Month: November 2003

The miraculous birth of Jesus

Merry Christmas! It is time to celebrate our Savior’s birth. Let me share my thoughts about the miraculous birth of Jesus as recorded in Luke, chapter 2.

Luke recorded in detail the Lord’s birth and related events. What majesty unfolds around the humble stable as the God-man is viewed as a babe. Lowly, obscure, and uneventful should have been the birth of a child to a teenage peasant girl who was married to a carpenter. However, the impact of this One, birthed into a hated race, deprived of worldly possessions, and despised by the powerful can hardly be measured today.

His birth was and is a marker. An agnostic once told the great evangelist of the 19th century, D.L. Moody, that he would never pay homage to Christ. Moody asked him what year was it, and the reply was 1887. The unbeliever suddenly realized that even time is affected by the birth of Christ. The calendar used by much of the world is mute testimony to Jesus Christ.

The birth of Jesus was a manifestation. The difference between Jesus and other world religion founders is His claim to be God. Jesus, with an earthly mother and a heavenly Father, embodied all of God as a man. A mystery to be true, but nevertheless a claim that must be reckoned with. The Scriptures present this fact in 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh . . .”

Ironically, the God of glory wrapped in human flesh was placed in a manger. Yes, at Jesus’ birth and then throughout His life He identified with the poor, the meek, and the downtrodden. The manger, a symbol of poverty and humility, characterized Jesus’ mission to the world. Jesus left the riches in heaven to make man spiritually wealthy.

Perhaps most significantly, Jesus’ birth provides a meeting place for God and man. Man cannot be good enough to meet God’s standard of perfection. This is the expressed purpose for the first coming of Christ. If man could pay for his own sins or be good enough to get to heaven, then Jesus would have never been born. Jesus was born to die. He paid the penalty for all sin by His shed blood and satisfied the Father as evidenced in the resurrection. He is the potential Savior of the world, but only the personal Savior of those who receive Him as Lord.

During the holiday time, people are more conscious of spiritual matters. Let us use this time to share Jesus with them.

Paris church discovers God’s faithfulness

PARIS, Texas?After a year of declining receipts for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program (CP), East Paris Baptist Church in Paris discovered God’s faithfulness through consistent?and sometimes sacrificial?missions giving.

Founded in 1942, East Paris began as an Independent Baptist Church. In the mid-1940s, the church affiliated with the SBC. Under the watch of the current pastor, Mike Fortenberry, the church has been a regular contributor to the CP and to state missions endeavors.

In 2002, the Paris congregation channeled $46,217 through the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) for CP missions. Through September 2003, the gifts totaled $36,000.

“The Cooperative Program gives us an opportunity, whether our church is large or small, to join together all our resources to do a better job than any of us could do alone,” said Fortenberry, who has served at the church since 1979.

“One of the things that our people have learned about giving to missions and the Cooperative Program is that you cannot out-give God,” Fortenberry remarked. “We have a great opportunity to make a difference through the Cooperative Program.”

When the church is faithful toward biblical causes, God is faithful to provide the needs of the congregation, Fortenberry said, sharing a recent testimony of sacrificial giving from his own congregation.

“When we became a part of the SBTC [in 2000], our church leadership felt very strongly that what the state convention was seeking to do would be pleasing to the Lord and not only help us locally but in our state, to continue to expand our national and international missions effort,” Fortenberry said.

Because the church was growing, land was purchased for building a facility. The offerings on the fourth Sunday of each month were set aside for the payment of the property. Although not desiring to enter into long-term debt, the church voted to send the fourth Sunday offering to the SBTC state missions offering instead.

“They were wholeheartedly supportive of it and said the Lord will pay off the land,” the pastor said. “The Lord is faithful to bless us when we keep missions at the forefront.”

Two days later, a friend visited the pastor in his study that he had not seen in 10 years. “He pulled out a bank envelope and handed it to me sealed, and he said, ‘I appreciate your church and it’s ministry, and I want to have a little part in it.'”

Because the envelope was sealed, Fortenberry laid it on his desk and continued to visit with his friend. A few hours later, the pastor remembered the gift and opened the envelope; inside rested enough money to pay off the property fees.

“I called him, and I said ‘Are you sure?’ He said he had been saving the money and shared that he wanted the Lord’s work to be blessed through the gift,” the pastor recounted. “I was able to report to the church the next Sunday that we were able to pay off the land and that we were able to sponsor a mission trip. I was able to say to them if we’re faithful to God and to obey his commandment in the Great Commission, the Lord will bless us, if not monetarily?in other ways.”

