
The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-08/06/2015

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FIRST-PERSON: Loving the local church
by Jeana Floyd
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (BP) -- I have a love relationship with the local church. The church has been my life -- I was born a pastor's child and eventually became a pastor's wife. My father pastored Southern Baptist churches for over 50 years. And although I said I'd never marry a preacher, that's exactly what I did. Almost 39 years later, I still love my "preacher man" and the local church.

I believe the benefits of being a minister's wife in the local church far outweigh the negatives.

The local church supported Ronnie and me way back when we were newlyweds. Our very first church loved and supported us wholeheartedly and gave us our start in ministry life. They followed Ronnie's leadership even though we were young. I have many sweet memories from that wonderful church. I vividly remember that in that small town with one grocery store and one gas station, there was a passion for ministry. From the First Baptist Church of Cherokee to Cross Church of Northwest Arkansas, the work ethic and passion for ministry in our churches has remained unchanged all these years.

As ministry life progressed, so came the birth of our two sons. Precious women poured into my life and mentored me in my new role as a mother. Our churches have also provided substitute parents and grandparents, a special blessing when living away from family.

To write with complete integrity, I must share that I was truly saved while serving as a pastor's wife. I had made a decision as a child out of obedience to my parents; they did not force me in any way, but my desire to please them led me to make a decision that I would doubt for many years. I did not mean to live in a deceitful way. I loved God and I loved His church and would always rationalize, "How could I not be saved?" But great conviction led me to an understanding that my love for the church and God had not led me to a true salvation experience. I truly gave my heart to Jesus as a pastor's wife in 1985 and have not doubted since that time. I am grateful to have settled that most important decision of my life not only for eternity's sake but also for the many challenges I have faced since then. Now I know for sure that regardless of what I go through as an individual or pastor's wife, He is with me.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, the church became our family in a deeper way, and instead of being the ministers, we were ministered to. Both of our families lived in another state, which made it difficult for them to be with us during this challenging time. The church became our daily support system in that hard season and I gained another appreciation for what the local church can mean to all of us.

As our children grew, committed Sunday School and small group leaders came alongside us as parents. In their teen years, their youth pastors became a huge influence in their lives. These influencers helped to guide our sons into becoming godly young men, who in turn have become godly husbands and fathers. Without a doubt, the church had a huge impact on where our sons are today in their spiritual walks. I have no regrets raising our children in ministry life. In fact, I consider it to have been a blessing and great benefit for our entire family.

Today I have a new concern and investment of the church for my grandchildren. Again, coming alongside their parents, the church provides a huge opportunity for their spiritual growth. I am thankful for this provision, again, through the local church.

Each place we have served has a special place in my heart. Each one of those places taught us distinct lessons through our time served there. Some have been more difficult than others. There have been hard times as well as great times. God has used specific people to grow us, mold us, and refine us in His calling to serve Him in the local church.

My greatest joys in life are being a wife, mother, grandmother and pastor's wife. You might say that I love my job. I have no regrets at the life investment Ronnie and I have made in the local church. I have definitely experienced firsthand the faithfulness of God, serving Him in the local church in the good times and the challenging times. The Church of Jesus Christ has withstood many trials and challenges, but God's Word tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). What a privilege to serve Him in ministry and to reap the benefits as an individual and a family, knowing that His Church will stand the test of time, now and forever.


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Planned Parenthood focus of TX senate hearing
by Bonnie Pritchett/The TEXAN
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- The apparent lack of oversight regarding the donation of human fetal tissue and the possible circuitous implementation of policies overseeing the regulation of Texas' 22 abortion facilities drew focus during the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing July 29. 

Senators sought to determine if state laws were violated following the revelation that Texas abortion providers, particularly Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (PPGC), may have sold aborted fetal organs for profit.

The investigations are in response to undercover videos released by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), purportedly showing the illegal sale of fetal organs to individuals acting as biomedical company representatives. The HHS committee heard testimony from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Department of State Health Services (DSHS) commissioners, Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner, and Texas pro-life organization representatives. Planned Parenthood representatives were invited to testify but responded with a letter refusing to appear, with the PPGC president dismissing the hearing as a farce and "political gamesmanship."

Sen. Charles Schwertner, HHS Committee chairman, called the emergency hearing to determine if state or federal laws were broken regarding the procurement and dissemination of fetal remains and to determine what, if any, Texas statutes and regulatory provisions are in place to monitor the program. Federal law forbids the sale of fetal tissue and organs but allows the donation of such remains.

