In the Witness this week

SBOM approves alcohol abstinence bylaw BARBARA DENMAN Florida Baptist Convention Published February 1, 2007: EUSTIS (FBC)?The Florida Baptist State Convention is one step closer to requiring abstinence from alcoholic beverages and recreational drugs of all persons who serve on State Convention committees, boards and agencies.

Courtesy photo

Idlewild Baptist Church member Super Bowl XLI head coach Dungy?s Christ-like character shows off field, on sidelines Published February 1, 2007: MIAMI (FBW)?Just before Super Bowl XL in Detroit last year, Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts since 2002, said his dream would be to attend the annual Athletes in Action Super Bowl breakfast ? as the head coach of a Super Bowl team.
Survey: 68 percent of churches took part in VBS in 2006 Published February 1, 2007: PHOENIX (BP)-Nearly all churches were involved in some way in evangelism during the past year, though many churches place a low priority on increasing their community outreach, according to research released by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Opinion

Guest Editorial

The case for alcohol abstinence Daniel L. Akin Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary: Editor's note:The following article by Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, is reprinted here in light of the approval last week by the State Board of Missions of a recommendation to the Florida Baptist State Convention to amend its bylaws to require FBSC agency board members to "agree to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages and using any other recreational drugs." Akin's article, originally published by Baptist Press June 30, 2006, was written in the wake of the Southern Baptist Convention resolution affirming alcohol abstinence, and speaks well to the issue which will be put to messengers at the FBSC later this year.

Point of View

A letter to my son, Sam, a new pastor THOM S. RAINER LifeWay Christian Resources: Sam, the joy I have as you begin your ministry at First Southern Baptist Church in Floyds Knobs, Ind., is beyond description. You are on a great and exciting journey, and I am praying for God's hand to be upon your life and ministry. I hope you don't mind your old man sharing with you a few words of advice. I have made many mistakes in ministry, so I hope my experience can be useful to you.
Defining literacy down: Do your kids read books? R. ALBERT MOHLER JR. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: Every generation worries about the next-and usually with good reason. Here is another reason for worry about today's adolescents and young adults-they don't read. That is a generalization, of course. But the generalization seems to be holding true.
The war in Iraq: Asking the right question CHARLES COLSON Breakpoint: The debate over the war in Iraq intensifies in Washington and across the nation day by day. Recently, I was asked by the Washington Post and Newsweek magazine to respond to a question about the war on their "On Faith" website. The question was: Is the Iraq war just?

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor Published February 1, 2007: Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

Florida

Florida News

David Cox resigns as senior pastor, FBC Daytona Beach: DAYTONA BEACH (BP)-On Aug. 28, David Cox became senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach. Five months later, on Jan. 24, he resigned.
BCF supports proposed FBSC alcohol abstinence policy: GRACEVILLE (FBW)-The Board of Trustees of The Baptist College of Florida unanimously adopted a resolution Jan. 19 in support of a prospective policy requiring alcohol abstinence for all individuals who serve on Florida Baptist State Convention agency boards.
The CROSS ... Makes the Difference 2007 Evangelism Conference to help with struggles of the modern church: BRANDON (FBC)-Even though Florida ranked second in the Southern Baptist Convention for baptisms in the 2005-2006 church year, an estimated 13 million spiritually lost persons still live in the state and 1,000 new residents move here each year. The 2007 State Evangelism Conference, March 5-6 at First Baptist Church in Brandon is designed to equip Florida's church leaders with intentional ministry tools for reaching these individuals in their communities.
2007 State Evangelism Conference Hotel Listings
Florida Baptist State Evangelism Conference First Baptist Church, Brandon

Florida News Briefs

Women's Winter gathering in two locales
'Cometogethers' for girls in March

National

National News

Survey: 68 percent of churches took part in VBS in 2006: PHOENIX (BP)-Nearly all churches were involved in some way in evangelism during the past year, though many churches place a low priority on increasing their community outreach, according to research released by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Football legend, sons help fulfill woman's dying wish Indianapolis Colts, Archie Manning reach out & bless Mississippi youth minister's family: GREENVILLE, Miss. (BP)-When Indianapolis Colts' two-time MVP Peyton Manning takes to the field in Super Bowl XLI in Miami Feb. 4, it's a sure thing Mark Kelly will be smiling. He'll also be remembering how football legend Archie Manning and his two NFL quarterback sons, Peyton and Eli, played a part in helping to fulfill one of his wife's wishes just after she died of cancer.
Pray for Super Bowl XLI
Newspaper reports SWBTS refused woman prof tenure: FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)-A woman who had held a tenure-track position was denied tenure at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2004, according to a Jan. 19 Dallas Morning News story.
Wal-Mart still dabbling in support of homosexual agenda: WACO, Texas (BP)-If an Internet user types the word "gay" into the search engine for Wal-Mart's online bookstore, more than 1,000 titles turn up-including titles from Gay Power: An American Revolution to The Gay Disciple: Jesus' Friend Tells It His Own Way.
Students win right to share pro-life views after Day of Silent Solidarity Youth express disagreement with Roe v. Wade: WASHINGTON (BP)-Students in four public school districts have won the right to proclaim the pro-life message with the help of a legal alliance that defends free speech rights.
Supreme Court takes campaign finance issue ad case: WASHINGTON (BP)-The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take a case from a Wisconsin pro-life group that could determine whether issue advertisements can air in the weeks leading up to an election.

Features

Obituary

Obituary Long-time Florida Baptist Winona Beal dies

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

February 11: Something You Must Do John 3:1-8, 13-18: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 18: Like Father, Like Son John 5:17-23, 36-42, 46-47: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 11: Satanic Strategy and Godly Response Esther 3-4: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 18: Haman: From Rapture to Rage to Ruin Esther 5-7: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.