January 6, 1999

EDITORIAL:
We'll strive to be faithful servants
___Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a wealthy master who went on a journey and entrusted his property to three servants. To one, he gave five portions; to another, he provided two; and to the third, he gave one.
___When the master returned, he learned the servant who was given the five portions doubled his investment, as did the servant who had two. The third servant, however, buried his portion and returned only what was given.
___The master rewarded the first two servants, bidding them, "Come and share your master's happiness." But he called the third servant wicked, lazy and worthless, casting him "into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
___Jesus' parable provides ample admonition for all Christians. Especially Christians blessed to harvest fields others have sown--daughters and sons of faithful Christian parents, pastors called to congregations constructed by committed generations, missionaries whose ministries are fueled by the abundant gifts of Great Commission believers, institutional leaders who direct enterprises built through the decades by dedicated workers and sacrificial supporters.
___And editors who write on pages hallowed by prophets with pens.
___Life is a gift of God. Opportunities for service are blessings to be cherished, nurtured and, as the good servants showed, multiplied.
___Jesus' parable has been on my mind this week, as I become the Baptist Standard's 13th editor. The opportunity to walk in the path worn smooth by a succession of Standard editors is both humbling and an honor of the highest magnitude. They have been faithful and faith-filled leaders, and I cannot conceive that an editor would declare himself worthy to be numbered among them. Yet with God's help and the prayers and support of Texas Baptists, I will do my best to be faithful to their heritage and press toward our hope.
___Texas Baptists stand at the dawn of a new millennium. We face change of unprecedented proportions. And yet the message we proclaim--Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and the only Hope for Salvation--never changes. The world and millions of Texans need to hear that word now more than ever.
___The Baptist Standard will work steadfastly to help Texas Baptists understand how that changeless message applies to our lives, our churches, our communities, our state, our nation and the world amid changing, turbulent times. The Standard will be Texas Baptists' companion, friend and--I hope and pray--guide as we all walk together in faith.
___The Standard will follow three principles:
___ We will be the Baptist paper for all Texas Baptists. To some degree, this depends upon Texas Baptists. Some people just won't let you be their friend. But we will try.
___We will tell the truth, exercising responsible freedom, honor and compassion. We will seek to be balanced and impartial, favoring foe and friend alike. Editorials will reflect the editor's honest opinions and will be developed fairly and transparently. Letters and other opinion pieces will balance that perspective.
___We will focus on a solidly Christian, distinctively Baptist worldview in the broad realm of ideas, trends, developments and cultural currents.
___We will seek to report in such a way so that the paper is interesting, helpful and inspiring to laity and clergy alike.
___ We will provide practical resources for Christian living. We will strive to be creative, vibrant and innovative. We will aim to be practical, useable and down-to-earth. We will help Texas Baptists understand what "being Christian" means in their homes, neighborhoods, jobs, schools, churches and communities. We will help congregations "do church." We will help the Texas Baptist convention focus on its challenges and opportunities. We will provide inspiration as well as information.
___ We will do our denominational duty. We will cover news of the convention. We'll try to write it in a way that makes as much sense in Dalhart as it does in Dallas. We'll foster dialogue for developing our priorities and perspectives. Of course, we'll cover "the controversy" among Baptists, but we won't enjoy it nor belabor it more than necessary.
___Beyond this, we will work hard to spread the story of God's work among Texas Baptists to as many of us as possible. That's where innovation comes in. We'll work to improve the paper you receive each week and the electronic version many of you download each Tuesday. We may produce a magazine, a video, special-interest periodicals. God only knows; we pray God will reveal that to us.
___We will make mistakes. I pray they will be mistakes of passion and fervor, not calculation and malice. I pray they will be overshadowed by an abundance of helpful, uplifting, insightful material, every week.
___Pray for us. We'll pray for you.
___ --Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@flash.net

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