Celebrating our religious freedom
by David R. Currie

(originally published 7/9/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

(EDITOR’S NOTE: David R. Currie served as executive director of Texas Baptists Committed from 1987-2009.) The wisdom of our Founding Fathers The U.S. Constitution mentions religion only once, in Article VI, paragraph 3: “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of Read more . . .

We’ve lost a Baptist giant – James Dunn
by Bill Jones

(originally published 7/4/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

Tonight, just as I was getting ready to do my final proofreading of this week’s issue of TBC Weekly Baptist Roundup, I received an email telling me that James Dunn had passed away. James was my friend, and I had the privilege in recent years of serving alongside him on the T. B. Maston Foundation Read more . . .

Remembering Phil Lineberger
by David R. Currie

(originally published 6/12/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

(EDITOR’S NOTE: David R. Currie served as executive director of Texas Baptists Committed from 1987-2009.) My friend Phil Lineberger is now with the Lord. I miss him as I miss my other friends I talked to so much while serving as executive director of Texas Baptists Committed: John Baugh, Herb Reynolds, John Petty, and of Read more . . .

Remembering a Good Friend and Bright Leader – John Petty
by Phil Lineberger

(published 6/6/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog, reprinted from 5/4/2011 TBC Weekly Baptist Roundup)

(reprinted from the May 4, 2011, issue of TBC Weekly Baptist Roundup) Remembering a Good Friend and Bright Leader – John Petty by Phil Lineberger Pastor, Sugar Land Baptist Church; and Vice-Chair, TBC Board of Directors   The mantle of leadership fell comfortably around the shoulders of John Petty. He was well-educated, with a bright and Read more . . .

Phil Lineberger’s wonderful life
by Bill Jones

(originally published 6/5/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

It has been less than a week since we lost Phil Lineberger, but it already seems an eternity. Much has been said and written about Phil this week. Some have spoken of the depression that took his life, some have shared personal reflections of Phil. I expressed my own high regard for my friend Phil Read more . . .

You CAN go home again: 50 years later, evidence of rich returns on a church’s investment in its youth
by Bill Jones

(originally published 5/30/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

Last week, I went home. Or at least it sure felt like home. And, with apologies to Thomas Wolfe, I found you CAN go home again. No, things aren’t quite the same, but there were times it almost felt like I had been transported back to the 1960s, when I was growing up in Kansas Read more . . .

Baptist News Global/Associated Baptist Press: from painful birth to faithful service
by Bill Jones

(originally published 4/18/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

Congratulations to David Wilkinson and Baptist News Global ‘s staff and Board of Directors as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of Associated Baptist Press in Nashville on Monday. We Baptists must always be cognizant of the critical importance of a free and independent Baptist press. To be free and faithful Baptists, we must be informed Read more . . .

TBC Weekly Baptist Roundup . . . 200 weeks and counting
by Bill Jones

(originally published 3/7/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

Today I’ll send the 200th edition of TBC Weekly Baptist Roundup, the Texas Baptists Committed e-newsletter. My initial purpose in creating the Roundup was to keep TBC’s name at the front of people’s minds. But TBC Weekly Baptist Roundup has become so much more. It has given me the opportunity to, among other things: Highlight Read more . . .

SEEKING TO KNOW JESUS BETTER, pt. 3: Through the life – and sacrifice – of Kayla Mueller
by Bill Jones

(originally published 2/28/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

Seeking to know Jesus better . . . Sometimes the best way to get to know Jesus better is to know – or at least know the story of – someone whose life reflects her/his own nearness to Jesus. And so it was with the story of Kayla Mueller, as related in a recent article Read more . . .

The Legacy of Welton Gaddy at The Interfaith Alliance
by David R. Currie

(originally published 2/21/2015 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

(NOTE: David R. Currie is retired executive director of Texas Baptists Committed, having served in that role from 1988-2009.)   I was honored to serve on the board of The Interfaith Alliance for many years. In fact, Foy Valentine and I were on the search committee that called Welton Gaddy to be our president 17 Read more . . .