Ouachita Baptist University Scholarly Commons @ Ouachita

Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine, 1985-1989 Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine

2-21-1985

February 21, 1985

Arkansas Baptist State Convention

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Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Mass Communication Commons A~B~~h-r.~t NEWSM.AGAZIN~ On the cover Ethnic home missions: the world on our doorstep ., America has always been a nation of im­ Sou thern Baptist church in the near future. migraryts. Today, more and more Arkansans Kim, his wife, Chung Ha, and their son, speak languages other than English and Steve, have adjusted well to the Arkansas come from cultures other than Anglo­ culture and lifestyle since being called to the American culture. mission in 1984. Since its 1982 inception, The fastest-growi ng language/culture the congregation ha s grown to 55 persons. group in Southern Baptist home mission Cooperative Program dollars, funneled work is among Koreans, with 125 Korean through language missions ministries, help congrega tions in the United States. make this mission a possibility. (Articles on One of those congregations is th e Ko rea n pp. 7-9 emphasize sse home missions work Church of Arkansas, a mission of Park Hill in connection w ith this week's Home Mis­ Church, North Little Rock. Under the sion Study and the Week of Prayer for Home pastoral leadership of Chung Chil Kim, the Missions, March 3-10. ) - Randy Cash, miss ion anticipates const ituting as a language missions director Former Ouachita ROTC professor killed ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Lt . Col. Ambrus D. Panama. Twenty-one U.S. military person­ Carnes, a former professor of military nel were aboard the plane, which was head­ science at Ouachita Baptist University, was ed for Puerto Cast illa. killed in the crash of a C-130A military Ca rnes was the recipient of the Si lver Sta r, ABN photo I Millie Gill transport plane Tuesday, Jan. 22 , off the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Combat Infa n­ Because Arkansas Baptists care about coast of Honduras. tryman's Badge and six Vietnam Service all people, at home as well as abroad, Carnes served two years as OBU's pro­ Medals, among others. He is survived by his they are reaChing out through home fessor of military science before being re­ wife, Judy, a member of the OBU library missionaries such as Randy Cash (right) assigned in 1984 to the U.S. Southern staff; a daughter, LeAnne, of the home; and of the Arkansas State Missions Depart­ Military Command Headquarters in a son, Greg, who lives in Texas. ment, to language groups such as the one led by Pastor Chung Chi/ Kim (/eft) SBC music audition dates announced in Nor!h Little Rock. The ar!icle at the Southern Baptist College will hold audi­ Singers, an 16-voice mixed choral ensemble. right imd ones on pp. 7-9 relate to the tions Feb. 22, March 22 and April 26 for Auditions wilt be held in the Maddox Fine annual SBC home missions emphasis music talentships and sc holarships for th e Arts Center on the SBC ca mpus. Interested (Pictured with Cash and Kim are Jef­ 1985-86 academic year. persons may obtain application form s from ferey Kearn, left, and his brother Sean.). Prospective st udents desiring admission to D. Brent Ballweg, D irector of Choral Ac­ th e Department of Music may audition for tivities, Southern Baptist College, Walnut talentships (up to fu ll tuition), accompanist Rid ge, AR 72476, phone 886·6741, ext. 150. scholarships and membership in So uthern Altern ative audition dates are available. In this issue OBU schedules church staff member orientation An orientat ion program for church staff process at Ouachita. members who have moved to Arkansas in Staff members also will become familiar 12 re-creation the past three yea rs has been sc heduled for with speakers, music groups and revival Arkansas' state parks offer fine opportunities March 7 at Ouachita Baptist University. teams available to them through the univer­ for inexpensive, wholesome recreation for New pastors and directors of music, sity. A luncheon with OBU faculty and staff families and church groups. A new monthly education, youth and recreation are members is planned. feature lists selected events in the parks dur­ welcome at th e orientation, which will of­ Further information is available from Bud­ ing the month ahead. fe r information about th e religious life, dy Barnett, admissions counse lor, at OBU, academic program, fi nancial aid and P.O. Box 3776, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, 14 beyond the exodus scholarship programs and the admissions phone 246-453 1, ext. 114. Although civif war has forced most Ch ristians to leave West Beirut, Southern Baptist mis­ Cooperative Program report: january sionary Jim Ragland kept the doors of Beirut January gifts Baptist School open. Now, with a Muslim ma­ Over (under) % increase over jority among the students, Ragland has found Year a witnessing opportunity he never dreamed budget to date previous year possible. Summary for )an. 1985 1979 ($ 11 ,072.38) 5.04 1980 83,762.48 29.83 Received $904, 136.00 19B1 59,055.24 Budget 956,331.17 8.72 ---- 1982 5,348.34 8.70 Under (52, 195.17) 1983 (170,698.74) -12.71 1984 (52, 195.17) 5.20

The bad weather hindered attendance in most churches in january. Undoubtedly it also affected giving since we are 5.46 percent short of budget. Hopefully February will be beuer weather and better giving. - L.L. Collins Jr.

Page 2 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Are congratulations in order? The editor's page J. Everett Sneed

Arkansas Ba ptists should congratulate themse lves fo r giv­ his fo llowers to be concerned for th e total person and to foster ing $215,584.20 to world hunger in 1984. Or should wei There just ice in a structural way. are millions of people who are literally starving to death as a Special care for the hungry is often cited as a sign of true result of the west Afri ca n drought. Unless help comes soon, repentance. Isaiah 58 speaks of sha ring bread with the hungry many thousands of people will die from starvation before the as a form of piety. The writer of Prove rbs said, " The righteous end of 1985. Th ere are two thin gs that Arkansas Baptists should consider the cause of the poor: but the wicked rega rdeth not do. First, we should pray dail y th at God wi ll send rain to the to kn ow it" (Prov. 29 :7) . ' drought-stricken area of West Africa. Second, we shou ld con­ Th e question arises, " W hat can we do to help eliminate tinue to give to our Southern Baptist world hunger program. this ma ssive, tragic and awesome suffering?" Unless we, as It is difficult for many Americans to conceive of people Christians, have a definite pl an, little or nothing will l:ie ac­ w ho are literally starving to death . Television news clips of star­ complished. Here are. a few suggestions: vi ng children in Ethiopia have provided us with a slight insight 1. Everyone should pray regularly that God will sen d ra in into what hunger really means. Th e tragedy is compounded to West Africa. The gravity of the problem suggests that a part by the fact that most individua ls in America waste food. Ex­ of each worship service should be prayer for rain . perts say th at if the food was diStributed evenly across the 2. Some of our ch urches have pledged a defi nite amount world, everyone would have enough to ea t. in the church budget for world hunger. Other congregations, A few mea ls for the starving millions is hardly more than who have Wednesday night meals, have world hunger offer­ a band-a id applied to a fatal infection. The immediate relief ing containers. being given by our Foreign Mission Board, the United States 3. Some families have pledged to give a full day's wages government and others must be accompanied by a massive to help alleviate the hunger in West Africa. Consistent giving plan of long-range assista nce. People beaten by fam ine must by famil(es will help to meet the immediate problem of so me be re-established again where they are or resettled w here they of the starving people in West Afri ca. But, perhaps more im­ ca n grow food . Even when rain comes, they must be introduc­ portantly, it will keep it before the fami li es so that they will ed to better methods of farming and water usage so that the pray regularly. land wi ll bring forth food. Th ey also need to be educated in 4. Others have proposed a day of fasting and prayer for the fam ily planning with an ultimate goal of getting the popula­ starving people in West Afri ca. Perhaps, a single day of fasting tion imbalance w ith what the country can support. would, to some small ex tent, acquaint us with what it mea ns The Bible is clear concerning our res ponsibility to those to be hungry. It also would assist us to give ourse lveS more who have need. The Bible indicates that hunger is not an ac­ effectively to prayer. cident. Although natural disasters, such as the drought in South Southern Baptists have the best pla n for reaching the Africa, often account for the immediate problem, the root of hungry of the world . Every penny given to the Foreign Mis­ hunger is in injustite. The writer of Proverbs·said, " Much food sion Board for hunger goes directly to starving people. Th ere is in the tillage of the poor; but there is that which is destroyed is no administrative cost, as there is in most organizations. for want of judgment" (Prov. 13 :23). Other ca uses of"poverty, Th e method of collecting money and encouragi ng con­ such as laziness and drunkenness, are mentioned by the w riter sistent continual prayer is not important. But the urgent need of Prove rbs also. Yet, at least 122 sc riptures make a distinct is that we give our money and ourselves in prayer so that the li nk between hunger and oppress ion. needs of th e starving people in West Africa can be met. Earl y in Ch rist's ministry he set forth his purpose. He sa id, The message of the sc ripture is clear, ca re for the poor and " Th e spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed hungry is not an option for our ch urches. Th e Bible gives me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal special attention to those who are hungry. j es us, who came the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captive, and and died on the cross, directs us to ca re for the poor and recovering of th e sight to th e blind, and to set at liberty them hungry. Fai lure to do so would reflect a lack of obedience on that are bruised ... " (luke 4: 18). It is plain that jesus expected th e part of those of us who are his children.

