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Archives For March 31, 2014

My job and the Gospel

Meredith Flynn —  April 7, 2014

Carrie_Campbell_blog_calloutHEARTLAND | Carrie Campbell

Looking around my middle school classroom in Springfield, I’m struck by how different it is than where I was eight months ago, surrounded by the beautiful mountains of eastern Kentucky.

Or five months ago, when I was immersed in the bright and flashing lights of New York City.

After college, I decided to take a season of my life and do full-time ministry. I spent two years in Kentucky working with at-risk kids. I followed that up with a
few months in Brooklyn, learning about ministry in an urban context. I came back home to Illinois in November and felt called to live out a personal dream: becoming a teacher. I received an exciting job offer to teach current events to sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

My classroom isn’t as scenic as the mountains or the city, but it’s certainly a mission field.

Going from a mission-minded environment to a secular workplace was a big jump for me. In many ways it was one of my biggest life challenges. I went from being surrounded by those who have the same eternal goal in mind, to working with people who have lots of different goals. I quickly learned that the “harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” But God has given me opportunities to share the Gospel.

One of the first things I noticed among my co-workers was that the environment in my school was very negative. I started writing encouraging notes to the teachers on my team as well as the administrative staff. My coworkers quickly took notice of that and sought me out to talk about their struggles. A before-school prayer meeting started up again. People are more positive now. I realized that sharing the Gospel starts with the small things, and God can take those small things and transform a school.

The most valuable part of my job is getting to know my students and letting them know I care about their needs. Even though I’m not allowed to say, “Christ has a future for you,” I can give positive feedback and point them toward their strengths.

One student recently was placed in my room for a behavior problem. He quickly got bored, so I gave him the simple task of fixing my three-hole punch. He liked that I gave him some attention and that he was able to accomplish this task for me. We’ve had a positive relationship since then, and he knows that I care about him and want him to do better in school.

Even with the challenges this new workplace brings, I have been constantly reminded that Christ is in control, and that the real mission field lies in our schools and regular workplaces. People with needs are crying out and, for us who are Christians, being able to step into those places and bring the Gospel is an honor.

Carrie Campbell is a member of Delta Church in Springfield.

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The Southern Baptist Convention’s new ‘traditionalists’

Meredith Flynn —  April 3, 2014

COMMENTARY | Eric Reed

If there is any swordplay between the dominant camps at the Southern Baptist Convention this summer, it will likely be in the vice presidential races. Reformed leader Al Mohler announced he will reach across the aisle and nominate for the SBC presidency Arkansas pastor Ronnie Floyd, who is not known as a Calvinist. So, dueling will be consigned to lower ranks. And the first candidate has stepped forward.

Clint Pressley of North Carolina will be nominated for first vice president. What’s interesting is that it was Pressley who nominated Mississippi pastor Eric Hankins for second vice president in 2012.

Hankins is the author of a document called “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation.” The document was a response to the rise of Calvinist theology in the Convention. That bubbling debate cooled only when Executive Committee President Frank Page invited Hankins, Mohler, and 17 others to join him in a study group seeking a peace between the sides and avoidance of a schism.

Hankins was not elected second vice president. He and another candidate were defeated by a surprise nominee, Iowa pastor and blogger Dave Miller. Miller’s nominator had posited him as a less divisive alternative.

Hankins exited the platform that year, but has remained active in the discussion of SBC polity and theology. Now, Pressley returns, not to nominate, but to be nominated.

That’s not at all surprising.

From a seat two rows behind them in Hebrew class, it was clear these young men were headed somewhere. Tall, sharp, and confident, in the football-player way, Hankins and Pressley went through college together as best friends. At seminary, they were a better-behaved version of Butch and Sundance. They were young men on life’s adventure as friends, role models, family men, pastors of ever-larger churches. And apparently, they were instrumental at the start of a movement to recapture “traditional” as a theological position worth holding and an identity worth upholding.

