BaptistsTexas Committed August 2004 Newsletter of Mainstream Baptists of Texas Montacute to speak TBC Convocation – Local at TBC Breakfast Churches Share Vision

Paul Montacute has been BWA’s Di- “Missions is not so much about what we do, rector of Baptist World Aid since 1990. rather it is about who we are.” His visits to places experiencing war, fam- ine, earthquake and hunger have shown These words from Larry Venable, pastor of Freeman him to be a person of great compassion. Heights Baptist Church in Garland, express the vision of His belief in and practice of a holistic those who attended the 2004 Texas Baptists Committed ministry combined with his many verbal picture-stories make him a compelling Convocation. Though many stories were shared of missions speaker and preacher. His extensive ex- ventures at home and around the globe, participants left perience in disaster relief and aid work with a clear vision that missions is more than a program or equip him to assist others in learning how activity. Baptists have long believed that missions is the they can work in partnership with Baptists around the world to essence of who we are as the body of Christ and that every assist those in need. believer is a missionary. In the pages that follow you will The Texas Baptist Committed Breakfast information can be find some of the manuscripts from our convocation speak- found on page 3 of this newsletter. Tickets are on sale now for $20 ers. We hope that in reading these you will be inspired and per person by calling the TBC offices at 325-659-4102. challenged to be on mission.

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE Convocation Tapes Now SBC Leaders are Right: Available! Listen to Them We are now taking orders for By David R. Currie audiocassettes of the Executive Director Texas Baptists Committed Convocation

I realize most of you are quite shocked to read a headline that was held July 9-10, 2004. written by me saying everyone should listen to some Southern To place your order contact the Baptist Convention leaders, but I am very sincere about this. I want you to read their words, and take them to heart. The words of TBC offices at Paige Patterson, Jimmy Draper, Morris Chapman and Jerry Falwell that I will quote below, carry even more meaning and reality than 325-659-4102 or [email protected] I think even they realize. or send your request with Here are the quotes, all directly from Baptist Press. payment to TBC at “My first concern stems from the decrease in baptisms as reported for the fourth consecutive year in the Annual Church PO Box 3330, San Angelo, TX Profile. It reflects a denomination that’s lost its focus on 76902-3330 evangelism.” Jimmy Draper, president, LifeWay Christian Resources. Each set is $25 “If our struggle for the authority of God’s Word does not lead (includes postage and handling) us to a spirit of humility and holiness, we’re already going in the wrong direction, destined to lose our way in the wilderness.” and includes five cassettes! …continued on page 2 — 1 — Perspective, from page 1… I would say that after 25 years of lying by SBC leaders, why Expressing a concern that Southern Baptists, having affirmed are they surprised trust has been broken? their faith in the Bible, “will develop a censorious, exclusivistic, But the real reason the SBC is in decline can be clearly seen intolerant spirit,” Chapman warned there is a real threat that when one understands the real reason for the SBC takeover Ð the convention might “end up on the road of separatism,” a politics. direction equally as disabling as liberalism. Morris Chapman, Think back to 1979. That was the year the Moral Majority was president, SBC Executive Committee formed by Jerry Falwell. Shortly after that the Christian Coalition “What you give your name and money to; you give your tacit was formed. This was the beginning of the Religious Right con- approval to.” Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist servative political movement in America. This was also the year Theological Seminary, urging SBC messengers to no longer the Fundamentalists started to take control of the SBC, using give funds to the “liberal” Baptist World Alliance. secular “get out the vote type” political activism. The political mastermind of the movement was a Houston “I was not one of you when you hijacked this thing…” Jerry Judge, Paul Pressler. Paul Pressler was and is very active in far Falwell, admitting that he was not a Southern Baptist when the right political movements. He has served as president of the Council “takeover of the SBC,” or “high jacking” occurred. for National Policy. To read about this organization simply type What Draper and Chapman are pointing out is the Southern their name into your internet search engine. Baptist Convention is in decline. The facts speak for themselves. I could list many connections between SBC leaders and far Even as they celebrated the 25 year anniversary of the “conserva- right political organizations but feel free to research this yourself. tive resurgence” as they call it, they are admitting it has been a What I want you to think about is the connection between the dismal failure. The effort to rid all of SBC life of so called liberals decline happening in the SBC and the real reason for the takeover in the six seminaries, on the mission field, in positions of leader- Ð secular politics. ship has not resulted in more people coming to Christ. It has not This year, at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Con- resulted in a sweet, open Christian spirit that cooperates with vention in Indianapolis, an unbelievable event happened. The Bush/ other believers. It is a failure. Chaney Reelection Campaign paid for a reception for persons Now let me fill in the gaps for you so you can understand what attending the SBC. This is simply wrong. No political party or is really happening. political campaign should have a meeting in conjunction with the The fact is the Southern Baptist Convention was more focused meeting of the SBC or any other religious group. on evangelism and missions before 1979 than it is now. Now friends, you have been reading my writings and the TBC The fact is the Southern Baptist Convention was lead by men newsletter for many years. You know we have never, ever in- and women more committed to Christ and his Word prior to 1979 volved ourselves in partisan politics in any form or fashion. I am than it is now. The fact is the reason the last 25 years in Southern quite sure 99% of you have no idea what my political leanings are. Baptist life are such a dismal failure is because the “takeover of I know this because I get emails from many of you expressing the SBC” was never about theology, or the Bible, or Jesus in the multiple viewpoints on things and I assume you all think I agree first place, and now the facts are proving this true. with you. I promise to keep it that way. No religious body or Let me explain why the SBC has lost its focus. The SBC in church should be involved in partisan politics. They should ad- decline is not good for the Kingdom of God, as much as I disagree dress issues only. with what they have done in the last 25 years. The SBC is on a But the SBC is all about partisan politics. That was the entire road to destruction and I do not think it can be turned around by reason for the takeover of the SBC, to make the SBC an important anyone. and influential part of one particular political party. The reason the SBC is in decline starts with Falwell’s state- Many of you may not see Baptist Press on a daily basis. The ment. The fact is the SBC was “hijacked.” In a time of terrorism fact is, nearly every day there are stories on political candidates, around the world, this is an interesting term for Falwell to use. not issues. The June 25th Baptist Press carried a first person Terrorism is about violence. Terrorism is about destroying those article attacking Bill Clinton, a first person article by James Dodson you cannot stand or tolerate and disagree with. on the Marriage Amendment. During the political primaries, sto- The takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention by extremists ries were written in Baptist Press attacking candidates. was in some ways a terrorist act. No, it was not physically violent Every year when the SBC meets, the key news stories are but it was spiritually violent. People’s lives were destroyed. about the “cultural war” in America: boycotting Disneyworld, the People’s character was maligned. People were slandered and this role of women in society, and on and on. behavior continues today. The Baptist World Alliance was just What this all proves beyond a shadow of a doubt is that the slandered. I’m proud their leaders had the courage to point this current SBC is obsessed with politics, and especially now, the out. upcoming presidential election. The latest issue of Southern Bap- You cannot expect God to bless a movement based on denying tists Today was full of such articles with Jim Richards, their his Word and His teachings. Jesus said a house built on sand executive director, lamenting the fact that people do not cast their cannot stand the storms. A convention built on lies and slander vote based on biblical values. cannot stand and will not grow the Kingdom. What he does not understand or will not admit, is that I know I find it ironic that Baptist Press thought it important to God’s many strong republicans and strong democrats cast their vote very Kingdom to run an article on Bill Clinton on June 25th that said, carefully on their understanding of biblical values. I have read a “In reference to Bill Clinton’s memoirs, I have but one question: synopsis of both major political party platforms and to be honest, I How many lies does a person have to tell before trust is violated?” cannot see that one is more Christian than the other. I see things in — 2 — both that reflect biblical values. I want no Ask yourself, do you want to be a part part of labeling people based on their votes. of a partisan political movement like the Earlier this The SBC bought into the idea that secu- SBC, a movement that is no longer focused lar political influence and power was help- on evangelism and missions, a convention summer, you ful to the Kingdom of God. The result is a that is exclusive, non-cooperative, legalis- declining denomination no longer focused tic, and has lost its way in the wilderness received a letter on Jesus or his mission. The result is what of separatism or do you want to be a part of from our TBC Chair, Morris Chapman describes, good people partnering with the living Christ? Where who do not know how to love, who are you give your money defines your values John Petty. We exclusive, judgmental, and to be honest, and what you believe. Some serious choices just down right mean. And it is too late for need to be made. failed to enclose an Chapman to do anything about it. The dye I do not write this with any joy. What envelope for your is cast. That is the modern SBC. As this has happened to the SBC will go down as plays out, these mean, judgmental people one of the great tragedies in the history of donation. For your will split associations, state conventions, American Christianity. But we worship and and local churches when they have to. Com- serve a God bigger than denominational convenience we promise, toleration and cooperation are not politics. We as Texas Baptists must forget have included an possible to persons with this ideology. the SBC and refuse to be embroiled in their I find it so refreshing when I attend the silly, petty politics. We must have a vision envelope in this BGCT annual meeting to be with Baptist of what God can do through our commit- Christians still focused on missions and ment and resources and willingness to part- newsletter. evangelism, concerned that they be salt and ner with Baptists around the world who light in society while not being involved in value cooperation, not coercion. partisan politics. I hear nothing about a cul- Pay attention to the BGCT and its lead- TEXAS BAPTISTS COMMITTED ture war. I hear lots about Jesus and being ers in the years to come. You will want to P.O. BOX 3330, SAN ANGELO, TX 76902 His presence in the world. be a part of where God is leading us. I am 325-659-4102 • FAX 325-655-3603 Which in conclusion, brings us to Paige incredibly excited about the authentic Bap- www.txbc.org Patterson’s comments? Paige wisely said, tist movement in the 21st century. Let’s JOHN A. PETTY “What you give your name and money to, join hands, quit fighting and move forward. Chair you give your tacit approval to.” He is right. God is leading us to a beautiful future. BARBARA BAUGH Listen to him. Vice Chair RON ELLISON Secretary BILL TILLMAN Texas Baptists Committed Treasurer DAVID R. CURRIE Breakfast at the BGCT Executive Director TEXAS BAPTISTS COMMITTED Tuesday, November 9, 2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 7:00 AM FOR 2004 Howard Batson, Amarillo Michael Bell, Fort Worth Special Guest: Paul Montacute Bill Brian, Amarillo Director of Baptist World Aid at the Baptist World Alliance Rudy Camacho, Fort Worth Ron Cook, Waco James C. Denison, Dallas Tickets are on sale now by calling the TBC offices Dean Dickens, Garland Clyde Glazener, Fort Worth at 325-659-4102. Dan Malone, El Paso See more information online at www.txbc.org Jerold McBride, San Angelo Jaclanel McFarland, Spring John Ogletree, Houston Albert Reyes, San Antonio TBC Exclusive Hotel for the BGCT Rudy Sanchez, Dallas Robert Sloan, Waco Holiday Inn Riverwalk, 217 North St. Mary’s John Cash Smith, Orange To make reservations call: 210-224-2500 Bob Stephenson, Norman, OK Phil Strickland, Dallas Rate: $99 a night (1-2 people) John G. Wilkerson, Lubbock Tiffany Wright, Dallas

