Leading Muslim organizations say it is time for Americans to stop using the phrase "Judeo-Christian" when describing the values and character that define the United States.   They say better choices would be either "Judeo-Christian-Islamic" or "Abrahamic," the latter referring to Abraham, the patriarch shared by the three religions. Leading Muslim organizations say it is time for Americans to stop using the phrase "Judeo-Christian" when describing the values and character that define the United States.   They say better choices would be either "Judeo-Christian-Islamic" or "Abrahamic," the latter referring to Abraham, the patriarch shared by the three religions.   The new language should be used "in all venues where we normally talk about Judeo-Christian values, starting with the media, academia, statements by politicians and comments made in churches, synagogues and other places," said Agha Saeed, founder and chair of the American Muslim Alliance.   Other national groups supporting a change include the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim American Society and the American Muslim Council.   The budding movement is largely unformed, and religion … [Read more...]

When an established vice president of a successful company confided to Kent Humphreys that he felt a call to enter the ministry, Humphreys quickly responded, "You are already in the ministry."   Since then, the successful vice president has led several businessmen to the Lord as a result of using his workplace as a platform to share the gospel. [Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ]   When an established vice president of a successful company confided to Kent Humphreys that he felt a call to enter the ministry, Humphreys quickly responded, "You are already in the ministry."   Since then, the successful vice president has led several businessmen to the Lord as a result of using his workplace as a platform to share the gospel.   A Southern Baptist from Oklahoma, Humphreys has worked in his family business for 25 years. He says his job has been a platform for sharing the gospel to thousands of top executives.   Humphreys is part of a growing movement among Christian workplace leaders across the nation who desire to use their businesses as a means of sharing the gospel.   "I have never seen the Spirit of God moving like I have seen in the past few months regarding … [Read more...]

They go into the workplace as servants   When Marketplace Ministries was founded in December 1983, a 1973 Datsun functioned as the organization’s headquarters.   The initial budget for the ministry was $25. Gil Stricklin was the ministry’s founder, administrator, accountant and public relations coordinator. [Part 1 ] [ Part 3 ]   They go into the workplace as servants   When Marketplace Ministries was founded in December 1983, a 1973 Datsun functioned as the organization’s headquarters.   The initial budget for the ministry was $25. Gil Stricklin was the ministry’s founder, administrator, accountant and public relations coordinator.   Today, Marketplace Ministries offers corporate chaplaincy services to secular businesses in 36 states and has about 1,178 full-time, part-time and backup chaplains caring for 250,000 people. The chaplains make about 900 work site visits per week to places ranging from banks to construction sites.   However, the majority of the work accomplished is done away from the work site, says Stricklin, an alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. "The chaplains become a pastor to people who have no … [Read more...]

Faith at work: Even in the midst of increased religious diversity in American life, more and more Christians are looking at the workplace as a logical place to impact the lives of others through the ministry and witness of the gospel   During a recent lunch hour, eight men and women sit around a conference table, reading the Gospel of John together. [Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ]   Faith at work: Even in the midst of increased religious diversity in American life, more and more Christians are looking at the workplace as a logical place to impact the lives of others through the ministry and witness of the gospel   During a recent lunch hour, eight men and women sit around a conference table, reading the Gospel of John together.   In between bites of sandwiches and sips of soda, they discuss the tale of the blind man to whom Jesus restored sight. From the many bookmarks and highlighted passages in their Bibles, it is clear the people in this group take faith seriously.   But this is not a Sunday School class. The participants in this Bible study are co-workers at a sheet-metal fabrication plant. The leader is company vice president.   Accu-Fab Inc. of Raleigh, … [Read more...]

One can blame the shrinking church and denominational dollar simply on the economy, unemployment, other religious groups pirating denominational giving, or several other apparent depleting elements. These play a part, but the bottom line truth is this: there are fewer tithers in our churches, and there are more churches choosing to keep a greater percentage of their money. One can blame the shrinking church and denominational dollar simply on the economy, unemployment, other religious groups pirating denominational giving, or several other apparent depleting elements. These play a part, but the bottom line truth is this: there are fewer tithers in our churches, and there are more churches choosing to keep a greater percentage of their money.   If a church does not teach, preach and practice Christian stewardship, it fails to address one of its members’ greatest needs. In a society flooded with materialism, how is the Christian to conduct his financial affairs to keep from being owned by his things? How is a person to handle his or her money in a way pleasing to God? If a church fails to address these matters regularly, it fails its members. Period. Certainly Jesus understood the perils of materialism … [Read more...]

