What a week! There was absolutely no time to blog...

Emily's teacher, Mr. Dana Tillman and Mrs. Ellen Tillman came to Monroe, as guest speaker for our NLCHA Conference on Education from a Biblical Worldview. Here is Dana's website, www.worldviewclasses.com We are heading to Dallas today, so Emily can attend class on Tuesday, as she has just begun Year 3 of the World Views of the Western World. Elise is one of my students in the Starting Points class, at our new NLCHA Co-op, beginning this month.

I also attended our Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association's Church Planning Meeting. Our Southern Baptist homeschooling families are so scattered all over the area, that I went looking for ways to organize us, and hopefully start a local chapter of SBCHEA.  Pastor William Smith of Lakeshore Baptist Church led the workshop on Family  Ministries. He had a brilliant idea concerning church libraries. Began an inter-library loan service among the churches. What a help to our homeschool families this would be. Oh, no! I feel another project coming on.

On Monday, we submitted our Exit Strategy Resolution to the Louisiana Baptist Convention's Resolution Committee.

Last Tuesday morning, Emily took a practice PSAT test, in preparation for the real thing next month. What an eye-opening experience this was for her. The secular-humanist agenda was crystal clear in the standardized exam. Of the two reading sections, one was on astrology, the other on psycho-analysis. She was so mad after it was through.

Yesterday morning, I was able to publish our September issue of SBCHEA Update one day early! What a major breakthrough that was. Well, we are headed to Dallas for the Labor Day weekend, so I did have the extra incentive. :) As soon as I figure out how to do it, I will archive the Updates here.

Everyone please have a wonderful weekend with your family, and I will be back home on Wednesday, September 6th.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Elizabeth

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The Tragic End of Children's Literature -- An Obituary and Lament

Yesterday, I threw a little algebraic fit, but this morning I'm reminded why we homeschool. This morning, Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, posted a dismal report on children's literature in his daily blog:

"The anthology reflects the new postmodern ethos in which "the distinction between heroes and villains is often blurred." No kidding. As a matter of fact, there are very few heroic figures left." (more)

Actually, Dr, Mohler is MY hero, so I guess he is one of the few left.

Carl and I finally had the courage to pull our girls out of the public school system after discovering the wonderful reading list suggested through Ambleside Online. We realized then what an incredible opportunity they were missing, by not reading all of these wonderful books. Our home overflows with books, mountains of them occupy the coffee table, the many bookshelves, baskets, nightstands and tables, basically any horizontal surface that exists holds a book.

Yes, I can survive algebra, because of God's promise in:

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

because we have books waiting for our reward!

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From our new SBC President, Dr. Frank Page:
"In order to do what needs to be done, we must begin with a serious time of prayer, humility and confession. Would you and your church join with me in seeking the hand of God through prayer?" (more) 

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Oh, my goodness. We are in the third week of our new school year, and I'm already stressed out. We have one daughter in 7th grade and the other in 11th. I'm having nightmares about math, algebra to be specific! I wake up in a cold sweat, just thinking about the PSAT, the ACT, and the SAT.

After removing our daughters from the public schools in Texas five years ago, I have refused to standardize test them. Now, Emily is scheduled to take the PSAT and practice ACT this October and the ACT for real next spring. Bless her heart, this year she is having to cram both Algebra II and Geometry into her junior year, to prepare for the tests.

We moved last year, and her sophomore year was just so messed up with all the stress of preparing to sell our house, selling our house, packing, putting everything into storage not knowing where God would send us, leaving all of her friends behind, helping to completely remodel our "new" old home, moving in, making new friends, and finally getting her life back to some sense of normalcy. Poor Elise, she has always had the ability to "go with the flow". As long as she can read and play soccer, she's OK.

Back to algebra. I hate it. Why can't we just spend all day, basking in the glow of theology, church history, philosophy, literature, history, poetry, art, aaahhh, I can just feel the stress leaving my shoulders. But no, it's always there, lurking. Does Jesus mention algebra in this verse?

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

...but don't forget algebra, because it's on the SAT, and your daughters may not get into college if they don't score high enough. Then, it will be all your fault, because you decided to homeschool them. Yes, it wonderful that they are developing a biblical worldview, can construct and diagram a complete sentence, carry on an intelligent conversation, are not on drugs or pregnant. However, the main question is, are they ready for the Math section of the SAT?

Not a good day...

Elizabeth

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Do you ever feel as though your pastor/church leadership treats you as if you had no brain? Hungry for truly significant spiritual conversation? You've come to the right place. God is really moving through our DC Family this week! He is fulfilling our SBCHEA Mission Statement:
"To unite the teaching ministries of the Church & Home for Kingdom Education."

Another pearl of wisdom from Pastor Derick Dickens:



First, let me illustrate it differently and you may agree with me. The
following paradigm is what many theologians have tried to deal with
through the centuries:

1. The church has no authority over the Government. (Because you
are a Pastor doesn't mean you should have authority in Government)
2. The Government has no authority over the Church. (Because you
are the President doesn't mean you should have authority in the church)
3. The Government has no authority over the family (Because you are
a President does not mean you should have authority in the family)
4. The Family has no authority over the Government (Because you are
a father does not mean you should have any authority in the government).
5. The Church has no authority over the Family (Because you are a
Pastor doesn't mean you should have authority in the Family).
6. The Family has no authority over the Church (Because you are a
Father doesn't mean you should have authority in the church).

