CP ‘assassination’

The Southern Baptist Convention’s Great Commission Task Force report, like Brutus with Caesar, shows up late and then praises our Cooperative Program before assassinating it. The report removes all incentive for a church to give through the Cooperative Program, leaving it (if adopted) high and dry.

Our SBC Cooperative Program is right now God’s one-and-only winning strategy for the whole world and is 100 percent Great Commission giving! It needs one improvement—our vigorous, sustained giving! The task force report strikes at the local church, where all funding begins. We already are under attack from modern America’s secular-socialist taxation. Atheist culture blasts us daily against God and the gospel.

To survive financially, a church sometimes fails to give through the Cooperative Program. Now comes this Great Commission Task Force report with a fatal blow. Instead of pooling with churches nationwide, we are to send our own members on mini-mission trips overseas—at immense cost for airfare—where they don’t know the language and make our career missionaries their interpreters and nursemaids.

This is “so long” to winning the world and painful “goodbye” to Southern Baptist churches in our northern and western states. Our Cooperative Program is God’s greatest victory in all of history. I have loved my 80 years on earth as a lay-warrior for it.

Let’s deep-six the GCTF report and get back to storming the walls of the impossible through God’s One-and-Only to Whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given.

Dale Danielson

Albuquerque, N.M.

Sound doctrine

“So different and so much in common”—your editorial about the Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist General Convention of Texas and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship—hit the nail squarely on the head (May 10).

The paragraph declaring that all three groups have abandoned their first love is meaningful to me.

I am a 78-year-old layman, a longtime active member of a SBC/BGCT church. I am certainly no theologian, but I do study my Bible. By my untrained eye, we are somewhat in the same situation as the church in Crete when the Apostle Paul sent Titus to straighten them out.

Titus 2:1, while very short, notes the necessity of sound doctrine—good teaching. Study of this verse indicates sound doctrine and its sound study and application by Christians is vital to our faith.

I don’t find sound doctrine being held up to us from pulpits, Sunday school, Bible study (How long has it been since we had a January Bible Study?), etc.

Oh, yes, we give it lip service. But we don’t get “vaccinated” with it as in years past.

Art Hodge

Irving

Special needs

Thank you for the articles regarding churches’ ministries to people with special needs (May 24). I do hope lots of people will read them.

Most churches need to have an area set aside for the “special” children. A parent with a “special” child needs a church home and Christian friends more than a normal person. I cannot understand why more churches do not provide an area and a trained attendant for these children.

I have known only a few ministers who knew how to approach a “special” child. If you do profess to be a Christian, why not stop and greet the “special” child you see?

Mary Poythress

Houston

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. Maximum length is 250 words.

Recommendation No. 4

Well, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force listened to the folks out West (May 10). But when it came down to changing any recommendations related to the North American Mission Board and the cooperative agreements with the states, the GCRTF made no changes and recommended that their recommendations be adopted by the SBC next month in Orlando.

While most of the recommendations are certainly acceptable, recommendation No. 4 (the “redirection” of the North American Mission Board) has got to be defeated.

Perhaps they’re hoping that with the meeting so far from the West, all of their recommendations will easily pass. Seems like a good strategy. It’s going to take a concerted effort by those who will be harmed the most by the adoption of recommendation No. 4 to “get the vote out” and defeat it.

Parliamentary procedure can help. A separate vote on each recommendation will allow the messengers the opportunity to express what they feel is the best and worst of the recommendations.

Support a time of repentance and renewal. Support the recommendation on giving. But above all, defeat the recommendation restructuring the cooperative agreements.

Robert Gillchrest

San Diego, Calif.

Baptism & obedience

I read your coverage of the baptism issue (April 26) with growing disbelief and sadness.

A non-Christian teaching a Sunday school class of young people? “Believer’s baptism” by any mode at any age? “If you feel your baptism—by immersion, sprinkling or pouring—was valid, then that’s acceptable”? Whatever happened to doing what our Savior says, regardless of how we feel?

An old saying is that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The first step for a new Christian is baptism by immersion. Jesus makes that clear by his example. The goal of all Christians is to be obedient to God’s word. How can we set out on a journey of obedience to our Lord if we are unwilling to take the first step by being baptized by immersion?

Johnny Bittick

Flower Mound

Losing faith

I respect Laura Bush—the adult she has become—but I am saddened by the neglect of spiritual leaders when she was 17 and in need of spiritual counsel.

