News

School at home growing in popularity
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published May 25, 2006

Deborah Hartzog says the move to homeschooling was the right fit for her family.

Former Georgia pastor Frank Page to be nominated for SBC president
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor, With supplemental reporting by Baptist Press
Published May 25, 2006

Frank Page, pastor of 4,300-member First Baptist Church of Taylors, S.C. and former pastor of Warren Baptist Church in Augusta, will be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention in mid-June.

A likely winner who has chosen not to run
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published May 25, 2006

Since Johnny Hunt decided last month not to allow his name to be placed in nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, speculation has been increasing about the possible nomination of another Georgia Baptist pastor for SBC president. Frank Cox, pastor of North Metro First Baptist Church here, has been mentioned not only in Georgia, but also across the nation as a worthy and viable candidate for the SBC’s highest elected office.

Fordham to be nominated first vice president
Published May 25, 2006

Georgia evangelist Keith Fordham will be nominated for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention by Bill Britt, president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists (COSBE).

Floyd: Nomination unexpected, would seek spiritual renewal
Published May 25, 2006

Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church here, announced May 7 that he will nominate Ronnie Floyd, pastor of First Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark., for president of the Southern Baptist convention during the annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14.

Move just the beginning of new things at New Orleans extension
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published May 25, 2006

In the latest of what would seem to be nine months of continual moving, New Orleans Seminary announced the relocating of its North Georgia Extension Center from Decatur to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church April 12.

Revival Report
Published May 25, 2006

Tennessee Baptists reject Belmont settlement, vote to remove trustees
Published May 25, 2006

Tennessee Baptists meeting in special session May 9 rejected a settlement offer from Belmont University, choosing instead to remove the school’s trustees and pursue a path that could lead to litigation against the school.

Legacy continues through gift of church property and facilities
By Margaret McCommon Dempsey, Special to the Index
Published May 25, 2006

Lithia Heights Baptist Church, once a thriving congregation in West Metro Association, found itself in a changing community, with a declining and aging membership and decreasing financial resources.

Georgia Baptist teaching principles from home in a public setting
Public school teacher’s two oldest children attend public school, while three youngest are homeschooled
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published May 25, 2006

The values Tom Rittweger looks to instill in his children through home- school are the ones he hopes to exhibit as a teacher in the public school system.

Former Georgia Baptist minister Carlisle Driggers to retire from S.C. leadership post
By Don Kirkland
Published May 25, 2006

B. Carlisle Driggers, saying “the time has come for me to announce my retirement,” will step aside as executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention on Feb. 28, 2007 after 15 years at the helm of the nation’s oldest state Baptist convention.

Calls for federal amendment strengthen following Georgia reversal
State judge overturns marriage amendment despite 76% voter approval
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer, with additional reporting by Baptist Press
Published May 25, 2006

The May 16 ruling by Judge Constance Russell that the state’s constitutional marriage amendment violates the state constitution has set off a new round of cries for a federal marriage amendment.

Defending the Faith
By Ray Newman, Specialist, Ethics & Public Affairs, GBC
Published May 25, 2006

The Da Vinci Code, the international best seller by Dan Brown, has been made into a movie with Tom Hanks playing the lead role. This movie directed by Ron Howard presents the opportunity for Christians to dialogue with their friends concerning the issues that are raised. Some people may suggest that it is best to ignore this movie and any issues it brings up because the author of the material has an obvious bias against Christianity.

Georgia NewsBriefs

New bill affects training requirements for church van and bus drivers
Published May 25, 2006

Georgia Baptists driving church busses and vans will soon be required to sign up for a program promoting national highway safety.

Brewton-Parker receives $500,000 anonymous gift for capital campaign
Published May 25, 2006

Two major capital improvements to Brewton-Parker College’s main campus are one step closer to becoming reality.

