into alleged lavish forms to permit orga- megachurch pastor Paula White had provided spending by six prominent broadcast ministries nizations, such as incomplete or no responses. in 2011. operators of shelters Joyce Meyer Grassley, in a statement, said the new Among the dozens of suggestions of the from domestic violence, report demonstrates the challenge of trying to interfaith commission: to redact sensitive infor- prevent abuse without harming “above-board mation from public organizations.” He encouraged both donors and should be “reasonable,” and nonprofits disclosure if it would the IRS to heed the commission’s recommenda- should make such information available to put people at risk. tions, but noted that Congress could extend the donors who request it. In an introduction review if it addresses comprehensive tax reform. to the report, commis- “The report gives less attention to resolv- forms related to the income tax exclusion sion president Michael ing some of the thornier questions, such as for clergy housing — which is being chal- Batts said a comparatively how to build accountability from entities that lenged in court by atheists who consider it small number of orga- Benny Hinn exploit vagueness in current laws and regula- unconstitutional. nizations are involved in tions for individual benefit rather than the “egregious financial misconduct” and “exces- greater good,” he said. committee for religious organizations, but sive legislation” is not necessary to address The commission plans to release a report should allow the religious community to give them. sometime this year with recommendations input as it creates more guidance on tax law. “We cannot allow the behavior of a few about political expression of churches and outliers in the religious and nonprofit sector other charities. BT

Anglicans vow to vote again on allowing women bishops

Trevor Grundy “There was agreement that the defeat of women bishops has left the church Religion News Service Church of England had to resolve “galvanized and activated.” “The ‘No’ vote on Nov. 20 has proved to ANTERBURY, England — The this matter through its own be a wake-up call for the Church of England,” Church of England plans to rush processes as a matter of urgency,” she said. Cthrough legislation to consecrate In a surprise move, opponents in the women bishops after a surprising defeat in of England had to resolve this matter through General Synod’s traditionalist Catholic Group November at the church’s General Synod in its own processes as a matter of urgency,” and the conservative group Reform have London. the group said in a statement. “The Council called for talks to break the deadlock. The church’s Archbishops’ Council therefore recommended to the House of The Catholic Group’s Canon Simon ended two days of closed-door meetings on Bishops ... to put in place a clear process Killwick and Reform’s Rod Thomas had Nov. 28, and said a plan to allow women for discussions in the New Year with a view argued there weren’t enough safeguards for bishops needs to be “restarted” when General to bringing legislative proposals before the dissenters, but said they would not push to Synod reconvenes in July. Church leaders Synod in July (2013).” block a second vote. originally said the issue could not be reopened American-born Christina Rees, who “It has never been our intention to pre- until 2015. is a member of General Synod and the vent the consecration of women as bishops,” “There was agreement that the Church Archbishops’ Council, said the unexpected they said in a joint statement. BT

Information | 15 +% ,&/6 +$%5.$, Associated Baptist Press Pressing on Birmingham congregation, pastor celebrate a milestone

BIRMINGHAM — The youngest of “is to be faithful to the calling God has given me.” As a result, she reads and studies a lot. four children born to a successful “I love worship and I love to preach,” she said. Baptist pastor and a wife who was Her secret to sermon preparation — be it a baptismal service, a baby dedication or a equally dedicated to the congrega- funeral — is listening to the people. tion and denomination, Sarah Jackson “Listen to families,” she explained. “Over the years I have found they dare to be honest. Shelton suspects that being a pastor is honors including the coveted Clyde T. Some hate the church. Others find it memo- part of her DNA. Francisco Preaching Award in 1981, which rable. Regardless, it is unique for each person.” comes with an invitation to preach in the semi- Fortunately, Shelton has seen continuous assing her 10th anniversary as pastor nary chapel. growth in the church, not only in membership of Baptist Church of the Covenant in She worked through a stint as youth direc- — from an average of 80 to 200 in attendance Birmingham, Ala., only served to vali- P tor, education director, associate pastor and — but in baptisms and most other measurable date her suspicion. briefly as a college teacher and administrator. facets. “Church was my favorite place to be,” she Through it all, she said, “the nagging sense to For her anniversary, church members said. “In fact, I would rather be at church than be a pastor never went away.” honored their pastor with a Book of Prayers any place: the grandeur of worship — all of it, edited by Bridget Rose, a Samford University She occasionally received opportunities to I just loved.” faculty member, and a commissioned hymn preach, lead conferences and write articles and But for an 18-year-old female in the by Milburn Price, dean emeritus of Samford’s even books but was never offered a pastorate Southern Baptist Convention, heavily influ- School of Music. until 2002, when a church contacted her about enced by its Southern culture and heritage, The Book of Prayers includes a benedic- being interim pastor. She agreed to meet with getting there was an eternity. She was ordained tion by her late father, Lamar Jackson, offered the committee, expecting not to hear any more to the gospel ministry in 1982, but the posi- by his grandson, Dan Shelton, son of the pas- about it. To her surprise, a second call came. tions available to her and many of her female tor. The hymn — “Who Was the Prodigal?” The pastor of Baptist Church of the colleagues at the time included most every- — invoked the pastor’s favorite parable. Covenant, formed in 1970 after Birmingham’s thing but the pulpit. In addition to being a pastor, Shelton First Baptist Church refused to accept African- She could have become a pastor right makes time and opportunities to be a wife American members, had retired and the church out of seminary, but not a Baptist pastor. The to her husband, Lloyd, a Certified Public was searching for an interim pastor to serve Methodists recruited and encouraged her, but Accountant, and mother to two sons: David, no longer than one year. She took the interim she had always been a Baptist and wanted to a graduate of The Fashion Institute of position. stay one. She received some encouragement Technology in New York who lives in that city, from her family, but even they knew a barrier The search for a permanent pastor and Dan, a senior at Mountain Brook High existed at the time against women, especially dragged on, leading to a second interim. It was School. in Baptist circles. during that time that the pastor-nominating For other women who may find them- Still, she pressed on. Confiding her call- committee turned to Shelton. She was elected selves in the holding pattern where Shelton ing to a seminary professor with the disclaimer in a called business meeting on Aug. 11, 2002, was for 28 years, her advice is to find ways to that she knew her Baptist heritage would by a vote of 131-2 announced to a standing be faithful to their calling. That may include likely prevent her from ever being a pastor, she ovation. having to take another role in the church, to be received a rare encouraging word that she was Ten years later, Shelton said she now a chaplain or even changing their denomina- on the right track. “Wouldn’t you rather be receives “constant confirmation of what I tion. BT part of what is to be than what has been?” the should have been doing all along.” However, professor asked. the calling is not without its challenges. —Jack Brymer is a former Baptist newspaper Shelton graduated from the University One of the most difficult tasks, she said, editor, a retired communications official at of Alabama and Southern Baptist Theological “is burying the people you have come to love.” Samford University and a member of Seminary. While in seminary she received Shelton admits the passion that drives her Baptist Church of the Covenant.

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

Teaching resources at nurturingfaith.net

For adults and youth HOW TO USE THESE BIBLE STUDIES February lessons in this issue 1. Order a copy of Baptists Today news journal for EACH MEMBER of the class. The Bible God’s Desire and Lessons are found only here. 2. Teachers can go to nurturingfaith.net to access all of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply Israel’s Glory click on “Adult” or “Youth.” Jeremiah 1:4-10 — Inside and Out Teaching the Lessons FEB. 3, 2013 After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge starting on page 18, teachers can access Exodus 34:29-35 — A Face Full of Glory helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at FEB. 10, 2013 nurturingfaith.net. These include: * Tony’s video overviews Lent on the Loose * Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver Luke 4:1-13 — Don’t Tempt Me! * Tony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and FEB. 17, 2013 ”The Hardest Question” * Links to commentaries, multimedia resources and more Luke 13:31-35 — A Fox in the Henhouse FEB. 24, 2013 How to Order Youth Lessons are on pages 22–23. The Bible Lessons in Baptists Today are copyrighted and not to be photocopied. Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina * Orders may be placed at baptiststoday.org or are available at nurturingfaith.net 1-877-752-5658.

* The price is just $18 each for groups of 25 or more — for a full year — with no additional costs. Thanks, sponsors! * All online teaching resources are available at no These Bible studies for adults and youth are sponsored through generous charge and may be printed and used by teachers of gifts from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Bo Prosser, Coordinator of the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies. Congregational Life) and from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. Thank you!

with Tony W. Cartledge

Feb. 3, 2013 Inside and Out

t takes both time and effort to get to know someone well. Many of us Imay think there are few people who know us well, and some may insist that “Nobody really knows me.” Yet, we want to be known, even when we have a hard time admitting it. Our text for today dares to claim that the God of all creation has known us from the womb, and knows us now even better than we know ourselves. We learn from Jer- emiah that we should get to know God, Jer. 1:5a — too – because God has plans for us. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you …” Epiphany continued: Today’s lesson continues the theme of their boy. And it is because God has made Epiphany that began in January. While There was a mark on Jeremiah. It us that he knows us so well. “Before I we normally think of Epiphany as the was the mark of a prophet, but no one formed you,” says the Lord, “I knew manifestation of God in Christ, it’s knew – not even Jeremiah. No one you.” As a careful potter knows every important to remember that the Old knew until the indelible day when Yah- bump and bubble in the surface of her Testament also has stories of divine weh spoke to the young man and called work, so God knows the work of God’s revelation. Today’s text tells us about him to the prophetic task. This is the hands. The text suggests that God had God’s self-revelation to Jeremiah. day we read about in our scripture text. something in mind for Jeremiah even Jeremiah tells us about it in his own before he made him, even before con- words. ception. A skilled potter does not just A knowing call “The word of Yahweh came to me” throw clay on the wheel and see what (vv. 4-5) (v. 4), he said. Literally, “the word of comes out; she has a design in mind Yahweh happened with me,” or “came before she begins shaping a new piece. There once was a man who grew up in about with me.” For Jeremiah, this was God’s plan for Jeremiah was older than the sleepy little village of Anatoth, an a real event. It was not just a dream, Jeremiah himself. hour’s walk northeast of Jerusalem. His a ﬁ gment of his imagination, or an God not only formed and knew father Hilkiah was a priest, probably a attempt to please his mother. Jeremiah Jeremiah, but also consecrated him. The descen dant of Abiathar. He named his was still young when God spoke to him, word we translate as “consecrated” is a son Jeremiah, and he taught him what but he was old enough to recognize who causative form of the verb that means it meant to worship God, known to his was talking. God spoke to Jeremiah, “to be holy” or “to be set apart.” God people as Yahweh. Hilkiah also taught and said: “I know you!” had given Jeremiah a distinctive role Jeremiah to pray, and raised him up to “Before I formed you in the even from the womb. Jeremiah was not become a priest. He and his wife didn’t womb,” God said, “I knew you.” It was necessarily more holy than everyone yet know that God had other plans for not by chance that Jeremiah had come else, but set apart for a purpose: “I into being: God had something to do appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Additional background information with the miracle of Jeremiah’s birth, God had chosen young Jeremiah as a online where you see the “Digging even as we teach our children that God divine messenger not only to Israel, but Deeper” icon was involved with theirs. also to the surrounding nations.

