JULY 2010 | Vol. 28, No. 7 | baptiststoday.org $3.95
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JULY 2010 | Vol. 28 No. 7
John D. Pierce Baptists Today serves churches by providing a reliable source of Executive Editor [email protected] unrestricted news coverage, thoughtful analysis and inspiring Jackie B. Riley features focusing on issues of importance to Baptist Christians. Managing Editor An autonomous national [email protected] Baptist news journal Julie Steele Director of Operations and Marketing [email protected] PERSPECTIVES Keithen M. Tucker > Are we making the church too comfortable ...... 9 Director of Development 10 [email protected] to be comforting? Tony W. Cartledge John Pierce Managing time and Contributing Editor [email protected] > Assessing two decades of a Baptist renewal movement ...... 16 setting boundaries Bruce T. Gourley Bruce Gourley while remaining Online Editor [email protected] > Don’t twist, do tell — the truth ...... 24 accessible Tony W. Cartledge Vickie Frayne By David W. Hull Art Director > My calling and the mischief in God’s sense of humor ...... 26 Jannie Lister Office Assistant Martha Dixon Kearse Walker Knight Jack U. Harwell Publisher Emeritus Editor Emeritus Board of Directors IN THE NEWS Gary F. Eubanks, Marietta, Ga. (chairman) Kelly L. Belcher, Spartanburg, S.C. > Evangelicals find new unity on immigration ...... 13 (vice chair) Z. Allen Abbott, Peachtree City, Ga. > Southern Baptist baptisms up, membership down ...... 14 Jimmy R. Allen, Big Canoe, Ga. Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. > Majority now find homosexuality ‘morally acceptable’ ...... 14 Ann T. Beane, Richmond, Va. Thomas E. Boland, Alpharetta, Ga. Huey Bridgman, Columbus, Ga. > CBF, Haitian Baptists sign agreement ...... 15 Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. for earthquake recovery Robert Cates, Rome, Ga. Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. > Is there a ‘just’ way to end war? ...... 25 David Currie, San Angelo, Texas Cover photo by John Pierce. James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. > Zookeepers try to repopulate Israel with ...... 27 Jimmy Allen, the last mod - R. Kirby Godsey, Macon, Ga. William B. Greenhaw, Macon, Ga. animals from biblical times rate SBC president, helped Leslie D. Hill, Lexington, Ky. organize the Cooperative Michael M. Massar, Tyler, Texas > Amish offer business tips to CEOs ...... 31 J. Thomas McAfee, Macon, Ga. Baptist Fellowship and the William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. > Muslim Miss USA: Progress or immodesty? ...... 32 Celebration of a New Baptist Ella Wall Prichard, Corpus Christi, Texas Michael G. Queen, Wilmington, N.C. Covenant. Page 4 Mary Etta Sanders, Dalton, Ga. Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. FEATURES Macon Sheppard, Folly Beach, S.C. Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. > Prothero: Differences between religions matter ...... 33 Charlotte Cook Smith, Raleigh, N.C. By Daniel Burke David M. Smith, Houston, Texas 34 Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. > History opens door for ministry, says veteran pastor ...... 34 Clement H. White, St. Petersburg, Fla. By Jack U. Harwell and John Pierce Winnie V. Williams, Seneca, S.C. > Students discover ‘unglamorous reality’ ...... 36 Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) is published monthly by: By Tony W. Cartledge Baptists Today P.O. Box 6318 > Lila Stevens’ life enriched by unexpected paths ...... 37 Macon, GA 31208-6318 By Judy Lunsford Subscription rates: Knowing history 1 year, $20 2 years, $35 > Baptist nurse answers call to aid Haitians ...... 39 opens doors for 1 year groups of 25 or more, $18 1 year groups of less than 25, $20 ministry 1 year Canada, $35 1 year foreign, $50 IN EVERY ISSUE Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing offices Editorial 9 Classifeds 23 POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Quotation Remarks 12 Lighter Side 28 Baptists Today P.O. Box 6318 ChurchWorks! 18 Reblog 29 Macon, GA 31208-6318 © 2010 Baptists Today . Bible Studies 19 Media Shelf 30 All rights reserved. In the Know 23
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 3 FEATURE STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN PIERCE Middle Man Jimmy Allen often at center of moderate Baptist activity
BIG CANOE, Ga. — He was the last moderate to serve as president of the Southern Baptist Convention before the fundamentalist takeover began in 1979. Then in 2008, he used his wide-reaching relationships (ABOVE) BRINGING BAPTISTS TOGETHER with various Baptist leaders to coor - Joined by President Jimmy Carter and a cadre of Baptist dinate the high-profile Celebration of leaders at a 2007 press conference, Jimmy Allen a New Baptist Covenant. announces plans for the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant held the following hen Baptists have struggled with winter. emerging social issues such as (AT LEFT) FRIENDS racial reconciliation and dealing W THROUGH THE YEARS with HIV/AIDS, he has been there in word A longtime friendship between and deed. National Baptist Convention, USA leader William J. Shaw Over the past half-century and still and former Southern Baptist today, Jimmy Allen is often found at the president Jimmy Allen helped center of moderate Baptist life. bring about a 2008 gathering of Baptists that crossed racial Raised a preacher’s kid in Dallas, he took and convention lines. to the pulpit himself — most notably as pastor of the First Baptist Church of San deadly impact on his family. An only child, Jimmy received “a sense Antonio. He rose to top elected leadership His friendships with President Jimmy of nurturing and responsibility” from his positions with Texas and Southern Baptists. Carter and with leaders of historic African- mother and his father who was called into A respected communicator, he pushed American Baptist groups have led to ministry later in life. Southern Baptists to use every available tech - opportunities to fulfill a commitment to He grew up in Dallas during an era that nology. An Emmy — from his television work peacemaking and reconciliation within and emphasized preaching from the likes of in China — sits on a shelf in his home study beyond the Baptist family. George W. Truett. Illness kept the golden- in the Georgia mountains north of Atlanta. Early influences, he said in a recent voiced pulpiteer from preaching Jimmy’s An ethicist of T.B. Maston’s influence, interview at his home, set the course for his ordination service. Wallace Bassett was a he is known for balancing pragmatism with remarkable life. capable replacement. prophetic calls, and for deep compassion such “My preacher-father and my mother are “They were people of strength in the as that expressed in his book, Burden of a at the top of the list,” he said. “They were Baptist movement who trafficked into my life Secret , when HIV/AIDS made an early, the most powerful influences in my life.” and helped me a great deal,” said Allen.
4 | Baptists Today • July 2010 FEATURE
“The racial issue was so basic and so critical as it came to the consciences of the churches across the country that to be silent at that moment was just an unthinkable betrayal of the gospel.”
RETHINKING RACE while in the uncomfortable place of being in “a major cohesive movement for missions, the most segregated congregations of the Allen’s provincial thinking got challenged evangelism and social impact,” Allen said country at a time when if I’d moved into the when “I ran into Clarence Jordan who helped something else was drawing the attention and streets as a protester I would have moved out me with my old racial attitudes.” energies of some Southern Baptists. He credits his late friend and colleague of the pulpits where I was trying to persuade “At the same time this insidious, funda - Foy Valentine with helping him engage in people,” said Allen. “So I had to deal with mentalist attitude was struggling to take over this important social issue as well. Like on standing for racial justice and helping make the convention,” he said. “I recognized it other students of that era, a seminary ethics things happen without going into the streets because I had grown up in the shadow of professor in Texas made an indelible mark. myself.” J. Frank Norris. So I knew that and tried to “T.B. Maston is the pioneer of racial He compared his position to “wearing a help people around me know about it.” attitude change that profoundly affected me gray coat and blue trousers during the Civil Allen said mission zeal faded into an as a student,” said Allen. War. One shot at your chest and the other at all-out political struggle for control of the After receiving his first degree from your legs.” convention, which fundamentalist leaders Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth But Allen continued to call Baptists of sealed after a string of annual presidential with an emphasis in theology and entering Texas and beyond to repent of racism and to elections. the pastorate, Jimmy was drawn back by a build healthy interracial relationships. “I thought we missed our moment,” said desire for further study. “The racial issue was so basic and so Allen. “When you miss your moment, God “I found as a pastor that what I needed critical as it came to the consciences of the refuses to bless and a deterioration takes churches across the country that to be silent was how to help people get through the week place. I thought the Southern Baptist at that moment was just an unthinkable and how to behave,” he said. “So I went to Convention would be damaged beyond meas - betrayal of the gospel,” he said. “But there Dr. Maston and asked if I could change my ure and it has been. …The deterioration has were a lot of people who betrayed the gospel major after I already had my undergraduate been heartbreaking.” because of that (issue), and there were people degree.” When every effort to stop the takeover who paid the price for not betraying the The seminary required Jimmy to audit or to find compromise failed, Allen said he gospel during that time.” every ethics course taught by Maston before turned his attention to finding new ways to Allen said relationships cemented with pursuing graduate studies toward a doctorate. carry out his understanding of Baptist life. African-American Baptist leaders in that era “So I did that because this man had “I went to every healing meeting we challenged me on the racial issue so pro - made the New Baptist Covenant effort possi - had, but you don’t heal with people who are foundly,” said Allen, whose parents had ble several decades later. ready to take over and manipulate you if they studied with Maston as students in the “The opportunity for us to see each have 51 percent of the power,” he said. seminary’s non-degree program. other as brothers became our task,” he said of “Though I supported every effort to find However, he discovered that being a working closely with National Baptist leader some common ground, I knew there was no young voice for changing racial attitudes was William Shaw and others in the 1960s. “It common ground.” different from guiding a conservative denom - was at one time unthinkable, then it became ination toward change. In 1960, Allen was possible — and then it becomes unthinkable NEW WAYS asked to lead the Texas Baptist Christian Life that you don’t do that.” Commission — which Maston had helped Allen gave leadership to a gathering in launch a decade earlier. At Maston’s urging, CONVENTION CHANGE Atlanta in 1990 that is now marked as the he took the position with a willingness to Bold Mission Thrust, an ambitious Southern beginning of the Cooperative Baptist tackle the controversial issue of racial justice. Baptist Convention effort to take the gospel to Fellowship. He said the gathering was fueled “With the coming of the Martin Luther the entire world by 2000, was in its early stage by shock at losing a denominational home King movement in the ’60s, we were more when Allen was elected president in 1978. and by a more positive belief “that we have confronted with it,” said Allen. “The real “I came into the presidency with a sense business that is big and we need to be doing strength of the civil rights movement, with its of mission that we were standing at the verge it, so let’s go after it.” civil disobedience, was to confront the con - of discovering how important lay involve - Not all who were disenchanted with the science of the people who were believers…” ment in missions had become,” he said. “I refashioned SBC were ready to leave for new Advocating for social change, as a Baptist thought it was the moment for Baptists to territory, he said. minister in Texas, was not easy, he confessed. seize.” “I think the dawning of it coming in “I found myself very much involved — Although he considered the SBC to be waves was true,” he said. “The dominoes
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 5 FEATURE
were falling and some people didn’t know their minds to do the courageous thing at husbands and wives within marriage.” they were falling.” that time,” said Allen. “All of that caused However, he avoids condemnation of those Shifting loyalties, even in the face of spurts of energy and then the dispensation of with a different perspective. obvious change, is difficult for many people, that.” “Missing the mark in that direction is he said. But it was enthusiasm for missions that not what I allow to damage my relationship “The ingraining of the Cooperative gave CBF an early boost, he said. with my family and other people who are gay Program as the way to be Baptist was so pro - “At that time, the European Baptist or lesbian. We are still brothers and sisters, found,” said Allen. “So we were trapped in Seminary was being cut off from Southern and we still have the same spiritual needs. My inertia …” Baptists,” he said. “It became a cause that ral - love goes beyond that.” The “elasticity” provided by Baptist lied a lot of people who were interested in He considers this to be “the most diffi - beliefs in individual and congregational free - missions and education.” cult issue we face right now within church dom enabled the CBF to emerge, he said. More moderate Southern Baptists began life in America” — and calls for caution. The simple agenda for that initial Atlanta to realize that missionaries they had long sup - “I hope that it will be faced with an gathering was to meet and discuss, “What ported were being “eased out or pushed out,” acceptance that people have different inter - now shall we do?” he said. CBF came to their rescue. pretations that we respect — rather than with “It was obvious that we had to reach out Allen admits that CBF has not grown to the kind of divisiveness or hard-heartedness in some way and do the mission that God rival the SBC in size nor developed in all the we have been seeing demonstrated,” he said. had for Baptists,” he recalled. ways he first imagined. But he said the Science still has a word for us, he added. As the one presiding over the meeting, Fellowship came on the scene in the face of “I keep waiting for the laboratory genetics to Allen made sure each person who wished had many challenges. prove that this is indeed a condition that can - an opportunity to speak his or her mind. “Yes, I think the very democracy we not be disciplined and channeled.” Participants also met according to states to pride ourselves in is slow to catch on in the Attitudinal barriers need to come down, discuss regional concerns. grassroots,” said Allen. “Therefore the move - he said, in order to deal constructively with “Out of that discussion there came the ment survived because God had his hand on the presence of gay and lesbian persons in realization that if you are going to have any - it, but it didn’t thrive in the same dimension congregational life. thing you’ve got to organize it,” he said. of size that some of us thought it would in “I’ve seen covenants between people who “Baptists are good at organizing, so the the first place.” are gay that are as strong, as loving and as organization [of CBF] began to evolve. faithful as between heterosexual people — Allen said discussions swirled around a BEYOND BAPTISTS and, many times, stronger.” variety of concerns from naming the organi - Aside from his leadership among Baptists, Allen said he takes an attitude of accept - zation to which issues to give priority. Jimmy has become a voice for compassionate ance, both of homosexuals and “of the fact “There was a creative atmosphere of dis - responses to those impacted by HIV/AIDS. that God is at work and will do with his peo - cussion going in the halls and in the general The issue chose him — entering his family in ple what he plans to do.” Unless the church meeting,” he said. “We didn’t gather to devastating fashion. deals with this issue more constructively, he organize something, but everyone knew “I think we’ve come a long way in our said, the damage could be great. something would have to come out of it that understanding of HIV/AIDS,” he said. “It “I think we will lose a generation if we would continue — and that means organiz - became one of many places where the con - don’t get busy finding how to love,” he said. ing something.” science of the Christian has been touched.” “The younger generation coming along will Over time, he said, the church and soci - not tolerate intolerance.” 20 YEARS LATER ety at large have gained understanding of the CBF started with many odds stacked against disease and the antiretroviral medications A BAPTIST FRIEND it, said Allen. that allow people to live with it. “It is no Jimmy Allen met Jimmy Carter when the “I think we had the problem of timid longer an unthinkable thing for people with Baptist layman from Georgia was running for pastors and old loyalties and some confusion AIDS to be a part of our fellowship.” president in 1976. about how we manage what we used to do in While HIV/AIDS is not exclusively tied “He was on the Brotherhood Commis- what we are trying to put together,” he said. to homosexuality, the two issues are often sion of Southern Baptists when he was “It was not only ‘wake up, wake up, wake addressed together in church circles. governor of Georgia,” said Allen. “I knew up,’ but confusion within the structures of “The homosexual issue, the gay life that, but I didn’t know him.” churches that didn’t want to turn their backs issue, is a pressing one, and has been a press - Carter came to San Antonio, Texas, on their mother-child relationships.” ing one in my personal life,” said Allen, who when Allen was pastor of the First Baptist Some SBC agency and institution lead - has an openly gay son. “I’ve discovered you Church, during the primary campaign. News ers, he said, struggled to decide where to can love beyond your theology.” swirled around Carter’s self-description of a stake their claims in Baptist life. Allen said he holds to the position “that “born-again” Christian. “Some of them, sadly to say, bent with God’s intention for us is in the direction of “When I read that, I thought they were whatever wind was there and didn’t make up commitments in our relationships between attacking this man on the basis of what was
6 | Baptists Today • July 2010 FEATURE
my understanding of life,” said Allen, who Covenant gathering in 2008. LOOKING AHEAD decided to offer pastoral encouragement. “We share a relationship as brothers in Allen said he hopes emerging leaders will While riding together to the airport after Christ.” embrace the historic and guiding Baptist the campaign stop, the two Jimmys discussed principles of biblical authority, the priesthood topics like church-state separation. BIG GATHERING of the believer, congregational autonomy and “It didn’t take long because we saw The Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant religious liberty. He is less concerned about alike,” said Allen. in 2008 brought together a wide assortment denominational structures now. Carter, along with Mississippi layman of Baptists that crossed racial, geographical “I’m not particularly concerned about Owen Cooper, hosted a meeting in the White and theological lines. Allen gave primary having a super-denomination anymore,” said House to encourage lay participation in Bold attention to its planning. the former president of two Baptist conven - Mission Thrust. But Allen, who had been A big question raised along the way was: tions and the SBC Radio and Television elected as SBC president in 1978, didn’t go Is this a meeting (or moment) or a move - Commission. “I think the day of super- out of fear that the purpose of the meeting ment? Allen says that with more than two denominations is past.” would be misunderstood. years of hindsight and some regional meet - His focus is now on the local church. “So we didn’t start out with a long rela - ings that have followed, the question remains “We are now into congregationalism as tionship,” said Allen. “But over the period of unanswered Baptists started out. It has been a long time time he was in the White House, I went to “It think it is not yet proven,” he said. getting the circle around, but that is where it see him.” “It is open to possibilities.” is. I’d like to see a lot more interaction Their relationship deepened over the Several positive results can be identified, between congregations in activities and in years. After Allen moved to Georgia to serve he said. Yet the full potential is still untapped mutual involvement. I’d like for us to be sen - the interdenominational chapel at Big Canoe or unknown. in 1992, he and Rosalynn Carter served sitive to where God is at work and to be “I think it is a movement in the sense together on the board of Friendship Force useful. We’ve not always done that.” that it gave acceleration to a lot of things … International. And, Allen preached a revival However, he does see great value in how that needed to be done across these racial at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., congregations choose to work together. lines,” said Allen. “It’s often being done in were the Carters are active members. “We’ve often centered ourselves on what what the common language calls silos — over So it was not surprising that President we need rather than on what the need is,” he here and over here.” Carter asked his well-connected, pastoral said. “I hope local churches can manage to Cooperative efforts through these new friend to help plan the New Baptist Covenant stay sensitive and connected well enough to Baptist relationships will need to be carried gathering. work together without having to be driven out through existing denominational struc - “We’ve had a lot of opportunities to there by false loyalties.” tures, he said. “And there are lots of agendas work together,” said Allen. “Our relationship And he hopes Baptists will give needed is close because our objectives are close. We in those structures that make it difficult.” attention to the ever-changing world of understand the gospel in the same sort of And not all resulting actions are carried communication technology. way.” out under the banner of this meeting, he “I think Baptist communicators have a Reports that President Carter asked said. But they are out there and, because of wonderful opportunity,” he said. “They are Allen to go to Iran to see the Ayatollah dur - the New Baptist Covenant, they are working often inched away from the trough of the ing the hostage crisis that began in1979 are or working better. finances that will make that opportunity incorrect. Allen said that fact-finding mission “I don’t know yet whether it is a meeting come to pass — and that has to be changed.” was planned by others. After agreeing to go, or a movement,” he confessed. “I know that However, not all changes brought about however, Allen said he informed Carter of his it is a meeting that has great motion out of by new technologies are good, he said. On a plans. it.” personal level, Allen said technology is creat - “I called the White House and told one A future meeting will give better evi - ing isolation that the church needs to address of his assistants that I’d like to tell the dence, he said, of the stage at which this “because we exchange information rather President that I’m going to Iran to see about larger Baptist family in North America finds than relationships.” what’s happening there and that I haven’t itself. And that meeting, Allen said, will be Yet discovering the most constructive gone crazy,” he recalled. “I went over there carried out by a different generation of uses of communication technology is vital to and did find some things I was able to share Baptist leaders. the mission of the church, he expressed. with him personally.” “Leadership of the various groups is “I’m finding both in personal experience Allen said he and Carter have worked to changing and we don’t know where all of this and in observation that the person thinking fulfill the mandate of Luke 4:18 — to preach will end up,” he said. “But I think we are he knows where communication is going has good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for going to have a lot more Baptists who care not been communicated with,” he said. “It is the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, about other Baptists than we’ve ever had.” exploding all over the map. The gospel needs and to release the oppressed — long before it A steering committee to plan that gath - to be on the front end of every technological became the focus of the New Baptist ering will be assembled soon, he said. advance, because it is the truth.” BT
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 7 FEATURE
Allen biography reveals courage, consistency, says author