Fortenberry said the Lord’s lesson of provision has instilled in church members to put missions first in their lives.

“Our church missions giving has continued to increase,” he said, “because they’ve seen the faithfulness of the Lord.”

In 2001 and 2002, East Paris gave $41,149 through the SBTC’s state missions offering.

Despite being a promoter of the SBC’s cooperative giving method, Fortenberry was not always Southern Baptist. Raised and trained in Independent Baptist churches and schools, Fortenberry’s first Southern Baptist church membership has been East Paris.

After being exposed to the methodology of the SBC for national and international mission work through his Southern Baptist wife, Gency, Fortenberry accepted a call to East Paris. Since that time, Fortenberry said he has tried to instill in church members the importance of consistent and cooperative missions work.

While many churches share Fortenberry’s love for collaborative work in missions endeavors, SBC officials have warned of a looming financial crisis “unless giving increases.”

The SBC Executive Committee reported in October that Southern Baptists began sending less to CP missions each year beginning in the 1980s, with an average CP designation of 10.5 percent of budget. The SBC Executive Committee’s figures for 2002-03 show an overall SBC giving decline?including CP gifts and designated receipts?of .92 percent from the last fiscal year. Meanwhile, unprecedented numbers of missionary candidates seek appointment with the International Mission Board.

“That figure fell to 7.39 percent (in 2001-02). Additionally, giving by chur

emPower Conference to feature Jack Graham

Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and Southern Baptist Convention president, will be among the speakers at the emPOWER Conference, sponsored by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Feb. 9-10 at the Arlington Convention Center.

Graham will be among other well-known Christian leaders at the conference?formerly known as the State Evangelism Conference?such as Henry Blackaby, Zig Ziglar and Larnelle Harris.

Born in Conway, Ark., and saved and baptized at age 6 at First Baptist Church, Conway, Graham became an ordained pastor at age 20 while married and halfway through Hardin-Simmons University, where he graduated before going to Southwestern Seminary.

Graham began his ministry as pastor of East Side Baptist in Cross Plains (1970-’71). Following his associate pastorate at Sagamore Hill Baptist in Fort Worth (’72-’75), he went on to pastor First Baptist Church in Hobart, Okla. (’75-’78); First Baptist Church in Duncan, Okla. (’78-’81); and First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Fla. (’81-’89).

In 1989, Prestonwood Baptist Church?already a landmark Dallas congregation?called Graham as senior pastor. Since then, the church has grown from 8,000 members to more than 21,000, with an average weekly attendance of 16,000 and three weekend worship services.

His published books include: “You Can Make a Difference,” “Diamonds in the Dark,” “Lessons from the Heart,” and most recently, “A Hope and a Future.” Many pastors across the U.S. use his booklets “New Life in Christ” and “Is the Bible Just Another Book?”

For more information on the emPOWER Conference, call the SBTC office at 972-953-0878 or toll free at 877-953-7282. For lodging group rates, see the hotel list below and state that you are attending the emPOWER Conference when making reservations.

The conference hotels are as follows:

• Wyndham Arlington, 1500 Convention Center Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011. Call 1-800-442-7275 for reservations or go to www.wyndham.com. Use group code: 0208650SB.

• La Quinta Inns, 825 N. Watson Rd., Arlington, Texas 76011. Call 1-800-453-7909 for reservations.

• Baymont Inn & Suites, 2401 Diplomacy Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011. Call 817-633-2400 for reservations.

Bible conference scheduled for Conroe area

The 15th Annual Bible Conference in the Conroe area is planned Jan. 7-9 at Mims Baptist Church, 1609 Porter Road, in Conroe.

The conference will feature speakers such as Junior Hill, Bob Pitman, Herb Reavis and David Miller. Music will be led by Legacy Five, The Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet and the Mims Baptist Church adult choir and orchestra.

The schedule is as follows: 7 p.m. Jan. 7; 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 8; 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 9.

For more information see http://www.mimsbaptist.org/ or call 936-756-0065.

Faithful tithing fuels decision to boost

MARTINDALE?It was late last summer when Glen Howe met with the deacons at Martindale Baptist Church in the south central Texas town of Martindale. On the agenda was the $1,000 or so of surplus the church was taking in each month and what to do about it.

It’s a situation many churches would love to have. Howe, a former missionary in a new work state, had on his heart a plan: Use the extra funds to float one month of the year, December, on what was given the previous 11 months, a realistic goal given the church’s monthly receipts.