Of that time, she wrote, “I lost my faith that November; lost it for many, many years. It was the first time that I had prayed to God for something, begged him for something—not the simple childhood wishing on a star, but humbly begging for another human life. And it was as if no one heard” (May 10).

A person cannot lose one’s faith if they really had it to start with. Faith isn’t a commodity that one obtains by theirself. Faith is the giving of God, a way of understanding the righteousness of Christ to a person who has recognized the hopelessness and helplessness of a sinful life and one’s need of forgiveness from a holy God.

She should have been counseled that a person cannot disobey a traffic law that caused a young man to die and presume that God’s goodness will make everything all right just because she prayed, although God did cause her and her friend to live. This is very sad, and a wrong attitude about faith and prayer.

Jesus promises that true believers are held in the hands of his Father and him (John 10:28-29). You can’t lose a spiritual gift that comes through faith.

Fay Mileur

Sadler

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.

Send pastor to BWA

The Baptist World Alliance is the oldest and largest fellowship of Baptists. From more than 200 Baptist unions across the earth, Baptists will gather in Hawaii this summer for BWA’s every-fifth-year Baptist World Congress. Hymns will be sung, sermons will be preached, Bible studies will be taught, and testimonies of God’s work will be shared.

I have seen tears stream down grown men’s faces as they looked over this great gathering of God’s people and wept at the wonder of hearing praises to God rising from the lips of people from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. It is a joy I don’t expect to equal until we all gather in heaven to sing to our God.

Your church could receive a great benefit if you send your pastor and spouse to the Congress July 28-Aug. 1. They would be enriched in spirit and challenged by the courage and faithfulness of Baptist people around the world. They would bring that experience back home, and the blessings would spill over on the whole congregation. The stories of Baptist witness and vision would become a part of the story of your church.

Your church also would be a great encouragement to Baptists of the world. They need to know Baptists in America love them and believe in their hopes and dreams.

Talk about a win-win! Take this note to the chairman of your deacons, personnel or finance committee. Your church will be glad you did. And so will your pastor.

Charles Wade

Arlington

Muslims & ‘Camel Tracts’

Liberty University’s Ergun Caner is right, and Kevin Greeson, International Mission Board missionary and author of “Camel Tracts,” is wrong: The IMB strategy for reaching Muslims is high heresy.

Before Mohammed, Allah was not a general name for God but the specific name of the moon god of Persia and was the family god of Mohammed. For those who are uninformed on the IMB’s Camel Strategy, here is a direct quote of the closing paragraph on how to become a “Christian Muslim”: “Today, you can become a Pakka Muslim. All you have to do is to believe that Allah did Korbani (sacrifice) for you, and he used the blood of ‘Isa (Jesus) instead of your blood. Stop now, hold your hands up before you, and humbly tell Allah that you receive his Korbani and thank him for placing the punishment of your guilt upon ‘Isa. In this way, Allah will forgive you of your sins and remove the curse of sin. When you are cleansed of your sins, then you can go to be with Allah after you die. You can now live your life in peace knowing that after death, you can go directly to be with Allah.”

The greatest tragedy of this strategy is the multitude of Muslims deceived by this cultic doctrine. Will Southern Baptists accept this prayer for salvation as legitimate? Will Southern Baptists continue to pay salaries for IMB personnel who propagate this heresy?

David Powe

Fort Worth

Disappointed in bias

I am so disappointed the Baptist Standard would allow political bias and untruths to grace its pages, such as “Being upset is now all the rage” by Tom Ehrich (April 12).

Ehrich suggests Tea Party members are unpatriotic radicals. I assume Ehrich would have sided with the British rather than the original tea party members. He rants against Sarah Palin, using the word “cross-hairs,” suggesting inciting violence. Has Ehrich ever heard the political terms “battleground” and “in their sights” and the television news program Crossfire?

Ehrich states as fact that a black congressman was spat upon, but still no evidence has surfaced to support the accusation. I suggest Ehrich come up with the evidence he must have and collect the $100,000 reward offered for any such evidence.

Yet Ehrich fails to mention eggs and insults hurled at Tea Party members at a recent rally in Sen. Harry Reid’s hometown. By the way, there is documentation of such incidents.

Where was Ehrich when President Bush was called a liar and hung in effigy? Where was Ehrich in 1998, when actor Alec Baldwin talked about stoning U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde?

I would suggest Ehrich spend his energy exposing the members of Westboro Baptist Church and who they really are, but I’m sure he probably believes they are expressing their freedom of speech and doing the work of the Lord.