— 3 — HOW EUROPEAN BAPTISTS VIEW THE SBC WITHDRAWAL FROM BWA

My Opinion By is: the end of SBC cooperation at the The deeper pain of European Baptists James L. Heflin highest level among Baptists. Coopera- may be the lack of respect inherent in tion is a key word still among European the SBC withdrawal. While Baptists gen- The vote of Baptists. For them, cooperation in the erally maintain a high regard for the the- messengers at Baptist World Alliance is a great bless- ology of fellow Baptists, the largest group the annual meet- ing, as well as a boost to their ministries. withdraws from the BWA fellowship on ing of the Their own European Baptist Federation, the basis of theological differences. That Southern Bap- with more than fifty member unions, is a withdrawal sends a clear signal that tist Convention microcosm of this larger fellowship at Southern Baptists refuse to appreciate the will make final a recommendation from the world level. The general assembly of views of others. To add insult to injury, the Executive Committee to discontinue the Federation each year affords mem- SBC leaders hurl criticism at individuals all SBC contributions to the Baptist World bers opportunity to celebrate their com- and groups and label their views as her- Alliance. Since the committee’s recom- bined strength. Many of their members esy. Lack of respect is one thing; judg- mendation is tantamount to approval, we come from small Baptist unions, thus they ment is quite another. Some prominent may regard the decision as a fact of life. value the collective strength of the Fed- European Baptists regard this latest move Thus the impact of the decision already eration. Simply stated, they need each by Southern Baptists as a slap in the face, has been felt around the globe. Baptists other and they know it. For the SBC to another expression of judgment on their and representatives of world Baptist bod- declare that it no longer needs associa- theology. To be sure, Christians may dis- ies see the move, first, as a loss of a tion with other Baptists in the largest of agree, but should not sit in judgment of partner. The Baptist World Alliance entities is, to some, an act of selfishness one another. This is the greatest concern comprises the largest number of Baptist revealing a spirit of independence. for some: Southern Baptists, yet again, entities in the world. Each member may At same time, Europeans understand have been judgmental in their spirit and properly be grateful for being a partner this action as more than a vote merely to their behavior. in a group which includes a large portion limit cooperation; they see it as an act This time the gulf separating Baptists of the evangelical world. When members intended to discontinue fellowship. from each other is wider and deeper than learn that one of their number, the one They need cooperation for the sake of ever. European Baptists, in my opinion, representing the largest Baptist conven- their ministries, to be sure, but they need see this as the end of an era. They no tion anywhere, has withdrawn, they feel it also for the fellowship with other Bap- longer feel welcome to work with South- a sense of loss. Conversely, they view tists from around the world. Their eccle- ern Baptists. Although Southern Baptists withdrawal from the BWA as an open siastical bodies are small, and the asso- trace their beginnings to Europe, they do declaration from the departing body that ciation with larger Baptist entities reas- not consider Baptists there worthy of their such association is unimportant. sures them that they are not alone. This cooperation. Baptists in Europe are dedi- Other Baptists have expressed disap- reassurance, in turn, bolsters their confi- cated to the Great Commission, too, and pointment, following the initial shock dence and courage. The Southern Baptist can do missions. They will chart their and dismay. This reaction is especially Convention is the largest body of Bap- own course for the future, however, with keen among European Baptists, the tar- tists anywhere, and their presence has fewer kinsmen in their company. gets of numerous SBC decisions across helped reinforce the notion that fellow- the past ten or twelve years to limit, ship among all Baptists is important, even James Heflin currently serves as change, or discontinue some cooperative with those with whom we may differ. Professor of Preaching and Pastoral venture. Leaders of Baptist work in Eu- For the sake of fellowship and the greater Ministry at Logsdon Seminary in rope recognize this, as do others around good, Baptists have lain aside our differ- Abilene, Texas. He joined the faculty in the world, as yet another in a series of ences in order to become a fellowship 2001 after moving to Texas from SBC steps away from them, steps clearly which presents a unified front line against Wiesbaden, Germany, where he served designed to put greater distance between all wrong and sin in this world. Southern as General Secretary of the European the SBC and all others who call them- Baptists appear to be saying: “We do not Baptist Convention, a convention of selves Baptists. need this fellowship any more.” By send- English language churches in twenty- Baptist Union leaders across Europe ing this message, the SBC leaves the im- one countries of Europe and one in the view this decision, for what it obviously pression that it is self-sufficient. Middle East. — 4 — What is the Baptist World Alliance?

Baptist Union of Italy (UCEBI) “Since 1905 the BWA has been a ‘home for all Baptists.’ For nearly a hundred years virtually all Baptist families, despite their sometimes substantial differences, have shared this common place to meet, talk and express their unity in the faith and in respect for the diversity that exists among us.”

Union of Baptists in Latin America (UBLA) “As the centennial of the BWA draws near, it continues to be a Christ-centered and Bible-centered organization. It offers a wonderful international forum and provides proper leadership for evangelistic/missionary efforts, for Biblical and Theo- logical education, for addressing the crucial issues that our world faces today. It assures helpful fellowship, and brings together different people groups from around the world. At the same time, it shows itself to be a modern organization, willing to take on the challenges it will have to face until, as the Scriptures states, our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”

John Upton, Virginia Resource Center, USA ”Having worked with the BWA for many years, I have found the BWA to be solid in matters of theology, Baptist principles, and focus. Moreover, I believe the Kingdom of God is more faithfully and powerfully served by working together than by fragmentation.”

Gregory Komendant, former BWA Vice-President and President of the Baptist Union of Ukraine, and Victor Kulbich, General Secretary ”For the Ukrainian Baptist Churches always the biggest testimony about God’s grace and love has been the unity of the Baptist Family. Even at the time of the Communist reign, the believers in the Soviet Union were encouraged always by the care of the entire BWA community. It helped us to overcome the most difficult time for Baptist Believers.”