18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes A willing choice God’s way, we are better positioned to (v. 6) are available at have a positive influence on others. That was God’s plan, but Jeremiah had nurturingfaith.net God’s word to Jeremiah is relevant the ability to choose whether or not he to institutions as well as individuals. In confidence in Jeremiah? Because God would accept it. And, like many other the last years before Judah’s exile, the knew the budding prophet would not persons called by God, Jeremiah was political, econom ic and religious sys- be alone. “Do not be afraid of them,” not necessari ly thrilled at the prospect. tems were badly in need of reform. Like God said, “for I am with you to deliver When God called Moses to confront old barns leaning in the wind, they were you, says the LORD” (v. 8, NRSV). Pharaoh and to lead his people out of beyond repair. They would have to be Or, more literally, “Don’t be afraid on Egypt, Moses respond ed “But I’m not torn down and rebuilt. Jeremiah himself account of their faces, for I am with you a good speak er!” When God called would not do the tearing down or the to deliver you – word of Yahweh!” Isaiah to proclaim God’s message in rebuilding, but he would proclaim what Jeremiah would see many faces in Jerusalem, Isaiah answered “But I am a must be done, and prepare the way. his ministry: angry faces, cold faces, man of unclean lips!” And when Yah- When we look about at our own questioning faces, indifferent faces. weh called Jeremiah to speak the divine society, and even the church, we can see Many of the faces would be hostile and message, the young man said “Alas, ingrained institutions or attitudes that even dangerous, but Jeremiah would not Lord God – I don’t know speaking. It’s need to be demolished. Bigotry against be alone. He had God’s word on it. just a lad I am!” (v. 6, my translation). those who look different or whose lives In Jeremiah’s vision, the Lord Despite his youth, Jeremiah knew we don’t understand remains endemic. touched his mouth and said, “See, I Injustice is rampant around the world. that the prophet’s life was not an easy have put my words into your mouth.” Those who study human trafficking tell one. It could have been fun if all he did When Jeremiah preached, he earnestly us that more people are held in bondage was predict future events, but a proph- believed he had a word from God – and forced to work against their will et’s real business is not to tell the future, a message from heaven, for earth. today than at any time in human history. but to tell the present – to understand Our mission and task also begin The economic deck in America and the times and to interpret the claims of with an understand ing of God’s word elsewhere is stacked to favor the rich at God upon the people of God. We learn to us – making it a part of us and pro- the expense of the poor. from scripture that God’s word to Israel claiming it to others. For every person We don’t have to look far to see was often hard to hear. who is called to proclaim God’s word decrepit attitudes that ought to be torn We have no reason to believe Jer- from the pulpit, many others are called down in the name of God, and replaced emiah’s humility was less than genuine. to show God’s love to children, or to with structures of justice, or equality, of But, his feeling of unworthiness is per- give witness to God’s way in daily lives mutual love and respect. haps one of the best signs that he was characterized by grace. That is not a popular course of ready. In our society, as in Jeremiah’s, While the text seems fairly straight- action, which is why most Christians there are all too many false prophets, forward to this point, at verse 10 God’s ignore it. It is much easier to go our own self-made prophets, people who are instructions to Jeremiah begin to sound way, to make do, to accept prejudice and deluded in thinking their message a little strange. God told the newly inequality and turn away when we pass of hatred or bigotry or prosperity or appointed prophet that he would be put by the poor. But, the difficulty of the task Christ’s soon return is from God. But a over nations and kingdoms, “to uproot does not diminish its importance. true prophet does not choose himself. It and to tear down, to destroy and to over- God promised to be with Jeremiah. is God who does the choosing. throw, to build up and to plant” (v. 10b, The assurance of God’s presence would my translation). not protect him from persecu tion, or A firm assurance Jeremiah’s message was to be both trouble or difficult situations. Every true (vv. 7-10) destructive and constructive, both nega- messenger of God will face opposition, But God is not so cruel as to call some- tive and positive: He was to uproot what but no true follower of God is ulti- one to do some thing and then not give was evil and plant what was good. He mately overcome. The last thing God him or her the ability to do it. Thus, was to tear down the walls of Israel’s said in that first remarkable conversa- Yahweh spoke bluntly to Jeremiah: rebellion, and build up walls of faith. tion with Jeremiah was this: “They will “Don’t say to me, ‘I’m just a lad,’ for That image speaks clearly to those fight against you, but they will not pre- unto all that I send you, you will go, and who will listen. Are there things in our vail against you” (v. 19). all that I tell you, you will speak” (v. 7, lives that need to be dug out, attitudes Can we see structures, traditions or my translation). I suspect there would or actions that produce only bad fruit? institutions in our culture that need to have been some added emphasis on the Sometimes we need to uproot unhelpful be torn down and rebuilt in a healthier “you will” part of that assertion. habits and replace them with healthier way? Of course we can. So, what will Why did God have so much ones. As our lives come into tune with we do about it? BT

LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 3, 2013 | 19 Exodus 34:29-35

with Tony W. Cartledge

Feb. 10, 2013

A Face Full of Glory Exod. 34:29 — “As he came down from ou’ve seen it many times: the the mountain with the look on a child’s face when she two tablets of the cove- Yfi rst sees the gift-laden tree on nant in his hand, Moses Christmas morning, or the glow that sur- did not know that the rounds a happy bride and groom. Even skin of his face shone a self-important young man who tries to because he had been hide his joy over driving home in his fi rst talking with God.” car could be described with the familiar words: “His face was just beaming!” When has your face glowed with joy or excitement or the simple pleasure of being near a loved one? Our lesson for today describes a face that was seriously shiny, and not just from sweat or oily skin. After spending time with God, Moses’ face was positively radiant. and the encounters transformed him. The The text insists that when Moses went On the liturgical calendar, today is fi rst thing we learn from this text is that into the tent, the “pillar of cloud” that called Transfi guration Sunday. It’s the spending time with God will change a symbolized Yahweh’s presence would last Sunday of the season of Epiphany, person – and that others can tell. descend and stand before the entrance, the Sunday before the beginning of Lent. We should consider the surrounding while inside “the LORD used to speak Epiphany celebrates God’s personal context before jumping into Exod. 34:29- to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a revelation, and especially the public 35. Exodus 32 describes how the people friend” (33:10-11). manifestation of God in Christ. Trans- of Israel grew impatient while Moses Having smashed the fi rst set of fi guration Sunday recalls the story of tarried on Mount Sinai while receiving commandments, Moses responded how Jesus was transformed before Peter, the law from God. Thinking that Moses to God’s instructions to cut two new James and John (Luke 9:28-36, see also had died, perhaps, they persuaded Aaron tablets and ascend the mountain for a Matt. 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8). The most to cast a golden calf as an object of second go (33:1-4). There he experi- notable difference was that “the appear- worship. Just as they started to sing and enced a further revelation of God in a ance of his face changed, and his clothes dance about the calf, however, Moses cloud (34:5-8) and pleaded with God to became dazzling white” (Luke 9:29). returned in a rage and slammed the stone accompany the people into the Prom- That wasn’t the fi rst time the pres- tablets containing the commandments to ised Land (34:9). ence of God was revealed in a shining the ground, shattering them. God offered a new covenant, but face. God punished the people for their instructed Moses to warn the people idolatry, but did not give up on Israel. sternly against consorting with the Face to face with God peoples of the land or worshiping their (v. 29) And, when God threatened to remove the divine presence from the company gods (34:10-16), then added a variety of Today’s text describes a time when (Exod. 33:1-6), Moses interceded for ritual requirements (34:17-26). Moses was said to have met regularly the people, spending much time in We learn from 34:27-28 that Moses with God for face-to-face conversations, conversation with God. reportedly spent a full 40 days on These conversations took place in a Mount Sinai conversing with God and Additional background information “Tent of Meeting” (not to be confused engraving the commandments on the online where you see the “Digging with the Tabernacle) Moses erected stone tablets, neither eating nor drinking Deeper” icon at some distance from the main camp. the whole time.

20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes The encounter left Moses’ appear- son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). ance radically changed – but there were are available at Paul later used the veil of Moses no mirrors on the mountain, and the text nurturingfaith.net as an ongoing metaphor to accuse the insists he was unaware that his face had Jews of refusing to see the glory of God taken on a noticeable glow. in Christ. Paul – who had met Christ as Living behind a veil a blinding light from heaven – seems Face to face with Moses (vv. 33-36) critical of Moses for hiding something (vv. 30-32) of God’s glory behind a mask, while he After this initial speech to the panicky himself was bold to insist that all see We should not be surprised that Moses people, however, Moses apparently the fullness of God’s message. Paul saw had a different look about him when he acknowledged that his frightening face a parallel between the ancient Israelites returned from the mountain. We would left others uncomfortable, so he chose resisting the visual reminder of God’s expect him to be dirty, emaciated and to shield them from it by wearing a veil weak from his 40-day fast: darker, if presence and their descendants, who whenever he appeared in public. It anything. maintained a veil between themselves is as if Moses insisted that the people We would not expect Moses to and the light of Christ, refusing to see behold his lustrous looks long enough descend with a face so radiant that it (2 Cor. 3:7-17). to acknowledge the divine authority of frightened all who saw him. As Moses But there was another possibility. the commands he was giving, but was approached, his brother Aaron and the Those who dare to look “with unveiled careful not to give them more than they Israelites could see that “the skin of his faces,” who contemplate the glory of could handle. face shone,” with the result being “they God, “are being transformed into the While the people couldn’t bear the were afraid to come near him” (v. 30, same image from one degree of glory to regular reminder of God’s presence “up my translation). another; for this comes from the Lord, close and personal,” Moses could not The people apparently turned away the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). get enough. The text says he continued from Moses and fled. Did his altered Paul seems to be arguing that those his practice of spending time alone with appearance lead them to think he was a who spend time engaged with the Spirit God in the tent of meeting, removing ghost? Were they afraid the light was a of God will be transformed (the word is his veil when he did so. source of power sent to punish them? the root of our “metamorphosis”) into What are we to make of this pas- In any case, when they heard the image of God, becoming more of sage? The clear implication is that Moses call out, they “turned back” long what God made us to be, more of what Moses grew so close to Yahweh that the enough for him to “command them Moses and Jesus showed us how to be. divine glory was reflected in his face. everything that Yahweh had said to him Have you ever known a believer Jesus’ disciples, no doubt, would have on Mount Sinai” (v. 32). so devoted to God that you could see it recalled this story when Jesus took them We assume that Moses did not give in his or her face? We may not radiate to a lonely mountaintop and was trans- them all 40 days’ worth of the con- light as Moses or Jesus did, but we can figured before them. The appearance versation, but related the most salient exhibit the presence of God in our lives. of his face changed, and even his robes commands, particularly those relative to When we see the moon, flying high began to crackle with light (the Greek avoiding idolatry, which had been their and shining brightly, we know that the word translated “dazzling” means “to downfall during his previous stint on orbiting object produces no light of flash like lightning,” Luke 9:29). Soon, the mountain. itself, but reflects the light of the sun. in their vision, Moses and Elijah also What, do you think, was the signifi- Similarly, we may generate no intrin- appeared “in glory” (Luke 9:30-31). cance of Moses’ face shining? There is sic spiritual radiance, but we are quite As Moses had become the medium no question that we are to see Moses’ capable of reflecting the light of Christ of God’s presence to the Israelites, so glowing visage as a direct reflection of through the mirror of our lives. Jesus mediated a glimpse of God’s the time he had spent in close proximity We need not fear that our face will glory to his three closest followers. with God. The purpose of this shining become so transformed that we will be Even they had difficulty absorbing sign, apparently, was to authenticate forced to wear Moses’ mask. Rather, what they saw and tried to mask the Moses’ teaching as having its source in the radiant smile and gentle compassion brightness, in a sense, by offering to God. shown in the face of one who walks build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Eli- As the people observed the light closely with Christ are more likely jah. John’s gospel does not contain an beaming from Moses’ face, perhaps to attract others in the same way that account of the transfiguration, but still they would hear and understand that the moths are drawn to a streetlight. approaches the subject of God’s glory words coming from Moses’ mouth had Do you remember the old hymn, being revealed in Jesus. “We have seen their origin with Yahweh, and be more “Let others see Jesus in you”? his glory, the glory as of a father’s only likely to respect and obey the commands. It’s still worth singing. BT

LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 10, 2013 | 21 Youth lessons are made possible through the generous support of the Eula Mae and YouFebruary 3 — February 24, 2013th John Baugh Foundation. Nicknames FEBRUARY 3

Jeremiah 1:4-10 that the plans God had for Jeremiah were Think About It: formed before he was even in the womb. God What Jeremiah spoke wasn’t always popular ost of us have a nickname, and most set him apart, consecrated him to be a pro- because he needed to uproot the evil before of these nicknames have a great phetic voice. But even with the plan God had, he could plant the good. What in your life may Mstory behind them. Some of the Jeremiah had to choose to accept it. need to be uprooted before the good can grow? stories you can tell, and with other stories you Jeremiah, much like Moses and many just laugh at and change the subject. There’s called before him, didn’t leap at the opportu- only one rule with nicknames: you can’t give nity God had placed in front of him. Instead, yourself a nickname. The same is true for Jeremiah excused himself because he was Make a Choice: prophets, or at least true prophets: they don’t only a boy and did not know how to truly God had plans for Jeremiah, but Jeremiah name themselves. speak. Maybe he offered excuses because he had to choose to accept these plans. Will you Our scripture for today begins the story had a sense of the sort of life a prophet leads. choose to live in the will of God, or will you of the prophet Jeremiah and how he was Whatever the reason, God had conﬁ - ﬁ nd excuses to avoid God’s purposes? called by God to be a prophetic voice to the dence in Jeremiah because God knew that people of his generation. Jeremiah would not be alone. God blessed Jeremiah wasn’t an unknown in his Jeremiah with the gifts he would need to community. In fact, he was probably well be a prophetic voice to his people. We know Pray: known because his father was a priest. As the rest of the story and when we read it, Be grateful for a God who walks before you was tradition, Hilkiah raised Jeremiah to be we know that Jeremiah was an important preparing the way, and for the freedom God a priest, but God had other plans. We read prophet. gives you to choose.