F.A. Taylor

Kempner

Disgusted with actions

As a reader and a youth pastor, the subject of homosexuality within the church seems to be getting more and more exposure. After reading the article on Royal Lane Baptist Church (March 29), I have have become disgusted with the way our Christian brothers and sisters are acting.

I agree that homosexuality is a sin and that those who are knowingly living in sin—any sin—should not be in leadership positions. My concern is the recent actions by the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Southern Baptist Convention hammering churches for the slightest notion of homosexuality.

The 1996 charter that was quoted in the article spoke of all sexual sin, but yet as churches, we turn the other way when the issue is an affair within the ranks or premarital sex. If we as churches do decide to take action, it is left up to the church to handle.

If we are going to go around and ask churches to stop using or associating with the BGCT or SBC because of homosexuality, then we should ask every church that has people living in sin to do the same. Somehow, I do not feel many churches would be left.

We are all broken people. We all need the grace of God to fall upon us. If we want to change people’s lives, we must let them in and teach them. I just don’t want us Christians to pick and choose which sin is “worthy” of discipline. If we continue to do this, we will lose contact with those who really need to hear and see Jesus’ teachings lived out.

Seth Pitman

Bangs

What do you think? Because we affirm the Baptist principle of the priesthood of all believers, we value hearing from our readers. 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 considerations, limit letters to 250 words, and only one letter per writer is accepted per quarter.

Cowboys & niches

I’ve followed the discussion of “cowboy churches” with interest. Most recently, Joe Dacus defends the phenomenon in a letter to the editor (March 29).

The day before I read his letter, I led my Introduction to Christian Theology class in a discussion of “niche churches” or “special-interest churches.” I showed them an attractive promotional film clip of a cowboy church.

Our question—mine and most of the students’—is whether a church should exist around a special interest (e.g., “Western heritage”), culture, hobby or whatever divides people. Yes, these things also can unite people, but shouldn’t church unity be solely in the gospel and the Holy Spirit, who binds us together in spite of diversity?

I also showed my students a promotional video of a “church for men.” There are also churches that exist solely in cyberspace. I saw a billboard advertising a church for people older than 55. Where does it end?

We concluded that cowboy churches have their value as ministries and outreaches. In my younger years, we called these “parachurch organizations.” In our humble opinion—most of my students’ and mine—“church” should be the body of Christ, as united as possible and as diverse as possible.

On the other hand, this theological word of caution probably is too late; the cat of “anything goes” in church life is out of the bag and probably can’t be put back in. I would caution “niche churches” to be as inclusive as possible.

Roger E. Olson

Waco

Integrate singles

I have to applaud “Single adults: An army waiting for God’s service” (March 29).

As someone who has been single all my life for a variety of reasons, I noticed the “gentle push back” when I was in my late 20s and certainly now as a middle-aged adult. It was obvious churches were focusing on married couples with kids or those interested in marriage.

I have even had people ask me, “Is something wrong with you?” I now respond, “Yes,” pause for effect and then say: “But don’t get too uppity. Something is wrong with you, too. That is what the gospel is all about!”

Sometimes, I think it would be better to figure out a way to simply “integrate” singles into the life of the church so they can become “included” and not isolated.

I believe 1 is a whole number, too!

Robert Whitfield

Dallas

Obama’s war

I like and voted for Barack Obama but am disappointed that he seemingly wants the war in Afghanistan to be “his war.” Like the Vietnam War, which Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against 43 years ago, the war in Afghanistan is wrong, unwinnable and costly in terms of human lives and money spent.

No one who has won a Nobel Peace Prize deserved it more than King. His lasting legacy as a peacemaker was ensured even before the prophetic “Beyond Vietnam” speech he delivered April 4, 1967, at New York City’s famous Riverside Church, a speech that sealed his fateful assassination, exactly a year later.

He professed his love of America, but like true prophets do, he fearlessly spoke truth to power in a spirit of Godlike love, much like his biblical predecessors, Amos and Micah. The truths King proclaimed about Vietnam in the late 1960s are as relevant today as they were then.

Today, greed and lust for economic-political power continue to keep America from hearing King’s conscience-inspired call for peace and justice. Greed keeps us from seeing the negative, intertwined effects that militarism, racism and poverty inflict on our country.

Paul L. Whiteley Sr.

Louisville, Ky.

Reaching cowboy culture

Dale Person shares the same opinion about cowboy churches (March 15) held by many men I look up to in the ministry, but I must respectfully disagree. For starters, plumbers, doctors, and lawyers are a profession. Cowboys are a culture. You’ll be hard-pressed to find even a large minority of professional cowpokes in a cowboy church. It’s about people who identify with the cowboy culture—like being Greek, or from Samaria or Jerusalem.

