SBTC BIBLE CONFERENCE & ANNUAL MEETING • NOV. 8-10 SEE PAGE 16
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Newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention N MORE NEWS AT TEXANONLINE.NET
PRAY FOR POLICE HOUSTON
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN HOUSTON FOLLOWING DEPUTY’S MURDER
“This is uniting our community.
We have a groundswell of support unlike anything I’ve seen in decades. It’s so assuring and reaffirming to be supported by our local communities.” —HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF RON HICKMAN
5Houston Police Department Senior Officer and Chaplain Monty Montgomery leads the gathering of law enforcement officers elected officials, and clergy in prayer during a press conference to begin the Pray for Police campaign, Sept. 8. PHOTO BY BONNIE PRITCHETT
By Bonnie Pritchett TEXAN Correspondent HOUSTON Dozens of law enforcement officers, clergy, and local and state representatives gathered Sept. 8 at the Houston Police Officers Union headquarters to
launch an unconventional campaign—Pray for Police— that they hope will heal the city and unite the nation in support of those sworn to protect and serve. The Pray for Police campaign ran for 24 hours, Sept. 9-10, at the HPOU offices in
downtown Houston. Police chaplains and volunteer clergy were available for prayer while others distributed 30,000 blue wristbands with the slogan Pray for Police and #P4P. The wristbands serve as a reminder to pray and as a sign of encour-
agement to police officers. Organizers hope the prayer support will continue far beyond the Sept. 10 emphasis as well as beyond Houston and Harris County. The campaign has been endorsed by Houston’s eight mayoral candidates and former President George H.W. Bush, a Houston resident. See POLICE, 3
OCTOBER MARKS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH By Joe Conway NAMB ALPHARETTA, Ga. Imagine if pastors received the same support and accolades reserved for college football coaches. While many churches encourage their pastors well—and some do an exemplary job— many pastors feel closer to last year’s fired head coach than the man with the post-game TV show. Enter pastor appreciation month in October. Pastors need demonstrated love and support, perhaps as much
as any other vocation. The stresses of accepting spiritual responsibility for congregations are well documented in Scripture by Paul and today in countless surveys. Your pastor needs your support. “Just as Moses needed an Aaron and Hur to lift his
weary arms in battle (Exodus 17), so every pastor needs encouragement from his church to lift his arms in the spiritual battle facing the local church,” said Michael Lewis, executive director for the North American Mission Board’s pastoral care and development office. “Pastors, whose jobs are all about ‘giving out,’ are ‘wearing out.’ Pastors need affirmation and encouragement from their congregations. Serving as a local church pastor is filled with pressing demands.” See PASTOR, 10
SBC MISSIONS
IMB to reduce personnel by 600-800, reset the organization By Keith Collier Managing Editor RICHMOND, Va.
International Mission Board President David Platt, along with other senior IMB leadership, presented a plan to address significant revenue shortfalls and “complete a reset of the organization” during a town hall meeting with missionaries and staff, Aug. 27. The plan includes reducing missionary and staff personnel by 600-800 and restructuring its Support Services and Mobilization divisions. “Words can’t really describe how difficult a reality that is to communicate to our IMB family. These aren’t just figures; these are faces,” Platt told members of the press in a conference call later in the day. “These are brothers and sisters who have spent and are spending their lives in various capacities to spread the gospel among those who have never heard it.” With a desire to “move forward into the future with innovative vision, wise stewardship and high accountability,” Platt said IMB expenditures since 2010 have exceeded revenue by $210 million. The 170-yearold missions agency has offset those imbalances with global property sales and reserve funds, but leadership understands this cannot continue. In response to a question from the TEXAN, Platt assured media members that IMB wants to walk in transparency before Southern Baptists through this process. In addition to continuing their practice of making all trustee meetings open to the public, Platt said, “meetings of any trustee standing committee and any trustee affinity group committee are also open to any member of the media on a background rules basis. “I know the personnel and the trustees in the IMB, and we have policies in place just to say we want to work with members of the media to enSee IMB, 2
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“WE WON’T BE ABLE TO GET TO SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LONGTERM ORGANIZATIONAL STABILITY WITHOUT MAKING A MAJOR ADJUSTMENT IN OUR NUMBER OF PERSONNEL NOW.” IMB PRESIDENT DAVID PLATT
5IMB President David Platt addresses the staff and global personnel in a “town hall” meeting, Aug. 27, to discuss initial steps the IMB must take to get to a sustainable, healthy place. IMB PHOTO
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able them to do accurate, complete, well-balanced reporting.” Despite slight increases in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering as well as Cooperative Program giving over the past four years, Platt said there remains an “inability to financially support our current mission force in the field.” Platt noted that prior to his election as president in 2014, IMB recognized these trends in previous years and had already set a plan to reduce the missionary force from its height of 5,600 missionaries in 2009 to its present number of 4,800, with the ultimate goal of reaching 4,200 “through normal attrition and limited appointments.” “I want to be clear,” Platt said, “that my aim is in no way to question decisions by previous leadership across the IMB during these years. As I mentioned, previous leadership put in place a plan to slowly reduce our
number of missionaries … while using reserves and global property sales to keep as many missionaries as possible on the field.” Platt said he praises God for that strategic vision, which has resulted in more unreached people groups responding to the gospel. “What we’ve come to now is the realization that that plan is no longer viable in light of current realities,” Platt said. After describing the numerous options they evaluated, he said, “We believe the only viable way forward for us involves a significant reduction in our number of both staff and field personnel.” Because personnel comprises approximately 80 percent of IMB’s budget, Platt said, “we won’t be able to get to shortterm financial responsibility and longterm organizational stability without making a major adjustment in our number of personnel now.” This year alone, IMB expects to receive $21 million less than it budgeted IMB leadership has decided the best way to reduce staff is to begin with a voluntary retirement incentive that will be offered to all eligible employees, includ-
ing both missionaries and staff. “Whether to accept the incentive is a voluntary decision completely up to the discretion of eligible individuals,” Platt told missionaries and staff, who attended the town hall meeting either in person or through digital communication. “This offers personnel who may already be considering a transition in their lives an opportunity to make that transition. “We want to be as generous as possible, and we want to honor every brother or sister for his or her service. We know that taking a voluntary retirement incentive does not mean stepping onto the sidelines of mission, but moving into a new phase of involvement in mission.” IMB is sending approximately 300 new missionaries in 2015 and expects to send a comparable number in 2016. As phase one of the plan (the voluntary retirement incentive) is being implemented, phase two of the plan will focus on concluding a reset of the organization. Platt said that phase would include consolidating support services, recalibrating mobilization, assessing
global engagement and re-envisioning training. During the phone press conference, the TEXAN asked if there were plans to coordinate with the North American Mission Board to place retiring IMB personnel into stateside SEND cities or other positions with UPG crosscultural opportunities. “We have had numerous conversations on a big picture level with the North American Mission Board about increased partnership on a variety of different levels, (but) not specifically about this,” Platt said. “We’ve already heard from one of our personnel who just recently made a similar move—things were going well but (they) sensed the Lord was leading them into a place of ministry in North America and accepted that role. It was encouraging to us as leadership as we think through the difficulties with a step like this but also the opportunities that are going to open up in work among unreached peoples in North America and work in churches in North America. “I trust in all kinds of ways that God will creatively and sovereignly lead and direct 600-800 people in the days to come. And because of our ongoing and growing partnership with NAMB, I’m certain there are possibilities that may unfold along those lines, (but) we don’t have a formal plan for integrating certain people into certain positions with NAMB.” —with reporting by IMB staff.
IMB ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE DETAILS By Anne Harman IMB RICHMOND, Va.
In the first phase of the International Mission Board’s plan to address revenue shortfalls, leadership announced details of a voluntary retirement incentive during town hall meetings with personnel Sept. 10.
IMB will offer the voluntary retirement incentive to all eligible staff and active career missionaries age 50 and older with five or more years of service (as of Dec. 31, 2015). For a missionary couple to be eligible for the incentive, only one spouse is required to meet the qualifications. “Since we are asking everyone in the organization to pray and discern if the
5IMB vice president Rodney Freeman (right) fields questions from staff about the voluntary retirement incentive offered by IMB, Sept. 10. Also sitting on the Q&A panel are Clyde Meador, David Platt and Sebastian Traeger. IMB PHOTO BY THOMAS GRAHAM
Lord is leading them to a new place of involvement in mission, we know that 50-year-olds, for example, are going to be doing exactly that. And if the Lord leads them to make a transi-
tion, we want to provide for them as generously as possible,” IMB President David Platt said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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POLICE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
In a letter addressed to Floyd Lewis, presiding bishop of the International Church Fellowship, who championed the “Thumbs Up! Domestic Soldiers” campaign, which predated the Pray for Police movement, Bush said, “At a time when it seems to be fashionable to attack the motives and character of the men and women who comprise our law enforcement agencies across America, I think the work you and your colleagues are doing may be more important than ever.” The call to prayer came in the turbulent wake of the murder of Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth, who was shot and killed Aug. 28 at a gas station while filling his patrol car. The man charged in the shooting, Shannon Miles, appeared to have targeted the uniformed deputy simply because he was an officer, shooting him 15 times in the back. The incident shocked and galvanized this Southeast
“AT A TIME WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE FASHIONABLE TO ATTACK THE MOTIVES AND CHARACTER OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO COMPRISE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS AMERICA, I THINK THE WORK YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE DOING MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.” PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH, A HOUSTON RESIDENT
Texas region of 4.3 million residents, prompting marches and prayer vigils at the site of
IMB RETIREMENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
“We want this [voluntary retirement incentive] to be a picture of honor for past service in mission, as well as future service in mission,” Platt said. “I am trusting that just as God has mightily used brothers and sisters through the IMB in the past, He has plans to use them mightily beyond the IMB in the future, far beyond what any of us can ask or imagine.” Transitions Sebastian Traeger, IMB executive vice president, presented specific details of the plan, which includes a base retirement package, a bonus incentive complete with financial and medical considerations, specific provisions for smooth transition, and additional benefits beyond the scope of a standard retirement package. Personnel who voluntarily elect to accept the incentive will finalize their decisions in early December. Those with greater than 15 years of service will be given “emeritus” status to honor their years of service. Not all missionaries will choose to transition to the U.S. Some may choose to stay on the field as volunteers, through alternative pathways or through employment options. “If you’re in a scenario where you would like to stay on the field, by all means, we want to help you to do that,” Traeger told missionaries, not-
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ing personnel transitioning to volunteer status would be allowed to use their housing and vehicles through the end of January 2016. IMB will provide a transition team to serve every person who chooses to take the incentive. Missionaries will be given a transition grant to accommodate their adjustment. Also, local churches, seminaries and state conventions have contacted IMB offering to help missionaries transitioning back to the U.S. and committing to pray for IMB during this time of transition. Seasoned Versus New Since the Aug. 27 meeting, Platt said, he has repeatedly heard people ask why IMB would ask seasoned missionaries to leave the field instead of freezing (or decreasing) the number of new missionaries to be sent in the next two years. Platt reported, after much prayer and discussion, leadership concluded their current plan was the most viable option amidst a variety of nonideal options. Specifically, he noted four reasons why IMB is not freezing or further decreasing the number of new missionaries now. First, “every type of person in the IMB is important,” Platt said, including long-termers and short-termers, staff and missionaries, younger personnel and older personnel, new missionaries and seasoned missionaries. “For this reason, I
the shooting and an outpouring of sympathy that drew more than 11,000 people to Goforth’s funeral at Second Baptist Church in Houston. His murder was the most recent and brutal manifestation of tensions between some citizens and law enforcement nationwide. Pray for Police campaign organizers admitted the call for prayer flowed from the recognition that the problem and the solution transcend human comprehension. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14, Monty Montgomery, Houston Police Department senior police officer and chaplain, opened the press conference with prayer surrounded by law enforcement officers, clergy and elected officials—some with hands raised and all with somber faces. Montgomery, who also pastors a local church in Houston, told the TEXAN Goforth’s murder has impacted the way many officers do their jobs. “Goforth was doing something we all do every day. It changes the focus of our offi-
“I WANT TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR: WE ARE NOT ASKING PEOPLE TO LEAVE THE FIELD. IF SOMEONE IS THRIVING ON THE FIELD AND SENSES THE LORD LEADING THEM TO STAY ON THE FIELD, THEN I TRUST THEY WILL STAY ON THE FIELD.” DAVID PLATT
don’t want any particular type of person in the IMB to step aside from service. That is why I have wanted to call every single person within the IMB to put a blank check on the table and to ask, ‘Is the Lord leading me to a new phase of involvement in mission?’“ Platt reiterated the retirement incentive is only Phase 1 of leadership’s plan to address revenue shortfalls. Part of Phase 2 of the plan is an opportunity for anyone working at IMB to voluntarily indicate that God is leading him or her to a new place of involvement in mission outside the IMB. Second, IMB leadership stresses they want the initial steps of the plan to be voluntary.
