Discussing Dobson’s departure
Lots of folks are talking about Dr. James Dobson’s decision to step down as board chairman of the influential evangelical organization Focus on the Family.
Dobson’s decision was expected, but it still has people wondering what’s next for Focus on the Family and who will take his place as a leader in the evangelical community.
New America Today is a magazine launched on the day of Pres. Barack Obama’s inauguration. According to its Web site, it was created to “start a new and exciting discussion about religion, culture and politics that glorifies God, proclaims Jesus Christ, and promotes Biblical principles, and hopefully brings together what is still the most segregated institution in America, the Christian church, to fulfill its divine purpose.”
To read New America Today’s story “Evangelicals Ponder ‘Who Will Be The Next Dobson?,” click here: Next Dobson.
(AP PHOTO ABOVE: James Dobson, Christian evangelical leader and founder of Focus on the Family, listens to President Bush address the National Religious Broadcasters 2008 Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Dobson Steps Down as Focus on the Family Chairman
This just in from Colorado Springs, Colo.: James Dobson, the well known conservative Christian leader who founded the Focus on the Family ministry, has stepped down as the ministry’s board chairman.
His wife, National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson, has also left the Focus on the Family Board of Directors.
According to the ministry, the Dobson’s have been elected to the positions of founder and chairman emeritus and director emerita, respectively.
In a statement provided by the ministry, the board of directors said the Dobsons’ decision represents the next step in a transition plan begun six years ago, when James Dobson stepped down as president in order to lessen his administrative burden. Executive leadership was handed to Don Hodel in 2003, and then to Jim Daly in 2005. James Dobson had been board chairman until today.
“One of Dr. Dobson’s objectives during the last decade has been to help identify the next generation of leadership for the ministry, and to see it established securely before he stepped away from administrative oversight. That purpose has now been fulfilled, and we applaud Dr. Dobson for this concern for the future of the ministry.”
James Dobson will continue the “Focus on the Family” radio broadcast, and handle other duties as in the past. He will also continue to write the ministry’s newsletter, sent to 1.6 million people per month.
“One of the common errors of founder-presidents is to hold to the reins of leadership too long, thereby preventing the next generation from being prepared for executive authority,” Dobson said. “I have wanted not to make that mistake with Focus on the Family, which is why I stepped back, first from the presidential duties six years ago, and now, from board chairmanship. Though letting go is difficult after three decades of intensive labor, it is the wise thing to do. ”
For more information, visit the ministry’s Web site: Dobson Steps Down.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
New information surfaces about Haggard
“The Trials of Ted Haggard,” a HBO documentary about disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard, has caused a firestorm of sorts for Haggard’s former congregation, New Life Church of Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Religion News Service — and a host of other news media outlets — is reporting that there is a new sex scandal involving Haggard and the church.
New Life Pastor Brady Boyd, according to the RNS, reportedly told the New Life congregation that the church’s insurance company arranged a settlement with a young man who claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Haggard, who was forced to resign in 2006 after a male escort came forward with charges of gay sex and drug use.
Boyd told worshippers that none of their weekly offerings had been used to pay the settlement, and admitted that church leaders had long known about the allegations.
“For the last two years, we carried the burden, the weight, of this information to protect you,” Boyd said. “We’ve been diligent, faithful, pastoral, honest … every step of the way.”
Boyd, according to the RNS, said church leaders were forced to keep quiet because of the settlement’s terms, and also because “I have to use discretion, our staff has to use discretion, and sometimes we have to use confidentiality … especially when it concerns people we’re trying to help heal. There’s nothing being held secret here.”
“There’s no secret. I’ve known every single bit of information for 18 months as your pastor. I’ve held it. I know how to handle it. I’ve walked it out.”
The RNS reported that Boyd, who took over after Haggard resigned in disgrace, apologized for the new round of allegations against Haggard.