On July 15, in statement, Paxton announced his office had launched an investigation into what he said is Planned Parenthood's "calculated slaughter of human babies to maximize the available body parts they plan to sell."

During his testimony, Paxton could not answer specific questions due to the ongoing investigation but did acknowledge his office had "hours of video recordings involving a Texas branch of Planned Parenthood." Paxton said the videos "appear to be consistent" with recordings released in recent weeks revealing conversations between the undercover investigators and high-ranking Planned Parenthood officials.

"But more than any misdeeds involving the sale of aborted baby parts is this fundamental truth: the true abomination in all this is the institution of abortion," Paxton said.

One CMP video, released August 4, focused exclusively on the PPGC flagship facility in Houston. On the video, PPGC Director of Research Melissa Farrell is heard discussing payment for human fetal remains. PPGC staff also discuss the gestational age of the aborted babies as being between 16-22 weeks. Texas law forbids abortions past 20 weeks except in the direst of circumstances for the mother.

Testimony from DSHS commissioners Kirk Cole and Kathryn Perkins and Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Chris Traylor revealed the absence of state oversight of the federally regulated donation of fetal tissue. While DSHS regularly inspects abortion clinics and ambulatory surgical centers for state statute compliance, the agents' surveys do not include investigation of aborted fetal tissue and organ donation protocol.

And while DSHS inspectors determine if clinics abide by state policy related to the general operation of the clinic, there is no means by which agents review abortion procedures to ensure they are performed according to the law other than reviewing selected medical records. But in the first two CMP videos, top Planned Parenthood doctors said the in utero presentation of the baby is sometimes altered in order to optimize procurement of undamaged organs.

Kathyrn Perkins, DSHS commissioner for regulatory services, and Abby Johnson, former Bryan-College Station Planned Parenthood director, gave conflicting testimonies regarding the spontaneity of clinic inspections. 

Perkins told the committee abortion clinic inspections were unannounced and performed every 10-14 months for clinics providing abortions up to 16 weeks of pregnancy and once every three years for the ambulatory surgical centers performing abortions from 16-20 weeks of gestation.

"That is blatantly false," Johnson told committee members. "We knew exactly when they were coming.... We were allowed to pull (records) ahead of time so we would be able to scrub charts and make sure everything looked accurate before they were reviewed."

Johnson's clinic was part of the group of Planned Parenthood clinics associated with PPGC. She said other PPGC clinic managers also knew when DSHS would arrive for inspections.

When the Senate committee later recalled the commissioners, Perkins was asked if abortion clinic employees were notified of DSHS inspections.

"Not to my knowledge," Perkins responded. "What I was speaking to was our current policies and procedures and how we do things."

The statute mandates unannounced inspections. Perkins said she would investigate to determine if agents and clinic directors were in communication about upcoming inspections.

Johnson also disputed the claims by Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, that abortion clinics are merely reimbursed for their costs of procuring, storing and shipping aborted fetal tissue and organs. The undercover videos indicate a negotiable price range for the organs. 

Johnson, who left the abortion industry in 2009, testified the Bryan-College Station clinic received "$200 in compensation per baby." She said the expense to the clinic for collecting and storing the fetal remains is negligible. The only cost her clinic might have incurred would be a $5-$10 shipping fee.

"Not $200. That is sheer profit for Planned Parenthood," Johnson said.

Johnson calculated that the PPGC Houston abortion clinic, which collects 260 pounds of fetal remains every month, could make as much as $120,000 per month.

Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, asked if the state could examine clinic financial records as part of the regular inspections to determine if the non-profit Planned Parenthood is indeed operating as such. Reviewing financial records is not part of the DSHS inspection.

In her letter to the HHS Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Schwertner, PPGC President Melaney A. Linton said, "We believe this committee has no desire to hold a responsible, fair, fact-driven hearing. In fact, this committee cares more about political gamesmanship than the truth."

Linton's letter and that of Kenneth Lambrecht, president of Planned Parenthood Greater Texas (PPGT) -- an association of Planned Parenthood clinics in north and central Texas -- were received by the committee only 30 minutes prior to the meeting despite repeated inquiries by senate staff members the previous week seeking confirmation of the abortion providers' participation in the hearing.

Perry noted during opening comments, "By Planned Parenthood not being here shows the contempt they have for this process and this committee."

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, concurred. She called the letter "an affront to us as elected officials."