Lette,. to the .clltor upresslng opinions are Invited. Le"eB should be typed doublespace and mutt be algned. Lettel'l muSI not contain more than 350 words and muat not delame the charlldlf ol peraon1. They miJSt be manted "' lor publication ... PhotOII IYbml"ltdlor publication wiU be returned only when acc:ompanled by a llamped, Mil· Alfkmwu B addtaued an~ . Only black and white pho!OI can be used. NEWSMAGAZIN~ Copl" by mall 50 cet~ta each. Arkansas' third largest pub1lcation, DMtM ol m.mbefa of ArkaniU churctun will be r~ltd Jn bf'MI tonn when Information Ia meeting the information needs of Arkansas Baptists r~ not Iatif than 14 dl.ya attlf the data ol death. VOLUME 84 NUMBER B Advartl1lng raiH on raqueat. Oplnlona axpreued Jn llgnad artlciH are thoM ol the wrtl.lf. J . EvoroH Snood, Ph.D ...... : ...... Edltbr Betty Kennedy ...... Manoglng Editor Mambar of the Southam Bapllat Prau Auodatlon. Erwin L. McDonald, Lltt D...... Editor Emerttue TIM Arbnua Baptlat Na~ lne (USPS 031·2fl0) i1 pubiilhed WMkly, except the third wuk In April, at July 4 and Dec. 25, bytheA.rttanau ~~~~ N~ne , ll'lc. , Llnla Aoctt. Arttanut Blptlel Newtmagazlne tto.rd ol Dlrecton: Lane Strother. Mount~n Home. prell· AA . Subacrlptlon rataa are 18.311 par yrnr (lndMdual), $5.40 par yur (E\19f'Y RM!dant Famlty dW.t: Mrs. J. W. L Adami Jr., TeurkaN: Chann cn...r, Car'IM: Lyncb'l AnMy, L.iN Rock; Ptln), se.oo paryaar ~Plan) and lt8.00par yaar (to toNign an.). Saoonddaaa IX*-oa LMoy Frltfleh, Fort Smhh; M,_, Jimmie Oamer, Trumenn: Mert. M ill~n . Hwri10n; Tommy paid at UUia Rod!:. AR. POSTMASTER: Send addtwN cMngaa to ...... ,_. 8apdat AobtrtiOr'l, ElDorado: enclthe Hon. Elal.. ne Roy, Llnle Rod. Ha ..IMIJUIIMI , P, 0 . Box !52, Uttta Rock, AA 72203.

February 21, 1985 One layman's opinion

Daniel R. Grant

Perso nal mora/it'(: revolution or counter-revolution? Every now and then an encouraging word irresponsible exploitati on of young women without the benefit of matrimony will be is heard across the land in the matter of na­ by men. The feminist movement has also treated in the sa me manner as married ti onal trends in personal morality. Following come down hard against many of th e por· couples, with respect to such things as in­ the discouraging words during the so-called nographic magazines for sexist exploitation surance, pension and death benefits for sex ual revolution of the 1960s and 70 s, it is of young women and even children. spouses. Th e homosexual partner, along welcome re li ef to see an occasional televi­ Whatever th e so urce, Christian people with the heterosex ual pa rt ner out-of­ sion program or story in the press, suggest ing Vv'O uld rejoice in any trend away from the im­ wedlock, are equal to the legaJ husband or th at a conservative counter-revo lution is morality or amoral ity of th e 60s and 70s. wife in the eyes of the law in Berkeley, Ca lif. und E:> rway in America. Ju st when I begin to be encouraged about Incidentally, th e Berkeley case provides an Such programs and stories emphasize that: -greater st rength for the American marriage interesting reverse example of th e entangle­ in 1980 only 11 percent of new_American an d th e sanctity of the home and famil y, it ment of the state in matters of religion and households had married couples, but the seems that I hea r of a st ran ge set back. One a provocative question on church-s tate figure had risen to 71 percent in 1983; mar­ such ne\YS item came to my attention recent­ separat ion. It compels all citizens, Ch ristians riage is on the increase and casual sex is on ly from the city of Berkeley, California, where included, to provide tax support for a th e decrease; and the sex ual counter­ the counter-revolution appa rently has not yet lifestyle that includes homosex ual behavior revolution even extends to college st udents, arrived. Their city cou ncil, which elected and ad ultery, clearly violative of Christian such as at Ohio State Uni versity where th e four new libera l council members not long standards of morality. number of female students who had pre­ ago, promptly proceeded to pass a During th e 1960's, Berkeley was among marital sex declined from 80 percent in 1975 " domestic partn ers law," becoming the first the first to champion the latest fads of the to 52 percent in 1983. city in the nation to gra nt live-in pa rt ners of sex ual revolution. Is it possible it will be the Interesti ngly enough, the fe minist move· city employees the same benefits as spouses. last to hear about the co nse rva tive ment that was in the va nguard of the ea rly My first reaction was to think "surely that counter-revolution? sex ual revolution claims credit for some of doesn't mea n what it seems to mean!" But th e conservative cou nter-revolution as they on reading the newspaper report , it seems Daniel R. Grant is president ~ f Ouachita brand the " quick and casual sex" a ki nd of clea r that it is intended that couples living Ba ptist University.

AMAR Woman's viewpoint Opportunities Lynda Rogers Burgess

Choir tour A silver lining A sta te-wide choir group under the If yo u are a Christ ian, eve ry cloud has a omnipotent wisdom, he kn ew that we would direction of Amon Baker will tour si lver lining. God designed it that way. Paul need an anchor in an ever-changing, tur­ Eq uato ri al Brazil during July 4- 17, states in Phil. 4:11 , " I have learned in w hat­ bulent world. God has given us th at anchor 1985 . This is an opj>ortunity for choir soever state I am, therewith to be content:' in the doctrine of "all things". Another ex­ members who are interested in help­ The key word in that statement is "learned:' ample is I Thessalon ians 5:18, " In everything ing with the Amazon-Arkansas Part­ The Ch ristian perspective is not the perspec­ give thanks: for this is the w ill of God in nership Mission. ti ve of th e world. We are to lea rn to live Christ Jesus concerning you." They w ill perform cultural conce rts above our circu mstances. We must lea rn that the ci rcumsta nces of in major cities, even in opera houses let's take a definitive look at th e word "cir­ life fujfill a purpose in God's plan for our in some cases. The repertoire will in­ cu msta nces." Th e prefix "circum" is defi n­ . lives. They are designed, aiiO'vVed or used for clude America n folk songs in va rious ed as "around, about. .. on all sides",' while our growth, to develop faith, to inhibit pride, styles and choral and instrumental th e word it modifies, "stance," refers tO to teach pat ience, obedience an d humility, church music. Some personal " posi ti on or place". As a Christian, our posi­ to demonstrate God's power, to manifest the testimonies will be shared. tion is in the au thority of Christ and hi s finish­ fru it of the Spi rit in our lives, to enable us Contact Amon Baker, 1000 Bi shop, ed work on the cross. Those things which to empath ize with oth ers and, ultimately, to Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, o r call evolve around us are ei th er designed, per­ make us more Ch rist-like. The manner in 376-3071. mitted or used by God's hand. w hich we respond to the circumstances in As we mature in our rela tionship w ith our lives is our most eloquent witn ess for Ch rist, we lea rn to anchor our lives to verses Jesus Christ. like Romans 8:28, "And we know that a ll Hospital records decisions things work together for good to them that Linda Rogers Burgess is a Hot Springs More than 2,200 decisions to accept Christ love God, to them who are the ca lled ac­ homemaker and freelance writer. She di· were recorded at Wallace Memorial cording to his purpose." This is a faith-rest rect.s the Ju nior High Sunday School depart­ Hospital, Pusan, Korea, in 1984. which God planned for his children. In his ment at Park Pla ce Ch urch, Hot Springs.