All churches naturally congregate with like people—whether it’s based on race, socio-economic similarities or causes. The cowboy church culture is just another stratum of society.

Our church started the Cowboy Church of Leon County a few years ago. Within the first year, half of their members were people who had either never been to church or had not darkened the doors of a church since they were children. The cowboy church here has had a tremendous impact on our county and on the kingdom.

Like all things, it has to do with leadership, and the Cowboy Church of Leon County has tremendous vision and leadership.

Joe Dacus

Leona

Jesus & social justice

Fox News figure Glenn Beck recently stated that if your church and/or pastor teach social justice, you should discuss the matter with your pastor. If the pastor refuses to change, then you should leave that church. Beck says “social justice” is just a code term for socialism and communism. For emphasis, he held up posters with the hammer and sickle and the swastika.

Ironically, at about the same time Beck was making his comments, Selma, Ala., was preparing to observe the 45th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” when civil rights protestors were brutally beaten on the bridge.

The Bible contains many teachings promoting social justice. This was one of the major themes of Jesus’ teachings. So, if one follows the teachings of Beck, you should leave your church if it teaches from the Bible.

Many are concerned—and rightly so—about the sexually explicit content of many TV programs. If you go into your doctor’s office and the TV is tuned to Jerry Springer, will you be concerned? I would hope so. But how many are concerned when you see the TV tuned to Fox News with figures such as Beck spewing forth his comments against America and Christian teachings?

Carl L. Hess

Ozark, Ala.

Consistent principles

I am not the biggest fan of the tactics of Southern Baptist Convention leaders, which tend to be too rigid and draw too many lines in the sand. When moderates talk about the importance of soul competency and freedom of biblical interpretation, I am generally right there with them.

It bothers me, though, when I see them violating these same principles. Much rhetoric coming from moderates has tended to link Christ’s teachings on personal compassion and ethics with what is essentially a “progressive” political agenda and is hostile to political conservatives. One is certainly free to believe that political agenda is best, but to make it mandatory requires taking Scripture way out of context. Jesus’ teachings are not public policy prescriptions and do not easily translate into them.

I do not believe one has to be a political conservative to be a Christian, but I do think one can be. It is just as wrong for moderates to be hostile to those who disagree with them as it is for the SBC leadership to do so.

What is essential, anyway? Can we truly not be united around our mutual acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior and our commitment to evangelism, mission and ministry, regardless of our differences on things like taxes, government spending and military policy?

What was the moderates’ resistance to the fundamentalist takeover about, anyway? Was it genuinely about resistance to excessive dogmatism, or was it merely preference for one type of dogma over another?

David Rodgers

Texarkana

Compartmentalizing

I don’t mean this to be critical or judgmental, but only an expression of a concern: I believe a movement that has come into vogue in the last several years—namely “cowboy churches”—may not necessarily be a desirable phenomenon.

Could it be that those attracted to “cowboy churches” do not feel welcome or comfortable in other churches?

It concerns me that we may be in danger of compartmentalizing groups of people who attend churches. Taken to extreme, we could have plumbers’ churches, carpenters’ churches, doctors’ churches, lawyers’ churches and so on.

The bottom line should be that every person should be welcomed and made to feel wanted, loved and comfortable in every church.

Dale Person

Marshall

Baylor’s new Starr

Since the “give away” of Baylor University by Texas Baptists in fear that it “might” be turned into another Liberty University, Baylor has finally come back to its senses by hiring Kenneth Starr as president (March 1).

F.A. Taylor

Kempner

I’m shocked and appalled at the selection of Kenneth Starr—a partisan, right-wing Republican zealot who isn’t even a Baptist—to become president of Baylor. I can’t imagine a more divisive and destructive choice.

As a lifelong Baptist, I have always felt close to Baylor. Two of my three children earned degrees from Baylor, and I have had countless friends at Baylor. I was mayor of Waco when Herbert Reynolds worked to prevent this kind of ideological takeover at Baylor.

Kenneth Starr is one of the most divisive partisan political figures in American history. He led the partisan witch hunt to undo the results of the 1992 presidential election. Whitewater and Blackwater tell us everything we need to know about him.

Starr spent $52 million of taxpayer money on Whitewater to get President Clinton—twice the amount spent by the 9/11 Commission. That investigation was one long, unethical abuse of power. Starr’s only success was in trapping Clinton into lying about the Lewinsky matter.