Schwertner noted the written statement from PPGC would not be entered into the record because the organization failed to submit the required witness card with the statement. More than three hours into the four-and-a-half hour hearing, Deborah Hiser, a lawyer representing PPGC, arrived at the hearing to fill out the proper form. 

Schwertner repeatedly asked her if she wanted to testify on behalf of her clients, but Hiser declined, stating the abortion provider was under active investigation and had been subpoenaed by Paxton.


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Bush, Rubio defend tax exemption, religious liberty
by Tom Strode
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

<i>EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an expanded report on yesterday's story.</i>

NASHVILLE (BP) -- The tax-exempt status of churches and faith-based institutions will be safeguarded if they are elected president, two candidates for the 2016 Republican nomination told a sold-out crowd at a Southern Baptist conference in Nashville.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio answered questions Aug. 4 before more than 13,600 people gathered for the Send North America Conference, which was sponsored by the North American Mission Board and International Mission Board. At the conference organizers' invitation, Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), interviewed Bush in person at the Bridgestone Arena and Rubio in a prerecorded video.

With both candidates, Moore focused his questions first on religious liberty, including tax exemption. Concerns about threats to religious freedom have grown in the wake of the Supreme Court's June legalization of same-sex marriage. Ominous comments from Solicitor General Donald Verrilli during the March oral arguments in the marriage case raised apprehensions about the tax-exempt status of religious institutions. When asked by a justice if a school would lose its tax exemption for opposing gay marriage, Verrilli said, "&#91;I&#93;t is going to be an issue."

Bush told Moore a president could remove dangers to tax exemption for faith-based organizations by placing people in the Department of Justice, including in the solicitor general's post, who "don't threaten to take away the tax-exempt status of organizations because they don't fit the orthodoxy of the time."

Rubio said his administration would have officials at the Internal Revenue Service and Justice Department -- as well as newly named justices at the Supreme Court -- who would protect the right of faith-based institutions to maintain their tax-exempt status.

Tax exemption for churches and religious institutions "recognizes the fact that these are not money-making ventures that should be paying taxes on the tithes and contributions," Rubio told Moore. "These are organizations that are using the money they raise to carry out a social good. I know of no movement in America that does more for the common good -- caring for the poor, the elderly, the sick, ministering to those in jail -- than our faith community does, and they deserve to be treated that way by the tax code."

Both Bush and Rubio, who represents Florida in the Senate, said religious liberty should not be viewed as only the freedom to believe and worship.

"&#91;P&#93;eople will say, 'It's okay to be religious. Just do it in your church and do it at home, but don't act on your faith in the public square, because that's discriminatory against those who may not agree with it,'" Bush said.

"It's the other way around. This is the first freedom. This is a foundational freedom in our country.  

"A president should have not just the right but has the duty to explain why this is a threat to not just religious freedom but to other freedoms," Bush told the Send Conference audience. "You take this one away, it's very easy to imagine other freedoms being taken away as well."

Religious freedom, Rubio said, "is not simply the right to believe anything you want. It's the right to live according to those teachings and to have the opportunity to spread it to others, instill it in your children and live it in your everyday life. Those of us of the Christian faith understand that we are called to be Christians in every aspect of our lives, not just on Sunday."

"We need a president that will protect that right," he said.

The appearances of the two candidates out of 17 Republicans seeking their party's nomination matched the mentor, Bush, with his protégé, Rubio, from their days in Florida politics. Both are pro-life Roman Catholics who have appealed to and received support from evangelical Christians.

Leading candidates from each major party were invited to the forum at the Send Conference, according to the ERLC. Beginning May 1, invitations were sent to those candidates in the GOP field who were polling 10 percent or higher in the Real Clear Politics national average up to one month before the event, the ERLC reported.

As a result of that qualifying standard, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker joined Rubio and Bush in receiving invitations on the Republican side, while Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton also was invited. Clinton, Paul and Walker either declined or were unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict, according to the ERLC. Moore said he looks forward to having conversations with candidates in both parties leading to the 2016 election.

In the Aug. 4 question-and-answer sessions at the Send Conference, other issues raised with Bush and Rubio included abortion, the use of military force overseas to defend Christians and other religious adherents against Islamic extremists, the torture of detained enemy combatants, racial discrimination and overcoming public incivility.

When asked about federal funding of Planned Parenthood, Bush promised to defund the organization if elected to the White House. His comment came after the release of five undercover videos over the previous three weeks that showed Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of organs from aborted children for research. The organization received $528 million in government grants, contracts and reimbursements in its most recent financial year.

