I remember reading somewhere that a tiny band of coyotes have a way of making themselves sound much more numerous than they actually are. In fact, I think I heard that in a sermon illustration designed for encouraging pastors in the midst of conflict. Often when somebody comes to a pastor and says, “people are talking, pastor”, what they really mean is, “My three friends and I are talking and assume that most everyone else would be on our side too”. I’ve thought of that illustration often when I’ve had to field criticism. I’ve learned to ask for the names of the coyotes so that I can more … [Read more...] about The Coyote and Rightly Assessing Our Social Media Influence
Archives for October 2016
Is “Where Will You Go When You Die?” a Helpful Evangelistic Question?
Let me make some assertions very clear. I believe there is life after death. I believe life after death depends on Jesus. Those who have the Son have life. Those who don't, don't. I believe in heaven and in the reality of hell. Having said that, I would like to make two observations - one that has, I believe, unassailable biblical support and the other equally unassailable support from our own experience. There is not a single place I've found in the NT where the offer of salvation was presented to someone on the basis of where that person would spend eternity. The gospel … [Read more...] about Is “Where Will You Go When You Die?” a Helpful Evangelistic Question?
Jack Chick died two weeks too soon
Jack Chick, yeah, the one and only Jack Chick died Sunday. His tracts, a staple of the "you're-gonna-bust-hell-wide-open-and-fry-like-a-sausage" wing of Protestant, American Christianity, were big and occasionally found in my circles in the 1970s and 1980s. Since he waged holy war on Halloween, a death on that date would have been ironic. The Lord is in charge of beginnings and ends. He worked according to His schedule. I first laid eyes on one of those Jack Chick tracts in the late 1970s. A few of my seminary classmates favored them. I may run across one these days about once every few … [Read more...] about Jack Chick died two weeks too soon
An Old Codger’s Advice to Young Whippersnappers
It was one of those moments that is shocking, telling, and yes, abundantly gross. Back in the good old days, the BCI had an annual pastors and wives retreat in the Amana Colonies; a highlight of the year for all of us. After the meetings were over one night I was "fellowshipping" with a group of about half a dozen pastors. Okay, we were hanging out in the large hot tub at the hotel! I told you it was gross. As the chat progressed I had a moment of revelation - I was no longer the young whippersnapper in the group. I was the old guy, the voice of experience. The young pastors were peppering me … [Read more...] about An Old Codger’s Advice to Young Whippersnappers
The Strategic Movement Toward a 50/50 Distribution (by Randy C. Davis)
Randy is the Executive Director/Treasurer of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention You are familiar with the story. Two mothers came before King Solomon with a baby, each claiming to be the mother. An argument ensued; accusations fly, and Solomon decides to divide the baby, thereby revealing the identity of the true mother. Somewhere along the way, the Cooperative Program became the baby many in the Southern Baptists Convention want to divide. Impatience fuels a call for drastic action. We’ve become too quick to draw the sword without considering the broader consequences. … [Read more...] about The Strategic Movement Toward a 50/50 Distribution (by Randy C. Davis)
“Baptism now saves you”—a consideration of 1 Peter 3:21
We Baptists have historically believed, as we should, that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Yet, in maintaining these solas, we occasionally come across a passage of Scripture that makes us take pause. One such scriptures is Peter’s treatment of baptism in 1 Peter 3. There we read how Peter compares baptism to the great flood: “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you…” We are quick to cry out: “Now this doesn’t mean that getting dunked into water actually saves you,” lest we be accused of holding to a form of baptismal regeneration which doesn’t … [Read more...] about “Baptism now saves you”—a consideration of 1 Peter 3:21
The end of your search for a friendly church? Probably not.
We love cliches in the SBC and the old church sign standard, "The end of your search for a friendly church", is about as well-worn as any. It is pithy, has a rhyme, and expresses something that we want communicated to those outside of our churches. Unfortunately, it is probably not the truth about your church. A state convention worker was preaching in my church once and he offered this truism: "Most churches think they are friendly but aren't." I'm in agreement, especially after spending a year or so after retirement visiting churches. Almost all were not friendly. One would think that … [Read more...] about The end of your search for a friendly church? Probably not.
A Policy Conundrum: The Community and Our Building – What Should We Do?
We've run into a serious question as we have been reworking our policies on the use of our building. Maybe some of you are going through the same thing, and if any of you legal eagles out there want to weigh in, well, free legal advice is always better than paid, right? Backstory Several of the churches in our area try to make bank by renting out their buildings - I can't believe what some of them charge for weddings and other building use. We decided years ago that we'd go a different direction. It didn't necessarily thrill our Building and Properties Team, but we chose to make our … [Read more...] about A Policy Conundrum: The Community and Our Building – What Should We Do?
The Delight of God (a devotional)
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful song. ~Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) God delights in his people. Let that thought sink in. It is sometimes a struggle we have when we think of God: How does God think of us? This struggle is especially real when we ponder the perfect holiness, righteousness, and goodness of God. How could we ever measure up? How could we ever be anything in his eyes other than a disappointment? Yet there it is, as we see in … [Read more...] about The Delight of God (a devotional)
October 17-23: A Trump/Clinton Free Week at SBC Voices
Like the Pirates Code, many of my rules are more like guidelines than they are actual rules, and I know that articles about Trump/Clinton/the election have been one of my staples in recent weeks, but I think we need to take a break. C'mon guys. Let's talk about the Calvinist conspiracy, or beverage alcohol, or whether strict tithing is still required biblically. Here's the thing: there's a lot of stuff to talk about but there comes a point when we keep saying the same things over and over again. NeverTrump. A vote for Trump is a vote for Hillary. Lesser of evils. Trump is not … [Read more...] about October 17-23: A Trump/Clinton Free Week at SBC Voices