One of the great challenges of following Jesus involves learning from estranged Christians and—gasp!—unbelievers. Most Christians believe we possess divine truth. So, we’re naturally disinclined to receive truth from “others.”

But we err when we discount their veracity out of hand. We rob ourselves of vital lessons, and we rob them of dialogue that may help them glimpse God’s truth.

Editor Marv KnoxThis is valid for at least two reasons. First, all truth is God’s truth, and God tends to spread truth promiscuously, much like the Sower in Jesus’ parable. Second, people can express truth, even when their words are subject to dispute. The passion conveyed in questionable comments often is poignantly true.

This summer, I’ve learned from non-Christians and people who once believed. They sent me emails after I wrote editorials about Texas’ new abortion law. The first editorial called on Texas Christians to get ready to help take care of the babies who will be born because of the law. The second editorial presented common reactions to the first editorial.

Along the way, I received personal and often painful emails. They expressed surprise to find an empathetic discussion of abortion and at-risk children and mothers on a Baptist website. They came from people who, for the most part, carry emotional scars inflicted by Christians.

I’ve decided to share excerpts of those emails with you. Prepare to be shocked. Most likely, you’ll disagree with what they say, or at least how they interpret what they have seen. But read nondefensively. Try to learn from their experiences and recognize how to embody the presence of Jesus to people who have been hurt by Christians.

We might be stoned

“I married a boy from a good Baptist home, his father a minister of the gospel. We went to church. We embraced it all, and when our children were born, we took them before the congregation and ‘gave them back to God.’ We were there every time the doors were open. But then the Sunday school teachers kept bringing up politics, and we came to realize we just didn’t fit in to that church anymore. If, heaven forbid, they found out we were dirty, filthy liberals, we might be stoned. …

“I personally consider myself a Christian and have a very clear daily dialogue with Jesus. But my husband has pretty much become an atheist. …

“The church will never be what you describe, because the majority of members really do enjoy the ‘I’m better than you because …’ part of it.”

“Holier than thou”

“I left the Baptist church after 55 years due to the irresponsibility shown towards poverty and due to the ‘holier-than-thou’ tactics of congregants.”

Proud to renounce Christianity

“I gave up on Christians long ago. … I place my faith in your continued failure. Maybe if you loved more and hated less … we might all be in a better place. I am proud to renounce my Christianity and dissolve any ties to that organization.”

Judgment vs. compassion

“I have never doubted the compassion of the Christ, but many of his followers believe in judgment rather than compassion. I hope that this editorial is a sign of much-needed change.”

Turned away

“The hypocrites in religion have turned so many, like me, away from organized religion. If the pro-birth members of the GOP were to write such an editorial, they would replace ‘babies’ with the word ‘parasite.’

“While I remain firmly pro-choice, I feel if everyone who is not had your rational mindset, we would have little need to argue. We waste too many resources on this struggle, resources that could go to supporting mothers and families who find no or little choice available to them.”

Perspective from a pro-lifer

“I came with a group that offered pregnancy counseling services from a Christian perspective. …

“There was way too much quoting of Scripture to a secular crowd that had no point of reference. It was as if we were speaking Chinese to them! …

“I was appalled that a preacher at the rally at the Capitol said to the crowd, ‘Whether the folks in orange realize it or not, they are tools of Satan.’ I watched the pro-choice folks …, and I was ashamed I was in blue. … Yelling that in the public square makes them recoil in hate and widens the divide.

“Before we roll up our sleeves to take on the task ahead of us, I know we must get on our knees and repent of our disdain of those who are ‘not like us.’ Our first order of business as the church in Texas is to be filled with the Spirit of God so we can truly love the lost and show compassion. Otherwise, our work will be nothing more than a clanging cymbal. We must remember the Lord’s kindness leads to repentance. They will know we are Christians by our love.”