Bush went on to say, "You could take dollar for dollar, although I'm not sure we need a half a billion dollars for women's health issues -- there are many extraordinarily fine organizations, community health organizations, that exist -- federally sponsored community health organizations -- to provide quality care for women on a wide variety of health issues. But abortion should not be funded by the government, any government in my mind."

His comment about funds for women's health services drew strong rebukes from Clinton and others because of its apparent application beyond Planned Parenthood. 

Later, Bush said in a statement released through his campaign website he misspoke. "&#91;T&#93;here are countless community health centers, rural clinics, and other women's health organizations that need to be fully funded," he said. "They provide critical services to all, but particularly low-income women who don't have the access they need.

"I was referring to the hard-to-fathom $500 million in federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood -- an organization that was callously participating in the unthinkable practice of selling fetal organs. Democrats and Republicans agree we absolutely must defund them and redirect those funds to other women's health organizations."

Later Aug. 4, Moore told Anderson Cooper of CNN, "&#91;I&#93;n context, it certainly seemed as though &#91;Bush&#93; was talking about Planned Parenthood," rather than all women's health services. 

"&#91;I&#93;n context, I think most people in the auditorium understood what Governor Bush meant, which is that we shouldn't be funding Planned Parenthood" and "instead we ought to be funding other worthy organizations," Moore told Cooper.

What the Planned Parenthood videos "reveal more than anything else," Rubio said, "is that abortion in America has become a money-making industry and that there are people with financial interests in hand behind the abortion industry which every year leads to the murder of millions of children who will never have a chance to fulfill their God-given rights."

Racism still exists, both candidates agreed.

"It's quieter, but an insidious form of it &#91;exists&#93; for sure," Bush said. "We need to confront it head on."

Rubio, a Hispanic, said, "&#91;Y&#93;ou can't have hundreds of years of systemic discrimination and then suddenly believe that in 50 or 60 years all of its remnants have been wiped out or that its impact isn't still being felt."

Systemic discrimination, he said, now manifests itself in two ways: In a lack of economic opportunity and in the interaction between some local police departments and minority communities. 

"We can't just say, 'Well, 90 percent of police officers are not racist.' I believe that," Rubio said. "But if there are five percent or eight percent of people in this country who feel afflicted by local law enforcement, it's something we have to honestly address as a society. Otherwise, you're going to have an entire segment of our population who permanently feels locked out of the promise of America, and that can't be good for our country."

Video of the two interviews is available online at http://erlc.com/videos/.


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City sued over attempted grab of churches' land
by Staff
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

HOUSTON (BP) -- Two African American churches in Houston have filed a lawsuit in response to what they say is an illegal city attempt to seize their property for an urban renewal project.

"When we moved into this area, it was considered the highest crime-rate area in the city of Houston," Latter Day Deliverance Revival Church Pastor Roy Lee Kossie said according to a news release from Liberty Institute, the Christian legal organization representing Latter Day and nearby Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. "People shot first and asked questions later. But we love this community. This is where the Lord called us and this is where we want to stay. We aren't giving up without a fight."

Tory Gunsolley, president and CEO of the Houston Housing Authority, told the Houston Chronicle the city wants land owned by the churches as part of a redevelopment effort to include a library and 63-unit housing project. The housing project would replace an apartment complex that had to be demolished because of damage sustained from Hurricane Ike in 2008. The demolished complex could not be rehabilitated, Gunsolley said, because of limitations associated with its proximity to Interstate 10.

The city tried to buy property from both churches before initiating an attempt to seize a portion of Latter Day's property through eminent domain laws. Houston has not begun the eminent domain process on the parcel owned by Christian Fellowship, Gunsolley said. 

"We are trying to build decent, safe, affordable, but modern housing," Gunsolley told the Chronicle.

Christian Fellowship Pastor Quinton Smith claims on a video posted online by Liberty Institute that a city representative threatened to acquire the church's property through eminent domain laws if the congregation did not sell it. Eminent domain laws allow a government to require the sale of private property for public use.

The lawsuit states that seizure of the churches' property would violate their religious freedom. Forced sale of the disputed properties "would limit Latter Day's growth and its congregants' ability to worship and minister to the community," according to the suit. City redevelopment of Christian Fellowship's property would "fully displace" it "from its only property in the community."

