Archive for October 2011
Special Report: Homosexuality
Texan special report on homosexuality: The following links are stories included in the special report on homosexuality published in the Oct. 31, 2011 edition of the Southern Baptist Texan. http://texanonline.net/news/sbc-gender-issues-expert-says-grace-diligence-key/ http://texanonline.net/news/christian-parents-must-fast-pray-love/ http://texanonline.net/news/a-biblical-response-to-i-was-born-this-way/ http://texanonline.net/news/can-the-homosexual-condition-be-prevented-author-says-yes-1/ http://texanonline.net/news/grounded-in-scripture-pastors-can-help-those-struggling-with-homosexuality-1/ http://texanonline.net/news/prof-jesus-redemptive-power-can-change-homosexuals/ http://texanonline.net/news/with-grace-speak-truth-ignore-intimidation/ [...]
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SBC name change task force holds inaugural meeting
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- The task force appointed to study the prospect of changing the Southern Baptist Convention's name held its first meeting Oct. 26 at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Convention President Bryant Wright announced the 20-member task force during the opening session of the SBC [...]
Continue ReadingFIRST-PERSON: Total capitulation & the evangelical surrender of truth
EDITOR'S NOTE: This column references an Oct. 17 op-ed in The New York Times, "The Evangelical Rejection of Reason," by Karl W. Giberson and Randall J. Stephens. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Evangelical Christians are not surprised to find themselves analyzed and criticized within the pages of the secular press. After all, [...]
Continue ReadingChristian parents must fast, pray, love
By Kate Taylor | TEXAN Correspondent Mom, Im gay. These three words can unleash a firestorm in the heart of a parent and the life of a family, shaking foundations to their core. Parents expect to guide their children through many stages of growth and change, hoping to instill basic Christian principles. [...]
Continue ReadingSBC gender issues expert says grace, diligence key
Bens struggle with same-sex attraction and sexual addiction began in his early teens. His dad served in the ministry and his family was passionate about their faith, but it never connected with Ben. He felt isolated by his struggle and disconnected with his father, who as a minister was everyones dad. His [...]
Continue ReadingCongregation of 120 going for God here and abroad
ACADEMY—At First Baptist Church of Academy, it might be easy to believe that a small church in a small town in rural Texas can’t be involved in missions or have an impact on the world. But Pastor Brent Boatwright and his congregation of 120 isn’t letting its size or location [...]
Continue ReadingA biblical response to I was born this way
By Mike Goeke Recently, I was talking with my young son about his behavior with a babysitter. He had done some things clearly against babysitter protocol, and rather than own his error, he said: Dad, Im not perfect. He was using his innate imperfection as some form of justification for his [...]
Continue ReadingBlessings await at SBTC Bible Conference
In my last column I encouraged you to put Tuesday night, Nov. 15 on your calendar for the “Praying & Going Around the World” celebration. You will want to be present to experience the effort to embrace the unengaged. With so many demands on your time, I know you have [...]
Continue ReadingSWBTS trustees approve leading-edge Ph.D.
FORT WORTH—A new Ph.D. in world Christian studies is being developed at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, after trustees approved it in their Oct. 18-19 meeting. Contingent on accreditors approving it, the innovative program is likely to attract the interest of international missionaries who would be able to remain on the [...]
Continue ReadingProf: Jesus redemptive power can change homosexuals
FORT WORTHThe essential message of the church in the debate over homosexuality and gender identity must echo the apostle Pauls: Homosexuality can be overcome through Christs redemptive power, stated Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ethics professor Evan Lenow in a recent conference at the Fort Worth campus. Homosexuality in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [...]
Continue ReadingWith grace, speak truth, ignore intimidation
Widely applied no-bullying rules in public schools coupled with advocacy from gay and lesbian organizations have made some public schools a hostile environment for those who criticize homosexuality, even in a non-threatening manner. One example in Texas: In September, a Fort Worth high school student stated in German class that his [...]
Continue ReadingGrounded in Scripture, pastors can help those struggling with homosexuality
Most youth and college pastors may be striving against the cultural grain to equip their students to stand on biblical truth. And in some cases, especially when dealing with homosexuality, they might need to call a Christian counselor for help. Frank Catanzaro, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor of education and Christian [...]
Continue ReadingCan the homosexual condition be prevented? Author says Yes
Can early intervention help a young person who has homosexual inclinations, thoughts, or curiosities, even those who have begun to experiment sexually? According to author Don Schmierer, the answer is a convictional yes. In fact, Schmierers 2003 book An Ounce of Prevention: Preventing the Homosexual Condition in Todays Youth (Promise Publishing [...]