Regional Leader, Theo Angelov, Bulgaria ”The mutual support and encouragement were very important during this time of the Communist regime when believers in Eastern Europe were persecuted and sent to prisons and concentration camps. This was also a time during which many churches were closed and Christian literature was confiscated. The BWA was the main voice for human rights and religious freedom. These were the voices of all believers around the world raised in prayer to the Almighty Lord to support and protect their suffering co-believers in the huge territories of the Soviet Union, China and other countries.”

Regional Leader Raquel Contreras, Chile ”We in Chile are working towards our unity among our diversity and we feel that the Lord is showing us how to be really united. The ministry of the BWA helps us in this, also to work together with the other Chilean Baptist Convention.”

Executive Committee of the European Baptist Federation “Southern Baptists together with representatives of BWA have been at the front line in the fight for religious freedom and human rights in countries where churches and Christians were persecuted. Why can we not defend religious freedom and persecuted people together in the future? Why can we not continue to ask together governments and officials to respect religious freedom and give opportunities to Baptists to do their ministry in countries where democracy does not yet exist?”

TBC Archives Although the site is still in progress, many of our previous issues of the Texas Baptists Committed Journal are available on our website at www.txbc.org. Click the “publications” tab. You can view articles by date of publication, or use our NEW TOPICAL INDEX to search the archives.

— 5 — Texas Baptists Committed Convocation, Houston, Texas, July 9–10, 2004 Why Smart Executives Fail

with the corporate scandals of recent years diversity of opinion and activity. By and with politicians who believe they know My greatest fear for Texas Baptists has Kenneth L. Hall best. its roots in this foolish habit. I have ob- Jesus calls on us to recognize the para- served this year as President of the BGCT Through the ef- dox of leadership by service. The Texas a type of reverse fundamentalism that says forts of Free-Bap- every church must take the same action, Baptist family must see ourselves as ser- tists, our Baptist every institution must do the same thing to vants of the Lord and servants to others. mission enterprise be truly loyal. We must allow dissent and We have to get over ourselves and recog- continues to ad- give freedom to those who come to differ- nize that what we do is “not about us.” As vance. Your advo- ent conclusions on practical issues. Baptists and Texans, this goes against our cacy for truth, gen- pathology. Habit Five erosity in effort and • Obsessed with Image financial resource, and unwavering rejec- Habit Two Leaders buy into our media-conscious tion of creedalism is making a difference. • The Company is Mine society by putting more emphasis on pub- In the BGCT, creedal fundamentalism is a Instead of treating the company as some- lic relations than content. They allow their defeated foe. Your hard work has preserved thing they need to care for, nurture, and companies to be dominated by slogans our ministry for the Kingdom advances in protect, failed business executives treat the rather than substance. the 21st century. company as extensions of themselves. We Baptists are very guilty in this re- Tonight, I want to address the needs of Texas Baptists are workers in the field gard. We like saying we have over this new era of Christianity and Baptist of the Lord. We are disciples of Jesus. The 2,000,000 constituents. We fail to recog- nize just how lost our state is; how much work. I plan to describe our obstacles and work of Texas Baptists does not belong to appeal for strategic actions that must be broken humanity needs our resource and churches, institutions, denominational hi- attention. Jesus said that we should not stand quickly undertaken. erarchy, the Baptist Building or Texas Bap- Recently, I read a book that crystallized in the street and blow trumpets. He tells us tists Committed. The ministry we should to expect our reward to be in secret. for me feelings I had for many years that be engaged in is the work of God. have been hard to put into words. Dr. Habit Six Sydney Finkelstein is a business professor Habit Three • Underestimating the Size of Major at Dartmouth. He has recently written a • We Have All the Answers Obstacles book entitled, Why Smart Executives Fail, The gift of decisiveness can also be a Business leaders can become so enam- Portfolio Press. curse. No one has all the answers. Business ored with their vision and their products It is a remarkable book for business lead- leaders who think they are always right are that they overlook the difficulty their orga- ers, but has great application for our Texas heading toward disaster. nization is facing. It is imperative for a Baptist denomination. Finkelstein basically I am a traditional Baptist. I believe in good leader to recognize that some obstacles answers the question about why smart and the historic principles of our movement. cannot be overcome at the present time. dedicated people make foolish decisions and They are beliefs like religious liberty, sepa- You are not admitting failure, you are rec- ration of church and state, authority of scrip- then act with ludicrous behavior. He has in ognizing reality. ture, soul competency, and autonomy of his conclusion a take-off on a previously Texas Baptists should recognize that the local church. However, when I am hon- some obstacles we face are bigger than our popular book by Stephen Covey. Finkelstein est, I recognize that those historic positions intellect or ability to defeat. The difference calls his conclusion: “Seven Habits of Spec- did not prevent Baptists from perpetuating between believers and the business world tacularly Unsuccessful People.” I want to slavery, segregation, male supremacy, and is that we have Jesus as our Champion. He apply his observations of foolish habits to such sins. This was done because we be- is the Lord of the hopeless, the forgotten, what I see as trends in our Texas Baptist lieved we had the answers. We stopped and the destitute. These are some problems family. It is not my intention to be critical asking the right questions. We canonized we have that only God can overcome. For but to state observations of concern. I truly traditions. Let us keep searching for God’s us to attempt to defeat these forces in our believe that we must change the way we truth in a complex and changing world. strength is to invite disaster. carry out our stewardship of ministry for Christian humility demands we seek the Lord for the methods and strategies to reach Habit Seven the Lord. We have developed some habits our culture for Christ’s sake. • Stubbornly Rely on What Worked in that are hurting our ability to see Jesus the Past shared with every Texan and to expand the Habit Four Many business types on their way to Lord’s message to the whole world. • My Way or the Highway becoming spectacularly unsuccessful accel- Habit One When executives eliminate all dissent- erate their company’s decline simply by • The Illusion of Personal Preeminence ing and contrasting viewpoints, they cut reverting to what they regard as the tried themselves off from their best chance of and tested. In their quest for certainty in a Many failed leaders begin to believe that correcting problems as they arise. Many world grown unpredictable, they persist in they are more important than their com- companies and organizations would still be using the wrong scoreboard. In their effort pany or product. We have seen this happen thriving today had they learned to celebrate to achieve stability in a world of change, — 6 — George W. Truett, The Baptist World Alliance, And Freedom

