••
•
• Baptist &
Statewide Edition Telling the Story of Tennes·see Baptists Vol. 173 I No. 45; Dec. 5, 2007 Tom McCoy looks ahead to year as TBC president By Lonnie Wilkey ·seven buildings constructed during tists. He is the son of former Southern Baptist and Reflector McCoy's tenure. , Baptist missionaries (Don and Sterline · Today Thompson Station averages McCoy), was reared in First Baptist BRENTWOOD - Noting he was around 1,650 in worship and 1,350 in Church, Dickson, where his dad served "humbled and honored" by his election Sunday School. as pastor after leaving. the mission as president of the Tennessee Baptist When the church was first estab field, and is a graduate of Belmont Con.vention, Tom McCoy is loaking for lished as a mission of Belmont Heights University a:J;ld Southwestern Baptist ward to his year of service. Baptist Church, Nashville, in 1980, the Theological Seminary where he earned "I plan to take it seriously," he said, church was in a rural, -underpopulated two master's degrees. He also has a noting he is appreciative of the area. All that has changed since then. doctor of ministry degree from Mid "responsibility entrus_ted to him by Just two years ·ago south Will~amson America Baptist Theological Seminary messengers of thi~ great state conven County and Rutherford County were in Cordova. tion. I want to serve them well," said ·cited as the two fastest growing coun- Though well grounded in Southern the pastor of TJ:10mpson Station Bap ties in Tennessee. - Baptist heritage, McCoy is well aware tist Church in south Williamson McCoy gives all the credit to God. that many younger· ministers today are County! where he h~s served since ·"He put \LS in front of the growth . not. One of his goals as TBC president 1989. curve," he acknowledged. is to help younger ministers and TOM MCCOY, pastor of Thompson Sta When McCoy first went to Thomp ·McCoy is excited as he begins serv laypeople connect with the convention. tion Baptist Church, Thompson Station, son Station, there were· three couples ing Tennessee Baptists as president. "I'm 44 years old and I was one of an.s:t newly elected president of the Ten in the congregation. On his first Sun He is no stranger to the work of the the -youngest guys on the platform n8§SJ3B Baptist Convention, pauses in the day there, he said he would like to have co~~tion. He is one of only a few, if (during the TBC annual meeting in Baptist Center in Brentwood last week . 100 in attendance on his first anniver any, men who have held all three posi ~Gngsport)," he observed. '"I don't think while attending his first meeting of .the sary. He missed by 13 - on the positive tions - secona vice president (2003), that is healthy·for the convention;" he Committee on Arfangt:Jments to begin side (113). Since then the church has vice president (2007), and now presi added. making 'preparations for next year's annu expetienced remarkable growth, mov dent. "The day of denominational loyalty al meeting at First Baptist Church, Hen ing from an 'old country music amuse He also is no stranger to the work of is oyer," he continued. dersonville. ment center to a facility that has seen Southern Baptists and Tennessee Bap- - See McCoy, page 4
~ T~o churches use DR ~quiprne_nt _in Thanksgiving ministries · By Connie Davis Bushey pare Thanksgiving meals for people as a city's First Tennessee Pavilion. Community. · Baptist and Reflector ministry. In addition, the disaster relief shower Rann said he participated in the event Brainerd Baptist Church, Chat- trailer of New _Salem Baptist Church, because God's Word says to love your BRENTWOOD - Two churches tanooga, used its feeding unit to prepare . Soddy Daisy, was set up for use by any- neighbor as yourself ahd '1this was a way one in Cooke:ville and one in Chattanooga Thanksgiving meals for homeless people on~ who wished to use it. Also, volun- to show our love to the homeless and dis - used disaster relief equipment -to pre-- as part of a community effort, reported teers from Brainerd Baptist prepared advantaged of our .community. I hope it Bob Rann, church disas- sack lunches which were given to each · blessed the recipients as much as us, ter relief director. The person at the event. because we were just blown away by the ch~ch prepared 856 · Brainerd Baptist worked with the Sal- feeling of accomplishment, service, and meals for people on vation Army and Community Kitchen fu lfillment that we felt," said Rann. Thanksgiving Day. The and other Chattanooga entities in the The church was approached by the ... l event was held at the effort, which was called Unity in the Salvation Army to lead in food prepara tion. The two groups have worked. together before, said Rann. The community-wide event was the first of its kind in Chattanooga. In past years institutions like the Salvation Army and Community Kitchen had held their own Thanksgiv ing meals for the home· less. Rann said leaders of Unity in the Community will meet soon with the mayor of Chattanooga. Rann understands they will be asked to offer the ministry again next year. Some of the food was prepared prior to the event and heated in the feeding PASTOR JIMMY ARMS, left, of Stevens Street Baptist VOLUNTEERS FROM Brainerd Baptist Church, Chattanooga, along with others in units, said &3nn, which are Church, Cookeville, and Harold Bilbrey help prepare a the community, united to provide Thanksgiving meals to the city's homeless commu- housed in t railers and Thanksgiving meal for the area's needy population. nity. - Photo by David Acres ) - See Two, page 4 #BXNHFRX ******~******5-DIGIT 37203 #01499375# REG 467/7 • HISTORICAL COMMISSION 901 COMMERCE ST STE 400 NASHVIL~E TN 37203-3628 DEC f 9 Z1f17,
f 1 1 fl ,f .. ,j,, I alii 1 1111 JI 1 ulf ,,/I 11 1 ,f,lfu IIf If 1 ,[
- - - - _--=-..:!._ .. .
• .-
' Page 2 I B&R I Dec. 5, 2007_------ ·national. I ._state news ...... / - '· -:"' • ...... '. \'.]bout AIDS patients are gelicals' response- to the spread of the disease in the U.S., Kay Freeman tO pray ~t lighting your Warren said she believes unreaclted people Christians · need to start by newsjou rna~ understanding that HIV/AIDS of national Christmas ·tree group: Kay Warren Baptist aiid Reflecto; cast on C-Span. is not a gay djsease. She add~d .,, Baptist Press '" Subscribe to the Baptist and that evangelicals should see F,reeman told The Leaf Reflector for one year and LAKE FOREST, . Calif. C~KSVILLE ~ Roger Chronicle in Clarksville that homosexualS with HIVI AIDS for• receive 47 copies. ·Individual More than a million individuals what they are - an unreached Freein~~ pastor of First he submitted a 'Christian Baptist Church here and a prayer,. and it was appro":'ed. subscriptions, $12; Church live with HIV/AIDS in the U.S.; people group who need to know yet, ~espite responding with God loves them . past . presideDt· . of the .His narp.e."was put into consid .Leadership Plan, $8.75 per Tennessee .Baptist Ca:n.v:~ntion, eratic:lit by · Amy Spieelan.d C:Prist's compassion to care for Ten years ago, Warren would ' . subscription; other plans avail the sick and to meet the needs of . have been an unlikely principal is slate.d to ·· · Scofield,_ who grew up in able "the least of these" in so many for a discussion about AIDS in lead the ClarksVille, and works for th~ other instances, evangelicals in America. She was a Bible teacher prayer ~t the Nat~onal Park Service, accord Lonnie Wilkey, editor lighting of ing to the paper. America largely have struggled and the wife of Rick Warren, who ~ (6i 5) 371-2046, with how to respond in ministry is the founding pastor . of t.t,le nl!tional ' Fieemari told the Leaf-· lwilkey@ tnbaptist.org to those stricken with this dis Saddleback ·Church and author Christ.mas. ,. Chronicle that he "was totally ease. of '!'he Purpose Driven Life. tree in fr-Ont strmned" to be chosen. "I think Connie Davis Bushey, news Hesitancy stems in part from But Kay has emerged as a of the White · it's a terrific celebration and editor the nature ofhow HIV/AIDS has recognized leader in her own House. recognition .of the importance (615) 371-7928, ~ spread across the states. Unlike right for her· efforts to marshal The cere- FREEMAN' of Christmas as just not a the rest of the world (e.g. in the church to engage in this mony, . spon- - Chris~ian holiday; but a cbushey@ tnbaptist. org sored by the N atiqrial Park national.holiday.'' Mrica, heterosexua,l sex with mi~istry area,- because Go·d . .. ' ~ ., - t Susie Edwards, financiaV multiple partners is the main cares for the sick and it is the Servic~ ·is slated for_ :t· P..xri. 