$2.95 November 2004 Vol. 22, No. 11 Anti-public schools resolution expected at state conventions PAGE 12 Dilday recalls events surrounding his firing as seminary president PAAGGEE 1133 Master craftsman carries on family tradition PAGE 2 www.baptiststoday.org PAGE 2 F E A T U R E Story and photos by John Pierce master craftsman Mission volunteer carries on family tradition SPRUCE PINE, N.C. — Preparing to preach uther Stroup can H.M. Stroup was a 22-year-old machinist without turn a pile of wood a high school diploma when he sensed a divine and moving parts calling. Humility was apparently one of his many into an elegant good traits. Lgrandfather clock. He is also Luther said his grandfather would take his 6- known for leaving the hills of year-old daughter by the hand and walk her to the western North Carolina on occa- one-room schoolhouse in the Steel Creek commu- sion for a good mission venture nity south of Charlotte. After seating her with — whether in neighboring states other first graders, he would join the high school hit by storms or faraway places kids in the back of the room. like Alaska, Cuba and Poland. The oldest graduate in his class then moved Both Luther’s craftsmanship and on to Wake Forest College “with four children and discipleship were strongly influ- $40 — believing that the Lord had blessed him.” enced by his late grandfather, H.M. Then study at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Stroup, who served as pastor of sev- Worth, Texas, would follow. eral North Carolina congregations “He came back to North Carolina and took including the First Baptist Church mostly small rural churches,” said Luther. “That is of Spruce Pine where Luther is where his heart was.” actively involved. Most impressive, said Luther, Another skill was his grandfather’s willingness to In his spare time the rural pastor would build fur- get a good education following his niture that soon evolved into clock making. call to ministry. Following retirement, he refined the craft even “He said the Lord has too many more. ignorant people trying to speak for “He worked until he was nearly 90 years old,” him,” Luther recalled. But his said Luther who began as a youth helping his grandfather’s ministry prepara- grandfather around the shop. “He made about 700 tion would not come easy. (grandfather clocks) by himself.” uther Stroup’s handcrafted clocks are grandfather — are being passed down to L constructed to order at Stroup Hobby second- and third-generation owners. They Shop. A few finished clocks are displayed at can be found across the country and around the Twisted Laurel Gallery in downtown the world. Spruce Pine, N.C., along with the works of During heavy demand, Luther said it has other artisans. taken up to two years to complete a clock Custom clocks range from $1,500 - from the time it was ordered. Today, he said, $5,000, with a typical grandfather clock he can usually do one in about eight weeks costing $2,000 - $2,500. — that is, unless a good mission project is Today, Stroup clocks — many built by his on the horizon. BT 2 Baptists Today • November 2004 F E A T U R E Personal touch: Luther Stroup builds, delivers and sets up handcrafted clocks, a skill learned from Stroup Hobby Shop his grandfather. P.O. Box 683, Spruce Pine, N.C. 28777 In 1972, with the Army waffling on road trip and a break from the sawdust (828) 765-2765 [Shop] whether Luther and his weak knees were and stain. (828) 765-1562 [Gallery] needed, the recent college graduate with public relations experience passed over Craftsman on mission two good job offers and began working When not working among the stacks of more closely with his grandfather. walnut, cherry, mahogany, oak, maple Luther carefully constructed a ledger and pine, Luther enjoys another passion showing the style, date, cost and cus- he learned from his grandfather — tomer of each individually crafted clock. ministry to those in need. In August of this year, he was working The Carson-Newman College grad- on the 2,507th floor clock crafted in the uate with degrees in religion and English understated Stroup Hobby Shop by teaches Sunday school and serves as dea- Luther, his grandfather, or the two of con at First Baptist Church of Spruce them when they worked hand in hand. Pine. Pastor David Vess calls him a “So I turned this into a business uniquely gifted lay leader. rather than a hobby,” said Luther of his “He’s just one of those special folks unintended profession. who has a wide variety of interests,” said New orders come through word-of- Vess. “He can sit down and talk to any- mouth referrals, not advertising. And body; he’s an open and accepting this is no assembly-line operation. person.” “(Customers) tell me what they Those