The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-01/02/2014 DISCLAIMER: Baptist Press should be credited for any reprinted stories that originate with BP. Suggested credit line: Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. Please note that Baptist Press periodically carries stories from other sources by permission. Individuals interested in reprinting non-BP stories should contact the entity where the story originated to seek reprint permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Baptists give witness in 2013 by Staff Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday NASHVILLE (BP) -- So what else happened in 2013? In addition to Baptist Press' annual recap of the most read-stories of the year (http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=41744), BP's staff suggests the following stories as representative of Southern Baptists' ministry and witness to a world in need of Christ's transformation and healing. Hannah Gay, Mississippi pediatrician, sees God's hand in baby's HIV cure Hannah Gay, an associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, was in international headlines in March after she and her colleagues reported eradicating HIV in an infant. The baby, who remains anonymous, was born to an HIV-infected mother and received aggressive treatment. Upon the mother's return to the hospital after several months, the baby showed no signs of replicating the virus. Gay, a former International Mission Board missionary in the Horn of Africa 20 years ago, credits God with curing the baby, while medical experts have called it a "functional cure." The New England Journal of Medicine reported that only time will tell whether the child, now 3, is only in remission or in fact experiencing a "sterilizing cure," in which all viral traces are completely eradicated from the body. Gay refers to herself as the "shiest pediatrician in America," and with her husband Paul continues to teach Bible drill at Trace Ridge Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Miss. God intervened in HIV cure of baby, Hannah Gay believes Hannah Gay shares role of faith in HIV cure Doctor in baby's HIV cure is rooted in faith & compassion U.S. pastor Saeed Abedini marks one year in Iran prison As of Sept. 26, pastor Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-born U.S. citizen, had been in an Iranian prison for more than a year. He was sentenced to eight years in prison last January on charges of undermining the Iranian government by planting house churches and trying to turn the country's youth from Islam, charges the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom called "trumped-up." While imprisoned, Abedini has undergone harsh interrogations, torture and solitary confinement and has been denied medical treatment. On Dec. 12, Abedini's wife Naghmeh testified before the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee. "It has been a struggle as a mom," she testified, "watching my 7-year-old and my 5-year-old cry themselves to sleep every single night for the last 444 days, and knowing that unless we get Saeed out quickly, he might serve the eight years or even more -- or he might not even survive that prison sentence." 8-year sentence of Iranian-born pastor called 'rampant denial of religious freedom' 'Such horrific pressures' Abedini writes from jail Prison transfer puts Saeed Abedini 'directly at risk' in Iran, Iran nuclear deal bypasses imprisoned pastor, Saeed Abedini's wife testifies before Congress Anti-pornography initiative gets national push at SBC In June, Baptist Press ran a Q&A with Florida pastor Jay Dennis, founder of "Join 1 Million Men" (join1millionmen.org), to preview the launch of a nationwide anti-pornography emphasis at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Houston. The movement calls Christian men to commit to sexual purity and, specifically, to protect themselves and their families from the devastation caused by pornography. In a women's prayer component, Dennis' wife Angie urged women to pray up, speak up and join the fight against pornography. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and WMU (Woman's Missionary Union) are Join 1 Million cosponsors of the initiative. Anti-pornography initiative to begin national push at SBC; named 'Join One Million Men', Anti-pornography initiative launched at SBC, Women to battle pornography with prayer N.M. court reflects 'seismic shift' to sexuality-based 'state-established religion.' In August, an attack on religious liberty was evident in the New Mexico Supreme Court's ruling that two Christian photographers violated the state's Human Rights Act by refusing to photograph a same-sex "commitment ceremony," Southern Baptist commentators said. Religious liberty, Justice Richard Boson wrote, must be subordinated to the state's anti-discrimination laws, and the photographers -- and by extension others -- are "compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives." N.M. court reflects culture's 'seismic shift' to sexuality-based 'state-established religion' Gay marriage rulings: New ministry situations on the horizon Though the Supreme Court's ruling against traditional marriage in June was a "dark day in American history," Jeff Iorg and other seminary leaders urged believers to accept the reality and move on to discussing how to minister in a new context. "Challenging new ministry situations are on the horizon," Iorg, president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary near the epicenter of the gay marriage movement, wrote in a blog post. Gay marriage rulings: 'new ministry situations on horizon,' seminary scholars project Texas enacts abortion restrictions In July, the Texas legislature passed sweeping abortion restrictions following weeks of protests, lobbying and debate from both sides in the abortion debate. The bill banned most abortions after 20 weeks' "post-fertilization," required ambulatory care standards for abortion facilities and required abortion doctors to have hospital privileges within 30 miles of their practices. The bill also required abortion doctors to be present when any abortion-inducing drug, including RU-486, is administered. In October, a three-judge panel upheld the Texas abortion law, stating that challenges to the law's constitutionality likely would fail. The ruling cleared the way for the law to take effect. Texas gov's signature will enact abortion law, Texas abortion regs upheld on appeal SBC resolution condemns sexual abuse of children Noting that "instances of sexual abuse have been perpetrated within Southern Baptist congregations, churches of other denominations, and other Christian ministries," messengers to the SBC's 2013 annual meeting reiterated a call to protect children from sexual predators. The resolution, building on the convention's 2008 special report that called