Now, Starr is involved in defending the Blackwater mercenary corporation. Blackwater is responsible for the murder of countless innocent civilians in Iraq.

From what we know about Starr’s background, the board of regents is either completely out of touch or is trying to establish Baylor as a right-wing Republican university. Move over Liberty University and Regent University—Baylor is coming through.

Were the regents unable to locate a competent, ethical Baptist for president of Baylor?

Charles Reed

Waco

I am sure Kenneth Starr is a fine man and is well-educated, but his training has been in law. I doubt he has any idea how a Baptist university is operated, since he does not know what Baptists believe or why they do certain things the way they do them. The Baylor University regents, if they had put more time in their decision, could have found a Baptist with as much education and in the right field of study.

Baylor University is a Baptist university supported by Texas Baptists. I doubt very seriously many Texas Baptists agree with the decision the regents made in appointing Starr. I know I don’t.

The purpose of Baylor University is to educate men and women in a Christian atmosphere. Since it is a Baptist university, I would think that not only the president, but the entire faculty should be longstanding Baptists. To me, appointing Starr as president of Baylor would be like a Baptist mission board appointing a Methodist, Catholic or Church of Christ to go out on the mission field to witness for Baptists. It does not make sense to me.

I have no idea what the regents were thinking when they pulled such a stunt. I believe they should reconsider their decision in this matter.

Bob Logan

Weatherford

Muslim bias?

Regarding “Nearly half of Americans admit to anti-Muslim bias” (March 1): Americans are not biased against Muslims! Reality is not bias.

Just this morning, Muslim terrorists set off two car bombs; the dead haven’t been counted yet. Tens of thousands of men, women and children are hideously and indiscriminately murdered every year by Muslim terrorists. Show me the Muslim outcry over the murders. I read the above-mentioned article looking for a statement from a “good” Muslim who condemns terrorism. Such statements do not exist.

Islam is an evil religion. Am I biased? Bias is an unfounded belief. Are Christians or Jews setting off car bombs? Did Saudi Arabia or Pakistan go into Iraq or Afghanistan to stop the slaughters? Who stopped the slaughter of Muslims in Bosnia?

What is being called “bias” of Muslims is not a bias but an accurate perception. The silence of Muslims and ever-mounting mountain of dead are the testimony of reality.

Fred Rosenbaum

Gainesville

Baylor & Starr

My friends on the Baylor University board of regents are urging patient understanding from our Texas Baptist family concerning the appointment of Kenneth Starr as president of the university.

The call to reason and patience—two clear scriptural virtues—is timely for those of us who are confused and dismayed by this appointment. Because we all, as the Apostle Paul reminds us, “see through a glass darkly,” we must be open to perspectives different from our own and possibilities other than those we can imagine.

But given the consistent hijacking of Baptist soul freedom by the forces of conformity over the past 30 years, it seems to me that skepticism is the reasonable response to this decision.

Charles Foster Johnson

Desdemona

The biggest “tell” in your interview with Ken Starr, Baylor’s new president, (published online Feb. 16 and in this edition of the Standard) is his comment that “Baylor is particularly well suited to reflect on the growth of the central government.” Notice that he did not say the “role” but the “growth” of the central government. And this is to be Baylor’s focus in looking at the world?

This man comes with an unsurprising political agenda, which he already has broadcast in his interview with the Standard.

No one can say they weren’t warned.

Hal Wingo

Santa Fe, N.M.

Quality over quantity

Thanks for “Balancing quantity & quality of life” (Feb. 15). In October, the doctor said to me, “I can’t cure your cancer.” I pleaded, “Please, doctor, do chemotherapy or something.” He told me he could not cure it, and the chemo would end my quality of life. Of course, we shed our tears. But I have since thanked my doctor for his courage. Other doctors would have treated me.

Three days after my news, I was in Salado performing a wedding. I phoned my dear friend Chaplain Dale Moon and asked him to give a eulogy about my Army career at my funeral. He was so healthy, took no medication, and I knew he cared deeply for me. On Feb. 2, I gave Dale’s eulogy at First Baptist Church in McKinney and told of his tremendous Army career. Wearing the Army blue uniform again, I saluted that flag over his casket with pride and joy.

The last five months have been among the greatest days of my life. I eat well, sleep well and have not been sick in years. I am reminded daily of my swollen lymph nodes, but I still walk my dog, Daisy, 30 minutes down by Lake Lewisville bi-daily.

