Ouachita Baptist University Scholarly Commons @ Ouachita
Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine, 1985-1989 Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine
1-7-1988
January 7, 1988
Arkansas Baptist State Convention
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Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Mass Communication Commons When The Sky Fell Arkansas ~~ptist In This Issue
Cover Story 'Only A Girl' identifying the graveslte of Lottie Moon, RICHMOND. Va. (BP}-As a Southern missionary to China from 1873 until her Bapllst mission21)' drove through a heavi· death on Christmas Eve, 1912 . ly JX>pulatcd area ovctSeas, the surge of a Johnson noted Lottie Moon was born crowd near a bus stop acddcntally push· Dec. 17, 1840. When the Fordgn Mission cd a 4-year-old girl in front of his car. The lknrd w:os org:onizcd May 8. 1845, she; 100. missiorury could not stop in time, and the was 4 years old. child died instantly. ' "Only a girl." But in her name. Southern The lnvcstJgaling policeman talked with Baptists since 1888 have given more than witnesses and determined the missionary S850 million for fo reign missions work. was not at fault. But because a crowd had gathered, he asked the missionary and the girl's father to go with him into a nearby Puppets Spark Trust building to discuss a settlement. BARRANOUJLLA , Colo mbi2-Southem Here Am I, Send Me . . ... 4 The policeman suggested that even Baptist missionary Jim Dorsey from Fort Tbe great good news ofGod 's deliverance though the missionary was not to blame, Wonh, Tex2s, has learned as a father that In Cbrlstjesus calls us to commit ourselves this was a poor f.unily and perhaps the mis children enjoy various no ises, gestu~ and to sharing our faith. Wfhress Commit· sionary could pay for the child's funenl. colorful ~bjects . So after 7-momh-old ment Day Is jan. 10. The missionuy immediately agreed to do Edgardo Garces underwent surgery to so, and, having three young daughters of replace a valve in his brain, he introduced Editor's Page. . . 3 his own , offered to do even more. the child to two o f his puppets, Henrique But the father s:lid: " Don't worry about and Beto. " Edgardo really enjO)'S chewing it. It was only a girl." o n Henrique's nose and pulling his hair Speak Up Recounting the story at the December out," Dorsey says. The puppets also have You'll Be Glad To Know . .. 4 meeting of the Southern Baptist Foreign allowed the missionary to make contact Mission Board, vice president for .finance with Edgardo's parents. "just as Edgardo Woman's Viewpoint...... 4 Carl johnson said that a few days after this learned to trust in my gestures for friend Jesus And His Mother ...... 5 tr.tgic accident halfW2y around the world , ship his parents are learning how crucial another cro;wd gathered in Crewe, va. They it is to trust in a living Lord fo r purpose One Layman's Opinion .... 5 were there to dedicate a highway marker in their lives." Letters to the Editor ...... 6 Faith At Work Victory Or Stress ...... 7 A Perpetual Lo cal & State Philadelphians which the Lord used in Memorial speaking to them in Revelation came from Arkansas All Over ...... 8-9 the tragedy which hit Asia Minor in the ear· Boyce Term III...... 9 Revelation 3:7-13 thquake of A.D. 17. Philadelphia was o nly New Offices, New Name ... 9 One might think the church at 28 miles south east of Sardis, and both cities Philadelphia was placed after the church were destroyed in that disaster. What Call To Prayer ...... 10 at Sardis to further po int o ut what Sardis Tiberius did fOr Sardis, and both cities were When The Sky Fell ...... 11 was not if a comparison were made bet destroyed in that disaster. In gratimde they ween the two. renamed their cit-y Ncokaisareia, o r New Leading . the Way ...... 11 Three events in the secular history of Caesar. After about 25 years the name fell Philadelphia help iritcrpret w hat was said into disuse, but when verse 12 cominues, Nation to this faithful little congregation with ' 'And I will write upon him the name of unlimited opportunity. Ihy God, and the name of the city of my Merger Discussed ...... 12 The missionary aspect of the church is God, w hich is new jerusalem," the warm 'Annie' Tops S30 Million .. 12 reflected in the founding purpose of the ci· glow of deep recogniti.on must have flood ACTS Preachers ...... 12 ty by Att2lus 11 about 140 B.C. The city was ed their hearts.'· to be active in Hellenizing the area of Many writers quote Gibbons' classic ac When Churches Build .... 13 Mysia, Lycla, and Phrygla, all of which count of thls.period when he says that of bordered at Philadelphia. all the churches in Asia Philadelphia alone Lessons For Living .. 15 A second fact was the custom of erecting "remained erect, a column in a scene of a great paJar in one of the temples of the ruins.'' city to honor cert2ln persons. The name of Criswell said, " To this day it is largely World the person would be inscribed on the pillar a Christian town," evidence of God's Churches Closed ...... 16 to serve as a perpetual memorial, hence the faithful promise." ~ scriptural reference in verse 12 : "Him that Ad:ap!ed rrom " Proclaim," July·Sepl. 1980. Copyl'l&hl Baptists Treat Wounded . . 16 overcometh will I make a pillar in the tem 1980 Tbc: Suod.ay School Board o r the: Southern Baptlal Coo~otJoo. All rl&ht.t IUCO'Cd. U!Kd by pc:rmlnlon. For Mongolian Education . .. . . 16 ple of niy God." 1ubKriptloo lofornutlon, •rile: co M:&!Crlal Se:f"''ICe:l A third o:.perience in the life of the Dqu .• 117 Ninth A~ Nonh, Nuh .. lllc:, TN 37234.
ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE . . !. -- "' "' .... "'' ' ' .:. EDITOR'S PAGE
tio n. ln comparison to the cost of :td· Looking Ahead ministro.ting a tax, a lottery costs from 25 to 30 times mo re government money than it docs 10 collect and administer tr.tditional t2XeS. ) . EVERETT SNEED ...... Another major need in o ur scue Is to strengthen families. During the coming i.·-.-·.::• I year, Bud Fr:ty, head of the religion depart ment at Ouachita , and others wlU be pro· The outlook for Arkansas Baptists in viding matcri:tls designed to assist f:uniJies 1988 Is very positive. There are num~rs in being what God desires them to be. The of reasons for viewing the new ye2r as one :tlarming divorce rate, as well as marital in which we will have oppo rtunity to , i . '-- I unhappiness, mandates attention be given magnify the name of the lord. However, 10 this matter. Someone has characterized there are, as always, some Issues with many contemporary marriages as being which Arkansas BaptistS need to come to merely "stoic endurance contests." When grips. Among the issues with which the ' ~ j the family unit becomes what God wants Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine plans to it to be, parents and children w ill ex dC2.1 arc abonion, pomogr-;tphy, the lo ttery, perience great joy. strengthening the famil y, connict resolu Another area of need is conflict resolu tion, planning and goal setting, Church ~ : tion. Conflicts are nothing new. In the New Arkansas and the Maccdonian Missions Testament, there was disagreement in the Plan, and the Year of the laity. 68,000 signatures to get the lottery on the j erusalem church (Ac. 11). The people at It is our plan to work ardcn1 ly to sup ballot fo r Nov. 8 , 1988. If those supporting Corinth were divided over which preacher port the abortion legislation which was the lottery arc successful, it is incumbent should be followed (1 Co. 12). Barnabas passed in Texas. This legislati on includes on Christians to join hands in defeating this and Paul parted after an argument over a ban on post-viable abortions. Simply menace, which would pl ace our St2te in the j ohn Mark (Ac. 15,34-40). Someone has · su tcd, this means that when a fetus can live gambling business. said the root of all conflict is "people.' ' It on its own, an abort ion cannot take place. There are several reasons why every is true that conflict comes w hen there is Titis legislation would cut o ff 20 to 25 per Christi an shculd be opposed to this effort . perso nality clash or when then: is a deep. cent of all abortions performed. It is o ur First , it places government in the posture conviction that something is wrong. Our dCsire to do all that we can tO stop the of working to victimize its citi zens rather efforts will be to give materials that will holocaust o f abortions. Christians have a than protecting them. assist in resolving such disagreements. respo nsibility to jo in hands in putting an The lottery preys upo n the poor and the Other major emphases w ill be on Church end to the estimated 1. 