The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-12/04/2014 DISCLAIMER: Baptist Press should be credited for any reprinted stories that originate with BP. Suggested credit line: Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. Please note that Baptist Press periodically carries stories from other sources by permission. Individuals interested in reprinting non-BP stories should contact the entity where the story originated to seek reprint permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Limits, exercise advised for pastors' stressful Dec. by Tobin Perry Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday EDITOR'S NOTE: See related column here. GALLATIN, Tenn. (BP) -- Miss a Sunday School Christmas party and you could lose a church member. That's an unfortunate reality that 25-year ministry veteran Larry Yarborough discovered when a church member left the church after Yarborough missed a Sunday School Christmas party. "And here's the thing -- he fully expected me to know why he wasn't at the church," Yarborough, pastor of First Baptist Church of Gallatin, Tenn., said. "I had no idea why he hadn't been to church. I called him and asked. He said, 'Well, you just wasn't good enough to come to my Christmas party.'" Though the interaction may sound ridiculous to some, for many pastors it's part of the job -- and a large contributor to turning what should be one of the most festive times of the year into one of the tensest for ministry leaders. Besides preparing for some of the most anticipated worship services of the year, overseeing expanded Christmas outreach and musical efforts and counseling an increased number of people facing specific holiday issues, pastors typically must juggle numerous last-minute invitations to Christmas parties. That's all on top of a typically expanded family calendar during the season. "While all of those ministry opportunities are fantastic, they add stress to a pastor's life," said Rob Futral, pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, Miss. "It takes additional energy that a pastor sometimes doesn't have. I think about Jesus, when the woman touched Him and the crowd was all around Him, but He knew some energy had left Him. I certainly feel that during the holidays when I'm giving of myself. The holiday season is life-giving but with all the expectations and stress, it can be life-taking for pastors as well." Michael Lewis, the North American Mission Board's executive director for pastoral care and development, says it's a pastor's family that often takes the brunt of these additional holiday stresses. "I think for a pastor, margins are critical," Lewis said. "I say that out of pain. This is an area I struggled with, particularly when our girls were young. I think a pastor needs to give himself the opportunity to say no to some of these demands." Lewis reminds pastors who need someone to talk with in the midst of holiday stress that NAMB has set up a free and confidential care line for Southern Baptist pastors through a partnership with Focus on the Family. To access the care line, pastors can call 1-844-PASTOR1. The line is open to all Southern Baptist ministers, missionaries, chaplains and their spouses. Financial overextension can be another contributor to pastoral stress during the holidays. Jared Pingleton, who serves as the director of the counseling team for Focus on the Family, says while the organization doesn't typically see a large uptick in the number of calls to their pastor care line during the holidays, they do see an increase during the middle of January when credit card bills arrive. "Our culture sets us up that we're supposed to get all of this stuff -- this materialistic [overindulgence]," Pingleton said. "There is nothing psychologically healthy about that. That sets us up for disappointment and failure." Pingleton also notes that church expectations related to the cheerfulness of pastors and their families during the holidays can be an additional factor. "There's no expectation in June or July to be happy -- it's only during Jesus' birthday that we have this cultural expectation," Pingleton said. "We take everything away from His birthday, and we put everything else on our emotional state -- our entitled indulgence, our romantic fulfillment, our materialist satisfaction and our extended family harmony. What a quintuple whammy! It sets us up for disappointment." While the reality that pastors face additional stress throughout the holiday season may be beyond debate, spiritual leaders have a variety of tools to deal with the stress. Yarborough believes exercise plays a critical role as a natural way to relieve stress. Lewis and Yarborough also urge pastors to set a limit on holiday parties -- one area of a pastor's Christmas calendar where there is flexibility. Yet they both say that decision carries its own potential landmines. "We set a limit on how many Christmas parties we can go to in a year," Yarborough said. "We'll go to three -- maybe four -- a year and maybe even none. And honestly, I can really catch it for that." Lewis tells pastors not only to set limits but also to call ahead of time when you can't make an event. Make sure your absence is clearly communicated. He also recommends trying to find a retired pastor or a director of missions to lead a church's Christmas Eve service every third year or so. This practice will allow a pastor's family to attend out-of-town family gatherings and participate in normal Christmas festivities together. "The whole reason for Christmas is so we can celebrate the life that God gives us in Christ," Futral said. "You have to start with what's most important. Make that your priority and then add the other things after that." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tips for beating holiday stress by Michael Lewis Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday EDITOR'S NOTE: See related story here. ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year. I love the opportunities it brings to spend time with my family and friends, enjoying good fellowship and good food in the process. And to top it all off, we get to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It's truly an amazing time. As a pastor for the last 25 years, I am extremely grateful and appreciative of being part of loving church families. But I have to admit the holidays can also be a busy and stressful time for those in ministry leadership. You've got musicals, Christmas parties, dinners, family engagements, ministry outreach efforts, sermons to put together each week and to possibly prepare for a Christmas Eve worship service -- one of the highest attended gatherings of your church year. I've made my share of mistakes during the holiday seasons and I've also learned some things in the process. Here are a few of the practices that have helped me have a more fruitful and rejuvenating holiday season. -- Give yourself permission not to attend every event. Church members love to invite pastors (and their families) to their holiday gatherings -- from Sunday School Christmas parties to family get-togethers to community celebrations. Many of these invitations will come at the last minute. You don't have to accept them all. In fact, it's perfectly acceptable -- and honest -- to say you have other plans when you simply need to spend some time with your family. -- Stay home if you sense your family is stressed. Your family doesn't have to attend every event. Stay sensitive to your family's stress level. When you can't make an event, contact the organizers as early as possible so they can communicate it to the others in attendance. -- Make your presence felt at musicals and special services. Most churches have special events during the holiday season where larger-than-usual crowds will be expected. Take the time during those events to connect with as many people as possible. Shake hands, hug necks and write down prayer requests. Show your community you care during those times. -- Don't schedule extra events during the holiday season. You may be tempted to schedule something new and unique during this time. Think hard before doing so. Your calendar will already be full. What seems like an amazing holiday ministry event in July will easily turn into one more stress-filled commitment when December comes. -- Commit to serve at a Christmas Eve service two out of three years. Most likely you have a retired pastor or director of missions who would love the opportunity to lead your Christmas Eve service every third year. This gives you an opportunity to visit extended family or just be a normal person during the holidays. -- Keep your walk with Jesus vibrant during this time. Keep up your personal devotional time during the holidays and be prepared to take even more time away for spiritual reflection. The holidays aren't just physically, emotionally and mentally draining. They can be spiritually draining, too! Make sure you keep yourself recharged. -- Schedule a special date night with your wife. The holidays are a busy time. Take some time to fully communicate to your wife the special place she holds in your life. Use the time to plan your holiday budget and get your schedules in sync. Remember that you don't have to go through the stressful holiday season alone. If you need someone to talk with, please consider calling our new SBC Pastoral Care Line at 844-PASTOR1. It's completely confidential and free to use. I hope you have a great holiday season as you celebrate the birth of our Lord. -------------------------------------------------------------------- WEEK OF PRAYER: Music helps missionaries break barriers by Tess Rivers Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Week of Prayer for International Missions in the Southern Baptist Convention is Nov. 30-Dec. 7 with the theme of "One Sacred Effort -- Find your place in God's story" from Matthew 28:19-20 (HCSB). The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions in tandem with Cooperative Program gifts from Southern Baptist churches support approximately 4,800 international missionaries in seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. Gifts to the Lottie Moon offering are received through local Southern Baptist churches or online at imb.org/offering, where there are resources to promote the offering. This year's goal is $175 million. Eric and Anissa Haney, the focus of this story, are among the featured missionaries in this year's Week of Prayer. STOCKHOLM, Sweden (BP) -- Good values weren't enough for Linda Hamfors of Stockholm, Sweden. Hamfors, who grew up in an atheist family, believed Jesus was "a really amazing guy" and learned values from her parents like forgiveness, acceptance and love. But, good values couldn't sustain the singer/songwriter through the tumultuous years when her parents began drinking more and pursuing materialistic gain. Feeling "left alone with my good values, I wasn't feeling good," Hamfors said. Struggling with addiction, Hamfors searched for God. She found a church. She began singing in church, and the Gospel songs moved her to tears. Then, she heard International Mission Board church planters Eric and Anissa Haney -- also musicians -- perform at an event in