Editor’s note: Larry L. McSwain, associate when he could not he worked to create new dean for doctor of ministry studies and profes - ones, like the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. sor of leadership at Mercer University’s McAfee There is a lesson in that for post-modern School of Theology, is the author of Loving young people. beyond Your Theology: The Life and Ministry of Jimmy Raymond Allen. He BT: How does Jimmy’s life and ministry responded to questions from Baptists Today fit within the larger story of Baptists editor John Pierce about this forthcoming biog - over the past half-century or so? raphy from Mercer University Press. LM: I try to present his saga and the cultural changes of the past half-century as parallel. BT: Why the title of this book? Baptists, especially of the South, have grown LM: The title comes from a line in his book from a highly provincial, relatively ignorant, about his family’s struggle with HIV/AIDS good-hearted and regionally bound people to and mental illness, Burden of a Secret . He an increasingly diverse, affluent, globally seeks to make sense of suffering for the aware constituency. believer in God and concludes God enters That same change happened to Jimmy. our pain with us, which is a part of the mys - Now, within that change are subgroups of the tery of grace. fearful and resisters to the dramatic change He sees the church at its best when it is that has and is occurring. But the election of ministering to hurting people regardless of Jimmy Carter as President changed the South their behavior, and concludes his theology in much the same way the election of John F. with a question: “Can we Christians over - Watts to walking the streets of Belfast during Kennedy changed the role of Catholicism in come our prejudices and love past our the conflicts there to meeting with the the U. S. theology to help meet the needs of dying Ayatollah Khomeini during the Iranian Jimmy Allen is both a product of and people? I pray so.” hostage crisis to speaking to lesbians and gays contributor to that change. of the Metropolitan Community Church He became a spokesperson for a denomi - BT: What is most important about about HIV/AIDS. nation in the White House, the Knesset of Jimmy Allen’s story from the stand - If he thinks God is in it, he is going to Israel, in the diplomatic offices of Tehran, point of Christian ethics? go anywhere and do anything he can to be a and imagined a television delivery system part of the solution. that would telecast Southern Baptists singing LM: Consistency and courage. The issue Christian hymns in the People’s Hall of addressed throughout his ministry was racial BT: What are your hopes for the Beijing in the 1980s. injustice. He had to be converted from segre - book? That is an amazing transition and, for all gation in the 1950s. He has been an advocate of their fits and starts, Baptists are making for a kingdom view of racial reconciliation LM: My primary hope is people will read it. I that same transition today. and oneness through five decades. hope people who know him can read it and He sought in every leadership role he had feel affirmation for their story. His story is BT: What surprised you the most in as pastor or denominational leader to bring the narrative of a multitude of people who doing this project? people together in spite of racial differences. have transitioned from a Baptist past captive He included African Americans on the to a provincial culture and an ironclad LM: Two things were a surprise. First was the platforms when president of the Baptist theology. transparency of Jimmy Allen. He hides noth - General Convention of Texas and the That transition is leading to an awaken - ing that affects himself. I do not think many Southern Baptist Convention; he incorporated ing of a global mission perspective that calls people, even religious leaders, are that hon - interracial gatherings into three major mass for innovation, flexibility and affirmation of a estly transparent. meetings including the New Baptist Covenant. kingdom theology of inclusion around the The second was the goodwill people Along with that, religious liberty and table of Jesus. A similar book could be writ - have toward him. Some of the book is based separation of church and state are two other ten about a host of persons of his generation. on interviews with his contemporaries con - issues on which he has been prophetic. I hope young people will read it and feel ducted by long-time Baptist journalist Jim He exhibited unusual courage on multi - one man’s optimism and hope in the power Newton and myself. ple occasions from ignoring KKK murder of congregations, denominations and institu - While we did not go searching for critics, threats to addressing national hate in the days tions to make a difference in the world. every person interviewed by us was positive, following the assassination of President Jimmy was never anti-institutional. He even effusive, about him as a person, a man of Kennedy to preaching during the riots in worked constantly to make them better and integrity and an exceptional leader. BT
8 | Baptists Today • July 2010 PERSPECTIVE editorial Are we making the church too comfortable to be comforting? By John Pierce
any congregational leaders are myriad of religious alternatives, want com - Worship — regardless of style — must struggling for answers to the forting churches with a progressive theology. allow for those who bring burdens, fears, M question of how to be and do He went on say: “However, our research hopes, uncertainty, joy and confusion into church at a time when so many odds seems shows you often come across as cold, self- the full presence of the Divine. stacked against them. righteous and a little too zealous in the quest Surely there are more, but these three The low-hanging fruit of yesteryear is to be ‘prophetic’ and ‘cutting edge.’” basic ideas might need to move up the list as no longer there for the picking. That is, an That latter wrist slapping is deserved, we give attention to congregational purpose abundance of prospects who share the faith probably, and could be and priorities. tradition, ethnicity and cultural orientation explored for a good Perhaps we need an intentional shift of the congregation. while. But his earlier from asking how to make the church more It is easy for outside experts — and edi - observation should not comfortable to asking how we can become a tors, to be confessional — to talk about the pass us by. congregation whose worship and fellowship need for the church to be relevant, sensitive, Many Americans, are comforting to those traveling along the hospitable, theologically reflective and so on. this Jewish observer bumps, curves and straight-aways on the But that doesn’t erase the challenges faced suggested, want “com - highway of life. BT by those seeking to create the kind of church forting churches” with that attracts worshipers without capitulating progressive theology. What is a comforting to sheer gimmickry. church? I want to One of the methods often employed is Perhaps we are putting so much energy an effort to make the church more comfort - into trying to create “comfortable” churches subscribe today able. Therefore, we look for the most that we have failed to recognize the impor - Please fill out this form and return it to Baptists convenient times — in hope that our serv - tance of being “comforting”? Today , P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208- ices will not conflict with the many other One does not need to go to church on 6318, or call 1-877-752-5658. Sunday interests that abound. Sunday morning to be comfortable. A blan - I have enclosed a check in the amount We go to great lengths to ensure that ket at the lake, the soft music at the coffee boredom rarely, if ever, creeps into our wor - shop and the cozy sofa at home can provide of $ ______ship services or other programs. Convenient that pleasure. Name ______parking, easy access and other creature com - Finding comfort from the storms of Address ______forts demand attention in order to draw and life, however, is a more difficult pursuit. keep a crowd. So how do we shape our congregations ______Church leaders are skilled at never admit - to give more attention to being comforting City ______State _____ ting that a certain activity is being purposefully than comfortable? Zip ______executed to counter the plans of a neighboring One, a person who is hurting must feel and, yes, competing congregation. that the church really cares. Compassion Phone (______) ______In a recent Religion News Service and sensitivity are not programmed — they Email ______column, Rabbi James Rudin, the senior are formed through spiritual discipline. Church ______inter-religious adviser for the American Two, fear of condemnation is a road - Jewish Committee, wrote about how mar - block to community. One will only risk his print subscription keting firms might advise various religious or her pain, struggles and other evidence of ❏ 1 year $20; ❏ 2 years $35 groups concerning their “market share.” human frailty in an environment of under - online subscription Of mainline Protestants (which seem to standing, acceptance and grace. ❏ 1 year $15; ❏ 2 years $25 fit many Baptist congregations more closely Three, the church must be a place than Evangelicals in style and demograph - when the transcendent presence of God can ics), he said: “Many Americans, facing a be experienced more so than anywhere else.
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 9 PERSPECTIVE
Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a yearlong series of articles on “Healthy ministers for healthy churches,” produced in partnership with the Center for Congregational Health and supported by a gift from Henry V. Langford. Managing time and setting boundaries while remaining accessible By David W. Hull
I love the soothing song by Kyle Using this biblical instruction as our times a week and preaches/teaches to the con - frame of reference, good time management is gregation. That means I must divert from Matthews called “A Rhythm to spending our time wisely. doing other things so that I can invest some Live By” from the CD, The Main We need to ask the right questions. of my best time and energy into the task that What is our purpose in life and ministry? Do only I can do. Event . Phrases from the song we understand what “the will of the Lord is” I choose to have my study in my home, for the work God has called us to do? If so, separate from my office in the church. This keep running through my mind: what items in the marketplace of life will we forms a boundary. say “No” to so that we It allows quiet time for study and prayer I need a rhythm to live by will be able to say “Yes” away from the noise and congestion of the Time for work and worship, rest and play to what matters the church office. I study at home in the morn - most? ing — diverted away from many good things I need a rhythm to live by Boundaries help us I could be doing at the church building in So my feet can keep the beat of my heart to say “No.” Accessibility order that I can invest my best efforts to a keeps us in tune to say task that only I can do. Help me find the balance I was made for, “Yes.” What is most important in your min - from the start The “rhythm of life” istry? How are you diverting from some of is the right balance between these two ways the other attractions in the marketplace of ne of the toughest challenges in to spend our time. life to ensure that your very best resources are ministry is time management. invested in what only you can do? O There is never enough time to do BOUNDARIES all we think we need to do. I do not know who coined the following Withdraw weekly . God commanded that we How can we find this “rhythm to live expression, but it has helped me to set observe a weekly boundary in our lives. It is by” that is vital to healthy ministry? The boundaries in my ministry: “To be healthy, called the Sabbath. Bible is a good place to start. we should divert daily, withdraw weekly and For those of us who minister in congre - Ephesians 5:15-17 (NRSV) says, “Be abandon annually.” gational settings, our Sabbath will never be careful then how you live, not as unwise peo - Think about these three ideas as a way on Sunday. It is clearly a day of work for us. ple but as wise, making the most of the time, of setting boundaries. However, that does not excuse us from because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, keeping the commandment. After a week of but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Divert daily . Determine the most important work we need to withdraw and find time for The word that is translated “making the tasks in your ministry. These may be priori - “worship, rest and play.” most of” has as its root the Greek agora. The ties that are critical to your mission. My Sabbath is on Friday. When is yours? Agora was the marketplace of the Greek They may also be tasks that only you world. can do — no one else has this assignment on Abandon annually . I have heard a self-right - This idea of “making the most of the a regular basis. Then, invest time each day in eous pride among ministers who brag about time” could also be translated as “spending.” this task. never taking a vacation. Just as you might go to the marketplace and In fact, you may need to divert from “After all, the devil never takes a vaca - exchange money for an item you want, so other opportunities so that you can focus on tion,” they say. with our lives it is wise to think of spending the thing that matters most. The response to that should always be, or investing our time that produces some - As a pastor, I am the primary preacher in “And look at the shape he is in!” thing valuable in return. our church. No other person stands up four A much better way to find rhythm in
10 | Baptists Today • July 2010 PERSPECTIVE
our lives is to get away for a period of time Be reachable even when you are inaccessible . each year. I learned long ago that one week of When I study at home, I do not answer the vacation was not enough time for my soul to home phone. rest so that “my feet can keep the beat of my I am alone and quiet in my study. A heart.” boundary has been set. For years, our family has taken two However, my cell phone is right beside weeks of vacation together at the beach. It is a me and I can be reached in a moment’s notice ritual now — sacred time that is far away from the church office if I am needed for an from home and church. emergency. What will you be doing to “abandon” this year? Amazingly, the church will get Be a master, not a slave, to new technology along fine until you return! for communication . Use new technology such as a smart phone to be very accessible. ACCESSIBILITY Master this new technology by keeping some “Help me find the balance I was made for boundaries in place. from the start.” Balance is crucial for a For example, I never answer the cell healthy ministry. phone or text messages during a meeting. I Something that is out of balance will fall. want to be very accessible and present to the Too many wonderful ministries have fallen ones I am with at the moment. Then, right for lack of balance. after the meeting or appointment, I check While boundaries are important so that messages and get back in touch with the one we can invest time into what matters most in who is trying to reach me. our ministry, there is another side to this Mobile communication is a wonderful coin. Ministry is about people. tool for ministry. Use it — but do not let it We must be accessible to the needs of use you. people. If we are perceived as always “diverted, withdrawn and abandoned,” we Schedule times to be available to colleagues . will not have a healthy ministry. We need to If you supervise staff or work closely with vol - develop practices that work for us in finding unteers, set regular times to meet with them this rhythm between boundaries and accessi - individually. bility. While your boundaries may mean that Here are some of my practices. See if you are not always available, these regular they would be helpful for you: meetings will be times when important con - versations can happen about the work you do Walk slowly among your people . Take time together. when the church gathers on Sundays and These things have helped me to find a Wednesdays to move among the people of the “rhythm to live by.” What will you do to congregation to listen and speak into their “make the most of the time” God has given to lives. you? BT You will always be busy; never be in a hurry. This will create an open door for acces - —David Hull is pastor of First Baptist Church sibility and communication. of Huntsville, Ala. Baptist News, Baptist Views online www.baptiststoday.org
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 11 PERSPECTIVE quotation remarks
“Jesus was fearless, … a man’s man. “I do want to be relevant so folks can “Authentic Christian living tends to be He was a carpenter who worked with connect and so that real needs and a more powerful and persuasive influ - his hands. He wasn’t a metrosexual real people are brought to a real God ence to pre-Christians than sermons, who did his nails.” … There just come“s a time when we songs or religious prog”rams. Pre- —Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight cross a line that makes us look very believers are more interested in the Rich Franklin who praises God after pummeling fake and quite silly.” genuineness of your personal faith his opponents (CNN) —Derik Hamby, pastor of Randolph Memorial than they are your doctrinal purity or Baptist Church in Madison Heights, Va., on the rise your denominational loyalty.” “There are many similarities between of church gimmickry (ABP) —Barry Howard, pastor of the First Baptist Church the athletic and the evangelical take of Pensacola, Fla. on life. Both are competitive, capital - “Saying this year’s increase in istic. It’s good guys versus bad guys. “Forcing people to talk about death is baptisms is good news is like You have winners — people who are almost never helpful. Rather, the con - bragging your state moved from saved — and losers — people who versations should provide a flexible, the 47th to 46th state in educa - are going to hell.” safe space for people to share their tional achievement. It’s better, but needs, fears and hopes.” —William J. Baker, author of it’s not time for a parade.” Playing with God (CNN) —Daniel Johnson, a palliative-care physician and —Southern Baptist researcher Ed Stetzer, writ - director of Life Quality Institute in Denver, on end- ing on the blog “Between the Times” about the of-life conversations (Christian Century) “The truth of the matter is that every latest statistics that show a slight increase in the advance in medicine in the last 50 convention baptism rates after four years of “Twenty-first century Baptists have years was made by someone who decline (RNS) much to learn from the rich historical studied biology from a perspective heritage of Baptist baptismal theology. that was not hostile to Darwinian “On a continent-wide basis, sub- For these early colonial Baptists in influence. We live longer, fuller lives, Saharan Africa comes out as the America, baptism was neither a sacra - because of their efforts and most religious place on Earth.” ment nor a mere symbol. It was a dedication.” —Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum on Religion relational act and an authentic symbol.” —Ed Sunday-Winters, pastor of Ball Camp Baptist and Public Life, on survey results showing strong —Shelia D. Klopfer, assistant professor of religion at Church in Knoxville, Tenn., in a blog following his Islam and Christianity commitments where tradi - Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky. prostate cancer surgery (ABP) tional indigenous religions were once dominant (Baptist History and Heritage) (Christianity Today) “I think we have grown up. And I “Of all the potential ironies of a short- think we now realize that first, we are “The greatest thing taken here was term mission trip, objectifying people a very diverse country and, secondly, not money, but trust. Barbara was so is perhaps the most spiritually dam - that there are core principles that we loved here that if we knew she had a aging. When we fail to become need to look to when selecting a jus - need we would have done every - acquainted with our hosts and their tice and religious affiliation has really thing we could to help her.” communities, we … inadvertently little relevance.” —Pastor Dean Haun of First Baptist Church in commodify the very people we —First Amendment Center scholar Charles Haynes Morristown, Tenn., to the Knoxville News intend to help.” on the nomination of Elena Kagan whose Sentinel , after longtime financial secretary Barbara —Mark Wm. Radecke, chaplain and associate confirmation would create the first U.S. Supreme Whitt was charged with allegedly embezzling about professor of religion at Susquehanna University in Court without a Protestant justice (RNS) $1.5 million (RNS) Pennsylvania (Christian Century)
12 | Baptists Today • July 2010 INFORMATION Evangelicals find new unity on immigration
By Adelle M. Banks need for “field workers to engineers” in U.S. Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Religion News Service companies. Others signing the ad include NAE President “America deserves a just immigration Leith Anderson; megachurch pastors Bill WASHINGTON — In the shadow of policy,” the statement said, “one that begins Hybels and Joel Hunter; and civil rights Arizona’s strict immigration law, a broad with securing, not closing, our borders, one veteran John Perkins. Bishop George range of evangelical leaders are speaking in that provides a temporary guest-worker McKinney, a leader in the predominantly support of comprehensive immigration program, and one that offers a pathway for black Church of God in Christ, also signed reform, with more specifics than some were earned legal citizenship or temporary the proposal. able to embrace before. residency.” Christian ethicist David Gushee said the At the same time, the No. 3 Democrat Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty new energy surrounding immigration reform in the Senate, New York’s Charles Schumer, Counsel and a signatory on both the ad and by non-Hispanic conser - is hoping evangelicals will nudge their allies the statement, said there has long been con - vatives reflects a reaction in the GOP to push an on-again, off-again sensus on the need to secure the nation’s to the Arizona law and immigration bill through Congress. southern border, but evangelicals are long-term friendships The renewed push came in the form of a now focusing on the future of the nation’s that some have culti - full-page ad in the Capitol Hill newspaper estimated 12 million undocumented vated with Hispanic Roll Call , paid for by the National Association immigrants. Christian leaders. of Evangelicals, and a three-page policy pro - “I think that’s where the consensus is “Relationships are posal from Liberty Counsel, a conservative building,” he said. maturing and so that Christian legal firm. Southern Baptist provides a context for David Gushee The NAE statement calls for keeping ethicist Richard Land engagement together,” families intact, securing national borders, said the Arizona law — said Gushee, who teaches at Mercer and establishing a path to legal citizenship which gives local University in Georgia and is a leader of the for qualified people who want to become authorities new powers New Evangelical Partnership for the permanent residents. to round up suspected Common Good, which supports comprehen - “Initiatives to remedy this crisis have led illegal immigrants — sive immigration reform. to polarization and name calling in which has prompted evangeli - “When you’ve got a friend who’s scream - Richard Land opponents have misrepresented each others’ cals to feel more strongly ing out in pain, who’s saying this is really positions as open borders and amnesty versus about the need for federal reform and to dangerous, you pay attention to that.” deportations of millions,” the ad reads. “This speak up for their Hispanic “brethren.” Gushee said a broad range of evangelical false choice has led to an unacceptable politi - “I think evangelicals have said ‘Enough is support — including the most conservative cal stalemate.” enough is enough,’” he said in a May telecon - evangelicals — could be a “major force” in The Liberty Counsel blueprint was even ference call hosted by the group Conservatives passage of immigration reform. more specific, calling for a “just assimilation” for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. “There are certain issues that have the of those seeking legal citizenship that Land included his name on both the opportunity to break through our entrenched includes lessons in English and U.S. history. ad and the policy proposal, as did Samuel polarizations,” he said, “and I think immi - It says temporary worker visas recognize the Rodriguez, president of the National gration is one of them.” BT Majority of Americans say moral values in decline
By Fernando Alfonso III a breakdown of the two-parent family and 2002. Only 15 percent of Americans Religion News Service a moving away from religion or God. believe the country’s morality is in an Only 14 percent of respondents believe excellent or good state. Three-quarters of Americans say the coun - that the country’s moral values are getting A majority of Republican respondents try’s moral values are worsening, blaming a better. An increase in diversity and — 52 percent — said the country was decline in ethical standards, poor parent - Americans pulling together in tough times in a poor moral state, followed by 48 ing, and dishonesty by government and are two of the reasons these respondents percent of independents and 35 percent business leaders, Gallup reports. gave. of Democrats. The number of Americans who say the Pollsters also found 45 percent of The U.S. adult findings are based on nation’s moral values are in decline grew by Americans believe that current moral values May 3-6 telephone interviews with 1,029 5 percent since last year. Other reasons are in a poor state. This number is equal to adults, with a margin of error of plus or Americans mentioned were a rise in crime, last year’s, which was the highest since minus 4 percentage points. BT
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 13 INFORMATION
Southern Baptist baptisms up, membership down
By Adelle M. Banks Southern Baptists continue to show Religion News Service signs of drifting from our historic commitment to evangelism, as NASHVILLE — The Southern reflected in the fact that it still takes Baptist Convention reported a slight 46 Southern Baptists to lead one increase in baptisms in 2009, after person to faith in Christ.” four consecutive years of decline, Total membership for 2009 but leaders say the denomination dipped slightly — by .42 percent — still needs to regain its focus on to 16.1 million.