What the church gave in December, minus Cooperative Program and associational giving, would be sent to the mission field through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions?Southern Baptists’ year-end collection to fuel work abroad, 100 percent of which goes directly to the field.

After some discussion about the needs of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, which has some prospective missionaries on hold for lack of funds, the deacons gave a united thumbs up.

“I’ve never seen all of our deacons agree on something so quickly,” recalled Howe, whose church runs about 125 in Sunday school. “I mean, it was a matter of less than a minute. Every deacon in the room was saying, ‘Yeah, this is what we need to do.'”

Next, the issue came before the church.

“There was unanimity with no discussion. No questions,” Howe said.

When Howe came to Martindale in 1998, the church gave to Lottie Moon mostly through funds generated from a foundation of a deceased church member. Typically, the gift was around $2,500, Howe said.

“Every December I’d stand up and challenge the church with the same challenge: to make its largest gift to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. In other words, whatever amount you spend on your wife or on one of your children, give an amount larger than that. Make your largest gift to Jesus Christ and his cause by giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. And so the people really took me up on that.”

In 1999, the church gave $3,400 through the Lottie Moon offering. In 2000, the figure grew to $5,000, then $5,000 again in 2001. In 2002, the church doubled its gift to more than $10,000.

“We’re excited because we can see where

Church’s faithful tithes fueled decision to boost Lottie Moon giving

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the Lord could use us to give over $20,000?we could double what we gave last year.

“That has created a real air of excitement for us because at the same time I’ve been challenging the church to be not only a mission-giving church but also a mission-going church.”

The church is funding several women from its ranks to go to Russia on a short-term mission trip and is sending 15-20 families to a Mexican border town the weekend before Christmas with clothes and other items.

In October, Howe issued a call for those upon whom the Lord had placed a burden for missions.

“We had literally dozens of men say, ‘I want to be involved in missions.'”

Howe said his church has issued a challenge to other churches in its area to be sacrificial in their giving to missions.

“This is a time when we have to be sacrificial or the work will not be done the way the Lord wants it done,” he said.

The IMB reports that in 2002 the board appointed 412 long-term missionaries; because of budget constraints, though, only 300 are expected to be appointed in 2004. In 2002, 620 short-term workers went, but only 300 are expected to go next year. The current missionary count of 5,510 likely will fall by the end of 2004, the IMB states on its website.

Because of his earlier work as a church planter and mission pastor in Indiana, Howe said his heart is soft toward missions. He serves on the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention state missions committee.

Howe said he preaches through the Scriptures and “I preach on giving as I come to it. Where the Bible talks about giving, then we’ll talk about giving.” He emphasizes the obedience of tithing and “the joy of giving over and above that,” he said.

Dead Sea scrolls exhibit extend through December

Dallas?The “Dead Sea Scrolls to the Forbidden Book” exhibit held at the Biblical Arts Center in Dallas has extended the museum exhibition through December 31.

The unprecedented exhibit documents the Bible’s history through rare fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls and the rare collection of manuscript and printed Bibles.

The exhibit was rated “Best Bet” by Dallas Magazine and is endorsed by local universities, seminaries, and church organizations.

Agreements have been finalized to lower the weekday (Monday-Friday) admission price to $12 (originally $21) for adults, seniors and students. Children 6-12 are just $7 during weekdays and under 6 are free. Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) admission is $17 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, and children 6-12 are $9.

Patrons of the “Dead Sea Scrolls to the Forbidden Book” exhibit view a 20-minute documentary featuring some of the world’s foremost scholars on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the forbidden early English Bibles.

After the video orientation to the history of Scripture, patrons can browse at their leisure the rare and authentic artifacts that include several 5,000-year-old pictographic clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia, fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, and early New Testament. The Bible exhibit contains a handwritten Wycliff New Testament (the first Bible ever in English), a leaf from a 1455 Gutenberg Bible (the first Bible printed on a printing press), Tyndale, Matthew’s, and Coverdale (Great) Bibles, Geneva Bibles, a 1st Edition 1611 King James Bible, the Aitken Bible?the first Bible printed in America and endorsed by Congress?and many others.

The Biblical Arts Center is at 7500 Park Lane, just west of NorthPark Shopping Center, in Dallas. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-33BIBLE or by visiting http://www.deadseaexhibit.com/. For information concerning a new program for churches please call 1-877-33BIBLE.

The Federal Marriage Amendment: a hill to die on

The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled Nov. 17 that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Strangely, they left the actual crafting of new law to the state legislature, giving them 180 days to fix the problem. This is not, as some on both sides of the issue are saying, the shot heard ’round the world. That happened last June. The Massachusetts decision is the devastating volley that follows a first shot.

