Month: May 2016

Music to their ears: Worshipping God in their native language

The music of Texas is as extensive as the state—a chorus of voices transitioning from English to Spanish to Vietnamese all with one twist of the radio dial. What is foreign to one person’s ear is the sweet sounds of home to another and, for yet another, a reminder of Jesus’s commission to make disciples of all nations. 

Southern Baptists of Texas Convention church planters recognize that the world is moving to Texas and are working to stay ahead of the cultural curve that is redefining the state’s neighborhoods and communities. Churches that minister in a person’s “heart language,” or native language—there are 126 languages spoken in the Lone Star State—are key to reaching such diverse communities. 

For first-generation immigrants, hearing the gospel in their own language can be music to their ears. And being able to worship with the familiar chords, melodies and instruments of their homelands is music to their hearts.

“Music is its own language,” said Larry Tardy, founder of Equip Worship. Tardy’s ministry began in 2012 as a conference for Texas church worship ministers. He was asked to duplicate the conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, where a friend had been working as a church planter. Of the 80 churches represented at the conference only 40 had music leaders.

“Immediately, my heart was burdened,” Tardy said.

His ministry, supported in part by the North American Mission Board to reach its Send Cities, teaches professionalism, not performance, to would-be worship leaders, emphasizing that worship with music should be grounded in Scripture. Upon that foundation, Tardy teaches leaders the technical and musical elements of worship ministry.

Before there is even the first strains of a music ministry, ethnically stylized strains of music can be used to “pre- evangelize,” said Milton Lites, a retired International Mission Board missionary who served 34 years in Asia and Latin America.

“It would be like learning their language,” he said. “It’s a bridge.”

In the field Lites taught music and directed a variety of choral and orchestral groups. Although he has not been involved in missions outreach to immigrants in the United States, Lites said the concept of using music to draw people to the gospel message would not be too different than overseas.

Using “heart music” can open doors for evangelists seeking entry into the community of a specific people or language group.

“It lets them know you are familiar with their culture and that you care about their culture,” Lites said.

While preaching in an immigrant group’s heart language is effective, adding music can have a powerful impact. For example, Lites suggested, if he and other patients were seated in a doctor’s waiting room and he began speaking to the group, only some might pay attention.

“But if you start singing, everybody will listen,” he said.

Tardy recommended pursuing first-generation immigrants, as they are hungry for the things of home. Couching the gospel message in word and song of a specific language serves to draw the attention of unbelievers as well as encourage immigrants who brought their Christian faith with them from home.

Tardy and Lites both have witnessed international congregations slogging through English-language hymns, focusing on word pronunciation instead of word proclamation. But once the music changed to that of their native language, “the energy of the worship experience was full and there was a lot of joy as they sang,” Tardy said.

“Just like evangelism and preaching in the heart language of the people, however, it will inevitably limit who will be attracted. But, in a sense, that is the point,” said Terry Coy, retired director of missions with the SBTC. “Communicating the gospel in words or music in the heart language of the people is inherently limiting; it is to ‘attract’ those of that language who might otherwise not be reached.”

Subsequent generations of immigrant families may share, in part, the heart language and can participate in the worship services inaugurated by their parents. But as the third and fourth generations use more English and less of their grandparents’ language, churches must adjust to accommodate the dual heart languages of their growing congregations.

There is sometimes a bit of God-ordained serendipity when using heart music evangelism. It reaches people who, back home, shared only a common language. During a Vancouver church service, an immigrant church member pointed to another member and told Tardy, “At home we are enemies. But in Vancouver we are in church together.”  

Book Review: Draper draws from 50 years of experience in book for pastors

What would happen if a young, first-time pastor had access to a well-respected pastor with 35 years of ministry in churches ranging from small, rural ones to megachurches? What if a veteran pastor who is thinking about throwing in the towel had the same access?

Well, pastors at all ages, stages and backgrounds now have access to Jimmy Draper, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Euless and president emeritus of LifeWay Christian Resources, and his 50 years of experience as a pastor and denominational leader. Draper offers sage advice from a biblical perspective in his recently published book, Don’t Quit Before You Finish (Clovercroft Publishing).

In the endorsements section of the book, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Executive Director Jim Richards says, “This book should be required reading in every pastoral ministries class. The invaluable practical wisdom for relating to people will enhance anyone’s spiritual walk.” 

Similarly, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson says, “This will keep your head above water, your body at home, and your heart with the Lord.”

Draper’s personable demeanor and gracious spirit radiate from this book on pastoral ministry. He addresses a broad spectrum of topics, from the call to ministry to the pastor’s character, from dealing with conflict to leading for change, from starting a new pastorate to leaving one well.

Simply reading the table of contents alone would be worth the price of the book, with section titles that present straightforward imperatives to pastors like “Never Make a Decision When You Are Discouraged or Depressed,” “Be Quick to Forgive Mistakes,” “Learn to Delegate,” and “Always Accept Resignations.” However, Draper’s unique blend of biblical stories, leadership principles and personal anecdotes fill out these imperatives from a to-do list to a how-to list.

Based on the premise that most failures in church leadership are self-inflicted, Draper’s advice is both practical and accessible. For example, in a short section titled “Write Notes of Concern, Consolation, and Appreciation,” he lists seven simple ways he personally incorporated the practice in his own ministry. Elsewhere, he encourages pastors to avoid compromising situations and to mange their time well.

While the book’s organization and chapter arrangements could be better presented, this book is a go-to resource for any pastor, so much so that the SBTC Pastor/Church Relations department has purchased a copy of the book for every pastor of a SBTC church and is distributing them through Field Ministry Strategists across the state.  

Richards released from hospital after heart surgery

UPDATE–MAY 11, 2016–3:45 PM

SBTC Executive Director was released from the hospital May 11 and is now resting at home following a May 4 surgery to correct a congenital valve defect and an aortic aneurysm. The Richards family is overjoyed at the news and asks continued prayer as his recovery continues. Pray particularly for June Richards as she cares for her convalescing husband.
 
Further updates will be available at texanonline.net and Twitter handle @_SBTC.

