
The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-11/15/2012

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Evangelical leaders urge Obama, Congress to reform immigration
by Tom Strode
Date: November 15, 2012 - Thursday

WASHINGTON (BP) -- Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land and other evangelical Christian leaders have called on President Obama and congressional leaders to act quickly next year in an effort to reform the country's immigration laws.

Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, joined nine other leaders of the Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT) in asking Obama and the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives Tuesday (Nov. 13) to meet with them in early 2013 to discuss a bipartisan solution to the controversial issue. 

"It's past time for us as a nation to deal with this vexing and divisive issue," Land told Baptist Press Nov. 14. "The foundation and structure for fair, just and comprehensive reform legislation is there and needs to be embraced by both parties for the good of the country."

The EIT leaders asked the president to meet with some of their representatives during the first 92 days of his new administration. They asked for a meeting with congressional leaders in the first 92 days of the next session. They chose 92 days because the Hebrew word for immigrant, "ger," appears 92 times in the Bible, they said.

They are prepared to back a proposal "that reflects our Christian values and builds the common good," the leaders said.

In their letters, the EIT leaders reiterated their call for legislation that:

-- "Respects the God-given dignity of every person;

-- "Protects the unity of the immediate family;

-- "Respects the rule of law;

-- "Guarantees secure national borders;

-- "Ensures fairness to taxpayers;

-- "Establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents."

The EIT, a new coalition at the time, cited the same six principles in a June statement signed by 150 evangelicals. More than 20 Southern Baptists endorsed that document, titled an "Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform."

In that statement, the signers acknowledged efforts to repair what many of them describe as a broken system have resulted in polarization and a misrepresentation of "each other's positions as open borders and amnesty versus deportations of millions. This false choice has led to an unacceptable political stalemate at the federal level at a tragic human cost."

The others signing the Nov. 13 letters with Land were Leith Anderson, president, National Association of Evangelicals; Stephen Bauman, president, World Relief; David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World; Noel Castellanos, chief executive officer, Christian Community Development Association; Robert Gittelson, president, Conservatives for Comprehensive Immigration Reform; Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Gabriel Salguero, president, National Latino Evangelical Coalition; Richard Stearns, president, World Vision United States, and Jim Wallis, president, Sojourners.

They sent letters to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, in addition to Obama.

Messengers to the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., approved a resolution on immigration reform that called for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus while pursuing justice and compassion. The measure urged the government to make a priority of border security and holding businesses accountable in their hiring. It also requested public officials establish after securing the borders "a just and compassionate path to legal status, with appropriate restitutionary measures, for those undocumented immigrants already living in our country." It specified the resolution was not to be interpreted as supporting amnesty.

For several years, Land has called for comprehensive reform that includes a pathway to citizenship that would consist of such requirements as paying fines, undergoing a criminal background check, learning English, pledging allegiance to the American government, accepting a probationary period and going to the back of the line behind those seeking to enter the country legally.
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Tom Strode is Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).

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In Canada, a 'watershed' religious freedom win
by Staff
Date: November 15, 2012 - Thursday

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada (BP) -- A "watershed case" regarding freedom of expression on the subject of homosexuality was handed down in Canada this fall, giving hope to religious liberty advocates in the United States who say the ruling could impact future U.S. decisions.

"Matters of morality, including the perceived morality of certain types of sexual behavior, are topics for discussion in the public forum. Freedom of speech does not just protect polite speech," Alberta Appeals Court Justice Clifton O'Brien wrote in the ruling.

The case, which played out in the courts for a decade, involved Canadian pastor Stephen Boissoin, who wrote letters to the editor of his local newspaper expressing his religious views on homosexuality and his concern that the behavior was being promoted in public schools. 

A University of Calgary professor reported the letters to the Alberta Human Rights Commission, accusing him of hate speech. The commission concurred with the professor and fined the pastor $5,000, prohibiting him from further expression of his views on homosexuality.