on Southern Baptists to report those suspected of child sexual abuse to legal authorities, reminded Southern Baptists of their "legal and moral responsibility to report any accusations of child abuse to authorities in addition to [not in lieu of] implementing any appropriate church discipline or internal restoration processes" (parenthetic supplied). The resolution also called on [1] churches to utilize background checks for staff and volunteers who work with children; [2] pastors and church leaders to implement "sound policies" to protect the children placed in the church's trust; [3] all Southern Baptists to "cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in exposing and bringing to justice all perpetrators, sexual or otherwise, who criminally harm children"; and [4] convention leaders and employees to "utilize the highest sense of discernment in affiliating with groups and/or individuals that possess questionable policies and practices in protecting our children from criminal abuse." http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=1230 My Hope America with Billy Graham garners national support Billy Graham marked his 95th birthday with My Hope America with Billy Graham, a layperson-led evangelistic outreach in homes, churches, prisons, businesses and public venues across the U.S. that was billed as Graham's last public sermon. As the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association continues to receive stories of the initiative's impact, Graham's own pastor Don Wilton, who helped BGEA develop My Hope, is keeping the outreach alive through the church he leads, First Baptist in Spartanburg, S.C. The church is "designing and devising a multiple approach to continue sharing My Hope with Billy Graham with small and large groups as well as individuals and we see no end in sight," Wilton said in one of several articles Baptist Press published in December on My Hope. My Hope has lasting appeal, Billy Graham's pastor says, Layman's sensitivity yields community's Billy Graham event, 1966 Graham convert hosts My Hope event. Miss. church seeks racial reconciliation First Baptist Church in Oxford, Miss., ushered in a celebration of racial unity when it apologized for its 1968 decision to bar blacks from worship there. Since apologizing, First Baptist has participated in a community-wide interracial worship service, taken aim with local black congregations for partnerships in evangelism and ministry and experienced moments of personal reconciliation between white and black believers, Baptist Press reported in October. "The bottom line is that something has been done that is wrong," First Baptist Pastor Eric Hankins said of the 1968 exclusivity. "We've recognized it, and we're going to leave our gift at the altar until we go get this right so we can be correct in our worship. That's the appropriate response to a sin of the past." Mississippi church seeks racial reconciliation Chinese couple's legacy in NYC is 7-story multi-church meeting place The frugality and faithfulness of New York City church planting couple Samuel and Katty Wong enabled them to build the seven-story Chinese Promise Baptist Church, funded largely from their personal savings. Why seven stories? "We hope every Sunday we will have many churches inside the building. Somebody can use each floor to worship on," Wong said when Baptist Press ran the story in September. "In New York, it is not easy to get space, and we want to share the building." Wongs' legacy in NYC is 7-story multi-church meeting place At BYU, Mohler cites theological divide with Mormons, common religious freedom concerns In October, Baptist Press reported on an address by R. Albert Mohler Jr. at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in which the Southern Baptist seminary president noted key theological differences with Mormons, while asserting common religious freedom concerns. "I am not here because I believe we are going to heaven together, but I do believe we may go to jail together," said Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at the Latter-day Saints' premier educational institution. The "moral revolution" occurring in America will have "grave and devastating human consequences," Mohler said in calling for Mormons and evangelicals to work together in defense of religious freedom and traditional marriage. Mohler is scheduled speak again at BYU on Feb. 25 in a nationally televised campus-wide forum. At BYU, Mohler cites theological divide with Mormons, common religious freedom concerns Church's Hmong, Hispanic, deaf outreach parallel its Cooperative Program commitment Valley Baptist Church in Appleton, Wis., was one of a more than a dozen churches featured in Baptist Press in 2013 as strong proponents of the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists' channel for supporting state, national and international missions. Valley Baptist members aim to "take seriously supporting the work of taking the Gospel to all places in the world," says Larry Creamer, pastor of the church where about 200 people worship on Sundays. Creamer led the church to increase its CP giving from 10 percent to 14.5 percent. "People without Christ need to be prayed for," he said. "They need to have people around them living a solid Christian life before them." Valley Baptist members are active in a variety of community, associational and state convention activities as well as their support of the Cooperative Program. Read at the entire article here or search for Northborough, Mass.; Marion, Iowa; Grand Prairie, Texas; Price, Utah; and Vacaville, Calif., among other articles from 2013 that show Southern Baptist churches active in reaching out with the Gospel and supporting Kingdom work through the Cooperative Program. World Hunger Fund now 'Global Hunger Relief' In June and September, Baptist Press published articles about a major new initiative related to global hunger. To help raise awareness about Southern Baptists' effectiveness in hunger ministries, a new name -- Global Hunger Relief -- is taking the place of the World Hunger Fund. Because hunger donations are channeled through the International and North American mission boards, those funds become a vital part of Southern Baptist mission strategies to impact the world for Christ. A new website is being developed at www.GlobalHungerRelief.com, and the GHR initiative will officially launch at the 2014 SBC annual meeting in Baltimore. New Baptist campaign targets global hunger, Global Hunger Relief draws responsiveness at SBC --30-- Compiled by Baptist Press editor Art Toalston, with sections from Erin Roach, Baptist Press assistant editor; Diana Chandler, BP general assignment writer/editor; Laura Erlanson, BP operations coordinator; James A. Smith Sr., executive editor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Mark Kelly, media strategist for Baptist Global Response; and Karen L. Willoughby, national correspondent for Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- High court intervenes on HHS mandate by Staff Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday WASHINGTON (BP) -- A U.S. Supreme Court justice granted an order of Roman Catholic nuns a last-minute reprieve from the Obama administration's abortion/contraception mandate, providing foes of the requirement another in an overwhelming series of wins. Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a temporary injunction Dec. 31 to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Denver and other Catholic organizations. The injunction prevents the federal government from enforcing the controversial mandate for the time being. Sotomayor, who handles emergency applications from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, gave the Obama administration until Jan. 3 to respond to her order. The injunction, issued the day before the mandate was to go into effect for the Catholic organizations, brought to 19 the number of injunctions granted to nonprofit groups that have challenged the mandate in court, according to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. An injunction has been denied in only one suit brought by a nonprofit. Sotomayor's order followed by only four days a victory in a Houston federal court for two Baptist universities. East Texas Baptist University and Houston Baptist University won a Dec. 27 injunction against the mandate. A week earlier, GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention won an injunction against the regulation issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. The abortion/contraception mandate, which is a rule helping to implement the 2010 health care reform law, requires coverage of such drugs as Plan B and other "morning-after" pills that possess a post-fertilization mechanism that can cause an abortion by preventing implantation of tiny embryos. The rule also covers "ella," which -- in a fashion similar to the abortion drug RU 486 -- can act even after implantation to end the life of the child. Although churches and closely related ministries are exempt from the mandate, many Christian universities, children's homes and other ministries were not exempted and instead were in danger of being forced to provide abortion-causing drugs and devices through a poorly conceived "accommodation" or incur crippling penalties. Mark Rienzi, senior counsel for the Becket Fund, applauded Sotomayor's decision. "The government has lots of ways to deliver contraceptives to people -- it doesn't need to force nuns to participate," Rienzi said in a written statement. "Virtually every other party who asked for protection from the mandate has been given it," he said. "It makes no sense for the Little Sisters to be singled out for fines and punishment before they can even finish their suit." The Becket Fund represents the Little Sisters, as well as East Texas Baptist and Houston Baptist universities. Another Becket Fund lawyer, Eric Rassbach, said of the injunction for the Baptist schools, "The government doesn't have the right to decide what religious beliefs are legitimate and which ones aren't. In its careful opinion, the court recognized that the government was trying to move across that forbidden line and said, 'No further.'" In its opinion, the federal judge in Houston specifically rejected the government's argument that it can evaluate the universities' beliefs: "The religious organization plaintiffs have shown a sincerely held religious belief that the court cannot second-guess." Rassbach, deputy general counsel for the Becket Fund, also said, "The government has enforced the health care reform law very unevenly, handing out exemptions to those it sees as its allies. Perhaps the worst part of the government's approach is that it seems to have decided that religious institutions are the only ones not to get an exemption." Two HHS mandate cases involving for-profit plaintiffs -- Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties -- are set to be argued before the Supreme Court this term, possibly in March. For-profit and nonprofit corporations have filed a total of 91 lawsuits against the mandate, according to the Becket Fund. --30-- Compiled by Baptist Press Washington bureau chief Tom Strode and Erin Roach, assistant editor of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Congressmen: The PRIZE of citizenship by U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce & J. Randy Forbes Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday EDITOR'S NOTE: Steve Pearce represents New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District and J. Randy Forbes represents Virginia's 4th Congressional District. Pearce is a member of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church in Hobbs, N.M.; Forbes is a member of Great Bridge Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va. WASHINGTON (BP) -- America was founded by individuals seeking the freedom to live their lives in step with their beliefs. It is this quest that led our Founding Fathers to cast religious freedom into the First Amendment of the Constitution. For them, religious freedom was the prize of citizenship. The PRICE they paid for citizenship was their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. This freedom now faces a challenge that will determine its ultimate survival. Legal battles are ongoing across the country that will determine whether an individual's deeply held beliefs can be legally severed from the way they engage the community around them. The prize of citizenship -- religious freedom -- has been misconstrued as the price of citizenship. Elaine Huguenin, a New Mexico photographer, politely declined to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony because her religious beliefs prevented her from affirming the ceremony through her artistic talents. The couple was easily able to secure another photographer. On the face of it, the interests of both parties had been satisfied. Elaine was able to honor her conscience and the couple had pictures to memorialize their ceremony. But mutual satisfaction was insufficient. The couple filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, claiming that Elaine discriminated against them on the basis of sexual orientation. Elaine and her husband Jon were fined almost $7,000 in fees, and a struggle between non-discrimination laws and religious freedom began to work its way through the appellate courts. On August 21, 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling subordinating religious freedom to state law. The effect on religious freedom was not unnoticed -- it was purposefully ignored. The concurring opinion acknowledged in language that ought to be chilling to Americans of any