interests have taken him far want or I steer them toward what they from Spruce Pine. Luther and his want,” said Luther. “I take their name brother, Robert, have joined N.C. down and call them when it’s done.” Baptist Men on several projects in the Often customers have an idea of U.S. and overseas. what they want, said Luther, because “I’ve tried to go somewhere every they have seen someone else’s clock. year since 1990,” said Luther, whose Wood samples, photographs and design first overseas venture was to Poland. patterns created by his grandfather help He has since been to Honduras, with the personalized decisions. Russia and other destinations. The flexi- The same care in construction bility of his one-man operation enhances comes with the delivery. Every clock his mission involvement. made by the Stroups since 1949 has “I’ve done in my working life what been delivered by Luther, his father or a lot of people are retiring to do,” said brother, except those shipped overseas. Luther of crafting wood into art. And “I’ve personally delivered and set up with no boss, Luther said he only needs clocks in 48 states, Canada and permission from his wife to join the Pastor David Vess (right) calls Stroup a gifted lay Mexico,” said Luther who enjoys a good next mission endeavor coming along. BT leader with a variety of interests. Baptists Today • November 2004 3 A 13-DAY BAPTIST HERITAGE TOUR July 25- August 6, 2005 Including the Baptist World Alliance Centenary Congress, July 27-31, in Birmingham, England Get daily insights from noted historian • Rest comfortably in centrally-located, first-class hotels. Walter B. Shurden, director of the • Enjoy the benefits of uniquely-planned insider tours. Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University. • Join former President Jimmy Carter, Rick Warren, Billy Kim and many other Baptists from around the world to worship and to celebrate BWA’s 100th anniversary. • Take in the sites of London, Salisbury, Bath, Coventry, Oxford, Chartwell and much more. Cost is $3499 from Atlanta. Supplemental air fare To receive a brochure with from other cities may apply. Travel arrangements complete itinerary and travel informa- coordinated through Dehoney Travel. tion, contact trip organizer Drayton Sanders, M.D., chairman of the Baptist Sponsored by the Baptist Heritage Council Heritage Council, at (706) 226-2349 of Georgia, Mercer University’s Center for or [email protected]. Baptist Studies and Baptists Today news journal Volume 22 • Number 11 • November 2004 John D. Pierce Executive Editor Baptists Today serves churches by providing a reliable [email protected] source of unrestricted news coverage, thoughtful Jackie B. Riley analysis and inspiring features focusing on issues Managing Editor of importance to Baptist Christians. An autonomous national [email protected] Baptist news journal Keithen M. Tucker Development & Marketing P E R S P E C T I V E [email protected] 7 It’s not that complicated, really John Pierce Gail Hardison I N E V E R Y I S S U E Circulation Manager 9 Lessons from the deeper Milton Rhodes [email protected] 6 Quotation Remarks Jannie Lister shadowlands Office Assistant 7 Editorial Bruce T. Gourley Online Editor I N T H E N E W S 8 Readers’ Response [email protected] 10 NAMB: New churches must affirm inerrancy, Furious Minds 10 Baptist News Designer not ordain women deacons Walker Knight Jack U. Harwell 20 Back-row Birdie Publisher Emeritus Editor Emeritus 11 Baylor regents narrowly reject call for Board of Directors Sloan’s termination 21 Formations Commentary Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Ann Beane, Richmond, Va. 24 The Resource Page Jack C. Bishop Jr., Lake Junaluska, N.C. 13 Ga. Supreme Court to hear Thomas E. Boland , Alpharetta, Ga. Shorter College case Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. 25 Classifieds Wilma B. Cosper, Cullowhee, N.C. Jimmy L. Gardner, Alpharetta, Ga. 15 SBC, BWA leaders disagree 26 Religion News W.M. Gilbert Jr., Lavonia, Ga. on appeals to churches William B. Greenhaw Jr., Macon, Ga. Kate J. Harvey, Valley Forge, Pa. 31 The Lighter Side Jimmy Little, Hartselle, Ala. 18 Virginia WMU leaders James T. McAfee, Big Canoe, Ga. oppose devaluing of 32 In the Know William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. Ella Wall Prichard, Corpus Christi, Texas women in ministry 33 Faith Experience Mary Etta Sanders, Dalton, Ga. R. Scott Walker, Waco, Texas 19 Ga. church with female E.C. Watson, Elgin, S.C. 36 The Media Shelf Winnie V. Williams, Seneca, S.C. co-pastor leaves association Board of Advisors Jimmy R. Allen, Big Canoe, Ga. 27 Religious Right pioneer Mary Jayne Allen, Chattanooga, Tenn. Barbara Baugh, San Antonio, Texas Ed McAteer dead at 78 Hardy C.