NOTE: I publish this as a newsworthy story about a Georgia Baptist College. This is not a springboard for a foodfight about the president of the college or others who work there. The focus is the accreditation of BPC and nothing else. Eyes on the ball, folks. On June 19. 2014, the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted to strip Brewton-Parker College of its membership in the organization. Sometime in the last few weeks, BPC went before the Appeals Committee to present new evidence that they were bringing the college into … [Read more...] about Brewton-Parker Gains Rehearing of Accreditation
Archives for September 2014
Embrace the Politics of the CP
The Cooperative Program is political. This one fact, more than any other, has hindered its growth. I think our distaste for the political aspects of the CP is wrongful on our part. I'm writing to convince you of that. It is undeniably true that denominational politics can become evil. This is equally true, however, for anything that sinful human beings touch. If you tell me that you don't like corrupt politics, that makes me admire you. If you tell me that you don't like politics at all, I consider you to be a part of the problem rather than a part of the solution. Whether your disavowal of … [Read more...] about Embrace the Politics of the CP
The CP and the SQ: A Response to Bart Barber (William Thornton)
William is the SBC Plodder. My insightful friend and fellow blogger, Bart Barber, has a short article on SBC Voices entitled, "It's the CP, not the SQ", in which he says, "I write today to disabuse you all of the idea that defending the Cooperative Program means defending the status quo." I've concluded that our venerable denominational funding scheme, The Cooperative Program, has become an inherently status quo system with little chance of accommodating major changes. This article explains why. To discuss this necessarily involves dividing the question of status quo into two parts: (1) … [Read more...] about The CP and the SQ: A Response to Bart Barber (William Thornton)
It’s the CP, not the SQ
I write today to disabuse you all of the idea that defending the Cooperative Program means defending the status quo. Yes, it is true that the Cooperative Program has been the premiere funding approach for the Southern Baptist Convention for nearly ninety years. Hegemony over the preponderance of a century certainly qualifies something to claim to be the status quo, at least in terms of its longevity. That being true, I suppose that I must (grudgingly) admit that in some technical sense the Cooperative Program is the status quo of the Southern Baptist Convention. But that's only true in this … [Read more...] about It’s the CP, not the SQ
I Died Just a Little
I’m a Yankee fan. I don’t know if you knew that about me; it is something I tend to hold pretty close to the vest. Oh, there are a few hints out there – the large decals on the back window of my truck, the plethora of paraphernalia around my office, the shirts and shorts and jackets, 8 Yankees ball caps, the cell-phone cover, the life-sized cardboard cutout of Babe Ruth in my office, you know - a few minor things. Other than that, I try to keep my sports allegiances to myself. It's just not something I feel comfortable talking about. Being a Yankee fan is both a joy and a trial. One word … [Read more...] about I Died Just a Little
Keep the safety on guns and marriage
I have seen the awesome power of guns. I have heard of people innocently cleaning their gun and shockingly a spouse, a child, a brother is killed when an unrealized bullet is shot. In the heat of the argument people are killed and wounded for life. Limbs are lost, lives are ended, and in the matter of seconds everything about a person’s life can be completely changed. Guns have awesome power and can be used for the good too. Guns properly handled can provide safety and security to a home from intruders. Guns can provide meat and nourishment for a family all year. Hunting together can bring … [Read more...] about Keep the safety on guns and marriage
Joy in Suffering (Mike Bergman)
This past Sunday, I continued preaching a Sunday morning series on joy from Philippians. In it we talked about taking joy in the accomplishments of Jesus (3:1-12). Paul told the church once more to “rejoice in the Lord” and tells them that he will keep on reminding them of this again and again. Such a statement brought no trouble to Paul, after all it keeps everyone focused right where they should be: on Jesus. And he said it was safe for them (and us), after all it keeps us focused right where we need to be: on Jesus. Then Paul shifted gears to something that robs joy: thinking we … [Read more...] about Joy in Suffering (Mike Bergman)
Speculative Theology and the Great Commission (Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey leads the Engagement Team for Evangelism and Missions at the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. He is on the adjunct faculty of two seminaries,and the author of three books. He blogs at Themelios, where this was originally posted on Monday. October 3, "Left Behind" will debut in theaters across America, and its release will prompt a fresh discussion among evangelicals about our view of the end times. Additionally, the movie will encourage general discussion about what happens after we die, who goes to heaven, and how they get there. These are very important subjects, and for that … [Read more...] about Speculative Theology and the Great Commission (Joel Rainey)
The Faith of Another (Micah Fries)
Micah works at LifeWay and blogs at MicahFries.com. Living in an area where one is in the religious majority changes the way you see the world. In America, those of us who are Christians often feel like the world is changing, and not in a way that is positive for us, but the truth is we are still part of the largest religious segment in our culture. Often, one of the most difficult things for a member of the religious majority to do is to accurately understand the faith of religious minorities. I see this happen all the time in the US as Christians struggle to understand those of other … [Read more...] about The Faith of Another (Micah Fries)
Fundraising ideas gleaned from nonprofit fundraising
From my 15 years of fundraising as a senior pastor and later Development Director, listed below are lessons I have learned and hope they may benefit you in your nonprofit. Some may be adjusted for your church but much can be applied for a special fundraising campaign: Elements of a Successful Fundraising Campaign FOLLOW THE PLAN Select a campaign chair--an influential, rainmaker in your community who people (vendors, coworkers, potential vendors, clients, etc) want to make happy! Do not select a politician or other nonprofit leader who themselves will be asking people money for their … [Read more...] about Fundraising ideas gleaned from nonprofit fundraising