Three things to watch in 2009

The late sportscaster Skip Carey had the same response to any question involving speculation about the outcome of a yet-to-occur competition: "That's why they play the game."

Yet speculation is not soothsaying (that suggests one can see into the future clearly) but using current information to gain a little insight into what may be around the corner.

While we do not know how 2009 will play out, there are some areas in which news is likely to be made. Three are on my radar as we move into a new year.

One is the impact of a weak economy on churches, charities and other not-for-profit organizations. Already we are hearing of organizational downsizing and program cuts from seminaries, para-church groups and variety of church-related organizations across the theological spectrum.

Most ministries will learn to do more with less. Some, however, may even disappear.

Christian stewardship will be tested during the coming year. "Sacrificial giving" will take on a greater meaning.

Two, religious access to political power will change dramatically on Jan. 20. An eight-year political alliance between the Oval Office and spokesmen for the Religious Right will end.

The inclusion of frumpy, compassionate, conservative, creative Rick Warren and straight-talking, civil rights veteran Joseph Lowery in the inaugural ceremony signals a broader reach. Fewer (or at least different) preachers will be able to begin their sermons with: "During my phone call with the White House this week..."

Three, homosexuality is not going away. It will (sadly) be one of the most divisive issues within and without the church in 2009.

Some denominational groups are being pulled apart at the seams by this moral and ethical issue. Opposing forces are now entrenched for battle.

In one corner are those who see homosexuality as a basic human rights issue calling for full equal treatment. In the other corner are those who see efforts to legalize same-sex unions as a threat to the institution of marriage and perhaps even civilization.

In the middle are a lot of people getting beaten up while trying to referee. They struggle against great odds with the hope that these two groups with varying theological viewpoints can somehow reach civil disagreement and respect for the other's opinion before carnage results.

This issue will not be settled in 2009, but it will demand a lot of time and energy in both the religious and secular political spheres.

There are many other places to cast an eye during the New Year. Some we can predict; others will catch us by surprise.

But look for these three to play out in congregations, conventions and communities near you.

Skip was right. We have to let the game reach the final out before we really know the answers. But future-casting is not always futile — and can be even helpful.

Ultimately, the legendary Corrie ten Boom's advice is even better. "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

That's what this Christmas season is about: The God made known.

A joyful Christmas

"Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King."

[Art by Rembrandt; words from "Angels We Have Heard on High"]

Breaking the news

My first realization of how media technology is changing came in 1999. Word reached The Christian Index office in Atlanta (where I was managing editor) that pastoral care pioneer Wayne Oates had died in Louisville.

It would be a story that our staff would edit and place in the next print edition of the historic Baptist newspaper.

Later that morning, I headed down Interstate 75 to do a series of stories on how the loss of family farms was impacting people of faith. Exiting at Cordele, Ga., my trip took me to some very rural communities in South Georgia.

My first stop was a visit with Ray Coleman, then a pastor near Pitts, Ga., the heart of watermelon country. Knowing that he was a graduate of Southern Seminary where Dr. Oates had taught, I passed on the sad news.

Ray responded: "I know, I saw it online this morning."

It took me back. News had reached the watermelon patches as quickly as the newspaper headquarters.

The realization was amplified during the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant nearly one year ago. My colleague Tony Cartledge and I left the newsroom at nearly 11:00 PM one night to go to dinner. We wrote and released a story about novelist John Grisham's address immediately following the session.

In earlier days, we would taken our notes and film back home and included the story in the next edition that would hit mailboxes more than a week later. But time was of the essence now.

Of course, instant news is not necessarily reliable news. A lot of stuff gets passed around without passing through the filter of a trained editor.

However, emerging media technology requires professional journalists to be on our toes. We have to get good stories out more quickly. And our print efforts must be original, insightful and relevant.

No longer is there one approach to gathering and sharing information.

Following Sunday's runway accident in Denver, one survivor (of the plane that veered off track and burst into flames) went right down the emergency slide and into the airport where he posted his eye-witness account on Twitter via his cell phone.

An AP story carried in many newspapers yesterday was partially based on this man's posts. Reporting the news ain't what it used to be.

Teens and technology

Those of us with teens in our houses know how attune they are to the latest techno-gadgets.They prefer texting to talking to their buddies.

As a result, the latest phone or PDA can carry more status for this generation than a Mustang convertible did for mine. But like a speedy car, new phones have an element of danger not always recognized by those yet to acknowledge their mortality.

So it means parents must bring a measure of caution and knowledge to the use and potential abuses of ever-increasing communication technology.

Dwayne Hastings of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, SBC, provides some helpful advice in this article from Baptist Press.

Hastings notes: "The latest generation of cell phones offers an expanded array of features — some which may put your teenager at risk. New wireless technology allows users to download digital video content and other material directly from the Internet to wireless hand-held devices such as the feature-rich cell phones and iPods."

Being alarmists who fear or reject technological advances makes no sense. But being informed and cautious about our teens' choices certainly does.

Congrats, Dr. Gourley

Bruce Gourley is a December graduate of Auburn University, receiving a Ph.D. in American History. Congratulations!