'Plie Baptist ancJ, Reflector circulation coordinator transmission factor, and in only institution with the moral Central Stan4ard Time on will publish a ~ore extensive Dec.. 6. It is slated for broad- article following the event. p (615) 371-2003, Russia HIV/AIDS is spreading authority to effect the behav through rampant intravenous sedwards@ tnbaptist.org ioral change needed to stop the drug abuse and sharing of infect spFead ofAIDS. She now is exec- opened her heart to AIDS suffer- . to come to .us." Mary Nimmo, advertising/ ed needles), the HIV/~DS virus utive director of Saddleback er~ by appealing first to her Warren said her attitude has spread among Americans Church's HIV/AIDS Initiative. compassion for African children about homosexuality wa.s an · church page~ coordinator mostly from homosexual sex and Warren's stance on ministry orphaned by the disease. obstacle to ministering to hurt (615} 371-7929, secondly through dirty needles to those sick· with AIDS was Through visits to Africa and see- ing people. mnimmo@ tnb~ptist.org sh9!ed by illicit drug users. something of a journey for her. ing firsthand the devastation "~ actually felt that because Because homosexuals and "I sat for the first 20 years of there, she eventually came to :-<>£.the way somebody might have Marcia Knox, special features Christians have been engaged this pa,ndemic," she said,' adding the place spiritually. where sh,e · gotten ~ick that eliminated my assistant . in a culture war for more than her typical reaction was some- saw· I HIV/A:IDS-infected homo-; ' responsibility to care for them or (615) 371-2089, . two decades, believers are at thing like, "(Y]ou know what? sexuals and intravenous drug to demonstrate compassion." mknox@ tnbaptist.org odds with themselves about It's a white, gay man's disease abusers in a different way. She added that to win anyone how to show their compassion and everybody knows how it's "[T]he church has the oppor- to Christ, you have to establish Office - Baptist and Reflector, by proclaiming the gospel to transmitted and so if you get tunity to reach into the cobimu- relationships. 5001 Maryland Way, . and by caring for AIDS patients, sick, oh well. Don't come crying nities of people that have typi- Ministry to those with Brentwood, TN 37027 , but. w.ithout ~givin~ the appear-_ to me for Syn)pathy." cally sta;xed awfiy," she said. "I HIV/AIDS starts with the Bible, .. I J • . ance of condoning sin. •or surren-: She described •her 'atHtadeY : really thili.k of the ga~· conitl:iiwii- ~ Warren. said. They are desp~rate Mailing address - P.O. Box dering the fight for the soul of then as harsh and judgmental: ty and the HIV community in people who· need Je.Ff,us Christ, 728, Brentwood, TN 37024 the country. · "You commit the crime, you pay the United States as, if you will, and the way for them to know In an exclusive interview the time." unr~ached people groups. He cares is for us to care for Phone - (615) 371-2003 with Baptist Press about evan- About five years ago, <;tod • "And they're not going them, she said. 0 FAX- (615) 371-2080 UniOn staffer, wife commissl«;»ned as 1MB .T.issionaries Website- www.tnbaptist.org . By Sarah McBroom 40,000 college students was a Union University news office great e:lqlerience for us," Laura Publisher - Tennesse~ Baptist. · said. "It also reaffirmed God's Convention Executive Board. . JACKSON·. - Andy Petti., call-in-our lives that He eventu .. grew, director ~ of Campus ally wanted \JS: to go overseas." Shared Ministries Ministries at. Union University, Andy said he is thankful for Committee- and his wife Laura were com all the encouragement, prayers, Wes Turner, chairman; William missioned by the Southern and suppo.rt from people at Oakley, vice c~airman; Tom Baptist Convention's Inter Unioi].; and that his· t~e work Bigham, Mark Conway, Nina national Mission Board Nov. 7 to ing. at_ l]'nion has allowed ·him to • 1-- • • • Fletcher, Tim "Frank, David, · serve as career ID1SS10nanes m be .incredibly blesseg. Botswana, Africa. "I desire to be a blessing to Green, Doug Jennings, Joey ·The Pettigrews were among others," Andy s.aid. "I can't wait Johnson, Bert Jones, Tommy 82 to t~e what God_has taught me other people who were. com-- Lemmonds, Greg Long, Ed missioned in a service in· here and apply it to life in Porter, Linda Still, Edna Springfield, Ill. . Botswana." Tidwell, Larry Triplett "My life sto:ry has never real Law:a said she is alsa thank ly been a matter of i~ but when,'', ful for Union, becaus~ it has Postmaster - Andy said about @s interest in been great to have support from Periodical postage paid at missions. "God called me to mis - everyone at the university, as Brentwood and at additional sions at a young age, and I've ANDY. PETTIGREW, director of. campus ministries at Union · well as fzrom Cornerstone been watching His hand in· my University, Jackson, and his wife Laura . were recently commis- Community Cnurch - . where mailing office. (USPS 041- life as He's taken me various sioned as, [email protected] Baptist missionaries by the . International the-Pettigrews are members. . 780) POSTMASTER:.send' places." Mission Board. They will serve in Botswana, Africa_. · .. The Pettigrews will go to address ch~nge~ to Baptist While in - Botswana, the Richn!ond, Va., for training from and Reflector, P.O. Box 728, Pettigrews will be working with In 2005, Andy took a group of career nnss10naries with the Feb. 3 -:.... April 3. Shortly there , Brentwood, TN 37024. _university students, partnering Union students on a Global goal of planting their lives after, they will head to Botswana. · with local churches, planting Opportunities trip to Botswana. among the people and proclaim They have two children - Frequency of issue - churches, training student lead~ In 2007, he said he was· able to ing the go_spel among them. Lili, 4, and Elliot, 1. Published weekly except for.the ers, and providing HIV/AIDS go again with his wife and .Before coming to Uniah in "Cross cultural experiences weeks of Christmas, New educl:\tion. another group of students on a 2004 to be director of Campus give you the idea that the world "We're primarily ~orki~~ GO t~p ~ ...... · Ministries, Andy and Laura is different and· so diverse," Year's, Memorial Day, F: ~~ots~~~ :B[ii.tt~~ate,l1f ' · ~«rr s~~';§§~ I started praying the University ofWashington. Everyon.e, no matter what their ~ Printed on ·:, ::- pomtmg them to tlie gospel or through that." . "Being out of the Bible Belt culture or life cir~mstance, is . ~ recycled paper Christ." , ! . ~ . : . • : 1 , • 1' ; ~ 1; The Pett~gr~ws are going as and working. in Seattle with in need of the gospel." 0
• . . • • ...... • • • • • . . . ~ ...... - ...... 3 I I &R I Dec. 5, 2 00 7 --.--=---~-:--:.,--..,...... ,-. --:,.,..------.,.---- nationcl I sta e news ' ~ Of S~uthern Baptis~ _seminaries · . . - ....- - - Rece· n~ . g~CI~ -5 three ti111es -111ore likely to ·be_Calvi ·nists: study By Jeff Robinson study combined with 2007 "It would be difficult to say ates who are Calvinists do pas then obviously the percentage of Baptist Press research from NAMB's Center that Calvinism is not a growing tor smaller churches that bap Calvinists in our churches and for Missional Research, which influence in SBC life; [it] cer tize fewer people. church leadership will continue RIDGECREST, N.C.- Near surveyed SBC pastors who grad tainly [is] a growing influence in • Calvinistic churches, to increase as well. ly 30 percent of recent SBC sem uated f:r;om SBC seminary mas the graduates of our seminar though they baptize fewer per "Calvinism is on the rise inary graduates now serving as ters ·degree programs between ies," Stetzer said. sons each year, have a "baptism among the most recent semi church pastars identify them· 1998 and 2004. NAMB's resea•rch comple rate" virtually identical to that of nary graduates. If present selves as Calvinists, according Stetzer, who alsq is LifeWay's ments the Calvinism study that ·non-Calvinistic churches·. Bap trends continue, Calvinism will to data presented during the missiologist in residence, noted LifeWay Research conducted in tism rate is the number of annu continue to grow as an influence opening session of a conference· that the research showed that 2006, Stetzer noted. The Life al baptisms relative to total in our convention." on Reformed theqlogy and the among pastors of Southern Bap Way study surveyed a cross-sec membership, a statistic used to Stetzer encouraged both Southern Baptist Convention at tist churches who are recent tion of 413 randomly selected measure evangelistic vitality. Calvinists and non-Calvinists to LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference SBC seminary graduates, 29 SBC pastors. That study placed • Both Calvinistic and non· ratchet up their efforts to pro Center here. percent indicated they are the number of pastors who Calvinistic churches believe claim the gospel to North Amer By contrast in the SBC at Calvinists. Stetzer said 27 per affirm the five points of Calvin that local congregations should Ica. large, the number of pastors cent of 1,234 recent seminary ism in the SBC at around 10 · be involved in sponsoring mis "Regardless of whether who affirm the five points of graduate respondents serving in percent. sions and planting new church Calvinists are having a lower Calvinism is around 10 percent, SBC church leadership positions NAMB's survey, however, es. The study showed 95 percent number of baptisms and a Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay "somew4_at. ~gree" or "strongly sought to examine recent semi of both