 

UPDATE–MAY 10, 2016–2:45 PM

SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards remains in the hospital with limited visitation, recovering from May 4 open heart surgery to correct a valve defect and an aortic aneurysm. Doctors were concerned about an irregular heartbeat and planned a procedure to correct it, but his heart regulated without the procedure.

The Richards family expects that Dr. Richards will be able to go home later this week and asks continue prayer as he grows stronger in anticipation of his return home. Further updates will be posted on texanonline.net and Twitter handle @_sbtc.

 

UPDATE–MAY 9, 2016–1:25 PM

SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards continues to recover in a private room with limited visitation following a May 4 surgery to correct a congenital heart valve defect and an aortic aneurysm. The family’s expectation is that he will remain hospitalized for a few more days as he progresses toward recovery benchmarks for release.

The Richards family has expressed gratitude for the prayers of so many friends and ask continued prayers as he gains strength following his surgery. Further updates will appear on texanonline.net and Twitter handle @_sbtc. 

 

UPDATE–MAY 7, 2016

The family of SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards reports that he was moved to a regular patient room on May 7 as his recovery from open heart surgery continues. The procedure corrected a congenital heart valve defect and an aortic aneurysm.

The Richards family is humbled and grateful as friends pray for them and send kind cards and emails.

Watch texanonline.net and Twitter handle @_SBTC for updates.

 

UPDATE–MAY 5, 2016–1:30 PM

The family of SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards reports that he is resting and healing after a successful surgery May 4. The doctors have removed his breathing tube and expectations are that he will move out of ICU in the next 1-2 days.

The Richards family expressed gratitude for the prayers and cards offered by friends from across the country. Richards will continue to need prayer as he recuperates over the coming weeks. 

 

UPDATE–MAY 4, 2016–1:00 PM

GRAPEVINE—SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards is resting in ICU after a successful surgery during the morning hours of May 4 to replace a defective valve and treat an aortic aneurysm.

The family expressed gratitude for friends who have been praying for them during the days running up to the surgery, and they welcome ongoing intercession during Richards’ recuperation. Richards suffered from a congenital heart defect that worsened in effect during the past six months.

During the spring meeting of the SBTC Executive Board, Richards announced the coming surgery and recommended convention CFO Joe Davis as acting executive director until he is able to resume his duties. Watch texanonline.net and Twitter handle @_SBTC for updates.

 

Richards to face major surgery

April 27, 2016

GRAPEVINE—SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards will undergo open-heart surgery May 4 to correct a congenital heart defect, as well as an aneurysm that has worsened over the past several months. The doctors expect the surgery to be successful, and the Richards family is asking for prayer as Dr. Richards faces the ordeal of surgery and a recovery time of several weeks.

Richards informed the SBTC Executive Board of the upcoming procedure during their April 19 board meeting in Denton. During that meeting, the board approved convention CFO Joe Davis as acting executive director for the period in which Richards would be unavailable to perform his duties. The board closed its meeting by gathering around Richards for prayer that God would graciously protect and strengthen him over the next few weeks.

The convention website, sbtexas.com, and social media outlets will provide updates once the surgery is completed.

Fighting over music

What does “worship” mean to you? In everyday church conversation we speak as though “worship” and “music” are synonymous. When pressed, most of us would admit that preaching, praying, giving, reading Scripture and the ordinances are also acts of worship we do during our corporate meetings. Thus we speak of the “worship hour” or “worship service” each week. Those who attend regularly expect all those diverse things to be on the program. They are all worship.

Today, a Friday, my brothers and sisters are mostly not in a worship service. They are driving to work, typing, in class, digging, cooking and even writing traffic citations. I’d say those things can be worship as disciples do them “as unto the Lord.” We are instructed by God in Scripture to do these apparently mundane things in exactly that way and for his glory. Worship is not everything, but it is much broader than a couple of hours a week or even just one significant portion (music) of those hours.

Perhaps the confusion came when a generation back we began speaking of “worship wars.” We were not debating expository verses therapeutic preaching (but let’s please do) or the meaning of the ordinances. We were arguing about music. And that discussion is much more emotionally charged than any debate I’ve heard about preaching style or even the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. Why call it a “war” rather than a “discussion”? It goes back to the reason music even matters, I think. Music is an emotional medium, an art form intended to get into our lives through our hearts. Consider the difference between reading the Psalms and the books of history in the Bible. The Psalms have theological throw weight and even prophetic messages, but they enter our thinking through poetry and word pictures—emotion and imagination. These are part of who we are, the work of the God who made so many things beautiful and important beyond what propositional statements can convey.

“Music impacts our morale, our mood, our energy levels. God intended it to do those things, I must conclude. How could we not use this in corporate and private worship?”

Gary Ledbetter

And I’m a big fan of propositional truth, but I also love music. Prose, even historical narrative, can move me emotionally, but music does more often. Some people have playlists for weightlifting or running, others select their favorite driving music or music that settles their minds before sleep. Music impacts our morale, our mood, our energy levels. God intended it to do those things, I must conclude. How could we not use this in corporate and private worship? That is surely what he intends also.

I am immune to very few styles of music. Hip-hop and most Eastern music are limited in what they carry into the psyche of this Midwestern boy, but that is likely more a matter of my inexperience than objective judgment. God has moved me through classical, rock, jazz, symphonic, salsa, country and bluegrass music—most of them styles I disdained 40 years ago. If I’m willing, I can worship alongside anyone in nearly any style.

To be plain, the “worship wars” were/are about bias and selfishness on both sides. “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” is not a better song than “In Christ Alone.” Neither is “At the Cross” less worthy than any song currently more popular in our churches. We all take comfort in the familiar, the treasured patterns of our youth, and expect to have that comfort in church. It’s not wrong to be fond of these things, but it is almost always wrong to expect them, demand them or mourn for them in corporate worship. It’s wrong to insist that church music entertains us. If we have to concentrate to catch the message of music in a new style or with new words, it may be that we’re paying attention to something the Lord would say to us. Is our discipleship complete after 20 or 30 years of following Christ? Are we exempt from learning new things from God through brothers and sisters of another generation?