Page 4 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Don Moore Letters to the editor Pray for rain You'll be glad and support the Cooperative Program. I I would like for every believer to join me believe it is God's instrument given to to know ... in prayer about the conditions in Africa. If Southern Baptist to fund Bold Mission Thrust we will pray and have faith to believe, God and carry his message to a lost world. will hear our prayers and relieve the condi­ To refuse to support the Cooperative Pro· . . .The Evangelism Conference was bless­ tion there . gram to get at some individual is like using ed of God! How we thank him for renew­ l et us pray that God will send so much an elephant gun to kill a flea on the back ing us at those crucial points that result in rain on that dry land, it will be soaked so of yOur favorite pet. Aga in I ask, is there one more consistent and that the dry land wi ll be tillable. Then that who can bring healing to our convention? effective evangelism. the People will till the ground and will plant Is there one who can get us to work in the It was remarkable grain· and other food crops and some one "fields white unto harvest?" how the messages and will teach them how to cultivate thr crops Let us pray God will raise up such a man emphases meshed to­ so that they can raise enough to feed the star­ in our midst. - Sidney G. Carswell, little gether in conveying ving people there. Rock God's message to us. The first thing we think about when a need We are indebted to arises is to raise money to supply the need. Stick. to missions Clarence Shell and his We probably can't raise enough money for David Miller's letter of a few weeks ago the next fe-.v yea rs to feed all of these peo­ staff for bringing to us asking us to withhold funds from the a program that could ple, so why don't we ask God to show his Cooperative Program and to re-elect Charles be so used of God. marvelous power and supply the moisture Stan ley begs for comment. This is the same needed? He tells us in his word to ask and The variety and types Moore David Miller w ho opposed our state conven· receive. If you ask not, you receive not. of speakers, the bala nce of emphases and lion's making some housing provisions for God can change the whole surface of the the encouragement to face the challenge in the elderly of Arkansas on the premise that a Positive way all served to meet ou r needs. earth. We see changes in the earth taking he was eager to see us move to a 50/50 split 1 place all around us . .Some day this continent ... Attendees stayed in the sessions bet­ of state funds w ith the Cooperative Program. ter than usual. This tells me you enj oyed could become a barren waste land. Now he wishes to undermine the entire what was going on and that you really l et us pray w ithout ceasing that God will Cooperative Program in order to badger bring about this miracle and the starving hungered to have your needs met. This was leaders into acting according to his dictates. tru e of our state convention this year, too. people through out the world w ill be fed This is also the same David Miller who I hope this is a trend that will increase. It is through their own efforts and God's help.­ lead a campaign to prevent Dale Moody T.M. Ross, Sherwood. good stewardship of your time artd money from continuing to teach at Southern Bap­ to attend everything the church sends you tist Theological Seminary on the grounds to attend. Now, if we can just work on talk­ Is there a man? that Moody teaches the possibility of ing in the vestibules. No one intends to Is there a man . .. ? apostasy. Miller said in our state convention, disturb or disrupt services, but it often does. Is there a man who can lead our conven· "You can't even be a Baptist and believe in We would stop it in a local church, but we tion back to sanity? Is there not someone of falling from grace:' (That statement is on are left to a si ngle appeal at larger meetings. sufficient stature to sta nd tall and say to our tape.l Sc ripture will handle this problem, too. A wa rring factions, " You have a distorted view A yea r or t\-VO ago, Charles .Stan ley was the generous application of the Golden Rule as of each other." key preacher for the Conservative Baptist often as needed, and we are on our way to I grieve over "going for the jugular" and Convention in Oregon. The articles of faith even better conferences and conVentions. "holy wars: • Both are ill-chosen term s that of their sem inary in Portland declare them ... We do need a new commitment to are not worthy of the men to whom they are to believe in the possibility of apostasy. (His reaching people. Our churches averaged in­ attributed. preaching for that group had a negative 'ef­ creasing their Sunday school enrollment by I am distressed by what I sometimes feel fect on some Southern Baptist Convention 1.5 per church. That's 52 weeks of work net· to be a mean spirit coming from both ends. church es in the Northwest because it en­ ling only 1.5 persons. Our churches must I use the word " ends" because I fee l most couraged Southern Baptists who live in that have found some·other goals to take their Southern Baptists are caught in the middle. area to join a Conservative Baptist Church.) time, prayer and efforts. I beg you to con­ A dear friend of mine stated he didn't want The point is that Miller now encourages us sider a re-evaluation of your efforts in a penny of his money to go to support some to vote for one who gave strength to people reaching the lost. One out of two lost peo­ " liberal" in our seminaries. I am reminded M iller would not consider Baptists. ple enrolled in Sunday school get saved. It of jesus who sat watching the people cast This David Miller is the director of missions just seems logical to conclude that everyone their offerings into the temple treasury. He of the little Red River Association. One who cares fo r the lost would want to get knew the priests were corrupt. He didn' t wonders if every pastor in that association them enrolled in Sunday school and in at­ agree with the administration or their agrees with Miller's political antics and ir­ tendance at worship services. Take another theology. Yet he did not say to the widow responsible suggestions concerning look! All pastors, staff, deacons, Sunday who cast in her ve ry living, " Don't do that!" Cooperative Program funds. If they do not, school leadership shou ld look together. He commended her becau se even with its perhaps they should take Millers advice and limitations and imperfection th e temple was withhold their gifts to the association. Miller's Don Moore is ex~~u ti ve director of the still God's presence among his people. job description may include being " head Arkansas Baptist State Convention. I cannot recall a time when I agreed with heresy hunter'' and "convention watchdog", everything I heard in a seminary classroom, but I doubt it. He is surely not paid to under­ Women receive training SBC, the state conve ntion or an evangelism mine our institutions, agencies and fellow­ conference. I don't agree with every item in ship as he does, and he is not qualified to More than 80 women were trained in Gua­ the SBC budget or the ABSC budget, the evaluate them. I will pray that in the future temala Baptists' " Feminario," a program pro­ associational budget or my local c hurch he will stick to advancing the ca use of mis­ viding intensive theological training for budget. However, I return my tithe to the sions in little Red River Association. - J. \-VOmen with no other formal Bible teaching. Lord through the local church. I promote Thomason, Ft. Worth February 21, 1985 Page 5 Arkansas all over update ~ by Millie Gill/ ABN staff writer people Church, serving there as pastor for 37 wife, Viki, have two childre n, jonathan yea rs. In 1976, Cox organized the· and jennifer. Je ss Bittle of Heber Springs died Jan. 31 Lakeland Church. This c·ongregation at age '75. He was a member of Heber recognized his years of ministry with a briefly Springs First Church where he se rved as reception Feb. 10. a deacon. Funeral se rvices were held at Harrison First Church has organized a the church feb. 3. Survivors include his Philip F. Bowles began serving as pastor telephone "care line" .for the purpose of wife, Nettie; one daughter, Eth el Gower of the Wilmot Church Jan. 6. He is a checking on and meeting the needs of of Independence, Mo.; one son, Shelby graduate of Ouachita Baptist University seni or adults and shut-ins. Bittle, pastor of Union Avenue Church in and received his master of divinity Wynne; three grandchildren and seven degree from New Orleans Baptist Salado Church held an ordination service great-grandchildren. Theological Seminary in Dece"mber 1984. recently to ordain Carl Hearst, George Bowles and his wife, Suzanne, have two Ba ll and Ellis Sattenvhite as deacons. Joe Finfrock began serving Feb: 5 as daughters, Stephanie Jean and Brooke Pastor G.M. Roberts led the questioning pastor of the Gentry First Church. He Elizabeth. · and Doug Martin preached the ordina· and his wife, Barbara, and their three tion se rmon. children moved from Oklahoma. Rickie l. Frie has resigned as pastor of the Immanuel Church in Newport to Harmony Association sponso red a paren­ serve First Church, Nowata, Okla. ting workshop Feb. 16 at Watson Chapel J. Michael Butler has resigned as minister Chu rch, Pin e Bluff. John Ru ss was leader. of education and youth at Hot Springs Gary Ellis has joined the staff of th e Central Church. lonoke Church as music and youth Park Hill Church in North Little Rock · director, moving there from the North will dedicate its new missionary Elmer F. Cox observed his 57th anniver­ Dallas Church, Dallas, Texas. residence Feb. 24 with an open house. sary as an ordai ned Baptist minister Feb. l ocated at 2 11 Ea st " B" Street, the house 14. Cox, itge 87, and his wife, Gertrude, Brent jackson is serving Forest Highlands will be maintained for furloughing mis­ age 85, have ministered to the people in Church in Little Rock as interim part-time sionaries by the Ca lvin M. Johnston Arkansas during these years, serving in music director. Other Little Rock area Memorial Fund. Johnston was a church the northwest and northcentral sections churches he has served are Garden member for 20 years, serving as· a of the state. He organized the New Hope Homes and Pla inview. jackson and his deacon and Sunday School leader.

Volunteer prayer requests missionary notes available toll-free Mr. and Mrs. Clarence A. Allison, mis­ Annie Hoover, missionary to j apan, has BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -Southern Baptists sionaries to Botswana, have completed completed furlough and returned to the field can giVe specific prayer support to lay mis­ fu rlough and returned to the field (address: (address: Nishi, 14-chome, Minami 22-jo, sion volupteer.; by calling special toll-free ~0 . Box 29, Selebe-Phikwe, Botswana, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan 064). A native of numbers during February. These lines are be­ .Southern Africa). Born in Walnut Ridge, he North Little Rock, she was appointed by the ing made available in conjunction with th.e lived there and in su rrounding communities Foreign Mission Board in 1949. Feb. 24 Volunteers in Missions emphasis. while growing up. She is the former Alta Feb. 9-24, fhe number.; to ca ll for spe"cific Brasel! of Pine Bluff. They were appointed Mr. and Mrs. C. Ellis l eaga ns Jr., mis­ prayer requests conce rning volunteers in by the Foreign M ission Boa rd in 1960, resign­ sionaries to Colombia, have arrived in the missions will be 1-800-5S4-PRAY for home ed in 1964 and reappointed in 1969. · States for furlough (a ddress: c/o Mr. Cecil mission , requests and 1-800-446-2725 for Leagans, Rt. 5, Box 64, Mocksville, N.C. foreign mission prayer requests. 27028). He is a native of North Carolina. She Mr. an d Mrs. Charles T. Browning, Bap­ Approximately 50,000 Southern Baptists is the former Judy Halbert of Sta r City. They tist representatives to Jordon, are the parents have served on home and foreign mission were appointed by the Foreign , Mission of Timothy Russell , born )an. 2. Th ey may fields through the VIM program. Home and Board in 1978. be addressed at ~0. Box 5092, Amman, )or­ foreign missionaries have requested more dan. He is a native of Jud sonia, and she is than 60,000 for 1985 alone. Gerry Odom, missionary to Taiwan, has the former Nancy Woodward of Lonoke. Southern Baptist volunteers are using their completed furlough and returned to the field They were appointed by the Foreign Mission various skills and talents to meet hundreds (address: ~0. Box 427, Taipei 100, Taiwan Board in 1983. of different needs on the mission fields. ROCJ. She was born in El Dorado and lived Studies sht7N that volunteers return from mis­ in Smackover while growing up. She was ap­ sion assignments r:nore deeply committed to Mr. and Mrs. Alex Garner, missionaries to pointed by the Foreign Mission Board in prayer, evangelism and sacrificial giving. Paraguay, have completed furlough and 1980. Volunteers in Missions Sunday is design­ returned to the field (address: Casilla 1171 , ed to give churches an opportunity to Asuncion, Paragray). They are natives of Mary Wa re, journeyman, has transferred recognize missions volunteers in their con­ Arkansas. He is from Fort Smith, and she is from Colombia to Gaza (address: ~0 . Box gregations, highlight world needs and the former Charleta Beindorf of Pope Coun­ 20, Gaza, via, Isra el) . Employed by the challenge church members to become ln­ ty. They wer~ appointed by the Foreign Mis­ Foreign Mission Board in 1984, she was a \rOived in a hands-on missions experience. sion Board in 1952. nurse at Baptist Medica l Center, little Rock.

