The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-06/24/2016 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- ERLC, Focus aid St. Louis pregnancy center by Tom Strode Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Abortion-minded women in St. Louis have a new opportunity to learn the truth about their unborn children thanks in part to Southern Baptists. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), announced the placement of a sonogram machine with Thrive St. Louis during the denominational entity's presentation at the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. The gift through the ERLC's Psalm 139 Project, in partnership with Focus on the Family, will equip the ministry's new mobile center with ultrasound technology primarily to help reach college campuses and underserved communities. "The fact that the Southern Baptist Convention is working with Focus on the Family in placing this state-of-the-art, newest-of the-new laptop ultrasound so that it can move around with the unit is pretty remarkable," said Bridget VanMeans, Thrive's president. An ultrasound machine is vital for a woman who "has been the victim of propaganda" regarding her unborn child's development, she told Baptist Press. A woman with a crisis pregnancy often has been told her child is just a lump of cells, which "makes it easier for her to justify having an abortion, because it's not a life, it's not a baby," VanMeans said. The ultrasound exposes the lie of such propaganda. "You will literally hear the girl say, 'Oh my gosh. Is that my baby right now inside me? That right there, that's my baby. Oh my gosh. That's a baby. I can't have an abortion,'" VanMeans said of some client responses to seeing the ultrasound image. "So it cuts through those deceptions and gives her a reality check, and the impact is very powerful, because between 80 and 90 percent of those girls will choose life when they see the baby on that image," she said. Moore said he is thrilled to partner with Focus on the Family in helping Thrive "minister further to unborn children and their mothers. These machines are a powerful instrument in persuading women and families to choose life. Ministries like Thrive play an indispensable role in the church's advocacy for human dignity, and I pray that our churches would fill our communities with other such servants." Participants at the first Evangelicals for Life event in January in Washington, D.C., provided funds for the ultrasound machine given to Thrive. The ERLC and Focus are cosponsors of Evangelicals for Life, which will be held again in January 2017 in conjunction with the annual March for Life. Previously, the ERLC has provided ultrasound machines through the Psalm 139 Project to centers based in San Marcos, Texas; New Albany, Ind.; Denver; Corinth, Miss.; Lakeland, Fla.; Phoenix; Louisiana; Houston; Columbus, Ohio; and Knoxville, Tenn. The new mobile unit containing the machine provided through Psalm 139/Focus will be Thrive's fourth, making its fleet of mobile units the largest in the country among pregnancy centers, VanMeans said. Thrive has named each of its mobile centers, and Belle is the new one. Belle not only will serve the women who enter it for a sonogram but will act as "a moving billboard," VanMeans said, to make those with crisis pregnancies aware of Thrive's services. The Christ-centered ministry -- which also has three "brick-and-mortar centers," as VanMeans describes them -- receives support from several hundred churches across denominational lines. In his SBC presentation, Moore said of Thrive, "Through the work of this organization, mixing innovative technology with Gospel compassion, women are served and many lives are saved." The Psalm 139 Project's name comes from the well-known chapter in the Bible in which David testifies to God's sovereign care for him when he was an unborn child. David wrote in verse 13 of that psalm, "You knit me together in my mother's womb." All gifts to the Psalm 139 Project go toward the purchase of sonogram machines and the training of staff members to operate them, since the ERLC's administrative costs are covered by the SBC's Cooperative Program. Information on the Psalm 139 Project and how to donate is available at http://psalm139project.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------- EDUCATION DIGEST: Hall named Boyce dean, Fla. collegians trek to Cuba by SBTS, BCF & BP Staff Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday Matthew Hall named Boyce College dean LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Matthew J. Hall has been named dean of Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Hall has served as vice president for academic services at the Louisville, Ky., seminary since 2013 and is an assistant professor of church history. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary, appointed Hall to the position, describing him as "academically prepared, experienced and ready to lead one of the fastest-growing programs in higher education. I have had the honor of working with Matthew Hall for several years in the highest levels of Southern Seminary's administration. With this appointment we have the right man at the right time for the right school." A two-time alumnus of Southern Seminary (M.Div. and Th.M.), Hall oversaw SBTS enrollment, library and assessment initiatives in his administrative role in academic services, after previously serving as chief of staff in the Office of the President. Hall holds a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Kentucky and was co-editor of the 2015 book, "Essential Evangelicalism: The Enduring Legacy of Carl F.H. Henry." An elder at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Hall is a research fellow on the SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and was a member of the SBC Committee on Resolutions in 2014 and 2015. He met his wife Jeannie while he was a student at Grove City College and they have three children, George, Charlie, and Jane. "In nearly 14 years involved in the life of Southern Seminary, I've come to know Boyce College in great detail and have tremendous admiration for its mission and identity in Christian higher education," Hall said. "The challenges facing this generation of Christian men and women are extraordinary and I look forward to seeing how God might use Boyce College to prepare them for more effective service and ministry." Since 1998, when Boyce Bible School became Boyce College under Mohler's leadership, Boyce has grown from six bachelor's degree programs to 13 and the enrollment expanded to 1,235 students in the 2014-2015 academic year. In May, Boyce conferred degrees to a record 149 students. Boyce has added a seminary track in biblical and theological studies for students to earn both B.A. and M.Div. degrees in as few as five years. More information about Boyce College is available online at boycecollege.com. Florida collegiate team serves in Cuba GRACEVILLE, Fla. (BP) -- The winds of change are blowing in Cuba, but it's more like a gentle stirring than a wind, a 12-member Baptist College of Florida team reported after a week of religious work in the island nation once dubbed the "crown jewel of the Caribbean." Although plenty of tour buses are traversing Havana, the pace of life is still slow and the spiritual climate is cautious, the BCF team reported. Most BCF mission trips focus on evangelism and church planting, but in Cuba the objective was one of encouragement, said Rich Elligson, BCF mission team leader and theology division chair. The church is strong but often feels isolated. "A week with these college students is like a breath of fresh air," one Cuban church member commented. "They remind us that the Kingdom of God is made of all kinds of believers from all over the world. We may be separated, but we are not forgotten. We are one big family working together." The BCF team members included a variety of students and recent graduates. Some were missions majors, while others are pursuing degrees in psychology, business leadership or ministry studies. Some were older, some younger; some were first-timers and others had been to Cuba before. But all worked alongside their Cuban brothers and sisters doing Kingdom work. The latest initiative in an ongoing partnership between BCF, the Florida Baptist Convention and the Cuban Baptist Convention encompassed church construction during the day followed by Vacation Bible School for children and a Bible conference each evening for adults. The construction part of the project included mixing and pouring concrete for the building foundation and laying the first blocks -- a wearying task undertaken each morning before the scorching tropical sun got too high. Following the typical late afternoon rain, children arrived for VBS fun and games and Bible stories and crafts. The VBS was organized and directed by BCF leadership and Christian education junior Casey Ranalli, with all the team members involved. "Once we got there, my part was easy," Ranalli said. "God brought all the right people together and everyone did a phenomenal job with the kids. I am just happy to have been a part of what may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do ministry in Cuba." The final aspect of the work on the island was an evening Bible conference. This year, Cuban Baptist churches had been asked to emphasize "the family" during the weeks between Mother's Day and Father's Day. So the host pastor requested a teaching series on the topic and Elligson spoke accordingly. "It's interesting to see the common challenges all families face, regardless of where we live," Elligson said. "But it's encouraging to know that God's Word still offers the solutions, and the folks here received the Word warmly." Other events and opportunities during the week included a Bible study for the ladies of the church and a time of fellowship and recreation for senior adults. These informal gatherings allowed the team to share testimonies, music and devotional messages from God's Word. Maria Wetzel, the Florida Baptist coordinator who traveled with the team, said the members "were so well prepared and so willing to jump in and work among the Cuban people. There weren't cultural conflicts or an 'us versus them' kind of mentality. It was a true partnership. In fact, I believe the BCF group was just as enriched, or more so, than the Cubans they came to help." Elligson said the encouragement the Americans brought will last much longer than might be expected -- one might say it is "written in stone." After smoothing out one stretch of concrete running along the side of the new church building, the pastor invited team members to sign their names in the wet surface as a lasting memorial to the relationships that were built. "And be sure to add BCF's name," the pastor declared, before adding, "We want to remember you, just as we pray you will continue to remember us." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Leading change in church focus of LifeWay panel by Carol Pipes Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Leading change in a church can be difficult and must be navigated with prayer, love and patience, pastors acknowledged in a panel discussion held during the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in St. Louis. LifeWay Christian Resources hosted more than 800 church leaders for a free breakfast and discussion on "Leading Change in the Church." LifeWay President and CEO Thom S. Rainer unpacked three things most leaders forget to do when leading change: begin with prayer, pray with a guiding coalition, and see crises as opportunities. "Change begins with prayer, is infused with prayer, and continues with prayer," Rainer told leaders gathered June 15. "Many times change fails because the source and strength of power is human-centered instead of God-anointed." Rainer exhorted leaders to begin to lead change with prayer and fasting and to lead others to pray with them before they begin any changes. He reminded them "every time you have a crisis, you have an opportunity to lead change. Instead of trying to solve the crisis, think about what you can do to make a positive change in the midst of the crisis." Eric Geiger, vice president of LifeWay's Resources Division, moderated a panel discussion of critical issues in effectively navigating change. The panel included pastors Ron Edmondson, Immanuel Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky.; Sam Rainer, West Bradenton Baptist Church, Bradenton, Fla.; Jimmy Scroggins, Family Church, West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Kevin Smith, newly elected executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. Each of the pastors shared personal experiences in leading change and the lessons they've learned along the way. Scroggins said the biggest change his church made was canceling the singing Christmas tree. "It was very well done and I was proud of it, but it had taken over the life or our church so that we were paralyzed to try any new evangelistic initiatives," he explained. "Making that change allowed us to free up resources, volunteers and emphasis." Sam Rainer said the first thing a pastor should ask himself before leading change is do I love my church where it is right now and not where I wish it could be in two, three or five years. "If you don't love your church where she is right now, there is absolutely no way you could lead your church to where your church may need to go." He also said pastors have to be willing to take the heat of change with grace and to show grace to others. Smith said it's important for leaders to do research and relationship work to find out the basis for people's response and the source of any resistance. "All resistance is not based out of carnal sin," he said. "Sometimes there are other dynamics of discipleship, biblical knowledge and spiritual growth that need nurturing and pastoring to move toward that change." The panel agreed that resistance is a natural part of change. Scroggins said leaders should respond to resistance with kindness and clarity. "As a pastor, you have to be kind," Scroggins said. "While you are being kind, you can continue to be clear about the direction you're going and remind people that change is part of a bigger vision for the church." Seeing people grow closer to Christ and develop as disciples has to be the initial motivation for change, Edmondson said. "Growth doesn't come without change," he said. "If people do the same thing over time, they aren't going to grow." "We don't want to lead change for change's sake," Geiger said. "We want to see disciples fully formed into the image of Christ." He introduced a new resource from LifeWay that bridges leading change and discipleship -- Disciples Path: The Journey, a one-year intentional plan for discipleship. Geiger invited leaders to join the launch team for The Journey, which will launch in January and is available to order in August. "We don't want churches to focus only on changing programming and service times," he said. "Although those are important, we really are about the hearts of people being transformed by Jesus Christ." -------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL: Entendiendo la Voluntad de Dios by Peter Citelli Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday NOTA DEL EDITOR: La columna First-Person (De primera mano) es parte de la edición de hoy de BP en español. Para ver historias adicionales, vaya a http://www.bpnews.net/espanol. HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (BP) -- "Por tanto, no seáis insensatos, sino entendidos de cuál sea la voluntad del Señor" (Efesios 5:17 RVR1960). Los Cristianos tenemos un deseo inherente por cumplir con la voluntad de aquel que nos compró con su sangre (1 Corintios 6:20), aquel a cual llamamos Señor (Romanos 14:8). No obstante, la tarea de discernir la voluntad de Dios para nuestra vida parece una labor difícil de lograr. Sin embargo, el apóstol Pablo da por sentado que los creyentes deben de comprender cual es la voluntad de Dios de manera continua (Efesios 5:17b). La pregunta que compete es ¿Cómo puede el Cristiano percibir, considerar y comprender la voluntad de Dios para su vida? Para esto es necesario que consideremos todo el consejo de Dios. Debemos examinar este tema a la luz de las Escrituras. Deuteronomio 29:29 nos muestra que "Las cosas secretas pertenecen a Jehová nuestro Dios; mas las reveladas son para nosotros y para nuestros hijos para siempre, para que cumplamos todas las palabras de esta ley." Este pasaje nos ayuda a entender que Dios tiene una voluntad soberana secreta (i.e. un plan determinado, decretos ocultos al hombre), como el texto menciona "las cosas secretas" (v. 29a). Esta voluntad secreta para cada persona o para cada suceso, solo es conocida por Dios (Cp. Hechos 1:7; Mateo 24:36; Marcos 13:32). Y solo la podemos discernir cuando dicha voluntad llega a su cumplimiento final (Cp. Hechos 2:23; 4:28). Esta voluntad secreta o plan, no es accesible por medio de agoreros, encantadores o adivinos. De hecho, Dios esta en contra de tal atrevimiento y osadía al punto que lo enciende en ira (Cp. Levítico 20:6; 2 Crónicas 33:6). No obstante, Dios habiendo tomado algunos de los planes secretos de su mente nos los ha expuesto y otorgado en su Palabra. Esta es su voluntad revelada (i.e. su Palabra escrita), "todas las palabras de esta ley" tal como asevera Deuteronomio 29:29b. De esta manera entendemos como dijera el Rey David: Lámpara es a mis pies tu palabra, Y lumbrera a mi camino (Salmos 119:105). Y como luego afirmara el sabio Salomón: Porque el mandamiento es lámpara, y la enseñanza es luz, Y camino de vida las reprensiones que te instruyen (Proverbios 6:23). Tal como también asevera la letra del Himno Bautista #146 "Santa Biblia para mí eres un tesoro aquí; Tú contienes con verdad la divina voluntad". La Biblia y sus mandamientos expresan la voluntad revelada de Dios (Cp. Salmo 40:8; Mateo 7:21). De esta manera entendemos que el hombre es responsable de obedecer cada palabra de la voluntad revelada de Dios (1 Juan 2:16-17). De ahí la importancia en oír, leer, estudiar, memorizar, meditar y obedecer las Sagradas Escrituras. Por ese motivo, cuando te encuentres tratando de discernir cual es la voluntad de Dios para una situación especifica, debes comparar dicho escenario con la instrucción de la Palabra de Dios y así sabrás si es la voluntad de Dios o no. Por ejemplo si un joven esta tratando de discernir si es la voluntad de Dios el casarse con una jovencita incrédula que no comparte los mismos valores y prioridades espirituales que no son compatibles con la fe o el reino de Dios, la pregunta que debe hacerse es ¿Qué dice la Palabra de Dios al respecto? La Biblia contesta: No os unáis en yugo desigual con los incrédulos; porque ¿qué compañerismo tiene la justicia con la injusticia? ¿Y qué comunión la luz con las tinieblas? (2 Corintios 6:14). Esto significa que no debemos unirnos o comprometernos con aquellos que no comparten los mismos valores Cristianos y que podrían afectar e influenciar nuestras decisiones morales y diligencias espirituales. Por tanto, si queremos discernir la voluntad de Dios y hacer lo que le agrada (Colosenses 1:10), debemos meditar día y noche en la voluntad revelada de Dios (i.e. su Palabra escrita). Las mismas palabras con las que el Señor instruyó a Josué son aplicables para nosotros hoy: Nunca se apartará de tu boca este libro de la ley, sino que de día y de noche meditarás en él, para que guardes y hagas conforme a todo lo que en él está escrito; porque entonces harás prosperar tu camino, y todo te saldrá bien (Josué 1:8). Los animo a que comprendamos pues, la voluntad de Dios para nuestras vidas, escudriñando su Santa Palabra y aplicando sus verdades. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Insights for struggling churches relayed at SBC by Tobin Perry Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday ST. LOUIS (BP) -- More than 175 Southern Baptists interested in the work of replanting struggling churches convened for the first-ever National Replant Gathering prior to the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention. Sponsored by the North American Mission Board, the gathering was designed to connect those engaged in the replanting process with one another, as well as to encourage and train them. "I ask you to join me in creating a brotherhood of men and women who care about the local church -- in all of its dysfunctions," Mark Clifton, senior director of NAMB's replant team, told attendees. "Then we can change the narrative that a dysfunctional church is a bad place to be." Clifton, author of a new book on replanting, "Reclaiming Glory," had expected only about 50 to attend the gathering and was pleasantly surprised when more than three times that number arrived. The gathering began Saturday evening at Groves Church in Webster Grove, Mo., where participants had dinner, listened to a concert and heard a message from Richard Blackaby, coauthor of the book, "Flickering Lights." The following day, participants heard three veteran church replanters and revitalizers share lessons they have learned along the way. Former Vermont pastor Jared Wilson, now director of content strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, suggested that the pastors examine where they seek their approval. "Don't seek your justification in the quality of your congregation," Wilson said, noting that "a messy church" can lead to depression stemming from the thought that "we will never measure up." Russ Barksdale, pastor of The Church on Rush Creek in Arlington, Texas, shared various perspectives a replanting pastor needs when leading in the midst of change, such as the need to "gain the trust of the trusted." "The only way you are going to survive a revitalization is if you have godly people who will fight for you," Barksdale said. Brian Croft, senior pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., urged attendees to persevere in their replanting efforts, drawing from lessons he has learned through his five years of ministry at the church. "God grows a unique discernment and unique wisdom through the pastoral scars of your journey that you have walked," Croft said. "None of [those scars], brothers, and sisters who are pastors' wives, none of those are in vain." Scott Nichols of Crossroads Community Church in Carol Stream, Ill., shared his story of replanting a church of 27 people, focusing on helping prospective pastors determine whether a church can be replanted. He also encouraged replanting pastors to provide hope for their congregations who feel their best days are behind them. "It's likely if you're finding a failing church, you're finding a church heavily discouraged," Nichols said. "There's a lot of focus on what God used to do and the great stories of the past, the glory days. I want to tell you something. One of the things we have to do is convince the church that their best days are ahead of them." Anthony Schindler, pastor of Three Rivers Fellowship in LaCrosse, Wis., said he was glad he was able to attend the gathering and appreciated the opportunity to meet other people who serve as pastors in replant situations. "It helps because I realize I'm not the only one going through the same struggles," Schindler said. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session following the Pastors' Conference on Sunday evening. NAMB will host a National Replant Lab on Aug. 29-30 at NAMB's offices in Alpharetta, Ga. Complimentary hotel accommodations are provided for the first 100 registrants. Lunch and dinner are provided on Aug. 29, and lunch is provided on Aug. 30. For more information on the lab and NAMB's replanting process, visit namb.net/Replant. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Mosque-building satirical rumor exposed as lie by Diana Chandler Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday NASHVILLE (BP) -- A rumor promulgated by satirical news-like websites and blogs that the Southern Baptist Convention and at least one cooperating state convention are building Islamic mosques is being exposed as a lie. The self-proclaimed "Christian apocalyptic … news satire and parody site" The End Times wrote perhaps the first posting of the false report as early as May 28 when it claimed the SBC had launched a "Mosques Across America" campaign "to build mosques all across the nation in order to help foster religious tolerance and a general sense of niceness towards all." As the satire gained momentum, The End Times in a June 16 follow-up proclaimed that "Saddleback pastor Rick Warren, who recently changed his name to Muhammad Hussein Warren in order to help advance the Chrislamic cause and promote his new book, The Purpose-Driven Mosque, had nothing but praise for the new SBC mosque-building initiative." The satirical posts were reposted as fact and subsequently generated questions to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee offices, who are clarifying that the posts are indeed lies. "The Southern Baptist Convention promotes planting and building soul-winning Baptist churches that proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the one and only means of salvation," SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Frank Page said in a press statement. "Neither the Convention nor any of its entities promotes building houses of worship for any other religious group." The satirical posts were likely a parody based on the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's and the International Mission Board's decision to sign an amicus brief in support of the religious liberty rights of a Muslim community to build a mosque in Bernards Township, N.J., Page said. "This controversy stems from a satirical website that falsely characterized an amicus (friend of the court) brief filed by the Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission as an endorsement of building mosques," Page said. "Concerned that infringement of the rights of one will affect the rights of all, ERLC President Russell Moore responded to a messenger's question at the SBC annual meeting that the ERLC brief seeks to defend the right of all religious groups to construct their own houses of worship, saying that when the religious liberty of one group is assaulted, the religious liberty of all is threatened." The trumped-up story also generated queries to the Baptist and Reflector, the newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, where TBC Executive Director Randy Davis responded in a June 23 editorial. "Neither the Southern Baptist Convention nor the Tennessee Baptist Convention has ever built a mosque, and will never build a mosque," Davis wrote. "However, let me emphatically state that my prayer is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would sweep through the Muslim community in Tennessee and around the world and empty every mosque because those dear people have had an encounter with the Living God. Would it be that every mosque would become a house of worship lifting up the name of Isa -- Jesus in Arabic. "Brothers and sisters, if Southern Baptists are to be guilty of giving Muslims anything, may we be guilty of freely and frequently giving them the sin-forgiving, life-saving, soul-awaking, hope found exclusively in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ." Read Baptist Press' related posts here and here. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST-PERSON: Everything is different, but nothing has changed by David Jeremiah Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) -- Steve Jobs didn't have a lot to say. He didn't give a lot of speeches except for the now-famous 2005 graduation address at Stanford University. He was a private man. Yet Jobs was one of history's greatest communicators, for he changed the history of communication itself. Jobs' mission was delivering as much content as possible to as many people as possible, as quickly, as portably and as affordably as possible. Jobs wasn't a perfect man, but perhaps his commitment to his mission will remind us of our commitment to ours. We're to rededicate ourselves every day to deliver the Gospel to as many people possible, as quickly as possible, and as portably and affordably as possible. We're to go into this world and preach the Gospel to every person. What is different? As I study the history of evangelism, I'm impressed that Christians have always used the most advanced technologies of their day to deliver the Gospel, starting with the apostle Paul. Though the world changed little in his day, Paul took advantage of even the smallest technological advancements. He used papyrus instead of parchment. Roman roads instead of self-made trails. Roman ships instead of inland routes. Gentile agoras in addition to Jewish synagogues. Greek in addition to Hebrew. Paul used every means available to him, not compromising his morals or his message, but adapting his methods to ensure the greatest possible success. He was aware of his audience and took a variety of approaches as he spoke to Jews in the synagogue, Gentiles in the arena, philosophers in the marketplace, or despots in the palace. Since New Testament days, Christians have followed His example in using "all means" to spread the Gospel. In the 1400s, Johannes Gutenberg changed the world with his printing press. The first book that rolled out of its movable type? The Bible. In 1844, Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message from the chambers of the Supreme Court to the halls of Congress. The message? A Bible verse, Numbers 23:23. After the discovery of radio, Christians began utilizing this new medium to spread the Gospel two months after public broadcasts began. Each new chapter of our expanding technology -- the Internet, for example -- allows us to reach more people with the message of the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. What has not changed? The world is changing, but the more it changes, the more it stays the same. People are still sinners. Sin is still awful. Death is still coming. Judgment is still waiting. The grace of God is still available. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ is still our only hope. I grew up in an era in which thousands of people came to the Lord through multiple methods, some of which are still useful today. But the Gospel I preach is exactly the same as the apostle Paul presented in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand … that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (verses 1-4). The ministry of soul-winning is never out of season. It's just the act of one person telling another the wonderful grace of Jesus. Instead of reduced options or decreased openness, we have more ways than ever to share Christ. Steve Jobs' words in his address to the graduates of Stanford University. were poignant: "Your time is limited, so don't waste it...." He was right in saying our time on earth is limited. We should live each day as if it were our last and seek to do those things that really matter. It is one thing to make an impact on this planet, but it's another to make a difference for eternity. Let's tell the old story to a new age with fresh zeal. Let's say with Paul, "I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22b). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Lausanne conference focuses on Jewish evangelism by Daniel Woodman Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday ST.LOUIS (BP) -- The Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship's partnership with the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism remains valuable in reaching Jewish people across the globe. Amy Downey, a member of the SBMF, described the purpose of the LCJE, an international conference that began in 1983 and has met every three to four years. "The LCJE functions as a network for Jewish organizations to work and come together for the common goal of Jewish evangelism," said Downey, who leads one such group, Tzedakah Ministries, based in Waxahachie, Texas. "We do not exercise oversight over each other but provide encouragement and facilitate with each other on new resources and ideas," Downey said. "I have developed friendships from Great Britain, South Africa, Israel to San Francisco that are invaluable to me on a spiritual, personal and emotional level." The Lausanne network is placing a special emphasis on involving younger people as each attendee is encouraged to bring someone younger with them to the next LCJE gathering in Denmark next May to learn how to reach the Jewish community. "Many of the leading voices for Jewish evangelism are Boomers. I myself am a Buster (at age 46) and so it is time for the Millennial generation of Jewish evangelists to not consider themselves the voice of the future but the voice of today," Downey said. "It is also time for the Boomers and the Busters to allow the Millennials to lead," she said. "Millennials have ideas that are sometimes perceived as 'scary' or new, but so did the Boomers in the 1970s -- and Jewish evangelism not only survived but also thrived." Age is not the only obstacle in ministry, Downey said. Jewish people often need more time to receive the Gospel than people of other religious backgrounds. An elderly woman was presented the Gospel by Downey along with several other people, but it took the woman over a year to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. "Jewish evangelism can be a lonely field as it often involves months and even years of work to see the salvation of even one soul. This is often difficult to explain or for others to understand, and so the loneliness is a real and tangible issue," Downey said. Downey said she plans to bring someone younger to the LCJE sessions in Denmark and is hopeful that more young people will step up into leadership roles and make an impact on the Jewish community for Christ. Jewish people often face skepticism that can put up a barrier before any ministry occurs. Downey recounted one interaction when a believer claimed that the Jewish people had already had their chance and that ministering to them was futile. While the sentiment is not widespread, anti-Semitism is still a problem even among believers. The LCJE is important to combating anti-Semitic thought, Downey said, by being a place where people can learn more about the Jewish culture and the best way to share the Gospel. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott McConnell to lead LifeWay Research by LifeWay Christian Resources & BP Staff Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday NASHVILLE (BP) -- Scott McConnell has been named executive director of LifeWay Research, a Nashville-based evangelical firm specializing in surveys about faith in culture and matters affecting the church. McConnell, 45, succeeds Ed Stetzer, who will join Wheaton College's faculty July 1 as The Billy Graham Distinguished Endowed Chair for Church, Mission, and Evangelism in addition to serving as executive director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at the Chicago-area college. McConnell has been a researcher for LifeWay Christian Resources for nearly 20 years, generating in-depth insights into the needs, views and opinions of church leaders, laity and the unchurched. McConnell joined the staff of LifeWay Research when it was formed 10 years ago. "Scott was the first person I brought to the LifeWay Research team in 2006, and he has been a key part of the growth of LifeWay Research over these 10 years," LifeWay President Thom S. Rainer said. "Under his leadership we look forward to many more insights on the church and culture that shape the way we as church leaders approach our ministry." LifeWay Research, as a key source for church leaders, ministries and journalists, has been cited in the Pulitzer-winning series on domestic abuse by The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C.; lead stories in USA Today on the rise of the "nones" in U.S. religious life; The New York Times on mental illness and the church; and in cover stories for Christianity Today and Outreach Magazine. McConnell has had a leadership role in numerous in-depth research initiatives to help church leaders, examining core functions such as pastoral ministry, discipleship and evangelism; helping leaders understand the experiences and perceptions of the unchurched, church dropouts and church switchers; how churches address difficult questions such as divorce and domestic violence; and the needs and perspectives of the mentally ill, women who have had an abortion, young adults and parents. From its various surveys, LifeWay Research has developed a toolkit of online assessment tools including the Transformational Discipleship Assessment, the Transformational Church Assessment Tool and the Church Planter Candidate Assessment. In its work for ministries and businesses that serve churches, LifeWay Research also has measured the health of churches and denominations; tested new product ideas and packaging; quantified brand perceptions; and identified motivations. McConnell, in comments to Baptist Press, said, "For the last 10 years God has provided the team at LifeWay Research with opportunities to research mission-critical topics such as evangelism, discipleship and church health. And we have served other ministries by providing custom studies that addressed difficult issues such as divorce, abortion and domestic violence. "It is an honor to follow Ed Stetzer as executive director of LifeWay Research. He raised awareness among church leaders that facts are our friends,'" McConnell said. "It is imperative that church leaders understand the times in which we live today," he noted. "This understanding cannot be blown and tossed by each day's conversations. Research anchors our thinking on the realities of our day -- real beliefs, challenges and opportunities." McConnell is the author of "Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for the Movement's Next Generation" and coauthor with Rodney and Selma Wilson of "The Parent Adventure: Preparing Your Children for a Lifetime with God." He holds a bachelor of science in economics, marketing and strategic management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining LifeWay, McConnell was mentored in survey methodology and actionable decision-focused research as an associate project manager at NAXION, a Philadelphia-based firm whose research included segmentation, satisfaction and product development research for Fortune 100 telecommunications and utility companies. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Brexit' vote draws response from Baptist analysts by David Roach Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday LONDON (BP) -- Though the United Kingdom's vote yesterday (June 23) to leave the European Union took many political observers by surprise, leaders at GuideStone Financial Resources and the Southern Baptist Foundation say they've had the referendum in view for months and have taken steps to protect Southern Baptist investors from the resultant market volatility. Meanwhile, Christian commentators on both sides of the Atlantic have weighed in on the "Brexit" -- as Britain's E.U. exit has been dubbed -- with opinions divided and calls for believers to help bring unity to the U.K. Thursday's referendum yielded a 52-percent majority favoring an E.U. exit, various media outlets reported. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who argued strongly the U.K. should remain in the E.U., resigned today (June 24), saying, "I do not think I can be the captain to take the country to its next destination," The Telegraph reported. A full exit from the 28-nation coalition could take up to two years. The election results led the world's stock markets to lose a combined $2 trillion in value Friday, Reuters reported. David Spika, GuideStone Capital Management global investment strategist, told Baptist Press Southern Baptist retirement investors should not adjust their portfolios in response to the market drops. "Right now the absolute best thing to do is just be patient and let the dust settle," Spika said. "There are too many things that are unknown. You never want to react to short-term volatility as a result of uncertainty. That's the worst course of action." Markets "weakened somewhat" in early June, Spika explained, "on fears that the leave vote would prevail" and Europe's economy would experience added instability. Earlier this week, markets rallied when polls indicated the remain side had pulled ahead. The unexpected election outcome then led to a drop. Long-term economic results of the Brexit vote are uncertain, Spika said, and diversification of GuideStone's funds minimizes the effect any long-term downturn would have on retirement accounts. The Brexit "has been something we've been discussing," Spika said. But "there really wasn't anything that we felt like we needed to do to 'protect' our retirement investors because we knew ... the impact on the U.S. economy would likely be negligible. "We assumed there would be some volatility, but we knew that long-term investors [like] our retirement investors -- as long as they stayed patient and stayed the course -- they would be able to ride through the volatility. In fact, because the U.S. economy remains on solid footing, we see this as a buying opportunity at some point for U.S. investors buying U.S.-denominated asset classes," Spika said, noting U.S. market downturns likely will reverse in the coming weeks. Spika emphasized, however, that GuideStone "adds value" to retirement accounts primarily by utilizing skilled managers and diverse portfolios, not by "trying to time the market." Jim Mooney, vice president of investments at the Southern Baptist Foundation, told BP the U.K.'s impending vote played a role in SBF's decision to continue a three-year practice of avoiding international stocks. Initially, "weakness in certain E.U. countries" was the key reason for the strategy, but a potential Brexit "has been one of the factors" considered for the past six months. Of the approximately $500 million the Foundation manages in funds from individuals and organizations to benefit Southern Baptist causes, "our international exposure has been less than 1 percent and European exposure is less than one half of one percent," Mooney said. With estate gifts, Southern Baptist Convention entity endowments, church building funds, state convention agency funds and the like comprising SBF holdings, "we want to tilt on the conservative side to preserve that," Mooney said, "because we feel like maintaining and not losing on a permanent basis any of that principal ensures that the funds are there to grow, even at a modest rate, to fund whatever cause has been designated." He added, "We view it as God's money," earmarked "for Kingdom work." Evangelical reactions Among evangelical commentators on the referendum, Daniel Webster, advocacy and media manager at the U.K. Evangelical Alliance, wrote in Christianity Today that believers made arguments on each side of the debate. One survey asked Christians to rate their support of a Brexit on a scale of 0-100 and found they came in at 55 on average, Webster wrote. In the wake of the divisive referendum campaign, "the church must see [its] mission of reconciliation as part of the role it can play," Webster wrote. In the U.S., National Religious Broadcasters President Jerry Johnson told BP "the British have reminded us of the responsibility of self-government and the power of the people, through the ballot box, to change course when needed." Johnson arrived in London the day of the vote in conjunction with NRB's Oxford Distinguished Scholars Program. Stemming the tide of secularism and Islamic sharia law relate to the vote, Johnson said in written comments. "The E.U. constitution is completely void of any reference to God -- it is entirely secular," Johnson said. "The British government and culture are actually based upon Judeo-Christian principles. We should pray that British Christianity will be truly revived and used by God to bring a spiritual awakening to Great Britain. America needs this kind of awakening, too." Johnson continued, "Great Britain has been forced by E.U. policy to admit large numbers of migrants from other E.U. countries, which are admitting massive numbers of Muslims. A disturbing number of these immigrants are 'Sharia' supremacists or Islamists. At some point, the center does not, and cannot, hold. There is a limit to how much of this kind of mass immigration a country and culture can take before the people say 'enough is enough.' This reality is an undercurrent in America now. It is not racism or xenophobia or un-Christian, and U.S. politicians would be wise to take note." Texas Baptist author and speaker Jim Denison urged Christians to rest in God's sovereignty amid tumultuous world events like the Brexit. "The impact of the Brexit for the U.K. and the world will unfold across coming months," Denison wrote in a blog post. "But whatever comes of today's news, here's the good news: Our well-being does not depend on being well. Facing his 'thorn in the flesh,' Paul testified: 'I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me' (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus predicted a world filled with 'tribulation,' but he taught us to 'take heart; I have overcome the world' (John 16:30). While 'the world is passing away along with its desires,' we are promised that 'whoever does the will of God abides forever' (1 John 2:17). "A principle of sports psychology," Denison wrote, "is to 'control the controllables.' I cannot control the global impact of the Brexit, but I can control my decisions and priorities." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Jamaica missionaries' slaying draws murder charge by David Roach Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday KINGSTON, Jamaica (BP) -- Local authorities have charged one man and named another a "person of interest" in the April 30 murders of two American missionaries in Jamaica. Andre Thomas, 25, was charged with murder and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition in connection with the deaths of Randy Hentzel and Harold Nichols, the Jamaica Constabulary Force reported June 23 in a news release. Thomas was arrested in early June and also faces unrelated charges under Jamaica's Sexual Offenses Act, according to the release. Law enforcement officials have designated Dwight Henry, 25, a person of interest and asked him to contact detectives today (June 24). Anyone with information about Henry's whereabouts has been asked to contact the authorities. Missionaries with the Pennsylvania-based Teams for Medical Missions, Hentzel, 48, was a member of First Family Church in Ankeny, Iowa, a Southern Baptist congregation, and Nichols, 53, was a member of East Randolph (N.Y.) United Methodist Church. First Family pastor Todd Stiles told Baptist Press, "After reading the report [of Thomas' arrest], my heart was gladdened that justice appears to be moving in the right direction.... The family has found their solace in the Lord, and so while I'm confident they're glad to see the authorities working on their behalf, I know the ultimate peace they have is in their Savior." Hentzel and Nichols were slain in a remote, rural area of Jamaica. The two men went for a motorcycle ride at approximately 8 a.m., and Hentzel's body was found hours later beside a motorcycle in some bushes, according to an initial news release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Nichols' body was found the next day in a separate area. A May 3 release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force indicated Hentzel died of a gunshot would while Nichols' body had a gunshot wound and "chop wounds." St. Mary parish, where the deaths occurred, is a region known for violence, according to media reports. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Los pastores conversan sobre política: Sé bíblico, no controversial by Por Tom Strode Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Proclamar las escrituras en lugar de promover la controversia es su estrategia al abordar asuntos políticos, dijeron los pastores durante un panel de discusión el 15 de junio durante la Convención Bautista del Sur 2016. Cinco pastores bautistas del sur explicaron a Ronnie Floyd, ahora el ex presidente de la CBS, durante la sesión vespertina, la manera en que ellos manejan los asuntos políticos en sus iglesias. El panel de discusión titulado "Los pastores y la iglesia en la política americana de hoy" y moderado por Floyd -- se realizó durante una tumultuosa temporada de elecciones que ha consternado a muchos bautistas del sur y a otros cristianos evangélicos dadas las opciones presidenciales de los mayores partidos. "Yo no intento ser controversial; quiero ser bíblico," dijo A.B. Vines, pastor principal de New Seasons Church en Spring Valley, California, y antiguo presidente de la National African American Fellowship (NAAF) de la CBS. "Yo quiero darles la Palabra de Dios," dijo Vines, añadiendo que enseña a la gente de New Seasons Church a "confiar en Dios en estos momentos." David McKinley, pastor/maestro de Warren Baptist Church en Augusta, Georgia, coincidió con Vines, diciendo, "No añadir a la controversia. Quiero ayudar a que la gente piense bíblicamente." Él desea enseñar que "cada uno de nosotros -- republicano, demócrata, cualquiera que seamos -- estamos bajo la autoridad de la Escritura. Y pienso que, si predicamos y enseñamos eso, seremos un infractor con igualdad de oportunidad en lo que hacemos." Hance Dilbeck, pastor principal de Quail Springs Baptist Church en la Ciudad de Oklahoma, dijo que escucha "mucha desilusión" en los miembros de la iglesia ante sus opciones para presidente. "Es casi como una expresión de duelo," dijo. "Puedo ver todas las etapas, ya sabes, enojo, y negación, negociación y depresión, y aceptación. "[L]o que causó su duelo es al menos la pérdida de la dominación cultural percibida, donde la gente que cree en la Biblia eran la mayoría que podía ejercer poder político y ganar a fin de cuentas," dijo Dilbeck a Floyd. Aunque los estadounidenses tienen "unas herramientas políticas tremendas," los cristianos "se han enfocado tanto en esas herramientas al punto que algunos de los músculos espirituales se atrofiaron, y somos débiles en cuanto a la oración y a la pureza y a la proclamación del Evangelio," dijo. "[L]os pastores tienen esta grandiosa oportunidad de llamar a nuestra gente a regresar a este tipo de influencia bíblica, espiritual que siempre será nuestra influencia principal." Los presuntos candidatos a la presidencia -- la demócrata Hillary Clinton y el republicano Donald Trump -- han provocado que algunos bautistas del sur y evangélicos declaren que ellos no pueden votar por ninguno de los candidatos principales. Piensan que Clinton es inaceptable por su apoyo a los derechos al aborto y financiamiento del aborto con fondos del gobierno, así como otras políticas liberales. Y rechazan a Trump con base en sus posturas inconsistentes en asuntos como el aborto, la libertad religiosa y la inmigración; inclinaciones autócratas; retórica cargada de insultos; y un estilo de vida marcado por el adulterio. Otros han apoyado a Trump en las elecciones primarias o planifican votar por él en la elección general solamente porque ven la alternativa demócrata; mientras tanto, un grupo mucho menor parece estar preparado para votar por Clinton. Negarse a votar no es una opción, dijo Jack Graham, pastor de Prestonwood Baptist Church en Plano, Texas. "No puedes quedarte sentado ante esto. No puedes decir, 'No voy a participar.' El riesgo es demasiado alto," dijo Graham, quien anteriormente fungiera como presidente de la CBS. "¿Acaso no es grandioso saber, número uno, que Dios no está en el cielo preguntándose, '¿Qué voy a hacer con Donald o Hillary?'" dijo, añadiendo, sin embargo, que los cristianos son responsables de actuar en la elección. "[S]implemente no podemos abdicar ante nuestra oportunidad de orar, de participar, de votar, y, como pastores y líderes en nuestras iglesias, de animar a otros a que hagan lo mismo." Enfocándose en tres consideraciones primarias al determinar la manera de votar en la elección presidencial, Graham dijo: (1) Un candidato que buscará la sabiduría de Dios al hacer nombramientos en la Suprema Corte; (2) alguien que apoye la santidad de la vida; y (3) una persona que defienda la libertad religiosa. K. Marshall Williams, pastor principal de Nazarene Baptist Church en Filadelfia, Pensilvania, y quien fungiera previamente como presidente de la NAAF, dijo que la iglesia necesita estar "orando apasionadamente" por aquellos en autoridad. También, dijo, los cristianos deben "mantener una presencia colectiva, encarnada, redentora en la iglesia y en la cultura." La iglesia no solamente aborda asuntos tales como la santidad de la vida y la libertad religiosa, sino "ataca el racismo sistémico y la injusticia en nuestra tierra," dijo Williams, y "debemos preocuparnos por la tubería que manda a ciertas personas de la escuela a la prisión, donde uno de cada tres hombres afroamericanos está atado al sistema de justicia criminal." Además de ser bíblicos es su acercamiento, McKinley dijo que desea ser: (1) "instructivo y no sólo emotivo;" (2) "pastoral y no sólo simplemente político;" (3) "Convincente no sólo informativo;" y (4) "dar esperanza y no ser cínico." Los cinco pastores animaron a los cristianos a involucrarse en puestos oficiales locales. Williams dijo que ora que Dios "levante hombres y mujeres que vayan a los puestos oficiales de valentía moral." Floyd abrió la sesión animando a los pastores y otros líderes cristianos a no juzgar el uno al otro durante esta temporada electoral. "El descuerdo no tiene que dar como resultado una relación tensa con un hermano o hermana en Cristo, especialmente sobre política," dijo. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Efectividad de las misiones examinada por los líderes de la CBS by Por Karen L Willoughby Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Los líderes de las entidades discutieron maneras de ser más efectivos en las misiones globales durante una de las 18 mesas redondas del Programa Cooperativo realizadas del 13 al 15 de junio en conjunto con la reunión anual de la Convención Bautista del Sur en St. Louis. La discusión grabada en video tuvo lugar en uno de los lados de la sala de exposiciones del America Center con Jon Akin, pastor de la Iglesia Bautista Fairview cerca a Nashville, como moderador. Respondiendo a las preguntas estuvieron Frank S. Page, director ejecutivo del Comité Ejecutivo de la CBS; R. Albert Mohler Jr., presidente del Seminario Teológico Bautista Southern; Danny Akin, presidente del Seminario Teológico Bautista Southeastern; y David Platt, presidente de la Junta de Misiones Internacionales. El moderador Jon Akin abrió la discusión preguntándole a Page acerca del reporte sobre la declinación en asistencia, miembros y bautismos de las iglesias bautistas del sur. ¿Indica esto que EE.UU. va a llegar a ser como Europa -- poscristiana, inconversa? "Creo que si perdemos la base perdemos la batalla," respondió Page. "La base del cristianismo en EE.UU. es muy importante. No digo que otros lugares en el mundo no puedan enviar; lo hacen. Que no puedan llegar; lo hacen. "Creo que debemos sentir la seriedad de esto," señaló Page. "Debemos ver lo que está sucediendo y redoblar, triplicar nuestros esfuerzos para ver a la gente llegar a Cristo, revitalizar las iglesias, plantar evangelizadoramente iglesias fuertes acá y alrededor del mundo. Así que me siento muy cargado. Lo estoy." Page estuvo en Alemania recientemente, dijo, en una conferencia a la que asistieron quizá 1.300 predicadores, y 75 por ciento de ellos tenían menos de 30 años. "Así que vi esperanza," dijo Page. "Dije: 'Bien, quizá Dios no ha terminado con Europa y quizá no ha terminado con nosotros.'" Cuando el moderador le pidió a Mohler que analizara los asuntos que han llevado a la declinación, el presidente del seminario se refirió a un canto de mitad del siglo, "Profundo y Amplio." Ahora es profundo o amplio en el sentido en el que donde se encuentre el cristianismo se está cada vez más en el secularizado oeste," respondió Mohler. "Se encuentra ya sea profundo, donde hay un profundo compromiso con el evangelio, un profundo compromiso con la verdad, una profunda eclesiología o es simplemente amplio, y amplio es lo que está desapareciendo. "El cristianismo nominal cultural es lo que está desapareciendo," dijo Mohler. "Pero cuando se encuentra profundo, ahí tenemos la oportunidad real de predicar el evangelio. Hemos de tener iglesias sanas. Hemos de tener iglesias profundamente comprometidas con Cristo, profundamente comprometidas con el evangelio, profundamente comprometidas con la Gran Comisión, profundamente comprometidas con la eclesiología, profundamente comprometidas con la doctrina y la inerrancia de la Escritura, y esa es nuestra única esperanza. "Así que una de las cosas a las que los bautistas del sur han de acostumbrarse es, hemos encontrado un cierto orgullo en lo amplio, y todo el tiempo debimos haber estado un poco más preocupados -- y eso es un eufemismo -- por lo profundo. Y de esta manera tenemos que estar realmente, realmente claros ahora que no vamos a intentar lo amplio a expensas de lo profundo. Vamos a intentar lo amplio que emerja de lo profundo. Esas son dos cosas diferentes." Algunas personas sugieren que la CBS debiera reforzar la base de operaciones antes de salir al campo misionero, dijo Jon Akin. Él le pidió a Platt que comentara. "No creo que eso esté de acuerdo con la Escritura," dijo Platt. "Creo que estamos engañándonos al pensar que vamos a lo profundo si hacemos oídos sordos a la necesidad de las naciones de oír el evangelio. Eso es parte de la profundidad. Nos estamos engañando si pensamos: 'Ah, estaremos sanos si solamente nos enfocamos en nosotros mismos.' Eso es totalmente contrario a todo lo que está en el Nuevo Testamento." Akin, el presidente del seminario, dijo: "El asunto es tener acceso al evangelio." "Por lo menos, eso es parte de la ecuación," señaló. "Tenemos acceso al evangelio acá. Hay amplias porciones del mundo que no tienen acceso al evangelio." Si los bautistas del sur se quedan en casa, dijo, múltiples millones, billones de personas vivirán, morirán e irán al infierno sin siquiera haber tenido la oportunidad de responder al evangelio. "Eso es absolutamente inaceptable," dijo Akin. "Si vamos auténticamente profundo, también iremos totalmente