The Liberty Institute release claims the churches have helped transform Houston's impoverished Fifth Ward "into a safer place, offering church-run food pantries, youth centers, and programs to combat drug use, gang violence, and abuse." Liberty's online video features the testimony of a man who trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior through the ministry of Latter Day and was delivered from a life of drug addiction.

"Just let us stay here," Smith said in the video.

The lawsuit asks a court to prevent the city from claiming the churches' property and to require the city to reimburse the churches for attorneys' fees and court costs.

"The folks here who have been part of this community for decades, holding it together, making the improvements around this community, building this community up with their own bare hands, are now facing the government coming in and stealing their church, to be used for some other business," Liberty Institute attorney Hiram Sasser told the Chronicle. "That's totally un-American and it's completely illegal."

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WRAP-UP: Send Conf. moves to next steps
by Joe Conway
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

NASHVILLE (BP) -- As thousands of 2015 Send North America Conference attendees returned to their everyday lives, leaders of the event said the real longterm impact will be measured in the next steps participants take to live out their faith daily.

"This is not about a conference," North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell told attendees at the close of the gathering Tuesday (Aug.4). "It's about God starting a movement. This is something we are committed to for the rest of our lives." 

As the two-day event drew to a close, the 13,607 participants were encouraged to find their place in the everyday mission of God, and commit to next steps.

Registered nurse Madison Roaton decided to tag along for a visit to Nashville when she heard her friends discussing a road trip. She had never heard of the Send Conference. But after the first day she was ready to explore her next steps in missions.

"I've been involved in medical missions with my church," said Roaton of New Albany, Miss. She traveled to Ecuador earlier this year and Greece last year on mission. The idea of a life on mission resonated with her. "This has me thinking about connecting what I do with my mission."

Others were encouraged by reminders that they are part of a network -- a family -- as they serve on the mission field.

"I came because of the camaraderie of all the church planters," said Gabe Dodd. Dodd, a church planter in Dahlonega, Ga., who launched The Branch Church last year, came with his sending church, First Baptist Church, Alpharetta, Ga.

"I came because of the church planting mentality, and the desire to advance the Gospel in America. It just helped me know that I am not alone. Being able to worship with my brothers and sisters who are doing everything we can to advance the Gospel was exhilarating," Dodd said.

Vance Pitman, pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, reminded the audience Tuesday morning that ordinary people in the book of Acts witnessed God do extraordinary things through godly obedience.

"If you were picking teams, you would not have picked them," Pitman said of the early church. "They were former prostitutes. They were cheating tax collectors. They were salty former fishermen. They had no creativity. They had no strategy. They had no education. They had no formal training. They had no seminary degrees, and none of them had preached sermons. They weren't professional ministers. They had no influence. They had no relevance. They had no money. They had no power. They had no facilities.

"Within 40 years &#91;after Pentecost&#93;, the Gospel had reached every part of the known world," Pitman said. "What if within 40 years of this moment, there were no unreached peoples left?"

Other Send Conference attendees pitched in, too. Nearly 600 volunteers served in every capacity at the four host venues required for the two-day event.

Anita Fore, a senior tax manager in Abingdon, Va., decided to attend the conference after seeing an ad for the event. She had no idea there would be volunteer opportunities, but she did not want to attend without being part of the prayer team.

"I knew I had to be on that team, even if it meant I might not hear anything at the conference," said Fore, who arrived on Monday (Aug. 3) and joined in praying over the entire arena. Fore and the rest of the intercessory teams took three-hour shifts throughout the conference to pray.

On Tuesday, International Mission Board President David Platt challenged attendees to make disciples.

"One of the things I'm most excited about in partnering with the North American Mission Board is the potential it represents," Platt said. "The stronger churches are in North America, the better our missionaries will be around the world."

The final session of the conference opened with a video overview of Global Hunger Relief, the Southern Baptist Convention's primary mercy ministry funding avenue. The video, available for church use, features Ezell, Platt and Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore.

"Southern Baptists immediately respond to crisis like an earthquake in Nepal," said Moore in a later panel discussion with Ezell. "The heart of Southern Baptists is to serve. They are the first in and last out in disasters, and as they are doing that they are sharing the Gospel."

During the two days of the Send Conference, more than 30 breakout sessions, some with thousands in attendance, challenged participants to consider practical next steps coming out of the experience. Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd led a Sending Church panel with church planter pastors Pitman, J. D. Greear of Summit Church, Alex Himaya of theChurch.at, and Bryant Wright of Johnson Ferry Church.