Now, I reject Government's intrusion of education on my family because I
embrace #3. Most homeschoolers I know embrace #3. Yet, many in the
homeschool movement reject #6 while embracing 1-5. I think it is
logically inconsistent to embrace 1-5 and reject #6. BTW, if you reject
#6, you must also reject #4 and by conclusion you believe that the
family is higher in authority than any other God appointed entity.
Thus, you ask me to provide Scripture, I return to you and ask you to
provide a rationale for rejecting #6 in light of the rest of the points.
Now, if I were to say that one of these three entities were higher than
the other in authority, it would not be the Family but the church (which
is historically been embraced by some groups, but I still reject it.)
Afterall, in the Old Testament it was religious Israel that was a form
of theocracy, when Christ comes He shall reign as prophet, priest, and
KING. It was that authority of Jesus that He gave to the church. We
were told to submit to the church leaders and we see some great
authority in the church. The family's authority over the church or to
usurp the church will not be present in the Rule of Christ, is not seen
anywhere in the Bible as usurping the church's ecclesiastical functions,
and guarantees no rights thereof to the family. I, though, reject that
the church today is higher than both the state and the family. Why?
The authority God gave the church was that of church issues. As well,
the authority God gave the government were that of government issues.
Finally, the authority God gave the family only is in the realm of the
family. Can I prove that without a benefit of doubt? Not really. Yet,
no where is the family shown or even implied to have any ecclesiastical
authority whatsoever. The church, on the other hand, does have the
"authority" of Christ. Some also say that since the authority to marry
was given to the church (granted, a speculative venture for some
Puritans believe that authority was given to the government. that I
believe that is an anomaly in history), then the church must have
authority over marriage.

I do invite that if you disagree, make the case with reason on why the
family has authority that supersedes the church in ecclesiastical
functions. Yet, to do so unrightly gives the family authority over
elders where it never is evident in Scripture.

You asked what issues the church has ecclesiastical authority over the
family, These issues include of Baptism, Church discipline, the Lord's
Table, discipleship, appointing of Elders, deacons, the way services are
run, practical ecclesiastical matters, etc. You see, we do not belong
to churches as "Family Units" but as individuals and people in our
churches are to be treated as members, not as family units. You are
asking me to prove this but I invite proof of the opposite. You see,
the church clearly has authority and dominion in certain areas over
their members. That is implied in Paul's letters, almost every single
one of them has a thrust of authority in church issues. Church
discipline, by definition, implies authority over the members in certain
areas. We are commanded to submit to our Elders (even fathers of a
family). I do limit that submission to ecclesiastical functions. Note,
though, that the Bible never does say that fathers have authority in
ecclesiastical functions. As Baptists, we have traditionally recognized
the separation of powers between the church and state. Some, though,
want to make the power of the family over that of the church (hence,
much of the modern "Family Integrated" movement, but not all). Yet,
again, this is no where found.

God set up three major institutions in the Bible: The Church, The State,
and The Family. Each are given their realm of authority and it appears
each do not have authority in the other sphere. I only invite one
instance in the Bible where the family has authority over the church in
one situation. It is rather telling that in the Bible once you join the
church you do so as an individual. Also, the church was reluctant to
help out families so long as the family was able to supply help. Why?
Charity was first a family issue.

Let me see if I can find a book that addresses the issues. I am
thinking that Clowny's book on The Church addresses this issue, but I am
not sure. As well, Augustine discusses some of these issues in his
book, "The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Man".

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You will see the term "Kingdom Education" referred to often, in association with SBCHEA. What exactly is Kingdom Education? My friend, Robert Dreyfus, reminds us of Dr. Glen Schultz's definition. One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Schultz's book really answers the question for Christian parents, on where they should educate their children:

"I realize that I am making bold statements with which many will struggle or oppose. Some may say that such ideas would offend those Christians who now teach and administrate in public schools within the community. Understand that I am not talking about where God places us as adults to be involved in spiritual battle. I am talking about where and how God wants our children to be trained so that they can be fully equipped to be salt and light in this world." - Dr. Glen Schultz, Chapter 16- A Call to Action, Kingdom Education - God's Plan for Educating Future Generations

WHAT IS KINGDOM EDUCATION?

 

Glen Schultz in his excellent book, “Kingdom Education – God’s Plan For Educating Future Generationsâ€� defines it as, “The life-long, Bible-based, Christ centered process of leading a child into a new identity with Christ, and developing him/her according to the specific abilities given to him/her by Christ so that the child will be empowered to live a life characterized by love, trust, and obedience to Christ.â€� 

 

He says that God’s word provides 9 Principles needed to put kingdom education into practice.  They are:

 

1. The education of children and youth is the primary responsibility of parents.

 

2. The education of children and youth is a 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week process that must take place from birth through maturity.

 

3. The education of children and youth must have as its primary goals the salvation and discipleship of the next generation.

 

4. The education of children and youth must be based on God’s Word as absolute truth.

 

5. The education of children and youth must hold Christ preeminent in all of life.

 

6. The education of children and youth must not hinder the spiritual and moral development of the next generation.

 

7. The education of children and youth, if and when delegated to others by parents, must be done by teachers chosen with utmost care to ensure that they all follow these principles.

 

8. The education of children and youth results in the formation of lifestyles or worldviews that will be patterned after the belief systems or worldviews of their teachers.

 

9. The education of children and youth must have a view of the future that includes the eternal perspective.

 

For each principle Mr. Schultz gives scriptural references and common sense application.

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SBCHEA has a good friend over at EthicsDaily.com, Bob Allen.