faith that the Huguenins are now "compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives. ... [I]t is the price of citizenship." The case will now make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. A recent Rasmussen poll revealed that 85 percent of Americans believe that a photographer with deeply held religious beliefs regarding marriage should be free to decline a request to photograph a same-sex ceremony. This poll reflects the reality that we are free under the First Amendment to live according to the dictates of our individual consciences -- a freedom which the Founding Fathers prized above almost any other. However, despite this overwhelming popular support, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to embrace same-sex marriage in last June's United States v. Windsor has given validation to the basely false argument that the only reason anyone has to support traditional marriage is bigotry. We have forgotten President Obama's observation in 2012 that there are people of good will on both sides of the marriage debate. A hallmark of the American spirit of freedom is that we have historically honored the conscientious objector. Those whose faith prohibits the use of force under any circumstance are not required to serve in the military, regardless of the honorability of service or our society's legitimate need to be defended. Employees who have a religious objection to working on sacred observances and holidays must be accommodated by their employers absent an undue hardship. So, too, must those with conscientious objections to providing certain services be free to follow their beliefs, rather than be coerced into action. This is especially crucial when the inaction of a single individual in no way precludes the customer from obtaining a desired commercial service from another company. Some scoff at the claim that religious freedom is being trampled in the name of tolerance. But there have been many times in history when truth was suppressed by scorn until it was too late to turn the tide. Freedom is a fragile gift that cannot be taken for granted without great cost. Or, as President Reagan so pointedly reminded us: "[F]reedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well taught lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same. And if you and I don't do this, then you and I may well spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it once was like in America when men were free." The future of religious freedom is in the hands of the people, as it was in the hands of the Founders over 200 years ago. We must protect the prize of citizenship. --30-- For an earlier Baptist Press column by Congressman Randy Forbes, click here. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ala. pastor charged with murder by Staff Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) -- An Alabama pastor has been charged with the murder of his wife who was found dead in their home in July 2013, according to a breaking story posted on The Alabama Baptist newspaper's website. Richard Shahan, former children and families pastor at First Baptist Church, Birmingham, was arrested Wednesday (Jan. 1). At the time of his arrest he was attempting to board a flight to Frankfurt, Germany at the Nashville International Airport. A warrant for Shahan's arrest was signed Dec. 31. Myfoxal.com reported First Baptist put Shahan on paid leave after Karen Shahan's body was discovered at the couple's house in Homewood. The Alabama Baptist reported Dec. 19, 2013, that Shahan was planning to serve three years with Bible Mission International in Germany to develop teaching and discipleship materials for former Soviet countries. First Baptist released the following statement on their website: "All of us were saddened by the unexpected news that Richard Shahan was arrested by Homeland Security just moments before his planned flight departure for Frankfurt, Germany. There he was to assume his new role working with the Children's ministry of Bible Mission International, primarily in Kazakhstan. "As we know, on November 29 Richard announced his plans to pursue this mission ministry. His resignation from First Baptist Church of Birmingham was effective December 31, 2013. "Our Prayers go out to Richard and his family. We trust that eventually truth and justice can prevail." During a televised press conference Thursday afternoon, authorities were unable to give details on motive and said the investigation is ongoing. --30-- Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Send North America's impact in 2013 by Adam Miller Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday ALPHARETTA, Ga. BP -- The deaf residents of Manchester, Conn., now have a church of their own, as do the students at the University of Hartford -- and it's right on campus. This is because God is using church planters to reach into the hard-to-reach areas of North America with the Gospel. These are just two success stories among hundreds from 2013 of God using church planters, pastors, Southern Baptist Convention chaplains, Disaster Relief volunteers and a host of other Southern Baptists whose work has helped make an impact for Christ. Through Send North America, the North American Mission Board's (NAMB) strategy for church planting and evangelism, Southern Baptists are helping start churches and reaching communities in the United States and Canada. Emphasizing the work of discovering, developing and deploying missionaries in 32 strategic Send North America cities, Send North America is focused on mobilizing Southern Baptist churches to start churches in communities that are without a thriving Gospel presence. Allan Karr, Send North America campus mobilizer at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, said he has been praying Luke 10:2 for 10 years and that God is answering in some unexpected ways. "In 2013 we trained and deployed church planters from five tribes of Burma to plant and lead five new churches in Colorado and North Carolina," Karr said. Aaron Harvie, campus mobilizer at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said students are being deployed as church planting interns. "We've had an incredible gathering of future planters," Harvie said. "We've mobilized interns to Washington D.C., New Orleans and Pittsburgh. God is on the move!" Steve Canter, Send North America city coordinator for Send New York City, hosted dozens of interns who spent several months in the city this year assisting in church planting efforts. "More than 30 men and women served this year in the Send North America Farm System," Canter said. "These are the missionaries of the future." Other stories from throughout North America in 2013 included: -- By the end of 2013 a total of more than 1,200 churches have been mobilized through NAMB's "Mobilize Me" process. -- A church plant