Associations have led a rollercoaster existence throughout their history, and their future should to prove just as exciting, according to Paul Stripling, executive director emeritus of Waco Regional Baptist Network and author of Turning Points in the History of Baptist Associations in America.

Stripling wrote the book at the invitation of the Southern Baptist Associational Directors of Missions task force for the commemoration of the 300th anniversary next year of Baptist associations.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

DALLAS (ABP)—Six out of 10 teens involved in a church probably will not continue their spiritual commitment into early adulthood, according to research by the Barna Group.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

Terrify No More by Gary A. Haugen with Gregg Hunter (W Publishing Group)

According to National Geographic, about 27 million slaves live in our modern-day world. These slaves range from girls as young as 5 years old, forced to sell their bodies in the sex-trafficking underworld, to whole families bound to toil away their lives making bricks or cigarettes in South Asia and other regions.

The four-fold purpose of International Justice Mission and its teams of investigators, undercover operatives and attorneys is to venture into the shady corners of the globe to rescue people helpless and oppressed by bondage, to bring the perpetrators of abuse to justice, to minister to the victims through compassionate aftercare and to change communities so the injustices no longer are acceptable.

What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com.

Join Gary Haugen, International Justice Mission’s president and founder, as he takes readers through both heart-breaking and exciting real-life journeys into the darkness of evil to radiate the light of God’s truth and grace by “defending the fatherless and the oppressed in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more” (Psalm 10:18).

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

Next year marks the 300th anniversary of the first Baptist association in America, Philadelphia Baptist Association, formed in 1707. Baptists created associations to establish doctrinal parameters and fellowship with like-minded believers. Associations provided advice on Baptist practices, helped churches find credentialed ministers and safeguarded doctrinal and ethical integrity. They enabled churches to cooperate geographically in mission, educational and benevolence ventures. For example, Philadelphia Association started Brown University. Philadelphia Association has been the prototype for Southern Baptist associations and conventions since 1707.

By the late 1700s, associations focused on mission work, and new churches sprung up all along the Atlantic seaboard and even west of the Alleghenies. In 1792, in England, William Carey proposed his association send Baptist missionaries to “heathen” populations, and the modern missionary movement was born.

Eventually, Baptists realized they needed larger networks to support expanding mission and benevolence projects. One avenue, missionary societies, received support primarily from individuals. The other avenue was larger associations of churches. So, three associations in South Carolina sent delegates to form the first state convention in 1821. In 1845, the Southern Baptist Convention was formed. Since that time, Southern Baptists have followed the model of cooperation established by associations rather than a societal model.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

NEW BRAUNFELS—Director of Missions J.K. Minton believes pastors shouldn’t be counselors. And unlike most places, pastors in Bluebonnet Baptist Association no longer have to serve in a role for which many feel neither prepared nor called.

“For many years, I have believed and preached that pastors had no business in the counseling business,” he said. “We are not qualified, and that is not our calling. Such pastoral counseling is ineffective and fraught with peril, since the great majority of counselees are women. Enough pastors have slipped into immorality by forming emotional relationships with women during pastoral counseling.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

Did you ever think we would look back at the Cold War as something akin to the good ol’ days?

As a young seminary student, I participated in a peacemaking group. In addition to efforts to ease racial tensions in our community, our primary focus was the nuclear-freeze movement. We wanted to stop proliferation of nuclear warheads by the United States and the Soviet Union. The sobering realization that both countries could annihilate the human race many times over motivated us to write letters to Congress, speak up for arms reduction, and urge Christians and other citizens to join our cause and advocate for peace. As a first-time father, I felt frightened to bring a child into a world where simple miscommunication, to say nothing of malice and aggression, could usher “nuclear winter” across the planet.

A generation later, the Soviet Union has fallen. My children are grown. The “peace movement” is quieter. And, although many of those warheads still exist, most Americans and Russians don’t think much about the Kremlin-to-the-White-House nuclear hotline.

Frankly, I miss the Cold War. I don’t want to go back. But I’d trade today’s terrorism tinderbox for yesterday’s superpower standoff—in the time it takes a suicide bomber to blow himself and his victims to Kingdom Come.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

U.S. News & World Report recognized eight universities affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas in its annual ranking of colleges across the country.

Baylor University, Dallas Baptist University, East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Houston Baptist University, Howard Payne University, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Wayland Baptist University recently were recognized by the publication.

ETBU was ranked 11th in the category “Best Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor’s” category in the western portion of the nation. It also was named second-best “Great School, Great Prices” in that category.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board not only recommended a $50.6 million 2007 budget proposal, but also looked at total anticipated expenditures from all sources during a Sept. 25-26 meeting in Dallas.

For the first time, the Executive Board examined all expected expenditures for the coming year, including allocated funds from investments and interest income from designated wills and trusts—a responsibility performed by the Administrative Committee prior to changes in the convention’s governance.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge

DALLAS—Veteran missions leader Joy Fenner will be nominated for first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas when the BGCT holds its annual meeting in Dallas Nov. 13-14.

Fenner, a former missionary to Japan who later served 20 years as executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, will be nominated by Ed Hogan, pastor of Jersey Village Baptist Church in Houston.

09/29/2006 - By John Rutledge