Conversations and Conversions

Few conversations are as important as those between parents and children relating to the meaning of conversion. Children often reflect their sensitivity to the spirit of God in compelling ways. They often communicate initially with a question. Asking questions about the meaning of baptism or the Lord's supper; asking about why Jesus died on the cross; asking about the difference between God and Jesus -- all are good opportunities for discussions about faith. Children very often make sincere commitments when they are able to understand the basic good news of the Gospel.

At the same time, there is a tragic disconnect that also can occur. If parents are not sensitive to the moments when such questions are being asked, or not helpful in guiding a child to an understanding of faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord, those precious opportunities are lost.

Hopefully, children and youth continue to grow personally in their knowledge and understanding, but without Christian parents offering support, guidance, and models of Christian discipleship, it poses a difficult challenge for the church to reach those children.

As the secular focus of our culture continues to engage those within the church in ways that counter the intentional priorities of bible study, prayer, and worship, we will see entire generations negatively affected.

The church is to be a light to the world, salt to the earth, like a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden...such metaphors for our influence are important to remember. Even more so, are those that commend families to prioritize the observance of God's instruction as guidance for daily living. Parents are given the clear responsibility to instruct their children in matters of faith. Communicating that story will require frequent and informative conversations. Christian conversion will follow in due season when a child's life is impacted with the blessing of parents who love the Lord and demonstrate in service and graciousness, the nature of the Gospel at work in them.

Back From the State Baptist Convention

Baptists of our dear state have proven once more that we know how to be nearly impossible to describe, amazing to watch for our inconsistencies, easily provoked to show our prejudices, clearly respectful of our unique relationships and at the same time often showing our lack of respect for the strengths that enable us to be a cooperative body. We are autonomous churches, missionally engaged as intentional partners in shared ministry endeavors. For us to get together in the first place is, as the song says, "a miracle of love and grace."

In that spirit, perhaps we should confess our sins. We can too easily stand to confess the sins of others or to imply our superior position and in turn to set others apart from us in ways that are less than honest about our own brokenness and failures before God. We are sinners all. As Jesus said, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." Jesus also said "go and sin no more." That is a word to every last one of us. Confession is in order, but likewise the opportunity to "forgive one another" is in my mind the best possible pursuit of Jesus' way for his people.

By design and necessity, the commuting of future educational institution trustee approvals through the state convention seems to be a wise step toward a respectful and friendly cooperation, coupled with an affirmation of Christian Higher Education via student scholarship provisions.

In the same way, though frought with questions, the actions of other institutional entities to protect and exercise their autonomous ties to the convention will in some ways reorder, but nonetheless strengthen the work that each is doing.

As a convention, Baptists in general could benefit from a good history lesson regarding polity. That is the basic and clear recognition that each congregation participates in voluntary cooperative endeavor with every other Baptist body with which it is engaged. We need to remember that none of our connections are heirarchical, but only in the sense of seeking divine leading as believers acting in shared community to discern God's will. Responses of faith, undertaken for the glory of God will reflect that spirit...before, during, and after all our vocalizing and voting. We pray God's hand to be upon us; to proclaim God's grace sufficient for us; and life in Christ to be our daily desire in every dimension of living.

We have shared in a great heritage of faith, but great work remains to be be done.
May God receive the glory as we pray for His help to do those things well.

Warren Buffett on Justice

This week, a man said to the the 2nd richest billionaire in the world did an analysis of his income versus that of his secretary. He found out what many Americans will be surprised to know. Mr. Buffett pays considerably less of a percentage of his income for taxes than does his secretary. Mr. Buffett went on to suggest that most of the Fortune 500 executives were in the same boat…paying less percentage of their income in taxes than their secretaries. And Mr. Buffett offered a considerable sum of money to anyone who could prove otherwise. No one to date has taken him up on the offer. And the difference is significant. Eighteen percent of total income for Mr. Buffett. Thirty-three percent for his secretary.

America’s tax system should not create a culture whereby the extremely wealthy are freed from the burden placed upon the rest of the population. Interestingly, Mr. Buffett agrees. Percentage corrections in the tax code could eliminate such inequity and improve the economic picture for us all. We perhaps could return to rebuilding America’s infrastructure…bridges, sewage treatment plants, water systems, etc. and with a change in hostilities begin to apply some resources to the good rather than the battlegrounds.

I for one appreciate Mr. Buffett’s candor when it comes to his resources and what he sees as inequities, but it would also behoove the general population to observe that at some levels greed deserves not to be rewarded in the tax structure of the nation. Call for change. Write, petition for a redress of grievances. Vote. Apply the political pressure of a population that cares about its government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Liberty and justice for all may be a dream, but it is worth pursuing.

As the Old Testament prophet declared…”let justice roll down like a mighty stream.”