We were having an internal conversation with the SBCVoices editorial group and someone brought up the fact that every nominee for every SBC office this year was a white guy. Again. I had not thought about it, honestly, because I was not paying close attention this year and I have been pretty overwhelmed with other things. But, when that was said, I realized that, if we aren't careful, we will be headed back to the same place that we have been before. Again. Now, they are all great candidates and I am glad that they are all running and they would all probably do a great job. None of this is a … [Read more...] about Anyone Wonder Why It Is All White Guys Running for Every SBC Office Again?
Resolution on Refugee Ministry and Resettlement
Over the past year or so, the plight of refugees has filled our news cycles and made its way into our national consciousness. Just this week, we are hearing the stories of over 1000 refugees drowning in the Mediterranean trying to make their way to Europe. With conflicts in Syria, Africa, Asia, and Central and South America displacing people from their native lands, the world is facing the biggest refugee crisis since World War Two. How will the American church respond? The United States is set to take in 85,000 refugees this year - 100,000 next year. Refugees come here legally and are vetted … [Read more...] about Resolution on Refugee Ministry and Resettlement
Matthew 24 and Acts 17 Missions: The World Refugee Crisis and Reaching the Nations in North America Conference (August 26-27, 2016)
Southern Baptists and other Evangelicals are beginning to recognize the incredible opportunity and responsibility set before us. As the above infographic from www.ethnecity.com demonstrates, the nations have come to us en masse. Between 41 and 47 million foreign born peoples (by latest estimate) now live in the United States (13.2 million in the South). Many come from nations where Christianity is the predominant religious background. Many more do not. The challenges and opportunities facing the church today are enormous and they exist on multiple levels: How will American Christians … [Read more...] about Matthew 24 and Acts 17 Missions: The World Refugee Crisis and Reaching the Nations in North America Conference (August 26-27, 2016)
Will Evangelicals Support Trump’s Mass Forced Deportation Plan?
Trump's plan for the forced mass deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants and their 5 million U.S. citizen children is to forcibly deport 25,000 people per day for 18-24 months at the beginning of his administration, which would necessitate the suspension of Due Process (Constitutionally guaranteed even to those here illegally), would cost approximately $600 Billion, and would have a net economic impact of over $2 Trillion over 20 years. I wrote about this plan in detail last September and explained the historical significance and cost of this. The Trail of Tears involved forced … [Read more...] about Will Evangelicals Support Trump’s Mass Forced Deportation Plan?
Moore, Trump, and Our Gospel Witness in a Time of Political Turmoil
This was originally posted at Alan's site on May 9. I was supposed to put it up here, but I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off! Sorry, Alan. It is a pretty good counterpoint to the harsher treatment that appeared here on Saturday. Let's try to have a civil discussion, people. I have met Dr. Russell Moore and have spoken with him many times and know him to be nothing of the sort. I also know many who know him far better than I do and they would say the same. In his defense, I wrote this on Facebook this morning regarding the tweet from Donald Trump featured … [Read more...] about Moore, Trump, and Our Gospel Witness in a Time of Political Turmoil
How Religious Liberty Dies
For background on the religious liberty implications of the SC Anti-Refugee Bill, S997, I wrote about it here. How Religious Liberty Dies. S997 just effectively passed the SC Senate by a vote of 39-6. Churches and religious organizations will be held civilly liable for any crime committed in the future by refugees that they helped place and support in South Carolina in the present. 6 out of 8 co-sponsors of the bill are Southern Baptists. They know not what they do. Or, they do and don't care. This is unheard of. Churches have a biblical mandate to minister to these people. These are the … [Read more...] about How Religious Liberty Dies
A Coming Evangelical Civil War?
I wrote this post Feb. 27 and since then, reports have come out that church-going Evangelicals do not support Trump. Ask most pastors and they can tell you that they knew that already. On February 29, Russell Moore wrote about why he had come dislike the word "Evangelical." It is with that in mind, that the potential coming rift makes sense. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/02/29/russell-moore-why-this-election-makes-me-hate-the-word-evangelical/ Most pastors don't see it coming. Most church-goers do not see it yet. Denominational and movement leaders might be more … [Read more...] about A Coming Evangelical Civil War?
Is Religious Liberty Being Taken/Given Away in South Carolina?
There has been much talk among conservatives of religious liberty over the past few years with a great deal of fear expressed that religious people would not be able to exercise their freedom of religion in the public sphere. This is a legitimate concern and religious liberty, like all of our freedoms, should not be taken for granted. Rather, we should vigilantly seek to maintain it. That being said, the recent actions of the South Carolina state legislature cause me to question if the next front in the battle over religious liberty might involve the ministry of churches to refugees and … [Read more...] about Is Religious Liberty Being Taken/Given Away in South Carolina?
Advent Hope: Jesus Redeeming the Nations (Alan Cross)
This past Sunday marked the beginning of Advent in the church calendar, the season before Christmastide (12 Days of Christmas), which begins December 25. Advent was always one of my favorite times to preach as a pastor because of focus on Christ's work in His Coming the first time and the anticipation of His Coming again comes into such clarity. We get to remember, wait, hope, and look forward to all that God has done and will do as He restores all things and makes them new in Christ. When I really discovered Advent personally and devotionally 7-8 years ago, it gave the whole season so much … [Read more...] about Advent Hope: Jesus Redeeming the Nations (Alan Cross)
Considering the Facts: A Christian Response From Alabama to the Syrian Refugee Crisis (Alan Cross)
Originally posted on alancrosswrites.com. Late Sunday night, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said that he would not allow any Syrian refugees to be resettled in Alabama declaring, “After full consideration of this weekend’s attacks of terror on innocent citizens in Paris, I will oppose any attempt to relocate Syrian refugees to Alabama through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. As your Governor, I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way.” Throughout the day on Monday, other governors have followed suit. As a Southern Baptist pastor from … [Read more...] about Considering the Facts: A Christian Response From Alabama to the Syrian Refugee Crisis (Alan Cross)