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,WE LIVE UP fO OUA NÀHE"

CBS Television51 West 52 StreetNew York, NY 10019

Dear Sir:

lf your network (CBS) truly intends tofurther encourage this departure fromgodliness and Bible precepts by showingsuch ungodly and anti-Christian movies, itwill do so only over the strong protests

of my church, my family and me.

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fl tn ,egara to your edirorial@mment captioned 'The þst Wordon the Death Penalty' in the issue ofApr¡l 12th, I assure you that the NewTestament, also, gives its assent tocapital punishment. Sir, in f irm dis-agreement, yet k¡ndly, I tell you -God st¡ll believes in capital punish-

ment, both here and hereafter. ll

3f enc¡osø you witt find a

resolution adopted unanimously byour church on April 1 3th expressingour opposition to the Equal RightsArnerìdment being ænsidered by theHouse this week. tt

f f 'coo¿ News for ModernMan' is bad news for NorthCarolina and all America, and I andthe church I pastor want to go onre@rd as being opposed to it andthe method by which ¡t ¡s to be

d¡stributed ¡n our state. tt

fl enctose¿ you will find a

resolution adopted unanimously byour church and a list of signatures ona petition of protest concerning thequality of music played on yourstation. tt

WITNESS,

\AARN AND

I'\ATCH

By L Bennie Turner

Thus read excerpts from some of thepast letters I have wr¡tten to protestcerta¡n issues that have confronted ourcommunity of Micro, North Carolina,from time to time. Other issues that I

and the Fellowship Free Will BaptistChurch have protested verbally on theradio and/or by personal confrontationhave been filthy literature, alcohol, theMasonic order, compromise evangelism,the Charismatic Movement and ungodlyteaching in the local high school.

WITNESSWhy did I do this? Why will I

cûntinue to do so and to lead mychurch thusly? There are severalreasons. ln the f irst place, it isimportant to my Christian witness andtestimony in a community that I standstrongly on God's side concerning themoral isues that arise. I must not onlybe positive about the Christian life andthe virtues thereof, but also be negativeabout the sinful life and its vices. I notonly approve those th¡ngs that areexcellent, but I oppose those things thatare ev¡l and anti-Christ. Jesus said inJohn 18:37, ",. .lor this cause came I

into the world, that I should bear

w¡tness unto tùe truth . . . ." And oftenHe bore witness to the truth bY

exposing the falæl So are we to dol TheChurch of Jesus Christ must still give av¡tal w¡tness that She ¡s the "salt of theearth" and the "light of the world"(Matthew 5:13-16). She is to season thecommunity for righteousnes and toilluminate by her good works (includingopposing erril worksl for the glory ofGod.

. WARNBeing a v¡tal w¡tness involves "crying

aloud" and vigorously warning aga¡nst

the things and individuals in this lifethat will wreck the body and destroythe soul. The Apostle Paul was not onlya vital witness, but he vigorously warnedas well. This is shown by his admonitionto the Philippian church {Philippians3: 17-19) : "Brethren, be followerstogether of me, and mark them whichwalk so ye have us for an ensample.(For many walk, of whom I ha\re toldyou often, and now tell y<x¡ eìren

weeping, that they are the enemies ofthe cross of Christ: Whose end isdestruction, whose God is their belly,and whose glory is in their shame, whomind earthly things.)"

These "ene-mies of the cross ofChrist" still abound today in weryshape and form, and we as Paul stillharre a biblical and moral obligation tocompasionately wam concerning them.This is another reason I and thechurches I hare pastored hare from timeto t¡me opposed and protested stronglyis$es that have arisen in ourcommunity, state or nation that haveshown themselves to be "enemies of thecross of Christ." These protests take theform of personal letters from me to theffoup or person involved and/or tonewspapers and radio, as well as

reeolutions or pet¡t¡ons from thechurch, and on several occasionspersonal confrontation. Whether or notmy protests achiwe the goal I desire(Some have, thank God.), I still havea moral and Christian obligation and

ABOUT THE WRITEB: Mr. Turner ræentlyæumed tlre pætorship of the àrrollton FreeyV¡il Eaptist Miseìon. @fioilton, Virglnia,following an extended minlstry wíthFellowshìp F¡ce Will Eaptlst Church, tliøo,Not'th Carolín¿ He ìs a graduate of Bú JonesUnlwrs¡ty, G recnvllle, &utlt @rollm.

duty to sound my voice wittl certa¡ntyand to give the warning needed (lsaiah

58:1). I will give an acco¡nt toAlmighty God ¡f I fail to.do so (Ezekiel3;17 -21; 38:7-9; Hebrews 1 3: 1 7).

We rejoice over the v¡ctor¡es claimed.The Equal Rights Amendment wasdefeated in North Carolina by a vote of62-57 with both our countyrepresentatives voting aga¡nst it. Thelocal radio station did cease to play'The Pill," which was the particularsong protested.

You see, my job as God's manaccording to Colosians 1:27,28 is notonly to preach Christ and to teæh everyman in all things, but also to warn everYman. Warn them with tears that flowfrom a çnuinely compassionate,concerned, broken heart (Acts 20:31)'Preach Christ - yesl Teach every manall things - yesl But also wam everymanl For until we've warned every man,the total task of the Church is not done.

WATCHln order to be an effective, vital

witnes and to vigorously warn,howaner, I must be ever watchful. I

must be a vigilant watcher. "Thereforewatch .. .," Paul tells the Ephesianleaders in Acts 20:31. To the Corinthianchurch he appeals: "lltlatch ye, standfast in the faith. qu¡t you like men, bestrong" (l Corinthians 16:13). He

Church in Revelation 3:2 is instructedto "be watchfr¡{, and strengthen thethings which remain . . . ." TheEphesian Church was told to "walkcircumspectfy, not as fools, but as wise"(Ephesians 5:15). Circumspect means

"watchful on all sides."

Brethren, we ha¡e a iob to do. We

must be watchful on all sides to the wilsthat prevail. We must compassionatelywarn both the sa¡nt and the sinner. Wemust as Paul told Timothy "war a good

warfare" (lTimothy 1:18) and "fightthe good fight of faith" (l Timothy6:12). Our conflict with Satan must bepositive, not pasive. lt must be active,not apathetic- And then when ourwarfare is over and our fighting is done,we Gan rest sat¡sf¡ed that we wore ourarmor well and handled our Swordwiæly. We can take comfort in the factthat we fought the battle courageouslyand uncompromisingly.

Be assured that the final victory is

oursl But until that time, we must bethat v¡tal witnes for righteousness thatvigilantly watchæ the signs of the timesand vigorously warns of present andimpending dançr. God help us aspreachers and churches to be d¡l¡gent ¡nour duty: "to withstand in the evil day,and having done all, to standl'(Ephesians 6:13b). By so doing, we can

say at the end of our life as did Paul: "l

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"I must not only be positive about the Christian lifeand the virtues thereof, but also be negative aboutthe sinful life and its vices."

advises the Coloss¡an congregation to"Continue in prayer, and watch in thesame with thanksgiving" (Golossians

4:21. To the church at Thesalonica hesays: 'Therefore let us not sleep, as doothers; but let us watch and be sober"(l Thesalonians 5:6). After tellingyoung Timothy to "reprove, rebuke,exhort," he further ¡nstructs him to"watch thou in all things" (llTimothy4:5). To the Hebret ,s he writes: "Obeythem that ha¡e the rule over you, andsubmit yourselves: for they watch foryorr souls, as they that must giveaccount..." (Heb. 13:17). The Sardis

have fought a good fight, I ha¡e finishedmy course, I hare kePt the faith"(ll Timothy 4:7).

SUNDAY SCHOOL PASTRobert Raikes is the father of the

Sunday school movement. He was bornin 1736, the son of a Gloucester printera nd editor. He later inherited hisfather's occupation and position. Raikesbecame concerned about the deplorablecondition of the prisons, and for anumber of years he channeled hisefforts into making life more tolerablefor those who were confined in them.He then turned his attention to tryingto better the lot of the lower classes. Hefinally arrived at the conclusion thatthis could best be accomplished through

wou ld also include instruction inreading and church catechism.

Thus it was in July, 1780, thatRaikes gathered the poorer children ofthe manufacturing quarter ofGloucester, England, into the privatehome of a Mr. King on St. CatherineStreet. There the first GloucesterSunday school was started. Mrs. Kingwas the teacher and was paid a shillingand a sixpence for her effort.

Perhaps you are wondering whyRobert Raikes is known as the father ofthe Sund.ay school movement. Whyshould 1780 be recognized as the date

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STII{DAY

SCHOOLthe education of their children.

During the period of the lndustr¡alRevolution businessmen hired manychildren. Children worked for lowerwages than adults and were not so likelyas adults to cause labor problems.Factory owners wanted to use theirsmall, nimble fingers for tendingmachines. They often performed jobsthat required adult strength. Many ofthese children were under 10 years old,and some were only 5 or 6. Somechildren toiled as long as '16 hours a dayand worked 6 days a week. Some wereeven chained to their rnachines. lt wasnear the beginning of the lndustrialRevolution that Robert Raikes beganhis Sunday school effort.