evangelism. Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay n o Baptisms in the nation’s largest Research, said the denomination’s o W
n
Protestant denomination totaled membership may have peaked. i L
349,737 last year, a 2 percent “We are a denomination in e e M
increase from 2008, according to decline,” he wrote on the “Between f o
LifeWay Christian Resources, a divi - baptized this year than last year gives us a the Times” blog sponsored by y s e sion of the Southern Baptist Convention. reason to hope we’re on the right path,” Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. r u o
The 2008 baptism total was the lowest “Some don’t like to admit it. But, the c
said Thom Rainer, president and CEO of o since 1987. decline of SBC membership is not a matter t
LifeWay, in a May 14 announcement of the o h
“The fact that more people were latest statistics. “At the same time, we as of debate. It is a matter of math.” BT P Majority now find homosexuality ‘morally acceptable’
By Fernando Alfonso III relations, a steady increase since a form of the of Americans who believe suicide is morally Religion News Service question was introduced nine years ago. The wrong. percentage of Americans who find it “morally Americans are overwhelmingly agreed on WASHINGTON —A slight majority of wrong’’ dipped to its lowest point: 43 percent. admonishing cheating spouses, with only 6 Americans view gay or lesbian relations as Sixty percent of Democrats and independ - percent of respondents saying marital infi - morally acceptable, a first since Gallup poll - ents are accepting of gay or lesbian relations, delity is morally acceptable. sters started asking about the issue in 2001. compared to 35 percent of Republicans. The findings are based on telephone In a recent survey of 16 different behav - Americans were tied, at 46 percent, interviews with 1,029 U.S. adults, with a iors or social practices, pollsters found that 52 regarding the morality of doctor-assisted margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage percent of Americans accept gay or lesbian suicide — a stark contrast to the 77 percent points. BT Evangelicals call on president for prison-rape reforms
By Ankita Rao Rape Elimination Commission to follow up Christian Coalition of America, the NAACP Religion News Service on the standards proposed. and Human Rights Watch. NAE President Leith Anderson and Like the NAE, the Human Rights Evangelicals are calling on the Obama Director of Government Affairs Galen Watch’s Jamie Fellner reaffirmed the organi - administration to enact long-promised Carey wrote on May 10 to Attorney General zation’s stance in a Jan. 5 letter to Attorney prison reforms, saying the incarcerated Eric Holder that “those behind bars deserve General Holder — saying that “tens of deserve protection from violence and rape. the same protections against violence as thousands of adults and juveniles are still In 2003, former president George W. those on the outside.” sexually abused each year because officials Bush signed the Prison Rape Elimination The NAE pushed for the rape commis - have not instituted basic measures to Act, which aimed to lower the estimated 13 sion to adopt the standards from the 2003 protect them.” percent of inmates sexually assaulted each act regardless of the government’s tight According to the Department of Justice year. The bill called for the Department of budget, suggesting that the reforms will Web site, Holder appointed members to the Justice to research prison rape and requires reduce recidivism and lead to cost savings. review panel on Jan. 1 in order to assist the prisons to establish prevention programs. In 2003, the bill drew support from Bureau of Justice Statistics in identifying Now, the National Association of varied religious and advocacy groups includ - common characteristics of prison systems Evangelicals is urging the National Prison ing the Southern Baptist Convention, the and prisoners involved in prison rape. BT
14 | Baptists Today • July 2010 INFORMATION CBF, Haitian Baptists agree on earthquake recovery
By Carla Wynn Davis least a three-year period of time, understand- such as counseling earthquake survivors. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship ing that real healing can only occur as we Recently Reid Doster, a pastoral coun- move beyond a band-aid approach to work selor and coordinator of CBF of Louisiana, ATLANTA — As part of its ongoing that truly transforms the lives of the Haitian and David Lane, counseling program coordi- earthquake response efforts in Haiti, the people.” nator and professor of counseling at Mercer Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has signed a A base camp for Fellowship relief efforts University, traveled to Haiti to lay groundwork memorandum of understanding — represent- has been established in the community of for a new program to train Haitians to provide ing an official partnership — with the Grand Goave, southwest of the Haitian capital post-traumatic-stress counseling to earthquake Convention Baptiste d’Haiti. of Port-au-Prince and among the worst hit by victims. Ultimately, Lane hopes to develop a CBF Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal the devastating Jan. 12 quake. training model that can be easily taught by signed the agreement with leadership from the Tim Brendle, a retired Virginia pastor and Haitians to Haitians. Haitian convention in Atlanta in May. The former missionary to Haiti, has been coordi- “Essentially, we would train trainers, organizations agreed to a three-year develop- nating CBF’s relief efforts in Grand Goave and who can teach fellow Haitians lay counseling,” ment strategy, including partnerships in has been joined by Tori Wentz, one of the Lane said. “We see this as something that can medical ministry, restoration and development group’s medical field personnel. In the north- be very meaningful for a group of hurting and micro-enterprise. ern areas of the country, CBF field personnel people.” “I’m grateful for all that God is doing to Nancy and Steve James, who are co-appointed Mercer’s Ha Van Vo, assistant professor of meet the needs of our Haitian brothers and with American Baptist Churches USA, are biomedical engineering, is also working with the sisters as CBF works in concert with our part- continuing their medical ministry. Fellowship in Haiti, designing and fitting low- ners at the Haiti Baptist Convention,” said Since the quake, more than $1.18 million cost prosthetics for earthquake victims. More CBF Global Missions Coordinator Rob Nash. has been given to the Fellowship’s Haiti earth- than 20 people have been measured for pros- “We’re committed to ministry in Haiti over at quake response, which includes new initiatives thetics and have begun the fitting process. BT Christians discuss ‘good’ and ‘bad’ evangelism By Peter Kenny Churches, on June 4 used his keynote address ment for church unity. to draw a line between “good” evangelism and The organizers of the 2010 meeting EDINBURGH, Scotland (RNS/ENInews) — bad “proselytism.” include representatives of evangelical, “Good evangelism” and “bad evangelism” Evangelism is most harmful, he said, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Protestant and Roman came under discussion when a diverse group of when it “strives to make Christians from Catholic traditions, as well as of the World Christians met to mark the 100th anniversary among people that are already Christians,” and Council of Churches. of the historic 1910 Edinburgh Missionary suffering under political difficulties. In Iraq, where Christian communities had Conference. The Edinburgh meeting is commemorat- borne much of the suffering since the 2003 Antonios Kireopoulos, the associate gen- ing the centenary of the 1910 World U.S.-led invasion, there had been a “particu- eral secretary for interfaith relations for the Missionary Conference, which marked the larly egregious missionary effort,” Kireopoulos New York-based National Council of beginning of the modern ecumenical move- said. BT
Gifts to Loving Beyond Your Theology: Baptists Today The Life and Ministry of have been received in memory of … Jimmy Raymond Allen Findley Edge BY LARRY L. MCSWAIN from Phyllis Hardin Cloth $35.00 William G. Trawick from Margaret G. Trawick The life of an extraordinary Baptist Cecil Sherman from Dorothy N. Myers Mercer University Press (866) 895-1472 • www.mupress.org Cecil Sherman from Ann White Morton
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 15 PERSPECTIVE Assessing two decades of a Baptist renewal movement By Bruce Gourley
wenty years ago, two groups of SBC meeting formally aligned the convention in new educational opportunities, and Southern Baptists, following years of structure with the ideologies of Jerry Falwell embraced partnership with, rather than owner - T intense political conflict veneered with and the right wing of the Republican Party. ship of, institutions (including independent theological jargon, began parting ways. The Two months afterward, however, some - state and regional CBF groups). separation, to be certain, was messy. thing new began as 3,000 disenfranchised While designed as a framework for orga - Both sides looked over their respective Southern Baptists showed up at an informal nizational growth, the net result of CBF shoulders as their trajectories slowly diverged, meeting in Atlanta to discuss the question of efforts finds current expression in hundreds of and both competed for the loyalty of the what to do next. It was the beginning of a mission personnel and approximately 1,500 majority of Southern Baptists who remained modern renewal movement, an effort to churches affiliated with the national organiza - in the middle, many who were unaware that a reassess and reconnect with the Baptist ethos tion (and perhaps a few hundred additional denominational civil war had been raging for in order to grow an churches that participate only in state or the past decade. authentic Baptist voice regional CBF life). The fundamentalist-moderate struggle for the future. Compared to the wider contemporary that preceded formal division in 1990 is now a A definition of Christian trajectory in America, CBF has thus matter of history, albeit too fresh in memory renewal is, “the conver - far existed in the shadows. Popular marks of to yet be dispassionately analyzed. sion of wasteland into Christian success in the late 20th and early However, in hindsight at least one central land suitable for use of 21st century revolve around big numbers. truth is now evident: when confronted with a habitation or cultiva - Conservative mega-churches with cav - fork in the road, most Southern Baptists chose tion.” ernous buildings, sprawling campuses, large the path most visible — many without realiz - In 1990, moderate staffs and private jets stand as gilded kingdoms ing there was an alternative option. Baptists gazed upon a wasteland: centuries-old within America’s metro areas. Large, top-heavy Indeed, after seizing control of the central Baptist tenets such as freedom of con - denominational organizations trumpet hun - Southern Baptist Convention, fundamentalists science, priesthood of all believers, religious dreds of thousands of baptisms annually and initially did an admirable job of maintaining liberty for all, separation of church and state, boast of global influence. And politically- institutional life. By retaining the trappings of and biblical authority had been uprooted, focused para-church organizations recruit the old SBC structures, fundamentalists burned and forsaken by fundamentalists in a millions of foot soldiers and raise hundreds of retained a generation or two of Southern crusade for political and theological correct - millions of dollars to “win” the world for Baptists whose identities were welded to the ness. Christ, promote civil religion and force God institution. Twenty years later, what does the Baptist into government. Even as the new denominational leader - landscape look like? Perhaps appropriately, the Against the backdrop of widely accepted ship increasingly reshaped all facets of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship — the central norms of success, how should the advance of institutional life into an ever-narrowing, theo - national organization that took root in the moderate Baptists these past 20 years be logically and politically correct mold, many devastated wasteland — is now headquartered interpreted? traditional Baptists were simply too vested to in the same city in which those initial 3,000 Firstly, we must recognize that renewal walk away. Gritting their teeth and choosing Baptists gathered. movements are fueled more by perseverance to ignore the new realities, they refused to Thus, one might reasonably ask, is CBF than numbers. Our early Baptist forebears, forsake Southern Baptist life. today that which was envisioned by Baptists miniscule in numbers compared to other reli - For other Southern Baptists, 1990 pre - who in 1990 chose the path less visible? Or, is gious groups, persevered for nearly 200 years sented a reluctant opportunity. In religious someplace or something other than a formal before their movement reached maturity and history, renewal movements are times in which institution now at the center of the renewal realized the objective of religious liberty for all people of faith, when confronted with a collec - movement’s two decades’ journey? and separation of church and state. tive challenge, pause to assess current troubles Initially envisioned as a refuge for many, While one might be tempted to argue and look to the past to find strength and guid - reality gradually set in for CBF: denomina - that the rapid pace of change that characterizes ance to begin moving forward again. tional loyalty remained entrenched among the the 21st century demands quick results, the For traditional Southern Baptists who older generations, while denominations held element of perseverance nonetheless remains recognized the changing landscape, the institu - little sway upon younger generations. In the more critical than that of popularity. tional movement forward ended in June 1990, jaws of a generational vise, the organization Often, quick growth and large numbers when fundamentalist victory at the annual transformed mission methodologies, invested are signs of temporality. In the online world,
16 | Baptists Today • July 2010 PERSPECTIVE many once-very-popular websites and busi - transformed individuals and communities of growth, reproduction is yet a necessity. nesses wither in a matter of just a few years. faith. Only when the ideas survived the harsh Ultimately, perseverance and transformation During the recent economic recession, many winds and scorching wrath of critics did will stall and retreat without effective personal large corporations went bankrupt. Baptist institutions eventually come alongside witness. The success of local church kingdoms these renewal movements and provide nourish - Patient cultivation of the wasteland is often rises or falls with the (almost always) man ment necessary for maturity. necessary for renewal to take place. Today, behind the pulpit. Denominations, now shrivel - Today, moderate Baptist seminaries are green shoots and stalks are visible for all to see. ing in size, spend much of their energy trying nurturing the lives of thousands of young peo - Of different shapes and sizes, hues and com - to recapture glories long past. And para-church ple of a generation that is suspicious of plexions, old growth and new growth together groups often ebb and flow with the political institutions, seeks honesty and relevancy in the bask in the spring sunshine, nourished by four winds blowing from Washington, D.C. living of faith and life, and sees Christ in centuries of Baptist roots. Renewal is a journey of commitment and places far from church pews. The institutional orderliness that charac - perseverance, not a quick-growth scheme or a These young people in turn are unfurling terized the 20th century Baptist landscape is race to erect buildings or a central focus on the their branches within the larger moderate absent. More descriptive of the contemporary creation of institutions. Baptist community and looking for a place to moderate world is the counter-cultural experi - In this regard, commitment and persever - call home. Unfortunately, the limited number ence of 17th and 18th century Baptists. ance among moderate Baptists is visible in of moderate churches and lack of new church Struggle accompanies transformation. efforts to further freedom of conscience, reli - starts constrains the transformational potential Personal witness can be awkward. Life is lived gious liberty for all, and separation of church of this generational influx. The field must be in the shadows of popular religion, if not and state across our nation and our planet; expanded for multi-generational renewal to detached altogether. share the Good News of Christ apart from the mature. The ever-present threat of persecution chains of cultural conditioning, nationalism, Transformation is also taking place in both marginalized and motivated the early imperialism, racism, sexism, and political and genderless pulpits, human freedom, social con - Baptist witness. Today, comfort rather than theological correctness; continually retell the cerns, creation consciousness, holistic scripture persecution describes the daily lifestyles and Baptist story with both its central themes and and theological honesty. Such values and atti - general landscape of Baptists and Christians at important nuances; advance the role of women tudes, while not equating with popular large in America, moderate or otherwise. in ministry; champion the importance of edu - definitions of success within American Moderate Baptists are far enough cation and critical thinking for a life of faith Christendom, are contemporary, outward removed from the wasteland of 20 years ago and living; and emphasize the biblical context manifestations of redemptive currents long that a younger generation has no memory of, and historical, present, and future importance embedded within Baptist roots. and little interest in, Baptist battles of a few of pluralism, human rights, and ministry to Finally, renewal, if it is to be lasting, must decades ago. Yet the tilled and fertile land that the poor and needy in our communities and reproduce. Personal witness is the historical has arisen from a scorched earth is far from around the world. means whereby Baptists have expanded their yielding lasting sustenance. None of these critical tasks can be accom - presence and increased in numbers. For renewal to be lasting, moderate plished in a season, nor is there a finish line in Methodology varied. Formulaic evangel - Baptists increasingly depend upon a new gen - sight for any one of them. ism became characteristic of the early and eration who are willing to work the land Secondly, on a personal level, renewal is mid-20th century, only to decline in effective - with hands, voices, hearts and financial about genuine transformation of individuals ness and appropriateness by the end of the resources. Therein lies the key to renewal and communities, not rote followship of a century. Yet in its wake, moderate Baptists truly realized. BT charismatic leader or intellectual assent to the have yet to find a viable 21st century strategy doctrinal flavor of the day. for organic growth. —Bruce Gourley of Manhattan, Mont., In Baptist history, freedom of conscience, While missionary commitment and part - is online editor for Baptists Today and missions involvement, and social consciousness nerships provide moderate Baptists an executive director of the Baptist History all sprouted from and were initially fueled by expanding presence and a degree of lateral and Heritage Society.