types of Southern Bap smaller attendance or baptizing Research, said in reporting vari· agree" that they are five-point nary graduates only, manY. of tists affirmed the necessity of the same in the baptism rate, · ous findings by · LifeWay Calvinists, while 67 percent whom likely would be younger missions and church planting. the reality is none of these bap Research and the North Ameri affirmed that God's "giace is than the pastors that the, Life • Calvinistic recent gradu tism rates or growth numbers can Mission Board Center for irresistible" and 58 percent said Way study canvassed, Stetzer ates report that they conduct shQuld make any of us happy," Missional Research. they believe "people do not pointed out. . personal evangelism at a slight Stetzer said. Such data, Stetzer·noted Nov. choose. . to become Christians, With regard to Calvinism ly higher rate than their non- 'i_At the end of the day, Calvin 26, perhaps gives an ·indication God chooses and calls people and the SBC, Stetzer said Calvinistic peer~. · ists and non-Calvinists alike in why a conference such as "Build who respond to him." NAMB's research also demon The bottom line, Stetzer said, our churches are failing to engage ·ing Bridges: Southern Baptists The numbers of graduates strated that: · is that Calvinistic churches com lostness in North America. , . and Calvinism" is taking place. who affirmed Calvinism rose • Churches pastored by pose .a minority of congregations "This theological discussion The three-day gathering, with stea~y between students who Calvinists tend to have smaller in the SBC, but their numbers has to lead to missional action approximately 550 attendees, is graduated in 1998 and those attendance and typi£.._a}ly baptize are steadily growing, ·particular and that missional action needs B'efug co-sponsored by Founders who completed their degrees in fewer persons each year. Stetzer ly as recent seminary graduates to cause Calvinists and non Ministries and Southeastern 2004, Stetzer said. ·In the last cautioned the attendees to be take the rein.s of leadership. Calvinists alike to love each Baptist Theological Seminary. year of the study, 34 percent of careful i:rt their speculations, Referring to recent gradu other and to encourage each Stetzer's presentation re those serving in SBC churches explaining tliat this study did ates, Stetzer explained, "The other and to prov.oke one anoth layed additional information identified themselves as five not look at "why." However, he percentages tick up each year er on to love and good deeds," from a 2006 LifeWay Research point Calvinists. pointed out that recent gradu- and if they continue to increase, Stetzer said. 0 Conference speakers examine Calvinism in i-ts Baptist context By Mark Kelly of Calvinist convictions into Baptist life, tists who may yet have some misgivings and modern hyper-Calvinism add "specu · Baptist Press first in England and then in the United about the other doctrines," Nettles said. lative doctrines and extra-biblical dis States, by focusing on the ways succes Those convictions include the inspira tinctions" to biblical faith, Yarnell said. RIDGECREST, N.C. - The rise of sive Southern Baptist leaders adopted, tion of Scripture,- Trinitarian theology, "To argue, like the hyper-Calvinists, that Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Con modified, or reacted against Calvinism. sub~titutienary atonement, religious lib sinners should not be freely offered the vention was variously described as a Today's Southern Baptist, debate about erty, missions and evangelism, Christ gospel nor invited to· respond with faith cause for rejoicing and concern and ~s a Calvinism is hampered, he said, by a gen- centered preaching, holiness of life, and and repentance is anathema to a mis movement that should be understood in . ~ral ignorance of Bap~ist history. regenerate church membership . sionary Baptist." its proper historical context, speakers "We cannot say tliere is one stream "It can hardly be denied that those JeffNoblit, senior pastor ofFirst Bap said during a Nov. 26-28 conference on that has made us. We find ourselves issues which mark Southern Baptists so tist Church ip. Muscle Shoals, Ala., said a Reformed theology and the SBC. shaped by fundamen strongly historically found vocal and artic resurgence of Calvinist doctrines would Roughly 550 registrants listened care talists, by revivalists, ulate advocates from Calvinistic ranks," help Southern Baptists reclaim a sagging fully as leading Southern Baptist histori by evangelicals, and by Nettles said. "In contemporary Southern conviction in the sufficiency of Scripture ans, theologians, professors, and pastors Calvinists," Dockery Baptist life, among their strongest defend and would promote true evangelism. offered sometimes sharply differing said. "We are at a time ers will be Calvinists. What a tragic irony - "The rise of Calvinism in the Southern assessments of the benefits and dangers _ when we need to under it would be if those who b:llrthed the con Baptist Convention will help us overcome posed by the growing influence of Calvin stand who we are, vention and fostered its foundational inerrancy idolatry and reclaim the suffi ist convictions in Southern Baptist where we have been, strength with such firmly ·grounded theol ciency of Scripture in our churches," churches. and where .we are ogy should now be seen as enemies of mis- Noblit said. "Holding to the inerrancy of "Building Bridges: Southern Baptists DOCKERY going. By and large, we . sions effectiveness in the world." the Scriptures without at least· an equal and Calvinism" was co-sponsored by don't understand our Malcolm Yarnell, assistant dean of passion and commitment to the sufficien Founders Ministries and Southeastern heritage." theo1ogical studies and associate profes cy of Scripture for all faith and practice is Baptist Theological Seminary a.t LifeWa~ Dockery, speaking on the program as sor of systematic theology at Sollthwest sheet idolatry." RidgecFest Conference Center in No:tth a non-Calvinist, urged Southern Bap ern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort While some portray Calvinism as a Carolina. Founders Ministries formed in tists who differ about Calvinism to focus Worth, Texas, noted that while the first danger to evangelism and missions, the 1982 to advance Reformed theolomr in on their common convictions, citing the Baptists in England developed in a lack of baptisms in thousands of South SBC churches. · · 18th-century friendship of George White Calvinist context, they nevertheless had ern Baptist churches cannot be blamed Southern Baptists have been shaped field and John Wesley during America's significant doctrinal differences with the on Calvinist convictions, Noblit said. by many streams of faith and practice, Great Awakening. Whitefield and Wesley Reformed churches. Southern Baptists apparently have including Calvinism, said David Dockery, had opposite convictions. about Calvin The "classical" Calvinism of the 16th mi11ions of church members who "walked president of Union University in Jackson. ism, · "yet they were best friends, col century advocated doctrines unaccept to the front of the church building, "Have Southern Baptists been Calvin leagues, co-laborers together for the able to Baptists: the baptism of infants, repeated somebody's prayer, but the fruit ists? The answer is yes and no," Dockery cause of the gospel," Dockery said. "We sacraments as means of grace, and an of their lives does not look like biblical said. "If you ask our Wesleyan or Armin ·can learn lessons here in this bridge amillennial view of the end of the world, conversion," he said. "I believe the Spirit ian friends, they say yes without hesita- · building effort, find ways to advance in among other doctrines, Yarnell said in of God illumines and awakens people and tion, for they make the dividing line the gospel and the cause of Christ." the session titled "Calvinism:.A.'Cause for we rush them into prayer and baptism along the issue of eternal security and Tom Nettles, professor of historical Rejoicing, a Cause for Concern." By the before they ever get to repentance and anyone who holds to eternal security, theology at Southern Baptist Theological same token, he added, 16th-century faith." from their perspective, is a Calvinist of Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said Calvin Calvinism would reject Baptist emphases While there is little doubt that South some type. On the other hand, if you ist convictions extend beyond the fami1- such as adult baptism and being born ern Baptist Calvinists are not as evangel mean have the majority ofSouthern·Bap iar five points to doctrines that Baptists again, and would be uncomfortable with istic as they should be, that only makes tists been consistent five-point Calvin~ feel strongly about. evangelicals talking about a "personal ·them similar to everyone else in the ists, I think the answer is no." "Calvinism has within it a core of doc relationship". with Jesus Christ. Southern Baptist Convention, said As part of the session titled "The His trinal beliefs not unique to Calvinism, Baptists today would benefit from rec Nathan Finn, instructor of church histo torical Record/' Dockery traced the flow but enthusiastically espoused by Bap- ognizing that both classical Calvinism ry at Southeastern Seminary. 0