Some Christian songs are better than others. That’s been true since people started writing songs for churches. It will always be true. Quite apart from “better,” some Christian songs are more popular with one group in the church than with another. The transitions in taste from father to son, world without end, have migrated from pop music to church music, and it disturbs our fellowship when one generation takes the reins and gets to pick the music. We need to work hard to avoid that disturbance and stop grumbling about that, even within our own tribal groups.

For entertainment value, most Christian songs won’t make my playlist. That’s fine; I don’t go to church because I want to find amusement. As I have matured I find that I have to work harder at worship than I did when I was younger. That has been all to the good. Perhaps having things my way made me lazy, taking things for granted that should never be presumed upon.

I am grateful for those trained church musicians who work hard each week to teach us God’s way through music. I’m grateful for those talented amateurs who lead music in so many Southern Baptist churches across the country. Their earnest efforts to move our emotions toward God deserve our respect, and our patience. In the end, though, our worship, our experience with God alongside our brothers and sisters, is part of being a disciple of Jesus. We are responsible to him for our stewardship of even our opportunities to praise him.

2016 SBC: Exec. Comm., boards, commission, seminaries, committee nominees announced

NASHVILLE (BP) — Nominees to serve on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, the four denominational boards — International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources, and GuideStone Financial Resources — the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the six seminaries and the Committee on Order of Business have been selected by the 2016 SBC Committee on Nominations.

Nominees will serve if elected by the messengers to the 2016 SBC Annual Meeting June 14-15 in St. Louis.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (82 members): 23 nominations considered, 11 new members, 12 renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2020 replacing members ineligible for re-election are Richard A. “Rick” Wheeler, lead missional strategist, Jacksonville Baptist Association and member of Mandarin Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla., replacing Tom Biles, Tampa, Fla.; Larry Q. Allen, pastor, Warren Woods Baptist Church, Warren, Mich., replacing Robert O. “Rob” Freshour, South Lyon, Mich.; Hoyt A. Savage, pastor, Foothills Southern Baptist Church, Las Vegas, replacing John Mark Simmons, Henderson, Nev.; Jeremy D. Westbrook, pastor, Living Hope Church, Marysville, Ohio, replacing Charles R. Chambers, Perrysburg, Ohio; Stacy S. Bramlett, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Collierville, Tenn., replacing Phil Harper, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; H. Robert Showers, layperson and member of Gateway Community Church, South Riding, Va., replacing G. Harris Warner Jr., Roanoke, Va.

Also nominated for a term to expire in 2020 is Daniel E. Carr, pastor, Canaan Baptist Church, St. Louis, replacing John H. Moore, Branson, Mo., who declined to serve a second term.

Nominated for terms to expire in 2019 are Chad Garrison, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Lake Havasu, Ariz., replacing Tim Brasher, Scottsdale, Ariz., who resigned; Harry C. “Archie” Mason, pastor, Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Ark., replacing Clay Hallmark, Marion, Ark., who resigned; and Janice McAlister, layperson and member of Crestwood Baptist Church, Crestwood, Ky., replacing Bill D. Whittaker, Glasgow, Ky., who resigned.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2018 is Stephen L. Goss, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Bentonville, Ark., replacing Andy Wilson, Springdale, Ark., who resigned.

Nominated for second terms are James W. “Jim” Averett, Birmingham, Ala.; Michael A. “Adam” Hollingsworth, Tallahassee, Fla.; Kenneth W. “Ken” Alford, Valdosta, Ga.; John E. Smith, Munfordville, Ky.; Charles “Glynn” Rhinehart, Youngsville, La.; David A. Hall, Baltimore; Bobby L. Kirk, Doddsville, Miss.; Stanley J. Welch, Asheville, N.C.; Ralph “Dale” Jenkins, Airway Heights, Wash.; Shane B. Hall, Oklahoma City; Tom Tucker, Fort Mill, S.C., and Bedford F. “Buddy” Hanson, Mills, Wyo.

GUIDESTONE FINANCIAL RESOURCES (45 trustees): 13 nominations considered, six new trustees, seven renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2020 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include Robert J. Bachman, layperson and member of Arapahoe Road Baptist Church, Centennial, Colo., replacing Robert L. “Bob” Bender, Colorado Springs, Colo.; John Hoychick Jr., layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Rayville, La., replacing J. Dudley May, Baton Rouge, La.; and Kevin B. Cummings, pastor, Fincastle Baptist Church, Fincastle, Va., replacing Don Davidson, Alexandria, Va.

Also nominated for a term to expire in 2020 is Randall Thomas Blackmon, pastor, Faith Baptist Fellowship, Cambridge, Md., replacing Sebastian Traeger, Washington, D.C., who resigned.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2019 is Randall T. Hahn, pastor, Colonial Heights Baptist Church, Colonial Heights, Va., replacing Kenneth C. Price, Beaverdam, Va., who resigned.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2018 is David M. Rainwater, layperson and member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Ark., replacing William H. “Buddy” Sutton, Little Rock, Ark., deceased.

Nominated for second terms are Rob L. Zinn, Highland, Calif.; Donald L. Sharp, Chicago; Barry C. Corbett, Kosciusko, Miss.; John R. Morris, Vilas, N.C.; Steven D. Bryant, Redmond, Ore.; Robert L. “Bob” Sorrell, Collierville, Tenn., and M. Douglas “Doug” Adkins, Dallas.

INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD (82 trustees): 20 nominations considered, 10 new trustees, 10 renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2020 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include John M. Gray, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla., replacing Richard A. Powell, Fort Myers, Fla.; Jenna L. Cobb, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Melbourne, Fla., replacing Marvin Pittman, Bartow, Fla.; Derek G. Spain, pastor, Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula, Ga., replacing Roger L. Henderson, Augusta, Ga.; Max R. “Ray” Deeter, pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Evansville, Ind., replacing Mary H. Fullhart, Muncie, Ind.; Joel G. Williams, pastor, First Baptist Church, St. Francisville, La., replacing Jay S. Collins, Haughton, La.; James Robert “Rob” Futral, Jr., pastor, Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison, Miss., replacing Vickie H. Mascagni, Clinton, Miss.; Edward “David” Coombs Jr., administrative pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn., replacing Roger P. Freeman, Nashville; Kim M. Ponder, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Farwell, Texas, replacing Byron V. McWilliams, Odessa, Texas; and Thurman R. Hayes, pastor, First Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va., replacing Ronald K. Wade, Williamsburg, Va.