2 million abortions unemployed . This fact is borne o ut by the Arkansas and the Year of the Laity. Ob· perfo rmed each year in the United States. phenomenal "success" of the lottery in viously. any publication cannot predict all Until recent years, all human life, born areas of poverty and high unemployment. of the emphases that are needed at the and unborn, was considered sacred and Under a government louery system, the o utset of the year. But it is our desire to protected by the judea-Christian ethic. It government does not merely "all ow" assist Arkansas Baptists is meeting the was only in the heathen world that human gambling, but it urges its citizens to do so. issues which confront them. The edito r life was taken lightly. The lotter)' is also unsound economical and staff o f the ABN look forward to serv· Closely related to the tragedy of aborti on ly because o f the difficulty in administrn· ing Arkansas Baptists in 1988. is pornography. Pornography not only in crc:tses immorality but it is degrading to all women, as their value or worth is assess- ed o nly in terms of being objects of sex. The reason for the fl ourishing of por nography is basically ignorance and apathy. Photo. lubmlttcd for publln!lon will be mumc:d only ,..hen Arkansas acromp1nlcd by 1 )11mpt"d. ~~elf· a ddfa.Kd c:n•·d opc. Only Most people arc aware that sc.x is being us bl1c:k 1nd • ·hl tc: phocosnn beuiiCd. ed to attract attention by advertisers, but many arc unaware o f the kind o f filth that Baptist Copies by mill SO cents och. can be bo ught at many drug stores, grocery NEWSMAGAZINE ~c:b,~~ f~~: ~h~~n~~ r~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ :~:-.~:~~~t~ stores, and convenience shops. If anyone d1ys afu:tthcdltcofdc:uh. doubts the accessibility of these kinds of VOLUME 87 NUMBER I materials, a quick survey will be quite ) . Everett Sneed, Ph.D...... Editor revealing. Mark Kelt)' , , , • , ... Ma112glng Edho r OplnlO
The effects of pornography arc Erwin L. McDonald, Lilt. D .. , Editor Emerhus Mc:mb<:r of the Southc:m 81p1b1 PTCSli A.uoc:latlon. devastating. Among the negative effects Arbnut Bapdtl Nc:wsaug:i:dnc: Bon d o r Dlncton , The Arbluu B1 pdt1 Nc:wtm.tanlnc:{ISSNOIKH· I7J_. )It are: (I) it lowers the moral standards o f the Lyndon Finney, Uulc: Rock, prnldcnt; Jlnuny Andc:rwn, published wc:ddy, acc:pt ~tc:r.lndc:pmdc:ncc: Ihy, lhc: ftrtc community; (2) it lowers respect for lc:ll<:hvlllc:; j o :~nnc: Cald•·cll, Tc:ntk2na; Nd lOn Wllhdm. wc:-c:k or October, and Chtb un~ . by the Atk1ns~ 81p11t1 Waldron; lko Tbomas, Satcy; 1.2nc: Strrnhu, Mountain llomc:: :-lc: ..'$m 1gazlnc: , lnc:., Unlc: Roc::k, AR . SubKrlptlon nla :an: women; and (3) it encourages rape, incest Phc:bn Boone:, El ~ ; ll:u-old Gateley, ~·a )'C'It c:vlllc; 'Uid Don 16.48 pa )"car {indh-ldual), 15.52 per feat' (bc:ry Raldc:nt and abnormal sexual behavior. llcuc:r, Bal ~vlll c . Family Pl1n), 16. 12 pet year (Group Plm). Fordjn :addtc:JS n.ICI on tcqUCII. Sc:c:ond cWs posugc: p;Ud 11 U!tk Rock, Alk. The lottery is another area w hich will Leu en to the editor uprC$SinR opinions arc lnvhcd. Lc:uc:n likely demand the attention of the Arka u $hould be typed doubi C$p1Cc: and mun be t lgnc:d. leuen mu)l POSTMASTER, Scad :adctrcn ct.anau to Arlu.n..u B1p not connln more th1n ~50 words and mu$1 not dc:bmc: 1hc: tlt1 Nc:w-.map.z.lac:, P. 0 . 8os 552, UnJc: Rod<, .ut sas Baptist Newsmagazine. Currently, chanC'Icr o f penon1. They must be marked " for publla.tlon. '' 7220~. U76-. 791) there is an effort underway to obtain L------'
January 7, 1988 SPEAK UP
DON MOOR£ WITNESS COMMJTME T DAY You'll Be Glad 'Here Am I, Send Me' To Know jan. 10 has been set aside as Witness ness Coflullit{llc:nt Day. Commitment Day, an annual emphasis in "There arc two l'C2SOns ~ople don't Well, maybe Southern Baptist churches which sttks to witness: they don't know how, and they "you'll be glad to motivate Christians to share their faith in don't know why. We need to let them know." On the other j esus Christ. "' know that God commands us to share the hand, most of you The 1988 theme for this year's emphasis gos~ l , and then we need to teach them will be "sad to is " Here Am I, Send Me." how to do what he commands," he know.'' Here at the According to st2tistics drawn from an continued. close of one year and nual church letters, in 1986 the average " This commitment day is the ideal time at the beginning of Southern Baptist church baptized only five to launch one c:- r more of the personal another new year, people, and 5,729 churches baptized no evangelism witness equipping processes there are some facts we need to f2ce. They one. jack Smith, associate director of per available: to locaJ churches," added How:ud may inspire some actions that can make a sonal evangelism at the SBC Home t-.tission IWnsey, personal evangelism director. difference In eternity. God knows our Board, says those stuistics emphasize the The Home Mission Board offers a varie needs and his needs and chose to anoint need for witness motivation and training ty of methods to train church members in the sessions of our recent annual meeting in all churches. witnessing skills, including Lay Evangelism because the program afforded him an op " We can' t just mmiv:ue people: to Schools and Continuing Witness Training. portunity to address those needs. w itness," cautions Smith. "Oft en we en For more information on evangelism train Here arc the hard facts: courage the responsibi lity to witness, but ing tools, contact the Evangelism Depart - The percent of the undesignated then never tell people how. Witness train ment, Arkansas Baptist Scue Convention, monies the churches of the Southern Bap- ing should follow Immediately after Wit- P.O. Box 552, Little Rock , AR n203. tist Convention receive whichg~s to mis- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ siOns through the Coopc:r.uive Program has r declin'ed every year since 1970. The chur- W , VI i ches gave 9 perc'ent in 1970. In 1985 they oman S ewpo nt gave 7.8 percent. f---,------..:.._-~..:.._.....:... __.:_::...:..;c._:...;:.::...:_.:..._ ___....; __ _;, -Between 1980 and 1985, offerings in the churches increased by 56.5 percent . With a Stamp and a Prayer Contributions to the Cooperative Program ------In need of prayer support. did not increase nearly that much. LYNNE'ITE WAllACE In my own small way, I - In addition, I have just learned only have a prison ministry, I 79 percent of our churches gave to the l ot Dear Mom, counsel, I teach, I witness, tie Moon foreign mission offering in 1986. How :arc: you? We arc and I support missions. Only 67 percent of our churches gave to flnc. The weather ben: Is a Think of a ministry you the Annie Armstrong home mission offer Uule .. .." !!<>1!Jld flmlllat1 could stlrt. Consider the Ing. Only 58 percent of our churches gave Most of us don't com try to "!1'lons' a shut-In, a former to the Dixie Jackson state mission offering. write letters any more. We pasto~ or an unsaved f2ml With no more of our churches giving to arc too busy, phone calls ly member. The posslblli the special miss ions offerings, and a a« cheap, or we don't tles are as endless as an of decreasing percent of receipts going to the know where to begin or left·hand .comer W25 not the addresses ln the world. Cooperative Program, it appears a tremen end a letter. only unfamillar to me but If all of this sounds dous need exists for education and inspira I ba"" discovered the tit was accomp211led by an In trivial to you, remember a tion by both the pastoral and lay leadership de pleasures of personal mate's number. lrulde I letter writer named P:lul, of our f hurches. Perhaps that is why God correspondence; deUgbt found a plea for friendship "1, Paul, am writing this chose to bless the convention as he did. It lng In seeing an envelope from a young man. Som ~ withmyown hantl ...The was one more (perhaps the last) opportuni addn:ssc:d to me, Ucldog times I find It difficult to gr:ice of the Lord Jesus ty to tum our hearts back to his great com st:llllpO, or dropptng my Ufe know what to teU Mlch2d. Christ be with our spirit" mission. Many decision shapers from the capsule Into the mailbox I try to slwe God's prin (l?m. 19 & 25). Think of all la.ity of the church could not be at the con give my day an added ciples with him. His the points of doctrine and vention. Who wUJ keep them informed boost. But ktter writing dependence on the Lord Is words of encouragement and inspired? It doesn't have to be the lm't just for my penonal lnsplrlng. I'm also remind th:\t would haVe: been lost pastor alone. A Church Missions Develop IJI2Ilflatlon. I strongly feel ed of how precious f Arkansas Baptist Sute Convention 1 Page 4 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE DANIEL R. GRANT JESUS A D WOMEN: First in a Series of Fou1· One Layman's Jesus And His Mother Opinion by T.B. Maston and asking them questions, that should be a continuing ~LbwU IC if"'l 5cm1nary and the ~cord says, "All challenge to those of us New Year We do not know a great who heard him were amaz who claim to be followers deal about the childhood ed at his underst2Ilding and