MAY 2011 | Vol. 29, No. 5 | baptiststoday.org
NORTH CAROLINA
Soul food Families nourished by dinner night out page 4
MULTI-SITE NEW BAPTIST COVENANT EVENT SET FOR NOVEMBER page 10
BAPTISTS TODAY
John D. Pierce Executive Editor Julie Steele Chief Operations Officer
MAY 2011 | Vol. 29 No. 5
“To serve churches by providing a reliable source of unrestricted news coverage, thoughtful analysis, helpful resources and inspiring features focusing on issues of importance to Baptist Christians.”
Jackie B. Riley Managing Editor Tony W. Cartledge Contributing Editor Bruce T. Gourley Online Editor David Cassady Church Resources Editor Steve DeVane Contributing Writer
> Getting free from frustration ......................................................7 By John Pierce
An autonomous national Baptist news journal
> Gaustad kept us reminded of ‘Roger’s crazy ideas’ ................17 By John Pierce
Vickie Frayne Art Director
> Unlike Ford, Edwin Gaustad knew the value of history ..........17 By James M. Dunn
Jannie Lister Office Assistant Kim L. Hovis Development/Marketing Associate Bob Freeman Development/Marketing Associate Walker Knight Publisher Emeritus
PERSPECTIVES
Jack U. Harwell Editor Emeritus
Board of Directors Gary F. Eubanks, Marietta, Ga. (chairman) Kelly L. Belcher, Spartanburg, S.C. (vice chair) Z. Allen Abbott, Peachtree City, Ga. Jimmy R. Allen, Big Canoe, Ga. Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Thomas E. Boland, Alpharetta, Ga. Huey Bridgman, Columbus, Ga. Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. Robert Cates, Rome, Ga. Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. David Currie, San Angelo, Texas James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. R. Kirby Godsey, Macon, Ga. Ben Gross, Chattanooga, Tenn. Leslie D. Hill, Lexington, Ky. Michael M. Massar, Tyler, Texas J. Thomas McAfee, Macon, Ga. Michael G. Queen, Wilmington, N.C. Lee Royal, Greensboro, N.C. Mary Etta Sanders, Dalton, Ga. Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. Macon Sheppard, Folly Beach, S.C. Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. Charlotte Cook Smith, Raleigh, N.C. David M. Smith, Houston, Texas Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. David Turner, Richmond, Va. Clement H. White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Winnie V. Williams, Seneca, S.C. Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) is published monthly by: Baptists Today P.O. Box 6318 Macon, GA 31208-6318 Subscription rates: 1 year, $20 2 years, $35 1 year groups of 25 or more, $18 1 year groups of less than 25, $20 1 year Canada, $35 1 year foreign, $50 Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Baptists Today P.O. Box 6318 Macon, GA 31208-6318 (478) 301-5655 1-877-752-5658 www.baptiststoday.org © 2011 Baptists Today. All rights reserved.
> Bell on Hell ................................................................................18 By Leroy Seat
Former, current pastors can make healthy handoffs
8
By Bill Wilson
> ‘A Decade of Promise’ — a decade later ..................................25 By Walter B. Shurden > Is cooperative missions dead? ................................................26 By Mark Wingfield
Chinese connection made in Missouri By Robert Hamblin
IN THE NEWS
12
> Host churches sought for New Baptist Covenant II ................10 > Craddock commends good starts for ministers, churches ....11 > New Bible museum to feature significant artifacts..................16 > News Digest ....................................................................14,15,24 > Expanded, newly designed Baptists Today ............................36 coming in June; May tour set > New online teaching resources coming next month ..............37
> Fellowship gathering focuses on justice, mercy......................39
“A rabbi, an imam & two preachers go on a trip …”
F E AT U R E S
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan
> CBFNC continues to discuss doctrinal document ..................38
34
> Baptists and the Civil War: May 1861 ......................................30 By Bruce Gourley > Langdons answer six questions about CBF ............................31 > The Pickin’ Preacher ..................................................................33 By John Pierce
Cover photo by John Pierce Members of a Dalton, Ga., congregation serve up more than food.