On Sunday the children who hadtoiled through the week were turnedloose to revel in all sorts of vice. Raikesbelieved he could help solve some ofEngland's crime and social ills by gettingthese children off the streets and into aclassroom. Raikes was considered to be"evangelical" by those who knew him;so it was only natural that h¡s schemefor educating the "waifs" and others

of the beginning of the Sunday school?The Sunday schools of our day arenoth¡ng like the ones which RobertR aikes founded. Raikes' motivationdiffered from ours. Others predatedRaikes with their Sunday æhools. Whythen do we credit this man and acceptthis date as the origin of the movement?

Raikes is recognized as the father ofSunday schools not because he inventedthem but because he pioneered them.He may have even taken the idea fromsomeone else. Raikes began Sundayschools in several slum areas ofG loucester. After 3 years ofexper¡mentation Raikes published anaccount of his work in his newspaper.The article was picked up by Londonnewspapers. The idea caught on, andSunday schools were begun throughoutEngland. By the time Raikes died in1811, attendance ín Sunday schoolsnumbered 400,000 pupils.

ln the years that followed Raikes'death, the Bible was introduced as thebasic unit of study for Sunday æhools.Ch¡ld labor laws were passed, andsecu lar elementary and secondary

ABOUT THE WRITER: Dr. Beads is gcneraldirector of the Sunday &hool Depanment ofthe National Association of Free Will Baptisæ.This artícle is adapted from a book of theeme title authored by Mr. Reeds. lt isavailable at $1.00 per copy from RandallHouse Publicatìons, P.O. Ûox 173 ,Nashville, Tennessee 3721 7.

THE BICEIITEIII\IIAL OF THEBy

Roger C. Reeds

ln the hustle and bustle of preparingfor the Bicentennial of our nation,another important bicentennial may beoverlooked. I am referring to theforthcoming bicentennial of the Sundayschool movement. ln 1980 the Sundayæhool effort will be 200 years old. I

know of no other organízation that hashad a greater impact on the world andespecially America. ln fact, I need notçeak of the Sunday school in the pasttense for the Sunday school ministry isalive and vital today.

As we approach a significantmilestone in this great ministry, I wantto give a broad survey of the Sundayschool movement. I shall review Sundayschool past, then take a look at Sundayæhools today, and finally make someforecasts about Sunday schools of thefuture.

"Those Sunday schoolsthat neglect the two-foldpurpose of the Sundayschool - to win the lostand teach the saved - willdecline."

schools became prominent in Englandand America. Many of these secularschools featúred the Bible as theirtextbook. The American plan forSunday schools called for the teachingof the Bible by Christian laymen andwomen. lt was also to become an

agency both of evangelization andtraining.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENT

During the first century the Sundayschool experienced considerable growthunder the strong influence of RobertRaikes. Raikes"'mission schools"spread throughout England, Wales,

lreland and Scotland. When the Raikes'Sunday school idea was brought toAmerica, it was adopted by thechurches as a means of teaching theGospel. The Sunday school moved intoan era of memorization - great passages

of -Scriptures were committed tomemory. Sometimes prizes wereawarded to the child who was able torecite the most Scripture. Then theSunday school studies became a series

of questions, and "Union OuestionBooks" were published. At the close ofthis first century the lnternationalLesson Outlines were born.

During these early years the Sundayæhool was organized into the variousdivisions that are recognized today. TheCradle Roll Department began in 1880.The story is told that a small boydropped one penny into a birthdaYbank of a Sunday school. He

acknowledged that the penny was notfor himself but for his baby brotherwho was "too young to come to Sundayschool." The young lad's teachers

decided that it would be a good idea tocompile a list of babies too young toattend Sunday school, and the CradleRoll Ministry was begun. Common sense

helped to create the other levels ofSunday school organization. ManySunday schools adopted the titles given

to the various levels by the secularschools. Gradually the organizationtook shape.Ready To Go, But lt D¡dn't

The Sunday school was now geared

for expansion. lf it thrived in its firstcentury, surely it would abound in itssecond century. This was not to be so.

The Sunday school went into an era ofdecline. Beginning in 1916 there was a

decreaæ in the number of SundaY

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ConfentsAPRIL, 1976

2 THE TOTAL TASK OF THE CHURCH: WITNESS,WARN AND WATCHl. Bennie Turner

4 THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOLRoger C. Reeds

8 CENTURION'S REFLECTIONS FROM CALVARYBob May

9 FREE WILL BAPTIST NEWSFRONT

CURRENTLY...Eugene Workman

GENERAL DIRECTOR SHARES OBSERVATIONS OFRECENT TRIP TO EUROPEAN MISSION POINTSStaff writers

THE JOY OF ENTERTAINING AND BEINGENTERTAINEDElizabeth Gibson

MADE IN HIS IMAGE . PATt VILeroy Forlines

THE SOUNDING BOARD

SHOULD TONGUES.SPEAKING BE TOLERATED?Rufus Coffey

A special interview on page l4 emphasizes that April isF oreign M issions Month.

Editor-in-Chief : Rufus CoffeyAdministrative Editor: Eugene WorkmanEditorial Ass¡stant: Susan Burgess

Circulation: Carolyn Rhodes

CONTACT VOL. XXlll, No. 4

16

16

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Published monthly by the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Post Office Box1088, Nashville, Tennessee 37202. Add¡ess all correspondence and subscript¡ons to thisaddress. Subscription rates: 1 year, $4.00; church family plan, $3.48 per year; churchbundle plan, 31 cents per copy. Second class postagp psid at Nashville, Tennessee.

Copyright privileges, reserved, @ 1976 Member of the Errançlical Press Assoc¡ation.

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PRAYER MEETINGSIN HOMES ILLEGALIN DETROIT AREAWARREN, MICH. (N.C.) - DorisJo Lane knew that a fewneighbors didn't like her holdingprayer meetings in her home -but she never thought thegatherings would be declaredillegal.

For 2 years an average of 25Christians - some coming from asfar as 40 miles away - havegathered weekly in her smallhouæ in this Detroit suburb topray, study the Bible and singpraiæs to the Lord.

Recently Miss Lane, 42, wastold by the city building inspectorthe meetings must stop. "Churchactivities" in a residentialneighborhood without citypermision were against the localzoning law.

Miss Lane, a Pentecostal,refuæd to stop the meetings, andshe was given a citation. Severalmonths later a judge in a MichiganDistrict Court found her guilty as

charged.Miss Lane's case is being

defended by the American CivilLiberties Union on the premisethat the First Amendmentguarantees privacy and the freeexercise of religion.

"For example, if people wereholding meetings several times aweek to discuss political issuesand a suit was filed to stop them,people would be up in arms," saidHoward Simon, executive directorof the A.C.L.U. in Michigan.

One A.C.L.U. official charçdthat the zoning-law act¡on"appears to be a new tact¡c somecities around the country areusing to restrict undesiredreligious activ¡ty."

"Courts have ruled now thatthe right of privacy allows a manto show pornographic movies inthe privacy of his home," saidA.C.L.U. attorney Bill Ross, whois defending Miss Lane. 'Thiswoman is exercising her right toworship with friends. Are wegoing to ban prayer in the home?"

Miss Lane's sentence now hasbeen zuspended.

"Another contributingfactor to the decline of theSunday school was itsrefusal to change and adoptnew methods."

schools as well as á decrease in thenumber of pupils enrolled. ln 1943 Dr.Clarence Benson wrote, "Governmentfigures indicated that despite theincrease in population, Sunday schoolenrollment has decreased 12.6 percentbetween 1926 and 1936." Helen F.Spaulding, associate director of researchof the I nternational Council ofReligious Education, said in an article inThe lnternational Journal of ReligiousEducation for November, 1950,"Sunday school enrollment showed a

healthy and continuous growth duringthe first third of the century. Thenduring the thirties something happened;momentum slowed down, and some ofthe religious bodies actually registered a

loss."These statements leave one puzzled.

How could an organization with such a

marvelous history and bright future fail?What happened? The blame could beplaced upon the Great Depression andthe recession that preceded it. Perhaps itis true that the Depression did havesome effect upon the Sunday schoolministry, but it was not its major causeof decline.

The Sunday school had becomevitally linked with the church in thepropagation of the Gospel. lts ministryhad become two-fold: to win the lostand teach the saved. As long as thistwo-fold purpose remained at theforefront, the Sunday school thrived.When this thrust was lost, then theSunday school began to decline.