her city. They sang songs Anissa had written about life, hope and love. "[I write songs] about the value of life," Anissa said. "All the songs I've written in the last few years [are] about the value of life, how valuable you are to God and that He has a purpose for your life." The second time Hamfors heard the Haneys play during a street performance, the young woman "came over to me in tears," Anissa recalled. "She had all these questions and she wanted to get together sometime." Hamfors said, "My mind was going, 'Oh, this is too much about Jesus and God,' but my heart was saying, 'Yes!'" The answer is 'Yes!' "Yes!" is an answer the Haneys know all too well. Eric describes the initial calling to international service as "a hurricane in our souls" -- a deep stirring that drove them to pray. The young musician told his wife, "Whatever this is, the answer is 'yes' to God." That "Yes!" eventually led the Haneys and their three children to Stockholm. As the first IMB church planters in Sweden, they help start churches within a culture steeped in secularism and post-modern thought. They are funded through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions and the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists' provision for missions and ministry service. Charles Kridiotis, a church planter with the Simple Church network who partners with the Haneys, estimates that 3.5 percent of Swedes attend church. Of that, he says approximately 1.5 percent could be considered evangelical Christians. "We have seen a little bit of growth in some places," Kridiotis said, "but even that little growth is not equivalent to the birth rate in this nation, so in fact, the church is actually going backward." Because Stockholm is a secular society and Swedes "just don't talk about God," Kridiotis and Eric agree that a small group approach to church planting is necessary. "The resistance is not [toward] Jesus," Kridiotis said. "The resistance is what church is perceived to be in this nation." As a result, the strategy is simple: listening that leads to relationships that lead to biblical community and authentic small group worship. "We really care about their stories," Eric said. "So their story leads to our story, which is God's story." Music is the key For the Haneys, music is the key to sharing their story and hearing the stories of those they meet. By recording the songs of local musicians and interviewing them for a website designed to help singers and songwriters share their music, Eric has the opportunity to hear the stories of musicians and artists in Stockholm's creative community. "I was at a party with one of the artists that we work with," Eric said. "I was sitting on the couch talking with [a guy who is a rapper] ... He asked me specifically, 'Will you tell me how you came to know Jesus and what He's meant to you?'" Eric responded, "Of course I can!" Approaching conversations about God through music has the ability to "cut through walls," Anissa said, noting the countless times people have approached them after a song and shared a piece of their story because the music moved them. "Music has a power ... to bring about healing ... and to bring purpose and hope," Anissa said. "We play a lot of music in pubs and during open mic [events] so a lot of times we are the only believers there, the only little piece of light in the darkness." The message is hope The message of hope in Anissa's music is what drew Hamfors to approach Anissa after a street performance. "I felt like when you're really held by someone ... like a mother who holds you," Hamfors said about the songs Anissa performed. "This was the feeling I had when I was listening and I was just crying." A few days after they talked and exchanged cell phone numbers, Hamfors invited Anissa for lunch. The two women became friends. A few months later, Hamfors became a follower of Jesus. She now attends a couple of home groups where she says she is learning to forgive. "I was taught to be forgiving and to understand that [my parents] were doing their best," Hamfors said. "(They) didn't mean harm, but they were just in pain inside themselves." After watching a movie in home group about letting go of past traumas, she learned "to heal that part of me that doesn't want to forgive," Hamfors said. "The home group is a safe place to talk about God." Eric is also encouraging Hamfors to share her story and her beliefs. He recorded one of her songs and interviewed her for the website, offering her another place to share her newfound faith. "The coolest change I've seen in Linda [is that] now she wants to share with others," Eric said. "She's saying, 'I have to tell my son about Jesus because no one else will.'" For Hamfors, sharing her story can mean talking with her son about Jesus. It also can mean writing songs with Christian messages. Together, Hamfors and Anissa wrote a song they performed for Sweden's National Peace Day. "The Peace Song is about relationships," Hamfors said. "It's about what it takes to trust and find peace." Read more about the Haneys' songwriting here. Watch the Haneys share how they use music to touch the lives of people in Stockholm here: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Sudanese police destroy churches, beat Christians by Staff Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday NORTH KHARTOUM, Sudan (BP) -- The government of Sudan has accelerated its persecution of Christians since mid-November, confiscating church grounds and beating and arresting believers in at least three attacks in North Khartoum, Morning Star News has reported. On Dec. 2, armed