Page 6 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Who cares? Arkansas Baptists care, Tanner says by Betty J. Kennedy William Tanner has ~me definite ideas on enough ethnic leaders available and fu ll­ ed state-level studies to try to find out why where Southern Baptists should focus efforts scale production of literature in several church~s die. " The idea is to conserv·e what in home missions right now. So he speaks languages by the Baptist Sunday School we sta rt," Tanner emphasizes . • of seve ral areas of work as priori ties in Board is still seve ral years away. The death of ch urches in the inner Cit ies meeting Bold Mission Th rust goals. , HMB and the Baptist Sunday School of the nation has permanent consequences, There's language missions (" .. .the fastest Board are working together to evaluate according to Tan ner. " If these missions die growing division at the Home Mission which languages to.:> publish Bible ·study and we vacate the inner ci ty, we can't buy Board") and church sta rting (" ... and we materials in . Tanner expects multilanguage back in," he says. "We go back to find there need to conserve churches while we gain") literature to be widely avai lable in the next is a new inner city due to factors like and metropolitan missions ('' ... if we lose the four or five yea rs. revitalization projects.'' cities, we lose the whole country"). Southern Baptists are( just ge!ti ng into " By th e year 2000"we wi ll need to have As executive director of the Southern Bap­ ministering to the ethnic groups who are started 50,000 new Southern Baptist chur­ tist Convention's Home Mission Board, Dr. growing rapidly in this country. 1'The world ches in the United States, just to keep pace Tanner keeps an eye on all of the ways we is coming to where we are," Dr. Tanner with the population," Tanner explains. But are working to "evangelize, congrega­ points out. "Miami is the second largest this cannot be accomplished unless tionalize, and minister", which is what Cuban city in the world and l os Angeles is Southern Baptists net 1,000 new churches Southern Baptists set out to do in Bold Mis­ the third largest community of Hispanics." each yea r. Tanner noted that 550 was the sion Thrust by the yea r 2,000. Though Sou thern Baptists, thrOugh home net gain for last year. Dr. Tanner was in Little Rock Jan. 28 and missions, are just gettin g in to reaching many Metropolitan missions are critical to 29 to address the State Evangelism Con­ ethnic groups in ways compatible with their evangelizing America, he says. 'If we lose ference, and he ta lked about the progress language and cu lture, Dr. Tanner admits to the Cities, we're going to lose the country," toward Bold Mission Thrust goals at home. a very optimist ic feeling. One milestone he Dr. Tanner concludes. He explains that l anguage missions is an example of an cites is the institution of a type of educational Southern Baptists are just now beginning to area where expectations are more than met. consortium with Golden Gate Baptist put things together to understand this. Dr. Tanner explains that the division is the Theological Seminary in Ca lifornia to train The HMB is addressing this need through largest, in terms. of missions personnel, at ethnic leaders. the church-starting strategies of ''Metro HMB .. Th is is because Southern Bapti sts are Church starts-of all kinds- are a second Thrust", which is Bold Missio n Thrust in working in 91 different languages (plus more priority area toward reaching Bold Mission Metropolitan areas, and " Mega Focus", for than 80 American Indian dialects) in the Thrust goals, Dr. Tanner feels. But conserv­ cities with population of near one million. United States. ing churches started seems to be equal ly as Both of these plans will hinge on the local "This is where you can see the Annie Arm­ critical, he notes. association and coordinate with the Baptist st rong Offering for Home Missions at work,'' " In 1984 Southern Baptists organized state convention. Tanner notes. " language missions field per­ 1600 church-type missions," Dr. Tanner ex­ Dr. Tanner points out that such coopera­ sonnel could not be supported without it." plained, " but we did _not net that many." tion is typical of the way missions in the U.S. While the work grows rapidly (for in­ Consequently, HMB reorganized their is accomplished. Cooperative agreements stance, a new Vietnamese congregation Church Extension Department to add em­ each year prevent overlap of programs and organized every 15 days) there are not phasis on church growth, and comm ission save Cooperative Program dollars. 1 An other example of this kind of coopera­ tion is the Good News America revivals in 1986. HMB is now seeking commitments for ~ Start a Church evangelistic efforts from the state conven­ tions, associations and local churches. Commitment Sunday. March 24 And Good News America focuses on the Home Mission Board's concern for aiding the local church to reach and baptize more Each church consider a commitmenfto persons. " I'm very optimistic," Tanner says. " Every si multaneous revival effort Sou th ern ~ " t~y to start a church type mission. Baptists have had has resulted in increased 'l.. baptisms in following years. " " join with other churches to jointly sponsor a new work. " At the heart of all we do is sharing Christ," William Tanner emphasizes. " We are working with al l Southern Baptists to " pray for a new congregation. eva ngelize, congregationalize and minister, which I see as parts of one whole." Dr. Tanner commends Arkansas Baptists " send a church group to assist a mission. for their support of home missions work, and specifically cites the strong group of ~ sponsor a mission revival in 1986. volunteers who have worked through Chris­ tian Service Corps and Campers on Mission. " Arkansas always has been a caring state," " provide some financial help to plant a new church. he notes. Which gives Arkansas Baptists a ready answer to the question that is this To share your church commitment year's focus during th e Week of Prayer for Home Missions-" Who cares about mis.· call collect on March 25, 0-376-4791, ext. 5145 sions?" Obviously, we do. or send In your church commitment form and card before Aprtl 17 Betty J. Kennedy is managing editor of the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine. February 21, 1985 Page 7 Who ca res about missions? Those who act! by Carol Garrett BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - This year, an un ex­ There is no shortage of needs ca lling for do something about these needs, and many pected week of prayer theme compels SOuthern Baptists' action. About 38 percent more. They can give the $30 million to home South ern Baptists to re- eva luate their con· of the United States population in 1980 was missions through the Annie Armstrong Easter cern for home mi ss ion s. not affiliated with any religious group, com­ Offering. Th ey can spend at least one week " Who Ca res?" is the simple, direct ques­ pared to 34 perce nt in 1970. With a U. S. praying for home missio ns this March . ti on that w ill confront churches across population of more than 230 million peo­ Talk is cheap, and even sincere empathy America as they consider the crying needs ple, approximately 94 mil lion are without a costs us nothing. No sac rifice is experienc­ of this country's lost. · saving knowledge of jes us Christ. What will ed in "feeling sorry" for so meone. Cost is Caring. rea lly ca rin& requires action. If we we do to help change these statistics? involved when we give .our time. Doing is mean to follow our lord's command to feed At least one in every 16 high sc hool seniors much more expensive th an feeling. his sheep, we must meet their needs with is actively smoking marijuana on a regular This year Southern Baptists are confronted more than sy mpathetic lip service. basi s, and one in eve ry 16 drinks alcoh'ol with a week of prayer theme tha t cannot be "Suppose a brother or sister is in rags with daily. What are Southern Baptists doing to ignored. " Who Cares?" is a question that not enough food fo r the day, and one Of you reac h these teenage rs? demands action. Because God's an swer is says, 'Good lu ck to you, keep yourself warm, Sixty-three of the 87 different languages " I care," ours can be no different. Southern and have plenty to eat,' but does nothing to spoken by home missionaries ha ve no Baptists must care enough to gi ve of their supply their bodily needs, what is the good printed materials available. ~h e n will we ·time, their prayers, their money, and their of th at? So with faith; if it does not lead to provide the resources our missionaries need hearts for home missio ns. action, it is in itself a lifeless thing" Uas. to work w ith such specific groups? 2:15-17 NEB). Southern Baptists have an opportunity to Carol Garrett is a staff writer for WMU-SBC.

WHO CARES ABOUT M ISSIONS? WHO CARES ABOUT MISSIONS?------• ·- Retirement resorts to ministry in Fairfield Bay by Nancie W. Dilday FAIRFIELD BAY, Ark. - Fairfield Bay, Southern Baptists present lane with a real come with the concept of time-sharing, or located 75 miles north of little Rock, is a challenge. " fair-sharing" as it's referred to in Fairfield retirement reso rt area in the Ozarks. The Amidst all the difficulties, lane neve r feels Bay. Th e idea is that people Quy time, say community sits on bea utifu l Greers Ferry like his work is in va in and actually feels two to three weeks, in Fa irfield reso rt on an Lake and most people move th ere to relax quite lucky. lane considers himself "privileg­ annual basi s. lane has been able to establ ish and live a life of leisure. Hilton lane's life is ed in planting th e church and th en being an ongoing re lationship with these tem­ a testimony to th e opposite. He actively allowed to enjoy its fruitfulness by staying porary residents as well as the full -time folks. seeks to ministe r to the needs of this grow­ on ." The community is complex, with people ing community. One bless ing in particula r has been nurtur­ retiring there from every area of the coun­ lane is a Home Mission Boa rd-appointed Ing the life of a young woman who attend­ try. Th is provides an additional challenge for chu rch extension worker assigned to sta rt ed a yo uth Bible study event back in 1972. lane. He says his chu rch has " tried to be ne\v churches in Fairfield Ba y. living in a She was a teenager whom lane coun seled open to all types of lifestyles, not that we ap­ pioneer area made lane's first 12 yea rs and encouraged while she was in college. prove of them, but to be available to th em." f r u ~trating and rather lonely. " We began When she returned hom e, she joined lane's The people of Fairfield Bay have been very meeting in a Civic Center for one and a half church. Th rough the years, she married in encouraging to lane. ''Th e people ha ve then moved to a portable chapel for Y.ea r ~, the chu rch, became a mother and now been liberal in th eir giving and progressive one and a half years, and then went into a teaches Sunday sc hool. Watching thi s Chri s­ in their thinking," says lane. They've come permanent building in 1975," says lane. tian life mature has been one of lane's to establish new lives, and Lane does all he The church became self-s upporting in greatest pleasures at Fairfield Bay. can to make Christ a part of th at new 1978, but the Home Mission Board kept beginning. lane on to coordinate the outreach ministry One of the goals for hi s 165-member con­ to the booming community. Growth has gregation is that they will catch th e vision " Th e focus is on the work, not me. I've been of outreac h to a community which is grow­ been steady, and in March 1983 a 14,000 led 1o 1he Lord, and he's led me here. square-foot facility was dedicated. Now lane ing rapidly. When lane first wen t to Fairfield Anyone ca n do th e work, if th ey' re willing enjoys " the first place to hang my hat Bay, he was completely on his own. Th e to sac rifice and face some loneliness in the retirement reso rt grew along with his without taking up space needed for beginning. The key is to know the Lord wa nts ministry, and now several yo ung families are something else." us here and rely on him to bless our work," People came to the retirement communi­ moving into the area as ...... e ll. lane hopes that says lane. ty from all ove r th e country with dive rse hls church will pla y a vital role in establishing Hilton lane, his wife Martha, and th eir two religious backgrounds. lane's grea test pro­ a miss ion across the lake. " It wou ld be such children are a family acti vely seeking to blem has been "being a Southern Baptist a great challenge to have bee n a mission and reac h th eir community for Christ. Prayers where most everyone else is not." then sta rt a mission," he says. and support through the Annie Armstrong One of lane's barriers as he seeks to reach lane concentrates on touching the com­ Easter Offering are si mple ways oF con­ people in the community is the spread of munity. "My greatest concern is outreach in tributing to home missions work. misinformation about Southern Baptists. He the community being ava ilable. I even explains, " You can't deal with mi si nform a­ prayed at the ded ication of a bird sanctuary Nancie Wingo Dilday is a freelance writer tion like you ca n buildings and once, letting them know I'm a part of it all." in Atlanta, Ga. Her husband, Robert, is a maintenance:· Pre-conceived notions about A new dimension in lane's mini stry has former ABN intern.