The Sunday school fell victim to thetheological flavors of the day. ln the lasthalf of the nineteenth century the greatbattle of liberalism versusfundamentalism was fought in Europe.ln the f irst half of the twentieth centurythe battle moved to America. Many ofthe main-line denominations werecaught up in the flood tide of liberalism.Colleges and seminaries that had beenbulwarks of the fa¡th now becamehotbeds of theological controversy. Atthe forefront of this slide towardsliberalism was the National Council of

Churches. A social gospel became thesound that was trumpeted.

Another contributing factor to thedecline of the Sunday school was itsrefusal to change and adopt newmethods. Children and adults wereexposed to new methods in seculareducation and then came to Sundayschool where things were done the sameway as they had been done in theirgrandparents' day. This stagnat¡onp robably contributed much to thedecline of Sunday school.

Revival of Sunday SctroolsThe climax of the second hundred

years of the Sunday school movement isnow drawing near. The past 25 yearshave witnessed a revival of interest andthrust in the Sunday school except forsome denominations with problems ofliberalism. They continue to show a

decline in Sunday school enrollmentand attendance. On the contrary thosedenominations and independentchurches that have continud tochampion the Bible are st¡ll growing.

Some of the groundwork for growthwas begun in the '40's and '50's. The'60's and '70's have been years ofconstruction. Growth is beingexperienced both inside and outsidedenominations.

The pacesetter for denominationalchurches seems to be the giant FirstBaptist Church of Dallas, Texas. Dr. W.A. Criswell is the pastor. Thisdowntown church has consistently ledthe Southern Baptist denomination ingrowth. The largest independent churchis the First Baptist Church, Hammond,lndiana, where Jack Hyles is the pastor.This church is consistently the largest inthe world. lt leads the top 100 Sundayschools each year. Another giant of theind ependents is the Thomas RoadBaptist Church of Lynchburg, Virginia.Jerry Falwell is the pastor there. Hylesand Falwell pioneered the bus ministryin Sunday æhools.

It is evident that Sunday schoolsgrow because of certain reasons.

Basically these reasons are the old Lawsof Sunday School Growth used bySouthern Baptists for so many years.These laws have been ref ined andrevised by some, but the basics remainthe same. Here are the Laun of SundaySchool Grovvth.

1. Enrollment increases inproportíon to workers at the ratioof 10 to 1.

2. Units normally reach maximum

growth within a few months.3. New units grow faster, win more

people and prcvide more workers.4. Grading by ages provides the

logical basis for adding new units.5. Promotion on the age basis

follows the natural laws of growthand development.

6. Enrollment and attendanceincrease in proportion tovisitation.

7. The building sets the pattern forSunday school growth.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL FUTURE

What will the Sunday school do inthe next 5, 10 or 25 years? Some maior(liberal) denominations are discussingwhether or not to discontinue theSunday school. lndividual churches have

decided to drop their Sunday schoolprcigrams and try some other weekdayactiv¡ty. History has revealed that thosedenominations or churches thatabandon the Sunday school and itspurpose will show a definite decrease.

Those Sunday schools that neglect thetwo-fold purpose of the Sunday school

- to win the lost and teach the saved -will decline. Will we learn from ourhistory?

ln 1980 the SundaY school willcelebrate its bicentennial. Perhaps some

recognition will be given to RobertRaikes and others. lt is fine to PaYtr¡bute to whom tribute is due;however, the church can never rest uponits laurels. Past accomplishments willnever suff ice when there are new

horizons to conquer and souls to be

won. R ather than a Period ofcelebration, this should be a time ofcontemplation. lt should be a time forplanning for the remainder of theoentury and the beginning of the nextcentury. Often we excuse ourselvesfrom any planning for the future bY

æying, "surely Jesus will return beforethen." I hope He will, but we are still to

"We cannot afford toteach only portions of theWord. To do so makes itspoon-fed to supportfavorite teachings ordoctrines."

plan and prepare as though He will notappear for the next several decades.

Where do we start? We must beginright where we are. We must reaffirmour position relative to the Bible. We

must continue to declare the Bible as

the inerrant, inspired Word of God. We

can never expect to make headway ¡ntothe future without settl¡ng this fact. TheBible is God's book. lt is a massive bookthat must be taught during a one'hourperiod on Sunday morning. lf we are toteach such a giant book in such a shorttime, we must have some form ofsystematic approach to our studY.

All of the Bible must be taught. We

cannot afford to teach only portions ofthe Word. To do so makes it spoon'fedto support favorite teachings ordoctrines. The teacher must arrive atsome systematic plan of Bible study.Such a plan is available from some ofthe independent or denominationalpublishing houses. ln addition thereshould be some more advanced methodof Bible study prepared for those whoare ready for it. These are available fromsome houæs in the form of electives.Electives offer in-depth study of booksof the Bible as well as Bible relatedsubjects.

The Sunday school has made

tremendous advances numericallYduring the past several decades. I cannothelp but wonder if we have kePt Pacewith quality teaching. Have we.increased the student's Bible l.O.? Doour converts know more about the B¡blenow than they did a few years ago? lt is

my conviction that we must find thebest approach possible to teaching the66 books of the B¡ble.

The Sunday school of the future willhave to cont¡nue a teacher'tra¡ningprogram. As Sunday school teachingbecomes more sophisticated, the teacherwill need better training. How'tocourses are available now in Sundayschool organization, teach¡ng techniquesand pedagogy. Courses should be addedthat w¡ll include the use of audiovisualsand programmed teaching. The changes

in these fields are coming rapidly. TheSunday school must stand ready toadapt to the new inventions. We mustbe ready to use what we can and discardwhat we cannot. The Sunday school is

no place for the Mr. Milquetoast who istoo tim¡d to try anyth¡ng new.

Remember Robert Raikes was willing toplow new ground. Are You? Am l? Are

FAEING TI{E FAETS'We need to face ûe facts; it ìs

evident that the mílitary alwayswíll fu w¡th us. Jesus sPoke of'wars and rumors of wars' beforeúe time of HÍs coming,"

Walter E. GoldingFree Will BaptistChaplaÍn, Capta¡n, USAFLoring AFB, Maíne

Numerous Free Will Bapt¡stsons and daughters serve in theArmed Forces. TheY need ourprayers and the reassurance thatthe church "back home" has notforgotten them. Others need to be

introduced to the Lord Jesr¡s

Christ.The last Sunday in MaY has

been designated Servicemen'sSunday. Churches are encouraged

to plan a special recognition on

this Sunday in honor of those in

the Armed Forces. PraY also forthe chaplains who minister to men

and women awaY from home.

Servicemen's Sunday

May 30, 1976

For more information, write:

WNACP.O. Box 1088

Nashv il le, Tennessee 37 202.

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CENTURION'SREFTECTIONS FROM CATVARY

By Bob May

The zultry atmosphere performs an iniust¡ce to myreputable position as I stand upon the dry, barren knoll.Beads of sr¿rreat collect on my forehead, and thehumidity seems to grow worse as I æorn the sun's rayswhich urge the situation cloær to intolerability.Shafts of light glance off my shiny array of armor,impairing my vision momentarily as I focus upon thepomp of the glistening ensigns adorned in çlendor andsoldiers attired in their royal garb. The display ofpolished metal contrasts aga¡nst the mediocre apparel ofthe common people standing about in the sryeltering heat.Their faces reflect the same expressions, the same ., .i'mood. tst- ';

My attention is diverted to the pale, slenderfigure laíd at my feet, his body stretched over awooden cross. His flesh has been æourged, andthe blood, oozing from the gashes across his

torso, stands as ev¡dence. His face is covered with pathsof crimson, where the blood has trickled from the wounds

across his forehead made by a crown of thorns whichsomeone had unmercifully planted ¡nto h¡s scalp. He lies

there, mutilated and exhausted, not putt¡ng forth aneffort to resist. His countenance is unaltered, still

showing signs of-unbealable þaìn ariä to-rmenf-Eut yetlsense a feeling of peace from this man's expression, even

while he is stricken with agony, as if this ordeal werepredestined or had a purpose clinging to it.

As I continue to gaze upon him, hiseyes roll in their sockets and look up toward me, seemingly

piercing my very soul like a sword. lt's as if upon his, .r shoulders rest the world's pains, sorrows and sins

- even my ownl A tingling chill runs along my spine,and I have difficulty sustaining a grasp on the

objects in my hands - a hammer and 3 rusty nails.

AEOUT THE IURITER: Hr. May is a sophomoreat @lifornia Christ¡an Collqe, Fresno. He is a

member of the Hughson Free l/tlill Baptist Church,Hughson, California.

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FWBBC PRESIDENT TO PARTTCIPATE IN \ryORLD CONGRESS OF FUNDAMENTALISTS

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - Dr. L. C.

Johnson, president of Free Will BaptistBible College, Nashville, Tennessee, is

one of many who hold to thefundamentals of the Christian faith tobe invited to participate in the program

of th e W o rld Congress ofFundamentalists. Called the firstmeeting of its kind to crossdenominational lines, the WorldCongres is scheduled June 15'22, 1976.

Sponsors say it ¡s not des¡gned to create

a new denomination or worldorganization, but is for fellowship,instruction and insPiration.