In what appears to be a final victory for the pastor, according to Alliance Defending Freedom, Alberta's highest court affirmed in October Boissoin's right to publicly express his religious views.

"Public expression should not be censored simply because the views expressed are unpopular," read an ADF blog post Nov. 2. "... This legal victory has great significance for religious expression. As American courts look more frequently to international jurisprudence for guidance, this victory for freedom of expression has important implications for preserving and promoting religious freedom in America."

Gerald Chipeur, a Canadian attorney who is affiliated with ADF, said, according to LifeSiteNews.com, "This was a watershed case, very important, in terms of freedom of expression and religious liberty. Going forward, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for religious or political debate to be found in breach of Alberta's current human rights laws."

Chipeur added, "The tools of censorship should not be available to prohibit freedom of religious expression in Canada. The court rightly found that this type of religious speech is not 'hate' speech."

The three justices stated that "Boissoin and others have the freedom to think ... that homosexuality is sinful and morally wrong ... (and) they have the right to express that thought to others."
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Compiled by Erin Roach, assistant editor of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).

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Rep. Lankford (SBC) elected to No. 5 GOP post
by Staff
Date: November 15, 2012 - Thursday

WASHINGTON (BP) -- A Southern Baptist U.S. Representative who had no political experience when he first ran for office in 2010 but quickly impressed others with his leadership skills now holds the No. 5 House Republican leadership slot.

Rep. James Lankford of Oklahoma, the former director of an Oklahoma Baptist camp, was elected Wednesday (Nov. 14) as House Policy Committee chairman, a position that ranks fifth among GOP House leaders. He was unopposed. 

According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the House Policy Committee serves as a "think tank." 

"It's working with individuals and committee leadership and the speaker's office and trying to move this piece of legislation and this idea," Lankford, 44, was quoted as saying, describing his new role. "It's hearing all the voices in our conference, bringing information to them.... Helping individual members who are weak on a policy idea get up on that area of policy. Also making sure that as we approach the actual writing of the bill that we're comfortable with where we're headed on it."

Lankford gave the GOP response once last year to one of President Obama's weekly radio addresses, according to The Oklahoman.

A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, Lankford was program director at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma's high-profile Falls Creek summer camp from 1996 to 2009 but quit his position because he felt God was calling him to run for Congress. He upset the favorite to win the GOP primary in 2010. He is a member of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. 

Lankford won re-election this year with 59 percent of the vote.

In 2011, Baptist Press asked Lankford how he saw his faith impacting his decisions in the House. (Read the interview here.)

"Honestly, faith should play out in every decision no matter where you are," he told BP. "In every occupation, your faith should dominate -- how you handle your family, how you handle your business. You're looking through the lens of faith at everything you do. So it better have an impact on the way that I practice my day-to-day life there and here.

"There is this interesting dichotomy in the Christian world sometimes between those who are called to ministry and those who are in secular vocations. And I just don't see that is a biblical concept. I see, ultimately, people being called by God towards a task and gifted for that task, and as they do it with excellence they honor God with what they are doing," Lankford said.
 
"So, for me, the primary thing boils down to the simple task of 'Follow Me' -- Christ's calling to His disciples was not to an occupation, it was to a person. And He is the person they are called to be. So I feel like I am doing the same thing now I was doing five years ago in ministry, and that is I am still following Christ in what I am doing. My occupation may have changed significantly, but my task is the same."
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Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). 


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Baptist college cadets reach ROTC's top 10
by Kathie Chute & Billy Liggett
Date: November 15, 2012 - Thursday

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (BP) -- Two Baptist college cadets have been named to the 2012 Cadet Command list of top 10 ROTC seniors in the nation.

Campbell University's John LeBaube garnered the No. 2 slot while California Baptist University's Kyle Feldman was No. 6.

The top 10 listing represents highest honors from the U.S. Army Cadet Command, which ranks all Army ROTC seniors across the nation. This year the list includes 1,119 Distinguished Military Graduates out of 5,579 cadets.