By Charles W. Deweese tist Convention in 1927-29. Internationally, times, and everywhere, plead for ab- “You can’t handle he achieved extraordinary fame through his solute religious liberty for his Catho- the truth!” says one presidency of the Baptist World Alliance lic neighbor, for his Jewish neighbor, character to another in in 1934-39. Truett used his presidency to and for everybody else.” a modern movie. Why promote freedom for all. ¥ “That principle [competency of the in- did the Southern Bap- After his election at the fifth congress in dividual, under God] is the keystone tist Convention re- Berlin in 1934, Truett gave the closing truth of the Baptists.” cently obliterate its re- words of the congress. He focused on lib- ¥ “The right of private worship is the lationship with the erty and love. Here’s part of what he said: crown jewel of humanity.” Baptist World Alli- “Through the passing generations, our Bap- ¥ “Church and state must, in this land, ance? The reason is simple: the BWA stands tist people have been the protagonists of be forever separate and free.” for freedom; the SBC opts for control. The liberty for the people, for all the people. ¥ “Religious liberty is the nursing SBC simply can’t handle the truth that for This note our people have faithfully mother of all liberty.” almost 400 years freedom has dominated sounded and must sound everywhere. . . . ¥ “Toleration is a concession, while lib- the landscape of Baptists worldwide who The last word in our Baptist vocabulary is erty is a right.” have based their views of liberty on the life not liberty, but love.” Unfortunately, the Southern Baptist Con- and teachings of Christ, on the New Testa- Then in 1939, when the sixth congress vention increasingly takes steps towards ment at large, and on foundational Baptist met in Atlanta, Truett gave his presidential separating itself from the freedom base of history and principles. address on the topic, historic Baptists. Fortunately, however, the Recently, I reviewed the published re- “The Baptist Message and Mission for George Truett kinds of Baptists continue to ports resulting from the first nine Baptist the World Today.” Point by point, he high- make a mark for liberty both in Texas and World Congresses held between 1905 and lighted the importance of the Lordship of way beyond Texas. 1955. Two themes dominate published pre- Christ, biblical authority, liberty of con- sentations made at these congresses by Bap- science, soul competency, individualism, Sources: tist leaders from around the world: free- church-state separation, religious liberty, Official Report, Fifth Baptist World Con- dom and the Lordship of Christ. And even and congregationalism. Here are some poi- gress, Berlin, [Germany], August 4-10, Christ is described in one speech as “the gnant quotes from his address: 1934 (London: BWA, 1934), 216; Official great Emancipator.” The following illus- ¥ “Lording it over the consciences of Report, Sixth Baptist World Congress, At- trates the liberty base of the BWA con- men is to the Baptist mind an insuf- lanta, Georgia, U.S.A., July 22-28, 1939 gress meetings through speeches made by ferable tyranny in the realm of the (Atlanta: BWA, 1939), 25-28. a Texas Baptist. soul, and tends to frustrate the grace George W. Truett distinguished himself of God, to destroy freedom of con- Charles W. Deweese is executive as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dal- science, and terribly to hinder the com- director-treasurer, Baptist History and las, Texas, from 1897 until his death in ing of the Kingdom of God.” Heritage Society, Brentwood, Tennessee. 1944, and as president of the Southern Bap- ¥ “A Baptist must, in conscience, at all (800) 966-2278; [email protected]. they seize yesterday’s answer. for Texas Baptists. Let it never be said of “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect I believe we are at a defining moment in us again that we have failed in our mission. those who work hard among you, who are our Baptist experience. We cannot use the I believe the greatest days are ahead of over you in the Lord and who admonish old mantra and messages. We can’t keep us as Texas Baptists. Charles Wade has you. Hold them in the highest regard in score the way we did in the 50s and 60s. appointed a strategic planning committee love because of their work. Live in peace The world has changed and is changing that is bringing forth major recommenda- with each other. And we urge you, broth- even faster with each passing day. Our past tions that will reconfigure how Texas Bap- ers, warn those who are idle, encourage is our past. It is behind us. Let us celebrate tists do our work. Our focus will be on the timid, help the weak, be patient with the good things that were done. However, missions, resource development for everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back it is time to change for the future. churches, Christian education, and human wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind If we ask ourselves the hard questions, welfare. We will not look very much like to each other and to everyone else. Be joy- we should see that while our resources are we have looked in the past. I think it is ful always; pray continually; give thanks great, we are not fulfilling the mission Jesus imperative that we have a visionary opti- in all circumstances, for this is God’s will gave us. While there is time, we must seize mism that believes God wants to do His for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the the day, change what must change, and do work through us. Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophecies with the work of the One who calls us. I have a selfish prayer that I willingly contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the In the coming weeks, I predict that you admit to you, my friends and co-laborers. good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God will see a proposal come forward that will During my tenure as President, I have himself, the God of peace, sanctify you drastically change the way Texas Baptists wanted to set a stage for change. My ob- through and through. May your whole do Kingdom business. I hope it will be so servation of our state, nation, and world is spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at courageous and visionary that we all see that we are in a mess. My selfish prayer is the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The God’s hand in the proposal. Your input, that I want our Texas Baptist family to be one who calls you is faithful and he will do counsel, and wisdom will be critical. In the at the forefront of addressing the issues for it.” end, I trust you will endorse this new day God’s glory. I Thessalonians 5:12-24 (NIV) — 7 — Texas Baptists Committed Convocation, Houston, Texas, July 9–10, 2004 Local Churches on Mission We certainly gave a lot of money to tant. That allowed us to build significant By Jeff Raines missions. In fact, one year Dr. Batson an- relationships, but it also protected us from Missions Review for Texas Baptists nounced that the previous year, out of setting up a relationship of dependence. Our Committed 44,000 Southern Baptist Churches, we were hope was to help that association clear some It is truly a great honor in my life to 10th in cooperative giving. After that ser- of their hurdles—some of their barriers— serve at First Baptist Amarillo—a great vice, a young parent came up to Dr. Batson to effective ministry. Of course, attached church with an incredible history and a long and said, “Why are we giving all that money to that hope was our goal of energizing missions heritage. When I first came to to missions when what we really need is new generations of our people for missions. the church and looked through the church another youth minister.” It was a comment I think we got a good start. The average history, I was struck by how the congrega- that came as a shock to us. age of First Baptist members who partici- tion, early on, had a real vision for reach- As we reflected on that comment, we pated was 35. ing Amarillo. Many of the other strong realized that the people who truly were mis- Uganda was physically demanding, and, churches in town were planted by First Bap- sions minded in our church were our older with all the travel time involved, required tist. adults. Our young adults were discon- at least two weeks away. This automati- For years, we have had good and effec- nected. Missions was not vital to them. cally excluded many of our people. We tive local ministries in Amarillo. About Missions was something carried on by big moved to a new goal for our hands-on mis- one mile from First Baptist’s facility is our institutions somewhere else. We took a sion projects: to offer a variety of tasks in mission church—the Buchanan Street hard look at our church and realized that a variety of places to involve the maximum Chapel. That building houses the Buchanan we needed to be aggressive in engaging number of our people. We started by con- Street Chapel congregation along with a our younger people in hands-on missions if tacting the Texas Partnerships office at the number of ministries. The Perkins Com- we wanted to continue being a missions- BGCT, and they connected us with two munity Service center distributes food and minded church. churches: the Third Baptist Church of clothing, helping about 500 people a month. After a scouting trip to Uganda, we es- Guadalajara, Mexico; and First Baptist A branch of the Christian Women’s Job tablished a three year partnership. Over the Church, Niteroi, Brazil. Corp meets there, undertaking that crucial next three years we sent teams, the first One of the illusions we tend to carry in ministry of training and mentoring women leading a discipleship training conference. mission work is the idea that we are going for work and for life. A fairly unique min- We set up in the central town of Apac, and to show them how to do things right. If I istry, the Agape Center, meets in the about 300 people came to these sessions— still held that view, it was obliterated by Buchanan Street fellowship hall during the some walking 2 days to make it. Adjacent First Baptist Niteroi. After meeting with week. It serves as a support service for to our teaching site, on a field of cut stubble, him, we attended their evening worship ser- mental health consumers and provides a the Ugandan leaders set up tents for those vice—the 8th of the day—with a standing place of retreat, fellowship, networking, and who had walked from out-of-town. These room only crowd of about 3,000 people. Bible study. were about the size we would use for a During the week we toured their various At our main campus we have some family of four, but they had ten to twelve ministries in the community. They have strong ministries with various ethnic groups. people sleeping in each tent—no bottom day care centers, vocational training cen- We have full-time pastors to the Laotian on the tent—just sleeping on the stubble. ters, vocational training in the prisons, and and Vietnamese communities. Some former They were attentive and engaged as we medical clinics that see 80,000 patient a missionaries have developed a thriving min- taught for a week, about six hours a day, year. They started a ministry giving fresh istry to the refugee community in Ama- on topics like the doctrine of God, the per- baked bread to street children to sell, so rillo. Each Sunday afternoon and Thurs- son of Christ, etc. It was an incredible that they do not have to serve as drug cou- day morning, volunteers teach ESL to Ira- time. riers. The church runs a seminary and has qis, Iranians, Afghans, Kurds, Bosnians, and The next year we joined them in build- more than 60 missionaries working around others from war-torn parts of our world. ing a church in the central town. The dedi- the world. Robby and I commented that These lay-leaders recognized years ago that cation service for that building at the end they needed to be coming to help us! It’s the world has come to us and have re- of our time was the highlight. It was a five inspiring to be working with them. Spe- sponded with the love of Christ. These are hour celebration, but it was so exciting that cifically, we have worked with their church exciting local mission projects through our the time flew by. Following the service, plants in the area, leading Vacation Bible church that have gotten our people involved their young people gathered at the front Schools and helping with outreach. and reaching out. with their instruments and continued sing- The Third Baptist church in Guadalajara As of a few years ago, though, we were ing and worshipping. Later that evening, is also very impressive. Their pastor, Dr. not doing a whole lot outside Amarillo. one of their pastors came by our hotel, and Omar Nicolas, is a medical doctor and is People shared stories about mission trips someone asked him how long they had kept the administrator of the Baptist hospital past. In the 50s, 60s, and 70s, our church up the singing. “Oh, they are still there. there. The church has missions at its heart. sent teams to Korea, Japan, Europe, Brazil, They’ll be there all night!” Our final year Fifty percent of the church’s budget goes Hawaii, Alaska, and elsewhere. At some we traveled to three more remote areas of toward supporting their church plants—7 point, however, that activity slowed. Our the association and camped out, spending a churches in a 200 mile radius of High School students still worked each few days at each place leading discussions Guadalajara. Over New Years we traveled spring break at the border of Presidio, on topics like grace, the fruit of the spirit, from Guadalajara, over the Sierra Madres Texas, and Ojinaga, Mexico, but that was and forgiveness. mountains, to work with two of those about it. I think setting a time limit was impor- church starts, helping them with construc- — 8 — Texas Baptists Committed Convocation, Houston, Texas, July 9–10, 2004 Partners in Hope