Pro-birth, not pro-life

“In my four years at (a Texas Baptist university), I witnessed a lot of hypocrisy by some of my fellow students who would proclaim a moral high ground because of their Southern Baptist affiliation and yet fail to treat their fellow humans with respect and kindness. For a girl who grew up with ‘And they will know we are Christians by our Love’ as her favorite hymn and thought the Golden Rule trumped any kind of denominational in-fighting, it was devastating. …

“For the non-Christian population—and even for many from the less theologically conservative end of Christianity—a single-minded political fervor and legislative impetus to ensure every baby is born, while there is either silence on or advocacy for the reduction of services and resources that help a child … does look like the only value is pro-birth, and not at all pro-life.”

Success questionable

“I fear the people who supported the bill the most have the least care about taking responsibility for the consequences that will naturally follow.

“We do indeed need to get ready to take care of these babies. However, based on how we take care of those already with us, I question how successful we will be with the ‘help’ of our Texas Legislature.”

“I’ll take my chances with hell”

“The majority of those who claim to be Christians are actually just materialistic, feel-good-on-Sunday Pharisees. …

“I hope you and every other Baptist answers before God someday for the suffering you are going to cause and have already caused by curtailing contraceptive availability. … While reducing abortion availability may have some argument, reducing availability of contraceptives to poor working women does not, and you and your lot are responsible for that as well. And increased contraceptive availability is proven, statistically, to reduce abortions! Yet it was de-funded! …

“Be proud and smug about yourselves. You can claim every poor woman’s death now as your own personal ‘kill,’ like in some sort of childish video game. Be proud of your body count, because that is what you’ve created.

“I don’t know if there is a God or not, Mr. Knox. But if there is and if that … group—mean-spirited, hypocritical—embodies what he represents, I think I’ll take my chances with hell.”

The way backwards

“We can thank Texas for leading the way backwards toward a Christian version of Sharia law, where woman are marginalized baby factories, under the thumbs of their male-dominated society. Because that’s what the Legislature really wants, isn’t it?

“Are we so out of touch with reality to think that politicians—the most protected and corrupt members of our society—are looking to make the lives of women and children ‘better’? No.”

Marching in lockstep

“I’m continually shocked this decade by the hostile actions … against women, children, minorities, and immigrants. And I’m further dismayed by the Christian Right, who marches lockstep behind them. Do they believe Jesus would really treat people this way?”

Lack of Christian compassion

“I am very concerned about the lack of compassion and assistance that is offered by Christians to those who are marginalized by today’s culture.

“About 15 years ago, I applied for and received public assistance for me and my two children for about a year. … I worked three part-time jobs at the time and was very grateful for food stamps and health care. … I was not lazy, uneducated or unmotivated, and I have never felt a sense of entitlement. I feel both sad and resentful when my ‘friends’ and ‘peers’ speak with such scorn, anger and bitterness about those who receive benefits.

“I can honestly say that no one ever offered to help in any way with my (autistic) son—not even to offer to stay with him while I bought groceries. … I can guarantee that no one who adamantly opposes abortion would be willing or able to care for my son. …

I have wondered many times whether my son would have been more fortunate if I had, in fact, had an abortion. I cannot imagine life without him, but I can certainly understand a woman seriously considering that option for an unborn child. …

“And I frequently find, as I get older, that I question exactly where God can be found in the Christian culture of today.”

Final thoughts from Marv …

Do these comments break your heart as they broke mine? You may be angry with me for publishing them, or for publishing them without refuting them point-by-point. That’s your right. But I hope you tuned in to the pain and agony they expressed. The truth of these statements lies in the experiences of the people who shared them. Their pain and sense of estrangement comprise a reality—a truth—with which we must deal.

Several times, I responded to these dear people: “I’m so sorry for your pain. If I had been treated as some Christians apparently treated you, I don’t doubt I would feel as you do now. I hope and pray you will encounter kind and compassionate Christians who will embody Jesus’ love for you. Millions of them are scattered all over the world. And even the sweetest and gentlest only dimly reflect divine compassion.”

You may be thinking, “I’m not the kind of Christian who turned these people away from God.” I pray you’re right. But all of us need to strive daily to express Christian love into a hurting world. And thinking kind thoughts isn’t enough. We must express that love tangibly and practically. Taking care of babies, children, mothers and pregnant women is an excellent place to start.