His dissertation was titled "Baptists in Middle Georgia during the Civil War" — sure to be a feature film in theaters by next Christmas. Well, maybe not. But a topic of interest to some historians at the least.

A native of Douglas, Ga., Bruce ...uh, excuse me, Dr. Gourley, now lives in Manhattan. That's Manhattan, Montana, of course. He and his family are involved in a new church start in that area.

Bruce is a true entrepreneur who has his hands on a variety of projects. He is online editor for Baptists Today and acting director of Mercer University's Center for Baptist Studies.

Among his many other ventures, Bruce owns Yellowstone.net, a respected web site for planning travel to the national park he knows and loves. He also owns the popular discussion forum BaptistLife.com.

A talented photographer, Bruce's camera work has shown up in many places. To see some of his superb photography (and other aspects of his entrepreneurship) visit his personal web site.

Bruce moved out West for the first time in the early '90s to teach and do campus ministry. He returned to Montana after wrapping up the bulk of his doctoral work.

For all the good things you do, thanks Dr. Gourley.

[Photo: Bruce Gourley capturing images at Georgia's Cumberland Island National Seashore]

What is an evangelical?

The term "evangelical" is difficult to define. At its root, it refers to Protestant Christians who emphasize the "good news" of Jesus Christ.

But it continually takes on pejorative meanings (more often associated with fundamentalism) and is often claimed by one particular group of evangelical Christians — such as the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

The NAE was in the news last week when longtime (28 years) vice president Richard Cizik (above) was pressured to resign after telling NPR that he was "shifting" in his views on same-sex unions.

Cizik was already in the cross-hairs of many NAE members for pushing conservative Christians on global warming and showing personal support for the candidacy of Barack Obama.

The truth is that Cizik was no longer a good fit for the NAE. Any group deserves a spokesperson who represents the organization most clearly.

His shifting perspectives had put him at odds with some of the more visible "evangelical" leaders. According to Christianity Today, Charles Colson said Cizik "was gradually ... separating himself from the mainstream of evangelical belief and conviction."

Not surprising, Southern Baptist bigwig Richard Land didn't like Cizik's comments either — though they achieved the unimaginable goal of causing Land to be "momentarily speechless."

Of course, evangelicalism is not limited to one group that embraces the name. But the result of this action and others seems to be a narrowing agenda for many evangelicals to opposition to homosexuality and abortion.

If being evangelical is reflected in a commitment to the good news of Jesus, count me in. If it is a narrow ethical/political agenda that makes no room for re-evaluation and shifts in perspectives, I'd rather be known by something else.

Being Baptist (but not fundamentalist) takes about an hour already to explain now. Who wants to deal with another confusing label?

Thoroughly modern Nativity

A front-page story in this weekend's edition of USA TODAY reports that GPS devices are being placed in holiday displays to combat theft.

An Episcopal Church in Illinois added the tracking devices to Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and others — except the cow that was already missing.

Earlier this week I heard an NPR report that some churches are scaling back on their live Nativity performances due to the economic crunch. Instead of renting camels (that reportedly cost about $700 per night), some congregations are using sheep and goats instead.

Scaling back on Christmas programs is really OK. It might even help the message come through more clearly.

The original event was quite extraordinary — but far from extravagant.

Thanks, W.

President Bush's recent discussion of faith with ABC's "Nightline" reveals a lot less spiritual arrogance than the fundamentalist crowd that has embraced him to the end.

Bush said he was "not so presumptuous as to be God" in knowing whether he was divinely chosen for the presidency, according to many news reports including this one from Associated Baptist Press.

Rather, the outgoing president focused on seeking God's guidance. "Did it help to know that prayer would inform me during tough moments?," Bush asked himself. "Absolutely."

Bush also spoke highly of the Bible as an "amazing book." Yet, he confessed: "I'm not a literalist, but I think you can learn a lot from it."

He also rejected the false exclusive choice between belief in a Creator God and the science of evolutionary process.

Also, Bush refused to take on the role of ultimate judge while affirming his own faith in Christ.

"I do believe there's an Almighty that is broad and big enough, loving enough that encompass a lot of people," he said, according to ABP. "I don't think God is a narrow concept. I think it's a broad concept. I just happen to believe the way to God is through Christ, and others have different avenues toward God, and I believe we pray to the same Almighty. I do."

The president did what many of us choose to do: Affirm our faith deeply while refusing to claim the corner on all truth and to condemn all others who might disagree.

Good for him. Guess his ex-presidency won't include teaching Southern Baptist theology students.

Artist at work no more

Greg Maddux was the greatest pitcher I ever witnessed in person — so I watched him pitch as often as possible.

While Maddux and I were both working in Atlanta in the mid-through-late-'90s, my trips to the ballpark were often planned according to his schedule.

My former co-worker Rich Reasoner and I used to say to each other: "Maddux is pitching tonight; better go."

We knew a day would come when the artistry of Maddux would end. It did so on Monday when the 42-year-old, unassuming pitcher left the scene in as non-self-serving way as possible.

Off the field he was never close to making news. Just a quiet guy in glasses.

