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Ministers’ wives program to debut at SBC Liz Traylor, Janet Wicker serve on inaugural board Published May 26, 2005: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–While pastors gather for their annual conference prior to the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tenn., wives of ministers have the opportunity to attend a Monday morning session, June 20, at the Ryman Auditorium from 8:30 to 11:45 designed to meet their needs.

Music City welcomes 500 Florida musicians at SBC Published May 26, 2005: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–America’s Music City is set to host nearly 500 Florida musicians from Daytona Beach and Tampa during the SBC in June. Florida pastors Bobby Welch and Ken Whitten will have the encouraging presence of their own church choirs when they speak at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 21-22 in Nashville.
Crossover beckons marathoner Published June 2, 2005: HIGHLAND, Calif. (BP)–“I want to be one of those 10,000.”
Jerry Vines pledges to stay busy after 23 years as a Southern Baptist pastor Published May 26, 2005: JACKSONVILLE (BP)–Jerry Vines will remain busy after he retires from First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, next February.

Opinion

Editorial

Obi-Wan, George Will and the courts: Why worldview matters Editorial: Worldview matters; it is inescapable and inevitable. Worldview – a comprehensive understanding of reality – determines how we order our lives, governs our decisions and shapes our actions.

Point of View

God’s calling central dynamic of preacher’s life, work Point of View: Every preacher should know who calls—God! What He called us to do—preach! What He called us to preach—the Gospel.
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil Point of View: Have you ever thought about the fact that the “good” on the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” was just as deadly as the “evil”? Indeed, without its good the tree would have lost its allure and ceased from posing a threat to anyone. Not even the subtle serpent could have enticed someone to sin against God by picking foul fruit from a repulsive tree for their dining pleasure. To be deadly the tree had to be desirable and to be desirable it had to at least appear to be good (Genesis 3:6).
BREAKPOINT: One step at a time: Maryland and same-sex ‘marriage’ Point of View: Same-sex “marriage” advocates know better than to try to push their cause on all of the people all at once—two-thirds of Americans oppose it. In most places, they are now taking it one little step at a time. Maryland has taken its first step in that direction.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

Cartoon

Cartoon

Florida

Florida News

Jerry Vines pledges to stay busy after 23 years as a Southern Baptist pastor: JACKSONVILLE (BP)–Jerry Vines will remain busy after he retires from First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, next February.
Three generations look back, look ahead Vines’ legacy apparent at Southwestern Seminary: FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS) - Jerry Vines recently announced that he will retire next February as senior pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Fla. Vines has been in the ministry for almost 50 years. Along the way, one measure of his success can be found in the many young men he has encouraged to pursue their passions of preaching and the ministry.
CROSSROADS debuts on Family Net, reaches national audience: JACKSONVILLE–(FBC) CROSSROADS video magazine will debut on Family Net beginning in June.
FBC Orlando extends call to Uth as future senior pastor: ORLANDO (FBW)–First Baptist Church, Orlando, called David Uth as co-pastor and next senior pastor May 15. He will assume leadership of the 12,500-member congregation upon the retirement of current senior pastor Jim Henry.
Asian, Haitian churches join FBC: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Convention’s Church Planting Department, Florida Baptists started 13 new churches in April 2005.

Florida News Briefs

Special Education Retreat scheduled June 17-18 at Lake Yale Conference Center

Florida Focus

Florida Focus: A one-time announcement of special events is a free service provided by the Witness to Florida Baptist churches. Please send materials at least three weeks before the date of the event, to Florida Baptist Witness, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207, fax 904-346-0696 or submitted using our online form. Items received after deadline may appear in our exclusive on-line version.

National

National News

Leaders say federal marriage amendment needed: WASHINGTON (BP)–When a federal marriage amendment failed in Congress last year, a number of senators – including Democrat Joseph Lieberman and Republican John McCain – opposed it on the grounds that states should be able to decide the issue on their own.

Features

2005 SBC Annual Meeting

Ministers’ wives program to debut at SBC Liz Traylor, Janet Wicker serve on inaugural board

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–While pastors gather for their annual conference prior to the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tenn., wives of ministers have the opportunity to attend a Monday morning session, June 20, at the Ryman Auditorium from 8:30 to 11:45 designed to meet their needs.

Music City welcomes 500 Florida musicians at SBC

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–America’s Music City is set to host nearly 500 Florida musicians from Daytona Beach and Tampa during the SBC in June. Florida pastors Bobby Welch and Ken Whitten will have the encouraging presence of their own church choirs when they speak at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 21-22 in Nashville.