"We tell our people we have a mandate," Himaya said. "We are a sent church. It is not an option. We teach people to abide in Christ. Their priority must be to make disciples. It is not a strategy -- it is essential for a healthy church."

Attendee Josh Mars, a member of Peine Ridge Church's Credence Campus in Troy, Mo., left with a renewed vision for reaching those around him.

"This week has really convicted me of the opportunities God has given me, and my church to engage the community around us. Just seeing that God has opened up a lot of doors and opportunities that we don't always walk through."

Mars' next steps include his present training to be an elder at his church, and praying through the possibility of being a church planter. "There are a lot of practical next steps like better engaging my neighbors and setting an example to people in my small group and encouraging others to live their lives on mission," Mars said.

Gabe Dodd, like so many others in the gathering, was encouraged by the sheer volume of believers in one place worshipping as one.

"Even though I am the only Southern Baptist church plant in my town, and only one of two or three Southern Baptist churches in the town, being able to worship with 13,000 people is super encouraging," Dodd said. "The biggest practical takeaway is really the kingdom focus from this week and identifying what the kingdom is. If Jesus says, 'Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,' what does that mean here? That has been the most impactful takeaway for me."

More than 1,100 participants had already responded by Wednesday, primarily through the Send Conference app, requesting information or assistance for next steps in a life on mission.

If you are ready to explore church planting, chaplaincy, disaster relief or any other avenues for next steps through NAMB, visit mobilizeme.sendnetwork.com. To explore a connection with one of 32 Send North America cities, consider a Catch the Vision Tour and go to namb.net/catch-the-vision. For the latest on next steps with the Send North America Strategy and NAMB from Kevin Ezell, consider attending a Sending Church Lab. Learn more at sendnetwork.com/sending-church-lab. For information about connecting with IMB opportunities, visit www.imb.org.

Beginning Aug. 10, a set of life on mission next steps resources will be available, including a six-week Bible study by church planter Matt Rogers with corresponding videos, blog posts and other items released on a weekly basis. Visit sendnetwork.com/lifeonmission for more details.


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Bible Study: August 9, 2015
by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week's Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.

Bible Passage: Revelation 5:1-14

Discussion Questions: What qualifies Jesus to claim to be the only way to the Father? How do we respond to others who believe there are many paths to God?

Food for Thought:

While watching a movie, everything came to a screeching halt at the most suspenseful scene. The electricity had gone out and there we sat. The ushers were not prepared, so cell phones were used to provide some type of light. We shuffled off to the skylight-lit lobby and waited for word on when we would get to see the end of the movie. We could see the manager working his phone trying to find a solution, but to no avail. Having exasperated all his options, he announced no more movies would be shown that evening and invited us to come back another day. There we stood, wanting to know how the movie ended and yet afraid someone would tell us.

The Apostle John stood in anticipation of the great next scene in history. He had been overwhelmed with joy by his glimpse into God's throne room (see Revelation 4). Everything was moving forward so well and then it all stopped. No one could be found to open the scroll that ushered in the final acts of God's redemptive plan. His joy turned to despair and desperation. Then the Lion of Judah, Jesus, stepped forward. The only One found qualified to open the scroll was Jesus.

We live in a world where many religions and belief systems claim to possess a way to God or some similar being, but not the biblical God. Some may agree that Jesus is the best way or a way, but in the same breath affirm other ways as possibilities. These same people including their revered teachers will one day stand before the throne of God along with John, looking for the One worthy to open the scroll. The truth is there is only One qualified to open the book and that is Jesus. No one else ever lived a perfect life, without sin. No one else willingly died in our place for our sin. No one else was resurrected from the grave, triumphing over the curse of sin. No One else.

<b>Explore the Bible</b>
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible.

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.

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Houston to vote on equal rights ordinance
by Bonnie Pritchett/The TEXAN
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

HOUSTON (BP) -- Houston's City Council voted Aug. 5 to put the controversial equal rights ordinance (known as HERO) on the Nov. 3 ballot after a vote to repeal the law failed but not before debate arose over the ballot language. 

Council members opposed to the ballot language cautioned Mayor Annise Parker the city could find itself again on the losing end of a legal battle over how the city chooses to parse its words for the voters.

