Posted: 5/25/07

As Senate debates immigration bill,
Christian leaders say it’s worth a shot

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—It may face an uphill battle in Congress, but some Christian leaders are saying the Senate’s latest immigration-reform proposal is better than doing nothing on the issue.

The legislation passed an initial test when the Senate voted May 21 to move forward with considering it. However, the bill’s sponsors conceded that evening that it likely would be impossible to get to a final vote on it prior to the chamber’s long Memorial Day vacation. That meant critics would have more time to organize opposition to the proposal.

The complex package of provisions emerged as a compromise after months of negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans and the White House. However, shortly after it was introduced May 17, the bill came under withering criticism from elements of the far right and left.

Some immigration hard-liners object to what they call the bill’s “amnesty” provisions, giving legal status to the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants currently in the United States. Meanwhile, some Hispanic groups and labor advocates oppose a Republican-brokered provision that would provide hundreds of thousands of temporary “guest worker” visas to skilled laborers coming to the United States for short periods. And some are critical of the way in which the bill would alter immigration regulations that currently favor reuniting families with a member who is working in the United States.

Nonetheless, some Christian leaders who have fought for comprehensive immigration reform said the bill is better than doing nothing—which is what Congress has done for years.

Suzii Paynter, director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission, said the compromise bill was ”definitely a step in the right direction.”

Oftentimes, lawmakers are content to pass general legislation that addresses issues and leave it to agencies to work out the detailed rules and regulations, she said, but public opinion would not allow that approach to the immigration issue. Lawmakers had to deal with nitty-gritty details to find a “workable solution” that represents “immigration law for the 21st century,” she said.

The complexity of the proposal—with its creation of a new category of “Z visas” to document illegal immigrants and its system of awarding green cards based on marketable skills and family needs rather than a first-come, first-served approach—represent what Paynter called “part of a very technical solution to a very complex problem.”

“I think it’s a real effort at compromise to move toward solutions to fix what is a very broken immigration system,” she said. “It seems to be a genuine attempt to address some categorical—and what have been seemingly in-tractable—problems.”

Hardcore anti-immigration groups pronounced the bill a non-starter over the weekend between its introduction and the beginning of Senate debate. One conservative group—Grassfire.org—called it “‘amnesty-for-all’ legislation” and called for a “massive citizen revolt” in the form of messages to Senate offices opposing the bill.

But many conservative evangelical leaders have taken up the cause of comprehensive immigration reform in recent months, arguing from the Bible’s admonishments on taking care of “strangers” and “aliens.” They also have noted that the way the U.S. immigration system is currently structured takes a high humanitarian toll on illegal immigrants, with many left vulnerable to exploitation and even death because of their fear of being caught and deported.

Congress took up immigration-reform legislation last year, but it became bogged down by internal struggles in the then-Republican majority. The party was torn between anti-immigration hardliners and those, including President Bush, who wanted more comprehensive reform. The comprehensive reform would have included opportunities for undocumented workers in the United States to earn permanent status and start the process toward citizenship.

The House’s new Democratic leaders have promised to re-visit immigration this year, but have also said any bill that chamber passed would likely differ greatly from the Senate legislation.

The Senate bill is the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007,” or S. 1348.

Managing Editor Ken Camp contributed to this report

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

Texas Tidbits

How ‘early’?

Francis Beckwith stated he returned to Roman Catholicism because he “became convinced that the Early Church is more Catholic than Protestant” (May 14).

This is according to how “early” he means. If he means the fourth century church of Constantine, then there may be room for debate.

Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.

“I feel I’m being tested right now—my character, my faith, how I conduct myself. It’s different. But I love it. If God allows this test to be on me, hey, I’m willing to carry it.” Mariano Rivera Closer for the New York Yankees, on his poor start this season (New York Daily News/RNS) “My party has to demonstrate that it’s not afraid to deal with the faith issue and has a candidate who the public thinks knows there’s something bigger than he or she is and is comfortable with that. We treat it like a third rail within our party.” Joe Biden Democratic presidential candidate (Associated Press/RNS) “Speaking as a private citizen and not on behalf of any organization or party, I cannot, and will not, vote for Rudy Giuliani in 2008. It is an irrevocable decision.” James Dobson Radio talk-show host and fundamentalist leader (WorldNetDaily/RNS)

But if “early” refers to the New Testament church, then there is little resemblance to Roman Catholicism.

