SBC Voices

The Doctrine of Adoption

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This fall I’ll teach a class on Bible doctrines at our church in Fort Worth. So, I’ve been studying doctrine and preparing PowerPoint slides. I’m 76 years old, and I’ve only heard one sermon on the doctrine of adoption, and I preached that. Now, don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying no one else has preached on adoption, I’m just saying in my experience I’ve not heard a sermon on adoption. That’s a shame, I believe. Adoption is a precious doctrine that bears preaching and teaching and learning. The doctrine means a lot to me because our two children are adopted. So, here’s my sermon on adoption. … [Read more...] about The Doctrine of Adoption

Let’s Review and Recommit to Baptist Distinctives

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Back in the olden days, when I was young, one often saw articles and books on Baptist distinctives. By Baptist distinctives, I mean doctrines and convictions that characterize Southern Baptists. I don’t see such writing much anymore. I’m not sure why, but I suspect that the cultural trend of decreasing “brand loyalty” has affected us. When I was a boy in Arkansas, families were Ford families or Chevrolet families. Some clans were Baptist, and some were Methodist. Folks were loyal to brands, denominations, and political parties. Those days are long gone. Still, I’m loyal to the Southern Baptist … [Read more...] about Let’s Review and Recommit to Baptist Distinctives

Let’s Rededicate Ourselves to Church Evangelism

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Let me begin with a personal note. You probably noticed that while I was posting frequently for a time, in recent weeks I have not. The reason is that my dear wife fell and broke her shoulder. So, the time I previously devoted to writing, I have been giving to driving her to medical appointments and providing unskilled nursing care (poor woman!). I’m happy to report that Miss Barbara (as she is known in all the Starbucks nearby) is on the mend. I know this because she has begun asking me to take her to Starbucks. Southern Baptists talk a better game of evangelism than we play. The last … [Read more...] about Let’s Rededicate Ourselves to Church Evangelism

What No One Tells You in Church Planting: Part 3

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I led a breakout session on prayer at a church planting event a few years ago. Each of us gave a short explanation of our topic. After I shared why someone would want to come to a session on prayer, the church planter after me said, “I will show how you can grow your church without praying more or preaching better. I will show you a system that I used to grow my church.” Two people came to my session after that. I overheard one church planter tell an intern from his church, “I don’t need to learn to pray. I need to learn that system.” That same planter came to a meeting a couple of years later … [Read more...] about What No One Tells You in Church Planting: Part 3

2026 SBC Annual Meeting Report

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The following is adapted from my written report to my church concerning the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting. One of the things I love most about the church I pastor is our generous and sacrificial giving for the sake of the gospel. Our primary channel for that giving is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). As I teach in our new members class, the SBC is not a top-down denomination. Instead, each SBC church is fully autonomous, and we have voluntarily chosen to cooperate together for the sake of missions and theological education. Each year our little church gives a significant amount of money … [Read more...] about 2026 SBC Annual Meeting Report

Willy Rice: “The future of the Cooperative Program is in question.”

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Willy Rice is our new SBC president and is a likable fellow. That goes a long way in my book although I don't know if I would have voted for him or not. He has been running for the office (and function) of SBC president for quite a while and has said a lot of things. I don't think anyone argues about how he has been designated as "a reformer" in the secular press and inside the SBC. Will Willy reform the Cooperative Program? Highly doubtful. His quote above is from Ben Cole's podcast where Willy is asked nicely but pointedly about his church giving record. Credit due BC for pursuing … [Read more...] about Willy Rice: “The future of the Cooperative Program is in question.”

The Mohler amendment

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Work with me here. Al Mohler’s guy, one Colin Smothers, not only speaks stridently in favor of the motion but makes a smarmy, cheap shot parliamentary move to disallow any opposition to speak. That was a low class no matter that the assembled messengers, snarling with the smell of the red meat of victory, agreed. A true leader, and the three piece suit guy is not one, would have finessed the matter and equalized the discussion. There was a time when blurting out “call the question” was not considered a proper motion. Find a pattern here. We amended the BFM with no discussion. We create … [Read more...] about The Mohler amendment

When Old Jokes Come to Life

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My dad used to tell a story about a pastor who went to visit an older woman who had been visiting his church. He encouraged her to join. She said, "Pastor, I'm not physically able to be a Baptist." After being in the convention hall the last 4 days, I am beginning to wonder. Am I physically able to be a Baptist messenger?   … [Read more...] about When Old Jokes Come to Life

The SBC has Problems, But It’s Doing Lots of Good, Too

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I have two groups of SBCish friends. I've got friends who think about the SBC the way Bilbo and Frodo thought about Mordor. Some have already left and others are engaging in quiet-quitting (not participating, giving less or designating). Many who have left are vocal in lambasting our denomination (or convention of churches) at every chance. Some get offended if anyone says anything positive at any time about anything in the SBC. Most of that is, frankly, related to the SBC's failure to deal well with sexual abuse and its survivors. I have other friends who are excited about the SBC, … [Read more...] about The SBC has Problems, But It’s Doing Lots of Good, Too