- -• ••
-- •
.( . .. len~ e s -se.-e new ~ • . . • • 'Two churches -use ·DR equipment$in lhanksgivir:lg •... - Continued from page 1 On Nov. 20 Stevens Street A total. of about 500 church transported by trucks. About 60
...... : --... ------·--. ,- -..- ' • • ;...>.,.. Po.ae 5 I B&R I De~. 5, 2007 ;;-----~--:-----:------e d i to r i Gl ·1 opan1on ....,.... P I :1M{,. .- Calvinist or not, every BaptiSt neecls to share Christ em Baptist fieolegical Semi- Accerding to the study, in Baptist churches - some that share the good news of Jesus :nary, and Founders Ministry 2004 there were 34 percent of affirnl Calvinism, others that do Christ with a world that needs refledions -which was formed in 1982 to recent seminary graduates who not. Both prospective ministers His love. advance Reformed.. theology considered themselves as five- and churches need to make sure Stetzer said it like this and I (Calvinism) in SBC churches, 'point.Cruvinists. they fit each other. agree: "Regardless of whether sponsored a conference to That means that congrega- I have heard the horror sto Calvinists are having a lower address the issue, tions who do not believe in ries of churches that call some number of baptisms and a By Lon·nie Wilkey, editor Space prohibited the use of Calvi.Iiism need to make sure one who is a Calvinist and how smaller attenqance or baptizing every article published from the what petential pastors and staff it has split congregations. On the same in the baptism rate, Like it oF not, the issue of conference :held Nev. 2.6~2-8 at members' believe before issuing the other hand, I have heard sto the reality is none of these-bap Calvinism is in the Southern Ridgecre,st (N.C.) Baptist Con- a call to serVice. · ries of pastors who have_ been tism rates or growth numbers ·' Baptist Convention and it is not fe:re:nce CenteiT. Staries not used And, :recent graduates look terminated for their beliefs. . should make any of us happy," going away. Nuw, the few times I in this issue. Will ~e posted with ing for a church to serve, should Those stories do not have to Stetzer said. h~ve written about C.alvinism I our regil,l,ar stories this week on also do tneir homework. They happen if everyone does their "At the end of the day, Calvin usually get blasted. I admit that the web at www.tnbaptist.org. · need to ask questions and get a due diligence. ists and non-Calvinists alike in I am not an expert on the topic. Read the stories. They con- .feel for what ch~ch members Ed Stetzer of LifeWay who our churches are failing to I know what I helieve and what tain pro and con positions on believe. If a person with a presented his findings at the engage lostness in North Ameri I don't believe. C,alVinisin. Make up your own Calvinist persuasion knowingly co.nference, made some excellent ca." So, this column is not ~bout min.d. accepts a call from a church observations. Calvinists say they are evan my views of Calvinism. -I have My hope and prayer is that that does ~ot affirm Calvinism, One of those is t)lat while gelistic. Non-Calvi.D.ists say they ' - expressed those view~ , .Qefor~ Calvinism y.r~ll not becom~ a that is wrong. The opposite also Calvipist churches tend to bap are evangelistic, but baptism and I will say it again-· while I dividing force within our con- is true. A non-Calvinist church ti:?:e fewer people, their baptism totals over the past few decades do agree with some points of vention. That is why it is so should not knowingly call. a rate is about the same of non · fudicate otherwise. . Calvinism (like many Baptists) I . important that Sou.thern Bap- minister who espouses Calvin- Calvinist churches.. Baptism In one way, Calvinists and am :not a Calvinist. tists be informed and educated Ism. rate is the nupiber of annual non-Calvinists are very much This column; instead, brings. on this issue. · More than likely,- neither side baptis:p1s rel~tive t,o total mem alike. We .talk a good game, but - atteation . to stories 'on. page One af the artic;les on page will change the other's. views, bership, a statistic used to meas our actions do not reflect our th:ree of this issue. Because of three deals with a study t}lat and it will ultimately damage ure evangelistic vitality,. accord wor
sistent swvival. lD addition, [ pecked.,, . r che ·mical 1of g6ose feathers. For my family, they dried to·a ball of yellow fur, use a v:alu.able lesson. learned in ~CI~eamed, and preserrce of an . chicken feathers provided just anxious to leave the nest. my chicken days qqite ·often. Mamma brdk-e egg. Many a another means to make do. Now, my lesson! The entire Out chicken ·compound was off a peach sick child's Early I mentioned .the· fact hatching process honors the celllposed of .a yard and tin roof tree ljmb on recovery that.chickens taught me lessonS. principle of patient change. That sha:c.K, CaJefully located to the the way te the yard. She (including mine) .often could ,be This epistle features only one, process from egg to baby chick west of our house in respect of switched my legs in tie chicken -attributed to a daily diet of egg leanieO. through the baby chick has been working since God's the ainbiance produced by pre yard amidst feeble attempts ta milk - raw eggs and sugar en hatching process. creation. Change, more than vailing winds, and enclosed· by a dadge that rooster. mixed in milk. I r.ecall my moth As I remember, a hatc~-off merely important, has been built five foot wire fence that inc.luded Late one night a vamrint got er pa\lsing in ihe midst of her bega.n with careful selection of into God's processes continu~y. only oae gate. The one entrance in our chlckea house. Scared cooking, having reached the the hen -the moth~r-to-be . The Sadly, we seek out books, and exit spot indicated that out chi:ckens can awaken a. whale point of instruction, "Son, now importance of this fact is real articles, and attend seminars on sider,s approached a :restricted neighborhood at night. Dadd¥ get me an egg."- And deviled eggs ized that a hen labeled with the ··how to change when a six week area. To leave the gate open and jumped out of bed in Iris sum - what a ·delight! Dry boiled term, "She won't set" meant chicken-watch could be much risk escaping chickens gave cre mer sleeping attire, .grabbed ~s · yolks· mixed with homemade chicken and dumplins real soon. more beneficial. Dr. Jame~ L. ' . dence to number eight of the old· Geenan Luger pistol and mayo.nnaise and chopped up . A setting of eggs - usually Sullivan likened impatient seven cardinal sins. In essence, tore out tae back doo~ By tb:e pickle, while infrequently 12 - . received examination change to folks trying to hatch chickens merited pr,otection and light of flashlig:Q.t and moon, he served, did remind us that a del under a bright light. Any flaw, an egg with a blowtorch who in cafe, or "don't mess with the navigated barefooted through icacy could exist i:n hard times. thin crack, blood spot, or split the process burned down the chick'8ns." the chicken residual to find a big Now, my attention to egg cook yolk invalidated that egg. The chicken house. The violatioD. of the posted possum baying his feathered ing could go on and on, but le~s nest received fresh straw, and Kids, I know you abide in a chicken yard resulted in -one of ladies. He shot and .missed the save some space for th.e chicken, then the eggs were carefully world of chicken fingers, chick my most disciplinary experi possum, blowing a hole in the literally behind the egg. placed in a tight circle and the en nuggets, and Egg Beaters. ences. side of the house big enough for· No entree (meat dish) hen lowered slowly onto the Sadly, you may never have the One day, I extended the range the possum to make a hasty exceeds southern fried chicken. eggs. Sometimes re-sitting was opportunity to observe the of my cowboy and Native Amer retJ;eat. Fortunately, no chi,ckens All attempts to improve on this required, but usually the hatching process of chickens. ican activity into the chicken suffered injury. Go.d-given process results in instinct of the old mother hen So, with that sad reality, I write compound. Riding a stick horse, Now if your interest has abuse to the creature. Most prevailed and the hatching to say to each of you - charac armed with a new cap pistol and neared the point of intri~e , restaurant menus feature fancy began. ter includes honori.n,g patient a string whip attached to a allow me to explain a southern names-for chicken, usually just · Tile hen attended to the change. 0- Porch is executjve • broom handle, I attempted to pc>st.,depression era family's covering up or disgui$ing the three essentials for hatching her director-treasurer .of the Ten herd the ·chickens into the hen chicken obsession. fact they can't fry a decent eggs. She provided heat, nessee Baptist Convention.