He has always provided us with excellent media coverage, and presented the homeschool / government school argument with as much fairness as possible on a Baptist website.

I must admit, when I just read the title of his new SBCHEA article this week, I was reminded of the scene from the Godfather, when Tessio brings to Sonny Corleone a bulletproof vest, delivered with a dead fish. Clemenza explains, "It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes."

So, if something starts smelling "fishy", you'll know what happened...

Thanks, Bob!

EthicsDaily.com: Homeschooling Proponent Sends 'Message' to SBC President

A leading Southern Baptist advocate of homeschooling urged a growing network to "send a clear message" to the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention that the homeschooling community "exists and is watching."

Elizabeth Watkins of the Southern Baptist Church and Home Education Association said in an August e-newsletter that recent comments attributed to SBC president Frank Page "caused some concern among Southern Baptist homeschoolers." (more)

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2005 Kingdom Education Summit, Nashville Tennessee
David Scarbrough, Suzanne Scarbrough, Elizabeth Watkins, Johnnie and Ted Seago

SBCHEA Advisory Council Members Dr. David and Suzanne Scarbrough are huge fans of Answers in Genesis, and recommended this week's "Around the World" blog entry of Ken Ham:

"AiG has been telling the church for years that the teaching of millions of years/evolution etc in both public schools and many Christian schools, and the failure of the church to teach people how to defend their faith in today’s world has greatly contributed to Generation X leaving the church and believing the church is irrelevant." (more)

The blogs of David and Ken are listed under our recommended blog reading.

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I'm really starting to like this blog thing. Daily, I read so much wonderful information that needs to be "out there". Our Deliberately Christian e-group has been very active and passionate this week, going from politics to church membership.

Pastor Derick Dickens, a Southern Baptist homeschooling father, just submitted "Steps to Leaving a Church". Before you read it, please bookmark Dr. Mark Dever's 9 Marks Ministries website. Church Membership is the passion of Dr. Dever's heart, and he will help you know how to choose a biblical church to start with.

SBCHEA was established to help nurture the fragile relationship between the Southern Baptist homeschooling family and their local church. I saw many of these families leaving Southern Baptist churches in the Dallas, Texas area in DROVES, and it was breaking my heart. Our family relocated to Northeast Louisiana this past year, and had to go through the process of locating a new church home. When you study as much theology and Southern Baptist / Church History as our family has, it becomes more and more difficult to find a church. Carl did, though, and we just recently become members of Highland Baptist Church of West Monroe, Louisiana. No, it's not perfect, but neither are we. However, God has confirmed in our heart this week that it is the place He wants us to be.

Now this blog entry is supposed to be about leaving a church, not joining, so here's Pastor Dickens:


The steps to leaving a church are often hard to take but essential to
bring glory to God. The following, I believe, are Biblical and most
helpful for those leaving as a result of doctrine, moral, or practice
issues..

1. Examine your own heart. You should be seeking to
look at your own heart to ensure you are motivated by a Godly
motivation. Examine your heart to ensure that the motivation is to not
go through these steps so you can "get out" of the church but so that
you can see restoration. Examine your heart to ensure that you want to
know the truth and not just your perspective of the truth. Finally,
examine your heart to ensure you humbly and gracefully approach the
issue.
2. Confront the person or people involved in the
issue(s) that is in question. Again, your goal is to seek
understanding, correct your own thinking, or to humbly confront
wrongdoing. Remember, the purpose is not to make sure you are heard, to
"make a point", or to accomplish this task in order to finally get to
leave. The purpose is to seek restoration and to be done in such a
manner as to gain a friend. Some object to this step by claiming they
cannot confront others. Yet, God has given confrontation as a command,
not a suggestion and therefore God will give you the strength you need.
Be prepared to show from scripture your grievance and how this violates
a major area of doctrine, morality, or practice.
3. Have others also help you confront the situation
and how the issue is Biblically dangerous. In the first interview, I
would ask for their permission to seek Godly, wise, and confidential
wisdom. The Bible does tell us that wisdom is great in the presence of
many Godly counselors. Yet, in order to even avoid the appearance of
impropriety, you may ask permission to seek great counsel. This person,
as well, could approach the others involved to listen and to be able to
give Godly counsel. Sometimes, more than one person who is seeking
restoration as in #1, could help a situation and to give a fresh
perspective. Lord willing, this additional person will bring about
restoration in the situation.
4. Sadly, if there exists a chasm that cannot be
reconciled, the entire church would need to be involved. If you are
still considering leaving, you can appeal to the church but care should
be taken so not to cause a fight. Humbly, the member should, if
allowed, bring forth the Biblical case and appeal to the congregation
for restoration. The person should explain their love and desire for
restoration and not division. The heart of the person should be one in
love and principle.
5. If the grievance is truly a terrible ordeal and
reconciliation cannot be made, there may be a time when you must leave.
Leave quietly, in love, and still desiring restoration. The one who
leaves should not try to "take over" the church or to cause a revolt.
6. Go directly to a new church and find the right
church in order to be obedient to God in belonging to His church.

If providence forces you to move away from the church, the following
should be done for practical purposes.

1. Lovingly express to the Pastors your regret that a
move is forced.
2. Ask the Pastors to recommend a church in the new
area.
3. Make it well known the reasons you are leaving,
ensuring people that the reasons are due to God's Providence and not any
discontent with the church.
4. Work with the Pastors to help replace you in any of
your jobs in the church.