Also nominated for a term to expire in 2020 is David W. Fleming, pastor, Champion Forest Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, replacing John M. Meador, Euless, Texas, who declined to serve a second term.

Nominated for second terms are Kenneth J. Burnham, Oxford, Ala.; Richard L. Richie, Somerville, Ala.; Cindy Snead, Phoenix, Ariz.; Susan M. Bryant, Waddy, Ky.; William M. Payne, Syracuse, N.Y.; Robert N. “Bobbi” Ashford, Coats, N.C.; Cheryl L. Wright, Shawnee, Okla.; Tracy Mackall, Enoree, S.C.; Jaye B. Martin, Houston, and Seth N. Polk, Cross Lanes, W.Va.

NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD (57 trustees): 13 nominations considered, eight new trustees, five renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2020 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include George L. Falldine, layperson and member of Second Baptist Church, Warner Robins, Ga., replacing Ferrel K. Wiley, Columbus, Ga.; John “Sammy” Simmons, pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Benton, Ill., replacing Robert E. “Bob” Dickerson, Marion, Ill.; Frederick “Scott” Leachman, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Ruston, La., replacing Sandra M. “Sissy” Franks, Deville, La.; Mark S. Gilbert, layperson and member of Calvary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., replacing Bruce L. Franklin, Henderson, N.C.; Grant Gaines, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson, Tenn., replacing Chuck Herring, Collierville, Tenn.; and Eric J. Thomas, pastor, First Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va., replacing Joey T. Anthony, Phenix, Va.

Also nominated for a term to expire in 2020 is Gerald “Duane” Murray, layperson and member of Hope Baptist Church, Las Vegas, replacing Barry K. Anderson, Henderson, Nev., who declined to serve a second term.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2019 is Randall D. Spurgeon, pastor, Ansted Baptist Church, Ansted, W.Va., replacing Greg A. Varndell, Parkersburg, W.Va., who resigned.

Nominated for a second term are Andy W. Childs, Toccoa, Ga.; Jimmy L. “Jay” Watkins, Valdosta, Ga.; David Washington Jr., Canton, Mich.; Larry D. Robertson, Clarksville, Tenn., and Gary M. Jenkins Sr., Powhatan, Va.

LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN RESOURCES (56 trustees): 13 nominations considered, eight new trustees, five renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2020 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include Clayton K. Speed, pastor, First Baptist Church, Hartselle, Ala., replacing Charles C. “Craig” Carlisle, Rainbow City, Ala.; William “Thomas” Hammond Jr., pastor, First Baptist Church, Alpharetta, Ga., replacing Terry L. Braswell Sr., Douglasville, Ga.; Daniel S. “Dan” Cho, pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Watertown, Mass., replacing Kathleen A. “Kathy” Todd, Brunswick, Maine; Luther D. McDaniel, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, Tenn., replacing Jeanne Davis, Sevierville, Tenn.; and Bob Pearle, pastor, Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, replacing Johnny F. Dickerson, Mansfield, Texas.

Also nominated for terms to expire in 2020 are Jose L. Ruiz, layperson and member of Fellowship at Greenwood, Greenwood, Mo., replacing Jay D. Swope, Nixa, Mo., who resigned; and Yana Conner, women’s ministry director, Oaks Church, Raleigh, N.C., replacing Jesse W. Messer, Asheville, N.C., deceased.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2018 is Madeline Harris, layperson and member of Ezekiel Baptist Church, Philadelphia, replacing Sandra Peoples, Stewartstown, Pa., who resigned.

Nominated for second terms are Kent Dacus, Riverside, Calif.; Robert M. “Bob” Simpson, Severn, Md.; Kenneth A. Bledsoe, Aberdeen, N.J.; Mildred A. “Millie” Burkett, Gresham, Ore., and Michael J. “Mike” Osborne, Colonial Heights, Va.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY (44 trustees): 12 nominations considered, six new trustees, six renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2021 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include Timothy A. McCoy, pastor, Ingleside Baptist Church, Macon, Ga., replacing Philip W. West, Valdosta, Ga.; William D. “Bill” Sones, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Brookhaven, Miss., replacing Philip Gunn, Clinton, Miss.; Joe D. Ligon, pastor, First Baptist Church, Marlow, Okla., replacing E. Todd Fisher, Shawnee, Okla.; Joshua W. Powell, pastor, Lake Murray Baptist Church, Lexington, S.C., replacing L. Perrin Powell Jr., Boiling Springs, S.C.; Alan “Keith” Daniels, layperson and member of MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, Irving, Texas, replacing Paul B. Taylor, Mauriceville, Texas; Will H. Langford, pastor, Great Bridge Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Va., replacing Brian D. Autry, Midlothian, Va.

Nominated for second terms are Edwin J. Hayes, Cullman, Ala.; John A. Montgomery, Redlands, Calif.; Nina J. Wilson, Machesney Park, Ill.; David P. Bruce, Candler, N.C.; Joshua R. “Josh” Albertsen, Fisherville, Ky., and Jeremiah W. “Jeremy” Rhoden, Louisville, Ky.

SOUTHWESTERN SEMINARY (40 trustees): eight nominations considered, three new trustees, five renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2021 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include Thomas R. “Tom” James, pastor, Eastwood Baptist Church, Bowling Green, Ky., replacing Lyman “Hutch” Hutcheson, Paducah, Ky.; and Danny Roberts, executive pastor, North Richland Hills Baptist Church, North Richland Hills, Texas, replacing Tony Mathews, Garland, Texas.

Also nominated for a term to expire in 2021 is Jonathan D. Richard, pastor, First Baptist Church, Estancia, N.M., replacing Robert E. “Bob” Myers, Albuquerque, N.M., who resigned.

