SBC Voices

I don’t know about you guys, but when it became known that I had surrendered to a call into the ministry, I got a good deal of advice. Some of it was pretty good; for instance, our Associational Missionary prayed that I would allow God to make the best pastor He could out of me. His prayer was both affirming and humbling. But much of the advice I received was—well, let’s just say that it was less good. One minister, for instance, gave me a printed sheet “proving” that his view on millennialism was correct and the only possible position for anyone with half a brain. At this point, some forty … [Read more...] about Advice to a New Pastor (John Fariss)

The Importance of Pastoral Care “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28, CSB) Let me share a story with you. This story is about a church member several years ago who said something to me that has stuck in my heart. This member was having surgery. I prayed, called, and got the details of the procedure, and on the day of the surgery, I showed up. I prayed with them, talked, and encouraged them. As a rule, I will generally stay until I know the … [Read more...] about Shepherds Must Care for the Sheep (Steve Ammons)

Having watched quite a few of the 357 bowl games leading up to the 12-Team College Football Playoff, it is hard to argue a few points, though some of you probably will argue those points anyway. Here's my thoughts and observations. 1. The CFP with 12 teams has created a two-tiered system for bowls. If a team makes the playoff, teams take their games seriously and their players go all-in to win, to seek the national championship. Teams that do not make the playoff have lost interest in their bowl games. 2. The bowl games outside the CFP have become little more than a December version … [Read more...] about The College Football Playoffs Have RUINED Bowl Season, and RESCUED It

In Part 2 I’ll discuss changes in the SBC that I’ve observed in my lifetime (75 years). I’m not suggesting these are negative things, but they are significant things, at least in my opinion. One big change is the rise of Calvinism in the SBC. In the 1950s Calvinism was barely a blip on the SBC’s radar. I studied for my Master of Divinity degree at Southwestern Seminary from 1972-1975. The only time I remember Calvinism being mentioned in class was in my church history class. We spent lots more time in class discussing dispensationalism and the Charismatic Movement, which was roaring at that … [Read more...] about This Is NOT Your Grandfather’s SBC, Part 2

We are pleased to announce the addition of a new Sports Reporter/Editor for SBC Voices, Mave Diller! He lives in the Midwest and has impeccable sports taste. He, like Dave Miller, is a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, New York Yankees, and Kansas City Chiefs! He is also very aware that the SEC is a cauldron of sin and evil, a roiling cesspool of wickedness. He will write sports articles from a balanced perspective, demonstrating that Christians will always cheer for the Yankees, the Big-10, and Pat Mahomes. He will do so as a uniter, not a divider! … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Sports Editor – Mave Diller!

I mentioned in a post a few days back that I am looking to "reboot" SBC Voices. You may still see some of the old guard and familiar names writing from time to time (they are always welcome), but most of them kinda got burned out on the SBC Wars of the last few years and have little interest in re-engaging in those kinds of battles. I would like to restart SBC Voices more along the lines of my original vision. I'd like the site to be a place where Southern Baptists can come to interact about their convictions, ideas, and opinions on a wide variety of matters that affect them. I am going to … [Read more...] about Are You Interested in Writing for SBC Voices?

In this two-part series, I hope to point out how the Southern Baptist Convention has changed during my lifetime. I’m 75 years old, and I’m a lifelong Southern Baptist. My father was a Southern Baptist pastor, so I’ve been attending SBC churches since before I was born. Now, I’m not suggesting that all the changes I’ll mention are negative. No, many of the changes were needed, and some were inevitable. Still, they are observable changes from 1955 until 2025. This first installment will discuss diversity in the SBC, and Part 2 will list other changes that I’ve observed. My wife and I are … [Read more...] about This Is Not Your Grandfather’s SBC, part 1

I almost died in October. I didn't realize exactly how bad it was, but that's what my cardiologist told me about 10 days later. I returned from Africa on October 17 and thought I'd come down with the pneumonia that my grandkids and several others had. I woke up in the night with a terrible cough and tightness in my chest. Jenni was on her way home from a visit to our daughter in Cincinnati, so I was on my own. I thought about driving to the ER about 20 minutes away, but I waited. I got an appointment at the local clinic in the afternoon. I went in and confidently told the nice lady I'd … [Read more...] about What Does the Future Hold for SBC Voices?

I serve as the Wednesday evening Bible teacher at our church. We’ve studied Psalms this fall. This past Wednesday, I asked the folks to tell something they are thankful for. One woman said she is thankful to serve as an advocate/counselor for sexual abuse victims. A father told the group he’s thankful to see his children growing in their faith. Both of those impressed me. My little grandson, age four, attends the preschool at First Baptist Church of Keller, Texas. They did a Thanksgiving craft this week, and he said he was thankful for McDonalds. That made me smile, but I can testify that he … [Read more...] about The Great SBC Voices Thank-Off

Hymns played an important part in worship during my formative years. I’ve written here on Voices that my earliest memory of worship is standing beside my mother at the First Baptist Church of Fairfield, Texas, while the congregation sang, “Bringing in the Sheaves.” I thought they sang “bringing in the leaves,” and that seemed strange to me. Why would people bring in leaves? Still, hymns were the staple of congregational worship for several hundred years. Old timers like me grew up singing them, and we miss singing the familiar hymns of yesterday. I teach the old folks’ Sunday school class … [Read more...] about The Great SBC Voices Hymn Survey