In the Witness this week

Evangelists not posting ‘going out of business’ signs
Plan partnerships to help churches boost baptisms
Published May 29, 2008

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)—Some believe the falling number of baptisms in many of the 43,000 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention is partially due to the trend of fewer, shorter or no revival meetings. Some say the full-time vocational evangelist is a dying breed.

BCF photo

BCF graduates fill out paperwork prior to graduation.

President Kinchen gives pop quiz at Baptist College of Florida record graduation
Published May 29, 2008

GRACEVILLE (BCF)—Graduates from The Baptist College of Florida spring class of 2008 must let the living God guide their ministry and their lives, Thomas A. Kinchen said May 16 during the annual spring commencement ceremony.

Don’t forget to talk to God, Hispanic leaders told
LAUREN URTEL
Florida Baptist Convention
Published May 29, 2008

MIAMI (FBC)—Nearly 400 of Florida’s Hispanic church leaders were urged to “never forget their fellowship with the Lord” at the annual meeting of the Hispanic State Fellowship held May 16 at Iglesia Bautista Estrella de Belén in Miami.

Florida churches urged to pray for rain June 1
Published May 29, 2008

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—As Florida faces extreme drought and wildfires Florida Baptist Convention leaders are calling state churches to pray for rain June 1.

Opinion

Editorial

Gospel-free Sunday?
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor

Niceness is breaking out in South Carolina Baptist churches. I pray the rest of the Southern Baptist Convention is not next.

Point of View

Life is fragile, learn from pain
JOHN SULLIVAN
Executive director-treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention

Life is so fragile! What tragic loss we felt in the untimely death of Dr. Forrest Pollock, esteemed pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, and his 13-year-old son, Preston. I spoke to Forrest just days ago about moving into and dedicating the new Worship Center. He was excited and extremely grateful to God and the wonderful family of faith at Bell Shoals. His last words to me, “Come down and I’ll show you around, you are welcome any time.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LCR)—How vulnerable are the children and youth of your church to volunteers or staff with criminal histories? Could you confidently look in the eye of a young mother and as a responsible church staff member say that you have done everything you can to make sure her child is safe?

Baptist Faith & Message commentary 8: Justification
MARK RATHEL
Special to Florida Baptist Witness

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is part of an occasional series of commentaries examining and explaining the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention's confession of faith.

Protection is a must for churches
BILL EMEOTT
LifeWay Christian Resources

From all outward signs, John seemed to be a wonderful sixth-grade boys’ Sunday school teacher. He prepared, attended leadership meetings, participated in outreach and even spent time with the boys outside of Sunday school. But something went wrong.

Overturning California’s ‘Gay Marriage’ decision
CHARLES COLSON
Breakpoint

Editor’s note: Although this column addresses a federal marriage amendment as a solution to the California Supreme Court decision affirming “gay marriage,” Florida voters will have an opportunity to support traditional marriage in November by voting to approved Amendment 2, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment. For more about the amendment, go to: www.FloridaBaptistWitness.com.

Florida

Florida News

President Kinchen gives pop quiz at Baptist College of Florida record graduation

GRACEVILLE (BCF)—Graduates from The Baptist College of Florida spring class of 2008 must let the living God guide their ministry and their lives, Thomas A. Kinchen said May 16 during the annual spring commencement ceremony.

Don’t forget to talk to God, Hispanic leaders told

MIAMI (FBC)—Nearly 400 of Florida’s Hispanic church leaders were urged to “never forget their fellowship with the Lord” at the annual meeting of the Hispanic State Fellowship held May 16 at Iglesia Bautista Estrella de Belén in Miami.

Florida churches urged to pray for rain June 1

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—As Florida faces extreme drought and wildfires Florida Baptist Convention leaders are calling state churches to pray for rain June 1.

Florida Disaster Relief comes to Georgia’s aid in wake of tornados

MACON (FBC)—Florida Baptist disaster relief volunteers began clean-up efforts in Macon, Ga., May 21 following the devastation left by May 11 tornadoes.

BCF alum receives four Dove Awards

GRACEVILLE (FBW)—Mark Hall, a 1995 graduate of The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, received four Dove Awards at the 39th Annual Gospel Music Association Awards ceremony April 23. He was presented awards for Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, Inspirational Recorded Song, and Special Event Album.

Florida Baptist Associations

From racetracks to Sunday crusades: Associations struggle to make ministry relevant in the 21st century

Baptist associations in the United States celebrate their 300th anniversary in 2007. The Florida Baptist Witness is honoring Florida’s 49 associations in a series of articles that will showcase each association and its ministries. This is the seventh installment.

Florida News Briefs

Children’s music and worship week July 14-18 at Lake Yale

Regional DR training events set for June

Special education retreat June 13-14

Pastor, spouse gatherings to feature Focus on the Family speakers

National

National News

Evangelists not posting ‘going out of business’ signs
Plan partnerships to help churches boost baptisms

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)—Some believe the falling number of baptisms in many of the 43,000 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention is partially due to the trend of fewer, shorter or no revival meetings. Some say the full-time vocational evangelist is a dying breed.

McDonald’s vice president verifies pro-family concerns

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—A McDonald’s senior vice president has verified two key issues regarding the restaurant chain’s support of the homosexual agenda, the American Family Association stated May 14.

‘Baptism Assistance Project’ to help ‘no and low’ trend

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—With nearly half of the 43,000 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention baptizing three or fewer people, according to 2007 statistics, the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, the North American Mission Board and state and local Baptists are partnering to reverse the trend.

Texas minister arrested in sex sting

PLANO, Texas (BP)—A minister from Prestonwood Baptist Church has been arrested in a sting operation for soliciting sex with a minor.

BF&M Commentary

Point of View
Baptist Faith & Message commentary 8: Justification

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is part of an occasional series of commentaries examining and explaining the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention's confession of faith.

Evangelism

Expository preaching on Holy Spirit subject of book

WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)—Greg Heisler was interested in how the Holy Spirit affects preaching when he was in seminary.

Evangelism still alive in an age of skepticism, author says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—More than 70 percent of unbelievers agree that “Jesus makes a difference,” but more than 70 percent also see the church as “full of hypocrites,” according to a LifeWay Research study released earlier this year.

Of shoes & souls: Reaching out in relevant ways

HOUSTON (BP)—When several thousand people walked out of church in their stocking feet at Fellowship of the Woodlands near Houston, Texas, they made a simple but huge difference in their community.

Features

SBC Annual Meeting

Kentucky pastor Bill Henard is 1st VP nominee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Bill Henard, senior pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., will be nominated for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, a fellow Kentucky pastor announced May 19.

Indy’s John Newland is 2nd VP nominee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—John Newland, senior pastor of Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis, will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, John Rogers of Indianapolis announced May 14.

Media Montage

Extreme Makeover blesses New Orleans church

NEW ORLEANS (BP)—When ABC network television’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition producers brainstormed about the 2008 season finale, their thoughts turned to New Orleans.

Bible Study

Bible Studies for Life

June 8: Three Rules for Working Smart
Proverbs 6:1-15

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

June 15: How to Storm-Proof Your Home
Proverbs 23:22-24:4

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

Explore the Bible

June 8: The Power of the Name of Jesus
Acts 3-4

Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

June 15: People Who Go
Acts 6-7

Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.