Face Time FEBRUARY 10 Exodus 34:29-35 them, they were afraid because of the golden Think About It: calf they had created, but this time it was all Moses spent 40 days alone with God. Was ometimes you can tell how someone is Moses. there any question that he would come out feeling simply by the look on his or her Moses called out to Aaron and the transformed? How would you be transformed face. Has he just received horrible news? other leaders, and they came to him. Moses S if you spent 40 days alone with God? Is she radiant after an encounter with her revealed to them the conversation he had crush? Is the stress of the day weighing him just had with God. This probably wasn’t a down? word-for-word account of the 40 days of It’s amazing how much we show through conversation, but Moses let them know about Make a Choice: our facial expressions. That’s also likely why the two tablets and what it would mean for You show yourself to everyone you encounter. it wasn’t diffi cult for Aaron and the Israelites all of them. During this time Moses must have Some days you put on one mask, and some to tell that Moses had just had a transforma- felt the awkwardness, or maybe Aaron voiced days another mask. What would happen if tional experience. it, but Moses decided it would be best for him you chose to take off all the masks and show It might have been even easier for Aaron to veil himself whenever he spoke with the the true face God gave you? and the Israelites because Moses’ face was people. shining. Moses had no idea how his face In those 40 days Moses spent with God, looked after spending 40 days on a mountain he became so close to God that the glory of Pray: with God, but he had to know something was God began to be refl ected on Moses’ face. Pray that your time with God would be so up when the Israelites were afraid to come What does your face show others about the transformational that you would refl ect the near him. The last time Moses came down to ways God has been at work in your life? will of God in who you are.

22 | Youth David Cassady and Jeremy Colliver

A Dare FEBRUARY 17

Luke 4:1-13 to be weak in body through this experience, Think About It: but he was sustained through the Spirit. Jesus could continually say no to the devil dare you. No, I triple-dog-dare you.” It was during this time of weakness that because he was fi lled with the Spirit instead When faced with these words, there the devil appeared. The devil began by using of things of this world. Do you lean on the is only one thing to do to save your Jesus’ physical weakness to tempt him to “I Spirit to help you make decisions? pride: you do it. It doesn’t matter how stupid turn the stones into bread. Jesus relied on the the dare is or what the outcome will cost fullness of the Spirit instead of the emptiness you, you do it. of his stomach to rebuke the devil. That is, unless you are Jesus. Anyone The second time the devil tempted Jesus Make a Choice: else dared by the devil, with the rewards he to leave behind his weakness and embrace Jesus could have completed any of the three was offering, would have had a really tough the power Jesus could have, but Jesus relied temptations with ease and had all the power time saying no. And not only did Jesus say no on the power of the Spirit that had sustained and prosperity of this world, but instead he once, but he said no three times. him thus far. chose God’s way. What do you have the ability Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, had been For the fi nal temptation, Jesus was to do, but instead choose God’s way? led into the wilderness by the Spirit after his taken to the top of the temple and the devil baptism. Jesus’ wilderness experience was not tried to get him to use the power of the unlike those of Moses and Elijah before him. Spirit. Jesus denied him, saying that the Pray: He took nothing with him and ate nothing power of God is not to be tested. Pray that you will be fi lled with the Holy Spirit while he was gone, but when he was fi nished so that you may choose the ways of God over in the wilderness he was famished. Jesus had the ways of the world.

Foxes FEBRUARY 24

Luke 13:31-35 On his way out, Jesus called Herod a fox. Think About It: The name wasn’t a compliment or fl attering Jesus knew his life’s plan and was determined here are some things you do and ask on any level because foxes were seen as scav- to fulfi ll it. Do you have a sense of God’s pur- why later. It doesn’t happen often, but engers that couldn’t do a lot of harm. Jesus pose for your life? How far are you willing to when someone approaches with that was telling the Pharisees he was leaving but T go to fulfi ll it? intent walk, grabs you by the arm, looks you he wasn’t really afraid of Herod. Jesus also let directly in the eyes and says go — you go. You the group of Pharisees know that he would might have questions for the other person continue his mission and plan outside of the as you are going, but your fi rst reaction is to city, and that he would return. go. This is what happened with Jesus when Jesus started his exit speech by naming Make a Choice: one of the Pharisees told him that he needed the fox, and now he named the hen: himself. Jesus could have bowed to the pressure of the to get out of town because Herod wanted to Jesus told the group of Pharisees that he authorities and preached what they wanted kill him. tried to gather “the brood” under his wings to him to preach. To what pressures do you bow It’s odd to read that the Pharisees were protect them, but the Pharisees would not let when you have choices to make? the ones who initially helped Jesus out in this him. In essence, he was saying, “What hap- situation. Was their intention to truly protect pens from here is on your hands.” Jesus, or was this just another ruse to get him Jesus will not be gone forever. He will Pray: out of their hair? Whatever the reason, Jesus come back for his brood. And when he comes, Pray that you will have the strength to con- left, but not before he got in a last word or his name will be blessed. tinue on God’s path even when others place two. obstacles in your way.

Youth | 23 Luke 4:1-13

with Tony W. Cartledge

Feb. 17, 2013

Don’t Tempt Me! Luke 4:1 — “Jesus, full of the Holy he season of Lent has arrived, and Spirit, returned from the with it we begin a seven-week Jordan and was led by the Tsojourn in the Gospel texts, primar- Spirit in the wilderness.” ily from Luke. Lent emerged in the fourth century as a 40-day period (not count- ing Sundays) of fasting and prayer that begins with “Ash Wednesday” (Feb.13 in 2013) and continues until Easter. While Lent has been a mainstay of Catholic and mainline Protestant churches for centuries, Baptists have been less liturgically inclined, and have come more recently to recognize the value of joining with other believers in a season of penitence and preparation for Easter. Many persons choose to forego some favorite food or activity “led in the Spirit” to seek isolation in the word “devil” translates the Greek diab- during Lent as a symbol of devotion desert (v. 1, a gentler image than that of olos (the root of our word “diaboli cal”). to Christ, and the struggle to keep that Mark 1:14, which says the Spirit “drove In the fi rst century, this character had commitment is often diffi cult. Thus, the him” or “threw him out” into the wilder- come to be thought of as an antagonist story of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the ness). The specifi c location is unclear; of God who tempted persons to reject wilderness is a most appropriate text for the word can refer to any desolate area, God’s way, and who was especially the fi rst Sunday of Lent. whether mountainous or desert. prone to strike in times of weakness. The wilderness temptation appears Whether consciously or not, Jesus Many stones of the desert are fl at to have served a signifi cant role in Jesus’ was following the footsteps of Hebrew and brownish in color, similar to what emerging ministry, a disciplined retreat heroes such as Moses and Elijah when we would think of as pita bread, not of self-exploration that helped to defi ne he went 40 days in the wilderness with- unlike bread that was common in Jesus’ and refi ne his understanding of what it out food (Deut. 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8), and day. When the devil dared Jesus to meant to be the Messiah. As such, the his successful sojourn is a sharp con- miraculously change stones to bread tempta tion story is strategi cal ly placed trast to Israel’s 40 years of wandering. and so assuage his hunger, the message in Luke. It comes directly after Jesus’ Luke does not use the specifi c word for may have been sarcastic, or more about baptism (his public commit ment to fasting, saying only that “he ate noth- proving his divinity than fi lling his God’s way), and just before his rejection ing at all during those days” (v. 2). Did stomach: Since (or “if”) Jesus was truly in the synagogue at Nazareth (his public Jesus intend to go without food, or did God’s son, why should he be hungry? an nounce ment of ministry). he fast mainly because no food was The temptation to turn stones to Be prosperous! available, or was he simply too lost in bread could have worked on three lev- (vv. 1-4) meditation to even think of eating? We els. First, it appealed to Jesus’ physical don’t know. Jesus was just as in touch hunger. Second, it would have fulfi lled Luke tells us that Jesus was “full of the with physical desires as we are, though, a natural desire to prove to the diabolos Holy Spirit” after his baptism, and was and in time his hunger became compel- that he could do it. Third, it could have ling. When those days were over, the planted the thought that Jesus could win Additional background information text says, “He was famished.” over the people by providing physical online where you see the “Digging At that moment of weakness, the bread for them. In both cases, Jesus held Deeper” icon devil made his appear ance. The English fi rm.

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes With each temptation, Jesus of the temple roof. In either case, the resisted, at least in part, by quoting are available at place would have been high and in plain scripture from the Book of Deuter- nurturingfaith.net sight. There is nothing to indicate that onomy. Here, he recalled how Moses Jesus and the tempter were visible, but had criticized Israel for failing to trust normally many people would have been God during a hungry stretch, reminding present. the people that they needed God, the tension that later caused dissent The tempter dared Jesus to jump not just bread, to be truly healthy among some of Jesus’ followers. For from that great height and float to a (Deut. 8:3). many years, the downtrodden Hebrews safe landing below. Such a public Jesus would not make that mis- had longed for a warrior Messiah who spectacle would be widely reported, take. Like the suffering servant (Isa. would conquer Israel’s enemies and and one might expect many to regard 50:4-9), he would trust in God despite restore the nation as a world power. such a wonder-worker as the Messiah. the present darkness. He would not use By accepting the tempter’s offer, Jesus The adversary quoted scripture (Ps. his divine power to guarantee personal could become exactly what the people 91:11-12) to reinforce the tempta tion, prosperity, or even to promote the social wanted. Surely, he could have done insisting that God would protect him. welfare of others. much good by ruling the world in a just This episode provides a help- Jesus knew, as thinking believers way. Sometimes the greatest tempta- ful warning against the dangers of should know, that God will not buy our tions are to do what seems good, but in proof-texting, for even the devil can love through the promise of prosperity. the wrong way. twist the Bible to make it say what he God calls us to love and obedience even What would it mean for Jesus (or wants it to say. in wilderness times and on hungry days. us) to worship the devil? We are not to The attainment of instant popular- The text demands that we ask what think in terms of the modern concept of ity could have been a great temptation physical temptations trouble us most. “Satan worship,” but rather that Jesus to Jesus. But he also knew that would Things that are good in themselves – was enticed to seek heavenly goals be an inappro priate use of God’s power. food, material goods, leisure activities, by worldly means. Malcolm Tolbert He remembered how Israel in the wil- sex, or even work – can become an wrote “To worship the devil is to adopt derness had put God to the test (Exod. uncon scious substitute for the spiritual satanic methods, to choose the weap- 17:2), and was determined not to follow hunger that gnaws at our souls. What ons of power, violence, and destruction their example. God’s power is meant does the text suggest about how we can to attain one’s ends” (“Luke,” in the to be used in accor dance with God’s best cope with this kind of temptation? Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 9 will – and Jesus had apparently come (see the online “Hardest Question” for [Broadman, 1984], 43). To worship the to understand that God’s will was for more). devil is to choose the tempter’s path of him to follow the path of the suffering power instead of God’s chosen road of servant, not a super-powerful warrior. Be powerful! redemp tive suffering. Again, Jesus found strength in quoting (vv. 5-8) As with the first temptation, Jesus scripture, recalling Moses’ exhortation In the second temptation, according again held firm by quoting scripture: that Israel should not put God to the test to Luke, the adversary “took him up “Worship the Lord your God, and serve (Deut. 6:16). and showed him in a moment all the only him” (Deut. 6:13). In Hebrew, the Luke suggests that the devil then kingdoms of the inhabited world” (v. 5, same word is used to mean “worship” left Jesus for a time, but that was not the my translation). Matthew said he was and “serve.” To truly worship God is to end of temptation for Jesus. The Gos- taken to a high mountain. There is obey God’s way. That way may have pels describe other times when he was no mountain in Palestine that affords a seemed strange to the world, but Christ tempted to take the easy way. vista of “all the nations,” but one could chose to follow it nonetheless. There may be times when we feel easily look at the patchwork landscape “spiritually strong” and do not feel below and imagine nations stretching to Be popular! uncommonly tempted. But temptation and beyond the horizon. (vv. 9-13) comes most forceful ly when we are The Bible is clear in teaching that In the final temptation, the diabolos weak, when we are hungry for some- ultimate authority over the world is “takes” Jesus (whether in a vision or thing, when we feel most powerless, God’s alone, but the devil claimed to physically is beside the point) to “the when we feel most alone. These tri- have been given present authority over pinnacle” of the temple in Jerusalem. als of Jesus suggest that when we are the world (cf. John 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4). Some interpret ers see this as a place struggling, the devil works overtime He offered to give that power to Jesus on the corner of the Temple Mount, precisely because he knows that such in return for service and adoration. standing high over the Kidron Valley. extremity may afford our best opportu- This temptation helps to explain Others suppose it to be the highest point ni ty for spiritual growth.

LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2013 | 25 Luke 13:31-35

with Tony W. Cartledge

Feb. 24, 2013 A Fox in the Henhouse

he fox is in the henhouse” is a fairly modern proverb “Tthat refl ects an age-old problem for anyone who keeps chickens. Today’s text begins with a report that King Herod had threatened Jesus’ life, and ends with Jesus weeping over Jeru- salem. In the course of the passage, Jesus refers to Herod as a fox, and he Luke 13:34b – places himself in the role of a mother “How often have I desired hen, longing to gather her straying to gather your children brood (the people of Jerusalem) under together as a hen gathers her sheltering wings. her brood under her wings, The animal metaphors don’t match and you were not willing!” up as in the modern maxim, however. It’s not foxy Herod who is threatening the wandering chicks of Jerusalem: they are in danger of losing themselves. This story is a part of Luke’s Fox, or foxes? but Herod would not be the one respon- “Travel Narra tive,” a section of the (v. 31) sible for it. book that begins at 9:51, where Jesus Jesus’ response describes Herod as “set his face toward Jerusalem,” and Luke reports that, just as Jesus fi n- a fox. Why? Modern readers commonly describes his meandering journey to the ished saying that many who were last attribute a sneaky or crafty nature to city where death and the fulfi llment of would be fi rst and the fi rst would be the fox and thus read our own cultural Jesus’ ministry awaited. last (v. 30), “at that very hour” certain bias into the story. In ancient times, In its literary context, the encounter representatives from the Pharisees however, foxes were thought of as follows teachings about the importance approached Jesus with a warning that scavengers who might be pesky pilfer- of repentance (13:1-9), the Sabbath he should “go away and get out of here” ers, but rarely dangerous. Jesus was not healing of a stooped-back woman (my translation) because “Herod wants implying that Herod was crafty, but that that led to confl ict in the synagogue to kill you” (v. 31). he was no more important than a small (13:10-17), teachings about the expand- Were these Pharisees a group of pest who lived on the fringes of human ing kingdom of God (13:18-20), and rare sympathizers who truly cared for society. a sharp response to the question “Will Jesus’ safety, or were they telling tales If the Pharisees had hoped to only a few be saved?” (13:21-30). as a ruse to get the trouble-making Jesus frighten Jesus into leaving, Jesus’ tag- Jesus’ response indicated that the door – who was often critical of the Pharisees ging of Herod as a “fox” would be a was narrow, and many who expected a – out of their territory? The question has clear message that he was not afraid. reward would be surprised when they been long debated with no clear solu- Jesus had already planned to leave the didn’t make it through. tion (see the online “Hardest Question” for more). Fortunately, our understand- territory, but would do so in his own ing of the remainder of the passage does time. not hinge on this point. Jesus appeared to treat the threat as Priorities come fi rst (vv. 32-33) Additional background information real – but beside the point. Herod was online where you see the “Digging the least of Jesus’ worries. He knew that Jesus had plans and priorities, and Deeper” icon he was indeed on a path toward death, would not be dissuaded from them.

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes Jesus saw his ministry as the fulfill- make the people recipients of his grace, ment of Isaiah’s vision of one who are available at but they chose a different path. would set free the captive and deliver nurturingfaith.net Because Jerusalem rejected Christ, the op pressed. Through “casting out he proclaimed: “your house is deso- demons and perform ing cures” he was late.” Some interpreters see this as an doing just that, and he would continue that would reject him, even as it had assertion that God’s presence had to do so until he reached his ultimate rejected the prophets before him (“kill- abandoned the temple, or as a reference destination. ing the prophets and stoning those who to the temple’s coming destruction. In If read literally, “today and tomor- are sent to you,” v. 34a). Matthew’s parallel version, this saying row and the third day” would suggest There is little biblical evidence of immediately precedes Jesus’ predic tion that Jesus planned to arrive in Jerusalem prophets being martyred in Jerusalem, that the temple would be destroyed (ch. three days later. An optional transla- though Jeremiah was arrested and 24). However, “house” probably refers tion would be something like “day by beaten there (Jer. 37:15), and Zecha- not to the temple so much as to the city, day, and one day soon.” Jesus wasn’t riah was reportedly killed there (Luke or perhaps the Hebrews as a whole. As laying out a timetable, but saying that 11:50-51). Jesus had earlier criticized its people had rejected God’s presence he would continue to follow his own Jerusalem as a place that built tombs for in the person of Christ, God would schedule until he “finished the course.” prophets “whom your ancestors killed” allow them to experience the desolation Although Jesus was still days from (see also Luke 11:47). of God’s absence. Jerusalem and would apparently spend Jerusalem was the heart of the The final words foreshadow Jesus’ a week while there, the ominous “third nation, both religiously and politically, final approach to Jerusalem on Palm day” and the term “teleioumai” leave so it was a natural place for prophets Sunday. “You will not see me until the text hanging in the shadow of the to proclaim their message – and to be you say ‘Blessed is he who comes in cross. The term means “to finish” or rejected. Isaiah 5:1-7, like many other the name of the Lord.’” The quota- “to perfect,” and is elsewhere used prophetic texts, emphasizes God’s tion is from Psalm 118:26, a hymn in the New Testament to describe the desire for Jerusalem to follow his way, that proclaims glad welcome to both completion of God’s plan. It could be and Jerusalem’s persistent rejection of God and God’s messengers. All three translated as “finish my work” (NRSV) that way. Synoptic Gospels cite this as one of the or “reach my goal” (NIV, NASB). Having called Herod a fox, Jesus chants shouted by the people during In v. 33, Jesus repeated the “three likened himself to a mother hen striving Jesus’ triumphal entry on Palm Sunday days” statement about arriving in Jeru- to bring comfort and protection to the (Matt. 21:9; Mk. 11:9; Luke 19:38). In salem, “because it is impossible for a wandering chicks of Israel (v. 34b). Luke, this seems to mark Jerusalem’s prophet to be killed outside of Jerusa- The metaphor of Jesus as a mother last opportunity to accept Jesus as the lem.” Jesus’ allusion to himself as a hen grabs our attention, for it is one Messiah. No person can see Christ or prophet might have caught the Pharisees of the few texts that portray God in experience God’s salva tion until he or off guard, for they would not have put feminine terms. Culture and tradition she willingly accepts Jesus, here sym- him in the category of the prophets. dictated that God most often appears as bolized by the welcom ing invitation, If Jesus had died in an obscure rural mascu line, but this text reminds us that “Blessed is he who comes in the name village, few people would have known God is beyond any human gender. Jesus of the Lord.” about it. For maximum effect, it was could speak of the mother hen’s con- Some interpreters see “Jerusalem” necessary that his death and resurrec- cern for her chicks just as easily as the as a symbol of institutionalized religion. tion take place in and about Jerusalem, father’s concern for the prodigal. Can you think of ways in which modern- the seat of Jewish power, the place of The key phrase in this verse is the day prophets have been squelched by worship, the heart of the nation. Early last one: “but you would not.” Jesus the power of denomina tional leaders or in his ministry, Jesus had been tempted wanted to hold Jerusalem close, to popular preaching? Jesus stuck to his to find acceptance through a miraculous comfort and protect its people, to be its priorities, even under great pressure from demonstration of power in the heart of teacher and guide. This had been God’s the religious elite to conform to the status Jerusalem (Lu. 4:9-13). Instead, Jesus desire throughout the Old Testament, as quo. Does this speak to the importance chose to suffer and die there, facilitating well, but Jerusalem consistently rejected of the Baptist emphasis on following the accomplishment of his purpose. God’s loving advances (see Hosea one’s own conscience? 11:1ff for an equally plaintive lament). Jesus had carefully thought through Jesus and Jerusalem “You would not” means “you did not his life’s plan, constantly aware of his (vv. 34-35) wish it” or “it was not your will.” This goals and consistently committed to Jesus’ touching lament over Jerusalem emphasizes the element of free choice. reaching them. Today’s text challenges reveals deep grief over the great city Jesus wished to redeem Jerusalem and modern disciples to do the same. BT

LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 24, 2013 | 27 Pastor: Augusta Road Baptist Church in Classifieds Greenville, S.C., is seeking a pastor with a mini- mum of 5 years ministerial experience. A Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary is Senior Pastor: St. Charles Avenue Baptist preferred. Qualified candidates may submit résu- Church, an historic New Orleans congrega- més by Feb. 28 to [email protected]. tion eager for growth and revitalization, seeks a senior pastor for a promising new era. With Senior Pastor: Wyatt Park Baptist Church of God’s help, we expect to find a grounded pas- St. Joseph, Mo., is actively seeking applications tor who is an insightful, effective preacher and for a senior pastor with strong leadership teacher. The successful candidate will be a strong skills and experience who will embrace with leader who demonstrates an active concern for energy, commitment and passion the challenge the welfare of the church and its members. We of carrying out the vision of our church. look for someone who will be open to the chal- This congregation of 300, affiliated with lenges of renewal, and who will help us build on Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Baptist a foundation that cherishes Christ-like inclusion, General Convention of Missouri, supports a Baptist freedoms, and a commitment to meet- faithful local and foreign mission outreach. ing the needs of others. Our small congregation With emphasis on families, our ministry values traditional worship and superb church diligently includes children, youth, adults, music, and stands ready to love and support a and senior adults within our congregation new pastor who is well prepared to work and and in our outreach. Responsibilities of a serve, joining a journey of hope in the midst of a successful candidate will include regularly distinctive, vibrant city. To apply or learn more, preaching and teaching, planning and leading see www.scabc.org. weekly worship services, leading in all areas of congregational ministry, staff administration, Pastor: First Baptist Church of Claxton, Ga., is and promoting responsible biblical stewardship seeking a full-time pastor with five or more years and community benevolence. To apply to lead of ministry experience in a pastoral position us in serving the Lord and to learn more about and who holds a master’s or doctorate degree. this position, visit wyattpark.org. Send résumés The ideal candidate should be an effective com- to [email protected]. municator with leadership and well-developed vision for the future of our church. First Baptist Minister to Students: River Oaks Baptist Claxton has a membership of 300 and is located Church in Houston, Texas, is seeking a minister to in southeast Georgia, 50 miles west of Savannah. students (7-12th grade) to develop and implement Interested candidates should submit résumés to discipleship and ministry events. The student [email protected] or to Pastor Search minister will assist in outreach ministries to River Committee, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 607, Oaks Baptist School. Some ministry experience is Claxton, GA 30417. desired. Send résumés to [email protected].

