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Newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention N MORE NEWS AT TEXANONLINE.NET
Church planting network sees more than 300 come to Christ in Rio Grande Valley By Alex Sibley TEXAN Correspondent MCALLEN Disappointment set in with Eliseo Arreguin’s church planting team when no one showed up to their inaugural Bible study in the local library by the 2 p.m. start time. Though they were ready to begin the service, Arreguin instructed them to wait another 10 minutes. Fortunately, within that time, two women arrived, one of whom had been invited the previous day by a member of the team at a nearby park. The service proceeded with this audience of two, and both women showed interest in the Word. Following the service, one of the women asked if Arreguin’s team could conduct a Bible study at her home the following week. Arreguin agreed to do so. “When we went to the house,” Arreguin says, “we were surprised to see that the house was full. There were 10 adults and two children. We had a time of music and prayer, and they were very interested in us
VOTING: CIVIL AND BIBLICAL DUTY
BEYOND THE VOTING BOOTH Casting a ballot is essential, but not the only way Christians engage in local politics By Bonnie Pritchett TEXAN Correspondent HOUSTON If “all politics is local” why do so few citizens participate in the arena with one of the greatest influences over their daily lives? That quote by U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil, a democrat from Massachusetts, still holds true more than 20 years after his death. A few years ago a disparate band of pastors, reverends,
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priests and their congregants in San Antonio put aside their cultural and political differences to express dissatisfaction with the mayor and city council. Two mayoral elections later, their unity effected a historic election and sparked a recommitment to Christian civic engagement. And they are not resting on their laurels. Although voter participation for the May 9 general election rose 5 percent over the 2013 turnout,
ONE IN A MILLION:
‘The Bible Belt has become a mission field now’ By Michael Foust TEXAN Correspondent CANTON If churches within the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention are to reach their goal of taking the gospel to 1 million homes by 2020 as part of the “One In A Million” campaign, then it will take the same type of compassion, conviction and boldness recently exhibited by an elderly woman from Lakeside Baptist Church in Canton.
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it only bumped turnout percentages into the double digits. Of the 692,349 registered voters in San Antonio, only 12.43 percent cast a ballot. “It is not only their civic duty, it is their biblical duty,” said Charles Flowers, pastor of Faith Outreach in San Antonio. “It is just part of what you do as a citizen of the kingdom of God.” The Cost of Ambivalence San Antonio is not alone. In the 2012 presidential elec-
“It is not only their civic duty, it is their biblical duty. It is just part of what you do as a citizen of the kingdom of God.” —CHARLES FLOWERS, PASTOR OF FAITH OUTREACH IN SAN ANTONIO
tion, 58.58 percent of registered voters statewide cast a ballot. And a review of voter participation for the last three mayoral elections in major Texas cities reveals abysmally low voter participation. Mayoral elections got little more than a nod with turnout ranging from 6.73 to 19.12 percent in San Antonio, Houston, Lubbock and Dallas. The only anomaly was in See VOTING, 8
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An introvert by nature, she was out of town visiting a family member when she decided to get outdoors and go for a walk. Eventually, she needed to rest. “She saw an older gentleman sitting on a bench, and she sat down and shared the gospel with him,” said Lakeside Baptist pastor Mark Moore, adding that the woman had taken the “Can We Talk?” evangelism training. “Because she had a strategy and because she had confidence, she did it,” Moore said. “This introvert shared with a complete stranger.” The One In A Million campaign is being billed as the one of the largest evangelism efforts in Texas history, and it is being launched at a time when the state is more diverse than ever. In fact, three regions in Texas—San Antonio, DallasPlano-Irving and Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown—were listed by CNBC among the 10 most diverse cities in America. One In A Million also is being launched at a period when the gospel is desperately needed in the state: Approximately 70 percent of Texans don’t know Christ, which accounts for more than 18 million people. “Texas used to be the buckle of the Bible Belt, but it certainly is not any longer,” Moore said. One In A Million has four goals: 1 Identify the lost within Texas. 2 Train 1,000 pastors to teach the “Can We Talk?” evangelism strategy to their members. 3 Equip churches to take the gospel to their community. 4 Reach 1 million homes with the gospel by 2020.
“TEXAS USED TO BE THE BUCKLE OF THE BIBLE BELT, BUT IT CERTAINLY IS NOT ANY LONGER.” —MARK MOORE, LAKESIDE BAPTIST PASTOR
“OUR BIGGEST DESIRE IS TO SEE CHURCHES SET GOALS, CREATE INTENTIONAL STRATEGIES TO REACH THOSE GOALS, AND JOIN TOGETHER WITH SBTC CHURCHES FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO DO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN WE COULD DO INDIVIDUALLY.” —NATHAN LORICK, SBTC DIRECTOR OF EVANGELISM
“Our biggest desire is to see churches set goals, create intentional strategies to reach those goals, and join together with SBTC churches from across the state to do something bigger than we could do individually,” said Nathan Lorick, SBTC director of evangelism. Begun by pastor John Meador of First Euless, “Can We Talk?” teaches church members how to share the gospel with
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family members, neighbors, friends and co-workers during everyday conversations. West Conroe Baptist Church is among the churches using “Can We Talk?” “Several of our folks have said this has just given them tremendous confidence in sharing their faith,” said Jay Gross, West Conroe’s pastor. Among those is a Hispanic couple who recently joined West Conroe and went through the “Can We Talk?” training. On one Wednesday night during September, the husband stood up and explained how he had shared the gospel with a man he had wanted to talk to about Christ for a long time. “I knew what to say and knew how to talk to him,” the husband said. West Conroe is situated in Montgomery County, an area just north of Houston with a population of 500,000. It’s “rapidly growing,” Gross said. “The world is moving here,” Gross said. “The projected growth of Montgomery County is unbelievable in the next five years. They are people from all sorts of backgrounds. Our folks are beginning to realize, ‘This is not your grandmother’s little country town.’ It’s truly become a suburban mix of all kinds of nationalities, all kinds of religions, all kinds of backgrounds.” The lostness of Texas, Gross said, cannot be ignored. “Our nation as a whole has so turned away from God that it’s affected the Bible Belt,” he said. “The Bible Belt has become a mission field now.” Gross has trained about 150 members to use “Can We Talk?” “This has to be pastor-led,” Gross said. “We don’t hand this off to a staff member. It’s been so fulfilling for me as a
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There are two primary reasons his church goes door to door, Webb said. First, it “gives us a systematic way of tracking what we’re doing”— that is, which neighborhoods have been reached with the gospel. Second, it allows people who are timid about sharing their faith to tag along with a staff member who is more experienced. “It gives us an opportunity to give them some time on the field watching somebody else share the gospel—here’s what it looks like when somebody shares the gospel,” Webb said. “You don’t have to say a word. We just want you to stand there, smile and pray quietly, and watch. And then, with —JAY GROSS, PASTOR that support, it gives them the WEST CONROE BAPTIST CHURCH opportunity to stick their toe in the water. “We’ve seen great success with that.” If SBTC churches are to reach pastor to know I’m training 1 million homes with the gospel people personally. I feel more by 2020, church members must fulfilled doing that than I have get out of their comfort zones anything else.” and outside of their circle of Although “Can We Talk?” is Christian friends, Webb said. being promoted by the SBTC, “The longer you’ve been it certainly is not required to a Christian, the fewer lost participate in One In A Million, people you’ve probably Lorick said. known,” he said. “Whatever churches are Gross said Christians must get utilizing to reach homes with the a sense of urgency. gospel, we encourage that and “I think it’s going to take a are cheering that,” Lorick said. movement of the Holy Spirit of One of those churches that God in the hearts of his people,” is using something different Gross said. “There’s going to than “Can We Talk?” is Calvary have to be revival in our hearts. Baptist Church in Kaufman, It all starts with God’s people led by pastor Robert Webb. really understanding the His church uses Share Jesus urgency of the gospel. Every Without Fear, created and day people are dying and going popularized by Bill Fay. to a literal hell. I think we have The One In A Million lost that sense of understanding campaign, Webb said, “fits in how significant that is.” well with what we do.” For more information on the “We systematically go door One In A Million campaign, visit to door and share the gospel,” sbtexas.com/evangelism. For more Webb said. “We drive through information on “Can We Talk?,” our community.” visit oneconversation.org.
“THERE’S GOING TO HAVE TO BE REVIVAL IN OUR HEARTS. IT ALL STARTS WITH GOD’S PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE URGENCY OF THE GOSPEL. EVERY DAY PEOPLE ARE DYING AND GOING TO A LITERAL HELL. I THINK WE HAVE LOST THAT SENSE OF UNDERSTANDING HOW SIGNIFICANT THAT IS.”
Dads use Gospel Project to disciple their sons By Bob Smietana LifeWay Christian Resources DENVER, N.C. About once a month, a group of fathers and sons gather for barbecue, basketball and the Bible at the Charlotte-area Denver Baptist Church in North Carolina. The concerned fathers wanted to spend time helping their sons learn how to better follow Jesus, so they started meeting a few years ago. They call themselves “Boys2Men.” Their pastor Chris Griggs smiles at the name, as it brings back memories of the popular 1990s R&B group Boyz II Men. “I don’t think they know about the singing group,” he says. The father-son gathering started at a time when the church didn’t have a full-time youth pastor. Some of the dads had volunteered to lead a youth weekend
Scott Bisson (standing) leads the father-son discipleship group Boys2Men in Bible study discussion drawn from The Gospel Project curriculum. PHOTO BY BOB LEVERONE
and came back realizing they wanted to be more involved in intentional discipleship. Griggs, who attends the group with his 10-year-old son Elijah, says the dads who started the
group felt their sons were learning Bible stories but not the overall story of the Bible. And they were looking for a way to talk about how the gospel interacts with everyday life.
To help them do that, leaders decided to have the group study lessons from The Gospel Project, a Bible study curriculum from LifeWay Christian Resources centered on how all of Scripture gives testimony to Jesus Christ. Each Boys2Men meeting, usually held on a Saturday, starts with a social time. The sons play football and basketball while the dads sit together and talk about the challenges of raising young men. Then one father gives his testimony, followed by a discussion drawing from The Gospel Project as a springboard to get the conversation going. “It’s not so much a lecture as it is, ‘Here’s the gospel—how does it apply to your situation in life?’“ Griggs says. Kemp England, a police officer and one of the founders of Boys2Men, says the group has
helped both the men and their sons grow. “We want to help as many men as we can feel comfortable proclaiming the gospel,” England says. During the meeting, each father and son has a chance to discuss how that week’s lesson applies in his own life. For Griggs’ son, it’s about trying to apply the gospel at school, understanding his place in the world and learning how to make and keep good friends. “For each kid it’s different,” Griggs says. “The struggles you face at 10 are much different from the ones you face at 15.” Because of the success of Boys2Men, Denver Baptist is starting a fathers and daughters group—also using The Gospel Project. “These dads,” Griggs says, “really want to invest in the lives of their kids.”