The vote marked a "dubious" anniversary for HERO opponents. It was one year ago -- Aug. 4, 2014 -- that Parker and then-City Attorney David Feldman called a press conference to declare "invalid" a referendum to repeal the equal rights ordinance, which gives protected class status to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. On Aug. 5, 2014 petitioners filed a lawsuit claiming Parker, Feldman, City Secretary Anna Russell and the City of Houston overstepped their authority in dismissing the referendum.

And on Aug. 5, 2015, Houston City Council, at the direction of the Texas Supreme Court, was forced to accept the referendum petition and vote to repeal the ordinance. 

Dave Welch, executive director of the Houston Area Pastors Council (HAPC), which spearheaded opposition to the ordinance, called the day "a dubious anniversary remembering the abuse of power while celebrating the fruits of the diligent pursuit of justice."

Repeal of HERO failed, 12-5, with council members and the mayor voting as they had in May 2014, with one exception -- Councilman Dwight Boykin voted against the ordinance the first time but changed his vote, at the behest of his constituents, so they could vote on the law. With council refusing to repeal the ordinance, city charter mandated council put the ordinance to a city-wide vote.

Although the coalition of pastors fought for the past year to gain the right to vote on the measure, the city council's 13-4 vote to accept potentially problematic ballot language could land the city and pastors back in court.

Still stinging from a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling that overturned a 2010 ballot initiative due to improper wording, four council members argued due diligence should be taken to ensure the November  ballot language is accurate. But what Parker and the remaining council members dismissed as splitting hairs, attorney Andy Taylor warned is the letter of the law.

"Legally, this will be dead on arrival if you do it the way the mayor just explained," Taylor told council members Aug. 4 during the public comment portion of the weekly Houston City Council meeting.

His comments were met with criticism by Parker.

"Our belief is he is incorrect -- as he is in many things," Parker said.

In addition to being the attorney for the No UnEqual Rights Coalition, which sued the city last year, Taylor also represents a group of pastors from the coalition who filed a civil rights lawsuit against Parker Aug. 3. The lawsuit accuses the mayor of voter suppression and intimidation. 

Parker is the only named defendant but as-yet-to-be named "co-conspirators" may be added to the suit during the discovery process.

In defense of the ballot language, Parker said the text is perfectly clear and in keeping with the city charter. The ballot language approved by the city council Aug. 5 states: "Shall the City of Houston repeal the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, Ord. No. 2014-530, which prohibits discrimination in city employment and city services, city contracts, public accommodations, private employment, and housing based on an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or pregnancy?"

But Taylor and council members C.O. Bradford, Dave Martin, Michael Kubosh and Brenda Stardig maintained the November election is not about repealing HERO. Because the ordinance was suspended by the Supreme Court, Taylor argued, there is nothing to repeal. Instead, the ordinance, like other national, state and local laws, will or will not be enacted by a popular vote in the affirmative.

"The voters in November cannot vote to repeal anything," said Bradford, an attorney and outspoken critic of the ballot language. "If the ballot language says anything about the voters repealing something, it's wrong!"

Bradford voted for the ordinance last year but opposed the ballot language because he wanted "the ballot to be right." He offered substitute language that was rejected by a 12-5 vote.

"Mayor, we want the language right. We don't want to come back two years from now and have the Supreme Court say we were egregiously misleading the language," said Kubosh referring to the June Texas Supreme Court ruling stating the city used improper ballot language in a hotly contested "Drainage Fee" amendment that won by a narrow margin of votes.

But Parker insisted the language on the ballot was consistent with the petition calling for the repeal of HERO. Welch said it may make sense to make that connection, but it was not consistent with the Supreme Court directive or the city charter, both of which call for a popular vote on the ordinance.

Martin said, "The &#91;city&#93; charter dictates what we need to do." 

Reading from it, he said, "… such ordinance or resolution shall not take effect unless a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon at such election shall vote in favor thereof."

The charter, not the petition, Martin said, dictates the ballot language, which in its current form is a "purposeful attempt to mislead voters."

Welch said the coalition would announce Friday whether they would press the issue or let the ballot wording stand. The Texas Supreme Court gave Houston City Council until Aug. 24 to comply with their directive to repeal or put the ordinance to a popular vote.


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Gospel, politics addressed at ERLC event
by Tom Strode
Date: August 06, 2015 - Thursday

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Political engagement by evangelical Christians calls for a witness shaped by the Gospel of Jesus, Southern Baptists were told at a conference Wednesday (Aug. 5) in Nashville.