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 17 RESOURCES 2010 Brought to you this month Church Works! by Keith Vaughn Good ideas for effective ministry A framework for the standards-based classroom
ou may be aware of the discussion must also consider respect — between teacher in their work and then help and support surrounding the standards-based class - and student and also among students. struggling learners. Y room, which is creating so much buzz Students are free to learn when they are (4) Professional responsibilities are not in educational circles. Thinking about this allowed to be spontaneous or to give wrong for seminary graduates alone; we can all per - made me consider what our own church’s answers occasionally without suffering verbal form the work in ways similar to professional Christian education might look like if we abuse. Learning is heightened when the cul - teachers. operated within the framework of this envi - ture is one where students are actively First, we learn that personal reflection on ronment. Charlotte Danielson suggests a participating and understand that we have our teaching will help us evaluate the event in framework of four domains in her book, high expectations for them. Feedback must be order to learn from it and make it better the Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework positive. We want our children to be comfort - next time. This follow-up thinking should for Teaching . Consider for a moment how this able, relaxed and open to participation. A class include questions such as: Were the class goals may be helpful in your own classroom. that has the feel of an institution or incorpo - met? Were the students engaged? How might (1) Planning and preparation describe rates negative reinforcement does not achieve a concept be made clear? how the teacher orchestrates what students this. Second, communication with families is need to know and do. The teacher must cap - (3) Instruction is at the core of the important. Parents know we take a keen inter - ture the students’ attention and engage them teaching event. We should not think of est in their children when we communicate in learning, which requires proper preparation. instruction as simply reading the lesson or lec - with them concerning the progress of their Preparation is accomplished through turing; there are many effective and beneficial little ones. study, setting instructional outcomes and methods we may employ. Consider using var - Third, we teachers need to understand planning what resources to use. Resources ied discussion techniques. The quantity of that we are not ready-made for teaching. may include items to enhance the teacher’s questions asked is less important than their When we seize opportunities for our own per - knowledge (e.g., commentaries) or student quality. sonal growth, we become better teachers. learning (e.g., activities). Curriculum such as Think about the physical materials we Finally, we are part of a larger community. Intersection by Smyth & Helwys offers multi - use to enhance learning because these engage When we work with pastors, staff or other ple options for planning a strong lesson, and the students in a way that invites them to teachers to elicit feedback, we can use that the teaching guide includes suggestions for become involved in the learning process. We knowledge to enhance our own performance. resources. need to choose materials that engage not only Conclusion: The core structure of the Danielson states: “A teacher’s role is not the physical aspect of learning, but also the frameworks approach — strong planning, the so much to teach as it is to arrange for learn - mental aspect. Perhaps we may choose to use environment, effectual instruction and a pro - ing.” This is our basic responsibility as a technological approach through multimedia fessional approach to teaching — produces teachers. Knowing our students well will help or computer games. At other times a writing wonderful benefits. As you think back to your us select approaches that best suit their learn - activity may be more appropriate. childhood, what classroom experiences were ing styles and/or abilities, enabling them to To enhance instruction, we may group the most memorable? Ask yourself how you learn important content. students. The teacher may allow students to can create healthy and memorable learning (2) The classroom environment is con - work in units of two, three or more. Grouping events for the children you teach. No one will cerned with creating a setting for learning to is based on what the teacher is trying to judge your performance based on an annual occur. More than anything else, the classroom accomplish. Some tasks or projects may be achievement test. Your performance as a must be a safe place. A quick review will suited to homogenous groups where students teacher will be lived out during the upcoming ensure that aisles are open, craft supplies are work at the same pace. At other times a het - decades as your students grow into adulthood appropriate for the age group, and furniture is erogeneous group may have higher achievers and mature as Christians. It is then that they strong. The physical environment is only one- who help slower learners. Grouping is espe - will have the opportunity to put into practice half of this domain’s concern, however. We cially well done when the students take pride what they learned in your classroom. BT
ChurchWorks is provided by the Congregational Life office of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in partnership with Baptists Today and for those dedicated lay leaders working in the educational ministries of local churches. This month’s page was written by Keith Vaughn, a graduate of McAfee School of Theology and a freelance writer, who lives in Milledgeville, Ga. More ministry resources are available at www.thefellowship.info/News/ subscribe and www.thefellowship.info/Resources/Church-Resources/Baptists-Today-resource-page.
18 | Baptists Today • July 2010 LESSONS FOR: Sunday, August 2010 1–29, 2010 Written by Jim Dant, pastor of Highland Hills Baptist Bible Studies Church in Macon, Ga.
These lessons follow the adult Formations studies from Smyth & Helwys Publishing www.helwys.com
Aug. 1, 2010 favoritism. Isaac favored Esau and Rebekah biases. Abel, the younger brother, presents a favored Jacob. Isaac’s favoritism is linked to sacrifice favored by God. Isaac, the younger Parental favoritism a common taste for wild game. The source son, is favored by God and Isaac’s mother Genesis 25:21-34 of Rebekah’s favoritism is not specified, but Sara over Ishmael. Joseph, the younger of has been oft assumed to be Jacob’s propen - several brothers, will be a parentally favored I am the father of twins. My twin daughters sity toward loving the indoors rather than and heavenly favored child. The older broth - were born 22 months after my first daugh - the outdoors; he wasn’t interested in hunt - ers of David will be overlooked, and he will ter was born. For all practical purposes, I ing game, but certainly knew how to kabob be anointed the second king of Israel. And in am the father of triplets! Their close prox - and cook the kill. Israel’s national history, there are already imity in age ensured that they moved Parental favoritism may have as much Canaanites and Egyptians dwelling in God’s through most of life’s joys and challenges to do with the needs of the parent as the young world when Abraham and his off - simultaneously. All three were in diapers at bend of the child. With my own delightfully spring are designated “chosen people.” the same time. They learned to ride bikes different offspring, I often gravitated toward Rather than raising our ire, however, on the same weekend. All three entered bap - the one who was engaging life on my terms this may say more about God’s need within tismal waters on the same night. I was — the one who could meet my needs in the the movement of history and biblical text burdened (Did I say burdened? I meant than it does about God’s inappropriate bias. blessed) with concurrent car payments, moment. If one was reading a book I liked, In each case, the ones selected were not per - prom dress purchases and college tuitions. she had my attention. If one was participat - fect. They did, however, possess a quality They shared many of life’s joys and chal - ing in a competition I found exciting, she that served God’s purposes at the time. lenges. garnered my time. If one was exhibiting a At the same time, my three daughters particular skill that could be useful in my Backing away from the immediate context, could not be more different from one life or work, she commanded my immediate one can observe the pairing of gifts with another. Their lives have been generally consideration. God’s intended direction for his people — bent in three different directions — aca - Often, my needs and my perception of Jacob’s cunning as family and wealth are demics, art and athletics. Of course their the needs of the community dictated to accumulated, Joseph’s willingness to assimi - uniqueness cannot simply be confined to which child my time and attention were late into foreign culture in order that these labels. They were and are individuals. steered. There was nothing inherently and multiple nations might be fed, and David’s They face life, live life and respond to life consistently more desirable about that par - leadership abilities as the Israelite kingdom differently. As parents, we tried to be sensi - ticular child. She simply provided what was is firmly established. Parental favoritism — tive to their individuality, while at the same needed in the moment — for my life and/or at least from God’s perspective — has very time fostering a sense of fairness toward the life of the community. This may have little to do with a random focus of affection. them. It was not always easy to do. been the case in Isaac and Rebekah’s family. Discuss/Reflect: How have you experi - I was recently eavesdropping — with Parental needs or the needs of the family enced favoritism positively and/or negatively? permission — on a conversation between may have dictated the proximity of one par - How have you practiced favoritism and why? two sets of parents. One set was at least 20 ent to a particular child. How might God’s choices of particular per - years my senior and the other a decade Of course, if favoritism within a family sons in the biblical story be justified? How do behind me in the parenting process. The makes one feel uncomfortable, then that you feel about God’s practice of favoritism? younger asked the elder which of their chil - person will surely be unnerved by God’s dren they had loved most. I expected the practice of favoritism. I’ve recently seen a Aug. 8, 2010 elder parents to say, “We loved them all the cute quip appearing on bumper stickers and same.” But they didn’t. Rather, they very t-shirts — “God loves everyone, but I’m his The family blessing quickly and wisely responded, “Whichever favorite.” The idea is funny until it’s con - Genesis 27:18-41 one needed it most at the time.” firmed. Verse 28 of this week’s text is very clear. Rebekah’s favoring of Jacob and Jacob’s I have three small scraps of paper in the There is little wiggle room for those uncom - eventual rise to prominence is couched in a center drawer of my office desk. They were fortable with even a fragment of parental succession of both maternal and heavenly ripped from a pocket-sized memo pad, and
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship provides these Bible study resources to church leaders through this supplement to Baptists Today . For more information on how CBF is “serving Christians and churches as they discover their God-given mission,” visit www.thefellowship.info or call 1-800-352-8741 BIBLE STUDIES each contains just a few pen-scrawled ensures that the wealth and the authorita - words. The letters are a bit misshapen, but tive role of the family will rest in his care. Aug. 15, 2010 easily recognizable. The sentences are not Traditionally, this blessing is reserved for the properly structured, yet they make sense. At eldest son. Today’s blessing was acquired by Conflict and boundaries first glance, one might think a child wrote deception … of one form or another. Genesis 31:1-9; 17-21; 25-26 them. The content, however, quickly proves At first glance it seems obvious that otherwise. The short messages were penned Rebekah has deceived Isaac into blessing Some things never change. Jacob will always by my father just days before his death. In Jacob. The elaborate plan of porridge and be Jacob. Humans will always be human. his final days — after esophageal cancer had skins and clothing leaves Isaac looking foolish God will always be God. taken his voice but before it took his life — and is complex enough to make great narra - In earlier chapters, we watch the he conversed with me through these short tive. It may, however, be too complex. Maybe acquisitive nature of Jacob. He acquires the notes. Morphine kept his penmanship and Isaac is wiser than we presume. Maybe the affection of his mother, the birthright of his grammatical skills at bay, but his heart trick is really on the rest of the family. brother and the filial blessing of his father. refused to be silenced. Scribbled along one In the first verse of this chapter, Isaac is Chapter after chapter and verse after verse, line of the now-faded sheet are the words, described as being blind. The deception con - Jacob casually moves through the family like “Im prod you.” nived by Rebekah will seemingly take a magnet of blessings. This particular form I was almost 40 years old when my advantage of Isaac’s blindness by appealing to of magnetism does not bode well with his father penned those words. It was the first his other senses: the sound of Jacob’s voice, elder brother. In fact, Esau wants to kill time I had seen him in almost two decades. the feel of his arms, the taste of prepared him. As a result, Jacob flees to the house of Early neglect on his part and a rambling game and the smell of his clothing. The loss Laban, his future father-in-law. lifestyle on my part had kept us miles apart. of one sense, however, tends to heighten the In Laban’s home the acquisition contin - I had no doubt, however, that his words of receptivity of other senses. A person who ues. Through hard work Jacob acquires the blessing were true. I had known it for years. experiences blindness typically develops a daughters of Laban as his wives — Leah and It was, however, nice to see it on paper. keener sense of hearing or smell or touch. It Rachel. According to verse 17, he also Everyone needs to be blessed. I’ve never acquires children, camels, livestock and an would stand to reason that Jacob’s best met a man or woman who, at the depth of immense amount of wealth. Some things attempts at fooling his father would fall their soul, was void of the desire to be never change. The stuff of life just keeps short. Animal skins do not feel like human blessed by their parents. In fact, some of the gravitating toward Jacob. skin. Jacob’s voice could not sound like Esau’s most difficult counseling situations I’ve Howard seemed to be blessed in the voice. A goat will not taste like wild game. engaged are often rooted in a lack of such. same way. He was a faithful member of a The wondering of Isaac in verse 22, “The The blessing of a parent can provide a firm congregation I served years ago. He was not voice is the voice of Jacob …” may have been foundation for life. The absence of blessing an aggressive person nor did he present as a the exact opportunity he was seeking. can be devastating. particularly savvy businessman. And yet, Isaac is old and blind, but not befud - Several years ago I attended the Bat everything he touched seemed to turn to dled. His blessings are well spoken and Mitzvah of one of my daughter’s friends. gold. Items purchased at one price could thorough. Isaac is probably well aware that During the course of the service, the young always be sold for more. Pieces of property the impulsive Esau cannot be trusted to girl’s father rose and walked to the bema and other investments seemed to soar while where he stood beside her. Pushing back carry the weight of the family inheritance. in his hand. He was always quick to give tears he said, “No matter what you do or The younger, more complex child must be God credit. He was always quick to share fail to do, no matter where you go, and no chosen — but how? It may be that the one the wealth with God’s church. His quick matter whom you become; I will always being tricked is actually the greatest trick - answer to our ponderings with regard to his love you. You will always be my daughter. I ster of all. In verse 36, we also get the sense success was, “I have never been able to out- will always be your father.” Tears filled my that Esau knew this was coming. The refer - give God.” eyes. I had not received a note from my ence to Jacob’s name origin — the one who Jacob’s acquisitive nature remained the father yet. I’ve never met a man or woman supplants — indicates that the notion had same. Jacob’s propensity — or at least reputa - who, at the depth of their soul, was void of been floating in Esau’s mind as well. There tion for deceptiveness — didn’t change either. the desire to be blessed by their parents. are many things within a family that are just In verse 1, Laban’s sons accuse Jacob of tak - Not even me. known. They may not always be spoken. ing all their father’s possessions — an The blessings we experience are typi - But they are known. accusation made earlier by Esau. And while cally affirmations. Blessings within the Esau is not left without a blessing, Jacob gives God complete credit for the fine- Genesis story carry that much weight and because blessings are important. It is filled tuned genetic engineering of Laban’s sheep, more. Within the early Israelite tradition, with prosperity and pain and hope. Most in previous chapters, it’s obvious that Jacob is blessings were prayers that were expected to blessings are. manipulating the mating process! And now be translated into reality. There was a near Discuss/Reflect: How have you been that it’s finally time to leave, Jacob is stealth - magic quality to the words when spoken. In blessed or missed blessing in your life? In ily leaving town. One of his wives is stealing verses 28-29 of our text, Isaac speaks a word what way might you be able to give blessing the family idols. It has been said, “we take of blessing to Jacob, and it prayerfully to others? ourselves wherever we go.” Acquisitiveness
20 | Baptists Today • July 2010 BIBLE STUDIES and deception follow Jacob throughout the in a while, even the worst of folk can muster story. Jacob will always be Jacob. Aug. 22, 2010 a little holiness. And humans will always be human. Of course, before we present Esau with There will always be persons who complain Reconciliation accolades, let’s check in on Jacob. Jacob is still being Jacob. Having lost favor with as Laban’s sons do in verse 1. We know very Genesis 32:3-32 little about their efforts in animal hus - Laban, it is time for the fugitive son/brother bandry, but they are obviously jealous of The Genesis account has not always been to make his way back home. When he left Jacob’s success. We might question the kind to Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. In decades ago, his brother Esau was spewing purity of Jacob’s actions with regard to Genesis 25, the boys are birthed and immedi - murderous threats. There was no reason to Laban’s sheep, but we cannot question his ately Esau is given a prophetically subservient believe that time had calmed the savage ability to act. He’s laboring, not lamenting. role to Jacob. Later, in the same chapter, beast. So, Jacob does what Jacob does best There will also always be those who Esau’s impulsiveness is highlighted as he fool - … he connives. take advantage of others. Laban — while ishly sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of First, Jacob sends messengers ahead to tricked by Jacob — probably got what was stew. The text says that Esau intended to scout the situation. The scouts are to coming to him. One must remember that “gulp down” the stew — he’s obviously being inform Esau that gifts will soon follow — Laban tricked Jacob into marrying the older depicted as an uncouth individual. Two lots of gifts: cattle, asses, sheep and slaves. daughter, Leah, after working seven years to chapters later in the narrative, Esau is the When the messengers return, however, they marry Rachel. Laban then demanded dull target of Jacob’s treachery and loses the bring news of Esau’s movement toward another seven years of labor for Jacob to family blessing in addition to his loss of the Jacob; Jacob becomes frightened. And so, he wed Rachel. Apparently, Laban continues to birthright. Esau’s resultant anger at Jacob connives some more. Jacob prays to God, exploit Jacob’s affection for his daughters by explodes into murderous threat. Continuing reminding God of promises God has made. He sends three waves of gifts to Esau — shifting and cheating him with regard to to follow Esau’s story throughout Genesis, hundreds of animals — hoping they might wages. Add to all this, Rachel’s theft of her the origin of the Edomites — Israel’s enemies garner Esau’s kindness. Jacob wrestles with family’s idols … and we’ve got a story full of — is traced to Esau. The Genesis account, on the whole, is God (or an angel … or his own conscience) humans being human. Yes, Jacob is consis - not kind to Esau. But every once in a while, through the night and attempts to benefit tently Jacob. But Jacob is not the only even the worst of folk can muster a little from one more blessing. Jacob is externally human exhibiting a less-than-perfect nature holiness. and internally active, “doing” all he can do in the story. During my childhood I feared our next- to control the circumstances of his life. In contrast to all the humanity that door neighbor, Mr. Bowen. He spent hours Jacob is still Jacob. pervades this story, we are also reminded in his yard … keeping me, my siblings and For once, Esau appears to be the better that God will always be God. God speaks to all the other neighborhood children out of man. It is time for reconciliation. It is time Jacob in verse 3. In verse 5, Jacob reflec - his yard! He apparently was growing award- to face the past and deal with it. It is time tively states that he has sensed God’s winning grass in his yard because he never to accept life on life’s terms. It is time to put presence in his life. And in verse 9, Jacob wanted us to step on it. He also guarded the matters to rest. And Esau’s methodology is notes God’s presence in the seeming hap - boxwoods that separated our home from his. much simpler than Jacob’s. In verse 7, penstance of life. As God always seems to He did not appreciate this carefully pruned Jacob’s messengers return from Esau’s camp do, God is guiding, guarding, providing, row of shrubbery being used as a football and report, “… Esau himself is coming to sharing and withholding throughout the goal. (They were the perfect height over meet you …” There are not manipulative story. Add to that, it is vivid that God has which to kick extra points and field goals.) gifts, scouting messengers or strategic move - chosen less-than-perfect people to move the When we scored a point on his side of the ments. Esau is intentionally moving toward redemptive story along. It shouldn’t surprise property, his screaming always ensued — and a face-to-face conversation with Jacob. It is us … God will always be God. I’m not talking about cheering. Screaming is the purist and most proper first step toward There will always be conflict between the only sound I ever heard come from Mr. reconciliation. people. There will also be conflict between Bowen’s mouth — except once. It was the I heard it more than once in my humanity and God. My ways are not always week before Christmas, 1971. younger years, “Why didn’t you come talk my neighbor’s way. And my way is certainly School had been dismissed for the win - to me?” When I felt unfairly graded on an not God’s way. Hopefully, we can find ways ter holidays. Teams had been chosen in the English composition, I sulked for days. to co-exist — accepting, adjusting and backyard; our version of the Super Bowl was Finally, the professor got word of my disap - maybe sometimes even separating for the about to begin. As we were tossing the coin, pointment. He confronted me after class kingdom’s sake. Mr. Bowen stepped across the edges. We and asked the question, “Why didn’t you Discuss/Reflect: What characteristics of were silent. He stepped to the middle of our come talk to me?” When a deacon shared an “self” do you “take with you” wherever you motley pack, pulled a handful of candy offensive comment in a meeting, I held the go? How has God been able to use these canes from his pocket, handed one to each hurt for weeks. Later, at a dinner, I told him characteristics for good? How might those of us and almost politely said, “Here. Merry how his words had made me feel. His first characteristics be “adjusted” to display a Christmas. Don’t throw the paper in my reaction was the question, “Why didn’t you greater sense of holiness? yard.” And then he walked away. Every once come talk to me?”