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SIX-WOMAN TEAM HOLDS COMMUNITY-WIDE RALLY TO “DO SOMETHING” TO END ABORTION By Sharayah Colter Staff Writer
FORT WORTH Hundreds gathered for a multi-church, community-wide pro-life rally in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 23, after six local women decided they had to “do something” tangible to stand for life. The event was hosted by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in its MacGorman Chapel. The group of women, led by Ella Bullock and Rachel Miller, both members of Birchman Baptist Church, includes stayat-home moms, a first-grade teacher, a part-time political office employee and a writer. The women call themselves a group of “average, everyday Americans” who want to put feet to their vocal stance for the sanctity of life. The rally focused on praying for a revival in hearts that would lead to a nation of people willing to protect life at all stages. Birchman Pastor Bob Pearle, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Professor Evan Lenow and Wedgwood Baptist Church Pastor Emeritus Al Meredith led the crowd in directed prayer times. “Our Father, our hearts are broken over the callousness of our country,” Pearle prayed. “... Lord we pray for those in our elected offices. ... And where those
officials have been cowardly and have not voted for life, Lord I pray that you would so convict them that they would not be able to rest until they get their hearts and lives right with you.” Lenow, who teaches ethics at the seminary and serves as director of the Richard Land Center for Cultural engagement, directed the crowd to pray for expectant parents. “Lord we pray for these mothers, these fathers, these families and extended families. We pray that their choices would be choices of life. We pray that you would direct their hearts to recognize your handiwork. And in places where they cannot provide for these children, may you bring others into their lives who can. We pray that ... our city be a city of life,” Lenow prayed. Meredith confessed to the Lord that the rise in pro-abortion culture happened on his watch and asked the Lord to forgive the church for not fighting more diligently to protect life. “Oh, Father, this is so egregious that it hurts to talk about,” Meredith prayed, “that we should snuff out the lives of millions of precious ones before they have a chance to take their first breath, and it happened on my watch. Father, forgive the silent Christians who stand by and say nothing while this
holocaust of infants goes on. ... Change our hearts, we plead in Jesus’ name.” In addition to the time of prayer, those gathered heard from Sen. Konni Burton (R-Colleyville); State Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth); and The Village Church Fort Worth Pastor Anthony Moore, a SWBTS doctoral graduate. Krause, a politician who comes from a family full of Southern Baptist pastors, recalled a recent experience in which he walked out of the Capitol after having voted for life and was met with protestors advocating for abortion rights. “They were shouting, ‘Shame on you,’” Krause said. “But I hope my heavenly father is looking down saying, ‘Well done.’” “It is never okay to end the life of an unborn baby on purpose.” Krause said. Moore, in a message from Genesis 4, reminded attendees that, yes, they “are their brothers’ keepers,” explaining that Christians must be willing to suffer with and help parents who cannot care well for the children they bear. Bullock shared a personal testimony as well in a moment that many called the most moving portion of the entire rally. Standing on the stage with two women—her bio-
logical mother and her adoptive mother—Bullock and her mothers shared about God’s perfect plan for their imperfect situation. What was an unplanned, crisis pregnancy for Bullock’s biological mother allowed Bullock’s adoptive parents’ desire to grow their family possible. A visibly emotional Bullock told the crowd that in God’s economy, there is no such thing as an “unplanned” life. To be surrounded by 500 people ready to stand for life was just another fulfillment of the perfect plan [God] put in motion 28 years ago when a 17-year-old found herself pregnant and chose life,” Bullock said after the rally. Locals for Life leader Rachel Miller reminded the audience of the reason for the gathering. “Here we are tonight because our God is a God of life,” Miller said. “He cares about each life because he made every one of them. We join him when we say what he did is good and worth fighting for.” Just before leaving, attendees were asked to look under their seats. Those who found paper hearts taped to the seats were asked to stand. More than half of the people in the room stood up and held pink and blue paper hearts in their air.
Those standing represented the number of children who were aborted during the time the rally took place. That sobering visual struck high school junior Melissa Manning, spurring her to do more to stand for life after leaving the rally. “I feel more confident,” said Manning, who volunteered along with about 60 others. “I feel like I can go out, reach more people, and be educated about it. I want to go do something. I don’t want to just stand back. I want to do something and reach out to those girls who are my age and show them how important life is.” In an effort to encourage people to “do something” to stand for life, more than a dozen pro-life organizations from the area were on hand to provide attendees with information on how to support pregnancy help centers, how to become adoptive parents and how to affect legislative change that will protect life in America. The team founded Locals for Life in such a way that it can be reproduced in cities around the nation. Locals for Life will provide artwork files and other support to help any interested communities and can be contacted at
[email protected] or through localsforliferally.org.
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praying for them and the needs that they had. We also gave an evangelistic message. After that, we got to know each other and shared a meal.” Before they left, another woman asked the church planting team if she could host a Bible study at her house the following day. The team again complied, and the next day, they conducted another Bible study, this time to an audience of 16. Thus, in a matter of one week, from two women came 30 people gathering together in two different homes to study God’s Word. “None of these people have been saved,” Arreguin says, “but little by little, with the relationships we are forming with them, we know that God is working and will continue to do so.” Arreguin’s church plant is one of several currently being developed in the Rio Grande Valley by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Missions Associate David Ortega coor-
dinates the SBTC’s efforts in this area, working with local churches to reach the Valley through church planting. Barna Research Group identified the Rio Grande Valley as the No. 4 most unchurched area in the United States, indicating the desperate need for new churches in this southernmost part of Texas. Ortega realizes the importance of cooperation between believers to overcome the challenges associated with doing ministry there, which led him to form a church planting network. “I started casting vision with a number of pastors,” Ortega says, “and I challenged them about coming together in a fellowship with the goal of church planting. We’d like to see 100 churches by 2020. And it’s all of us working together to accomplish that goal.” This fellowship of pastors and church planters meets once a month to share needs, give praise reports, and determine ways they can work together. The network now has nine church plants in early stages
SBTC Missions Associate David Ortega speaks to church planters in the Rio Grande Valley at a dinner, Sept. 11.
of development. Few have permanent locations, so their ministries mainly include evangelism and visitation as well as Bible studies in local parks and libraries. Even so, God is clearly at work among them. “We’ve seen how God worked to prepare the people, and we’ve had at least 300 people receive Christ since
Easter of 2014,” Ortega says. “These church planters have come and have developed into competent planters, and we’re still working, but that’s been exciting. I see a potential that we can really do some impact here in the Valley.” Ortega encourages his fellow SBTC churches to join in this effort, whether through prayer and financial support
or through planting churches themselves. “We’re not going to reach our goal if we don’t all have this vision of reaching the Valley; if we don’t have this network,” he says. “It’s going to take pastors, laypeople and church planters. And I think that’s the way the Lord wants it; so no one gets the glory but him.”
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RESPONSIBILITY IS A HARD THING Gary Ledbetter Editor
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n teaching through Galatians, the relentless theme of “freedom” has reminded me of the enormity of the concept. Kids often misunderstand it as, “I can do whatever I want,” as they approach the magical ages of 16, 18 and 21. But as a 16-year-old, my driver’s license mostly facilitated my work, and my wages primarily went to gas, insurance, and body work. At 18, my first act was to register for the draft during the waning days of the Viet Nam war. By 21, I was alone in Dallas, a hungry, homesick college student. Ah, freedom! There are delights to greater levels of self-determination, but the responsibility, the freedom to do right, is ever before us. The rewards of freedom come most often to those willing to do hard things. Marriage is a basic, hard thing in life—the delightful, challenging work of getting along with someone we usually don’t understand. Compromise is hard, forgiveness is hard, and unselfishness is the hardest thing of all. We looked forward to being parents with no idea of what it would require of us. It’s exhausting, expensive and potentially heartbreaking whether you work hard at training your kids
EMBRACING FREEDOM IN CHRIST MEANS THAT WE ARE WELCOMED INTO SPIRITUAL ADULTHOOD, AS IN GALATIANS 4:1-7. WE ARE NOW ENTRUSTED WITH DIFFICULT AND IMPORTANT THINGS. THAT’S A GROWNUP VERSION OF FREEDOM THAT CAN REVOLUTIONIZE FAMILIES, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES.
or just slack off. I’ll say also that it is marvelous and I recommend it highly—it’s what grownups do— but it leaves a mark on every aspect of your life. We are church members also. A church is a collection of people you didn’t pick who frustrate and bless in a manner similar to your blood family. If your blood family has no irregular people, be assured your spiritual family will. Because Baptist churches are congregational, my freedom in Christ gives me the responsibility to know my brothers and sisters, to be aware of the issues of my church, and to behave as an engaged and caring church member. It takes time and can be depleting. My church is Southern Baptist and affiliated with two state conventions. Freedom and responsibilities require that we care about the affairs of our denomination. We have responsibilities to know the issues and participate in the business of our state conventions and national convention. The
freedom to do that comes with responsibility and impacts our global outreach. I am a citizen of my community, state and nation. I vote on those three levels and am thus a part of a deliberative body asked to make decisions about taxes and leadership. My freedom to do what few in the history of the world have been allowed to do is a responsibility to vote based on my convictions and knowledge. Knowing and voting is a “hard thing” to those overwhelmed by political debate. I am a child of God, the grateful recipient of undeserved mercy, enabled to do hard things by freedom in Christ. Yes, freedom in Christ is freedom from sin and freedom from the penalty of eternal death; but it is also the gifting of work only appropriate for mature men and women, along with the power to do that work. This narrow gate is the doorway to joy unattainable in any other way.
Do the hard work of marriage and parenthood. Love your wife and disciple your children, though it will cost you more than you started with. This is a gift that follows your freedom in Christ. It comes with sufficient power, and it will leave scars you won’t mind having, in retrospect. Do the hard things associated with church life and Baptist polity. They bear on the spiritual well-being of those around you and of those whose faces you won’t see this side of heaven. I’m alarmed at the number of people who are comfortable saying “no” to serving their churches. Sometimes you should, but some say it too often. Be a godly and engaged citizen Christian. Turn off the TV long enough to read about the issues in local and national government. Know your Christian convictions. Vote your Christian convictions. It won’t take all that much time, but it evidently takes more than many citizens currently give. I also know that no one can or even should give the same level of energy to all these hard things. Some men build great churches but neglect their wives and kids. Others are so focused at home that they say “no” to things they should do at church. Political involvement can take attention God meant you to give to your family or church. I have discovered that some phases of life call us to
focus on different things. Perhaps the “empty nest” stage of life is one where we can focus on things we simply couldn’t or shouldn’t while discipling minor children. Keep your priorities in line, then. Love your wife and give yourself sacrificially to her. Teach your kids right and godly things even if it means you have no “me time” or sleep. Do these things if it costs you in other areas. But this first human priority is not in competition with your fellowship with the family of God. Being a good churchman is part of what we teach our wives and kids. Surely being an usher or teacher on Sunday morning or attending a business conference is not going to cripple your family life. Voting, reading a newspaper article and praying about your nation are the most basic level of civic engagement. It may be that this most basic level is appropriate for you, rather than one more time consuming. If 10 percent more Christians did that much, it would change the face of American politics. Embracing freedom in Christ means that we are welcomed into spiritual adulthood, as in Galatians 4:1-7. We are now entrusted with difficult and important things. That’s a grownup version of freedom that can revolutionize families, churches and communities.