LeBaube, 29, enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 18-year-old, serving in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2009 before deciding to return to school for a college degree. The Brown Summit, N.C., native enrolled at Campbell through the influence of co-workers at Fort Bragg.

"We all motivated each other," LeBaube said. "They were looking to the future, and that got me thinking about what my future would look like."

LeBaube said Campbell's ROTC program has prepared him for whatever comes next and expressed appreciation for his experience at the university.

"This school performs well above what schools this size are expected to do," he said.

LeBaube said his one advantage in being considered for the Cadet Command list was his previous military experience, as many ROTC students are fresh out of high school. He thought he had a good chance to be in the top 10-20 percent but the news of being No. 2 in the nation was surprising. 

"I don't know how exactly I reacted, but I was excited and happy about it," LeBaube said.

For CBU's Feldman, the honor also was unexpected.

"I put a lot of hard work into everything I did, and I was glad that it showed in my ranking," Feldman said, "but I never set out with points or ranking in mind, I just did my best in everything I attempted."

A cadet's National Order of Merit standing is determined by a number of criteria, including grade point average, performance in the Army Physical Fitness Test, ROTC training performances and leadership evaluations.

"It's not easy waking up around 5 a.m. for physical training," Feldman said. "It's even harder going to class, doing homework and being involved in extracurricular activities all at the same time. But as a cadet, it's expected. The greatest part is that you have fellow cadets and friends who are right beside you. This builds camaraderie and a shared experience that not everybody gets to experience in college."

The achievement means that, after graduation, both men will get to choose their stations and their branches from one of the Army's 26 branch choices for future second lieutenants.

LeBaube hopes to work as a pilot in the Aeromedical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) program. MEDEVAC pilots and crew provide medical care to those wounded on the battlefield and evacuate them to medical facilities. Feldman will enter the U.S. Army Reserves as a military intelligence officer and one day hopes to transition into psychological operations.

"Psychological operations is a field that requires officers to be culturally aware and provides our military an opportunity to interact with civilians from around the world," Feldman explained. "The goal is to foster and improve relationships between Americans and the rest of the world, shaping how they see us and hopefully allowing a better environment for our soldiers and civilians."

As a senior, Feldman said his final goal in the ROTC program is the development of underclassmen into confident, competent leaders.

"We explain to them that the Army needs quality officers, not quantity," Feldman said. "We push them to be the best because the country deserves the best."
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Kathie Chute is director of communications at California Baptist University; Billy Liggett is assistant director for publications at Campbell University.


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Ala. Baptists adjust to budget shortfall
by Staff/The Alabama Baptist
Date: November 15, 2012 - Thursday

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP) -- Alabama Baptists, while continuing to aim for a 50/50 allocation of Cooperative Program receipts with Southern Baptist Convention causes by 2023, decreased their budget for the coming year by $1 million.

Messengers approved a report by the Great Commission Ministries FutureFocus Task Force during the Nov. 13–14 Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting at Vaughn Forest Baptist Church in Montgomery. 

More than 10 percent of Alabama Baptists' 3,200-plus churches were represented at the convention's 190th annual session – themed "FutureFocus 2 Chronicles 7:14" -- with 837 messengers registered from 373 churches. More than 1.1 million people claim membership in an Alabama Baptist church.

Along with routine business items, reports from state convention entities and congregational worship, Phil Waldrep of Phil Waldrep Ministries headlined the Tuesday evening program with an emphasis on prayer.

The main point of business for the annual meeting was the FutureFocus Task Force report.

The task force was appointed in 2010 by then-president of the Alabama convention, Jimmy Jackson, pastor of Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville, following the approval of the Great Commission Resurgence goals by the Southern Baptist Convention in June of that year.

A key component of the Alabama FutureFocus report highlights Alabama Baptists' involvement in five ministry areas as essential to ongoing ministry partnership with the SBC: church planting; church revitalization; global missions; disaster relief; and Cooperative Program and stewardship development.

