TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Remember alma mater
___This is an appeal to many of my fellow pastors whose churches have left the Baptist General Convention of Texas and joined the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Please remember your alma mater.
___Because your church's money is no longer going through the BGCT, our Texas Baptist schools are paying a high price. For instance, last week's Standard carried Gary Cook's appeal to the BGCT Christian Education Coordinating Board speaking on beh
alf of the eight Baptist universities. Dallas Baptist University would lose as much as $400,000 over the next year. This decrease is coming at a time when more young people are seeking a Christian education than ever before.
___I would like to make three suggestions to the pastors and laypeople of these churches. Encourage the leadership of the SBTC to include our Baptist schools in their budget. However, if this is not on their agenda, then do all you can to place your alma mater in your local church budget. Finally, personally increase your gifts to your alma mater. Please remember your alma mater!
___ Wayne L. Allen
___ Lewisville
Faithful leadership
___Having just returned from the annual session of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, I want to express my deep appreciation for Clyde Glazener's leadership as president of the convention.
___For the past two years, he has presided over the meetings with love, humor and fairness. He made sure every person who wished to speak to an issue had the opportunity to speak. His Christ-like spirit was evident not only in the business sessions but in each of the president's messages.
___It was my privilege, thanks to Texas Baptists, to serve as one of the vice presidents during his first term. I had the opportunity to see him up close in committee sessions discussing the work of Texas Baptists. He is a man who loves the Lord, believes the Bible and has a compassionate heart for the ministries of the BGCT throughout our great state.
___Thanks to Clyde Glazener for faithful leadership to our convention these past two years!
___ Bill Ballou
___ Abilene
Compounded error
___With his histrionic claims of "slander" and "terrorism" (Oct. 8), Buckner Baptist Benevolences President Ken Hall only compounds the grievous error in judgment his organization made by co-sponsoring a sex education workshop for Amarillo youngsters, in which Planned Parenthood also was a co-sponsor.
___Christians of principal are understandably offended by this tie.
___Each year in America alone, Planned Parenthood kills an estimated 150,000 little boys and girls in the womb. According to their website, they are working in 180 countries around the world.
___Hall needs to get off his high horse and issue an apology to Texas Baptists for Buckner's unwholesome alliance with a notorious abortion provider.
___ Brenda Spurlock
___ Lavon
Pull together
___Buckner has never to my knowledge promoted abortion. Buckner has counseled expectant mothers, offering financial support and options, such as adoption, foster homes and children's home placement. Where better to contact young women than through a meeting such as the Amarillo workshop?
___My association with Southwestern Seminary and Buckner has led me to believe so-called fundamentalist Southern Baptists will not stop until they control every good organization with a Baptist name on it. Regrettably, they control Southwestern and have tried without success to control Baylor University, the BGCT and now, apparently, Buck-ner, a 122-year-old institution that started with a contribution of $27 and has grown to perhaps the largest care-giving organization in America.
___These are difficult times. We must put our problems behind us, join forces with all our Baptist brethren and forget our petty differences. With the recent tragedy in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, our boat is loaded with problems. We need to pull together and not pick at Buckner, who has dared to work with welfare agencies who are trying to help young people through perhaps the most difficult time in their lives.
___My wife and I had been married only a few months when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and we knew life would never be the way we had planned. Our young people today are facing a similar problem, and they need all the help we can give them. May we put our differences aside and help and counsel them in every way we can.
___ John P. McNaughton
___ Fort Worth
No divisions
___I was disappointed to see the Baptist Communicators Association restrict one of its scholarships to a student of "minority ethnicity or international origin" (Oct. 22). It is the trend today to divide people along ethnic or racial lines.
___I am reminded of Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
___Attempts to divide people along racial and ethnic lines serve only to perpetuate division. We are one in Christ Jesus, why perpetuate divisions?
___The church of Jesus Christ should take the lead in abolishing the concept of ethnic and racial division.
___ Jerod Patterson
___ Buda
Stand with BGCT
___I read the old hymn, "Stand by Me," reflecting on our beloved Baptist General Convention of Texas: "In the midst of tribulation ... when I do the best I can, and my friends misunderstand, Thou who knowest all about me, stand by me."
___I proudly and gratefully stand by our BGCT, Texas Baptist Men and Woman's Missionary Union, the Baptist Standard, Buckner Baptist Benevolences and our universities and seminaries. I am indebted to them. God continues to bless and strengthen my Christian walk and ministry through these dedicated servants.
___It's been a joy to be in yoke with our BGCT leaders by praying for them by name, availing myself of their wisdom and resources and occasionally writing them encouraging notes.
___Any insignificant individual can and should make a significant difference. Although our BGCT has not solicited that we stand by them, here I stand. The old chorus says the rest, "I shall not be moved."
___ Lynn McMasters
___ Lubbock
Reach out
___The results of the youth poll (Oct. 22) are refreshing.
___Maybe today's youth understand modeling Christ better than their parents and grandparents. When Christ ate dinner with "sinners," it did not mean he condoned their sin; it showed his love for them.
___It is easy to point fingers at those who differ from us.
___Instead of pointing a finger, let us use our hands to reach those who need to hear the good news of a loving Christ.
___ Scott Presnall
___ Waxahachie
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