police in nine vehicles broke through the main gate of Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church and compound, beating everyone they encountered. Officers surrounded the complex, preventing anyone from fleeing or entering, and beat and arrested 38 Christians for refusing to surrender their property to the government, sources told Morning Star News. Victims requested prayer from Christians worldwide, and defended their faith with strong resolve. "We have enjoyed worshipping and praising God in prison," one victim said. "The power of God was present among us; let the name of God be praised and glorified from now and evermore." The Christians were released on the same day of their arrest, sentenced to pay fines of $250 each. At least two Christians were beaten severely, witnesses reported, including church elder Daud Bashir and a female Christian who was rushed to the hospital. Police first attacked the church Nov. 17-18, bulldozing a church wall and destroying several homes, one of which belonged to a Christian school, Nile Theological College. Police destroyed the home of pastor Hafiz Fasaha and destroyed two other buildings that housed church youth. No deaths were reported, but Fasaha is said to be missing. Bashir had appealed to the international Christian community for help. "This is a case of serious persecution of the church in Sudan," Morning Star News quoted Bashir. "We appeal to the international community of the Christian body to stand with us and to advocate for our case. The forces of evil cannot prevail against the church of Christ." In the November bulldozer attacks, National Intelligence and Security Services personnel and police wielded a court order demanding the church surrender its land and buildings to a Muslim businessman, Khalid Mustafa, who claimed to have bought the property from a church committee. But the committee had been appointed by Sudanese government officials who have worked since 2011 to impose sharia law and end Christianity in Sudan. "The government recently installed some committee to the running of the church, and these are the same people who want to sell the church for business purposes," Morning Star News quoted pastor Daud Fadul, who called the group a "government puppet committee." Boisterous young men attempted to defend the building, according to witnesses, and church women wailed and screamed, forcing police to temporarily retreat. When officers returned hours later, hundreds of Christians had formed a human shield around the church. "Kill us before destroying our church property," the Christians told police. "We are ready to die or to be arrested." "We cannot allow our church building to be taken by force," Morning Star News quoted another Christian. Days later, Nov. 24, police arrested five church leaders for refusing to surrender the property, but released them the same night. Church leaders say they hold ownership papers on the property, and have led their congregations in concerted prayer and fasting for their ownership rights to prevail. In earlier attacks this year, police demolished other church buildings, including property owned by the Sudanese Church of Christ in the Thiba Al Hamyida area of North Khartoum and the Sudanese Church of Christ building in Omdurman, and shut down the Khartoum Christian Center that housed the Sudan Pentecostal Church, Morning Star News reported. Harassment, arrests and persecution of Christians have intensified since the secession of South Sudan in 2011, when Sudan President Omar al-Bashir adopted a stricter version of Islamic law that recognizes only Islamic culture, the Muslim religion and the Arabic language. Sudan has expelled foreign Christians and bulldozed church buildings, asserting that they belonged to South Sudanese, and has threatened to kill Christians who refuse to leave the country. In April 2013, the Sudanese Minister of Guidance and Endowments announced that no new licenses would be granted for church construction, claiming a decrease in the number of Christians. The U.S. State Department has designated Sudan a Country of Particular Concern, citing the country's Christian persecution and other human rights violations. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Miss. Baptists elect 1st black officer by Staff Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday JACKSON, Miss. (BP) -- Mississippi Baptists made history by electing the first African American to serve as a convention officer during the Mississippi Baptist Convention's annual meeting at First Baptist Church in Jackson. Messengers also adopted resolutions affirming traditional marriage and decrying transgenderism. In response to a motion that the convention support changing the state flag -- which includes the Confederate "stars and bars" emblem -- messengers adopted a statement that expressed support for racial reconciliation. Larry Young, an African American and pastor of Spangle Banner Missionary Baptist Church in Pace, was chosen as second vice president over Chas Rowland, pastor of Bovina Baptist Church in Vicksburg, in the only contested race for a convention office. Young was accorded a standing ovation when his election was announced. Vote totals were not disclosed. Matt Buckles, pastor of First Baptist Church in Vicksburg, was elected to a second term as president. Gary Wyatt, pastor of North Morton Baptist Church in Morton, was elected to a first term as first vice president. Both recording secretary Michael Weeks, pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Olive Branch, and associate recording secretary Jerry Bingham, director