Issue Date: 2009-12-03
Volume: 188
Number: 26

News

Downward pressure
Neighboring state conventions are coming to terms with a leaner economy as Cooperative Program giving shrinks to levels not seen in nearly a decade.
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published December 3, 2009

The U.S. government may have declared that the Great Recession is officially over, but try telling that to Georgia Baptists who continue to struggle with paying their mortgages while maintaining their financial commitment to their churches.

German church helped bring down Berlin Wall
By Deborah Potter, c. 2009 Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
Published December 3, 2009

St. Nikolai Evangelical Lutheran Church hasn't changed much since the 16th century.

First Redeemer Church engaged with Hugs for Soldiers
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 3, 2009

While almost everyone embraces the thought of being home for Christmas there are hundreds of thousands of men and women in the military who will not have that opportunity.

Perfect for 25 years
Black Springs Baptist member a Sunday School constant
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published December 3, 2009

It's in the details for Jason Miller. When seeing a car or truck driving down the highway, he takes mental notes and later reconstructs what he saw with his K-nex construction pieces. When bored, he hand copies Scripture for the amount of time it takes you to watch a movie.

Gatekeeper 316: assisting worship leaders
First Baptist Atlanta conference explores purpose of church music
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 3, 2009

J.S. Bach said, "All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music, but only a devilish hub-bub."

In Ethiopia, uncovering the truth
Published December 3, 2009

At first glance it doesn't look like a cross. Diamond-shaped with a handle, it is obscured beneath decoration and ornate carvings.

Warner Robins church joins 'Missionary Encouragers'
By Jami Becher
Published December 3, 2009

One catalyst for transforming ordinary churchgoers into mobilized, on-mission Christians is a personal connection with a missionary.

Fort Hood-area churches offer refuge
By Erin Roach and Mickey Noah
Published December 3, 2009

A couple of Southern Baptist congregations near Fort Hood served as rallying places for the community and offered messages of hope Nov. 8 following a shooting on a military post that left 12 soldiers, one civilian, and one pre-born baby dead and 29 others wounded.

GBC archives accepts 200th gift
Published December 3, 2009

Trivia question: Where was Missy Mitchell on May 26, 1996, and what was she doing there?

First Duluth teaches on CP through VBS, Thanksgiving
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published December 3, 2009

The recent melding of two long-standing missions endeavors has become a new object lesson for children of First Baptist Church here.

'Food insecurity' for 14.6 million households
By Angela Abbamonte
Published December 3, 2009

More than one in seven American households found it hard to put enough food on the table last year, according to figures released Nov. 16 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Baptist News Summary

Southeastern gains in enrollment
Published December 3, 2009

News of an increase in enrollment was reported to Southeastern Seminary's trustees during their fall meeting at the Wake Forest, N.C., campus.

Hunt diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer following monitoring
Published December 3, 2009

Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt has been diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer and will undergo initial treatment in January.

Names in the News
Published December 3, 2009

Frank Page, family mourn loss of daughter Melissa
Published December 3, 2009

Frank Page, who serves as vice president of evangelization for the North American Mission Board and served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2006-2008, has asked for prayer for himself and his family in the death of his daughter, Melissa.

Disaster relief cleanup continues in American Samoa
Published December 3, 2009

IMB appoints 55 new workers despite financial hardships
Published December 3, 2009

Despite the rocky economy and a red-line budget, International Mission Board trustees took a step of faith Nov. 10 when they celebrated the appointment of 55 new missionaries at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, La., in conjunction with the Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting.

Pastor treks to nearby mosque in the wake of Fort Hood shootings
Published December 3, 2009

Jerry Jewell had visited there before, conveying a heartfelt message: "Jesus Christ loves you and He desires to save you, and that is why I am here."

Religious Newsbriefs

Lutherans adopt motion to ask forgiveness for 16th-century persecutions
Published December 3, 2009

Lutheran World Federation leaders plan to apologize for their ancestors 16th-century persecution of Anabaptists, religious reformers whose successors include Mennonites and the Amish.

Faith-based prison run on biblical concepts proposed in Oklahoma town
Published December 3, 2009

A tiny town in Oklahoma is throwing its support behind a push to build a privately run, faith-based prison that would employ only Christians and attempt to rehabilitate inmates using biblical concepts.

No more Holocaust comparisons with health care reform, religious leaders say
Published December 3, 2009

Religious leaders are urging their colleagues and politicians to keep comparisons to Nazism and the Holocaust out of American public policy debates.

Court finds Scientology guilty of fraud
Published December 3, 2009

For the second time in a month, the Church of Scientology won a battle against its dissolution in Europe, despite a stiff sentence handed down by a French court against its operations here.

People and Places

New Deacons/Ordinations
Published December 3, 2009

Obituaries
Published December 3, 2009

Honors
Published December 3, 2009

Ministerial Moves
Published December 3, 2009

Cooperative Program Stories

Giving and receiving
By Sherri Brown, Communications Services
Published December 3, 2009

For years, the public housing facility across from Savannah Baptist Center has required its unemployed residents to do eight hours of community service each month. That's how Sandra Franklin first came to the doors of the center.

Bible Study

Go Tell It on the Mountain
By Jim Duggan, senior pastor, Ty Ty First Baptist Church
Published December 3, 2009

Joy to the World
By Jim Duggan, senior pastor, Ty Ty First Baptist Church
Published December 3, 2009

Luke 1:46-55
Related Sunday School Lesson,Bible Studies for Life, Dec 13

Columns

Our longing for home is a longing for God
By Dick Staub, c. 2009 Religion News Service
Published December 3, 2009

When I was a child I lived in a small logging town in Southern Oregon.

Reflections on 'The Rap' and kudos from the parliamentarian
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 3, 2009

Since our Georgia Baptist Convention meeting I have preached in another state convention, traveled to Germany and Latvia, enjoyed a family vacation in the Sunshine State with all ten grandchildren, had another birthday, and had some time to reflect on our recent GBC meeting at First Baptist Church in Woodstock.

Sometimes responsibility is learned the hard way
By James Dobson
Published December 3, 2009

Keeping the Body healthy: Supporting CP
By Sarah Young
Published December 3, 2009

Coupons in hand, I race through the grocery store attempting to find the most nutritious foods for the least amount of money. Today's economic climate pushes me to pinch every penny while the thought of the latest strain of flu keeps my focus on fruits and veggies for my two-year-old.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published December 3, 2009

"How can I get more money to the International Mission Board to support the taking of the Gospel to the nations?"