5 Observations as SBTC President Jimmy Pritchard SBTC President
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t will conclude my two-year tenure as president of our convention during our meetings at Champion Forest Baptist Church, Nov. 9-10. This has been an incredible and humbling two years. Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve our convention in this way. Since this is my final column as president, I would like to share with
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you five observations from the past two years about our fellowship: 1 Texas is a really big state. Because of its sheer size, we exert great influence upon our national convention. It behooves us to lead the way in ministry, leadership and support of the Southern Baptist Convention. 2 Texas has become a really big mission field. God is bringing the world to us. Our cities and suburbs are teeming with all kinds of people who need to be introduced to Jesus Christ. Our opportunities are limitless. 3 We have a lot of faithful, godly pastors. As we have prayed across
Jim Richards, Executive Director
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Gary K. Ledbetter, Editor Keith Collier, Managing Editor Tammi Ledbetter, Special Assignments Editor Sharayah Colter, Staff Writer Gayla Sullivan, Circulation Manager Russell Lightner, Layout/Graphic Artist
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Texas, I have had the joy of meeting many of you. I am impressed with our pastors. Some are in difficult places, others in fruitful ones, but all I have met love the Lord, preach the Word and are faithful. We are more numerous than you might realize, which gives us great strength. 4 Our challenges are great. Whether it be lukewarm members of our churches or an adversary that is becoming bold and militant, these days are wrought with the unknown. I would remind you that we are part of a kingdom that shall never be destroyed despite what challenges may arise.
5 We are much stronger when we stand together. Whether we gather in local settings or at our statewide convention, we must encourage each other to stay faithful and true during these days. These observations underlie the necessity of our joining together and serving through our state convention. Please plan to attend the annual meeting. You are needed, and every one of us is a vital part of our holding forth the Word of Truth to our generation. God bless you, Southern Baptists of Texas. Thanks again for the privilege to serve. See you in Houston!
The Southern Baptist Texan is the official newspaper of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, P.O. Box 1988, Grapevine, Texas 76099-1988. Toll-free 877-953-7282, Phone 817-552-2500, FAX 817-552-2520. Email:
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NOVEMBER 2015
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HOUSTON: A DIFFERENT CITY SINCE WE LAST GATHERED Jim Richards Executive Director
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he last time the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention met in Houston, we were celebrating the beginning of our 10th year of ministry. Here we are seven years later meeting in a very different city. Houston has become the most ethnically diverse city in the United States. There are more than 300 ethno-linguistic groups. Projections are that Houston will be number three in population, surpassing Chicago, when the 2020 census is taken. While Houston has many wonderful Bible practicing churches, entire segments of the city are without the presence of a New Testament church. Reach Houston is an effort to plant churches where they are needed. Many existing churches are plateaued or declining. Within a few short years
some of those churches will close their doors. The SBTC has a Revitalization Plan that can work for any church that will work it. No plan works itself. Any church can rebound, if the people are willing. God wants his church to thrive. Church planting and revitalization are the two approaches to Reach Houston. One primary tool fuels both approaches: personal evangelism. Church plants are a result of reaching people with the gospel. Revitalization takes place because new people are brought into the kingdom and then discipled in the church. Both approaches depend on the planter/pastor being a personal, intentional gospel witness. As you read in the TEXAN about missions and ministry in the churches and by the SBTC staff, you see how God is blessing the work we do together. From Beaumont to Dumas, Texarkana to Odessa, in the Borderlands and rural areas, there are opportunities for all of us to advance the gospel. For the next five years, let’s all pray for Houston. Let’s all
give a little time to minister in Houston. Please continue to give through the Cooperative Program so we can Reach Houston. A portion of your Reach Texas State Missions Offering will go to Reach Houston. We are in this together. On Nov. 10 at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston a recommendation will be made to the messengers
that we return to Houston in three short years to have another annual meeting. If the proposal is approved, we will celebrate 20 years as a convention in the city where we were birthed. By God’s grace we will be hearing at that time how thousands have been birthed into God’s family because of Reach Houston!
7 Things Church Planters Want You to Know focused primarily on those people, not on wooing members of other churches. Shane Pruitt 2 Church plants could benefit from SBTC Director of Missions you sending people from your church. Like green plants need air and water, every new ministry needs two basic things: hat is a church planter? A resources and people. What a blessing simple definition of a church it can be when established churches planter is one who plants (or prayerfully support the work God is dostarts) a new local church. Of ing by intentionally challenging some of course that begs the question, “What is their members to go out as laborers into a good definition for church?” The word the harvest, to live like missionaries. “church” originally comes from the Greek 3 Planters have put everything on word ekklesia, which is defined as “an the line—finances, families, pride, fears, assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root everything. One of the most amazing meaning of “church” is not that of a build- things you can do for a church planter is commit to walk with him through ing but of a people. Beyond just a Greek definition of the this process. Commit to six-months, a word, the New Testament model of the year or a lifetime. For a planter to know local church is a group of people who that someone else has his best interest confess Jesus as Lord and live out the in mind instills courage to dream GodGreat Commission. So, to combine these sized dreams. ideas, a church planter would be one 4 Planters desperately need faith called by God to start a new movement and wisdom. When starting a church, of people who commonly confess Jesus there are literally hundreds of decisions as Savior and are faithful disciples of that need to be made. Church planters Him. However, a church planter is much need prayer and counsel to help them make wise decisions and maintain more than a definition. We’re still left with the question, strong faith in God. In the face of risk, “Who is this kind of person that in the great challenges, and at times internal process of church planting often leaves opposition, being encouraged to have a steady salary and an established min- faith in God to do the work he has called istry for the complete unknown? Is he them to is incredibly important. brave, naïve or just dumb enough to try 5 Planters fear failure but know it’s it?” Even for church planters, these are a very real possibility. Many church planters struggle with coming to grips sometimes hard questions to answer. While not an exhaustive list, here with failure. Some studies have shown are a few characteristics about church that 80 percent of all church plants do planters that are helpful to know as you not survive past their third year. A key pray for and support them in their work: spiritual battle is for the planter to fully 1 Planters are not trying to steal and daily give the future and the work people from your church (at least not to God so that he is free to minister with most of them). Church planters start joy and confidence rather than worry. new churches to reach a segment of peo- Even the Apostle Paul suffered with ple not hearing and/or responding to the these kinds of fearful thoughts when gospel in a particular location. They are he wrote, “And, apart from other things,
W
there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28).” 6 Planters need a pastor, too. They desperately need your help, and they know that. While they don’t necessarily want to be constantly critiqued and prodded, they often appreciate fresh eyes, outside perspective and wisdom that comes from experience. Sometimes they’ll ask. Sometimes they won’t. But if you’ll listen well and ask insightful, caring questions, they will be glad to listen when you offer advice and thank you for it. 7 Planters have a wife and a family. The pioneering nature of church planting can be extremely hard on a church planter’s spouse and children. Often, planters are bi-vocational, meaning they’re also working a job on top of
Pray100Plant100 is a prayer initiative encouraging the 2500+ Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches to join together in asking the Lord of the harvest to raise up more laborers to work His field in Texas.
pastoring. Pray for them and challenge them not to sacrifice their families on the altar of ministry. At the beginning, planters are preachers, greeters, chairstackers, toilet-cleaners and much more. As a result, their families can suffer. Help them to value their wives, pastor their children and repent when the work becomes a mistress. So, who is this man called to plant a church? Likely, he is nothing more than a follower of Jesus, called by God to “go” with nothing more than a vision that can only come from God. But when it comes down to it, he is just someone being obedient to the will of God, and really, that is all that matters. Won’t you join me in praying for and supporting our SBTC church planters across this state?
Ask God to raise up at least 100 church planters a year to populate the state of Texas with Biblically Based, Kingdom Focused, and Missionally Driven churches.
PRAYER
Allow us to team up with your church planting efforts by emailing us at
[email protected].
PARTNER
Connect with others who are praying with us by using #pray100plant100 on your social media sites.
PARTICIPATE
6
ANNUAL MEETING
S O U T H E R N
2015 PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS REGISTRATION 1) Rob Ray (CHAIR) 2) Irma Ramos 3) Bruce Northam 4) Chris Moore 5) Lorenzo Ewing
First Baptist Church, Porter First Baptist Church, Galena Park Clay Road Baptist Church, Houston Second Baptist Church, Angleton The Fellowship of Love Church, Richmond
RESOLUTIONS 1) Denny Autrey (CHAIR) 2) Tony Mathews 3) Bill Kimbley 4) Evan Lenow 5) Danny Wolfe 6) Kelly Hancock 7) Michael Reeder 8) Flora Lopez
Sagemont Church, Houston North Garland Baptist Fellowship, Garland Forestburg Baptist Church, Forestburg Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth Northeast Houston Baptist Church, Humble North Richland Hills Baptist Church, NRH Harmony Hill Baptist Church, Lufkin Champion Forest Baptist Church, Houston
TELLERS 1) Marcus Allen (CHAIR) 2) Tony Watson 3) Tim Byrd 4) Chuck Beem 5) Kevin Jordan 6) John Denby 7) John Goss 8) Saul Hernandez 9) Mike Borghese 10) Caleb Fleming 11) Brenda Ladd 12) Brandon Bales
Family Faith Baptist Church, Kingwood First Baptist Church, Winona Waverly Station Cowboy Fellowship, New Waverly First Baptist Church, Rosharon First Baptist Church, Hempstead First Baptist Church, Spurger Central Baptist Church, Crockett Iglesia Bautista Semillas de Mostaza, Porter Spring Creek Baptist, Spring North Oaks Baptist Church, Spring GracePoint Fellowship, Magnolia Northeast Houston Baptist Church, Humble
PARLIAMENTARIANS 1) Aaron Meraz 2) Terry Wright
First Baptist Church, Prosper First Baptist Church, Vidor
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES Term Expiring 2018 Emory Baptist Church, Emory 1) Richard Piles 2) Carolyn May Trinity Baptist Church, Longview First Baptist Forney En Espanol 3) Eddie Lopez
B A P T I S T
T E X A N
sbtexan
OFFICER NOMINEES ANNOUNCED HOUSTON As the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) Annual Meeting approaches in November, several pastors have announced plans to nominate individuals Danny Forshee to serve as officers of the Bible Conference and the convention for 2016. Nominations will be made during the meetings at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Nov. 8-10, 2015. Steve Washburn, Nathan Lino pastor of First Baptist Church in Pflugerville, plans to nominate Danny Forshee for president of the 2016 Bible Conference. Forshee has served as pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin since 2010. He is president of the Danny Forshee Evangelistic Association, has pastored churches in Texas, Virginia, and Arkansas; and served as a professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Fort Worth. He earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southwestern Seminary. In March, Chris Osborne, pastor of Central Baptist Church in College Station, announced that Dante Wright he will nominate Nathan Lino, pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church (NEHBC) in Humble, for president of the SBTC. Born in South Africa, Lino’s family immigrated to the Houston area when he was 11. He planted NEHBC in 2002 and has served previously as first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2012-13 as well as vice president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention from 2006-08. Terry Turner, pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, plans to nominate Dante Wright, pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, for vice president of the SBTC. Wright has served the past two years as recording secretary of the SBTC. Wright spent 10 years as a football coach before surrendering to ministry and coming to pastor Sweet Home Baptist Church.
