February 3, 1999
Texas Baptist Forum
Child conversion
___The article on child conversions (Jan. 20) leads me to plead with our churches to overcome the ignorance of the high and holy purposes and great privileges and responsibilities of church membership.
___Ignorance is built into our procedures. When a child makes a profession of faith, baptism and church membership automatically follow,and church membership has little meaning to the child.
e-mail marvknox@flash.net
___Likewise, an unsaved adult who hears the sermon goes forward and makes a profession of faith to the pastor, who then tells the church, "So-and-so has come to unite with the church by baptism." Again, church membership has little meaning; it's automatic.
___Ignorance will persist until we separate the concepts of the profession and membership.
___The former is a vertical relationship with God; the latter is a horizontal relationship with other Christians.
___One benefit of making membership distinct is that churches can more easily solve the "child conversion problem" by separating the child's profession of faith from baptism and church membership.
___We can tell children, "Come any time to profess your love for and trust in Jesus, and when you are 12 years old, we will teach you about church membership (and more about saving faith) and then baptize you and make you church members."
___A child undergoes an important psychological step at about age 12. Some other denominations, Catholics and Jews already take advantage of this natural development.
___ Bruce W. Lowe
___ Dallas
Gun control
___The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission intends to lobby the Texas Legislature to change the law regarding carrying concealed weapons in churches (Jan. 13). This is a mistake.
___First, all Texas concealed-carry permit holders are required to undergo extensive background checks.
___Second, there never has been any improper use of a legally carried concealed weapon in a church in Texas, so what problem does the CLC intend to correct?
___Third, if the CLC is successful, the only alternative for a permit holder will be to either leave their guns in their cars--making them easy targets for thieves--or not go to church at all or be very vulnerable to crime by not carrying a weapon.
___Fourth, if a person intended to commit a crime of violence in a church, the fact that carrying the weapon would be illegal would be no more of a deterrent than the fact the crime itself is illegal.
___The violence near many of our inner-city churches leaves many people, especially women, with no alternative. In every instance that a state has allowed concealed-carry permits, crime has gone down.
___ John W. Krenik
___ Midland
Consistent action
___One who uses the separation of church and state as an (I think appropriate) argument against school vouchers and for the Religious Freedom Restoration Act should be consistent and not ask the state to intercede in the matter of concealed handguns in church.
___I am 66 years old and have been a Baptist all my life. Two years ago, the Texas Depart-ment of Public Safety trained and certified me as a concealed handgun license instructor.
___Based on my association with churches and the licensing program, I am convinced it is a rare licensee who will bring a gun into a church service. Even if one does, you will never know.
___At other times, depending on the location of the church, the time of day or night and the number of people around, one might be justified in carrying a gun for protection between his/ her car and the church building.
___ Kenneth Gibson
___ Sidney
Gun safety
___I don't understand the concern about God-fearing, born-again, Bible-carrying Baptists being armed.
___As I drive through this state, I haven't seen any signs prohibiting concealed weapons at Luby's Cafeterias. I think they learned that one legally armed citizen could have stopped a great deal of carnage.
___I am one Baptist completely opposed to any further regulation than we currently have in this area.
___ Earl E. Newsom
___ Wylie
Tattoo marks
___I do not agree the Bible sends "mixed messages" on tattooing (Jan. 6).
___Leviticus clearly tells us not to mark our bodies.
___In Galatians, the Apostle Paul says, "I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." He described the anguish and pain he endured for the cause of Christ, ... not sitting in a chair at a tattoo parlor feeling the pain of the needle and thinking you're doing something cool for God.
___ Albert Lavador
___ Lancaster
Festering racism
___The item on racism (Jan. 20) is wonderful news, but when is this going to be taken beyond rhetoric? The Baptist General Convention of Texas makes no positive moves to heal this rotten disease.
___God-serving pastors still are being run out of town on a rail simply because they reached out to the minority community. Church leaders and congregations that would not think of supporting homosexuality, abortion, child and spouse abuse, and other sins against God's laws still stand idly by while racism drives a minority of the leadership. They use the horrible "N" word regularly in their day-to-day conversations but go to church on Sunday and profess their belief in the gospel.
___The BGCT and the Southern Baptist Convention need to stand strong on this horrible infestation and require members to publicly denounce racism, and any church that refuses to abide by the teaching of Jesus Christ should be dropped from the rolls. These churches are nothing more than tax-exempt white social clubs and have no business in the realm of Christianity.
___This is not about mandatory combining of church congregations; it is about the coming together of communities during revivals and other times when all races can gather under one roof on occasions to worship God.
___Racism continues to be the most destructive and divisive issue in America today.
___ Charles L. Floyd
___ Annona
Scout Sunday
___I read with interest the article on lawsuits against the Boy Scouts (Jan 13). These suits arise with frequency.
___Scouting is a youth program for boys only. Morals and ethics are taught, and religious belief is a requirement for membership. With increasing frequency, Baptist churches are sponsoring Boy Scout troops. Scouting provides a proven program and a recognized name. A Boy Scout troop and/or a Cub Scout pack can be a great addition to a church program to reach the unchurched in our communities.
___Please do not think that the Boy Scouts will automatically conflict with Royal Ambassadors. These programs can complement each other, and equipment and trained leaders can be shared.
___Ask around in your youth groups, and you probably will find Scouts or boys interested in the program. If interest exists, talk to men in your church. Many would be more comfortable in helping with this type of youth program than in a role such as Sunday school teacher.
___Finally, call your local Boy Scout council and see what support they can offer.
___Scouting is not a replacement for the gospel. However, it can get boys involved with your church. This can lead to the family getting involved. Boys and families who might never respond to an invitation to attend church might be attracted in this way
___Scout Sunday is Feb. 7. If your church does sponsor a pack or troop, make sure that they attend that morning worship service and are recognized.
___ Brent Clark
___ Fort Worth
Americans United
___The Baptist Standard has printed articles by Barry Lynn of Americans Untied for Separation of Church and State in the past. The articles printed were toned down, I feel, to fit a specific audience, i.e. Texas Baptists. If Texas Baptists really want to know what AU is behind, I suggest they check out their website at www.au.org.
___Also, I suggest they subscribe to e-mail press releases sent out by AU.
___ Jim Thompson
___ Houston
___What do you think? Submit letters to Texas Baptist Forum via e-mail to marvknox@flash.net or regular mail at Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!