In June, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Texas anti-sodomy law, advocates of special rights for homosexuals said that this decision was no threat to America or the institution of marriage. With their other mouths, they called it a watershed decision. I believe the second mouth now as I did then. Something big has happened. The second step toward a very dark place for America.

I know I may be preaching to the choir here. Readers of the TEXAN are not generally fans of homosexual behavior. On the other hand, many biblically orthodox Christians, including some Texas Baptists, say and do contradictory things on this subject. We cluck our tongues and wonder how we got to this point. We wonder why nobody did anything.

Maybe we can see a clue in the poll published by the Dallas Morning News the day after the Massachusetts court decision. The poll indicates that a significant majority of Americans believe homosexual behavior is a sin. Among evangelicals, the margin is substantially greater. A somewhat smaller majority oppose homosexual marriage. Already we see a disconnect.

If homosexuality is a sin, it is ultimately a choice, not a condition. If a group of Americans define themselves by a behavior most of us call sinful, why would any of us favor granting them special rights based solely on that behavior? It continues. A majority of likely voters of both parties claim to oppose homosexual marriage. As expected, that margin is greater with those who plan to vote for George Bush, but still, a majority of Democrats agree with the Bush voters on this issue. There is no mandate for vacating the institution of marriage. The opposite seems true.

And yet, many of these same folks will vote for a candidate who will not support a national family amendment to the Constitution or who will, like our last president, support special treatment for a class of people defined by deviate sexual behavior. Some folks will vote for senators and representatives far more liberal than themselves on this issue. Others of us, some of you perhaps, will not vote at all. At least one of two things is true. These voters or non-voters are essentially irrational, or they do not consider this an important issue. They consider it less important than, say, how good-looking a candidate is or how he spells “potato.”

How does this happen? That’s how. We vote against our convictions on morality, hoping our guesses about economics will pay off. Or we just don’t vote at all.

It is important. We can imagine some of the results of assigning legal equivalency to just anything people might want to call a family. That means they can adopt children, maintain custody after a divorce, and do anything else legally married people can now do. It normalizes, ultimately, a behavior and gives it the same status as any morally neutral human condition. This is a new thing. Currently, we cannot discriminate against a white, brown-haired, Baptist, Romanian male for any of those descriptive reasons. If he is also a drug addict, we might deny him some responsibilities because of that behavior–regardless of if he has a genetic disposition to drug addiction. The behavior affects his fitness for some responsibilities. This makes sense. Homosexuality is a behavior, regardless of the source of those urges. It is a behavior that affects the fitness of a person for some responsibilities. Even those who have low regard for traditional marriage must see that same-sex marriage is a terrible mistake.

Okay, back to Massachusetts. This is the first step beyond Lawrence v. Texas. The 13 states that have not passed a Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) could be forced to recognize marriages based on homosexual behavior in the coming years. States with a DOMA would be quickly challenged and face a better than average chance of losing in the U.S. Supreme Court. These are the reasons why pro-family groups consider this a bad thing. It’s also why people for the special treatment of homosexuals are so happy with the ruling. They get it and can see a multitude of next steps in what most of us consider a wrong direction.

At this point, given the state of our courts and the tenacity of the “other side,” a family amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the best, perhaps only, remedy. The wording suggested is simple, “Nothing in this Constitution (the U.S. Constitution) or any state constitution shall be construed as requiring marriage as anything other than between a man and a woman.” An amendment would require passage by 2/3 of the U.S. Congress and 38 states before becoming part of our Constitution. That’s what it takes at this point to rein in our courts. That’s why pro-family Americans must be informed and involved citizens. Every election above the county level will affect the outcome of this effort.

Obviously some will oppose the effort and pressure politicians beholden to them to defeat the amendment.  That cannot happen if those who have already stated their convictions will express those convictions on Election Day.

We can look at this unfolding process on of two ways.  We may see it as the dismantling of something positive–traditional family structure.  Only the willfully blind deny the advantages of a two-parent, male and female, loving home in the lives of children.  The other perspective is to see the rise of a destructive, new, legalized, legally-imposed description of family.  Homosexual culture is promiscuous, dangerous, and unstable.  If these things were not true, it would not change the fact that this model has never been at the foundation of a successful culture.  Never.  It is not better and it is not equivalent.  The models cannot peacefully coexist in our nation.

