Issue Date: 2004-12-16
Volume: 183
Number: 26

News

Taking comfort in a White House Christmas
By Delia M. Rios, c. 2004 Religion News Service
Published December 16, 2004

WASHINGTON - There were no Christmas trees in Theodore Roosevelt's White House. Speculation was that the president, an ardent environmentalist, would not have it.

Beech Haven members evangelize in the land of Butch and Sundance
By Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 16, 2004

BEAVER, UTAH - Robert LeRoy Parker, alias "Butch Cassidy," is remembered in folklore as the "Robin Hood of the West." "Cassidy" and his partner in crime, Harry Longabaugh, better known as the "Sundance Kid," put together one of the longest sequences of bank and train robberies in the history of the American West.

Georgia minister has "Idaho" on his mind (and heart)
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 16, 2004

Coeur D' Alene is situated in the panhandle of Idaho about 30 miles west of Spokane, Wash. The July 2004 issue of Atlanta's Points North magazine stated, "Idaho is known as the Gem State and Coeur D'Alene is perhaps its prize jewel." This sparkling gem is bordered on the south by Coeur D'Alene Lake, known for its pristine serenity and heralded as one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world.

How a religiously sensitive president became a zealot in his critics' eyes
By Delia M. Rios, c. 2004 Religion News Service
Published December 16, 2004

WASHINGTON - George W. Bush, a man with deep Christian convictions, invariably includes Jews and Muslims when he speaks of religion, and welcomes the "faith of every person." He even goes the extra mile for agnostics and atheists. The day after he claimed a second term, Bush volunteered that people with no faith are just as American as he is.

Moldova - They do it for the children
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published December 16, 2004

They peek in through windows at free medical clinics where their parents hear the gospel while waiting for treatment. They stretch to look over pews to catch a glimpse of the foreign speaker in the worship service. And others are cradled in a parent's arms as the entire family hears the gospel during a concert of Christian music.

Georgia Baptists opened their hearts, wallets for Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in 2003
State goal is $11,000,000 for 2004
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published December 16, 2004

It's amazing what God can do.

Georgia Newsbriefs

Godsey announces end of tenure as Mercer president for 2006
Published December 16, 2004

Mercer University President and CEO R. Kirby Godsey announced Dec.2 that he has asked the board of trustees to begin the search for the university's next president. The request came during the board's regular fall meeting as Godsey revealed his plans to step down as president on June 30, 2006.

Freemans named to two leading positions at Gwinnett Metro Association meeting
Published December 16, 2004

A husband and wife have been elected to positions of leadership in the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Association.

Baptist News Summary

Union to add three master's-level Christian studies degrees
Published December 16, 2004

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP) - Three new graduate degrees in Christian studies have been approved by Union University trustees as part of its "Union 2010: A Vision for Excellence" goals for the next five years.

La. College placed on 1-year probation by accrediting body
Published December 16, 2004

PINEVILLE, La. (BP) - An accrediting agency has placed Louisiana College on probation for one year, giving the school 12 months to meet standards for compliance. During that process the school will maintain its accreditation.

College president notes implications of Tenn. Baptist theology inquiry
Published December 16, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - In the view of one college president, "potential difficulties related to governance and operations" may result from a motion to "investigate and study the theological teachings" of institutions of higher education affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

National WMU exec responds to Va. WMU declaration
Published December 16, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - The national Woman's Missionary Union and Virginia WMU are autonomous organizations, national WMU Executive Director Wanda Lee said in a statement regarding a "Declaration of the Dignity of Women" adopted by Virginia WMU in September.

Southwestern academic chair named for LifeWay's Draper
Published December 16, 2004

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) - Southwestern Seminary inaugurated the James T. "Jimmy" Draper Jr. Chair of Pastoral Ministry during a special chapel service at the school on Nov 9.

CP 1% ahead of last year, despite 7.62% dip in Nov.
Published December 16, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program are up nearly 1 percent compared to the same time frame in 2003, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman.

Southern Baptists of Texas donation supports Glorieta revitalization
Published December 16, 2004

GLORIETTA, N.M. (BP) - Thanks to a $250,000 gift from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, the LifeWay Glorieta Conference Center will receive a boost in its revitalization efforts.

Religious Newsbriefs

Evangelical scholars further explain support for Biblical inerrancy
Published December 16, 2004

(RNS) A group of evangelical scholars has taken the first step to more clearly state its support of biblical inerrancy, the belief that the Bible is without error.

Muslim group protests 'Raghead Cadaver' comment on Imus program
Published December 16, 2004

(RNS) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a national Muslim civil liberties organization, is protesting comments made on talk show host Don Imus' program, which is nationally broadcast on radio and on television network MSNBC.

Activist eyes 2008 Olympics if China continues religious persecution
Published December 16, 2004

WASHINGTON (RNS) A human rights activist has proposed a campaign in which American businesses would withhold investment in the 2008 Olympics if persecution of religious groups continues in China.

Survey says more women, older clients being served in rescue missions
Published December 16, 2004

(RNS) The nation's rescue missions have seen an increase in women clients and are finding older people need their services more, a new survey by the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions shows.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published December 16, 2004

Ordinations
Published December 16, 2004

Anniversaries
Published December 16, 2004

Ministerial Moves
Published December 16, 2004

Birthdays
Published December 16, 2004

Dedications
Published December 16, 2004

Honors
Published December 16, 2004

Cooperative Program Stories

Lottie Moon Honoring Georgia connections at Christmas
The state Lottie Moon Goal is $11 million, national goal is $150 million.
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published December 16, 2004

Georgia Baptists have long heard of their local connection to Lottie Moon - the namesake of the international missions offering.

Bible Study

Announce Jesus, the Source for New Life
By Mike Stone, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Blackshear
Published December 16, 2004

Jesus Christ is our example in all areas of life. Very often we overlook the example he left for us as an evangelist. In the well-loved story of the woman at the well we see a Master Soul-Winner at work. As we observe the Savior by Jacob's well, we see several key factors to His evangelistic success as He announces Himself as the source for new life.

Intentional Christianity: Pratice Integrity
By Larry S. McDonald, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, Truett-McConnell College
Published December 16, 2004

Every New Year's it happens: The peach in Atlanta drops, completing a countdown to the initiation of a fresh, new start. All across the state of Georgia people from all walks of life will make resolutions toward better living. But as Christians we can do so much more: Reflection ... contemplation ... examination! We look back on the previous year to evaluate. Then we must look forward to the coming year to plan.

Columns

Distraction often the best discipline for toddlers
By Dr. James Dobson
Published December 16, 2004

What's your view of Christmas?
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 16, 2004

Christmas! I know people, none of whom are children, who think Christmas is boring. To these uninspired folks Christmas comes with relentless regularity and seemingly increasing frequency. These poor benign souls view the Christmas carols as worn and hackneyed. They are wearied of the accouterments of the season and generally tired of trying to pretend that they are in favor of what they view as the sham of what Christmas has become.

Finding Ways to Give
By Scott Barkley, Index writer
Published December 16, 2004

Ways Baptist Church in Wrens didn't get the memo.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published December 16, 2004

When we think of the Christmas story many characters come to mind. Certainly, front and center are Mary and Joseph as they make their journey to Bethlehem and seek a place for the birth of the Christ Child. Just imagine how weary they must have been. How anxious they must have been to find a safe place for Mary to have her baby. How disappointed they must have been to be turned away at the inn, but how resourceful to take up residence in the stable.

Letters

A Church without power
By Charles E. Wright, Baxley
Published December 16, 2004

We hear that America is at a crossroads. We know our duty to elect Godly men to power, to elect judges and legislators who will legislate and enforce moral standards. We watch our country fall apart, and blame it on not having prayer in the schools, or not having the Ten Commandments in the courthouses, or the media with their liberal agenda.