It was a crazy awesome miraculous first week at Restoration House, a ministry that focuses on rescuing girls from human trafficking. When we arrived, we found out four girls were very sick, and the supervisor suggested some of the girls were being attacked spiritually.

It was more intense than I ever imagined. The girls said they could audible hear voices telling them to kill themselves and harm others. It took several days before they could approach us and tell us this.

Now we have new sisters in the family of God. The girls who were being attacked turned away from the other things they worshiped and decided to follow Jesus.

Spiritual warfare continued. On one occasion, our translator began to choke up and lost her voice. When we brought the other translator in, the exact same thing happened. Then a girl began yelling, telling us that someone was yelling horrendous things at her.

After two hours of praying by four Christians, we finally were able to share the gospel. There was a moment of thick darkness, but light came through and the girl chose Jesus.

Everyday here has been very intense. We have heard several stories that truly make my heart break. I don’t understand why these girls have had to suffer so much, but I know that I have placed my faith in the one true Redeemer. Jesus is the only one who can color their world and make beautiful things. We have also heard beautiful stories of redemption about girls that were trafficked and rescued.

It has been a few days but it feels like months. I’m being stretched in new ways and taken into areas of my walk that I was not sure I was ready for, but the greatest Counselor of all has made me courageous and guides me faithfully.

Jessica, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, is serving with Go Now Missions in South Asia. Her last name is withheld for security reasons.

Some people claim world religions essentially agree on moral perspectives. Is that true? And if so, why can’t we find common ground rather than argue as adversaries?

Although there are many differences in world religions, virtually all claim they support peace. This is true even in most secular humanists’ and atheists’ writings. Unfortunately, many wars and much violence have been perpetrated in the name of religion. This has led some to suggest doing away with religion is the road to peace. But atheistic communism in the 20th century produced the slaughter of an estimated 110 million people.

The history of humanity is soaked in the blood of those killed in the names of both religion and atheism. What hope do we ever have of finding the peace most religions teach and even most secular humanists and atheists want?

Problem of the heart

As Christians, we know there will not be total peace until the Prince of Peace reigns supreme. The Bible tells us the problem is in the human heart. We have rebellious and selfish hearts. That is why Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, Hindus, humanists, atheists and others often fail to live up to the highest and best teachings of their own religion or philosophy. The problem is intensified when we stress how different many of our fundamental beliefs are, rather than stressing commonalities we share.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Jesus commends not those who love peace, but those who actively work for it. As his followers, we should work with everyone committed to seeking peace. This means knowing the teachings of other faiths and philosophies so we can actively pursue common ground. The Great Commission does not preclude us finding common ground with others; it requires it.

Finding common ground

Many sincere Christians fear conversations with other faiths will lead to compromise. But conversations and cooperation do not have to result in compromise. Building a bridge for evangelism begins with finding common ground. No one ever has been coerced into sincerely adopting another point of view or faith.

Like Jesus, we must start with people “where they are” to lead them to “where they need to be.” Most of the world’s religions desire peace, and that provides a positive starting point—not only to work together toward that common goal, but also ultimately to bring people into relationship with the Prince of Peace.

Hebrews 12:14 instructs Christians to “strive for peace with everyone…” as an important part of living a holy life. And Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Being a committed Christian requires pursuing peace and living in peace. We dishonor and ignore the teachings and example of our Master when we let our fear of or disdain for those who believe differently keep us from loving them and pursuing peace with them—even though as Christians we know ultimate peace awaits the eschaton.

Alan D. Stanford, senior pastor

Leesburg Community Church

Leesburg, Va.

Right or Wrong? is co-sponsored by the Texas Baptist theological education office and Christian Life Commission. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to  bill.tillman@texasbaptists.org.

Hello, Texas Baptists! The Family Gathering, held in San Antonio at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, was a wonderful experience for all who were able to attend. Please allow me to thank publicly those on our Texas Baptist Executive Board staff and from the Baptist General Convention of Texas-affiliated churches who worked so hard to make this year’s annual meeting such a success.

David HardageI especially want to thank Kyle Henderson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Athens, and Andy Pitman, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lufkin, who originally had this idea. For everyone who worked to make it happen and to everyone who attended and received the blessing: Thank you!

