SBCHEA: Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association
900 Harrell Road
West Monroe, LA 71291
www.sbchea.org
ewatkins@sbchea.org
2007 Kingdom Education Summit Canceled
May 18, 2007
Summit Series to Resume in 2008
It is with deepest regret that we announce our 3rd Annual Kingdom Education Summit, to be held June 13th, 2007 at the Southern Baptist Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas has been canceled for this year.
Several factors have contributed to this unfortunate decision, but a significant share of the blame must fall on me. To be perfectly honest, I am exhausted. The first five months of 2007 have been very challenging for the Watkins Family. Carl's difficulty in finding a job that will support a one-income, homeschooling family in an extremely depressed Northeast Louisiana economy ushered in the new year. However, God faithfully continues to meet our needs, and blessed him with a new job in February. Through God's provision and Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Plan, we are surviving, (and tithing!), on a salary half the size of his Texas income. One of the few blessings of moving back to our home state of Louisiana is that we are a $2000 van loan balance away from being absolutely debt free!
Emily's preparing for and taking the ACT exam has been the most stressful event in our homeschooling journey. I considered it as the moment of accountability for me, not her. Thankfully, she scored high enough to be accepted into a local (secular) collegiate dual enrollment program for the Spring 2007 semester, and just completed 9 hours of college credit, at age 16, with a 4.0 GPA! We are very proud of her, of course, but the semester was very emotional and stressful.
Carl and I would not recommend enrolling your children in a secular dual-enrollment program, unless the student has a solid foundation in the Biblical worldview. We are so appreciative to Mr. Dana Tillman, of World View Classes Academy in McKinney, Texas, and Mr. David Quine, author of the World Views of the Western World Curriculum for homeschooled high schoolers, for preparing Emily to face the challenges to her faith and Christian ethics. Through the strength of Christ and her academic preparation, she was able recognize, analyze, and confront opposing secular philosophies, and even presented speeches on "The Spiritual Reasons Parents Choose to Homeschool" and "Abortion is Murder". (No, I did not choose these topics, and actually tried to discourage her to avoid the conflict. She proved me wrong, and God used her as a mighty witness in a school where one student admitted ALOUD to having had NINE abortions!)
From this spiritual battleground, Emily will be fleeing back to the safety of a Christ-centered education next month, as she participates in the Rising High School Senior program offered by Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. This opportunity has been the "carrot dangled before her nose" all year, and she is very excited about her first dorm room experience. She will then return to the University of Louisiana-Monroe to complete her senior year of high school in the Collegiate Program, before entering Union University full time in the Fall of 2008.
On top of this Elise has completed 7th grade. This was the most difficult and emotionally driven time of my life, and for our baby as well. Her internal struggle between childhood and young womanhood is clearly evident, sometimes painful but many times beautiful to see. Several years ago I bought Elise the book, Beautiful Girlhood by Mabel Hale, and it has lately become a source of comfort and encouragement for her:
However, I think all female brains take a vacation at ages 12 and 45, and hormones rule! The two of us have just focused on being able to stay in the same house together, without killing each other and her older "perfect" sister. Thankfully, we have all survived the school year in one piece, and are ready for a vacation.
As you can see, my responsibilities as a wife, mother, and home educator have kept me very busy this spring, in addition to caring for elderly parents and performing double duty as administrator/teacher in our new homeschool co-op in West Monroe, Louisiana. Last spring, Dave and Suzanne Scarbrough, Jube Dankworth of Homeschooling Family-to-Family, Gena Suarez of The Old School House Magazine, and I spent MANY hours organizing the 2006 Kingdom Education Summit in Greensboro, North Carolina. We were so appreciative of all of our sponsors and incredible speakers, but we were all disappointed in the low attendance. Weather was a factor, as was the inconvenient summit location. It was a valuable lesson in what to and not to do.
Frankly, this year I am also tired of the materialism and politics of a certain segment of the Southern Baptist Convention, and this has further drained what little energy I have left over. Many homeschooling families have chosen to live near poverty level, in order to provide a Christ-centered home education for their children, while some in highly-influential SBC positions continue to squabble over trivial matters. This time last year, two weeks before the Greensboro convention, I received an absolutely blistering email over a theological issue from someone I had looked to as a role model. It broke my heart and I have yet to recover from it. I am so thankful to have such gentlemanly statesmen as Drs. David Dockery and Danny Akin to lead us in the turbulent waters of the Southern Baptist future.
I am praying that taking this time off from "begging for the leftover crumbs" on behalf of the children and our Southern Baptist homeschooling families, will allow us to focus on what God has planned for SBCHEA and future Kingdom Education Summits. The 2008 Southern Baptist Annual Meeting will be in Indianapolis, Indiana, and if there is enough interest we will resume our annual event.
Our ministry is non-profit, and we do not sell anything, nor yet charge any membership dues, and the Watkins and David Scarbrough families have paid all of the annual operating expenses so far. Mrs. Ladonna Beals and several homeschooling fathers on our SBCHEA Pastor's Council continue to minister to families on our e-group. God has blessed us with sponsors in the past to host the Kingdom Education Summit in Nashville and Greensboro, and if Indianapolis will be a possibility, He will let us know. The SBCHEA family wishes to be a ministry, not a further financial burden to the Southern Baptist homeschooling community. We will gratefully accept donations to be held "in escrow", but please give only after fulfilling your tithe at your local church.
Exodus Mandate and the 2007 Resolution
Voddie Baucham and Bruce Shortt of Exodus Mandate have indeed submitted another Kingdom Education resolution. I have seen the same question asked on several prominent Southern Baptist blogs and messages boards, "What's the point?" Resolutions are not mandates, and this is true. However, what is not clearly evident, but the leadership of Exodus Mandate understands is that these annual resolutions keep this critical issue on the forefront of debate, hearts are being changed, and both pastors and families are beginning to take action. SBCHEA would not have been possible without the media attention given the initial 2004 resolution.
Let me give you a very current, personal example. It has been almost one year exactly since I received an email from SBC Pastor Charles and Lydia Headrick, homeschooling parents of two sons, Connor and Cole. They were still serving in Hope, Arkansas, but were being considered as the new pastor of College Place Baptist Church here in Monroe, Louisiana. In 2004, they had met Bruce Shortt at a homeschool book fair in Searcy, Arkansas, and he had shared with them about our new Southern Baptist homeschooling ministry. Lydia joined our Deliberately Christian e-loop, and kept up to date with ministry events.
Last year, God did call Charles and Lydia back to their home state of Louisiana, as He did Carl and I in 2005. Immediately, they began to reach out to our Northeast Louisiana Christian Homeschool Association, to offer the church facilities for Kingdom Education use. We began the discussion of starting a second homeschool co-op at CPBC, to serve the families of Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, and Caldwell parishes. The church is huge, with many of the classrooms never being used. In the mid-20th century, all of the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home would come there for church, including my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Moody, serving as cottage parents!
Next week, Pastor Headrick is petioning the church for permission to use the wonderful facilities again for the children. We have already begun to form a tentative advisory council in hopes of a positive decision. Northeast Louisiana desperately needs this new co-op, in addition to the one in West Monroe we started last fall, and the Northeast Baptist School, in which our pastor, Bro. Skip Dean of Highland Baptist Church in West Monroe, played a key role in the founding the school in 1994. Just this spring, our area has made the national news twice, from Spearsville 5th graders having sex before classmates while left unattended by their teacher, and this week a Ouachita Parish School Board member, and a member of North Monroe Baptist Church, (which our Monroe newspaper graciously added), was arrested:
"Caddo Parish officers arrested ___ that
morning at his home in an operation that already had netted 15 people
in north Louisiana.____ is accused of indecent behavior with a
juvenile for chatting online with a detective posing as a 15-year-old
girl. Over a three-month period, ____ and the purported victim
discussed her sexual history, lesbian relationships, sex with older men
and masturbation, documents state." - The News Star.
Parents of Louisiana are finally beginning to realize something is desperately wrong, and as word of our homeschool co-ops continue to grow, we are seeing an increase of children fleeing the public schools. The passion of all associated with the mission of Exodus Mandate has made a significant impact on our community, both directly and indirectly. We will continue to pray for and support their efforts.
So, instead of trying to squeeze our way into the SBC Annual Meeting in San Antonio this summer, God has our family serving in the mission field of our state. We will also be praying and campaigning for a dear Christian gubernatorial, (possible future presidential) candidate, Bobby Jindal. Hopefully, God will lead Charles Headrick to victory next week at College Place Baptist Church, and Congressman Jindal next November in Baton Rouge, and we will see everyone again in Indianapolis.
Southern Baptist Summer School
If you are looking for some positive Southern Baptist resources, while waiting for news from the San Antonio convention, I have several educational resources for your family:
Inductive Bible Study - Greek - Apologetics - Christian Ethics - OT/NT Survey - and more by Southern Baptist university and seminary professors! A much needed resource for homeschooling high schoolers.
Well, this may not fall in the "positive" category, but it is a very educational, 16-part commentary compiled by Timmy Brister, a SBTS student. Nathan's writings have been an inspiration to our family since 2003, and last year he spoke on Southern Baptist history at our 2006 summit in North Carolina. I believe with all of my heart that the Southern Baptist homeschooling community needs to be aware of what is going on in the SBC, and prepare our children for Kingdom service, whether in the pulpit, pew, mission field or home.
***
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
[Thanks, Ladonna, for keeping us updated on this crisis on Capital Hill!]