Nominated for a second term are Danny L. Johnson, Bryant, Ark.; Charles E. “Eddie” Miller, Spanish Springs, Nev.; Matthew A. Kirkland, Christiansburg, Va.; Johnny A. Kelly, Martinsburg, W.Va.;, and Kevin M. Ueckert, Georgetown, Texas.

NEW ORLEANS SEMINARY (40 trustees): nine nominations considered, six new trustees, three renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2021 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include Robert D. Hutchinson, pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Harrisonville, Mo., replacing Donald L. “Don” Currence, Ozark, Mo.; Timothy J. Whitener, layperson and member of Calvary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., replacing Steven A. Jirgal, Monroe, N.C.; Allan D. Thompson, director of missions, Mountain State Baptist Association and member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Princeton, W.Va., replacing Caudle J. “C.J.” Adkins, Huntington, W.Va.; and Gary B. Shows, executive pastor, Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, Miss., replacing Dean Stewart, Purvis, Miss.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2018 is Tony Lambert, pastor, Riverside Church, Denver, Colo., replacing Mitchell A. “Mitch” Hamilton, Aurora, Colo., who resigned.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2017 is Larry D. White, director of missions, Faulkner Baptist Association and member of Central Baptist Church, Conway, Ark., replacing Gary L. Hollingsworth, Little Rock, Ark., who resigned.

Nominated for second terms are Ralph C. Prince, Paducah, Ky.; Leland Crawford, Minden, La., and Jerry W. Price, Monroe, La.

SOUTHEASTERN SEMINARY (30 trustees): six nominations considered; three new trustees; three renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2021 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include T. Bret Golson, pastor, Leaf River Baptist Church, Collins, Miss., replacing J. Stacy Davidson, Jackson, Miss.; Carlos F. Goodrich, layperson and member of Center Grove Baptist Church, Clemmons, N.C., replacing Christopher J. “Chris” Griggs, Denver, N.C.; and Timothy C. Dale, layperson and member of Christ Community Church, Wilson, N.C., replacing Henry G. Williamson Jr., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Nominated for second terms are Jerry A. Smith, Andover, Kan.; Jason Allen, Independence, Mo., and Laura Small, Beaverton, Ore.

MIDWESTERN SEMINARY (35 trustees): six nominations considered, three new trustees, three renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2021 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include David Meany, layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Collierville, Tenn., replacing Kevin L. Shrum, Nashville; Emmanuel P. Fontaine, pastor, Grace and Faith Church, Somerville, Mass., replacing Donald L. “Don” Paxton, Abingdon, Va.

Also nominated for a term to expire in 2021 is James B. Sineath Jr., layperson and member of First Baptist Church, Melbourne, Fla., replacing Dennis J. Brown, Niceville, Fla., who declined to serve a second term.

Nominated for second terms are Charles W. Campbell, Springfield, Ill.; Margaret N. Godwin-Opara, Wichita, Kan., and John Mathena, Oklahoma City, Okla.

GOLDEN GATE SEMINARY (39 trustees): six nominations considered, two new trustees, four renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2021 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include Steven N. Davidson, pastor, First Baptist Church, Sellersburg, Ind., replacing Gregory P. “Greg” Byman, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Stephen C.M. Long, pastor, Tender Mercy Baptist Church, Bosque Farms, N.M., replacing Joseph L. Bunce, Albuquerque, N.M.

Nominated for second terms are C. Keith Goeking, St. Joseph, Mo.; Cathy D. Moore, Bradford, Tenn.; Terry M. Turner, Mesquite, Texas, and Philip W. Kell, Fresno, Calif.

ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION (34 trustees): nine nominations considered, five new trustees, four renominations.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2020 replacing trustees ineligible for re-election include Lori A. Bova, layperson and member of Taylor Baptist Church, Hobbs, N.M., replacing Walter D. Bradley, Clovis, N.M.; Alan E. Gayle, pastor, Fairfield Baptist Church, Eugene, Ore., replacing Franklin R. Johnson, Ellensburg, Wash.; Preston T. White, layperson and member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Princeton, W.Va., replacing Chris Slaughter, Cross Lanes, W.Va.; and Kelly Hancock, layperson and member of North Richland Hills Baptist Church, North Richland Hills, Texas, replacing Kenda L. Bartlett, Washington.

Nominated for a term to expire in 2018 is David E. Prince, pastor, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky., replacing Lynn O. Traylor, Buckner, Ky., who resigned.

Nominated for second terms are Roberta L. “Bobbi” Gilchrist, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Ryan E. Gatti, Bossier City, La.; Brian M. Corrick, Nanjemoy, Md., and Ronald J. Libey, Gwinn, Mich.

COMMITTEE ON ORDER OF BUSINESS (7 members): two nominations considered, two new members.

Nominees with terms to expire in 2019 replacing members ineligible for re-election include Brad Jurkovich, pastor, First Baptist Church, Bossier City, La., replacing Ron L. Crow, Diamond, Mo.; and Keith Sanders, pastor, First Baptist Church, Keller, Texas, replacing Cathy A. McAdoo, Elko, Nev.

Texans Aniol and Boswell offer guidance on worship

In his book By the Waters of Babylon, Worship in a Post Christian Culture, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary music professor Scott Aniol answers the question, “How should churches today worship considering the increasingly pagan culture around them and their biblical mandate to reach that culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ?” 

Aniol observed that evangelical worship leaders often call for worship to be rooted in the mission of God to the world. “Recognizing the postmodern, post-Christian nature of the North American context, worship leaders are asking, ‘What worship forms will best accomplish God’s mission in our culture?’” 

He offers a careful study of the relationship between worship and evangelism and provides a biblical model for cultural engagement. In later chapters he explains how corporate worship shapes behavior and the regulation of worship elements and forms. Aniol’s book will provide a solid foundation for church leaders who value the importance of evangelism in music ministry. More of his writing is available at ArtisticTheologian.com, Southwestern’s journal of worship and ministry arts published by the School of Church Music.

“Thanking his parents and grandparents for instilling a deep love for the church and to see the worship of Jesus form his people,” third-generation Southern Baptist minister Matt Boswell of Providence Church in Frisco explains why theology should matter to music ministers in his edited work, Doxology and Theology: How the Gospel Forms the Worship Leader.

