Letter from a Birmingham Jail?

[Photo "courtesy" of Westboro Baptist Church. Thanks, Fred!]

Nope: Email from a Pflugerville church, sent "as is" to make you wonder whether it's the email program, the word processing program, the connections, or just a lack of understanding on how all those "word-thingies" work.

After reading this email, you may find it interesting to read the actual Letter from a Birmingham Jail and the Statement by Alabama Clergymen that prompted Dr. King's response. Since both letters came from Baptist roots, you can view Mr. Washburn's words in historical perspective.

It's been 50 years since those two writings. Mr. Washburn (FBCP's head pastor) has spent 2013 asking the state to cut $5,000,000 from the school's funding as punishment for how they handle health benefits.
Do you think he crossed the line in political law? Do you think this is sound judgment? Do you worry that politics and religion are being mixed--or mixed incorrectly?

Perhaps you really like the direct candor of a man who would know that such an email would get to me.

Whatever your thoughts, please feel free to post your reaction in the comments. I'm always interested to see who reads this!

pth

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From: Steve Washburn <steve@fbcpville.org>
Sent: Tue Apr 30 15:45:56 CDT 2013
To: fbcp@fbcpville.org
Subject: [FBCP Mail List] Urgent!

Dear First Baptist Pflugerville Family,

If you live in the Pflugerville Independent School District, I want to call
your attention to something of great importance that needs your personal and


immediate attention. 

Our School Board election is going on RIGHT NOW.  Early voting started
yesterday and will go through next Tuesday, May 7.  Actual Election Day is
on Saturday, May 11th.  Times and voting locations can be found on the


attachment.

EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US NEEDS TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION!  (Preferably during
this early voting period.)  We need to vote in two races: Place #3 and Place #5.

In any election, there is only one question we need to answer: "For which


candidates does GOD want me to vote?"  As followers of Jesus, we vote for
HIS priorities, not our priorities.  That means we are always, first and
foremost - "Christian Moral Values Voters."  We vote for the candidates who


best represent and defend the Lord's moral values as He reveals them in
Scripture.  

Although there are a number of issues being discussed by all candidates, our
primary concern revolves around the previous decision of the PISD School


Board to extend health insurance benefits to "domestic partners."  This
provision allows employees of PISD to include immoral sexual partners
(heterosexual and homosexual) in their medical insurance benefit plan as


though they were legal spouses.   We are to vote for the candidates in Place
#3 and Place #5 who will oppose this decision.  If you are unclear where the
various candidates stand on this issue, please call a friend who may be more


familiar, or research your decision on-line.

Candidates for Place #3:
Mario Acosta vs Tony Hanson

Candidates for Place #5: Carol Fletcher vs Lance Sandlin

For followers of Jesus, not voting is NOT an option.  Jesus said, "You are


the salt of the earth [salt prevents decay]. But if the salt should lose its
taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be
thrown out and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world [light


guides in darkness]. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden... Let your
light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory
to your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:13-16).   

As your pastor, let me again tell you how proud I am to serve a group of


individuals so determined to glorify our Lord! Our collective voice will be
heard across Texas and throughout the Kingdom of God!



Dr. Steve Washburn

Steve Washburn, Sr. Pastor

First Baptist Church




306 S. 10th St.

Pflugerville, TX 78660

512-251-3052

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