Issue Date: 2011-10-20
Volume: 190
Number: 21

News

CP challenge meets no resistance
By Lonnie Wilkey, BRENTWOOD, TN
Published October 20, 2011

If Southern Baptist churches would increase their Cooperative Program giving by 1 percent next year, an additional $100 million would be available for accomplishing the Great Commission, Frank Page said during the Executive Committee report at the SBC annual meeting.

'Courageous' used to reach first responders
By Mickey Noah
Published October 20, 2011

A coalition of churches in Richmond, VA, is using the new movie, "Courageous," to let local first responders know how much they're appreciated and admired by citizens in the metro area.

CP finishes up for year: 'a cause for joy,' Page says
Published October 20, 2011

The Cooperative Program allocation budget ended its fiscal year with its first increase since 2007, a moment that Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President and CEO Frank Page said was a "cause for joy" in light of economic hard times.

Courageous finishes 2nd weekend at No. 6
Published October 20, 2011

The church-made film "Courageous" ended its second weekend at No. 6 in total gross, although it finished No. 3 on a per-theater average.

GBC Annual Meeting to feature evangelism training
Published October 20, 2011

In an effort reflecting a renewed push toward evangelism, equipping sessions for that purpose will be a new staple of the Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, held this year Nov. 14-15 at North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville.

Pastor ignites debate over Romney, Mormonism
By Michael Foust
Published October 20, 2011

Comments about Mitt Romney and Mormonism by prominent Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress have reignited a debate within evangelicalism about whether Christians should vote for a Mormon for president.

Pakistani Christians thank pioneer missionaries for bringing them the Gospel
Macon couple invested more than three decades in service
By Goldie Frances
Published October 20, 2011

Aadam Channar* was only a young boy quietly listening in the shadows when Baptist missionary Hu Addleton first brought the Gospel to his Hindu tribal village in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

Johnson Ferry staff retreat comes to Clarkston
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published October 20, 2011

For the past few years the annual staff retreat for Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta has had a missional flair, with those days being spent conducting inner-city ministry in Atlanta.

Is it really all about nothing?
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published October 20, 2011

Mark Twain, whose worldview is difficult to pin down, sounded very much like an atheist when he said, "There is no other life; life itself is only a vision and a dream for nothing exists but space and you."

Poll: Pastors say Mormons not Christians
Published October 20, 2011

Most pastors feel strongly that Mormons are not Christians, according to a survey by LifeWay Research.

From Jail to Jesus: Former addict shares story
By Winston Skinner, The Newnan Times-Herald
Published October 20, 2011

About 13 years ago, Wayne Stewart was introduced to crystal methamphetamine - a drug that became an overpowering force in his life.

NAMB commissions 67 new missionaries at North Metro in Lawerenceville
By Joe Conway
Published October 20, 2011

Members and guests at North Metro Baptist Church gathered for a missionary commissioning service witnessed a tangible reminder of the purpose for their celebration when Senior Pastor Frank Cox opened the evening by baptizing Bianca, a new church member from El Salvador.

Georgia Baptists you should know: Sarah Davis (Rincon)
An up-close look at interesting people
Published October 20, 2011

There are a variety of ways to share one's faith. Index Managing Editor Joe Westbury met up with Sarah Davis at the Anderson/Cohen Weightlifting Center in Savannah where she told about competing internationally and how it opens the door to telling others about Christ.

People and Places

Honors
Published October 20, 2011

Being Social
Published October 20, 2011

Ordinations
Published October 20, 2011

Revivals
Published October 20, 2011

Ministerial Moves
Published October 20, 2011

Shelton honored by Georgia Association for 25 years of service
Published October 20, 2011

Elected
Published October 20, 2011

Cooperative Program Stories

Mike Simoneaux - Georgia Baptists' institutional troubleshooter
By Mike Williams, State Missionary, Vice President for Operartions/Assistant Executive Director
Published October 20, 2011

The Cooperative Program was born out of a time of institutional difficulty.

Bible Study

Satisfaction Found
By C. Stanley Luke, pastor, First Baptist Church, Nashville
Published October 20, 2011

John 6:5-13, 35-40
Family Bible Studies for Life, Oct 30

Accept the Call
By C. Stanley Luke, pastor, First Baptist Church, Nashville
Published October 20, 2011

Exodus 3:1-6, 4:1-12
Family Bible Studies for Life, Nov 6

Columns

Is your testimony authentic?
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published October 20, 2011

On a recent trip to San Diego, CA and Tijuana, Mexico I met Hugo Campos, who is on the staff of the San Diego Baptist Association. He is a passionate Christian who shared with me a simple plan of salvation, which he uses and has found effective.

NAMB president responds to evangelist's disappointment
By Kevin Ezell, President, North American Mission Board
Published October 20, 2011

I was disappointed to read Jerry Drace's guest column in which he listed the North American Mission Board as the number one reason for the demise of the Southern Baptist evangelist.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published October 20, 2011

Henry and Richard Blackaby wrote a wonderful book on leadership titled Spiritual Leadership. Chapter nine of the book deals with how effective leaders use their time.

Kids need stability during 'earthquake' of divorce
By Jim Daly, Juli Slattery
Published October 20, 2011

Letters

Name change should include priority change
By Allen L. Brock, Hartwell
Published October 20, 2011

Personally I don't care what name the SBC uses because it will not define us, and members of a church are not of the same mind on all subjects. If we change our name, I think we should change our priorities also.

Insiders need to stop
By Wayne Jenkins, Director of Missions, Western Association, Newnan
Published October 20, 2011

Many Georgia Baptists have been reading an anonymous blog created by a so-called group of "Insiders."