
The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-07/06/2016

DISCLAIMER: Baptist Press should be credited for any reprinted stories that originate with BP.
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Sports film seeks 1 Corinthians 10:31 movement
by Diana Chandler
Date: July 06, 2016 - Wednesday

NASHVILLE (BP) -- The struggles of a Christian high school girls' cross country team are used to discourage self-centeredness in "Remember the Goal," the latest release of brothers Dave and Rich Christiano and Five & Two Pictures.

The limited release film highlights 1 Corinthians 10:31, exhorting "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God," and drawing from the personal cross country competition and coaching experiences of Dave Christiano, the movie's writer, director and producer.

"That one verse alone takes your eyes off self and puts it on the Lord," Christiano said in a press release. "We hope to start a movement among teens called 10:31.

"I look around and most teenagers are driven by the ungodly movies and music of the day," Christiano said. "They are plugged into the liberal voices of the media and listening to that wrong voice. The focus needs to change."

Substance abuse, jealousy, envy, feelings of inferiority, and parent-daughter relationships are spotlighted in the feature about a young woman facing persecution in her first coaching job out of college and in her attempts to garner the school a state title.

"The coach has great wisdom for her young age and she imparts this to the girls covering many situations and issues in the story" said Christiano, a former high school and college runner who coached two high school cross country teams. "The main issues presented in this movie apply to all athletes and all sports."

"We have a crucial scene in our movie where &#91;1 Corinthians10:31&#93; is all explained and it's the turning point for our plot," he said. "It can be the turning point for any teen and youth group as well."

The film holds lessons for parents, encouraging them to consider how they communicate with their children, and for coaches of any sport, relaying lessons in leadership, according to fiveandtwopictures.com.

"Remember the Goal" opens Aug. 26 in more than 100 theaters in the 10 southeastern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. An opening is also set for Auburn, N.Y., with additional theater venues anticipated in 2017. No releases on DVD, video on demand, television or Netflix are slated.

The film is the 16th film from the twin brothers, producers of "Time Changer," "A Matter of Faith," and "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry."

More information is available on Remember the Goal's Facebook page and at FiveAndTwoPictures.com.


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Judge blocks Indiana abortion law
by Bob Brown/WORLD News Service
Date: July 06, 2016 - Wednesday

INDIANA (BP) -- A federal judge on June 30 blocked an Indiana law banning abortions in cases when a baby is diagnosed before birth with a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome. The Indiana law, one of only two of its kind in the United States, was set to go into effect July 1.
 
In March, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a statute also designed to outlaw sex-selection abortions and the buying and selling of fetal tissue. In addition, the law would require that the bodies of aborted or miscarried babies be treated in a dignified manner through cremation or burial rather than be disposed of in large containers with other "infectious waste."
 
Indiana Right to Life president Mike Fichter said he wasn't surprised U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, whom President Barack Obama appointed in 2010, granted the preliminary injunction.
 
"It wasn't entirely unexpected," Fichter told me, "but still it's very disappointing." Fichter said the judge's decision denies civil rights to unborn children and equates aborted children with "medical garbage."
 
Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher had argued before Pratt on June 14 that the state has an interest in "preventing discrimination" against preborn children. Although Fichter said he had not yet spoken with Fisher after Pratt's decision, he did anticipate Indiana would appeal the ruling. By making it a civil rights issue, Fichter says he believes the case could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
On the April 3 telecast of NBC's Meet the Press, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton seemed to acknowledge unborn children as a class of people without legal protections.
 
"The unborn person doesn't have constitutional rights," Clinton told Meet the Press host Chuck Todd.
 
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana (ACLU) had challenged the law on behalf of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky. The ACLU of Indiana did not return calls requesting a comment, but said in a statement that "the ACLU stands firmly against discrimination in all forms."
 
Pence's office released a statement saying he was disappointed by the ruling, but he "will continue to stand for the sanctity of human life at all stages." John Gregg, the governor's Democratic opponent in this year's election, applauded the injunction.
 
"As someone who is personally pro-life, I believe this was an unnecessary, irresponsible, poorly thought-out law and am pleased it won't be going into effect," Gregg said in a statement.
 
In 1974, fewer than 50 American women aborted their Down syndrome babies, but by 2000 that number had grown to about 3,200. Studies published in 1999 and 2006 found that 90 to 92 percent of prenatally diagnosed cases of Down syndrome end in abortion. Non-invasive technology available since 2011 now allows for a Down syndrome diagnosis as early as 10 weeks into a pregnancy. Although not 100 percent accurate, the new test has likely further reduced the number of Down syndrome children who are born.