Alabama Baptist churches were challenged in the report to adopt the SBC's 1 percent CP Challenge in a modified form that encourages congregations to increase their CP giving of undesignated receipts by .25 of a percentage point annually for the next four years. Meeting such a goal would provide an additional $1 million per year to be divided between Alabama and SBC missions causes.

The report also stated that in CP budgeting beginning in 2014 Alabama Baptists commit to a shared ministries model with an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the base budget. All funds beyond the shared ministries amount would be divided 50/50 between the state and national conventions by 2023, which will be the Alabama Baptist Convention's 200th anniversary.

Among other goals and affirmations of the report:

-- increasing the total number of Alabama Baptist churches planted annually by 1 percent in partnership with "local churches, associations, the Alabama State Board of Missions, and to whatever extent possible, the North American Mission Board."

-- providing increased help to plateaued churches with specialized state missionaries, other trained leaders and "a self-assessment tool to aid pastors and church leaders in identifying areas of need" in church revitalization.

-- reaffirmation of the Alabama Acts 1:8 Connections strategy for involvement in global missions to begin in January. With the strategy, missions partnerships will be developed with international and North American missionaries who have connections to Alabama as their home state.

-- strengthening of Alabama disaster relief ministries through an annual statewide offering and by providing training for both "credentialed and spontaneous volunteers" in disaster relief.

While the FutureFocus report meant messengers had to think in terms of 2014 and beyond, other business kept them focused on the next 14 months with the adoption of a reduced CP budget from $43 million in 2012 to $42 million in 2013. 

Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions Executive Director Rick Lance reported in August that the budget proposal was reduced because the 2012 goal was going to come up short.

"We have to be reasonable and responsible," he said in August. The $1 million decrease in the budget will be absorbed by state convention ministries and entities and the SBC across the board.

Messengers also approved an SBC/state causes budget of $700,000 and a $1 million challenge budget. The percentage will be split the same as 2012 -- 57 percent ABSC and 43 percent SBC. All dollars coming in over the base budget goal are divided equally between the SBC and the ABSC.

Special offering goals for 2013 also were approved by messengers: Lottie Moon Christmas Offering -- $11,600,000; Annie Armstrong Christmas Offering -- $6,100,000; Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries Offering -- $2,600,000; World Hunger Offering -- $800,000; and Disaster Relief Offering -- $200,000.

In his executive director's report to the convention, Lance officially launched the 2013 Praying Across Alabama emphasis.

"Great Commission Ministries are powered by prayer," he said. "Without prayer, we can't do anything.

"There are 67 counties in Alabama and some have two court houses.... Between the dates of Feb. 24 and May 2 ... we are going to hold brief prayer services at every one of those venues," Lance explained. 

It starts with a Day of Prayer in the churches Feb. 24 and concludes with the National Day of Prayer May 2. 

"On the courthouse steps, in other venues, join with others in Alabama to pray for revival to ignite right here in Alabama, flame across North America and reach the entire world," Lance challenged Alabama Baptists. 

Alabama Baptists also adopted six resolutions including declarations for a continued opposition to same-sex marriage and support for the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition. Other resolutions supported the use of the "Sinner's Prayer" in evangelism and urged churches to support human needs ministries.

While the resolution on same-sex marriage affirmed "our support of the biblical definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman," the resolution also calls on churches to deal compassionately with homosexuals. The resolution expresses "our love for those who struggle with same-sex attractions and who are engaged in the homosexual lifestyle." It also condemns gay bashing, disrespectful attitudes, hateful rhetoric and hateful actions toward gays.

At the same time messengers urged pastors to "preach the truth of God's word on human sexuality, marriage, purity and love with all boldness and without fear of reprisal" and encouraged churches to "proclaim that Christ offers forgiveness of sin for those who turn from their sins...." 

