Matt Chandler returned to the pulpit of The Village Church this Sunday after three months of leave. The leave was to be “disciplinary and developmental,” after Chandler confessed to inappropriate-but-not-romantic conversations with a woman through messaging. Apparently, in the last three months an investigation was done, counsel was sought, and tough conversations were had. I have been greatly encouraged by the ministry of The Village Church and by Matt Chandler’s preaching over the years. We are partners in missions, I’m a well-wisher to them all, and I’m happy to pray that they would … [Read more...] about Rethinking Pastoral Discipline (Jordan Bird)
Autonomy, resourcing, training the big winners in state convention sex abuse task forces
Nice compilation by Baptist Press' Tobin Perry of the actions taken by various state conventions this fall on the issue of sex abuse. State Baptist conventions take historic actions to prevent sexual abuse, care for survivors After the national SBC voted for a Sex Abuse Task Force many of the state conventions followed by appointing their own. These are reporting to their respective states. I count 21 state conventions in this article, the ones from: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland/Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, New … [Read more...] about Autonomy, resourcing, training the big winners in state convention sex abuse task forces
Litigious Believers: We All Lose
I was taught a simple hermeneutical principle long ago, one that makes sense if we actually believe the Bible is inerrant and sufficient for faith and practice. When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. I realize that sometimes there are addenda to that concept. We need to understand the plain sense of Scripture as it would have been understood by the audience that received it – Ancient Israel, the First Century Greek culture, etc. Archeology and historical studies, as well as language studies can inform our “plain sense of Scripture.” Having said all … [Read more...] about Litigious Believers: We All Lose
Microwaved Restoration
I love my microwave oven. I can reheat my coffee or have a bag of popcorn in a couple of minutes. No muss, no fuss. There are things you cannot microwave. Biblical restoration from sin is one of those things. That is a process that must be slow-cooked or it will be ruined. Yesterday, a group of Johnny Hunt’s close friends announced that 7 months after reports surfaced that he had abused a woman in his church around the time he was the president of the SBC (details are sketchy on the timing of all of this) he was now fully restored and ready to return to ministry. Hunt has left Woodstock and … [Read more...] about Microwaved Restoration
Headlines you are not likely to see from Baptist Press
Considerable research has been done, insiders have talked to insiders, and a good many of the SBC oligarchs have been consulted and we can confidently report that these news items have been suppressed by our denominational news organ, Baptist Press. _________________ Entire denomination stunned by latest comment by current SBC president Bart Barber. In a recent tweet President Barber said, "No comment" in answer to a question. "Unprecedented" said one observer. "Shocking," said another, "It's the end of a highly loquatious era. I don't know if he can run for a second term after … [Read more...] about Headlines you are not likely to see from Baptist Press
How Do You Define Success in Ministry?
Recently, I retired for the third time. The first time I retired from the International Mission Board; the second time I retired from Mid-America Seminary, and the third time I retired from Central Baptist Church in Crandall, Texas, where I served as teaching pastor. The other day, I reflected on my years of ministry (53 years), and I asked myself if my ministry was successful. (At Least it was long!) Of course, that is for the Lord and others to say, but that reflection made me wonder—How do you define success in ministry? A missionary might focus on the number of folks baptized and churches … [Read more...] about How Do You Define Success in Ministry?
Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Honoring enslaved and free Black people
Editor’s note: This is the third in a three-part series of articles exploring the monumental contributions slaves and convict laborers made in Georgia Baptist history. This article was first published by The Christian Index and is reposted here by permission of the author. The Georgia Baptist Convention was remarkably biracial before the Civil War, and enslaved members and pastors made a significant contribution to Georgia Baptists. Clarence L. Mohr noted in Masters and Slaves in the House of the Lord that in 1860 there were nearly 30 semi-autonomous Black churches in the GBC. That same … [Read more...] about Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Honoring enslaved and free Black people
Finding Our Political Sweet Spot
I am sitting in JFK airport putting the final touches on this, after an overnight flight that ended my two week stay in Senegal. While there, I’m pretty much cut off from most things I do that distract me, but when the sun is in the east, the breeze out of the west, and phase of the moon is right, I can get a bit of bandwidth and browse Facebook, even Twitter at times. I’m sure you haven’t noticed that there’s a bit of hysteria out there about the elections on Tuesday. My first encounter with electio-mania was with a high school friend who basically anathematized anyone who would … [Read more...] about Finding Our Political Sweet Spot
Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Lamenting a heritage of racism and slavery
Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series of articles exploring the monumental contributions slaves and convict laborers made in Georgia Baptist history. This article was first published by The Christian Index and is reposted here by permission of the author. Thousands of enslaved Black people were members of Georgia Baptist churches. They supported their churches through active membership, including voluntary gifts, and through the profits taken from their labor. Willis Williams and Lucrecia “Creecy” Daniel were two such enslaved persons and were members of Shiloh Baptist … [Read more...] about Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Lamenting a heritage of racism and slavery
Collegiate Week at Falls Creek
In early August I had the opportunity to take my first trip to Collegiate Week at Falls Creek camp in Oklahoma. My good friend Corey Olivier, Metro Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director in New Orleans, invited me along so I jumped at the chance. I have heard about Falls Creek most of my ministry life and always wanted to see the facility. I am now able to *check off* of my bucket list “purposely traveling to Oklahoma for any reason at all.” ;) Seriously though, let me first say that Falls Creek is an amazing place. Ridgecrest is special to Michelle and I and because of that I can see why … [Read more...] about Collegiate Week at Falls Creek