James Semple

Dallas

Mixed blessing

To Christians, “gospel” means “good news.”

The political gospel Jerry Falwell preached was anything but good news except for the Republican Party, which benefited mightily from his use of a fundamentalist bully pulpit.

The biblical gospel Falwell preached had to suffer from his being preoccupied with furthering a narrow, unloving, power-seeking political agenda. His status as an American icon is due primarily to his involvement in the political realm. He has been a mixed blessing for the GOP. As time goes by, the impact he had on politics will lessen considerably.

Paul L. Whiteley Sr.

Louisville, Ky.

Global missions shift

Looking forward can cause us to look back—to understand our church and our association for what they are. In the evaluation, if truthful, we gain perspective on what priorities are important.

For our church and the association, we would look at our community, denominational realities, the culture of the borderlands, our world vision and, in particular, God’s heart and vision for the world.

We must ask: Who are we? What do we need to look like? What can the new realities tell us about methods of ministry? Are we more inward or outward?

Nothing opens one’s eyes like going to a mission field. Yet North America and Europe receive missionaries from Brazil, Africa, Asia and China. Yes, there’s been a global missions shift.

Is your church’s mission viewpoint to plant a self-sustaining, self-governing, self-propagating body of leaders to reach a community your church cannot reach, or plant a church on every continent on the face of the earth?

There are many unreached people groups. Let’s look in the mirror and pray to have God’s missional heart for the world.

George A. Morrison III

Harlingen

What do you think? Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: marvknox@baptiststandard.com. Due to space limitations, letters must be no longer than 250 words, and only one letter per writer will be published in any three-month period

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

Men’s groups plan event to mark 10th
anniversary of Washington Mall rally

By Adelle M. Banks

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Leaders of a network of Christian men’s ministries have announced plans to hold a 10th anniversary gathering of men on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

Leaders of the Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries and the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries are sponsoring the Stand in the Gap 2007 event. It is set to take place Oct. 6, a decade after Promise Keepers, an evangelical Christian men’s ministry, brought tens of thousands of men to the National Mall.

“Today we’re offering a fresh perspective on the issues that are facing men, while holding firmly to the roots of our faith grounded in the holy Scriptures,” said Marty Granger, executive director of Stand in the Gap 2007, in announcing the event.

“We’re calling upon men of all ages … to come together in one place on one day with full regard and respect for racial, ethnic, denominational and political diversity to declare to each other … the works of God, the purpose of God and the plan of God for their generation.”

Granger is the founder of Faith in the Family International, a Springfield, Va., nonprofit, and the co-founder of the Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries.

Rick Kingham, president of the Redmond, Wash.-based National Coalition of Men’s Ministries, called the 1997 event a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” but he said he hopes those who attended it and those who did not both will be drawn to the gathering this fall.

Organizers said they have Promise Keepers’ endorsement but that group is not able to sponsor a 10th anniversary event. A Promise Keepers’ spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kingham and Granger said they expect the fall event to cost about $2.5 million. They did not disclose how much they have received in donations but said they have a “significant amount” of “seed money.”

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

Ministry provides Michigan-to-Moldova link

By Craig Bird

Baptist Child & Family Services

AN ANTONIO—A World War II veteran in Michigan and orphans in Moldova could play six degrees of separation—the parlor game that challenges people to connect random people or places in six steps or fewer—thanks to Children’s Emergency Relief International.

Step one—Moldovan orphans capture the hearts of volunteers with Children’s Emergency Relief International, the overseas arm of Baptist Child & Family Services.

“I am persuaded supplying 12,495 pairs of shoes to these needy children can be as helpful—or maybe more so— than millions of dollars of government aid … that sometimes winds up in the wrong pockets.”

