News

Georgia Baptists leave legacy of faith as World Changers
By Lee Weeks and Lisa Watson, with the Arkansas Baptist News
Published August 12, 2004

As Regina Hicks settles into her second grade classroom this week for another year of teaching and helping shape young children’s futures, she can hardly wait for her next summer break.

New DNC religion adviser resigns, opposed ‘under God’ in pledge
By BP Staff
Published August 12, 2004

The Democratic Party’s new religion adviser has resigned after less than two weeks at the post.

Churches & politics: a primer for abiding by IRS regulations
By George R. “Chip” Grange, Stephen H. King and Stephen S. Kao
Published August 12, 2004

For churches and other tax-exempt organizations, every four years the doctrine of election takes on a special meaning – as the IRS warns of the dangers of involvement in elections.

Penfield expansion offering hope to more men suffering from addictions
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 12, 2004

Bill Burns was a talented musician and had played in Tommy Dorsett’s “Big Band,” but seemed to be an incurable alcoholic. Occasionally, Burns would get sober and, filled with remorse, vow never to drink again, only to “fall off the wagon” once more. At last, Burns died in a drunken stupor. One can only imagine what would have happened if he had received the kind of help offered at Penfield Christian Home.

The Commission comes home for Cartersville First Baptist students
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published August 12, 2004

In years past, members of the student ministry at First Baptist Church here have traveled to Mexico, Ireland, Africa, the British Isles, Haiti, Denmark and the Amazon jungle, in the process logging more than 55,000 miles.

Winning the Wolverines with love
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 12, 2004

Robert “Buddy” Norton is 63 years old, but hangs out with teenagers and finds that it pays big dividends. Norton is pastor of Union Grove Church in McDonough and chaplain of a myriad of athletic teams at Union Grove High School. He has invested his life in the students and coaches in this Henry County educational institution that will be classified as a 5A school in terms of its athletic program starting this year.

Continuing a missions heritage
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published August 12, 2004

Throughout the years, Northside Baptist Church in Tifton has grown in reputation for sending its members out on the mission field.

Georgia NewsBriefs

The Index introduces Pantana as Editor’s secretary/receptionist
Published August 12, 2004

Elizabeth “Liz” Pantana has joined The Christian Index as receptionist as well as secretary to Editor Gerald Harris. She originally joined the staff last year as a temporary employee before the dual position became permanent.

Baptist News Summary

Online retirement planning now available from GuideStone
Published August 12, 2004

DALLAS (BP) — New and seasoned investors with GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention (formerly the Annuity Board) can now utilize the Web to view online presentations or participate in interactive online seminars for retirement planning.

Record offering enables trustees to expand IMB budget for key needs
Published August 12, 2004

TYLER, Texas (BP) — With a final tally of $136.2 million for the 2003 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, trustees of the International Mission Board approved a plan to expand the IMB budget for specific overseas needs during a July 12-14 meeting in Tyler, Texas.

Baylor president overcomes ouster push by critics for third time
Published August 12, 2004

WACO, Texas (BP) — Despite reports that Baylor University President Robert Sloan would be fired, the university’s board of regents unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to Sloan’s ambitious “Vision 2012” 10-year plan during a July 23 meeting in Waco, Texas.

Midwestern’s Internet classes set aside distance requirement
Published August 12, 2004

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) — Midwestern Seminary has eliminated a 75-mile distance requirement for students taking Internet classes through its Computer Assisted Seminary Education (CASE) Program.

Youth curriculum agreement signed by LifeWay & InQuest
Published August 12, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — LifeWay Christian Resources and InQuest Ministries have reached an agreement to form a publishing alliance for student ministry resources. The agreement comes after several months of negotiations.

Names in the news
Published August 12, 2004

James L. Blevins, a former professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Seminary, died July 24 in Louisville, Ky., after a long-term illness. He was 67.

Religious NewsBriefs

Poll: Protestant numbers shrinking, may lose majority status by next year
Published August 12, 2004

(RNS) Protestants could cease to be the majority religious group in the United States within the next year and their numbers already may have dipped below 50 percent, a new study by the National Opinion Research Center says.

Court says South Carolina town council’s prayers unconstitutional
Published August 12, 2004

An appeals court has ruled that a South Carolina town council violated the Constitution by opening meetings with Christian prayers.

Interfaith Alliance asks presidential candidates to dismantle Faith-Based office
Published August 12, 2004

The Interfaith Alliance has asked the presidential campaigns of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry to pledge to eliminate the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

“Frugal Gourmet,” Methodist minister Jeff Smith dead at 65
Published August 12, 2004

Jeff Smith, the Seattle-based minister known for his role as public television’s “Frugal Gourmet,” died July 7.

Smith, 65, died in his sleep, his business manager Jim Paddleford said.

People and Places

Ordinations
Published August 12, 2004

Anniversaries
Published August 12, 2004

Retirements
Published August 12, 2004

Homecomings
Published August 12, 2004

Dedications
Published August 12, 2004

Honors
Published August 12, 2004

Ministerial Moves
Published August 12, 2004

Cooperative Program Stories

Student Achievement Awards
Outstanding students to attend Georgia Baptist colleges
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published August 12, 2004

This fall, 14 outstanding college freshmen will receive scholarships through the Georgia Baptist Student Achievement Award program. These young men and women were chosen from among a large number of applications as a result of their scholastic achievement and outstanding involvement in both their churches and communities.

Bible Study

Be Humble
By Jerry Smith, Pastor, First Baptist McDonough
Published August 12, 2004

The November 22 devotional in My Utmost For His Highest has the following statement: “The passion of Christianity is that I deliberately sign away my own rights and become a bond slave of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I do not begin to be a saint.” My journal comment on that day in 1999 was “The Lord continues to remind me that I serve at His disposal. I will try again today to surrender my rights to Him.”

Take Courage
By Jerry Smith, Pastor, First Baptist McDonough
Published August 12, 2004

If you travel I-75 into Atlanta at 6:30 a.m., you’re not surprised at the number of people who are trying to get to the same place you are ... work! With the number of people that reside in the Atlanta area, it’s no wonder that it could take an hour to go a few miles. I’ve been told that people who travel the interstate system around Atlanta are accustomed to this kind of traffic and are not surprised at the congestion.

Columns

The cold, hard facts
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 12, 2004

I am not a pessimist. In fact, I have a very positive view of life. After all, with the firm conviction that God is sovereign, that I am redeemed, have a new song in my heart, have been adopted into the family of God and have a new name written down in glory, why should I be discouraged?

What will it take to bring young leaders back?
By Ed Stetzer
Published August 12, 2004

Jimmy Draper caused quite a stir when he said that young leaders were disconnecting from the Southern Baptist Convention. He then invited younger leaders to “help formulate a strategy to solve the problems (BP, June 28). As a 37-year-old denominational servant, I am not sure if I am a young leader anymore but let me at least add to the dialogue.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published August 12, 2004

Recently I received from the North American Mission Board the most recent statistics on recorded baptisms in Southern Baptist churches from 1971 through 2003.

Parents must screen outside influences on their children
By James Dobson
Published August 12, 2004