On the Move_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

On the Move

Mike Acker has resigned as minister of youth at College Heights Church in Cleburne.

Mike Auten to First Church in Clyde as minister of education and administration.

David Brackett to First Church in Randolph as pastor from Parker Grove Church in Ravenna.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas cowboy churches successfully rounding up lost strays_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

Texas cowboy churches successfully rounding up lost strays

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Open Range Cowboy Church is one of the latest rapidly growing ventures in an expanding Baptist General Convention of Texas cowboy church starting effort, where the extraordinary is becoming commonplace.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Worshippers saddle up for new life at Open Range Church_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

Worshippers saddle up for
new life at Open Range Church

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

WHITNEY–Cowboys and cowgirls are finding new lives on the open range.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Looking for a morality play Pull out the popcorn_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

Looking for a morality play? Pull out the popcorn

By Kristen Campbell

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Stories of epic struggles between right and wrong are coming–and not just to a pulpit near you.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

BGCT president urges Baptists to learn from failed businesses_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

BGCT president urges Baptists
to learn from failed businesses

By Marv Knox

Editor

HOUSTON–Lessons learned from failed businesses can spur the Baptist General Convention of Texas to success, BGCT President Ken Hall insisted.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Tidbits_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

Texas Tidbits

Christianity Today lauds Garland. A new commentary on 1 Corinthians by David Garland, associate dean and professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary, received an award of merit in the Christianity Today Book Awards 2004. The awards honor 22 books that "bring understanding to people, events and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought and mission." This year, the contest selected from 349 entries.

U.S. News picks Baylor, Baptist St. Anthony's. Two hospitals with ties to the Baptist General Convention of Texas have been ranked in U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Hospitals" guide for 2004. Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas made the guide for the 12th consecutive year. Baylor Dallas is ranked among the nation's top 50 hospitals in 10 specialties: cancer, 48; digestive disorders, 18; ear, nose and throat, 41; gynecology, 35; heart and heart surgery, 30; hormonal disorders, 46; kidney disease, 44; neurology and neurosurgery, 30; orthopedics, 26; and urology, 47. Baylor's Institute for Rehabilitation ranked among the nations top 26 rehabilitation facilities. Baptist St. Anthony's Health System in Amarillo made the list for cancer, 43; geriatrics, 50; neurology and neurosurgery, 27; and respiratory disorders, 44.

Missions awards nominations needed. Nominations for the Texas Baptist Missions Foundations's mission service awards are due Aug. 9. The Pioneer Award goes to a longtime leader in missions or someone who played a key role in beginning mission work that impacted Texas Baptist life. The Innovator Award is bestowed upon a church or individual who provided a model for missions others can adopt. The Adventurer Award honors an individual who advanced missions through direction of significant mission activities, outstanding financial support or leadership in ministry opportunities. Nominations may be submitted in writing to Bill Arnold at Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

TOGETHER: Reaching youth reaps lasting rewards_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

TOGETHER:
Reaching youth reaps lasting rewards

Beautiful things keep happening this summer across Texas. Our churches have some of their best times of the year with children, young people and families during this blessed time.

Years ago, churches held revival services in “protracted meetings” for two or three weeks during the summer. It was the main–sometimes the only–evangelistic effort for the year. My father was a teenager when he was saved in a meeting like that.

People still are being saved in the churches during the summer. But now evangelism goes on throughout the year as our pastors and people pray for the lost and involve themselves in visitation, service and personal sharing of faith throughout the week. The editorial in last week's Baptist Standard called Texas Baptists to an evangelism that embraces both proclamation and incarnation. I have felt for many years that kind of evangelism was at the heart of our Texas Baptist way of being the church.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

15-passenger church van from Mineola overturns_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

15-passenger church van from Mineola overturns

MINEOLA–A church van from Harvest Acres Baptist Church in Mineola overturned while taking a group of young people to Six Flags Over Texas July 16.

One adult woman remained hospitalized in Tyler due to back pain. Her husband was released after two days of observation for a head injury, said Pastor Butch Gott.

One girl suffered a broken ankle; another received 15 stitches. There were “a lot of cuts and bruises and scrapes,” the pastor said.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Larry the Cucumber and rest of VeggieTales crew transplanted to Nashville_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

Larry the Cucumber and rest of
VeggieTales crew transplanted to Nashville

By Erin Curry

Baptist Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Big Idea Productions, creator of VeggieTales, has moved its headquarters from Chicago to suburban Nashville, and observers predict more family oriented entertainment companies will follow.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Wayland president refutes charges made on radio network_72604

Posted: 7/23/04

Wayland president refutes charges made on radio network

By Marv Knox

Editor

PLAINVIEW–A charge that Wayland Baptist University trains homosexual ministers is false, damaging and possibly slanderous, the school's president said.

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Storylist for 7/26 issue_72604

Storylist for 7/26/04 issue GO TO SECTIONS: • Texas       • Baptists       • Faith       • Departments      • Opinion       • Bible Study       Our Front Page Articles •…

07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

Evangelical political involvement encouraged_71204

Posted: 7/09/04

Evangelical political involvement encouraged

WASHINGTON (RNS)–The National Association of Evangelicals has drafted a proposed statement on civic engagement that urges the nation's evangelicals to be more involved in public policy.

“Never before has God given American evangelicals such an awesome opportunity to shape public policy in ways that could improve the well-being of the entire world,” reads a recently released draft. “Disengagement is not an option.”

The declaration–which touches on topics ranging from addressing poverty to practicing recycling–is being circulated among 100 evangelical leaders for comment before the association's board votes on it in October.

07/16/2004 - By John Rutledge