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 21 BIBLE STUDIES
Much of the hurt we carry could be Change is at the heart of closure in the The night before (the end of chapter 32), assuaged with honest, civil, open conversa - saga of Jacob and Esau. As in most moments Jacob’s hip socket had been wrenched. Jacob tion. Our hearts and minds could truly rest of reconciliation, the change occurs on both no longer physically exhibited the arrogant from worrying and strategizing if we simply sides. One person can’t mend a relationship. air of a sly deceiver, but rather exuded a and humbly faced our family and friends … One person can’t carry all the credit or repentant humility. Such is the case when and maybe even our enemies. Esau got it blame. Both sides must experience a degree one wrestles with God. right. He shows us that every once in a of change for true reconciliation and closure Even after Esau’s embrace, Jacob’s words while, even the worst of us can muster a little to occur. further attest to his changed nature. In verse holiness. In Genesis 33, there is an obvious shift 11, Jacob adjures Esau to “… accept my Discuss/Reflect: What offenses or resent - in the persona of Esau. Our last encounter present …” While at first glance this seems ments are you carrying today? What strategies with Esau was frightening. Having lost his to refer to the multitude of gifts Jacob had have you contemplated or employed for recon - birthright in a foolish trade and then losing sent in advance of their meeting, it may ciliation or retaliation? How might a healthy the family blessing through his brother’s actually refer to much more. The phrase can conversation begin the process of reconcilia - deceit, Esau was violent. He was in a mur - just as credibly be translated, “… take my tion? derous rage. As he approaches Jacob, in blessing …” This translation would further verse 1, with 400 armed men, we can’t help denote Jacob’s repentant heart. True closure Aug. 29, 2010 but think the violence is about to resume occurs when change occurs. and be completed. It is shocking to see Esau True reconciliation and closure change Closure break ranks with his cohort, run to his the way we see each other. There are few brother, greet him, embrace him, kiss him verses in all of scripture more beautiful than Genesis 33:1-17, 35:27-29 and weep with him. Esau has changed. Genesis 33:10. Having broken his tearful True closure occurs when change occurs. The change in Esau cannot be attrib - embrace with Esau, Jacob begs him to After a crisis, people often speak of needing uted to any of Jacob’s strategies. The waves receive the gifts that have been offered. And closure. The process of finding closure typi - of gifts meant nothing to Esau. He was then he adds, “… for to see your face is like cally involves some level of change in already a wealthy man. Jacob’s prayer had seeing the face of God …” We know that circumstance or change within the person. not been heard by Esau. Jacob’s family was reconciliation, closure and true transforma - An individual who has lost a relative to vio - not yet visible to Esau. Esau was not privy tion has occurred when we see the face of lent crime will inevitably seek closure to the midnight wrestling of Jacob. None of God in others. This is the sign that enemies through change. The status of the perpetra - Jacob’s movements had been the impetus for have become brothers, foreigners have tor must change: from unnamed to Esau’s movement. Rather, the change in become kin, and the strange and estranged identified, or charged to guilty, or guilty to Esau seems to be the result of his perceived have become familiar and close. The dark - sentenced. The external change of circum - change in Jacob. ness of separation, violence and hatred ends stance might precipitate closure. The As Jacob approaches Esau, he bows to when the face of God is seen in the other. change, however, might be an internal him seven times. This is apparently Esau’s Sister Helen Prejean is the Roman change. Victims and the family members of first visual of Jacob, and it is a powerful Catholic sister who wrote the non-fiction victims may find the inner strength to one. Bowing seven times was the traditional work, Dead Man Walking that was eventu - accept — maybe even forgive — and a sense display of homage to one’s master. Jacob is ally adapted to the cinema. Her writing was of closure is achieved. not only bowing, but he is also limping. a report of relationships established between herself and two death-row inmates. Sister Helen served as a spiritual advisor to both Be a voice to sustain Baptists tomorrow. men during the final months of their lives. While she never condones the acts for which I am / We are pleased to make a gift commitment to Baptists Today of $ ______per year for three years. they were accused, she did allow herself to get close enough to the perpetrators to see TOTAL GIVING LEVEL ______Name them as human … maybe even to see a sliver ■ Heritage Partners ($50,000 or above) ______of the image and face of God in them. ■ No one can condone the arrogant, Founders Circle (25,000-$49,999) ______Address deceitful methods of Jacob. And no one can ■ Freedom Circle ($10,000-$24,999) ______truly condone the violent threats of Esau. ■ Visionary Circle ($5,000-$9,999) City We can, however, affirm and praise their willingness to change. And we know, true ■ Editor’s Circle ($1,000-$4,999) ______State/Zip closure occurs when change occurs. ■ Circle of Friends ($500-$999) (______)______Discuss/Reflect: What character traits in Phone ■ Patrons ($100-$499) your life have made it difficult to get along ______with people? 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22 | Baptists Today • July 2010 CLASSIFIEDS
First Baptist Church, Hickory, N.C. (www.fbc.cc), www.HBCCartersville.org. To apply, please send a ties include planning and leading Wednesday night affiliated with CBF and SBC, is seeking a senior résumé to: Heritage.Résumé[email protected]. and Sunday morning activities. This would be pastor to lead an outstanding staff and congrega - an ideal position for a seminary student. For tion with a heart for missions. Average attendance more information, contact Miriam Reeves at is more than 500 combined in contemporary and Baptist Temple, a historic church located near (229) 423-9423 or [email protected]. traditional worship services. Applicants should downtown Houston, Texas, with ties to CBF, SBC possess or be pursuing an earned doctorate from and BGCT, is seeking an associate pastor to join an accredited seminary or divinity school. Send our ministry team. We seek a person with energy, Homecoming résumé, references and statement of faith by July creativity and strong faith who feels called to an “Coming Home to the Heart of God” urban church setting. The ideal candidate would 15 to: Search Committee, First Baptist Church, Aug. 8, 2010 have a willingness and ability to contribute to 339 2nd Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601-4943. Forest Hills Baptist Church many areas of our church’s overall ministry Raleigh, N.C. and mission. A seminary degree and ministry Heritage Baptist Church, located in Cartersville, experience are preferred. Submit résumés to: To God be the glory, honor and praise as we Ga., is seeking a visionary leader to serve as lead [email protected]. celebrate 65 years of ministry. pastor of our diverse congregation. Heritage is a covenant congregation that seeks to honor and Mark your calendar / Spread the word Wake Forest Baptist Church, a dynamic CBF- praise God through its missions, ministries and affiliated church of more than 900 members in programs that are structured around fulfilling the Wake Forest, N.C., is actively seeking a minister of covenant commitments we have made with one youth and missions as part of a multi-staff team. another and God. Heritage is looking for a lead This position will primarily oversee a vital, growing Let Gather ’Round help your church come pastor whose life is characterized by a spirit of youth ministry averaging 50-60 weekly. This posi - together around the Bible! Gather ’Round: service, humility and prayer. At Heritage the lead tion also is responsible for overseeing the church’s Hearing and Sharing God’s Good News is the pastor serves as the spiritual leader for the church mission efforts. The candidate must have a semi - Bible story-based curriculum that connects family and leads the congregation in worship nary divinity degree, with two years experience church and home. Gather ’Round nurtures through preaching from God’s word. The lead pas - preferred. Submit résumés to: Youth and Missions children, youth, and their families in becom - tor is also charged to work with and provide Minister Search Committee, Wake Forest Baptist ing followers of Jesus — exploring their guidance and supervision to the church staff as, Church, 118 E. South Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587. faith and putting it into action. Find sample together, they provide spiritual instruction, pas - sessions, Bible outlines and more at toral care, and leadership to the congregation. www.gatherround.org. This is a full-time position with a competitive Fellowship Baptist Church, a CBF church in salary. For more information about the position Fitzgerald, Ga., is seeking a part-time (up to 20 hrs Order a free preview pack today! and Heritage Baptist Church, visit weekly) children/youth coordinator . Responsibili- in the know Keeping up with people, places, and events
PEOPLE Theological Seminary’s School of Church Music before assuming his current post as AB Women surpass goal Colleen Burroughs is moderator-elect for the director of music and worship at Brentwood Since launching “Break the Chains: Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. She is the vice United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Slavery in the 21st Century” in July president of Passport, Inc., a Birmingham- 2007, American Baptist women have based non-profit she began with her husband Matt Marston is pastor of Trinity Baptist raised more than $470,000, far exceeding David while they were in seminary. Passport is Church in Moultrie, Ga., coming from a two- the initial fundraising goal of $250,000. now an international student ministry that has year pastoral residency at Wilshire Baptist Through workshops, preaching, commu - hosted more than 75,000 campers over the Church in Dallas, Texas. nity events, a “virtual mission encounter,” past 18 years. online discussions, and a variety of other Ann White Morton was named Distinguished methods, AB Women’s Ministries has Sam Carothers is retiring after 27 years as Church Woman of 2010 by Baptist Women in inspired women across the U.S. and chaplain of Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. Ministry of Georgia. She has served as a Puerto Rico to support ministries with church minister and as founding theology trafficking victims, survivors, and at-risk David Keith will become director of the librarian for Mercer University in Atlanta, and Townsend-McAfee Institute for Graduate also taught at the McAfee School of Theology. women and children. The national mis - Studies in Church Music at Mercer sion project “Break the Chains” was University Aug. 1. Keith will also serve as These four long-time representatives of the originally scheduled to end in July 2009, graduate studies director for the School of Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board, but women were so passionate about the Music and as an associate professor, teaching with a combined 54 years of service, are retir - project that it continues through 2010 in the field of church and choral music. For ing this summer: Richard D. Reese, Hazel A. with new awareness-raising activities, 27 years, he served as professor of conducting Roper, Kenneth E. Stout and Betty Wright- events, and fundraising projects planned and church music at Southwestern Baptist Riggins . throughout the remainder of the year. BT
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 23 PERSPECTIVE commentary Don’t twist, do tell … the truth By Tony W. Cartledge
s a congressional vote to repeal the There are several problems with orientation, especially among males. It’s a military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” Spriggs’ reasoning, beginning with the dictum of psychology that sexual assault, in A policy drew near in late May, the assumption that the percentage of homo - general, is more about power and aggres - Southern Baptist Convention’s Baptist sexual males in America is 2.8 (Faust says sion than about sex. Press stepped up efforts to oppose the 2.7) percent. That number cannot be taken Homosexual rape, in particular, has repeal of the policy, which requires gays at face value, for several reasons. been employed throughout history as a and lesbians to stay in the closet if they Even in today’s increasingly open cul - means of expressing power and shaming want to stay in the military. ture, gay people may not feel free to other persons. Even the Bible contains In a May 27 article by Tom Strode, respond honestly about their sexual orien - examples. the story’s headline declared “Military tation on surveys, for one thing. For Genesis 19 describes how the men Chiefs Oppose Repeal as ‘Don’t Ask’ Vote another, counting (“young and old”) of Sodom sought to Nears.” The headline (all that many view - homosexuals inevitably gang rape two visitors to Lot’s home, and ers will read) clearly implies that the heads runs aground on the Judges 19 portrays a similar incident of the four military branches uniformly shoals of definition. involving the men of Gibeah and a Levite oppose the measure’s repeal. Does every person who was passing through. Were all the men The article, however, is based on let - who has had a homo - of Sodom or all the men of Gibeah homo - ters from the military chiefs in response to sexual feeling or sexuals? Of course not — but they a request from Senator John McCain, ask - experience count, or employed same-sex aggression as a means ing their views. In their responses, the only those who prac - of expressing their power and shaming chiefs did not express an opinion on repeal - tice an exclusively gay visitors. ing the policy itself: what they opposed was lifestyle? A full spectrum of human sexual When men are pressed into close quar - Congress taking a vote to repeal it before a preference and behavior is possible, and it’s ters and highly stressful situations with Pentagon review is completed in incorrect to assume that everyone is at one little or no access to women — as in prison December. extreme or the other. confines or some military settings — they The headline is thus misleading. In any case, a number of studies have may act out their frustration and aggres - Of greater concern is an article the suggested that the percentage of people sion through same-sex assault even if they previous day titled “Analysis: Sexual with homosexual inclinations could be con - would not, in other settings, feel attracted Assault More Likely Among Gays in siderably higher than the numbers adopted to persons of their own gender. Military.” In the article, writer Michael by Spriggs. Studies generally conclude that It’s simply incorrect to assume that Faust cites twisted statistics and dubious the percentage is somewhere between four all male-on-male sexual assaults, particu - reasoning based on data compiled by Peter and 10 percent. Surprisingly, a 2002 larly in the military, are perpetrated by Spriggs, of the conservative Family Gallup poll showed public opinion of how homosexuals. Research Council. many people are gay was even higher. In short, the practice of applying Spriggs said he examined publicly The bottom line is, nobody really inaccurate numbers from the general popu - available records of military assaults for fis - knows how many Americans are predomi - lation to the specific setting of military life cal year 2009 and discovered that 8.2 nantly gay, lesbian or bisexual. Even if we and then extrapolating that gay soldiers are percent of sexual assaults reported involved could come up with precise statistics for three times more likely to commit sexual males acting against males. He then the larger population, there’s no guarantee assault demonstrates a misuse of math, a declared that unnamed “homosexual that the same numbers would be reflected misunderstanding of human sexual behav - activists have admitted that less than three in the military. And, we certainly can’t get ior, and a lack of respect for the truth. percent of Americans” are gay or bi-sexual, an accurate survey of sexual preference One could argue that publishing such citing 2.8 percent of males as the actual among military personnel, because the cur - specious reasoning amounts to verbal number. rent law specifically prohibits asking and assault on a sexual minority as part of a By dividing 2.8 into 8.2, presumably, discourages telling. larger effort to deny gay people the right to he concluded that homosexual servicemen Numbers aren’t the only problematic serve their country while remaining true to are about three times more likely to com - issue here, however. A homosexual assault themselves. It’s a lame attempt at shaming, mit sexual assault than straight ones. does not necessarily indicate a homosexual and it’s shameful. BT
24 | Baptists Today • July 2010 INFORMATION Is there a ‘just’ way to end a war? By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Religion News Service
For centuries, Christianity’s theory of “just war” has helped religious and political leaders determine when, if ever, war is justified and how to conduct a moral military campaign. Now, as the U.S. prepares to reduce troop levels in Iraq this summer and Afghanistan next year, the 1,500-year-old theory is being deployed on a less familiar mission: ending the wars ethically. Ethicists and theologians believe just war theory has much to offer in guiding U.S. strategy, but hewing to its insights could add numerous challenges, particularly to the withdrawal from Iraq. scholars are identifying the relevant principles would be desired.” In April, leading just war theorists gath - in a tradition that stretches back to the ancient In Winright’s view, secular doctrines ered at Georgetown University to consider worlds of St. Ambrose and St. Augustine. At based on international law have lost sight of a thorny post-war issues, including refugees and the same time, they face the challenge of prior - crucial principle for all stages of war: “right lingering political and religious unrest. itizing competing principles. intent.” That principle obligates war-making Eric Patterson, assistant director of For example, Michael Walzer of the regimes to conduct, and conclude, war for one Georgetown’s Berkley Center for Religion, Princeton, N.J.-based Institute for Advanced specific purpose, namely to “restore a just and Peace & World Affairs, said the challenge fac - Study, invokes the protection of innocents as a lasting peace.” ing ethicists and policy makers is, “Why we central tenet of just war. When extended to a When that sense of purpose is lost, he have a peace deal, (yet) we can’t seem to root post-conflict environment, he said, coalition notes, wars are waged for lesser causes, or can an enduring peace.” forces must leave Iraq in relatively stable con - simmer in perpetuity. In leaving Iraq, he One reason: the secular authorities and dition. It also compels the U.S. to provide argues, America must embrace and interpret institutions responsible for leaving a war zone sanctuary for Iraqis who cooperated with the the idea of “right intent” anew — or risk “haven’t thought deeply enough about some of U.S. and its allies. being haunted for decades by an unjust end to the moral and ethical issues. ... That leads “One of the crucial principles of ‘in bello’ a controversial war. right back to just war,” he said. (during war) justice is to minimize the risks “If we are going to embark on just wars,” Policy makers are now finding that the you impose on the civilian population,” said Winright said, “then hopefully this (jus post same theory that some of them used to justify Walzer, author of the 2004 book Arguing bellum) category will really give nations pause the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq now holds them About War and 1977’s Just and Unjust Wars . to think about ... not just, ‘How do we go into to uncomfortably high standards upon exit. “And you have to do that when you’re getting a war?’ or ‘How to do we conduct a war?’ but Since just war includes a duty to reconcile out also.” also, ‘How are we going to end it in a way and rebuild, the U.S. has incurred a lengthy Others say leaving a stable Iraq is impor - that’s just?’” list of unfulfilled obligations in Iraq, said tant, but note that justice involves a delicate Not all just war thinkers are trying to Tobias Winright, associate professor of moral balancing act among competing goods. For raise the bar beyond what American forces theology at Saint Louis University. David DeCosse, editor of a 1992 reflection on have acknowledged as their responsibilities. Responsibilities include cleaning up the morality of the Persian Gulf War, the just Jean Bethke Elshtain, an ethicist and just war munitions sites and submitting to the jurisdic - war principle of “rights vindication” means scholar at the University of Chicago, has tion of the International Criminal Court, Iraqis are entitled to inherit an environment emphasized continuing responsibility for Iraq’s which could lead to Americans being on trial that lets them determine their own destiny. political stability, infrastructure, and security, for war crimes, he said. Yet at some point, others note, autonomy until the Iraqis can handle those tasks for Applying just war concepts to an Iraq exit for Iraqis may require foreign powers to pass themselves. plan means that Americans are going to be down a less-than-stable situation. “The worst possible outcome would be to held accountable for things that they are “The Iraqis have made it clear that a leave the Iraqis in worse shape than before the morally responsible for, said Winright, co- major U.S. military presence should end,” said war,” Elshtain said. “And, given that the author of a forthcoming book on post-war James T. Johnson, a just war expert at Rutgers Republic of Fear of Saddam was so hideous, justice, what theorists call “jus post bellum.” University. “And we have to accept that, even you would have to go some length to achieve In an effort to envision jus post bellum, if the society is not yet in as good a shape as that.” BT