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary Bauer*
*"Stop Bothering Me!"*
That's the message members of Congress are sending to the American people
with a proposed lobbying reform bill under consideration right now. In a
symbolic gesture reacting to the Abramoff scandals, Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid made the lobbying reform legislation the first bill on the
calendar. But S. 1 contains a provision that appears aimed directly at the
American people. Seeking to silence criticism, section 220 of S. 1 includes
burdensome new reporting requirements for grassroots organizations that
attempt to inform the American people about the important issues under
debate in Congress. Any communication, such as this daily report, to more
than 500 people that seeks to stimulate grassroots lobbying, defined as "the
voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own
views on an issue to federal officials," would have to be reported to the
government. Failure to do so could result in huge fines, which could
bankrupt many pro-family organizations.
While I'm not opposed to transparency in government, the reasoning behind
this provision is extremely obtuse. Members of Congress are simply sick and
tired of hearing from you, and they are hoping that groups like ours will
stop asking you to call and email if we are faced with endless reporting
requirements and draconian fines. So, even though Jack Abramoff has gone to
jail, some politicians in Congress are trying to use "lobbying reform" as an
excuse to silence the American people!
Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association (SBCHEA)
900 Harrell Road
West Monroe, LA 71291
www.sbchea.org
www.homeschoolblogger.com/sbchea
From our Sponsor: Walden Media
RIPPLES ON THE POND:
Walden Media's Homeschool Newsletter
Amazing Grace...More than a Movie, a Movement
Bristol Bay Productions, Walden's sister company, is preparing for the February 23, 2007 release of Amazing Grace.
The film tells the epic story of William Wilberforce's campaign to stop
slavery in England. There is a great deal of anticipation surrounding
its release because Wilberforce is one of history's stirring examples
of heroic individual initiative in overcoming injustice. His life has
been an inspiration to many leaders in American public life, and yet
his life and accomplishments remain largely unknown. Surveys show that
only 16% of homeschoolers are familiar with Wilberforce. He ranks with
Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
The bicentennial of the abolition of slavery in 1807 is a fitting time
to bring his story to a new generation of young men and women.
The film has many themes worth discussing: deep faith, youthful
idealism, focused calling, sacrificial perseverance, untarnished
integrity, bipartisan politics, committed friendships, grassroots
mobilization, and winsome persuasion.
None is more central than the sheer audacity of an apprentice of Jesus
taking on the most economically and institutionally embedded social
evil of his day--an evil that was largely invisible to the English
public. His task was more than political; it involved a national hearts
and minds campaign, awakening the conscience of a nation. This was the
first public relations campaign of its kind. The abolition of slavery
would have been impossible apart from his efforts to restore morals
among England's upper class. Wilberforce was able to make doing good a
public virtue. Like Abraham Lincoln after him, he was able to call upon
the "better angels of our nature" and articulate a vision for the
common good.
This film is more than a movie. It is the start of a movement. It is
the opportunity at the beginning of this century to call our children
to dream of a better world, to address our ecological, economic,
social, and spiritual challenges.
The film has over 75 partners who are using it to mobilize action. This
is not a "feel good movie." It is rather a "get going movie." One
initiative being undertaken is The Amazing Change campaign, which
aspires to bring an end to modern day slavery and human trafficking.
There is a desperate need for Wilberforce-like leaders today and this
film has the potential of kindling the imagination of those resisting
the inertia and cynicism of personal peace and affluence. It asks,
"What would it take to change the world?" It begins with a vision of
what is possible. It begins with believing that with God nothing is
impossible. Amazing Grace is a film that celebrates what was achieved once. It can happen again.
"Hero for Humanity" -- A Documentary
Asbury College has prepared an eleven-minute documentary on the
historical background of William Wilberforce's great campaign, which
can be accessed at amazinggracemovie.com. This is a good place to begin if you are unfamiliar with this inspiring story and godly politician.
Zach Hunter Calls on Kids to Get Involved
A seventh-grader from Virginia, Zach Hunter, began the Loose Change to
Loosen Chains program to raise money through schools and youth groups
to rescue victims of slavery worldwide. He is also the student
spokesperson for Walden Media's social justice campaign, The Amazing
Change. In March, Zondervan is scheduled to release Hunter's Be the Change: Your Guide to Freeing Slaves and Changing the World in Other Ways.
When he first learned that millions of people, including children,
around the world are slaves, he knew he had to do something about it.
Zach grew up learning about America's history of slavery, from the
Civil War to the civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
William Wilberforce, and Mother Teresa were among his heroes. "When I
heard about how slavery was going on in the world, I just thought that
was really, really unfair," Zach said. "So I decided to start the Loose
Change to Loosen Chains campaign, because I've always sort of had a
sense of right and wrong and a sense of justice." He has worked closely
with the International Justice Mission.
Brief Wilberforce Bibliography
Homeschoolers are readers. Amazing Grace
is a film that brings to life the history of three overlapping lives:
John Newton, Olaudah Equiano, and William Wilberforce. Here is a list
of books that tell their story.
Ted Baehr, Susan Wales, and Ken Wales. 2007. The Amazing Grace of Freedom. New Leaf Publishing Group.
Kevin Belmonte. 2000. Hero for Humanity: A Biography of William Wilberforce. NavPress.
Bob Beltz, 2007. William Wilberforce: Real Christianity. Regal.
Zach Hunter. 2007. Be the Change: Your Guide to Freeing Slaves and Changing the World in Other Ways. Zondervan.
Eric Metaxas. 2007. Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery. HarperSanFrancisco.
Steve Turner. 2003. Amazing Grace: The Story of America's Most Beloved Song. Ecco.
SBCHEA: Call to Action
January 10, 2007
Urgent Call to Action: "Silencing the Citizens Legislation"
[We apologize for the unusual frequency of SBCHEA alerts this week, but we want to keep all of our readers up-to-date on urgent issues. With the tremendous outpouring of prayer and support for Dr. Mohler, we wanted to share the joy of his progress. After listening to the radio program below, it warranted immediate action on our part. The right of our pastors and ministry leaders to speak out must be protected! - Elizabeth]
"Late yesterday afternoon, Dr. James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Rev. Don Wildmon, Tom Minnery and I taped an urgent radio show about a bill currently pending in the United States Senate that could silence the pro-family organizations that keep you informed about crucial issues in Congress."
Please tune in to today's Focus on the Family radio broadcast:
(Visit www.family.org for station listings or to listen to the show online.)
Then, call your senators at 202-224-3121 and urge them to oppose the grassroots communications restrictions in S. 1.
Please call today!
Gary Bauer
www.ouramericanvalues.org
Dr. Mohler Discharged from Hospital
I am very pleased to share with you that a short while ago Dr. Albert Mohler was discharged from Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, KY. After a two week hospitalization that included extensive abdominal surgery and a four day stay in the Intensive Care Unit due to pulmonary emboli in the lungs, he and the family
are overjoyed to be home.
This, indeed, is welcome news and a much anticipated milestone in Dr. Mohler's recovery.
Please now pray that Dr. Mohler will gain the rest and strength he needs while recuperating at home in the days ahead. As you may guess, he is eager to resume the full rigor of his Presidential and ministerial duties.
The Mohlers are deeply grateful for the many prayers that have been offered and the expressions of concern so many of you have shown over these past couple of weeks. On behalf of the Mohler family, thank you once again for the Christian love and support you have shown them.
Jason K. Allen
Executive Assistant to the President
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
2825 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40280
(502) 897 4121
jallen@sbts.edu
Recent Global Threats to Home Education
France:
HSLDA--French Homeschoolers Need Your Help Immediately!
French homeschoolers are faced with a draconian bill which will be
voted on by parliament within the next few days. We just received word about this bill today.
Homeschooling is currently allowed in France. However, this bill would essentially outlaw homeschooling. No parent would be allowed to homeschool unless they showed that the health or handicap of their child makes it necessary for him or her to be taught at home.
In addition, if a family could even prove they have a health issue or
some other "serious" reason to justify their homeschool, they would then have to submit to a home visit by a government official each year. Also, their curriculum would be either provided by the "National Center of Correspondence Teaching (CNED)" or by an approved private correspondence school.
French homeschoolers believe this bill will essentially outlaw
homeschooling as they know it in France. They plead for your help to stop this restrictive bill.
Homeschoolers in America have successfully stopped similar legislation in Ireland, the Czech Republic, and South Africa. In both Ireland and the Czech Republic, the restrictive homeschooling bills had already passed one house of parliament before we even got involved. Once we got involved the bills were stopped.
At this point we need you to communicate with the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. In a few days we will send another email asking you to communicate directly with the parliament members.
ACTION REQUESTED
Please contact as soon as possible, by phone or email, the French
Embassy and give them this message:
"Amendments 127 & 128, which would virtually outlaw homeschooling, are being voted on by the French parliament. If passed, this would cause a travesty.We cannot believe that a free country like France would outlaw such a basic right as parents choosing to homeschool their children. Over two million children are being successfully homeschooled in America. Homeschooling works. We ask that you immediately convey to the French government our concern and request that the bill language prohibiting homeschooling in nearly all circumstances be withdrawn."
Also, explain in a paragraph or two the wonderful success you have had with homeschooling.
BACKGROUND
Homeschooling has long been allowed in France. Homeschoolers have to have regular testing and sometimes they are visited by an official, but for the most part operate freely. This bill would completely change that legal atmosphere and make it impossible for 95% of homeschoolers to operate.
Please take time to help our brothers and sisters in France, where the homeschool movement is small and they do not have a lot of
organizations or numbers. Nonetheless, there are many sincere parents who love their children and want to faithfully teach them at home principles from the Word of God and personally train their children.
If homeschoolers don't try to help, who will? Please take a moment and contact the French Embassy.Thank you.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Klicka
HSLDA Senior Counsel
www.hslda.org
Mississippi:
Homeschool Regulation: The Revenge of the Failures
by Bruce N. Shortt, Ph.D
In their never-ending effort to "help" homeschoolers, public school bureaucrats periodically try to increase homeschooling regulations. This makes K-12 education perhaps a unique endeavor: it's a field in which the failures regularly, and astonishingly, insist that they should be able to regulate the successful.