NOVEMBER 2015
ANNUAL MEETING
T E X A N O N L I N E . N E T
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BIBLE CONFERENCE TO FEATURE BREAKOUT SESSIONS, ‘LESS CEREMONY’ By Sharayah Colter Staff Writer
HOUSTON Organizers of the 2015 Bible conference preceding the annual meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas convention have added a new feature to this year’s gathering: breakout sessions. The sessions will center on discipleship and will be led by people from across Texas who have implemented discipleship-focused ministry approaches in their own churches and communities. SBTC church ministries associate Lance Crowell heads the convention’s work in discipleship ministries and explained what attendees can expect from the discipleship-focused breakout sessions held during the Nov. 8-9 conference at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston. “This event has been crafted to give pastors and leaders a clear understanding of what a multiplying disciple-maker is and how to develop that in your church,” Crowell said. SBTC pastor/church relations ministry associate Ted Elmore said the convention hopes the emphasis on
discipleship will move churches beyond simply supporting the idea of “making disciples” to actual intentionality in making disciples. Bible conference vice president and First Baptist Church of Beaumont pastor Chris Moody says to accomplish that, this year’s two-day gathering, themed “Multiply: Making Disciple Makers,” will be “an equipping conference with a best practices attitude.” Breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics under the discipleship umbrella, allowing attendees to choose sessions
that best fit their ministries and that speak to challenges they face in their own spheres. Among the sessions to be offered are “If First Baptist Beaumont Can Do It, Anybody Can Do It,” led by Moody; “Pastor, Mentor Your Staff,” led by Dante Wright, pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock; and “How To Ignite A Movement of Multiplication” led by Craig Etheredge, pastor of First Baptist Colleyville. Tracks geared specifically for women and Spanish-speaking attendees will also be among the sessions offered.
Moody says a shift from a “feeding consumers” approach to an “equipping equippers” approach is critical to the furtherance of the gospel in America. He said such a transition is also essential in the quest to curb biblical illiteracy. “If the church doesn’t recapture the lost art of disciple-making, we will continue to go the way of Europe where Christianity was once great,” Moody said. “That’s the kind of reformation we need to see in America so we can move forward.” Crowell said the SBTC wants to assist churches in this effort in any way possible and will have a special booth at the Bible conference where pastors and leaders can get next steps helps. “We are providing trainings, additional conferencing and consultation to help churches and pastors who really want to take next steps after the Bible conference,” Crowell said. Crowell said the SBTC also has an eightpart video series available online for free to help churches with disciple-making. The videos are available at sbtexas. com/onlinetraining/discipleship/boldmoves/c-66.
Joint worship service on Nov. 10 includes two distinct Baptist groups by Tammi Reed Ledbetter Special Assignments Editor
HOUSTON Two groups of Baptists meeting in Houston during the second week of November will come together for a joint worship service, Tuesday, Nov. 10. Champion Forest Baptist Church will host in their facilities the separate annual meetings of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) Nov. 9-10 and the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas (BMAT) Nov. 10-11. Five years ago the two groups approved “a working ministry relationship,” noting their shared affirmation of a high view of Scripture and basic Baptist distinctives. That led to a common commitment to
evangelize the state and serve the Lord through cooperative ministries. Wes Pratt, pastor of the BMATaffiliated Northside Baptist Church in Conroe, will deliver the message that evening after reports are presented by Jacksonville College President Mike Smith and Texas Baptist Home President Eddie Marsh, representing the two BMA institutions that SBTC funds. The worship team of the SBTCaffiliated West Conroe Baptist Church will lead music along with the choir from Jacksonville College. SBTC has supported two of the institutions founded by the Baptist Missionary Association over the past decade. The two-year Jacksonville
GROUNDED IN THE TRUTH. READY FOR THE WORLD. MIDWESTERN COLLEGE IS DEDICATED TO PREPARING AND EQUIPPING THE LEADERS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW.
Take the next step. mbts.edu/tx10
College began receiving funds in 2004 and the Texas Baptist Home in Waxahachie signed an affiliation agreement in 2005. With autonomous churches spread across the U.S. in 32 states, the Baptist Missionary Association was founded in 1900 by 45 churches that left the Baptist General Convention of Texas over a perception that the board structure might override the sovereignty of local churches. Based in Waxahachie, BMA counts 452 Texas churches in its membership. TEXAN executive editor Gary Ledbetter wrote nearly a decade ago of the “good unity story” that had emerged in the state through a burgeoning
relationship between the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention formed in 1998. “For about a hundred years the Baptist Missionary Association and the Southern Baptist Convention went their own ways in the specifics of missionary support,” he explained. “Southern Baptists have been more centralized in their support of various denominational causes than have Missionary Baptists. “In Texas, we are once again finding ways to work together,” Ledbetter added, describing “biblical and godly” unity around “specific ministries with others who substantially agree regarding faith and practice.”
LA REUNIÓN ANUAL SE APROXIMA Mike Gonzales Director de los Ministerios Hispanos SBTC
I
glesias Hispanas de la Convención Bautista del Sur, hagan planes para asistir a la Sesión en Español de la Convención de los Bautista del Sur de Texas. Se celebrará en el FL Worship Center el domingo, 8 de noviembre de 2015 a las 6 pm en la iglesia bautista Champion Forest, 15555 Stuebner Airline Rd, Houston, TX 77069. El orador será el humorista José Ordóñez de Colombia. Este año el tema será, “Caminando en Unidad”
basado en Efesios 4:1-3. Tendremos momentos de alabanzas y adoración por los grupos de alabanza de Champion Forest y Sagemont en Español y después de la sesión tendremos un tiempo de compañerismo. Esta reunión anual es un tiempo para que las congregaciones de habla hispana puedan celebrar y ser inspirados por la Palabra de Dios y ser animados para alcanzar a un pueblo perdido. También hagan planes para asistir a la Reunión Anual de la Convención de los Bautista del Sur de Texas (SBTC) que serán los días 9 y 10 de noviembre, el lunes después de la Sesión en Español.
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SPECIAL REPORT:
CHRISTIAN CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
VOTING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
the state’s capital where 10.6 to 33.8 percent voted. (See chart for details.) These facts frustrate Cindy Asmussen, advisor to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Texas Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee (TERLC). She was quick to remind that local and state governments produce the most laws and regulations impacting people’s lives. Without significant Christian influence those laws will be drafted, approved and enforced with little to no regard for biblical truth. Ultimately, Christians will increasingly find themselves in disagreement with the statutes, Asmussen warned. Steve Branson, pastor of Village Parkway Baptist Church in San Antonio, admitted that until recently he rarely engaged in local politics beyond the voting booth. But as church members began experiencing personal and workplace conflicts because of their Christian faith, the pastor was compelled to act on their behalf. About that same time, Flowers was disturbed by the mayor and council’s liberal push. In violation of Texas law, they introduced a measure in 2011 providing health benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. Despite opposition, the measure passed. In 2013, Julian Castro was re-elected as mayor with only 7.25 percent of the city’s registered voters casting a ballot. In a city of 1.4 million
“CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES OUGHT TO HAVE A VIEW OF STEWARDSHIP WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COMMUNITIES, STATE AND NATION. IT SEEMS THAT SO MANY WANT TO RUN AWAY FROM IT, BUT GOD WANTS US TO SPEAK LIFE AND LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS AND BE THAT PROPHETIC VOICE.” CINDY ASMUSSEN, ADVISOR TO THE SBTC’S TEXAS ETHICS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMITTEE (TERLC)
S O U T H E R N
people, 29,454 secured Castro’s third term. The repercussions of voter apathy, particularly among Christians, took a toll. Castro introduced San Antonio’s version of a Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO), which established civil rights status for individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Failure to comply will result in fines for individuals and loss of city contracts for businesses. Church leaders recognized the threat it posed to their members and the churches thems elves. This was a battle they could not avoid. To do so, Flowers said, would inevitably impact the spread of the gospel. “Christians and churches
ought to have a view of stewardship when it comes to our communities, state and nation,” said Asmussen. “It seems that so many want to run away from it, but God wants us to speak life and light into the darkness and be that prophetic voice.” Loosely knit faith-based organizations had struggled to be that voice in the Alamo City. But, with the introduction of the NDO, it was obvious most city leaders were not listening. Contributing to the lack of influence, churches rarely cooperated to exert political influence. Joe Caddell, a semi-retired businessman and Christian political activist, was exasperated. He observed that political liberals often unite around a common cause in spite of unrelated differences, yet Christian churches had not become a force to be reckoned with. Recent battles with City Hall are shifting that paradigm, Caddell said, at least in San Antonio. Church leaders roused overwhelming public opposition to the Non-Discrimination Ordinance, but it passed by an 8-3 vote. A referendum effort failed due to the burdensome signatory requirements of the city charter.
B A P T I S T
sbtexan
T E X A N
Castro’s re-election made passage of the ordinance a foregone conclusion, “We needed to regroup and press forward to see that we had a godly candidate in office,” Flowers said, citing Prov. 29:2. Branson saw the silver lining. “I thank Castro. He united the church in San Antonio in ways that it had never been.” Getting Past the ‘D’ Word Effecting change at City Hall required church leaders set aside preconceived notions of what it means to be Democrat, Republican, Protestant, Catholic, Charismatic, black, white or Hispanic.
Prayer meetings, strategy sessions and discussions with the candidates brought to the forefront their common faith and concerns. Ultimately, those voters sought a mayoral candidate who shared their biblical worldview. Candidate Ivy Taylor, one of three council members to vote against the NDO, made the grade. Her experience in city government combined with her Christian faith made her a candidate the coalition could support. Although city officials do not campaign under the flag of a political party, their affiliation is no secret. And Taylor was a Democrat, a fact some Republican evangelicals had to look past before seeing the common faith and ideology they shared, Branson said. Church unity turned the tide in the 2015 mayoral race as a well-funded political machine was defeated with the election of Taylor, San Antonio’s first African-American mayor. And, especially unusual, more
“POLITICS, ENTERTAINMENT, MONEY, CHARITY ... WE NEED TO SPEAK TO ALL OF IT. THERE IS A GROWING HUNGER FOR THE THINGS OF GOD IN THIS COUNTRY.” CHARLES FLOWERS, PASTOR OF FAITH OUTREACH IN SAN ANTONIO
people voted in the June runoff than the in general election. Having the Mayor’s Ear Church leaders communicated to all 2,160 churches within San Antonio that there was a candidate they could back. The faith-based Black Robe Regiment created a voters’ guide for distribution in the churches. Pastors
i n vited Taylor to attend Sunday services and hosted candidate forums. Meanwhile, pastors and leaders of several faithbased organizations met regularly to discuss strategy and to pray. Taylor began participating in prayer meetings at churches around the city. “There was no politicking,” Flowers said. “She led the city in prayer. She was genuinely wanting to seek God for the city.” Branson said evidence that the cultural and political divide between Christians was crumbling came when Taylor, an east side black Democrat, was asked to speak and pray at a south side evangelical Hispanic church. That, Branson said, would have been unheard of only a few years ago. Taylor was outspent 7 to 1 and thrashed in the media by run-off opponent Leticia Van De Putte, a veteran San Antonio politician, but Taylor prevailed in the run-off, doubling her vote count in all but two precincts. “It was because the church showed up,” said Flowers. “They lifted the Democrat template off of her and saw her as a Christian. It created a surge that the political machine could not overcome.”