The worldwide meeting will feature

speakers such as Dr' lan Paisley,

member of parliament and ministerfrom Belfast, Northern lreland; Dr' Bob

Jones, lll of Bob Jones UniversitY,

Greenville, South Carolina; Dr' Jack

Van lmpe, an evangelist from RoYal

Oak, Michigan; Dr. Tom Malone, Pastorfrom Pontiac, Michigan, and president

of the Midwestern Baptist College;

Judge Evelyn Goffman, Court ofCommon Pleas, Washington Courthouse,

Ohio; and Dr. Wendell Zimmerman,editor of the Baptist Ùíble Tribune'

Jacksonville, Florida. Other speakers

come from around the world includingToronto, Canada; Bangalore, lndia;South Australia; Singapore; Alexandria,Egypt; Mazeres, France; and West

Pakistan.Among the topics to be discussed are

the authority of the Bible, the basis ofChristian fellowship, missions in a

changing world, pros and cons ofcurrent evangelistic techniques, and theChristian's responsibilitY to his

government. Papers on the subiects willbe read, and delegates will have an

opportunity to resPond. Times ofprayer, çecial seminars, meetings for

women and Preaching services are

included in the Program'Dr. Johnson will moderate a panel of

Christian educators who will discuss

"The Fundamentalist and Education"'Panelists include Dr. Dayton Hobbs,

president of Santa Rosa Christian

Schools in Milton, Florida; Mr. John

McKenzie, chairman of the Board ofDirectors of Faith Christian School, lnc'

in South Austral¡a; and Dr. Paul S'

Warren, Huntington Christian Academy,

Huntington, West V irginia.

Other Free Will Baptist leaders are

expected to be in attendance at this

World Congress of Fundamentalists.

FREE WILL BAPTIST

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CHURCH PERSONNEL CHANGES

These changes ¡n Free W¡ll Bapt¡stpastoral and other church personnelare provided by CONTACT Magazineas a service to its readers. No person

w¡ll be listed as having left a place ofservice until he is called officially toserve w¡th another congregat¡on.

PASTORATES

CALIFORNIABob Thornburg to Santa Paula

Church, Santa Paula from GarlandChurch, Garland, Te><as

Bill Johnson to Clovis Church,Clovis from Buhl Church, Buhl, ldaho

Meryl Erickson to Concord Church,Concord from Clovis Church. Clovis

Gordon H. Bradshaw to SelrvlChurch, Selrna from Santa Paula

Church, Santa Paula

MICHIGANMilton Worth¡ngton to Central

Church, Royal Oak from DonelsonChurch, Nashville, Tennessee

MtssouRlLarry Stevens to FellowshiP

Church, Flat Rirær from Pleasant AcresChurch, New Bern, North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINAA. C. Truluck to RockY Pass

Church, Marion from Satilla Church,Hazelhurst, Georgia

Wayne Lee to Faith Church.Rockingham from First Church,Washingrton

Billy Jackson to First Church,Jacksonville from Cove City Church'Co\æ City

Gordon Hart to First Church,Grimesland from Grifton Church,Grifton

William Seley to Cove CitY Church,Cove City

Billy Allen to West F¡fth AvenueChurch, Gastonia from RockY Pass

Church, Marion

Ron lvey to First Church, Wash-ington from New HoPe Church,Fredr¡cktown, Missouri

oHtoFloyd Montgomery to First

Church, New Carlisle

OKLAHOMA-Jarney Deathridge to F¡rst Church,

Healdton from Lone Grove Church,Lone Grove

Junior Barton to Lone GroveChurch, Lone Grove

TENNESSEEElro Driggers 10 Woodb¡ne Ghurch,

Nashville from Wesconnett Church,Jacksonville, Florida

Windell Trussell to Loysl ChapelChurch, Columbia from New SalemChurch. Colquitt, Georgia

OTHER PERSONNEL

NORTH CAROLINADavid Thornas to Principalshlp of

Mt. CalvarY Christian AcademY.Hookerton

Ronnie Snipes to Liberty Church,Durham as Educational D¡rector

Ronnie Kn¡ght to L¡berty Church.Durham as Bus Director

Joe Postlewaite to principalship ofWest Duplin Christ¡an AcademY'Warsaw

OKLAHOMALeroy Holrnan to First Church,

Ardmore as Minister of Youth andOutreach

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CTS BOARD CREATES "THE BICENTENARY AWARD"

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NASHVILLE, TENN. - The ChurchTraining Service Department of theNational Asociation of Free WillBaptists has chosen the year of ournation's Bicentennial observance tolaunch its newest aüendance award.Appropriately named "The BicentenaryAward," the honor will be given to anychurch which averages 2OO inattendance in its Church TrainingService program for any given literaturequarter.

The newly created award will bepresented not only during thisBicentennial year but in subæquent

MERGER OF TWO CHURCHESBRINGS NEW LIFE TOALABAMA CONGREGATIONPLEASANT GROVE, AL. ThEmerger of the Ensley Free Will BaptistChurch, formerly located in the Ensleycommunity of Birmingham, with thenearby First Free Will Baptist Church ofPleasant Grove, Alabama, has broughtnew enthusiasm to the congregationaccording to Ed Ledlow, pastor. Themerged congregations began worshipingtoçther January 18 with 93 in servicesthe first Sunday. The Ensleycongregation was averaging in the low50's prior to the merger, and the FirstChurch's attendance had declined toabout 20. Mr. Ledlow previouslym in istered w ith the E nsleycongregation.

The merged congregat¡ons will gounder the name of First Free WillBaptist Church. Charter membershipwas opened February 11. The church islocated in a growing area ofapproximately 8,000 population. Theformer Ensley Church was located nearan industrial area, and residents weremoving from the neighborhood. pastorLedlow is very optimíst¡c about theoutreach possibilities in the PleasantGrove community.

The F irst Church is located on a3-acre tract. The present value of thechurch property is near $100,000. planseall for a new parsonage to be builtadjacent to the existing church plant.The Ensley Church property has beensold.

years as well. lt is the second aryardcreated by the department to honorCTS's which achieve attendance records.The first was "The Century Award"which is designed for those averaging100 in any given literature quarter. Anumber of churches already aremembers of the "100 Club." However,due to continuous training anddeveloped leadership in local CTS's,several churches are now hovering nearthe 200 mark, and a few have exceededit.

As a result of this new designation,local CTS's partícipating in the annualfall promotion campaign will competeonly with churches in the division inwhich they fall. This is indeed asignifícant mark of progress for ChurchTraining Services throughout thedenomination.

MASSACHUSETTS CHURCHEXPERI ENCI NG NEW GROWTHBILLERICA, MASS. - The RandattMemorial Free Will Baptist Church isexperiencing encouraging growth inrecent months according to Pastor MackOwens. He reports that as a result ol 2V¿years of witnessing and sowing the seedin the G reater Boston Area, thecongregation is beginning to reap afruitful harvest. Souls are being savedeach Sunday, and the church is nowaveraging 50 in attendance. An activevisitation program is being maintained.The group is currently meeting in theDutile School while seeking a morepermanent location.

The pastor has resigned his secularjob in order to devote full time to theministry of this growing congregation.The church voted in January to supportthe Cooperative Plan and has begunsending 10 percent of its offerings tothe National Association.

MagaTines have a mínistry .

for this

Currently . . .

BvEt,GENE WORKMANAdm¡n¡strat¡vo Ed¡tor

The Christian elementary school ofWelch Avenue FWB Ghurch, Dayton,Ohio, received accreditatíon from thestate in early December. More than 600standards were met by the school inonly 2 years to receive thisaccreditation, according to PrincipalMike Boggs. Reports indicateapproximately 125 students enrolledfrom kindergarten through eighth grade.Plans now call for some high schoolgrades to be added next fall. PaulThompson pastors Welch AvenueChurch. With the average Sunday æhoolattendance over 900, the congregation isplanning to build soon.

F irst FWB Church, Checotah,O k I ahoma, reached an averageattendance of 193 in 1975 to set a newrecord for yearly average. . . . Highmonth ly average for year was inDecember when attendance was 223.Pastor Charles Biggers reports soulssaved in 1975 and beautiful educationalbuilding completed.

Giving Christ a Christmas present isbecoming a part of the Christmasobærvance in many FWB churches.Such is true of Capitol H¡ll FWBChurch, Oklahoma City whichdesignated its annual "Gift for Christ atChristmas" for Hilldale FWB College atMoore. Off ering totaled $821.25.Congregation of Ghanna FWB Churdr,Ghanna, Ohio, designated their"Christmas for Christ Offering" of$1,100 for their new building fund.Homer Young pastors at Capitol Hill.David McKnight pastors Ghanna church.

The youth of the Fellowship FWBChurch, Kingsport, Tennessee, are notgoing to tire their feet in their latesteffort to raise funds for their variousprojects. Walk-a-thons are out and

o$ozine

youth-rocking-cha¡r rock-athons are ¡n.

This latest fund-raising endeavor was

scheduled for 8 hours on a recent

S atu rd ay . . . wonder if theirgrandparents feel their potential forfund raising is being diminished withthis new intrusion? Winston SweenYpastors.

Pastor John Hollis states that theFWB Mission, Kankakee, lllinc¡is, is

moving as fast as possible towardself-support. At this point group has

assu m ed monthly f inancialresponsibilities of $601 for the expenses

of rent, building fund, foreign missions,

utilities and partial support of pastor's

salary plus an addit¡onal 1Ú/o forCooperative giving; also literature costs,

office supplies and upkeep on 2 vans

used for bus ministry. The mission is ajoint project of the lllinois State MissionBoard and National Home Missions and

Church Extension Board.ln December Temple FWB Church,

Greenville, North Carolina, became theyoungest church to be inducted into theNational Sunday School Department's"300 Club." The Temple congregation,which will not be 2 years old until June,1976, averaged over 300 in Sundayschool attendance for 13 consecutiveweeks. ln January this record was

broken with a 345 average. ln 1975Pastor Richard Kennedy reported therewere 350 decisions for Christ. . . . 94were baptized. Church is now using 6buses in its outreach in the community.

Rev. and Mrs. Arnold ShrewsberrYare newly appointed home missionariesto Canton, Ohio. Their work will bejoint project between Ohio State Boardof Home Missions and National HomeMissions and Church Extension Board.Shrewsberrys are currently on it¡neratein their native Ohio.

The continual increase in attendanceat Bethel FWB Church, South Roxana,lllinois, has necessitated dual Sundayschools to accommodate record crowds.On Perfect Attendance Day January 18,

502 attended with 9 professions offaith. Some of those being saved each

week are deaf people reached bY thechurch's deaf ministry. Pastor JimWalker statd the average Sunday schoolattendance for January was 378. . . . 10were baptized during that month.Congregation is in building program.

ln seeking to broaden the vision ofthe layman's work, lllinois ministers and

laymen came together for a laYman's

rally in Mt. Vernon February 20. LoydOlsan, director of the national layman'swork, was speaker for this unique rallysponsored by lllinois Layman's Board.

The Reverend Carl Nelson, formerTennessee pastor, has beenrecommended as a full-time evangelistby Tennessee's Appalachian Associationof Free Will Baptists. Rev. O. P. Stokesis moderator of the association.

Forty new members have joined

Grace FWB Churctr, Oklahoma Cityduring the first 6 months of CharlesWilson's pastorate.... Group has

adopted the motto, "Be the GreatestChurch for Christ in Town."

Pastor Ed Cook reports that West

Palm Beach FWB Church, West PalmBeach, Florida, after beginning as a

mission 5 years ago, has assets totalingover $102,000 with liabilitiæ near

$ 19,000. Group now in financialposition to sell present church and

locate on 3 acres of choice land. Bondprogram will finance move. Despite factcongregation has almost literally"turned over" 3 times since missionstarted, church now averages about 50in Sunday school and 70 in preachingservices.

Pastor Earl Scroggins, First FWBChurdr, W¡cfi¡ta Falls, Texas, feels newmembers and those attending churchneed to know where money they give isbeing spent and why church operates as

it does. Therefore, he conducted special

class in February for this purpose.

Under discussion were zuch things as

chu rch's organization, its structureincluding each of the church auxiliariesand standing boards, and financialundergirding a good idea for a

growing church.The congregation of Southern Oaks

FWB Church, Oklahoma CitY is

participating in the Bicentennialcelebration under the theme "A Past toRemember - A Future to Mold." Using

World Home Bible League theme andplan, Pastor Jerry Dudley is writingdaily study guides for every day of theweek for February, June and November.Each Sunday during those monthsDudley will launch week's studY bY

preaching from that week's theme. He

suggests that each church family use

materials at family altar time, individualstudy time or perhaps even in a homeBible study group. This is a newapproach to getting the congregationinvolved in the messa(P . . . verycommendable on the part of the pastor

to challenç his people through th¡smedium .. also means extrapreparation for Pastor.

Buford Pierce, Pastor of MarvinChaæl FWB Church, Marianna, Florida,pushed February 15 as Tract Sunday.Each one attending was given several

good tracts to be used in çtting out theWord of God. .. . SPecial emPhasis

sounds like an excellent way to get thecongregation involved ¡n tract ministry.

Faith Chapel FWB Church, Hobbs,

New Mexico, has seen averageattendance rise from 16 in JanuarY,

1975, to 54 in January, 1976. Duringthe first month of new year one person

was saved, one baptized and 3 unitedwith the church. T. B. Gartman pastors.

The bus ministrY of First FWB

Church, Lawton, Oklahoma, extends tonearby Fort Sill Army Base which'registers a transient 23,000 Population.Since bus ministry to the baæ started inO ctober, 1974, apProximatelY a00first-time armed service personnel have

entered the church's door. Many hane

been converted, rededicated and

baptized. Pastor Clate W. Briggs, Jr.recently became church's first full'timepastor after serving on part-time basispr¡or to his retirement from the U.S.Army.

It was erroneously reported in

March issue that David Weeks, pastor

at Oaklawn FWB Church, GhaPmans'boro, Tennessee, had accepted call toNorth Heights FWB Church, Tex'arkana, Arkansas. Not sol Mr. Weeks is

st¡ll going strong with Oaklawncongregation. New Pastor at NorthHeights is James Amick who formerlypastored First FWB Churdt, SPring'field, Tennessee.

Pastor Vernon Maggart, FreemanChapel FWB Churct¡, Ealon, llissouri,reports 1975 a record-breaking year.

Sunday school attendance reached highof 91 in December; church exceeded

its goal of $150 for foreign missionsby giving $1,916.74 and also con'tributed 9942.42 to Cooperative Plan.

Total outside giving was $3,272.51.

February newcomers to CONTACT'sChurch Family Plan: First FWB Ghurch,De Soto, Missouri, Ch¡rles Miller,pastor; St. John FWB Church, Patrid<,

South Carolina, Marritt Floyd' pastor.

Most information for this columngleaned from church bulletins and

midweek papers. . . . Put me on Your

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NATIONAT ASSOCIATION

OF FRBE WItt BAPTISTS

Iuly I I - 15, 1976/ Assembly Center / Tulsa, 0k lahoma

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DOWNTOWNER

HOLIDAYINN/DOWNTOWN 16.00(Special Family Rate - $24.0O; I bedroom su¡te - $30.OQl

* SING. TWIN

$14.00 $

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rKEY TO TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS: Single - 1 bed, 1 person; Twin - 2 tw¡ns,2 persons;Double - 1bed,2 persons; Doubledouble - 2 beds,2 persons; Triple - 2 beds,3 persons; Ouad -2beds,4 persons.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREE WILL BAPTISTSAPPLICATION FOR HOUSING RESERVATIONS

July 11-15, 1976

Please f ill out form. completely and mail to:

F.W.B. Central Housing Bureau

Chamber of Commerce

616 South Boston Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 .

ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE CLEARED THROUGHTHE F.W.B. CENTRAL HOUSING BUREAU. Each requestmust give definite date and approximate hour of arrival and

include names and addresses of all persons who will occupythe rooms requested. lf it ¡s necessary for you to cancel a

FOR HOUSING BUREAU USE

reservation, please notify the Housing Bureau promptly. Atleast four choices of hotels/motels are desirable. Reservationswill be filled in order of receipt. Confirmations will be sentafter May 1, 1976, Reservations.must be made by June 28,1976. Reservations wíll NOT be accepted by telephone.

ACCOMMODATIONS DESI R ED:

Room(s) for one person (one full size bed)

Room(s) for two persons (one full size bed)

Room(s) for two persons (two double beds)

Room(s) for ( ) three or ( ) four persons (two double beds) $

Room(s) with twin beds for two persons

Suite-Parlor and ( ) one bedroom ( ) two bedrooms

RATE DESIRED

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MOTEL 2nd choice

3rd choice

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Planned departuredate.. time'. ...'a'm. ..p'm.

NAMES OF OCCUPANTS

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General Director Shares

Observations of Recent Trípto European Míssíon Points

Rolla D. Smith became general director of the Department of ForeignMissions in mid-September of last year. Just 5% months later he headedfor France and Spain to observe and give direction to Free Will Baptistministries there, CONTACT staffers feel readers will enjoy thisinterview report of Mr. Smith's February visit to these 2 Europeancountries.

Why did you decide to return to theForeign Missions Department?

Returning to the Foreign MissionsDepartment was not on my agenda. I

love the pastorate and had hoped tocontinue in that role indefinitely. Whenasked by the board to consider theappointment, after several days ofprayer and heart searching God showedme He wanted me to assume thesereçonsibilities. Getting the Gospel tothe ends of the earth is one of thegreatest challenges in the Christianministry. Factors that weighed heavilyin making the final decision includedmy knowledge and experience in thedepartment as former director andboard member for 21 years, as well as

relative freedom from familyreçonsibilities. The general directormust spend much of his time traveling.With both of my daughters married, I

am not tied to home responsibilities.

Mr. Smith, why did you visit our workin France and Spain in February?

Dock and Norma Jean Caton andLonnie and Anita Sparks will soonfinish language æhool and begin theiractive ministries in Spain. I wanted tovisit these 2 families and give Dock andLonnie some assistance in selecting areas

of witness and the type of approach ininitiating their witness. Anotherimportant reason for my going to Spainwas to observe the political climate as itrelates to our future missionaryactivities. As you know, the governmentis in a transitional period due to thedeath of their longtime ruler, Franco.

The Don Sextons returned to Francein January, and some decision needed tobe made regarding their location. TheJoe Haas family is preparing for a

stateside furlough, and we needed towork out personnel arrangements forthe church Joe pastors in Rennes. Jerryand Janice Webb and Dennis and CarolTeague are finishing their first year oflanguage study in a special school atA lbertville. We needed to makearrangements for these 2 couples tobecome actively engaged in ministeringon a part-time basis while continuinglanguage study.

How long have Free W¡ll Bapt¡sts had aGospel witness in France?

Dan and Margaret Merkh began ourfirst work in France by establishing a

church in Nantes. They began thisministry in July, 1966. ln October,1969, the Merkhs began Sundayafternoon Bíble studies and prayermeetings in a rented activities room inan apartment building in Rennes. Joeand Barbara Haas arrived in April, 1970,at which time the Merkhs came homefor a short furlough. From April, 1970,to September, 197O, Haas pastored thechurch in Nantes and went to Rennes(60 miles away) on Sunday afternoonsand Friday nights for films and Biblestudy. When Merkh returned inSeptember, 1970, Haas started morningærvices in Rennes and a midweekprayer meeting and Bible study. lnJanuary, 1971, Haas started an EnglishBible study in his home.

ln what types of ministries are ourmissionaries in France now involved?

Joe Haas' responsibilities are similarto any pastor's role in the states -preaching, teaching, visitation in homesand hospitals in the Rennes area.

Jerry Gibbs is Joe's assistant, and healso ministers to university students. Hiswife Barbara has a music ministry withthe Rennes Church and the Bible clubs.Both are still studying the language.

Don Sexton is making plans to start a

Bible class in his home in Nantes inpreparation for the establishment of a

new church. Jerry Webb is makingsimilar plans for Nantes. lt is hoped thatthese 2 Bible study groups will becomefull-f ledged works by the t¡me theWebbs finish language school. The firstchurch established by Free Will Baptistsin N antes has withdrawn itsdenominational aff iliation and is now anindependent congregation with a

national pastor,Patsy Vanhook is engaged in child

evangelism in Rennes. She assists in thestudent ministry and has 3 weekly Bibleclubs in addition to her languaçstud ies.

What is the current strength of our workin Rennes?

The adult membership is 45 (over 18years of age). The younger ones are

baptized after conversion and receivedinto the fellowship of the church, butare not recognized as official membersby the governmenl. On Sunday morningthe attendance averages around 90.Tuesday night prayer and Bible studyattendance is in the 40's, while theSatu rday night French Bible class

attendance is in the 20's. Sundayevening English Bible class averages inthe 20's.

Since occupying their churchb u i ld i ng i n November, 197 4, theattendance has doubled. Thecongregation is systematically payingback the money borrowed for thisbuilding.

Dô you see our summer missionariesplaying any significant role in ourGospel witness in France?

Yes, provided we send out the rightpersonnel and they are used properly,they will. Summer missionaries haveunlimited opportunities to minister touniversity students and other youths ¡n

France. As long as our young peoplem eet the spiritual and other

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qualifications and can raise theirsupport, I see no reason why theirsummers cannot be spent productivelyon mission fields. Summer missionaryinternship is especially profitable for theyoung person who feels called to themission field.

Who will assume the responsibility forthe Rennes Church when Joe Haas

returns to the states in April forfurlough?

Jerry Gibbs, who has been assistingJoe, will assume pastoral duties. Jerry is

a very capable leader. While in France I

witnessed Jerry conducting his f irstbaptismal service. I expect the transitionto be a smooth one. DennisTeaguewillbecome assistant pastor of the RennesChurch and leader of student ministries.

lncidentally, both Jerry and Denniswere summer missionaries in Francewhile students at Free Will Baptist BibleCollege.

Mr. Smith, looking back on your trip,what do you consider the mostencouraging aspest of our witness inFrance?

I was encouraged in several areas.

One of my objectives in going to Francewas to gain firsthand information of thela nguage school in which ourmissionaries are studying. l'm thrilledthat one of the outstanding emphases ofthe school is its biblical terminology.Much of the missionaries' study is in theScriptures.

There is continual responsewitness in France. lrejoicenumber of persons alreadyChrist and for their growth.

The Sextons and Webbs are excitedabout the prospect of their new work inNantes. Jerry Gibbs is quite pleased tohave Dennis Teague join the workers inRennes.

Within the next 10 years I expectFree Will Baptists to enter several townswithin a 1OO-mile radius of Renneswitha Goqpel witness.

When d¡d Free Will Baptists beg¡nminifering in Spain?

The Catons and Sparkses beganlanguage study in Spain in September,1974. As you know, Lonnie Sparks is aveteran missionary, having served 15years in lvory Coast, Africa. During thistime Lonnie translated the Ne$/Testament into the Koulango language.

Dock's and Lonnie's ministries arelimited just now to personal contactsand occasional Bible Studies with a

family or two.

What do you consider the greatesthindrances to establ¡sh¡ng a Gospelw¡tness in Spain?

There is a long history of Catholicismas the state church in Spain.

Because of their mode of thinking,the Spanish people have difficultyunderstanding the "why" of a variety ofevangelical denominations. I learnedduring my contacts with key Christianleaders in Spain that the averageSpaniard believes that the church shouldonly be given a token offering. This is

the teaching of the state church, and it'shard to overcome.

How do you feel about the prospects ofour outreacü¡ in Spain?

Barring any unforeseen politicalbarriers, the Catons and Sparkses willestablish a w¡tness in Spain. l'mconfident of this. Baæd on the responseother fundamental groups have had, wewill no doubt have a slowly developingwork. But there must always be a timeof sowing before we can expect a greatharvest.

Foreign m issionaries are stillwelcomed in Spain. This is encouraging.

Spain is becoming saturated, likeFrance, with high-rise apartments. Thismay be a key to our future ministries.

While the Catons and Sparkses arelearning the language, history andculture of the Span¡sh peoples, we needto g¡ve ourselves to interceding forthem. Each of us needs to pray as

though the f ru itf u lness of theirministries depends entirely upon ourfaithfulness in intercession.

ln conclusion, why do you think it isneoessary for the general director tomake trips to our mission points?

Briefly stated, one cannot possiblyfulfill the job description set forth inthe Foreign Missions Manual by theboard apart from visits to the fields.According to the Manual, the general

director supervises and coordinates allactivities both overseas and statesideinvolving Free Will Baptist foreignmissions.

The general d irector can give

invaluable assistance in creating andmaintaining wholesome interpersonalrelationslrips. Also, a visit to the f¡eldprovides impetus to the challenge onecan give stateside. Seeing is beliwing.Vital to our planning is the informationrelative to the government atd politicalsituation in various countries. Thedirector and board members need all theinput possible in matters pertaining tom issionary children's education,language school for missionaries,housing situations, finances, etc.

The amount of money spent for a

fíeld visit is actually guite small whencompared to the financial investment ina missionary endeavor to say nothing ofthe investment of lives. For example,the combined budget for France ar¡d

Spain for 1976 is $146,355. This doesnot include the adm¡n¡strative expenseof the home office which is necessary tokeep missionaries on the field.

What corporation would think that.05 percent of a large investment is toomuch to çend in giving direction and

keeping abreast of what is going on?

W¡th etern¡ty's values in view I plan

by God's enabling grace to continueexalting our Lord Jesr¡s Christ in and

through this post to which He has

asigned me both in stateside andforeign ministries, Ä

FRANCE FIELD COUNCIL confers dur¡ng the visit of Foreign Missions Director Roila Smith.Presiding is Joe Haas, field director.

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OUR WOMEN SPEAK

By Elizabeth Gibson

Mary, Martha and Lazarus cherishedthe fr¡endship they had with the LordJesus Christ (Luke 10:38-42). I suspectmany guestions entered the¡r mindsabout properly entertaining the greatestGuest in the world.

Many questions arise in our mindswhen we know someone is,coming tosee us. How many will be coming? Whenwill they get here? What do they like toeat? You are familiar with these and

ABOUT THE WRITER: Mrs, Gibson is thewife of Luther Gibson, pastor of First FreeWiil Bapt¡st Church, BoonevÍlle, Misissippi.She serves as president of MississÍppi StateWoman's Auxiliary.

The Ioy of Entertainingand Being Entertained

many more questions. Three particularareas of our lives are affected.

SLEEP

Where should my company sleep?

The arrangements you as hostess makewill be fine with your company. Youmay be living in an apartment, yourown home or a parsonage. A guest inyour home does not expect you to give

up your bed if you are sleeping on a

special mattress. Remember that theymay be sleeping on a different bed eachnight or each week anyway. They willappreciate a clean, comfortable bed.This is all that really matters. Don'tmake your children give up their roomsunless this is the best arrangement foryou. Let your children study in their

rooms. lf your guests have children,plan for their comfort also.

ACTIVITYJohnnie has Little League ball

practice. What should you do? Yourcompany would probably love to go tothe practice session or game. lf childrenare guests in your home, plan for themto enjoy themselves. Sue has musiclessons. Should she miss them? Nol lfyou can put yourself in your company'splace, you will realize that they wantyour home to go on normally. This gives

to your guests a sense of being a part ofyour family for a little while. lf there istime enough, plan something yourguests w¡ll enjoy doing. Visit a ceramicshop and explain, or have someoneexplain, what has to be done to "slip"before we have the beautiful vase, urn,Christmas tree or Honda Boy. A ladywho sews just loves to visit a fabricshop. Men and women and mostchildren love a fishing trip that includesa picnic. Be sure noth¡ng you planinterferes with the service they are therefor.

lf you are a guest in someone'shome, be sure to do your part. Don'tever let your presence in a home cause

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

Made in His Image

Part VlBy Leroy Forlines

ln the previous article ¡t was po¡ntedout that when we respond to divineinfluence, we have ". . . genuine humanactivity with divine aid. Our view of therelationship between the divine andhuman in spiritual response and activitymust not weaken either, but mustpreserve the integrity of both." ln thisarticle I want to elaborate on the divineaid as manifested in God's provision oftruth in HisWord.

ln John 17:17 Jesus prayed to the

Father, "Sanctify them through thytruth: thy word is truth." Sanctificationis a term that we associate with spiritualchange and growth. ln sanctification ourpattern of thinking, feeling and acting is

changed. Therefore, we are thinkingabout changing the 'personality. FromJesus' statement we gather that truth is

an instrument used by God to bringabout personality chanç. This idea alsofinds support in Jesus' words, "And yeshall know the truth, and the truth shallmake you free" (John 8:32).

ln John 8:32 we see how the truthbecomes effective in sanctification orpersonality change. This change is

effected in us when we "know" thetruth. The importance of knowledge inspiritual growth is emphasized by Peter,ln ll Peter 1:2 we read, "Grace andpeace be mult¡plied unto you throughthe knowledge of God, and of Jesus ourLord." According to verse 3, ". . . hisdivine power hath given unto us allthings that perta¡n unto life andgodliness, through the knowledç oÍhim that hath called us to glory andvirtue." Peter further states in 2:20,". . . they have escaped the pollutions ofthe world through the knowledge of theLord and Saviour Jesus Christ. . . ."Peter concludes his second epistle withthe admonition, "But grow in grace, and

in the knowledge of our Lord and

Saviour Jesus Christ" (3:18). (l have

italicized the word "knowledge" inthese verses for emphasis. )

The knowledge of which Peter speaks

is not merely the grasping of ideas withthe mind. lt ¡s the response of the totalpersonality (mind, heart and will) totruth that results in the change of whichPeter speaks. Knowledge refers toexperience. While it ¡s true that the

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extra work for your hostess if you cando the work. Keep your room clean andclothes in the proper place.

FOODAs hostess you can plan and prepare

many foods in advance. Your guests hadrather have hamburgers than for you tobe exhausted and edgy. You don't haveto use your best crystal, china or silverto impress your $¡ests. In fact, they willprobably be happier and feel more atease if you use your regular tablesett¡ng. Plan tasty meals but foods thatare easy to prepare.

lf you are a guest in a home, find outhow you can help. lt may be yourhostess had rather g€t the children offto school and then relax and enjoybreakfast with you. lf you only eat a

piece of toast or a small bowl of cerealfor breakfast, tell your hostess not toprepare a large breakfast for you.

Some of these ideas are from thehostess' viewpoint while others are fromthe guest's viewpoint. Hostess, enjoyyour guests. You may need to postponesome task you ordinarily do. The joy ofvisiting and fellowshiping with yourguests will linger with you much longerand warm your heart. a

knowledge of which Peter speaks isexperienced by the whole personality,not just the mind, it is true that th¡sexperience begins with the grasping ofan idea w¡th the mind. The mind is thegateway to the personality. The mindgrasps ideas. Through continuedthinking and meditation, the ideasbecome real in the heart. Out of aprepared mind and heart, the will acts.

God created human personality tofunction as it does. He recognizes thefunction of personality in His dealingswith us. He provides for us the truththat we need to give direction and bringabout changes in our lives. Our thoughtsabout divine provision to help us in lifemust embrace the divine provision oftruth that is tailored to our needs. Werecognize the truth of God as revealedin Scripture as God's provision for us.

We recognize that a knowledge of thistruth ¡s indispensable to the meeting ofour needs. We avail ourselves of thebenefits of preaching, teaching,counseling and Bible study. Having doneso, we appropriate and practice thetruth. À

SCRIPTURES NOW PUBLISHED IN 1,577 LANGUAGESNEW YORK (EP) - The Bible or por-tions of it were published for the firsttime in 29 additional languages lastyear, according to the annual Scripturelanguage count of the American BibleSociety.

The neuìrcomers bring the totalnumber of languages and d¡alects ¡ntowhich at least one Bible book has beenpublished lo 1,577, roughly half of theest¡mated number of languages anddialects in the world, according to ABS.

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COOPERATTVE PLAN OF ST'PPORTFebruary 1976

RECEIPTS:State

AlabamaArkansasCaliforniaFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyMarylandMichiganMississippiMissouriNew MexicoNorth CarolinaNortheast Assoc.Northwest Assoc.OhioOklahomaTennesseeTexasVirginia

Total¡

Feb.'76Co-op Deeign.

$ 9.80 $ ...2,877,96

686.96L,L27.6L

304.6961.88

1,0óõ.0696.92 (e6.92)

15õ.66246.99

60.dd : ::60.3146.86

6,162.96 (6,1õ2.95)131.66 (26.27)182.96 (60.00)

34.L2106.14459.66

Feb.'?6

$ ...2,676.44

621.381,08?.66

240.9260.00

861.õ4800.64

L28.8244.4036.0086.8560.61

3,õ89.1886.36?6.00

1?.0816.00

4,206.74474.9L25.0024.88

Yr.to Date

s 9.804,926.8L1,398.162,269.64

605.61'61.83

2,O44.9696.92

316.96246.93

811:fiiõ0.3197.6õ

6,162.9õ131.66282.9684.t2

106.144,891.66

11,606.9683.õ9

169.3821.08

24'.is26.00

DISBURSEMEI{TS:Executive OfficeForeign MissionsBible CollegeHome MissionsChurch Training Sen.Retirement & Ins.Iayman's BoardCommission on Theo-

logical LiberalismMiscellaneous

Totals

qLz,E94,24

6,414.462,199.941,66?.õõL,L97.87

6õ0.69õ87.80L24.96

ut:11

sl2,894.24

(966.92)(1,669.18)(1,181.13)

(816.e3)(333.80)(338.80)(61.01)

(nr.:?\.

$t4,606.?0

õ,?73.882,99?.0õ1,919.311,6?3.?8

930.62760.90296.4L

72.86182.60

984806.89

12,804.80?,261.164,681.664,L68.622,õ6?.862,128.06

876.43

199.6ó247.26

914,606.?0 884806.89

GGG

fïSTOREHOUSE IS THE CHURCH

SAYS NORTH CAROLINA LAYMANGiving through the local church, in

my opinion, is the most effectivemethod of supporting Go'd's work. Thisemphasizes the importance of loyalty tothat church and gives each member an

opportun¡ty to share proportionately inthe expenæs of his church. Perhapsmore importantly, giving through thelocal church enables a church memberto participate in the support of state,national and worldwide programs of hisown denomination. lt fosters a spiritwithin us of working together as a

church and as a denomination ratherthan to promote individual efforts andælf-glory.

The Great Commission to go into allthe world was given to the Church. lfindividual church members decide tostpport their pet projects independentlyof their local church, the effectivenessof the church is diminished. Experiencehas taught us in many areas of life thatthere is strength in numbers and muchmore can be accomplished where thereis a united effort. I believe that God'sstorehouse is the church and His plan ofs.rpporting His work has not changed,neither has it been improved upon.

Lee Thomas, memberUnity Free Will Baptist Church

Smithfield. N.C.

THE SOUNDING BOARD

SHOULD TITHES BE GIVEN TO THE LOCAL CHURCH ONLY?