Never mind that homeschoolers consistently outperform children institutionalized in government schools or that the longer a child is institutionalized in a government school the worse he does in relation to homeschooled children. Never mind, also, that international surveys of academic performance show that in the course of 12 years government schools manage to turn perfectly capable children into world-class dullards. No, the same education bureaucrats who consume an annual cash flow of roughly $600 billion to achieve previously unknown levels of semi-literacy and illiteracy among otherwise normal American children feel compelled from time to time to abandon their diligent pursuit of intellectual mediocrity to offer proposals for regulating homeschool parents...
About Walden Media LLC
Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and
engages young people in the learning process. Producing both original
works and adaptations of acclaimed children's literature, Walden Media
projects are enhanced by comprehensive outreach and supplemental
programs for teachers, librarians, and parents. In August 2006, Walden
Media entered into a joint venture with Twentieth Century Fox to market
and release family films for audiences of all ages.
Walden Media produced (in association with Walt Disney Pictures) the Academy Award winning film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Upcoming Walden Media releases include
Charlotte's Web (with Paramount and Nickeloden Movies), Bridge to Terabithia (with Walt Disney Pictures), The Water Horse (with Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, and Beacon Pictures), Journey 3D (with New Line Cinema), Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (co-produced with Mandate Pictures), and the second film in the Narnia series, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (with Walt Disney Pictures).
Walden Media is a division of Anschutz Film Group (AFG).
Food for Thought
"Boldly I must confess that I believe the national difficulties we face
result from the decline of religion and morality among us. I must
confess equally boldly that my own solid hopes for the well-being of my
country depends, not so much on her navies and armies, nor on the
wisdom of her rulers, nor on the spirit of her people, as on the
persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the Gospel of
Christ. I believe that their prayers may yet prevail." -- William
Wilberforce (1797)
Mohler in Intensive Care With Blood Clots in Lungs
A True Hero to Our Ministry and the SBC
A Reminder of His Courage and Leadership
SBCHEA: Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association
900 Harrell Road
West Monroe, LA 71291
www.sbchea.org
ewatkins@sbchea.org
Please Pray for Dr. Mohler
January 5, 2007
Mohler In Intensive Care With Blood Clots In Lungs
The Baptist Press has just announced an urgent prayer request for Dr. R Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. was admitted to the
intensive care unit Friday with blood clots in both lungs and his
condition is "quite serious," according to a statement posted on his
website Friday afternoon.
Mohler,
president of the school since 1993, was admitted to the hospital Dec.
27 experiencing abdominal pain and subsequently underwent a three-hour
surgery to remove scar tissue from a 1980s operation. A statement on
Mohler's website Thursday around noon said Mohler was continuing "to
recuperate" from the surgery, performed at Baptist East Hospital in
Louisville, Ky.
But a statement posted on the seminary's website at 4:12 p.m. EST Friday said Mohler's health had "sustained a setback."
"Over
the past 36 hours Dr. Mohler has suffered from unrelenting pain," the
statement read. "This unusual degree of pain signaled concern for the
attending physicians and prompted additional tests this afternoon. In
the past hour these tests have revealed that Dr. Mohler is suffering
from pulmonary emboli in both lungs. His condition is quite serious and
he has been moved to the intensive care unit of Baptist East Hospital
in Louisville, Ky. for immediate treatment.
"Please make this
a matter of urgent prayer," the statement concluded. "Thank you once
again for your concern and support during these days."
Russell
D. Moore, dean of the school of theology at Southern Seminary, opened
the Albert Mohler Radio Program Friday by detailing Mohler's condition
and asking that the audience "pray for his safety and for his speedy
recovery." The remainder of the broadcast was a "best-of" program
hosted by Mohler.
For updates visit www.albertmohler.com.
A True Hero to our Ministry and the SBC
A Reminder of His Courage and Leadership
Needed: An Exit Strategy
Friday, June 17, 2005
As
the Southern Baptist Convention convenes in Nashville next week, the
issue of public education is once again at the center of potential
controversy. For the second year in a row, proposed resolutions have
been submitted to the denomination's Committee on Resolutions, calling
for Christians to reconsider support for the nation's public school
system.
Last year, retired Air Force General T. C. Pinckney and Houston
attorney Bruce N. Shortt submitted a resolution calling for Southern
Baptists to remove their children from "government schools." In
explaining the proposed resolution, Pinckney said that public schools
"now must be in the United States officially godless," adding: "This
amounts to an artificial compartmentalization of life." An influential
conservative leader and former SBC second vice president, Pinckney had
urged the Convention to pass the resolution. "We believe it is time for
the SBC to take a biblical stand on this issue," he said.
The Committee on Resolutions did not agree, and turned back all six
education-related resolutions that had been submitted for its
consideration. Pinckney later attempted to address the issue from the
floor of the convention, but failed in an attempt to amend another
resolution in order to make the same essential point.
Some within the denomination were adamantly opposed to any
resolution that would call for Christians to leave the public schools.
Others seemed to think that the language of the resolution was
intemperate or harsh. In my judgment, the whole debate was mostly ahead
of its time – at least in terms of SBC understanding.
The passage of another year has brought some level of change. This
year, at least two resolutions dealing with the public schools have
been submitted. The proposal that has attracted the most public
attention has been submitted by Bruce Shortt once again, this time
along with evangelist Voddie Baucham.
This resolution identifies the issue of homosexuality as the
critical issue, pointing to the public schools as the context for the
indoctrination of children toward the normalization of homosexual
behavior and relationships. The proposed text states that "homosexual
activists are devoting substantial resources and are using their
political influence to shape the curricula and institutional rules of
public schools to promote acceptance of homosexuality among
schoolchildren as a morally legitimate lifestyle."
The convoluted text eventually calls for the convention to urge its
churches to investigate local schools in order to determine the extent
of homosexual influence and then, if objectionable material or
involvements are found, to "inform the parents of this fact and
encourage them to remove their children from the school district's
schools immediately."
The proposal has already had a polarizing effect within the
denomination. Some hesitate to address the issue at all, while others
are organizing to push for the resolution's passage, even if this means
an effort from the convention floor. Within the last few days, a
coalition of family organizations, home school advocates, and public
policy organizations has emerged as an advocacy base for the effort.
Others are determined to prevent the issue from reaching the point of
public debate and divisive controversy on the convention's agenda.
Behind all this is the fear on the part of some that any resolution
that calls the public school system into question will be seen as
extreme and will frighten some Southern Baptists. Who's right?
In some sense, both sides have a point. Those who fear that a
resolution calling the public schools into question would be seen as
extreme have a powerful argument behind their concern. After all,
Southern Baptists have been eager advocates for the public schools in
the past, and thousands of faithful Southern Baptists serve as public
school teachers, administrators, and board members. Beyond this,
millions of Southern Baptist families send their children to public
schools each year. A resolution perceived as opposed to the very idea
of public education would offend many active Southern Baptists, some of
whom would scratch their heads in amazement that the convention would
even venture into this territory.
On the other hand, the momentum is clearly on the side of those
pushing for this resolution. Every week, new reports of atrocities in
the public schools appear. Radical sex education programs, offensive
curricula and class materials, school-based health clinics, and
ideologies hostile to Christian truth and parental authority abound.
These reports are no longer isolated and anecdotal. Forces opposed to
what Southern Baptist churches and families believe dominate the public
school arena--especially at the national level where policies are made
and the future is shaped.
There is more to this, of course. The crisis in public school
education has prompted some to reconsider the very idea of public
education. Some now argue that Christian parents cannot send their
children to public schools without committing the sin of handing their
children over to a pagan and ungodly system. Fueled by a secularist
agenda and influenced by an elite of radical educational bureaucrats
and theorists, government schools now serve as engines for secularizing
and radicalizing children.
A look at the historical background is instructive. The public
school system in America has been controversial at various turns in our
national history--but never as now. The government's early involvement
in education was part of the young nation's effort to create an
educated citizenry that would be truly democratic. Education was not to
be limited to an elitist group of wealthy Americans, but was to be made
available to all.
In the early twentieth century, another purpose entered the picture.
Vast waves of immigration, primarily from Europe, brought millions of
Irish, Italian, German, and other European families to America.
Educational leaders like John Dewey saw the public schools, often
called the "common" schools, as the mechanism for indoctrinating
children into a new democratic faith. The worldviews and eccentricities
of the various ethical and national backgrounds would be erased and a
new melting pot of Americans would emerge. Dewey, the most influential
shaper of the public schools in America, understood that the success of
his effort would require children to be liberated from the prejudices
and values of their parents.
In his book, A Common Faith, Dewey advocated a radically
secular vision for the public schools and the larger public culture.
His concept of a humanistic faith, stripped of all supernatural claims,
doctrines, and theological authorities, would replace Christianity as
the dominant culture-shaping worldview. "Here are all the elements for
a religious faith that shall not be confined to sect, class, or race,"
he claimed. "Such a faith has always been the common faith of mankind.
It remains for us to make it explicit and militant."
It has taken longer than Dewey expected, but this secularist faith
is certainly explicit and militant now. Of course, this is not equally
true in all places and in all public schools. As a rule, schools in
more rural areas, with local political control more concentrated in the
hands of parents, the effects of this educational revolution are less
evident. In some school systems, the majority of teachers,
administrators, and students share an outlook that is at least friendly
and respectful toward Christianity and conservative moral values.
