www.CNSNews.com   As anyone can attest, many overtly religious words and phrases have become as common as campaign promises in the oratory of America’s political leaders since the September 11 terrorist attacks.   However, what, if any, role will religion play in the conservative agenda for 2002? www.CNSNews.com   As anyone can attest, many overtly religious words and phrases have become as common as campaign promises in the oratory of America’s political leaders since the September 11 terrorist attacks.   However, what, if any, role will religion play in the conservative agenda for 2002?   In his Sept. 15 radio address to the nation, President George Bush made at least three direct references to religious themes.   "We are planning a broad and sustained campaign to secure our country and eradicate the evil of terrorism. And we are determined to see this conflict through. Americans of every faith and background are committed to this goal," Bush said. "In the past week, we have seen the American people at their very best everywhere in America. Citizens have come together to pray, to give blood, to fly our country’s flag. Americans are coming together … [Read more...]

For the week of January 24, 2002 Briefs   Criswell tribute   An Internet tribute honoring the life and ministry of W.A. Criswell has been created by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. The tribute features quotes from prominent Southern Baptists, news articles, audio recordings of Criswell’s 1975 address to the Southern Baptist Pastor’s Conference and links to other Web sites. The site also includes a presentation of Criswell’s life through photos and music. Criswell died recently after a lifetime of ministry at First Baptist Church of Dallas. The Criswell tribute site is located at www.sbc.net/criswell.   Evolution decision   The U.S Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case that could have decided if public school teachers have a First Amendment right to contradict school policy on the teaching of evolution. The court declined to review a Minnesota court decision that dismissed a lawsuit by a high school science teacher. Rodney LeVake was removed as a 10th-grade biology teacher after he confided to a peer that he could not teach evolution in good conscience. LeVake was reassigned to a lower-level class that did not involve the teaching of … [Read more...]

"At a time of unprecedented growth of the Church in the Two-thirds world, the Church in the West seems to be in decay and demise." Denton Lotz, executive director of the Baptist World Alliance, grabs our attention with that lead sentence of his January 2002 "BWA News" article. "At a time of unprecedented growth of the Church in the Two-thirds world, the Church in the West seems to be in decay and demise." Denton Lotz, executive director of the Baptist World Alliance, grabs our attention with that lead sentence of his January 2002 "BWA News" article.   Denton Lotz backs up his statement with some troubling statistics.   He quotes a recent article on the Church In Europe: "At the end of this new century, will there be any Christians in the Netherlands? ...Whereas in 1980, 50% indicated they were not church members, in 1999, 63% indicated that they were not church members."   From a recent article in the German weekly, "Die Zeit," Lotz quotes, "In the third millennium after his birth fewer and fewer believe in the Son of God and the Redeemer Jesus Christ. Every year, 100,000 Germans leave the church, a third of all citizens are now not members of any church . . . Germany is almost … [Read more...]

Ever since Sept. 11, pundits have speculated on the lingering fallout of the terrorist attacks on America.   And while there are some signs the nation was moving to a more religious stance in some ways, at least one observer disagrees. Indeed, an editor with Compass Direct insists Sept. 11 did nothing to offset the "secular myopia" of the nation. Ever since Sept. 11, pundits have speculated on the lingering fallout of the terrorist attacks on America.   And while there are some signs the nation was moving to a more religious stance in some ways, at least one observer disagrees. Indeed, an editor with Compass Direct insists Sept. 11 did nothing to offset the "secular myopia" of the nation.   "Religion continues to be misunderstood, misrepresented and - strangest of all - still utterly marginalized," said Alex Buchan, who writes for Compass Direct, a religious liberty organization that tracks religious persecution around the world.   "Secular myopia" is a phrase defined as "an inability even to see, much less understand, the role of religion in human life."   Given all the religious language and "God bless the USA" billboards and prayers in post-Sept. 11 America, … [Read more...]

C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor   A new report takes a look at the rise of 'religion surfers' and what their growing use of the Internet could mean for churches   Much has been written - and rightly so - about the perils and dangers of the wild, wild world of the World Wide Web.   However, the truth is that the Internet also is proving to be a source of spiritual knowledge for many people. First Church of the Internet? A new report takes a look at the rise of 'religion surfers' and what their growing use of the Internet could mean for churches   Much has been written - and rightly so - about the perils and dangers of the wild, wild world of the World Wide Web.   However, the truth is that the Internet also is proving to be a source of spiritual knowledge for many people.   Indeed, an estimated 28 million Americans can be classified as "religion surfers," having tapped the Internet for religious/spiritual information, the Pew Internet and American Life project recently reported.   That number is up some 9 million in the past year, the recently-released report notes. And some 3 million people use the Internet on a daily basis to obtain … [Read more...]