Page 8 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Disabled former Arkansan still serving God-in Michigan by Clay Renick CADILlAC, Mich.- When Ge rald Rowe Fowle r se nt Rowe to Cadillac as a tem­ "We feel that God called us to this work says he's along fo r the ride, he means in a porary pastor until Kenny Spain could take and we-never left that ca lling,'' noted Rowe. wheel chai r, not church work. over several months late r. The day Spain ar­ The roads around Trumann were made of The 64-year-old Baptist pastor started mis­ rived, Rowe entered Mercy Hospital in black gumbo, he recalled. It was a mucky, sions in seven states before losing a leg to Cadillac to have his other leg amputated, the glue-like substance that stuck to tires. Gerald 1 frost bite and his eyesight to diabetes. Still, res ult of diabetes. and Zora drove a Model-A Ford and when he wanted to move to Michigan. and start " He's been an inspiration to our associa­ their tires wore out, they drove on the rims. new churches. tion," continued Fowler. " You never see After too many miles, the rims would heat­ "Gerald called one day la st year and said Gerald Rowe have a bad day. Brother, if I was up and fold. " You were out of luck unless he wa nted to serve in some way," recalled in his shape, every day would be bad :' you could find another rim," said RO"Ne. Carrol Fowler, director of missions for the About 45 years ago, Rowe and his wife, Gerald said his wheelchair isn' t confining Southern Baptist Northlan_d Association and Zora, started a Southern Baptist mission in because he's basically lazy. "I was so lazy a former pastor in Horseshoe Bend, Ark. Trum ann, Ark., 50 miles west of Memphis. that one tii'Jl e the lord had to send me a "He told me he was slightly handicapped At night they would pray for all the one-room building;: he recalled. and his eyesight wasn't as good as it used to houses in the area that didn't have Sunday In 1958, he was pastor of Immanuel be:· schools. Church in Grand Island, Neb. The church met in a Y. M. C. A. building but had been praying for a building of their own. One afternoon, Gerald looked out the window and saw a church building going down the street on a trailer. He ran out and met the D'Nner, who said he was moving the church building to his property across from the .high sc hool. The basement was dug alid foundation laid. The owner had planned to use the building as a duplex, but the town denied the request because it was a church. " He said if I wanted it, the building was mine;· explained Gerald. " That was the only church I ever saw coming down the street looking for me; • said Gerald. Because Gerald is considered totally disabled, he ca nnot be employed. Zora recently joined Mission Service Corps, a Southern Baptist volunteer program for peo­ ple who want to serve as m)lsionaries for one or two years. They plan to drive back to Arkansas and Tennessee on a fund-raising tour, in efforts to help a sma ll church that is starting in lake City, Mich. Membership consists of three families. " I'm just along for the ride," said Gerald. " But I'll serve the lord as long as there's breath in me."

Clay Renick is a writer for the Mission Ser­ vice Corps Communications Team.

WHO CARES? Week of Prayer for Home Missions March 3-10, 1985

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering National goal: Don Wells caresi-Oon Wells, Southern Baptist chaplain at th e Houston $30,000,000 seaport, meets the world without ever leaving Texas. February 21, 1985 Page 9 Your state convention at work Woman's Missionary Union participants. There is a study time that ing to her about her new foster home. The Amazon Challenge models pastor/leader time In the local She seemed excited about the prospects church. Each local church equlpper meets of a new home, yet she had this concern Arkansos Baptists have entered Into part· with two participants in the seminar. They about being "thrown away" which grew out nership with Brazilian Baptists to share have a short study time and then go out to Christ and meet needs In the Amazonas and of her life experiences. It seemed to her that share their witness wrth a lost person(s) In her mother had thrown her away so she Para regions of Brazil. the community. Everyone then comes back assumed that this might happen again. She To expose Arkansas to the church for a report of rejoicing. We remorlc.ed: "My mother said that she would Baptists to the mis· have consistently had people saved during never see me again. My mother shouldn't sions opportunities the witness visitation time in the seminars. have told me that if she didn't mean it." ovolloble through the The Tuesday morning and afternoon ses· Helping children to cope with these kind Amazon-Arkansas slons are given to a special study on the of realities is a difficult task. Providing the Partnership Mission, Model Presentation. The basic outline of the necessities of food, clothing and shelter for a World Missions Ral­ Model Presentation is "God's Purpose-Our children is Important, but these necessities ly Is plonned. The Needs", ."God's Provision-Our Response". - are by no means the most important thi ngs World Mission Rolly Clarence Shell. director that we give to children. Is Friday evening, March 15,1985, at First The care givers, whether foster parents Church, Little Rock. The progrom, centered Family Ministry or staff, must deal with some other vital life on the theme "The Amazon Challenge", Strengthen Families concerns. We in child care want to help the begins ot 7:00. child obtain a more realistic picture of his Program personolities include: Barbara Area Strengthen Families Conferences own worth as an individual created by God Burnett, missionary, Brazil; James Smith, will be held the week of Morch 4-7, 1985. and to help him d~velop his fullest paten· president, Brotherhood Commission, SBC; The two hour conferences will provide tial. Often we feel, and always for the pre· Don Moore, executive director, ABSC; resources and infer· school age child, his needs can best be met Keith Parks, president, Foreign Mission matlon to assist in a foster home setting. Children who need Board, SBC and others. The program is church and associa· and can accept the close relationships of preceded by a reception to honor program tionalleaders in plan· parental figures are placed with Christian personnel at 6:15. ning and conducting foster parents. The World Missions Rally offers a time fo r effective family These substitute parents draw the child Arkansas Baptists to gain vision of "The ministry projects for Into their family circle of love and balance Amazon Challenge". Make plans to attend marriage enrich· this love with the essential ingredient of this Amazon·Arkansas Partnership kickoff ment, parenting, discipline. Foster parents want to help the and bring others that you think would be senior and single child become what he has the capacity to interested In accepting the Amazon adult ministry. become. It is not an easy task and there are challenge. Dr. Billy Johnson, a daily problems that must be worked out. If you would like addional information Jackson pastor and family life Our task is to "bring them In". - Johnny about the World Missions Rally or the educator from Hattiesburg, Miss., will lead G. Blgga, executive director Amazon·ArkaOSas Partnership Mission, the conferences at Jonesboro (Mon. Morch contact Glendon Grober, P.O.Box 552, Lit­ 4). Ft. Smith (Tues. March 5), North Little Missions tle Rock, AR 72203 - Pat Glaacock. Rock (Wed., Morch 6), ond Monticello GA/Miulon Frlendo director (Thurs. March 7) . Each CQnference is Start A Church Sunday scheduled from I :30-3:30 p.m. "Reach People: Start Churches" Is the Evangelism Resources for the Bold Mission Thrust theme for March 24. Churches across our CWT Seminar program Strengthen Families emphasis will be nation are being asked to consider becom· highlighted. Special emphasis will be given r--,.....::--, ing Involved with a It Is always my delightful joy to receive to the 1985 Christian Home Week project, new congregation. • call reloted to CWT trolnlng. Mony of "Parenting: Building a Christion Home". This Is especially these who call are Interested In the CWT The conferences are designed ~ for Important and urgent program. They desire pastors, church staff, family ministry com· for Arkansas since we to know when it mlttees ond other interested church and now have more than a begins, how long it Is assoclotlonal leadership. Participants will million people (44 and what Is Involved loarn how the church and associotlon can percent of the In it. help strenglhen the family life of church population) who are Eoch of lhe No­ members. unchurched. We are tional Training Contact the Church Tro inlng Deport· praying for 100 more Seminars begins on a men!, P.O. Box 552, Little Rock, AR 72203, Arkansas churches to Mondoy ot 1:00 p.m. for odditional Information. Tidsworlh become Involved In and closes on Thurs· NOTE: Conferences originally schedul· osslstlng a new congregation. day at noon. In the ed for Fayetteville, Searcy and Benton hove A church may be a ble to sponsor a new first session there Is a been cancelled. - Gerald Jack•on. mission by themselves. Or o church may Shs/1 discussion of the auoclate join with one, two or three churches to start seminar overview and also an overview of a new work. We wiN furnish the name of o the toto! CWT proceaa. Eoch participant Family and Child Core mission point to all churches who indicate will be certified who writes out the Model "Don't throw me away" a desire to proy for a new congreqotlon. Presentation In the certification test. Some churches may feel that they can't Eoch of the th,.,. evenlnq sessions models "You are not going to throw me awoy, ore toke on sponsorship of a mission, but they a training session for the local church. you?" was the question thot the five-year old will be willing to send a group to help In There Ia a dinner at the church for all of the Qlrl asked our caseworker as she was talk a mission Bible school, join In construe· Page 10 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE ~TO INCREASE · tiOn on a mission building, assist with a mis­ YOUR CHURCH'S MISSION SUPPORT sion revival, etc. Other churches may want Through the Cooperative Program. to sponsor a mission revival In 1986. A special kit Is available to help a church prepare and conduct a mission revival. Still other churches may choose to contribute a Jump sum or monthly amount to a mission's Psychology For Christian living support. Any amount will help. If your church does not have a place in mind to start a mission, your church exten­ sion program can give you some JOHN EWING HARRIS, M Orv •. Ph 0. suggestions. licenHdChr

matter and vote on it before Commitment PrOfl>O'CI~ · S.....7~ l!oOINu.o-...,.o.­ Sunday. March 24 can be a time of celebra­ Loiiii~AA-t72:07 tion and commlbnent of the church to a mis­ sion effort. - Floyd Tidaworth Jr., church extension director Hughes pew cushions Reversible or attached Quality, comfort and beauty OuAiity We believe we can Vl\n Sales save your church money 3 weeks delivery on fabric In stock For free esllmate call collect Eugene Hughes, 353-6556 Routo 2, Box 159A Gurdon, Ar1<. 71743 Church furn iture For sale: 28 blond oak 12' pews, pulpit, Communio n Table, 3 large platform ehalrs. Highway Baptist Church, North Little Rock. Call 945-2687 or 945-9550