One started the race; we’ll see if the other can carry the torch on the next lap.

One more development on the traditional front: A group calling itself Connect 316 announced its first meeting to be held during the Convention. Offering their network as an alternative to “Calvinist-leaning” groups such as the Founders Ministry, 9 Marks, and Acts 29, they claim the theological tradition of Herschel Hobbs and Adrian Rogers. In other words, “traditionalists.”

A friend of mine is looking forward to the Convention in June. She wants to see if Pressley will again make an appearance in his seersucker suit. The summer staple of Southern lawyers was an old-time favorite of preachers, too. Could seersucker, and traditionalists, make a comeback in Baltimore?

Eric Reed is editor of the Illinois Baptist newspaper.

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Noah on the big screen: What did you think?

Meredith Flynn —  April 1, 2014

Noah_movie_posterTHE BRIEFING | Meredith Flynn

Director Darren Aranofsky’s controversial “Noah” movie (rated PG-13) grabbed the top spot at the box office over the weekend, grossing $44 million in the U.S. and Canada and almost $100 million worldwide. Many Christians voiced objections to the movie’s content prior to its release, and the debate continued over social media as people went to the theater to see what all the fuss was about. The verdict: Christians are still divided on the film’s value.

“This is not a ‘buy up a block of tickets’ moment for churches…,” National Religious Broadcasters President Jerry Johnson blogged at ChristianityToday.com before the film’s release. “Noah, the film, may be inspired by the biblical character and events – but it is not a straightforward retelling of that story. Churches who are looking for that kind of movie will not find it here.

“However, many people will go to this film and enjoy it. The main events from the Noah story are depicted in a powerful way on the big screen by name brand actors and quality production. Christians should be ready to engage moviegoers in conversation about biblical and cultural themes that are portrayed in this movie.”

Your turn: Have you seen “Noah”? What did you think? Leave us a comment below.

Other news:

Saddleback, Warrens host conference on the church and mental health
Nearly a year after their son, Matthew, committed suicide, Rick and Kay Warren invited experts in the field of mental health to a one-day conference at Saddleback Church. More than 3,300 people attended the meeting March 28, which featured workshops for people and families struggling through mental illness, as well as church leaders who want to be better equipped to handle mental health issues in their churches and communities. “We do this in honor and memory of our son and others lost to mental illness, realizing there is hope for others dealing with this condition,” Kay Warren said, according to a report by The Christian Post.

Judge makes Michigan latest state to take up same-sex marriage issue
Judge Bernard Friedman overturned Michigan’s ban on gay marriage last week, and about 300 couples were married after his decision. The ruling was stayed, and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has said the state will not recognize those marriages as of now. But U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the government will offer federal benefits to the married couples, mirroring the action it took in Utah earlier this year. Click here to read about action in other states and to view the updated marriage map.

Barna researches why 64% of Americans aren’t regular church attenders
Author Donald Miller sparked controversy recently with a blog about why he doesn’t attend church (he feels more connected to God through his work than through a worship service). Research from Barna indicates many people feel the same way. Of the 64% of Americans who don’t attend church regularly, 40% say they find God elsewhere, and 35% say church is not relevant to them personally. Read more, including details about church attendance for the millenial generation, at Barna.org.

Faith, family more important than mirror ball trophy for former ‘Full House’ star
Candace Cameron Bure, who came to fame as DJ Tanner on 90’s TV series “Full House,” is also a contestant on this season of “Dancing with the Stars.” During a recent episode, she explained the modest choices she made when planning her rumba with professional partner Mark Ballas: “My life revolves around my relationship with Jesus Christ so with the overall tone of the dance or the costumes, it’s not going to take a backseat.”

Bure told host Erin Andrews after the dance: “I want to reserve some things for my husband so I think we did the best that we could with the rumba that I still felt comfortable doing.” Read more at ChristianPost.com.

 

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