Step two—Volunteers John and Elizabeth Myers return home to Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Step three—The volunteers’ testimonies inspire another member of Woodland Baptist, Robert Callahan, who edits a newsletter he publishes for World War II veterans who served with the 50th Troop Carrier Squadron, 314th Carrier Group.

Step four—Callahan mails his newsletter, and Donald Van Reken, a retired airman living in Michigan reads it.

Step five—Van Reken sends a donation to Children’s Emergency Relief International.

Step six—The financial contribution benefits orphans in Moldova.

A story about the needs of orphans is “sort of out of line” for a veterans’ newsletter, but Callahan said he was convinced his World War II comrades would be impressed by the ministry of Children’s Emergency Relief International—particularly its program to provide gloves and winter boots for more than 12,000 residents of Moldova’s 66 orphanages.

“These are men who fought to make the world a better place in World War II, and I knew they would be interested in how some folks are making the world a better place today,” he said.

“I am only one person with an opinion, but I am persuaded supplying 12,495 pairs of shoes to these needy children can be as helpful—or maybe more so—than millions of dollars of government aid … that sometimes winds up in the wrong pockets,” Callahan wrote in the closing lines of his article. “Every citizen of Moldova has been made aware of what a few concerned American citizens have done to help their children. … It is doubtful if such a project will ever be forgotten, particularly by those children.”

A few days later, Van Reken received the newsletter and, like he always does, read it cover to cover.

Van Reken, age 86, considered it his Christian duty to help out the orphans in Moldova.

So, he made out a check to Children’s Emergency Relief International and mailed it to Callahan, who delivered it to the agency.

For more information about Children’s Emergency Relief International and its work in Moldova, visit www.cerikids.org or www.bcfs.net.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

On the Move

• John Barnard to First Church in Brenham as student minister.

• Jerry Benavidez has resigned as pastor of Broadway Church in San Marcos.

• Brian Blackburn has resigned as pastor of First Church in Pearsall to become camp director for the Georgia Baptist Convention.

• Josh Bolch to Pandora Mission Church in Pandora as pastor.

• Bill Brewer has resigned as minister of youth and children at First Church in La Vernia.

• Tracey Cody to First Church in Sulphur Springs as preschool director.

• Wayne Cotton to First Church in Lewisville as children’s minister.

• Kyle Cox to First Church in Kyle as interim pastor.

• Dustin Creech to College View Church in Abilene as pastor.

• Donna Fagan to McQueeney Church in McQueeney as youth director.

• Jason Goings to First Church in Belton as assistant pastor and minister to college and missions.

• Larry Johnson to University Church in Alpine as pastor.

• Forrest Lowry to First Church in Lexington as pastor.

• Shelton Markham to First Church in Chilton as pastor.

• Chip Parmer to San Gabriel Church in Thorndale as pastor.

• Marlon Pritchard to University Church in Fort Worth as youth minister from South Seminole Church in Seminole.

• Jimmy Smith to First Church in Pleasanton as interim pastor.

• Greg Spears to Cowboy Church of Milam County in Rockdale as pastor.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

Southern Baptists may consider
another public school resolution

By Greg Horton

Religion News Service

HOUSTON (RNS)—A resolution calling on Southern Baptist churches to “create more Christian alternatives to the public schools” has been drafted and submitted for the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting June 12-13 in San Antonio.

Bruce Shortt, a Houston attorney, and Voddie Baucham, pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, drafted the resolution. They have introduced an education resolution every year since the 2004 convention.

The 2005 resolution received a great deal of attention because it called on Southern Baptist parents to investigate their school districts for homosexual clubs or curriculum that was pro-homosexual. The 2006 education resolution died in committee.

It “will be hard for this resolution to make it out of committee,” Shortt predicted. “The committee system was added several years ago so the guys (at the SBC Executive Committee) in Nashville can control everything.”

Southern Baptists first approved resolutions supporting home-schooling in 1997 and 1999.

Al Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Seminary, called on fellow Baptists to develop an “exit strategy” from public schools in 2005.

Last year in an interview, SBC President Frank Page encouraged churches to start more Christian schools while making sure provision is made for people who can’t afford tuition.

Shortt sees that as evidence momentum is building to remove Baptist students from public schools.