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 25 PERSPECTIVE guest commentary My calling and the mischief in God’s sense of humor By Martha Dixon Kearse
eople make jokes about preachers’ Knowing what I knew about the min - dren. I found myself keeping a sermon-idea kids — with some justification, cer - notebook. I found myself taking on tasks that istry and churches, knowing how P tainly. But, in reality, it’s a great life. involved ministering to children. You get the run of the church, along many calls, how many conversations, Finally, in what I call “The Miracle of with the knowledge of where to find a vanilla the Monty,” the camel’s back snapped in two. how many meetings were in store for wafer when you need one. You get pampered My husband, Monty, is not the kind to make by the older people, raised by the village, and me, I stepped across the threshold of hurried decisions. Just purchasing a new bat - just enough limelight to give you a healthy tery for a car is the kind of act that requires self-esteem. the church as one of its ministers. weeks of thinking, researching and pondering. What you also get is a look behind the So one day I asked him, prepared for wizard’s curtain, so to speak. Everyone else superseded my need to teach. weeks of questions and negotiations, “What may be impressed by the Great and Powerful I had no such optimism about becoming a would you think if I applied for the job of Oz when he stands behind his pulpit every minister. None. First, I had absolutely no children’s minister at the church?” I braced Sunday, but you — you have seen the guy intention of ever becoming a minister or taking myself. rushing from the bathroom in nothing but a a paycheck of any kind He said, “If you think that’s what God towel. You have seen him lose his cool when from a church. I ended wants you to do, then you should do it.” he mistook his thumb for a nail, and take up doing some summer And that was it. No questions, no care of the ghosts clamoring to get out of work for churches, but worries, no, “What will we do with the chil - your closet at night. my experiences there dren?” or, “How many meetings is this going And he is the guy who made you spend simply reinforced my to entail?” Just do what God wants. your entire Saturday raking the leaves in the determination to never That small miracle put me over the edge. back yard — when you know, theologically hitch my star to the Knowing what I knew about the ministry speaking, that God would not have made church wagon. and churches, knowing how many calls, how leaves fall if God did not intend for them to I know the life of a many conversations, how many meetings stay there. minister — I know what 24/7/365 looks like. were in store for me (and for my family), I If the ministers in your home are doing One summer I did serve as a summer minis - stepped across the threshold of the church as their job right (which mine did), the face of ter, and I had to sit on a Sunday morning one of its ministers. God looks like cookies and homework and and hear a sermon about the importance of I found myself relaxing into a role I being grounded and having a brand new bike maleness to the role of ministry. I did not knew to its very core — and the further I all at once — which is exactly why it is diffi - remain a member of that church. have allowed myself to go into this life, the cult to face becoming a minister if you have At another church my duties continued more I have felt at home. grown up the child of one. well past the summer (at the end of which, It has occurred to me in these last eight- When I left college, I got a job in coincidentally, the church stopped paying me and-a-half years during which I have assumed Charlotte, N.C., teaching high school. I for my time), and that role became a burden the role of minister that God’s sense of moved there with all the optimism and hope on top of my duties as a teacher. humor is a lot like my brother’s, a lot like my of a young person beginning a new profes - So when people began to say to me, “You father’s — there is a twinkle of mischief in sion — thinking the students would love me, should be our children’s minister,” I laughed. the workings of the Lord. BT knowing I would be a cool teacher, believing Derisively. Repeatedly. Wholeheartedly. And I would change their lives and hoping I then a few more started saying it. “You’re so —Martha Dixon Kearse is minister to would become for my students what my good with the children — why don’t you children and families at St. John’s Baptist teachers had been for me. become our children’s minister?” Ha ha ha! Church in Charlotte, N.C. This commentary The realities of teaching are harsh, but I No. is adapted from a Baptist Women in Ministry managed to hold onto my optimism for But I found myself spending my time blog post and distributed by many years until the needs of my children thinking of how to tell Bible stories to chil - Associated Baptist Press.
26 | Baptists Today • July 2010 INFORMATION Zookeepers try to repopulate Israel with animals known in biblical times
By Sarah Grooters conservationists believe translators confused Religion News Service them with more frequently mentioned eagles. More recently, vultures have been victims of JERUSALEM — Like a scene out of a poisoning. Hollywood action thriller, Shmulile Yedveb “Farmers want to kill wolves and jackals jumped out of the truck, package in hand, that hunt their chickens and cattle, so they and ran into the building, the dirty door put out bait to poison them, and because vul - slamming shut behind him. tures eat dead animals, they get poisoned too. In loud, rapid-fire Hebrew, he shouted Then they die,” explained Michal Erez, a bird directions to two uniformed workers who keeper at the Jerusalem zoo. were tight on his heels. Once inside, Yedveb “At last count, there are about 240 vul - turned on the lights, carefully opened the box tures in all Israel and it’s a very sharp decline. and peered inside. Less than 10 years ago, there were about The life-giving cargo? A handful of 400.” white vulture eggs. The illegal poisoning and low birth rates Yedveb works at the Jerusalem Biblical have placed the vultures in a critical situation, Zoo, about 20 minutes from its historic Old “There are nearly 100 different said Erez, who incubates the vulture eggs for City, and the delivery of the eggs must be about two months and then places the baby near perfect. The large white orbs could one types of animals mentioned in birds with foster parents. Ideally, within three day rescue their species from the brink of the Bible, many of them key months, the birds are then reintroduced to extinction. the wild. The birds were first mentioned as players in well-known stories.” But because foster parents are hard to “detestable” and “an abomination” in come by, Erez rears many babies by hand. She Leviticus 11:13, but today they’re the center - “... I want to keep the vultures because never lets them see her, in hopes they will piece of Yedveb’s efforts to repopulate the they were mentioned in the Bible that it was develop a healthy fear for humans. Promised Land with biblical animals that a common animal and that’s good enough for The eggs come in from across Israel. haven’t been seen since Noah loaded them me.” Park rangers check vulture nests for eggs in up, two by two, onto his ark. Shkedy has spent the past 15 years try - the wild; eggs are brought to the Jerusalem There are nearly 100 different types of ing to repopulate Israel with biblical animals. zoo, where they stand a greater chance of animals mentioned in the Bible, many of He works with zookeepers like Yedveb across survival. them key players in well-known stories: the the country, closely monitoring and coordi - “I believe that if my organization doesn’t lions in Daniel’s den; the dove that scouted nating their efforts to return animals like the do its job properly, in a few years my kids for dry land from Noah’s ark; the ram that Griffon vulture to the wild. won’t have something to see — no animals or was sacrificed by Abraham to save the life of Shkedy’s team uses the Bible as a starting nature,” said Roee Arad, a park ranger who his son, Isaac. point to see what animals were once in Israel, hunts for eggs in northern Israel. Today, many of them are gone, hunted reading the Scriptures with a conservationist’s For Shkedy, the fight to save Israel’s nat - to the point of extinction or driven away point of view. They then use the Bible as a ural wonders is personal. When his parents by ongoing conflict. Of the 10 animals marketing tool to raise support, as well as emigrated from Europe in 1947, they wanted that are listed as acceptable dinner fare in funds, for the cause. to fulfill the Zionist dreams of their ancestors Deuteronomy 14 — ox, sheep, goat, deer, While Shkedy would love to bring back by working the land with their own hands. gazelle, roe deer, wild goat, ibex, antelope and lions and hippopotamuses, he focuses on the The dream has shifted in subsequent genera - mountain sheep — only two (the gazelle and animals that realistically stand a chance to tions, he said. the ibex) could still be found in the historical thrive again, like Persion fallow deer and “My generation, and my kids’ genera - boundaries of Israel in 1960. vultures. tion, have to change this aspiration, this “If you read the book of Job, God is “Israel is now too dense to reintroduce vision. We have to conserve and protect describing to Job why he should believe. If predators, large predators,” said Shkedy. “We rather than develop and invest,” Shkedy said. you count the number of phrases, one-third lost the bear for example, but who would be “We should keep in mind that we didn’t of them at least — even more — are about brave enough to bring back a bear?” come to this country just because we wanted nature,” said Yehoshua Shkedy, a chief scien - In the Bible, vultures are only men - to see a sea of houses. We came to this coun - tist for the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. tioned by name in a few places; some try ... because of biblical things.” BT
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 27 PERSPECTIVE the lighter side Your fourth favorite Gospel By Brett Younger
hen our friends at Smyth & “He left the linen cloth and ran off We could call it The Gospel of Mark: When Helwys asked us to write a naked” (14:52). Pigs Fly . W book for their annual Bible The next time you are visiting a Carol quickly rejected all of these as study, Carol and I were delighted to say Christian book store, ask the clerk if the well as one centering on the cursing of the yes. When they said this was a year to store has any of these verses from Mark on fig tree, When Jesus Doesn’t Give a Fig . study a Gospel, we were even more pleased. a T-shirt. Bach wrote, “The Passion according When they said it was Mark, we thought, We have been thinking about a title. to St. Matthew” and “The Passion accord - “At least it is not Leviticus.” As Gospels go, My first suggestion was Mark: Your Fourth ing to St. John,” but never got around to Mark is not many people’s first choice. Favorite Gospel — which is true for many, “The Passion of St. Mark.” In the new Matthew has the visit of the Magi, the but Carol feels like that is not a name that Celebrating Grace hymnal’s “Index of Lord’s Prayer and the Sermon on the jumps off the shelf. My second idea was Scriptural Bases of Hymns,” Matthew has Mount. Luke has the shepherds, the Good Mark: Shorter Than the Others , which is 42 listings, Luke has 41 and Mark has 16. Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. also true and would appeal to those with Mark does not lend itself to music. John has the wedding at short attention spans, but not the most This is not the Gospel for people who stop Cana, the woman at the positive spin either. to sing, but for people in a hurry to get well and the washing If we focused on the lack of a nativity where they need to go. Mark uses the word of the disciples’ scene, we could call the book Mark: “immediately” 27 times. feet. We will not Skipping Christmas . Jesus covers a lot of ground. He does be writing about Another option was to concentrate not do much teaching — only four para - these stories, on the story of Jesus sending bles. Things are frightening, and Jesus, like because Mark does swine off a cliff. Mark, is in a hurry to do what not mention any of has to be done. Jesus them. If Mark went keeps moving, to a writer’s conference, the scattering mira - other writers would want to cles. The second know what Mark’s editor Gospel includes was thinking. Mark is not lots of miracles, going to be the first especially healing Gospel featured on ones. Oprah’s Book Club. Mark is not about What Mark does explaining details. His have is lots of verses purpose is to make it that will never be cross- clear who Jesus is. Mark stitched. says it right in the first “As you leave, shake off sentence. Jesus is the Son the dust that is on your feet as a of God, come to change all testimony against them” (6:11). of creation, come to “Some of his disciples were change us. Mark — eating with defiled hands, that is, which is moving up on without washing them” (7:2). our list of favorite “He had put saliva on his Gospels — wants us to be eyes” (8:22). in a hurry, too, to follow “How much longer must I put Christ and share the good news. BT up with you?” (9:19). “In the resurrection whose wife —Brett Younger is associate professor of will she be? For the seven had preaching at Mercer University’s McAfee married her” (12:23). School of Theology. Illustration by Scott Brooks
28 | Baptists Today • July 2010 REBLOG — Selections from recent blogs at BaptistsToday.org PERSPECTIVE
‘Put aside your nets …’
By Tony W. Cartledge men have resorted to more intensive (and and still more from the Jordan River below Posted May 19, 2010 illegal) methods such as poisoning the it. The trickle that’s left of the Jordan is www.tonycartledge.com water, fishing in spawning areas, and using so polluted that baptisms, like fishing, are nets with an increasingly finer weave, said banned except for a small section near imon Peter would be hopping mad. the agriculture ministry. Yardenit, before the river reaches a major James and John, the thunderous sons Following the ban, the fishermen who influx of raw sewage. S of Zebedee, would be breathing fire. run the 70 registered fishing boats on the The poisoning of the waters in “the Andrew, perhaps, might be trying in vain lake will have to find other work, convert Holy land” is a sad reminder of how to calm their troubled waters: fishing has their fishing vessels into tour boats, or rely poisoned the atmosphere remains. been banned in the Sea of Galilee. on government assistance. They, as I imag - Continued tension between Israelis and the Catch a boatload of fish there now ine Peter and his buddies would have Palestinians makes life very difficult, and and it will be more than a miracle — it’ll been, are not happy. resident Christians — once common among be a crime. Declining fish stocks are not the only the Palestinian Arabs — are now more rare Israeli officials cited diminishing popu - problem with Israel’s water systems. than fish in the Sea of Galilee. lations of fish as they banned fishing in Intensive irrigation by Israel, Syria, and If only it were as easy to put a ban on Lake Kinneret, as it’s called in Israel, for Jordan now robs the Sea of Galilee of hatred and persecution as it is to prohibit two years. Stocks of tilapia, sold to much of the water that once flowed into fishing! Some things, like the biblical tourists as “St. Peter’s fish,” have declined it. notion of the dangerous Leviathan, are sharply in recent years. As a result, fisher - More water is pumped from the lake, better left in the deep. BT
Avoiding deception
be within the same time zone. Guess he addressed to our daughter, arrived from the wisely envisioned late-night phone calls. “Scholarship Information Center” in Forest, Others get my attention anytime the Va. Emblazoned across the lower front was: advice relates to scholarships, grants or “Your scholarship information is enclosed.” other financial aid that won’t result in deep While tossing the envelope into the debt. proper pile, a small gold imprint on the My goal is to be a helpful resource to back caught my eye: “National Guard.” my daughter without attempting to write The letter did not make it into the col - her script. Therefore, I win some and lose lege pile. While military service is some in my advice giving. She considers my commendable, a deceptive letter (with no alma mater too small but looks favorably at mention of the deployment of National the university campus on which I worked Guardsmen to Iraq and Afghanistan over the when she was born. last several years, just lots of talk about And I’m not above putting some mail - scholarships and training near home) to a By John Pierce ings on the top of the stack while making 16-year-old — bypassing her parents — did - Posted May 11, 2010 others less noticeable. But she has me fig - n’t set well with me. www.johndpierce.com ured out. This letter was a reminder to me that The New York University material one of the most important aspects of educa - orting mail has created a new pile at stayed around long enough to scare me. She tion is to teach young people to avoid our house: college stuff. Our 16-year- finally said: “I’m not sure an 18-year-old deception. S old daughter, wrapping up her junior female in Greenwich Village is such a great From infomercials to TV preachers to year in high school, receives a steady idea.” (Good point; wish I’d thought of telemarketers to cleverly-crafted recruit - stream of materials from colleges and uni - that.) ment letters to young teens, deceptive versities, large and small, near and far. The marketing strategies of these col - practices abound. Their continued existence As one who couldn’t see beyond my leges and universities interest me as well. suggests that the quote often attributed to own locality at that age, I confess to living Some admission offices send postcards, let - P.T. Barnum, that “there’s a sucker born vicariously through her search and look for - ters or small brochures. Others send every minute,” is correct. I just don’t want ward to upcoming campus visits. I’m also impressive printed pieces — even posters. to help create any more in the world. seeking the advice of those who have gone Duke, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt, for The Bible offers a lot of counsel about through this experience before me. example, must keep local printing compa - avoiding deception. It seems to a part of One friend said the only parameter set nies very happy. what Jesus meant by being “wise as ser - for his daughter was that the school must Recently a large white envelope, pents but gentle as doves.” BT