...... ,.- --'----'--'--=---- .. 1 ' . I I I ~ J I .- I
.c ~ • :.. - ·'
-.
-~ ......
- ' .. . "Building healthy churches empowered by the presence ofGod."
•
. I
I . Missio~ ns Matters
~ In this week's issue of the Baptist and Reflector, you have _PRAYEI_t P~OJECT ,- the Tennessee Baptist Convention Treasurer's Report . Fourth Quarter from our Tennessee Baptist churches. ACRo·ss MALTA ··
The state missions staff wishes to expresses our thanksgiving co all-of the churches for your faithful support of missions in Tennessee Baptist' Convention Volunteer Tennessee and around the world. Your faithfulne. ss allows. us to live out our calling each day. Missions will sponsor a prayer mission project to Malta the week of Aug. 6-16, according to Kim Margrave, TBC Church Health - Volunteer Also in the «Church Health Matters, pages this week, we _are Missions specialist. - sharing with you some opportunities that allow you .to· be on - mission _and to experience how your missions dollars are at "Join 60 volunteers as the TBC begin.s this An-oriel}tation and training fo~ the prayer new partnership with Team Malta by praying project will be held April 19 at the Baptist work. Please look at these projects, and prayerfully consider if . ' across the Island of Malta," said Margrave. . "This Center, Brentwood. ' God would have your church be involved in one or more of will be the first large eveO:t of the partnership." these missions opportunities. ' For information on the trip, contact Don Pierson, TBC State Prayer coordinator, Margr~ve at G6 15) 371-2021 or' 1-800-558- Included below is the contact information for members of will serve as project team leader. The registration 2090 ext. 2021 , .or e-mail her at \ deadline for the prayer project is April 1. · [email protected]. your state missionary staff that are available to help you and your church in any area related to the Cooperative Program and . Volunteer Missions. ' . ·SEMINARY· To learn_about the Cooperative P~ogram, contact: TIAL TEACH ...., '--' NITI ES •
• James Porch TBC executive director-treasurer ...... (615) 371-2090 •
GaryRkkman CP informacion speakers ...... •...... : .. (615). 371-2020 ' ..
' - William Maxwell Ad~inistrative Services ...... - ...... ~ ...... (61?) 371-2024 .. ... To get more information about the Volunteer Missions projects, ~ntact:
Kim Margrave Church Health-Volunteer Missions specialist ..... (615) 371::-2021 ·
Heather Wtlson · .. ·required qualifications, Ministry Assistant ...... · ...... _...... t( 615) 371-2 026
. . • ' . • • • . ' . # • • .. . # .. ' , . , r#., •~••• ~ • .- " , • . . • • • .. - .. ~· • • fl( # • # "" """t' ··~-·,.,_ • MISSIONS IOWA ISSI-0 · 2 10+ 0+ ra..s;;c~u BYac at Bapttst Center ~aterl in loW rncome rotnmunity, Ages range from 4 years ofd to 17 vA;m::: • Des · Iowa June 8-14 20-25 1...... ,.~~ BYBC al B8Rtist Center loc~ted io low 1noome community, Ages range from 4 yeaflS old to 17 years - Des - - Lead BYBC at Baptist Center located in' low inoome community. Ages range trom 4 years o~ to 17 y.ears Des Iowa June 22-28 20-25 • 11-lC'<~ S>YBC at Baptist G-enter lac~ in low ineGme community. Ages range fi:om 4 years o!Q to 17 years Des Mol tewa IA..o&07 B'YBC lead B~C at Baptist Center loeated in low income community. Ages range fro'!' 4 years old to 17 years Iowa lA-G8-08 aYBC Lead BYSC at Baptist Center located in low income community. Age& range tram 4 years old to 17 years old. Lead BYBC at Baptist Center Joeated in low Income community. Ages range ftom 4 years .old to 17 years Des I&Wa fA--()8..10 BYBC 2 ' • • ' - -.=..-.---- ,..._ . .. " ., ' ' \ ' ' ' \ " ' ' " ... " ~ ' ' ' ' ' ). '\ "" .. ' ' ' " ' ' ' \ ' \ ' ' \ ' ' \ .. ~ '\ ' " ' ' '\ ' ''"'' ,, "" ,, \ ,,\ ...... ' -\'"' ~,, '\ ' ' ...... \ \ ,,..·" " ' ' I . ~ Page. 8 I B&R I Dec. 5, ~007 ------::------'------Tennessee news. l I .. • :..;_r • / : . - . . ' t ' .. TREASURER'S REPORT FOURTH. QUARl"ER November 1, 2006 - October 31, 2007 OTHER SPECIAL GIFTS American Bible Society 50 ·so ' . Tenn. Drug Awareness Council 55,221 . 55,221 .. • ;..,..:: :Disaster Relief · l . 29;852 . 29,852 • ~ .. ' ') Other Special Gifts ·148, 15l 148,151 Total Other .sp'eciai·Gifts' .. 0 0 233r274~ '· ' 233,274 • .. I Total Allocations 37,674,053 17;654,189- 5,109,178 60,437,420 • Other lncor:ne (Guidestone, NAMB, Lifeway.,.Conference Centers. interest, refunds, B&R adve rt i~ement/sub scri ption income) 5,446,447 5,446,447 - •· Total Allocations · 37_,674,053 17,654,189 10,555,626 65,S83,867 . . . . ,- To access the detailed Treasurer's Report by association, go to the Ten- Or click the Gpoperative ~rogr.am logo in the right columA and f01Jow the • , .. I . nessee Baptist Convention website, www. tnbaptist.org. There will be a lirtk ir:tstwctioms to a'Gpess the detailed lr:easwrer's 'Report 'by asso-ciation. Click • ~ r ~ . - on · ~he home page directly to the detailed Treasurer:'s Report page. on an association to see the detail by church for that association. • ' ...... •oee: 9 I B&R I Dec. 5, 2007· -=---.:-~ -..--.::....,~-..---,-'--"::_,..-::,-:,---:-=---=------ lfellness.ee news - - - t ' 1MB' missionaries tackle 'densest city' in W. Europe By Shawn Hendricks · woman he'd never seen before • , 1MB news office proceeded to tell him where he WEEK OF PRAYER FOR lived. RICHMOND - She stands INTERNATIONAL MJSSIONS AND But he doesn't seem to mind in h er kitchen with tears in her • INTERNATIONAL MISSION STUDY the notoriety. Living in a social eyes. A close family friend has " culture, where meals can last died, and she struggles to Dec. 2~9, 2007 four hours and everything cen understand why. ters on the family, Worthy and After a lifetime of turning to LOTTIE MOON his wife encounter daily oppor priests arid saints for solace CHRISTMAS OFFERING® tunities to talk about Jesus .and answers, this Italian - Christ. woman is still searching. She 1Vational Goal: $165 'fnillion "As we go to the market, the asks International Mission post office, the shoe store or the Board missionary Charlie Wor bapk . . . we're going there to thy, ''Why does God let this hap talk to people," he said. "We're pen?" For Worthy, this is a gold • not just going there to get food, en opportunity to sh.are his money, or clothes. faith and relationship with International Mission Board's that these large urban centers · die of the city that's been _here "Inevitably - at least eight Jesus Christ. 2007 Annual Statistical Report. frequently are less reached for almost 1,000 years and ... · times out of 10- [the conver "She was really broken, and Of those 28 urban areas, 19 of [with the gospel] than rural {you] realize. that. vast sea of sation] will turn to something she had some serious ques.:' them are less than 2 percent areas where many missionaries lostness below you," Worthy spiritual, especially over those tions," recalled Worthy, who evangelical. have tended to work in the said. . three- or four-hour dinners. It was reared in Tennessee "While we · continue to past," he said. "It is considered the densest always turns to something spir and Mississippi and attend emphasize the importance of With Naples' elaborate City in Western Europe. You've ituaL" ed Union Uniyersity in faking the gospel to every peo cathedrals, . Italian delicacies, got people on top of people." Worthy believes some of Jackson. ple group, we cannot igr{ore the scenic ocean view, and warm Since moving there, the Wor their closest friends may be on Worthy and his wife, Shan fact that peoples all aro.ui].d the Mediterranean . climate, most thys have immersed them