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February 21 , 1985 Page 11 parks events calendar Seek full benefit of tax laws, staff encouraged by James A , Walker Ministers often pay more taxes than they to the fai r rental va lu.e of the house plus fur- trips lor church gro ups to state parks in ArUnsas rightfully ow~ because they are unfamil iar nishings and utilities." A housing allowance with tax laws, a tax specialist told a group must be designated in advance by the Crater of Di amonds, Murfreesboro, Ark., of Arkansas Baptist pastors and church staff church and cannot be deemed retroactive. phone 285-3113. members in a recent sem inar at life Line Any minister who clail'!ls the housi ng March 16: " like a Diamond in the Sky" star Church in little Rock. allowance must· be able to document that observation program. Manfred Holck Jr., an accountant, author he spent the full al lowance, Holck sa id. and l utheran minister, encouraged ministers Accurate record s of.expenses are a must, Hampson Museum, Wilson, Ark ., phone to become more fami liar with tax laws and Holck warned . " Ministers must keep detail- 655-8622 pay only what they actually owe. ed records for car expenses in 1965," he said. Marc.h 6: Open House and exhibit from "Ministers should be as aggressive as possi- " If a minister doesn't keep accurate records, Chucalissa Mounds in Memphis, Te nn . ble to receive the fu ll benefits of the law," the entire ca r allowa nce can be disa iiO'Ned Lake Chi cot, l ake Vi llage, Ark. , phone · Holck told pa rti != ipants in the an nual and a five percent penalty added." 265-5480 seminar sponsored by the Annuity/Stewa rd- The ministers were told to itemize daily March 15·16: Natural History lecture Seri es ship Department of th e Arkansas Baptist mileage, places visited and reasons forth ~ featuring Greg Carrera, historian at Arkan­ State Convention. " Too often ministers pay trip. Miles from home to the church office sas Post National Monument. more than they owe because th ey are not are considered person al miles and not familiar w ith lega l deductions. If a person business miles, he added. Old Washington, Washington, Ark. phone doesn't claim a deduction, he w ill neve r One participant asked if a minister should 983-2684 receive it." receive a W-2 form. Holck cited Revenue March 15-17: Jonquil fest ival The tax specialist drew a distinction Ruling 80-110 as evidence that churches between tax avoidance, the legitimate claim- should provi de the form to ministers. Petit Jean, Morrilton, Ark., phone 727-544 1 ing of-legal deductions, and tax evasion, the Ministers should take advantage of Annui- March 26-28: Third Annual Sprin g Senior criminal non-payment of tax obligations. ty Board programs to shelter or defer taxes American Special Quoting humorist W ill Rogers, Holck quip- on as much of their sa lary as possible, Holck ped that of life's two certai nties-death and · concluded. Recommending such programs Pinnacle Mountain, Roland, Ark. , phone taxes- "death doesn' t get worse every time over Individual Ret irement Accounts (IRA's), 868-5806 Congress meets." he emphasized that a minister can antiCipate March 9: Introductory Backpacking Course. The ministerial housing al lowance and an adequate reti rement income only with Orientation to backpacking skills, equip­ new regulations on automobile expenses ca reful financial and tax planning. ment types and use, foods and trai l ethics. were major items of concern with se minar Fee $10. Reservations please. participants. James A. Walker is director of the March 15: Beginning Bi rd Co urse. Fee $5. Holck told the ministers, " Th e maximum Annuity/Stewardship Department of the March 16-17: Ba ckpacking Trip, an optional housing allowa nce one ca n receive is eq ual Arkansas Baptist State Convention. part of the introductory backpacking course offered March 9. M arch 16-24: National W ildlife Week WMU celebrates dedication of new headquarters observed. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (B P)-Approximately WMU President Dorothy Sample presid­ March 30,31: W ildflower Trail Walks gu id­ 600 guestS and national staff poured into the ed over the dedication. Home and Foreign ed by a park interpreter. Woman's Missionary Union national head­ Mission Board Presidents William G. Tanner quarters building in January for official and R. Keith Parks led prayers of obedience For more information on state parks events call dedication ceremonies. and praise. The prayer of dedication was led the park or the program services section of state Held during the annual executive board by Harold C. Bennett, executive secretary­ na'ks ar '501l a71 . 11s1 meeting for promotion, the dedication treasurer, Executive Committee, SBC. ce remonies focused on the theme " His love Expressions of thankfulness were as va ried Missionary limit planned is Ete rnal." Southern Baptist Convention as Woman's M issionary Union itself. Mrs. Ed­ BANGKOK, Thai land (BP)-Thai land's gov­ agency heads participated in the dedication. win Howard, a member of th e relocation ernment has indicated plans to limit the The program called Woman's Missionary committee, chose to say " We thank Th ee, number and activities of foreign missionaries. Union and gathered individuals to rededica­ Lord," while 1984 Acteens panelist H olly The plans don't seem to be leveled directly tion in praise, thankfulness, obedience, and Hutso n exclaimed, " Wow, God, you have at the 79 South ern Baptist missionaries there, service to God. fashioned a beauty!" however, and it remains unclear how th eir " This building is a result of obedience," The entire audience joined in a litany of work will be affected. sa id Nona Bickerstaff, home missionary in dedication, led by Mrs. A. Harrison Gregory, The government si ngled out missio nari es New- York. "There is no greater blessing than former president of WMU. Special music was of th e Mormon Church, who number 200 the peace that comes from obedience." provided by Janie House, foreign missionary of the some 3,000 foreign miss ionaries in Citing new methods of publishing, to Za mbia, and the Samford University Band. Thai land. The Mormons often have asked to teaching, training, and communicati ng, Fu ll use was made of the three-story com­ stay in the country for extended periods, but Ca rolyn Weatherford, r:xecutive director of plex, as guests filled the 400 seat auditorium th e government is considering limiting their WMU, 5BC, said, 'WMU has built a building and spilled over into conference rooms stay to no more than three months at a time. which can facilitate the use of every modern equipped with closed circuit broadcast o f Some missionaries have been accused of technological discovery for making our ser· the ded ication. bringing Burmese tribesmen into Thailand vice to the lord more efficient and effective:' Although 600 people were present, "all and giving th em money if they become Acknowledging the building as a " monu­ WMU members everywhere dedicate this Christians. O ther reports indicate bother­ ment to those women of t~e past, inspired building;•. Weatherford sa id. " Let us also some door.to-door witn essi ng tactics. by a vision of a lost world," she reminded dedicate our lives so that dry places of the earth will bound forth in our glory to God;' The Mormons have denied charges against the audience "peopl e bring glory to God, their missionaries. not monuments." she said.