amplios, porque el evangelio demanda que respondamos de esa manera." El moderador Akin le preguntó a Mohler, "¿Nos estaba dando Jesús un programa en Hechos 1:8 o pasaba algo más ahí?" Akin se refería a los cristianos como los testigos de Jesús local, regional y globalmente, todo al mismo tiempo. "No quiero decir que Jesús nos estuviera dando un programa," respondió Mohler. "Jesús estaba comandándole a su gente. Esas son dos cosas muy diferentes. Los programas van y vienen. Los mandatos de Cristo están en su sitio, en vigor, a través de la autoridad real de Cristo, hasta que él venga por su iglesia. "No es un asunto de estrategia en primer lugar; es un asunto de obediencia," dijo Mohler. "En el Programa Cooperativo y en nuestros esfuerzos de misión, no estamos tratando de ser fieles a un programa," dijo. "Estamos tratando de ser fieles a Cristo y lo que Cristo le dio a su iglesia fue un mandato." ¿Cuáles pasos puede tomar un pastor cuando va a una iglesia que no tiene una estrategia de misión amplia? Le preguntó Jon Akin al panel. "He hecho esto como pastor muchas veces durante 34 años," respondió Page. "Comienzas evaluando el ADN de la iglesia. Miras lo que han hecho, y comienzas a evaluar: ¿Por qué haces lo que haces, y si es efectivo? ¿Es eficiente? "Y he visto algunos de esos viajes de iglesia que no son nada más que vacaciones glorificadas," dijo Page. "No le hacen bien a nadie. Así que comienzo a desafiar y a cambiar algunas de esas estrategias…realmente ayudando a formar estrategias de misión reproducibles que ayuden a ocasionar verdaderos compromisos misioneros." Los pastores debieran pastorear a las personas, dijo Platt, "sacándolas de donde están, amorosa, paciente, y cuidadosamente llevándolas a través del proceso." Danny Akin dijo que los pastores deberían "mantenerse martilleando" la Gran Comisión y el Gran Mandamiento a su congregación hasta que "finalmente se introduzca en el ADN de la iglesia." Jon Akin luego preguntó cómo las iglesias pueden ser las más efectivas en su alcance global. "Cualquier misión de corto plazo -- para que sea sabia, fiel, efectiva -- necesita estar conectada a un proceso de largo plazo de hacer discípulos en el terreno con gente que conozca el lenguaje, la cultura, el entorno, el contexto," dijo Platt. "Esa es una de las cosas valiosas acerca de tener la IMB en todos esos lugares con los que las iglesias se puedan conectar." Las iglesias en los Estados Unidos, dijo Platt, debieran conectarse con alguien en el extranjero que tenga un proceso intencional de largo plazo de hacer discípulos y quien esté viendo iglesias plantadas allí de forma saludable. "Como pastores locales, ustedes dicen: '¿Cómo podemos mejor ser parte de ese proceso? Aparte de esa relación y esa estrategia, algunas veces las misiones de corto plazo van a probar que son dañinas," dijo Platt. "Si realmente nos estamos aproximando correctamente a las misiones de corto plazo, va a suscitar hacer discípulos a largo plazo ahí -- va a ser mejor como resultado de nuestro tiempo allí -- y en nuestras iglesias acá. "Va a ser enorme para el crecimiento de la gente en Cristo que afectará la manera en la que viven acá," dijo Platt. "Eso es una misión de corto plazo hecha correctamente." Cada entidad de la CBS tiene responsabilidades específicas que juntas promueven el avance del Reino de las iglesias locales, estuvo de acuerdo el panel. "No podemos hacer nuestro trabajo si no estamos en constante cooperación los unos con los otros," dijo Mohler. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Floyd, Jeffress, otros nuevos asesores de Trump by Por Diana Chandler Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday NEW YORK (BP) -- El expresidente inmediato de la Convención Bautista del Sur Ronnie Floyd y el pastor de Dallas Robert Jeffress están entre el diverso grupo de evangélicos que Donald Trump nombró el 21 de junio para asesorarlo en religión y política. Los 25 miembros de la Junta Asesora Ejecutiva Evangélica incluyen a por lo menos ocho bautistas del sur. Ellos estaban entre los más de 1.000 líderes religiosos conservadores que asistieron a la invitación del 21 de junio a la sesión de preguntas y respuestas con Trump y Ben Carson en New York, presentada por Unidos en Propósito y Mi Fe Vota, de un año de formación, y moderada por el excandidato presidencial estadounidense Mike Huckabee. En las siete horas de preguntas y respuestas en el Hotel Marriott Marquis, Trump contestó las preguntas presentadas con anterioridad por los cristianos conservadores sobre la libertad de culto de expresión y de conciencia, la santidad de la vida humana, las nominaciones a la Corte Suprema de EE.UU., la defensa nacional y otros asuntos pertinentes a la presidencia. Floyd dijo que los asistentes a la reunión y la membresía de la junta asesora no son un respaldo a la búsqueda presidencial de Trump, sino una manera de expresar lo que les importa a los evangélicos." "En este tiempo crítico en Estados Unidos, al saber que los riesgos nunca han sido tan altos en nuestra nación y después de buscar el consejo de hombres de Dios y orar a través de esta decisión, he estado de acuerdo en servir en la Junta Asesora Ejecutiva Evangélica de Donald Trump," le dijo Floyd a Baptist Press. "Con las preocupaciones evangélicas de las designaciones a la Corte Suprema, la santidad y la dignidad de la vida humana desde el vientre hasta la tumba, la libertad religiosa en casa y en el extranjero, Israel y el Medio Oriente, la pobreza, el crimen, la violencia, la falta de oportunidad en las áreas urbanas, y la tensión racial, creo que me incumbe servir en esta capacidad de asesoramiento." El visionario de eventos, organizador y director ejecutivo de Unidos en Propósito, Bill Dallas dijo que la asistencia de los principales líderes de ministerio y de pastores de iglesias pequeñas igualmente muestra el interés y el poder de los líderes religiosos de transformar la cultura. Este no es un rally político, sino más bien una oportunidad de unificar a los líderes espiritualmente en adoración y oración juntos e interactuar con un candidato de una manera que podamos tener un profundo impacto en nuestra nación," dijo Dallas. "Nuestra sociedad frecuentemente exalta a aquellos con más influencia pero el impacto real es que todos nosotros nos unamos. Como líderes cristianos, debemos involucrarnos -- no solo en política, sino en todas las áreas de la cultura. Unidos, podemos hacer una diferencia." El recién elegido presidente de la CBS, Steve Gaines asistió a la reunión pero eligió no comentarle a BP sobre el evento, de acuerdo al director de comunicaciones Jim Barnwell de la Iglesia Bautista Bellevue en Memphis que pastorea Gaines. El miembro de la junta asesora ejecutiva, Jeffress, pastor de la Iglesia First Baptist de Dallas, ha apoyado a Trump durante meses. "Él habló de su compromiso de designar jueces conservadores a la Corte Suprema, su firme creencia en la santidad de la vida, y su deseo real de proteger las libertades de culto de todos los estadounidenses, y por supuesto de los estadounidenses cristianos," le dijo Jeffress a BP acerca de la reunión. "Creo que la audiencia fue muy receptiva cuando lo escucharon decir que los cristianos están siendo marginados en la cultura de hoy en día. Él realmente cree eso." No hubo discusión sobre la evaluación por perfil racial y/o religioso de los musulmanes en la reunión, dijo Jeffress, pero dijo que entendía las preocupaciones de Trump. "Creo que muchos de nosotros comprendemos bien lo que el señor Trump está tratando de hacer," dijo Jeffress. "No odia a nadie, pero se da cuenta de que el gobierno tiene un mandato dado por Dios de proteger a sus ciudadanos. Y creo que tenemos que reconocer que sea que estemos hablando de Orlando o Paris o San Bernardino, estos actos no fueron cometidos por militantes metodistas; todos fueron cometidos por militantes musulmanes. Y no se puede ignorar ese hecho." Trump mostró un claro interés en las preocupaciones evangélicas, le dijo Jeffress a BP, pero no dio detalles específicos de cómo lograría esas metas presidenciales. De las numerosas preguntas presentadas, dijo Jeffress, solamente ocho de cada diez se presentaron en la reunión. Su capacidad asesora no se enfocará en el discipulado cristiano de Trump, dijo Jeffress. "Sería muy presuntuoso para este grupo como un todo tratar de discipular a Donald Trump," dijo Jeffress. "Él ha sido mi amigo por un año ahora y es una persona muy abierta, una persona muy honesta, pero no creo que el papel del grupo sea hacer ningún tipo de programa masivo de discipulado. Este no va a ser un estudio bíblico semanal." Lo que Jeffress entiende del cristianismo de Trump es entre ellos dos como amigos, le dijo el pastor a BP. "Puedo decir públicamente: la fe del señor Trump es muy importante para él pero también es algo muy personal para él," dijo Jeffress. "Y creo que lo que los cristianos evangélicos necesitan saber es que si Donald Trump es elegido presidente, los evangélicos van a tener a un verdadero amigo en la Casa Blanca." La junta asesora ejecutiva dirigirá un más grande Comité Asesor en Religión y Cultura que Trump anunciará esta semana, de acuerdo al comunicado de prensa de la campaña de Trump. "Tengo un profundo respeto y admiración por este grupo," dijo Trump en un comunicado de prensa en el que anunció el grupo ejecutivo, "y ansío continuar hablando acerca de asuntos importantes para los evangélicos, y para todos los estadounidenses, y de las soluciones de sentido común que implementaré cuando sea presidente." El excandidato presidencial de EE.UU., Ben Carson abrió la reunión de New York, la cual también presentó comentarios del investigador George Barna, fundador del Grupo Barna, y del locutor de radio y autor Eric Metaxas. Trump solamente asistió a una porción de la reunión; una mesa redonda siguió a continuación de la sesión de preguntas y respuestas. El presidente del Consejo Investigador de la Familia, Tony Perkins, en reconocimiento de apoyo a Trump en la conferencia de prensa en la tarde, dijo que no está de acuerdo con Trump en todos los asuntos. "Una conversación comenzó hoy que creo que va a continuar los siguientes 130 días," dijo Perkins en la conferencia de prensa. "Y es una que creo que los líderes evangélicos, los líderes social conservadores y otros están anhelando tener, con un resultado esperanzador de ver este país regresar a lo que será respecto a nuestras libertades primero y llevará a nuestro país de vuelta al camino." Otros bautistas del sur en la junta asesora ejecutiva son David Jeremiah, pastor de la Iglesia Comunitaria Shadow Mountain, El Cajon, California; Jack Graham, pastor de la Iglesia Bautista Prestonwood, Plano, Texas; Jerry Falwell Jr., presidente de la Universidad Liberty; el ex especialista en ética de los bautistas del sur Richard Land, presidente del Seminario Evangélico Southern; James MacDonald, fundador y pastor sénior de Harvest Bible Chapel en Chicago, y Jay Strack, presidente de la Universidad Student Leadership. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Pro-vida protestan requerimiento de que las iglesias cubran los abortos by Por Tom Strode Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday WASHINGTON (BP) -- Defensores pro-vida protestan ante una nueva decisión de la administración Obama que permite que el estado de California obligue inclusive a las iglesias a cubrir los abortos en sus planes de seguro de salud. Las críticas, y peticiones para que el Congreso defienda la protección de la conciencia, llegó después de que el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS por sus siglas en inglés) anunció el 21 de junio que había rechazado las quejas de iglesias y de otros de que California había infringido la ley federal al requerir que sus planes de salud pagaran por los abortos electivos. La administración Obama "está de nuevo burlándose de la ley, y esta vez de la manera más inimaginable," dijo Casey Mattox, asesor sénior de la Alianza que Defiende la Libertad (ADF por sus siglas en inglés), en un comentario escrito. "Las iglesias nunca debieran ser forzadas a cubrir el aborto electivo en sus planes de seguro ... Pero el estado de California le ha ordenado a cada asegurador, inclusive a aquellos que aseguran iglesias, a cubrir los abortos electivos en abierta violación a la ley." La acción continúa "los patrones," de la administración, "de implementación de la ley que quiere implementar, rehusándose a implementar otras, e inventando nuevas interpretaciones de otras sin base alguna," dijo Mattox. El representante Chris Smith, republicano de New Jersey, un paladín pro-vida en el Congreso, dijo que esta Casa Blanca "de nuevo ha mostrado una patente negligencia por el estado de derecho. Esta decisión ilustra los largos alcances que la ideología radical pro-aborto de Obama -- forzar iglesias y comunidades religiosas que han probado tener convicciones pro-vida a participar y a pagar por una práctica que desmembra y químicamente envenena a niños nonatos." La ley federal en cuestión es la enmienda Weldon, una cláusula anual desde 2004 a la medida de apropiación de HHS que prohíbe fondos para un programa federal o gobierno local o estatal que "someta a alguna institución o entidad individual de cuidado de la salud a discriminar con base en que la entidad de cuidado de la salud no provee, paga, cubre, o refiere abortos." La enmienda lleva el nombre del representante Dave Weldon, republicano de Florida, el ex siete veces congresista que la auspició. En su carta del 21 de junio, la Oficina de Derechos Civiles de HHS dijo que cada uno de los aseguradores de salud calificaron como "entidad del cuidado de la salud" pero que los demandantes -- siete iglesias, una organización religiosa y los empleados de una universidad religiosa -- cubiertos por los planes de seguro no calificaron. La directiva 2014 del Departamento de California de Cuidado Administrado de la Salud que requiere que los planes de salud de las iglesias y otros cubran los abortos viola la Primera Enmienda, además de la enmienda Weldon, dijo Mattox. Voceros de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de EE.UU. (USCCB por sus siglas en inglés) dijeron que la decisión de HHS "no respeta no solamente los derechos de la libertad religiosa y de la vida, sino que tampoco respeta la voluntad del Congreso ni el estado de derecho." "Inclusive aquellos que no están de acuerdo en el asunto de la vida deben poder respetar los derechos de conciencia de aquellos que no desean estar involucrados en apoyar el aborto," dijeron el cardenal Timothy Dolan de New York y el arzobispo William Lori de Baltimore en una declaración. Dolan es presidente del Comité de Actividades Pro-vida de la USCCB, mientras que Lori dirige el Comité Ad Hoc de Libertad Religiosa. Smith, al igual que Dolan y Lori, le pidieron al Congreso que apruebe una legislación que provea el derecho de acción en defensa de la protección de la conciencia en la corte. ADF y la Fundación de la Defensa Legal de la Vida, una organización con sede en California, representaron a las siete iglesias y a los empleados de la Universidad Loyola Marymount en sus demandas al estado de California. -------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL: Entendiendo la Voluntad de Dios by Peter Citelli Date: June 24, 2016 - Friday HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (BP) -- "Por tanto, no seáis insensatos, sino entendidos de cuál sea la voluntad del Señor" (Efesios 5:17 RVR1960). Los Cristianos tenemos un deseo inherente por cumplir con la voluntad de aquel que nos compró con su sangre (1 Corintios 6:20), aquel a cual llamamos Señor (Romanos 14:8). No obstante, la tarea de discernir la voluntad de Dios para nuestra vida parece una labor difícil de lograr. Sin embargo, el apóstol Pablo da por sentado que los creyentes deben de comprender cual es la voluntad de Dios de manera continua (Efesios 5:17b). La pregunta que compete es ¿Cómo puede el Cristiano percibir, considerar y comprender la voluntad de Dios para su vida? Para esto es necesario que consideremos todo el consejo de Dios. Debemos examinar este tema a la luz de las Escrituras. Deuteronomio 29:29 nos muestra que "Las cosas secretas pertenecen a Jehová nuestro Dios; mas las reveladas son para nosotros y para nuestros hijos para siempre, para que cumplamos todas las palabras de esta ley." Este pasaje nos ayuda a entender que Dios tiene una voluntad soberana secreta (i.e. un plan determinado, decretos ocultos al hombre), como el texto menciona "las cosas secretas" (v. 29a). Esta voluntad secreta para cada persona o para cada suceso, solo es conocida por Dios (Cp. Hechos 1:7; Mateo 24:36; Marcos 13:32). Y solo la podemos discernir cuando dicha voluntad llega a su cumplimiento final (Cp. Hechos 2:23; 4:28). Esta voluntad secreta o plan, no es accesible por medio de agoreros, encantadores o adivinos. De hecho, Dios esta en contra de tal atrevimiento y osadía al punto que lo enciende en ira (Cp. Levítico 20:6; 2 Crónicas 33:6). No obstante, Dios habiendo tomado algunos de los planes secretos de su mente nos los ha expuesto y otorgado en su Palabra. Esta es su voluntad revelada (i.e. su Palabra escrita), "todas las palabras de esta ley" tal como asevera Deuteronomio 29:29b. De esta manera entendemos como dijera el Rey David: Lámpara es a mis pies tu palabra, Y lumbrera a mi camino (Salmos 119:105). Y como luego afirmara el sabio Salomón: Porque el mandamiento es lámpara, y la enseñanza es luz, Y camino de vida las reprensiones que te instruyen (Proverbios 6:23). Tal como también asevera la letra del Himno Bautista #146 "Santa Biblia para mí eres un tesoro aquí; Tú contienes con verdad la divina voluntad". La Biblia y sus mandamientos expresan la voluntad revelada de Dios (Cp. Salmo 40:8; Mateo 7:21). De esta manera entendemos que el hombre es responsable de obedecer cada palabra de la voluntad revelada de Dios (1 Juan 2:16-17). De ahí la importancia en oír, leer, estudiar, memorizar, meditar y obedecer las Sagradas Escrituras. Por ese motivo, cuando te encuentres tratando de discernir cual es la voluntad de Dios para una situación especifica, debes comparar dicho escenario con la instrucción de la Palabra de Dios y así sabrás si es la voluntad de Dios o no. Por ejemplo si un joven esta tratando de discernir si es la voluntad de Dios el casarse con una jovencita incrédula que no comparte los mismos valores y prioridades espirituales que no son compatibles con la fe o el reino de Dios, la pregunta que debe hacerse es ¿Qué dice la Palabra de Dios al respecto? La Biblia contesta: No os unáis en yugo desigual con los incrédulos; porque ¿qué compañerismo tiene la justicia con la injusticia? ¿Y qué comunión la luz con las tinieblas? (2 Corintios 6:14). Esto significa que no debemos unirnos o comprometernos con aquellos que no comparten los mismos valores Cristianos y que podrían afectar e influenciar nuestras decisiones morales y diligencias espirituales. Por tanto, si queremos discernir la voluntad de Dios y hacer lo que le agrada (Colosenses 1:10), debemos meditar día y noche en la voluntad revelada de Dios (i.e. su Palabra escrita). Las mismas palabras con las que el Señor instruyó a Josué son aplicables para nosotros hoy: Nunca se apartará de tu boca este libro de la ley, sino que de día y de noche meditarás en él, para que guardes y hagas conforme a todo lo que en él está escrito; porque entonces harás prosperar tu camino, y todo te saldrá bien (Josué 1:8). Los animo a que comprendamos pues, la voluntad de Dios para nuestras vidas, escudriñando su Santa Palabra y aplicando sus verdades.