September 4, 2000

Texas Baptist Forum
Un-used vote
___It has been said that the coming election in November will affect Americans for 30 years. If this is anywhere near true, then it is a very important election.
___Because of issues involved, Christians should be voting this November like never before. I encourage churches to prepare now to inform and educate members on the issues

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that will impact our culture, register members to vote and help those to get to the polls who are unable to go on their own.
___We used to "play like" when we were kids. Let's "play like" a few moments: In the morning you go out and get your paper. The headline reads, "Citizens of the Unites States lose the power to vote. All present politicians have formed one party to run the country." The opening line reads, "Prepare for your lives to be controlled by the government of your country."
___Whoa, I just lost my country.
___An un-used vote has no more power than a lost vote.
___ Frank Dearing
___ Belton

Favorite Bible
___The survey that shows the New International Version to be pastors' favorite Bible (Aug. 28) is disturbing. Why would a pastor accept a Bible that has over 100 changes to doctrine in the New Testament alone that are not annotated in footnotes?
___In Mark 3:29, "eternal damnation" is changed to "eternal sin," thus changing the punishment to a degree of sin. In Acts 17:29, "godhead" is changed to "divine being," making God into a higher life form. In Acts 4:27 and 30, "holy child" is changed to "holy servant," attacking the deity of Christ.
___I thought that any way you translate the Bible, it should state the same thing. I understand the different reasons why one group of manuscripts is used while another is not, but to me it doesn't make any sense with the evidence.
___It comes down to one question: What is the final authority for the Christian? Is it the Bible, and if so which one? I was taught that if books have the same title but differ in what they say and mean, then they are not the same.
___I'll take the Bible that was before these new ones because I've seen the fruit it has born. Also I'll believe that God does keep his holy word pure by his might, not by man's.
___ Ralph E. Zecco
___ Socorro, N.M.

Awana's impact
___I would like to address Shelda Hoffman's discussion of Awana (Aug. 14). Awana does have a strong emphasis on evangelism, but there is room in the program for extensive mission emphasis.
___Awana is absolutely the most dynamic children's ministry tool I have ever seen. It has been teaching children God's word for 50 years now, and I am glad to say that Southern Baptist churches are among the leaders in new Awana starts. It is solid biblically, grounded theologically and draws children and their families in a very dynamic way.
___I would love for all Southern Baptists to closely scrutinize Awana, and I guarantee that you will be amazed at the impact it has on families and churches.
___ Jim Ballard
___ Edgewood

Texas neglect
___I recently received a letter from Baptist Children's Home Ministries in San Antonio, requesting money for school supplies for the children and also funds for one of the former students of the ministry, who is a senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
___I felt much pride that we had provided hope for "the least of these." Then I read the quarterly report of Texas Baptists' cooperative missions giving--$37.9 million.
___Then I asked myself the question: Why do the social ministries of the Baptist General Convention of Texas need to ask for money for the basic needs of the children? The needs should be met through the budget of the BGCT.
___We are so generous to send more than 36 percent of our money out of Texas when our own ministries suffer. We are not good stewards when we neglect taking care of those who have been placed in our care.
___We should be ashamed.
___ Freddie Tatum
___ Brownfield

Dual concerns
___Two Texas Baptist issues concern me right now.
___The first is the possibility of a split between moderate and conservative wings of the BGCT. I pray we will yet find a way to remain a unified body for Christ.
___The other is the inroad that the Neo-Pentecostal/Charismatic movement is making into some Baptist churches.
___We are not talking just about a style of music, clapping or holding up holy hands. The issues are what the Bible teaches about baptism of the Holy Spirit, tongues, healing, prophecy, signs and wonders, health, wealth and prosperity.
___Baptist pastors need to educate their flocks. Books that have been helpful to me are "The Holy Spirit," by Billy Graham; "The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life," by Charles Stanley; and especially "The Charismatic Chaos," by John MacArthur.
___I am convinced the Neo-Pentecostal/Charismatic movement cannot support its theology by Scripture or by history.
___ Bob Renfrow
___ Brownwood

Top-down rule
___Directors of missions in Oklahoma have resolved to actively urge churches in their associations to adopt the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement. What else is not surprising about a denomination that issues fiats to the churches and expects compliance?
___Can anyone doubt that either state or national SBC leaders were behind this? The DOMs that comply have become bishops in an episcopal hierarchy-- if not in name, certainly in function. This should greatly offend any true Baptist.
___These rule-from-the-top-down leaders might do well to remember that when the churches stop funding such high-handed ways, denominational offices will be out of business.
___ Paul Kenley
___ Houston