“We’ve had the wrong model of education all along,” Shortt said. “An aggressively anti-Christian institution will produce an anti-Christian worldview.”

The resolution also “applauds the many adult members of our congregations who teach in government schools … and should be construed to encourage adult believers who are truly called to labor as missionaries.”

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

Port Neches senior to represent Texas
Baptists at national speakers’ contest

By Barbara Bedrick 

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS—Christopher Mahfouz was so determined to make it to his senior prom, he didn’t stick around to hear the announcement that he won the state championship at the 2007 Youth Speakers’ Tournament.

Mahfouz, a Port Neches senior, turned off his cell phone as he flew from Dallas to Houston. When he was back on the ground, he checked his voicemail. Then pandemonium broke loose. Jumping for joy and getting strange looks, especially from airport security, Christopher realized he won the state tournament, sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

“I was so excited and overwhelmed,” said Mahfouz. “I am honored to represent Texas Baptists on a national level. I have heard Texas has won the last four years. I want to uphold the tradition.”

As his speaker’s topic, he selected “Black or White in a Gray World”—a subject he considers appropriate for the challenge facing youth in America today.

“The question posed in the Old Testament about how to live in a gray world and in uncertain times is relevant in our time,” he explained. “We do that by believing Christ is the truth and the only way. … As Christians, we must remember our standard to live by is the word of God.” 

With a passion for his topic, Christopher said the issue burdened his heart. In his speech, he illustrated how often people put their own face on God and stray from foundational beliefs.

Pointing to a situation revealed by a contemporary blogger, he described how a teacher had walked by and noticed a group of children creating their own religion one day at lunch. 

“People believe what they personally believe is the truth,” Mahfouz said. “We create our own spin and adopt our own face.”

But he reaffirmed his belief the only way to salvation is the path revealed in the Bible.

As the state youth speakers’ tournament champion, Mah-fouz receives a $5,000 scholarship from Baylor University and a $500 award from the BGCT to help offset expenses of traveling to compete in the national competition June 8 in North Carolina.

He plans to pursue law school following his graduation from Baylor.

“We were excited to see Chris reach this achievement,” said his father, David Mahfouz, pastor of First Baptist Church in Port Neches.

“We’ve seen him grow in his spiritual walk with the Lord during the time of his study and preparation, and certainly it has strengthened his leadership skills.”

Mahfouz noted he always encourages students in his congregation to be a part of the Bible drill and youth speaker’s tournament competition because, he said, it’s a wonderful opportunity for them “to grow spiritually and to grow in an understanding in what they believe in.” 

Taking second place in the youth speakers’ tournament was Katelyn VanDeaver from First Baptist Church in New Boston. Students rounding out the top five youth speakers are Matt Howerton of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ennis, Jamie Lorenz of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and Mary Tess Eggebrecht of First Baptist Church in College Station.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

Texas Tidbits

Baylor regents change chairs. The Baylor University regents elected a new chairman and approved a $345 million operating budget for the university at their May meeting. Regents elected Harold Cunningham of Crawford as chair, effective June 1. He succeeds Jim Turner, who served a one-year term as chair. Howard Batson of Amarillo was elected vice chair. Next year’s budget, which takes effect June 1, reflects an increase of $19 million or 5.9 percent over the adjusted 2006-2007 budget. The new budget includes an increase of $12.8 million or 16.9 percent in merit and need-based scholarships, and graduate assistantships. Four regents were re-elected to three-year terms—Joe Armes of Dallas, Albert Black of Dallas, Tommy Bowman of Waco and Buddy Jones of Austin. Five regents completed their terms on the board—Bill Brian of Amarillo, Joe Coleman of Houston, Will Davis of Austin, Laree Estes Perez of Albuquerque, N.M., and John Wilkerson of Lubbock.

 

Baptist Church Loan Corporation names president. The Baptist Church Loan Corporation’s board of directors elected Gerald James as the nonprofit corporation’s president and chief executive officer. He assumed his new role May 11 upon the retirement of Charles Pruett. James, who began his career with the Baptist Church Loan Corporation in 2000 after 17 years in the banking industry, served as the corporation’s executive vice president prior to his promotion. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University and graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. James serves as a deacon at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. He and his wife, Laura, have two children.