in Montreal, where only 0.5 percent of residents profess Christ, launched with 400 people, has grown to nearly 500 and has baptized more than 100. -- Canada increased by more than 30 church plants in 2013. -- Eight multiplying churches have been developed in Boston in the last two years in a city where there were only two. -- 35 Nepalese were baptized in Columbus, 118 people were baptized in Cleveland, and 96 Bhutanese refugees were baptized in Atlanta. -- An unprecedented 19 churches, six planters, four interns and two apprentices were mobilized to Portland, Ore. -- More than 500 participants at the 2013 Send North America Conference July 29-30 in Dallas indicated they were taking next steps in church planting. -- More than 300 college students helped with rebuild efforts in New York in communities still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. -- More than 200 new SBC chaplains were placed. SBC chaplains led more than 22,000 people to Christ and they baptized more than 4,000 people in 2013. "There is still much to do, but it has been encouraging this year to see the momentum start to build," Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, said. "I think God is giving us a glimpse of what He has planned if we are willing to send the resources and people to the places where they are needed most." --30-- Adam Miller writes for the North American Mission Board. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- CULTURE DIGEST: Huckabee weighs another presidential bid; Salvation Army counters LBGT rumors; ... by Erin Roach Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday NASHVILLE (BP) -- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is considering another run for president in 2016, he said on Fox News during his latest round of defending biblical values. "When people ask me, 'Are you open to the possibilities?' the honest answer is yes. Does that mean I'm running? I don't honestly know," Huckabee, said on "Fox News Sunday" Dec. 22. "I think there is a lot of time between now and then and, frankly, the Republicans have a strong stable of possible candidates. "What I'm looking [to do] is to find out whether it's the right thing for me to do, and I'm not ready to make that decision," Huckabee told Chris Wallace. "But I just don't want to tell people, 'Oh, no, I wouldn't open my mind to it' because that would be, frankly, dishonest at this point." Huckabee, who was a candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2008, went on to say there is a 50/50 chance he'll run, and while he has other projects to focus on in the meantime, he'll "just keep that option open and make a decision after the 2014 elections." Huckabee, currently hosting his weekend "Huckabee" show on the Fox network, is a former pastor and president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Wallace noted that part of Huckabee's appeal is that he's a "populist who is concerned about reaching out to minorities, to working class folks who don't typically or certainly in the last election didn't vote Republican." Also during his appearance, Huckabee discussed the controversy surrounding comments made by Phil Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" regarding homosexuality. Huckabee launched a Facebook page called "I Stand with Phil." "I think it has come to a point in our culture where political correctness has made it so that if you want to take a point of view that is traditional, that holds to steadfast, old-fashioned biblical Christian values, which are also, by the way, values of traditional Judaism and even Islam, that somehow you're supposed to just shut up and keep that to yourself," Huckabee said. SALVATION ARMY DENIES LGBT DISCRIMINATION -- To dispel rumors, the Salvation Army has developed a page on its website called "Debunking the Myth of LGBT Discrimination," which is leading some to conclude the nation's second-largest charity now approves of homosexual behavior. The issue, though, may be more nuanced than the gay lobby realizes. "For years, Facebook posts, forwarded emails and rumors have been leading some people to believe that The Salvation Army does not serve members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community," the website states. "These accusations simply aren't true." In a report Dec. 23, the San Diego Gay & Lesbian News said the Salvation Army's reputation within the gay community has been "greatly damaged" because of several "half-truths." "It's sad to say that in this fight for equality the gay community has sometimes not stayed ethical in the fight," SDGLN said, adding that comments by a Salvation Army employee in Australia in 2012 have "turned into a tabloid lie of 2013." The Salvation Army USA, SDGLN said, removed from its website the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. "This was after many in the LBGT community called out the organization for stating this on the website," SDGLN said. On its "debunking the myth" page, the Salvation Army says people who come to them for assistance will be served according to their need, "regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation." The charity, which serves nearly 30 million Americans each year, also "embraces employees of many different faiths and orientations" and provides domestic partner benefits. "Many people -- including those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community -- support us with time and financial resources because of a common cause and commitment: To serve people in need," the website states. Fortune magazine, in a blog post Dec. 20, said the Salvation Army still doesn't permit its clergy to conduct same-sex marriages. "According to a spokesperson, 'as a Christian church, the Salvation Army holds theological beliefs that direct the actions of our officers and church members. Our beliefs are based on our interpretation of the Bible. As a result, our officers officiate traditional marriage ceremonies between men and women who are in committed relationships,'" Fortune reported. The Salvation Army's website explains that the charity "is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination." Though the Salvation Army's recent actions could be construed as embracing the homosexual lifestyle, being willing to serve people from the LGBT community does not necessarily equal celebrating their behavior, a view also held by Southern Baptists and numerous other evangelical denominations. BOY SCOUTS ALTERNATIVE LAUNCHES WITH 500 TROOPS -- Trail Life USA, a new scouting organization that developed as an alternative to Boy Scouts of America, launched Jan. 1 with nearly 500 troops. "We have a very excited group of churches and Christian organizations that are joining us," Mark Hancock, Trail Life USA's chief operating officer, told Religion News Service. "They're ready to go." The new organization, created