Lock arms
___The Great Commission remains the marching orders for the body of Christ. His final words must be our first priority.
___Precious time and energy are being invested in unproductive divisiveness. To what end? If the same energy would be redirected toward fulfilling his command to make disciples of all people, the results would be staggering.
___The Mary Hill Davis missions emphasis is upon us. Millions will be given to kingdom-building ministry. May Texans place more than money into the plate. Along with our missions gifts, may we give to God our spirit of division.
___It matters not to me if a brother is a conservative or moderate, nor what association, convention or fellowship he may identify with. I simply want to lock arms with those who seek to do what Jesus commanded.
___ Scott Sharman
___ Burleson

Biblical illiteracy
___Marv Knox hit the nail on the head by identifying where the majority of God's people stand when it comes to biblical literacy (Aug. 21).
___The Barna survey certainly identifies where our weaknesses are in our church Bible teaching and in our personal study of God's word. My faith has been renewed in Baptist Standard and BGCT leadership if they follow Knox's direction toward enhanced Bible study.
___Also, Charles Walton did an excellent job in writing the Bible lessons for September in this same issue of the Standard.
___ Dan Cearley
___ Montgomery

'Unison' in music
___I had the privilege to serve on the clinician staff for both Ridgecrest and Glorieta music weeks this summer. At both conferences, I met and observed professional and lay musicians perform, teach, learn and share their diverse talents and musical tastes.
___The "blended" worship services and evening concerts combined a wide variety of musical styles, drama and worship formats.
___I can truly say that the overall feeling was one of unity and appreciation for each other's ministry. I felt, as I'm sure the other participants did, the Holy Spirit's presence in every aspect.
___I came away with a thankfulness that among those present, who serve God and the body through music, there is a unity, or should I say "unison"--no matter the musical or theological background.
___ Tammy Waldrop
___ Kingwood

Asks forgiveness
___ I would like to ask forgiveness for some of the attitudes my past letters have expressed.
___ Please do not misunderstand, I am a biblical inerrantist, but the Lord Jesus through his Spirit has convicted me of the way in which I have expressed myself. I will not apologize for my faith or the dangers I see in biblical liberalism, but I do ask forgiveness for my attitude.
___I will continue to pray for the BGCT. I will pray that the Lord will correct any and all error in the BGCT and the SBC, and also that he will correct any and all error found in me. (This could take quite awhile, but Jesus does do miracles!)
___ Bill English
___ Arlington

Awana works
_ I am minister of education at South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, and I would like to testify to what Awana has done for our church.
___ In one year, our children's program doubled in size, and baptisms have tripled. It is the best children's discipleship program I have ever seen.
___ We found that Awana allowed and encouraged great freedom in customizing our Southern Baptist Convention missions education and offerings to our children. I believe our children have a greater understanding and respect for missions than ever before.
___ As a minister, it is my responsibility to implement programs that people respond to. People are not obligated to respond to whatever churches offer. Awana works because children respond to it.
___ Churches considering Awana should look first at a fellow SBC church doing Awana and then talk to an Awana missionary to be properly educated on Awana.
___ Carey Jones
___ Amarillo

BF&M issue stated incorectly
___ The Oklahoma directors of missions voted to support the 2000 version of the Baptist Faith & Message. I too can support the assertions about Scripture that were contained in the statement.
___ I take offense, however, when I hear persons assert that "moderates" reject the 2000 version of the Baptist Faith & Message because of its strong emphasis on Scripture.
___ I don't know all "moderates," but the ones I know are Bible-believing and Bible-preaching men and women of God. Their objection seems to be with what is inferred by subtle changes in the statements. They fear that our denomination's leaders are moving us toward a Roman Catholic priesthood or at least an Anglican model, where ordained ministers are the only ones who can interpret Scripture. It should be noted, however, that even Roman Catholic and Episcopal leaders have pulled away from that form of priestly authority.
___ No, the issue is not about belief in Scripture. I am convinced it is about power and control. Those who have seized control and work to maintain that control use the Bible as a propaganda tool.
___ I pray that our leaders on both sides of the issues will turn control over to the Holy Spirit so that we can get on with putting the Bible into practice through the Great Commission.
___ Derrel Watkins
___ Fort Worth

Go to Awana website
__ It is unfortunate that Shelda Hoffman appears to be pitting Baptist children's mission organizations against Awana (Aug. 14). We have too much of that in our beloved SBC already without stirring up the children's organizations.
___ I think Mission Friends, RAs and GAs are wonderful organizations, and it is unfortunate many churches no longer support them. However, through my grandchildren, I know first hand that Awana is also a very good organization.
___ "The heart of AWANA is evangelism," Hoffman said. It seems to me that the heart of all mission work is evangilism.
___ I hope many went to the www.awana.org website as I did. There I found an Awana missionary defined as "a ministry to churches to help them effectively reach and teach young people and their families with the word of God," not one who "sells Awana materials," as Hoffman suggested.
___ Learning and internalizing the message of God's word is the focus of both children's organizations. Value cannot be based on the methods used to reach that goal.
___ Eva Wood
___ Granbury

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