Academy graduates give scholarship. Members of the San Marcos Baptist Academy class of 2007 gave back to their school by establishing a one-time academic scholarship for a member of next year’s graduating class. At their commencement ceremony, class officers Chelsea Martin, Katherine Vest, Emily Rainone and Josh Brame presented a $2,800 check to the academy.

Breckenridge Village receives gifts. Baptist Child & Family Services received major gifts—a $250,000 grant from the Meadows of Foundation of Dallas and $200,000 from an anonymous donor—to help retire capital debt on Breckenridge Village of Tyler, a residential care facility for mentally handicapped adults. May 31 marks the deadline for the agency to raise $2.7 million and qualify for a $1 million challenge grant from the Rogers Foundation. The BGCT Executive Board approved $350,000 from a fund established by the estate of Sam Combs of Levelland to help Breckenridge Village reach its goal by the deadline.

Correction. In a photo accompanying the article about Congreso in the May 14 issue of the Baptist Standard, a guitarist was incorrectly identified as being a member of Release, the praise band from Mission. He is from The Gathered, a band from Kingsville.

 

 

 

 

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

TOGETHER:
Churches need ‘Jesus kind’ of leaders

One of the recurring concerns in church life is moving effectively toward the future. Who will lead the way? What role does the pastor have? What is the role of deacons and church leaders? How does the staff fit into the process in churches with multiple ministers? These issues will always be with us.

In my book, The Jesus Principle, I address these matters . Here are some principles:

Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

• The only thing worse for a church than a dictatorial pastor is a pastor who won’t lead.

When a church calls a pastor, they expect spiritual leadership. They want maturity and sensitivity in their pastor—not arrogance and a “my way or the highway” attitude. They feel they deserve someone who has spent enough time in prayer, Bible study and service that they can have confidence in his or her leadership. But no pastor can give effective leadership if church members squabble over every attempt to move forward. Both pastor and congregation need to give thanks to God for each other.

• The pastor must lead through preaching the gospel and calling people to seek and find the will of God, “the mind of Christ,” for the church.

An old adage states: “The preacher’s job is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.” This fulfills both pastoral and prophetic roles. Jesus is the great example of this dual responsibility. And preaching about the way Jesus did ministry will begin to affect the way the church sees its task.

• Effective pastoral leadership builds the future out of materials on hand from the past.

Good leaders articulate gratitude for what has gone before and build on parts of the foundation that are strong. They desire for every person in the church to share in the growing vision of what is possible with God’s help. They listen eagerly and respectfully to “the church story” that makes up the way the members understand who they are. They build on that reality to begin to focus the energies of the congregation on what God’s dream for their church might be.

• Treasure the unique gifts the Holy Spirit has given to the church in the lives and hearts of its members.

A pastor needs to help clear off some ground where church members with vision and skill can get some traction and go about doing effective ministry. Lend your weight to encouraging those who will draw others into meaningful and life-changing service. Teach people how to have productive meetings where they pray, learn, discuss, plan and then do true ministry. In all things, model what it means to love others even when they are unlovely. But don’t let people with the least vision discourage those with passion to move forward. Call them to love one another, even when they may disagree.

When you take all of this together, you are expressing a Jesus kind of servant leadership. Leadership that is strong and encouraging, faithful and dependable, visionary and cooperative, passionate and pure, thoughtful and prayerful, sacrificial and filled with trust.

We are loved.

Charles Wade is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board. A longer version of this column is available on the BGCT website, www.bgct.org.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.

Posted: 5/25/07

CYBER COLUMN:
Twenty years in one place

By John Duncan

I’m sitting here under the old oak tree, thumbing through an old Bible. It is a wide-margin brown calf-skin Cambridge Bible. Old, yellowed tape lines the Bible with notes, quotes and a date written in the front on a leafy page—July, 1984. I bought it as a seminary student and paid $70 for it when I worked at a Christian bookstore.

For years when I used that Bible to read, to study and to preach, I would write notes in the margin, tape quotes and pen notes in the front and back.