Instead of merely thinking about sound, charts, and guitars, he draws wisdom from a dozen ministers of music to explain how to approach worship theologically. His own chapters on “Doxology, Theology, and the Mission of God,” followed by “Qualifications of a Worship Leader” set the stage for input by others on the worship leader in relation to Scripture, the Trinity, mission, heart, justice, liturgy, creativity, disciple-making, the pastor, singing, and the gospel. 

Addressing family worship, Boswell shares his concern that “many worship leaders stand in front of their congregations and profess the primacy of Scripture but then enter their homes and fail to connect these truths to our lives.” He and other contributors provide guidance for men to walk in light of scriptural truth and faithfully serve local congregations.

Two other books written by worship leaders serving in Louisville were recommended by several sources for the TEXAN’s report on music.

Endorsed by several Southern Baptists, Rhythms of Grace: How the Church’s Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel by Mike Cosper addresses spiritual formation, liturgy and the pastor as worship leader among other topics, including sample service orders and an extended resource list.

“We remember our identity as gospel-formed people, journeying together through the story that gave us our identity and being sent out to live gospel-shaped lives,” said Cosper who is associated with Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. “Practiced in these rhythms, we learn to think in them, much as we learn to improvise on an instrument.”

Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin is the go-to guide for many music ministers. With an entertaining style, the director of Sovereign Grace Music works in stories from his experience in local churches to provide a nuts and bolts approach to addressing what he calls “a disconnect between the God they worshiped on Sundays and the one they seemed to follow during the week.”

Sections on the music leader and his task are followed by his analysis of healthy tensions and development of right relationships with the church, music team and pastor. “I like to think I can do a great job leading worship with nothing but my own experience, resources, wisdom, and leadership gifting. But I can’t,” Kauflin wrote. “God never intended me to. I can certainly lead, but it won’t be as effective or fruitful as when others are involved,” he said, offering a reminder that “every week is another opportunity to benefit from the contributions and insights of others.”

Songwriting captures the voice of a congregation

With debates about traditional, contemporary or blended worship in most churches’ rearview mirrors, a growing trend among worship pastors is the creation of original music for their churches. 

Two worship pastors from SBTC churches—David Gentiles and Matt Boswell, both songwriters and sons of Southern Baptist ministers—weighed in on the place of songwriting in the church during an interview with the TEXAN.

For Boswell, in his sixth year as worship pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, writing songs came early. 

Boswell, now 36, started leading worship services at age 15 in the church where he grew up. As a young teen, he wrote songs for his local church and continued writing modern worship choruses until he started dating the young woman who later became his wife. 

“When we first started dating, she came to our church and mentioned that we didn’t do any hymns,” Boswell said, recalling his reply: “Nobody sings those anymore.” 

“I had forgotten really where I came come from musically,” Boswell added.

Six months later, Boswell introduced the classic hymn “Just As I Am” to his congregation, only to be surprised when a church member asked if he had written it. This amusing incident led to what Boswell called “a plunge into recovering hymnody” in his own compositions. 

“I have never looked back. It has changed how I now write music and has changed even the music that we do now at Providence.”

Boswell credits long-term friendships with Northern Ireland’s Keith Getty and the UK’s Stuart Townsend with shaping his thinking in the writing of modern hymns that reflect both God’s kingdom and a songwriter’s national homeland.

WORSHIP NOTES / SONGWRITING

“Although I don’t believe it is necessary for every worship pastor to be a songwriter, I do believe it is important for worship pastors to be attentive to the hearts and needs of their people—to always put songs in front of their congregations that resonate with their specific season and context. Sometimes, that means writing songs specifically with their city and congregation in mind, but most of the time it simply demands that worship pastors be faithful to the calling on their life—to shepherd their flock.”

Aaron Ivey, Pastor of Worship, The Austin Stone Community Church

“I wanted to see what new American hymns would sound like. Even more so, what Texan hymns would sound like,“ Boswell mused. “I saw a space American songwriters were not addressing: modern hymns written in the vein of older, historic hymns. I set my course in that direction, and I haven’t looked back.”

Boswell noted his hymn “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor” as an example.

That hymn, written for Providence Church, also illustrates how songwriting personalizes corporate worship, allowing the worship leader/composer to address needs within a local body. 

“I wrote that hymn with specific people in mind in our congregation who were fighting doubt, fighting depression, fighting sickness, fighting sin,” Boswell explained. “I specifically wanted to give voice in our church as to what it looks like in the midst of those battles to still point our attention and affection to Christ.”

Boswell is also careful to base his compositions upon sound theology, explaining that in planning corporate worship, he reads Scripture and commentaries on the text to be preached. “I allow the contours of that text to shape the songs that we sing.” Thus, teaching pastor and worship leader “have the same kind of kindling in the fireplace.”

In both songwriting and leading music in worship, Boswell and Providence focus on the gospel narrative, with Boswell organizing services along a gospel liturgy. 

“Four movements: God, Man, Christ, Response inform what we sing and what I write,” Boswell said. Songs address the character of God, the nature of Man and his need for God’s grace, the nature of Christ and His atoning work, or the nature of humankind’s response to that truth. “If I am writing, I will write in one of these four categories.”

Both Boswell and Gentiles believe they have been called to be worship pastors.

In addition to leading worship for Sagemont’s Sunday night contemporary service, Gentiles also produces the church’s recording projects: to date, two EP (extended play) records available as digital downloads, the first based on the book of Philippians; the second, “Save Us,” released Easter weekend.

“I produce our records and hope to write new songs for our body. My heart and my vision are to create musical content for our people that originates from our voice and experiences in life.” 

Worship leaders are “shepherds,” noted Gentiles. “We are first ministers of the gospel. God has graciously given us music as a vehicle by which we share this gospel and shepherd our people in following Jesus.”

While not integral to guiding the congregation in worship, Gentiles said, songwriting can be “an incredible tool for the local church body,” explaining that crafting songs for a particular group is a method by which the worship leader expresses the “heart language” of his flock.

“Songwriting provides the opportunity for a church to discover who they are,” Gentiles said.