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FIRST-PERSON:   A Father to the fatherless
by Myriah Snyder
Date: July 06, 2016 - Wednesday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- The other morning on my commute, the song "Piece by Piece" by Kelly Clarkson played. It's a popular song, which I hear on the radio multiple times a day.

The song begins by telling the story of a daughter whose father wouldn't love her, at least not when she had nothing to offer. She remembers her father walking away. She begged him to want her. He wouldn't. When she grew up and "made something" of herself, he then wanted to be in her life. But she realized his love had a price. (Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwTMz6Nfhjg.)

This was the umpteenth time I have heard it in the last few months, but this time it took me back to a couple months ago when I was driving to my apartment. I had a wearying extended weekend, and I was emotional. To add to my emotions, the van following me carried my stepmom, two half-siblings and my father. They had come into town for my little sister's archery tournament and wanted to see me. We were leaving my favorite pizza place, and I was on my way to show them my apartment and, by extension, a snippet of my life.

On the short drive that evening, I prayed, "Please let Piece by Piece come on." And it did. I don't believe in coincidence, so it made me more emotional. I soaked in the song and continued on with my evening, which turned out to be fabulous.

This seems like a normal situation, having a nice dinner with my family and sharing conversation in my apartment. But the truth is, this is a new situation for me. Prior to a couple years ago, I could only remember one or two times I actually just "hung out" with my father's family. Things with him are in a better place now. But the song Piece by Piece hits home with me because I am like the girl that Clarkson describes in her song. 

I am that fatherless daughter.

On another occasion I was with my sister, my cousin and my cousin's daughter. I played the song so they could hear it, and my sister turned to my cousin and said, "This will be her song one day," referring to my cousin's daughter. So far, she is right. My 3-year-old cousin will grow up without a father, at least, her father. It's a sad truth, because I know the pain, and anger, and rejection she will feel each day of her life. 

Honestly though, we are not isolated cases.

This song gained popularity for multiple reasons. Yes, Kelly Clarkson is an amazing vocalist. Yes, her tunes are catchy and her music in general is relatable. But, I believe this song made the charts because the culture today is full of people like myself and my little cousin, fatherless daughters and sons. These are the ones who have known heartbreak from childhood because the first person to break their hearts was the one person who was supposed to protect it. 

Thankfully, when Clarkson gets to the chorus, the story changes. It's now the story of her child's father and how he loves her. He is there for her. Piece by piece he mends Clarkson's broken heart and trust issues. He proves to be a loving father and a devoted husband. He restores her faith in what a father should be.

I can't speak for what Kelly Clarkson meant as she recorded this song, but I take away a much deeper meaning to an already intense song. I see an opening for a Heavenly Father to fill. 

In my life as a fatherless daughter, I was blessed that an uncle stepped in as a father figure and with a mom and sister and grandmother who lavished unconditional love on me. 

But the one who filled the void left within my heart by my father wasn't human. He was my Heavenly Father. The raw, overwhelming beauty of this Father is His perfect nature, wrapped in mercy and grace.

He calls me His child (1 John 3:1).

He loves me unconditionally (Romans 5:8).

Before the world began, He chose me (Ephesians 1:4). 

Based on His marvelous love only and nothing else, I don't have to earn His greatest gift to me, His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Even more, He sent his Holy Spirit to comfort me and guide me (John 14:16; John 16:13).

But better yet, He's promised to never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).

These sure sound a lot better than either of the fathers that Clarkson mentioned in her song. Her husband is going to have multiple times that he lets his daughter and wife down, even if it's only in simple ways. Fathers are fallible, even the best ones. 

So when I hear that song played, think of the hurt my father has unintentionally caused me, and dream of the day I find the man I will marry who will become a daddy to my children, I take heart.

This world and the people in it are flawed. I know this because I, too, am a sinner. But I also know that the love that saved my soul comes not from a mere man; it comes from the Heavenly Father, who loved me enough to send His Son to ransom me.

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Registration open to preview LifeWay's 2017 VBS
by Lisa Cannon Green
Date: July 06, 2016 - Wednesday

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Registration is open for Vacation Bible School leaders to preview "Galactic Starveyors," the 2017 VBS theme from LifeWay Christian Resources. 

LifeWay will host preview events in three locations in January to provide leaders hands-on experience with the backyard astronomy theme.
       
"Galactic Starveyors" will prompt kids to look skyward and discover the Creator of the universe, said Rhonda VanCleave, LifeWay's VBS publishing team leader. "You see the stars and moon and you realize the God who created the universe is even bigger, yet He has a personal interest in you. He even knows how many hairs are on your head."
	
The theme emerged from stacks of survey cards filled out by youngsters attending LifeWay's CentriKid summer camps, she said. Kids' questions were deep, serious, and sometimes tough: How old is God? Where did He come from? What does God look like? If God loves us, why do bad things still happen?
	