John Duncan

In the margin of James 1:4 (“But let patience have her perfect work”), I scribbled in green ink “upomone,” a Greek word meaning that in Christ we can joyfully “stay under the load” of life. In the back, I wrote a list of 30 traits of human nature, from worry to restlessness to anger to loneliness to pride. Human nature clothes us all. Walt Whitman poetically penned, “Agonies are one of my changes of garments.” In another, I jotted down a thought: “The melody in our hearts often speaks of the master of our lives.”

Interesting quotes are taped inside the Bible: Of visitation, George Buttrick said there are three rules, “You’ve got to do it; you’ve got to do it; you’ve got to do it.” Of speech, the Greek sage Publius once said, “I have often regretted my speech but never my silence.” Of life, George Truett once said, “We are to learn that life is a school with many teachers.” Numerous quotes fill the pages, but one I often refer to is by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. A preacher, long since gone on to be with the Lord, handed pages to me one day with a mysterious, wry smile. “Make sure you read this,” he garbled. What does the quote say? The quote is long, but ends with these words:  “The more thankfully we daily receive what is given to us, the more surely and steadily will fellowship increase and grow from day to day as God pleases.” I knew the man, a pastor, preacher, who wanted to send me two messages: (1) be thankful for what God gives, his church, his people, his blessings, his hardships; (2) Grace prompts gratitude and increases fellowship with God in light and in the shadows of life.

I have for exactly 20 years, by the time you read this, been privileged to serve and pastor the same church, Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas. I have lived through the normal stuff—the joy of baptisms and weddings and of good church reports and of people joining the church and laughter and of people inviting Christ into their lives against all hope and the thrill of a roller coaster ride of church growth and its celebrative moments as well as the exhaustion of euphoria in its midst. Laughter has not been absent from our church, neither joy. After all, one child announced that he just knew I was THE real John the Baptist. Another sketched a picture of me preaching one Sunday. I was holding the Bible in one hand, gesturing with another, smiling while my hair waved in the wind. The pulpit seemed small and my eyes looked big. The little girl showed it to her mother after church one Sunday. She pointed to me and to the caption beneath exclaiming, “This is what Brother John does!” The caption read, “Blah, blah, BLAH, blah, blah, BLAH!” Laughter has arrived in chariots of fire with joy chained to the parade behind.

I have also had loads dumped on me, felt the pressure of such, and dumped stuff myself. In the first country church I pastored, white, wooden with no air conditioner on a hot Texas summer, and an outhouse to boot, I preached my 19-year-old heart out one Sunday, ranting and raving on Romans 12. My first sermon was, low and behold, all of 12 minutes. On this day, though, I brought home the preaching bacon at a boiling, fire-breathing 45 minutes, nearly ruining my voice along the way. Only eight people showed up, but I gave it to them good, probably because the other four regulars had not showed up. Mr. Parks, an eightysomething farmer-rancher who liked to chew on tooth picks while smiling, said afterward, “Preacher, when just a few cows show up, I don’t dump the whole load.” We laughed, but I thought about what he said all the way home and for days. I decided he loved his pastor and he was being funny, not rude. But along the way, I have experienced the deep and dark because of words not spoken in love and harsh things that sometimes people say around the church. One guy, almost 20 years ago, told me I would never make it in the ministry because I was too soft, whatever that means. Another told me I could not preach. And a few have given me, as one lady said, “a piece of my mind,” and it left me reeling to pick up the pieces, whatever that means.

At times, it seems that I have been in the belly of a whale like Jonah twisted in seaweed and vomit, have wept like Jeremiah on days when no converts came, have asked God to touch my tongue with Isaiah’s fire, have longed for Malachi’s refiner’s fire to zap a few people, have sloshed water out of boat in the storm with Jesus’ disciples, stood at the Mountain of Transfiguration-joy and celebrated God’s work, rejoiced at the Jordan River during baptisms, cried like a baby at Lazarus-like funerals full of emotion and family dynamics (“Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died!”) and I have waited anxiously for God’s miraculous work in hospital rooms after snake bites, ship wrecks and Roman beatings, not to mention cancer, heart surgeries and broken arms. Life is never dull. And I believe in the midst of all the bad news, the gospel has always been good news. It’s what keeps me going and what I look forward to every day, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Anyway, here I am 20 years later, thumbing through my old Bible, simply giving thanks to the Lord for his blessing of 20 years in one place, the mercy and misery of it, the happiness and struggle of it, and the peace and chaos of it, with mercy and happiness and peace in the grace of it all far outweighing the rest, and God’s light overpowering the shadows.