The resolution supporting the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition announced the coalition's intention to introduce bills in the Alabama Legislature to raise standards of health care for women at abortion clinics and to protect employees of Alabama businesses who refuse to perform abortions or engage in human embryo research or cloning. 

The resolution called for support of the Women's Health and Safety Act (the health standards proposal) and expressed appreciation to Gov. Robert Bentley for his "unwavering support for the right to life of the unborn." 

The "Sinner's Prayer" resolution commended "the use of a 'Sinner's Prayer' as a biblically sound and spiritually significant component of the evangelistic task of the church." The resolution also noted that there is no one uniform wording of a "Sinner's Prayer" in the Bible and that a "Sinner's Prayer" is not "an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation...." 

Concerning ministry to human needs, messengers agreed that "the work and ministry of Jesus involved both proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom and demonstrating the love of God." The resolution also noted the long history of Alabama Baptists of responding to human needs such as disaster relief, physical assistance and advocacy for the oppressed. The resolution expressed support for Baptists' ministries to human needs and urged churches and associations to "engage the needs of &#91;their&#93; community with a strong gospel witness in words, accompanied by a corresponding witness of deeds." 

Messengers also adopted a resolution of appreciation for the ministry of Joe Bob Mizzell, who retired this year after 21 years of service at the SBOM as director of the office of Christian ethics.

Appreciation also was expressed to Vaughn Forest Baptist Church and others in the Montgomery area who worked to host the annual meeting of the convention. 

New convention officers were elected during the annual meeting. John Killian, pastor of Maytown (Ala.) Baptist Church, was elected president. Travis Coleman, pastor of First Baptist Church in Prattville, was elected first vice president.

Jim Cooley, pastor of First Baptist Church in Haleyville, was elected second vice president. Cooley was one of three Alabama Baptists nominated for the post. Others were Lawrence Phipps, pastor of Vaughn Forest Baptist Church in Montgomery, and Paul Hicks, associate pastor of North Gardendale Baptist Church in Gardendale. 

Mary Sue Bennett of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions was elected recording secretary, and Bobby DuBois, also of the SBOM, was elected statistical secretary and registration secretary.

Longtime registration secretary Billy Austin, president of the Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers, declined to be nominated again because he is retiring in July.

The 2013 Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting will be Nov. 12-13 at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville. The convention preacher for the 2013 annual meeting will be Kevin Wilburn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Scottsboro. Alternate preacher is Tim Cox, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea.

Messengers approved Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville as the site of the 2013 annual meeting, scheduled for Nov. 14–15.
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Reported by the staff of The Alabama Baptist (www.thealabamabaptist.org), newsjournal of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, and the Alabama State Board of Missions (www.alsbom.org).


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Colo. Baptists report growth, Kingdom impact
by Staff
Date: November 15, 2012 - Thursday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (BP) -- Colorado Baptists welcomed four new churches to the convention during its 57th annual meeting and heard reports of Kingdom ministry by its entity partners.

Joining the Colorado Baptist General Convention were Karval Fellowship in Karval, led by Alan Carr; Gospel Church in Durango, led by Thomas Thiessen; the River in Monument, led by Michael B. Jiles, and Family Room Fellowship in Grand Junction, led by Ammani Bullock.

As the convention focuses on reaching Colorado's diverse population, coalitions of associations have formed to strengthen the network of church and associational leadership and to equip church planting catalysts, church planters and directors of missions, convention leaders reported to messengers.

The Baptist Foundation of Colorado, the Ponderosa Retreat & Conference Center and the Rocky Mountain Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, all considered vital parts of the convention, reported on their growth and leadership development in advancing God's Kingdom in Colorado and beyond.

Colorado missionaries jointly supported by the convention, its associations and the North American Mission Board have taken on new challenges and expanded their territories, with video presentations providing messengers glimpses of their Kingdom impact during the Oct. 16–17 sessions at Vista Grande Baptist Church in Colorado Springs.