Crossover beckons marathoner

HIGHLAND, Calif. (BP)–“I want to be one of those 10,000.”

SBC to focus on evangelism, ‘Everyone Can’ challenge Tampa’s Whitten to deliver this year’s convention sermon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The Music City is no stranger to Southern Baptists and this June, Nashville will host thousands of SBC church messengers and their family members who will gather for ministry, evangelism and worship and to conduct the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.

African American Fellowship plans ‘Witness’ events in Nashville Florida’s Sid Smith to be honored for service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–“Witness For My Lord” will be the theme for the opening night of the June 19-20 meeting of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, preceding the SBC’s June 21-22 annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

Hispanic group promotes Tennessee crusade during Crossover in June

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The 18th Annual Reunion of the National Fellowship of Hispanic Southern Baptist Churches, encompassing various meetings and events prior to the SBC annual meeting in Nashville, will begin with a simultaneous evangelistic crusade across Tennessee.

Florida Baptist pastors and laymen nominated, appointed to SBC posts

NASHVILLE (FBW)–Several Florida pastors and laymen are among the nominees slated for re-election and election to various SBC boards and commissions during the Southern Baptist Convention June 21-22 in Nashville, Tenn. The nominations were made by the 2005 Committee on Nominations.

LifeWay, SBC building tours open June 18-22

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Southern Baptist messengers visiting Nashville for the annual meeting in June will have the opportunity to tour the LifeWay Christian Resources buildings and the Southern Baptist Convention building, which is home to the Executive Committee, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives, Southern Baptist Foundation and Seminary Extension.

50th annual Ministers’ Wives Conference to feature Kay Warren

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Southern Baptist pastors’ wives will celebrate 50 years of annual gatherings Tuesday, June 21, in Nashville, Tenn.

LifeWay cancels ‘Fast 50’ seminars

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–LifeWay Christian Resources has canceled the “Fast 50” seminars scheduled for June 23-24 following the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

SBC’s Conference of the Blind slates reorganizational meeting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The Southern Baptist Conference of the Blind will hold a reorganizational meeting June 18-19 in Nashville, Tenn. Two sessions are planned: at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday; the location is yet to be determined.

Evangelists plan ‘Revival at the Ryman’

DOM’s to take an in-depth look at history of Baptist associations

Messianic fellowship to hear Moody’s Jewish studies director

Korean fellowship to hold 14th annual meeting June 20-22

Denominational servants plan ‘kindred spirits’ gathering

Seminaries to host annual luncheons in Nashville June 22

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE JUNE 21-22, 2005 • NASHVILLE, TENN • GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

THEME

The “Everyone Can” Kingdom Challenge—Evangelism

SCRIPTURE

“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20 (HCSB)

PASTORS' CONFERENCE SCHEDULE June 19-20, 2005 • Gaylord Entertainment Center • Nashville, Tennessee

THEME

Build up the wall, stand in the gap

scripture

“I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap ....” Ezekiel 22:30

WMU MISSIONS CELEBRATION June 19-20, 2005 • First Baptist Church • Nashville, Tennessee

THEME

Christ Followers—Pass On the Passion

June 5: Life begins at Reception John 1:10-13; 3:5-8, 14-18, 36

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Media Montage

The Loved One offered free to military families by author who wants to support America’s troops: CAMDENTON, Mo. (BP)–Author Catherine Palmer has come up with a “novel” way to support America’s armed forces in this time of war by offering a free copy of a novel she coauthored, The Loved One, to every military family that requests one.
Star Wars’ good vs. evil may be vehicle for Gospel: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Star Wars can serve as a vehicle for sharing the Gospel with younger Americans in a language they comprehend, a Cincinnati minister says, citing parallels between the cinematic classics good vs. evil themes and the obstacles Christians face in life.
13 Portuguese-language titles promote Brazilian discipleship Statistics show there are currently more than 40 million Christians living in Brazil: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–What is the most effective way to impact Brazilians with scriptural truths from such noted authors as Henry Blackaby, Beth Moore and Gary Smalley?
B&H to release new titles: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)– Broadman & Holman will release a lineup of books by Marvin Olasky, John Perry and Mathew Staver.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

May 29: Leave a Godly Legacy Genesis 24:1-4, 12-16, 50-51, 61-67: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

May 29: Rely on the Lord’s Faithfulness Lamentations 3:19-33, 37-39: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
June 5: Taking on a tough task Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:3-5; 3:4-11: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.