As an example, Gentiles discussed serving as a worship leader at First Baptist in Euless. The church had launched the Miracle Campaign to retire a multimillion dollar debt in a short time. “I wrote a song called ‘We Need a Miracle.’ It would become our anthem for two years. For that moment in time, it was what we needed to sing as a people.”

Sometimes songs written for a particular group end up with widespread appeal, Gentiles noted. The song “Good Good Father,” popularized by Chris Tomlin, originated from a small home church. 

“The message of that song, written for the needs of a local group of people, [was] something the global church needed,” Gentiles said. “It has crossed over and had a national platform. That is what God does with songs.”

Thus what begins as a ministry on a local level expands in God’s economy.

“The Holy Spirit is really the distribution department of the church,” Gentiles explained. “I write for where I am in life and my church’s life and let the song go. … If that message resonates with a larger subset of the church, the church will sing it.”

While writing music for the church is valuable, Gentiles also acknowledged that the trend can sometimes put undue pressure on those who lead music in the church but do not write songs. 

“There is pressure in the church culture that if your church is not producing records or if you are a worship leader and you don’t write songs, you are less than others. That is just not true,” said Gentiles, an exclusive songwriter for LifeWay Music.

Gentiles, whose father is a Southern Baptist minister of music, noted that in his father’s generation, many music ministers neither wrote music nor played instruments, instead focusing on choral music and voice.

Songwriting may not be necessary, but both Boswell and Gentiles affirm that songwriting enhances corporate worship.

Gentiles concluded, “Songwriting provides an important opportunity to tell our story to one another, to affirm to one another what God is doing in our church and what God is doing in the world. To be able to sing songs that are in our own heart language, that’s pretty special.” 

Music in Worship: Beyond the Worship Wars

For the past four decades, hitting a fever pitch in the 1980s and ‘90s, churches have experienced seismic changes as a result of what has been dubbed the “worship revolution,” or more cynically, “worship wars.” Typically situated along generational fault lines, well-intentioned discussions centered on dichotomies such as hymns vs. choruses, choirs vs. praise teams, and orchestral instruments vs. band equipment.

As the dust has mostly settled, churches can now look back and see both positive and negative trends that emerged as a result. None can deny that the landscape of musical worship in churches has diversified, as churches seek to move beyond the worship wars.

The TEXAN spoke with several music ministers and worship leaders to get a lay of the land and to identify ways music in congregational worship can best glorify God.

The Purpose of Music in Worship

From Old Testament narratives to the Psalms to New Testament instructions on worship, Scripture is clear that music should be an integral part of how the people of God praise and glorify him. Each of the worship leaders interviewed agreed that music is “the universal language,” a gift from God that brings people together in unison.

“There’s something powerful about the way music moves us, changes us and motivates us,” said Michael Armstrong, worship and family pastor at The Well in Argyle. 

Likewise, Curtis Brewer, associate pastor of worship & celebration at First Baptist Church in Odessa, spoke of the emotional range that music evokes.

“It is unbelievably powerful—it can be so intimate and tender, and at the same time it can be massive, like an army,” Brewer said. “What can really touch the heartstrings of the people are the experiences that you can sense through the beauty of the music, regardless of genre.”

Used rightly, music can bring unity to the corporate worship experience, according to James Ervin, minister of music at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood.

At the same time, Ervin said, “Music can be used to teach or remind us of the great truths of the Christian faith. It can express our adoration of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Music can and should focus our hearts and minds on the object of our praise—God.”

Brad Jett, worship pastor at North Richland Hills Baptist Church, also noted the way musical worship can help church members learn and remember God’s Word.

“Songs are the greatest memorization tool in the history of the Christian faith,” Jett said. “In worship services, we must sing songs that come from Scripture. Then our congregation members will have God’s Word in their hearts.”

And, leaders said, it’s this foundation in the Scriptures and the preached Word that music helps amplify.

“I will be the first to say that the most powerful thing in our church in Odessa, and I hope it would be in every church, is the gospel of Christ through the spoken word,” Brewer said. “But it’s also important that we’re singing it. When we sing scripturally correct music that is not watered down, it’s going to touch the heartstrings and move the people.”

Echoes of the Worship Wars

Given music’s emotional impact and essential nature in worship, it comes as no surprise that major changes during the worship revolution have produced both advances and casualties.

Positively, these changes brought about more diversity in musical genres and ignited a new generation of worship songwriters. At the same time, it caused churches to “re-evaluate the future of music ministry,” Ervin said.

Lance Beaumont, music and worship technology associate for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, agreed. “Worship has come to the forefront as a topic of conversation in staff and leadership meetings.”

Armstrong, who started leading worship in the ‘90s, said the new songs produced a greater focus on the “vertical” nature of worship. Whereas hymns often have more of a horizontal perspective, where Christians sing to one another about God, these newer songs included a vertical perspective, where Christians sing directly to God. 

Sadly, though, not everything about this shift was positive. Several interviewed noted an overemphasis on style and preference along with unhealthy communication and sinful attitudes, which sparked discord and disunity in a majority of churches. Additionally, many of the new worship songs lacked the theological depth found in hymns, and worship music became a commodity for the Christian marketplace. 

Leo Day, dean of the School of Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, travels extensively to churches across the nation to teach and lead worship. One byproduct of the worship wars he has witnessed is the emergence of “silo worship,” where churches offer separate worship services based on musical preferences.

“The enemy has subtly and grandly separated the church body, and nowhere in Scripture will you find that Jesus wants all of his people divided into these different segments of worship so they can ‘really worship him freely.’ In fact, it’s the very opposite of what the Word encourages us to do,” Day said.

Day believes this unintentional elevation of preference has promoted a spectator mentality and brought with it a spiritual coldness in many churches.

“It has made their hearts cold. Why? Because at the heart of it, God created us for fellowship. He created us to corporately worship together, not apart.”

Brewer, who has led music in churches for more than 45 years (34 of them at FBC Odessa), has seen the massive changes in the corporate worship experience over the years. He said he has been blessed with a church that was “open and willing to try what the new generation might be wanting.” Still, he always maintained a healthy balance between musical styles.