In other places, the situation is markedly different. In many
metropolitan school districts, the schools have truly become engines
for the indoctrination of the young. This process of indoctrination
pervades, not only the more recognizable aspects of radical sex
education programs and so-called "health education," but other aspects
of the curriculum as well. Unless something revolutionary reverses
these trends, this is the shape of the future.
With control over the public school system increasingly in the hands
of the courts, educational bureaucrats, the university-based education
schools, and the powerful teachers' unions, little hope for correction
appears. Federal mandates, accreditation requirements, union demands,
and the influence of the educational elite represent a combined force
that is far greater than the localized influence of many school boards,
not to mention parents. Those who doubt the radical commitments of
groups such as the National Education Association should simply look at
the organization's public statements, policy positions, and initiatives.
The breakdown of the public school system is a national tragedy. An
honest assessment of the history of public education in America must
acknowledge the success of the common school vision in breaking down
ethnic, economic, and racial barriers. The schools have brought
hundreds of millions of American children into a democracy of common
citizenship. Tragically, that vision was displaced by an
ideologically-driven attempt to force a radically secular worldview.
How will Southern Baptists respond? We do not even know if any
education-related resolutions will reach the convention floor. As a
former chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, I understand and
respect the responsibility assigned to that committee. Its charge is to
recommend to the convention those resolutions it considers most urgent,
most important, and most representative of the common concern of the
denomination. That committee fulfills an essential function, ensuring
that the convention looks carefully at any initiative, even as every
Southern Baptist has an opportunity to propose a statement. Messengers
to the convention in Nashville will receive the committee's report on
Tuesday. The committee's recommendations will be considered during a
business session on Wednesday.
Whatever happens in Nashville, this issue will not go away. We have
no reason to believe that next year will not bring even more urgent
concerns related to public education. What will this mean?
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.
The Southern Baptist Convention is a deliberative body, and it will
certainly deliberate in Nashville. There is much work to be done, many
reports to be given, and many issues to be confronted. This
denomination has matured greatly in recent decades, understanding the
demands of the times and the urgency of the issues we confront. I am
convinced that Southern Baptists will find their way toward a common
understanding of the public school challenge. The only question is when. (commentary)
***
Please join us in prayer for a complete and speedy recovery.
Timmy Brister, a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has archived for us the excellent series by SEBTS archivist, Nathan Finn. Just think of this commentary as "SBC 101".
Nathan was one of our guest speakers at the 2nd Annual Kingdom Education Summit, held June 2006 in Greensboro, NC. He and wife, Leah, are the proud parents of a baby girl, Georgia Elisabeth.
Thanks to Bob Allen, our friend at EthicsDaily.com for his report:
"Failing to become a major player in a growing market, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention quietly dissolved its homeschool division last year." (complete story)
This is of special interest to home educators in Mississppi!
"With the education industry's allies back in control in Congress, many education bureaucrats in the states are going to be emboldened to try to expand their regulatory powers over homeschooling. We need to put them on the defensive by pointing out publicly that the people who would regulate us have failed in their educational responsibilities and lack the intellectual and moral authority to regulate homeschoolers. The argument in this article can be adapted to any state." - Bruce Shortt, January 4th, 2007
SBCHEA:
Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association
900 Harrell Road
West Monroe, LA 71291
www.sbchea.org
ewatkins@sbchea.org
Memories & Possibilities
December 31, 2006
Reflecting on 2006
As members of the ever-increasing Southern Baptist homeschooling community, our family has witnessed both exciting developments and disappointing setbacks in 2006. After packing away our favorite Bing Crosby/Andrew Sisters/Ella Fitzgerald/Nat King Cole Christmas CD's, taking down the Christmas tree and mulching the herb bed with the branches, and eating the last bowls of turkey soup, we are spending the day on the last newsletter of the year.
For me, personally, the ministry highlight of the year was having Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary-The College at Southwestern, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary-Boyce College, and Union University join our list of sponsors for the 2006 Kingdom Education Summit, held in Greensboro, NC in June. We are praying for
more of our Southern Baptist seminaries, universities and colleges to
join us in support of our homeschooled students wishing to further
their Kingdom Education. As Christian homeschooling parents, are we
planting the seeds of Kingdom Service in the hearts of our children?
Before leaving North Carolina after the SBC Annual Meeting, our family visited the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where we enjoyed lunch with Mrs. Elizabeth Graham, Dr. Peter Schemm, a homeschooling father and Dean of the Southeastern College at Wake Forest, and Mr. Nathan Knight, Director of Student Development. After a tour of the beautiful Southeastern campus, in which Carl fell completely in love, we ended the day with coffee at the Manor House with Dr. and Mrs. Chip McDaniel, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. Thank you so much to Dr. Akin and Nathan Finn for arranging our very first seminary visit. If your student is a junior or senior in high school, please consider including a trip to our seminaries in your vacation plans. We left Southeastern with a new appreciation of the Cooperative Program and excited by the seminary support for home education.
A huge disappointment for our ministry family was the news that LifeWay has dissolved their Homeschool Division. Christine Field is still moderating the discussion board, but Zan Tyler, former LifeWay Homeschool Editor is gone. SBCHEA Pastor's Council member Dr. Derick Dickens expressed the confusion of us all in LifeWay and Homeschooling. SBCHEA hopes that we can still be of service to Dr. Thom Rainer, the new president of LifeWay, but admit to being baffled by this decision.
Not discouraged for long, the Southern Baptists of Texas state convention has given us reason to end the year in celebration. In the December 18th edition of their Texan newsletter, Stacie Wacaster recaps the exciting events held for homeschooled students and families during the November annual meeting. Texas Governor Rick Perry, Dr. Richard Land, President of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Dr. Jerry Johnson, President of Criswell College, and Dr. Malcom Yarnell, Assistant Dean of Theological Studies at Southwestern Seminary spent time encouraging the families. We are very appreciative of them all, and the SBTC staff, Dr. Jim Richards, Gary and Tammi Reed Ledbetter, Craig Beall, and our Texas SBCHEA Coordinator Karla Sessions. Similar activities are being planned for their 2007 SBTC Empower Evangelism Conference, February 5-7th in Euless, Texas. This event is free and open to the public. Tammi will have more details in early January. Wow! Could this be a hint of exciting things to come for the 2007 SBC Annual Meeting in San Antonio??
Excitement is Building for 2007
There seems to be a new relationship between Teen Pact and Boyce College. Tim Echols will be joining Dr. Russell Moore and Dr. Jimmy Scroggins for the 2007 Give Me An Answer High School Conference, on the campus of SBTS. What does this have to do with homeschoolers? Well, the overwhelming majority of students involved with Teen Pact are homeschooled, so this is a clear indication of where Boyce intends to recruit.
From Tim:
"If you can get to Louisville, Kentucky, please
join me January 19 and 20 for a conference on a
Biblical worldview of sex and culture. This
event held at Boyce College is designed to help
you think through some serious things going on
in our culture right now. The cost is only $40.
Go to http://www.givemeananswer.net
/2007HS.php
for more information. Please let me know if you
plan to attend. There will be a van driving up
from GA."
To return the favor, Dr. Jimmy Scroggins will be one of the featured speakers of the Teen Pact National Convention, May 30-June 4th in North Georgia. There may be a possibility of Elise and Emily attending this conference, as we just became involved with Teen Pact of Louisiana. Our future governor, Bobby Jindal, will also be there.
On February 15-17, Union University in Jackson, TN will host the 2007 Baptist Identity Conference: Convention, Cooperation, and Controversy.Just looking at the list of speakers, this will be another must attend: Paige Patterson, Frank Page, Timothy George, Thom Rainer and David Dockery. Our dear SBCHEA friend, Nathan Finn, believes Union is the appropriate place for this theological discussion.
"I love David Dockery. I love the manner in which he addresses issues of importance to the SBC. I love the attitude he displays
in his interactions with others. I love the fact that in the numerous
lectures/addresses/sermons I have listened to, he has shown the ability
to be critical of problems in the SBC while at the same time making his
conservative credentials clear by not seeking any sort of return to the
pre-1980 SBC. In short, I love his balance. (more)
So, even though Emily is starting dual enrollment college classes in two weeks, she just happens to be on Mardi Gras break that week, so we will be attending, while everyone else here is: "lesse le bon temps rouler".
Mark Your Calendars
Please take a moment to record all of these events available in Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee on your calendars. We do have an exciting year ahead! Also, if you have not made your hotel reservations for San Antonio, do it today. You will not want to miss this 2007 SBC Annual Meeting, June 12-13th, and our 3rd Annual Kingdom Education Summit on June 13th. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Voddie Baucham.
Gifts for the New Year
Renew your commitment to spend time in God's Word. You can find plenty of study partners in our Deliberately Christian online community. Schedule a quiet time in your homeschool day, and listen to the Bible read aloud:
I just recently subscribed to D.A. Carson's daily emailed devotional Bible readings:
For The Love Of God - Volumes One and Two - A Devotional Bible Study by Dr. Donald Carson
"Now more than ever, the need to read the Bible, to understand
the big picture of its storyline, and to grasp the relevance this has
for your life is critical. Join with us as we follow Donald Carson's
Bible-reading plan one day at a time right here online. Through this
plan we will see the riches and unity of the Scriptures revealed as we
make our way through God's Word together. The insights here will help
you view the Bible for all that it is --as both the complete and
inspired history of redemption, as well as the revelation of God and
His character. And this book's through the Bible in a year reading plan
will renew your urgency not only to delve deeply into God's Word, but
to study it daily so that your mind will be shaped and informed by what
God Himself says and sees. Visit our web pages at" http://www.christwaymedia.com
Here are a few more treasures:
In honor of Dr. Baucham, I present you with his thoughts to ponder during the New Year.