I agree with those who say that this is the place where we should become single issue voters if that is what it takes.  We should not support any elected leader, regardless of his beliefs or promises on any other subject, who will not support (not merely not oppose) an amendment to the Constitution that will end this judicially-imposed madness.

Go to www.erlc.com and enter your zip code for a list and e-mail links to your national legislators.  Tell them you support a family amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  Their response should tell you something you need to know.

SBTC annual meeting wrap up

CORPUS CHRISTI?Messengers to the sixth annual meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention adopted a $16.3 million budget for 2004 and marked the SBTC’s fifth anniversary, which included a surprise greeting via fax from President Bush.

The convention elected its officers unopposed, including Chris Osborne, pastor of Central Baptist Church of Bryan, as its president. The convention elected Dt1:PersonName>avid Galvan, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida in Garland, as first vice president for a second term and elected first-termers Bill Sutton, pastor of First Baptist Church, McAllen, second vice president, and Brenda Wills of First Baptist Church, Fort Worth, as recording secretary.

Osborne succeeds George Harris, who retired last year as pastor of Castle Hills First Baptist Church in San Antonio.

In nominating Osborne, Gil Lane, pastor of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, said Osborne has many admirable credentials, “but it’s not his credentials that impress me; it’s his character,” Lane said. Osborne served as SBTC Pastors’ Conference president in 2003.

The convention registered an attendance of 1,370, including 831 messengers and 539 visitors. The SBTC has 1,380 congregations.

The SBTC’s 2004 budget of $16,339,576 is an 18 percent increase, or $2.47 million, over 2003. The majority?52 percent?will go to Southern Baptist Convention causes, such as the International and North American mission boards and the SBC’s six seminaries. The remaining 48 percent will fund church planting, missions and related ministry within Texas, reported Joe Davis, the SBTC’s chief financial officer.

No other Baptist state convention sends a higher percentage of receipts to Southern Baptist Convention ministries through the SBC’s Cooperative Program missions funding channel than the SBTC, Davis noted.

The 2004 budget is “aggressive,” Davis said?requiring $68,000 more per month in Cooperative Program receipts than in 2003?and we “believe this budget continues our practice of being good stewards with your Cooperative Program gifts and we are anxious to see what God will do in 2004.”

Of the SBTC budget, 29.49 percent will go to missions and 9.29 percent for evangelism (formerly part of the missions category). The remainder includes 14.19 percent for minister/church relations; 13.78 percent for church ministry support; 11.57 percent for affiliated and fraternally related ministries; 10.93 percent for operational and financial services and 10.75 percent for communications.

Gerald Smith, outgoing executive board chairman, reported to messengers that because of the “generous gifts of God’s people” the SBTC is building debt-free a 30,000 square foot office on 3.8 acres in Grapevine, set for completion next April. Owning a building will save the convention about $200,000 a year, according to a feasibility study, Smith said.

Throughout the two-day gathering, which featured the theme “Victory in Jesus,” numerous platform guests noted the SBTC’s fifth anniversary. The convention began in 1998 with 120 congregations.

During the Oct. 28 session, SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards stepped to the podium and read a greeting from President Bush, congratulating the convention on its five-year anniversary. The fax was to be accompanied by an official letter being sent by mail from the White House.

“I send greetings to those celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention,” the president wrote.

“Faith plays an important role in the lives of many Americans and in the fabric of our country. Throughout our history, people of faith have helped shape our character and have contributed to the vitality of our Nation.

“By celebrating and sharing your faith, you help to sustain a spirit of compassion in our country. Your dedication to loving and serving others reflects the strength of America.

“Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a memorable event. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.”

Richards remarked to the convention, “That was quite a surprise and I think Dr. (Richard) Land may have had his hand in that. We appreciate anyone who was responsible for notifying the president of our fifth anniversary celebration and we do thank the President of the 1st Place

SBTC Evangelism Conference now called

Q. What is the emPOWER conference and what is its purpose?

A. The name, “emPOWER Conference” is the new name that we have given to the old name, “Evangelism Conference.” It is an expression of Acts 1:8 and Luke 24:49 where Jesus instructed his followers to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of evangelizing the nations. So, the emphasis of the emPOWER conference is the same as it has been; it is to provide inspiration, motivation and encouragement to God’s people all of whom have the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Q. Since the name does not include the word “t1:PersonName>evangelism” does it not create some misunderstanding as to the purpose of the conference?

A. The focus and heartbeat of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is “Evangelism” and “Missions” as is conveyed by the annual budget of the convention. Therefore, the emphasis of the emPOWER conference is evangelism, and more. It will accentuate personal evangelism and missions born out of victoriously empowered churches and Christian living.