So far we have work in three of the seven build—the public schools, the community By Rick McClatchy, centers, local churches, strong families, and Coordinator CBF in Texas counties. We have been working in the three counties in the Valley. the people’s desire to improve life. Also What type of problems are we facing in we have Baptist Partners: Buckner, local CBF started an initiative several years associations, Texas Baptist Men, Baptist ago to address rural poverty, called Part- these counties? In the 43 counties in Texas that make up the border region which runs University of the Americas, and Baptist ners in Hope. This initiative sought to bring churches. Baptist volunteers together with people from El Paso to Brownsville, you find some discouraging facts. Suppose you separated This partnership in the Valley has been from the 20 poorest rural counties in the called KidsHeart. It focuses upon transfor- USA in order to tackle some of the chal- out these 43 counties and made them a new state what would happen? mation through addressing the spiritual and lenges of rural poverty. physical needs of people. Projects include The 20 poorest counties are found in ¥ Highest poverty rate VBS, youth recreation, home repair, com- four pockets in the USA: Anglos in Appa- ¥ Highest percent of schoolchildren in puter classes, medical services, children’s lachia, African-Americans in the Missis- poverty sports, school supplies give-aways, food sippi Delta, Native-Americans in South ¥ Highest unemployment rate collection, and clothing assistance. Dakota, and Hispanics on the Texas/Mexico ¥ Highest percent of adult population More and more volunteers are coming Border. Of course what makes rural pov- without a high school diploma each year. At mid-point this year we have erty even more crushing is the lack of so- ¥ Third highest death rate from hepatitis already had as many volunteers as we did cial assistance organizations and the lack and other liver diseases all of last year. of grants too. For example The Chronicle ¥ Third highest death rate from diabetes Yet much remains to be done in these of Philanthropy (May 27, 2004) notes that ¥ Third highest number of female- three counties and four more need our im- although 20% of the population lives in headed families mediate attention. Simply put, we need your rural areas, less than 1% of the foundation ¥ Fourth highest property crime rate help. If you or your church are already com- grants go toward rural development. ¥ Lowest in per-capita personal income mitted to working some place else, please Of the 20 poorest counties in the USA, While problems tell one part of the story, don’t stop working there and come to seven are in Texas: three in the Valley, there is another part of the story. These KidsHeart. Instead, start doing more and three near Eagle Pass, and one near Presidio. areas have strengths upon which we can add KidsHeart to the agenda. tion projects, leading Vacation Bible we set a goal for this year to have ten per- As I look ahead at where we are going School, and trying to encourage those pas- cent of our weekly Sunday attendance par- with this, I feel a need for a subtle shift in tors and churches in an area that is not very ticipating in hands-on missions. We will our goals. With our mission partners I hope open to Baptist witness. be close. to move from a partnership model to a col- In the midst of these partnerships, we It has been an exciting time for our laboration model. That word is used a lot, have taken other trips through both CBF church, and these trips have greatly focused but I understand it as a deeply mutual, syn- and the IMB, to Baltimore, Los Angeles, our church on missions. They play a pow- ergistic relationship. I hope that in the not and China. A group just returned from erful role in our missions education. While too distant future we might be working with Uruguay, on an evangelistic trip with In- the missions presentation has sometimes one of our partner churches in a third place, ternational Commission. Others are in gotten a bad reputation, we actually have combining our skills and abilities to do what Slovakia right now, using English-teaching increased attendance on our Sunday eve- neither could do alone. I hope that in the as an avenue for outreach through the or- nings when we give our reports. next few years we can approach the mis- ganization called English with a Purpose. To a large degree I think we have done sions task more strategically, seeking those In a few days our pastor will lead a group well with that goal of providing maximum tasks which provide the greatest impact, of thirty-five to St. Petersburg, Russia, to variety in opportunities to involve a greater pushing the envelope of what a local church work in orphanages through Buckner Or- number of people. We have seen real ben- can do in missions. phan Care International. efits in our people being awakened to what My ultimate hope for First Baptist, Ama- In addition to these trips we sponsor, their discipleship means in Amarillo. rillo, and for all of our churches is that we about five years ago our missions commit- Sometimes it takes going around the world would move beyond being a church with a tee introduced another program to encour- to understand our calling at home. missions program and even beyond being age our students to participate in projects Another great result is that we have a missions-minded. I hope that we would outside our church. They set up our Stu- number of people in various stages of call- have missions at our core. I hope that we dent Mission Fund, which pays up to one- ing to full-time missions. Some are al- would be missional in every way, wher- half of the cost of qualifying mission ready on the field. Some are preparing to ever we are, to the point that if someone projects for students. Right now we have go. Some are just exploring. Only a few were to examine the base code of our students in two different countries in South- weeks ago I contacted WorldconneX for church’s DNA, that they would find there east Asia, in a Muslim country in southern help in navigating a couple through their a desire and passion to be on mission with Europe, and in Panama. options in fulfilling their call to missions. our God. As we have increased our participation, — 9 — Texas Baptists Committed Convocation, Houston, Texas, July 9–10, 2004 GAP Ministries