of missions for the Benton-Tippah Baptist Association in Ripley, were reelected. Buckles was nominated by Thad Moore, pastor of First Baptist Church in Coffeeville. The nomination was seconded by Kent Campbell, pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Vicksburg. Joe Abel, director of missions for the Leake County Baptist Association in Carthage, nominated Wyatt. The nomination was seconded by Reggie Williams, director of missions for the Scott County Baptist Association in Forest. Young was nominated by Clarence Cooper, pastor of Brandon Baptist Church in Brandon. The nomination was seconded by Rick Henson, pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church in Brandon. Rowland was nominated by Shannon Davis, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Lexington. The nomination was seconded by Michael Wilbanks, pastor of Thaxton Baptist Church in Thaxton. During the Oct. 28-29 meeting, messengers approved a 2015 Cooperative Program budget of $31,284,567, a decrease of 1 percent from 2014. The entire budget will be funded through Cooperative Program gifts from Mississippi churches. The convention will forward 37 percent of CP receipts to the Southern Baptist Convention's national and international missions and ministries, a .75 percent increase from 2014. Some 63 percent of CP receipts will support Mississippi causes. The budget does not include any shared expenses with the SBC. The Baptist Children's Village will receive a 2 percent increase in funding, and the Board of Ministerial Education will receive a 4.6 percent increase. Four resolutions were approved by messengers: -- expressing appreciation to First Baptist for hosting the annual meeting, along with thanks to the speakers, singers, instrumentalists and President Buckles. -- affirming the family as "the basic unit of human society." -- affirming "God's good design that gender identity is determined by biological sex and not one's self-perception." -- A motion encouraging churches to promote changing the Mississippi state flag was ruled out of order and referred to the Resolutions Committee. Based on the committee's recommendation, messengers adopted as a resolution the text of a statement issued by Buckles. The statement did not express the convention's corporate support for changing the flag but noted that many Mississippi Baptists, including Buckles and Mississippi Baptist Convention Board executive director Jim Futral, supported a change when the issue came before voters in 2001 but failed to receive support from a majority of Mississippians. The statement said Mississippi Baptists "are pleased to see the growth of African-Americans in our convention, serving in leadership roles in our convention, associations, campuses, and other staff positions, even in traditionally white churches." It also expressed support for "racial reconciliation" and recognized "that all human beings are created equal and made in the image of God." Buckles delivered the president's address. Mark Vincent, pastor of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church in Decatur and president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, preached the convention sermon. Don Wilton, pastor of First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C., preached the closing message. Futral presented the convention board emphasis. Herb Reavis, pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., presented the Bible Treasures series of devotionals. Next year's annual meeting will be Oct. 27-28 at First Baptist Church in Jackson, with David Eldridge, pastor of First Baptist Church in Clinton, preaching the convention sermon and Phil Walker, pastor of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Madison, serving as the alternate preacher. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bible Study: December 7, 2014 by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week's Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum. Bible Passages: Genesis 3:1-6; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18 Discussion questions: Where besides God do we look for satisfaction, beauty, and enlightenment? Think of the most recent conflict you've had with someone close to you. It could be a friend, spouse, family member, coworker, roommate, etc. How did your pride contribute to the conflict? Food for thought: The first thing we notice in Genesis 3:1-6 is that pride is a response to a lie. The first thing out of the serpent's mouth was, "Did God really say?" Already the precursor to pride is wrong belief about God and His Word. Eve was savvy enough to reject this falsehood, but she was not faithful enough to reject the serpent's rebuttal. "You will be like God," he promised. This proved too much for Eve, the temptation was too great. Eve opted to disbelieve God's promise and to disobey. She chose instead to believe in herself. This is a really important point to remember and will help us get to the root of our sins, not just manage the fruit of them. The point to remember is this: behavior problems are belief problems. What we then notice in Eve's disobedience is a sort of three-pronged appeal that latches onto her heart like a grappling hook. She lusts for the forbidden fruit that promised to be satisfying, pretty and enlightening. Aren't these the very promises we believe that feed the pride monster inside of us? When we disobey God, it is invariably because we believe the lies that something will satisfy more than He does, that something is more beautiful than He is, and that whatever this something is, it is something we deserve, as if we hold