Now, looking ahead, please plan to be a part of our next BGCT convention in November 2014 in Waco. It is about 15 months away, but I am already looking forward to the experience.

My convention experience in San Antonio got off to a rousing start when I was able to preach at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where Jerry Dailey has been serving as pastor 28 years. These folks know how to do church on Sunday morning in worship and during the week through ministry. Kathleen and I were so blessed by their gracious hospitality.

Thanks also to David Higgs, pastor of First Baptist Church of Henderson, for allowing me to fill the pulpit there on the Sunday following the Family Gathering. Gloria Mills, our state Woman’s Missionary Union president, gave me such a kind introduction, and the church is so healthy, full and strong. It was a delightful day for us.

I hope you can join us at the Catch the Boomer Wave: National Boomer Ministry Conference Sept. 5-6 at First Baptist Church of Allen. There will be great entertainment, excellent training and the opportunity to network with others from all over the country who are working to reach boomers. For more information, contact Keith Lowry, Texas Baptists’ adult Sunday school consultant, at keith.lowry@texasbaptists.org or by calling (214) 828-5206.

David Hardage is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.

One day, a bird was talking to a fish.

“I’ll never know, I will never understand how you can stand to always be splashing around in that cold, wet lake,” he said to his friend the trout swimming below him. “I could not bear it. It is too confining. You must long to be like me, soaring among the clouds and taking my rest upon tree branches.”

Rich MusslerThe trout replied to his friend: “Jay, no, I wouldn’t, actually. It’s a blessing for me to be here. This is where I live. This is my home. I’m comfortable here. My friends are here. I have no desire to fly around like you. If I were taken out of my element, I’d die unless I was tossed back in—and the sooner the better.”

That is how I feel about being in church. I think it is generally true with most believers.

Our native element

The native element of the Christian is his church. He’s comfortable there. His friends are with him. He has no desire to escape the family of God or from his Master’s will and service; and if for a time he is taken away from church, he grows uncomfortable. The Christian feels he would die if he could not worship the Lord in church with other believers on Sunday mornings. Like a fish out of water, he wants to be tossed back in—and the sooner the better.

The unbeliever looks at us and says, “I’ll never know, I will never understand how you can bear to always be in church. It’s full of narrow-minded hypocrites! And you give them your money? I don’t get it. I could not bear it. You must long to live like me, soaring among intellectuals and free to take my rest upon any branch of theory that suits me.”

Um, no. I wouldn’t, actually.

Different desires of the heart

The Bible teaches that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). As believers, the desire of our hearts is not the same as the desires of unbelievers. A fish doesn’t desire what a jay desires.

Delight yourselves in the Lord, my friends. He alone gives us our hearts’ desire, for he alone knows that what our hearts most desire is more and more and more of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A believer out of church is a fish out of water. If you find yourself out, get tossed back in. And the sooner the better.

Rich Mussler is a writer from Flower Mound who swims with other fish at First Baptist Church in Lewisville.

This summer, I have been praying for divine appointments in South Asia. Honestly, my heart hurts deeply for this place. My biggest prayer is for God’s truth to be shared and embraced in the darkest corners of South Asia.

Recently, we were prayer-walking around a Hindu temple in the city. These temples are incredibly dark places. Hundreds of people are shoving you to make their daily sacrifices to their idols as they desperately try to mark themselves with “holy” water. Darkness is prevalent. It is overwhelming. Honestly, it is devastating at times. But, the Father allowed his glory and message to be revealed inside this particular temple.

A tour of the temple

We were prayer walking, and a temple priest offered to give us a tour. We were intrigued.. During the tour, the priest took us to a private section of the temple. This section had a pool of “holy” water only for the priests. He explained we could not wash in the water, but we could give sacrifices to the massive statue of Shiva. We were able to share with the priest inside the temple the entire gospel message. I was blown away by the opportunity!

The priest was intrigued. He said he had heard of Christ, however, he had never heard the Gospel story. The Holy Spirit was working in his heart by compelling him to ask more questions. Although he did not accept the message that day, the Father is working on his heart. I have never been so confident in the work of the Holy Spirit.