of his: " Whosoen :: r does Honesty of jesus, and hence we do his answers." (Wouldn't the will o f God is my It probably Is not a not know much about his you like m know the ques brother, and sister, and coincidence that the relationship to his mother. tions he asked and the mmher·· (Mk. 3:35). Christmas and New We do know that when answers he gave?) There is o ne other occa Year's Day holidays joseph and Mary went up His mother said to him, sion when the mother o f arc scheduled back-to-back in such close to jerusalem for the "Son , why have you jesus is mentioned in a proximity to each other. The tradition of purification of parents they l..rc2tcd us so? Behold, )'Our special way. That was at making new yeu's resolutions must have took the baby j esus with father and I have been the time of his crucifixion. grown directly out of aJI of the human ex· them (lu. 2:22-40). looking for you anxiously." How grateful we should be cesscs of eating, spending. and focusing on We also know that he His response was, " How is that even when was our "want list." joseph and Mary fled with it that you sought me? Did hanging on the cross he My daughter-in-law, Liz Grant, recently the baby jesus to Egypt, be· you not know that I must took time to speak to and told me about o ne of those remarkable ing instructed by the Lord be in my Fa ther's house?" provide for his mother. She bur.;ts of honesty in her Sunday School td do so, since Herod was (lu. 2:46-49). was "standing by the cross class of fo ur-year-olds. They were learning searching for him to kill The stnement after this of jesus" with two or three to sa)' together, " The Lord is my shepherd, him (MI. 2:13-14). incident reveals a great deal relatives and friends, one I shall not want." One of the little girls said, The next mention of about jesus as a lad and of whom was Mary " I just can't say that. I wa·nt all the time!" jesus lnd his mother was about his mother: "And he Magdalene. Standing ncar I am not sure that we grown-ups have any several years later. joseph went down with thcrh and the women was john, "the better answer than the four-year-old Sun· and Mary went to came to Nazareth and was beloved disciple." day School class. jerusalem for a feast. j esus obedient to them; and his 'What a thoughtful thing The combination of guilt from Chri.sunas was 12 years of age at the mother kept all these it was for jesus, hanging o n e..xccsses, and reform impulse from the new time. The feast was over, things in her heart" (L u. thC cross In excruciating year's tr:ld ition of new beginnings calls us and were on their they way 2:5 1). The ne..xt verse says, pain, m say to his mother, to a new sense of honesty with ourselves, back home with a group of ·'j esus increased in "Behold your son," and tO with others , and w ith God. The increasing friends. They had traveled wisdom and st:uurc, and john, " Behold your encroachment on our privacy by the over about a day's journey in favor with God and mother!" And we would powering technology of computers and the man." ~fore jesus was missed. expect the statement about oppressive investigatory omnipresence of "They sought him among Other than an incident at john: " From that moment the mass media, may be maldng dishones· their kinfolk and acquai n Cana when jesus turned the disciple took her to his ty with others increasingly difficult in our tances" and " when they the water inm wine, there own home." brave new world. It seems that political did not find him, they was an other occasion dur candidates for public office have no choice returned tO jerusalem, ing the public ministry of T.B. Maston is professor in whether to be honest with the public. seeking him." After three jesus when his mothers emeritus of Christian If the c:tndidate doesn't tell the whole days, they found him in the and brothers asked for him. ethics at Southwestern truth, big brother will do it for him! Temple, sitting with the He pronounced a new Baptist Theological Sem Who is to say whether all of this is pro teachers, listening to them basis for kinship to him inary in Fort Worrh , l Cxas. gress? I have never forgotten qne of my father's provocative questions when one of us children made the statement, " Ho nes ty is the best policy." He asked, " Is hones ty really honesty when it becomes a A SMILE OR TWO 'policy'?" I think I know the point that he wa.s making, but I am still struggling to flhd The problem with life is all of its problems don't hit us when we're 18 and know the right answer in a day when people arc cvcrything.-Harry Belafome forced by various developments in socie What you don't know won't hurt you, but it can bore your friends half to death if ty to be " more honest" about their you keep repeating it. " private life" as well as their " public life." I am trying to decide whether one of my 1988 nC\.V year's resolutions should be that I will be more honest this year, o r simply ARTHRmS PAIN that I will work harder to discover the real .UIIRD QUICKLY. meaning of honesty, especially in such mat ters as my wants and my needs. Daniel R. Grant is president of Ouachita Baptist University. January 7, 1988 Page 5 SPEAK UP Letters to the Editor his p25t accomplishments in sse life. It v.':lS associational ae~ivities has almost dou~d . Stand Up only assumed as such by those who f:tVOrcd Wt: who know Bro. Atchison arc certain· I wam to commend the Arkansas Bap· Baker's appointment which from the ly not ashamed nor ~mbarrass~d of him. tlst Newsmagazine for the incrosed outset has been comroversial, especially He has serv~d our :association and coverage: of the important issue of abor becaUse of the manner It W2S brought denominadon weli.-P2t Roblnson, Cave: tion. I agree that we as Christians_have a about. Springs duty to work to end the destruction of un I, for one, am very proud of our DOM . born children. The Scripture is clear that In the three brief years he has been at the l.Mtterlto theedltot"•~ngoplnlonaaNinvltlld . l.lirtltf1l God Is the giver of :Ill life. Some Christians helm our our association our budget has should M typed ~ Af1!i must M algned by on. person, ttlourgl'l the NrM m.y btl withheld on~ . Men. seem to support these truths, espowing op nearly doubled, our percentage of giving ing ..:Ieima and phoM numt.r of tM wrtter lltlould btl ln position to abortion on demand. Yet , they to the Cooper2live Program has increased dudM. IAtteN rnuat not contain men tn.n 150 words and rnuet not dtiwnt the m..etM of PM1J0M. l.ettMS must btl consider cases of rape. Incest, or possible almost 29 percent, there have been two rMftclld "for pubnatton." Only ortgl.nal '-tt.n wlft btl deformity in a child, as acceptable reasons new church swts, and participation in for the destruction of those babies. We need to remember that if the value of - · human life is to have any meaning, then its value can't be any less because of the cir cumstances that brought about that new life. We need to ask ourselves just how perfect does pnc need to be before he is allowed to live? It is a sad commentary on this denomina tion that some leaders and lay people have so compromised truth with the present culture that they e2.nnot or will nm draw the line between right and wrong. Some won't stand up for human Life because they don't want to be "divisive." The unborn child is a human being created in the im age of God, and to deny this Is to deny the authority of the Bible. Think about the following question posed by Or. Francis Schaeffer, ''But if we are not willing to stand even for human life, is there anything for which we will suri.d?"-VIcki Bean, ------Present ------Atkins Nationwide Conferences on Disappointed SOUL WINNING First I want to express my great disap pointment In the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine for choosing to print the HOST: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH letter by G. Alan Aunspaugh of Huntington, ARNOLD, MISSOORJ Md. (Dec. 10, 1987). Granted that Bro. 2012 Missouri State Road AunspaUgh has a right to his opinion regar ding Larry Baker and his appointment to the Christian Life Commission. But his let ter sutlng that Bro. Jpe Atchison (OOM for Benton County Association and a member of the Christian Ll(e Commission) ''should be an embarrassment to Arkansas Baptists,'' and that ''Arkansas Baptists Should be ashamed" of Bro. Atchson goes dittctly against the stated policy of the Plus: &ileY Smith, Junior Hill1 Ronnie Floyd, Stan Coffey. Bobby Boyles, Newsmagazine that letters ' 'must not Bill Stllfford, Sam Cathey, Morris Chapman, Davkl Ring, Ike Reighard. ddame the character of persons.'' This let Sumner Wemp. O.S. Hawkins. ter was cerulnly an :uuck on Bro. Music by: The Cathedrals: The <zgliers, and others. Atchison. Bro. Atchison, as a member of any SBC Nursery will be provided commission, board, or agency, has the right to speak his convictions. His motion had For more infonnation call (314) 287-2342 nothing to do with Baker's character nor Page 6 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE IFAITH AT WORK fo r miriistries. m1ssao ns and salarics CHURCH CONFLICT, FIRST IN A SERIES OF FOUR because it is p:tying off too much debt," Henry aplained. "StresS crotcs anger, bit terness, rescntment, fear and uncertainty. Victory Or Stress " 1 have bccn in building programs in rural, suburban and downtown churches by Jim Lowry 3,300, a new facility has been built from for 27 years." In all those situations, I have B•JKUI SllDday Sc:bool Bo ::ard the ground up, requiring a move from the seen what a ne:w facility can do m· re2chlng ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)-Evcn !hough church's o riginal downtown location. people. 