"We felt God moving in our hearts to answer these questions kids are asking," VanCleave said. "VBS is always evangelistic, but next year the five days will really unpack the plan of salvation, piece by piece, in the format of answering questions kids have asked."
	
With the motto "Searching the visible, discovering the invisible," each day of next year's VBS will focus on God's relationship with humanity. On day one, participants learn God began the relationship at creation. On day two, they see the relationship broken by sin but learn God is still in control. On day three, they discover the promise of restoration through a Messiah; on day four, they see the promise fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ; and on day five they learn the relationship continues through the power of the Holy Spirit.
	
"We want kids to sense how awesome God is yet how much He cares about them," VanCleave said. "He knew them before time began, He has a plan for their lives, and He wants a relationship with them."
	
Theme verses for the week will be Colossians 1:15-16: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created through Him and for Him."
	
Vacation Bible School is one of the most effective methods of evangelism for churches, VanCleave said. Each summer nearly 3 million people participate in VBS at a Southern Baptist church, and more than 70,000 make decisions to trust Christ as Savior.
	
VBS 2017 Jump Start Kits will be available for purchase in early October to help with planning and promotion. Other resources are scheduled to be available in December.
      
Preview events will be Jan. 6-7 in Ridgecrest, N.C.; Jan. 13-14 in Fort Worth, Texas; and Jan. 26-28 (three events) in Hendersonville, Tenn., near Nashville.
	
To register, visit LifeWay.com/VBS.

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 Video highlights Southern Baptists in St. Louis
by David Roach
Date: July 06, 2016 - Wednesday

ST. LOUIS (BP) -- A video released today (July 6) by immediate past Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd condenses 17 hours of proceedings from the June 14-15 SBC annual meeting in St. Louis into a 20-minute highlight reel.

"This video may be just a personal blessing to you or something you may want to share with your church or through social networking," Floyd, pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas, wrote in a blog post announcing the video. "To God's glory, we left St. Louis after back-to-back historic days. Let these highlights encourage you about our cooperative work to reach the world for Christ."

Produced by the Cross Church communications team, the video recaps the annual meeting's emphases on unity, the work of SBC entities and prayer for spiritual awakening in America. Among the highlights:

-- A two-minute recap of Floyd's presidential address, in which he told messengers "the stakes are high" in America today and called for awakening, evangelism and racial reconciliation.

-- North Carolina pastor J.D. Greear's withdrawal from the presidential election prior to the third ballot and Tennessee pastor Steve Gaines' election by acclamation.

-- Excerpts from the Tuesday-night Call of Prayer, including comments by special guests Jerry Young, president of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc.; Greg Laurie, evangelist and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif.; and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla.

-- The convention's adoption of a resolution "on sensitivity and unity regarding the Confederate battle flag."

-- Two panel discussions moderated by Floyd, one on racial unity and another on pastors and politics.

-- Reports to the 7,300 registered messengers from all SBC entity presidents, SBC Executive Committee President Frank S. Page and Woman's Missionary Union executive director/treasurer Wanda Lee.

-- The convention sermon by Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla.

-- The meetings' closing "handoff" to Southern Baptist leaders in Phoenix, the site of next year's annual meeting.

"May the video ... encourage you, bless you, challenge you, and perhaps help you and your church celebrate God's work through us as Southern Baptists," Floyd wrote.

The direct link to the SBC 2016 Annual Meeting Recap is https://vimeo.com/172459390.

Watch the 2016 Annual Meeting Recap: 


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Leadership, family focus of black church conf.
by Diana Chandler
Date: July 06, 2016 - Wednesday

RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP) -- A concurrent spiritual retreat, leadership development week and a family vacation characterize the Southern Baptist 2016 Black Church Leadership and Family Conference July 11-15 at Ridgecrest, N.C.

Southern Baptists from across the U.S. will be encouraged to Launch, Engage and Advance into their Destiny, as is the conference theme, drawn from Nehemiah 4:14, said Mark Croston, national director of Black Church Partnerships for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

"The 2016 Black Church Leadership and Family Conference is one of the leading conferences uniquely designed to coach and empower leaders of color," Croston told Baptist Press. "This event will show you practically how to amp up your team, be more productive, cultivate teamwork and create a vibrant ministry."

Worship services, Bible study, focused seminars, Christian service opportunities, dinners and recreational events comprise the week at LifeWay's Ridgecrest Conference Center on Black Mountain, featuring more than 150 workshops for leadership development, personal discipleship, community effectiveness and church growth.

