Over the past two years, I have learned more about SBC/Baptist life than I ever have in the churches I've worked with. I've seen the good and the bad, said the good and the bad, and have grown a ton through my interactions here. Thank you all, especially Dave and the regulars for your support, encouragement, and correction as I've become a man in many ways through my experiences here. I leave SBC Voices with great appreciation for my time here, and will always be thankful for it! I'm working at an Acts 29 church now (I know... I know...), but will likely always be a Southern Baptist by … [Read more...] about Goodbye, SBC Voices.
On the SBC: An Interview with Ed Stetzer (Part 2)
Connect with Brandon on Facebook and Twitter --- Ed Stetzer, Vice President of the Insights Division at LifeWay and phenomenal researcher/writer, was kind enough to take the time to answer some of my questions regarding SBC life. I hope this will encourage us all! BRANDON: There has been a semi-resurgence of debate surrounding Calvinism and Arminianism among Southern Baptists as of late. How can we find and focus on unity and what does the future hold? ED: Many were concerned that the issue of Calvinism vs. Arminianism would prove more problematic than it was … [Read more...] about On the SBC: An Interview with Ed Stetzer (Part 2)
On the SBC: An Interview with Ed Stetzer (Part 1)
Connect with Brandon on Facebook and Twitter --- Ed Stetzer, Vice President of the Insights Division at LifeWay and phenomenal researcher/writer, was kind enough to take the time to answer some of my questions regarding SBC life. I hope this will encourage us all! BRANDON: Electing Fred Luter as SBC President was a monumental step toward racial unity and reconciliation in the convention. In what ways, on the “ground level,” can SBC churches contribute to reaching diverse cultures? ED: Fred Luter’s election as president of the Southern Baptist Convention was and is a big deal. … [Read more...] about On the SBC: An Interview with Ed Stetzer (Part 1)
Will Voting in Fred Luter, Jr. Matter?
By the team you read this, Fred Luter, Jr. may have already been elected as President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Most Southern Baptists have prayed for years that we as a convention would atone for our regrettable past in the slave debate and both privately and publicly initiate racial reconciliation on a grand scale. Our prayers have been surely answered as we await and celebrate the presidency of Luter, a descendant of slaves. I'm also proud to say that Criswell College, the school at which I work and study, recently bestowed the honorable Doctor of Divinity on him. With … [Read more...] about Will Voting in Fred Luter, Jr. Matter?
The Gospel According to The Avengers
Here is the cast: Nick Fury is Jesus - The consummate leader, always leading with perfect intentions and precise calculations. Captain America is Christians - The one with upright character and unmatched integrity. (Let's pretend that Christians exemplify this regularly.) Hammer of Thor is Scripture - An other-worldly power, unstoppable when in the right hands. Iron Man is Pride - He is the walking example of pride - self-centered, arrogant, boastful. (Forget that he totally sacrifices in the end... that hurts my point ;-) ) The Hulk is Young Calvinist - Well-meaning but … [Read more...] about The Gospel According to The Avengers
Missional Church Leadership: A Conversation with Steve Timmis
As someone feeling called by the Lord to pursue church planting, there are not many better resources than the work of Steve Timmis. He and I recently Skyped (though my Internet connection and webcam had a mind of their own!) and I picked his brain about missional living and leading a missional church in particular. Steve was gracious enough to allow me to transcript some of our conversation for you! For more great interviews and conversations, click HERE. ‘ Steve Timmis is the Director of Acts 29 Western Europe and an elder at The Crowded House. He also co-authored several books … [Read more...] about Missional Church Leadership: A Conversation with Steve Timmis
Interview with “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” star Jeff Bethke
Unless you live under a rock and completely avoid social media, you’ve at least heard of my man Jeff Bethke’s viral YouTube video “Why I Love Jesus, But Hate Religion.” If you haven’t, watch it here. At the time of this post, just six weeks after its release, the video is sitting at 19.3 million views (I remember when it was a big deal to get to ONE million!). Jeff was kind enough to take a few minutes between speaking engagements and appearing on shows such as ABC Nightline to do a quick interview with me about his story and the making of his poems. For more interviews like this, click … [Read more...] about Interview with “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” star Jeff Bethke
Open Letter to T.D. Jakes
This was originally posted at Modern March Bishop Jakes, Let me first commend you on your acceptance to join the furnace that is the Elephant Room. You have taken a lot of heat over the years from pastors and theologians of all ilks, and you have handled it rather gracefully just as you did today. Perhaps the greatest compliment that one can give you is that humility does not seem to be something that you struggle with. At 22, I felt the Damascus Road calling to ministry and dropped everything that I was doing to pursue ministry. This led me to start school over and begin a Biblical … [Read more...] about Open Letter to T.D. Jakes
What is Primary? (Round Two)
I have done this post before, but always enjoy the conversation it brings. Here would be my (current) primary, secondary, and tertiary issues: PRIMARY: Trinity Hypostatic Union Christ's Resurrection Christ's Second-Coming Authority and Inerrancy of Scripture The Virgin Birth Subsitutionary Atonement Justification by Faith Alone SECONDARY Calvinism/Arminianism Cessationsim/Continuationism/Charismaticism Believer's/Infant Baptism Women in Ministry Denomination (usually informed by secondary issues within Orthodoxy) TERTIARY Church … [Read more...] about What is Primary? (Round Two)
Rick Warren on Rob Bell
Rick Warren tweeted this in response to Rob Bell leaving his church: Speaking tours feed the ego=All applause&no responsibility.It's an unreal world. A church gives accountability& validity Someone then asked him, "Do u think well-known pastors who leave their churches have more or less impact?" His response: Always less.No base 4credibility I think there is some good truth to this. I am not opposed to itinerant ministries or anything of the sort, but there is no "institution" on earth promised God's blessings other than the church and the accountability factor cannot … [Read more...] about Rick Warren on Rob Bell