Issue Date: 2010-02-11
Volume: 189
Number: 3

News

Ready to step in
Truett-McConnell students available to serve through Ministerial Association
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published February 11, 2010

It's after lunch on Wednesday afternoon when the phone rings at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries office at Truett-McConnell College. Someone needs help.

Bill Ricketts leads Prince Avenue Baptist Church to 40-acre campus
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published February 11, 2010

Prince Avenue Baptist Church held the dedication service for their new church facilities on Sunday morning, Jan. 24. The church had been meeting for more than two years on their school property in Oconee County, but with the recent completion of the massive new church building the relocation process has come to a very successful conclusion.

Eight with Georgia ties graduate from Southern Seminary
Published February 11, 2010

Southern Seminary held its 204th graduation services Dec. 11 with 8 students with ties to Georgia receiving degrees.

Local businessman pledges $1.5 million to Shorter business college
By Dawn Tolbert
Published February 11, 2010

Shorter College officials announced Feb. 4 the founding of the Robert H. Ledbetter College of Business, to be located in the MidTown Crossing Shopping Center in Rome.

An indomitable group that is perennially young
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published February 11, 2010

Barbara McPeak is a member of First Baptist Church in Social Circle, but like most Christians her faith began to take shape when she was only a child.

Hunt, First Woodstock become CP champions
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published February 11, 2010

Church buses, pick-up trucks, vans, and automobiles transporting thousands of men were converging on First Baptist Church Woodstock last Friday for the second mammoth men's conference in consecutive weekends. Yet on the threshold of a tremendously busy weekend Pastor Johnny Hunt wanted to talk about the Cooperative Program.

New Orleans Seminary has six from Georgia receive master's degrees
Published February 11, 2010

New Orleans Seminary held graduation Dec. 19 with six students with Georgia ties earning master's degrees.

Weapons inscribed with Scripture halted
Published February 11, 2010

The manufacturer of high-powered rifle sights provided to the U.S. military has offered to stop inscribing Scripture references on its products after an ABC News investigative report.

Floyd: IMB/NAMB merger not in GCR plan
By Mark Kelly
Published February 11, 2010

The much-discussed merger of Southern Baptists' two mission boards will not be among the recommendations presented to the Southern Baptist Convention at its June meeting in Orlando, the chairman of the SBC's Great Commission Resurgence Task Force said Feb. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Pastors' work hours tallied in survey
By Mark Kelly
Published February 11, 2010

Protestant pastors in America are working long hours, sometimes at the expense of relationships with church members, prospects, family, and even the Lord, according to a LifeWay Research study released Jan. 5.

'Seek His kingdom,' says GBC leader at annual legislative prayer breakfast
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published February 11, 2010

Georgia Baptist Convention Assistant Executive Director Bobby Boswell encouraged state leaders to make God's priorities their priorities at the eighth annual Legislative Prayer Breakfast Jan. 27.

Keeping lines open
Major help from amateur radio operators in times of crisis
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published February 11, 2010

In March 2007 Guy McDonald, K4GTM reported with other Disaster Relief workers to post-tornado damage in Americus. Weeks removed from training, it was his first foray into the action.

Graham tops list of most influential preachers
By Kimberlee Hauss
Published February 11, 2010

Billy Graham was named by U.S. pastors as the country's most influential living preacher, according to a recent survey by LifeWay Research.

Norcross church's Haiti focus shifts to orphans
By Paul F. South
Published February 11, 2010

An Atlanta-area Haitian congregation refocused a planned trip to Haiti upon learning eight children with family ties to the church had been orphaned in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

Black churches team with hospitals to push better diets
By Sarah Jane Tribble, c. 2010 Religion News Service
Published February 11, 2010

For Deborah Taylor, keeping her body fit and eating well is a way of honoring her Lord.

Evangelicals stake Lewis' claim on liberal Mass. turf
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald, c. 2010 Religion News Service
Published February 11, 2010

At the point where Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts come together, and about a mile from a forest called Satans Kingdom, Northfield, Mass., isn't exactly what you’d call a hotbed of either conservatives or evangelicals.

Creating opportunities for MENtoring
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published February 11, 2010

What Lanier Mason does at Union Baptist Church comes naturally. He remembers his dad helping him build racer cars and onion and potato boxes when Lanier was six. Later on his grandfather would take time when not on his shift with the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department to give more instruction about woodworking.

Reaching out with 'word and deed' in Chicago
By Adam Miller
Published February 11, 2010

Two blocks east of the "El" Train Red Line in Uptown Chicago, a lady named Susan limps over from under a covered bus stop.

For Daly, focus on family is personal crusade
By Adelle M. Banks, c. 2009 Religion News Service
Published February 11, 2010

Despite his busy schedule as president of Colorado megaministry Focus on the Family, Jim Daly makes it a priority to leave the office in time to arrive home by 6 p.m. to spend time with his wife and two young sons.

Haitian pastor opens home, church to quake victims
By Tristan Taylor
Published February 11, 2010

He couldn't find the words to pray. He could only sing.