“It’s been my hope as your pastor for the 18 months I’ve been here that this wound would heal and we wouldn’t have to revisit the unpleasant parts of our past, but unfortunately this week we’ve had to do that,” he said, adding later, “The wound will not always be with us, the wound will not always define us.”
“The Trials of Ted Haggard” documentary is scheduled to air on Thursday
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Billy Graham’s grandson chosen to lead Coral Ridge
Here’s the news that is making headlines in Florida and beyond.
Evangelist Billy Graham’s grandson,Tullian Tchividjian (pictured above), has been chosen to lead the Presbyterian megachurch formerly led by the Rev. D. James Kennedy.
According to the Religion News Service, Tullian Tchividjian, 36, will assume the pastorate at Fort Lauderdale’s Coral Ridge Presbyterian, if approved by a congregational vote.
Kennedy died in September 2007 at age 76, and is widely believed to have been an ”architect of the Christian right,” the RNS reported.
Tchividjian is one of seven children of Gigi Tchividjian, the eldest daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham. His grandfather preached the dedication sermon for the Coral Ridge sanctuary in 1974.
“This will be an exciting legacy for both Dr. Kennedy and Billy Graham,” Dan Westphal, head of Coral Ridge’s search committee, told the RNS. “I’ve come to know Tullian well, and he is a godly man.”
Born in Jacksonville and raised in South Florida, Tchividjian was named after Tertullian, a theologian of the second and third centuries. He earned degrees in philosophy at Columbia International University in South Carolina, and in divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Obama inauguration: Virtual inaugural prayer meeting
The Oklahomans behind the Prayer Force One ministry, the Rev. Ed Moore and his wife, are inviting people to a virtual prayer inaugural prayer meeting.
To participate in the meeting, which is to occur all day today, click here: Virtual Inaugural Prayer Meeting.
After logging in you will be transported to one of the rooms in the White House. Rev. Moore asks that participants use this time for prayer for America.
Prayer Force One, a bus ministry but also an Internet ministry, also has a prayer guide for folks who can’t participate in the united virtual prayer effort, but who want to be involved in some way.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
On TV: Ted Haggard
Ted Haggard, the high profile Colorado pastor who resigned from his post as National Association of Evangelicals presidents in disgrace in 2006, is to be the subject of a new documentary this month.
The documentary, “The Trials of Ted Haggard,” is to air on HBO on Jan. 29.
The evangelical faith community was rocked when a former male prostitute came forth in 2006 to say that the pastor had paid him to have sex with him and to acquire methamphetamine.
Haggard subsequently confessed to ”sin” and he and his church, New Life Church in Colorado Springs, parted ways.
Haggard, apparently still is married to his wife. He is reportedly promoting the new documentary. It reportedly gives a glimpse of Haggard’s life and reexamines the scandal.
(AP PHOTO: Ted Haggard is shown in a 2005 photo.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Southern Baptist prayer vigil continues
Many Oklahoma Southern Baptists are in the midst of the 40/40 Prayer Vigil which began Sept. 24 and continues through Nov. 2, right before the presidential election on Nov. 4
The prayer effort is to culminate with 40 hours of around the clock intercession during the last three days of the vigil. This 40-hour finale is to begin at 4 p.m. Oct. 31 and end at 8 a.m. Nov. 2.
Participants have been encouraged to focus personal spiritual revival, then to expand their circle of prayer concerns.
More details are located on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Web site at www.sbc.net.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Did you take Billy Graham quiz?
Earlier today I posted a kind of “Billy Graham 101″ quiz for all the folks out there who love him and probably know a lot about him. This quiz was taken from trivia I found on the official “Billy: The Early Years” movie Web site at www.billytheearlyyears.com and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Web site at www.billygraham.com.
It’s all pretty basic, but might educate some people who didn’t know some of the facts about the renowned and beloved evangelist. In case you didn’t get to take it earlier, I’ve listed the questions again and placed the answers at the bottom. And one more thing: I came up with this Billy Graham trivia exercise after doing some reading about the new movie chronicling the early years of Graham’s life and ministry. “Billy: The Early Years” is set to premiere in theaters on Oct. 10.
