SBC Voices

At the Illinois Baptist annual meeting in November, two people mentioned that I write for SBC Voices. Both said that SBC Voices comment section isn't what it once was. Controversies in the past provoked comments and discussion. I imagine a lot that kind of back and forth is on social media. There are still controversies. I don't miss reading comment threads about them and won't try to make them come back here. I'm curious, though, for some discussion about what we as Southern Baptists (Great Commission Baptists if you prefer) are praying for and working for. What are you praying … [Read more...] about What Are We Praying and Working for in 2026

With New Year’s around the corner, you might be making plans for your health in 2026. I was a certified personal trainer for several years and have stayed interested in health and fitness. Here are three tips you are likely not aware of. Take your unique job and lifestyle into account when trying to be healthy. Paul wrote about that in 2 Corinthians 11:28, “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” Stress is higher in ministry, and that makes a pastor’s health and fitness different. Allostatic load is a term that means the cumulative stress from … [Read more...] about 3 Health Tips for Church Leaders

Another “one time” opportunity for clergy who opted out of Social Security to jump back in may be offered. A bill is progressing through congress to do just that. Baptist Press reports the latest news on it. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/clergy-act-advances-from-house-ways-and-means-committee/ I’ve been retired for 14 years now and don’t circulate among the pastors’ conferences, conventions, and meetings where a lot of pastors and clergy staff congregate and gab. But, on occasion, I will run into some on the pickleball court or elsewhere. A short while ago it was … [Read more...] about Another ‘one time’ opt-in window for Social Security: If it passes, take it!

Most of the people reading this are pastors and church leaders. Most of us are readers. Our lives have been changed by books. We can't give away our favorite books, though. Many people won't read them because they are long. Today, I want to describe some great short books that you might give away. I’ve found that most people will read a book if it is relevant, excellent, and short. I think a short book should be under 100 pages. Maybe someday people will read longer books, but the point isn’t the length. The reason we give books is that we want to help people grow in Christ. Here are … [Read more...] about Great Short Books to Give Away

I didn’t tell my wife about the problems in my first senior pastorate. I wanted to protect her from worry.  I was deceived into the position. I was mistreated and deceived throughout my pastorate. I was scared, hurt, and angry. I didn’t want her scared, hurt, or angry too, so I buried it. That was the advice I had heard in ministry: protect your wife by not taking your problems home. I thought I could outwork the problems. When I couldn’t hide the problems anymore and told her everything that I had faced for three years, she struggled to trust me. She wondered what else I had hidden from … [Read more...] about The Worst Ministry Advice I Ever Received

Since Dr. Danny Akin announced his retirement yesterday, I thought I would share my Dr. Akin story. Dr. Akin preached a revival at our south Georgia church when I was in high school. He was still at Southern seminary as Dean and professor of preaching.  I felt called to ministry and thought preaching would be in my future, so I paid careful attention to his preaching. He preached four or five times that week. I still remember one sermon warning us against falling away like Demas. I noticed that he started each sermon on the left side of the pulpit at the front of the stage. I suspected … [Read more...] about My Dr. Danny Akin Story

This year is the year of celebration of our flagship giving program: the beloved, touted, often revered Cooperative Program. It has been our common and cooperative pool of funding that for 100 years has been divided among the state conventions, mission boards, seminaries, and smaller denominational entities. It think someone had a CP cake in Nashville. I paid for part of it but didn't get a piece. It's not like the centennial slipped up on us unawares; denominational leaders have had years to prepare for it. From my view in the SBC heartland the centennial consisted of a resolution, a … [Read more...] about The dark centennial of the beloved Cooperative Program

I’ve never listened to sermons much outside of regular church attendance or conferences. Since I am a pastor and preach most Sundays, I haven’t listened regularly to others preach since seminary. I want to change that. I made it a goal to listen to one sermon a week. When I listened to Warren Wiersbe’s sermon on Lev. 16, it was terrific. I wondered how I had missed his preaching all these years. Maybe you can help me. Maybe others could use your recommendations too. Who are some preachers that you think I and others could learn from? Who should we listen to? What should we … [Read more...] about Who Are Preachers We Should Learn From?

Our church gives away lots of books. We give them away at the bus stop, Easter egg hunts, lunches for high school students, Christmas time, summer break, etc. It has become a evangelistic ministry for us, and I want you to consider how you can give away good books. What kind of books should we give away? Give short books. Longer books are not great for gifts because it feels like an assignment or work. Books as a gift should be under 100 pages. We get our books from 10ofThose and Matthias Media. We especially love the books The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller and Empty by … [Read more...] about Give Away Evangelistic Books