One other gift we would like to give you, as we say goodbye to 2006. Our beloved Ladonna Bealls, the moderator of our Deliberately Christian online e-group, sent this from Vision Forum:
"Thy Word Is Very Pure; Therefore Thy Servant Loveth It."
MY DEAR FLOCK,
The approach of another year stirs up within me new desires for your salvation, and for the growth of those of you who are saved. "God is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." What the coming year is to bring forth, who can tell? There is plainly a weight lying on
the spirits of all good men, and a looking for some strange work of judgment coming upon this land. There is need now to ask that solemn question� "If in the land of peace wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do
in the swelling of Jordan?"
Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence upon self or upon creatures, but upon Jehovah our Righteousness. We must be driven more to our Bibles, and to the mercy-seat, if we are to stand in the evil day. Then we shall be able to say like David�, "The proud have had me greatly in derision, yet have I not declined from thy law." "Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart standeth in awe of thy Word."
It has long been in my mind to prepare a scheme of Scripture reading, in which as many as were made willing by God might agree, so that the whole Bible might be read once by you in the year, and all might be feeding in the same portion of the green pasture at the same time.
I am quite aware that such a plan is accompanied with many
DANGERS.
1. Formality. We are such weak creatures that any regularly returning duty is apt to degenerate into a lifeless form. The tendency of reading the Word by a fixed rule may, in some minds, be to create this skeleton religion. This is to be the peculiar sin of the last days� "Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." Guard against this. Let the calendar perish rather than this rust eat up your souls.
2. Self-righteousness. Some, when they have devoted their set time to reading the Word, and accomplished their prescribed portion, may be tempted to look at
themselves with self-complacency. Many, I am persuaded, are living without any Divine work on their soul, unpardoned, and unsanctified, and ready to perish, who spend their appointed times in secret and family devotion. This is going to hell with a lie in the right hand.
3. Careless reading. Few tremble at the Word of God. Few, in reading it, hear the voice of Jehovah, which is full of majesty. Some, by having so large a portion, may be tempted to weary of it, as Israel did of the daily manna,
saying�, "Our soul loatheth this light bread;" and to read it in a slight and careless manner. This would be fearfully provoking to God. Take heed lest that word be true of you� "Ye said, also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have
snuffed at it, saith the Lord of Hosts."
4. A yoke too heavy to bear. Some may engage in reading with alacrity for a time, and afterwards feel it a burden grievous to be borne. They may find conscience dragging them through the appointed task without any relish of the
heavenly food. If this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter and feed at liberty in the sweet garden of God. My desire is not to cast a snare upon you, but to be a helper of your joy.
If there be so many dangers, why propose such a scheme at all? To this I answer, that the best things are accompanied with danger, as the fairest flowers are often gathered in the clefts of some dangerous precipice. Let us weigh
THE ADVANTAGES.
1. The whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year. The Old Testament once, the New Testament and Psalms twice. I fear many of you never read the whole Bible; and yet it is all equally divine. "All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect." If we pass over some parts of Scripture, we shall be incomplete
Christians.
2. Time will not be wasted in choosing what portions to read. Often believers are at a loss to determine towards which part of the mountains of spices they should bend their steps. Here the question will be solved at once in a very simple manner.
3. Parents will have a regular subject upon which to examine their children and servants. It is much to be desired that family worship were made more instructive than it generally is. The mere reading of the chapter is often too like water split on the ground. Let it be read by every member of the family beforehand, and then the meaning and application drawn out by simple question and answer. The calendar will be helpful in this. Friends, also, when they meet, will have a subject for profitable conversation in the portions read that day. The meaning of difficult passages may be inquired from the more judicious and ripe Christians, and the fragrance of simpler Scriptures spread abroad.
4. The pastor will know in what part of the pasture the flock are feeding. He will thus be enabled to speak more suitably to them on the Sabbath; and both pastor and elders will be able to drop a word of light and comfort in visiting from house to house, which will be more readily responded to.
5. The sweet bond of Christian love and unity will be strengthened. We shall be often led to think of those dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, here and elsewhere, who agree to join with us in reading these portions. We shall oftener be led to agree on earth, touching something we shall ask of God. We shall pray over the same promises, mourn over the same confessions, praise God in the same songs, and be nourished by the same words of eternal life.
Wow! I am absolutely wiped out. Everything on me hurts. :) However, our van won the prize for the most homes visited per person. Yeah!
The day after Halloween in New Orleans is interesting. There was candy still all over the sidewalks, and every, I mean every house was decorated. They might still be living in campers parked in the front yard, with the houses being completely renovated, but the decorations were still up. I don't know quite how I should feel about this. It was obvious that our precinct today received a good bit of flood damage, but the people could still celebrate. However, our family no longer participates in any type of Halloween celebration. We believe the Bible clearly teaches this avoidance of evil spirits and the occult.
One thing I am sure of is that voters down here love our candidate. Congressman Jindal is a good man, and very well respected. He will make a positive impact on Louisiana.
"We want you all to have a good time this week. We are so grateful for you, being willing to come down here. We can all work together, but we must remember, we are all ambassadors for Christ. We are planting seeds today, as you go door to door. Your work today is very important. Just a few votes can change the direction of our state and our country. A handful of votes can make a difference." - www.Bobby Jindal.com
Live blogging from the Bobby Jindal Campaign in New Orleans
Elise and I are in New Orleans this week, campainging for US Representative Bobby Jindal. He is explaining to the students what went on during Hurricane Katrina, and how churches and many people stepped up to help.
Widows could not afford to clear trees and debris from their yards, so people from churches can and helped, considering New Orleans as a mission field.
Bobby gathered a group of pastors together to thank them for what they did. The pastors told him, that they did not need to be thanked. It is what the Church should do, serve and help others in need.
Cajun Dome: We don't need prayer, we need clean bathrooms. The people did it. All areas of service bring glory to God. Meeting people's needs. Going door to door today, you will be meeting peoples' needs. New Orleans people are resilient. They are happy to be alive.
The greeting after the storm, "How'd ja do?". Everywhere people were asking this.
One of the survivers went on the Tony Danza Show, right after the storm. She won a stove. However, she had just lost her house. She was still happy, though.
When we worship God, it doesn't mean everything will turn out the way we want it to. We may not win every election. The last page of the Book of Life, our God wins. That is what is most important, eternal life.
"I went to DC, and said we need to partner with faith-based groups.", Jindal said. His opponent disagreed. Every faith-based group she had seen started their days with prayer. She didn't want her tax money supporting prayer. Bobby said "I'm not worried about our kids being exposed to prayer."
Our nation needs to know what the churches and faith-based groups did, to help New Orleans start to rebuild.
"...sothat you may become blameless and pure, children of God without faultin a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars inthe universe..."
October 30, 2006
SBCHEA: Update Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association
Exit Strategy Resolutions Reveal Wide-Spread Support for Kingdom Education
The months of October and November are the seasonfor the state convention annual meetings of the Southern BaptistConvention. SBCHEA has long encouraged our homeschooling families to teach Southern Baptist history and distinctives to their children, attend these meetings,and let your voices be heard. In 2006, homeschoolers have finally engaged! Resolutions, insupport of a Christ-centered Kingdom Education for children, have beensubmitted across the entire Continental United States! (story) and (story).
Some SBC leaders have welcomed us with open arms. At the SBTC state convention in Texas,homeschooling families have an additional incentive to visit Austin inNovember. Tammi Reed Ledbetter has organized a great convention for ourstudents!
From the SBTC Staff:
HomeschoolingSouthern Baptist families will find this years annual meeting ofSouthern Baptists of Texas Convention full of educational opportunitiesfor their children as the November 13-14 annual meeting provides astudy hall, local field trip experience and internship options.
Meetingin Austin offers many resources to learn about the history of the Stateof Texas and government. By calling 866-G0-AUSTIN visitors can receivea guide for planning their trip.
Avisit to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austinis planned for Tuesday afternoon where students will learn the story ofTexas through three floors of interactive exhibits. Options includewatching Texas: The Big Picture, the museums signature large-formatfilm in Austins only IMAX Theatre described online at www.thestoryoftexas.com.
Onsite internship opportunities during the state convention meeting willgive secondary level students a chance to explore their interests asthey are assigned to various areas, including the press room,resolutions, and various exhibits. An area of the church will bedesignated for a cooperative study hall Monday evening thru and Tuesdayevening where parents can trade off responsibility for supervising homeeducated students.
Wealso hope to offer some brief lessons on Baptist history and relate howSouthern Baptists work together to spread the gospel around the world. We'll tour the many exhibits related to the ministries of SouthernBaptists to make this clear and meet individuals representing thoseorganizations.
SBTC homeschool families planning to attend the annual meeting can email Tammi Ledbetter at sbtexas@sbtexas.comand request more information on any of these opportunities. Studentsin grades eight through twelve can apply for internships that will becustomized to suit each familys schedule and the students interestsand educational needs.
We'vealso invited Mrs. Karla Sessions, a Texas representative of Southern Baptist Church & HomeEducation Association, (SBCHEA), the opportunity to field questions fromindividual Southern Baptists seeking information about homeschooling. (for more info)
SBCHEA already has ten regional SBCHEA e-groups set up for networking purposes during the fall convention season.
Exciting News from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
I am always so encouraged by the leadership of SBTS, however, this month homeschoolers have two reasons to celebrate. First of all, Dr. Randy Stinson was appointed as the new dean of the School of Leadership and Church Ministry.Why is this newsworthy to the Southern Baptist homeschooling community?Well, according to Dr. Russell Moore:
"Stinson will bring a new dimension by focusing on family ministry asthe touchstone structure for educational ministry in the church. Wethink this is the direction that our churches really need and want andthere is a great vacuum in evangelical theological education for such aprogram." (story)
Actually, this is a HUGE development. For most of the 20thcentury, the age segregated public school system has had a devastatingimpact on the church. The Sunday School movement, while originallyestablished as an outreach to needy children without parents todisciple them, has completely replaced the Christian family in the roleof "bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."What are the roles of the father and mother in the church? Are fathersreally being equipped to function as the spiritual leaders of the home?