By Joan Parmer Barrett rent topic. He was not a fence-rider. He nates efforts with the local, state, and na- Founder, Philosophy, often talked about his ministry as “stand- tional Baptist Associations. ing in the gap” in a way similar to the man Be Focused on the missions project. Focus, and Future in Ezekiel 22:29-30. Have a strong work ethic. Time on the field is limited especially with short-term volun- I. The Founder: Ezekiel 22 teers, so keep the nose to the grindstone to 29 The people of the land practice extor- maximize resources and production. As many of you know, we lost our fa- tion and commit robbery; they oppress the Be Friendly to everyone. Attempt to fit ther, Billy Ray Parmer, Sr., in an automo- poor and needy and mistreat the alien, de- in culturally to dispel that arrogant stereo- bile accident on February 28 of this year. nying them justice. type of Americans. Mutual respect is so Since his untimely death, we have felt a 30 “I looked for a man among them who important when working with other cul- call to carry on this worthy ministry and to would build up the wall and stand before tures. A key concept is to listen to local work to complete the projects in progress. me in the gap on behalf of the land so I assessments of needs—not to go with a We know that the support of many churches would not have to destroy it, but I found preset agenda. and individuals through the years have been none. Be Flexible--because even the most de- due to Dad’s passion for’this’ministry. He tailed plans will change. Ministry in Mexico encouraged others to identify their own tal- The “GAP” was GOD AND and in any other location is not about what ents and to minister accordingly. I count PARMER…Gloria al Padre in Spanish WE want, it’s about what is needed in that myself lucky to have been a part of his means “Glory to the Father”. He wanted to culture and that place. Prayerfully asking early experiences in mission work in South be counted as one who fulfilled a need— God’s guidance to be flexible is a produc- Texas and Mexico. We have heard today who was ready to minister in a way that tive way to minister in an ever-changing the challenge to be “missional” churches. required total dedication to the Father. GAP situation on the field. Well, I grew up with a “missional” father! is a faith-based ministry. Bill Parmer He ministered in several different coun- worked as a pastor in Texas Baptist III. Focus on Project Ministries tries as well as with local football teams Churches for 42 years, but began his in- and community groups. That early missions volvement in Mexico as week long projects GAP Ministries works with local experience and influence in Spanish di- for his church which seemed to point church churches, and we are often called upon to rected my career choice to learn and then members to look outside the church to ad- offer consultation in a variety of areas and teach Spanish. I am grateful for the won- dresses others’ needs and not focus on in- to provide funding to carry the projects to derful Christian heritage passed down by ward conflicts. He was a servant who had a completion. Current efforts focus on agri- Billy Ray Parmer. contagious PASSION for ministry to the cultural support, medical help, construction A call came to Texas Baptists in 1963 lost in Mexico. of medical and ministerial facilities, and shortly after Hurricane Beulah. The devas- educational opportunities such as ESL, tation of the natural disaster led Texas Bap- health issues, church leadership, family sup- tists to send a disaster team to assess the II. Philosophy port, youth training, and music training. needs. Dad was part of that first team, and GAP sets as its foremost goal the spread- Numerous individuals and churches have because of that first-hand glimpse of the ing of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. joined efforts to carry through the follow- needs in that part of the world, he was We are a mission support organization ing project categories. forever hooked. Thus began the lifelong which links churches and other volunteers Agriculture: The Christ is Our Savior dedication to project ministries first through with current project needs. The gospel is organization supports GAP in its efforts to the local church where he pastored, and shared via various avenues. provide rural dwellers a more varied diet then as a “retiree” who spent about 20 When volunteers come to work with by raising chickens, pigs, and rabbits. The weeks a year carrying out mission projects. GAP Ministries, they receive an orienta- participants receive a pair of animals to He believed firmly that a church with a tion presentation which marks the four prin- start their own production and return two focus beyond the four walls was a church ciples of attitude for the duration of their of the first babies to replenish the GAP hot on the trail of the Great Commission. ministry in Mexico. They are to be FAITH- stock in order to help others. Medical sup- He was also a firm believer in equipping FUL, FOCUSED, FRIENDLY, AND port is provided to keep the animals healthy, the saints to minister. When a body of be- FLEXIBLE. as well. Roadmax of Clovis, NM and Billy lievers focuses on helping others, the in- Be Faithful to the call. Carry through to and Rhonda Parmer of Slaton have donated side discord becomes trivial and pales in completion the task at hand. Use God-given vehicles to this ministry. comparison to a world in need of Jesus. talents to match needs with abilities. Some Medical Ministry: Dr. Hugo Irigoyen, The founder of GAP Ministries was a have described GAP Ministries as a “mis- a professor at UNACH in Chihuahua, and humble though direct man who answered sions broker”. A need is proposed on the in private practice, is the director for GAP God’s call to minister to the lost. You were field and we try to match those needs with Mexico Ministries. He has been essential never confused about his position on a cur- a group with skills to help. GAP coordi- in establishing two clinics that offer medi- — 10 — cal services at a reduced rate for needy is one church that helped with the con- Jerry Carlisle, Phil Lineberger, John Cates, citizens. Three more medical facilities are struction of an orphanage in Aldama. FBC Don Jones, Dr. Donna Stauber, Joan Barrett, in the planning stages. He lived in the in Muskogee, OK and Gladewater, Texas Shelley Dennis of FBC, Temple, Billy mountains for one year where he and his have focused recently on the church and Parmer, and others have offered training family ministered to the Tarahumara In- complex in Aldama. Williams Trace in opportunities to open the doors of the dian group. He has returned to the city to Sugarland, and their vivacious pastor, Phil church to the community, and to offer new live, but goes once a month to many small Lineberger along with the organizational information to help the churches minister villages to help meet medical needs and to skills of Jimmie Carroll, have paved the more effectively in their world. This year, share the gospel. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Torn new work in Guachochi along with FBC we included in the budget two training ses- have been generous in their support of Dr. Sweeney by building a home and helping sions for JOBAAC—-an associational body Hugo and his work in Mexico. The cost for to provide salary for the pastor who serves of youth that is learning how to minister to medicines to minister to the remote regions with GAP Ministries in the mountains. The the indigenous of their area. There is a great has also been provided by this devoted land in Guachochi was provided by a BGCT need for educational materials—books/ couple. Medical staff salaries and mainte- donation in November of 2003. CIOS has training to aid pastors in their study and nance on the Aldama clinic have been pro- recently donated funds for a medical clinic preparation. vided by a couple of Okies, Mr. and Mrs. in northern Chihuahua in memory of Paul Gail Heibert. We are grateful for their dedi- Piper and Billy Ray Parmer. Funds for the IV. Future of Gap Ministries cation to support this worthy ministry. land for the clinic were donated by Mr. and We are grateful for the wonderful Chris- Drs. Steve Alley and Jody Yarbro have Mrs. Sam Torn. An Arkansas church led tian heritage passed on by Billy Ray Parmer. made dozens of trips over the last two to by Lane Northcutt, South Main in Houston We have accepted the torch and are open three decades offering medical services to led by Kirk Hatcher, FBC Valley Mills, to answer God’s call for this new day. In the very needy in the Chihuahua desert re- FBC Lorenzo, Jersey Village in Houston, order to carry forth GAP’s vision to minis- gion. GAP has been blessed with their will- Meadowbrook in Robinson, The Lacy fam- ter to a lost world, we want to support our ingness to coordinate pharmacists, nurses, ily, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Powell, and many man on the field, Dr. Hugo Irigoyen. We optometry care, and other medical services others have ministered through GAP in vari- have worked together with Dr. Hugo for to attend to dire medical needs in those ous projects coordinated with the local about fifteen years, and have a great deal remote villages. Christians through Hugo Irigoyen’s able di- of respect for the way he connects with his Dr. Hugo has received groups of medi- rection. The generous contributions of re- community and with the volunteers. We cal students from Baylor Medical School sources and time have allowed a Christian are at different stages of construction on and from UT Med School for rotations in presence in an area otherwise void of min- four community/medical/spiritual facilities the local clinics under his supervision. istry. to reach out to various communities. We Construction: Over the years, many Education: Several wonderful ministers are balancing many projects, volunteers, and groups working with GAP have been es- and other Christian leaders have volunteered ongoing mission efforts. With the contin- sential in the construction efforts in small to edify the body of believers by offering ued support of dedicated individuals and villages and in the large city of Chihuahua. training to the churches and community. organizations, GAP will continue to stand Emmanuel Baptist Church in Paris, Texas Dean Dickens of CBF, Rudy Camacho, in the gap and witness to a lost world. Stay Informed! We urge you to bookmark the following sites & check them often: Texas Baptists Committed www.txbc.org Mainstream Baptist Network www.mainstreambaptists.org Mainstream Network www.mainstreambaptistnetwork.org Baptist Standard www.baptiststandard.com Baptists Today www.baptiststoday.org Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies www.baptistheritage.org

— 11 — Texas Baptists Committed Convocation, Houston, Texas, July 9–10, 2004 WorldconneX