1. What year was Billy Graham born?
2. He was born on a dairy farm in what state?
3. How many times has Graham appeared on the Gallup organization’s “Top Ten List of Most Admired Men in the World”?
4. What year did Graham and his beloved wife Ruth (now deceased) receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
5. What year did he found his evangelistic association?
6. Name Graham’s five children.
7. In what country did Ruth Bell Graham, spend her childhood?
8. In 1934 at age 16, Graham made a personal commitment to Christ through the ministry of what traveling evangelist?
9. What are the names of the two men who have traveled with Graham for most of his evangelistic crusades and missions?
10. What nickname was Graham given by students at Wheaton College, where he met and fell in love with Ruth McCue Bell?
ANSWERS
1. 1918; 2. North Carolina; 3. 51 times (44 consecutively); 4. 1996; 5. 1950; 6. Virginia (Gigi), Anne, Ruth, Franklin, Nelson Edman (Ned); 7. China; 8. Mordecai Ham; 9. Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea; 10. Preacher.
Check back next week for another quiz that will let you test your knowledge on Graham’s ties to Oklahoma and his evangelistic efforts here.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Early word on “Billy: The Early Years”
I’m predicting that this time next week many in the Oklahoma Christian faith community will flock to theaters to see the new film “Billy: The Early Years.”
The movie starring actor Armie Hammer (who also had roles in the TV show “Veronica Mars” and the feature film “Flicka”) premieres on Oct. 10.
So many Oklahomans love and respect Billy Graham — that much I know from covering the evangelist’s successful Oklahoma City mission effort several years ago.
In the months before the mission event, I had an opportunity to do some research on Graham and I learned quite a few things about him.
The upcoming movie is another opportunity to learn even more about the renowned preacher.
How much do you know about him?
Here’s a little quiz, based on trivia found on the official “Billy” movie site at www.billytheearlyyears.com and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Web site:
1. What year was Billy Graham born?
2. He was born on a dairy farm in what state?
3. How many times has Graham appeared on the Gallup organization’s “Top Ten List of Most Admired Men in the World”?
4. What year did Graham and his beloved wife Ruth (now deceased) receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
5. What year did he found his evangelistic association?
6. Name Graham’s five children.
7. In what country did Ruth Bell Graham, spend her childhood?
8. In 1934 at age 16, Graham made a personal commitment to Christ through the ministry of what traveling evangelist?
9. What are the names of the two men who have traveled with Graham for most of his evangelistic crusades and missions?
10. What nickname was Graham given by students at Wheaton College, where he met and fell in love with Ruth McCue Bell?
Check back later today for the answers.
Incidentally, ever want to drop Billy Graham a line, perhaps send him your best wishes? You can do it online by visiting the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Web site at http://www.billygraham.com/
Click on a link to wish the evangelist a happy birthday (which he celebrates on Nov. 7).
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Promise Keepers’ leader returns
After attending a Promise Keepers men’s conference a few years ago at the Ford Center, I know one thing for certain: Many Christian men in Oklahoma love the Promise Keepers organization and its mission to help them continue their Christian journey as husbands, fathers, church members …
Now comes news of interest regarding Promise Keepers.
Religion News Service reports that Bill McCartney, the former college football coach who helped found Promise Keepers, has come out of retirement to lead the evangelical Christian group.
McCartney, 68, has returned as chief executive officer and chairman of the ministry. McCartney replaces Tom Fortson, who resigned voluntarily, Promise Keepers general counsel Ed O’Brien told the RNS.
The Religion News Service reports that in 1996, the group drew 1.1 million men to 22 stadium conferences; 10 years later, 18 conferences attracted some 132,000. Also, according to the RNS, the Denver-based group has dealt with a decline in gifts, grants and contributions.
McCartney, former coach of the
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