I may have days or years to live, but it really doesn’t matter. Today is the day that the Lord hath made.

Jack Milligan

Lewisville

Following God

I wonder if Joe Tom Poe, author of Life at 80 As I Have Lived It (Jan. 18) remembers everything about his youth. My family lived down the road from Paul and Mae Poe in Eastland County, about two miles from Long Branch Baptist Church. I remember Joe Tom had an inquiring mind when he was 2 and 3 years old. When his parents would call to tell us they were coming to visit, we got busy and put everything up beyond his reach and closed doors to rooms where we did not want all of the drawers opened. Joe Tom liked to look at anything in the drawers, pick up and look at anything that was in reach. I know because I was there, too.

I am so proud to have known someone who has been such a wonderful example of what God calls him to do. I will certainly buy the book and read it.

I will be 90 years old in June, and I remember things, too.

Nell Been Davis

Elgin

Worship music

I respectfully disagree with Richard Berry’s comparison of the ungodly behavior of the Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai with contemporary worship (Feb. 1). The chosen people fell away in an orgy of corruption that displeased God, but it is unfair to equate that revelry with the worship of almighty God that happens in Baptist churches across Texas every week.

My church expresses worship with both traditional and contemporary styles, and they enable us to voice our devotion to God in meaningful ways. This past Sunday, the texts of the contemporary songs we sang included, “Today is the day you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it,” “Worthy is the Lamb, worthy of our praise, worthy is the One Who has overcome the grave,” “Praise Adonai from the rising of the sun to the end of every day” and “Amazing love, how can it be that You, my King, would die for me?” Looks like pretty sound, biblically based theology.

The Bible says God delights in the praises of his people in different ways—some from centuries back and others written recently. Having led worship for more than 30 years, I thank God that young and not-so-young people are in our churches, expressing heartfelt devotion to God with many authentic styles! There is no golden calf—just a merciful, awesome God to whom I delight in giving my praises.

Jim Cleaveland

El Paso

Church’s voice

The church without voice has limited power. Many church members fear for their rights to worship, to have freedom of speech and to be free. It is like the government has put the church in a box, sealed it and has stored it away out of sight. As long as the church keeps to itself, the government won’t do anything to it. Can our rights survive without the church standing up for what is right?

During colonial times, the church was not quiet. Christians understood that without the church standing up for what is right, America would lose its freedom and people would lose their rights. Unlike the Pilgrims, we have allowed the government to hide us away, and many Christians are oblivious to what is happening! Without the church standing up and protecting our rights, the government will steal them from us. I believe this is one of the reasons why separation of church and state was so important to the colonists.

The church gaining back its rights will definitely not happen on its own. We need patriots who understand what the government is doing and who will fight for their rights. We need pastors, willing to step out of the box and preach vigorously about these issues. We need the people of the United States of America to stand up and take action.

Lilly Cool

Tyler

Pockets of prayer

The need is so great; it is far beyond any of us. Will you help organize pockets of prayer warriors across our nation? It will take time and a little money to send letters to churches and pastors.

Just think what 100,000 groups of four and five people meeting once a week to pray for revival could accomplish.

The one weapon we have against Satan is serious, God-anointed prayer. Every great revival was birthed in the prayer closet.

If you will help, please organize a prayer group of four or five in your church to pray together once a week.

We meet at our church on Tuesday morning each week to pray for revival. This has been going on for about four years. We have from four to eight who come each week. From four to six are pastors.

Please pray that God will lay it on the hearts of a group in your church to meet once a week to pray for revival.

Vaughn Denton

Olive Branch, Miss.

Robertson & Haiti

Millionaire evangelist/politician/businessman Pat Robertson believes the people of Haiti were successful in their slave revolt against the French because they made a deal with the devil (Jan. 18).

I remember when he warned our country about the “New World Order” George H. W. Bush was trying to start. Then, a few years later, he was supporting Bush’s son, George W., for president. I’ve always wondered if that meant he was wrong about the Bush family New World Order, or that he was right and decided to join it anyway.

I can’t believe there still are people who follow him and give him money. He has made millions of dollars from religion, politics and business. Maybe he should consider retirement.

Chuck Mann

Greensboro, N.C.

Thank you for your editorial that stands in disagreement with and opposition to opinions such as those expressed by Pat Robertson—that God punished Haiti for actions taken 200 years ago (Jan. 18).

For some to conclude, suggest or offer judgments that God brutalizes innocent children and Christians in Haiti leaves me bewildered and saddened.

