I'm in my Sunday School hour break - recuperating from the 8:30 service and readying for 11:00. I am between series right now (finished Proverbs and didn't want to start something new until after the holidays). So, I preached a Christmas-themed sermon today. That means I will probably preach 4 Christmas sermons during this year - it's not easy to keep that many sermons fresh and free of sappy sentimentality. I have often said that the reason pastors move from church to church is that they run out of fresh ideas for Christmas. I was at my last church 14 Christmases, and this is my 8th … [Read more...] about Christmas Preaching: What Do You Do?
What’s Worse than an Alabama/Notre Dame BCS Championship Game?
That's right, NOTHING! … [Read more...] about What’s Worse than an Alabama/Notre Dame BCS Championship Game?
Are We Entering a Post-Cooperative Program Era in SBC Life?
I am a CP guy. My current church gives 12% to missions through the Cooperative Program and that is the smallest percentage of the 4 churches I have been involved in during my 31 years of ministry. A couple of my churches gave in the neighborhood of 20% and my last church was giving near 15% - I believe in the Cooperative Program! I think it is an amazing and genius idea that has enabled us to fund an unparalleled world missions program. I have fought against tendencies to fix our church's financial problems by cutting missions giving - that is the easy way out, and I am convinced, the wrong … [Read more...] about Are We Entering a Post-Cooperative Program Era in SBC Life?
What I Have Learned from Dwight McKissic about Racial Reconciliation in the SBC
It can always be a little bit of a minefield for a lily-white Iowa guy like me (not enough sun to even maintain a decent tan!) to talk about racial issues. Years ago, my church and my association in Cedar Rapids were making specific efforts to reach out and fellowship with a predominantly black church in town. We had a wonderful joint service. A representative of our state convention was there and stood to make remarks about the meeting. In the process, he made a statement that made me cringe and evidently gave great offense to the choir from the black church. He was simply trying to say … [Read more...] about What I Have Learned from Dwight McKissic about Racial Reconciliation in the SBC
Really? You’re reading blogs TODAY? Go eat some turkey, watch some football. Hang out with your family. Oh, yeah, GIVE THANKS!
We ain't here! Nothing to talk about! (Oh, and before you ask, I wrote this Monday night and scheduled it to post today!) … [Read more...] about Really? You’re reading blogs TODAY? Go eat some turkey, watch some football. Hang out with your family. Oh, yeah, GIVE THANKS!
I’m Giving My Voices a Break
I am on my way to Ohio for a family reunion. I won't be posting or paying much attention to blogs. Our contributors may post if they wish, but I don't think they are going to do much either. So, have a great Thanksgiving and I will see you Monday. … [Read more...] about I’m Giving My Voices a Break
Giving Thanks in a World That Stinks!
(This is the sermon I preached at our two morning worship services yesterday, November 18. I thought it might be an encouragement to a few of you.) Okay, be honest. If you found out that we had bugged you over the last couple of weeks, since…oh…say…November 6, would it be safe to say that we would hear a lot of complaining coming from your mouth? Perhaps some moaning and groaning about the choices the America people have made and some fear expressed at the future of our great land? I have been around a long time and have never seen a time when conservative Christians were as despondent and … [Read more...] about Giving Thanks in a World That Stinks!
Southern Baptist Identity: Does the SBC Have a Future? (Al Mohler, Chapter 1)
This post is the fourth in a series based on the book, "Southern Baptist Identity: An Evangelical Denomination Faces the Future," edited by David Dockery. The previous post, "Southern Baptist Identity: Southern Baptists in the 21st Century" (link - https://sbcvoices.com/southern-baptist-identity-southern-baptists-in-the-21st-century/) discussed Dockery's introduction to the book. On the surface, it seems like a silly question. The SBC is still the largest non-Catholic denomination in America (the world?) and our statistical problems pale in comparison to those that other denominations … [Read more...] about Southern Baptist Identity: Does the SBC Have a Future? (Al Mohler, Chapter 1)
A Bad Taste
I sucked my thumb. There, I said it. My deep, dark secret is now out. I loved that thumb. It gave me security and pleasure. But my mother had a different opinion. She knew that my thumb-sucking needed to stop and she took it upon herself to end my habit. She got a product called “Thum” and coated my thumb with it. That stuff tasted bad - I mean really bad. I guess it wasn't poison, but it sure tasted like it. It took all the fun out of sucking my thumb. The pleasure gone, I gave up a habit I loved. “Do not love the world, or anything in the world.” John, in his first epistle, gave us … [Read more...] about A Bad Taste
Adventures in Christianity: High-Fashion Baptisms?
This has been circulating on Facebook, so you may have seen it. I begged and pleaded with people to assure me that this is a spoof, some sort of put-on. But it appears to be real. I am speechless. Not sure what to say. … [Read more...] about Adventures in Christianity: High-Fashion Baptisms?