Story on page 4
IN EVERY ISSUE Quotation Remarks
6
Classifieds
23
Editorial
7
Lighter Side
28
Bible Studies
19
Reblog
29
In the Know
22
Media
32
May 2011 • Baptists Today |
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FEATURE
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN PIERCE
Soul food Families nourished by dinner night out
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ALTON, Ga. — About every other Tuesday the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church of Dalton, Ga., looks especially hospitable. Tables are set, affirming messages roll quietly across a screen, and Jane Jarrett faithfully provides soft piano music. There is no program — but a clear purpose: to provide a good meal and an enjoyable night out for families who otherwise might not have such an opportunity. “Soul Food” is a dream turned reality for Gail Duke who found her fellow church members and ministers eager to pitch in to provide such hospitality for the working poor in a community hit especially hard by the economic downturn. “They come as families and we feed them here,” Gail said of the simple, but effective event that occurs on the first, third and fifth Tuesdays of each month. Balloons, banners and birthday cakes on this particular evening mark the celebration of three years for “Soul Food.” Children with icing on their fingers finish their hearty meals and head over to tables where teens engage them in face painting and balloon art. It is apparent that more is being fed than empty stomachs. “The stories are amazing,” said Gail, during a rare break from moving table-totable to greet families and to invite them to complete a survey that will help volunteers know what other services might be helpful. Some of that is already taking place. One Sunday school class assisted those needing help with tax return preparation. And a “Soul Food” children’s choir is being formed.
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Church members Lori Lowery and Tim Rogers, editor of the local newspaper, serve guests attending the three-year-old “Soul Food” dinner at First Baptist Church of Dalton, Ga.
SERVING HANDS Gail credits the church’s kitchen staff and many volunteers with the enthusiasm that continues to grow after three years. Seven teams work the kitchen, serving line and tables on a rotating basis. For some church members, their turn doesn’t roll around often enough. Betty and Charles Langford showed up even though it wasn’t their turn to serve. “It’s addictive,” said Betty. “You get to know the people.” Pastor Bill Ireland, who came to the church after “Soul Food” was already going strong, said it takes no motivation from him or other ministers. He might offer a suggestion or give feedback to an idea, he said, “but mostly I get out of the way.” Twice a year, when the weather in North Georgia is especially good, the dinner moves outdoors and becomes a cookout. GETTING STARTED While attending a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia meeting, Gail heard someone from another congregation talk of serving “the working poor” and was intrigued. Various programs fed homeless persons regularly, she knew. But Gail wondered if
Scott and Kerri went to “Soul Food” for a meal and found friends, work, a place to live and a church home.
there were families in Dalton who scraped to get by and could use a night out on occasion. On the drive back from the meeting she filled the ears of her then-pastor Bill Wilson with her growing plan. “The church was doing renovations,” said Gail, who served on the missions committee at the time. “So I stayed quiet for a little while.” Soon afterward, her proposal was well received and a planning committee was formed. The first dinner was set and flyers were placed in the city schools — although most promotion was by “more word of mouth,” she said.
INFORMATION
New online teaching resources coming next month Lesson plans, videos, commentaries to be part of ‘Nurturing Faith’ When the newly redesigned and expanded Baptists Today arrives in June, it will carry Bible studies by Tony Cartledge as well as lessons for youth and children. And teachers of these lessons will find abundant and easily accessible resources at www.baptiststoday.org.
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ne helpful resource will be printable weekly lesson plans written by Rick Jordan as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina and Baptists Today. “Those who attend Sunday school or other Bible study groups have different interests,” said Jordan, church resources director for CBFNC. “Some want to build relationships while others want in-depth Bible study and
others want to be challenged to intersect the Bible with their daily lives.” To those ends, Jordan has developed FIT — a model for teaching that begins with an interactive exercise to create Rick Jordan Fellowship, then moves into the Information stage of biblical exploration and concludes with a Transformational experience. “When the students leave the classroom, they know something about each other they didn’t David Cassady know before, they’ve gained some important biblical knowledge they didn’t have before and
THE ROLL-OUT TOUR — MAY 23-26 Baptists Today editors to preview newly designed, expanded news journal Get an early look at the NEW Baptists Today with its fresh design and expanded church resources including new Bible studies by Tony Cartledge as well as lessons for youth
BIRMINGHAM, AL — A dinner coordinated by Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Details, including reservation information, will be posted at www. alabamacbf.org when completed.
and children. Discuss these added features in the news journal and abundant online resources with Baptists Today editors John Pierce, Bruce Gourley and David Cassady. Additional events will be scheduled in other locations in the months ahead. Please invite Baptists Today to your area. Monday, May 23 ATLANTA, GA — A luncheon hosted and sponsored by Bo Prosser, Coordinator for Congregational Life of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. No charge. 11:30 a.m. at the CBF Resource Center, 2930 Flowers Rd., South, Atlanta. Email Christa at csfameni@ thefellowship.info for reservations.