They seem to know a different God than I know and worship.

Dale Person

Marshall

Worship & culture

Did you know there is an account of contemporary worship in the Bible? In Exodus 32, Moses came down from Mount Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments, and came upon a worship service in progress.

Aaron, upon popular demand, had produced a golden calf to use in worship. Why a calf? It was straight from the popular culture of Egypt from whence they had only recently come. It was a symbol of fertility of the herds and a blessing of deity, but it was not without sexual innuendoes. Such a focus was relevant to the lives of the Israelite herdsmen and shepherds.

Aaron declared: “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt” and “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord” (Exodus 32:4-5). The people offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. It was a popular religious event. There were more than 3,000 present (Exodus 32:28).

The Bible says “the people rose up to play.” We do not know what they played, but it was loud, for as Moses and Joshua approached the camp, Joshua said there must be a battle going on (Exodus 32:17).

Moses was outraged, and his reaction was intemperate. Poor Moses, he just couldn’t be flexible about a worship style drawn from the popular culture of the day.

Richard Berry

Longview

Muslims & military

Do we need a debate on whether Muslims should serve in the U.S. armed forces?

My grandson Kirkland turned a year old a couple of months after 9-11. We have been at war in Muslim countries all of his life. Kirkland, like many other little boys, looks up to the U.S. armed forces. His No. 1 ambition is to fight for this United States of America when he is grown. That’s only nine years away, and I pray every day God will guard and guide Kirkland’s ambition. Every day, I ask God to give him a little bit of extra special attention for that day; wondering if I may have to pray that prayer someday when Kirkland actually fights in a foreign Muslim land.

There is no question in Kirkland’s 9-year-old mind that he will fight for freedom if needed. My family on my father’s side started fighting for freedom way back in the Revolutionary War and in the Civil War. My mother had three brothers who fought in World War II. She had an uncle who fought and died in World War I. I have a brother who went to Vietnam. We have family who served in Korea. One of my great nephews served two tours in Iraq.

Non-Muslim armies are fighting for the freedom of those Muslims who are busy debating what part they should play in fighting to keep this free America many of them call home! Is a debate really necessary?

Joyce M. Brumley

Grand Prairie

Foster transition gap

The article on foster teens (Dec. 7) recognizes a serious need to fill the transition gap. The initiative of Toby Owen, Bryans Fitzhugh and University Baptist Church in Fort Worth is most praiseworthy.

The current foster-care system, apparently based on historic norms, does not address the handicap and difficulty of foster teens in a world where transition to adulthood or independent living is 21 to 25 years of age. Reduction of vocational skills training at the high school level in Texas has contributed to the transition deficit.

Since more than 2,000 Texas teens age out of foster care per year, it seems this need could be met more completely by changes to the foster-care system. Transition benefits likely would be a small fraction of the current cost of homeless teens and issues that are borne by the state or others.

Since foster homes inherit much of the burden by default, such a program would be a strong encouragement to maintain the foster-care system.

Bill Fellers

Trent

Buried talent

Jesus taught that he would leave the 99 and go seek the one who was lost.

If a congregation loves one another, comes together to worship and preaches the word of God but fails to be out in their community looking for the hungry, naked and those in spiritual and physical need, are they not burying their talent? Is it not the same as Jesus taught in Matthew 25:14-30?

Daniel Younger

Itasca

What do you think? Write to: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or marvknox@baptiststandard.com.

Pastoral expectations

Allen Reasons’ response to the request for resources for a pastor-search committee (Dec. 21) was excellent except for one issue.

In my experience as a committee chairman, I learned the committee needs to prepare a written resumé to define the candidate who would fulfill the church’s expectations. This resumé should go into great detail. Each candidate then is compared to that resumé. Never compare one candidate’s qualifications against the qualifications of another candidate.

Of course, even the Apostle Paul would not exactly match this hypothetical resumé. Prayer and communication will provide wisdom within the committee to identify the person God would have them present to the church.

This hypothetical resumé must remain confidential within the committee, just as the privacy of all candidates is kept confidential. Gossip always is harmful. Remember, the person recommended to the church will not meet every item in the hypothetical resumé. The church should never know about items not met by the recommended candidate.

Bill Osborne

Houston

Convention attendance

I don’t think people’s dislike for “petty politics and bickering,” as characterized by John Unger (Dec. 7 ), is the main reason for declining attendance at the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ annual meeting.

Rather, people will go out of their way to attend a convention or seminar that offers real opportunities for professional growth and personal renewal.