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cers,” Montgomery said. “We are reacting to calls differently than we did before.” Officers recognize the inherent danger associated with their work, but the blatant and seemingly unprovoked shooting of Goforth raises fears not for themselves but their families should they be killed in the line of duty Montgomery said. “Every single day they don’t know if they’re going to be able to come home to their families or not,” Devon Anderson, Harris County District Attorney, said during the press conference. “Every car they pull over, every door they approach, they know that may be the last person they see on this earth. So we need to pray for them. They deserve our prayers. Anderson said she will lead the prosecution against Miles, who has been charged with capital murder. Mayor Annise Parker spoke of the funerals she has attended during her 18 years of City of Houston public service. “Never again” was Mayor Annise Parker’s commitment following
every meeting with the families of police, firefighters and other public employees killed in the line of duty. But, sadly, there was always another funeral. Echoing the hope that the Pray for Police campaign take on a life of its own, Parker said, “Let it start here. Let it start now. Let it start in Houston.” Charles McClelland, Jr., HPD police chief, said, “This showing here today reaffirms in my mind the commitment and the support of this community. And I know the silent majority has always been in the corner of law enforcement.” “This is uniting our community,” said Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman. “We have a groundswell of support unlike anything I’ve seen in decades. It’s so assuring and reaffirming to be supported by our local communities.” McClelland and Hickman spoke of their faith when addressing reporters. Each noted they keep a Bible in their offices. Hickman said, “In the past few weeks it’s gotten a little use.”
“I want to be crystal clear: we are not asking people to leave the field,” Platt said. “If someone is thriving on the field and senses the Lord leading them to stay on the field, then I trust they will stay on the field. Again, I believe this bears repeating for the sake of clarity: in these initial steps, we are not asking anyone to leave the IMB. Instead, we are asking everyone to pray about whether or not the Lord is leading them to a new place of involvement in mission, and we are providing an avenue for people to voluntarily leave the IMB if they sense the Lord leading them to do so.” The voluntary nature of the plan also applies to new missionaries the IMB already has committed to send in 2015 and 2016. “We did not want to say to those new missionaries, ‘You don’t have a choice,’“ Platt said. “In light of our commitment to them, we want to give them the same voluntary choice we’re giving everyone else.” Third, sending people through IMB “is born out of a conviction that new missionaries being sent from churches through the IMB is a foundational, non-negotiable part of who we are and what we do,” Platt said, noting if IMB were to freeze sending new missionaries, within three years IMB would have zero apprentices or journeyman on the field. “Further, regarding the SBC, the IMB foundationally exists to serve SBC churches by facilitating the sending
of missionaries from those churches,” Platt said. “The less people we send, the fewer churches we serve. The fewer churches we serve, the more we forsake one of our primary foundations.” Platt also noted that of the approximately 300 new missionaries IMB has planned to send in 2015 and 2016, respectively, more than half of that number includes shortterm missionaries. Among those 300 missionaries, only 135 of them will be longterm. That number is approximately one-third of the longterm missionaries IMB sent a decade ago. Fourth, cutting or freezing new missionary sending wouldn’t address IMB’s immediate need to fix its longterm cost structure. IMB must get to a place of shortterm financial responsibility and long-term financial sustainability, and simply freezing the number of new missionaries for the next two years will not solve that problem, he said. However, he said, the IMB may need to make adjustments in the number of new missionaries sent in the future. “As I’ve mentioned at different points, the path we are walking is not ideal in any way, but after much prayer and discussion, other leaders and I believe the path we are walking is the best option we can take in a sea of non-ideal options available to us,” Platt said. IMB will continue to post updates, including frequently asked questions and answers, online on IMB.org.
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OPINION
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RAISING UP MACEDONIANS Gary Ledbetter Editor
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia … they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. II Corinthians 8:1,5
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ur people and our churches are rightly up in arms about Southern Baptists’ retreat in world missions outreach. Elsewhere you can read of IMB President David Platt’s announcement that the board will have to cut as many as 800 employees in order to live within their means. Some have responded in anger toward Platt; others have attacked state conventions or other Southern Baptist causes. One dear lady asked me if we should just “give more.” Well yes, but it’s not that simple to implement. It’s easy to blame others or attack symptoms and proximate causes, but the root cause is very close to each of us. Some denominational bodies in the SBC have indeed become too expansive in their bureaucracies. I see a movement toward addressing that in vari-
TO MY MIND, ASKING SPIRITUALLY IMMATURE CHRISTIANS OR CHURCH ATTENDERS TO GIVE MORE SO THAT WE CAN SEND MISSIONARIES IS WRONG-HEADED. IT WILL RESULT IN SMALL, TEMPORARY INCREASES IN REVENUE BUT HAVE NO LASTING EFFECT. A LACK OF MONEY FOR MISSIONS IS NOT THE PROBLEM; SPIRITUALLY IMMATURE CHRISTIANS ARE THE PROBLEM. ous state conventions. Our own convention was born partly as a first fruit of that reform. Some churches, most churches, could also give more than they do. Fine as it is, addressing those issues really just moves around a fixed amount of money. Diminishing the ministries of churches or denominational entities will not adequately address the opportunities of world evangelism. Frankly, those solutions sound easy compared to doing something that could really free up the money that God has already provided for his work. This money is in the pockets and driveways and credit card statements of our church members. To my mind, asking spiritually immature Christians or church attenders to give more so that we can send missionaries is wrong-headed. It will result in small, temporary increases in revenue but have no lasting effect. A lack of money
for missions is not the problem; spiritually immature Christians are the problem. The most commonly cited number for average church member giving is a bit over 2 percent of income. Of course that includes millions of church members who are not involved in any way with their own churches. Even without those folks the number still is below 5 percent. What that really means is that some of our folks give something like a tenth of their income and many more give less or none. Brethren who don’t give do not need to be convinced that people are hungry or lost. They need to be convinced that God is the Lord of their lives. It is insufficient and unbiblical to convince them of another reason to give. If we do not disciple the spiritually immature Christians among us they will not give themselves to the Lord, much less will they
follow the will of God in giving to others. If your church or my church doubled the number of tithers, or even generous givers, within our fellowships, many—maybe half—of those with whom we worship every week would still be giving little or nothing. Doubling that number of tithers would nonetheless free up an incredible amount of money that would roll outward in world-changing ways. But teaching these things will be work and offensive to many we’d love to attract. Most pastors are hesitant to fit the stereotype of “preachers who only want money.” It’s an unfair stereotype. For every preacher who asks his hearers to buy him a private jet, there are a thousand who never preach about stewardship as a foundational Christian discipline. It is though, like prayer, pure living, and assembling together. How strange that we don’t worry that people will think “pastors only preach about me praying all the time.” People are touchy about their money because it is an unconquered stronghold in their lives. In all likelihood, so is prayer and even generosity with their time. There will be no shortcut or quick answer to our retrenchment in international missions.
It was a long time coming and will take a long time to fix. That is no reason not to start now teaching the whole counsel of God. We must start now teaching fathers and mothers to be disciples and then model those disciplines in their homes. I have no guilt for praying with my kids or teaching them to give some money in the offering plate, according to the money they’d received. They did not understand the meaning until later. By that time the habits became disciplines. Obedience became devotion. If we go another generation without discipling the members of our churches and another generation of preaching that people should tithe because the church needs money, the number of missionaries will decline further. It would not be a bad thing if 10,000 SBC churches this week heard a sermon on giving ourselves to the Lord. As that message works its way to the wallets of our church members, it will have brought down other areas of selfishness in now-growing believers. Those victories will bear beautiful fruit in our families and congregations. And yes, that now-sanctified wallet will eventually enable the restoration of a greater missionary enterprise for Southern Baptists.
6 Reasons Why It Is More Difficult to Lead Your Church to Growth Today The pastor was right. Growth is indeed more difficult today in AmeriThom Rainer can congregations. And there are LifeWay Christian Resources some clear reasons why this reality is true. 1 Cultural Christians are much he conversation was both pre- less likely to attend. “Cultural Chrisdictable and profound. It was tianity” is really an oxymoron. I am predictable because I have been referring to those people who once asked a similar question many attended church because they saw it times. It was profound because it repre- as culturally, politically and economisents the very nature of the challenges cally beneficial. That reality no longer our congregations face today. “Thom,” exists for the most part. Congregations he began. “I have been serving as pas- could be losing anywhere from 10 to tor of my church for over 20 years. I 50 percent of their attendance with have never had more difficulty leading this change. growth in a church. What is going on?” 2 More committed Christians are My pastor friend emphasized two attending less frequently. When the points clearly. First, he was not looking most committed believers in a church for an excuse for the lack of growth. Sec- decrease their attendance patterns by ond, he wanted information so he could 25 percent (they go from attending address the issue. four Sundays a month to three), you
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Jim Richards, Executive Director
Contributors: Kay Adkins, Joe Conway,
Southern Baptist TEXAN VOLUME
NUMBER
14 10
OCTOBER
2015
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
sbtexan
texanonline.net
Diana Chandler, Anne Harman, T. Patrick Hudson, Gary D. Myers, Bonnie Pritchett, Thom Rainer, Erin Roach, Andrew J.W. Smith, Tom Strode, Dante Wright, Travis Wussow
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can expect a precipitous decline in attendance. And the greater majority of congregations are indeed experiencing this unfortunate phenomenon. 3 An overcorrection to practical ministry. Many church leaders rightly became disturbed and frustrated by the fierce pragmatism prevalent in many churches. But, to use an overused phrase, many threw the baby out with the bathwater. It’s hard to reach people in the community if the church does not have practical ways to do so. 4 Activities replacing ministry. Many churches have their members so busy they don’t have time to develop relationships with unchurched people and non-Christians. Meetings and activities have become substitutes for real ministry. 5 Growing conflict and disunity in congregations. When we are divided
and at odds with fellow believers in the church, we are distracted from focusing on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. 6 Entitlement mentality among some church members. This issue was the thesis of my book, I Am a Church Member. When church members see the church as a place to meet the needs and preferences of “me, myself, and I,” you have a congregation who is inwardly focused. Any one of these six issues will hinder the Great Commission outreach of a church and, thus, frustrate attempts to lead a church to growth. But many congregations have more than one of these factors present. That reality really presents challenges. —Thom S. Rainer is president of LifeWay Christian Resources.
