News

GBC annual meeting marked by business, inspiration, fellowship, and celebration
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published November 22, 2007

Messengers to the 186th annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention adopted a new Cooperative Program budget, welcomed 62 new churches and missions, approved the distribution of funds previously allocated to Mercer University, and accepted the invitations of two churches that offered to host the annual sessions in 2008 and 2009.

2007 Report of the Committee on Resolutions
Published November 22, 2007

Resolution on Blogging

Reaching teens must be intentional says Blackshear Place minister
By By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published November 22, 2007

Sterling Lynn was on a mission trip to Bethlehem, Pa., in the summer of 1991 when his world was rocked by two words. A young girl was standing in front of Lynn’s youth pastor and asked, “What is your group doing here?”

2007 Report of the Committee on Nominations
Published November 22, 2007

Burleson censured by fellow IMB trustees
By Adelle M. Banks
Published November 22, 2007

The Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board has censured board member and blogger Wade Burleson, saying he “repeatedly failed” to follow the board’s standards for appropriate conduct.

Thankful for Georgia Baptist roots
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published November 22, 2007

Janet Wicker recently reminisced about her Georgia roots and stated, “Thank you Georgia Baptists for the investment you made in my life.”

Greater calling draws mafia-connected businessman
By Erich Bridges
Published November 22, 2007

Genady Krechin preaches with quiet earnestness to the 20 worshippers crowded into his cramped third-floor apartment.

His voice fills the room with God’s Word. His eyes flash with intensity and soften with warmth as he appeals to his listeners to follow Christ.

82 new missionaries answer God's call
Martinez minister and wife among those appointed
By Don Graham
Published November 22, 2007

Her face is etched in Michael’s* mind.

Georgia governor leads service to "pray up a storm"
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published November 22, 2007

Barely a week before Georgians began their Thanksgiving holidays more than 250 gathered on the steps of the state’s Capitol to reflect on a blessing which many had taken for granted – cool, clean, drinking water that has become an increasingly scarce commodity during the past several months.

15 years of Cooperative results
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published November 22, 2007

J. Robert White has seen a lot of growth in the GBC in the past 15 years and the Convention, under his leadership, is now recognized as the strongest of the old-line Conventions.

GBC annual meeting wrap-up
Published November 22, 2007

Georgia NewsBriefs

GBC church music leader McCommon dies
Published November 22, 2007

Paul McCommon, longtime director of the Church Music Department for the Georgia Baptist Convention, passed away Nov. 17.

Pastor of Summit Baptist in Loganville to lead New Church Development
Published November 22, 2007

Butch Butcher, pastor of Summit Baptist Church in Loganville, was named the specialist for New Work Development for the Georgia Baptist Convention Nov. 6. He will begin his position Dec. 3.

Shorter Chorale releases Christmas CD
Published November 22, 2007

The Shorter Chorale, the performing ensemble of Shorter College, has released a Christmas CD

Site to be dedicated for Truett-McConnell
Published November 22, 2007

A bronze plaque will be installed at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the location of the building where Truett-McConnell College operated for its first decade in existence.

Baptist News Summary

TBC, Belmont reach $11 million split
By From news services
Published November 22, 2007

The Tennessee Baptist Convention and Belmont University have reached an out-of-court settlement that ends their 56-year relationship and requires the Nashville school to pay $11 million to the convention over the next four decades.

Junior Hill OK after health scare
Published November 22, 2007

Names in the News
Published November 22, 2007

People and Places

Ministerial Moves
Published November 22, 2007

Obituaries
Published November 22, 2007

Honors
Published November 22, 2007

Ordinations
Published November 22, 2007

Bible Study

Recognizing the Savior
By Bryan Cribb, Assistant Professor of Christianity, Brewton-Parker College
Published November 22, 2007

Isaiah 53:1-12
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Dec. 2

Getting Ready for a Savior
By Bryan Cribb, Assistant Professor of Christianity, Brewton-Parker College
Published November 22, 2007

Luke 1:5-7, 11-13, 57-60, 65-66, 76-79
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Dec. 9

Columns

Don't waste the drought
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published November 22, 2007

The dry grass around our house crackles under my feet when I walk across the lawn. The Chrysanthemums in our flowerbed have wilted and are dying for lack of water. The creek near our neighborhood that was once too wide to hurdle was reduced to a narrow trickle of water in late summer and has recently dried up altogether.

Re-Think or Repent?
One pastor’s response: Willow Creek confession
By Wayne J. Edwards
Published November 22, 2007

A little more than twenty years ago the “seeker sensitive” movement was introduced to the American Church through what appeared to be a very successful “church growth” strategy used by Willow Creek Church in Chicago, Ill. The leader of that philosophy of ministry was Bill Hybels, who, through his annual “church growth” seminars, books, tapes, and other forms of media, encouraged pastors to abandon everything they had been taught about how to “do” church and to accept this new paradigm.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published November 22, 2007

I learned the 100th Psalm as a child and have never forgotten it. It’s amazing how quickly a child can memorize scripture, and even more amazing, is the fact that it never leaves you.

Family relationships defy scientific study
By James Dobson
Published November 22, 2007