Continue ReadingChristian resources on homosexuality
Recommended by Bob Stith, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission gender issues strategist When Homosexuality Hits Home by Joe Dallas Someone I Love is Gay by Anita Worthen and Bob Davies These two books are excellent resources for anyone who has a loved one struggling with homosexuality. If you suspect someone is dealing with this [...]
Continue ReadingOn Mexico border, churches counter violence with prayer
EL PASO, Texas (BP) -- Testimonies from churches along the Mexican border highlight the need for ongoing prayer that God would curb Mexico's drug violence. A 40-day, multi-denominational prayer effort in El Paso, Texas, for the neighboring Mexican city of Juarez was followed by a reduction in murders. But increased violence [...]
Continue Reading2011 SBTC Annual Meeting Schedule
MONDAY EVENING SESSION Praying and Going in Your Community 6:20 PRE-SESSION MUSIC Choir and Orchestra, First Baptist Church, Odessa Curtis Brewer, associate pastor of worship and celebration 6:30 CALL TO ORDER Byron McWilliams, president, SBTC PRAYER Jeff Campbell, pastor, Bethany Baptist Church, Dallas CONSTITUTING OF THE CONVENTION COMMITTEE ON ORDER OF [...]
Continue ReadingIRS asked to investigate FBC Dallas pastor's endorsement
WASHINGTON (BP) -- A church-state watchdog group has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether or not First Baptist Church of Dallas broke IRS rules in posting videos of Pastor Robert Jeffress endorsing Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry. Jeffress introduced and endorsed the Texas governor at the Values Voter Summit [...]
Continue ReadingAustin TV station features DR teams
Austin television station KVUE featured Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers doing clean-up work following the wildfires in Bastrop. [...]
Continue ReadingSBTC executive director featured at SBC Today blog
SBC Today: What do you think are the greatest challenges confronting the SBC? Dr. Richards: Other than a spiritual awakening, perhaps one major challenge to the SBC is cooperation. The monolithic structure of the Southern Baptist Convention is long gone. We no longer have the stack poles of uniform Sunday school [...]
Continue ReadingANNUAL MEETING: SBTC leaders, IMBs Elliff to call Texas churches to embrace unengaged, unreached peoples
IRVING—The closing session of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual meeting, Nov.14-15 at the Irving Convention Center, will include a call for Texas churches to help engage the estimated 3,600 unengaged people groups worldwide. In August, the SBTC’s Executive Board voted to give $1 million in surplus funds for international [...]
Continue ReadingShould we shop for a church like we shop for a house?
PITTSBURGHMy husband and I are shopping for a new home. Anyone who has endured a new home search knows it can be a long, tedious and often disappointing processparticularly if we insist on steering the ship. How so? Everyone who is looking for a new home has a pocket wish list. To say [...]
Continue ReadingLa Iniciativa al Da
Ya se aproxima la fecha de nuestra Convención de los Bautistas del Sur de Texas (SBTC), que se llevará a cabo los días 14 y 15 de noviembre en Irving. El domingo, día 13 de noviembre tendremos nuestra Sesión en Español a las 6:00 PM en el Grand Ball Room [...]
Continue ReadingGenesis 1 foundational for all of biblical theology, prof says
SPECIAL REPORT: Preaching Genesis 1-11 FORT WORTHMatthew McKellar says ones reading of Genesis 1 affects his reading of Genesis 2 and everything thereafter. Theology begins there. This whole creation account in the biblical theme of things is not something that is nominal or something that we dismiss as, Oh, the creation account [...]
Continue ReadingNoahs Flood foreshadows judgment, safety by grace
SPECIAL REPORT: Preaching Genesis 1-11 FORT WORTHThe story of Noahs Flood in the book of Genesis gives modern-day readers rich insights into a patient judge who rightly punishes sinners but provides safety for those who seek his grace. The good news, said Allen Ross, professor of Old Testament at Beeson Divinity School [...]
Continue ReadingThe Nephilim: OT scholar gives his perspective
SPECIAL REPORT: Preaching Genesis 1:11 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. -Genesis 6:4 FORT WORTHMuch [...]
Continue ReadingSW dean: Babel account rich with theology
SPECIAL REPORT: Preaching Genesis 1-11 FORT WORTHStudying the language, background and theology of the Tower of Babel account makes sermons on it comes to life, David Allen said Sept. 26 at the Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. If I can get you when you preach [...]
Continue ReadingSound biblical interpretation must fuel expository preaching
SPECIAL REPORT: Preaching Genesis 1-11 FORT WORTHSouthwestern Seminary professor Jason Lee urged pastors to let the texts of Scripture rather than apologetic issues drive their preaching, especially in regard to Genesis 1-11. Lee, who teaches hermeneutics at the seminary, explained that while pastors must address questions from doubters and skeptics, these [...]
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