Branson warned that if Christians put off by the Democrat affiliation had not voted they would have ensured the election of another pro-choice, pro-LGBT, same-sex marriage advocate mayor. And although he may not agree with everything the Taylor administration does, he knows he has her ear and the church has a seat at the mayor’s table. Going forward, the coalition is eyeing the 2016 elections ensuring candidates vying for local and statewide office pass the same litmus test as Taylor, identifying their stands on matters of life, marriage, and the poor. And in some races that will require a more in-depth analysis of the candidates’ positions. As the mayor’s race revealed, party affiliation is not an ideological rubber stamp. “It’s not enough anymore to assume that someone who runs as a conservative, and even claims to be a Christian, is going to govern in a right manner regarding these issues,” warned Asmussen. To be direct, Caddell said the coalition will seek to oust Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, whom conservatives accuse of using his powerful position as Texas Speaker of the House to stymie socially conservative legislation. Caddell said San Antonio’s bitter experience created a ground swell of like-minded people wanting to work together. Faith-based, civic-minded organizations are stronger, and new ones have emerged. And other Texas cities are asking San Antonio’s Christian leadership for advice. Branson saw God use leaders of many denominations advance a common good for his glory and the good of San Antonio. He admonishes church leadership across the state to act on behalf of their congregations and their cities. Flowers, citing the apostle Paul, admonished church leaders to preach the whole counsel of God which calls people to salvation and moral duty. Avoiding conflict inside and outside the church is not an option. “Politics, entertainment, money, charity…We need to speak to all of it,” he said. “There is a growing hunger for the things of God in our country.”
LOCAL ELECTIONS COUNT
NOVEM-
The closer an election is to home the more consequential the outcome is to the home. So why don’t citizens vote in greater number on the local level? Stan Stanart, clerk of Harris County, the third largest county in the nation, said it is simply a matter of priorities. Citizens are so wrapped up in their day-to-day lives that the idea of fitting one more thing into their schedules, like a trip to the voting booth, is burdensome. Texas county clerk offices facilitate and process elections, working to make the election process as
informative and accessible as possible. Even so, few people avail themselves of the privilege. Stanart, a member of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, said those who care about their families, communities and country will vote. And when Christians do not vote, the people elected implement laws that put Christians at odds with their government. Some Christians consider political engagement a distraction from spreading the gospel and leave election results to God’s providence. But Stanart believes the two are inextricably intertwined, saying, “You are going to endanger your ability to tell people about Jesus” when failing to vote.
CITY OF LUBBOCK
CITY OF HOUSTON
229,573 POPULATION 2014: 243,839
2,099,451 POPULATION 2014: 2,239,588* POPULATION 2010:
POPULATION 2010:
cast in 2012 Presidential 49.43%** ballots election Harris County
58.56%
NOV. 3, 2009
NOV. 8, 2011
NOV. 5, 2013
935,073***
920,172
953,380
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
178,777 (19.12%)
121,468 (13.2%)
174,620 (18.32%)
BALLOTS CAST
BALLOTS CAST
BALLOTS CAST
1,327,407 POPULATION 2014: 1,436,697 POPULATION 2010:
MAY 9, 2009
MAY 14, 2011
MAY 11, 2013
686,415
648,682
610,456
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
76,606 (11.16%)
43,628 (6.73%)
44,283 (7.25%)
BALLOTS CAST
BALLOTS CAST M AYO R R U N - O F F
MAY 9, 2015
REGISTERED VOTERS
19,059 (15.56%)
Uncontested (No tally) BALLOTS CAST
CITY OF AUSTIN
790,390 POPULATION 2014: 912,791 POPULATION 2010:
61.15%
ballots cast in 2012 Presidential election Travis County
MAY 9, 2009
447,287 BALLOTS CAST
MAY 12, 2012
461,146
CITY OF DALLAS
1,197,792 POPULATION 2014: 1,281,047 POPULATION 2010:
NOV. 14, 2014****
MAY 11, 2013
MAY 9, 2015
582,707
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
69,557 (12.91%)
39,840 (6.98%)
43,127 (7.4%)
BALLOTS CAST
DEC. 16, 2014
506,170
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
175,165 (33.8%)
77,798 (15.4%)
BALLOTS CAST
ballots cast in 2012 Presidential election Dallas County
BALLOTS CAST
M AYO R R U N - O F F
517,718
BALLOTS CAST
126,133
REGISTERED VOTERS
48,882 (10.6%)
BALLOTS CAST
570,864
MAY 10, 2014
58,228 (13.01%)
98,344 (14.12%)
BALLOTS CAST
MAY 12, 2012
BALLOTS CAST
696,469
86,067 (12.43%)
542,274
11,483 (9.42%)
BALLOTS CAST
REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS
MAY 14, 2011
23,103 (18.29%)
REGISTERED VOTERS
692,349
60.31%
121,860
REGISTERED VOTERS
JUNE 13, 2015
REGISTERED VOTERS
BALLOTS CAST
126,308
MAY 8, 2010
REGISTERED VOTERS
BALLOTS CAST
ballots cast in 2012 Presidential election Bexar County
BALLOTS CAST
MAY 8, 2008
122,496
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO 55.92%
ballots cast in 2012 Presidential election Lubbock County
BALLOTS CAST
*Source: U.S. Census; 2014 population figures are estimates. **Source: All county-wide voter percentages from the Office of Texas Secretary of State. ***Source: Representative County and City Clerk offices. County Clerks, generally, do not post city-wide results for presidential elections so county-wide numbers were used for a general frame of reference. ****Council voted to move city elections to November to coincide with the Presidential election. Hence the exponential increase in voter turnout for this local election. Note the run-off election is more representative of earlier years’ turnout.
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CHRISTIAN CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
S O U T H E R N
B A P T I S T
sbtexan
T E X A N
VOTES AND VOICES COUNT
State representatives need and encourage constituent input By Bonnie Pritchett TEXAN Correspondent
By mid-November next year Texans will have voted for a new president, national and state legislators, and municipal representatives. Then what? Civic duty does not end once a ballot is cast. Whether your candidate won or lost, holding elected representatives accountable is the next task at hand. According to two state legistlators, the first step is getting to know your government representatives, even the ones for whom you did not vote. “You can’t hold people accountable if you don’t know them,” said Texas Rep. Scott Sanford, R-McKinney. Fellow legislator Matt Krause, RFort Worth, agreed, asking, “How can I effectively represent you if I haven’t heard from you?” When there is something to complain about or a national crisis stirs statewide concerns, the representatives hear from home. But, in the interim, interaction between elected officials and their constituents often is inconsistent. Krause and Sanford have supported and opposed legislation based on their Christian convictions and constituent
input. Their convictions are grounded and unwavering on issues of life, traditional marriage, care for the poor and religious liberty—matters that Christians should consider before offering support to a candidate. While both welcome constituent feedback on the hundreds of pieces of legislation up for consideration each session, often it is lacking. Cindy Asmussen, SBTC’s Texas Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee (TERLC) advisor, said the prospect of calling, much less meeting with, an elected official can be overwhelming. “Many of us feel intimidated by anything deemed ‘political.’ I know I used to, and somewhat still do,” she said. “We have to remember, though, that every person and leader working in the realm of government is human. They don’t know everything; they are prone to weaknesses and have needs like you and me.” That’s why Krause appreciates it when one of the 180,000 residents in his district contacts him with opinions on pending bills or ideas for new ones. For example, he said a law that sought to protect minors from sexual predators who use the internet to lure their victims was struck down in court as unconstitutional. Fearful the ruling would
put children at risk, one of his constituents called him with an idea—don’t dismiss the entire law, just tweak it so it will stand constitutional muster. “That’s hugely beneficial,” Krause said. Without the call, Krause would not have known of the need. As a result, new legislation was drafted and passed with bipartisan support. Krause and Sanford seek out their constituents at meet-and-greet sessions, especially when home in their districts between sessions. Sanford remembered the close of a 9/11 ceremony where a man wearing a t-shirt promoting the Democrat Party approached the Republican representative, gave him a hug, and said, “’I’ve got some ideas and would like to talk to you.’” Even though they represented different political parties and, presumably, different ideas on some subjects, Sanford said the man simply “wanted a seat at the table” and an opportunity to be heard. Krause said he appreciates hearing from constituents with opposing political viewpoints. The exchanges always give him food for thought. Asmussen played that role often during her years as a Concerned Women of America volunteer and, since Janu-
ary, as the TERLC advisor. The task gets easier with each encounter, but she first built her relationships in the Texas Capitol on prayer and good will. “In some of the offices I walk into at the Capitol, I find Bibles open on the representatives’ desks. Many, actually most, are more than willing to be prayed with, right then and there in their offices,” Asmussen said. “They take to heart the phone calls and emails in which their constituents oppose or support something they are doing.” Sanford said a significant factor in the overwhelming passage of the Pastor Protection Act this past session was the established relationships pastors, priests and bishops had with their legislators. When the clergy spoke, en masse, the legislature listened. And out of session the representatives are still working. “They are on the job all the time. It’s not just a six-month term. It’s a twoyear term,” said Krause. Lawmakers are already crafting legislation for the 85th legislative session that begins January 2017. Constituents can—and should—know their representatives and offer counsel on matters that concern their cities, states and nation.