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OCTOBER 2015
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OPINION
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SUPPORT FOR WORLD MISSIONS Jim Richards Executive Director
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any Southern Baptists have heard about the impending reduction of our missionary force by the International Mission Board. After years of unprecedented advancement in numbers, there will be a large reduction of somewhere around 600-800. Our missionary count will be well below 4,000. My heart is saddened to hear the necessity of this move. All of us want the gospel to reach the unengaged peoples of the world. We have open doors that could shut at any time. Now is the time to be ramping up our involvement not pulling back. Financial reality dictates that we live within our means. Continuing as we have at IMB is not an option. The IMB is the 900-pound gorilla in Southern Baptist life. When the IMB sneezes, all Southern Baptist ministries catch a cold. Questions have come to me about how did we get into this dilemma, is this the best way to handle the situation, and can we have confidence in what will happen next. Being heavily invested in IMB yet being an outsider allows me to comment from a personal perspective. Here’s my take on how we got in this situation. I believe a wrong-headed eschatology drove
I BELIEVE A WRONG-HEADED ESCHATOLOGY DROVE OUR MISSIOLOGY. THINKING THAT ONCE EVERY PEOPLE GROUP (ETHNO-LINGUISTIC) HAD THE GOSPEL THAT JESUS WOULD COME BACK CAUSED A SHORTSIGHTED STRATEGY
our missiology. Thinking that once every people group (ethno-linguistic) had the gospel that Jesus would come back caused a short-sighted strategy. Spending reserves and selling property caused the IMB to divest itself of resources badly needed today. While gospel advance is the priority of the IMB, it should have been done without jeopardizing future needs. These steps were not taken in secret. For several years the IMB told Southern Baptists there was a shortfall. We can point fingers at administrators or trustees, but that will not change the past. Even though a leader is a biblical inerrantist, he still needs the oversight of a policy-making body. Trustees must take their fiduciary responsibilities seriously. We cannot look back, but we can learn a lesson as we look to the future. This crisis can make Southern Baptists stronger. Americans have a short attention span with a preference for immediate relief. There are no quick
fixes. Pastors and churches must decide if they have the heart for this spiritual battle. It will take a realignment of priorities. Administratively, IMB personnel and trustees have to work through the best solutions. Financially is where we have a part. Tithing has fallen on hard times. The average church member lives under a burden of debt. Tithing is seen by some as an Old Testament practice. If that is so, then New Testament Christians should start giving above 10 percent! Believers must be challenged to give. Churches are enslaved to debt as well. Some, who are able to give, develop a myopic ministry that fails to invest beyond their influence. If churches were to give 10 percent through the Cooperative Program, there would be no missionaries called back from the field. Ten percent through the Cooperative Program may be an arbitrary figure, but it will provide the funds necessary to enable our missionaries to keep pushing back the darkness. State Conventions have come a long way in a short amount of time relative to giving past their borders. Sending 50 percent or more on to the Southern Baptist Convention is becoming the standard for many state conventions. The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention leads all state conventions in percentage giving (55 percent) to the SBC’s Cooperative Program budget. The SBTC is third in total dollar giving behind Alabama and Georgia. With members tithing, churches giving
10 percent, state conventions at 50/50 or better, we will see more missionaries, not fewer. Speaking with one voice Southern Baptists can see God provide the resources. I have confidence in where we are going. David Platt was handed a difficult job. He had to right the ship or it would have sunk. Let’s pray for him. By telling the truth and taking action, IMB gives us confidence that the right steps are being taken. We may go down in missionary number now, but we can build on a solid foundation. Retirees, students and professionals who go at their own expense can augment the missionaries on the field. A new strategy coupled with a proven path of funding through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the IMB has better days ahead. Now is the time for Southern Baptists to stick together. God does not need our convention. We need him. Obedience in personal giving, church giving and state convention giving will bring about a resurgence of gospel advance in America and around the world. Please join me at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, November 9-10, for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Encouragement, information and inspiration are all on the agenda. Pray for God to move in our midst. We need him! We need each other!
10 Reasons the Church Needs Expository Preaching Dante Wright
Pastor, Sweet Home Baptist Church, Roundrock
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arry Emerson Fosdick once asked the question, “What’s the matter with preaching?” As a pastor and Ph.D. student with an emphasis in homiletics, I often find myself asking that same question. With the decline in biblical literacy the preacher must ask himself what is the most effective way to deliver God’s Word that gives the congregation a healthy dose of the holy writ? In his class, Doctrinal & Expositional Preaching, Mark Howell, adjunct professor of preaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary introduced the class to E.K. Bailey’s 10 reasons the church desperately needs expository preaching: 1 Expository preaching motivates the congregation to bring their Bibles to church. Some forms of preaching make it easy for the congregation to leave their Bibles at home or their Bible apps closed. Expository preaching makes it easy for Bibles to be open. Expository preaching compels the congregation to open the Bible and look for themselves into the riches of God’s Word as the preacher guides them through the nuances of the text. 2 Expository preaching motivates the congregation to fall in love with the Word of God.
There is no better way to fall in love with God’s Word than to study it in a way that brings out the intended meaning of Scripture. When the Word of God makes sense in our lives, we begin to love and crave learning the truth of God (See Psalm 119). 3 Expository preaching pushes the congregation to be conscious of the Word of God in their lives. Under expository preachers, congregations become keenly aware of the Word of God and how it transforms their lives. Word-conscious congregations, through expository preaching, use the Word of God as their primary resource. Equally as important, they are able to discern the foolishness of the world disguised as the Word of God. 4 Expository preaching forces the preacher to look at and proclaim ALL of what God says and not just their idiosyncrasies. When a preacher utilizes expository preaching, he preaches the whole counsel of God instead of preaching his “favorite passages.” The riches of God can be found in every letter of the Scripture. The preacher’s job is to proclaim the truths of God and not his own pet peeves. 5 Expository preaching gives the people the necessary tools to fight off the powers and principalities. The powers and principalities of this world have ways to infiltrate the life of the believer primarily through twisting
the Word of God. Expository preaching arms you for the fight against powers and principalities. Everyone has the necessary weapon but expository peaching gives the wielder of the Sword of Truth the skills to utilize the sword against the enemy (See Ephesians 6). 6 Expository preaching ministers to the vast needs of the people, even though the preacher may never have intended it. When a preacher is an expositor, the preacher does not have to worry about whether a message is relevant or confronts the lives of the congregation. Expository preaching is focused enough to shoot a bull’s eye concerning a person’s personal needs, yet broad enough to cast its net on us all. 7 Expository preaching creates anticipation in the congregation for what comes next in the text. There is no greater way to create anticipation in the congregation for Scripture than by unfolding the meaning of Scripture and continuing to connect each verse to the other. Expository preaching presents the text as it was meant to be encountered, with every historical detail, every word choice and every stylistic device creating a sense of anticipation for the coming passages. 8 Expository preaching challenges, shapes and transforms the spiritual life of the proclaimer. As the expositor studies and preaches to the congregation, he simultane-
ously strengthens his own spiritual life. To discover what God desires is to develop a spiritual life anchored in the Word of God. While devotions and small groups can be helpful, deep sea diving into the Word of God deepens the spiritual fortitude of the proclaimer and the hearer. The more one is true to the Word of God through expositional preaching, the more he can become spiritually mature. 9 Expository preaching allows for God’s words to be heard instead of the preacher’s thoughts. Expository preaching moves the preacher out of the way to allow God to speak. The preacher does not need to make up pithy statements, use fancy words or entertain the people. The preacher simply needs to open the Word of God, going word by word, verse by verse and allow the Word of God to speak for itself. q Expository preaching establishes the universality of God’s Word as opposed to relativism. If God is truly sovereign then so too is his Word. To preach using expository methods is to place God’s truth, and the divine authority on which that truth stands, at the highest levels of our moral and ethical engagement. I believe that the most effective way a pastor can deliver God’s Word that gives the congregation a healthy dose of the holy writ and brings life to his ministry is to consistently apply these 10 principles to his preaching.
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OPINION
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JOSH DUGGAR, ASHLEY MADISON, AND THE RUSH TO JUDGMENT Keith Collier
Managing Editor
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hen news broke out that former “19 Kids and Counting” star Josh Duggar had not one but two accounts with Ashley Madison, a website that promotes extramarital affairs, the fingerpointing began. Some fingers appropriately pointed at Josh. Others blamed his parents and their “oppressively strict religious upbringing.” Some criticized his wife for being too submissive and wanting to stick it out in their marriage rather than divorce his sorry self. Still others blamed “culture” for creating an atmosphere of acceptance that would allow a website the likes of Ashley Madison even to exist. Let’s be clear, the sole blame for this sad tale belongs to Josh, who succumbed to his sexual temptations and willingly sought out adulterous relationships under the assumption that he would never be caught. The “secret sin” of pornography chipped away at his resolve for years, and then he deliberately acted on those fantasies. (James 1:14-15)
As the Scripture says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.“ (Galatians 6:7-9) It’s easy to rush to judgment. Many gloat as Josh reaps what he’s sown—a confirmation of their distaste for his seemingly wholesome upbringing. Even Christians are tempted to selfrighteously wag our fingers. But our genuine response should be brokenness for him and his family. Even though he issued a public apology, life will never be the same for his family. Yet, Josh Duggar is not alone. The Ashley Madison data leak is not just a distant, pop-culture story. More than 30 million accounts were exposed, sending shockwaves around the country, as chilling reports surfaced of some who chose to end their lives rather than face the guilt, shame and consequences of their sin. Painfully, the embarrassing ripple effects have also splashed against our churches, as the accounts of self-professing Christians are brought to light. LifeWay Research Executive Direc-
tor Ed Stetzer even estimated that at least 400 church leaders (pastors, deacons, staff, etc.) would be resigning on one Sunday as a result—some publicly, some quietly. Families wrecked. Ministries ruined. Churches broken. Actually, this could be a lot worse. What if it wasn’t just Ashley Madison accounts that were exposed? What if Internet browsing histories, Netflix viewing records, texting conversations and flirtatious work relationships were broadcast for the world to see? I fear that an exponentially larger number of church members and pastors would be implicated. Sexual sin is a pervasive evil. Internet pornography and websites like Ashley Madison promise anonymity, but those promises are empty. As the Scriptures say, “your sin will find you out.” Any of us is susceptible to such sin. If you think you’re impervious, you might be the most in danger. So how should Christians respond? Here are at least five ways: 1 Examination—Scripture is clear that we must constantly be on guard against sin getting a foothold in our lives. Every one of us needs to ask the
Lord to search our hearts and reveal any areas of sin. 2 Repentance—If you have an Ashley Madison account or are caught up in some other “secret sin,” you need to repent immediately. You also need to confess it to others—your spouse; your pastor; your church, as appropriate. 3 Forgiveness—You may find yourself on the other end, bearing the pain of a friend, a pastor, a spouse or a family member who has fallen to sexual sin. If they are truly repentant, you must forgive them as God forgives them. Yes, there are consequences. Yes, it will take time to rebuild trust. But Christlike love demands grace. 4 Accountability—Those who fall must be held accountable for their actions. At the same time, Christians must establish accountability relationships with one another, where we dig into one another’s lives, in order to encourage holiness and protect against sin. 5 Prayer—Pray diligently for yourself, your family, your friends, your pastor and your church. Satan is prowling around, seeking to take down believers. We must stand in the gap for one another and ask our Father to “deliver us from the evil one.” Prayer is our greatest tool against the lure of sin.
Prominent Southern Baptists speak to Ashley Madison hack One researcher estimated that 400 pastors would resign on one Sunday as a result of being revealed as customers of a dating website for adulterers. Indeed, millions of lives have been disrupted, including some Southern Baptist pastors and denominational employees. Here are some pertinent insights on the issue from three Southern Baptist leaders.