by OnMyHonor.net after the Boy Scouts changed their membership policy to allow homosexuals, has hundreds of volunteers across the country and employs a staff of six, Hancock told RNS. Trail Life USA's statement of faith and values, which all adult leaders are required to sign, says in a section on purity that "God calls us to lives of holiness, being pure of heart, mind, word and deed. We are to reserve sexual activity for the sanctity of marriage, a lifelong commitment before God between a man and a woman." "[Our vision is] to become the premier national character development organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers and citizens," said John Stembergeer, chairman of the Trail Life USA board. "Parents are going love the new outdoor adventure program and we are very excited to be part of this next chapter in the history of scouting in America." The Southern Baptist Convention at its 2013 annual meeting passed a resolution suggesting that a longstanding missions program, Royal Ambassadors, also is an alternative to Boy Scouts. RA immerses boys in fun activities that are age- and gender-appropriate, with curriculum to nurture their mental, social, physical and spiritual development. At the time, about 3,000 churches in the United States operated RA groups, with some churches operating multiple groups, and RA leaders totaled 6,300. More than 30,000 people subscribe to RA World magazine for RA members, indicating at least that many boys participate in the ministry. Free sample materials and information to help start an RA group is available from WMU, the SBC missions auxiliary, at wmu.com/getstarted. Subscriptions for RA Leader, RA World and the RA Leader Kit may be ordered from WMU Customer Service (1-800-968-7301) or online at wmustore.com. --30-- Erin Roach is Baptist Press' assistant editor. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST-PERSON: Thoughts on alcoholism by Ed Stetzer Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday NASHVILLE (BP) -- New Year's brings to mind many things, but two stand out. First, New Year's Eve is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. Second, it's not a secret that some of the people who were drinking are, or will be, alcoholics. An old joke is that alcoholics (or the Irish, as I first heard the joke from my Irish grandfather) call New Year's Eve "Amateur Night." In light of those realities, it seems like a good moment to share some thoughts on alcoholism. Views of alcohol among evangelicals It appears views about alcohol are changing among some evangelicals. Probably more people took notice of this when Moody Bible Institute changed its alcohol policy, but it's broader than that. I've had conversations about it with Wesleyans in Canada, Baptists in Texas and Pentecostals in Oklahoma. All see a shift in attitude. Many conservative evangelicals have been moderationists for a long time, so an anti-alcohol sentiment is not universal among evangelicals. Sometimes observers will see "Northern Evangelicalism" as moderationist, with "Southern Evangelicalism" being abstentionists, and there is a good amount of truth in that geographic reality. However, it is still a bit more complicated since Wesleyans, for example, are concentrated in the North, and you cannot be a covenant member of a Wesleyan church if you use alcohol as a beverage. I've always been very open that I don't drink beverage alcohol. Part of that comes from a heritage of alcoholism that inspires this post. I've seen it up close and know alcoholism's destructive power -- yet, many evangelicals have not. More evangelicals may be exposed to the destructiveness of alcoholism if acceptance grows. I believe this column would not be needed if everyone shared my view, but they don't. So my purpose is to point to a side effect of a growing acceptance of alcohol, and no one should disagree with the importance of this topic (unless you don't believe in alcoholism). We need to talk more about alcoholism. After I read the article "5 Uncomfortable Issues the Church Needs to Start Talking About" in RELEVANT magazine, I was more convinced that it needed to be written. In it, Zach Perkins explained: "At AA meetings and therapy sessions, talking about addiction makes sense, but for some reason, it's not a topic most church people want to hear about. Certain addictions are definitely more socially acceptable to talk about than others. For example, it's OK to bug Frank about his smoking, but John's alcoholism is more hush-hush. "And yes, in many churches, a person's addictions can become fodder for gossip," Perkins said. "However, if the Church were to first approach one another as family, then addicts in the Church might feel safer to be vulnerable about their struggles. Often, they just need to be loved and feel safe enough to know they can expose this part of themselves in a community where the addiction isn't crushing them every second." Indeed. A friend's story I recently was in a conversation with an old friend of mine who over the years had changed his view on alcohol, moving from an abstentionist position to a more moderationist one. But he found that, like a consistent percentage of people who intend to drink in moderation, he could not. He would later call that "alcoholism." Some studies show that 30 percent of Americans will struggle with alcohol in some way. That does not mean they are all alcoholics, but there are real issues to be addressed. If more evangelicals are going to accept beverage alcohol, we need to have this conversation. Even if the views don't change, there are still many secret alcoholics. So let's have the conversation either way. Following is an interview with an anonymous evangelical pastor who is a recovering alcoholic. I'm hoping it might help someone see a problem they might be ignoring in themselves or a friend. Q: Tell us how you viewed alcohol and how those views changed over time. A: I grew up in the South. I was taught that alcohol was "of the devil" but tobacco was a gift from God. My family didn't drink. I never had alcohol until college, never partied much there, but I discovered in graduate school that it was good for relaxing. I was a youth pastor for a while and never drank during that time. I had a hard enough time keeping some of my youth from DUIs as it was. Later, I planted a church that grew very quickly, and, again, a glass of wine became a way to relax in the evening. Q: How could you tell and when did you realize you had a problem? A: Alcohol became more of a need than a want. As success and stress increased, the need to use it to relax became more of a habit than an occasional thing. I started to hide it from family. I made promises to never drink during "work time," which of course began to shrink. My family and a couple of my staff expressed concern in a loving way, but I said