In a meeting usually short on business items, Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders focused last week on getting about the real "business" of reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a meeting usually short on business items, Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders focused last week on getting about the real "business" of reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.   "I want to challenge each of you to join me in committing to personally witness to win someone to Christ between now and our next board meeting in May, ..." LBC Executive Director Dean Doster urged members of the state Executive Board during their scheduled meeting last week.   "I want you to join me in ... refocusing our motives and redirecting our energies as a convention of churches to win the lost of our state to Christ."   Doster’s was not the only appeal during the meeting for a refocusing on the task.   Such a call was the overriding theme of a meeting in which board members learned that state Cooperative Program gifts closed $1.3 million (6 percent) behind the 2001 budget and statewide baptisms dropped 11.9 percent to their lowest level since 1989.   The news clearly alarmed … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life.   In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to self-perpetuating boards. Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life.   In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to self-perpetuating boards.   In a second, board members agreed to study the structure for directors of missions and how they relate to their associations and the denomination.   Board President Philip Robertson is responsible for assigning the studies to standing committees or to name persons to special ones. Robertson is pastor at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville.   Motions authorizing the studies were approved without dissent after rules were suspended to allow their presentation.   Existing procedure calls for all new business to be presented to the Executive Board president at least 10 days … [Read more...]

For the week of January 24, 2002 People, places and events Potpouri • ZACHARY — Milldale church: annual camp meeting; Feb. 18-21; Jerry Spencer, Bob Pitman, Herb Reavis, Malcom Ellis, Sonny Holland, Jerry Chaddick, Philip Robertson, Tony Pangle, guest speakers; Sonny Holland and Freedom, music; call (225) 654-8168 or (225) 654-5065 for information or to make reservations; Jerry Robertson, pastor.   • DRY CREEK — Dry Creek camp: couples retreat; Feb. 15-16; $60 per couple/$40 commuter couples; limited rooms; send $10 deposit to: Dry Creek Baptist Camp, P.O. Box 580, Dry Creek, LA 70637 or for information call (337) 328-7531; Ray and Carolyn Wells, leaders; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • ZACHARY — First church: outdoorsman banquet; Feb. 19, exhibits open 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.; John Hoyt, world champion turkey caller, and David Fortenberry, speakers; $10 for individual tickets/$50 for table of seven; call (225) 654-2755 for ticket information; T. W. Terral, interim pastor.   • PINEVILLE — Louisiana College: theatre presentation, "Female Transport," Jan. 24-27, 31, and Feb. 1-3, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 2:30 p.m. matinee; $7 general admission/$4 students; Patrick Trettenero, … [Read more...]

Bron Holcomb has a unique way of bringing the challenge of world missions home to persons who call the United States home.   Holcomb urges persons to imagine that only 100 people lived on earth. Of those, seven of the people would possess 59 percent of the world’s wealth, he notes. Bron Holcomb has a unique way of bringing the challenge of world missions home to persons who call the United States home.   Holcomb urges persons to imagine that only 100 people lived on earth. Of those, seven of the people would possess 59 percent of the world’s wealth, he notes.   "And all seven of them would be Americans," says Holcomb, who serves as a consultant with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.   The fact that most of the world’s wealth is possessed by American citizens makes it difficult for Americans to understand the hardships people in other countries experience, Holcomb emphasizes.   Indeed, cultural differences related to language, food, beliefs and values can create big challenges when trying to minister in other countries, he says.   And Americans who have not traveled outside their own country can be way off the mark when attempting to … [Read more...]

It has been two months since Christian aid workers Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were freed from Afghanistan’s Taliban.   But they have not forgotten others who remain in captivity. It has been two months since Christian aid workers Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were freed from Afghanistan’s Taliban.   But they have not forgotten others who remain in captivity.   Crediting their release to worldwide prayer, Mercer and Curry are using their celebrity-type status to raise prayer support for New Tribes Mission workers Martin and Gracia Burnham, currently being held hostage in the southern Philippines.   The Burnhams were taken captive last May. They are being held by Abu Sayyaf rebels, a Muslim extremist group linked to Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network.   "They need a miracle, just like we got one," Curry told a gathering of 4,000 people last month at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she and Mercer received degrees before heading overseas.   "I really want to see the same thing happen for them," she added.   Curry and Mercer also brought up the Burnhams’ plight at a December press conference and during a 700 Club … [Read more...]