Some do not like to confront people. Biblically, if you are not ready
to confront others then you are not ready to leave. Leaving in the
right way requires maturity and this maturity is best shown in following
Matthew 18. I also highly encourage www.hispeace.org
<http://www.hispeace.org/> , a ministry of peace makers ministry.

Derick

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SBCHEA wants Southern Baptist homeschoolers to attend their 2006 state SBC conventions and sponsor an "Exit Strategy Resolution". We want to make it as easy as possible for you to do this, except pay your way, of course!  :)

Below you will find more supporters for an Exit Strategy from the Government School System, and the contact information for the state convention offices. Please email me if you are willing to attend and volunteer. The resolution for your state can definitely have more than one sponsor.

For the Children's Sake,
Elizabeth




Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,
June 17, 2005:
"I believe that now is the time for responsible Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from the public schools. This strategy would affirm the basic and ultimate responsibility of Christian parents to take charge of the education of their own children. The strategy would also affirm the responsibility of churches to equip parents, support families, and offer alternatives. At the same time, this strategy must acknowledge that Southern Baptist churches, families, and parents do not yet see the same realities, the same threats, and the same challenges in every context. Sadly, this is almost certainly just a matter of time." (more)

Dr. Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, August 7, 2006:
Even though Christian students are under attack for their beliefs in many public schools today, Page believes those who are firmly grounded in their faith can have a "salt and light" influence on their peers and teachers. Nevertheless, the SBC president says his prayer is that more churches will begin offering Christian schools, both for families who can and for those who cannot afford such education. (more)

Bob Allen of Ethics Daily.com reports, "Seminaries Support Kingdom Education Summit", May 11, 2006:

Two of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries have joined as sponsors of a "Kingdom Education Summit" during next month's SBC annual meeting, and a top administrator at one will speak, the meeting's organizer announced Wednesday. The Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association is sponsoring its second annual Kingdom Education Summit June 14. This year's theme promotes an "exit strategy" from the government's school system and will rally support for a resolution calling for such a strategy that has been proposed to the SBC resolutions committee. (more)

SBC STATE CONVENTIONS NEEDING EXIT STRATEGY RESOLUTION SPONSORS:

ALABAMA BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION
2001 E South Blvd
Montgomery, AL 36116
Tel: (334) 288-2460
Fax: (334) 288-2693
Website: http://www.alsbom.org/

ALASKA BAPTIST CONVENTION
1750 O'malley Rd
Anchorage, AK 99516
Tel: (907) 344-9627
Fax: (907) 344-7044
Website: http://www.alaskabaptistconvention.com/

ARIZONA SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2240 N. Hayden Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Tel: (480) 945-0880
Fax: (480) 945-5355
Contact: Tracy Baker
Email: tracyb@azsobaptist.org
Website: http://www.azsobaptist.org/

ARKANSAS BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION
525 W Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
Tel: (501) 376-4791
Fax: (501) 374-2754
Contact: Al Farmer
Website: http://www.absc.org/

CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
678 E Shaw Ave
Fresno, CA 93710
Tel: (559) 229-9533
Fax: (559) 229-2824
Contact: Steve Foss
Email: sfoss@csbc.com
Website: http://www.csbc.com/

COLORADO BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION
7393 S Alton Way
Englewood, CO 80112
Tel: (303) 771-2480
Fax: (303) 771-6272
Website: http://www.cbgc.org/

BAPTIST CONVENTION OF NEW ENGLAND
87 Lincoln Street
Northborough, MA 01532
Tel: (508) 393-6013
Fax: (508) 393-6016
Website: http://www.bcne.net

BAPTIST CONVENTION OF MARYLAND-DELAWARE
10255 Old Columbia Road
Columbia, MD 21046
Tel: (410) 290-5290
Fax: (410) 290-7040
Website: http://www.yourbcmd.org/

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAPTIST CONVENTION
1628 16th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: (202) 265-1526
Fax: (202) 667-8258
Email: dcbc@dcbaptist.org
Website: http://www.dcbaptist.org/

FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION
1230 Hendricks Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Tel: (904) 396-2351
Fax: (904) 396-6470
Contact: Lonnie Wright
Website: http://www.flbaptist.org/

GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097
Tel: (770) 455-0404
Fax: (770) 454-6081
Contact: Tim Huggins
Website: http://www.gabaptist.org/

HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST CONVENTION
2042 Vancouver Dr
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 946-9581
Fax: (808) 941-2309
Contact: Faith Mcfatridge
Website: http://www.hpbaptist.net/

UTAH-IDAHO SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
PO Box 1347
Draper, UT 84020
Tel: (801) 572-5350
Fax: (801) 572-5347
Contact: Martha Wilson
Website: http://www.uisbc.org/

ILLINOIS BAPTIST STATE ASSOCIATION
3085 Stevenson Dr
Springfield, IL 62794
Tel: (217) 786-2600
Fax: (217) 585-0352
Website: http://www.ibsa.org/

STATE CONVENTION OF BAPTISTS IN INDIANA
900 N High School Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46224
Tel: (317) 241-9317
Fax: (317) 241-9875
Email: dhymer@scbi.org
Website: http://www.scbi.org/

BAPTIST CONVENTION OF IOWA
2400 86th St Suite 27
Des Moines, IA 50322
Tel: (515) 278-1566
Fax: (515) 278-0875
Contact: Jonette Appleton
Website: http://www.bcisbc.com/

KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONVENTION OF SOUTHERN BAPTISTS
5410 W Seventh St
Topeka, KS 66606
Tel: (785) 273-4880
Fax: (785) 273-4992
Contact: Barbara Spicer
Website: http://www.kncsb.org/

KENTUCKY BAPTIST CONVENTION
13420 Eastpoint Centre Dr.
Louisville, KY 40223
Tel: (502) 245-4101
Fax: (502) 244-6469
Website: http://www.kybaptist.org/

LOUISIANA BAPTIST CONVENTION
1250 Macarthur Dr
Alexandria, LA 71303
Tel: (318) 448-3402
Fax: (318) 445-0055
Contact: Shana Johnson
Website: http://www.lbc.org/
 
BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF MICHIGAN
8420 Runyan Lake Road
Fenton, MI 48430
Tel: (810) 714-1907
Website: http://www.bscm.org/

MINNESOTA-WISCONSIN BAPTIST CONVENTION
519 Sixteenth St Se
Rochester, MN 55904
Tel: (507) 282-3636
Fax: (507) 282-3922
Contact: Leo Endel
Website: http://www.mwbc.org/

MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST CONVENTION BOARD
PO Box 530
Jackson, MS 39205
Tel: (601) 968-3800
Fax: (601) 969-0602
Email: bbox@mbcb.org
Website: http://www.mbcb.org/

MISSOURI BAPTIST CONVENTION
400 E High St
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Tel: (573) 635-7931
Fax: (573) 659-7436
Website: http://www.mobaptist.org/

MONTANA SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
PO Box 99
Billings, MT 59103
Tel: (406) 252-7537
Fax: (406) 252-0196


KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONVENTION OF SOUTHERN BAPTISTS
5410 W Seventh St
Topeka, KS 66606
Tel: (785) 273-4880
Fax: (785) 273-4992
Contact: Barbara Spicer
Website: http://www.kncsb.org/

NEVADA BAPTIST CONVENTION
406 California Ave
Reno, NV 89509
Tel: (775) 786-0406
Fax: (775) 786-0700
Contact: Donna Campbell
Email: dcampbell@nbcsbc.org
Website: http://www.nbcsbc.org/

BAPTIST CONVENTION OF PENNSYLVANIA-SOUTH JERSEY
4620 Fritchey St
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Tel: (717) 652-5856
Fax: (717) 652-3902
Contact: Vacant
Website: http://www.brnonline.org

BAPTIST CONVENTION OF NEW MEXICO
5325 Wyoming Blvd Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Tel: (505) 924-2325
Fax: (505) 247-3279
Email: cstarks@bcnm.com
Website: http://www.bcnm.com/

BAPTIST CONVENTION OF NEW YORK
6538 Baptist Way
East Syracuse, NY 13057
Tel: (315) 433-1001
Fax: (315) 433-1026
Contact: Cathy Meyer
Email: cmeyer@bcnysbc.org
Website: http://www.bcnysbc.org/

BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF NORTH CAROLINA
205 Convention Dr
Cary, NC 27511
Tel: (919) 467-5100
Fax: (919) 460-7507
Website: http://www.bscnc.org/

Dakota Baptist Convention
PO Box 6028
Bismarck, ND 58506
Tel: (701) 255-3765
Fax: (701) 222-4069
Email: mgrueneich@thedbc.org
Website: http://www.thedbc.org

STATE CONVENTION OF BAPTISTS IN OHIO
1680 E Broad
Columbus, OH 43203
Tel: (614) 258-8491
Fax: (614) 258-6252
Contact: Roberta Johns
Website: http://www.scbo.org/

BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION OF OKLAHOMA
3800 N May Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Tel: (405) 942-3800
Fax: (405) 947-7170
Contact: Dr. Anthony Jordan
Email: ajordan@bgco.org
Website: http://www.bgco.org/

NORTHWEST BAPTIST CONVENTION
3200 Ne 109th Ave
Vancouver, WA 98682
Tel: (360) 882-2100
Fax: (360) 882-2295
Email: twylao@nwbaptist.org
Website: http://www.nwbaptist.org

SOUTH CAROLINA BAPTIST CONVENTION
190 Stoneridge Dr
Columbia, SC 29210
Tel: (803) 765-0030
Fax: (803) 799-1044
Website: http://www.scbaptist.org/

TENNESSEE BAPTIST CONVENTION
5001 Maryland Way
Brentwood, TN 37027
Tel: (615) 373-2255
Fax: (615) 371-2014
Email: info@tnbaptist.org
Website: http://www.tnbaptist.org/

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS OF TEXAS CONVENTION
PO Box 1988
Grapevine, TX 76099
Tel: (817) 552-2500
Contact: Gary Ledbetter
Website: http://www.sbtexas.com/

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONSERVATIVES OF VIRGINIA
4101 Cox Rd. Suite 100
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Tel: (888) 234-7716
Fax: (804) 270-1834
Contact: Doyle Chauncey
Website: http://www.sbcv.org/

WEST VIRGINIA CONVENTION OF SOUTHERN BAPTISTS
Number One Mission Way
Scott Depot, WV 25560
Tel: (304) 757-0944
Fax: (304) 757-7793
Contact: Kay Boyd
Website: http://www.wvbaptists.org/

WYOMING SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
3925 Casper Mountain Road
Casper, WY 82601
Tel: (307) 472-4087
Fax: (307) 235-9945
Website: http://www.wyomingsbc.org/





 

 

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SBCHEA hosts the Deliberately Christian e-group for our Southern Baptist homeschooling family. It was started in May of 2004, immediately after my severely edited article, "Does the Church Support Homeschooling?" was published at Crosswalk.com. I have conducted quite a bit of research on the SBC attitude toward home education, and the majority of articles are archived at DC.