JASON ALLEN, PRESIDENT, MIDWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, JASONALLEN.COM.
One can be a godly man without being a pastor, but one cannot be a faithful pastor without being a godly man … Guarding our hearts will take more than accountability partners, Internet filters or even pondering sin’s catastrophic consequences. Ultimately, our hearts are most guarded when they are most satisfied in a person: Jesus Christ. As C. S. Lewis famously observed, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” The heart that is best guarded is the heart most given over to Christ. May we find our true joy— and our lasting pleasure—in him.
RICHARD LAND, PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN EVANGELICAL SEMINARY, CHRISTIANPOST.COM
RUSSELL MOORE, PRESIDENT, ETHICS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION, RUSSELLMOORE.COM
… over 90 percent of Americans still believe it is wrong and morally unacceptable to cheat on, or be unfaithful to, one’s spouse, or alternatively, one’s partner in a committed relationship. So, it seems that Americans are casual about casual sex but not about betraying trust in a committed relationship. That sounds like a split personality to me. In a truly pagan culture, being outed on Ashley Madison would be irrelevant. Why the alarm from those whose names were outed on Ashley Madison? First, they were attracted to the website in part because of the same false promise of anonymity that Internet porn sites advertise (the porn providers know who is on their websites, and as many people have discovered to their horror, it is virtually impossible to completely erase what you have been viewing on the Internet). Second, the shame of having spouses know they have been betrayed must be devastating. The pain of scandalizing children who have looked up to you and whose confidence in you has been shattered must seem unbearable. How should Christians respond? As Christians we need to understand that the sexual revolution has changed how many of our fellow citizens view sex. They have a profoundly different understanding than Christians should have. A majority of Americans now see sex as a consumer choice, an act of the will, an expression of self, a casual activity based on personal preference, designed merely for recreation and pleasure. Such people see sex as “natural” and merely as a biological fact of life, a casual activity signifying nothing more than pleasure and sexual gratification. On the other hand, Christianity understands sex as “supernatural,” a gift from God and thus a sacred and transcendent activity. God revealed in Genesis that it wasn’t good for man to be alone so He created a helpmate or “completer” and the two became one flesh and “cleaved” together in such a way that they could never be completely separated again (Gen. 2: 18-25).
We should have seen this afoot. After all, this is precisely the sort of technological innovation upon which pornography has built an empire. In a previous era, one who wanted to consume pornography needed to declare himself the kind of person who wanted to do so. One had to walk up to a cash register in a convenience store or to a clerk in a video store. This limited the numbers of those who would seek such media out. Digital technology spawned an entirely different reality. One could seek out pornography with no one knowing and with the promise that no one would ever know. One could continue to try to feel good about oneself because the porn was part of something one was already doing—surfing the web—and one could pretend that one just happened to find oneself in a bad Internet neighborhood. What has been the result? The result is a pornography industry that has weaponized itself—leaving shame and guilt and broken marriages all over the world, especially among those who thought red states or Bible belts were force fields against the Sexual Revolution. This will continue, and will accelerate. As technology continues to draw itself closer and closer into the human person, the immorality industry will proliferate too. … Expect the line between pornography and adultery to become murkier and murkier, as our Gnostic desire to be free from the limits of our flesh ends up exactly where it always does, in the idolatry of the flesh. … We will not get out of this with better Internet filters or more accountability groups. We must recognize that technology will continue to offer fallen humanity what it thinks it wants—the illusion that we can transgress God and not surely die. Our only hope starts with the kind of vision which sees that, no matter the technology, we are never anonymous to God.
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FAMILY SPEAKS OUT ABOUT PROFESSOR’S SUICIDE By Gary D. Myers NOBTS
NEW ORLEANS The family of Baptist professor and pastor John Gibson is calling his death a suicide connected to the Ashley Madison website hack. By openly discussing the circumstances surrounding his death, including a CNN interview that aired Sept. 8, the Gibsons hope to help other families find forgiveness and reconciliation. Gibson served for 17 years as a professor at Leavell College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s undergraduate college. At the time of his death, he also served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Pearlington, Miss. Gibson, 56, was discovered at his home on the seminary campus at approximately 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24 by his wife Christi when she arrived home from work. After finding Gibson unresponsive, she immediately notified emergency medical service. EMS workers were
unable to revive him, and Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. Gibson’s son, Trey, spoke of all of his father’s good qualities— his ability to preach, his servant heart and his sense of humor— during a memorial service on the seminary campus Aug. 28. But Trey also spoke of his father’s secret struggles with depression and pornography. Trey acknowledged at the time that his father had taken his own life and boldly encouraged the mourners to seek accountability relationships to guard against secret sin. “My dad was a great man. He was a great man with struggles. My dad reached a point of such hopelessness and despair that he took his own life,” Trey said. While the news jolted the campus, the seminary community has rallied around the Gibson family as they opened up about the struggles that led to the death of the beloved professor and minister.
Seminary President Chuck Kelley touched on the subject again Sept. 8 during the NOBTS convocation chapel service. “On the first day of classes, we had the unexpected death of a much loved professor, colleague and friend Dr. John Gibson,” Kelley said. “We learned that he made some very sad and unfortunate choices in his life, and his son shared in his memorial service his death appeared to come at his own hand.” The family spoke openly about Gibson’s death during a national television interview on CNN. Appearing in the interview with her children, Trey and Callie, Gibson’s wife Christi confirmed the existence of a suicide note in which her husband confessed to his failures and that his name was released in the Ashley Madison website hack. Christi noted her husband also expressed great sorrow for his actions. In the interview, the family
acknowledged they would have been willing to forgive Gibson’s failures and work toward restoration if John Gibson they had been given a chance. “I still believe it could have been fixed. It could have been healed,” Christi told CNN. “There is brokenness in every single one of us. We all have things that we struggle with,” she said. “It wasn’t so bad that we wouldn’t have forgiven it, and so many people have said that to us, but for John, it carried with him such shame.” Christi also expressed her concern for other families grappling with the fallout from the Ashley Madison scandal. For the millions of families affected, she encouraged love and forgiveness. “These were real people with real families, real pain and real loss,” Christi said. “Don’t
5Gibson’s wife Christi Gibson and his children Callie and Trey discuss his death on CNN Sept. 9. CNN SCREEN GRAB
underestimate the power of love. Nothing is worth the loss of a father and a husband and a friend. It just didn’t merit it.” Kelley asked for continued prayer for the Gibson family and the entire NOBTS community as they struggle with this loss and the circumstances behind it. A group of students responded to the news of Gibson’s suicide and the events that led to it by organizing a prayer initiative on campus. Beginning Aug. 31, participants in the studentled prayer time met daily on the steps of Leavell Chapel to pray for the faculty and their families. The first week culminated with a joint studentfaculty prayer time. After the Labor Day holiday, the studentled prayer meetings moved to a twice-weekly schedule.
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EL PASO MINISTRY GRADUATES LAY LEADERS, CHURCH PLANTERS By Erin Roach TEXAN Correspondent EL PASO Nine students comprised the first graduating class of the El Paso International School of Faith, a new effort to strengthen biblical literacy among pastors and lay leaders in the region. The school, which started two years ago, partners with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and held its first commencement Aug. 22. “Living here in El Paso for 30 years, I’ve seen a decline in doctrinal, sound preaching,” Mark Rawlins, associate pastor of McCombs Baptist Church in El Paso, told the TEXAN. With a conviction that he needed to help address the problem, Rawlins began to design a curriculum for men called to church leadership who could not travel to seminary. Then he met a couple of
SBTC staff members who already had assembled a training curriculum for such needs. “Here I had been trying to put the curriculum together old school,” Rawlins said. “They had the full package, so we incorporated it. That was a Godsend.” Jim Richards, executive director of the SBTC, has been supportive of the El Paso International School of Faith and has helped personally with scholarship fundraisers, Rawlins said. “It’s amazing how it all came together,” Rawlins said. Pastors with seminary degrees and at least 10 years of experience teach the classes, Rawlins said, and about 30 men are enrolled now at four locations. The school does not have a central location but meets in churches that want to host classes. Credits that students earn at the school can be transferred to Criswell College, Jacksonville College and Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary, Rawlins said. “The curriculum we’re using is not just a hodge-podge of books. It was looked at by the seminaries and by four-year colleges,” he said. Upon graduation, students receive a diploma, an official transcript and a letter of acknowledgement from the SBTC. The graduation ceremony in August was a standard commencement, Rawlins said, with a procession, a keynote address and the presence of special guests. Rawlins delivered the address, and David Alexander, a church planting lead associate with the SBTC, was there to commend the graduates. Before the school launched, Rawlins surveyed a portion of El Paso and discovered that 90 percent of respondents saw a need for an adult Christian learning center. As
5El Paso International School of Faith Director Mark Rawlins (left) congratulates one of nine students who comprised the school’s first graduating class during a commencement ceremony Aug. 22. PHOTO BY DAVID ALEXANDER
time goes by, more churches are taking an interest in the school, he said. “We are reaching out to various ethnic backgrounds,” Rawlins said, noting students are working with Koreans, Germans, Hispanics and Chinese, among others. Students who sense a call to plant a church are able to work closely with Chuy Avila, an SBTC church planting missionary in El Paso. “We know the best way to transform El Paso with the power of the Gospel is through church planting,” Avila told the TEXAN. “We are partnering with the El Paso International School of Faith in order to equip church planters to begin healthy churches. Our partner-
ship is a great asset to recruit new church planters.” Three of the nine graduates are pastoring new churches in El Paso, Avila said. Feedback from students, Avila said, has been positive, as they are happy to receive quality training from the school of faith, and the SBTC benefits by having a process to support new churches in El Paso. “The best way to see your community transformed is through planting healthy churches,” Avila said, “so we need partnership churches. We really need churches that want to partner with us to launch churches here in El Paso—any church. It doesn’t matter how big or how small a church, they are welcome to partner with us in El Paso.”
Southwestern emphasizes Texas churches in upcoming ‘Revive this Nation’ effort Through a grant-funded, half-century old revival program, churches can have revival meetings at minimal cost. By Sharayah Colter Staff Writer
While the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays stand between fall and spring, the time is now to prepare for March 2016’s Revive this Nation—a nationwide revival effort led by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. As in past years, Southwestern will send students and faculty to preach revivals and lead in community evangelism during the school’s spring break
week, March 13-17. Financial gifts to the seminary fund the program so that each preacher’s round-trip travel expenses are covered. Churches need only provide a host home or other lodging, food to eat during the stay, and local transportation. Churches can sign up to host a revival through the Feb. 1 deadline by visiting swbts.edu/rtn. In a video message from Southwestern President Paige Patterson, posted on the website, the president speaks directly to local churches across America, telling
them about the grant-funded opportunity the seminary offers to help spur revival in their towns and their churches. “What if I could show you a way to have a revival at your church but at the same time make a long-term contribution to the life of a young preacher?” Patterson asks. “What a wonderful opportunity that would be. They don’t just preach. They work hard. They go door-todoor, business-to-business and invite people to come to your church, and then God often visits powerfully himself.” Charles Patrick, vice president for strategic initiatives at Southwestern, said the participation
WHO: Almost 800 million people are undernourished. Each year, 3.1 million children die because of poor nutrition. Our world is gripped by a hunger crisis.
WHAT IS GLOBAL HUNGER SUNDAY?
WHAT: Global Hunger Sunday offers churches an effective way to help hungry people in North America and overseas. Churches across the country will highlight this crisis and be a part of the solution. 100% of any donation goes directly to meet hunger
of Texas churches in 2015 was “very encouraging.” “Roughly 20 percent of the churches who signed up for Revive This Nation were from Texas,” Patrick said. “I’d like
to see this trend continue if not increase. Having a Southwestern student preach a revival in Texas gives churches a chance to directly see their
needs, because of the partnership with the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, and Baptist Global Response. WHEN: October 11, 2015 WHY: We have a clear command in Scripture to care for those in need and we have the opportunity through the existing work of SBC partners to reach those who are faced daily with the problem of hunger.