th~ brink of turning their lives non, have encountered many world are migrating .;to_ the people may overlook that mil .selves in their community, - over to Christ. similar situations since p1ov'ing cities," said Scott Holste, 1MB's lions live there without· a rela reaching out to people in their "When those three or four to Naples, Italy, in 2005. The associate- vice president for tionship with Jesus Christ. apartment building, the families come to faith, I think it _ couple, who have three young resear~h and strategic services. Like many other missionar schools, shops, and everyone is. going to bust the seams of ; children, were the . first IMB' "This year the urban popula ies working m -urban areas else they, encounter daily. The our neighborhood," he said. missionaries a~signed to this tion of the w.orld surpassed around the world, Worthy missionary couple hope to "That · is what it is going to metropolitan area of 3.5 million · that_of its rural population for remembers feeling over begin their first church grdup take." people. Less than 0.5 percent. of · tl\,e first time in history." whelmed at the number of peo in Naples in the coming Reaching a heavily populat~ them are evangelical. While many of these urba~ ple living in the neighborhood months. · · ed urban area is a monumental This metropolitan area is .. ce~ters are ~ather small,~Holste surrounding " his - apartment And being the only Ameri task, Worthy admits. one of 28 other "urban ' centers" adds, researchers estimate building. More than 20,000 peo can family in tlieir neighbor But the eternal reward of around the world where 1MB ·there may be more than 450 ple can live in an area less than hood has h elped str~ngthen more people coming to Christ is missionaries, like the Worthys, cities that have populations two square miles. their visibil~ty in the commW).i far more spectacular than the .... ,. - - ~~ .. began church-planting strate- exceeding 1 million. "It doesn~t take much to ty. Worthy stepped into a near cathedrals and views outside gies last year, aGcording to the "Our ·field personnel report "· stand on the castle in the mid- by coffee shop one day, and a his front door. 0 _Lascas~.as pastor sti.ll _going·st~ong after 50 yea: ~s _of ministry By Marcia Knox tist Chur-ch, Summitville, frqm . ''When you send out resumes Baptist and Reflector 1957-60. He later served as .pas you are messing with the work tor of 10 Middle Tennessee o£ the Holy Spirit. The Lord MURFREESBORO churches including twice. at didn't give me an ending to my Charles McKnight, 7 4, must be Hillview Bapt~st (formerly ministry. He told me to keep doing something right to have Republican Grove Baptist going." survived· over 50 years in the Church), from 1965-67 · and . Much . of. his ministry took ministry as a pastor and to still from 2004-2007 and Third Bap- " place while he also worked at be preacruag. tist Church, Murfre_esboro, Arnold Engineering Develop Hillview Baptist Cliurch, 1970-1978. He also served as ment Corp., Tullahoma, where Lascassas, recently celebrated interim pastor of several he served as a mechanical engi the 50th anniversary of his churches in Rutherford and . neer from 1958-1960, 1963- ordination with a catered din Wilson Counties and as a pas-· · 1970; and 1978-1996. ner for McKnight and his wife toral care coordinator at Mt. "God's call on my life gives Mary with around 180 family Hermon Baptist Church, me my longevity," he noted as and friends in· attendance. The Murfreesboro, from 2002-2004. his recipe for success in the chmch al~o gave. them a laptop "We always left a . church ministry, which he enhances by computer, a printer; and a fax with great love,"· said Mary, who . walking at least six miles a day chi ,l~ at a local gym. machine. ~ . occasionally filled in as a · In reviewing his years in the His longevity in the ministry PASTOR CHARLES MCKNIGHT was recently honored at Hillview dren's worker or a children's minister when needed at a ministry, he said, "It was signif-. may have something to do with Baptist Church, Lascassas, on his 50th anniversary in the ministry. his call to the ministry, his daily church. They worked as a team icant that for the collective of Fie is pictured with his wife Mary. six mile waJks, and most impor as she took care of the children, the churches that there was tantly his supportive wife. for her teaching of Scripture. sweetheart Mary Alice King and he worked at the chur~h. growth. Growth began with the But before his call into the "Remember what Peter said McKnight, he served in the U.S. McKnight credited his wife caring and sharing of the fel ministry, as a child his mother and be ready at all times to give Air Force from 1951-55 as an as his advocate in the ministry. lowship with improvement of Clara McKnight h~lped aim answers of all faith," lie said. air traffic controller in Alaska ''When he would resign from the church's Spirit, and out of and his three siblings learn, "Psalms says hide the Word in and Austin, Texas. They mar one church, he would keep that comes souls." memorize, and quote Scripture. your heart so that we would not ried in 1952, and later became going to another church," Mary Advocating an overall love His mother was also able to sin against God." the parents of three children noted. with in the Hillview Baptist quote Scripture, and she He was given the call to min and the grandparents of three "I never fil!ed out a resume congregation for everyone, he encouraged her family to learn istry at the age of 17 when he grandchildren. untif the age of 65 when the has seen a number of profes the art and to do it themselves. was a member of Bradley's He graduated from Middle Tennessee Baptist Convention's sions of faith and baptisms with "At the end of the day, we Creek Baptist Church, Lascas-, Tennessee State University, Church-Minister's Relations 13 additions to the church with had to quote the Scripture of sas, and was licensed «? preach Murfreesboro, in 1958 with a office called to say that a 8 baptisms into the church the Day," McKnight said. "But at age 23 at the same cht:!rch. degree in industrial engineer church had requested it. I ~ in ce Septembei. Since 2004 • we were really not 'The Wal After graduation from L~ mg. received church job offers from the church has grown from 10 tons.'" cassas High School in 1951 He served as pastor of ·his word of mouth and by ·recom in worship to-over 100 today in He is grateful to his mother where he met· his high school first mission church, First Bap- mendations," Charles added. worship. 0 • • ...... ~. ------~--~~~~. ~- ~. ~-~~.~-~-~-~- ~- ~.. ~. ~. ~- ~.~-~- ~~~~~-~~~.~.~.~-~\7,T,7,7,~\7,~.~.~-~~=~.~,~,-f.~.~.T'T'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~,~~~,f,~,~-~.~-~-~~'~'~,~~~~~~~~~~~~==~"~'==~~~~ ·' ' ' ' .. ' ' ' ' ' ' ,_ ' ' ' ' . ' ' ... • ' ) ' ' • ' \ \ ' \ ' ' ' ' ' ' .- ' ' ' ' ' ' • ' .. Page 1 0 I B & R· I Dec. ·s ,-.2007 _;_-,--~~:...,--o----~__.:_-.....:..,..~---,------'--,------ ' . ., . . Film .a&ouf .,Bihfe, &··homosex&HJli ,ty.·tGusing, co:dtroVersy • By Michael Foust ' ·· "pro-giy" interpretat(Qns- ~f tians from. the opposing· view-.. out -of tlht ::noFm." · ·. .,.. . , , . ~~ruin. said he has .been Baptist Pr:ess :· · · · ·. . . . ~ Scripture and which.has posted point. Shrum dispelled sevel'al asked what" he would do if he . NASl:IVfLLE ·- . .F~w: . issues · . the b:aile~ on i~-s we?sit~. The ~.. ~1~ theEe may be a few myths .use? to ~ash _ Christians had a homose~al .fami l y mem-. ·a1 th B'bl.. film IS not be1n_g distributed Idiots l.i'ke ~ed Phelps among by thQse With a pr.o-hep1esexual ··her? "My answer IS_ t.hat I do. are as cont rovers1 as e 1 e .d b t . d . :. t" · t Ch . . ... d And h 't 1.. 