In the Know Timothy D. Gilbert is dean of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He comes from Tarrant County College in Ft. Hal Haralson of Austin, Texas, died Nov. Worth where he was professor of philoso- 27 at age 77. After serving in the Army and phy and served in various administrative as a pastor, he attended law school at the roles for nearly 30 years. University of Texas. The recipient of numerous awards, he turned his struggles with Stephanie Totty Patterson is minister to bipolar disorder into ministry to persons students and families at Boulevard Baptist with mental illness. He wrote numerous Church, Anderson, S.C. Previously she served as associate pastor at First Baptist columns for Christian Ethics Today and other publications. Two collections — Church, Lake View, S.C. Gentle Mercies: Stories of Faith in Faded Blue H. Edgar Twine of Tampa, Fla., died Oct. Jeans and The Lost Saddle — were published as books. Bill Jones, in a tribute posted by 16 at age 83. A North Carolina native, he the T.B. Maston Foundation that Haralson served as pastor of churches in Virginia helped found, said “You couldn’t read Hal and Maryland as well as Riverside Baptist Haralson without circling back to, and Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He also worked reﬂecting on, something in your own life; in capital fund-raising and stewardship with that was Hal’s gift to us all.” the Southern Baptist Convention. A memorial service was held in Virginia Beach, Va. BT

28 | Information The Lighter Side By Brett Younger Remembering on purpose

Zacchaeus, a wee little man, dis- We remember, but we remember indis- carols whenever they caught a whiff of criminately and not nearly enough. We don’t appeared from the tax office from time frankincense. remember on purpose, because we don’t see to time. Even during the busiest days of how important remembering is. cold winter nights. When Elie Wiesel was asked to sum- April he would tell his assistant, “I can’t marize all of scripture he said, “It’s one word: wine, they smiled and said, “This is not the remember.” be disturbed,” put his Blackberry in the best we’ve ever had.” We go to church to remember. We listen desk drawer, and slip out the back door. to the stories from scripture, because they are our stories. We sing to remember the holiness o one was sure where he went until for dinner, Andrew enjoyed saying, “Five of God. We worship to remember. the assistant’s curiosity got the best of loaves and two fishes.” Remember the person who took you to Nher and she followed Zacchaeus. She church the first time. followed down the dusty road that leads into Remember when you walked to the front Jericho. She watched as Zacchaeus climbed the well. of the church and said you wanted to be a part. into a sycamore tree, “What are you doing up Remember when you were baptized. there?” full-length mirrors. Remember how cold the water was and how Zacchaeus answered for all of us, “I need warm your church family was. to remember.” his birthday. Remember when you started sitting in the same place each Sunday. Remember when you found your Sunday school class and how you used to wish they could stay on topic. “biological clock.” grace. If you’re my age, remember GA corona- tion night, RA pinewood derby, Bible drills, flannel graphs, Sunday school perfect atten- remember and laugh. dance pins, Church Training, and Bible drills. Depot. If you’re my parents’ age, remember quar- We do most of our remembering by acci- tet singings, Training Union, baptisms at the dent. You smell an apple pie and suddenly you lake, funeral home fans, mourning benches, are in your grandmother’s kitchen. You see an BYPU, and missionary slide shows. old house that reminds you of the house in God invites us to remember just as surely which you grew up and almost see your father as God invites us to pray. Remembering may mowing the lawn. You are looking for scissors be the best praying we do. BT in a kitchen drawer and find a photograph of your family at the beach. Were your children —Brett Younger is associate professor of preaching ever that small? Were you ever that small? at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. from (He had a really big desk.) NEW Nurturing Faith ... The Lion King. Children’s sermons for every Pretty Woman. Sunday by Kelly Belcher shift. ... at nurturingfaith.net

Perspective | 29 Editor’s note: This article in the series “Transitions: Helping churches and church leaders in changing times” is provided by the Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org) based in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Churches and the Church Everlasting By Aaron Brittain

When called to a previous pastorate, it forever. They exist in a specific time and place to Congregations do as well. Whether it lives five accomplish a specific purpose. years or hundreds of years, each congregation has was a time of great excitement for both Just as God calls each individual to a partic- a lifespan. the church and me. I was a young minis- ular ministry in life and gifts him or her for that Most of the earliest Christian churches no purpose, so too does God call groups of people to longer exist. However, we still read about those ter right out of seminary who was eager come into communities of faith in the same way. churches today. They continue to inspire and to do big things. The congregation was Some recent news about congregational life challenge us. aging but ready for some new blood. in the United States has They may be gone, but they accomplished not been positive. Most their God-given mission. Isn’t that the Christian ver the next six years, however, it churches have experienced story? The good news of Jesus Christ is that became increasingly apparent that our a plateau in growth, and death is not the end for us as believers. So, why Omutual expectations did not match cur- some are in steep decline. do we continue to insist that death is the end for rent reality. Despite our good efforts, attendance As a result, many our churches? and giving continued to decline. After much congregations are in a state Is it possible that through the natural death prayer and careful consideration, the church of panic. There is a sense of churches, Christ could be doing something made the difficult decision to close its doors after of fear and confusion over redemptive to bring new life to the larger Church 112 years of existence. how to stem the flood. An and to the kingdom of God here on earth? Jesus In reflecting on that experience, I have entire cottage industry has stepped into this gap, once said that we “find our life by losing it.” found it helpful to distinguish between a church with the latest church management gurus prom- Could this apply to some churches, too? (with a lowercase “c”) and the Church (with a ising quick fixes and miracle solutions to turn A new model of doing and being the capital “C”). The church (small “c”) is a particu- things around. Church is needed — one in which we no longer lar congregation. Then there is the Church in all Perhaps our anxiety can lead us to recog- equate success with the survival of particular times and all places throughout history, what the nize that, in some settings, decline is part of a churches. Too many congregations today are Nicene Creed refers to as “the one, holy catholic natural process. Some of the anxiety we have in only asking the fearful question, “How much Church.” our congregations today may have resulted from longer can we last?” These two share much in common — confusing the role of the church with that of the A better question might be: “Are we faith- including the desire to serve Christ by spreading Church. fully accomplishing the mission Christ has given his Gospel throughout the world. However, We may have failed to see our church as us in this time and place?” there are some differences as well. Christians part of something much bigger. In the pro- Yes, we need to build and foster vibrant and affirm that the Church is a divine institution and cess, we may spend time and energy trying to healthy congregations. But when we face inevi- will continue throughout history, not because we save something that was never intended to be table congregational decline and death, we no will it, but because it is has been established by permanent. longer have to do so with embarrassment, shame Christ himself. Humans have a natural lifespan, or panic. Instead, we can point to the cross and Local congregations, however, do not last which includes aging and eventually death. the empty tomb as our way forward. This will mean using our collective imagination to envision new life beyond current congregations in the form of church plants, mergers, partnerships and hybrid ministries. No doubt the process will involve grief and loss, something always experienced at a time of death. But thanks be to God, we in the larger Church do not mourn as people without hope. Let us look forward to that resurrection together! BT

—Aaron Brittain is the pastor at Talbot Park Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va.

30 | Perspective “Just like the widow in Jesus’ story, Ms. Jean gives freely of herself to others in The might of the creative and caring ways.” ‘widow’s mite’

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The sunny Jean Mabury (left) shares homemade birthday cards with Shelby Hogan and Jon Melton. room at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Photo by Teresa Bowers in which my husband Paul and I gather with college students each Sunday morning is where the faith journeys of young adults interweave with stories in the Bible. ecently, while studying the Gospel of Mark, we encountered the story Rof the widow’s mite in chapter 12. Jesus describes the public offering scene at a synagogue. Many wealthy participants pour pocket-loads of money into the offering plate for everyone to see. Then a widow gives her last two coins, of little value, as an offering. When Jesus saw this, he told the disciples her gift was the greatest of anyone’s on that day because while others gave +% ".$$- +%$(, 9-"* *&''&* +#9.$! from their wealth, she gave sacrificially. During our discussion about good gifts, church family to know that she cares about Baptist Church who would call a birthday card generosity, faithfulness, and what God delights them. lovingly created and delivered by Ms. Jean to in, one student replied that the story reminded Just like the widow in Jesus’ story, Ms. be anything less than priceless. her of a woman in her home church. Hannah Jean gives freely of herself to others in creative Bowers is a high-achieving, double major in and caring ways. She has helped me to better Faith lived out biology and Spanish — on the pre-med track understand the value in giving to God even if Reflections such as the story shared by Hannah at University of Alabama Birmingham. it seems like our gifts are small. Sometimes Ms. Jean will call the church are common in our class. These young adults often see parallels between their personal sto- Hannah’s story office during the week to make sure no one is overlooked. She also asks the ministers about ries and the scriptural stories. There is a 95-year-old widow in my church, fellow church members who are sick and in the In the midst of higher education and Trinity Baptist Church in Madison, Ala., who hospital. launching new careers, they are exploring how was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago. After the phone calls ends, someone in the faith impacts their lives each day. Hannah She was told she would not survive another church office will sometimes ask the minister, has been on several mission trips to Spanish- year. “Who was that?” The common response is: speaking countries. Jessica is a leader in her But today, Ms. Jean Mabury is one of “Jesus.” campus ministry program. Andrew has served the most active members in our congregation. I am glad that Jesus is a part of my as a Passport camp staffer and now works at Every Sunday she scoots into the sanctuary church. Some churches have a few — but it the church. Lilly is doing groundbreaking work with a walking cane in one hand and a stack of would be all right if our churches were full of with young girls in her college community. cards in the other. Each week Ms. Jean makes a them. Several have served through summer handmade card for anyone in the church who Too often we keep our two little coins, or semester mission programs. Others have has a birthday during the upcoming week. thinking they are nearly worthless. We forget moved on to graduate schools or job oppor- She knows everyone’s birthday in the that gifts to God are never too small. tunities in other places where they serve in entire sanctuary, and she wants the whole Trust me, there is not a soul at Trinity churches and throughout new communities. BT

Feature | 31 +% ,#*' )-.$/. Looking ahead Moderators talk about the Fellowship in transition

eith Herron, pastor of Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., is the moderator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He is a native Texan and a former campus minister. Layman Bill McConnell of Knoxville, Tenn., is moderator- Kelect. A graduate of Carson-Newman College and Wake Forest University, he served as a special agent in the U.S. Air Force. He is now a partner in a ﬁrm that sells industrial air pollution control equipment and is a member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden where he taught high school seniors for 12 years. Baptists Today editor John Pierce asked these two elected leaders for insight into this time of transition within the 20-year-old Fellowship.

BT: You assumed the moderator’s project or theme would be mine to lead have of following our guiding documents. role at a time of great transition for been resolved with the major changes of seek- Sequencing is also important in bringing the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. ing a new leader and moving into a new system actions to the Fellowship for approval and Has that assignment lived up to your of governance. authorization. expectations? Consequently, following the Fellowship’s BT: Last June, CBF participants adoption of the 2012 Task Report, the offi- Herron: When I was first asked to serve as approved some significant orga- cers appointed an Implementation Team that moderator, I realized most moderators had nizational changes. How is that would review the eight proposals in the report either a big project to navigate or at least a implementation playing out? and recommend to the Coordinating Council theme they pursued through the work of the specific actions that must be taken to bring Coordinating Council. In thinking through Herron: In receiving those recommendations into reality. The intent whether to accept this position of service or the report, the “What’s of the officers has been to accept the steward- not, I wondered what project or theme would next?” question has ship of the Task Report and lay out a strategy I wish to embrace. guided my thinking. The that leads the Fellowship to seriously embrace I shouldn’t have worried as the realities of 2012 Task Report had no the changes of the report. change at every level of the Fellowship would game plan for how the The Implementation Team worked this occur in my year as moderator, some of which eight recommendations fall and presented an initial report to the has been intentionally planned and some of would be made. Thus Coordinating Council in October. [The team] which has been circumstantial. I came away from the listened to [the Council’s] responses to it and Keith Herron Just in the past few years we’ve navigated General Assembly think- will continue developing an action plan that through the difficult challenge of right-sizing ing we needed a playbook will bring the new structure into being. They the CBF Resource Center by trimming staff that described how we will continue working on this playbook in dia- and the budget. Related to that, in consulta- would implement the logue with the Coordinating Council at their tion with the group of CBF partners that report. February meeting and will report back to the gathered at Callaway Gardens, we appointed The issue of Fellowship at the General Assembly this June a task group to study the Fellowship and to “sequencing” seemed in Greensboro. make recommendations that would point us important as some steps We’ve felt that at some point, the work in the right direction for the third decade of toward change would we’re doing needs the input of the new execu- existence. be important initially tive coordinator, so the work that’s done is held In my first year in serving as mod- while others needed Bill McConnell in tension with the particular gifts and energies erator-elect we’ve experienced significant certain prior actions to of our new leader. The Executive Coordinator organizational change with the retirement of be strategically taken in sequence. Revisions Search Committee will be announcing the our executive coordinator and adopting the to the constitution and bylaws illustrate how candidate for this position in sequence for the 2012 Task Report. My worries about what sequencing works, recognizing the importance approval at the February Coordinating Council.

