Alan Cross

I have to say that I was pretty impressed with the tone and the content of the Plenary Session. The focus was on Christ and on our work together. I learned more from this meeting in hearing the entity heads speak this way than I have from the conventions that I have been to. I left edified and encouraged about the direction of the SBC and the work of the entities. Below is my best representation of what was reported. I do not give commentary here, but try to reproduce the words of the speakers. Lots of good information here, in my opinion. After introduction of new trustees and recognition … [Read more...] about SBC ExComm Plenary Session One

I am attending the September trustee meeting of the Executive Committee in Nashville today and tomorrow. My reason for coming was to make a case before the Communications Workgroup concering the motion that I submitted at the SBC in Balitmore which stated: "In light of the upcoming 20th anniversary of Southern Baptist Convention's 1995 Resolution on Racial Reconciliation, I move that the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Baltimore, MD, June 10-11, 2014, authorize the president of the Southern Baptist Convention to form a task force to bring a report to the Southern Baptist … [Read more...] about How Can Southern Baptists Increase Ethnic Leadership Throughout the Convention? SBC ExComm Trustee Meeting Day One: Consideration of Motion on Racial Reconciliation Report

Paul writing to Titus ~ "One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' (Titus 1:12 ESV) The prophet that Paul was referring to was Epimenides, who was himself from Crete and was born in Cnossos and lived as a philospher and prophet in the 6th century B.C. Paul takes a phrase uttered by a man 600 years before to describe a people to whom he had sent Titus to plant a church among. Here is the context: For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They … [Read more...] about Was the Apostle Paul a Racist?

This will be short (for me) but will hopefully stir some discussion. With the recent (and long-term) events involving Mark Driscoll and the tragedy involving Ergun Caner coupled with the beginning collapse of the megachurch system (including a score of other examples), I think that the rest of us really need to take a break from following the personalities and "successes" that has marked so much of Evangelical Christianity over the past 40-50 years or so - really since the 1950s. We never really held the megachurch phenomenon up against Scripture to ask if it was the right approach. There was … [Read more...] about Time to Stop Being Fanboys and Pursuers of Bigger, Better, and More

Recently, there has been an outcry from some Conservatives about the Ebola virus and the two Americans who were infected in Liberia. Opposition has arisen to bringing them back to America where they can be treated for fear that the disease will spread here. Conservatives like Ann Coulter, Michael Savage, and Donald Trump (or whatever he actually is) have sounded off saying that the Christian missionaries who contratcted the virus should NOT be brought back to this country to be treated. We must protect ourselves, they say. Here is an excerpt from Coulter's rant: I wonder how the … [Read more...] about More on Ebola from Ann Coulter: The Bankruptcy of “Save Yourself” Christianity

America is facing a crisis at the border. Tens of thousands of children have come from Central America looking for asylum, protection, and a chance at a future that they will not find in their home countries. Drug Wars have ravaged their nations. Also, confusion from Washington and our politicians on what the immigration situation actually is has created the misperception that if the children come and turn themselves in to border guards, they will be allowed to stay. The political problems are vast, solutions are hard to find, and America is divided. The Church is also divided on the issue of … [Read more...] about God at the Border? Children, the Immigration Crisis, and the Church

I recently had the opportunity to ask some questions of Dr. Dennis Kim, pastor of Global Mission Church of Greater Washington. Dr. Kim is being nominated for the office of president of the Southern Baptist Convention in Baltimore, MD in a couple of weeks by Rev. Dwight McKissic of Cornerstone Baptist Church (Arlington, TX). After being introduced to Dr. Kim via email through a mutual friend, he has graciously agreed to answer my questions regarding his life, ministry, and nomination for SBC president. Dr. Kim's nomination is the definition of a grass-roots pick, as he was approached by a group … [Read more...] about Interview With Dr. Dennis Kim, Candidate for President of the SBC (by Alan Cross)

Recently, Trevin Wax wrote a great piece entitled 5 Observations About Younger Southern Baptists. I agreed with all that he said and identified with it. I am 39, so I am leaving the "younger" designation and firmly entering the "older" realm. As someone who has been a "younger" Southern Baptist for some time and is moving on, I wanted to share some observations for those coming behind me from someone who has walked in their shoes but chose not to wear skinny jeans: You can change things. You can speak truth to power. When you look at how things are in any situation, though, it is … [Read more...] about From a 39 Year Old Southern Baptist: Things That Younger Southern Baptists Should Know About the SBC