By Bill Tinsley sponded that they would go to Brazil even Today, communications are instanta- Peter introduced mis- without the board’s financial help.”1 neous via email and cell phone. Our daugh- sions at Pentecost when One hundred years later there were 3,000 ter, Allison, is currently in Guatemala serv- he quoted from the Baptist churches in Texas and Texas had ing in orphanages through Buckner Inter- prophet Joel: “This is become a mission base for world missions. national Childcare. In virtually every town that which was spoken Texas Baptists gave birth to the Coopera- she can find an Internet café from which by the prophet Joel,” he tive Program for missions through the lead- she sends and receives email. While at the said. “In the last days I ership of George Truett and, in the twenti- Baptist World Alliance meeting in Seoul, shall pour out my spirit eth century, sent more missionaries around Korea, my wife and I will be able to com- upon all flesh“…. Your young men shall the world than any other state convention. municate with Allison in Guatemala see visions. Your old men shall dream Texas Baptists closed the twentieth cen- through the Internet. dreams … both men and women … they tury with six thousand churches and twenty- Missionaries who previously returned to shall prophesy.” From that moment for- three universities, hospitals and child care the United States every four years for fur- ward, missions has always advanced based centers. All of these institutions have some lough are now connected by email and cell on God’s vision given to God’s people. type of international connections. phone. Air travel has become so accessible Texas Baptists were born out of this kind WorldconneX joins the Texas Baptist and affordable that they often host friends, of vision. No one can read Z. N. Morrell’s family as the newest entity. Our assign- family and volunteers for visits and can Fruits and Flowers in the Wilderness with- ment is to help Texas Baptists build on the return to the United States for personal out being impressed with the vision that best of missions in the past while address- needs. Business leaders and professionals compelled this Texas Baptist pioneer. When ing the challenges of the 21st century. Sim- are able to engage in missions as a part of he arrived in Texas in 1835, not a single ply put, “we connect God’s people for their global responsibilities. Baptist church existed, but he envisioned God’s vision.” We first ask: “What is God’s A second new reality is that we are wit- spiritual fruit and flowers that would flour- vision for your life?” “What is God’s vi- nessing the greatest population migration ish in this wilderness. sion for your church?” “How can we help in human history as people are moving from Within fifty years, his vision had be- you make the connections to fulfill God’s rural to urban areas. In the words of urban come reality. God was on the verge of cata- vision?” missiologist Ray Bakke, “God is re-wiring pulting Texas Baptists into world missions We are aware that many churches de- the world.” In 1900, only 8 percent of the through a ninety pound young woman who sire to send people from their church for world’s population lived in a city. Now stood barely five feet tall, the daughter of short-term and long-term service in new more than half the world’s population lives the President of Baylor Female College at ways. They want to do it strategically and in an urban area. Independence. In October 1880, Texas Bap- cooperatively. Our goal is to help churches These cities are also multi-cultural cen- tists met at First Baptist Austin. While the do this by connecting them to the unprec- ters. Sao Paulo, Brazil boasts a population women met in the basement to form Texas edented resources and opportunities now of sixteen million. One million are Japa- Baptist WMU, the convention voted in the available in the 21st century. nese. The Polish population in Chicago is sanctuary to appoint Ann Luther as their It is essential for our churches to be larger than the population of Warsaw. The missionary to Brazil. Texas Baptists had aware of the new realities of doing mis- public school system in Houston, Texas has already voted to guarantee support to send sions in the twenty-first century. We have more than 100 distinct language and ethnic William Buck Bagby to Brazil when they identified seven key realities that aid in cultures. met in Ennis in July. understanding the new methods and ap- The third reality is the emergence of Within a month, William Buck Bagby proaches now necessary to disciple the na- global economies. The world is increas- resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, tions. ingly defined more by the economies of Corsicana to marry Ann. A. T Hawthorne First, we live in a 24/7 global village. Tokyo, London, and New York than it is and B. H. Carroll divided up the associa- The Internet, satellite transmissions and by national governments. Corporations are tions of Texas and went about raising funds other technology allow real time worldwide no longer national, they are trans-national. to send the Bagbys to Brazil. Within a year communications. When William Carey left This creates unprecedented employment op- the WMU had formed 325 Ann Luther so- England for India in 1793, the voyage re- portunities world-wide for Christians to be cieties to support the young couple. quired three months by ship. Turn around on mission worldwide using their profes- Appointed by Texas Baptists with funds for letters of communication was six sional and business kills. Often, they are secured from churches, associations and in- months. A two-transaction communication able to serve in places where traditional dividuals, the Bagbys were off to Rich- (message sent, message received, reply sent missionaries do not have access. mond for appointment by the Foreign Mis- and reply received) required a full year. A When I taught a church planting class at sion Board of the Southern Baptist Con- century later, when William and Ann Bagby Logsdon, one of my students was a young vention. After examining Bagby, the For- left Texas for Brazil, the time for travel nurse at Hedrick Hospital in Abilene. As eign Mission Board decided to send the and communications were essentially the we introduced ourselves the first day of young couple to China. “The Bagbys re- same. class she said, “I’m a nurse and I am called — 12 — to missions. I probably won’t graduate from wide. Our churches are already working had started a non-profit corporation six this seminary before I go to the mission with such organizations as Wycliffe, Youth weeks earlier called Salvation Safari. Their field.” Another student had an engineering With a Mission, New Tribes, Frontiers and goal is to outfit backpacking teams who degree from the University of Wisconsin Pioneers among many others in addition to can carry the gospel into remote regions of and was working for the city of Abilene. the International Mission Board of the SBC unreached people groups. His comment was, “I don’t need anyone to and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Ellis Association, which includes send me to the mission field. I can find a In January of this year, just as churches in and around Waxahachie and job as an engineer anywhere in the world.” WorldconneX was becoming operational, Ennis, has created and funded a staff mis- I recently met a businessman in his fif- Heather Herschap called on my cell phone. sionary who will lead church planting ef- ties who spent thirty-five years in the oil I listened to her frail voice as she said, forts in Honduras. They are currently pray- and gas industry. A native Egyptian, he “My name is Heather. I am a student at ing and searching for God’s person for the spent nine of those years in Indonesia. A Truett Seminary and I have cerebral palsy. work. committed believer, he recently started his God has called me to India. How can you I recently visited with Kyung Kim, pas- own corporation to employ Christians in help me?” tor of the First Korean Baptist Church in the oil and gas industry who can minister Our staff began to pray for connections Flower Mound. He told me of the Korean in countries around the world. that would enable Heather Herschap to go missionary their fellowship supports in Gua- The fourth new reality, the shift of the to India and fulfill God’s vision. Shortly temala and the volunteer medical teams they center of the Christian faith from the Eu- after her call, God crossed our path with are sending to work among the indigenous rope and the United States to South Chip Kingery who established Pro-Vision Mayan Indians of that country. America, Africa and Asia, is one that is Asia, an organization based in Bangalore, Churches are no longer content to adopt often difficult for Christians in the western India focused on helping people with physi- missions as a percent of their budget and world to grasp. According to author Philip cal disabilities. I drove to Waco and visited emphasize a mission offering and prayer Jenkins in his best selling book, The Next with Heather. We called Chip and made one week each year. They want to go and Christianity, “by the year 2050 only one the connection. Pro-Vision Asia and Greater they want to be invested. They will need Christian in five will be non-Latino and Good Global Support Systems (G3S2), an- help so that their energies and their invest- white, and the center of gravity of the Chris- other service ministry, are now working ments are strategic and effective. tian world will have shifted firmly to the with Heather to plan her mission service in The final new reality is that we are wit- Southern hemisphere.” India in the summer of 2005. nessing a radical release of the laity in mis- I recently sat down with Bernard Today, when people and churches look sions. God is giving men and women of all Mwangi, Director for the Theological Col- for ways to be involved in missions, there ages a passion and a vision to serve him lege in Kenya. He spread out a graph on are multiple options, not the traditional one around the world. Some are like my son, the table that reflected the growth of or two approaches. The key is listening to Jonathan, in Rapid City, South Dakota. churches in Kenya in the last fifteen years. God and finding the connection God had Married with three children, he never fin- After decades of slow growth, the graph prepared for His vision to be fulfilled. ished college, but he has thirteen certifica- turned almost straight up! WorldconneX exists to help make those tions in Microsoft. When God recently Many are praying for the Back to Jerusa- connections. called him into missions, he resigned his lem movement by which Chinese Chris- The sixth new reality is that churches job and started his own company, Chris- tians are carrying the gospel back up the are moving to the front line in missions. tian Computer Consultations. His immedi- silk road from Xian, China to Jerusalem, Connecting with the world through instant ate goal is to make a living as a computer retracing the east-west trade routes through communications and rapid transportation, consultant two weeks out of each month so China, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, churches are increasingly engaged with mis- he can spend two weeks a month serving Iraq and Syria. sion teams around the world. A growing as a volunteer in missions. With his com- Brazilian Baptists now send missionar- number are deploying their own missionar- puter skills, he is discovering, he can in- ies around the world. The early seed sown ies to serve where God has given them a vest his life in missions in any number of by Texas Baptists and the Bagbys are bear- passion and a vision. places where Microsoft has become the soft- ing fruit in the twenty-first century with Some months ago, our staff went to ware standard. significant strategic importance. lunch at Southside Grille, a diner that ca- Every generation has had to discover When I attended the American ters to those who work at the Dallas Police the ways and means to carry out the vision Missiological Society meeting almost all Station across the street from the God gives to serve Him. WorldconneX is a the presentations by leading missiologists WorldconneX office. I noticed a young man 21st century response to the age-old ques- were from the Southern hemisphere includ- eating alone. He bowed his head and prayed. tion “What is God’s mission vision for ing Brazil, Kenya, and the Philippines. The As we were leaving, I asked him if he was you?” conference theme spoke volumes: “Collabo- a Christian. He said he was, and in the ration, the Missing Link in the World Chris- course of our conversation, I discovered tian Mission.”” Nate was a worship leader at First Baptist Endnotes A fifth new reality is the proliferation in Church, Irving. Later, Nate introduced me 1 Lancaster, Daniel B. The Bagby’s of recent years of mission entities, agencies to his pastor, John Durham, the son of one Brazil, Eakin Press, a Division of Sunbelt and resources with the latest figures indi- of my college classmates, Ron Durham. In Media, Inc. PO Box 90159, Austin , Texas cating over 3,000 mission agencies world- talking with John, I learned that their church 78709. 1999. p. 24. — 13 — The Takeover Resurgence is Creedalism