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 29 PMEERDSIPAE CSTHIEVLE F BY BOB ALLEN , Associated Baptist Press Baptist theologian draws on U2’s music can’t live without the other, because the Harmon book calls for Christian fellowship other belongs to our very identity as persons-in-relationship,” Harmon writes. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A new suspicion that ecumenism means a “lowest- “That’s true of human relationships in book written by a Baptist pro - common-denominator approach that general, and it’s true of relationships within compromises core convictions in the inter - the body of Christ in particular. Because fessor applies theological est of securing a superficial unity.” we’re one body, because we’re members of themes found in the music of For Harmon, however, the quest for one another, we can’t live without another Christian unity is a matter of “eschatol - member of the body of Christ.” the Irish rock band U2 to the ogy,” a technical term for theology that In the midst of current divisions in the quest for Christian unity. deals with “last things.” Typically con - church, Harmon says, “We find it all too cerned with end-time events, Harmon easy to decide that we can’t live with cer - n Ecumenism Means You Too — pun borrows from Baptist theologian James tain other Christians — that it would be intended — Steven Harmon, associate McClendon to give the term a broader easier simply to live without them.” professor of divinity at Samford I meaning of referring to “what lasts” — “We tend to explain denominational University’s Beeson Divinity School, God’s ultimate goals for creation and the identity in terms of how our denomination describes a conversation a few years ago role of God’s people in bringing them to isn’t like other denominations,” he contin - with a colleague at Campbell University pass. ues. “We pride ourselves in the Divinity School, where Harmon taught at For mainstream Christians, superiority of our own denomina - the time. They were discussing a summer Harmon writes, the tion and contend that we have course on ecumenism — the organized eschatology of the no need to seek full visible unity attempt to foster cooperation and unity Bible reflects a with other churches from among Christian denominations. tension between the which we’re separated, for we The colleague commended the idea “already” and “not don’t think we need them — with the observation, “After all, as U2 said, yet.” He says it’s an we’re doing quite well on ‘We’re one, but we’re not the same.’” The outlook shared in our own, thank you very line is from the band’s song “One” from music like U2’s “I Still much, and at any rate the 1991 album Achtung Baby . Haven’t Found What visible unity with other That sparked an idea Harmon fleshed I’m Looking For,” a hit traditions would out in a 2008 lecture titled “U2 and the song from the band’s compromise our Eschatology of Ecumenism,” workshops, 1987 album The Joshua distinctiveness.” and then, ultimately, the book. Tree . “So we’re tempted Subtitled Ordinary Christians and the “The ‘already’ dimen - to think,” he writes. Quest for Christian Unity , Harmon’s book sion of Christian faith is “But we can’t live is not about theological themes in the stated in no uncertain terms: without those from whom we are music of U2 — a topic that has been ‘You broke the bonds and you separated in the divided body of Christ. explored by scholars and pastors through - loosed the chains/carried the The body of Christ is wounded, and some out the band’s three-decade career. Instead cross and all my shame,’” he observes. “But of those wounds were inflicted by other he invokes ideas drawn from U2 lyrics to even that has not yet completely trans - churches on our own communion long, help build a case that seeking unity in the formed all that is wrong with the world (or long ago, while other wounds have been body of Christ is “an inescapable obligation the singer): ‘But I still haven’t found what inflicted more recently by fellow members of Christian discipleship.” I’m looking for.’” of our own denominations in the intra- Even though the Gospel of John Harmon describes the overarching denominational strife that has torn apart reports that on the eve of his crucifixion the sound of a U2 song as “yearning.” The most Christian communions today.” main thing Jesus prayed for his disciples band’s most successful single, 1987’s “With Harmon says it would be easy for was “that they may be one,” Harmon says or Without You,” voiced the pain of fallen Christians to go their separate ways, but in much of the story of the next two millennia relationships. Harmon says Bono didn’t light of Jesus’ prayer for the visible unity of was about how the church lost its unity. have the quest for Christian unity in mind his followers, “We can’t live without them.” Various attempts to bridge those dif - when he wrote the song, but all U2 songs The appropriate response of Christians ferences, including the modern ecumenical have “multiple layers of meaning” that he wounded by fellow Christians, Harmon movement in the 20th century, have been applies to the church. says, is Jesus’ response to those who stymied by various factors. One barrier “We often find it impossible to live wounded him: “And you give yourself for many evangelicals, Harmon says, is with the other, and yet the truth is that we away.” BT
30 | Baptists Today • July 2010 BY DANIEL BURKE , Religion News Service INFORMATION Simple success Amish offer business tips for CEOs
ome of the most successful entrepre - “The meaning of success in an Amish and to build new relationships with my neurs in America have never been to context tends not to be wealth,” he said. sons.” S high school, don’t use electricity, and “Generally, financial success is a means to an There are limitations on Amish entrepre - would sooner love their competitors than sue end.” neurs: the entertainment, alcohol, and them. Those ends include preserving their computer industries are verboten, traveling For generations, the Amish have tended family-centered lifestyle, working hard at an by airplanes is forbidden, and bishops will farms tucked away in rural communities like honest trade, and passing a meaningful voca - break up businesses that grow too large. Lancaster, Pa., motivated by a faith that tion on to their children. As a result, Amish “You don’t see 500-employee Amish urged them to be in the world, but not of it. businesses tend to stay small, keep a low companies with Amish CEOs kicking their But as housing subdivisions and strip malls overhead, treat employees and customers with feet up on a mahogany desk,” Wesner said. suck up farmland, many Amish have traded kindness, and practice frugality, Wesner said. What you do see, however, is thousands their plows for profits — with remarkable In short, many Amish would rather be of small, thriving shops making furniture, success. righteous than rich — a lesson that can apply leather goods, and gazebos, not to mention There are nearly 9,000 Amish-run small to everyone from Microsoft to mom-and-pop countless stands selling food, clothes and businesses in North America, according to stores. crafts. Surrounding those shops is a strong Donald Kraybill, a professor at Elizabethtown “It’s not a very sexy message,” Wesner social network that provides reliable labor, College in Lancaster and a noted expert on said, “but I think we’ve lost touch with that business acumen, and loans, if needs be. the Amish and other Anabaptists. And quality.” While Wesner takes a sunny view of the whereas 50 percent of small businesses fail Whereas mainstream entrepreneurs may Amish move from farm to factory, the long- within the first five years, only 10 percent of shutter shops and liquidate assets if they term consequences of this mini-Industrial Amish-run enterprises have gone belly up. don’t make a pile of money right away, the Revolution remain to be seen, said Kraybill. Despite church strictures against electric - Amish are willing to put up with slim profits, Will gender roles change? Will the use of ity, the Internet, motor vehicles and many as long as they stay in the black. the unique German dialect dissipate? Will forms of advertising, Amish businesses have “There’s more to it than making a bun - religious teachings adjust to an increasingly landed contracts with companies like Kmart dle of money,” said Benuel Riehl, an Amish pluralistic society? and Ralph Lauren, developed nationwide net - man from Lancaster who recently opened a “It’s the biggest and most consequential works of retailers, and crafted kitchens for food stand with his wife and six sons in a change in Amish life since they came to customers from coast to coast. market in Shrewsbury, Pa. “This has really North America,” Kraybill said. “It will have “The phrase ‘Amish millionaire’ is no given me an opportunity to work with my dramatic repercussions in the next several longer an oxymoron,” Kraybill says. family, to know my wife in a whole new way, generations.” BT Amish expert Erik Wesner explores this surprising success story and offers tips on what other entrepreneurs can learn from the “plain people” in his new book, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive . Wesner first encountered the Amish as a traveling book salesman in the Midwest. “The business owners were the busiest of anyone,” Wesner recalls. “They only had 10 minutes to talk to me. But when I did talk to them, they bought books.” At a time of short-sighted speculators, when Wall Street brokers brag of luring wid - ows into bad investments and executives Amish businesses tend to stay small, admit to ambitions that outpaced their ability keep a low overhead, treat employees and to produce safe cars, the Amish have a unique and compelling ethos, according to Wesner. customers with kindness, and practice frugality.
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 31 INFORMATION Muslim Miss USA: Progress or immodesty?
By Omar Sacirbey women to “draw their veils over their Religion News Service bosoms.” Still, other Muslim women have partici - urope’s burqa debate and a steady pated in beauty pageants, even though stream of media images showing Islamic authorities in Malaysia, Egypt, and E veiled women have led to a wide - elsewhere have issued fatwas prohibiting spread impression that all Muslims are Muslim participation in beauty pageants. obsessed with covering the female body. In 2002, Nigerian Muslims objecting to It might be a surprise, then, that many the Miss World contest being held in their Muslim Americans are toasting Rima Fakih, country rioted, leaving more than 200 people who made history on May 16 by becoming dead. the first Muslim crowned Miss USA. Nonetheless, there seems to be a growing Fakih, who donned a gold bikini and a number of Muslims who are participating in strapless white dress for the pageant, will — and winning — beauty pageants. return to Las Vegas in August when she repre - Hammasa Kohistani, the daughter of sents America in the Miss Universe contest. Afghan refugees, became the first Muslim to “There’s recognition among Muslims win Miss England in 2005, beating out that this is not a traditionally Islamic way for another Muslim contestant, Sarah Mendley, a woman to dress,” said Shahed Amanullah, who competed as Miss Nottingham. editor at AltMuslim.com, a news and com - Representing Turkey, Azra Akin, the mentary website. “But in its own weird way, Dutch-born daughter of Turkish immigrants, it’s progress.” won Miss World in 2002 after that contest Rima Fakih, 24, of Dearborn, Mich., reacts after Many Muslims are critical of beauty pag - being crowned Miss USA 2010 in Las Vegas, was moved to London. Other Muslims have eants as lewd and degrading to women. At Nevada, in May. Religion News Service photo gone into modeling, including Yasmeen the same time, Fakih, 24, is being hailed as a courtesy of Darren Decker/Miss Universe Ghauri, who has worked for Victoria’s Secret Organization. symbol of Muslim-American integration who and Versace, among others. shatters the stereotype of the cloaked and manner but, at least here in the U.S., it is a Given the growing number of Muslim dour Muslim woman. personal choice.” women entering the beauty industry, Fakih’s Fakih’s family, which she said celebrates Other Muslims saw additional benefits victory isn’t that shocking to many Muslims. Muslim and Christian holidays, is from to Fakih’s coronation. More interesting, they say, is how anti- Lebanon. After living in Queens, N.Y., where “People are so happy that the headlines Islamic commentators have reacted. Fakih attended a Catholic high school, the about an Arab-American have nothing to do Daniel Pipes, who runs the conservative family settled in Dearborn, Mich., home to with terrorism,” said Ginan Rauf, a progres - Middle East Forum, suggested on his blog one of the largest Arab-American communi - sive Muslim activist from New Jersey. “As a that Muslims winning beauty contests was an ties in America. community, we’re often targets of ridicule “odd form of affirmative action.” Now, Fakih is developing a fan base that and hostility, so it’s nice to see an Arab- “Don’t let her lack of a headscarf and her includes not only Muslims who are less strict American be the object of adoration.” donning a bikini in public fool you. Miss about religious dress-codes, but also those who However, Fakih’s victory wasn’t Michigan USA, Rima Fakih is a Muslim don headscarves and watch what they wear. welcomed by all Muslims. activist and propagandist extraordinaire,” “The crowning of Rima Fakih as Miss Kiran Ansari, communications director fumed Debbie Schlussel, a conservative talk- USA demonstrates the diversity of Muslims, of the Council of Islamic Organizations of show host, on her blog on May 13. not just in terms of ethnic diversity, but Greater Chicago, said beauty pageants She also accused Fakih of having rela - diversity of opinion and religiosity,” said degrade women, are un-Islamic and that tives that were in Hezbollah, the Lebanese Tayyibah Taylor, editor and chief of Aziza , a Fakih does not represent Muslims well. militant group. “Hezbollah Muslims believe magazine that caters to Muslim women, and “The route she took to get this fame is that Fakih is a tremendous propaganda tool always features cover models in headscarves. not in line with Islam. A Muslim woman can for them,” Schlussel wrote. “So often, people see Muslims as a be beautiful, but walking around in front of To many Muslim observers, the com - monolithic group, and this shows that we’re millions of viewers in a swimsuit, is not in ments veer between sad and absurd. not all in one camp.” sync with Islamic values,” said Ansari. “That is the most disturbing aspect of Laila Al-Marayati, of the Los Angeles- The Quran speaks of beauty and this story, since it reveals the abject racism based Muslim Women’s League, also said demureness, saying that Muslim women some Americans express towards Muslims Fakih reflects the diversity in the Muslim- should “lower their gaze and guard their and Arabs,” said Al-Marayati. “They refuse to and Arab-American communities. “It’s true modesty,” and should not “display their accept that we are part of the fabric of that many of us would not dress in a similar beauty and ornaments.” It also cautions America.” BT
32 | Baptists Today • July 2010 BY DANIEL BURKE , Religion News Service FEATURE Prothero: Differences between religions do matter
eligion scholar Stephen Prothero has differences. Wouldn’t everyone be bet - traced the path of Jesus from Son of ter off if we emphasized similarities R God to American icon, chastised the instead? religiously illiterate, and tweeted the essence of the world’s great faiths in 140 characters A: That’s a totally unrealistic hope. Convincing or less. Sunnis and Shias that they don’t have any dif - Now, the Boston University professor has ferences is like saying we’ll elect my 12-year-old a new book God Is Not One , and a new task: daughter as president. It’s not going to happen. outlining the differences between religions, The alternative is for us to understand religious and why they matter. differences and then come to respect and Prothero spoke recently about American tolerate one another on the basis of those ignorance, Oprah’s Kool-Aid, and why the differences. Dalai Lama is a dangerous man. This inter - view has been edited for length and clarity. Q: But can’t religious attitudes change? For example, 50 years ago, Q: Aren’t the differences between would most Americans have said there religions apparent to almost everyone, is more than one path to eternal life? painfully so sometimes? A: Let’s take the idea of race, and of a A: If they were, I wouldn’t have written the colorblind society. We correctly learned book. Inside academia, more and more schol - (a generation ago) that that’s a dead end. ars are understanding and emphasizing the Saying “I’m black,” is not the same as differences. But there is a widespread view religious cooperation is to see religions how killing other people over it. Why is it so bad elsewhere that all the religions are basically they are, rather than how we hope them to to say that “I’m proud of being black, or the same, just different paths up the same be. For me that means seeing the good, and being a Lutheran?” mountain. the evil, they do. Q: Doesn’t pride often bleed into vio - Q: Where are people getting that idea? Q: But isn’t it better to have a bunch lence, though, because it fosters the of Dalai Lamas who seek religious idea that your differences make you A: That’s the message from books like Eat, similarities, rather than better than others? Pray, Love , from Oprah, from Huston Smith’s Osama bin Ladens, who see The World’s Religions — the best-selling book only differences, and want A: You are jumping from the articula - in the history of religious studies. to kill people over them? tion of difference to intention to commit violence. I think you can say Q: Polls show that nearly 70 percent A: I’ll take the Dalai Lama “I’m black and proud,” without there of Americans believe that more than over Osama Bin Laden any being anything wrong with that. I don’t one religion can lead to eternal life. day. But there are instances, think we need to pretend we’re all the same. Are they drinking Oprah’s Kool-Aid, for example, the U.S. going or what? into Iraq, that were driven Q: Okay, let’s jump tracks. Brit Hume: by false views of religions. religious genius, or dunce? A: I think we want all the religions to be basi - We didn’t understand the differences cally the same because we don’t want religious between Sunnis and Shias because we didn’t A: I criticized Hume (when he said Tiger violence. We have this naïve hope — I call it have a high-school level education about Woods should convert from Buddhism to “pretend pluralism” — that is rooted in some Islam. People are dying in Iraq today because Christianity in January), because he was illit - very positive ideals and aspirations: that we of a false idea about religion. erate about Buddhism. Buddhism is not about won’t kill each other for religious reasons, that salvation or forgiveness. religion unites us rather than divides us. Q: But isn’t our government’s igno - I thought it was great when Tiger spoke Some of the other people behind this rance a secondary problem? The back and said, “The problem is not that I’m idea, for example, are Gandhi and the Dalai primary problem is Sunnis and Shias not a Christian. The problem is, I was a bad Lama. But the only way we can have lasting killing each other over religious Buddhist.” BT
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 33 FEATURE BY JACK U. HARWELL AND JOHN PIERCE
Context & Credibility Knowing history opens doors for ministry, says veteran pastor
Retired pastor Charles O. Walker was presented with a flag of the Cherokee Nation for his research and accurate writings about the history of Native Americans. Photos by John Pierce.
people and to tell their story accurately. Walker has written 12 books related to Baptists, Native Americans or the relationships between the two groups. Three of those books deal with the history of Cherokee Indians in North Georgia before their forced removal to reservations in Oklahoma in 1838 — known as the “Trail of Tears.” Walker’s honesty in writing about the mistreatment of the Cherokees and other Native Americans by white settlers is often commended. “I just told things like they were,” said Walker of his research and writing style. He has assigned the copyright to his books, Cherokee Footprints: Vols. 1-3 and Cherokee Images , to the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association, based nationally ASPER, Ga. — When retired pastor Walker with a large flag of the Cherokee in Little Rock, Ark. Charles O. Walker was honored in Indian Nation for his significant research, Candidly, Walker acknowledges the fail - March for his many years in min - writing and publishing about the Cherokee ure of Baptists and other Christians to speak J istry, the tributes flowed from within people. out against such human rights violations and well beyond his Baptist church family. A In a recent interview at his home, Walker during this tragic chapter in U.S. history. representative of the Cherokee Nation traveled said of his writings: “I knew they were correct “Baptists didn’t take any stance [on from Oklahoma to the north Georgia town of when Cherokees in Oklahoma and North Indian removal],” he confessed. “Of course, Jasper, where Walker served as pastor of the Carolina wanted to buy my books. That Baptists haven’t taken too many stances on First Baptist Church from 1960 until his meant they were authentic.” anything except whisky.” retirement in 1997. The Atlanta native’s interest in the Walker said wealthy landowners in the Jack Baker, national president of the Cherokee people was stirred as a young man Carolinas and Virginia were taking over the Oklahoma-based Cherokee Indian Nation, who worked briefly for an insurance company land there and that South Georgia was already called Walker “a special friend to me and to and taught missions to boys at Jefferson home to many plantations, making the prop - American Indians everywhere.” Avenue Baptist Church in East Point, Ga. A erty occupied by the Cherokees in North Joined by Indian leaders from North visit to Cherokee, N.C., in 1948 fueled his Georgia very desirable to those with fewer Carolina and Tennessee, Baker presented desire to uncover more of the history of these resources.