Speakers at "The Gospel and Politics" -- the second national conference sponsored by the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission -- sought to help the more than 630 registrants think about how to approach politics in a changing culture a year before the next presidential election. The conference came a day after interviews of two Republican presidential candidates -- Sen. Marco Rubio and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush -- by ERLC President Russell Moore at the Send North America Conference, an event sponsored also in Nashville by Southern Baptist missions entities.

The Gospel calls for a different tone than has been demonstrated sometimes in the past by evangelicals, some speakers said.

"I say this respectfully, the era of perceived, white, angry evangelicalism is officially over," said Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Impacting culture now "requires a multi-ethnic, kingdom culture canopy that reconciles truth with love," he said during a panel discussion.

A shift to a more gracious approach in political engagement does not equal a shift in convictions, said Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, on the same panel.

"When I would meet with homosexuals or gay activists, what some Christian leadership accused me of was losing my principles," he told attendees. "They had no clue what was going on in the meetings."

Seeds were being planted for Gospel witness, Daly said. "And to have somebody rail against you because you're doing the Gospel, there's something not healthy about that, everybody. We don't give up our principles to have a nice, kind, gentle tone."

In the same discussion, Moore said, "If we're following Jesus, we ought to be receiving criticism in stereo all the time." The Gospel accounts in the Bible show some people didn't like it when Jesus called for repentance, and others didn't like it when he offered mercy at the end of that call, Moore said.

"If you're going to follow Christ, you can't do that by saying, 'Okay, what's my tribe, and how do I make sure that I am safely with my tribe all the time?' Instead, you're on mission with Christ," he said, "which means you're talking with people that disagree with you and doing so with conviction, but you're also seeing that person as someone that you ultimately want to see reconciled to God."

The church -- the community created by the Gospel -- plays an important role in evangelical political engagement, speakers said.

Christians "speak from consciences shaped by Scripture," Moore told the audience. "We must see a community that is being formed as a sign -- a sign that is shaping and forming consciences.

"If we are going to go forward in the 21st Century, we must understand that sort of community is of paramount importance in our mission," he said.

"The worshiping, sending community carries with it a distinctiveness that gives us everything we have to say to the outside world."

James K.A. Smith, author and philosophy professor at Calvin College, said during another panel discussion, "We worship a King. That's a political category. &#91;T&#93;he church in its worship is actually where we learn to be citizens of the city of God.

"It's really, really important that Christian worship ends with sending. The whole point of the people of God being gathered together is precisely" to be restored and sent out, he said.

Speakers and panelists offered advice to pastors regarding political engagement.

J.D. Greear, lead pastor of The Summit Church in the Raleigh/Durham, N.C., area, listed four myths younger pastors in particular must avoid. 

"Secondary political ideals are matters of first importance," Greear cited as the first myth. He tells his church, "I might be wrong on my position about global warming, but I am not wrong about the Gospel. And I do not want my opinion on the first thing to get in the way of my preaching about the second thing." 

The other myths to be avoided, he said, are:

-- "Christian truth does not apply to politics.

-- "There is never a time to take a controversial political stand.

-- "We see everything clearly."

Regarding when to address issues from the pulpit, panelist D.A. Horton said, "Anytime the common good of humanity is under attack and human flourishing is being oppressed, then I believe that's a red flag that we need to be addressing" from God's Word. 

Horton is a church planter who serves as national coordinator for urban student missions at the North American Mission Board.

On the same panel, Jimmy Scroggins told pastors, "We're not going to be able to speak to every single issue with the same force."

Scroggins is lead pastor of the Family Church in West Palm Beach, Fla.

David Platt, president of the International Mission Board, applied the Gospel to the human trafficking crisis. 

Acknowledging there are no easy answers and no simple solutions to the epidemic, Platt said, "Fighting slavery begins with believing in the Gospel."

Jesus "is the pursuing Savior, and as men and women who are identified with Him we need to pursue the enslaved," said Platt, who added traffickers and pornography users also need the Gospel.

Among other speaking at the conference were Ross Douthat, columnist for the The New York Times; author Rod Dreher; Erick Erickson, editor of RedState.com; Michael Gerson, columnist for The Washington Post and former White House speech writer; Jennifer Marshall, vice president at the Heritage Foundation; and Karen Swallow Prior, author and English professor at Liberty University.

The ERLC's inaugural national conference, held in October 2014, applied the Gospel to homosexuality and marriage.

Videos of the conference, which was held at Nashville's Music City Center, will be available in the days ahead at erlc.com/videos.