Jimmy R. Allen, tists would respond. They found it in the There have always been some Funda- President of the fear that we were not believing the Bible. mentalists who found the diversity that Southern Baptist It was a sound political decision because it comes from freedom of interpretation of Convention created a vocabulary that worked. the Book unacceptable. They have (1978-1979) “Save the Bible” rings a note of enthu- usually moved on. In a past generation the It is in the nature siasm. “We do so believe the Bible” put J. Frank Norris, John R. Rice, Bob Jones of takeover move- the Soul Freedom Baptists on the defen- mindset simply could not tolerate diverse ments to work in- sive. interpretations and left, often in anger. Fun- tensely at a goal using What actually happened was that for the damentalists usually can work on various whatever tactics they choose, assume their first time secular political methods were common causes with others so long as they takeover process by eliminating opposition, used to secure control of what had been a are not a majority. When they have fifty- and then seek to rewrite history to bring great family of faith. The precinct by pre- one percent of the votes, they are driven by into focus the noble cause they have served cinct concept of political enlistment pre- their mindset to eliminate all who do not and how they have saved the day. We are vailed because so many people simply re- agree with them. It is a chilling experience in that final phase in Southern Baptist Con- fused to believe it was happening until it to hear religious leaders calculate “collat- vention life. The Conference recently held was too late. eral damage” as they plan their political at Southern Seminary about the “Conser- The thing that distinguishes us as Bap- moves. vative Resurgence” is a case in point. tists is that The Bible itself is our creed. It must be observed that the term “con- Press reports reflect how we have been We have developed statements of faith not servative resurgence” is also being used to saved from the liberalism of those who do as creeds but as descriptions of our percep- describe the cultural and political attitude not believe the Bible. The view expressed tions of the Bible’s teachings. These have of our nation. For a number of complex is that the idea of soul freedom comes from most often taken the form of local church reasons the pendulum swing has been in liberals who have been affected by the En- covenants. Associations of churches have that direction. It is always a strong tempta- lightenment philosophy of the first half of developed them. The Southern Baptist Con- tion for religion to reflect rather than affect the century. vention did not have one until 1963. We the atmosphere of a nation. Fundamental- However, the Baptist insight of Soul usually developed our own congregational ism in any religion, tied to political power, Freedom and individual responsibility for or associational covenants or depended on endangers freedom. seeking the mind of God and obeying His the New Hampshire confession of faith of Historically, Fundamentalism has oper- commands was not born in Enlightenment 1833. ated as a minority seeking to build walls of philosophy. It was born in the Book of Gen- Baptists have strongly resisted creeds. protection for its followers from a secular esis when the Bible records the word from By them people are excluded or included society’s influence. Since the current tides God that He would not force faith from in fellowship. In fact the takeover people of secular politics favor fundamentalism, humankind. God is the author of soul free- stoutly denied they were fashioning a creed the challenge for this group of leaders is to dom. as they urged alterations in the Baptist Faith use their influence to impact our nation as Contrary to these claims, the takeover and Message. Those of us who chose to prophets rather than a puppet. issue was never whether Baptists believed cling to the Baptist insight of soul freedom It was good to hear some notes of con- the Bible. The issue is and has always been tried to warn of this creeping creedalism. cern sounded at the conference about main- Creedalism and Fundamentalism. Baptists Our appeals fell on deaf ears. Now we are taining a biblical base for dealing have always been basically conservative, firing faithful missionaries because of our with popular cultural or political ideas. Civil believing the Bible to be true, trustworthy, creed. We are excluding churches from our religion is cheap and easy. It would be heart- and authoritative. There have been indi- fellowship because of our creed. We are ening for all of us to see the leaders of the viduals who deviated from that mindset but now seeing creeds as higher than Christ in current Southern Baptist Convention have they did not last long among us. They went our mission endeavors. We are firing pro- a resurgence of ethical and moral concern. on to other movements in the Christian fam- fessors in our schools because of our creed. They could help us all by rejecting the ef- ily. The takeover movement exaggerated The idea that we will have great spiritual forts of the Religious Right to secure a that fact. It was like hunting rabbits with awakening because we achieve theological withdrawal of our people from participa- howitzers. They destroyed more than they conformity is simply not verified in experi- tion in public education, or to seek tax accomplished. ence. Awakenings and mission empower- money to propagate our faith, or to be com- In the earliest days of the takeover ef- ment always leap the bounds of our struc- placent with our national failure to meet fort, the political minds among their lead- tures of fellowship and doctrines. The Spirit the challenge of rescuing the perishing of ers searched for a battle cry to which Bap- bloweth where it listeth (John 3:8). our world. — 14 — Baptists and the Public Schools THE LAST WORD Emily A. Row Program By Foy Valentine, Most Baptists have strongly supported Coordinator Retired Executive the public schools because we have per- Director of the ceived them to be (1) allies in our stand for Southern Baptist religious liberty and church-state separa- Christian Life tion and (2) a major source of our Ameri- Commission and can democracy’s robust strength. Baptists Founding Editor of have not denied some painful deficiencies “Laxity in Christian life and ethics has 1 Christian Ethics in public education but have nevertheless always brought reactionary movements.” Today continued our involvement in the system During the first three centuries of their his- not only to keep it alive but also to tory, Christians experienced great opposi- Some notorious Fundamentalist partisans strengthen and improve it. Baptist public tion both externally and internally. When have recently been in the news with a school teachers and administrators have questions of theology, purpose, and prac- tice arose in the early church, many believ- scheme to trash the public schools and re- “stayed by the stuff” in spite of carping ers chose the monastic life. They felt that place them with a Baptist parochial school criticism and vicious attacks on the public seclusion was the only hope of preserving system. Holding to an off-the-wall mindset school system, especially by a small cadre the integrity of their faith. of a few leading Radical Religious Right of shrill Religious Right extremists. And The issues that have been raised in Bap- ideologues, these partisans would like to most Baptists have been unwilling to with- tist life these past few months remind me get Baptist churches to buy into their grand draw from the public schools and join the of the monastic movement within Chris- misadventure. chorus of those seeking tax money from tian history. Certainly, Baptists have seen What a travesty. Caesar to support their parochial schools both internal and external struggles in the Their proposed resolution brought to the for Christ, preferring rather to “render to past several decades. In response, some recent Southern Baptist Convention was re- Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to would advocate a withdrawal from both jected as expected; but we may be sure that God the things that are God’s.” church culture and society as a whole. This their idea is still alive and virulent, inva- Among today’s public school detractors, has been seen most clearly in the decision sive and malignant. a few stand out— by the Southern Baptist Convention to turn The Roman Catholic parochial school 1. The Roman Catholic bishops who per- away from Baptist brothers and sisters system is now in dire straits because (1) sist in their un-American efforts to get worldwide by withdrawing from the Bap- their pool of essentially free labor, by teach- tax money for their private parochial tist World Alliance. ing nuns and brothers who have taken vows schools. It is easy to point fingers at the South- of poverty has about dried up; and (2) be- ern Baptist Convention for withdrawing 2. A sizable company of Religious Right cause the American principle of separation from the BWA, but perhaps each of us leaders who hew the Roman Catholic of church and state has, up to now, denied should look closely at our own reactionary line of seeking public tax support for them full access to public tax support. movements. It is so easy to sit in judgment Lutherans in America, among a few others, private schools while trumpeting their of those with whom we disagree, but how have embraced a more limited approach to opposition to what they call the “god- often do we turn away from the very ones parochial schools; and, because of their less public schools.” who most need to see the love of Christ comparatively small numbers, they have not 3. The voucher schemes designed to cir- displayed in our lives? Our churches are been major players in this public school- cumvent the constitutional principle of rarely places of refuge for the hungry, the parochial school face-off. church-state separation which schemes hurting, the lost, or the lonely. I fear that Baptists, however, are something else. of channeling tax money to church far too often, believers and unbelievers alike Historically Baptists have never been schools and private schools championed find judgment rather than grace or accep- Anabaptists. That is, Anabaptists have by sincere private school and home tance within our local communities of faith. tended to withdraw from the world, while school supporters and by unprincipled Perhaps we have grown lax in our com- Baptists have tended to jump in and join politicians seeking to use the voucher mitment to Christian life and ethics. If it is the fray, believing that any fight is better issue for their political advantage; and true that history repeats itself, then we than no fight at all. From eagerly joining should not be surprised to see a reactionary Cromwell’s army fighting to overthrow the 4. Certain business interests who seem to movement. We as Baptists will be known king of England, to pressing James Madi- be keenly alert to great potential profits by the direction that we choose for that son and Thomas Jefferson to incorporate a to be made through privatized schools reaction. We can opt for a monastic-like guarantee of religious liberty and separa- to whom text books, school supplies, movement of withdrawal, or we can renew tion of church and state in the new Ameri- and school materials and facilities of all our commitment to the Christian ethic of can Constitution, to broad and nearly unani- kinds could be hawked to make a few love. mous support for public education, Bap- billion extra bucks. I would rather be known for the latter. tists have believed in being in the world Surely, God expects better things from (Footnotes) but not of the world. Baptists. 1 Baker, A Summary of Christian History, p. 68 — 15 — Texas Baptists Committed Non-Profit Organization P.O. Box 3330 U.S. POSTAGE PAID San Angelo, Texas 76902-3330 Dallas, TX 325-659-4102 75212 Permit No. 2409 Change Service Requested

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