1 have also seen joy in victory and pastor :md people often flinch in dreadful When the process is completed, cQsts will participated in celebration se rvic~s when anticipation, church building programs do total more than S24 million, all nm a pay giving goals are reached or we move Into not have to be synonymous with congrega as-you-go basis. a new building. When you come to that tional conflict, church leaders f2flliliar with Building a new facility "doesn't have to victory day, there is a unifying factor. building programs maintained. have a negative side, because the positives " There is pain in preparation, and it can jim Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church far outweigh the negatives," Henry said. be a tough experience,' ' Henry of Orl ando, Fla. , and a veteran of building That is not to say, however, that there are acknowledged. "But in a race, when you prognms In several churches, is convinc not times of doubt, conflict and searching cross the fmish line, it's worth it. You forset ed building new c hurch ~ cotn result in vic for answers. the pain when you sec the victory. tory and unity instead of ruptured fel For Henry, the decision to move was, in "We looked on our building programs as lowship. (BP)photo/Jim\llneman one way, " the darkest an oppo rtunity to be a blessing for the Gwenn McCormick, night of my soul," generations to follow. We charged our com director of the church when he realized that mittee to look to the future of our children :uchitecturc depart some of the church and their children. That breeds ment at the So uthern member.; were going unselfishness and speaks of a commitment Baptist Sunday School to remain in the old th at God is on his throne till he calls us Board, said his depart fa cility. Today, home. ment works with Downtown Baptist " It can be exciting on one hand, or 'Oh about 3,500-10 per Church has about 900 me!" on the other," Henry laughed. " For cent of all Southern members. me it is exciting, speaking of progress, Baptist c hurc h es ''My pasto r's heart blessing, vision and hope for tomorrow.'· every year. He believes wanted to take all the they now generally are sheep with me," he doing a better job of said. " When that planning and prepara didn't happen, I was Free Cookbook tion than in years past. disappointed because I FUND-RAISING PLAN THAT'S ·'One of the greatest didn't want to leave GUARANTEED TO WORK! sources of conflict any one of them. comes about because Working through that PROVEN WAY TO RAISE personal agendas in drove me to more $500 TO $5,000 OR MORE! trude and become prayer and depend No risk; no investment. Churches, schools. clubs raise thousands of dollars obsessions," Mc Cor ence on God than I selling their own exclusive cookbooks. mick said. " Leaders ever had,before. It also Your group can do it. too. with as few as and congregation need Cbecking over the plans made me realize the ten members! Just collect recipes from tO pray and strive for · strength I receive from members and send them in. We'll publish your recipes in your very own beautiful , an openness to the Lo rd's leadership so the laity, other staff members and pastors colorful cookbook. Attractive books are they can build bridges of understanding from o ther churches who reached out 10 and cooperation." encourage me and our church. ~~~$~~s: ~esn~l 1t;J~;f~r~'fr~Eu HUGE "I lundraising kit including actual sample Keeping church members fully inform found that the Holy Spirit sent man cookbook. Call or write now! ed probably is the key to success in deal na in the most unexpected ways to meet ing with matters relating to potential con me when I was at my lowest point," Henry CALL TOLL-FREE 1·800/351·7822 greg:uional conflict , Henry stressed. said, " like a letter, or a phone call from OR MAIL COUPON ''"" ,.., "''"' ·'Communication is the most critical people J didn't know. The Lord knew hllld< raft •Dept t 20 thing, and prayer is the most important," where we were and what we needed." P 0 Box 340 • Collierville TN 38017 counseled Henry, who urges pastors to Henry advised pastors involved in a " fully and completely inform people." building program to strive to keep their ,.------.,. In Henry's experiences, a committee first spiritual lives at their best. And whether •r~~~:.;~~t!, , :,.,~.:~~~~, studied the needs of the church, and then people are for or against a new facility, the· I Ple;a:Je wnd FR EE COOI also has served on the staff of Calvary People Church, Harrisburg. Carl Rlce is serving as pastor of Hopewell Church, Mountain Home. Kenne th Raines is serving as pastor of Bruno Church . jerry Miller has joined the staff of Mount Cannel Church, Cabot, as rnlnistc:r of music lbm Elliott is serving as pastor of Brown's and education, havipg previously served Chapel, Manila. for more: than three years as minister of music and youth at First Church, Malvern. Goldie Higdon was recently recognized He also has served churches in Ark2nsas by Little Rock Second Church for 14 years and 'Jbca.s. He and his wife, Linda, have one of service as a pianist. She currently plays Miller Nortier for the senior adult cho ir. son, Nathan Andrew. The Keith Watkins Family of Searcy was R2y Huddlcton was ordained to the Stephen NortJer rec~ ntly joined the staff of First Southern Church, Brywt, as recently recogniZed as White County Farm preaching ministry Dec. 6 at Oak Hill mlnister of youth. A native of Detroit, Family of the Year. They are members of Church in Plain Dc:aJing, La. He serves as Libcny Church, Searcy, w here he serves as Mich., he is a senior at Ouachita Baptist paswr o f Village Church in Liberty University with a major in religious educa a deacon. Association. tion and a minor in chu~h music. Nortier Willie Gold is serving as pas,or of McRae Bllly Hammonds is serving as pastor of has served churches in Arkansas and Church, co ming there from Brownsville First Church; Maumelle, coming there after Michigan. He also. has served with the Church in Lonoke County. more than six years of service :u First Home Mission Board in Michigan as part Church, Helena. of an evangelistic team. Tim Johns has joined the staff of Green· wood First Church as minister of youth and Mark Frusha has resigned as minister of David WarreD. has joined the staff of Net children. music and youth at Magnolia Church, tleton Church at jonesboro as minister of James Jones of Harrisburg is serving as Crossett, to join the staff of First Church, music, youth, and coUege outreach, com pastOr of Providence Church, Trumann. He Perry, 9 kla. ing there from First Church, Pleasanton, Calif. He is a native of West Plains, Mo. Wa.rren and his wife, Andra, have three children, Ty, Natalie, and Seth. Bert Hargett Is serving as pastor of New Briefly ·1; Hope Church, Black Oak. Walter Lee Yeldell Sr. of Greenwood, Miss., fonnerly ofCrossen, died Dec. 5. A retired Baptist minister, he had pastored Needham Church held a noteburning churches throughout Ark2.nsas and was a ceremony Dec. 13 to mark completion o f former member of the Board of Trustees payment o n an education building, accor· for Ouachita Baptist Un..ivcrsity, a former ding to Pastor Don Allred. The service was president of the Board of Trustees for followed by a potluck luncheon and an Southern Baptist College, and a former afternoon musical program which featured member of the Historical Corruilisslon of the Songsmen Quartet of Paragould. the· Southern Baptist Convention. He W2S a former president .of both the Ark2.nsas Greenbrier First Church held a notebur Baptist State Convention and the Arkansas ning service Nov. 22 to celebrate payment Baptist Pastors' Conference. SurvivOrs in· of its san ctuary indebtedness. Speakers elude his wife, Kay Boswell Yeldell; a son, were Pastor Kenny Bunch and Bill Kreis, Walter Yeldell Jr. of Little Rock; three director of missions for Faulkner Associa daugbter.l, Carolyn Staley and Debo12h tion. Participating in the notebuming were McAfee of Liitle Rock, and Lynda Weyrick Bob Graham, chairman of deacons; John of Temple, fu.; a brother, Adrian Yeldell Birdsong, a former pastor; Kreis; and of Little Rock; and eight