On the field he struck out batters and fielded his position among the best to ever climb upon a mound.

Not surprising, Maddux did not do a flashy farewell tour during the end of the 2008 baseball season. He stepped aside this week while sports fans were caught up in bowl selections and NFL division titles.

However, Maddux should not leave the dugout without some of his lessons being remembered.

One, be a team player. In a sports world full of prima donnas, Maddux never sought special treatment as a superstar. Other players wanted him as a teammate and friend.

Two, seek consistency. He amassed 355 wins in 23 seasons. He was not a flash-in-the-pan star, but a hard-working, dedicated athlete who could be depended on to give his best game-after-game, year-after-year.

Three, work to improve. No one was ever a better student of the game all the way to the end.

Four, let your talent do the talking. After a masterful pitching performance, Maddux would shrug his shoulders and deflect attention to his team rather than offer some self-congratulatory assessment of his performance.

I want to be in Cooperstown in five years to say thanks.

Parasites and politics

Politicians and parasites are sometimes mentioned in the same sentence — but usually not in a literal or positive sense.

However, an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tells how amazingly close one politician's efforts have come to eliminating the dreadful parasite-borne Guinea worm disease.

According to the article, Baptist layman and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and others working with the Carter Center report that they have nearly eradicated this disease that affected 3.5 million people just 22 years ago.

Grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others are being used to wipe out the remaining impact — estimated at fewer than 5,000 cases of Guinea worm disease left in six African countries.

The news report stated that the eradication of Guinea worm would make it the second known disease to be eliminated from humans — with the other being smallpox. Filtering water is the means by which the disease is countered since the Guinea worm larvae enters the body through infected water sources.

Yesterday, President Carter praised the local villagers who have carried out this important educational health program. However, the former president, his colleagues at the Carter Center, donors and worldwide partners also deserve our affirmation for this remarkable example of compassion and care.

The Carter Center is now giving attention to creating a new program in Ethiopia to fight another parasitic disease called lymphatic filariasis — that causes severe swelling and is better known as elephantiasis.

[IMAGE ABOVE: The Carter Center web site is counting down the remaining cases of Guinea worm disease — showing the current number at 4,410.)

Freedom of the press overshadowed

If this sounds nit-picky or defensive, so be it.

Recently I've been reading through the excellent, scholarly papers presented this summer at the annual meeting of the Baptist History & Heritage Society and assembled in their Summer/Fall 2008 edition of the Baptist History & Heritage journal.

The topic was "Baptists and the First Amendment." In one article, Bruce Gourley, the online editor for Baptists Today among other jobs, engages the contemporary challenges found at the intersection of free speech and the Internet.

Other than that one paper on free speech, the remaining good articles seem to suggest that the First Amendment is exclusively about religious liberty. Passion for religious liberty runs high among my crowd of Baptists — and I am as committed to that great cause as anyone else.

However, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The value of religious liberty is not diminished by recognizing the importance of the other freedoms addressed in the First Amendment. In fact, a free press is one of the best means of ensuring free religious expression.

Aside from Bruce's paper on the Internet and free speech, the remaining papers dealt almost exclusively with the issue of religious liberty.

Mercer University President Bill Underwood noted the "six separate but related freedoms" and Baylor historian Doug Weaver quoted legendary Baptist George W. Truett stating, "A free press should not be censured by the Sultan, nor sizzled by the Czar."

But that was it. My concern is not that too much attention is being given to the great cause of preserving religious liberty. That would be impossible.

My concern is that the First Amendment is being exclusively associated with religious freedom. A conference and publication titled "Baptists and the First Amendment" should have something more substantial to say about a free press than a couple of lines.

Don't misread me: I am not picking on the BH&HS or the presenters (these are my trusted friends) — and I am not downplaying the importance of religious liberty (Support the Baptist Joint Committee as I do!).

This is just a simple reminder that while religious liberty may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — it should not be the only thing.

Freedoms of speech, assembly, petition and an unencumbered press deserve our attention and passion as well. Censorship that robs the public of unvarnished truth is an ugly thing.

Free fun this Thursday

If you went to school in the '70s, loved Jesus, and your parents complained about your hair — then you likely heard the Pat Terry Group perform such groundbreaking Christian music as "Same Sweet Song," "Meet Me Here" or "I Can't Wait."

Well, the group is no longer making its rounds to churches and college campuses, but Pat Terry is coming back on stage after quietly building an impressive Nashville songwriting career.

So — one more time — let me invite you to join us at the historic Douglass Theatre on MLK Jr. Blvd. in downtown Macon, Ga., at 7:00 PM this Thursday night for a free concert. Pat will play a wide range of his music that spans four decades.

You will enjoy cuts from his new CD (the first in 20 years) called "Laugh for a Million Years" as well as old familiar tunes. He might even do something from the 1977 PTG album "Sweet Music" with the nifty psychedelic cover.


But whether you wore bell-bottom pants with platform shoes, chastised your kids for their hair or now make fun of your parents when viewing their photos from that era, you will enjoy this concert.

There is still time to join others for a road trip to Macon this Thursday night. See you there!