Where did the name "Deliberately Christian" come from? Straight from a May 8, 2003 article written by Mr. Nathan Finn, "Wanted: Deliberately Christian Parents."
Nathan has a new blog, "The Fullness of Time: A Blog Mostly About Church History and Theology, with a Special Emphasis on the People Called Baptist".



Nathan Finn and I at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary booth, at the 2006 Southern Baptist Annual Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina. (SEBTS President Daniel Akin is on a banner to the right.)

Mrs. Ladonna Beals, wife of 26 years to Oklahoma Pastor Terry Beals, homeschooling mother of 4, full time caregiver of her grandmother, and SWBTS graduate is also our DC e-group moderator. We were finally able to meet face-to-face last March, in Oklahoma City, when Emily and I traveled to the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championship.



Ladonna, Elizabeth and some of our beautiful children :)

Anyway, back to the point, the topic today is politics, and we invite you to join the fun! In the past we have discussed homeschoolers and youth ministry, finding a church, theology, must read books, must avoid books, how we can encourage each other, and how we can encourage home education within the SBC.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DeliberatelyChristian/

Elizabeth

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Our family began homeschooling in January 2001, but I was so fortunate to discover "how" I wanted to educate my daughters in the fall of 2000. I loved reading as a child, but was never able to find a good reading list for the girls. While they were still in public school, I would ask their teachers, school librarian, and even the principal for suggestions, and would only receive blank stares. One day, a miracle happened while doing research online. I stumbled across a Charlotte Mason message board, and felt I had finally found my answer. At the time, our curriculum was known as the Parents Union Online, but quickly the named changed to Ambleside Online.

For five years we have enjoyed the wonderful living books, music, art, poetry, etc., suggested in our yearly schedule. We have supplemented occasionally with resources mentioned on the Well Trained Mind website, and then two years ago, Emily began the World View of the Western World curriculum in the ninth grade. Honestly, she never would have been able to handle the academic rigor of David Quine's curriculum, if not for her Charlotte Mason years.

Elise, our baby, is starting AO / HEO Year 7 this week, and I'm a little sad. Our "official" Ambleside years are behind us, as we are now considered a part of the House of Education Online. I must admit that every August I have looked at her new book list with fear and trembling. Can she actually read and understand these books? However, I take a deep breath, click the "print" button, and head to the library.

Well, Year 7 looks more frightful than ever, and my library basket must have weighed a ton! But there are two treasures that I discovered at the Plano, Texas Library Book Sale that I've so looked forward to reading, Winston Churchill's 4 Volume A History of the English Speaking Peoples and The Oxford Book of English Verse.

Friday afternoon, when it would normally be "tea time", but in 100 degrees weather of Louisiana, it's "ice tea time", we are gathered on the sofa for readings from The Story of Painting, Lay of the Land, and the poetry anthology. I blew the dust off the blue cover, and opened the page to our first poem of the school year, composed in c.1250, and smiled. Yes, it's going to be a good school year, as the Holy Spirit reminds me what a Charlotte Mason education is all about, the Science of Relations.

Our family loves the Sarah, Plain and Tall trilogy. In the first movie is a lovely little folksong Sarah teachs Anna and Caleb. Emily and Elise love the tune and have tried to find the words. Here they are in our first poem of the year:

Anonymous. c. 1250

1. Cuckoo Song

SUMER is icumen in,
Lhude sing cuccu!
Groweth sed, and bloweth med,
And springth the wude nu—
Sing cuccu!	5
Awe bleteth after lomb,
Lhouth after calve cu;
Bulluc sterteth, bucke verteth,
Murie sing cuccu!
Cuccu, cuccu, well singes thu, cuccu:	10
Ne swike thu naver nu;
Sing cuccu, nu, sing cuccu,
Sing cuccu, sing cuccu, nu!

GLOSS:  lhude] loud.  awe] ewe.  lhouth] loweth.  sterteth] leaps.  swike] cease.

http://www.bartleby.com/101/1.html

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http://baptistblogger.blogspot.com/2006/07/timothy-george-on-southern-baptist.html

"All ecclesial revolutions eventually run out of steam. New concerns emerge, and different leaders come to the fore. It is to early to tell whether the election of Frank Page as president of the Southern Baptist Convention signals such a change, but there are signs that a historic shift may be underway within America's largest Protestant denomination..."

The entire Watkins Family was present in Greensboro this year, at the 2006 Southern Baptist Annual Meeting. We are attempting to impart a love for the church in our daughters, and prepare them for ministry. Whether it's the ministry of a homeschooling mother, or whatever plans God has predestined for them, they are Southern Baptists, and need to know about our convention, and you do, too! I'll be sharing more of the convention in future posts.

I found Dr. George's insightful recap posted on the Baptist Blogger.

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Yesterday I published a new edition of the SBCHEA Update. In it, I shared the exciting news of our new NLCHA Co-op, we've been able to organize over the summer. I've never started a co-op before from the ground up, so I thought I would share how we started and report on the progress in future postings.

Our Steps:

1.) Visit the HSLDA website and locate your state Homeschool organization.

2.) From your state organization's website, locate your local area support group.

3.) See if your local support group has an e-loop, Yahoo group, or other form of online network. Our Northeast Louisiana Christian Homeschool Association has a yahoo group. If not subscribed, do so.