Q. There seems to be the conception that the conference is intended just for pastors and evangelists. Is this true?

A. By no means is this true. The fact is that it is designed with laymen and women in mind. After all, evangelism is the responsibility of the entire church membership. Every person who is a believer in Jesus Christ will benefit greatly by attending the conference. It is for the pastor, the staff, and the entire congregation. Every person will benefit enormously from hearing those who are on the program.

Q. When and where will the emPOWER conference to be held?

A. It is to be on February 9 & 10 at the Arlington convention center located at 1200 Ballpark Way in Arlington. The first session will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 9UP>th with SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards presiding.

Q What would you like to say in closing?

A. I want to personally invite every pastor, staff member, and every church member of every church in the state of Texas to attend the conference and take advantage of the opportunity that God is providing by means of the conference. I will look forward to seeing them there.

SBTC theme interpreters address victorious living

CORPUS CHRISTI?”The message that we must boldly share with this culture is the same message that John shared with his culture and that the church bore witness to in the first century,” said Scott Camp, pastor of First Baptist Church of Mansfield, in the opening theme interpretation of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual meeting.

Camp reminded listeners that Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of who God is, citing John 1:1.

“Jesus is equal with and equal to God and yet distinct from God the Father,” Camp said. “This is the crux of our faith.”

Camp expressed his own burden that biblically-based doctrinal preaching has fallen on hard times.

“We’ve replaced it with slick power presentations and stand-up comedy routines, self-help therapeutic pop psychology. If we ever move away from preaching the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ we have forfeited our right to be called New Testament Christians.”

Ronald Byrd, who is blind and the pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, proclaimed that “God can always see more than we can see.”

Byrd implored pastors and lay leaders gathered for the SBTC meeting not to give up on their call to ministry. Recounting Paul’s journey from Athens to Corinth and the change in his disposition during that time, Byrd said the apostle wanted to give up.

Paul felt like a failure, he was fatigued, and he was frustrated, said Byrd, reading from Acts 18:9-10 and I Corinthians 15:57-58. Proclaiming the gospel boldly in Athens, Paul wanted to throw in the towel by the time he arrived in Corinth.

There was a sense of failure when faced with the overwhelming opposition in Corinth, Byrd noted. He had walked 300 miles and was fatigued. The people of the city were in organized opposition to the preacher. Pastors today can feel the same but Byrd reminded them of what God told Paul.

“I am with you,” he said reciting Acts 18:10. Byrd reminded the pastors, “What God has assigned to your hand to do no one else can do.” He said God also promises to protect those he calls. “Paul, you are immortal until I say your work is done.”

For a man who cannot see what is in front of him, Byrd encouraged his fellow workers to see what is ahead of them. God’s word promises future possibilities. Paul saw Corinth as a city of sin and deprivation but, Byrd said, God saw it as a town filled with future missionaries and pastors.

“If you can’t see the invisible you can’t do the impossible,” Byrd declared. As Byrd closed he encouraged conference members to stand fast to remember their victory is in Jesus. As he finished the convention hall rose to give the enthusiastic pastor a standing ovation.

Living a life of victory in Jesus as a pastor cannot be accomplished without having victory in the family, said Steve McMeans, pastor of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood.

McMeans remarked, “If you don’t have victory in the family, you’re lost ? What does it profit a man if he gains the whole Baptist world and loses his family?”

McMeans said as a pastor he understands the stresses and the issues that weigh upon church leaders and how it can drain them of the physical and emotional ability to give to their families. Associates complain their churches are so demanding that they do not have time for their families.

But McMeans countered that there is always something that can be given up in favor of the family (i.e. TV and golf). The gift of time spent with their wives and children is one way pastors show their love.

The gift of touch that a father gives to his wife and children reassures them of his love and care, McMeans said.

“We need to touch our wives all during the day, not just late at night.” Watching their parents touch affectionately, McMeans said, assures kids of the strength of their marriage.

Giving children hugs, kisses, and snuggles can build self-confidence in them, especially girls. McMeans said his ninth-grade daughter does not feel she needs to chase boys in order to get special attention from a guy because she has a man at home who will give her loving affection.

It is with the gift of time and touch that families are bonded to one another in victory, he noted.

Closing out the theme interpretations was a young pastor named Bil Cornelius. Though his appearance and age?Cornelius is 30 years old?was different from the other preachers, his message of victory in Jesus was as pertinent and poignant.