32 | Feature BT: Particularly, what about these BT: You agreed to be moderator-elect governance of the organization. This brings a changes do you believe strengthens of CBF at a time of significant transi- depth of experience and a broad viewpoint as CBF for the future? tion. Why? we, clergy and laity, serve together. I see leadership at the state and national Herron: The Task Report moves the Fellow- McConnell: This is not an easy question for level that is talented and committed to the ship from a large, unwieldy Coordinating me to answer. There are many people who are vision of CBF. I see young leaders emerging Council to the creation of three smaller probably better qualified to be the moderator from our seminaries as well as young lay lead- councils with specific duties. I believe the of this organization than I am; this was my ers rising from our churches. I see mature streamlining of councils will energize our work first thought when I was notified of my nomi- leaders who are willing to share responsibilities together in missions and ministries and in our nation for the office. with the younger generations. governance. I received several calls from friends and This is all reassuring; however, I am con- The national CBF will also strengthen its talked to several whose opinions I value during cerned with the funding of our mission. We relationships with the state and regional orga- my deliberations, and all urged me to accept. I can and must do better here if we are to fulfill nizations. I believe we’ll see a stronger bond spent much time in prayer before accepting. that vision. developed with our states and regions, and a I love the Fellowship and want to serve collective boost will define our notion of “part- in any way that will benefit CBF. This is BT: By the time you assume the nerships.” The shift will be felt as we recognize important work, and I think my experience in moderator role next June and then a new appreciation for how shared partnerships operating a business can be helpful in accom- complete a year of service, a new and concerns can energize our fellowship as a plishing the re-organization of the governing executive coordinator will be in place movement. body. and the organizational changes will be in effect. What do you hope the BT: What challenges must the BT: In addition to a major leadership Fellowship will look like at that point? Fellowship face over the next few transition, CBF is implementing some years? major organizational changes this McConnell: I really hope that we will have year. How are they going, and what fully transitioned to the new organizational Herron: It’s obvious these changes will be as do you see as the advantages of these structure as laid out in the 2012 Taskforce strengthening to the CBF as the Fellowship changes? Report and voted upon in Ft. Worth at this gives it energy. By “the Fellowship,” I mean past General Assembly. I expect that the new the individuals and churches that comprise the McConnell: The re-organization is moving at executive coordinator will have had a chance Fellowship across the country. That includes a faster pace than we had envisioned. Keith to fully evaluate the Atlanta organization and laity and ministers and also includes the col- Herron appointed a team to implement the will be well underway in putting an imprint on lective power of churches that desire to see the transition, and we have met to begin the pro- that structure. Fellowship flourish. cess. We are being led in the effort by Dave I also hope that we at the national level One of the issues that cannot be institu- Odom of the Duke Divinity School. will be working even more closely with the tionally implemented or voted into being is the The constitution and by-laws are being state organizations. I heard [task force chair] life force that’s created by our collective will. rewritten by the legal committee in order David Hull say something recently that I like. We must choose to give our Fellowship the to bring these documents in line with the He said that we have emphasized the fellow- power to be something larger than we can do 2012 Task Force findings. The officers have ship part of our culture for years; now we really on our own. requested names for appointment to the first need to emphasize the cooperative part of the nominating committee that will be approved organizational culture. BT: What gives you hope for CBF’s by the Coordinating Council in January of future? 2013. BT: What would you like to see the The nominating committee will then Fellowship look like in five years or so? Herron: No question, our hope is found in the constitute the first governing board, nominate persons where there’s a fire in the belly for the the next moderator-elect, and suggest the McConnell: I would like to see a situation in Fellowship to exist and to thrive as a move- first leaders of the new missions and minis- which individual churches as well as state orga- ment of God. In the good kingdom of God, tries bodies. These names will be approved nizations and national are working together on there are ample resources and vision needed to by the Fellowship at large at the Greensboro mission — with the group having the greatest accomplish great things in response to our call- General Assembly in June of 2013. I think the expertise for a particular project given the lead. ing as Fellowship Baptists. changes will streamline the way the Fellowship I would like to see a fundraising mindset I encourage folks to come together in functions. that allows us to do all of our mission projects Greensboro this summer where we’ll consider as well as provide the necessary funds to sup- specific stages needed to put the new orga- BT: You bring a business and lay lead- port both the national and state administrative nization into being and to welcome a new ership perspective to CBF. What does needs. I would also like to see a Fellowship in executive coordinator. It will be a time to hoist the Fellowship look like from your which racial, generational and gender issues are our sails for a new day. perspective? forgotten as we work together to be the presence of Christ in our world. * * * McConnell: One thing that has always We are doing these things now to an drawn me to CBF is that laity is valued in the extent. We can always do better. BT

Feature | 33 Proof of Heaven A Neurosurgeon’s Journey Media into the Afterlife By Eban Alexander Review by Tony Cartledge

Faith, not proof, is ﬁnal destination of Neurosurgeon’s Journey

Over the Thanksgiving weekend I read Eben Alexander’s popular Proof of Heaven: all the more so in that he had been a full- blown skeptic who had given up on any belief A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife (Simon & Schuster, 2012). The book, in God, and had previously pooh-poohed simi- which once topped the New York Times best-seller list, adds to a growing cor- lar accounts of near-death visits to the heavenly realms. pus of volumes detailing “near death experiences,” with the difference being He’s a full-blown believer in heaven now that Alexander is an academic neurosurgeon who knows as much about how — but surely he knows that his experience does not really provide a “proof” of heaven. I the brain works as anyone on the planet. have to believe the publisher must have chosen the title. lexander is a North Carolina native through a murky “Realm of the Earthworm’s- No matter how much Alexander knows whose father was chief of staff at Wake Eye View” and a “Gateway” of spinning, about brain function and how many theories AForest Baptist Medical Center for 20 melodious light to a beautiful green land of he tries and dismisses (there’s an appendix years. His book takes the reader on an intrigu- waterfalls and happy people in peasant clothes. of them) to explain what happened in terms ing journey through an amazing sequence of There he traveled on butterfly wings in of neuronal activity — thus arguing that his personal experiences as the highly-trained neu- the company of an angelic woman who turned conscious encounters with the divine must rosurgeon examines what it’s like to be brain out to be (he learned have originated outside of the brain — his own dead from the perspective of the patient. later) a birth sister he had memories of the experience are clearly resident Alexander was stricken with an extremely never met, who had died in his brain. How they got there is certainly a rare form of gram-negative bacterial menin- some years before. mystery — but it is not proof that he traveled gitis in 2008 and spent seven days in a coma The angelic escort to heaven. while the neocortex of his brain — where led him to an “infinite When it comes to dealing with the divine, what we recognize as consciousness and higher void” (which he calls “the mystery rules. thinking functions reside — was effectively Core,”) that was both We’d all like to have proof of heaven, I non-functional. “pitch black” and “brim- suppose. We’d like to have someone tell us, Yet, he describes a series of very conscious ming over with light,” as the “Girl on the Butterfly Wing” told him: Tony Cartledge out-of-body experiences in which he traveled and transfused with “You are loved and cherished, dearly, forever. the unmistakable and You have nothing to fear. There is nothing you comforting presence of God (whom he calls can do wrong.” “Om”). And we can certainly believe, as Alexander There, he writes, a pulsating “Orb” says he learned, that the heart of God (and Let’s celebrate (a transformed version of the “Girl on the hence the universe) is love. We can hope in a Butterfly Wing”) interpreted divine knowledge beautiful, soul-full life that extends beyond the 30 years of and revealed to him (without words) deep bodies we currently inhabit. Baptists Today truths about multiple universes and the secrets But we can’t prove it. of dark energy and dark matter. The writer of Hebrews reminds us “Now Thursday, April 25, 2013 After a statistically improbable recovery faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the that Alexander describes as medically miracu- conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). First Baptist Church lous, he is convinced that he still harbors As we trust in the revelation of God Gainesville, Ga. those truths, but the constraints of human through scripture, we can feel a confident con- limitations prevent him from explaining or viction about heaven, but we can’t subject it to Featuring singer-songwriter understanding them fully. scientific proof. Kate Campbell Alexander’s account is a fascinating story, That’s what faith is for. BT

34 | Perspective ‘The Rock’ provides positive hangout for teens

OZEMAN, Mont. — Don’t let the !"#$% &'( )*#"#! who plan a Tuesday evening worship service quietness fool you if you stop by The called “Illuminate.” Other Bible study groups BRock Youth Center while classes are in +% ,#*' )-.$/. have formed as well, and Young Life meetings session at Bozeman High School across the are held at the center too. And sometimes street. These are the treasured before-and-after provide volunteers at lunchtime. And meals churches throughout the area will hold their hours — times when director Gary Cook and are quietly provided at no cost to students they youth gatherings there. volunteers can catch their breath and prepare know who lack funds. Special events include an open-mic night for the next time the doors swing open and Then, after school, students “like they’re for budding musicians, a Super Bowl party, students flow in. on mission” come to the center, said Cook, to a “senior send-off” featuring root beer floats, “I like to work with these kids — and I get an afternoon snack — with “some actually and a teachers’ appreciation luncheon on their like doing music,” said Cook of assuming this doing their homework last day of the school year. ministry position when he moved from being a here.” Closer ties are being fostered between the member of First Baptist Church of Bozeman to Because The Rock church and the school, said Cook. Pastor Jay joining the ministry staff. offers a relaxed atmo- Smith, a former band director, offers his talents The Rock is part of the larger family of sphere away from the to the school. In turn, some of the musicians Bridger Community ministries supported by highly scheduled school have shared their talents at The Rock and dur- First Baptist and a local foundation. Its close routine, Cook said he ing services at First Baptist. presence to the high school is “so ideal,” said is careful not to “over- When the opening of The Rock was first Cook. program” activities there. announced, there was suspicion about just how From 7:00-8:30 a.m., students and teach- But various opportunities Gary Cook open and hospitable this Baptist-supported ers stream in for a good start to their busy day. have emerged and evolved effort would be, Cook recalled. The news- An espresso machine steams out coffee drinks since the center opened in the fall of 2006. paper did an article that he said could best be to go with bagels and other foods that are Students initiated a weekly, lunchtime summed up as: “Let’s see.” available. Bible study using Gary’s office. After more Four years later, the same publication Lunch at The Rock is a good option for than 30 packed into the small space, they wrote a cover story titled, “Come one, come students who enjoy an open campus. Faithful found a faculty sponsor and formed an official all!” volunteers arrive each day, including Cook’s club that meets in the high school orchestra But Cook said he is especially grateful wife, Tammy, who runs the kitchen. room. when a neighbor, Grace, comes by to tell him Since Catholic and Lutheran churches Cook, a former school teacher who later how much better the neighborhood is now that make use of the facilities on occasion, they also worked in water education, advises students The Rock is there. BT

Feature | 35 Answers to Baptist questions from a historical Why? perspective QUESTION: Why do Baptists ordain ministers and deacons?

