Most preachers’ kids reject church, informal survey reveals_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Most preachers' kids reject
church, informal survey reveals

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The image of the pastor's kid turning wild may not be that far off base.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Ethnic minorities to chair all seven appointed 2004 BGCT committee_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Ethnic minorities to chair all
seven appointed 2004 BGCT committees

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The Baptist General Convention of Texas officers named ethnic minorities to chair all seven of the convention's appointed committees for the first time in the organization's history.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Judge rules Missouri Convention lacks standing for suit; leaders pledge fight_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Judge rules Missouri Convention
lacks standing for suit; leaders pledge fight

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP)–Despite a legal setback, Missouri Baptist Convention leaders will continue their lawsuit against five institutions that have removed themselves from the convention's control.

Cole County Circuit Judge Thomas Brown ruled the suit's plaintiffs–primarily the convention Executive Board–lack proper legal standing to assert their claim against the institutions.

“We're going to tell the judge that we'll go through whatever procedural steps we have to go through” to continue the case, including naming convention messengers as plaintiffs in the suit, said Michael Whitehead, the convention's lead attorney in the case.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

On the Move_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

On the Move

Corey and Kelli Agricola to First Church of Spring Branch in Houston as co-pastors.

Dean Banks to Belle Plain Church in Brownwood as pastor.

Greg Bowman to First Church in Duncanville as minister to students from First Church in Lancaster.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Parents want sex education courses to emphasize abstinence, survey shows_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Parents want sex education courses
to emphasize abstinence, survey shows

WASHINGTON (RNS)– Most parents want high school sex education classes to emphasize abstinence, a Zogby International poll commissioned by Focus on the Family has found.

Ninety-six percent of parents of children younger than 18 said they agreed strongly or somewhat that such classes should teach that “abstinence from sexual activity is best for teens.”

A slightly smaller percentage–91 percent–agreed that high schoolers should be taught that it is best for sexual intercourse to be linked to love, commitment and intimacy, qualities that “are most likely to occur in a faithful marriage.”

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Church member’s prayers for ethnic inclusiveness answered after 50 years_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Church member's prayers for ethnic
inclusiveness answered after 50 years

By George Henson

Staff Writer

SAN ANTONIO–Her new pastor calls her Sister Angel. One thing is for sure: Lois Angel has God's ear.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Resort missionary takes gospel message to Tahoe ski slopes_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Resort missionary takes gospel message to Tahoe ski slopes

By Lee Weeks

North American Mission Board

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (BP)–After more than two decades as a resort missionary in Lake Tahoe, Debbie Wohler remains as passionate as ever about the mission to which she believes God has called her.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Teens listen to parents’ advice about sex, survey indicates_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Teens listen to parents' advice about sex, survey indicates

WASHINGTON (BP)–Teens today may be more cautious toward sex than generally believed and may be paying more attention to their parents' warnings, according to survey results released recently by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

The study found that 67 percent of sexually experienced teens say they wish they had waited longer before having sexual intercourse. The breakdown by gender indicates 77 percent of girls and 60 percent of boys regret becoming sexually active too early.

Eighty-five percent of teens agreed sex should occur only in a long-term, committed relationship, and only 26 percent said it is embarrassing for teens to admit they are virgins. Teens credit their own morals, values, religious beliefs and concerns about the future for influencing their attitudes about sex more than concerns about pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Texas Tidbits_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Texas Tidbits

Baylor names faith and learning director. Baylor University has named Douglas Henry, assistant professor of philosophy in the university's honors college, as director of Baylor's Institute for Faith and Learning. Henry has been acting director of the institute, whose stated goal is to integrate academic excellence and Christian commitment. He holds a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, and he earned master's and doctorate degrees from Vanderbilt University.

ETBU dean honored. Carolyn Harvey, dean of the Frank S. Groner Endowed Memorial School of Professional Studies department of nursing at East Texas Baptist University, received a Friends of Public Health Award from the Texas Department of Health. The award recognizes groups or individuals committed to improving public health. In October, Harvey led senior ETBU nursing students in a project that included conducting a health assessment of the area surrounding Caddo Lake, along with providing area residents with flu shots, cholesterol and diabetes tests, and information on breast and prostate cancer.

DBU receives gift. Dallas Baptist University received a $100,000 gift from real-estate executive Ebby Halliday that will be used in conjunction with the university's Ruth Ray Hunt Challenge grant. Halliday has been a DBU supporter and benefactor for more than 30 years and has contributed to numerous scholarship funds and building campaigns.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Together: Teams asked to provide bold vision_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

TOGETHER;
Teams asked to provide bold vision

Revisioning and restructuring have captured a lot of attention lately in Baptist General Convention of Texas life. What God wants from churches and what role this convention should play in helping congregations become all God dreams them to be are the questions being considered.

Four teams are seeking God's direction regarding his vision for Texas Baptists. They are praying, sharing ideas and visualizing what our work would look like if we could be gripped by God's passion for us. Laity, ministers–older and younger–and BGCT staff comprise the teams. Additionally, I am working with associational directors of missions, CEOs of our institutions, seminary students and others to get their ideas and concerns on the table.

Undergirding this deliberation and dreaming is a prayer team, quietly working behind the scenes to lift these work groups to the Lord. I have asked them to pray specifically for three things–that we will know the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), that we will have wisdom beyond our own (James 1:5) and that we will have courage to move forward as God directs (Joshua 1:9). Please join them in praying.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

WMU board affirms BWA, sets $5 million goal for offering_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

WMU board affirms BWA,
sets $5 million goal for offering

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The Woman's Missionary Union of Texas board of directors has affirmed its continuing support for the Baptist World Alliance, the BWA Women's Department and the North American Baptist Women's Union.

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge

Storylist_32204

Storylist for3/22 issue GO TO SECTIONS: • Texas       • Baptists       • Faith      • Departments      • Opinion      • Bible Study      Our Front Page Articles • Missionary narrowly misses Madrid…

03/19/2004 - By John Rutledge