Pray for chains to be broken

I believe the Lord will continue to compel him to search into God’s heart and message. Pray for chains of darkness to be broken.  Pray for him to submit to the freedom that is only found in Jesus Christ. This summer, I have been overblown by the Father’s constant display of his love and gospel in such radical and tangible ways—even in the midst of the darkest of places

Rebecca, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, is serving with Go Now Missions in South Asia. Her last name is withheld for security reasons.

We spent all morning setting up for our community-wide block party with help from the 300-member Prestonwood Baptist Church youth choir. The morning turned to noon, and things became frustrating as the large bounce house failed to inflate.

Sam SweetinAs I walked away feeling frustrated, God reminded me why we were setting up bounce houses and giving away 500 hot dogs in the first place to engage the community of Richmond, British Columbia, with the truth and life of Jesus Christ.

Conversation

I quickly redirected my steps in order to introduce myself to a Chinese family enjoying hot dogs in the shade. They were really inviting and had a lot of question about why all of these high school students were running around giving out free snowcones and playing games with the many children. To say the least, the conversation quickly turned toward Jesus and the Church.

I made an effort to explain why we were here through the gospel and that our ultimate motive was the redeeming love of Christ and his transforming power. However, like many of the other conversations I have had over the past few weeks with other people in the neighborhood, there was little to no response nor any interest in the things of God. My frustration began to increase. I began to question if God was using this block party in any way possible. I am thankful that God is good at proving me wrong.

Everything changed

As soon as I began to walk away, Emily, the other intern here in Richmond, called me over to a group of two students from Prestonwood and informed me that they had just led two eighth-grade boys to Christ. Everything had changed. As the angels in heaven were singing for joy at the obedience of these two new brothers in Christ, I began to truly understand and experience how the Kingdom of God works.

Over our four weeks here in Richmond, the only fruit we had seen were people simply asking question about Jesus, which for us was a blessing to see. But now it’s a joy to see how God is using all of our work within his own timing to bring about life changing salvation.

Plowing, sowing and watering

I am reminded that the power to bring a person from death to life and into a saving relationship with Jesus belongs to Jesus himself. At the same time, I’m also reminded that God grants us the joy of plowing, sowing and watering the seeds of the gospel in people lives through every conversation we engage in.

It’s encouraging to think that although Satan may tempt me to believe that the conversation I had with the Chinese family earlier may have appeared to be a failure, I really have no idea what God is truly doing in the hearts of those wonderful people he has created. He holds the power to life and death. We are simply joyful laborers God chooses to use in his overall redemptive work. Although I may not be there to witness someone bow their knee to the King of Kings, I am overflowing with joy to know that the kingdom of God is forcibly advancing here in Richmond, British Columbia.

Sam Sweetin, a student at Texas A&M University, is serving with Go Now Missions in Richmond, British Columbia.

The organization we are working with here in South Asia focuses on rescuing girls from human trafficking before they cross an international border. We have learned that once a girl crosses, if she isn’t rescued within 48 hours, you can consider her lost in the trafficking world.

It is amazing to hear about all the miracles that have happened through the ministry of Restoration House. At times it is hard to believe, but our God is amazing and works in marvelous ways.

Many obstacls to face

The organization has rescued hundreds of girls, but since funds are low and there are many obstacles to face, only some of the girls can make it into the safe house. But all the girls receive some counseling and are educated about trafficking. Some of the girls already had been trafficked domestically and others were being trafficked.

The girls in the safe houses are considered high-risk. This is where I will be spending the entire time in South Asia, living with 18 girls who were rescued, three translators, a housemother and three teammates

Girls who have been rescued have become the women that stand at the border and rescue other girls, or they become church planters in their villages. It is amazing to see that only through Jesus have these girls been able to find an identity and the courage to turn around and help other girls who could possibly be in the same situation they were in.

God is sovereign

I’m awestruck at how God is sovereign and mighty to save.

Half of the girls in the house have accepted Jesus. We will be doing discipleship and just plain listening to their stories. They all have a story, and we want to laugh with them, cry with them and just be the support they need. This only happens because Jesus has healed us and restored us. We can only give the hope he has given us.