Messengers to the annual meeting approved 2013 budgets for the convention, the Baptist Foundation of Colorado and the Ponderosa Retreat and Conference Center in Larkspur.

The 2013 convention budget of $3,811,482 reflects a 5.3 percent increase over the 2012 budget. An anticipated $1,928,748 in Cooperative Program giving from Colorado's churches is just 1.5 percent less than the $1,957,538 budgeted in 2012. The 2013 budget also includes anticipated income from the North American Mission Board and LifeWay Christian Resources.

Of the CP budget, the Colorado convention allocated $590,000 for outreach and ministry by the state's Baptists; $590,000 for SBC Cooperative Program missions and ministry; and $590,000 for other world missions endeavors. The remaining $158,748 is allocated to Colorado-SBC shared expenses.

Convention president Tree Cooper addressed the 170 messengers and guests, focusing on the theme of "Abide in the Power, Presence and Purpose of Christ" from John 15:9. Cooper, who said he has spent 2012 in prayer for each of the convention pastors and churches, challenged the messengers to pray for a specific person in the year to come.

Other speakers were Voddie Baucham, pastor of preaching at Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas; Rick Melick Jr., director of the academic graduate studies program and a distinguished professor of New Testament Studies at Golden Gate Seminary; and Mike Hensley, pastor of Heart of the Springs Church in Colorado Springs.

Hear sermons from the Colorado annual meeting  here .

Cooper, pastor of The Alpine Chapel in Telluride, was re-elected as convention president and executive board chairman, as were first vice president William Isaacson, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Gunnison; second vice president Rolland Kenneson, pastor of Summit Baptist Church in Wiggins; and recording secretary Ginger LeBlanc, a convention ministry assistant and preschool ministries director at Arapahoe Road Baptist Church in Centennial.

Messengers approved several resolutions of appreciation recognizing ministry partners, leaders and volunteers, including disaster relief units who responded during the 2012 Colorado wildfires.

The Colorado convention will hold its 2013 annual meeting Oct. 15-16 at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center in Grand Junction.   
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Compiled by Baptist Ginger LeBlanc, a ministry assistant to the executive team of the Colorado Baptist General Convention.

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FIRST-PERSON: Christians, let's honor the president
by Russell D. Moore
Date: November 15, 2012 - Thursday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- The American people have decided that Barack Obama should have a second term. And, behind them, in the mystery of providence, God has decided that Barack Obama would be re-elected. So how should Christians respond to our president?

Many of us have some disagreements with the president. As a conservative Christian, I believe unborn children have certain inalienable rights, including the right to life, and I wish President Obama would work to protect them. I believe freedom of conscience is the preeminent right in a civil society, and the administration's incursions on religious liberty are troubling. I don't plan to back down one bit on these matters, even as our forefathers Isaac Backus and John Leland relentlessly stood up to the founding generation of leaders on behalf of religious freedom and human dignity.

We are going to disagree with the president on some (important) things; there will be other areas where we can work with the president. But whether in agreement or disagreement, we can honor. Honor doesn't mean blanket endorsement.

I am always amazed by those Christians who will dispute the command to honor, arguing that "kings" in our system are the people, and therefore we're called to honor the Constitution but not elected officials. But the Scripture doesn't command honor simply for the ultimate authority (which is, of course, ultimately God, in any case). Humanly speaking, the ultimate political authority in the New Testament context was the emperor. And yet, the Apostle Peter specifically calls the people of Christ not only to show submission to the emperor "as supreme" but also to "governors" (1 Peter 2:13-14). The Apostle Paul calls on the churches to pray and to show thanksgiving for "kings" (plural) and for "all who are in high positions" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Paul imitated this when he showed due respect to the governor Felix, referring to him with the honorific title "his Excellency, the governor" (Acts 23:26), even as he appealed his way up through the political process of the Roman Empire of his time. Paul showed thanksgiving for Felix, despite his part in a system with which Paul disagreed at some important points, for his "reforms" for the common good.