grandchildren. Bunch. Scott Hinton is serving as pastor of First Mississippi County Association has Church, DeWitt. He and his wife, Kathy, Immanuel Church, Clinton, recently named Roland Chappell , pastor of Annorel have two daughters. ' opserv~d Its lOth anniversary with ·a Church, as chairman of the search commit· .noteburnlng service and a potluck lun tee to seck a successor for Henry G. West, A.C. Lyles has resigned as pastor of First cheon, according to Pastor VIctor Koone. who is retiring as director of missions, ef- . Church, Wickes, to serve as assistant pastor Bumlng the note were Tburmm1 Elliott, fective Feb. 29. Serving with him will be at Calvary Church, Mena. ]ames Evans, and Richard Reed. john Dresbach, James Broughton Lovett, Page 8 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE Raymo nd Routon, Bob Gray, Will iam Pi~ r · cy, and Helen Thweatt. New Offices, New Name Arkad~tphia First Church Ba ptist The Arbnsas River Wo m~n arc sponsoring a "Cbu to China .. Valley Association, project to enable " Mom Chu," dorm fo rmerly the O:uda· mother in Frances Crawfo rd dormitory at Ouachita Baptist University, and her nclle· Russcllvillc Association has pur· daughter, j ane, to visit mainland China as part of a SBC Woman's Missio nary Union c h~d the property which fo rmerly. W25 Centc:.nnial Tour in june :mdjuly 1988. M~ . used by the lmman· Chu has not visited hc:.r ho meland since. uc:l Church, Russell· 1950, when she fled the Communist takeover in China. ville. The building, located at 801 East East Side Church in Fo rt Smith launch· 16th Street, Russell ed its observance of th e Foreign Mission ville, has approx· Se:lSon of Prayer Dec. 6 when Graydon B. im:u'e ly 3.500 square and Ikay Hardister, missionaries to jordan. feet in it. The spoke in the two morning wo~hip services building was con and aJso in the evenin g wo~hip service. structed primarily as Thckermao First Church recently an educational facili · honon;d Pastor Lannie Younger, recogniz ty and is valued at a~ New assoclallonal office In Russellville. prox.im:uely $85,000. ing his sixth anniversary with a mo netary The lot on which the property is located love gift. They also gave Danny Ingram, of Missions jeff Chatham, said, ''The new is approximately acres. )'O uth leader, and his wife, Lorrie, a I .9 constitution came as a result of a study that pounding. The association assumed a S44,000 note was started in the 1986 annual meeting. on the Immanuel propcrt)'. The association The committee worked on rewriting the Martindale Ch urch in Little Rock recent had previously used a house-offi ce facili const itution and bylaws for one year." ly opened a day care center in which 35 ty. When the facility pn.·viously used by the A name change had been discussed fo r children are enrolled. association l(s sold, it will be used to pay several years. According to Cheatham, the off the indebtedness. The association will Olivet Church in Little Rock has launch name change will better describe the area ed a ministry to homebound adults with then agai n be debt free. served by the association. The association johnie Catlett serving as director. In addition to assuming the loan on th e serves churches in four counties: Pope, property; the association adopted a new Yell , Logan and j ohnson. Winslow First Church o rdained j ohn consthution. As a part of the newly In reflecting on the past yea r, Cheatham Kutko to the deacon ministry Dec. 6. Par adopted constitution, the name of the said, "We have had a great year. Our ticipating in the; service were Rene Lemons, association was changed from Dardancllc cooperation has been splendid, and at the Harold Gateley, director of missions fo r RussellviUe Association to Arkansas River moment we have only one pastorless Washi ngton·Madison Associatio n, Lowell Valley Association. Associational Director church." Ponder, and Pastor Fred Blake. St. Charles Church observed Mr. and M~ . S.A. Woodie) Appreciation Day Nov. 29, Area Media Library Conferences recognizing his service as a deacon, and as Sunday School superintendent and a January 18-21, 1988 teacher. She was recognized for her service as church clerk and as a Sunday School Fayetteville Mountain Home North Little Rock teacher. They were presented with a pla Monday, Jan. 18 Tuesday, Jan. 19 Thursday, Jan. 21 que and a money tree. First Church First Church Central Church Imogene Delap Jack Lewis Boyce Term III Schedule Term Ill of Boyce Bible School will open jan. 22. Class offerings will be as follows: 9:30 - 11 :30 a.m. Friday: 6 p.m., Mission Programs in the Lunch on your own Church (06690), Randy Cash; 8;20 p.m., 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. New Testamem Survey (05600C), Everett Sneed. Saturday: 7:45a.m., Retelling the Bible HowToProc6SS How To Administer And Stories (06400), W.T. Holland; 10;15 a.m. , Media Promote A Churr:h The Christian Farrtily (06880), Gerald Media Ubnlry jackson; 12:50 p.m., English Grammar II Sponsored by (09020), Cec il Sutley. For further information, contact Lehman Baptist Sunday School Board Arkansas Baptist State Convention Webb, P.O . Box 552 , Lillie Rock, AR 72203; Church Media Library Department Church Training Department phone 376-4791. january 7, 1988 Page 9 had preached from many of the to:ts con nected w ith the daily Bible readings. Call To Prayer Hc:trd's goal ls to involv<: people in pray ing for Jhe various aspects of Bold Mission New ABSC President Sees Prayer As Priority Thrust. He sa.id, " J believe that JI 'WC would A8N Clhaat ... 011 really unite in prayer fo r lhe by J. Everett Sneed nrlous aspectS of Bold ltUssio n Al'bnaQ lt.ptbl HewsmapzlDe Thrust, all of our problems Cary He>.rd, pastor of the Park. would disappc::u." Hill Church, North Llule Rock, Heard indicued that another and president of the Arkansas priority would be to give Baptist Sate Convention, wa.s presidential suppon to Church born in Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 2, Arkansas. He said that P:uk Hill 1940. Dr. He2rd's fither, now had long been Involved In local living with the Heards, is the missions. At the present time, son of a Baptist preacher. Park HUlls supponJng a Korean Heard's obJective as president m.Jssion and a mission in Bluff of the ArkansaS Baptist State ton: Ind. Convention is to give emphasis In addition to providing a to missions and evangelism. place of worship, Park Hill pro· SpcciflcalJy he plans to en vides a house for the Korean couf2ge individuals to pr2y for pastor, Sang K. Lee, and his fami. the wrfous goals and obJectives ly. The Korean congregation of the Bold Mission Thru5t. decided on their own that they Dr. and M.rs. Heard grew up in wanted to be Southern Baptists First Church, Dallas. It was there that Heard rather than a nondenominational church. was saved, licensed, ordained, and served Heud baptized Lee, and he in turn baptiz on the staff. ed his own people. There are some who Heard attended Southern Methodist Uni still have not joined the church but who versity, Dallas, Texas, for his first two years, attend regularly. The Korean congregation as a pre-med student. He said,"As I began provides most of the salary, but the Home to pr2y about 'Yhat God would have me to Mission Board provides some support. do with my life, it became clear that he . Fo r the mission in Bluffton, Ind., Park wanted me to be a pastor." Hill provides approximately S20,000 a Heard tr.msferred from SMU to Baylor ye2r, and members of the church assist the University in waco, Texas. After graduation congregation annually with numerous pro from Baylor, Heard enrolled at Sou.th· jects. The tOO-member Bluffton Church western Baptist Theological.... Seminary and has a new building that members of Park completed a bachelor of divinity degree Hill helped to erect. (now master of divinity) in 1965. Park Hill W2S a co-sponsor of the Otter He went from the staff of First Church, Creek Church as well as the Indian Springs Dallas, to First Church, Salado, Texas, as Church when it was started. pastor. He was at Salado for two and a half This summer a group of young people years. He was engaged and married while from Park Hill will go to Canada. One ·serving that church. group has already gone to the area. At the From Salado, he went to First Church, present, another group of Park Hill Shreveport, La ., as assistant pastor, serving members are working at the Seaman's for three .and a half years while doing Center, New Orleans, to do repair work. research and writing his dissertation. He For the past three summers, members had pastoral responsibilities on Sunday and from Park Hill have been involved in the conducted the Wednesday night service. AMAR-Brazil project. Money is already set After completing his doctor's degree, ·Cary and Mary Lou Heard w l tb children aside to be used in a partnership with First Heard went to First Church, Atlanta, Texas, Sam, Sarah, and Datr, Church, Eureka Springs, to san a new mis· where he remained for apprOximately three Hill Church was aver2ging just under 700 sion at HolJday Island. Park Hill also is a years. He came to the Park Hill Church in Sunday School. Last year the Sunday co-sponsor with Family and Child Care frOm Atlanta in 1975. 