FROM THE BRIDGE

SHCIUID

TCINGUES"

SPEAKING

BE TCIIERATED ?By Executive Secretary

Rufus Coffey

The phenomenon of tongues-speaking continues to make broadinroads into various denominations.Commonly known as the CharismaticMovement, this new form ofPentecostalism has infiltrated oraffected practically every Protestantdenomination as well as the RomanCatholic Church. Free Will Baptists areno exception.

Reports of charismatic influence inseneral quarters cont¡nue to pers¡st.

While only a ferr Free Will.'Èaptistchurches have been affected, the factremains that we are vulnerable and thatwe are sJscept¡ble to devious doctrines.

Derived f rom the Greek wordcharisna, the Charismatic Movementembraces those who hold to a positionthat the Holy Spirit imparts a widerange of çiritual gifts through a

baptism of the Holy Spirit. Theevidence of this baptisrn is speaking intongues.

By a vote of the national body, theNational Asociation of Free Will

FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION

ln an interview w¡th a pulp¡t comm¡ttee, do you feel it is

acoeptable for a prospective pastor to negot¡ate concern¡ng thesalary to be paid by the church for ministerial services?

Send your reply to Editor, CONTACT Magøzine, P.O.&ox 1088, Nashville, Tennessee37202 Discussion should be limiæd to 30O vwtds or les. All comments must b signed byll,e writer and include the name and addres of the chu,ch with vvhich he is affiliated.Replies should reæh the editor by tha f¡rst vnek of the month follow¡ng the date of theissue in which the question ìs presented.

BrLLY ,lAMES HARGTS JUSTTFtES DTSGRACEFUL ACTSWITH OLD TESTAMENT

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NEW YORK (EP) - A crusader againstcommunism, illicit heterosexual andhomosexual relations and liberal politicshas fallen into diqrace followingtestimonies from young people exposingtheir leader.

Billy James Hargis, formerly head ofChristian Crusadè and AmericanChristian College in Tulsa, admits tohaving sexual relations with 4 of his

male students and one coed,Time magazine, whicË broke the

story, says Hargis blames his behavioron "genes and chromosomes " and justi-fies his homosexual acts by citing theO ld Testament friendship betweenDavid and Jonathan. He had threatenedto blacklist the youths for life if theytalked.

Baptists has officially rejected themodern-day tongues movement througha resolution adopted by the conventionat Macon, Georgia, July 12, 1973. (See

CONTACT, November, 1973.) Theresolution in part clearly states, "Wereject the erroneous teachings thatspeaking in tongues is a visible sign ofthe baptism of the Holy Spirit. Anyimplication of a 'second work of grace'has never been tolerated in ourfellowship of churches." Furthermorethe resolution states, "l/Ve refuse toembrace this doctrine. Even thoughsome individuals may profess to çeak¡n tongues, this practice is not to beencouraged or promoted in a localchurch nor do we find any reason toadvocate'N eo-Pentecostalism.'Churches affiliated with the NationalAssociation are not to be consideredfertile ground to sow the seed oftongues-speaking."

This resolution has been publishedwidely in various denominationalperiodicals. Nevertheless, it appears thatsome are either unaware of our positionas a denomination or else they havechosen to ignore our stand. Thus,tongues are beginning to gradually gainfavor in a few congregat¡ons. One reasonf or divided opinions is that somebelievers and pastors are obviously notsure what the Bible teaches on the.sublect of tongues. No doubt others areinfluenced by the advocates of tongueswho magnify their personal experiencesabove the Word of God. St¡ll othersre¡ect tongues, but they are unwilling tostand up and refute those who pract¡cetongues-speaking, especially if they areFree Will Baptists.

E x per ience has proven thattongues-speaking is intolerable becauseit is a doctrinal aberration which breedsconfusion and continual controversy. ltis delusive, disruptive and divisivebecause Free Will Baptists believe thattongues speakers seriously err in theirinterpretation of Scripture. Their viewsare contrary to the historical doctrinesof the Christian Church as well as FreeWill Baptists.

Our denomination cannot afford toadopt a passive attitude of "hands-off"or "let's wait and see" concerning thisalien doctrine. A prominent advocate oftongues has written in Logos magazinethat charismatics are "persistent, liketenacious crows, in propagating theirdoctrine." There is reason to beliarethat if given a free hand the charismatic

devotees will penetrate our fellowshipof churches and create serious problemsunless a diligent effort is made to blockthe inroads of teachings that are

contrary to the Word of God. Anydegree of tolerance will only open thedoor for unnecessary misunder-standings, str¡fe, bitterness and division.

Actually, the whole movemcnt ofNeo-Pentecostalism involves more thanspeaking in tongues. ln add¡t¡on toconfusion related to the doctrine of theHoly Spirit, there is confusionconcerning the doctrine of the Church.Many of the charismatic groups talkabout church renewal, but they oftenmeet outside the local church. Cellmeetings are arranged on neutral groundin some public place in order to attractfollowers from various denominations.Also, they often beguile unstable soulsthrough the guise of a neighborhoodprayer meeting or Bible study.

A nother major f law in thecharismatic movement is that it fosters a

false ecumenical spirit. The experienceof tongues-speaking links liberals,conservatives, Protestants, Catholics and

cultic groups in one common bond ofunity. They ignore the fact thatChristian fellowship is based uponsound doctrine rather than experienceand false sentimentality. Love ¡s not the

basis for un¡ty but obedience to theWord of God.

Because the charismatic movementwith its emphasis on tongues-speakingpresents a profile contrary to theScriptures, we cannot remain neutral'We must either acknowledge that a

movement is scriptural and genuine orelse reject ¡t as false and contrary to theWord of God. ln light of the obvioustrends of the charismat¡c movement, ¡tmust not be permitted or Promotedwithin our ranks.

lf some pastor has become involved,whether willingly or unwittingly, thenthe honorable thing to do is surrenderone's credentials and seek fellowshipwith a group that is more compatiblewith his viens which he knows are aliento Free Will Baptists. Likewise, if some

congregation or group within thecongregation cannot uphold thehistorical position of Free Will Baptists,they shou ld voluntarily withdrævfellowship. lf, however, the pastor orcongregation or minority group fails toact voluntarily to preserve the harmonyof the body, the association should takedecisive action. Careful investigationought to be made to ascertain the facts.Allegations based upon hearsay are

inadequate. The scriptural principle is 2or 3 witnesses. lf indeed there is

evidence to support the allegations thattongues-speaking is being practiced inone of our churches, the assoc¡ation

shou ld not hesitate to withdrawfellowship. There is no easy way to dealwith error. But it cannot be ignored.Like a cancer, it will not go away;surgery is the only solution.

Lest zuch act¡on be considered ævere

or unchristian, it must be recognizedthat our task is to preærve our heritageand to uphold the faith once deliveredunto the saínts. Our accountability toGod is based upon obedience to theWord of God rather than conformity tooutside influences and forces that wouldlead us differently. a

"There is no easy way to deal with error. But itcannot be ignored. Like cancer, it will not go away;surgery is the only solution."

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CONTACT

P.0. 8ox 1088

Nashville, Tennesee 37202

Second-class postage pard at Nashvrlle. Tennessee

YOU CAN BE A BETTER CHRISTIAN WORKER.

Pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth directors, music directors. Free Will Baptist Bible Col-lege's 1976 Summer Schools can help you do a better job. And at a minimum cost to you. Choosebetween a 2-week and a 4-week session. Select the courses that you want most. Enroll for eithercredit or non-credit

Look over the courses listed below, lf you want more information, fill out the coupon and mailit to Free Will Baptist Bible College.

SUMMER.SCHOOL NO. 1 SUMMER SCHOOL NO. 2(2 weeks) (4 weeks)

May 17-28, 1976 May 3l-June 25,1976

Courses: Courses:Song Leading (1 hr.) lnterpretive Speech (2 hrs.)Parliamentary Law (1 hr.) World Literature (2 hrs).Editorial/Design Seminar (1 hr.) General Psychology (3 hrs.)I & ll Thessalonians (1 hr.) Bible Doctrines (3 hrs.)Biblical Hermeneutics (2 hrs) Biblical Evangelism (2 hrs.)Old Testament Highlights (2 hrs.) Romans (3 hrs.)Church Drama (2 hrs) Ecology (3 hrs.)Eschatology (2 hrs) Sociology (3 hrs.)

Costs: Costs:Registration $ 5.00 Begistration $10.00Tuition 30.00 per hr. Tuition 30.00 per hr.Room 22.00 Room 45.00Board 38.00 Board 80.00

(The cost for a student taking a (The cost for a student taking afull 3-hour load, not including full 6-hour load, not includingtextbooks, is $155.) textbooks, is $315.)

Mail to:

u[i*" B|BL€coLLeqe3606 \Tesl tlld Arr. ll¡$rilþ,T¿nn.3i205/615-29?-46i6