November 26, 2001
___This year, we are told the contribution form is changed for simplification. The motive is not simplification but to keep more of this 33 percent in Texas by making it easy for churches to check the block that achieves this goal and a little more difficult to write in the 67/33 percent split most churches prefer. ___These transparent actions are divisive and hurt the BGCT. We need to stop worrying about retaliation to the SBC and get on with winning lost souls to Christ. We should not stoop to this level but maintain a higher standard of integrity. Just maybe some of the churches we have lost will come back. ___ Glen Gary ___ Pasadena Reap the whirlwind ___There is no reason the Baptist Standard should tangle itself in the "hate" propaganda that wounds so many innocent people. You will be held accountable for the sway you have on so many Baptists in this state and also the rest of the nation. ___I am sick of the senseless bickering that goes on between two organizations that have for many years shared such a great heritage. With the recent tragedies, why do we concern ourselves with issues that amount to no more than childish fighting? ___Shame on the SBC and the BGCT for bringing the name of Christ and the Baptist tradition through this arrogant civil war that Satan will be the only victor. ___You, BGCT, harp on issues you are ignorant of and do not use all the facts, as does the SBC. Stop making issue of those things that wound your pride and start working to do your job, the edifying of the church. ___We must change our arrogant and insolent attitudes and become God's humble servants or we will reap the whirlwind. ___ Joel D. Stevenson ___ Lexington Worth stealing ___In the late '70s, Hal K. Jacks and John and Glenn Ingouf were missionaries to Indonesia. I sent to them a box of about 30 Baptist Hymnals. ___Upon arrival in Indonesia, the hymnals were stolen. One of the missionaries explained the books were stolen because people there were anxious to study and read material in English. ___"Great," we agreed, "a good way to spread the gospel." ___Those books had English poems, such as "Out of My Bondage, Sorrow and Night," "Let Jesus Come into Your Heart" "The Church's One Foundation" "Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us," "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "Living for Jesus" and about 450 others. ___Had I sent a box of "praise songs" like the ones I have heard, there would be no poems to invite anyone to accept Jesus as Savior, no appeal to personal prayer and no challenge to live sacrificially the Christian life. ___Otherwise, "praise songs" would be somewhat permissible if they were to contain a little harmony and use a few less repeats of phrases. ___ E. Eugene Greer Jr. ___ Dallas Unlikeable trend ___I am seeing a trend I don't like in Baptist churches. They have gotten away from the old beautiful hymns. ___They are singing too many praise choruses. ___I have heard of so many young people who have been saved or come back to church, and it was because they heard a hymn they had heard when they were very young. ___ Gloria St. John ___ LaPorte Soul winner ___One of the most godly and humble men I have known died Oct. 22. Glenn Booth was a precious friend and outstanding brother in the faith. ___For nine years, it was my joy to serve on the Baptist General Convention of Texas evangelism staff in the area of personal evangelism. ___When Continuing Witness Training was being taught, Glenn always would ask to be used in one national CWT training event in Texas annually. He would bless all who attended by his teaching and example in witnessing. Added to that, Glenn sometimes would assist me in teaching BGCT employees how to be soul winners. ___Not only did Glenn Booth serve Texas Baptists as director of counseling and psychological services, but he was an equipper of the saints to win souls and was a consistent soul winner himself. ___No doubt heaven rejoiced at his arrival, and the Savior welcomed an obedient witness into glory. I shall always cherish the memories of this humble, godly winner of souls. ___ Don Cass ___ Albuquerque, N.M. Bright potential ___I want to thank Texas Baptists for providing a refreshing and relevant perspective on Christian living over the years. ___It was in Texarkana that I began to seriously consider joining a Baptist church. I went from there to a Baptist university in another state for an undergraduate degree and to Baylor for a graduate degree. I have taught in Baptist schools in Texas. I recently retired from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. I have been a member of Texas Baptist churches for 40 years. ___You see, I owe a considerable debt to Texas Baptists. I am proud to be affiliated with Baptists in Texas. ___My good friend and undergraduate colleague, Charles Wade, is a Texas Baptist. He is doing a terrific job in leading Texas Baptists. ___The future of Baptists in Texas is bright with hope and potential. May God continue to grant wisdom to our convention's leaders, to churches everywhere, and to the Baptist people in Texas. ___ Darrel Baergen ___ Abilene Somewhat confused ___For some years, the label "fundamentalist" has been given to people who still believe in the Southern Baptist Convention. ___That label has been defined as a person who thinks they are always right and has no room for discussion. You either believe like they do or be condemned. ___I am somewhat confused. Does that mean if I disagree the fundamentalists will call me a terrorist or accuse me of slander? Does it mean if you question any thought of the ruling authorities at BGCT or any relationship of the convention with outside entities that you must be a fundamentalist wanting control? Or does it mean those in control are not sure they are right? ___Who, I wonder, are the fundamentalists in such cases? ___ Marvin Mosley ___ Greenville Thanks for being fresh, challenging ___I viewed your speech on the Baptist Standard website today, and I want to congratulate you and your staff on a wonderful job in keeping the Texas Baptist Standard alive, fresh and always informative on the issues that effect all of us as followers of Christ and members of the Baptist faith. ___Although I don’t always agree with the views expressed in the editorials, they always challenge me to think about my views as a Christian and help me review my convictions and opinions and measure them against God’s will and purpose for all believers. ___ Philip Cassell ___ San Antonio Confusing message to the world ___A Tennessee association adopts the Baptist Faith & Message as a standard to discipline those who deviate. Missouri Baptists reflect an inability to work together. Accusations fly within Texas Baptists. State convention presidents posture for control of state agendas. Words are exchanged between mission leaders concerning the status of missions. ___Our world is engaging in costly conflicts and civil wars. Terrorists create fear in the hearts and minds of the innocent within the world and the church. In Vietnam, the "body counts" reflected a depersonalized enemy. Today we talk of "collateral damage" for those caught in the line of fire. Sounds an awful lot like the way Baptists deal with people found to be expendable. ___The church sends a confusing message to the world. ___Why is it that people rush to rally around the flag but separate at the cross? Is the cross incapable of unifying God’s family? ___The cross once represented the greatest tragedy of all time. Now it is only a symbol of what might have been. It once attracted a diversity of mankind within its shadow. Now we are people divided by our pride and arrogance. ___ What price are we willing to pay to be freed of the human pride which divides us? Freedom from the captivity of pride begins with humility. A rare trait among Baptists today. Jesus humbled himself, and asks no less of us. Is it too great a price to pay? ___When is enough, enough? ___Caby Byrne ___ Memphis, Tenn. The Baptist Standard
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