Putting the walk to their talk Texas pastors traveled to Austin to support passage of bill protecting their right to say “No.” By Rob Collingsworth TEXAN Correspondent
Baptists have long been known for their fierce commitment to religious liberty, particularly their willingness to protect it when it is threatened. That legacy was on display last May when scores of Texas pastors—many of them Southern Baptists—traveled to the state capitol to support a measure drafted to protect pastors and their churches from the legal fall-out associated with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage. It was the only piece of religious liberty legislation that received a passing vote in the 84th session of the Texas legislature. The Pastor Protection Act, hobbled by House leadership but passed by the Senate as SB 2065, was intended to bolster protections afforded pastors and churches in the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Religious Freedom and Restoration statute. But with the Supreme Court poised in May to strike down all bans on same-sex marriage, Texas clergy and legal advisors believed more needed to be done to protect those who would say “no” to LGBT activists. Mike Weaver, pastor of Wild Ride Ministries in Harper, likened the role of pastors to that of the watchman on the wall in Ezekiel 33. He was among the pastors who traveled to Austin to register their support of the bill. “If he sees trouble coming and doesn’t warn the people, their blood is on his hands. If he sees it and warns them, their
blood is on their own hands,” Weaver said. “How can we see and know about so many issues and just sit by and watch? We’ve got what we’ve got because we’ve allowed it to happen by being disengaged.” Cindy Asmussen, SBTC’s Texas Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee advisor, credits the pastors with the passage of SB 2065. “The law protects Texas pastors, clergy, churches, religious organizations and their employees from being forced to solemnize, perform or celebrate a marriage that violates their religious beliefs,” Asmussen said. In light of the Supreme Court’s June 26 decision legalizing same-sex marriage—handed down only two weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 2065 into law—the Texas legislature was timely in an effort to forestall the many problems churches could face going forward. Photographers and bakers in Oregon, Colorado and Washington have been sued for refusing to provide services for same-sex weddings, leaving evangelicals wondering what would happen if, when same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide, a pastor refused to perform the wedding or allow use of church facilities. Craig Etheredge, pastor of First Baptist Church in Colleyville, was one of almost 90 people who traveled to Austin in support of the House version of SB 2065 during the May 4 State Affairs Committee hearing. Only 10 people registered to oppose the bill.
“While this is a great step for the state of Texas, my sources in the Texas legislature expect the law to come under fire in the days to come,” he said. “It is important that the Christian community continue to clearly articulate the gospel message and God’s design for biblical marriage. God is the one that defines marriage, not the courts of men.” Many pastors and their congregations are unsure of their role in the political process and how much they should attempt to influence government on its various levels. Within the Southern Baptist Convention political dialogue has shifted from the confrontational style of the Moral Majority, led by Virginia pastor Jerry Falwell, in the 1980s to the “convictional kindness” urged today by Russell Moore, president of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. In a 2013 Wall Street Journal interview, Moore said, “We [Southern Baptists] are involved in the political process, but we must always be wary of being co-opted by it.” He reaffirmed his belief in traditional marriage, but added that it shouldn’t be a “culture war political issue.” Etheredge urged involvement by those he knows, both in and out of his church, but especially other pastors. “It is imperative that pastors be involved in the defense of religious freedom,” he said. “While we have the opportunity to vote, it is imperative that Christ followers vote for candidates that will represent godly values and morals in our country.”
Scott Sanford, a state representative and executive pastor for stewardship and operations at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church in McKinney, said pastors can play a role in educating their congregations as to who is running for office and where they stand on key issues. Pastors should host a meeting with candidates and elected officials at churches and “just talk,” he advised, cautioning them to open a dialogue instead of a gripe list. That conversation, from which the pastors can glean helpful information to pass on to their church members, can open the channels of communication. Sanford said enough pastors, priests and bishops had established relationships with their legislators that when they spoke during the committee hearing, lawmakers listened. The same influence was needed on other legislation, especially one Sanford authored offering legal protection for faith-based adoption agencies that refuse to facilitate adoption or foster care by same-sex couples. The legislation stalled, but he plans to reintroduce it in the next session. Still more needs to be done, Sanford said, hopeful that lawmakers will address the conflict Christians face when they work as government employees. He knows from experience that the insight and influence of Texas pastors will be necessary on a continual basis.
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BAPTIST BRIEFS Full versions of these stories and more can be found on Baptist Press: bpnews.net
HENDRICKS NAMED DIRECTOR OF BP OPERATIONS The Executive Committee has named Shawn Hendricks as Baptist Press director of operations. The new role will be in addition to his regular duties as managing editor. As managing editor/ director of operations, Hendricks will assume additional administrative assignments while continuing to direct and edit content released by Baptist Press. Art Toalston, who has served as editor of Baptist Press for more than 23 years, will transition into a new role as senior editor. In his new position, Toalston, 65, will step aside from some of the daily administrative duties to devote himself more fully to the same editing, writing and mentoring tasks he has done since becoming editor.
intentional break to alleviate upstream flooding. The South Carolina Department of Transportation reported 271 road closures and 143 bridge closures. Those wishing to donate to SBDR relief can contact the Baptist convention in their state or visit donations.namb.net/ dr-donations. For phone donations, call 1-866-407-NAMB (6262), or mail checks to NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. Designate checks for “Disaster Relief.” Updates on the latest SBDR response are available at namb.net/dr/ atlantic-coast-floods.
STUDY RANKS SOUTHERN SEMINARY’S DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN TOP 5
NEW NAMB LOGO ANNOUNCED
The North American Mission Board has introduced a new logo and messaging that reflects its goal to mobilize more churches and individuals to missional action in the effort to push back lostness and plant more churches in North America. “Every Life On Mission” and “Every Church On Mission” are two phrases NAMB will use prominently to encourage individuals and churches to become more actively and personally involved in missional activity.
And although the nonreligious are less likely than other Americans to see evidence of a creator, they are more likely to agree (46 percent) than disagree (40 percent) with the statement: “Since the universe has organization, I think there is a creator who designed it.”
ERLC, OTHERS ISSUE ANIMAL CARE STATEMENT The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has joined with evangelical Christian leaders to issue a statement on the biblically based treatment of animals. Evangelical leaders unveiled the document—”Every Living Thing: An Evangelical Statement on Responsible Care for Animals”—Sept. 30 at a Washington, D.C., news conference. The statement, which provides a set of biblical beliefs guiding consideration of the subject, calls for “compassionate care and responsible rule” of animals and for opposition to all cruelty toward them. Because God creates and sustains all animals, the document’s signers resolve “to work for the protection and preservation of all the kinds of animals God has created, while prioritizing human needs.”
LGBT PROTESTORS SPARK NEWS CONF. AT SBTS
BAPTIST ETHICISTS CALL SUICIDE LAW UNJUST, GROTESQUE
S.C. FLOOD RESPONSE: SOUTHERN BAPTISTS MOBILIZE
With dams continuing to fail in South Carolina Oct. 7, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief leaders gathered by conference call to plan a multi-state long-term response to historic flooding that has overwhelmed the state. South Carolina Baptist disaster relief director Randy Creamer has placed all of the state convention’s DR volunteers on alert for potential service, knowing that many of them are flood survivors themselves. Creamer said he expects to request assistance from fellow SBDR Region II states Alabama, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Although Hurricane Joaquin did not make U.S. landfall, the weather pattern it created dumped a historic deluge on South Carolina Oct. 3-5. The rains are blamed for 17 weather-related deaths in North and South Carolina. Flooding is widespread. As of Oct. 7, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division reported 12 dam breaches, including one
The Southern Baptist Convention ended its fiscal year $1.1 million over its 2014–2015 budgeted goal and $2.5 million over the previous year’s Cooperative Program allocation budget gifts, according to SBC Executive Committee President Frank S. Page. The SBC received $189,160,231.41 in CP allocation gifts for the year. This amount is $2,592,620.78, or 1.39 percent, more than it received during the last fiscal year, and is $1,160,231.41, or 0.62 percent, more than its budgeted goal of $188 million.
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The Association of Theological Schools ranks The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) fourth in producing doctoral graduates who go on to serve as faculty in ATS member schools, according to a recent report. SBTS improved 12 spots on the list since the last report, released in 2001. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in 11th on the list, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary came in 16th. SBTS President R. Albert Mohler Jr. called the report a “significant affirmation of Southern’s leadership in preparing scholars for the church past, present and future.” “Southern Seminary established one of the first research doctorates in higher education in America and has been a pioneer since the beginning, preparing scholars for the church through the highest level of academic preparation,” Mohler said.
California’s newly enacted assisted suicide law is an affront to human dignity and the practice of medicine, Southern Baptist ethicists say. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the End of Life Option Act into law Oct. 5, making California the fourth state with legalized, physician-assisted suicide. The measure enables a person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness to request a prescribed drug to end his or her life. Southern Baptist ethics leader Russell Moore called Brown’s enactment of the bill “a moral injustice.” “The value of human life doesn’t rise and fall depending on the quality of that life,” said Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, in written comments for Baptist Press. “Legal assisted suicide is a blight upon any culture’s conscience, and its emergence in California should ignite us to work for justice and human dignity everywhere.”
LIFEWAY STUDY: NONRELIGIOUS AMERICANS SEE EVIDENCE OF CREATOR Life didn’t just happen, most Americans say—and a surprising number of nonreligious people agree, a newly released study says. More than 4 in 10 of the nonreligious believe physics and humanity point to a creator, LifeWay Research finds. A third say human morality indicates a creator who defines right and wrong. The study, released today (Oct. 7), is based on a survey taken Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 2014.
Reparative therapy is a “superficial” response to homosexual and transgender change and Christian ministers must instead call all people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, said leaders of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors at an Oct. 5 news conference. “We don’t think the main thing that is needed is merely repair but rather redemption,” said Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. “When it comes to sexuality, we do believe that wholeness and holiness can come, and will come, to the one who faithfully follows Christ.” Mohler and ACBC executive director Heath Lambert addressed local and national media to refute the claims of the Fairness Campaign, a Louisville LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) advocacy group alleging a conference being held at the seminary promoted reparative therapy, which is a secular method of converting sexual orientation and gender identity. Nearly 40 LGBT activists stood on the sidewalk near the seminary’s Alumni Memorial Chapel in the first of two planned protests as a record 2,300 conference attendees registered for the three-day conference on homosexuality and transgenderism.
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CHURCH POSITIONS PASTOR u FBC Giddings seeks FT senior pastor. Please submit resumes to
[email protected] or to 852 East Industry Street, Giddings, TX 78942. u FBC, Cameron, seeks a FT senior pastor. Please send resume to
[email protected] or to P.O. Box 1169 Cameron, Texas 76520. u FBC, Electra, seeks FT senior pastor. Parsonage provided. Please send resumes to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 466, Electra, TX 76360 or email to
[email protected]. u FBC Timpson seeks a FT pastor. Resumes will be received with a minimum of four references (name and addresses included). All resumes must be received no later than Nov. 20, 2015, 5 p.m. Please mail to: Pastor Search Team, c/o Don Barnett, 486 West Lake Timpson Rd, Timpson, TX 75975. u Hispanic Ministry of North Oaks BC seeks bi-vocational or FT pastor for Hispanic Baptist conservative traditional congregation. Must be able to preach and teach in Spanish. Minimal conversational English required. Minimum of two years theological education or pursuing a theological degree. Minimum two years of ministerial or pastoral experience. Must accept the Baptist Faith and Message of 2000. Send resume’ to
[email protected]. Contact Joy Radabaugh at 281-370-4060 for more information. u Emmanuel Baptist Church SBC of Meeker, CO seeks bi-vocational senior pastor. Resumes are being accepted through Nov. 30. Contact Gerry
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LaBonte, Chairman, Pastor Search Committee at:
[email protected]. u FBC of Laneville seeks a bi-vocational pastor. Pastoral experience desirable. Salary approx. $300/wk. Sunday morning service and Wednesday evening study. Send resume to FBC Laneville, PO Box 34, Laneville, TX 75667. u Parkview BC, San Saba, seeks bi-vocational or retired pastor who is willing to serve in a small church. Small salary and nice parsonage available. Please send resumes to Pastor Search Committee, Parkview Baptist Church, PO Box 186, San Saba, TX 76877 or email resume to
[email protected]. MUSIC u FBC Sherman seeks FT minister of music responsible for total music program of the church. For more information or to submit a resume, please email
[email protected]. u Central BC, Pampa, seeking music minister to lead blended worship, work with choir on Sunday morning and lead worship on Sunday evenings. Will lead youth worship & choir rehearsal on Wednesdays, work withSR adult choir and support education ministry. Please send resumes to Norman Rushing, Pastor, at
[email protected] or mail them to: Norman Rushing, 513 E Francis, Pampa, TX 79065. u Harleton BC seeking PT minister of music. Please send resumes to P.O. Box 344, Harleton, Texas 75651 or email to hbc@ harletonbaptist.org. u FBC Rogers seeks bi-vocational music minister to lead blended worship services with praise
band and choir. Please submit resumes to
[email protected] or mail to FBC Rogers, PO Box 296, Rogers, TX 76569. COMBINATION u Oak Crest BC, Midlothian, seeks minister of youth/discipleship to lead teaching, discipleship and other activities for 7th–12th grade students as well as church-wide discipleship programs. Expository teaching and preaching experience required. Submit resume and cover letter with your testimony to ocbc.youth.