34 | Baptists Today • July 2010 FEATURE
“Whites were moving into houses while shaped the people there. the Cherokees were still trying to get their “It helps to know the history of the area stuff out of their houses,” said Walker. where you serve,” said Walker, now 82. Human rights issues did not concern local Ministers who learn the local history church leaders in that time and place, said upon relocating to a new area of service, he Walker. explained, will discover new insights into min - “Slave owners don’t worry about people,” istry, expand their contacts to the broader he said. “A lot of the Baptist leaders were slave community and gain credibility as more than owners, so (the Cherokees) were just another just another outsider. lower class of people.” Walker has practiced what he preaches, The desire for land was stronger than any said Mimi Jo Butler, who chairs the local other concern, said Walker, of those who car - Pickens County Historical Society. ried out the Indian removal: “Land has always “Through his historical research, and his been a controlling factor.” compassionate writing about our ancestors — “I’m a historian who believes in true his - Indians and otherwise — Pastor Walker has tory,” said Walker. “It all had to do with the shown a lot of people that it’s alright to have a land — who was going to control the land.” bad apple or two on your family tree,” said The rich fields along the creeks and Butler. “And that’s a pretty important thing for riverbeds and the prospect of gold in the some of us to understand and accept.” mountains had great appeal to poor white The March celebration marked 50 years settlers, said Walker. since Walker assumed the pastorate in Jasper Yet some Cherokees remained in the area after serving in the U.S. Army and then as pas - and intermarried, he added. tor of the First Baptist Church of Abbeville in “If you swore allegiance to the state of South-Central Georgia — where he learned Georgia, you could stay,” he said. Most about the Creek Tribe. He studied at Georgia Cherokees and other Native Americans, how - State University and Southern Baptist ever, headed west to make the most out of the Seminary. situation forced upon them. Walker was a charter member of the Of his longtime relationships with the Georgia Baptist Historical Society and the Cherokees, he said: “There is a lot of differ - Whitsitt Heritage Society, and served two ence when you actually meet people of Native terms on the former Southern Baptist American background — and they get where Historical Commission. He served on the first they trust you.” coordinating council when the Cooperative A talented artist, Walker’s sketches of Baptist Fellowship was formed in 1992, and historic churches and other sites of the old made the motion that led to the formation of Cherokee Nation can be found in multiple the state CBF organization in Georgia. books and pamphlets, as well as on display in Georgia CBF coordinator Frank Broome various places. Ten of his drawings adorn signs presented Walker a framed copy of a note he at the New Echota Historic Site near Calhoun, penned calling on moderate Baptists to “quit Ga., where the Cherokee national legislature talking about it and go ahead and start” the established a capital in 1825 and produced the organization. Representatives of many other first Indian language newspaper. organizations paid tribute as well. He described the Cherokees as smart and Local leaders praised Walker and his late adaptive people — who used those attributes wife, Betty Anne, for helping launch the local to survive many challenges. Head Start program and for assisting in many Walker has drawn more than 200 maps other community services such as disaster for researchers and tourists. Based on informa - relief. tion found in Walker’s writings, the Going Current Jasper pastor Jimmy Lewis said in Snake Historical Society of Westville, Okla., tribute: “Charles Walker cut a wide swath ART AND HISTORY sponsors tours of historic Indian sites in across North Georgia, far beyond the min - Charles Walker’s sketches of Cherokee life Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North istries of this local congregation. He left some prior to Indian removal are found in his books Carolina. Their favorite tour guide has always mighty big shoes to fill. His legacy will live in and other places such as on signs at the New Echota Historic Site in North Georgia. been Pastor Walker. Baptist history and in the mountains of North The copyrights to his self-published While few ministers can expect to publish Georgia for decades to come.” BT Cherokee Footprints: Vol. 1-3 and Cherokee multiple works of history or display such artis - Images (above) were assigned to the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association. tic talent, Walker thinks it is a mistake to move —Jack Harwell is editor emeritus and John into a community and not learn what has Pierce is executive editor of Baptists Today.
July 2010 • Baptists Today | 35 FEATURE BY TONY W. CARTLEDGE ‘Unglamorous reality ’ Students discover credit, conviction in ministry exercise
any homeless people eke out Ward said he learned that homeless peo - their meager existence on ple long for more than material sustenance. islands of despair, but “They yearn for human interaction that M “instead of building relation - views them as people, not as statistics and ship bridges, the church tends to just throw mouths to feed. When they looked me in the them life rafts.” For Brock Tharpe, a student eye and flashed a smile, I didn’t see the poor, at Campbell University Divinity School but I saw people who are lovely in the eyes of (CUDS), that was the main takeaway from a God, and for that reason, I love them, too.” poverty simulation weekend sponsored jointly Learning to relate to the homeless in a by the school and Woman’s Missionary Union non-judgmental way was key for David of North Carolina in mid-March. Anderson. Noting that people often judge More than 25 students, spouses and others on the basis of their appearance or leaders participated in the overnight experi - their words, he said, “When I’m sharing ence, which required them to surrender most conversations with the homeless, the only of their possessions, wear second-hand judging in our midst comes from the clothes, and watch a randomly chosen person passersby who hope we won’t notice them SORTING eat steak while the rest dined on far poorer Elaine Marshall, Paul Burgess, Adam Cox and pretending not to notice us.” fare. Nathan Blake sort donated clothes at First The impact of the 25-hour exercise For most students, however, the most Baptist Church of Raleigh, from which they caught some students by surprise. Nell chose their own outfits to wear during a memorable aspect of the exercise was the poverty simulation exercise. Wagner, a student who is also the youth min - time they spent interacting with some of the ister at Raleigh’s Millbrook Baptist Church, men, women and children who live on the because they run out of friends or family said the experience was “a jolt to my entire streets of Raleigh, N.C. members who will either take them in or being.” Students distributed new socks, warm assist them in getting access to social services. Now Wagner wants to help others see gloves, sausage biscuits, and hot coffee to Consequently, the people of the streets what she has seen: “My eyes have been cold and hungry persons, but it wasn’t the need more than handouts of food and cloth - opened, and my heart is heavy. My hope is to aroma of the coffee that made the strongest ing: they need someone to listen. educate our youth and church family about impression on Catherine Campbell, a student Paul Burgess, a student who works with the impoverished here in our city and across who also coordinates volunteer ministries at youth at Smithfield Baptist Church in the world.” Angier Baptist Fellowship. “The rich fra - Smithfield, N.C., reflected afterward that “It Sharlene Provilus, a New York native grance of being in conversation with someone takes no emotional investment, no vulnera - who grew up in a poor section of Brooklyn fed my soul unlike anything else done that bility to put money in a plate or a used coat and knows something about surviving in weekend.” in a truck bound for Goodwill. To sit down poverty, didn’t expect the experience would The students’ desire for direct communi - with homeless persons and hear their story, have much to teach her. cation with homeless individuals was sparked though, requires our time. It requires that we “But by the end of it, I realized that it by guest speaker Hugh Hollowell, who give our attention to the unglamorous reality was never about how to survive: this was a impressed on them the importance of rela - that is their life.” lesson on how to live” she said. tionships. Hollowell, a former financial Students learned quickly that taking The exercise was not just a “cockamamie planner, left a successful career to live at the time to talk was often recognized as a gift. simulation” designed to evoke an emotional poverty level while working full-time with Tyler Ward noted that he spent some time response, she said, but an invitation to spiri - homeless people. talking with a man and a woman who shared tual transformation. Provilus said she got He contends that the root cause of with him a common hair color — red. As the more from the class than an hour of academic homelessness is not a lack of adequate conversation ended and he turned to walk credit. housing or funds alone, but a lack of relation - away, the man called out to him to say, “I signed up for this class and got a good ships. Often, people become homeless simply, “Thanks.” dose of conviction.” BT
“Students learned quickly that taking time to talk was often recognized as a gift.”
36 | Baptists Today • July 2010 BY JUDY LUNSFORD FEATURE
Lila Stevens’ life enriched by traveling unexpected paths
Adventurous faith
Lt. Col. Lila Stevens often sends photos — such as this one of the ship Presque Isle entering Agate Bay near her home in Two Harbors, Minn. — to the Baptists Toda y staff along with her monthly contributions to support the news journal’s mission.
WO HARBORS, Minn. — Lila Stevens that, because of Vietnam, had more than a sixth grade boys.” appreciates the unexpected paths her life 1,000 patients in residence. From Alaska, she went to Fort Gordon T has taken over the past 69 years. “I always have considered nursing a min - in Georgia and then to Fort Campbell in “Being a Christian is not all about your istry,” said Stevens who credits her patients for Kentucky, where she retired in 1982. She own wants and desires,” she said. “It is about much of her growth professionally and person - decided to return to Georgia and began her being open to what God has to say to us and ally. civilian nursing career. But the turmoil that the path he has for us if we choose to follow.” “You remember them for their heart and was occurring within the Southern Baptist The military was a path Stevens didn’t their courage,” she said, Convention was present in her own expect while studying nursing at the University her voice softening. “I congregation. of Maine in 1962. think about some of my “They want to tell me I can’t teach a “I was having trouble paying for my senior patients and how they Sunday school class that has men in it because year of college and the Army would pay for one faced their illnesses and, I am a woman,” she said, incredulously. “No, to two years of school in return for two to three sometimes, imminent no, no. I loved being a Southern Baptist, years of service,” explained Stevens, a retired deaths, and you learn but when things got crazy, it was not where lieutenant colonel. “I joined thinking I would from them. I learned far I belonged. I am still a Baptist, but I’m not serve on active duty for two years and then go more from them than they Southern Baptist.” Lila Stevens back to Maine. Obviously, that didn’t happen. ever learned from me.” Stevens regularly supports Baptist organi - I found that I liked it… So, 20 years later, While at WRAIN, a student invited her to zations that share her values, including the news I retired.” a Southern Baptist church. Although her father journal Baptists Today . After Stevens received her degree in nurs - was Baptist, she had been raised in the Catholic “Part of the reason I support Baptists ing, her military career kept her on the move. faith of her mother. Today is my belief in the importance of an inde - In addition to her numerous stateside assign - “I had been drifting away from Cathol- pendent publication,” she said. “Newspapers ments, she served tours at the 121st Evacuation icism for a long time,” she admitted. “When I do not always get the financial support they Hospital, near Seoul, South Korea, and the attended the Baptist church in Silver Springs, need. The other part is that I grew up with 67th Evacuation Hospital, a combat support it felt like home to me — the place I newspapers and I like newspapers. I want to unit, at Qui Nhon, Vietnam. belonged.” see this one continue. I want other people to The Army quickly recognized her gift for She fully embraced her Baptist faith. have the opportunity to read what these writers leadership. She often served as the nurse- When the Army sent her to Fort Wainwright, have to share whether it’s a serious subject or a training officer. Alaska, she became a member of Friendship humorous story.” After the Army sent her to the University Baptist Mission, a small congregation of diverse In 1988, she moved to Two Harbors, of Pennsylvania to earn a master’s degree in nationalities and cultures. The pastor and his Minn., where she concluded her nursing career nursing, Stevens was assigned in 1970 to teach wife, two home missionaries, and Valeria at a community hospital. She said Baptists at the prestigious Walter Reed Army Institute of Sherard, a pioneer Alaskan missionary to the Today keeps her connected to her Baptist Nursing (WRAIN), a joint program between Eskimos, became friends. family. the Army and the University of Maryland’s “I really had a good time working with “I have been very blessed,” said Stevens. School of Nursing. WRAIN students completed those three people,” Stevens said. “They even “This is where I have been led, and this is their clinical studies at Walter Reed Hospital roped me into teaching a Sunday school class of where I belong.” BT
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FOR INFORMATION on doing any or all of the above, contact Keithen Tucker at 478-361-5363 ([email protected]) or Julie Steele at 478-301-5655 ([email protected]). AMY FLOWERS UMBLE , Associated Baptist Press FEATURE Baptist nurse answers call to aid Haitians
GRAND GOAVE, Haiti (ABP) — grape under the baby’s arm. At the same time, a man approaches with a prescrip - The children swarm Tori Wentz tion. She talks to the mom, then heads as she walks down the street. back to the damaged clinic building to fill the prescription. Some run up for a fist bump. A In the clinic yard, a cluster of tents serves as home for Wentz and the builders. few chant, “Blan! Blan! Blan!” The night before, a thief climbed over the entz waves back, smiles and crumbling clinic wall and helped himself to shrugs at the Creole term for some of the medical supplies. But Wentz W “white.” didn’t notice too much missing. “I’m used to that,” she says. In Wentz checks on Carmel Foblasse, who lives She gives the man the medicine and in a tent with her daughter, Love Fortuna. Ethiopia, Kenya and Burma, the children Foblasse suffered a stroke a year ago and has heads back out to look for amputees as she would also follow and chant the local slang lost use of her legs. Photos courtesy of awaits a medical mission team coming with for “foreigner.” Associated Baptist Press. prosthetics. She travels rough paths littered Wentz, 46, a member of Fredericksburg Fortuna, are living. with split mangoes, tin cans, plastic bot - Baptist Church and hospice nurse in Foblasse has been unable to walk since tles, empty bags of Chiritos (fat cheese Spotsylvania County, Va., frequently goes a stroke last year. Her 29-year-old daughter curls) and excrement. on long-term mission trips, traveling the takes care of her and can’t work. For nearly Wentz stops to play soccer with a cou - globe to bring medical care to the needy. a year, the mother and daughter begged ple of young boys. Another child walks by Since March 6, Wentz has been in relatives and neighbors for money to see Haiti, staffing a medical clinic for the resi - doctors. Wentz monitors both women, at dents of Grand Goave, a town about two no charge. hours from Port-au-Prince. “She helps me a lot,” Fortuna said of Wentz, a medical missionary with the Wentz. “She helps me buy medicine. She Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, planned to helps me carry my mom. She goes to the serve in Haiti, as soon as she learned hospital with me.” Creole. But the Jan. 12 earthquake sped up Wentz checks Foblasse’s vital signs. that trip by more than a year. Her blood pressure, which had been high, Wentz walked through the village of is coming down. Grand Goave to visit patients. First, she “This medicine is working better for Haitian schoolgirls gather at a well for a drink stopped at a large canvas tent nearby where you,” Wentz tells Foblasse through a of water in the town of Grand Goave during Carmel Foblasse and her daughter, Love Haitian translator. a break. Within moments of entering the tent, with a kite made of cellophane and sticks. Wentz is covered in sweat. The air outside Nearby, a young girl bathes a baby in a is like a sauna; inside the tent, it’s more large metal bowl. like an oven. Gene Genbry, a Spokane, Wash., Fortuna wanders across the street to sit pastor helping to build a school, watches in the shade of a mango tree. She says she Wentz walk away. wants to move back into their house, a “She’s really amazing,” he says. “And small concrete building down the street the people here just love her. It’s some - from the tent. The house survived the thing, to see all the kids surround her. earthquake but still looks unsteady. They all just love her.” BT Wentz finishes with Foblasse and King George resident Tori Wentz gives a Haitian child a fist bump while walking walks onto the road. Immediately, a tod - —Amy Flowers Umble writes for the Free through a field in the coastal town of Grand dler runs over and demands to be held. Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va. This story Goave, Haiti. Wentz, a hospice nurse, often appeared originally in the newspaper and is goes on long-term mission trips throughout Wentz picks him up and the boy’s the world. mom shows the nurse a lump the size of a reprinted here with permission.
“Wentz, a medical missionary with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, planned to serve in Haiti, as soon as she learned Creole. But the Jan. 12 earthquake sped up that trip by more than a year.”
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