In addition to this, the Seminary Wives Institute of SBTS has produced a video series entitled, "Christian Essentials: For Seminary Wives". Well, even though I'm not a seminary wife, nor a minister's wife, but a farmer's wife, I still checked out the details. Two SBC seminary presidents, Dr. Mohler and Dr. Akin, along with the new president of LifeWay, Dr. Thom Rainer and other seminary professors and wives have recorded single courses on theology, church history, and Baptist distinctives. There are also single courses on marriage, parenting, contentment, motherhood, time management and more! What an answer to a prayer. I haven't viewed the series yet, but it looks as though it would not only provide theological training to homeschool moms, but also be a much needed addition to our SBCHEA college-preparatory program. As a homeschool co-op administrator, Volume 3 What Baptists Believe looks promising as curriculum for one of our high school classes. www.ChristianEssentials.com
Should Christians Fast from Politics?
With Election Day rapidly approaching, the relationship between Christian voters and our involvement has been of interest to the Christian and secular media. In today's Agape Press, Allie Martin quotes our SBC President:
If there was ever a time Christians need to be involved in politics, it is now. - Dr. Frank Page
Elise and I have decided to travel to New Orleans in the morning with other Teen Pact students, and campaign for U.S. Representative Bobby Jindal. He is a huge supporter of homeschooling in Washington, and attended a conference there last spring, organized by homeschool leaders. (We are praying Mr. Jindal will run again in Louisiana's 2007 gubernatorial race. The dirty laundry of Louisiana politics has been aired publicly since Hurricane Katrina. Our state desperately needs a Christian leader with intelligence, integrity, and initiative. Besides, I haven't lived under a Democratic governor since Ann Richards in Texas, and I'm ready for a change!) Check our SBCHEA Blog over the next week or so, as I will upload photos from New Orleans.
Walden Media Launches Homeschool Initiative
Walden Media is launching a national educational outreach initiative with the homeschool community, it was announced today by company president and co-founder Micheal Flaherty. Two upcoming releases, the Paramount Pictures/Walden Media/Kerner Entertainment/ Nickelodeon Movies film Charlotte's Web, a live action adaptation of E.B. White's children's classic, and the Samuel Goldwyn Films/Roadside Attractions/Bristol Bay Productions film Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce, the 19th-century British abolitionist, have the potential of strong box office support within the homeschool community, and will be the first films to have programs developed specifically for homeschoolers.
Walden Media's homeschool outreach program will develop channels of open communication with homeschool gatekeepers, publications, and over 1,500 homeschool websites. Having developed close grassroots partnerships with public school teachers and librarians since its inception in 2001, notably through such releases as Holes, Because of Winn-Dixie and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Walden Media is now extending this outreach to include over 2.5 million homeschooling parents.
Beginning in October, Walden Media will begin publishing a monthly e-newsletter for homeschoolers called "Ripples on the Pond," which will highlight upcoming films and local outreach activities. In addition, homeschooling gatekeepers will be regularly included in prescreening opportunities. Where local interest is high for a particular upcoming film, such as Charlotte's Web or Amazing Grace, special "Homeschool Day" group showings will be also made available. Homeschoolers may contact Walden Media to make sure they receive the free e-newsletter, "Ripples on the Pond."
"Walden develops films based on core values, classic literature, and compelling lives. Homeschool parents and students are natural partners in this mission because they demand family-friendly, educationally significant entertainment," said Flaherty. "Homeschooling parents are educationally savvy, highly connected, market leaders when it comes to supporting entertainment that promotes their shared values. They are an educational audience Walden takes seriously. We are establishing the groundwork for two-way communication. As a major film company, we want to give voice to their values as parents." For more information, contact John Seel at djsjr@earthlink.net.
See the article in World Net Daily about Walden's homeschool initiative: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52661.
Baptist Communicators Association Offers Scholarships
Keith Beene, from the BCA Scholarship Committee has sent me the information on three student scholarships for the 2007-2008 academic year. They have funds available for students pursuing careers in religious communications: one $1,000 scholarship to an undergraduate student, one $500 scholarship to a graduate student, and another $1,000 scholarship to an undergraduate student of minority ethnic or international origin. For complete details, please visit the BCA website. Hurry! The deadline is December 8, 2006 to apply.
Reformation Day
By the time I hit "send" on this newsletter it will be Reformation Day, October 31st. I'm humming "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" as I type. On the Love to Learn Place website there is an entire lesson plan to celebrate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. One of Emily's assignments last year was to review Luther's 95 Theses and decide whether she agreed or disagreed with each one. It was amazing how many we disagreed with, concerning papal authority and purgatory, yet the reformation had officially begun.
Sola Scriptura The inerrant Scripture is the solesource of written divine revelation, which alone can bind theconscience.
SolusChristus Our salvationis accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christalone.
SolaGratia In salvationwe are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone; salvationis not in any sense our work.
SolaFide Justification isby grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. Injustification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the onlypossible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.
SoliDeo Gloria Because salvationis God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory.Therefore, we must glorify Him always.
Our evangelistic message this month comes directly from Dr. Luther:
Above all things I beseech the Christian reader and beg him for
the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to read my earliest books very
circumspectly and with much pity, knowing that before now I too
was a monk, and one of the right frantic and raving papists. When
I took up this matter against Indulgences, I was so full and
drunken, yea, so besotted in papal doctrine that, out of my great
zeal, I would have been ready to do murder -- at least, I would
have been glad to see and help that murder should be done -- on
all who would not be obedient and subject to the pope, even to
his smallest word.
Such a Saul was I at that time; and I meant it right earnestly;
and there are still many such to-day. In a word, I was not such a
frozen and ice-cold champion of the papacy as Eck and others of
his kind have been and still are. They defend the Roman See more
for the sake of the shameful belly, which is their god, than
because they are really attached to its cause. Indeed I am wholly
of the opinion that like latter-day Epicureans, they only laugh at
the pope. But I verily espoused this cause in deepest earnest and
in all fidelity; the more so because I shrank from the Last Day
with great anxiety and fear and terror, and yet from the depths of
my heart desired to be saved.
Therefore, Christian reader, thou wilt find in my earliest books
and writings how many points of faith I then, with all humility,
yielded and conceded to the pope, which since then I have held and
condemned for the most horrible blasphemy and abomination, and
which I would have to be so held and so condemned forever. Amen.
Thou wilt therefore ascribe this my error, or as my opponents
venomously call it, this inconsistency of mine, to the time, and
to my ignorance and inexperience. At the beginning I was quite
alone and without any helpers, and moreover, to tell the truth,
unskilled in all these things, and far too unlearned to discuss
such high and weighty matters. For it was without any intention,
purpose, or will of mine that I fell, quite unexpectedly, into
this wrangling and contention. This I take God, the Searcher of
hearts, to witness.
I tell these things to the end that, if thou shalt read my books,
thou mayest know and remember that I am one of those who, as St.
Augustine says of himself, have grown by writing and by teaching
others, and not one of those who, starting with nothing, have in a
trice become the most exalted and most learned doctors. We find,
alas! many of these self-grown doctors; who in truth are nothing,
do nothing and accomplish nothing, are moreover untried and
inexperienced, and yet, after a single look at the Scriptures,
think themselves able wholly to exhaust its spirit.
Farewell, dear reader, in the Lord. Pray that the Word may be
further spread abroad, and may be strong against the miserable
devil. For he is mighty and wicked, and just now is raving
everywhere and raging cruelly, like one who well knows and feels
that his time is short, and that the kingdom of his Vicar, the
Antichrist in Rome, is sore beset. But may the God of all grace
and mercy strengthen and complete in us the work He has begun, to
His honor and to the comfort of His little flock. Amen.
"For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." - Romans 1:17
(This is the verse Dr. Luther was reading when he was converted.)
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Homeschooling
Southern Baptist families will find this years annual meeting of
Southern Baptists of Texas Convention full of educational opportunities
for their children as the November 13-14 annual meeting provides a
study hall, local field trip experience and internship options.
Meeting
in Austin offers many resources to learn about the history of the State
of Texas and government. By calling 866-G0-AUSTIN visitors can receive
a guide for planning their trip.
A
visit to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin
is planned for Tuesday afternoon where students will learn the story of
Texas through three floors of interactive exhibits. Options include
watching Texas: The Big Picture, the museums signature large-format
film in Austins only IMAX Theatre described online at www.thestoryoftexas.com.
On
site internship opportunities during the state convention meeting will
give secondary level students a chance to explore their interests as
they are assigned to various areas, including the press room,
resolutions, and various exhibits. An area of the church will be
designated for a cooperative study hall Monday evening thru and Tuesday
evening where parents can trade off responsibility for supervising home
educated students.
We
also hope to offer some brief lessons on Baptist history and relate how
Southern Baptists work together to spread the gospel around the world.
We'll tour the many exhibits related to the ministries of Southern
Baptists to make this clear and meet individuals representing those
organizations.
SBTC homeschool families planning to attend the annual meeting can email Tammi Ledbetter at sbtexas@sbtexas.com
and request more information on any of these opportunities. Students
in grades eight through twelve can apply for internships that will be
customized to suit each familys schedule and the students interests
and educational needs.
We've
also invited a Texas representative of Southern Baptist Church & Home
Education Association, (SBCHEA), the opportunity to field questions from
individual Southern Baptists seeking information about homeschooling.
Dr. Randy Stinson Appointed to lead the way in Family-Integrated Ministries
In the Baptist Press today, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary announced the new Dean of the School of Leadership and Church Ministry, Dr. Randy Stinson. (story) http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=24186
"In recent years churches have fragmented families by segregating them according to gender, age or other categories", Stinson said. "Southern Seminary hopes to change that by teaching future leaders how to integrate local church ministries in a way that builds healthier families and churches."
This is HUGE!! Southern Seminary is very pro-family and pro-homeschooling, and we send Dr. Stinson our congratulations and prayers for God's blessing on his leadership. You can visit his Dean's Page for more information.
Do Public Schools Undermine the Parents' Authority?
If you haven't subscribe to "Today's Links from the Albert Mohler
Program", and wish to stay on top of current events for your
homeschooled high schooler, you're missing a huge resource. (subscribe)
Here was a link from today, on the new diversity program in public schools, "Families All Matter". Do the public schools undermine parents' authority? Duh... Read Plato's Republic people! That why a state sponsored educational system was established, and they are not failing, but succeeding.
Is the Exit Strategy Resolution too harsh? I don't think so.
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
August 24, 2006
Submitted by Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, Executive Director Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association and Founding Director of the Northeast Louisiana Christian Homeschool Association Co-op Program
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, in August 2006, newly elected Southern Baptist
Convention President, Dr. Frank Page, says his prayer is that more
churches will begin offering Christian schools, both for families who
can and for those who cannot such 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 Louisiana Baptist
Convention encourages each church associated with the Louisiana 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
Louisiana 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
Louisiana 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
Louisiana 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.
Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, 900 Harrell Road, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291 Member, Highland Baptist Church, 1509 Arkansas Road, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291
Today I was reading the blog of a children's minister, who attended LifeWay's National Preschool and Children’s Convention in Arlington, Texas. (info)
Apparently, in one of the workshops about getting more single parents involved in the children's ministry, this comment was made by a workshop presenter:
“Remember, Jesus was from a single parent family too.”
Now, this comment greatly upset me, and to be fair to the blogger, she was quite upset as well. She refused to name the speaker, but shouldn't LifeWay hold the leaders of these workshops accountable for such a lie? According to the blogger, she has heard it several times. Did God not have a special purpose for Joseph's life? What about fathers being the spiritual leaders of the home?
The actual blogger did make this comment, "Now I feel more confident that I would be able to address those questions about “what does baptism mean?” “why can’t I have the bread and juice?” or “daddy says its about time I come to talk to you about me getting saved” and variations thereof.
I did respond back to this one, and asked shouldn't it be the other way around? The child should be directed to the his father concerning the subject of salvation.
I have a real problem with LifeWay right now, as this latest incident has come only a week after I've learned that the LifeWay Homeschool Division has been dissolved and Zan Tyler has been laid off. I found this out through the grapevine, after the national HSLDA leadership conference. Last year, an MFuge camp led their opening session with the Buddhist Contemplative prayer. One discerning youth pastor promptly reported it to a couple of seminary presidents, and the program was pulled immediately. (info)
So, basically, homeschooling parents have no idea what children's ministers are being told. We are not invited to these conventions, unless we are paid staff members, which 99% of us are not. I looked on LifeWay's NCPP webpage, at the listing of workshops offered this week, and several of them sent off red flags. We run counter to everything these staff members have been trained to expect. It states clearly in one of the workshops that the public school model is used for ministry.
We are also left out of Women's Ministry training as well, and we definitely fall through the cracks on this one. We don't work outside the home, but we have more to do than scrapbook, have makeovers, and attend expensive retreats.
The final straw this week is discovering the influence Freemasonry has on the Southern Baptist Convention. One extremely influential, high level, former SBC entity leader was a former 32nd degree free mason! How can a pastor have such a lack of discernment as this???
I know all of this is highly controversial, but I am so sick of homeschoolers being criticized for not fulfilling our responsibility of being "Salt and Light" in the world. Then I discover how much darkness lurks in our own convention.
No wonder there is such an amount of tension between the church and the homeschooling family. What is God's plan for us?
Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association
Resolution Sponsors Needed Illinois, Wyoming, Arizona, and the Carolinas
According to Bruce Shortt, we still need Exit Strategy Resolution sponsors for these Southern Baptist state conventions. Submitting the resolution is a very simple process, and easily accomplished by email. For the children's sake, please volunteer in this convention wide effort. It is urgent that we cover these states immediately. To volunteer, please email Bruce today: lohengrin2000@sbcglobal.net
2007 SBC Annual Meeting in San Antonio 3rd Annual Kingdom Education Summit
Yes, it's early, but hotel rooms are going fast. October 1 was the first day to reserve rooms for the 2007 SBC Annual Meeting in San Antonio. The official convention hotels were sold out the first day, however, I stayed up until after midnight and SBCHEA does have a suite booked in the Marriott Riverwalk, "the" convention hotel. Please make plans now to attend, as we will have this suite for three days, June 11-14th, so there will be plenty of opportunities for fellowship and networking. Family-integrated discipleship and churches will again be featured at the summit, and we are are extremely honored to announce Dr. Voddie Baucham, as our keynote speaker. As an author, Bible teacher, professor, pastor, homeschooling father, and family-integrated church planter, Voddie is uniquely qualified to guide our Southern Baptist homeschool ministry in these critical areas. Until then, you can find him here: Voddie's Calendar
How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil
The original tone intended for this newsletter was completely different. In honor of Reformation Day, October 31st, I had planned to focus on the Reformation, Martin Luther, Church History, etc. However, every time I sat down to write, all I could think of was little Amish schoolgirls. This morning, I tried again, but one of the first news stories I clicked on, was a photograph of a little blond haired Amish boy and his father, riding in a buggy on the way to a funeral. That cruel invasion of privacy has just pushed me over the edge today. Any one that knows a thing about the Amish, knows they do not allow their photograph to be taken. Hasn't a murderer done enough harm to this community, without the morbid curiosity of the media contributing to their pain?
In times of suffering like this, I am so thankful for the work of D.A. Carson, in his book How Long, O Lord?, Reflections on Suffering & Evil. This book was on Emily's required reading list for ninth grade, and I remember us struggling to get through it, not exactly being a highly enjoyable topic. However, now, it is a source of comfort to me. J.I. Packer writes, "This sober, encouraging book is prophylactic therapy for the many Christians, both pastors and layfolk, who are in agonized confusion regarding pain and evil. The two sides of the author, the biblical scholar who reads, thinks, and misses no detail, and the pastoral teacher who understands people, feels with them, and cares for them, combine here to give us a treatment of suffering under God's sovereignty which is outstandingly accurate, wise and helpful. All who follow the author's fast-flowing argument will find their heads cleared and their hearts strengthened."
So, today, I am not up to being an encourager, please forgive me. However, I did promise to put out a final call for resolution sponsors this week. I will be publishing another SBCHEA Update this month, encouraging our Southern Baptist homeschooling community to forget Halloween, and focus of the work of the Reformers.
"For we do not have aHigh Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in allpoints tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:15-16
Our family hasn't given Harry Potter a second thought since 2000. That was the year we decided to finally be obedient to the Holy Spirit, and remove our girls from the public school system. All during Emily's fourth grade year, Carl and I had to constantly defend our position against reading the books.
I had volunteered that year to be the PTA Chairperson in charge of the Scholastic Bookfair. Wow! What an eye-opener! Harry Potter had just hit the market, and with Scholastic as the publisher, all of the bookfair posters and promotional items featured the books. Public school students were a captive audience, and of course peer pressure and teacher pressure was incredible. The school received a percentage of the sales and free books for the library, and the hardback HP books were the most expensive items.
Harry Potter was not the only title promoting witchcraft, as there were many, many other books included in the bookfair on the subject of death, horror, fantasy, and just downright "weird" stuff like "Captain Underpants", which I was assured by several teachers was quality literature. The whole experience made me sick to my stomach, and I began asking the teachers, school librarian, and principal for a reading list of "good" books. All I received in response was a blank look, well the librarian did finally mention the Newbery Medal winners. I began doing research online for quality children's literature, and discovered the world of Charlotte Mason and home education.
Believe it or not, we left the girls in public school one more year, until Emily's brand new fifth grade teacher began reading Harry Potter aloud to the classroom on the 2nd day of the school year. It was the first thing Emily told me when she came home, and I ask her about the first chapter. "Mom, I didn't like it at all, and it really bothered me. I was afraid to raise my hand though, and say something. Another boy did, and told the teacher his parents wouldn't let him read the books, and she made him sit out in the hall by himself the whole time."
So, soon after, we did not begin the fight to remove Harry Potter from our school, we removed our children from the school. In the news today is another mom concerned about the influence of Mr. Potter:
"Laura Mallory, of Loganville, Ga., holds up a brochure for a summer camp for learning the art of witchcraft. Mallory was trying to convince a Gwinnett County board of education officer during an Oct. 3 hearing that Harry Potter should be banned from classrooms and school libraries." (story) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464/
However, Gary DeMar of American Vision explains the spiritual battle taking place behind the scenes:
"Here is an indication of her naivete, believing that if Harry Potter is banished all will be right in the public schools and that the schools and all the teachers have the best worldview interests of her children at heart: “When my children are at school, I’m trusting them to the teachers and that school. They are my most precious things in the entire world to me. I surely don’t want them indoctrinated into a religion whose practices are evil.”(story) http://www.americanvision.org/articlearchive/10-05-06.asp
Dr. Albert Mohler: Protecting Parents' Right To Educate Their Children
There has been a lot in the news lately, including 3 school shootings in one week. Please take a moment to listen to Dr. Mohler'sradio program from yesterday:
"...sothat you may become blameless and pure, children of God without faultin a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars inthe universe..."