1 School aver2ge attendance was approx Services in the Emergency Receiving Home Reg2rding his theological position, im:uely 1,350. The budget has grown from at Sherwood. 'Heard said, "I consider myseJI to be very approximately $500,000 to Sl.6 mUUon. ''I think of my ministry,'' Heard said, ''as 'conservative. I believe the Bible is divine Under Heard's leadership, a new four· being inclusive rather than exclusive. One ly inspired and totally authoritative. I'm story adult educational building has been of the factors that has produced growth in convinced that our Scripture is totally the constructed, a new 2ctivity center has been our church is a transition from a strong, Word of God. I reject the::· idea that the Bible built, and a large portion of the previous military type of leadership to a team type only contains the Word of God. Our task ly exJsti.ng space has been remodeled. leadership. This opens the door for max is to proclaim the Word of God so In· 'Heard observed that former President imum Input of ideas and participation in dividuaJs will come to know Christ as Lawson Hatfield had challenged Arkansas leadership. I feel that people will have far · Savior.'' Baptists to read through the Bible. Heard more commitment to a church o r denom The year that Heard became pastor, Park s:tid that he had led his people to do so and ination where they have input." Page 10 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE When Tbe deva.statio 11 of December's tor· The nado at West Mem· pbls threw hun dreds offamili es Sky Into turmoil. Arkansas Baptist Men sprang Into action to relfeue Fell tbe distress. by Mike Day sse Bmt.berhoo4 Comfll.luloa WEST MEMPH IS, Ark . (BP)-Tomadoes rlp~d through W~st Memphis, Ark., and the Northaven community outside Mem phis, Tenn ., shortly before 10 p.m. Dec. 14. Six people were killed, more than 150 in jured, 273 residences destroyed and several local businesses leveled. The storm cut a path two-tenths of a mile wide by 15 blocks long through the small northeast Arkansas city, leaving 4,500 ~o plc without power or utilities. Within 12 hours, the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Rel ief Unit was on the scene in West Memphis, serving hot meals and en couragement to residents, rescue workers and reli ef volunteers. The unit, a ministry of Arkm.sas Baptlsts' Brotherhood Department, worked with Ameri can Red Cross and other disaster agencies to prov~ d e aid fo r the victims. " I knew the Baptists would be here,.. .said Rosemary Hammo nd , food distribu· Leading the Way tion coordinator fo r Red Cross. " I've work· cd a lot o f disasters, and the Baptists are The Evangdi5m Department of tlie Arkansu Baptist State Convention has ~ always there." cd 110 li.st _or Arlcanus cburChcs which led the way In b;optlsms during 1986. The The volunteers located their portable kit· 10 cburchcs whlcb led In the ratio of baptisms to church membership wae: chen and radio base just south of Interstate Churdl ANodatlon P:lstor Ratio 40 in the hardcst·hit part of town. While Pine Log Concord , Mark Browning 1.88 most of the six·membcr team worked Halfmoon Nonh Central · Loy Moody 2.53 toward preparing an estimated 3,000 meals Shannon HIUs Fin< Pulaski BUI Piatt 2.58 for the next three days, amateur radio Cedar Creek - Buckner Danny Staggs 2.60 operator Don Geph:trdt assisted out·Of· Midway Calvary John Davey 2.72 state rel atives searching fo r in fo rmat ion Snow Lake Arkansas ¥.IIIey Harold Danley 2.77 about farn il )' members. · Strawberry Southern independence Alwyn Coleman 3.33 ·'This is a ministry that speaks without Graphic Southern Clear Cttek Lee Dennen Moott 3.33 a spoken word," said Robert Thckcr, direc· , Victory Nonh Pulaski 3.40 tor of missions fo r Tri·County Baptist Calvary Southern Bartholomew Charles Catter 3.42 Association, w hi ch includes churches in West Memphis. "We arc gi ving people w hat The 10 churches which led the stlle numerlcally ~re : they need- food, clothing, information, Churdl Association P:lstor Number etc.- and we make some inroads fo r Christ SPringdale First Washington-Madison Ronnie Floyd 262 by bei ng here at this d ifficult time." 'J!Inlry Southwest Wallace Edgar 235 In the midst of t.hc dCV2s t.:u ion is irony. > Mulberry First Clear Creek Rex Easterling 14S The marquee at the nearby West Memphis ' Central Mouat Zion Rex Hoi!~ 143 Civic Auditorium p romo tes a ' local lnmwluil . Benton Dale Thompson 130 Christmas concert' urging residents to Geyer Springs First Pulaski Paul Sanders 125 " Hear the Sounds o f the Season." Forrest City First 'IW-County Delton llcall 118 For 538 families in the community, the GljlD.d Avenue Concord )ames Bryant 94 - sounds of the season consisted of the howl· Gravel Ridge Nonh Pulaski Danny ~cto 92 ing, freighHrain·li ke roar o f a devasting Gentry First Benton Joe Finfrock 83 tornado-and the friendly encouragement o f Baptist volunteers. j anuary 7, 1988 Page 11 Merger Discussed 'Annie' Tops PAC, CLC Officers Consider Combining Entities $30 Million !JLANTA (BP)-The Southern Baptist by Marv Knox ecutlve vice president of the Executive Home Mission Board bas received more aapu.t rru. Committee, who provides staff assist2nce than J30 million through the 1987 Annie NASHVILLE (BP)-Offlcers of the to the PAC. Artn5trong Easter Offering, an increase of Southern Baptist Convention's Public Af Baker distanced the CLC from the meet· 8 .7 percent over last year's income. fairs Com.mJuec and its Christian Life Com lng, particularly as -lt related co the ongo The J30,032,349 received through the ffiission met Dec. 12 in Nashville to con ing dispute between the PAC and the Sap· Annie Amrstrong Easter Offering as of Dec. sider merging the two organizations. tlst joint Commiuee. He said the meeting 8 is shon of the: S37.5 mliJion goal but The CLC is the convention's NashviUe was lnltiated by the PAC's Currin, who con represents an increase of 8.7 percent over bascd moral concerns agency. The PAC is taaed the CLC's Lackey. He: also stressed Income through the special offering at the a standing committeAc of the convention the propos2.l for the merger first was same time last year, Banks sa.id. that also relates to the Baptist joint Com drafted by the PAC 's Land. ln addition to the S30 million from the mittee on Public Affairs, a Washington Currin, however, said: " The idea of the special offering in Southern Baptist chur based religious UbCny organization com merger actually originated with the officers ches, the board has received S22.7 million prised of nine Baptist convent ions. of the CLC. They broached the idea that through the Southern Baptist Coopc:r.ttive The officers' t2lks ccmcrc:d on a merger led to the meeting." Program budget; S3 .3 million from gifts, proposal that would c::xpand the CLC pro Lackey declined to discuss who initiated gnnts and designations; Sll.l million from gnm swement to include rcsponsibilicy for the meeting, saying initiation of the interest on investments, church loans and religious llbeny and church-state issues. It meeting is not as important as its content. bonds; and about S360,000 from sales, rcn would dissolve the PAC and ultLmately aJso He noted the concept of a PACICLC merger rals, and other income. dissolve ties betWeen the SBC and the Bap "appears to be a natural outgrowth as a tist joint Committee. result of opening a (CLC) Wotshington of PAC Chairman Samuel T. Cllrrtn of fice." ACTS Preachers Raleigh, N.C., said three major factors led Baker told Baptist Press: " One thing up to the merger talks: needs t'o be understood clearly. The Chris FORT WORTH , Texas (BP)-Four - The CLC's September decision to tian Life Commission has uken no action Southern Baptist pastors ha\'e been selected open a Washington office and expand its that would move us toward a · program as 1988 preachers for programs on the legislative efforts reg~rding moral, etltical statement different from that assigned to ACTS satellite netwo rk. and social issues in the nation's capit2.1. us by the convention. Ed Young, pastor of Second Baptist -The PAC's October decision to recom The: CLC executive nmed he repeatedly Church in Houston, was named preacher mend the committee become: its own in expressed two concerns regarding the for the morning edition of " The Baptist dependent agency, separate from the: Bap merger talks. First, he stressed the CLC is Hour." Preacher for the evening "Baptist tist joint Committee, also with a not taking sides in the PAC/Baptist }oint Hour" will be joel Gregory, pastor of Travis Washington office:. · Committee-dispute and pledged to con Avenue