Behind that is a more general command to "honor everyone" (1 Peter 2:17), to pray for "all people" (1 Timothy 2:1). We are to not only pay our taxes but give "respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed" (Romans 13:7).

Christians, above all people, should pray for and show respect for our president and all of our elected officials. After all, unlike those who see politics as ultimate, we recognize that our political structures are important, but temporal, in view of the Kingdom of Christ. We don't then need to be fomented into the kind of faux outrage that passes for much of contemporary political discourse. And, unlike those who see history as impersonal or capricious, we see behind everything a God who is sovereign over His universe.

So let's pray for President Obama. Let's not give ourselves to terms of disrespect, or every crazy conspiracy theory that floats across the Internet.

That doesn't mean slavish obedience. In a democratic republic, the president and Congress govern by the consent of the governed. We appeal to our elected officials, and lobby them for the common good, expressing disagreement when we must. But we do this, as Paul does before Felix and Agrippa, with respect and honor, even as he seeks to persuade them of the need for religious liberty and as he preaches "righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment" (Acts 24:25).

However we voted in the election, let's pray for God to bless our president. We can pray for him to be granted wisdom and health. We can pray that God would prosper his good ideas, and change his mind on his bad ideas. Moreover, we can teach our children to respect our president, starting with referring to him as "President Obama" or "our president," not as "Obama" or "the guy our parents voted against" or what have you.

There's a time to vote. There's a time to campaign. And there's a time to petition. But, through it all, let's be the people who, even as we speak with conviction, are marked by kindness and respect. When we have to differ with President Obama, let's do that, with backbone. But let's make sure we do all this with honor, with respect, with prayer, and, most of all, with love.

Let's render unto Caesar, as free people with natural rights. Because we know as believers that we will eternally say "Jesus is Lord," we can as citizens temporally say, "Hail to the chief."
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Russell D. Moore is dean of the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. This column first appeared www.russellmoore.com). Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).


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BIBLE STUDY: Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012
by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources
Date: November 15, 2012 - 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 curriculum and additional resources for all age groups.

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

Bible Passage: Acts 15

Discussion Questions:

-- How can churches deal effectively with disputes in a way that protects their mission of lifting up the name of Jesus?

-- What role can you play in helping your church deal effectively with disputes?

Food for Thought:

People bring baggage to church. Personal preferences, private agendas, past hurts, heritage, prejudice, family background, culture, ignorance and anger -- just to name a few. Baggage can become obstacles that create disputes within the church. Do we realize how often that happens?

Have you ever been in the middle of a dispute with a church leader, ministry member or fellow Christian, and realized:

1. Why am I so worked up? I don't even know or care that much about this topic!

2. Maybe I'm wrong ... but it doesn't matter. I'm going to fight to the bitter end. It's my way or the highway!

So many times in these disputes, it seems we latch on to our positions like they're our children. Our baggage gets so tied to the ideas we're representing that we take criticism or disagreement personally and forget about the real mission of the church.

Some people avoid acknowledging conflicts in the church. And while disagreeing is not necessarily wrong, if not reconciled, it can create sharp divisions and hinder the church's ministry. That's why, in Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas chose to confront the problem rather than avoid it.

Satan is going to put obstacles in the church's way to try to keep us from achieving our mission of lifting up Jesus to a lost and dying world. A church's goal must be to resolve conflict and encourage Christians to move beyond any baggage that isn't absolutely essential to staying on message and on mission. After all, God holds us to a higher standard.

<b>YOU! curriculum<b/>

Intentionally focused on urban and multicultural believers, YOU! is biblically based with culturally relevant lessons to help people connect, grow, serve and ultimately be engaged in impacting the world for Christ. This flexible, non-dated all-in-one quarterly resource offers weekly Bible study for leaders and learners, devotionals and teaching plans as well as articles on hot topics and missions. For additional online teaching resources, visit LifeWay.com/YOU.

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