‘return on investment’ to the Cooperative Program through the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Moreover, with Texas being the second most populous state in the U.S., it makes sense that Southwestern continue to send preachers to reach the lost in Texas.” Over this nationwide revival effort’s 55-year history, more than 14,000 people have given their lives to Christ. Southwestern hopes to add to that number in 2016 when it sends out students willing to give up their spring break in order to preach the Word and reach the world.
HOW: Many Southern Baptist churches will observe Global Hunger Sunday through a short video and an offering for Global Hunger Relief. Others will integrate a hunger emphasis with an overall missions campaign, sharing with their community about the global hunger crisis. We offer a turnkey solution to engage the hunger crisis, or our resources can be merged with your church’s own strategy to fight hunger locally and globally. Visit gobgr.org/hunger.
OCTOBER 2015
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1% CP CHALLENGE MET BY 4,422 CHURCHES By Diana Chandler Baptist Press EDITOR’S NOTE: October is Cooperative Program Emphasis Month in the Southern Baptist Convention. NASHVILLE Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Frank S. Page has personally signed letters to more than 4,400 Southern Baptist churches that have met or exceeded the 1% Cooperative Program Challenge. Recognized for their contributions are 3,846 congregations that met the challenge for the first time during the 201314 fiscal year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) and 576 that met the challenge for two consecutive years, said Ashley Clayton, SBC Executive Committee vice president for Cooperative Program and stewardship development. The 1% CP Challenge calls on churches to increase their Cooperative Program giving by at least one percentage point of their budgets from undesignated gifts by their members and visitors. CP gifts undergird both the work of the state Baptist conventions and the SBC’s national and international missions and ministries.
In the letters in advance of October’s Cooperative Program Emphasis Month on the SBC calendar, Page reminded pastors that every Cooperative Program dollar given is an investment in Baptist outreach. The letters seek to express the “heartfelt gratitude on the part of every international missionary, every church planter in North America and Canada, every person in need or at risk from natural disaster, every seminary student, every plateaued or struggling church, and so many other people who are impacted,” Page told Baptist Press. The month-long Cooperative Program emphasis spurs churches to learn about the Cooperative Program and prayerfully consider increasing their contributions. FishHawk Fellowship Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Lithia, Fla., is among churches that have met the 1% CP Challenge two fiscal years concurrently since 2012-13. “We support and participated in the 1% Challenge because the CP was instrumental in our establishment and growth as a church,” pastor David Whitten told Baptist Press. “As a former
church plant, funds from the CP helped sustain us during the early days of our ministry. We are now a healthy, growing Southern Baptist church, and we consider it both a duty and an honor to give back to the CP.” FishHawk, in the Tampa area, increased its CP giving from 2.2 percent in 2012 to 5.6 percent in 2014, according to Executive Committee figures.
If every Southern Baptist church embraces the 1% CP Challenge, annual Cooperative Program giving would increase by nearly $100 million, Page said. The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists’ channel of giving, begun in 1925, through which a local church can contribute to the ministries of its state convention and the missions and ministries of the SBC
with a single monthly or weekly contribution. Gifts from state conventions and fellowships as well as churches and individuals are distributed according to the annual Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. CP contributions for the current fiscal year were 1.13 percent above projections through August, Page announced in early September.
SBC Amends Constitution on Messenger Qualifications XIV and SBC Bylaw 8—was a response to a motion from the COLUMBUS, Ohio In June, mes- 2013 annual meeting in Houssengers to the Southern Bap- ton that requested updating tist Convention annual meet- messenger qualifications. ing in Columbus, Ohio, gave Under the proposal apthe necessary second-year ap- proved by messengers, each proval to revise qualifications cooperating church that confor churches to send messen- tributes to convention causes gers to the annual meeting. during the preceding fiscal Describing the recom- year will automatically qualimendation as “small-church fy for two messengers. friendly,” last year’s Executive The convention will recogCommittee chairman Ernest nize additional messengers Easley told messengers the from a cooperating church proposal to revise Article III under one of two options: of the SBC Constitution—with 4One additional messenrelated adjustments to Article ger for each full percent of By SBCLife
the church’s undesignated receipts which the church contributed in the preceding fiscal year through any combination of Cooperative Program gifts, gifts given to SBC work through the Executive Committee, or gifts made directly to any SBC entity; or 4One additional messenger for each $6,000 the church contributed in the preceding fiscal year through the same means as outlined above. Also under the new proposal, churches can now qualify to send up to twelve messengers.
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House passes two pro-life bills after heated debate By Sharayah Colter Staff Writer WASHINGTON The U.S. House of Representatives voted to place a one-year moratorium on sending taxpayer money to Planned Parenthood, Sept. 18. The legislation, H.R. 3134, the “Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015,” essentially “defunds” the abortion agency while investigations into whether it has acted illegally are conducted. Passionate debate between republicans and democrats preceded the vote, which was tallied at 241-187, for and against, respectively. Democrats claimed primarily that videos which sparked outrage and thus investigations are fabricated and part of a smear campaign aimed at attacking women. Republicans countered, saying the videos have been released in full, revealing that self-incriminating comments made by Planned Parenthood employees have not been altered. Republicans also appealed to the human nature of those voting on the measure, saying that the issue is not a “Republican or Democrat” matter, but a clear, moral obligation of the nation—a nation filled with human beings who ought not be inclined to murdering their children, republicans said. A second piece of legislation was also passed—H.R. 3504, the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.” The vote, which was tallied at 248-177, for and against, respectively, categorizes as first-degree murder any act in which an abortionist kills an infant born alive after a botched abortion. House republicans and democrats discussed the allegations against Planned Parenthood in a House Judiciary Committee hearing Sept. 9. Republican leaders scheduled the hearing on whether Planned Parenthood clinics are violating federal laws in providing fetal tissue for research after the release of undercover videos that have included discussions by Planned Parenthood officials of the sale of organs from aborted children. Since July, a total of 10 videos have been released. The videos, recorded secretly by hid-
PASTOR
den camera by the Center for Medical Progress, also show Planned Parenthood executives acknowledging their willingness to manipulate the abortion procedure to preserve organs for sale and use. In one video, evidence is provided of a clinic worker cutting into the face of a living child outside the womb to procure a brain. Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore expressed gratitude for Congress’ investigation of Planned Parenthood. “The recent videos have exposed a ghoulish form of human piracy that is at the heart of Planned Parenthood’s daily operations,” Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), told Baptist Press in written comments. “My prayer is that the visceral truth of what is captured on camera will cut through political rhetoric and unite our lawmakers from both sides in condemning this heinous form of human trafficking.” Unity across party lines was in short supply during the Sept. 9 hearing, which focused on whether Planned Parenthood is violating bans on the lateterm, partial-birth abortion method and the killing of born-alive infants. Republicans decried Planned Parenthood’s practices while Democrats decried the videos and the hearing. Rep. Trent Franks, R.-Ariz., a pro-life leader in Congress, said the videos “irrefutably reveal officers of Planned Parenthood haggling over the price” of body parts. Franks expressed dismay that President Obama and many members of Congress “have not uttered one single syllable against these gutwrenching atrocities. “The sands of time should blow over this Capitol dome before we ever give Planned Parenthood another dime of taxpayer money,” Franks said. Rep. Randy Forbes, R.-Va., told committee members, witnesses and observers, “What I cannot understand is that [those on the other side] cannot say that there is no act that’s too far, there’s no act that’s too brutal, there’s no act that’s not acceptable even for Planned Parenthood.” Franks and Forbes are both members of Southern Baptist churches.
Learn more about pastoral care and development at sendnetwork.com/pastoral-care-and-development. As a way of encouraging more CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 churches to participate in pastor appreAs a former pastor, Lewis understands ciation month in October, NAMB is partthose pressures. One question a church nering with worship leaders Shane and can ask itself is, “Shouldn’t our pastor Shane to provide a worship event for a have … ?” and fill in the blank with what selected church that best demonstrates church members take for granted or see the spirit of pastor appreciation. The retheir pastor truly needs. Take concrete cipient church will have the opportunisteps to meet the need, which may in- ty to host the free event as an additional clude time off or a sabbatical, Lewis said. thank-you for its pastor. Church members can post photos on NAMB President Kevin Ezell, who most recently pastored Highview Baptist Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with Church in Louisville, Ky., for 14 years pri- the hashtag #LiftMyPastor showing or to coming to NAMB, knows well the how they lift their pastor with one of NAMB’s resources found at sendjoys and demands of leading a church. “It’s the greatest privilege in the world network.com/pastors-appreciation. to pastor a congregation,” Ezell said. “But Posts should include details of why it is also very demanding, and we need and how the church body chose to lift to take steps to protect, strengthen and their pastor. Each social media post that uses the express appreciation for our pastors.” hashtag #LiftMyPastor will be entered Lewis adds that appreciation for pastors is simply following the exhortations for the chance to bring Shane and Shane of 1 Thess. 5:12-13 and Gal. 6:6. Church- to their church for a worship night. Visit es can find “Five simple steps to lift up facebook.com/NAMB.SBC for details God’s servant in your church” at namb. and more about entering your church’s example of pastor appreciation. net/For_Lay_Leaders.
Republican members expressed shock at an answer provided by the lone witness in the hearing who supports abortion rights. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R.-Va., the committee chairman, asked Priscilla Smith if a D and E—or dismemberment—abortion represents a “humane way to die.” The D and E method involves the tearing apart of the unborn child piece by piece until the womb is vacated. Smith responded, “I believe for a previable fetus, yes, a D and E procedure is a very humane procedure, and it protects the woman and her health and safety more than any other procedure.” Goodlatte said, “[Y]our view of humanity and mine are different.” Smith is director of Yale Law School’s Program for the Study of Reproductive Justice. James Bopp, general counsel of the National Right to Life Committee, said it is clear in the videos Planned Parenthood’s practice violates federal and state laws, “ethical and moral principles and their own guidelines and promises to their patients.” The other two witnesses in a hearing that lasted more than three and a half hours were abortion survivors Melissa Ohden and Gianna Jessen. Both survived saline abortions at seven months’ gestation or more in 1977 and lived with the aid of nurses. They both were adopted. During the hearing, GOP committee members pointed to the need for the Senate to approve legislation to prohibit
abortions on babies 20 weeks or more after fertilization based on scientific evidence that a child in the womb experiences pain by that point in gestation. The House voted 242-184 for the Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act in May but the Senate has yet to hold a vote. In early August, the Senate fell short in an attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. Senators voted 53-46 to bring to the floor a bill to eliminate federal funds for the organization and its affiliates. While a majority of senators favored consideration of the proposal, the attempt to invoke cloture, as it is known, fell short of the 60 votes needed to begin debate on the legislation and establish a path to its passage. Now that the House has passed a different version of a bill relating to defunding Planned Parenthood as well as the bill protecting born-alive infants, the Senate will once again hold a vote on pro-life legislation. If the Senate does change course and vote to pass the bills, it remains unlikely that the president will sign them but will instead veto them. Republicans have, however, been discussing possibly allowing the government to shut down in an effort to get life-saving legislation passed. The discussion has drawn sharp criticism from democrats and some republicans. While the federal government has failed so far to defund Planned Parenthood, five states have acted to do so. —with reporting by Tom Strode of Baptist Press.