I could handle it -- a major flag. Q: What is unique about being an alcoholic evangelical pastor? A: I never thought it would happen to me, and most evangelicals view any form of alcohol as evil to begin with. However, that attitude has changed somewhat, and most of the church folks I know drink socially. However, I had a temperament/physical makeup that didn't allow me to do that. I think we tend to view alcoholism as a sin, which it is, but it also has other factors which make it unique, like most addictions. However, the key to change is to change from the inside out. It [my alcoholism] also gives me a special heart for those who suffer from addiction, whether substance, sexual, spending, etc. I have been able to look into a lot of eyes and say "I understand. There is an answer." Q: How did the church leaders respond? A: Very gracefully and lovingly. One leader said, "You've taught us not to shoot our wounded. We're not going to start with you." People know if they "need to know." I know that sounds cryptic, but I don't identify myself first and foremost as an alcoholic. It's not my true identity. I am a Christ follower who struggles(d) with the sickness of alcoholism. Q: How should Christians view Alcoholics Anonymous? A: I cannot speak for AA. All I know is that it worked for me, and many times I see more of God and more miracles in the rooms of AA than in most churches. ---- This is an important conversation that I hope others will continue. Here are some resources if you are struggling with alcohol addiction: -- A helpful factsheet from the National Institutes of Health (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders) -- A guest post by Ray Ramos from the Recovery House of Worship (http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2013/december/thursday-is-for-thinkers-ray-ramos-on-12-step-recovery-and-.html) -- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA.org) -- Celebrate Recovery (CelebrateRecovery.com) --30-- Ed Stetzer is president of LifeWay Research (www.lifewayresearch.com), a division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. This article first appeared on www.edstetzer.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bible Study: January 5, 2014 by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week's Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum. Bible Passage: John 15:26—16:15 Discussion Questions: When you were growing up, how did you respond to the statement "someday you will understand"? When did that "someday" arrive? What factors contributed to you reaching that point of understanding? Food for Thought: Most of us have had a "someday you will understand" moment. It may have been when our parents were telling us why we couldn't do some activity others were allowed to do. It may have been at a time when we were being disciplined for breaking some rule we saw as minor. We may have even heard the statement from a teacher who was trying to help us understand why we needed to study the subject matter in his or her class. We knew we didn't understand why, but we didn't want to be reminded subtly that we were just too young or immature to do so. In John 16, we find a "someday you will understand" moment. Jesus told His disciples that He had so much more to share with them, but they were not capable of handling it (see John 16:12). In less than a day, the disciples would see Jesus crucified and buried. They would also discover His empty tomb. There was so much waiting for them that they would someday understand. While experience would play some role, the greater factor in their understanding would be the coming of the Holy Spirit. Through Him working in their lives, they would come to understand the deep truths Jesus had been teaching them for three years. We may finally understand a truth or passage with experience, reflection and conversation with others. But in the middle of those experiences, thoughts and conversations is the Spirit directing, revealing and unveiling. As we depend upon Him for insight, He will take us to the depths of God's truth. The key is not the experience, but rather who we depend upon during the experience. Jesus has given every believer the Spirit to teach us, convict us and empower us. It is up to us to depend upon Him. Explore the Bible Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in eight years. The eight-year plan and more information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible. Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at www.LifeWay.com/SundaySchool. --30-- Dwayne McCrary is the adult Project Team Leader for Explore the Bible and can be followed on twitter @gdwayne. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2nd VIEW: BP's most-read stories of 2013 by Staff Date: January 02, 2014 - Thursday EDITOR'S NOTE: 2nd VIEW is a key Baptist Press story that has been posted within the past several days. For a listing of additional key stories in Baptist Press in recent days, always take a look at the daily RECENT NEWS listing. Originally posted Dec. 31, 2013 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- In a year filled with headlines about healthcare, national debt, same-sex marriage and a slew of international challenges, a story about a hip-hop artist was the most-read article of 2013 on Baptist Press' website. Google Analytics, which tracks web traffic, also showed a story posted in March about Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty and his Christian faith, and another article on the controversy that followed Exodus International's decision to close its doors after decades of helping people overcome homosexual behavior, made the Top 10. The following Top 10 list for 2013 includes a brief description with each headline. BP most read stories 1. "Lecrae speaks of hip-hop's relevance." In July, Baptist Press posted a story about an interview involving Lecrae Moore, hip-hop artist, ministry leader, producer and actor, that was led by Eric Geiger, LifeWay's vice president of church resources. During the discussion, presented on The Exchange webcast of LifeWay, LeCrae described hip hop as "the new pop music," and the artists as "modern-day philosophers." LeCrae lives in Atlanta with his wife and their three children. He has released three studio albums and two remix albums as the leader of the rap group 116 Clique. He has received a Grammy Award and two Dove Awards. He also won 2010 Best Hip-hop Music Video from the GMC Music Video Awards. He also has appeared as an artist at Passion conferences led by Louie Giglio. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=40684 2. "THE GIGLIO IMBROGLIO -- The public inauguration of a new Moral McCarthyism." Baptist Press reposted a column in January that was written by R. Albert Mohler Jr., and originally posted on his website, about Louie Giglio withdrawing from giving the benediction during President Obama's second inaugural ceremony. Giglio withdrew after statements that he made regarding homosexuality being a sin nearly 20 years ago surfaced in the mainstream media. Among his comments, Giglio said the "only way out of a homosexual lifestyle ... is through the healing power of Jesus." In his article, Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called the situation "revealing." He noted during the Joseph McCarthy hearings in 1954 witnesses were asked, "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?" Mohler wrote, "We now see the new Moral McCarthyism in its undisguised and unvarnished reality.... There is nowhere to hide." http://www.bpnews.net/BPne ws.asp?ID=39504 3. "Max Lucado transcends Church of Christ beliefs." Baptist Press ran a story in May that featured an interview with Max Lucado, author of more than 50 books and pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. During the interview, Lucado addressed his church's heritage and decision to change its name from Oak Hills Church of Christ to simply Oak Hills Church. He explained his views on baptism and what he learned about salvation as a missionary in Brazil. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=20752 4. "Duck Dynasty's' commander talks faith." Months before Phil Robertson's biblical views on homosexuality stirred up a media circus, Baptist Press posted a story about the family patriarch's faith in March. Robertson discussed his book "Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander." He also shared how he went from a "sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle" in his late 20s to become a follower of Christ and eventually a television star. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=39882 5. "Syria Christians face 'ethno-religious cleansing.'" In June, Baptist Press ran a story on Syrian Christians being caught in the conflict between President Bashar-Assad's forces and rebel fighters. The United Nations reported more than 93,000 people had died and 1.6 million Syrians had fled the country. More Christians have fled Syria than any other religious or ethnic group, according to a report by Open Doors International, an organization that supports the persecuted church. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=40647 6. "Andy Stanley's stance on homosexuality questioned." In May, Baptist Press posted a story on megachurch pastor Andy Stanley and the controversy around an April 15 sermon illustration he gave that involved a husband who left his wife to pursue a homosexual relationship. Stanley labeled the man's new relationship as adultery, but he stopped short of calling homosexuality sin. The story became a hot topic in the blogosphere weeks later after Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. wrote about Stanley's sermon being problematic because it seemed to suggest adultery is sin but that homosexuality is biblically acceptable. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=37742 7. "Calvinism committee issues report, urges SBC to 'stand together' for Great Commission." A 19-member advisory committee on Calvinism issued its report in May to Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Frank Page. The report acknowledged tension and disagreement within the denomination on the issue of Calvinism while urging Southern Baptists to "grant one another liberty" and "stand together" for the Great Commission. The advisory team -- not an official committee of the convention -- was assembled by Page in August 2012 to advise him on developing "a strategy whereby people of various theological persuasions can purposely work together in missions and evangelism." http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=40419 8. "Henry Blackaby to undergo heart surgery." Southern Baptist Bible teacher Henry Blackaby underwent successful heart bypass surgery in September after suffering a heart attack while driving in Atlanta and became confused. He traveled for 29 hours before police found him Sept. 20 in Tifton, Ga., about 150 miles southeast of his home. Blackaby was on his way to pick up his wife Marilynn from an appointment when he suffered the heart attack, according to the statement posted on the Blackaby Ministries International website. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=41139 9. "Attorney: Church bylaws should define marriage." In February, with the U.S. Supreme Court set to take up gay marriage that summer, an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom encouraged churches that host wedding ceremonies or other events for traditional couples to examine their bylaws and shield themselves from the impact of possible litigation. In June, the Supreme Court went on to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, and allowed to stand a federal judge's invalidation of a California amendment that limited marriage to heterosexual couples. While the rulings stopped short of legalizing gay marriage nationwide, same-sex marriage is now legal in a third of the country. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=39695 10. "Exodus Int'l closes after Chambers' apology." In June, Exodus International, a decades-old ministry that has helped people overcome homosexual behavior, announced it was closing down. This announcement came the same day its president, Alan Chambers, issued a public apology to people who have been hurt by the organization. Chambers alluded to the development of a new ministry to "reduce fear." Russell D. Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said the folding of Exodus International "doesn't mean the folding of an evangelical sexual ethic, though it does mean a move away from a therapeutic model of sexual sanctification." Moore added, "Evangelical Christianity increasingly addresses sexual issues more in line with the older Christian tradition of sin and temptation and triumph than with the language of therapy. We can't have a utopian view of overcoming temptation of any sort." http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=40574 Other widely reported events in 2013 revolved around the issue of mental health. In April, well-known SBC pastor and author Rick Warren lost his son Matthew to suicide. Then in June, SBC Executive Committee President Frank Page released a book titled "Melissa: A Father's Lessons from a Daughter's Suicide" about his own daughter's death in 2009. The two events sparked a national conversation among Christians regarding the best ways to minister to those struggling with mental illness and their loved ones. In June, SBC messengers adopted a resolution calling on Southern Baptists to fight the "stigmatization and prejudice" of those with mental health concerns and to "love and minister to" them. --30-- Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).