I thank the Lord and the people of Lakeside for the privilege of serving as pastor and for the blessing of God. I see faces—like the elderly, long-departed Dorothy Hand, church member and neighbor who lived next door in those cracker-box-sized apartments, who in darkness of the early years had the vision to hold my hand and look to the heavens and declare, “God is going to do something great in that church!” I did not feel great, but believed her and together we believed in God. I see Ruth Stewart, who modeled “the music of our hearts often speaks of the master of our lives” and was also playing the organ, a melodious song,  one Sunday night, “Set My Soul Afire, Lord!,” when the organ caught on fire. Watch what you sing for, but know that encouragement moves mountains, and Ruth delivered it like a song, and it makes a huge difference in a person’s life. I see Riley Robeson, charter member and a godly deacon who served on the pulpit committee 20 years ago, now an octogenarian in and out of the hospital and residing mostly in a nursing home; I see his faithfulness to the Lord that inspires me to this day. I see Sam Clemons and Jerry Carlisle, quiet as church mice, reserved, but full of wisdom and the ones who helped me achieve my dream of further education in Cambridge, England. I see a host of other faces, young and old with stories and words too numerous to be printed here, people to whom I am eternally grateful. And I see the face of Christ, glowing like the radiant sun, dripping with the thorn-crowned brow of love and pouring out his grace on me daily like a Texas rain shower that waters the bluebonnets and makes them rich in color and lovely in their Texas dwelling places.

Thanks, Lakeside Baptist Church, for 20 years of serving Christ together. I anticipate God’s future work in the vision, the faithfulness and the dream of serving the Lord. I thank also staff members and friends and family and a cloud of witnesses too numerous to name.

And so, here I am, 20 years later. What have I learned? Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Pray long. Work hard. Honor the word. Love Jesus. Care for people. Watch what you sing for. Keep the good news good. Take care of the things the Lord asks you to take care of, and let him take care of you. Look to Christ. Be thankful, always. Try not to dump the whole load on people all at once! But find the grace of God on the journey of life. Or to quote Henri Nouwen, taped in my Bible, “Lord, give me the courage to be a dove in a world so full of serpents.”

John Duncan is pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas, and the writer of numerous articles in various journals and magazines. You can respond to his column by e-mailing him at jduncan@lakesidebc.org.

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.

Storylist for week of 5/28/07

TAKE ME TO: Top Story |  Texas |  Opinion |  Baptists |  Faith & Culture |  Book Reviews |  Classifieds  |  Departments  |  Bible Study





• Frontline Ministry: Baptist chaplain meets spiritual needs in combat


• Ministry provides Michigan-to-Moldova link

• Port Neches senior to represent Texas Baptists at national speakers' contest

• Granbury church believes in old-time religion—first-century Christianity

• On the Move

• Around the State

• Texas Tidbits


Chaplains serve as war continues
• Frontline Ministry: Baptist chaplain meets spiritual needs in combat

• Chaplain ministers at world's busiest U.S. military trauma center

• As the war goes on, so does the work of military

• DEPLOYED: Baptist pastor ministers in Iraq

• Cadets learn Islam as part of ‘winning the peace'

• Chaplain strives to be the presence of Christ in war zone

• Southern Baptist tapped as Army chief of chaplains

• Family collects tributes to fallen soldier as ‘sacred relics'