“Our older adults paved the way for us to get here, and I think it’s such a tragedy that churches split because of the style of worship,” Brewer said. “If we can just remember who it’s all about—it’s not about us. Remember that it’s all about Jesus, and if it reaches people, let’s give it a try. But at the same time, we must disciple people when we get them in, and not only is that done through the Word, but also musically.”

Each of those interviewed agreed that many churches are recovering from the painful experiences of the worship wars and charting new courses in worship with more Christ-centered, congregationally sensitive approaches.

“Introducing a new style of music to our churches had its time of growing pains, which still lingers in many churches,” Jett said, “but the overall benefit has been the molding together of different styles of music and therefore different generations of people.

The Heart of Worship

Refocusing on the purpose for music worship—to praise God and build up his church—will help recalibrate church members’ hearts, these leaders said.

“I believe that a church’s responsibility is to connect people with God, not connect people with music,” Armstrong said. “Music is a tool. Paint him beautiful, and a true follower of Christ should see the beauty, regardless of the style. … Worship is about what we give him, not what we get.”

Similarly, Day said that as he trains future worship leaders at the seminary, he challenges them to focus on their heart and their personal walk with the Lord.

“It’s not about the songs, it’s not about the sheet music; it’s about the heart,” Day said.

Connecting With All Generations

Ultimately, the greatest worship experiences occur when church members of all ages and backgrounds celebrate God together through a variety of musical styles and genres. Thus, these ministers agree, a blended musical approach provides a healthy diet for the church.

“Embracing the music that helped found our churches, as well as being open to move on and embrace the new is where we will find peace and growth within our churches,” Jett said.

Brewer considers the trend toward cross-generational music to be one of the best things happening in churches today. In his own church, he regularly combines youth and adult choirs during Sunday morning worship.

“The excitement that the kids bring to the worship experience has caused the adults to jump right in and have fun with them, and at the same time, when we can turn the tables on the kids where they can sense the power of music that has a little more meat on the bones, they jump in with it as well. I think that is the beauty and one of the secrets to keeping our churches strong congregationally.”

A multi-generational approach has practical implications, including how worship ministers select the songs to sing. Here, worship leaders are encouraged to introduce new songs to their congregations but to do so patiently, not introducing too many at one time.

“It’s important for people to participate in singing,” Ervin said, “so we must balance our efforts to introduce new songs; make sure they are singable, in appropriate ranges, and theologically correct.”

Meeting all these criteria can be challenging but ultimately prove fruitful in unifying a congregation around worship through music.

“The future of worship in the local church, in my view, lies in the “multis”—multi-generational worship and multi-ethnic worship,” Beaumont said. “Worship leaders need to know how to select music that will engage all age groups within the church utilizing styles that are inclusive as well. Additionally, worship leaders need to understand how different ethnic groups engage with music and their cultural contexts.”

Regardless of the challenges that come, Brewer said leading the church in worship through music has been one of the greatest joys of his life. 

“If God’s in it, and you sell out to it, it’s the most phenomenal experience that you’ll have on the face of the earth, this side of heaven only,” Brewer said, adding, “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”  

Franklin Graham calls for prayer, political activism on steps of Texas Capitol

AUSTIN—Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, brought his Decision America Tour to the Texas Capitol steps, April 26, calling on the Christians gathered to pray for the United States as well as pledge to live out and vote their biblical convictions.

“We’re here today because we know that our nation is in trouble,” Graham said. “We’re in trouble spiritually. We’re in trouble racially. We’re in trouble economically.

“We are in trouble politically, and there’s no political party that’s going to turn this thing around. I can tell you right now I have zero hope in the Democratic Party. Alright, before you Republicans start high-fiving each other, I have zero hope in the Republican Party or any other party. The only hope for America is God. The most important thing that you and I can do today is to pray.”

Delivering a message from the book of Nehemiah, Graham explained Nehemiah’s prayer and God’s favor despite the Israelites living under a pagan king. Graham then led the crowd to stop and voice audible and silent prayers of confession—confession for the sins of the nation, confession for personal sins, and confession for sins of their families. He also prayed for public servants and politicians in Texas, that they would make decisions that honor God.

After giving a gospel presentation and calling people to faith and repentance, Graham shifted his message to focus on how Christians can live and work toward revival in the nation.

“Many of you may be asking the question, when you look at our country and you see our walls are broken, the gates are down, ‘What can we do? How can we turn this thing around?’” Graham said.

“Be willing in this next election to vote, okay? It just comes down to that; it comes down to numbers. If the Christians show up in force, we can win. Now, I’m not going to tell you who to vote for. I’m not going to do that, but I want you to vote for candidates who stand for biblical truth, biblical principles that are willing to live them. This may be tough.”

Several times during his message, Graham referenced his father’s advice to Christians in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, noting that the principles are still appropriate for Christians today.

“I feel that we’re going to have to meet our political obligations as Christians and make our voice known if America is to be preserved with a type of Christian heritage which has given us the liberties that we now enjoy,” Graham quoted his father as saying. “Unless America turns back to God, repents of its sin and experiences a spiritual revival we will fail as a nation. … We need today political leaders, men and women, in high places who are willing to stand for God and his principles.”

Graham spoke of the growth of secularism in all facets of American life and politics, noting cultural opposition to Christianity and biblical principles. To counter this, he said, Christians are needed in positions of public office, and more than just in the White House.

“(In) local elections, … do you know how important it is to get Christian mayors across Texas? Do you know how important it is to get men and women on the city council who love God? County commissioners? How about school boards?” Graham asked.

“We need Christian judges. We need Christians at every level. We need Christians here in this capitol behind us. We need Christians in Washington.”

Graham called on Christians to be “political activists for God,” saying believers should either run for office or help organize campaigns to get other Christians in office.

“You can go home and begin to form a prayer group and begin to pray and begin to look in your community for Christian men and women, maybe people in your church, maybe in somebody else’s church, who are willing to run for office.”

Graham concluded his message by asking the crowd to sign a pledge to honor God in their homes, in the community and in the voting booth. Christians can sign the pledge at decisionamericatour.com/pledge.