4.) Send an email to the local support group, to see if there is interest in starting a co-op.

5.) If you get a couple of replies, go ahead a create a Yahoo group for the co-op discussion. This worked great for us, and saves a lot of time.

6.) Once there are several families with a high level of interest, arrange a planning meeting. We reserved a meeting room at the local library. At that first meeting we had 10-12 moms ready to go!

7.) Decisions made at that meeting were:
a.) first and second choices of days of the week to hold the co-op. (Our first choice was Tuesday, but the church hosting the co-op was available on Monday.)
b.) an estimate of the majority of ages of the students, (whether elementary or middle/high school)
c.) whether the co-op will be more of an "enrichment" nature or "academic". This will be determined somewhat by the ages of the children. However, we have a large number of lower elementary students, and the co-op is Christian-classical in nature.
d.) the length of the co-op day. (We are starting with 3 class periods with a Chapel time in between the 2nd and 3rd class time.)
e.) the length of the co-op semester. (We are starting with 10 weeks this fall, but going to 12 weeks next spring, for the sake of the academic classes.)


8.) On the Yahoo group, under the "Database" section, starting having potential teachers submit class suggestions which they would commit to teaching if the co-op is established. Set up these fields, going across the page of the database:

Class (homework)
Description
Supplies Needed/Fee
Prerequisites
Class Period
Age Group
Teacher(s)
Student Max.# (We would suggest limiting class number to 12.)
Students Registered (To be completed later.)
Helper # Needed (Two adults need to be in every classroom.)

This format works great and it's free. You can download a printable report or sort the database by different fields.

9.) Until now, the co-op has only been a discussion. Set a deadline for class submissions, and watch the excitement start to build. Right from the beginning, someone needs to list a childcare "class" for Infants/Toddlers and Preschool. You will have to eventually assign volunteers for this area if no one steps up. We were so blessed to have 3 separate coordinators volunteer for this age group, and all three ladies have a true heart for ministry to our younger children.

10.) In dividing our age divisions we did this:
Preschool: 2&3 yrs
Pre-K: 4&5 yrs
K-2nd grade
3rd-6th grade
7th-9th grade
9th-12th grade

However, I would suggest this instead for grades:
K-2nd grade
3rd-5th grade
6th-8th grade
9th-12th grade
Your goal is to try and have two choices of classes, for every age group, for every hour. Our Preschool and Pre-K schedules are set, with no choices, but everyone else does. Of course, you will need to count the classrooms available at your church/facility.

More tomorrow!
Good night,
Elizabeth

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P.S.
I recently completed a scholarly paper on the topic of
"Building Turkish Ties: Turning the Tables to Create
Connections" for my "qualitative research" class. I
studied Turkish with "Dawn" and "Freedom" for 20
months, meeting three or four times a month in their
apartment, and trying to comply with Turkish etiquitte
(expect to be served food and drink -- unless it's
Ramazan -- and bring a small gift). My experience
confirms what a veteran missionary once said -- most
of the world's peoples value friendship more than we
Americans do. Sincerity covers a multitude of faux
pas. Those events were the social highlight of my
week. And I learned enough Turkish to stumble through
the NT, dictionary in hand! (I've complete John and
Acts)

Relationships need to be symmmetrical to work over the
long run. Letting the "student" become a "teacher" met
very real needs of theirs. Serving as my "host"
provided a small zone of secure social interaction
within the overall context of their uncertain "guest"
status in a totally alien society (ours)! In an e-mail
Dawn sent me after their return to Turkey, she said,

"Turkish people are religious people (of course not
all of them but the majority). I saw the same thing in
the USA. From the cinemas and TV shows we watch
through TV, American people seem like they don’t care
about religion and they are very free about what they
do in their lives. I think in the real life it is not
like that. As I see in your family, you care about
your family very much and you try to teach your
children about what is important in the life for you.
I think it is same in Turkey."

SO -- a Turkish muslim family learned that Christians
do not worship three gods, even though the Trinity is
a complex theological doctrine. That Christians can
love God and family, despite what Hollywood asserts.
And that Christians can be genuine friends. I continue
to pray for God to work the miracle of conversioin in
their lives.

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In March 2005, HSLDA aired my interview with Michael Smith, http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/58/hshbwk6.asp
discussing the relationship between the church and homeschooling families. I shared concerns with him that are very common among Christian parent educators. A main concern that I have is the lack of emphasis on theological education for our youth.

One week later, I was so blessed by Dr. Paige Patterson, President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as he addressed my concerns publicly, in an article published by the Baptist Press: http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20405

An excerpt:

"Teach young people basic theology. By the time a young person is in the first or second year in high school, he ought to be able to give you a good assessment of the basic doctrines of the faith, and he ought to understand how they relate to one another." (more)

At our 2006 Kingdom Education Summit this year in Greensboro, theology was the common theme among our speakers. Both Dr. Emir Caner and Dr. Malcom Yarnell  shared the news with me of the new SWBTS Baptist Theology website: http://www.baptisttheology.org/

Also, while in Greensboro, I heard of the upcoming "A Theology for the Church" co-edited by Dr. Daniel Akin, President of SEBTS and Dr. David Dockery, President of Union University. I am anxiously awaiting this as an addition to our SBCHEA College-Prep Reading List.

However, we need to start somewhere. Next month, I will be leading a group of middle school / high school students in David Quine's Starting Points, a World View Primer. David Quine's work and Dana Tillman's Worldview Classes were such a blessing to our family when we were in Texas. (A happy memory of Mary, Queen of Scots being presented to the court of  King Henry VIII.) The Starting Points curriculum will be divided into four 9-week sections, as our co-op semester is ten weeks.