ince their beginnings, Baptists have union, controlling access to God’s grace, and (sometimes with the assistance of other area thought of themselves as a New preserving church hierarchies. Not surprisingly, Baptist ministers), and is bestowed upon an STestament people, seeking to ground Baptists’ primary focus on the New Testament, individual by the approval and will of the con- their faith practices within the scriptural text. and corollary beliefs in religious liberty for gregation, evidenced in the application of the This focus on the New Testament, however, all and church-state separation, led to some New Testament practices of the laying on of was not without controversy in 17th-century 150 years of persecution from the colonial hands and prayer, signifying the invoking of Christendom. Congregational and Anglican theocracies. In God’s blessing. Ordained individuals are consid- The early Puritans who settled in the New addition, Baptists’ New Testament faith, with a ered the spiritual equals of non-ordained church World and established the Congregational strong emphasis on freedom of conscience and members; their setting apart is in the context of Church identified with and wrote about the Old the priesthood of all believers, shattered tradi- serving the church, rather than ruling as a priest Testament far more than the New Testament. tional church hierarchies and elitism. or bishop — although the title of bishop in For example, half of the statutes in the New In the place of priests and episcopacy, recent years is commonly utilized among black Haven colony’s Code of 1655 contained Old Baptists taught that the working of the Holy Baptist pastors. Testament references or citations, compared to Spirit through Christ was equally accessible Historically, ordination was reserved for the three percent of New Testament references. and available to all believers and that through clergy and deacons, and usually for men — The Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies also this direct relationship of individuals with the although from their beginnings some Baptists leaned heavily on the Old Testament in their divine, certain persons were set apart by God voiced the belief that the office of deacon legal codes. for “the work of ministry, for building up the included both men and women. However, In short, the Puritans/Congregationalists body of Christ” (Eph. 3:12). However, the New as churches and ministers moved into an era believed God had covenanted with them to turn Testament does not provide an actual model for of professionalization in the 20th century, the New World into the New Israel. Today’s normalizing this setting apart of individuals, and accompanied by an expansion of the concept of conservative, American Christian public infatu- not until the 17th century did Baptists settle ministry, Baptists increasingly applied ordina- ation with the Jewish Ten Commandments, as solidly on the formal practice and language of tion to a wide variety of ministerial roles. opposed to Jesus’ two greatest commandments, ordination. Even so, some Baptists historically Today, numerous persons on a large local is a legacy of early Puritan/Congregational — including Charles Spurgeon — resisted ordi- church staff may hold ordination credentials, influence. nation as an empty ritual that was unnecessary in in addition to ministers who work outside the A heavy reliance on the Old Testament in light of the priesthood of all believers. walls of a specific congregation, including chap- government and church in the New World — as While not specifically a New Testament lains and some collegiate ministers. However, all well as within the Catholic Church’s priestly practice, Baptists’ framing of ordination is ordinations yet take place within the context of system for more than a thousand years — had within a New Testament context. Ordination a local congregation, the center of Baptist eccle- served the purpose of sanctifying church-state takes place within a local congregation siology. In addition, many Baptist churches now ordain both men and women to the ministry and/or diaconate. Thus, while the scope of Baptist ordination has changed and expanded over time, today’s normative Baptist concept of the practice remains rooted in historic, overarching New Testament convictions of freedom of conscience, the priesthood of all believers, the primacy of the local congregation, and the practice of the setting apart of otherwise spiritually-equal individuals who are called by the Holy Spirit to serve the body of Christ. This legacy stands in contrast to many hierarchical structures in other denominations, emphasizing the grassroots nature of the Baptist faith. BT

36 | Perspective Reblog Selections from recent blogs Eat the BBQ ﬁrst at baptiststoday.org

By John Pierce shared a big barbecue beside a spring in what is now Chickamauga, Ga. And they agreed to ge can bring perspective. For example, move forward with the park (which was dedi- the U.S. Civil War seemed like ancient cated in 1895) as a memorial to those who fell Ahistory when I was a child and youth. in the costly, two-day battle: 4,045 killed with Yet less than a century had passed from the thousands more wounded or missing. bloody Battle of Chickamauga on Sept. 19-20, Whether in personal relationships, commu- 1863, to my birth just outside the nation’s old- nity life or large-scale conflicts, reconciliation is est and largest military park. good and important work. However, prevention The pristine grounds where my family is so much better. would picnic and I would toss Frisbees or foot- I kept wondering: What if that barbecue balls with friends in front of Wilder Tower had had been thrown before the conflict? just nine decades earlier been the scene of such It may not have made a difference. Passions gruesome American-on-American crime. were high, power struggles were growing, and Recently I stopped by the Chickamauga handshakes, memories and a common goal. economic interests were at stake. Such are the National Military Park visitor center to see what Union General William Rosecrans, whose ingredients of most conflicts. had taken shape in recent years and to browse Army of the Cumberland had been defeated at My thoughts focused less on that par- through the exhibits. One episode — following Chickamauga but whose side emerged victori- ticular war a century and half ago than on the the war — caught my attention unlike it had ous from the larger war, remarked: “One of larger idea of finding more constructive ways to before. the most noble features to me of this occasion address conflict — before rather than after the On Sept. 19, 1889, exactly 26 years is this: It is very difficult to find in history an damage is done and broken pieces need to be after the devastating battle, some Union and instance where contending parties in after-years glued together. Confederate veterans gathered in nearby meet together in perfect amity. It took great Baptists Today’s founding editor Walker Chattanooga to consider turning the battle- men to win that battle, but it takes greater men Knight coined a good phrase that has appeared ground just over the Georgia line (and other still, I will say morally greater, to wipe away all on the lips of a U.S. president and on refrigerator sites in the area) into a national park. Those the ill feeling which naturally grows out of such magnets in Israel: “Peace, like war, is waged.” fellow Americans who had bludgeoned a contest.” Indeed. Eat the barbecue first. Seek better, one another just years earlier now shared The next day, the blue and gray veterans more constructive ways to resolve differences. BT In (almost) living color

By Tony Cartledge The Sumerians crafted beautiful artifacts of gold and lapis lazuli, using rare ooking through some examination gemstones for added color. The Babylonians copies of potential textbooks for a learned to glaze bricks with bright hues, and Lcourse on religion in the Bible and the some of their ziggurats featured blue bricks ancient Near East, I noticed that all of the or tiles on the top levels. books were some shade of brown. I glanced The Egyptians were an artistic people, over my bookshelf, and realized that several and often painted hieroglyphs, tombs and of my Old Testament survey books looked public places in vivid colors. Beyond that, like they’d been dipped in chocolate as well. people of the time lived colorful lives and meeting in Chicago. The huge bookstore/ What is it with art designers and old had vivid imaginations, as well. exhibit area there was to die for, and aca- stuff? Is it because so much of the land Don’t think so? Read the Babylonian demic ideas floated like dust in the air. there is sandy and tan, or because many of Epic of Gilgamesh, or the Ugaritic tales of Pedantic pompousness was also pres- the material remains from that period are Kirta, or some of the Egyptian love poetry ent in good measure, but I enjoyed hearing coffee-colored? — or the Hebrew Bible. Polychromatic presentations on a variety of arcane subjects, Admittedly, clay tablets, pottery, mud characters abound. and some of the speakers were as colorful bricks, fertility figures and city walls of the I considered these things as I prepared as their topics. As a personal statement, period could all fit on a single color palette. to attend the Nov. 16-20 Society of Biblical though, I didn’t pack anything that was But people of the period loved color. Literature/American Academy of Religion brown. BT

Perspective | 37 Simply

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS — One can Scenic almost taste the fried chicken, potato salad and Silent Cataloochee Valley sweet tea that once graced the tables behind Little Cataloochee Baptist Church. Or feel the churches now welcome warmth coming from the single, central stove reﬂective travelers between the pulpit and the pews — the sole source of heat for the simple wooden structure built for worship in 1889.

he first European settlers came to the fertile valley surrounded by tree-covered mountains and ridges, where Cherokees lived and hunted, more than two centuries ago. Others followed, establishing homes, schools and churches in the scenic Cataloochee Valley — a series of three valleys, actually, with Little TCataloochee being the smallest. Descendents of those who carved life out of the scenic territory now return for annual gatherings to share familiar lore and place flowers on the graves of relatives. Otherwise, the little church with bare walls, rustic pews and a belfry welcomes hikers who stop by for rest and reflection.

38 | Feature Scenic

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Creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s, after tourists had already found the desirable getaway, meant the residents who grew apples, trapped wildlife and raised livestock in and around the North Carolina township of Cataloochee, near the Tennessee border, would eventually move beyond the park’s borders. But those with family ties as well as curious travelers are drawn to the relatively remote valley where stories of mountains, moonshine and more continue to be told. Like the one about reclusive Robert Palmer, who on the ﬁrst day of school was asked by the teacher what he wanted to be when he grew up. “The Boogerman,” the Palmer boy responded, according to the legend, sealing a nickname that would follow him throughout his life in the dense forest where he spurned all offers from lumber companies. As a result, hikers along Boogerman Trail encounter some of the tallest trees in the valley. Other visitors come to see the elk that were reintroduced to the park in 2001 or the neatly-preserved structures — log cabins, simple churches, houses and school — and the well-tended cemeteries that speak silently of another time and place in American life where faith and families took root. BT

Feature | 39 +% /*$-! *.$3-'2.$, Religion News Service

The Soldier of the Lord (1900) is part of a new exhibit at the Museum of Biblical Art that reveals a spiritual side to the master designer and craftsman whose studio single- handedly shaped the image of American churches. RNS photo courtesy the Museum of Biblical Art. Master designer Exhibit highlights Tiﬀany’s lasting impact on American church design

EW YORK — Louis C. Tiffany is the U.S. Civil War. and religious institutions in the United States perhaps best known for his intricate “People were turning to the power of cul- have a Tiffany piece of one kind or another. glass lamps, but a new exhibit at the tural memory, and where did they find it? In One of the best examples of Tiffany work is Museum of Biblical Art reveals a churches and synagogues,” Pongracz said. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paterson, Nspiritual side to the master designer and crafts- The growing ascendancy of well-heeled N.J., which boasts 12 Tiffany windows and a man whose studio single-handedly shaped the Protestant churches in urban areas meant that Tiffany altar rail. image of American churches. middle-class and prosperous congregations Yet the very placement of such treasures “Louis C. Tiffany and the Art of had the money to pay for the superbly crafted inside worship spaces makes them largely Devotion,” which runs through Jan. 20, cen- stained-glass windows, altarpieces, mosaic unknown to a wider public. That’s a key reason ters on the religious memorials and decorations floors and other decorative work created by why, even today, there is no complete catalog that Tiffany and his firm created for American Tiffany’s firm. of Tiffany’s devotional works. congregations for about a half-century, begin- The Protestant Tiffany knew no sectarian “People have talked about producing a ning in the 1880s. boundaries; his works are also found in Roman census, but that’s a daunting task,” Pongracz “We know Tiffany for his lamps, but what Catholic and Jewish houses of worship. said. we overlook is that Tiffany was most prolific “This happened at a time when it was One thing the current exhibit pro- for his work in houses of worship,” said cura- thought to be important for a congregation to vides is the chance to see some of the famed tor Patricia Pongracz, the museum’s acting invest in their church building,” Pongracz said, Tiffany craftsmanship up close. The layered director. “and people really did put money into these glass in some of the pieces — such as Lydia Several Tiffany leaded-glass windows take buildings.” Entertaining Christ and the Apostles and The pride of place in the exhibit, but MOBIA also Tiffany’s ruling aesthetic was sometimes Righteous Shall Receive a Crown of Glory” features mosaics, church furniture and other called “The Gospel of Good Taste.” That was are so skillfully done that the depicted folds items. Pongracz said the current exhibit is a supported by a canny business sense, with of clothing “have a real billowing effect,” first in examining the ecclesiastical tradition of Tiffany displaying religion-themed work at Pongracz said. what was once one of the nation’s most famous hugely popular world fairs, such as the 1893 When asked if she has a favorite in the design “brands” — and is still a cherished Columbian Exposition in Chicago. exhibit, Pongracz chose a baptismal font that name for lovers of American decorative arts. As an accompanying essay by art historian displays noticeable Islamic influences with its In a walk-through of the exhibit, Pongracz and curator Jennifer Perry Thalheimer notes, blue and white coloring that reflects the time said that, in Tiffany’s life (1848-1933), the devo- “demand from churches for decorative art Tiffany spent in North Africa. tional side of his firm’s work was well known. was so great that Tiffany designated an entire While it is important to appreciate the Tiffany lived in a time of a quickly department of Tiffany Studios for the creation” religious character of the Tiffany artifacts, the growing, and increasingly urban, United of church art. By the time of the 1893 exposi- MOBIA exhibit also affirms the pieces for their States. Church expansion — some 4,000 new tion, Thalheimer notes, Tiffany’s studio “had sheer aesthetic pleasures. churches were built between the 1880s and established itself as the premier ecclesiastical “The notion of beauty,” Pongracz said, 1910 — was an integral part of the era, which design firm.” “the craft of making something beautiful, played out under the still-haunting shadows of The result? Thousands of older churches elevates us all.” BT