Baptist Church in Fo rt Wonh, - Concern over "duplication of effort tinue: to work with both groups. Second, Texas. Gregory has been the speaker on and overlapping of responsibilities'' o f the he called the proposal " premature at best," "Word of life," a weekly Bible teaching two organi22tions, particularly as they citing the SBC's 50!y ear relationshJp with program. relate to legislative or governmental issues. the Baptist joint Comm.inee, the Executive Frank PoiJard, pastor of First Baptist For example, abortion legislation involves Commiuee's current study of PAC/Baptist Church of Jackson, Miss. , will replace ethical issues, making it the domain of the joint Committee funding and the PAC's Gregory on "Word of Life." john Bisagno CLC. But it also involves churchlstate issues own pending prOposal regarding dissolu will continue as speaker for the lo ng· that touch the Baptist joint Commiuee's tion of SBC ties to the Baptist joint standing " Invitation to Life" evangelistic assignment. Committee ~ · program. Bisagno, pastor of First Baptist CLC participants included Chairman ''To propose something different or new Church of Houston, i~as been preacher on Fred laCkey, pastor of First Baptist Church at this time would .be t~ {Un .aheaQ of the the revival program since it began in 1984. of Athens, Ab.. ; Vice-Chairman joe At· issues 2.lreoldy under study and to circum chison, director of Baptist associational vent established processes and procedures missions in Rogers, Ark.; and Secretary of the con\'ention," he said. Northeasterners Rudolph Yakym Jr. , a stockbroker from Currin reponed the merger proposal will South Bend, Ind. be presented to members of both the PAC Start School ·PAC panldpants induded Ch:Urman Cur and the CLC and, if approved, will be NASHVILLE (BP)-Southern Baptists in rin, a North Carolina state judge; Vice presented a.s a joint recommendation to the the Northeast have launched a school for Chairman Alben lee Smith, an Insurance Executive Committee at its February tr.tining ministers in their region. executive from Birminghapt, Ala.; Recor The Northeastern Baptist School of ding Secretary les Csorba UI , executive CaA ) be hahdted oi11 a m~~~ngProposal Ministry, which wm open next fall, will director of Accur.tcy in Academia of Alex "separate,tr.i.ck' from the PAC/Baptlstjolnt provide on-site theologiCal and ministrY andria, Va.; and Richard Land, sped a! ..Sis: comffilt'tCe tlmdin8 stud cUrrenUY bc!ing edUcation in the 12-state region. Initial t2nt to the governor of Tex2s from Dallas, conducted by the SBC Executlve Commit· classes are to be held in Boston and Pitt· <:h:lirman 9f the PAC's planning and policy tee, he said. Since the merger proposal sburgb, with eventual expansion planned subcommittee. would require approval of both the Ex· for other cities. Also participating in the· meeting were ecutive Committee and the full SBC, he The school will gram a master's degree ~he CLC's Baker; Harold C. Bennett, presi· predicted the earliest date for a completed dent and treasurer of the SBC Executive merger would be foHowing the june 1989 as well as m.Jnistry diplomas. The master's degree will be a two-year program. Committee; and Ernest E. Mosley, ex- SBC annual meeting. Page 12 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE RESULTS ARE MIXED new faCility. "The study r~v~als the ne~d for much When Churches Build more aggresslv~ fo ll ow·up to a building proj«t,'' he said. ''Significant growth r.ltCS by Charles Willis budget gifts. McCormick rcportro findings for the three y~ars before the building too B•ptbt s-d.ar 5dtool Board of the research project to sute building often were followed b)' a declining percen NASHVILLE (BP)-Constructlon of a consultants during their annual planning tag~ 121~ of growth. The ·w~- h ave-a r rived ' new church facility fulfills neither the pro· meeting in Nashville. attitude apparently leads to some com miSt's of spectaculn growth nor the dire While sociological factors such as placency.'' prcdiccions of fin2ncial ruin, according to economic recession may have i_nflucnccd Baptisms declined in all membership results from 2 research project conducted the specific years, 1980-86, invoh•ed in t h ~ categories of churches with new buildings by the Southern Baptist Su nday School study, the fi ndings for churches th at had during the three-year period s tu di ~d . In Bo:ard 's research services department. built a new facility in 1983 i n c lud ~d thrce Sunday school average aue n danc~. those The results, said Gwcnn McCormick, years of dccre~d growth through bap that built averaged a 10 JXrccnt increase director of the board's church architecture tisms, increased Sunday school ave12g~ at while those not invo l v~d in a building pCO: departmcm, indicate a new building is like tendance, a lower increase in tithes and of ject averaged a 1.1 percent d ~crcase . ly to affect b2ptisms, Sunday school :mcn f~ri ngs coupled with a higher perc~ n tage While Sunday school attendance In chur· dincc, tithes 2nd offerings and Southern increase in Coopc12tive Program giving ches that built d id show signifi cant gains Baptist Cooperative Program unified than churches that had not con stru c t ~ d a compared to those that did not build, even those churches that built new space grew :u a slower r.ue for three years after building than they had fo r three years before building. 1 Generally, tithes and offerings and con- tribut ions to the Cooperative Program in creased despite fi nancial demands related The 1988 Home Missions[ -:~ to new faci lity construction. Churches with new buildings averaged a 7.2 percent lower increase in tithes and offerings but Teleconference is Your in creased Cooperative Prognm giving 6.2 pCrccnt more than those that did not build. " Churches really need to gear up for un Highway to Home Mission \{'-~ paralleled thrust and outreach once the building is completed,'· McCormick said. "A new building means the tools arc now "Pave" your highway with more knowledge about home in hand, but we must strengthen our effo rts missions as you tune in to this year's Home Missions to usc them responsibl y." Teleconference. You will meet missionaries who serve in various areas of the United States and see actual footage of them in their work place. You also will meet Southern Baptist missions leaders who will report to you the latest information concerning home missions. Church Secretary-Woman with eight Missionaries you'll meet... years experience as church/pastoral secretary seeks employment in a church Vince lnzerillo Seattle, Washington office, preferably in North Little Rock area. James Myers Grangeville, Idaho Skills: paste-up and layout, 80 wpm typing, Jim and Cathy Ward Dateland, Arizona word processing, 10 Key. Reference letters from former church employers available. Bill and Cindy Black Gatlinburg, Thnnessee Call 945-1712. "" 7bmB/ase St. Louis, Missouri Work wanted-Nursing assistant. Home or hospital. Part·time. Nettle Thomas, 401 Monday, Feb. 1, 1988 Wynn, Hot Springs, AR 71913; phone 7;8:30 p.m. (CST) 623-8677 ACTS .or BTN Networks Hotk., of empMJyment lOUgh! or ev.Uable will M poewct for thrM ConMeUtlve WMU whhout c~ lor member~ oiAt!unleils.ptlat~.Chordlltltl'poeltlonlwllnot M Included. s.nd name, ldd,..., t~ nulnMr, 1M IUtlnM!'ItotqR!Iftcetlons , u~ . endtyplot~ For more infonnation, write to: WMU, SBC, Communications Group, P.O. ment .aught or anllable to " Jobl Exchange ," ~ a.ptilt~ , P . O . Box552 , UttleRodt,AA72203 . Box C·IO , Binningham. AL 35283.()()10. PlacefMnt of a notJca In 1M Jobl ExehMge doH not ~ 1tttut1 1n endorwm.nt by 1M ABN . january 7, 1988 Page 13 bratiol1 Ce l e . . '88 Dedicating and Celebrating our new 3,400-seat Worship Center ------Presents------''The Celebration Conference'' February 14-19 Dr. Dtrnll Dr. Billy Tom Dr. Roy ~N~wsong Robinson Weber Enrr Fish Plus Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Jeff DiMiceli, Dr. Bobby Boyles, Dr. Ron Herrod, Mary Ann Kirtley, Dr. Claude Thomas, Dr. Harold O'Chester and the !50-member choir and orchestra of The First Baptist Church of Springdale Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd, Pastor First Baptist Church 1709 Johnson Rd. Springdale, Arkansas 72765-0786 (50!) 751-4523 ... wdk a ell~ jc», .N~ ~~~ ----- Page 14 , ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE LESSONS FOR LIVING Convention Uniform Life and Work Bible Book Loving the Hard to Love True Worship The Un.changed Life by Bill BOW(:O, FJ.i.st ChUJ"C.h, Mc.na by jo~y Ross, Ca1V2ry Church, by james W. Bryant, Grand Avenue B:ulc p:usagc• Matthew 5<21·26,38·48 BatcsvUic Church, Fort Smith Focal p:usagc• Matthew S <38-48 Basic passage: Exodus 20:1 -3; Basic passage: Genesis 25:19-27:45 Deuteronomy 6•13·1S; Psalm• 95di·7b; Focal passage: Genesis 27:6-10, Central truth: We arc to express god Matthew 4,8·10 ly I<»'<' to all people. 