"Our promise is that your team will acquire new skills, tools, experiences, contacts, positional training, and resources to see exponential growth in their area of ministry," Croston said. "Flexible training sessions will help ideas flow and set the groundwork for genuine collaboration between team members during the conference and afterward."

Women's, children's and family events are also featured, including a day camp for younger children, and LifeWay's Centrifuge Camp for students in grades 7-12.

"Balancing ministry and family is one of the most difficult assignments for a leader in the church. This conference is designed to give you the time to rest, renew and find revival in the beautiful mountain lodge with your entire family," Croston said. "Your entire family will be taken out of the day-to-day stress of ministry and be rejuvenated. Last year over 60 percent of attendees shared the week with their families."

Noted Southern Baptist pastors will preach during evening worship services July 11–14, namely former SBC president Fred Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans; Anthony Dockery, senior pastor of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in La Puente, Calif.; Geoffrey Guns, senior pastor, Second Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va.; and H.B. Charles Jr., senior pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. Nearly 100 faculty and staff will be featured during the week.

A charity golf tournament benefitting Global Hunger Relief is a new conference feature. The ZWOOR Event App downloadable at the App store is available to conference attendees this year, with the event accessible at KDE619.

Joining LifeWay as event sponsors are SBC entities the North American Mission Board, the International Mission Board and Guide Stone Financial Resources, as well as the SBC Executive Committee, the National African American Fellowship of the SBC, and the Woman's Missionary Union.

More than 800 have already registered for the week, Croston said. Registration is available at http://ridgecrestconferencecenter.org/event/blackchurchleaders hipfamilyconference#.V30y12tTHcv.

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 Iowa churches counter gender identity law
by  David Roach
Date: July 06, 2016 - Wednesday

DES MOINES, Iowa (BP) -- Two Iowa churches say the Iowa Civil Rights Commission's interpretation of a state civil rights law could force them to open restrooms to members of the opposite sex and inhibit their ability to teach biblical truth about gender.

One of the churches, Fort Des Moines Church of Christ in Des Moines, filed a lawsuit in federal court July 4. The other, Cornerstone World Outreach in Sioux City, sent a demand letter to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission July 5 asking the Commission to amend its policy regarding churches and gender identity discrimination.

At issue is an undated brochure published by the Commission, which states churches must "sometimes" permit locker room and restroom access based on self-perceived gender identity rather than biological sex.

The brochure, titled "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity," explains, "Iowa law provides that these &#91;anti-discrimination&#93; protections do not apply to religious institutions with respect to any religion-based qualifications when such qualifications are related to a bona fide religious purpose. Where qualifications are not related to a bona fide religious purpose, churches are still subject to the law's provisions. (e.g., a child care facility operated at a church or a church service open to the public)."

The brochure lists among examples of illegal harassment "verbal ... or written conduct" and states that organizations must not "directly or indirectly" make anyone feel "unwelcome" because of their sexual orientation or gender identity -- phrases the churches allege could be used to censor sermons or other religious speech.

Fort Des Moines Church of Christ's lawsuit, filed by the conservative legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, asks a federal court to declare unconstitutional the Iowa statue the brochure purports to interpret and a nearly identical portion of the Des Moines City Code. The suit claims the "Commission's interpretation" of the state law "is given weight by Iowa courts." Both the state and city laws violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments, according to the lawsuit.

Because all Fort Des Moines activities are open to the public, the brochure implies open restroom access must always be provided, the lawsuit notes.

ADF legal counsel Christiana Holcomb said, "Churches have always been protected from government intrusion, and they still are.

"They have a firmly established freedom to teach their beliefs and set internal policies that reflect their biblical teachings about marriage and human sexuality," she said in a news release. "One can hardly imagine a more obvious unconstitutional invasion of the state into the internal affairs of the church."

Cornerstone's demand letter, filed by First Liberty Institute, a legal organization dedicated to protecting religious freedom, threatens to "pursue all available legal options" if the Commission does not respond favorably by Aug. 5. In addition to violating the First Amendment, the Commission has violated the Iowa Constitution's guarantee of religious liberty, the letter states.

Chelsey Youman, chief of staff & counsel for First Liberty, formerly Liberty Institute, noted, "This is a clear case of the state violating the sanctity of the church. It should send chills down the spine of every congregation in Iowa. 

"The State of Iowa claims it has the power to regulate what churches can teach about human sexuality and how they operate their facilities," said Youman, according to the group's website. "The government has absolutely no authority to force a church to violate its religious beliefs. This is a massive violation of the First Amendment."

In 2007, the Iowa Legislature prohibited discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, The Des Moines Register reported. Iowa Civil Rights Commission executive director Kristin Johnson responded to the two churches by stating Iowa officials consistently have enforced the law.