40 | Feature !"#$% &'( )*#"# +% "#'% /&$"3.(2., Contributing Editor Surprising Grace A church start with a history HARRISBURG, N.C. — Walk into Hickory Ridge High School on a Sunday morning and you’ll find all of the things you’d expect of a new church start on a more or less contemporary model. riendly greeters wait at the door. Clear directional signs, a well-staffed welcome Ftable, and fresh coffee and pastries add to the warmth. Smiling church members chat in the halls and show the way to a Sunday school class where adults sit in student desks and discuss the latest Nurturing Faith Bible Study lesson. The school auditorium has undergone a weekly transformation into worship space. A praise team sings, accompanied by a piano, a Pastor Jason Blanton hopes Grace Crossing’s new facility and service-oriented approach can make it keyboard and a guitar. The pastor plays drums. an anchor for the growing community along I-485, east of Charlotte. Words to the mix of choruses and hymns are projected on a screen flanked by worship east of the city, and those who remained strug- land at the junction of I-485 and Rocky River banners. All seems typical until you scan the gled to connect with the evolving community. Road in East Charlotte. The first building of congregation and realize that most congregants The church decided to move yet again. a multi-phase building plan is under construc- are past retirement age, their youthful enthusi- After a protracted effort, the building was tion, and the church hopes to hold services asm crowned with gray hair. sold in 2006 and the congregation made brief there on Easter Sunday. This is Grace Crossing Baptist Fellowship, stops at an elementary school and a Presbyterian The congregation of Grace Crossing is “a and it’s going on 112 years old, but acting church gym before settling in at Hickory Ridge remarkably resilient and faithful group of peo- much younger. It is, as members like to say, High School in Harrisburg, arriving just as the ple,” Blanton said, people who want to offer “a church start with a history.” school prepared to open in 2007. the community a needed voice of grace and Grace Crossing was born just east of Change continued. The pastor left in service from a posture of theological humility. downtown Charlotte in 1901. It began as 2008, and so did many of the younger adults. A ball field for community use is part of Belmont Baptist Church, but moved within Undaunted, the remaining 60 or 70 members the initial building phase, and plans for an a year to Pegram Street and became Louise persevered. They persuaded veteran pastor and organic community garden are in the works. Baptist Church. A dozen years later, the grow- professor Chuck Bugg to serve as interim pas- Blanton hopes the building can become a local ing congregation moved again and became tor, and in the early fall of 2010, called Jason resource for weddings, homeowner associa- Allen Street Baptist Church. Blanton to serve as pastor. tion meetings, and other gatherings. Blanton The church continued to grow, but as the Blanton’s easy-going manner relates well believes the congregation is on the right track, neighborhoods surrounding it changed, the to people of all ages, and his administrative and that natural growth will follow as the facilities were sold in 1968 and the congrega- acumen got the church on a sound financial church seeks to finally settle in and become tion moved yet again, becoming Shamrock track. They no longer dip into reserves for “an anchor for the community.” Drive Baptist Church. operating expenses, but ended 2012 in the Grace Crossing is affiliated with the Urban flight to the suburbs continued, black, with a surplus for the building fund. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the CBF of however. Many of the church’s members moved The church owns 16 acres of highly visible North Carolina. BT

“Grace Crossing’s congregation is ‘a remarkably resilient and faithful group of people.’”

Feature | 41 Guest Commentary By Jenny Lee Dinner and a survey Young adults crave community, yet space for spiritual searching

It started with an online survey and resounded through their words. They wanted church-going Millennials. They look forward church leaders to know that faith is hard for to the day when they will find what they need family dinner. After years of reading them and they need space to explore and ask in the church. and hearing about how my genera- questions. When I talk to my peers, they tell me They asked to be invited to participate. that their greatest spiritual need is community. tion was disappearing from church, But, mostly, they asked for the church to evolve. They need friends who will pray for them, sup- Meanwhile, our family dinners began port them and show up for them. For reasons I wanted to know what my peers to expand. What started as four people has related to the changing sociological face of the would say about why they were grown to eight. We have a list of others we Millennial generation, this is happening less want to invite. Our light-hearted attempt at frequently at church. increasingly less interested in being time together has evolved into an intentional People are staying in school longer, get- part of a church. response to our craving for community. ting married later and having children later. My simple survey coupled with our new The traditional structures of church intended imultaneously, my friends-who-are- dinner tradition reflects to create fellowship are no longer relevant. becoming-family and I decided to information coming from We are trying to find organic ways to Sinstitute a weekly “family dinner.” We a variety of sources. Since make this happen; “family dinner” is one way. are all in our 20s, and needed to work harder the 1960s, there has been Ironically, we host dinner at a house on Union on building relationships with one another. a steady moving away Chapel Road. The survey responses started flooding in. from the institutional While we fiercely desire community, there Within 36 hours, 76 people had completed the church. Across denomi- is also a fear of community. Anxiety bubbles survey. national lines, fewer and up in many young adults when they feel that Simply by inviting my Facebook friends fewer people are finding a being accepted into a community requires between the ages of 22 and 35 to answer a few meaningful spiritual and needing to assent intellectually to the commu- questions about their faith experience, they religious connection within church doors. nity’s belief and identity. shared intimate details about living faithfully The phrase “spiritual but not religious” is These postmodern adults, me included, in a world where church is simply an option. currently popular though much debated. But resist anything resembling propositional truth. The results were complicated. Even “Do for the Millennial generation, “spiritual, but For those of us who remain engaged in a you consider yourself a Christian?” required an not religious” is the honest voicing of those congregation, we are struggling to accept prop- explanation for many. who have experienced and are experiencing ositional truths about a God we are grasping to While nearly all of the respondents grew God in their culture and conversations, but less understand. up in a church, only 68 percent currently have frequently in their churches. Most of us have no interest in deconstruct- a congregational connection. They told me After the 2011 tsunami in Japan, ing the sanctuaries that built us. Rather we seek about feeling “displaced” and anxious about Toshihito Aisawa, a 9-year-old boy, waited creative and meaningful ways to respond to the being judged. Some shared that they simply do every day at a nearby shelter with a sign listing quiet voices within us asking for more. not see the need for church attendance. his family members’ names and a simple prom- Fundamentally, we must relinquish the I provided a list and asked them to choose ise: “I will come again tomorrow.” fear that is holding us back from evolving into all the options that described what they most Most churches have a small population of the church the Holy Spirit is creating among looked for in a church. Two thirds responded 20/30-year-olds who survived the social and us. Forget the budget. Ditch preconceived that they wanted “thoughtful sermons.” The religious tsunami of the college years and are notions about what church must be. Listen to second highest answer (58.1 percent) was remaining faithful to their local congregations. the Spirit. “mission opportunities.” Few, however, would report that their spiritual Howard Thurman famously wrote, “Don’t I asked, “What would you want church and emotional needs are met at church. More ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you leaders to know about how you experience God likely, they come out of a fierce hope that their come alive, and do it. Because what the world and faith?” The responses were overwhelming. congregation will, at some point, surprise them. needs is people who have come alive.” Resentment and fear of judgment Aisawa’s faithfulness is analogous to these In the same way, ask what makes the

42 | Perspective congregation come alive, what makes people community, and make the faithful keeping of If, however, we believe faithfulness looks passionate, and do it. Our world desperately those practices the center of religious life. A like stoicism and inflexibility, we should needs churches that have come alive. community of practice transforms the church call ourselves museum curators rather than We must practice empathy. As we pur- from the crass consumerism of a spiritual ministers. I believe the church can evolve sue justice and mercy, it is time we do so not shopping mall to the earnest religion of Jesus into something more closely resembling the because it helps other people, but because it followers. Kingdom of God, and when it does, all people helps us all. As our Trinitarian God dances in In the Millenial search for authentic- can find a home — even the most wary and a perfect perichoretic dance, so we must also ity, the desire for truth trumps self-satisfied cynical 20-somethings. dance with all people. spirituality. Recently I entered a time of prayer with There’s no “us” and “them,” only “we.” Many of us moderate Baptists define these ideas heavy on my heart. I was trying to Justice is not justice unless it can share a pew, ourselves by what we are not rather than what pray the Lord’s Prayer, but the words kept and maybe lunch afterwards. Millennials have we are. We have contributed to the angry and tangling in Robert Frost’s “Birches.” a bent toward justice; the way a church chooses combative rhetoric of our culture, and this As I prayed the words Jesus taught us, to engage in the social questions of our day will must end. We must learn to be peacemakers I imagined a church that could swing and largely determine whether or not a Millennial and effective communicators. We must be bounce with laughter and life. My messy will find a home in that congregation. unapologetic, but constructive. prayer was God assuring me that the church It is time to re-imagine the Bible. As post- Finally, and most importantly, we must is more possible than ever. modernists disregard propositional truths and get to know Jesus — by approaching the I believe this is a hopeful and creative time metanarrative, the challenge falls to us to find Gospels with fresh eyes. Who is this Jesus, who to serve the local congregation. We have the new ways to let scripture speak. speaks in stories and can change a person with exquisite opportunity to raise our prophetic Embrace the ancient Hebrew ways of one brief conversation? How should we wor- voices as we co-labor with God in creating a reading our stories and ask where you find ship this lover of sinners and saints? church that is a home for Jesus. May we swing yourself in the story. Ask better questions of Whatever this evolution looks like in the from birch branches as we joyfully respond to scripture; never give prepackaged answers. end, it will certainly revolve around Jesus. the Spirit. BT Consider how modern science fits with our If we believe in the God we purport to hermeneutic. It may surprise us how much the- believe, we know the church will not fail. We —Jenny Lee, a graduate of Campbell University ology you can learn from a science textbook. cannot fail as long as we are faithful to the Divinity School, is minister with students at Intentionally develop the practices of the prophetic call to love God and love people. First Baptist Church of Asheville, N.C. New releases FROM Faith BOOKS

Authentic preaching from Well-crafted, thoughtful, Sermons that shaped Women ministers share the classroom to the pulpit challenging sermons a congregation their stories

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Temple Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C. First Baptist Church, Athens, Ga. First Baptist Church, Tryon, N.C. The Summit Baptist Church, Cairo, Ga. First Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga. First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Va. Tomahawk Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va. First Baptist Church, Bladenboro, N.C. First Baptist Church, Wilmington, N.C. Trinity Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn. First Baptist Church, Cape Girardeau, Mo. First Baptist Church, Wilson, N.C. Trinity Baptist Church, Seneca, S.C. First Baptist Church, Carolina Beach, N.C. First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. University Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, N.C. First Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tenn. Forest Hills Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C. Viewmont Baptist Church, Hickory, N.C. First Baptist Church, Clemson, S.C. Godwin Heights Baptist Church, Lumberton, N.C. Vineville Baptist Church, Macon, Ga. First Baptist Church, Columbus, Ga. Grace Crossing, Charlotte, N.C. Watts Street Baptist Church, Durham, N.C. First Baptist Church, Commerce, Ga. Grace Fellowship Baptist Church, Meridian, Miss. Weatherly Heights Baptist Church, Huntsville, Ala. First Baptist Church, Dalton, Ga. Haddock Baptist Church, Haddock, Ga. Westwood Baptist Church, Cary, N.C. First Baptist Church, Eatonton, Ga. Hampton Baptist Church, Hampton, Va. Wingate Baptist Church, Wingate, N.C. First Baptist Church, Elkin, N.C. Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C. Winter Park Baptist Church, Wilmington, N.C. First Baptist Church, Evans, Ga. Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla. Woodhaven Baptist Church, Apex, N.C. First Baptist Church, Forest City, N.C. Highland Hills Baptist Church, Macon, Ga. Woodmont Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn. First Baptist Church, Ft. Myers, Fla. Highland Park Baptist Church, Austin, Texas Yates Baptist Church, Durham, N.C. First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Fla. HillSong Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, N.C. Youngsville Baptist Church, Youngsville, N.C. First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Ga. Holmeswood Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo. Zebulon Baptist Church, Zebulon, N.C. First Baptist Church, Gaithersburg, Md. HomeStar Fellowship, Apex, N.C. First Baptist Church, Gastonia, N.C. Huegenot Road Baptist Church, Richmond, Va. Jersey Baptist Church, Linwood, N.C. See, there’s First Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C. room here. Add your church’s name to the growing list. Discover the beneﬁts of once-a-year ordering and the special rates for 25 or more — and even deeper discounts for orders of 100 or more. Call toll-free 1-877-752-5658 or visit baptiststoday.org.