Georgia Newsbriefs

African American Fellowship of Georgia Baptist meeting this weekend in Jonesboro
Published February 11, 2010

The African American Fellowship of Georgia Baptists will host the One Band, One Sound Unity Rally Feb. 15 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

The Index now on Twitter
Published February 11, 2010

The Christian Index has officially entered the world of Twitter at twitter.com/christianindex. The social networking site will provide breaking news of interest to Georgia Baptists as well as a list of Georgia Baptist pastors and leaders for other Twitter users.

Baptist News Summary

Haiti day of prayer set for February 14
Published February 11, 2010

Southern Baptists in Florida and elsewhere have been called to raise their "collected voices" Feb. 14 on behalf of "the hurting people of Haiti as they try to recover from one of the most devastating disasters in the Western Hemisphere."

Annie offering reaches $56.5 million
Published February 11, 2010

Southern Baptists gave $56.5 million in 2009 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. The amount was 2.7 percent (or $1.5 million) off the previous year's giving mark and $8.5 million below the goal of $65 million.

Southwestern gets Scrolls fragments
Published February 11, 2010

Pieces from what many scholars argue is the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century have found a permanent residence at Southwestern Seminary. Southwestern trustee Gary Loveless presented President Paige Patterson with the collection during a seminary chapel service Jan. 20.

Golden Gate starts Vegas classes
Published February 11, 2010

Golden Gate Seminary is offering two eight-week classes in Las Vegas during the spring semester.

Names in the News
Published February 11, 2010

SBC Pastors' Conference to focus on 'Greater Things'
Published February 11, 2010

The 2010 SBC Pastors' Conference will focus on "Greater Things," according to Kevin Ezell, pastor of Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., and president of the pastors' sessions to be held in Orlando, Fla., June 13-14.

'Buckets of Hope' to help Haiti survivors
By Mickey Noah
Published February 11, 2010

Southern Baptists who want to immediately assist survivors of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti now have a practical, hands-on way to help: participating in the “Buckets of Hope” ministry.

Religious Newsbriefs

Jordan files complaint with United Nations over seizure of Dead Sea Scrolls
Published February 11, 2010

Jordan has complained to a United Nations agency after Canada refused to seize the Dead Sea Scrolls at a recent exhibit in Toronto.

North Korea again listed as most repressive regime for religious freedom
Published February 11, 2010

An organization that serves the persecuted church again has rated North Korea as the worst oppressor of Christians. It was the eighth consecutive year that Open Doors gave the Asian regime the top ranking, this time 25 points ahead of Iran, the No. 2-rated country.

Pope calls on mostly-Muslim Turkey to give Roman Catholic Church legal recognition
Published February 11, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI has called on Turkey to give legal recognition to the Roman Catholic Church in the Muslim-majority but politically secular nation, which has been criticized for its treatment of religious minorities as it seeks to join the European Union.

Majority of religious Americans disapprove of family members marrying atheists
Published February 11, 2010

Most Americans accept interracial marriage, but many people of faith say they would be troubled by a family member's decision to marry an atheist, the Pew Research Center reports.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published February 11, 2010

Homecoming
Published February 11, 2010

Honors
Published February 11, 2010

Ministerial Moves
Published February 11, 2010

New Deacons and Ordinations
Published February 11, 2010

Cooperative Program Stories

No cut-ups allowed
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published February 11, 2010

His grandfather taught Tracy Lettelleir how to use a chain saw. He's used it since he was a teenager at home and on the mission field, so he was confidant that he was ready for chain saw school.

Bible Study

How Can You Keep from Losing Your Mind?
By Bill Barber, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Thomaston
Published February 11, 2010

II Cor. 10:3-5; Eph 6:10-17
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Feb 21

What's On Your Mind?
By Bill Barber, pastor, First Baptist Thomaston
Published February 11, 2010

Col. 3:1-4
Bible Studies for Life, Feb 21

Columns

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published February 11, 2010

The reason I enjoy my ministry so much was beautifully framed by my experiences today.

Home schooling may be the right choice for your kids
By James Dobson
Published February 11, 2010

Putting a face on Facebook
By Peter Beck
Published February 11, 2010

Just over one year ago I went over to the darkside. I joined the club. I entered the 21st century. I became trendy. I went on Facebook.

Interest builds as GCR Task Force enters crucible of 'decision-making' stage of their report
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published February 11, 2010

Prior to his nomination as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Woodstock First Baptist Church Pastor Johnny Hunt stated, "Statistics indicate that 9 out of 10 Southern Baptist churches are declining. I have never been a part of anything on a death march, and I am willing with every fiber of my being to lead the charge for God’s great work in our denomination."

Letters

What's wrong with hard-and-fast truths?
By Don Broome, Cumming
Published February 11, 2010

Your editorial "Reinventing Christianity" struck several nerve-ends for me. Ever since I perceived the beginnings of the Emergent Church movement, I have wondered what their agenda was. It has now been made unmistakably clear.