Page 12 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Dilday claims Pressler wants to create 'Criswell clones' by Jim Newton ATLANTA (BP)-The president of the na­ vention, Dilday said. himself, his, family, the faculty and students tion's largest. theological seminary charged " The issue is w hat kind of a convention at the seminary, and " true to my l ord." that a politica l takeover group within the will we (Southern Baptists) be:' Dilday sa id. He said as part of his struggle in deciding Southern Baptist Conve ntion is trying to " The very na ture of the convention is at to speak out, he had studied the Scriptures make every Baptist seminary "just like stake. on w hat Jesus did when he saw th ings he Cris'v'lell Bible Institute" in Dallas and "create "Are we going to be a convention com· felt were w rong in the Temple. Dilday com· clones of Dr. (W.A.) Criswe ll :' mitted to pressing toward theological con· pared techniques bei ng used by the " con· Russell Dilday, president of Southwestern formity and creedalism, or are we going to trol movement" to techniques used by the Baptist Theological Sem inary in Fort Worth, be a conve ntion that comes together to chief pri ests who sent out spies to trap Jesus. Texas, told about 1,000 "Concern ed South­ cooperate in doing missions and eva ngelism " Surely there is no Baptist, no Christian, ern Baptists" of Georgia th at unless th e and winning our world to Jesus Christl" Oil· w ho could agree the tactics of spyi ng and takeover is stopped w ithin th e next few da y asked. tape recording and trapping are appropriate years, "Southern Baptists will lose South­ Dilday claimed the leaders of the "control in any Christian organization," Dilday sa id. western Seminary" and every other agency. movement" are unwilling to support finan· In another speech to the group, a layman Dilday qu oted extensively Jud ge Paul dally anything they do not agree with total· from Claxton, Ga., Norman Cavender, sa id Press ler of Houston and Criswell Bible In­ ly and completely, and thei r approach to the group seeking to control the SBC are not stitute President Paige Patterson, w hom he mis?ions and eva ngelism is not to cooperate true to Baptist heritage emphasiz ing religious identified as key leaders in what he called with others, but to operate like "indepen· liberty and the priesthood of believers. an SBC ''control move ment:' dent Baptists." Cavender, a farm products executive, According to Dilday, Judge Pressler sai d in The other key issue, sa id Dilday, is leader· claimed the group seeking to control the a radio broadcast that he wanted to make ship. "Who will be the leaders of the con· sse " wants their system of understanding every institution in the Southern Baptist Con· vent ion? Will they be cooperating Southern the Bible to be imposed on the convention's ve ntion "just like Criswell Bible Institute." Baptists co-mmitted to missions and eva ngel· se minaries and agencies. That's why if a Dilday quoted Patterson as say ing in a ism, or w ill they be independent and fun· seminary professo r or agency employee says radio-broadcast sermon at First Church, damental in mentality, committed to para· something they disagree with, they want him Dallas, his goal as president of Criswe ll Bi· church activity? fi red. They want everyone else to think and ble Institute was " to create clones of Dr. " Will they be people more interested in believe th e way they do. Criswell," the ve nerated pastor of First a national political agenda than they are in " What they are trying to do," Cavender Church, the nation's largest SBC church. what Southern Baptists do together in mis· ·said, "is shackle the Bible with thei r own opi· Dilday sa id he had diffi culty believing sions and eva ngelism?" Dilday asked. nions about the Bible." Criswell was involved in the " takeover'' In his speech ~ild ay offered fou r sugges· Cavender drew applause when he declar· movement until he and seve ral others met lions on " how to get out of the mess we are ed, " It is not their ri ght to use a political with the Dallas pastor recentl y. Although Dil­ in": (1) pray, not superficially but w ith rea l machine to seize control of this d enom in a~ day sa id he and others had never known concern; (2) meet and become informed tion and drag all the rest of us along." w hat to ca ll the Press ler· Patterson coalition, about the iss ues; (3) spea k out and take a The meeting at Weiuca Road Church, Criswell had referred to it as " a movement stand, and (4) go to the conve ntion in Dallas Atlanta, w as the first of three such ralli es in to control the Southern Baptist Convention:' and vote. Georgia featuring addresses by SBC seminary "That's exactly wlTat it is;' Di lday said. The "Neutrality is not a positive position to presidents. issue is not theological conservatism versus take," Dilday sa id. He said he reached the liberalism, or the infallibility of the Bible, the point in his own Ch ristian pilgrimage that he Jim Newton is chief of the Atlanta burea u issue is control of the So uthern Baptist Con· could no longer be silent and be true to of Baptist Press. Pressler, Patterson respond to Dilday's position HOUSIDN (BP)-Paige Patterwn ·and Paul (Southwestern) students July S, 1984, in knows. However, the expression of concern Pressler say the main issue in the Southern which he (Dilday) said dispensational apparently reflects a fear on Dr. Dilday's part Baptist Convention controversy is the nature premillenniumism was a ·southern Baptist of the powerful pulpiteer with an of Scripture, not denominational control. heresy. . labelling many, many Southern authoritattve message from God. Baptist Press contaded Patterson and Baptist leaders heretics. " It is interesting to me the paranoia that Pressler after an address in Atlanta by Russe ll "He (Dilday) has sought to make his in­ is involved. Dr. Dilday all eges we are going Dilday, presidentof SoutH'Western Ba ptist terpretation a basis of orthodoxy, something to lose Southwestern (seminary) ana all of The untry." The At lanta pastor and communities of faith." Christian exodus provides witness opportunity for' Baptist school BEIRUT, Lebanon (BP)-The war in Beirut Catholic backgrounds, are fighting for a last year, her daughter told her she looked has provided a witnessing opportunity for Christian-controlled government, fearing like she had aged 10 yea rs in the last 12 Beirut Baptist School that Ji m Ragla"'nd never Muslim control above everything. Even months. " I suspect I have," Mrs. Ragland dreamed possible. though these groups have religious names, confirmed. Ragland, Southern Baptist missionary prin­ Ragland says it's basically a social and The war ha s ca used the Raglands to look cipal of the school since 1954, always has economic war, not religious. to Lebanese Baptists for more moral support made Bible courses and chapel a require­ The war has brought added pressures for beca use most of the other niissionaries are ment. Rut in recent vea rs. the mi~ration of the Raglands, burdens under which other across the Green line in East Beirut and in­ Christians from West to East Beirut ha s people might have folded. MarJy days their accessible at times. created a Muslim majority among th e phone sta rt s ringing at 5 a.m. because "Our fellow missiona ri es are supporting students. Now it's not unusual to hear a hun­ parents want to know if overnight fighting u ~. we've never doubted that, but th ey're not dred Muslim third and fourth graders si ng will close school that day. Or teachers report here," sa id Mrs. Ragland. " Jesus Loves the Little Children of th e th ey got stuck in East Beirut and can't get Because of the bond ·Ragland has built World'!....with their parents' permiSsion. back across the Green lin.e. Then early in with the lebanese, that hasn' t been a pro· In the meantime, the school has gained a the afternoon, the phone rings again blem. In fact, one of his former students who reputation for itS academic sta ndards and because a bus has been delayed and parents is a fellow church member now saYs Ragland Muslims have been sending their children are worried about their children's safety. is more Lebanese than he is American. to it in larger numbers, even though it's Oklahoma native Ragland, 60, carries the For years, Ragland has tried to find a unashamedly a Baptist school. About 75 per­ extra burden of safety for the children while lebanese he could train to take over as prin- cent of the 800 students are Muslim now. they're in class. When shelling starts near the cipal of the sc hool when he retires and to " There are neighborhoods within two school, it's Ragland who has to decide if the help him w ith day-to-day decisions. But no blocks of us that would never tolerate a children would be safe r at home. At times, one has worked out. The qualified Christians church, but their kids come to sc hool here;· he has ca lmly asked the pupils to move away ~ have left the country or moved to East Beirut. says Ragland. "And they're o~ r neighbors, from th ei r classroom windows because of Three missio naries in language study in Jar- our friends." the danger of flying glass and other debris. dan are assisned to the school, however, and Ragland's quiet, unassuming but ca ring In at least one in stance, Ragland has had one of th em is expec ted to take Ragland 's manner helped make them his friends. to face armed men from one of the factions place when he retires. When the father of one of the Muslim fac­ w ho tried to force him to accept students The added pressure also ha s brought tion leaders died, Ragland was there to com­ without proper credentials. about a greater dependence upon God. Up fort him. He was the only foreigner there. His own pe rso nal safety and the sa fety of to 1976, Ragland said he was suffering from " He's my neighbor back here;• explains his wife have also been a pressure during th e burnout, that he was so bu sy doing for the Ragland, pointing up the hill from the 10 yea rs of fighting. last yea r they slept in lord th at he wasn't spending th e time with school. And if a neighbor from another fac­ their hallway from February to May because him he needed. Then he went through a dif- tion were in the same situation, Ragland the she lling was close by. The Raglands do ficult, lonely period when Mrs. Ragland was would pay his respects to him, al so. not know American Catholic missionary back in the State s. Muslim groups join together to fight L.awrenceMertin Jenco, who was kidnapped " It was a turning point in my life." Now against those known as Christians, who, for recently, but are close friends of Presbyterian he gets up at 4:30 to make sure he gets hi s the most part, live on the east side. Th e missionary Ben Weir, kidnapped in May. time with God. And he's taken a new mot- Christians, primarily from Maronite and When Mrs. Ragland was home for a time to: "Nothing is too hard for God and me."

Page ~4 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Lessons for' living February 24, 1985