1 h h and homosexuality, and a new WI e 1y, ,· u me.. Ia _cri Ics . us ~ mos . ,t1s~1ans oppose agen ~- ... .··· . . . w en .r _~;; ee 11.er, ug . er; nonetheless are raVip.g -about it homosex:Uality witlh a degree of Among th,e mytlg; is t4~t _. love !ter, pliay {or'l).er, talk to her, documentary on that subject is · · · and essentially .ur .ging · re·a_ders hu.mility," wrote Kevin Shruni, Je~us - did n,ot address the sub-· laugh wj;tl). her; listen to her, and receiving thumbs down from ' orthodox Christians _ and gar- to support it. . That .has .become pastor of Inglewood Baptist j~ct of homosexuality andthere- long to see her 'come out' of.a . part ofthe_controve,rsy, too. , ·Church in Nashville. fore never ·c~n:Bemned i~ . . . .,lifestyle th~t appeat:s to be.mi:s- nering its own controversy in the process. The Tennessean's Bill Fris- Shrum n9ted people make . S~ wr<;>te, "'Ate we sure? erable, abnormal, and destruc- .. "For the Bible Tells Me So" .is·. kics-Warren wrote a 1,400-word value judgments every day~ "If Je~ 21:5 notes that we do. not tiye ~" · O . .. · . t · 'd d fil ' review of the movie for page one we· didn't make decisions about n:_·· av.~ .aU the words ef. Jesus s0_.. a 90-m1nu e, one ~s 1 . e . · I m · · .------· ~,....,:...,.--,------,-~~---...... , £ fi £ . h of the Nov. 18 Issues section, right and wrong we weuld have He ·_could have addres.sed this wl!l. a..·a·ve. bap.ta"st·r··es 10cusing on · ve 1ami1 1es w o . · · '10' 1·1 1 profess to ·be Christians and asserting tP,at "nowhere .. : does·. total anarchy. Those with a pto- 'subJect. . . . Furt):ler, eve~ ~ime · , . in stock. who have a homosexual family the Bible say anything, much homosexual agenda have the ·Jes_us had. the. opportUI11-tY t_o . . , .4 . _Sutton Christian member. For the most part the less . condemn, loving. and com- right to express theirworldview. address. or redefine sexual on- .. Sunpty· I - ~'f/1 111~ mitted partnerships' between "Just don't ' ~nt t :on He fa'led1 · to d.o so · ~ ·· · t- ' ' • families' stories-reflect the docu- · · ,. a ~ · · · ~- . · · ' 1·-800-255-6691 same-sex adults." Schelars,, he be shocked When asked about. marriage. , . . ., . . . ·. meritary's .message: the Bible · argued·, "tel~ us that these pas- when those a~d divorce, He -went b~qk to . ·www.Sutton£hristianS.upply.com ~:: . c~:::i:~=~e~:!:~~~~~ - sages have nothing to do with. who .disagree c,reation, affit:ming the maleness· . .. ·. , sexual orientation as we've with yo.u do and female~ess ofhumanity." , ...- ~~ fi\ ,{~~flRflRIEJ ty is riot a s!n. come to understand 1't." Fr1'skics- th " . .·. ~f#r.Y§?.N.JUtrU/5/Y i'There's nothing wrong with e same. · . '---..-----'----1 ------l1 Warren even liste.d a few Bible S h r u m ' ·s · · 'a fifth grade u· nd.erstandm·g ef· · , · !·, Rental to'r·N· .A·s· CAR · MINISTRY- PASTOR - · ·. ve_rses h~ said are misinterpret- Nov. 26 blog -is "" · God; as lon.g as you're · in the d , . · · at w:ww.kevin- ·Beachf~o~t Suite _Da.Ytona ' · Frehct'r Bmad Baptist Chu_rch, fifth grade," one liberal pastor · e · .- _ · FEej1•18 · ·o:s · " Dandr-id~e , Tenn. , is seeking a says in the movie. "rhe us.~ ofScriptur~ toju~ti- ..bslohgsrpout. ·cmom.· - SHRUM Sleep's 4 Adults. ' I · -:bivocat;onal ~astor. We are a Director Daniel Karslake· and fy discrimination_ began long · · II f f · before the curre.nt disp'ute about Iri that blog,. Shrum noted beege mayes@bell sbuth net sma congrega ton ap~roxl- e . ' · : ·. ·. mate1y:· :fb in AM worshiri.° tn:ter- . his film crew iziterviewed such· · 1 what the Bible. does. ·.or doesn't that Friskics-Warrens column or (615~ 790-3431 . .... notables as former Democratic suggested that 'jChristian.s , '------~--=-___.J . - ~sted partie~ s houtd . ~end . ' ' say · about _homosexuality," he . House Majority ·Leader Richard wrote.. . . have not only misinterpreted .-,....-'--~L-O_O_K-.-•.~ . ___ ...... ,:; ~ redsd·umes 'F to h t~Be df0161 owit~gt Gephar.dt .- · who is promoting Both-reviews_included infor numerous Scripture ·passages· a . ress, , rene · roa . ap. 1s the film a:nd who has ·a :lesbi~ PASTOR'S-LEADER.S ·- · Ght:~rch ) . P. Box· 157?, Dan- mation on w,hen and whe:t:e to concerni~g se~ua,l behavior, _ ...... - ·a. . daug4ter - ruid Gene Robinson, .. watch the film. but have used these pas·sages Che<;;k ~~bs i te . .• - 9ridg~! ~~ ~~.~~125 . Our website is the · first· openly homosexual · "!'he Te_.nn.essean's · one-sided · as "~lobber passages" agai:n~t ·-www.PreslonTayforBooks.net ·. ~.f_re.r'~P~~r;oaebapti.stcnurch.- Ep~scopal' · bishop ~ Not surpris- . . · 1 th d . t thr · .. reVIew received so much reac- persons with lifestyles_that are . ·· Ephesians -mid-E>ecember ;· -org. .. mg y, e ocumen ary ows · . . · . , ....~ ··~ ...... · • · £ · ' ·- • . . . m a 1ew scenes ·s h oWing., _.· F re. d · ·. tlon. that a, ·week later It· pub. -' '\ I • ' • . . .' ' • . ,..._ ....,..._. ~-: -_ ------. , u ncol~ Paf'k.. f3aptist. Chu_rch Js ' · :f: · 1..' · h f "God hshed three columns by Chris- Phe 1ps 1~ amous cuurc o · · To the best of our knQ.wledge a U ' . now. applicatiorns for Hates Fags" fame, picketing. _ads in the Baptist and Reflector: ~~$~ilf}il~® . acc~pting . .__1 ______,_ 1 · pastor of this. inner city .church. 'It has won , a ha:Xidful of represent l ~gitimate ·co,mpanies New··Lower Rates For · 1\t!INISTRY - COMBINATI.ON Resu~es, . pe.rs9iJQ.I . .sJaterpents, awards, including the Audience arid offe·rihgs. However:. one Te~m Lite Insurance! · Seeking full-time associate p-as- and.. referef'!l<;:e~ -shpu.Jd be :mailed Winner for best documentary at -should always use ·caution · in Low, low non-smoker monthly cost (male) tor/education director witn pas- c/o P:astor: · Searc.h Committee; the Seattle. International Film. Age $150,000 · $300,000 ·respondiRQ to aCts. Festival, and it has the backing .25 .$1.t.08 $13.39 sior:r for S.S. Send:· resumes to . . 830.Chicamauga Ave., .Krtp~vi ll e, .· 35 . ·,.. • $.11.35: _ $13.91 I Vicld . Brantly , at , vnbraotly@ -. - TN 37917. Visit- our: ,V\febsite at of the homosexual group Soul ~ .., .. . . • 45 " • $19.76 $30,45 I -- force, which _ promot~s so-called hotmail.com,. or; Ea~t Side Bap~ · l:.:in·cqJnPari ' . ' me11t, str-ong intetpet"-sonal ... rpail resumes Jo P. 0. Box 27, · Attn: Pt:.ilplt SearGh Committee, .,.,. ' . . : . • . . . ·' Position Available skills. Stanting date - Jar~ . .6, T(uss,ville, .A:L 35173; .A:tth: ~am ' 504 Bast Main' Street,· rtender- l ' •• ~-' ' 2QQ8 . ,Contact: Ellen Chezik, Kennedy [email protected] ·son, TN 38340. '' ' • .. I , I New Duck River Baptist. A~soc~ation ·with an ~865) ·§73-8321 or echezik@- or_g. --- . •:• •:• •:• •:• office in Bedford Ceunty tliaf sen;es churches t~ekingsacademy.net. St0ck- Cr~ek ·,Baptist Church in . · •!• ··!· •!• ·:~ - MIN~~TRY~- STUDENT South KnQxvWe, Tenn., is seek- in Bedford,_· Marsh~ll , Meo~e counties is in 6... • • , . ' . ApJ!>alachian Ou:trea.dil ..is a First Bapt'ist Ohturch, Ridgely,. in~ a full-tirne senior pastor. For .searcl!r of. a Director of Missions.• Send resume · poverty r-elief ministry servirng Tenn :,. is seekir:lg a ·full-time min- consider:ation _please sene to: Chairmim S~arch Corirmitt~~. P.O. Box · families in ~ast Tennessee. W.e· iste·r to stueents fesponsible for . fesume along with .sermon tape, . .. . ' . . - -.; I provide- fCDoc;l, clothing, edl!Jca- · w0rl ' . . ",1 - . • • ' ' • ·, ' ' ' . . . ,. "' . . ' ...... ,.. ... , ..... •••••<~~••·· ...... ········-·· , ·p~ 1 1 I B&R / Dec. 5, 2007 -::-. ---=------::------=------;-- Bible teaching ; ~ guest ~~um~ :· ..,.