Jessica, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, is serving with Go Now Missions in South Asia. Her last name is withheld for security reasons.

Go To Topics: Abortion, Family Gathering, Military, Glorieta, Duncanville Teens

SBC ‘flip-flops’ on abortion

Why has the SBC flip-flopped on abortion?

When my wife and I married, our Southern Baptist pastor, E.S. James (later editor of the Baptist Standard), advised us should she become pregnant not to go to a Catholic doctor or hospital because they would let her die to save a fetus. Baptist married couples that we knew received the same advice.

During the 1971 and 1974 Southern Baptist Conventions, Southern Baptists were called upon “to work for legislation that will allow the possibility of abortion under such conditions as rape, incest, clear evidence of severe fetal deformity and carefully ascertained evidence of the likelihood of damage to the emotional, mental and physical health of the mother.”

Prominent Southern Baptist W.A. Criswell declared his satisfaction with Roe v. Wade: “I have always felt that it was only after a child was born and had life separate from the mother that it became an individual person, and it always has, therefore, seemed to me that what is best for the mother and for the future should be allowed.”

W. Barry Garrett of Baptist Press wrote, “Religious liberty, human equality and justice are advanced by the Supreme Court abortion decision.”

Those who believe the Genesis creation story know Adam was not a living soul until God gave him the breath of life. Why did the Bible begin saying something different?

Robert Flynn

San Antonio

Support open adoptions

Thank you for a wonderful set  of editorials. It is very rare I agree with everything said but you almost hit it perfectly.

The only difference is a small one—I strongly believe in only fully open adoption. I went out of the business of doing adoptions in 1999 but have strongly supported such alternatives in fully open adoptions constantly.  See the American Association of Open Adoption Agencies. The secrecy forced on birth mothers and adoptees by Texas adoption laws should be eliminated and become a true choice.

Bill Betzen

Dallas

Care for babies and children

An excellent editorial  on our responsibility on caring for babies and children. I have been espousing such ideas with people of our Catholic faith.

Adoption costs are exorbitant. Let’s make them more affordable for parents who want to adopt but don’t have the funds.

Jesus never said government must stay out of helping the poor and disadvantaged. Federal and state governments can provide programs for these children. Our communities can provide support for education and distribution of assistance. Catholic Charities does an excellent job helping people. Not all our communities can provide programs to support children and families, so that is where the government can be of assistance.

From inception to death, we need to support our brothers and sisters who are in need. In this cycle, I believe we can make our society better—less crime, productive, contributing, compassionate. Thank you for writing this article. It has been way too long coming. Now, where do we start?

I have witnessed some of my family members who have been impacted by abortion, adoption and curtailment of helpful government programs. I also have lost an unborn daughter at seven months from toxemia. We were devastated as young parents-to-be. I am currently retired. I value human life and have enough trust in individual free will, which our Lord has bestowed upon us. God bless all of us to do his will!

Gary Ferreira

Weatherford

Another view on abortion

Regarding “Senator cites Hardage in letter arguing for abortion restrictions,” David Hardage may be expressing the position of Southern Baptists, but he is not expressing the position of all Baptists.

A resolution from the American Baptist Churches General Board states “We acknowledge the diversity of deeply held convictions within our fellowship, even as we seek to interpret the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many American Baptists believe that, biblically, human life begins at conception, that abortion is immoral and a destruction of a human being created in God’s image (Job 31:15; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44; Proverbs 31:8-9; Galatians 1:15). Many others believe that while abortion is a regrettable reality, it can be a morally acceptable action, and they choose to act on the biblical principles of compassion and justice (John 8:1-11; Exodus 21:22-25; Matthew 7:1-5; James 2:2-13) and freedom of will (John 16:13; Roman 14:4-5, 10-13).

“Many gradations of opinion between these basic positions have been expressed within our fellowship.

“We also recognize that we are divided as to the proper witness of the church to the state regarding abortion. Many of our membership seek legal safeguards to protect unborn life. Many others advocate for and support family planning legislation, including legalized abortion as in the best interest of women in particular and society in general. Again, we have many points of view between these two positions. Consequently, we acknowledge the freedom of each individual to advocate for a public policy on abortion that reflects his or her beliefs.”