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Q: If this has been going on for years, why is this now in the news? A:The images of the lifeless body of a 3-year-old Syrian refugee captured the attention of the global media in early September. The child had drowned after the 15-foot boat ferrying him and his family from a Turkish beach resort to Greece capsized. The images reignited a debate about whether the European Union and other Western countries were doing enough to aid refugees from the war-torn country. Q: How did this all start? A: In 2011, during the Middle Eastern protest movement known as the Arab Spring, protesters in Syria demanded the end of Ba’ath Party rule and the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, whose family has held the presidency in the country since 1971. In April 2011, the Syrian Army was sent to quell the protest and soldiers opened fire on demonstrators. After months of military sieges, the protests evolved into an armed rebellion that has spread across the country. Although the conflict was originally between factions for and against President Assad, the civil war has broadened into a battle between the country’s Sunni majority against the president’s Shia Alawite sect. The conflict has drawn in neighboring countries and world powers and led to the rise of jihadist groups, including the selfproclaimed Islamic State. Q: What is the U.S. doing about the refugee crisis? A: Since the start of the conflict, the U.S. has admitted 1,500 refugees from Syria. At a press briefing Sept. 10, White House Press Secretary John Earnest told reporters that the Obama administration is making plans to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next budget year. (There is currently cap of 70,000 refugee visas a year that U.S. officials can issue.) Q: Where exactly is Syria located in the Middle East? A: Syria is located north of the Arabian Peninsula at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. The country, which is about the size of North Dakota, is bordered by Turkey on the north, Iraq on the east, Jordan on the south, and Lebanon, Israel and the Mediterranean on the west. Its biggest cities are Aleppo (population 2,301,570) and Damascus (population 1,711,000). Q: Isn’t Syria one of the lands mentioned in the Bible? A: The modern state of Syria is part of the region known throughout history as Greater Syria. The city of Damascus is mentioned 67 times in the Bible. The road to Damascus was the place of the apostle Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) and Antioch was the city in which the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26).
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THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS & YOU
What You Should Know About the Syria Refugee Crisis Q: What is the Syria refugee crisis? A: For the past four years, Syria has been in a civil war that has forced 11 million people—half the country’s precrisis population—to flee their homes. Nearly 7 million Syrians have been internally displaced within the country and 4 million have fled Syria for other countries. The result is one of the largest forced migrations since World War II.
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By Travis Wussow ERLC NASHVILLE Turkey’s shores received the body of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi minutes after a small boat capsized while carrying him into the Mediterranean in early September with his father, mother and 4-year-old brother and other refugees from the Syrian Civil War. They left with hope of finding safety and security. Instead, Aylan and his brother became two of more than 11,000 children—at least 230 of whom were also 3 years old—killed as a result of the war, as recounted in a Washington Post report on Sept. 5. Aylan’s mother also died. But Aylan will never be forgotten, because a nearby photographer made him an international symbol of the Syrian refugees’ plight. Also not to be forgotten: the reports of systemic rape and sexual slavery of women across Syria and Iraq. The socalled Islamic State continues to wreak havoc in the region, its campaign of terror emanating from Raqqa, Syria, its de facto capital. The world is presented with the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Nearly 8 million Syrians have been internally displaced, and nearly 4 million Syrians have fled the country in search of safety. As Christians, we know that we must respond. Jesus tells us that if we are to fulfill the second greatest commandment—to love our neighbors as ourselves—we must show them mercy (Luke 10:32). Jesus also calls those who exhibit saving faith to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick, come to the prisoners (Matthew 25:35– 26). If we are in Christ, all of our own stories are marked by the fact that Jesus showed us mercy, too, when we were in great need, when we were hopeless, when we had no future. And so we want to help. And yet, the situation in Syria is paralyzingly complex. We don’t know what to do. We’re afraid to act because we are unsure of the long-term consequences. We don’t know which organizations to trust. For today, here are some ways you can begin to respond:
Pray Jesus tells us that if we knock, the door will be opened, that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, mountains can be moved. The famed British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon famously said that prayer is “the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence.” Let us not believe that our prayers are too small a response to this crisis. Here are some things to pray for: 4Pray for a movement of the gospel among the Syrian refugee community. 4Pray for the hundreds of Aylans who will leave the shores of the Middle East in the coming days, weeks and months. Pray for their safety and protection.
4Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are working to care for the refugee communities around them. 4Pray that God would open your eyes to ways that you can help ease the pain of those impacted by this conflict. Partner It is sometimes hard to know which organizations to rely on and trust. Here is what Southern Baptist organizations are doing: 4Baptist Global Response: In Syria, BGR is distributing food and hygiene items, blankets and medicine to 2,500-4,000 refugee families as well as diapers and formula for families with young children. 4Global Hunger Relief: 100 percent of any donation goes directly to meet hunger needs because of the partnership with the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and Baptist Global Response. Text “refugee” to 80888 to donate $10 for Syrian refugees.
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BAPTIST BRIEFS Full versions of these stories and more can be found on Baptist Press: bpnews.net
SCOTUS URGED BY FEDERAL JUDGES TO REVIEW ABORTION MANDATE Five judges on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals have sharply criticized the court decision that ruled against GuideStone Financial Resources earlier this summer.
A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled against GuideStone and GuideStone participants Truett-McConnell College and Reaching Souls International in July. In a rare move, the entire 10th Circuit, on its own initiative, took a vote on whether to reconsider the panel decision. When the vote narrowly fell short, five of the 19 judges issued a dissenting opinion. Their opinion, released Sept. 3, explains why the panel decision was “a dangerous approach to religious liberty” that is so “clearly and gravely wrong” that it “will not long survive.” Judges registering the dissent were Paul Kelly, Harris Hartz, Timothy Tymkovich, Neil Gorsuch and Jerome Holmes.
‘WAR ROOM’ TOPS LABOR DAY BOX OFFICE The faithbased film War Room, co-written by brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, topped the box office over Labor Day weekend, grossing nearly $2.5 million more than the nearest competitor during its second weekend in theaters. The latest Kendrick Brothers’ film grossed $13.4 million Sept. 4-7, bringing its total gross earnings to nearly $29 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The PG-rated movie showed in 1,526 theaters over Labor Day weekend, an increase of nearly 400 from its opening weekend.
NATIONAL CP YTD 1.13% OVER PROJECTION Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international
missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are $174,276,734.99, or 1.13 percent above the year-to-date budgeted goal, and are 1.42 percent ahead of contributions received during the same time frame last year, a news release from SBC Executive Committee President Frank S. Page reported. The total includes receipts from state conventions and fellowships, churches and individuals for distribution, according to the 2014-15 SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. As of August 31, gifts received by the Executive Committee for distribution through the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget represent 101.13 percent of the $172,333,333.33 year-to-date budgeted amount to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America. The total is $2,434,843.37 more than the $171,841,891.62 received through the end of August 2014.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS MARKET VOLATILITY GuideStone Financial Resources has produced a video outlining the nation’s current market volatility and responses that long-term investors should consider, including remaining calm in the face of daily news, keeping a long-term focus on investments and maintaining diversification in age- and risk-appropriate investments. David S. Spika, CFA, global investment strategist for GuideStone Capital Management, LLC, narrates the video. Spika noted in the video that stock market declines and rebounds are virtually impossible to time, even for professionals, and should never be the reason for long-term investment allocation changes. The video is available at guidestoneinvestments.com/NewsInsights/Videos.
NEW BOOK SHOWCASES BAPTIST HISTORY Three Baptist history scholars were not completely satisfied with the textbook options in their field, so they decided to write their own. In The Baptist Story, Michael Haykin, Nathan Finn and Anthony Chute sought to produce a more narrative story that spans four centuries of Baptist history of this diverse group but is approachable for students and laypeople. “It seems most Baptist history books are written primarily for the professor instead of the student,” said Chute, professor of church history at California Baptist University. “Our book com-
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municates to the student the material they need to know in a way that is informative and interesting.” Finn, dean of the School of Theology and Missions at Union University, noted the idea for a new Baptist history book emerged several years ago. Nothing came of it until B&H Academic asked Finn, Chute, and Haykin, professor of church history at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to author the book. “There has not been a true Baptist history textbook written by Southern Baptists with a primarily, though not exclusively, Southern Baptist readership in mind for nearly 30 years,” Finn said. “While several fine textbooks have been published, most are not written from a convictionally evangelical perspective, or they only cover Baptists in a particular region.”
HEROES HONORED FOR SERVICE; 53 PROFESS FAITH First Baptist Church of Bossier City, La., hosted “Honor our Heroes Sunday,” a special day devoted to doing just that: honoring the first responders and military service personnel in and around the city.
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to pastor the church he planted a decade and a half ago—Hope Church.
GA. BAPTIST PAPER TO END PRINTED EDITIONS JAN. 1 The Christian Index will transition primarily to an online presence Jan. 1, the Georgia Baptist Convention’s newsjournal has announced. “Bowing to the pressures of an increasingly difficult economic climate with rising production and distribution costs— coupled with declining revenue from circulation and advertising—The Index will produce its final biweekly print edition on Dec. 24,” the paper reported in its Sept. 3 print edition. “But that doesn’t mean [The Index] will cease publishing,” the paper stated in a front-page news story. “It will simply move to the web with a never-ending news cycle no longer tied to print deadlines and ever-increasing mailing costs. It will also be a free product with no charge for online access.” The Christian Index describes itself as “the nation’s oldest continuously published Christian newspaper,” dating back to 1822 when famed missions supporter Luther Rice started it as the Columbia Star in Washington, D.C. The paper first became part of the Georgia convention in 1840; the convention sold and repurchased the paper in the following years, acquiring it for the final time in 1919.
ANGOLA PRISON MINISTRY CELEBRATES 20 YRS., NEW FACILITY
The church formally invited all police officers, firefighters and paramedics from the city as well as individuals in active military service, particularly those stationed at nearby Barksdale Air Force Base. Hundreds accepted the invitation, and roughly 5,000 people attended the church’s two worship services that day, which featured a gospel presentation and a live interview with Taya Kyle, wife of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, Aug. 30. By the end of the event, 53 people had prayed to receive Christ. Pastor Brad Jurkovich said the current cultural climate prompted the church to host the event. With nationally covered police shootings to the on-duty deaths of three Louisiana officers in the last month alone, Jurkovich saw the need to set aside a day to honor local first responders and military service personnel. “We just wanted to be a blessing to them. That was our first goal,” he said. “Second, we wanted to share the gospel with as many people as we could.”
VANCE PITMAN JOINS NAMB AS NATIONAL MOBILIZER Pastor Vance Pitman plans to utilize his church planting experience as he begins working with the North American Mission Board to engage and mobilize pastors to plant more churches. Fifteen years ago, Pitman and his family were sent out by First Baptist Woodstock in Georgia as church planting missionaries with NAMB. They moved to Las Vegas and never left. In his new role as NAMB’s national mobilizer, Pitman will continue
Celebrating a 20-year partnership that has changed lives and deployed “missionaries,” New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary/ Leavell College has dedicated a new facility with expanded classroom and library space at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, La. The Aug. 27 dedication followed a graduation ceremony marking the program’s 278th graduate. “This has been the most spectacular day we could ever have,” said Burl Cain, warden of the correctional facility. “We have a new seminary building; we doubled our capacity; and, it means less victims of violent crime.” The Joan Horner Center, an 11,000-square-foot building with a computer lab, two classrooms, an auditorium and library, was named in memory of benefactor Joan Horner, founder of Premier Designs of Dallas, who with husband Andy Horner were longtime supporters of the Angola ministry. An anonymous donor provided funds for the structure.