International Life and Work Bible Book Th ro ugh death to life , Power over death jesus' power to m eet needs by William Piercy, Manila First Church by Glenn E. Hickey, DOM, by George W. Oom erese, DOM, Clear Basic passage: John 12:1 -50 Pulaski Association Creek Association Focal passage: jo hn 12:20·33 Basic passage: John 11 Basic passage: Luke 8:22-56 Centra l truth: the death of a Christian issues Focal passage: john 11 :25-27; 38·44 Focal passage: Luke 8:26-39 into our eternal existence. Central truth: Jesus' power over de.;lth pro­ Central truth: Jesus used·his powe ~ to m eet Involved in th e sc ripture of this week 's vides hope for tomorrow and strength for the needs of people. lesson is the continuing prepara tion of Jesus livi ng life to its fullest today. Luke shares with us in this pa ssage four for the terrible ordeal he would have to The greatest statement that can be made stories of man's helplessness: the disciples undergo. Alread y the hatred and resentm ent about Jesus is that he is Resurrection. saved from the storm; the d emoniac made of the religiou s leaders had developed to a Chapter 1 t brings us to the climactic point whole; the 12-year old daughter of Jairus iais­ pitch that Would demand his death. He in Jo hn's Gospel. John's " Book of Sign s" ed; and a woman having an issue of blood kne\rV he must die. Never was there anyt hing (c hapters 2-11 ) is climaxed w ith the greatest for 12 years. done to soften the blow that human hands "sign" o f all. For John, these " signs" are The concern of Jesus is more st ri kingly would put upo n him. Th e Fathe r did, specific miracu lous acti ons of Jes us in the brought out betwee n the concern of Jes us however, prepare him in many ways to face first cent ury that becam e for us "signs" to meet the needs of the man of Gadara it alone. pointing to w hat Jesu s is alw ays doing in possessed by the demons and the concern To w illingly give one's life, the give r would eve ry age for those w ho believe. of some of the citizens over the loss of their have to have a mighty im portant pu rpose. No greater statement can be made about hogs. Because of his demon possession, the Of course, by this tim e Jesus knew that pur­ Jes us than to say he is Res urrection because man had become a threat and a menace to pose and therefore had made his surrender. ma n has no grea ter enemy to conquer than society and was bent toward self-destruction. He just needed all the strength he could that most dreaded enemy, death. When he could no longer be bound and muster. controlled, he was driven into the His statement, " Except a corn of w heat fall John is the eva ngeli st w ho helps us see that wilderness. M ark 5:3 sa id, "who had his into the ground and die, it abideth alone" et ernal life fo r the Christian exists on two dwelling among the tombs." How long he Uohn 12: 24), was a statement he had al ready levels. Note especiall y the dialogue bet)'Veen had been this way, we are not told. He was resolved. Perh aps to talk about it strengthen· M artha and Jes us in ve rses 25 and 26. just powerl ess to help himself and ap parently ed him. To state this to the questioning as in the " bread discourse'' (see 6:54), we had been tormented before. When he Gree ks and before his disc iples helped him learn that etern al life may be enjoyed here recognized Jesus as the " Son of God, most better accept th-e torture that the Romans an d now. The sa me power w hich gi ves us high," he said, " I beseech thee, torment and Jews would fin ally put upon him. etern al life now w ill raise us up to renewed me nol. . " (v. 28). A second occum!nce was the voice from ·existence in the world beyond. The key idea heaven found in verse 28. The voice testi fied here is that Christ is the Giver of life on both Jesus by his power cast the demons out that God's name would be glorified. In levels. and restored him to his right mind. When Chri ~ t's dea th, th e Father would be glorified. Resu rrection is the reversal of the order of he was healed and saved, he put on his Earl ier, in his time of baptism, the Father mort ality which is always hastening toward s clothes and sat down at the feet of jesus and spoke from heaven and sa id he was wel l dealh. Cell s are dyi ng in our physical body beso ught the Lord th at he might fo llow him . pleased in th e Son. A second time, the voice every day. M an is not immortal. Immortal Jesus is still concerned and able to save man, came and testified that the Father would be means " death-proof." M an experiences morally, spiri tually, eth ically, socially and glorifi ed. He would be pleased w ith the gift death, but through faith in Christ th e bodil y. of his Son. Lifegiver he may possess a higher life which Th e citizens of Gadara see med to be un­ It is said in scr ipture that the G reeks heard transce nds death's disso lutions. conscious o f their own needs and besought the voice and thought it was thunder. To Note that, while transce nding the abyss Jesus to depart . His power condemned them Christ, it was th e clea r voice of his Fa ther. between life here and life in the hereafter, and terrified them. Their hogs were more im­ This surely helped him to face the cross. Jesus does not lose sight of the human grief portant to them than the condition and Kn owing it was the Father's will made the and affliction of the present moment. He was welfare of this one w ho had become an out­ difference. moved to weeping, "deeply moved"i n spirit cast. They simply wa nted Jesus to be gone The result of it all was for ou r benefi t. Here and troubled" at w hat death had done so they could return to " busi ness as usua l." in thi s life is w here we move from death un­ (v. 33). II is thai dual focus of li vin g fu ll y in Th e one that had bee n restored was obe­ to life, but there is a further fulfi llment when two worl d s at the sa m e time that dient to Jesus and returned to his own house the mortal has put on im mor t a lit y~ distinguishes the life of Jes us from all the lo show what the power of God had done Th ll IHIOII lrNCJTIIIII II baiH On 1~ 1 lntemlllonll lllbll l11110 n lol' others here. CN1111111r.lthhiQ. Vn llormS.I1u . Copyrtght1nlltfnllloniiCouncii DI in his life to meet his need. "And he went EdiiCIIJU. UMdbyPif'IIIIIIOII . Those who enjoy eternal life in Christ are his way, and published lhroughoul the called to live fully in the two worlds of thei r w hole city what great thi ngs Jesus had done faith existence. Th is is the " abundant life" unlo him" (v. 39). GOCD NEVv'S AMERICA of john 10:10. How wonderful it" is to live CE nlllnlaa lrutmei! II IIIMII IIItlltll ~•lloot: lhldy tll' ...... ,. heaven's life now and yet to know that there tlf( llt c --. co,.t pt ll'tliMI ...,.IdiiOIIIonll ~ ...... GOO IOIES \UL is more to come in the hereafter. a.,tii! Collftfttlolt . AII I1 1 h tltnlf'rllll . t.IIM ~,.,mlell• .

Thlll-n II t.ld0111M lltt111- 'Mn c.rtcuflllllor loutlln ..... March 18 . April 8, 1988 Cllllf'Chll. cai'Y'1QIIII!ytll e llllldlf k hoolllftlf1lltl011thn l .. - 1111 Co""n11011. All l1;hll rtlll'l'td. Uud by !llfllllllllll. February 21 , 1984 Page 15 Trustees approve editorial guidelines Subscriber Services NASHVILLE, Tenn . IBP)-Trustees ol lhe dent and tru stees regarding Holy Sc ripture?" Southern Baptist Su nday School Board One incident Elder cited was cor­ The Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine offers adopted editoria l guidelines concerning or­ res pondence from Paige Patterson, president subscription plans at three different rates: dination of women, affirmed the actions of of the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies, Eveey Ret!lclent Faintly Plan glues churches a premium rate when they send President Lloyd Elder in dealing with critica l Dallas, in which he questioned whether a concerns about board products and employ­ the Newsmagazine to off their resident commentary on the book of joshua by board households. Resident famllles are ees and elected two veteran employees to employee Trent Butler adheres to th e department management posts. gu idelines of the " Baptist Faith and calculated to be at least one·fourth of the church's Sunday School enrollment. Chur­ The age nda of th e two-day se mi -a nnual Message." The commentary was written by meeting was crO\vded with business items as ches who send only to members who re· Butler while he was teaching at Bapti st the trustees also adopted a three percen t in­ quest a subscription do not qualify for this Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland, as a crease in church literature prices effective Baptist foreign missionary and was publisfi­ lower rate of $5.40 per year /or each sul,scriptlon. April1986, au th orized an increase in th e for· ed in 1982 by Word, Inc., Waco, Texas. mula for slate conven tion support and heard A Group Plan (formerly called the Eld er sa id he acknowledged Patterson's a report on 1983-84 from Eld er. first letter which he received Jan. 10 and Club Plan) allows church members to get Don Ea rl y, 49, was elected manager of th e which Elder said was based on second-hand a better than lndfiJidual rate~ when 10 or more of them send their subscriptions newly created financial and technical se r­ information. Elder promised Patterson in his together through their church. Subscribers vices department, effective March 1. A response of Jan . 14 to look into the matter 26-year employee of th e board, Early has since he was not familiar with the book in r------, managed the investm ent office since 1979. question. Elder received a second letter from I I Joe Denney, 46, wa s named to manage the Patterson dated Jan. 2.5. with copies to each I I telecom munications department formed trustee, in which Elder said Patterson crltiz­ I I Oct. 1, 1984. Denn ey, a 23-yea r employee, ed alleged inaction concerning the matter. I has led telecommunica tions work since its " In 15 short days, he thrust the issue upon ~ r- ~ Are you I I inception at the board in 1982 . the trustees as if all the facts were known and "' -< 0 ... z "' moving? I After one hour of debate, the proposed the time for decision had come; ' said Elder. z II• editorial guidelines on ordination of women " Th e urgent concern of Brother Paige Pat­ 0 Please give us two I weeks advance I were adopted by a vote of 43-20. terson is receiving the careful consideration notice. Clip this I Overall, th e guidelines specify giving of the pres ident of the board. But the presi­ portion with your I "clear support to ba sic Christian and Bap­ dent of th is board must not act irresponsibly old address label, I ti st beliefs" while dealing " factu ally and fa ir­ based on in complete information." I ly with differing points of vi€'\v among On the one hand, said Elder, "we should supply new address I c Southern Baptist s." not allow eac h meeting to be dominated by "0 \ below and send to I Arkansas Baptist I The guidelines emphasize "ord ination of correspondence concerning critical con­ ~ z Newsmagazine. I deacons and ministers is a matter completely ce rns." However, on th e other hand, " nei­ z 0 P. 0. Box 552, I under the authority of th e loca l congrega­ ther should we be silent, because it would Little Rock, AR I tion" and the board will "continue to affirm tend to isolate tru stees from the president." 72203 I and encourage the biblica l and historic con­ Elder said his files are open to all trustees. I tribution of women to the cause of Christ." " I want yo u to know all you want to know I Acknowledging differences of opi nion ex­ or need to know;• he said. I ist among Southern Baptists conce rning or­ Trustees authorized the creation of a I I dination of women, the guidelines stat e that special ministries department to include I I I I in chu rch literature and Convention Press black church relations, special education I Name I products, " the iss ue wi ll be dealt with fac­ and language publishing. Plans also were ap­ I I tually and fa irly with neither point of view proved to gradually increase support of state I Street I being ignored or disparaged:' conventions and the SBC over the next five I I Elder said the board " will not become an yea rs, beginning with ne\Ner conventions. I City I endorser, advocate or disparager" of views In his report of progre ss during the first I I conce rn ing ordi nation of women. " If th ese yea r of his administration, Elder emphasiz­ I State Zip --- I guidelines are establ is hed, our ed itors and ed, "As far as I'm concerned, the single most I I w rit ers will conform to th em," he sa id. burning issue at th e Sunday School Board L------~ In the final action of the meeting, trustees is the authentic success of Bold Mission through the group plan pay $6 per year. adopted without opposition a motion ex­ Thrust. Bold Miss ion Thrust is a relationship lndJvtdual subscriptions may be pur­ pressi ng confidence in Elder's handling of we have to Jesus Christ. Bold Mission Thrust chased by anyone at the rote of $6.36 per critical concerns and affirming support of the has been bedrock to the Sunday School Year. These su6scrlpUons are more' costly " Bapti st Faith and Message." Boa rd in th e last yea r." because they require lndlurdual attention for Th e action followed a prese ntation by Among contributions Elder cited includ­ atldress changes and renewal notices. Elder in which he outlined a plan of action ed adoption of guideli nes for treatment of Cbangea of addreu by lndluiduols for respo nding to criti ca l concern s. th e millennium in literature, participation in may be made u.lng the form above, which Elder reviewed three recent illustrations of the denomination's study of Bapti st work in appecus regularly In this space. critica l letters he has received in which th e Canada, launching of Baptist Telecom­ When IDqulriDg about your sulncrlp­ w riters had also se nt copies to each trustee. munication Network and commitment to a tlon by mall, ple.aJe Include the address He sa id the incidents raise three important strategy for language publishing. label. Or call ou at (501} 376·4791, ext. question s: " What, if any, impact should Trustees and the administrative staff of the 5156. Be prepared to glue us your code critical correspondence have on th e agen­ board individually committed th emselves to line In/ormation. da of trustee meetings? How should the participation in Planned Growth In Giving, president respond to crit ica l concerns? What a 15-year plan for increasing Southern Bap­ is the commitment and practice of the presi- tist givi ng to support Bold M ission .Thrust.

Page 16 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE