April 29, 2002
___ Texan re-elected seminary chair. David George, pastor of Lake Arlington Baptist Church in Arlington, was re-elected chairman of the trustee board at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary April 16. Trustees elected five faculty members and heard concerns about future financial stability due to flat enrollment numbers and the resulting impact from the Southern Baptist Convention's seminary funding formula. "We're just not getting it done financially," said Joe Panter, chairman of the trustee's finance and property committee. "We need more money." Among the new faculty is Richard Gregg Watson, elected assistant professor in Old Testament studies. Since 1995, Watson has been a teaching fellow at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
___ Mohler: Confessions are good for the soul. Those who protest the requirement that Southern Baptist Convention missionaries sign an affirmation of the SBC's faith statement have an argument with history, President Al Mohler told trustees of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary April 16. He cited former Southern Seminary presidents James P. Boyce and E.Y. Mullins among Southern Baptist forebears who advocated confessions of faith. "How can one remain Baptist without a confession of faith?" Mohler asked. Confessions must be used if doctrinal accountability is to exist, he said, adding that the appeal of "no creed but the Bible" does not provide a sufficient doctrinal boundary.
___ Former trustee leader now dean at Southern. Jerry Johnson, a native Texan who as a young trustee at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary once questioned the former seminary president's belief in the Bible, has been elected dean of the seminary's Boyce Bible College. While a pastor in Colorado, Johnson served on the seminary board during turbulent years of transition, once declaring that "one would have to be as blind as a mole to not see that Dr. Honeycutt just does not believe the Bible." The accusation against then-President Roy Honeycutt sparked a firestorm of protest and a special session of the trustees. Johnson later went on to become chairman of the trustees. He resigned from the board in 1998 to enroll in the seminary's doctoral program, which he will complete this spring.
___ More China teachers needed. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has been invited to send an additional eight volunteers to China this summer to teach English. The new slots are in addition to opportunities previously publicized. The term of service is July 4 through Aug. 2. Cost is $2,200. Although structured like the Amity Foundation program CBF and other Baptist groups work through, this new program is sponsored only by CBF. For more information, contact David and Ann Wilson at (989) 835-1536.
___ Thomas to give SBC annual sermon. Claude Thomas, pastor of First Baptist Church of Euless, will deliver the convention sermon at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in St. Louis at 8:30 p.m. June 11. The convention is scheduled for the America's Center June 11-12. Other program highlights include the presidential address by James Merritt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga., at 11 a.m. June 11; the likely election of Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano as convention president; a presentation by Afghan aid workers Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer; and a closing speech June 12 by Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. Interpretations of the convention theme, "The Highest Power for the Greatest Task," will be given by Bob White, executive director of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia; evangelist Junior Hill of Westmeade-Decatur, Ala.; Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church in Lake Forest, Calif.; and Terry Fox, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita, Kan.
___ North to address Pastors' Conference. Retired Lt. Col. Oliver North is among keynote speakers for the June 9-10 Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference in St. Louis. The conference theme will be "Lest We Forget," based on Proverbs 22:28. Conference President Ken Whitten said his goal is to emphasize the "heroes of the faith." Other speakers include John Marshall, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo.; Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano; Robert Pitman, pastor of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn.; Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans; John Sullivan, executive director of the Florida Baptist Convention; Kevin Cosby, pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.; Ken Davis, conference speaker from Franklin, Tenn.; Jay Strack, evangelist from Orlando, Fla.; Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Ga.; Mac Brunson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas; Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla.; Junior Hill, evangelist from Hartselle, Ala.; Adrian Rogers, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn.; Jerry Vines, pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla.
___ WMU to hear Blackaby & Morris. Henry Blackaby and Debbie Morris will highlight the June 9-10 Woman's Missionary Union annual meeting at the America's Center in St. Louis. Blackaby is co-author of the "Experiencing God" discipleship resources, and Morris is author of "Forgiving the Dead Man Walking," the other half of the story told in the book and movie "Dead Man Walking." The meeting will develop the theme, "God's Plan ... My Part."
___ Texas reporter honored by ABP. Associated Baptist Press honored longtime Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Jim Jones for a "lifetime commitment to quality journalism and a free press," at an April 12 banquet in Jacksonville, Fla. Jones received the annual Religious Freedom Award, which honors individuals who have made unique contributions to religious freedom, particularly in the field of journalism.
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
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