September, 2006
SBCHEA: Back to School Update Southern Baptist Church & Home Education Association
Last month we announced our "Exit Strategy State Convention Emphasis". SBCHEA still needs Southern Baptist parent educators to sponsor Exit Strategy resolutions for their state conventions. If you want more information on sponsoring a resolution, please email Dr. Bruce Shortt, lohengrin2000@sbcglobal.net, as soon as possible. Carl and I have already submitted our resolution, and the whole family plans to attend the Louisiana Baptist Convention on November 13 and 14th, in Lake Charles. Visit the Southern Baptist Convention website, www.sbc.net, to locate your state convention, with date and location information. Most conventions will be held in mid-November this year, but we need you to get involved immediately!
We are so grateful to Bob Allen, our good friend at Ethics Daily, for again providing excellent coverage for our Southern Baptist homeschool ministry. He reported on our efforts this fall in his August 14th article, Homeschooling Proponent Sends 'Message' to SBC President (story)
This week, HSLDA also expressed their support for our Exit Strategy Emphasis, in Support Grows for Southern Baptist Resolution on Exodus from Public Schools.(story)
The reason Christian media coverage is so crucial to our cause, is because of the way communications are established within the Southern Baptist Convention. When you become a member of a SBC affiliated local church, your family's contact information is NOT entered into some SBC database, where you now receive all information related to the convention. SBC news is either distributed by the online newsletter, The Baptist Press, state convention newspapers, or through the church leadership, in the form of church newsletters. The vast majority of these three sources do not report on education issues or homeschooling, for fear of conflict! On rare occasions, homeschool-friendly reports will be published. This is why we are so grateful to Ethics Daily, Homeschool Legal Defense Association, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and a few others for helping us spread the word of our SBCHEA ministry's support and encouragement for Southern Baptist homeschoolers. However, last week I attended our local Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association's Annual Church Planning Meeting, and was very encouraged and inspired on how to network within our local association. Church libraries, if properly organized, can be an incredible resource for our families. Missions opportunities abound if we can just reach out and get our NLBA homeschooling families together, instead of scattered and isolated.
Back to our resolutions emphasis, SBCHEA already has ten regional SBCHEA e-groups set up for networking purposes. Does it really make a difference if we show up at our state conventions? Yes! I can even offer proof. Here is a reminder about the generous offer to Texas homeschool students by the Southern Baptists of Texas state convention office.
Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is inviting homeschooling families to be a part of our annual meeting, Nov 13-14 atGreat Hills Baptist Church in Austin. This is a veryhomeschool-friendly congregation and we will again be offeringopportunities for internships during the meeting for students 6th gradeand older. In the September issue of our magazine we will outlinehomeschooling opportunities, including a local government-related fieldtrip, opportunity to learn about Texas history, and application processfor one or two-day internships. More information will be available in September. Please contact the SBTC office if interested in this wonderful opportunity! Toll free: 877.953.SBTC or sbtexas@sbtexas.com
John Stossel's 20/20 Report "Stupid in America" to be Rebroadcast Friday September 1, 10:00pm Eastern/Pacific
Alan Schaeffer, the new President of the Alliance for the Separation of School & State, just sent us this. Last year the program caused quite a stir among government school administrators and faculty. SBCHEA purchased the program transcript for discussion on our Deliberately Christian e-loop. The Southern Baptist homeschooling community needs to be aware of the issues and horrible statistics. We also need to be on our knees, praying for every child to be rescued from this tragic situation. How many of us have heard, "Our schools are not that bad." Well, if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's actions this week are a hint of things to come, we need to get that Exit Strategy in place now!
SBCHEA Blog
For the most up-to-date news, please check out our new SBCHEA Blog. Also, If you have never joined ourDeliberately Christian online family, you are missing a blessing! It'swhere you can find the latest news and best source of encouragement inthe Southern Baptist homeschooling community. If you have any questions concerning our SBCHEA state convention emphasis, or thoughts on how SBCHEA can better serve the Southern Baptist homeschooling community, please send your comments to our blog. Personally, I would also like to know any information on Dame schools or cottage schools. This is an under-served area in the homeschooling community, and I've had several people ask me about this recently. (blog archives)
Chalcedon Questionnaire for Homeschoolers
"We at Chalcedon aredoing a series of articles about homeschooling, maybe to be developed intoa book. In order to collect quotes, anecdotes, and information fromhomeschooling families."
Lee Duigon
Chalcedon Foundation
To participate in this import survey for home educators, do not reply to this newsletter. Please copy, paste, and complete the following poll into an email, with "SBCHEA Survey" in the subject line, and send it to Lee at leeduigon@verizon.net
Questionnaire for Homeschoolers
1. Background information about you and your family--where you live, age, occupation, education, number and ages of children, etc.
2. What made you decide to start homeschooling?
3. Did you think it was going to be really hard, and did it turn out that way?
4. Is there a Christian component to the education you give your child? Please describe.
5. Do you try to give your child a godly outlook that embraces all subjects, including math and science? (I'm especially interested in parents who are seriously trying to do this, and how they go about it. We at Chalcedon always recommend this kind of instruction, but it's not so easy to explain what it is or how to do it.)
6. Have public school officials, or anyone from the government, ever tried to interfere with you? In what way? What did you do about it?
7. What would you say has been the most rewarding thing about your homeschooling experience?
Please feel free to add any other comments you like, and email survey to leeduigon@verizon.net.
This "Women in Ministry" Thing
A hot topic among our Deliberately Christian family this week is the article by Audrey Broggi. We even have a couple of stay-at-home-homeschooling dads that were encouraged by it!
This Women in Ministry Thing Spring/Summer 2006 Edition Apr 18 2006
Before you read this journal, let me say something. I don't have a personal problem with Jill Briscoe or Ann Graham Lotz or Beth Moore or Kay Arthur or any of the rest of the celebrity women Bible teachers. I'm sure they love the Lord - I don't doubt their zeal for a moment. However, I strongly disagree with their ministry lifestyles and how they model such lifestyles for young women. I believe they are wrong and are (though perhaps unintentionally) having a negative influence on the family. I pray for them because their influence is huge and it encourages a lifestyle inconsistent with Scripture even if that is not what they mean to do. Though it seems at times that I am a lone voice, and though you may not like what you�re about to read, this is the way I see it.
OK. Everyone relaxed? Now continue reading if you don't mind being challenged: (more)
Evangelistic Message: Christ Renews our Minds
With everyone consumed with "Back to Home-School" fever, Our thoughts this month are about worshipping Jesus with our minds.
"Studyis indeed the highest form of worship, for it is our subjection of ourhuman reason to a conscious act of our human will to believewhat God has said that manifests the faith that is credited to us forrighteousness. When we believe God and act on our faith, we receive theimputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. When we study God's Word with aview toward obeying it, we become wholly submissive to God and can thenwalk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. In such a state, there is nocondemnation to us, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesushas freed us from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1, 2) Dr. John D. Garr, Restore Magazine
Our daughter, Emily, is now an 11th grader preparing for college. This fall is consumed with studying for the PSAT, ACT, and beyond. I was having nightmares, that I had not done my job properly, and she would not score well on these tests. Algebra and I do not get along, and I knew our girls would suffer because of this. However, since Tuesday, I no longer have doubts, because I trust Jesus completely with the minds of my daughters.
Tuesday morning, Emily went to a practice PSAT test at my alma mater in Monroe. A couple of hours later, I picked her up and she was practically in tears. "Mom, I just didn't have enough time on the reading section of the test. It was easy enough, but one section was on astrology, and it just made me so mad. Don't they know only God is absolute Truth?! The other section was on psychoanalysis, and yesterday we had just watched Grasping for the Wind, with the section on Sigmund Freud, and how man tried to replace God with science. Mom, the questions on the test were easy, but I just kept on analyzing the worldviews of the test and ran out of time!"
After this, I took a deep breath and let out a huge sigh of relief. Jesus, please forgive my lack of faith. You are providing my children with a True Education.
Dr. Albert Mohler: (President-SBTS Seminary) “Far toomany Christians neglect to pay attention to what is distinctivelyChristian about Christian education. In Romans 12:2, Paul wrote, "Anddo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewingof your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that whichis good and acceptable and perfect." That powerful sentence representsthe very heart of Christian education. Rather than conforming to theprevailing worldview of the secular culture, Christian education is tobe transformative--demonstrating the power of God's truth in humanlives. A true Christian education is like a light shining in thedarkness. In a day when the prevailing secular culture is not evencertain that truth exists, Christian education is established in thename and to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is "the Way, theTruth, and the Life.“ http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2006-04-05
Our faith is much more than going to church on Sunday morning, singing a happy, feel good song to a rock beat, listening to Plexiglas Preaching, and then walking in the flesh for the next seven days. It is about taking every thought captive to Christ. It is about relating to Him and worshipping Him with our minds. It is about trusting Him enough with our, excuse me, His children to not surrender to the pressure of standardized college admission exams from a secular humanist worldview. Emily really, really wants to go to college. Carl and I want her to extend the Kingdom Education she began in our home, and she will at the school her heart is set on. I just pray the Admissions Department will look past the test scores, and into her heart and mind. Theology is NOT on the test, but it is the True Test of our faith.
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
The months of October and November are the seasonfor the state convention annual meetings of the Southern BaptistConvention. SBCHEA has long encouraged our homeschooling families to teach Southern Baptist history and distinctives to their children, attend these meetings,and let your voices be heard. In 2006, homeschoolers have finally engaged! Resolutions, insupport of a Christ-centered Kingdom Education for children, have beensubmitted across the entire Continental United States! (story) and (story).
