Archives
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As Senate debates immigration bill, Christian leaders say it’s worth a shot
Posted: 5/25/07
As Senate debates immigration bill,
Christian leaders say it’s worth a shotBy 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.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Texas Tidbits
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.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Men’s groups plan event to mark 10th anniversary of Washington Mall rally
Posted: 5/25/07
Men’s groups plan event to mark 10th
anniversary of Washington Mall rallyBy 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.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Ministry provides Michigan-to-Moldova link
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.” 05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Texas Tidbits
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.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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TOGETHER: Churches need ‘Jesus kind’ of leaders
Posted: 5/25/07
TOGETHER:
Churches need ‘Jesus kind’ of leadersOne 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.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Hispanic youth challenged to see God-given potential & purposeHispanic youth challenged to s
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 & purposeBy 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. 05/24/2007 - By John Rutledge