DEFENDING TRUTH ADDRESSED AT FOR THE CHURCH CONFERENCE As society’s view of truth continues to change, attendees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s second annual For the Church Conference were urged to lead their churches and ministries in becoming pillars and buttresses of truth. More than 1,000 pastors, students and ministry leaders from across America packed into the Kansas City campus’ Daniel Lee Chapel complex to attend panel discussions, workshops, and main sessions with messages by Jason Allen, Russell Moore, Darrin Patrick, H.B. Charles, Jared Wilson and David Platt. To view all of the conference’s plenary sessions, visit: http://m.ftc.co/ftc15video.
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SBTF FUNDS FIRST LOANS AS DIRECT LENDER, PLANS TO “REDEPLOY” MONEY FOR MINISTRY By Sharayah Colter Staff Writer
The Southern Baptists of Texas Foundation signed agreements this summer lending funds to two Texas churches—a move that marks an expansion in direction and goals within the foundation. Until now, the foundation has served as a loan originator but has not served as direct lender. With a previous focus in planned giving, which remains an important part of the SBTF’s commitment to serving churches, the foundation now looks excitedly toward furthering its ministry reach and bolstering its ability to serve Texas churches through this expansion into direct lending. The foundation funded its first two loans Aug. 21, refinancing an existing loan for $500,000 with Arlington Park Baptist Church of Arlington and approving a $300,000 building renovation loan for Jordan Missionary Baptist Church in Lancaster. Three other loans have been approved but have not yet been funded.
CHURCH POSITIONS PASTOR u FBC Giddings seeks a FT senior pastor. Please submit resumes to
[email protected] or to 852 East Industry Street, Giddings, TX 78942. 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 Harvest Point Church in Nacogdoches seeks a FT pastor. Evangelistic and church-planting heart desired. Bi-lingual would be a plus. Resumes accepted only with letter of recommendation attached. Please send to: Pastor Search Team, c/o Harvest Point Church, 2708, South Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75964. u Liberty Hill BC in Moody seeks a bi-vocational pastor for a small country church. Current attendance averages 20 in SS and 35-50 Sunday morning worship. We have a wonderful youth director in place with a small but active youth group. Resume’s may be mailed to Liberty Hill Baptist Church, 1155 Liberty Hill Rd., Moody, TX 76557 or emailed to
[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
SBTF Executive Director Bart McDonald said funding the foundation’s first two loans is a significant milestone. McDonald aims to build the foundation’s loan portfolio with the goal of returning the investment made by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, which has contributed to the foundation since its founding in 2005. Embarking into the world of direct lending to qualifying churches will play a major role in growing the foundation to a point where it can become a viable funding source to support convention operations for years to come. McDonald said the most important part of the foundation’s work is delivering value to churches. To this end, he said if another lender can offer a church a better rate, he will encourage them to take it. In many instances, however, the foundation can negotiate competitively and with an added benefit that many churches find appealing: Whereas the interest paid to other lenders pads shareholder pockets, interest paid on foundation loans returns to ministry.
“The money we make,” McDonald said, “Is redeployed for ministry.” Ultimately, the more money the foundation can bring in, the more money the SBTC can free up in its budget for missions and evangelism tasks. The same concept is true with the foundation’s ability to serve churches through investing, which McDonald said can be negotiated for terms as short as 30 days. One church, he recalled, was able to make grand strides in its capital campaign after investing $400,000 it had been holding in a checking account. The interest earned from that investment covered the financing of the remainder of the capital needed. Essentially, McDonald said, the foundation’s ability to serve as a direct lender allows it to “make money so we can give money away,” and serve churches. Churches interested in applying for a loan through the foundation can call McDonald at (817) 552-2500 or visit sbtexasfoundation.com/index.php/ ministries/church-financing to fill out an application.
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].
YOUTH u FBC Archer City seeks a FT student pastor who will lead students to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Experience and strong teaching skills desired. Music and worship skills are a plus. Please submit resumes to adamd@ fbcactx.org. u Southside BC in Carthage seeks FT youth minister to develop and lead Christ-centered program of teaching, discipleship and activities for 7th-12th grade students. Experience required. Degree not required but beneficial. Email resume to
[email protected].
MUSIC u FBC Borger seeks a FT worship pastor. The candidate must be able to work closely with the senior pastor in communicating the mission and message of the church through song, video and the arts; embrace and affirm our church’s 90-year heritage while effectively reaching out to new generations of churched and unchurched in a culturally relevant way; work closely with the senior pastor in planning Sunday morning experience; and be responsible for the church’s website, social media and all church-related communications. Resumes will be held in confidence and may be sent to charlie@ firstborger.com. u Emmanuel BC in Wichita Falls seeks God’s man in a bi-vocational music. We are looking for someone to lead music Sunday morning and evening, develop a choir and work alongside the pastor in planning the worship service. Please send resumes to: Susan Robertson, 7 Smoke Rise Circle, Wichita Falls, TX 76306. COMBINATION 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.
CHILDREN u FBC Malakoff is requesting resumes for a FT children’s minister, or PT interim, to oversee and coordinate all areas of our children’s ministry. 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 (newborn through fifth grade). Please send resumes to fbc@ fbcmalakoff.com, Attn: Personnel Committee. u FBC Plainview seeks a FT minister of children and preschool with salary and benefits. Responsibilities include children, preschool and young families. Please send resumes to
[email protected] or to FBC Plainview, Attn: Children’s Search Committee, 205 W. 8th St., Plainview, Texas, 79072. u Luella FBC seeks a mature person to work in our nursery. Must be at least 21 years old and able to pass a background check and drug test. The number of hours will vary but will be at least two hours each Sunday
Jordan Missionary Baptist Church signed a refinance loan through the SBTF, Aug. 21. Left to right (seated) are SBTF attorney David Petter, Jordan Missionary pastor Sinclair Royal and SBTF Executive Director Bart McDonald; (standing) Welton Davis, Nathaniel Knox and Lester Allen.
Arlington Park Baptist Church signed a building renovation loan through the SBTF, Aug. 21. Left to right (seated) are SBTF attorney David Petter, Arlington Park pastor Jeremy Rogers and SBTF Executive Director Bart McDonald; (standing) Charles Snow and Al Kawamoto.
morning, one hour Sunday evening, possibly one hour on Wednesday evenings and occasionally for special church functions. If interested, please contact Anna Garza at 903-8932252 or email
[email protected]. Our office is open Monday through Thursday 9-5. OTHER u Jacksonville College seeks PT alumni director. Send resume to Dr.
Mike Smith, Jacksonville College, 105 B. J. Albritton Drive, Jacksonville, Texas 75766. u Illinois Baptist Children’s Home seeks an executive director to replace current director’s retirement the end of 2016. Applications are to be received by January 2016 to fill the position by October 2016. Go to bchfs.com/employment.html for details.
BAPTIST GLOBAL RESPONSE Global Hunger Relief: 100 percent of any donation goes directly to meet hunger needs because of the partnership with the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and Baptist Global Response. Text “refugee” to 80888 to donate $10 for Syrian refugees.
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. u FOR SALE: FBC Weatherford, OK, is selling a Living Christmas Tree. Seats 100+. Includes structure, risers, lights, computer and software, greenery. Make offer. Contact: jhogan@fbcweatherford. com or 580-772-2771. u BOOK SALE IN COLLEGE STATION, NOV 6-7: Baptist Pastor liquidating a large portion of his library. For info and directions, call Milton Woodall, 979-690-7176.
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CRISWELL COLLEGE NAMES NEW VP, CRISWELL CHAIR OF EXPOSITORY PREACHING By Kay Adkins TEXAN Correspondent DALLAS Criswell College announced two personnel changes this fall, as Jeffery Campbell moved into the W.A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching and Kevin Stilley was named the new chief business officer and vice president for finance. During the Oct. 1 chapel service, Criswell College officials installed Jeffery Campbell as the preaching chair, a position charged with upholding the preaching passion and legacy of founder W.A. Criswell. Campbell, a Criswell alumnus, began teaching as a guest
professor in 2007. He completed a Ph.D. in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Jeffery Campbell Theological Seminary in 2014 and assumed Criswell’s assistant professor of preaching position in 2015. He has pastored Texas churches since 2003. Campbell succeeds Alan Streett, who served as the preaching chair from 2007-2015. Since Streett completed a Ph.D. in New Testament in 2011, his responsibilities at the college have shifted from teaching preaching to teaching New Testament.
“As [Streett] transitions into teaching in the area of biblical exposition and New TestaKevin Stilley ment,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Joe Wooddell said, “it makes more sense to have a preaching professor occupy the preaching chair.” Criswell College President Barry Creamer told the TEXAN, “Both men will inspire students to preach and teach the Word of God accurately and passionately, and we are grateful to have them at Criswell.” “I hope to use my role as a platform to raise awareness
first of all of Criswell College, and also as a platform to raise awareness of expository preaching,” Campbell said. “I am committed to that type of preaching and would like to see all preachers doing that on a regular basis.” Campbell and his wife Anna have been married for 20 years. They have five daughters and a son, ages 1 to 9. The family resides in Kaufman, where Campbell pastors New Hope Southern Baptist Church. Kevin Stilley, a 1992 Criswell M.A. and M. Div. graduate, assumed the college’s role of chief business officer and vice president of finance in August. Stilley worked 10 years in human resources and retail op-
erations at Borders Group, a Fortune 500 company. His responsibilities included leadership development, loss prevention, and internal controls and audit, among others. While serving in the United States Air Force, Stilley worked as a staff sergeant and a base systems manager. He has 30 years of pastoral experience and currently leads Stadium Drive Baptist Church in Fort Worth. In higher education he has served as an instructor for Tyndale Theological Seminary and for the College at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Married for 21 years to Susan, the Stilley’s have six children, ages 4 to 17.
Love & not fear of Muslims urged by SBTS prof By Andrew J.W. Smith SBTS LOUISVILLE, Ky. Ayman Ibrahim wants more American evangelicals to reshape the way they think about their Muslim neighbors. He says that starts with not being afraid of them. “Among Westerners in general, there is a sort of phobia about Muslims,” said Ibrahim, the newly appointed assistant professor of Islamic studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. “But Islam is not monolithic. To say, ‘Islam is ISIS,’ is very naive.” Ibrahim, who grew up in a Coptic Orthodox family in Cairo, Egypt, tells his American students that the Muslim faith is as diverse as most other faiths—it is best, he says, to talk not about “Islam, but Islams.” Although much of his ministry involves the apologetic defense of Christianity, he says he chiefly wants to proclaim the gospel to Muslims and invite them to receive it in faith. “My goal is not to attack Islam,” he said. “My goal is to love Muslims and to bring them the hope I have received freely from Jesus.” He recalled the first time he was exposed to evangelicals: when he was 9 years old, he was playing soccer with his friends when a group of evangelicals watching him said they were impressed by his ability. They invited him to visit their church, and later to a church retreat where he heard the gospel for the first time. “You would be surprised to know that I really cried,” he said. “What kind of sins am I crying about? Nine years old? Maybe I was mad at my sister
or something, pulling her hair. But I felt the conviction of encountering Jesus. I felt like I was being washed Ayman Ibrahim by the blood of the Lamb.” Much has changed for Ibrahim since that moment. He’s earned three degrees, lived on three different continents and taught at four different schools. An overwhelming sense of gratitude appears to still motivate his ministry with Muslims to this day. He tries never to lose sight of the grace he received as a 9-year-old. “I never graduate from the school of the disciples of Jesus Christ,” he said. After his conversion, Ibrahim began using his gifts in the church, leading music at 13 and preaching for the first time at 18. It was clear God had uniquely equipped him, he said. “My best moment is when I’m preaching, standing in the pulpit and encouraging people to imitate Christ,” he said. While working for a decade as an engineer after graduating from college, Ibrahim would preach in various contexts in Cairo five times a week in addition to his day job. “I used to work from 8 to 5 every day, but my real life began after 5 p.m. when I went to preach in churches,” he said. Over time, he learned he needed to supplement his passion for preaching with a seminary education, so he moved to the U.S. and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort
Worth, Texas. After earning his Master of Arts degree, Ibrahim started teaching Islamic studies—first in the College at Southwestern, then at the seminary—and quickly grew just as comfortable in front of a classroom as a congregation. He met his wife Emily during his final year at Southwestern after she returned from the mission field. Ibrahim earned his Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., where he also served as an Arabic professor. After spending a year working toward his second Ph.D. at University of Haifa on Mount Carmel in northern Israel, Ibrahim received a call from Adam W. Greenway, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry, who offered him the position at Southern. Much of Ibrahim’s teaching style carried over from preach-
ing—teaching the material in depth, challenging students to think missiologically and biblically, and encouraging them to interact with Islam regularly. That last part will require that the students actually go out into their communities and get to know Muslims around them. “You cannot take my class and finish it without actually interacting with Muslims in the neighborhood,” Ibrahim said. “Part of what we do is to encourage students to get out of their comfort zones and just do something.” Ibrahim’s classroom style is lively, full of hand gestures and facial expressions borrowed from his preaching. “It’s very hard to sleep in my class because I am very loud,” he said. Ibrahim hopes to bond with his students, in part through visits to his home, where his wife prepares Egyptian and Mediterranean cuisine.