[email protected] no later than Dec. 1, 2015. u FBC Mansfield, LA seeks FT minister of worship and adult ministries. Send resume to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Search Committee, 1710 McArthur Drive, Mansfield, LA 71052. u Rosanky BC seeks a FT youth/children’s pastor responsible for developing and overseeing all areas of the children’s ministry. Send cover letter and resume to
[email protected] or mail to RBC, PO Box 96, Rosanky, TX 78953. u FBC, Henrietta, seeks FT minister of music/ senior adults. Parsonage and salary dependent on experience and qualifications. Send resume to
[email protected] or mail to FBC, attn: Search Committee, PO Box 544, Henrietta, TX 76365. u FBC Edgewood seeks FT minister of music/ associate pastor to plan and lead blended worship, including instrumental, praise team, and choir rehearsal. As associate pastor, will help with outreach and events as well as lead adult Wednesday night Bible study and prayer meeting. Salary: $35,000-$40,000, plus staff house (4 bedroom/2 full baths). Submit resume and video
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of worship leading to fbcemusicministersearch@ gmail.com or mail to Gale Kimbrough, Search Committee Chairman, FBC Edgewood, PO Box 355, Edgewood, TX 75117. YOUTH u College BC, Big Spring, is seeking a FT youth minister. Please submit resumes to cbc1957@ suddenlinkmail.com. u Hays Hills BC, Buda, seeks FT minister to students. Must possess an MDiv and/or strong teaching ability. Church runs 450. Contact
[email protected] or 512-295-3132, ext. 23. u Luella FBC seeks PT youth minister. Must be at least 21 years old and preferably an ordained minister or working toward ordination. Contact Anna Garza at 903-893-2252, LuellaFBC@ gmail.com, or Luella First Baptist Church, 3162 Highway 11, Sherman, TX 75090. u Windom BC seeks PT youth minister. Send resume to
[email protected] or Windom Baptist Church P.O. Box 1026 Windom Texas 75492. Contact Pastor Judd Strawbridge at 903-623-2215 www.windombaptist.com CHILDREN u FBC Malakoff seeks FT children’s minister or PT interim. Responsibilities will include Sunday morning Life Groups, children’s church, Sunday and Wednesday night activities and any special programs or calendar events such as VBS. Please send resumes to
[email protected], Attn: Personnel Committee. u Luella FBC seeks PT nursery worker. Must be at least 21 years old. If interested, contact Anna Garza at 903-893-2252 or email
[email protected].
YEAR END GIVING REMINDERS 4January 8th Regarding 2015 year end giving, through Jan. 8 the SBTC will apply gifts postmarked by Dec. 31, 2015 to the 2015 calendar year. After Jan. 8, 2016 all gifts will be applied to the 2016 year. 42016 Gift Forms Gift Forms will be arriving in your mailboxes in December 2015. The Gift Form is also available in a downloadable format on our website, sbtexas.com (click on the “Resources” tab on the home page). 42016 CP Gifts 55% of all CP gifts will go to the Southern Baptist Convention for missions and ministry around the world, while 45% will remain in state for work in Texas.
Announcements u TEXAS BAPTIST HOME FOR CHILDREN (TBH): TBH is seeking partnerships to raise awareness of the services as well as the needs of the home. On Jan. 23, 2016, TBH’s adoption department will sponsor The Run for Their Lives Round-up for the children. Our goal is to raise $25,000 this year to help support Adoption Services of TBH. TBH exists to protect the sanctity of life and promote the preservation of the family through foster care and adoption programs. Call Christin at 972-937-1321 ext. 249 for more information. Monetary donations can be sent to Texas Baptist Home, Attn: Christin Barber, 629 Farley Street, Waxahachie, TX 75168. u BILL & BETTYE ROBERTS (NATIVE AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP MISSIONS) MSC VOLUNTEERS NAMB: There is a great need for 10 lb. bags of red beans & rice to deliver to Navajo Reservations in NM & AZ. They are also in need of shoes, socks, candy, and hygiene kits for children. 903-364-2515,
[email protected], Bill & Bettye Roberts, 361 Harris Lane, Whitewright, Texas 75491. u SBTC FOUNDER WRITES MEMOIRS Ronnie Yarber, who served the SBTC in various roles including sole employee of the convention’s precursor organization, has written Why it had to be! —a brief memoir of his life and of the convention’s founding. Contact Ronnie Yarber at 903.677.1937 or
[email protected]. The cost is $5 per copy plus $3 shipping.
PAID CLASSIFIEDS u HYMNALS WANTED FOR FAMILY USE Four specific ones preferred, in good condition. Any quantities, large or small. *The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration (1986) *The Baptist Hymnal (1991) *The Baptist Hymnal (1956) *The Broadman Hymnal (1940) Please call Gary at 970-597-0313 or email
[email protected] u Screen printed T-shirts for church events: 5 FREE SHIRTS FOR EVERY 50 YOU BUY, plus free shipping! Smaller orders welcome. Call Southeast Texas Printing Company (409) 622-2197.
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EAST TEXAS CHURCH’S MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY SPREADS FAITH By Jane Rodgers TEXAN Correspondent GLADEWATER, Texas For Allen Schwab, F.A.I.T.H. Riders has been a life-changing ride. Schwab, who became a Christian in 2011, discovered F.A.I.T.H. Riders when dividing his time between his home in East Texas and his job in Alabama. A landscaper told Schwab about the church-based motorcycle ministry during a casual conversation in Birmingham, Ala., in 2014. “He asked me if I knew Jesus. Then he shared his ministry of riding motorcycles with bikers who share the kingdom of the Lord. He invited me to go with on a ride with the group,” Schwab recalled. There was one problem: Schwab did not own a motorcycle. However, his new friend had three. “The Lord is leading me to give you a motorcycle,” the man told Schwab, who at first demurred, then realized he needed to accept the “blessing from God.” Schwab rode with the Alabama group and participated in bike nights. “My faith blossomed,” Schwab
“WE ARE USING F.A.I.T.H RIDERS AS AN OUTREACH MINISTRY. THE CONSISTENT DELIVERING OF GOD’S WORD AT EVERY FUNCTION IS THE STANDARD, NO MATTER THE EVENT.” —ALLEN SCHWAB
said, praising the organization’s accountability structure, guidance and mentorship.This growth in his faith prompted Schwab to change jobs and move back to East Texas to be closer to his wife and children. Enter Gladewater’s Joy Baptist Church and pastor Teddy Sorrells. “Allen and his wife rode a motorcycle to church one Sunday, and we started talking about motorcycles. He told me about riding and preaching Jesus. He was on fire from his experiences with F.A.I.T.H. Riders in Alabama,” Sorrells recalled.
Little did he know it, but Sorrells, a motorcycle enthusiast and former rider, was about to inherit the motorcycle that had been gifted to Schwab as Joy Baptist Church embraced F.A.I.T.H. Riders as an outreach. “We had been praying hard to reach the community as a whole,” Sorrells, a Gladewater native, said of Joy BC, located between Gladewater and Kilgore. “We are out in the country a little and had been praying for opportunities.” In summer 2015, Joy BC affiliated with F.A.I.T.H. Riders and began monthly bike nights and regular fellowship rides. They are currently planning Bible studies at the church geared for riders and participation in state and national rallies. On Sept. 26, the Joy BC F.A.I.T.H. Riders manned a
booth and brought their bikes to the East Texas Second Annual Burn Run, held at the Gladewater rodeo grounds. The Burn Run, a fundraiser to benefit child burn victims, was sponsored by the Tyler and Longview chapters of Brother’s Keepers, a motorcycle club of current and former firefighters. “Our Joy BC riders rode in the ride. The Burn Run gave us an opportunity to meet all kinds of folks and hand out information about our church and the gospel,” Sorrells said. During the National Night Out, Oct. 6, the church also reached its community through a block party featuring a bounce house, giveaways, face paintings and free food. “Motorcycles attract attention. We use that as an opportunity to open conversations with
other bikers and with people who don’t ride,” Sorrells said. Schwab and Sorrells look forward to participating in the Lone Star motorcycle rally in Galveston next year and possibly other rallies across the country. For now, word of mouth spreads the news of the Joy BC F.A.I.T.H. Riders, who hope to use their bikes as tools for evangelism. “At Joy BC we are a small church with big kingdom hearts,” Sorrells said. “We are using F.A.I.T.H Riders as an outreach ministry,” Schwab said, emphasizing monthly fellowship rides, block parties, the manning of booths at school functions and Bible studies. “The consistent delivering of God’s Word at every function is the standard, no matter the event.”