Baptist News Summary

‘Crossover Triad’ to kick off SBC annual meeting
Published May 25, 2006

Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point, N.C., will be blanketed by Southern Baptist volunteers Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11, when “Crossover Triad 2006” comes to the area the weekend before the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Greensboro June 13-14.

25th Korean Council meeting to focus on Acts 1:8, WMU
Published May 25, 2006

Members from the Southern Baptist Convention’s 750-plus Korean churches will meet on the campus of Wheaton College June 19-22 for the 25th annual gathering of the Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches in America.

LifeWay survey examines top 10 issues facing families
Published May 25, 2006

A two-round survey conducted last November and December by the Internet strategies department of LifeWay Christian Resources found that modern families struggle with a variety of issues ranging from an anti-Christian culture to materialism.

Religious NewsBriefs

Chinese accuse Pope of trying to undermine communism after appointment
Published May 25, 2006

The appointment of a Hong Kong bishop as cardinal may be part of a strategy by the Vatican to bring down the communist government in China, the leader of China’s state-controlled Catholic Church said March 10.

U.S. Commission finds ‘serious problem’ with anti-Semitism on campuses
Published May 25, 2006

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reported April 3 that many college campuses have a “serious problem” with anti-Semitism and urges universities and government agencies to take corrective steps.

Murder case sparks German debate about Islam, immigration
Published May 25, 2006

Germans are debating whether 10 years imprisonment is a suitable punishment for a man who killed his sister because she refused to adhere to his concept of a traditional Muslim lifestyle.

Study finds Canadian clergy burned out, isolated
Published May 25, 2006

A study by the University of Toronto has confirmed what many clergy have long known: Pastors are victims of stress, isolation and burn-out.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published May 25, 2006

Ordinations
Published May 25, 2006

Retirements
Published May 25, 2006

Ministerial Moves
Published May 25, 2006

Cooperative Program Stories

Little white church, great big difference
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published May 25, 2006

Duncan McKay passed the truck stop hundreds of times before stopping in one Saturday night. He was making yet another Atlanta to Florida run but was running a day ahead, so he stopped at the TA Travel Center on Interstate 85 in Cordele to kill a little time. As he shopped in the store, he noticed a sign advertising a chapel service in an upstairs room. He decided he would attend services the next morning.

Bible Study

Caleb: Faith Endures
By Cecil Clegg, Pastor, Heritage Baptist Church, Douglasville
Published May 25, 2006

Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9; Joshua 14:6-14
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, June 4

Daniel: Faith Refuses to Compromise
By Cecil Clegg, Pastor, Heritage Baptist Church, Douglasville
Published May 25, 2006

Daniel 6:3-5, 10-13, 16-19, 25-27
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, June 11

Columns

Bring it on – your nomination, that is
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published May 25, 2006

The 2006 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting will be held in Greensboro, N.C., at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex on June 13-14. It will be the fifth time the Convention has met in North Carolina, but the first time since 1916 when it met in Asheville.

Emerging Leaders or Submerging Servants?
By Ben Brammer, Doctoral student, Southeastern Seminary
Published May 25, 2006

As a 26-year-old pastor I am excited about the potential for the emerging generation of Southern Baptists. We live in a changing culture, and our generation will encounter unique and challenging obstacles that previous generations did not experience.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published May 25, 2006

Thankful that the stock market is performing better these days has made me think more about investments. It’s funny, when the market is doing poorly, I am fairly disinterested in checking on my investments, knowing that, not only are they not growing, they are decreasing. On the other hand, when the stock market is on the rise, I get enthused about getting on my computer to check my retirement account with GuideStone and anticipate seeing growth.

You can’t spell “SBC president” without a “C” and a “P”
By Mike Stone, senior pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Blackshear
Published May 25, 2006

When a convention leader told me a few weeks ago about Dr. Ronnie Floyd’s forthcoming nomination as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, I confess I was overjoyed. I’ve read his books. I’ve seen his broadcast. I’ve heard of his wonderful accomplishments for the Kingdom.

Try a little kindness if you know single parents in need
Published May 25, 2006