• Chaplains prep West Point cadets for spiritual warfare

• San Antonio volunteers serve wounded warriors


• Southern Baptists may consider another public school resolution

• Baptist Briefs


• Men's groups plan event to mark 10th anniversary of Washington Mall rally

• As Senate debates immigration bill, Christian leaders say it's worth a shot

• When it comes to counting church members, the devil's in the details

• Faith Digest


• Book Reviews


• Around the State

• On the Move

• Classified Ads

• Cartoon


• EDITORIAL: The future of Texas depends on this

• DOWN HOME: Adjustment needed in half-empty nest

• TOGETHER: Churches need ‘Jesus kind' of leaders

• RIGHT or WRONG? Responding to tragedy

• 2nd Opinion: Leave judgment in the parking lot

• Texas Baptist Forum

• Cybercolumn by John Duncan: Twenty years in one place



• BaptistWay Bible Series for May 27: Ministering inside while reaching outside

• Bible Studies for Life Series for May27: Being a peacemaker requires effort

• Explore the Bible Series for May 27: Adopting an eternal mindset

• BaptistWay Bible Series for June 3: When bad things happen to a good person

• Explore the Bible Series for June 3: Finding God's mercy through repentance

• Bible Studies for Life Series for June 3: Practicing obedience diligently


Previously Posted
• Board elects BGCT executive director search committee

• Randles named BGCT evangelism director

• No lawsuits planned; too costly & complex, lawyer suggests

• Vietnam vets to attend reunion of Saigon Baptist church

• Carter meets with SBC bloggers, who welcome gesture

• Prominent Republicans join Democrats on New Covenant roster

• Women caught in the crosshairs of global debate over families

• Successful churches provide meaning and belonging

• Trial date set in first of five Missouri Baptist lawsuits

• Falwell leaves complex legacy

• Board to consider search committee for new BGCT executive director

• IMB policies on baptism, ‘prayer language' softened

• British Baptists take action on migrants, human trafficking

• Giuliani explains views on abortion, gays at HBU

• Missionaries return to Tanzania after surviving attack


• See a complete list of articles from our previous 5/14/ 2007 issue here.

Updated: 5/11/07

Victor Rodriguez, pastor of South San Filadelfia Baptist Church in San Antonio, speaks during the Hispanic Youth and Singles Congreso. (Photos courtesy of BGCT Communications)

Hispanic youth challenged
to see God-given potential & purpose

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

BELTON—God designed each person exactly as he wanted and has plans for each individual, Victor Rodriguez, pastor of South San Filadelfia Baptist Church in San Antonio, told participants at the Baptist General Convention of Texas Hispanic Youth and Singles Congreso.

Unfortunately, many people easily forget that notion when they look in the mirror, he said. They focus on what they see as their faults and weaknesses. They listen to the criticism of others and allow it to affect the way they view themselves.

Participants at the Texas Hispanic Youth and Singles Congreso join in worship.

People need to remember God created each person with the characteristics he wanted them to have in order to accomplish what he wants, Rodriguez stressed.

In order for young people—particularly Hispanics—to become educated and attain high-level jobs, they have to overcome people’s criticisms.

“In order for us to be successful, we’ve got to understand who we are,” he said.

God loves people unconditionally, the pastor said. He justifies humanity in his presence and forgives people for their sins.

God is working in the lives of his followers, changing their lives, Rodriguez emphasized. The Bible teaches God has a purpose for each person. God knows that purpose and is moving people toward that goal, he said.

Members of The Gathered, a band from Kingsville, play during the Baptist General Convention of Texas Hispanic Youth and Singles Congreso.

“He doesn’t see you as you are today,” Rodriguez said. “He sees you as you’re going to become.”

More than 300 Congreso participants put their faith in action during the conference. They passed out fliers promoting five churches in Temple and Belton, stocked food pantries and sorted clothes for clothes ministries.

Tom Henderson, Bell Baptist Association director of missions, said congregations and ministries appreciated the students’ work. In the weeks following the event, he anticipated Anglo and Hispanic congregations serving together in new ways, in part as a result of coming together to provide Congreso students a place to serve.

“It was incredible because, first of all, it gave the Congreso folks a way to incarnate the message they are receiving,” he said. “It allowed our churches to see the great potential Congreso has to interact.”

 

 

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Baptist churches, in Texas, the BGCT, the nation and around the world.