Dave Miller

Two observations I would make about the Executive Committee Plenary Session this evening. I'm not much of a "meeting" guy, but this was interesting, as some of our leaders gave reports about what is going on in the SBC.  If anyone is under the impression that Fred Luter's election as SBC president was some sort of symbolic act,; that he was elected only because of his race, that person would be wrong. He is the real deal. He told us tonight that he was just going to give an address, and not really preach. Yeah...right. He articulated a vision for the SBC that was biblical, inspiring … [Read more...] about Fred Luter Addresses the Executive Committee – “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”

LifeWay has just released a fascinating study on Southern Baptist practices as it relates to the celebration of the Lord's supper. Two things are clear about this topic: The Baptist Faith and Message is pretty clear that only biblically baptized believers (by immersion after salvation - if that was necessary for anyone) should receive the Lord's Supper. Most Baptists are ignoring the BF&M on the topic. Look at the graphic here. The SBC Practices OPEN Communion Fairly shocking to me. I must give an admission here. Our church practices with the majority on this one, but I am … [Read more...] about Intriguing LifeWay Study on the Lord’s Supper: The Majority are Ignoring the BF&M

I am in Nashville today and tomorrow for a meeting of the Executive Committee of the SBC. There were committee meetings all afternoon, but as I am only a lowly 2nd VP, I am not a part of those. I plan to hit the Plenary Session tonight and tomorrow. I am invited to these things as a guest (no responsibilities or anything) and I thought I would check it out. Never been to an EC meeting! I do not think I will be doing much in the way of blogging - don't want to scare the good folks of the Executive Committee, though I may have a comment or two if something comes up - that is in the public … [Read more...] about In Nashville, Checking out the Executive Committee Meeting

As is the case in most blogging debates, by the time we have discussed something for a few rounds, there is an assumption that the two sides are wildly far apart. That is the nature of blogging. We do not discuss our agreements, but our disagreements.  We also tend to forget that in most debates, there are not simply two positions that stand in opposition to one another, but a continuum of positions between those extremes. Both of these tendencies have been in evidence in our recent discussions of the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church. In this debate, there are two … [Read more...] about The Cessationism/Continuationism Debate: Where We Agree (and Disagree)

There is no doubt that the slippery slope argument is abused and has earned its position as a logical fallacy. Politicians use the argument to create fear and loathing against the policies they oppose. "If we allow this, the whole world will fall apart." Because the argument is often abused, it tends to be discounted whenever it is used. "That is just a slippery slope argument." It must be invalid. But, folks, sometimes the slope really is slippery. Sometimes, a relatively small step can lead us over the edge and send us sliding down a dangerus slope. I have lived in Iowa for 31 of my 55 … [Read more...] about The Marriage Debates: Sometimes, the Slope Really Is Slippery!

...You know, those days you can remember where you were and what you were doing. ...Those days that are forever burned in your mind and heart. I was having a pastor's fellowship meeting in my home that was to start around 9 AM (CDT). I was ready and so I thought I'd turn on the TV and watch something until my friends arrived. It must have been 8:03, because just as the TV came on, and as the announcers were talking about the plane that flew into the North Tower, a plane flew into the South Tower and a fireball erupted. There could be no doubt at that moment that America was under attack. … [Read more...] about It Was One of Those Days…

Monday is a bad day for me. I am trying to recover each week from the "Southern Hills Marathon" - my normal Sunday Study/Preaching schedule. I'm no spring chicken anymore and it leaves me exhausted. I usually start my day with a long list of things I want to do, then tend to squander the day reading blog posts and sometimes writing them. That's what I've been doing this morning. Lo and behold, there was some good stuff up there. I would recommend Bart Barber's insightful post asking whether Catholicism is actually a monotheistic religion. Well worth reading. Ed Stetzer (I'm guessing most … [Read more...] about The Dangers of Theology

I get annoyed sometimes watching sports - and not just because my teams usually lose. I get annoyed with fans and with announcers and even with participants. I think I have discovered a solution: the PDC. A Paintball Discipline Crew will attend all American sporting events, armed with paintball guns, to deliver discipline when needed. This is a badly overdue thing. Here are some circumstances when such a crew could be helpful. 1) Every time someone at a golf tournament yells, "Get in the hole" immediately after a shot, the PDC will descend on him and pepper him with 50 to 100 tiny balls … [Read more...] about The Sports World Needs PDC (Paintball Discipline Crews)

        … [Read more...] about P4CM – The Exegesis of Jesus

NOTE: I've been discussing this issue with Marty King of LifeWay over the last couple of days. His response on behalf of LifeWay is attached below. While we are not seeing this the same way, I am appreciative of LifeWay's responsiveness and willingness to talk these things through.  World Changers has been coming to Sioux City, Iowa as long as I have lived here (7 years) and for some time before that. When you minister outside of the established SBC states, in what are now called "new work" states, you come to appreciate ministries like World Changers. Southern Baptists struggle for … [Read more...] about An Iowan’s Lament: Regretting LifeWay’s Changes to World Changers (with Response from LifeWay)