Sally J. Lewis

Henderson

Annual meeting: ‘Excellent step’

Thanks for the truthful, powerful expression of the spirit of the Family Gathering. As one who had longed for the annual meeting to become more engaging and exciting, I believe we made an excellent step last week. Even reporting to my church I didn’t need to use the “preacher voice” to express the enthusiasm I honestly felt.

We owe much to the work of a group who saw this need a few years ago and presented a report that has begun to be implemented to increase the energy of our annual meeting. That committee deserves our gratitude for their vision, and our efforts to accurately implement their recommendations as adopted by the convention.

Jay Abernathy

Palestine

Military still enjoys religious freedom

The U.S. Army chief of chaplains recently put out a memo that relates to the topic of “Conservatives say religious freedom is under attack in the military.”

There are no changes since I entered the Army in 1956. The policy was good then and now. We were taught in basic school not to push our religion on others.

A Church of Christ chaplain would tell soldiers they were going to hell unless they were a member of his church. He was reprimanded and ultimately released from active duty.

The biggest violation I ever witnessed was the chief of staff of a division. He was responsible for supervising chaplains and was a devout Southern Baptist. He told the 17 chaplains what they should be preaching. Wow! The division chaplain had the courage to tell the colonel that he was out of line.

Last month, someone said to me, “Isn’t it awful that chaplains can’t talk about Jesus any more.” I explained that is a lie, because I don’t know what else to call it.

Last summer, I attended the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and had lunch with chaplains. They were a wonderful group and made us feel so proud.

Ask yourself: Do you want a 19-year-old Muslim starting a fight in the barracks promoting his religion? In my basic course in 1956, we had a fight in the barracks between two chaplains who could not stand each other’s religious beliefs. I don’t think they ever got active duty.

Jack R. Milligan, chaplain, Lt. Col. Retired

Highland Village

Glorieta 2.0 should pay fair value

If Glorieta 2.0 cannot afford to be fair and equitable to the leaseholders of Glorieta and buy their homes for fair market value as well as make improvements to Glorieta for their ministry, then I strongly encourage them to not enter into this sales agreement with LifeWay. Their ministry will not be blessed by God, as he is most assuredly disappointed with their treatment of fellow believers.

No one is forcing them to enter into this business opportunity for their corporation, but the homeowners are being forced to donate their lifelong investments to a less-than-worthy charity. That should be illegal in the US of A.

The media is being misled into believing many homeowners are for this. I believe there are far more homeowners unwilling to go down without a fight.

Karen Foster

Glorieta, N.M.

Duncanville teens

I have just read an article by Molly Livingstone about the teenagers of First Baptist Church in Duncanville.  Thank God for teenagers who give up their time to help others in need. They could have been doing what other teenagers do on their own time, like hanging out at a favorite restaurant or other places, just visiting with each other. The teenagers at First Baptist in Duncanville chose to have fun helping others. I thank God for them. And I thank God for my young granddaughter, Molly Livingstone, who wrote and took photos for this informative article.

Katherine Crawford

Tyler

Some years ago, R.T. Moore penned an interesting parable based on the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:9.

It seems the Carpenter’s tools had a conference.

Brother Hammer was in the chair, but the others had just informed him he must leave, because he was too noisy. “All right, I’ll go, but if I leave, Brother Screw must go also,” he said. “Why, you have to turn him around again and again to get him to go anywhere.”

A critical spirit

To which Brother Screw replied: “If you wish, I’ll go, but Brother Plane must leave as well. All of his work is on the surface. There is never any depth to it.”

To this, Brother Plane replied, “Well, Brother Rule will also have to withdraw if I do, for he is always measuring folks as though he were the only one who is right.”

Brother Rule in turn complained about Brother Sandpaper, saying: “I just don’t care. He’s rougher than he ought to be, and he’s always rubbing people the wrong way.”

In the midst of the discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He had come to perform his day’s work. He went to the bench to make a pulpit from which to preach the gospel to the poor. He employed the screw, the sandpaper, the saw, the hammer, the plane and all the other tools.