Tuesday, May 24 HUNTSVILLE, AL — A luncheon coordinated by Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Details, including reservation information, will be posted at www. alabamacbf.org when completed. CHATTANOOGA, TN — A 6:30 p.m. dinner hosted by First Baptist Church of Chattanooga at 401 Gateway Ave. No charge. (See Baptists Today contact information below for reservations.) Wednesday, May 25 KNOXVILLE, TN — An 11:30 a.m. luncheon hosted by Ball Camp Baptist Church at
they are challenged to live in a different way than before,” said Jordan. A former pastor and church educator, Jordan (rjordan@cbfnc.org) is also available to lead retreats or other events for teachers, deacons or other church leadership. The new Bible studies in the “Nurturing Faith” section of Baptists Today, as well as the online resources, are being coordinated by Baptists Today’s church resources editor, David Cassady, an experienced Christian educator and curriculum developer. “I’m excited about the way this new curriculum both offers solid printed materials and innovative online resources,” said David, who is also president of Faith Lab, which provides media services to churches and church-related groups and is developing the Faith Element Bible studies for youth. “My hope is that churches will find it to be a fresh and relevant way to enhance learning and help persons grow in faith,” he added. BT
2412 Ball Camp Byington Rd. No charge. Call the church at (865) 693-1641 for reservations. ASHEVILLE, NC — Regional preview presentation sponsored by the Western North Carolina Baptist Fellowship and hosted by First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St., at 6 p.m. in the chapel. (Those wishing to come earlier for the $6 fellowship meal may make reservations by calling the church at [828] 252-4781 or online at www.fbca.net.) Thursday, May 26 GREENVILLE, SC — A noon luncheon hosted by Pelham Road Baptist Church at 1108 Pelham Rd. (See Baptists Today contact information below for reservations.) INFORMATION: This schedule is being updated at www.baptiststoday.org as plans are completed. Unless otherwise noted, please contact the Baptists Today office at jannie@baptiststoday.org or 1-877-752-5658 to attend one of the tour events that includes a meal. Please identify the city in which the lunch or dinner will be held. BT
May 2011 • Baptists Today |
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INFORMATION
BY STEVE DEVANE, Contributing Writer
CBFNC continues to discuss, revise doctrinal document ASHEVILLE — Fellowship Baptists in North Carolina are weighing the potential dangers and benefits of having a document that focuses on doctrine and theology. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina task force has been working on such a statement for about two years. About 25 people attended a workshop on the statement March 25 at the CBFNC General Assembly in Asheville. The task force first developed a document last year and held seven listening sessions around the state. Controversy developed around two issues with the document, said Don Gordon, a member of the task force and pastor of Yates Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. Some discussion focused on the tension between individual theological
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interpretation and the community’s involvement in that interpretation. “We’re trying to do that in a balanced way,” he said. The other issue was the inclusion of the Apostle’s Creed in the statement, which frightened some people, Gordon said. The task force is considering other alternatives, he said. Curtis W. Freeman, another task force member and director of the Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School, said a document is needed to define CBFNC’s “theological center.” “It’s not about trying to establish any type of boundary,” he said. Freeman said the statement is not a confessional statement, but instead a “type of consensus statement.” “Are there things we can say together?” he asked. “It’s a hard thing because we are a diverse community.” Glenn Jonas, chairman of the religion department at Campbell University, said he believed the statement would amount to a
confession of faith. He said he is worried that the document might be used “in a creedal way” in the future. “I think we’re creating the solution to a problem that doesn’t exist,” he said. “The potential danger far outweighs any benefit.” Others at the workshop said they think CBFNC needs such a statement. Several younger Baptists said members of the organization needed something that says who they are. Freeman said the statement offers a way for CBFNC to move beyond the schism among Baptists over the past several decades. “We can say positively the things that bring us together,” he said. Gordon said the task force is close to having another document to bring to the CBFNC Coordinating Council. The council will decide how to proceed from there, said Larry Hovis, the CBFNC executive coordinator. BT
STORY AND PHOTO BY STEVE DEVANE, Contributing Writer
‘Gospel
INFORMATION
Divinity students eat pizza and dialogue with Jack Causey and other members of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina staff about issues of importance to them. The session followed the state organization's General Assembly in Asheville that focused on justice and mercy.