Criswell board approves VP of Finance, policies By Keith Collier Managing Editor DALLAS Criswell College trustees formally approved a vice president of finance for the institution, elected new board officers and approved various policies and administrative procedures during its fall meeting, Oct. 1. Trustees unanimously approved the naming of Kevin Stilley as vice president of finance and Chief Business Officer. Stilley, a Criswell graduate, worked for a decade in human resources and retail operations for Borders Group before joining the college in July. “He is spiritually committed to exactly what the college is about; he’s actually a graduate of Criswell of College, he’s in min-
istry, but he’s also got significant business experience,” President Barry Creamer told trustees. Trustees also elected new officers, effective Jan. 1, 2016. The board elected Tony Rogers, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Bowie, Texas, as chairman; Chris Lantrip, CEO of CyberlinkASP, as vice chairman; and Jack Pogue, a Dallas businessman, as secretary. The board approved eight new trustees for 2016. According to its governing documents, the board is comprised of 40 percent from the Criswell College Foundation, 40 percent from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and 20 percent at-large. New trustees approved to the board include Clint Pressley (at-large), Rod
Martin (at-large), Adarose Jennings (at-large), Harold Rawlings (Criswell Foundation), Curtis Baker (Criswell Foundation), Jarrett Stephens (Criswell Foundation), Mack Roller (SBTC), and Anne Hettinger (SBTC). Roller and Hettinger’s approval to the board is pending the convention’s approval during its annual meeting in November. Outgoing chairman John Mann expressed appreciation
for his time on the board, saying, “Not only is the legacy of Criswell College strong, but the current state of Criswell College is strong and being strengthened through the work of the administration, faculty and the board. The future of Criswell College is an exciting thing that is laid before us.” As for administrative decisions, trustees unanimously approved an updated version
of the institution’s conflict of interest policy as well as the presidential assessment policy. Additionally, they approved minor tuition increases to undergraduate and graduate programs—from $315 to $330 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and from $415 to $420 per credit hour for graduate courses. Trustees heard reports from various departments as well as updates on the institution’s “Building on Legacy” capital campaign—a $20 million venture that includes remodeling educational space and constructing student housing. They also approved a new vision statement and individually signed the school’s statement of faith.
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FLOYD: AWAKENING WILL CAUSE ‘STRATEGIC REINVENTION’ By Art Toalston Baptist Press KANSAS CITY Merging the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board is a key question Southern Baptists must address if a muchprayed-for spiritual awakening comes to their network of churches. SBC President Ronnie Floyd raised the question during his address at a symposium on “The SBC & the 21st Century: Reflection, Renewal & Recommitment” Sept. 28-29 at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. “Spiritual renewal leads to strategic reinvention,” Floyd said in an address titled “Kindling Afresh the Gift of God: Spiritual Renewal, Strategic Reinvention and the Southern Baptist Convention.” “Structure and systems flow from the work of God; they do not create the work of God,” said Floyd, senior pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas who was among the symposium’s seven featured speakers. “I do not speak as one who does not understand our history nor as one who is a newcomer asking questions that are not truly relevant,” Floyd said, citing numerous ways he has been involved in Southern Baptist life since the late 1980s. Among them: chairman of the SBC Executive Commit-
tee, president of the Pastors’ Conference and, most recently, chairman of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. “Yet, I have always been one who has never been afraid to challenge us in what we are doing, why we are doing it, and even the way we may still be doing it,” Floyd said, noting, “We do not need to demonize any of our people who ask questions in the right spirit.” Floyd set forth several “challenging questions” that Southern Baptists will face “as we kindle afresh the gift of God and experience moments of renewal.” “I will propose more questions than my opinion, even though I do have a view on probably most of them,” Floyd said. “Most of these questions people have heard already, but some may never have made it to a public arena,” he continued. “I believe it would be negligent of me in dealing with my assigned topic if I chose not to share some of these important questions for this generation of Baptists to consider.” Among Floyd’s questions: 4“Do we exist to preserve our present brand, structure, and systems, or do we exist to advance the gospel together regionally, statewide, nationally, and internationally?” The Southern Baptist Convention, founded in 1845, could drift into a focus on structures, budgets and competing projects
“rather than keeping our focus on our mission to reach the world,” Floyd said. If, over time, Southern Baptists lose “our identity and our reason for being … this leads to people and leaders leaving us and taking their support and vision to other places and ministries,” he said. 4“For the sake of gospel advancement, should the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board become one mission board, the Global Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention?” One reason why a single mission board has never been created, Floyd said, stems from the specific roles of IMB and NAMB. But he pondered whether the dual roles are needed “within the global culture we experience daily and with the reality that ethnicities live everywhere across the world. ... [W] ith an undeniable global mindset in America today, is this still the right strategy?” The future of the SBC’s two mission boards, Floyd said, will involve a decision on how best to “fast-forward the mission of our churches” to advance the gospel among the ethnicities of the world. 4“Do state conventions and associations have a future in Southern Baptist life?” There is a need for “boots on the ground” to help churches fulfill their mission, Floyd said, suggesting that state conventions and local Baptist associations will have relevance by optimizing their mission to “serve our churches in reaching their God-assigned responsibility of going, baptizing and making disciples of all the nations.” State conventions, associations and SBC entities, he added, “must find a way to cease duplication and triplication locally, statewide and nationally.” 4“How will we finance our work together in the future in the most effective way?” Floyd noted that Southern Baptists’ Cooperative Program for missions and ministry support in each state and across the nation and world was founded 90 years ago. “I don’t think our forefathers would fear churches asking serious questions about our financial future and the gospel work we do together,” he said. “If they had not asked the question … there would be no Cooperative Program today.” To strengthen the Cooperative Program, Floyd called for “a renewal in teaching biblical stewardship to our people, calling them boldly to 10 percent giving through their church;” for churches “to give more sacrificially than ever before
“If every member would be a tither, and churches would get back to teaching biblical stewardship, and every church gave 10 percent [of receipts to the Cooperative Program] then every state convention could give 50/50 and that wouldn’t be a problem,” explained Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Executive Director Jim Richards in answer to a question posed at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary regarding differences in how state conventions divide their undesignated receipts between in-state and SBC causes. Richards explained how SBTC moved quickly to giving 55 percent of undesignated Cooperative Program receipts to Southern Baptist causes, retaining 45 percent, the smallest in-state portion of any state convention in the SBC. With 18 million of the 26 million residents of Texas professing no relationship to or knowledge of Christ, Richards said a local SBTC-affiliated church’s contribution through the Cooperative Program extends its evangelism and missions strategy statewide. “No matter how large the church is, they cannot have a state missions strategy unless we do it together.” Joining Richards on the panel were other state convention executive directors, including (left to right) Tim Lubinus of Iowa, John Yeats of Missouri, and Anthony Jordan of Oklahoma. Also participating was Paul Chitwood of Kentucky with Midwestern’s president, Jason Allen, moderating the discussion. PHOTO BY GARY LEDBETTER
through our Cooperative Program annually, beginning as soon as possible;” and for state conventions to “consider going 50-50 [in budgeting for their state and the SBC] by the end of the year 2020 or even before.” “If we did these specific things simultaneously … we would see a mission explosion statewide, nationally and internationally,” Floyd said. “What God has given to us biblically and missionally we must refuse to lose financially.” Floyd added a call for “an intentional strategy to enlist other churches in America to join our convention” because many churches “have the capacity for us to become their home.” “If they agree with us biblically by adhering to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, agree with us missiologically in the way we advance the gospel regionally, statewide, nationally and internationally, and agree with us cooperatively in the way we support our work financially and are willing to join us in this grand task, then we need to open our doors to them,” Floyd said. “I would even suggest that we go online with this strategy, creating a ‘Join the Southern Baptist Convention’ website and place a link on the websites of each of our state conventions and our [Southern Baptist Convention] website,” Floyd said. He also suggested that state convention and SBC websites “create online giving for our churches … in this online world.” 4“Is there anything new we need to create for today and for the future that will help our churches in their mission
of going, baptizing and making disciples of all the nations?” Baptists must not be thwarted by “How much will it cost?” but focus on “Who will it reach?” Floyd said. “What if we had a compassion arm in our convention that brings all we do presently and all we could do in the future into one entity?” he asked in reference to disaster relief, hunger relief and other Southern Baptist initiatives. “I submit to you, if done effectively, it may have the capacity long-term to pay for itself sufficiently. Why? Because Baptists are supporting some of this now through what we are doing already, and they are helping pay for it through others that are non-Baptist ministries. “Additionally, it would place our powerful gospel message into this Christless culture that is usually open to appreciating ministries of compassion,” Floyd said. In his conclusion, Floyd noted that Southern Baptists gave “just over $7 billion over the past decade” through the Cooperative Program and the annual mission offerings for IMB and NAMB. “Knowing what we know about our past and present, as well as having the resources of churches, people, influence, reach and dollars,” Floyd asked, “how can we leverage all for the purpose of advancing the gospel in an unprecedented manner into places where the gospel has never been before regionally, statewide, nationally and globally?” Videos of each session from the symposium can be viewed at mbts.edu/sbc21.
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TEXAS
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sbtexan
SBTEXAS.COM/AM15
SUNDAY NIGHT, NOV. 8
Bible Conference | 5:40-8:30 PM • Worship • Message | Craig Etheredge • Breakout Sessions • Message | Gregg Matte Sesión en Español (Spanish Session) 6 PM
MONDAY MORNING, NOV. 9 Bible Conference | 9:00-11:15 AM • Worship • Message | Ben Stuart • Breakout Sessions
MEAL: Ministry Café | 11:30 AM Chris Osborne, Ben Stuart, Craig Etheredge | $5 For tickets: sbtexas.com/am15, click on “Meals/Events” tab
MONDAY AFTERNOON, NOV. 9 Bible Conference | 1:15-3:45 PM • Worship • Breakout Sessions • Message | Ken Adams
MEAL: Reach Houston Dinner | 4:30 PM | $10 | Student Building For tickets: sbtexas.com/am15, click on “Meals/Events” tab
MONDAY EVENING, NOV. 9
Annual Meeting | 6:15-8:45 PM • Worship • Introduction of motions | 6:40 PM • Reach Houston • Prayer for Spiritual Awakening & Renewal • President’s message | Jimmy Pritchard | 8:05 PM 9Marks at 9 | 9 PM | Student Building
TUESDAY MORNING, NOV. 10 MEAL: SWBTS Alumni & Friends Breakfast | 7 AM | FL 102 Reserve complimentary tickets at swbts.edu/sbtcbreakfast. MEAL: Southern Seminary Alumni Breakfast | 7 AM | | AE 115/118 | $10 For tickets: sbtexas.com/am15, click on “Meals/Events” tab
Annual Meeting | 9:00-11:45 AM • Last introduction of motions | 9:10 AM • SBC reports • Panel Discussion | Church & State | 10:20 AM • Convention Sermon | Mark Estep | 11:05 AM MEAL: President’s Luncheon | Noon | Ed Young | $10 | FL Worship Center For tickets: sbtexas.com/am15, click on “Meals/Events” tab
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, NOV. 10
Annual Meeting | 1:15-4:30 PM • Election of officers (first) • SBTC Executive Board • Election of officers (second) • Resolutions Committee • Election of officers (third) • Committee on Committees • Committee on Nominations • Southern Baptists of Texas Foundation • Recognition of officers MEAL: Asian Dinner| 4:45 PM | $10 | AE 115/118 MEAL: Criswell College Dinner & Dialogue| 4:45 PM | $10 | Student Building MEAL: African-American Fellowship Dinner| 4:45 PM | $10 | FL 102 For tickets: sbtexas.com/am15, click on “Meals/Events” tab
TUESDAY EVENING, NOV. 10
Annual Meeting | 6:20-8:35 PM • Combined Worship with BMA of Texas • Affiliated Ministries reports • Guest Message | Wes Pratt
Free childcare by registration only. Visit sbtexas.com/am15, click on “childcare” tab. Q UEST I ONS? CAL L 81 7. 5 52. 25 0 0 OR EMA IL S BT EXAS @S BTE XAS .COM