For the week of June 19, 2003 To Iraq - a ‘gift of love’ A 2.4-million-pound "gift of love" is on its way to hungry Iraqi families, thanks to the generosity of Southern Baptists. Since April, churches from across the county have been filling 70-pound boxes with various staples to feed a family of five for about one month. Now, the packages have arrived at ports to be shipped overseas. "I can’t thank Southern Baptists enough, ..." said Jim Brown, director of world hunger and relief ministries at the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. "Everyone pitched in." Donors spent about $2 million filling these boxes, creating a mass of food exceeding the weight of more than 590 full-size trucks. The boxes are stamped with John 1:17 and a greeting from Southern Baptists . They will be delivered specifically to hungry families rather than being mass-distributed at a refugee camp. "This project will help aid workers build and sustain credible relationships with new Iraqi friends, relationships I believe God will honor and bless in his way and his time," Brown said. Churches still can contribute to the effort by sending gifts. Checks should be designated "World Hunger Fund" and made payable to the International Mission … [Read more...]

Well-publicized legal cases and advances in sciences are freshly stirring the waters of the abortion issue, as though the subject needed more stirring.   The most-publicized legal case now on the horizon is that of Laci Peterson who was nearly nine months pregnant when she was apparently murdered. Well-publicized legal cases and advances in sciences are freshly stirring the waters of the abortion issue, as though the subject needed more stirring.   The most-publicized legal case now on the horizon is that of Laci Peterson who was nearly nine months pregnant when she was apparently murdered. The prosecutor of the case has charged Laci Peterson’s husband Scott Peterson not only with her murder but with that of the almost full-term unborn son she was carrying. If Scott Peterson is convicted of his wife’s murder only, the maximum penalty is life in prison. If he is convicted of murdering the unborn son also, the death penalty is possible. The husband is in jail awaiting trial. California law says a fetus is viable - or able to live outside the womb - earlier than nine months and, therefore, legal grounds for charging Scott Peterson with double murder.   Implications of the case are … [Read more...]

The skies are a dreary gray - and the pelting rain is coming down like waterfalls.   However, for the family and friends of sailors stationed on the USS Harry S. Truman, it is the sunniest and happiest day they had seen in a while. The skies are a dreary gray - and the pelting rain is coming down like waterfalls.   However, for the family and friends of sailors stationed on the USS Harry S. Truman, it is the sunniest and happiest day they had seen in a while.   On Pier 14 at the Norfolk Naval Station, Laurie Hawks stands with her two girls, Katherine, 5, and Mary, 1. She and the 12,000 other people gathered for the event strain to see the first glimpses of the enormous aircraft carrier come into view.   Hawks’ husband, Gene, is a supply officer for the Truman. On this day, he was one of 5,000 men and women returning from the ship’s six-month deployment to the east Mediterranean and the war with Iraq. The day Laurie had been praying for - homecoming - finally has arrived.   After traveling more than 41,000 miles, flying more than 1,280 combat sorties and striking more than 588 targets, the men and women of the USS Truman stand in dress whites at the rails of … [Read more...]

Psst! Hey, pastor, have you doubled-checked your housing allowance expenses versus allocated amount lately?   Yes, season has just passed, and the last thing one wants to consider is that topic again. But this could be beneficial. Psst! Hey, pastor, have you doubled-checked your housing allowance expenses versus allocated amount lately?   Yes, season has just passed, and the last thing one wants to consider is that topic again. But this could be beneficial.   Indeed, for those who do not want to pay more taxes than necessary, now is a very good time for a review, said Randy Tompkins, director of the stewardship/Cooperative Program office for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   "About halfway through the tax year is a good time to doublecheck the housing allowance expenses versus the housing allowance amount, if a minister has requested a housing allowance and the church has granted the housing allowance," Tompkins said. "Many people assume that once a housing allowance amount is established, it is set for the entire year.   "This is a false assumption."   Under Internal Revenue Service guidelines, ordained ministers are entitled to a housing allowance. … [Read more...]

The doors at Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church near Plaquemine never are locked.   "The church is always open - literally because the doors are never locked and spiritually because the church family’s minds and hearts are always open to fresh ideas from God," says Michael Ellerbe, Bayou Sorrel pastor. The doors at Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church near Plaquemine never are locked.   "The church is always open - literally because the doors are never locked and spiritually because the church family’s minds and hearts are always open to fresh ideas from God," says Michael Ellerbe, Bayou Sorrel pastor.   "The accessibility of the church physically is a mirror of the congregation’s mind-set," he notes. "Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church and its people are here, open and willing to be used by God to further his kingdom."   Located in the small, south Louisiana community of Bayou Sorrel, the church is surrounded by people from various backgrounds. Most Sundays, between 50 and 60 people gather for worship, an increase of 20 percent since Ellerbe and his wife came to the church in 2000.   Although Ellerbe says the church should not be growing in light of the community’s depressed … [Read more...]