Enlightenment at last

After the day’s work was over and the pulpit was finished, Brother Saw arose and said, “Brethren, I perceive that all of us are laborers together with God.”

How many Christians are just like those tools, criticizing each other because we think someone does not do things just the way he should? There was not an accusation made against any one of the tools but that was absolutely true, but Jesus used them all to accomplish his purpose.

We always will accomplish more working together than we ever could working alone.

–Don Gibson is executive director of Texas Baptist Men.

I heard someone say our sensitivity to global childhood mortality reflects our Christian character. What does that mean?

Your question may illustrate the old adage, “Out of sight; out of mind.” I wonder how many people realize almost 19,000 children under the age of 5 died every day in 2011, the year with he latest figures available. This amount—almost 6.9 million annually—has fallen from 12 million in 1990.

One of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations is to reduce infant mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. Predictions suggest hat the target will be reached in some regions, but not in others, such as Southern Asian and Sub-Saharan Africa. Progress can be celebrated, but the overwhelming numbers still dying daily can be demoralizing.

Some progress

Childhood deaths have been lowered in recent years because of the reduction of childhood diseases, such as measles, pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria. These and other diseases can be reduced substantially by affordable actions and provisions as immunizations, basic health care and safe drinking water.

Multiple nongovernmental agencies have partnered with governments to help reduce disease and death: Compassion International, Childfund International, formerly Christian Children’s Fund and World Vision.

Several of these organizations televise pleas to support children in areas of poverty for around $30 per month. That their ads can bring tears to our eyes or prompt us to change channels raises the question of our Christian character. Most of us, I think, understand the plight of the children in our world. We remember Jesus blessed children during his earthly ministry. But do we recognize we are part of a global community and we bear some responsibility for the plight of children?

Jesus indicated the importance of spreading good news to all people. Other specific texts could be referenced, but the entire body of Scripture highlights God created and loves all the world and expects us to care for others. I find Micah 6:8 an excellent reference to summarize our responsibility: “He has told you, O man, what is good; / And what does the LORD require of you / But to do justice, to love kindness, / And to walk humbly with your God?”

Choose to be like Christ

While Christian character is more than our response to a TV commercial, that response may be indicative of our character. Character is formed from our habitual actions to be like Christ—choosing right over wrong, good over evil.

The enormity of the problem of global childhood mortality may demoralize us to the point of inaction. A generous character, encouraged by Christian hope, spurs us to address the issue. You may send money and/or encourage others in your churches to do likewise. You may lead your church in becoming more aware of the issue, so that funds can be raised to improve the health of children.

You may make direct contact through mission action projects with members of your congregation. You could work with international groups that address children’s issues. Any and all of these provide a way for one’s Christian character to be identified and applied.

David Morgan, pastor

Trinity Baptist Church

Harker Heights, Texas

Right or Wrong? is co-sponsored by the Texas Baptist theological education office and Christian Life Commission. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to bill.tillman@texasbaptists.org.

“This just feels right!” and “This is Texas Baptists!” are two of the many positive comments people made to me as I stood in the Baptist University of the Américas’ booth during the Texas Baptist Family Gathering in San Antonio.

René MacielI agree but would expand and expound to note it was more of a kingdom gathering: “If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Maybe we should take Jesus’ prayer a little more seriously: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10).

Family reunion

It was kind of surreal to see Texas Baptists’ different cultures and languages together as one—mixing, mingling, conversing. It felt right, and it was a wonderful experience even for children to be a part of this family event. Just like at a biological family reunion, it was great to see and meet family members we had not been around in a long time. It was great to hear their voices and to learn about their lives, to feel the connection of being related by the bond of love—Jesus’ love.

Is this what God intended for his body, the church? Was this a dress rehearsal?

Personally, I loved it, and I would like to have more practice—more practice to be one, to embrace my brothers, to embrace the different cultures, the different languages and the different styles of worship.

Spirit of unity

Another person said to me: “There is just a great spirit here. Can you feel it?” I did, and it was a wonderful spirit of unity, and it is the spirit I would like to see each year, a spirit of one, and a spirit of Texas Baptists gathering.

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9-10)

–René Maciel is president of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio