wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR FEB. 19, 1999

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American Baptist News Service 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: RICHARD.SCHRAMM@ABC-USA.ORG

UPDATE: February 19, 1999

AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION SUPPORT 
INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN 1998
 With final figures now in place, American Baptist 
Mission Support for 1998 has revealed a significant increase 
in giving in almost all categories over 1997 totals.  
The increase of 6.8 percent--or $2,652,668--brought 
the 1998 receipt total to $41,620,717, or 106.5 percent of 
last year's goal of $39,080,000.  
 United Mission, which supports all areas of mission 
undertaken by American Baptist Churches USA and which 
constitutes approximately 55 percent of the total ABMS, 
increased 2 percent ($423,418) to a total of $21,499,226, or 
99.5 percent of its 1998 goal.  Dr. Robert H. Roberts, 
associate general secretary for World Mission Support, 
noted, "United Mission Basics increased by a half million 
dollars--the best indicator of the enthusiasm for our work 
together."
 All four national offerings also showed increases over 
1997 figures and surpassed their 1998 goals: America For 
Christ Offering (up 6.7 percent; receipts--$2,253,795), 
World Mission Offering (up 3.5 percent; receipts--
$3,780,732), Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (up 
2.8 percent; receipts--$1,650,776), and One Great Hour of 
Sharing (up 39 percent; receipts--$2,855,967).
 Other areas showing increases over 1997 were Specifics 
(up 18.4 percent) and Institutional Support (up 4.8 
percent).
 In assessing the results of 1998 giving Roberts 
praised American Baptists for their "faithfulness and 
generosity in support of our common mission."
 "But it's not just the money that causes me to sing 
'Hallelujah,'" he added.  "It's the mission--the ministry of 
the grace of Christ in the lives of people that this support 
makes possible--which merits the real 'Hallelujah!'"

YEAR 2000 CONCERNS ADDRESSED 
BY AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES USA
 Dr. Daniel E. Weiss, general secretary of American 
Baptist Churches USA, has issued the following statement 
focusing on possible changes and challenges accompanying the 
arrival of the year 2000. 

APPROACHING "Y2K"

 As we approach the year 2000 we see the challenging 
vista of a new millennium of Christian witness.  We also see 
the immediate and time-specific challenges--theological and 
technological--of what is being called "The Y2K Dilemma." 
 We realize that, for good reason, many Christians and 
others are concerned with what may happen on January 1, 
2000.  
 There is a probability that we may need to deal with 
some technological anomalies that will reveal themselves for 
the first time then.  At the same time we will be well 
served by diligently continuing our study of all Scripture--
not in an attempt to foresee through God’s Word some series 
of events based on our own speculations, preconceptions and 
prejudices, but rather to earnestly seek God's truth and 
guidance at this milestone in human history.

The Technological Question
 We are a society heavily dependent on computer 
technology.  Business and industry, but churches and mission 
centers also, have well used this form of communication.  It 
has enabled the expansion of mission as surely as it has 
helped increase corporate profits.  Acknowledging its value, 
certainly our intense focus on upgrading software programs 
and replacing computer chips is justified.  It is no secret 
that we are grappling now with what was inadvertently set in 
motion years ago by computer programmers: In saving precious 
digital space by eliminating the "19" from those dates that 
run computers--and thus removing "1999"--they empowered 
computers which will not have been updated to read January 
1, 2000 as January 1, 1900.
 The glitch may cause the computerized financial 
programs of some industries, utilities and other 
organizations to operate erratically.  For that reason most 
businesses and government offices have been scrambling to 
update their programs to avoid potential problems.  
 There is no evidence or likelihood, however, that the 
dire and extreme predictions of some, both in the church and 
outside the church, will bear fruit: entire regional 
electric power grids becoming dysfunctional, banking systems 
made inoperative, worldwide economic collapse, widespread 
and deadly rioting over quickly-depleting food and other 
resources.

The Theological Question
 All Christians should be wary of writers and 
commentators who are making an inherent connection between 
these computer-related problems and the fulfillment of 
biblical prophecy.  Aided by some in various media, this 
notion has plenty of "front-page" exposure but in reality is 
antithetical to sound biblical teaching.  At best it is 
well-intentioned but highly speculative interpretation of 
the fulfillment of Scripture.  At worst it is the catalyst 
for fear, self-preservation and violence--none of which are 
worthy of a people committed to a loving God. 
 Holy Scripture clearly speaks to what fear is and 
should do.  The "fear of the Lord" called for in Proverbs is 
"the beginning of knowledge, wisdom and instruction."  The 
"fear" noted in Scripture produces focused reverence, not 
destructive confusion.  It compels us to look more closely 
at the loving Creator Whose will would be made known to us; 
it strengthens our trust in God.  The God of Scripture does 
not produce or encourage confusion.  Sowing the seeds of a 
fear that causes confusion, and engaging in fear-mongering 
that exacerbates it, surely saddens the heart of our God.
 God's timetable for the fulfillment of history is not 
known to us, nor should it be.  We have been given two basic 
truths to guide our lives in this regard.
 The first: Christians can see throughout the New 
Testament the proclamation that "the day of the Lord will 
come like a thief in the night" and "you will not know at 
what hour I will come to you" (I Thessalonians 5:2; II Peter 
3:10; Revelation 3:3; 16:15).  The second: We also are told 
in no uncertain terms that believers must be prepared at all 
times for the return of our Savior.  Vigilance and trust--
both dependent on unwavering faith in a steadfast God--are 
the qualities God calls us to embrace now and always.  These 
are the lessons of the parables of Matthew 24 and 25 and 
Luke 12; they are the keys to the Kingdom.

What We Can Do
 It  is encouraging to know that believers from 
virtually all traditions within Christian witness are 
viewing the Y2K dilemma as an opportunity for witness.
 It is essential that Christians both address the Y2K 
challenges and make preparations for dealing with possible 
burdens that may arise because of them.  But our 
preparations should be in anticipation of manageable 
problems rather than world-devastating catastrophes.
 We ask that you prayerfully consider the following:
 1.  Be sure people in your church talk about these 
issues.  Allowing unspoken or unresolved fears and concerns 
to smolder is not spiritually or emotionally healthy.  Many 
understandably have questions.  And while no one can predict 
precisely what Y2K will bring, there nonetheless are many 
answers we can offer.
 2.  Affirm that this is a special opportunity to 
reemphasize that in times of uncertainty our reliance must 
be on God, and an acceptance of God's perfect will.  God 
truly is sovereign; God always is in total control.  Even if 
the technological glitches prove to be minor, we must 
acknowledge that our dependence on the things of this 
world--things that fail us, that are unpredictable--is no 
substitute for trusting in a steadfast God.
 3.  Emphasize the need for preparedness.  Scripture is 
forthright in its call for believers to be ever ready for 
God's ministry here on earth and for the fulfillment of 
God's history through the return of our Savior.  Affirm the 
need for focused trust in a Shepherd Who never leads us 
astray; expose the heresy of God-less fear-mongering.
 4.  Work within your church and community to be ready 
to serve if additional needs arise.  Develop groups or 
networks of people to help deal with food shortages or the 
disruption of services.  Encourage everyone to have adequate 
essential supplies on hand, but discourage stockpiling (in 
which increased and temporary demand most likely will cause 
companies to overstock and hire short-term employees who 
will be laid off once supplies are met).
 5.  Evaluate the "Y2K readiness" of your church's 
computer system, especially if it maintains membership and 
financial records.  Check with the computer's manufacturer 
or with a church member familiar with computer systems to 
ascertain whether it is Y2K compliant. 
 6.  Be in prayer--to seek God's guidance for yourself, 
and for all believers truly to seek to know God's will at 
this time and at all moments in history. 

WEISS CALLS FOR RECONCILIATION, PRAYER AND RENEWAL 
AS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS CONCLUDES
 Expressing hope that the period following the 
presidential impeachment process may be "a time of renewal 
for our nation," Dr. Daniel E. Weiss, general secretary of 
American Baptist Churches USA, has called American Baptists 
to "work and pray for reconciliation, avoid self-
righteousness, seek to walk humbly and faithfully with our 
God and continue to pray for the President of the United 
States and all governing officials."
 The full text of his statement follows:
 "I believe many American Baptists fundamentally have 
been saddened by the events leading up to and including the 
Senate trial.  It has been a year without heroes, and a time 
that has posed more questions than answers about public 
service.  Most of us have been forced to evaluate a gamut of 
concerns surrounding our elected officials--our expectations 
of their conduct, as well as the viability of such notions 
as fair political process, measurable standards of integrity 
and truthfulness, and the objective interpretation of 
Constitutional procedures. 
 "And yet, throughout this entire painful period, we 
have been encouraged by those within the American Baptist 
family who genuinely have sought to understand God's will, 
and to accept it.  For the selfless prayers they have lifted 
up, and for their affirmation that God uses all situations 
to strengthen our understanding and commitment, we give 
praise.  
 "The antipathy many now feel toward politics and 
politicians must be tempered with a realization that they 
are part of God's plan for our lives.  As Paul emphasized in 
affirming the supremacy of Christ, "...whether thrones or 
dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created 
through him and for him" (Col. 1:16). 
 "We must not give up on, or separate ourselves from, 
the institutions of this world.  It is my prayer that 
American Baptists and all people of faith will continue to 
monitor, address, seek to impact, and pray for those who 
represent us in government.  Let us accept our 
responsibility to share the dictates of our consciences with 
those entrusted with our best interests. 
 "Now that the agony of the past year is diminishing, 
let us work and pray for reconciliation, avoid self-
righteousness, seek to walk humbly and faithfully with our 
God and continue to pray for the President of the United 
States and all governing officials.  May this be a time of 
renewal for our nation."