First section: Building the Biblical World View
Resources needed: Bible (NKJ, or NAS preferably), Starting Points Syllabus, James Sire's How to Read Slowly, David Quine's Answers for Difficult Days, and Paul E. Little's Know What You Believe.

As I've begun to work through this assignment, I would like to highly recommend a simple exercise for 7th or 8th graders, easily included in any homeschooling schedule. Take the ten chapters of "Know What You Believe" and outline one chapter a week.

Topics covered are:
The Bible
God
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ's Death
Man and Sin
The Holy Spirit
Salvation
Angels, Satan and Demons
The Church
Things to Come

Fathers may want to include each week's topic in the Family Worship time and dinner table discussions. This is an easy introduction to the study of  Theology for the school year, and I hope a blessing to your family. If you have any other resources you would like to share, we'd like to hear from you.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Elizabeth

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We are looking for SBC State Convention Kingdom Education sponsors. Below you will find the text of the resolution submitted to the 2006 SBC Annual Meeting's Resolutions Committee. You can use the resolution as a guide for yours. Please let us know if you would be willing to stand up for our children, and provide a much-needed "Exit Strategy". We are trying to list as many state conventions as possible on our Deliberately Christian calendar: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DeliberatelyChristian/cal///group/DeliberatelyChristian/?v=2&t=1163145600

So far, we have Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama and Tennessee scheduled for the week of November 13th. If we don't have your state listed, please add it to our comments section below.

Blessings,
Elizabeth







RESOLUTION ON DEVELOPING AN EXIT STRATEGY FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT WOULD GIVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF ORPHANS, SINGLE PARENTS, AND THE DISADVANTAGED

April 24, 2006

Submitted by
Roger Moran,
and
Dr. Bruce N. Shortt
Whereas, in June 2005 Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called for responsible Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from the government schools, stating further that there is no reason to believe that each year will not bring even more urgent concerns related to public education; and
Whereas,  federal circuit court judges held in November 2005 in Fields v. Palmdale that "parents have no constitutional right ... to prevent a public school from providing its students with whatever information it wishes to provide, sexual, or otherwise, when and as the school determines that it is appropriate to do so"; and
Whereas, in December 2005 a federal judge ruled in favor of government schools indoctrinating children with dogmatic Darwinism; and
Whereas, government schools continue to adopt and implement curricula and policies teaching that the homosexual lifestyle is acceptable; and
Whereas, Christian educational alternatives to government schools are desperately needed immediately by orphans, children of single parents, and the disadvantaged and can be an effective means for evangelistic outreach; and
Whereas, the Gospel of Luke instructs us that a student is not above his teacher and, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher; and
Whereas, the government schools are required by law to be humanistic and secular in their instruction; and
Whereas, children are our most important mission field, and the overwhelming majority of Christians have made the government school system their children’s teacher; and
Whereas, studies by Barna Research, Dr. Christian Smith, and The Nehemiah Institute have found that a large majority of children from Christian families do not have a Christian worldview; and
Whereas, an article by Dr. Thom Ranier published in the spring 2005 issue of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology reported, “nearly one half of all [Southern Baptist] church members may not be Christians�; and
Whereas, the Southern Baptist Council on Family Life reported to the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention that 88 percent of the children
raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18, never to return; and
Whereas, the Messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention’s 2005 Annual Meeting urged parents in Resolution No. 1, On Educating Children, to embrace their responsibility to educate their children by choosing a means of education that would “…ensure their physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with a goal of raising godly men and women who are thoroughly equipped to live as fully devoted followers of Christ�; and
Whereas, in light of government school curricula, court rulings, and the influence of the NEA, parents cannot satisfy the criteria for the education of Christian children set forth in Resolution 1 by educating Christian children in today’s government schools; and
Whereas, article XII of the Baptist Faith and Message states, “the cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. An adequate system of Christian education is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ's people�; and
Whereas, the next clause in article XII makes it clear that this education is to be provided through ‘Christian schools, colleges and seminaries’; and
Whereas, Southern Baptist congregations can draw upon many existing buildings and other resources to provide an alternative to educating children in government schools; and
Whereas, Southern Baptist congregations have many adults, including pastors, who can assist in the education of children as a ministry; and
Whereas, satellite, DVD, internet-enabled multi-media computer technology, and other more traditional forms of self-paced learning are effective ways of providing Christian education and are now very affordable; and
Whereas, churches can collaborate in providing alternatives to the government school system:
BE IT NOW RESOLVED that the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention encourages each church associated with the Southern Baptist Convention to heed Dr. Mohler’s call to develop an exit strategy from the government’s schools; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention urges that particular attention be given in the development of such exit strategies to the needs of orphans, single parents, and the disadvantaged; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention urges that the agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention assist churches in the development of exit strategies from the government schools and help coordinate efforts, including partnerships with churches in low income areas, to provide a Christian educational alternative to orphans, single parents, and the disadvantaged; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention applauds the many adult members of our congregations who teach in government schools, and this resolution should be construed to encourage adult believers who are truly called to labor as missionaries to unbelieving colleagues and students to continue their missionary work in the government school system.

Roger Moran: 323 Liberty Church Road, Middletown, MO. 63359
Dr. Bruce N. Shortt: 17415 Moreton Lane, Spring, TX 77379

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