----~---:=---~.. Getting ready fo'r ·,fh~ - ·Savior ·' · A stress-free ·Christmas 1;3.y Tony Latham God's people. It was possi~l~ for a Sunday School lesson .. priest to serve a lifetime and never By D~ayne Hastings · Focal Passage: Luke 1:5-7, · be chosen for this privilege but Bible Studies lor Life . ..11-13, 57-60, 65-66, 7q-79 Zechariah stood _praying. . By mid-December, you may ·be griJ,llacing when you Dec.. .9 In Luke's gospel, the birth nar A G9d-sized declaration (vv. . . hear ,Andy Williatns crOOI).~ "It's the me'st wonderful tinie' ratives of John and Jesus are inter ll-13'). As ,Zechariah prayed, the. of all," on the radio. By·the:n you might be yearn;ing to twined for John will- prepare the · angel Gabrief appeared and out Judea. L~e 1:17. answers: This hear. the strains of "Auld Lang Syp.e." way for. .Iesus (7:24-27). How? The declared good news to him': yoU.r child -will complete the prophetic But before the Christmas whirlwind begins; Take a sq-ealled "409 years of silence" prayer has been heard. Was his. words of Malachi 4:5-6. Just as deep breath -and pray· for peace and hQpe to fill your between the time of Malachi and prayer that Elizabeth might bear a Zechariah's silence is broken, heart. Most of us have problems with stress sometime the ministry of John wer-e n0t child? Doubtful! More likely, he prophetic silence is now broken. · daring the year, but the Christmas seasen seems to bring "s~Ient."· Much Jewish literature · prayed for redemption on behalf of What God long ago promised is tak out the worst iR ilill ofu~. .:. · . was 'written. Ho:we:ver a significant the nation. His prayer was ing place. John will come in the One-third > • ' ' ' ' ' .. ,, ,, ' - . ' \ ,, ... \\ Page 12 I B&R I Dec. 5, 2007 ------• . ' • ...... ":' ,...... ~ church after founding and become· one of a number of the church. He and· his w:ife; ~ · + First Baptist Church, leaders leading for 23 years ·Compel mirustry . arms of. College Joy, were Southern Baptist . Bethel Springs, will ordain + College Heights Baptist Outreach International (COl), Heights Baptist. His COl min missionaries . to Spain. A Randy Smith to the ministry · Church; Gallatin, has called a global missions orgaJ?.ization istry has been based at College native of Rockwood, he also at Forty Forks .Baptist ChurchJ Bill ·Britt as pastor effective with a ministry presence in Heig4ts Baptist since 2005 has served as pastor of First Bethel· Springs, on the after Nov. 18. An international Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, and ·where he and Baptist Church,- Spring City; noon of Dec. 16. evangelist, Britt comes to the the Philippines. COl will his wife are First . . Baptist Church, + The Crossing Church, members. · Cr9ssVIlle, ·and Central Bap- Cla.EksVille has called Frank • Britt . is ~ist ~hurch, Crossvi~le. Dur- · . Sterling a~ pastor. · known as· a mg his tenure at Tuhp Grove . . . . . featured the ch:urch. grew from about + Kirkwood Baptist .Church, .s p e a k e ~ 100 in attendance to more ·Clarksville, has called Jerry throughout than 800 in Sunday School Ste~le as minister of music. the Southern · . BRITT attendanc~ and 1,000 in wor- + Trinity Baptist Churc~, Baptist Con- . ship attendance. . He ·served on Clarksville, has called John vention and other state Bap the board of Tennessee Bap- David Laida as interiiP. pas-· tist Conventions.. He also tist Adult Homes and· was sec- tor. served as president of the Con ond vice president of the Ten ference <;>f · Southern ~aptist ness·ee Baptist Convention in Evangelists for 2006. 1998. Clayton is avai~able for Cl1urches + Ken supply .preaching ·and .interim pastorates. For more informa- t Mt. Hermon Baptist , C l ~ a y ton, , tion, call him at (615) 885- Church, Cl~ksville; had a · pastor of note burning ceremony Nov. 18 Tulip Grove· 7862. ' - dunng its morning worship B 'aptist + Eagan Baptist Chtrrch, : service. The church paid off its Church since Eagan, has called Bob Terry mortgage in six years. · 1983, retired of-Clairfield as pastor. He pre Nov. 18. He viously served as pastor of DURING THE 125TH· anniversary of First Baptist Church, ' + .West Nashville Baptist has b~en .Millers . · Chapel Baptist Church, Nashville, will hold Adamsville, h£!1d recently; Ron Davidson, right, director of mis CLAYTON named pastor · Church, Middlesboro, Ky., for a Revival in the Nations Dec. sions, Shiloh Baptist Association, pr-esented Harold B. Caperton, emeritus of· 13 years. 7-9. Jerry McGee of Freedom long time member and deacon, Y~ith a plaquE! from the Tennessee + Woodcliff Baptist Ministries will speak from·his . • I Baptist Convention commemorating 'the event. Former pastors Church, Monterey, has called ~periences in drug· dealing, Ralph Thomas, Paul Barkley, Gary Kendrick, Joe Jernigan, and Richard Buckner of Mon- · gangs, and crime. For more r . .. Frank Kemper preached on Sundays during the month of celebra- t-erey as bivocational pastor. information, contact the _tion. He. has served as. interim pas- · chur~h at westnashbaptist@ tor since Aug. 1. bellsouth.net. MT.· ZION BAPTIST Church, Spring City, celebrated . its 50th HAROLD VINSON, Sund~y anniversary recently., As part of the celebration, Mike Young, right,. School director. of Fir:st Baptist _director of missions, Tennesse~ Valley Baptist Association, based Church, Woodbury, and his in Dayton, presented a certificate commemorating the event from wife, Hazel, recently were hon- - the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Receiving it is Claude Pender- . ored for ..28 and 26 . years· YOUTH OF FIRST Baptist Church, Crossville, stand outside the grass; second from right, pastor. .Joining the pastor -to receive the - .respectively .of .perfect SS Tennessee Baptist Ohi/GJren's Home in Oakdale· which has girl res recognition are some of the longtime members of the church. . · attendance. , idents. The youth are, from left, Kelly Turner, Brittany Stephens, ·Meghan McfJo_nald;-: Lindsey Sheppard, and Nfkki Turner. They tield II a birthday party for the residents of the home on Nov. 3. The Cr:ossville girls are "trying to establish connections with the girls there,'' repo~ted Karen Randall; Woman's Missionary l)nion dire{;- . tor. of First Baptist. i .• VOLUNTEERS OF FIRST ~aptist Ohurt;h, Sevierville, for the-work, which was to insulate the church. Tl:ie Ten homes. Again, all materials for repairs were donated by led: by Debra McCar.ter ot the church, served for two nesseans also joined in two Fly Fishing Clinics and the team. Pinally, a Sportsman's Fellowship Meeting weeks ·recently in Montana to support the Cookouts for the community. About 150 people attend and Supper drew abottJt 75 mer} and their sens, report Tennessee/Montana Baptist Partner~hip. The first week . ed tbe clinic/cookout at the church. The second week ed McCarter. Shf/ and· her husband, Scott, also Jed a volunteers did construction and repair of Apsalooka the Tenn~sseans served at Gallatin Valley Baptist Fel 20-day sighl$eeing tour as part of the trrip ·for .those trav Baptist Church, Crow Agency. Materials were provided lowship in Manhattan. They repaired several people's eling by vehicles to participate. • .. ' , :r. . . . . ' . • • • r • ' . . I • I • • ,. . . ' • • ...... , . . . • • r • I • ..; . ~ ...... , "" • ...... ,. , ...... oil '\. , I " • • ...... ·-· ...... • • • .. i I • .k • t ,_, I ""'-