Conversely, people will stay away from statewide business meetings like they stay away from their own church’s meetings.

As a side note, the decline in participative decision-making has paralleled the rise of elder rule among Baptists. The attitude is summarized by letting someone trustworthy do the administration, because we have more important things to attend to. Those “other important things” must become the very substance of the annual meeting, or else we will continue to see a downward trend in attendance.

Ben Macklin

Vernon

Church planters

As a church planter myself, I feel a growing sense of concern for Texas Baptists’ church-planting program. Specifically, my fellow church planters consistently tell me:

• The planter is the only person with a vision from God, and everyone in that congregation must follow the planter.

• Asking questions and presenting any reasoned, logical arguments regarding sermons or teachings are forbidden.

• Leaders are selected based on their relationship with the lead planter.

• Education is bad.

• Seminary is bad.

• People who volunteer to help are suspect.

Given this predominant attitude among church planters whom I know, I wish to ask the following questions:

• What is it about educated church members that frightens planters?

• When planters dictate that people must follow and obey them without question, are they setting themselves up as mini-popes?

• Why do so many BGCT planters insist on claiming they are not Baptists? Do they not realize that by being part of the BGCT and lying about it, they engage in a bait-and-switch?

• Luke and Paul had more education than any church planter I've met. How can so many church planters justify saying education is bad?

• Why do church planters persist in preaching and practicing the idea that people who already are Chris-tians are not welcome in their church plants? Why do they stand in God's way when he decides to bring experienced Christians alongside them?

Mike Sacmary

Austin

Gift of salvation

That’s quite a stretch by Tom Hightower to equate Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize with God’s free gift of salvation (Dec. 21 ).

God’s free gift of salvation requires acceptance first, but it must be earned afterward. Repentance is required. In that sense, it is not free but requires a return from the life we live. The free gift of salvation from God was Jesus Christ.

Fred Rosenbaum

Gainesville

Needs of Foster Teens

The article on foster teens (Dec. 7) recognizes a serious need to fill the transition gap. The initiative of Toby Owen, Bryans Fitzhugh and University Baptist Church in Fort Worth is most praiseworthy.

The current foster-care system, apparently based on historic norms, does not address the handicap and difficulty of foster teens in a world where transition to adulthood or independent living is 21 to 25 years of age. Reduction of vocational skills training at the high school level in Texas has contributed to the transition deficit. Since more than 2,000 Texas teens age out of foster care per year, it seems this need could be met more completely by changes to the foster-care system. Transition benefits likely would be a small fraction of the current cost of homeless teens and issues that are borne by the state or others.

Since foster homes inherit much of the burden by default, such a program would be a strong encouragement to maintain the foster-care system.

Bill Fellers

Trent

Jon Randles' work outstanding

What an outstanding ministry Jon Randles has given our Lord and this state with his work as director of the Texas Baptist evangelism team.  His enthusiasm—both for our Lord Jesus and seeing the lost saved—has been powerful and effective! 

His service has not been due to a title or position he held. His service came from his heart and desire to impact the kingdom of God in an evangelistic way! 

As he has asked before, “What do you ooze?”  Jon Randles “oozes” an evangelistic fervor and positive encouragement for folks in our pews as well as church staff members to get outside the church and practice the evangelism we hear and preach! 

Frank Teat

Henderson

Muslims in the military

Do we need a debate on whether Muslims should serve in the U.S. armed forces?

My grandson Kirkland turned a year old a couple of months after 9-11. We have been at war in Muslim countries all of his life. Kirkland, like many other little boys, looks up to the U.S. armed forces. His No. 1 ambition is to fight for this United States of America when he is grown. That’s only 9 years away, and I pray everyday God will guard and guide Kirkland’s ambition. Every day, I ask God to give him a little bit of extra special attention for that day; wondering if I may have to pray that prayer someday when Kirkland actually fights in a foreign Muslim land.

There is no question in Kirkland’s 9-year-old mind that he will fight for freedom if needed. My family on my father’s side started fighting for freedom way back in the Revolutionary War and in the Civil War. My mother had three brothers who fought in World War II. She had an uncle who fought and died in World War I. I have a brother who went to Vietnam. We have family who served in Korea. One of my great nephews served two tours in Iraq.

Non-Muslim armies are fighting for the freedom of those Muslims who are busy debating what part they should play in fighting to keep this free America many of them call home! Is a debate really necessary?

Joyce M. Brumley

Grand Prairie

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 considerations, limit letters to 250 words, and only one letter per writer per quarter.