18·23,34·36• Focal passage: Exodus 20:3; Central truth: The unconverted, un One of Life's pleasures is having friends Deuteronomy 6 :13; Matthew 4:8-10 whom we love. Their company gives us changed, 2nd fallen human nature, so satisfaction and security. On the other Centr2..1 truth: True worshlp is reserv graphically typified in jacob, lies at ed for God. the of family hand, It is dlfficuh to be around people~ root conflict. know do not foster love for us. The first commandment concerns the The inclusion of this true storv in the Bi The same was true in the day of Jesus. obJect of our worship, jehovah, and him ble is one of the proofs of the ·DiBk"s in However, Jesus introduced a concept of alone {Ex. 20:3). The nations around Isrntl spiration. Were the Bible no more than neighborly love contrary to the te2chings had many deities and jehovah set the human thoughts and words, this shocking of his day. The Pharisees taught that love priorities for his people in o rder that there event in the life of jacob (later to be nam should be ~rvcd for one's friends. Those would be no worship of those o ther gods. ed Israel. the namesake of God's chosen who followed the teachings of the People seldom worship the same types nation of people:;) would never have been Pharisees were expected to hate their of idols today, but they have others: A per handed down beyond the day It happen enemy. They believed God have given them son's pride might lead him tO think too ed. One of the proofs of the Bible's inspira the privilege of being human insuuments highly of self. An!)ther might make the pur tion is that it tells the truth even about its of God's wr2th. God's wrath was to be suit of money and the things h etn buy his heroes, even if that truth is condemning. shown to anyone they did not like. all-consuming passion. Still others have The ancient Egyptian histories never record jesus taught love should be unreserved, pleasure, sensual or mherwise, as the defeats; only the victories of the Pharoahs. just ::as God's love for us is unreserved. priority of life. Some just want tO belong Yet the Bible tells us the truth about jacob In verses 38 :md 43, jesus quoted rwo to a group, ~en if it is a cult. at his wo~t. He lied to his dying father. He passages from the Old Test.amcm that had The truth is that whomever o r whatever tricked an o ld man. He stole his brother's been corrupted by the people of his day. one esteems, loves, fears , serves, delights birthright and then his blessing. It is not They had taken the law and used it to in or depends upon, more than God, that surprising that Esau hated jacob for ye:1rs justify hating those they could not get object or passion becomes o ne's god. This and years until God fin ally changed both along with. displeases jehovah! their hearts. Onl y the g.rnce and providence Verse 38 is a quote from Deuteronomy Our te.xt teaches that one must fear and of God kept Esau from finding·and killing 19:21. When God fust gave this instruction, serve God alone (De. 6:13). Pursuing and his brother jacob, after what jacob did. it wa.s a part of the law of retribution. serving other gods incurs the wrath of The unconverted, unchanged, and fallen The Jaw of retribution was established God. True worship will always give God human nature, so graphically typified in to give guidance for the judicial system of the glory. It involves the believer hav ing jacob, lies at the root of family conflict. Israel. It was never intended to give both the inward worship of a right heart This story is only one biblical example justification for venge;mce. As a matter of and the outward worship of obedience to among many of the truth of passages such fact , in Leviticus 19:18, God specifically his commandments. as Romans 3: 10-18. Mankind without warned Israel not to harbor ·vengeance. The New Testament reitca.ttes and affirms Christ is depraved. Human depravity is The second Old Testament passage jesus thaL the believer's worship must always and nowhere more clearly revealed than it is in quoted is found in verse 43. This statement only be directed God-ward. jesus' en family conflict. Last year a father in my is part Old Testament and part popular counter with Satan during the wilderness community · killed his own son in self theology of the day. jesus quoted Leviticus tempGuion (Mt. 4:8-10) shows God incar defense. '"It was either him or me," he said. 19:18. However, he also added a statement nate correctly teaching the evil one from A cyni cal friend of mine once said, which was a commonly accepted idea of the Scripture that true ·worship is reserved '" Everybody is out to get everybody else. the day-hate your enemies. for God alone. You'd better get them before they get you." In verse 39, jesus introduced his state ~ One must beware of subtle counterfeits Then he twisted the Golden Rule and said, mem of what Christian love is. We are to for genuine worship. In his dialogue with ··oo unto others before they can do unto be a channel for the love of God to all men, the woman at the well· j esus told the you." jacob did. He got the blessing, but even to those who arc hard to love. As we woman that she did not know what to wor he lost his brother. show love for all men, we are ship on. 4:22), then explained that true One good thing came out of it all demonstrating we arc God's children. worshippers are those who worship the however, which o ught to encourage all The words of jesus take us back to the Father both in spirit and in truth. Tht.-y arc who find their families in deep conflict. It Beatitudes. There, jesus stated that the w:~y the ones whom the Father seeks to wor was ultimately through that conflict that you love your enemy is not as the world ship him (v. 23). jacob felt ·his need of God, as we will sec does, but as God has loved us. He has Worship of any other person o r thing is in the weeks ahead. If your family is in forgiven our sin, thus demonstrating misplaced and ungodly, and ultimately will deep conflict, turn both yourself and your perfect love to us. incur the wrath of God. family over to God. Thbl~ trr:u.nrt b bua:l oa tloc latuNdoa.alllhk u- fot" Thb lcttoa 11 buH oa. tbc: LUr ud Work Currkulum for Sourhrtu Tblllt-lmiiiiii:GIIJbatcdoa.tbc:Bibk!look$1udfrDr.SO.tbc:nl CkriJtWI "JbdWta. t/111!- $aict.. COpyripllllltrUUoa.al Cou lqlhr Cluan:bn, roprr!Jiu br tbc: S!Uid.Jr SC:bool Bo.vd ol thr lapd.ttcburdtu,f"09rrl&bt~tbc:511011ar5cboolloardoltk dlolt4ocadoa..t/Kdby~ Sodlcralaptb!Colm::lltloll.AUfi&burcx:rYaLL'KdbypnliiWkla.. Soutbcno&ptbl<:oonada.a..AUrf&bbrcxrwd..l.ldby~ January 7, 1988 Page 15 Subscriber Services .WORLD The Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine offers subscription plans at three cates: Malaysia Churches Closed Every Resident Family Plan by Michael D. Chute earlier, Fiugerald troted the wounds of a gives churches a premium rate when .S8C FoR:Ip Mlatloa Board Palestinian man and his daughter. they send the Newsmagazine to all their KUALA LUMPUR, Mala)~ia (BP)-Thirty· Tension heightened in December as resident households. Resldem famllles three M:Uaysi:m Baptist churches received Palestinians hurling stones and other ob· arc calculated to be at least onc-founh ordc;rs Dec. 14 to suspend services within Jects were countered by Israeli troops' gun· of the church's Su nday School enroll seven dayS., as Baptists in that country con fire. " We've never seen it like thi.s before ment. Chuichcs who send only to tinue to feel repercussions from recent . .. so much tension and fighting and members who request a subscription do government enforcement of the Internal bloodshed and killing,'' said Fitzgerald of not qualify for this lower rate of S5 .52 Security Act. W:lco, Texas, who has worked in Gaza sirice ()('t year for each subscription. So).lrces in Malaysia say po lice are usi ng 1978 . Gaza c:.unc under Israeli contrOl A Group Plan {formerly called the zoning regulations to halt the services of when it W25 taken from Egypt in the 1967 Club Plan) allows church members to 33 churches in the st:lte of Negri Sembalan. ~iix -Day War. get a better than individual rate when Government officials say the sites on which Workers at the Baptist Center of Culture tO o r more of tht:m send thcir subscrip the churches arc meeting are not and Light received a threat Dec. 15 that (.he tions together through their church. designated for religious acttvities. center would be bombed if it stayed open . r------, Therefore, they are sajd to be violating ron· The center closed and w ill reopen "when I I ing codes. this blows over, whenever that is.' · Fit I However. Baptist leaders there claim zgerald said. The ministry operates a len I some of those churches have been meeting ding library 2.nd offers classes in English I in t.hc same locations for more than 20 and handicrafts. ~1-"V'I-....J .... ., Are you I rears. Clashes between Israeli troops and Page 16 ARKANSAS BAPTIST NEWSMAGAZINE