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Ethics and evangelism focus of inaugural lecture at Howard Payne
Updated: 5/09/08
Jimmy Allen (2nd from left), David Sapp (2nd from right) and Richard Jackson (right) delivered the inaugural Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics at Howard Payne University. Gary Elliston (center, back) endowed the lectures in honor of David Currie (left) and in memory of Phil Strickland, whose widow, Carolyn, attended the event. Ethics and evangelism focus
of inaugural lecture at Howard PayneBy Ken Camp
Managing Editor
BROWNWOOD—Evangelism and ethics both grow out of a vibrant relationship with the God who is love, speakers told participants at the inaugural Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics at Howard Payne University.
People cannot fully come to know God apart from the Bible, but they cannot really know the Bible apart from God, said David Sapp, pastor of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga.
05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Around the State
Posted: 5/09/08
Around the State
• Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology has named its outstanding students. Kimberly Williams of Comanche received the Logsdon School of Theology Award, traditionally considered by the faculty to be the school’s highest award for comprehensive achievement and all-around fitness for ministry. Also honored with scholarships were Robyn Holtmeyer, Emma Ellis, Jacob Snowden, Krista Toten, Caleb Groteluchen, Kara Donaldson, Alyson Morton, Will Ricketts, Megan Dick, Erin James, Matt McGowen, Megan Donohue, Brendan Kelso, David Tankersley, Charles Glidewell, Emily Burrows and Michelle Moore-Mitchell.
• Julie Welker, associate professor of communication at Howard Payne University, has been named the recipient of the Travis G. Jones Memorial Outstanding Coach Award by the National Christian College Forensics Association. Welker has coached HPU’s forensic speech team since it began competing two years ago.
• East Texas Baptist University has honored several of its students for academic excellence. Lee Ann Melton of Frisco received the Robert L. Hunt Accounting Award and the Florence Wood Quinn Achievement Award for the highest grade point average among business students. Denise Tomme of Diana was named the outstanding business student. Zane Gruznina from Latvia received the Edwin F. Moore Award for excellence in economics. Craig Cohen of Carrollton received the Dr. Harm Harms Award, presented to a student who excels in any area of business study. Emily Foster of Mount Pleasant received the Earl Thames Award, given to the student who best exhibits outstanding Christian character. Rebecca Rinehart of Orange received the Chase Bank Award, presented to the student voted by the business school faculty most likely to succeed. Matthew Huffman of Ennis received the Outstanding Management Information Systems Student award.
• Dallas Baptist University has named Bob Burgin faculty member of the year. Burgin has taught in the college of education since 1999, serving as associate dean of the college, as well as assistant professor of education and director of the secondary education department.
05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Book Reviews
Posted: 5/09/08
Book Reviews
Questions To All Your Answers: The Journey From Folk Religion to Examined Faith by Roger Olson (Zondervan)
Too many Christians live, breathe and have their being in a world of simplistic slogans, worn-out clichés and bumper-sticker theology. But in one of his latest books, Truett Seminary professor Roger Olson is out to change that.
Believing many evangelical Christians have succumbed to the sloppy thinking of “folk religion,” Olson challenges his fellow believers to heed the guidance of the Apostle Paul, who praised the Bereans for examining his own message through the lens of Scripture.
In 10 chapters, Olson raises questions about 10 popular answers—simplistic sayings that ring true to many people. These supposed answers often resist scrutiny and cut off further thought on the subject.
What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com. 05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Baptist Briefs
Posted: 5/09/08
Baptist Briefs
Texas Baptist volunteers honored for Scout activity. The Association of Baptists for Scouting awarded the Silver Good Shepherd Cross and Staff to three Texas Baptists—James and Dorothy Gebhart of Mission, members of Trinity Baptist Church in McAllen; and Inez Eggers, former administrative assistant at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving. The award denotes a minimum 50 years service to children, youth and families through churches and Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Explorer or Venturing units.
Baptists launch ministry for Caribbean immigrants. A group of Baptist ministers has launched a fellowship to minister to former residents of the Caribbean now living in English-speaking countries. According to the Baptist World Alliance, the fellowship has been discussed since at least 1993. Delroy Reid-Salmon, pastor of Grace Baptist Chapel in the Bronx, is president of the new Caribbean Diaspora Baptist Clergy Association.
05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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DOWN HOME: Her world grows & also shrinks
Posted: 5/09/08
DOWN HOME:
Her world grows & also shrinksWe’re breathing easier at our house these days. Molly, our youngest daughter, returned home after studying in Europe for a semester.
Back when I was in college, I thought “suffering for Jesus” as a summer missionary in Colorado was pretty exotic. I never dreamed of spending a semester overseas.