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: MISSIONARY UPDATE
 American Baptist International Ministries officials 
report that six International Ministries missionaries are 
back at their posts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  
 Bill Clemmer and George Win are at the Evangelical 
Hospital in Vanga, Glen Chapman has returned to Kikongo, and 
Mark and Sandy Jo Thompson and their family and Mike Lowery 
are in Kinshasa.
 Clemmer, Win and Chapman first flew to Kinshasa before 
traveling on to their final destination.  Despite recently 
increased security measures in the Congo the missionaries 
reported that there were no problems landing at the airport. 
 In an e-mail message to the Mission Center here 
Chapman said that the situation in Kinshasa was "very much 
business as usual" and that "the stores that I have been 
into are well stocked, and there is lots of local produce at 
Kingasani where the trucks first enter Kinshasa from 
Bandundu Province."
 Congo, however, remains at war.  Reuters reports that 
militia members and bandits armed with machetes are 
ambushing vehicles by day and looting homes and cattle by 
night in the rebel-held eastern portion of the country.  All 
of International Ministries' missions, in partnership with 
the Western Congo Baptist Community, are in the west, away 
from the fighting. 
 Tom Howard is scheduled to return to Kinshasa later 
this month to continue his duties with Mission Aviation 
Fellowship (MAF).  According to Donna Anderson, director of 
the Overseas Division and associate executive director of 
International Ministries, "MAF has reiterated its commitment 
to a presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, even 
if flights cannot be continued.  Therefore, after completion 
of an updating seminar for trainer pilots, Tom will go back 
to Kinshasa."  Other International Ministries missionaries 
and their families will be returning to either the Congo or 
the Republic of South Africa as conditions warrant.
 "We thank God that some of our missionaries have been 
able to return to the Congo without incident," said John 
Sundquist, executive director of International Ministries.  
"We ask your prayers for their safety and the safety of 
their families in South Africa.  We also ask for continued 
prayer for those living in the Congo and that the war may 
end soon."    

RELIGIOUS LEADERS MEET WITH U.S. LEGISLATORS
TO PROMOTE FOREST CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
by Fran Homer, Associate Director, Home Mission 
Communication Center, National Ministries
 The Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation, a 
coalition of Protestant, Catholic and Jewish leaders, met 
earlier this month with members of Congress and White House 
officials in an effort to convince them that the relentless 
logging of America's public lands is both an environmental 
catastrophe and a spiritual wrong.
 "We believe forest stewardship must be addressed from 
a faith perspective," said Dr. Owen Owens, director of 
Ecology and Racial Justice for National Ministries, American 
Baptist Churches USA, who serves as national chair of the 
coalition.  "The earth is the Lord's, and it is time to use 
our minds and faith together to preserve whole forests--not 
mere tree plantations--for future generations," Owens said.
 The Religious Campaign delegation presented its 
concerns at a prayer breakfast arranged by Secretary of the 
Interior Bruce Babbitt.  Later they met with Wesley Warren, 
the Administration's chief of staff for the Environmental 
Quality Board, and with Mike Dombeck, chief of the U.S. 
Forest Service.  In addition, delegation members spoke with 
their respective Congressional representatives or key staff.
 Among the 40-member delegation were 12 American 
Baptist pastors and lay leaders, including Alvin Hadley, a 
member of University Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, who 
serves on the American Baptist Public Mission Team.  "I was 
pleasantly surprised that elected and appointed officials 
took time to dialogue with us," Hadley said.  "They clearly 
were interested in the biblical basis for our message.  This 
opens the door for the faith community to play a significant 
role in this debate into the next century."
 The American Baptist Policy Statement on Ecology, 
adopted by the General Board in June 1989, calls on all 
members of American Baptist churches to "acknowledge our 
responsibility for stewardship of the Creator's good earth, 
learn of the environmental dangers facing the planet, pursue 
a lifestyle that is wise and responsible in light of our 
understanding of the problems, and exert our influence in 
shaping public policy."
 There is an increasing awareness among religious 
communities, according to Owens, of the need to act now to 
save and restore America's forests.  Danger to U.S. forests 
include clearcut logging, or "rip-and-run forestry," which 
has accelerated over the past decade.
 In addition, when forests are cut down it affects the 
entire ecosystem of the surrounding area, Owens said.  Then 
when natural disasters occur the area cannot withstand the 
force of nature.  As an example he points to Central 
America: If many of the forests of Central America had not 
been lost to commercial logging, he says, the effects of 
Hurricane Mitch would have been less destructive and fewer 
lives lost.
 Among information distributed by the delegation is "A 
National Appeal Based upon a Biblical Theology of Creation," 
using Psalm 24:1, prepared by the Religious Campaign.  The 
appeal calls for the immediate end to all cutting of ancient 
and old growth forest, the end of commercial logging on 
public lands, and the redirection of taxpayer Industry 
subsidies into forest restoration and related jobs.
 Owens encourages American Baptists to support the 
Religious Campaign with prayer and to investigate ways to 
conserve and restore forests in their states.  For more 
information call 1-800-ABC-3USA, ext. 1-2410.

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