the rank of Lord just like God. The sin of pride is attempting to steal from God's glory, as if it belonged to us. It is an attempt at mutiny. The three-pronged temptation of the forbidden fruit said to Eve, "You'll be a god like God," which is itself a subtle way of saying, "You'll be a god instead of God." When we disobey any of God's commands, in essence, we are saying the same thing: "God, You are not God. I am." The result of Adam and Eve's disobedience was creation gone haywire. God laid upon the rebels a curse (Gen. 3:14-27), and to demonstrate just how devastating and far-reaching the sin of pride is, He cursed also the creation itself. What would happen if we were to knock the sun out of the center of our solar system? Chaos. Disaster. Death. Similarly, when we attempt to usurp God's rightful place at the center, pridefully living self-centered lives, the result is disastrous disorder. Sin is fundamentally antisocial. The Gospel Project The Gospel Project is a Christ-centered curriculum that examines the grand narrative of Scripture and how the Gospel transforms the lives of those it touches. Through a three-year study plan, participants are immersed in the gospel through stories, theological concepts, and calls to missions from Genesis to Revelation. Separate study plans for kids and students/adults ensure the proper focus and depth. The Gospel Project is designed to unify an entire church under a single Christ-centered curriculum. More information, free samples, and The Gospel Project blog can be found at gospelproject.com. Other ongoing Bible study options offered by LifeWay for all ages can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FAYETTEVILLE: clarity, compassion, Christ by Douglas Falknor Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (BP) -- Word began circulating around our community that our city council was considering an ordinance promoting the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) agenda. Instead of relying on others' reports, my wife and I, with our 8th-grade daughter, decided to attend the next council meeting here in Fayetteville, Ark. It was quite an eye-opener. After a civil discussion by nearly everyone about an overreaching and broad ordinance, that portion of the meeting was ending. Then a councilwoman, commenting on the pastors and other Christians who spoke against the ordinance, shared her thoughts. "I am ashamed," she said, "that there is so much darkness in the hearts of this community." Her comments set an uncivil tone for many of the promoters of this ordinance. It would not be enough to disagree; all opposition must be smeared. How, then, should followers of Christ respond when our elected local government works to legalize and promote immorality while publicly attacking people faithful to Christ and His Word? Let's move forward with: Clarity -- Our objections to bad public policy need to be presented as coherently and persuasively as possible. How will we encourage sympathetic city council members or city residents -- much less those who are ambivalent or opposed to our view -- to vote against bad legislation if we do not give them a reason? For example, the Fayetteville ordinance prohibits churches from refusing to hire as a receptionist, childcare worker, custodian or any other "secular" position an individual who is transgendered. If a complaint is filed, the church/pastor could be charged with a criminal violation of the ordinance. Proponents of the law dismiss the charges as "only" a third-degree misdemeanor. Yet, it is not reasonable for a church, pastor or any other Christian in the community to be charged with a crime for living in obedience to their faith. Would a Sikh man be required to shave his beard? Would a Muslim woman be required to eat pork? Why, then, would Christians be required to accept homosexual behavior? Compassion -- When our words, attitudes and actions about divisive and difficult issues consistently reflect grace and love, God uses our obedience during adversity to grow us and others to be more like Jesus. Instead of speaking words which are cunning, crafty and scheming, the Bible instructs, "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). My heart must continually grow to be like Jesus so I will see each person like He sees them. Only when the love of Christ for others fills my life can I show His compassion for every person. Words have meaning, and poorly chosen words can convey un-Christlike attitudes and wound the spirit. The goal should be to "let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (Colossians. 4:6). Showing compassion to each person will not result in everyone saying nice things about us. We may still be slandered and attacked. Jesus was. Paul was. And we will be. We will need to develop a thick skin while revealing a compassionate heart. Christ -- The real problem in my city is not elected officials who attack our worldview or bad laws attacking religious freedom while purporting to protect rights. The real problem is people bound by sin. We are all "by nature children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3). In every way, then, we must proclaim the excellencies of Jesus who called us "out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). We do not choose between involvement in the public square to defeat bad laws or preaching Christ; we proclaim Jesus through every endeavor. As we work in the public square, our focus remains on pointing people to Jesus. Christ alone can change the hearts and minds of each person and even the direction of an entire community. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Black, white Southern Baptists react to grand jury decision by Tom Strode Date: December 04, 2014 - Thursday WASHINGTON (BP) -- Black and white Southern Baptists reacted with grief following a grand jury's decision not to indict a white police officer in the chokehold death of a New York City man despite a widely viewed video of the incident. A Staten Island grand jury declined Wednesday (Dec. 3) to bring an indictment against officer Daniel Pantaleo in spite of a ruling by the New York City medical examiner's office that Eric Garner's death was a homicide. Pantaleo is shown in a video posted online restraining Garner, 43, with a chokehold and forcing him face down onto the sidewalk with the help of other officers. While prone, Garner is heard saying at least eight times, "I can't breathe." K. Marshall Williams, president of the SBC's National African American Fellowship, called the grand jury's action an "outrageous verdict" that is "a clarion call to us to be light in the midst of so much darkness." "I cry out to the Lord this morning, for my spirit is deeply grieved and filled with righteous indignation, as I mourn with the family of Eric Garner as they endure the pain of this visualized injustice," Williams said in a written statement for Baptist Press. "I'm stunned speechless by this news," said Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious liberty Commission (ERLC). "We hear a lot about the rule of law -- and rightly so. But a government that can choke a man to death on video for selling cigarettes is not a government living up to a biblical definition of justice or any recognizable definition of justice." The Staten Island jury's refusal to indict Pantaleo came at an incredibly raw time for African Americans regarding treatment by the police. The Dec. 3 decision followed by only nine days a St. Louis County grand jury's decision not to indict white police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. No incriminating video existed of Brown's August death in Ferguson, Mo., and witnesses provided conflicting accounts. The failure to indict still met widespread criticism and protests. Trillia Newbell, the ERLC's consultant for women's initiatives and an African American, said the Garner case -- as well as what happened in Ferguson -- "is yet another reminder that all is not well in America. It's a reminder that racial tensions and divisions are high. It's a reminder that there is a glaring racial disparity in our justice system." Moore agreed, saying African Americans -- especially males -- "are more likely to be arrested, more likely to be executed, more likely to be killed." "We have to acknowledge that something is wrong with the system at this point and something has to be done," he said. "We may not agree in this country on every particular case and situation, but it's high time we start listening to our African American brothers and sisters in this country when they tell us they are experiencing a problem," Moore said. "For those of us in Christ, we need to recognize that when one part of the body of Christ hurts, the whole body of Christ hurts," Moore said. "It's time for us in Christian churches to not just talk about the Gospel but live out the Gospel by tearing down these dividing walls not only by learning and listening to one another but also by standing up and speaking out for one another." Bart Barber, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, and a former Southern Baptist Convention first vice president, called Garner's death "needless and tragic." "As I witness rising tension between black Americans and American law enforcement, I am reminded that for much of our modern history (and in many places even today) Baptists have suffered under antagonistic relationships with the civil order," Barber told Baptist Press in a written statement. "This reality should dispose us to relate sympathetically with those who feel they are in the same situation today, should instruct us as to how Christians ought to behave in confrontations with the law and should encourage us that Christ can bring reconciliation and even camaraderie between those who were once estranged. Let us pray for God to bring about the same outcome today." Williams, senior pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia, urged the church toward "inexplicable unity and a radical obedience to the Greatest Commandment [to love God, as in Matthew 22], which will set the platform for healing and reconciliation through an unprecedented spiritual revival and awakening. We need prophetic voices all across our convention to passionately pray and unashamedly sound the trumpet against all unrighteousness. Because of His unending love for all men, let us acknowledge the problems and lead the charge to assemble all the saints for peace and justice." Walter Strickland, special adviser to the president for diversity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote that "the barrage of verbal epithets and violence must come to an end and dialogues laced with Christ-like humility must take its place," in a Dec. 4 commentary. "Environments need to be cultivated where individuals can be heard on their own terms, without their lived experience being invalidated by another's," Stickland, also a theology instructor at the North Carolina seminary, noted at his walterstrickland.com website. "Finally, after each of us has given an honest and sustained effort to stand in one another's shoes, as Christ modeled in the incarnation, we as a society can begin to work together to address the individual and systemic issues