twins’
Fellowship considers justice and mercy; hears divinity students’ perspectives SHEVILLE — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina leaders wanted divinity students to get a closer look at the organization. And after hearing presentations on justice and mercy, the students asked direct questions about how those concepts play out in CBFNC. In previous years, CBFNC has invited divinity school students who receive scholarships from the state organization to attend its General Assembly. Usually about 20 are present. This year, CBFNC expanded the invitation to other students, paying lodging, meals and travel for about 55 of them to attend. The meeting held March 25-26 at First Baptist Church in Asheville focused on the theme of “Living Justice and Mercy: The Heart of Jesus.” The students were among about 1,100 Baptists at the assembly, which included two worship services, 96 ministry workshops and a ministry celebration. David Gushee, professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University, and Nancy Hastings Sehested, co-pastor of the Circle of Mercy church in Asheville and a chaplain with the N.C. Department of Corrections, preached during the worship services. Gushee’s March 25 sermon from Matt. 25:31-46 emphasized that Jesus suffered even though he was God. “Jesus says, ‘If you want to encounter me, look to those in similar circumstances. If you want to know where to find me, that’s my address,’” Gushee said. Sehested preached from Micah 6:8 and Luke 4:16-18 during the morning worship service on March 26. She talked about the “gospel twins” of justice and mercy. The best gift the church can give the world is its brokenness, Sehested said. “After all, we are the broken body of Christ.”
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At the assembly’s end, a panel of CBFNC staff leaders responded to students’ questions. Nathan Rice, an intern for CBFNC this year, led the discussion. Panelists were Larry Hovis, CBFNC executive coordinator; Jack Causey, ministerial resources coordinator; Laura Barclay, social ministries coordinator; and Ka'thy Gore Chappell, the new leadership development coordinator. One student asked why out of more than 90 ministry workshops, there was not one that dealt with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender issues. Barclay said nobody asked to lead a session on LGBT issues. Causey said that while the assembly didn’t have a breakout session directly dealing with that issue, one of the workshops did focus on dealing with difficult issues. “It’s important for churches to know how to have the conversation,” he said. Hovis said CBFNC has no position on the LGBT issue one way or another. He said the organization tries to provide resources that churches request. Some churches are struggling with the issue while others are not, he said. One student said CBFNC has shown leadership on issues regarding women in ministry. Hovis said that was an excellent point. “The difference is there was critical mass in churches about women in ministry,” he said. “We’re not there on LGBT issues.” One student said CBFNC risked losing younger leaders if the organization didn’t take a stronger position on the issue. Hovis said Fellowship Baptists “ran from a system” that was constantly taking positions on social issues. CBF doesn’t make public
pronouncements, but instead tries to focus on missions and ministry, he said. One student wanted to know what resources CBFNC and the national CBF group have available for church planting. Hovis said the groups had some limited funding, but not enough to pay a church planter’s salary. CBFNC also provides coaching for church planters and a network so they can talk to and learn from other church planters. “I will tell you that we are going to make this a bigger priority in coming years,” Hovis said. Another student wanted to know what concrete steps should be taken to ensure gainful employment in a ministry position upon graduation. Causey said divinity students should contact him well before their third year in school for a private, face-to-face meeting so he can get to know them better. He added that a recent article showed a clergy shortage in churches with less than 75 members, but a clergy glut in churches with 150 or more members. Hovis said that for the most part the only clergy shortage in CBF is in “places that don’t pay much.” Causey said CBFNC is looking at ways to help smaller churches hire pastors, such as paying the pastor’s health insurance for a year. Chappell, who was introduced as a member of the CBFNC staff at the assembly, said the students should consider going to the smaller churches. “Guess what? You’ll have a chance to love 75 people,” she said. “Loving 75 people or less is a wonderful mission.” BT
May 2011 • Baptists Today |
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