“One of my real desires is to impact these students at many levels,” he said. “I don’t like to drink coffee by myself.” Ibrahim wants his students to have a clear vision for how they should interact with Islam. In his first few weeks on the job, he’s already prepared a thorough mission statement for the Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam—which he now leads as senior fellow—urging a rigorous but gracious engagement with the Muslim faith. While the Christian witness to Islam will always be apologetic, he hopes it will also be “kerygmatic”—a passionate, positive proclamation of the gospel—rather than polemical. “There are many people who follow the polemic, and some of them have fruit in their ministry,” Ibrahim said. “It’s not my approach. I want to explain my faith and proclaim the good news.”
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CANDI FINCH INSTALLED TO DOROTHY KELLEY PATTERSON CHAIR OF WOMEN’S STUDIES By Keith Collier Managing Editor FORT WORTH Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary inaugurated the Dorothy Kelley Patterson Chair of Women’s Studies in the School of Theology during its chapel service, Sept. 16, and installed assistant professor Candi Finch into the position. The academic endowment was established to honor Dorothy Patterson, wife of Southwestern’s president, Paige Patterson, and professor of theology in women’s studies at the institution. Southwestern Executive Vice President and Provost Craig Blaising described Dorothy Patterson’s most cherished roles as wife, mother and grandmother before explaining the contributions she has made toward recovering a biblical understanding of womanhood. “As she was a supporting wife to Dr. Patterson and all he has done in theology, it became very apparent to her over the years that this issue of women’s studies, this issue of femininity and masculinity in our culture and society, is a critical issue in the churches and must be addressed. And the Lord put it upon her heart to do that,” Blaising said. Dorothy Patterson earned her bachelor’s degree from Hardin Simmons University before pursuing a Master of Theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and two doctorate degrees—a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary and
a Doctor of Theology from the University of South Africa. She was a founding member of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and has authored and edited more than a dozen books, including the Old and New Testament volumes of the Women’s Evangelical Commentary, The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook and The Study Bible for Women. Her husband, Paige Patterson, preached a sermon from 1 Corinthians 11 during the chapel service, explaining that the biblical model of womanhood is not demeaning to women, as some have suggested. Just as Jesus is one in essence with the Father yet has a different assignment within the Godhead, Patterson said, women are equal in essence with men yet have been given different roles. “The Bible is the very first book ever written to openly and fully declare the full equality of women with men,” Patterson said. “Don’t you believe what the press says, that ‘You evangelical Christians believe that women are subordinate to men in essence and that they simply ought to sit still, be quiet and say nothing.’ … You read the history of evangelical Christianity, and wherever you find the gospel preached, you’ll find great women serving the Lord magnificently. On the other hand, the assignment is not the same.” Patterson praised his wife for her desire to fulfill “the highest calling of wife and mother,” while also strengthening her academic skills to
counter the impact of secular feminism on churches. Janice Crouse, executive director of World Congress of Families and a friend of the Pattersons for nearly two decades, attended the inauguration. “I’ve been so impressed with the way the vision for this women’s studies program has developed,” Crouse said, adding that she is thankful to link “arm-in-arm in this battle for women to have a clear vision of all the potential they have.” Barbara O’Chester, who has led a retreat ministry for women for more than 45 years, was also in attendance. “I’m so thankful for this chair and for what it’s going to mean for women’s ministry,” O’Chester said. “I agree with (Dorothy) totally with regard to submission to authority and the whole nine yards—I’ve lived it; I’ve taught it—but I also know God uses women in a miraculous way. To have a place where women can come and learn the biblical principles and see how God can work those out in their lives and their ministries is very exciting.” Funding for the endowed chair came from James and Dorothy Merritt of Easley, S.C., as well as from the estate of Charles and Doris Kelley, the parents of Dorothy Patterson. The Merritts also endowed a women’s studies scholarship. Candi Finch studied under Dorothy Patterson during her time at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and then completed both here Master of
Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson (left) congratulates Assistant Professor Candi Finch (right) upon her installation in the new Dorothy Kelley Patterson Chair of Women’s Studies, Sept. 16. SWBTS PHOTO/NEIL WILLIAMS Dorothy Patterson has authored and edited more than a dozen books related to biblical womanhood. These books were on display during the inauguration of the Dorothy Kelley Patterson Chair of Women’s Studies at Southwestern Seminary, Sept. 16. SWBTS PHOTO/NEIL WILLIAMS
Divinity and Ph.D. in Systematic Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As assistant professor of theology in women’s studies at Southwestern, she teaches courses such as Biblical Theology of Womanhood, Feminist Theology, Intro to Women’s Studies, Communication for Women, Women in Church History, and Girls Ministry. She has also contributed to several books, including the Old and New Testament volumes of the Women’s Evangelical Commentary and Adoniram Judson: A Bicentennial Appreciation of the Pioneer American Missionary.
During a luncheon following the chapel service, Finch shared about her Ph.D. dissertation, which refuted the hermeneutic of feminist theologian Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza. She also expressed her excitement to serve alongside other women on faculty who “believe it’s important to equip women to have a biblical foundation for whatever sphere of ministry God has called them, to know how to not only handle the Bible correctly and apply it, but (also) help women to understand how to engage the culture for the things that we’re facing today.”
MBTS receives $7 million lead gift to build student center By T. Patrick Hudson MBTS KANSAS CITY In what President Jason Allen called an answer to prayer for one of the “most significant institutional needs” since the school’s inception in 1957, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City received a $7 million lead gift from Harold and Patricia Mathena, of Oklahoma City, for a new student center. “This gift is an answer to over two years of prayer on my part, and, in a very real way, to Southern Baptists’ prayers since 1957 when, in our seminary’s founding documents, the board of trustees expressed their desire to build a facility for student and family life as soon as possible,” Allen said. “Through the singular generosity of the Mathenas, in
committing to this $7 million lead gift, we are able to pursue a student center here at this strategic juncture in Midwestern Seminary’s life. This new building is an urgency given our record enrollment growth the past two years.” Allen said that after nearly a year’s worth of master planning for the campus, it became apparent that in addition to the need for faculty relocation to the heart of campus and more single student housing, that the most pressing need for Midwestern Seminary was a student center. However, without a lead gift to kick-start the effort, it would be impossible. This is where God had already begun to move for a solution. Through a series of events and common friendships, Allen was introduced to the Mathenas. The elder Mathena—
THIS NEW BUILDING IS AN URGENCY GIVEN OUR RECORD ENROLLMENT GROWTH THE PAST TWO YEARS.
who founded Mathena, Inc., an oilfield mud-gas pressure control solutions company and who has been a bi-vocational pastor/evangelist—noted that it took quite some time for he and Allen to meet in person. All along, however, conversations with his wife, family, pastor, godly advisors, and friends were planting seeds that would
eventually confirm his decision to make the gift. “I have observed in Scripture, and in my everyday experiences, that God blesses a man, whether in ministry or in business. God’s good hand rests upon a man. I have observed that struggling churches, ministries, and businesses can be salvaged and turned around by
a man whose heart is stayed on God,” Mathena said. The proposed student center, approximately 40,000 square feet, and will hold a gymnasium, recreation and fitness areas, cafeteria, bookstore, student commons area as well as space for additional staff or faculty offices. In discussing a timeframe that a student center could be operational on campus, Allen said, “There is still much, much work to do, including raising the additional funds needed. As we plan to accomplish this project debt-free, we are praying God will raise up men and women across the SBC and beyond to partner with us.” For more information or to inquire about contributing to the student center, contact Charles Smith in the Office of Institutional Relations at
[email protected].
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STATEWIDE PRAYER GATHERINGS PROMPT ONGOING INTERCESSION By Erin Roach TEXAN Correspondent GRAPEVINE Prayer gatherings in all parts of the state have prompted pastors in a few locations to continue interceding indefinitely on behalf of their churches, families and the nation. Praying Across Texas was launched by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention last year with a goal of gathering pastors to pray in each of the 18 zones of the state, asking God to send spiritual awakening. “As these prayer meetings across Texas have concluded, I am left with a real sense of optimism and encouragement,” Jimmy Pritchard, president of the SBTC and pastor of First Baptist Church in Forney, told the TEXAN. “There are numbers of godly pastors and laymen all over our state who love the Lord and have a true thirst for spiritual awakening.” Pritchard, who helped lead each of the gatherings, said it’s comforting and strengthening to realize that no pastor is alone in the challenges of the day because
God has an army engaged alongside each of them in the battle. “I was desiring more of a movement than a meeting through these prayer times,” Pritchard said. “In many places, there are pastors who are continuing to meet and pray together for one another and for renewal and revival. “A prayer movement that results in a greater emphasis on personal evangelism is surely a huge piece in spiritual awakening. I know God has heard our prayers from every region of the
state of Texas. May he answer with a fresh wind of his Spirit.” Dante Wright, pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, helped lead the prayer gatherings in Austin and College Station. Wright called them “timely, powerful and impactful.” “The Southern Baptists of Texas leaders were at the forefront in leading the way during a time when our country was facing a period of unrest, chaos and uncertainty,” Wright told the TEXAN.
“We were still mourning the death of an African-American man, Freddie Gray, in Baltimore, and the death of nine African-American church members attending a Bible study in Charleston, S.C. This was also during the time of the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.” At the prayer gatherings, Wright said, pastors and other leaders invited God back into their lives, homes and communities. “It was a time to engage in a serious dialogue expressing our concern for all mankind, Wright said. Ted Elmore, the SBTC’s prayer strategist, said the largest meeting was at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin with about 300 people, and the smallest count was eight—with an average attendance of 25. Originally the gatherings were to be for pastors, but as church staff and others wanted to join, they were welcome, Elmore said. Pritchard, Elmore and SBTC Executive Director Jim Rich-
ards led in each of the gatherings, which included guided prayer for personal revival, repentance, family and the lost, among others. Sometimes pastors prayed for each other, and they tended to pray for their churches, for personal struggles and for their families, Elmore said. Praise reports were given. “They prayed for the nation,” Elmore said. “There was a lot of prayer for the president and praying for our leaders—sadness at some of the decisions but nevertheless praying for them.” Pastors in several locations have realized, as a result of the gatherings, that they can carry on such times of intercession, so meetings continue. “We’ve traveled this whole state, and the pools of darkness show up,” Elmore said. “The parts of the state that are spiritually colder and spiritually darker have been magnified as well as the ones where they seem to be on the cusp of a breakthrough.”