that trouble us as a nation." Strickland asked, "Where do we go from here? I'm convinced that the resources to move forward are in the gospel of Jesus Christ." Every person is "blinded by their sinfulness," which "can only be healed by the one who is without blinders, limitation and sin – Jesus Christ," he wrote. "[T]oo many Christians have long forgotten the humility of Christ demonstrated in the Gospel and its inherent role in our lives ... to help us overcome our often truncated understanding of his world," Strickland said. "It's only by imitating the humility of Christ that we can 'consider others as better than ourselves' (Philippians 2:3) and therefore lessen the division in our country." Now is not the time to wish away difficult conversations about race and racism, Newbell wrote in a post for the ERLC at http://erlc.com/article/the-sin-of-racism. The church "must be a safe place for difficult discussions about race," she said. "We must not only be unafraid to discuss it, but [acknowledge racism] still exists in many places in our country and can often be hidden away in our own hearts. We cannot be passive. Just like all temptations, pride and arrogance toward others must be confronted and fought with the truth of God's Word. "Tragedies like what we've seen in the Garner case are a reminder of the presence of injustice in the world," Newbell wrote. "It's a call to speak, listen and pray. Because we are the body of Christ, we must learn to mourn with those who mourn. So I ask you, are you ready to join arms with your fellow brothers and sisters to pursue true racial reconciliation that can only be achieved through the cross of Christ?" Frank S. Page, in comments to Baptist Press, said the grand jury decisions in Ferguson and New York City have "peeled back the layers of deep-seated racial tensions and precipitated a new wave of social unrest in our nation." Page said he also is distressed "at the opportunists who use social unrest as an excuse for criminal behavior. Many innocent people have had their businesses or property destroyed." Page voiced concern "that we are at a place where trust of police is being deeply diminished. I have always been a strong proponent of supporting and trusting the police. I remain so. The vast majority of law enforcement officers are individuals of high integrity who act professionally. We must not handcuff our police so that they are not able to do their jobs effectively. "With that being said, I do not believe police should be given the latitude to use excessive force in enforcing the law," Page said. "I find it incredulous that a grand jury would not bring forth any kind of indictment with such clear video evidence of excessive force. I am disturbed by all illegal behavior, whether those who break the law are on either side of the fence, citizens and police alike. ... "Being a child of the '60s, I have seen many things in my life. I had hoped that we had come past many of the things we have seen occur in the last few weeks," Page said. "We must not slow down, back up, or back away from God's vision of racial harmony and unity. We must continue to respect authority, but we must also hold authority accountable in the arenas of justice, fairness and compassion." In a Dec. 3 statement, President Obama said it is important for Americans -- "regardless of race, region, faith" -- to realize "this is an American problem and not just a black problem or a brown problem or a Native American problem. This is an American problem. When anybody in this country is not being treated equally under the law, that's a problem." The president said police have an "incredibly difficult job" and are risking their lives to protect Americans, but "right now, unfortunately, we are seeing too many instances where people just do not have confidence that folks are being treated fairly. And in some cases, those may be misperceptions; but in some cases, that's a reality." The White House announced Dec. 1 a task force to make recommendations on improving relations between law enforcement and minority communities. Attorney General Eric Holder announced later Dec. 3 that the Department of Justice would conduct a federal civil rights investigation into Garner's death. The Staten Island grand jury's decision not to bring an indictment came after more than three months of deliberations by its 23 members. Only 12 needed to agree in order to indict Pantaleo, a member of the New York Police Department for eight years. In the video, Pantaleo and another officer are shown approaching and apparently attempting to handcuff Garner for what police said was the illegal sale of cigarettes. When the 6-3, 350-pound Garner protested and resisted, Pantaleo applied a hold around his neck before other officers helped force him to the sidewalk. The New York Police Department has banned the use of a chokehold since 1993, according to the New York Daily News. None of the police officers or emergency medical personnel who responded performed CPR, and Garner, the father of six, died on the way to the hospital, according to a briefing paper compiled by Joe Carter, communications specialist for the ERLC. The medical examiner's office concluded Garner's death was caused by "compression of neck (chokehold), compression of chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police," Carter reported. Other factors contributing to Garner's death included asthma and heart disease, according to the medical examiner's office. Garner had been arrested 31 times since he was 16 on charges that included assault, grand larceny and resisting arrest, Carter reported.