But Baylor University’s international studies program figured large when Molly evaluated where to go to college. And thanks to scholarships and variations in tuition, she wound up studying at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands for not much more than the cost of a normal semester in Waco. So, her dream became a reality.
Joanna and I watched from afar. Through the semester, we traded instant messages online and even talked through Skype, a telephone program that works on my laptop computer. We monitored Facebook for new pictures of our darlin’ daughter in exotic places.
05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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EDITORIAL: Why can’t we all disagree agreeably?
Posted: 5/09/08
EDITORIAL:
Why can’t we all disagree agreeably?You probably aren’t surprised to learn we get a lot of mail here at the Baptist Standard. For generations, Baptists have interpreted their foundational doctrines—soul competency and the priesthood of all believers—to embrace a corollary: the right to write a letter to the editor. That’s good. Soul competency and individual priesthood affirm God’s grace in the life of each Christian. So, we expect to learn from each other as grace works in our lives. And even when we read letters with which we disagree, at least we learn about others’ perspectives. At the Standard, we also value letters to the editor because we value our fellowship with the believers who write them.
An occupational hazard of being a newspaper editor is receiving mail from people who think you’re (a) dumb, (b) mistaken, (c) doing a crummy job, (d) preparing to roast in hell or (e) all of the above. Readers never see the majority of those letters, because people who set out to prove points (a) through (e) usually blow past the Standard’s 250-word limit before they even get warmed up. Then, by the time I offer to publish a condensed letter, they’ve calmed down and don’t feel compelled to condemn me to a fate worse than death.
While I hate to admit it, I’m lousy at predicting what will set readers off. (One exception: Anything about worship music generates tons of mail.) When I fret, nothing happens. Then, when an “innocuous” edition comes out, the letters pour.
Those are the weeks when friends offer sympathy, but I tell them I’ve got it easy compared to pastors. Readers can take me to task, but they live elsewhere, and I worship in the company of my friends. But a pastor gets criticism and then has to stand in the pulpit on Sunday and see the faces of the folks who are after him. Now, that’s a challenge, and it’s a pity more people don’t appreciate how hard it is.
05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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New HPU lectureship weds evangelism to ethics
Posted: 5/09/08
Jimmy Allen (2nd from left), David Sapp (2nd from right) and Richard Jackson (right) delivered the inaugural Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics at Howard Payne University. Gary Elliston (center, back) endowed the lectures in honor of David Currie (left) and in memory of Phil Strickland, whose widow, Carolyn, attended the event. New HPU lectureship weds evangelism to ethics
By Ken Camp
Managing Editor
BROWNWOOD—Evangelism and ethics both grow out of a vibrant relationship with the God who is love, speakers told participants at the inaugural Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics at Howard Payne University.
People cannot fully come to know God apart from the Bible, but they cannot really know the Bible apart from God, said David Sapp, pastor of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga.
05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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IN FOCUS: Hopeful conversations across Texas
Posted: 5/09/08
IN FOCUS:
Hopeful conversations across TexasIt has been a privilege for me to travel throughout much of Texas during the last month and see God at work in many of our churches and institutions.
I had the opportunity to meet with more than 1,000 of our pastors and numerous leaders of our institutions. I have been on the campuses of several of our universities, met with more than 90 percent of our directors of missions, been engaged in conversations with some of our Baptist Student Ministry directors and interns, and preached in several of our churches. I was privileged to attend the annual Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas meeting, the Hispanic preaching conference and the minister of education retreat. In each situation, there was a spirit of optimism and a desire to work together in our kingdom assignment.
Missions, evangelism and discipleship (through Sunday school or other small groups) were at the heart of the conversations. Questions were raised about what we need to do to better reflect the ethnic diversity of Texas and how to allow Texas Baptists 35 years old and younger to become more involved in the leadership of our churches. A strong loyalty to our schools and agencies was expressed from alumni and families who had been directly affected by BGCT partners.
Some misconceptions were addressed. Our recent reduction of budget led to the belief that giving through the BGCT Cooperative Program was declining. Fortunately, that is not true. At the end of April, our gifts through the Texas CP were slightly ahead of last year. The majority of BGCT operating funds comes from two sources—Cooperative Program giving from BGCT churches and investment income from funds provided over the years through faithful Texas Baptists. The 2008 BGCT budget called for an increase in CP giving of about $3.4 million, or 8.5 percent. It also projected the use of $6.8 million in investment funds, which is $1.9 million beyond the level called for by a new state regulation that went into effect this year. As a result, we anticipate BGCT budget income about $5.3 million less than what was projected. I’m hopeful the trend of increased giving will continue so we can approach the 2009 budget realistically and hopefully.
05/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
