At the recent Executive Committee meeting, Tom Elliff really made me angry. No, not like that. I wasn't angry at him, but I was angry at what he said. As he was giving his IMB report, he gave some information that set me off a little. Before I get to what he said, let me share a graphic I saw over at William Thornton's site, along with his Plodder's assessment of the current CP trends. After peaking in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Cooperative Program giving took a sharp decline over the next three years. The last three years have been flat, but that is encouraging compared to the … [Read more...] about Are Our Spats, Differences, and Personal Goals Worth the Damage We Are Doing to Missions?
An(other) Open Letter to the Midwestern Board of Trustees
To the Trustees of Midwestern Seminary, I do not envy you the job you have. Dr. Jason Allen has been nominated by your search committee as your next president and it is up to you to decide whether to affirm that nomination or decline it and renew the search. A lot of eyes are on you and there has been no shortage of opinions about the nomination. We are in a new age in which social media gives opinions such as mine and the others you have heard a wide hearing. You have had letters threatening to de-fund the seminary if you elect Jason Allen. You have had more thoughtful letters, such as … [Read more...] about An(other) Open Letter to the Midwestern Board of Trustees
I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
I have made this statement and never had a preacher disagree with me. I spent the weekend doing a wedding and it was a delightful time. The bride and groom seem tremendously suited for one another and I think they will have a happy family. It was a good deal of work, but I had a great time at the dinner, at the wedding and at the reception. I was glad to have the chance to participate But I would still rather do a funeral. No, I'm not happy that someone has died and that people are grieving. But as a pastor, I find funerals to be much more fulfilling ministry than weddings. Maybe you … [Read more...] about I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ
Dr. Bart Barber weighs in on this issue that has been our main topic this week - the nomination of Dr. Jason Allen as the president of Midwestern Seminary. He raises several important issues and the article is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the topic. Go read it. He asks and gives informative answers to these five questions. Are you sure Dr. Allen is a Calvinist? Are you sure that Dr. Mohler is behind Dr. Allen's candidacy at MBTS? Is Dr. Allen's performance at his seminary church really the right measure of his candidacy? Is Dr. Allen a member / leader / … [Read more...] about Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ
So It Is, So It Has Always Been: Baptists and the Trustees They (Sometimes) Trust
Long ago, Noah descended from Mt. Sinai carrying five smooth stones and a sling to Mt. Carmel where fire fell, parted the sea, and revealed stones upon which were written the essential principles of Southern Baptist polity. The basis of that polity has been, is now, and forever will be the trustee system. Each year, autonomous local churches gather in a large metropolitan area to hear sermons, elect officers, receive reports and to approve trustees for our various boards, agencies and entities. Those entities are then run and managed by those trustees. It was quite a revelation to me a few … [Read more...] about So It Is, So It Has Always Been: Baptists and the Trustees They (Sometimes) Trust
I Apologize in Advance….
Since I don't really care that much about the NFL (at least not while important things like Yankees baseball are still going on), I've watched the foofaraw about replacement refs with amusement. I would make two observations: 1) Everyone complained non-stop about the REAL refs, so some of this is just sour grapes. 2) Think about it, folks. The New England Patriots are 1-2. The Pack is 1-2. New Orleans is 0-3. Can we really say this is a bad thing? We have to admit the replacement refs have done some level of community service. Anyway, in addition to apologizing for those … [Read more...] about I Apologize in Advance….
Jericho and Ai: Joshua’s Painful Lesson on Dependence
Joshua was devastated. Thirty-six of his men lay dead and the nascent nation of Israel was defeated and demoralized. Joshua was confused, clueless and even angry. Why would God let this happen? And how could God’s people be humiliated in battle by a little village like Ai? Just a few days before, Joshua was the triumphant conqueror. The mighty city of Jericho lay in ruins and Israel rejoiced. Having polished off a walled, armed city like Jericho, a tent village like Ai did not present much of a challenge. They decided that the entire army was not even needed to tackle Ai and only … [Read more...] about Jericho and Ai: Joshua’s Painful Lesson on Dependence
It is Immoral to Spend our Great-Grandchildren’s Money
We are currently spending our grandchildren and great-grandchildren's money to make our lives better today and that is immoral. And no, Republicans, it is not all the fault of the president and the Democrats. It is true that the Obama administration has exploded the growth of the debt in unprecedented ways, but other than the Republican congress right after the "Contract with America" (in 1994 - and, yes, President Clinton cooperated in the effort) there has been little evidence of either party really caring about the debt. So, we have amassed a debt that is over 16 trillion dollars. I … [Read more...] about It is Immoral to Spend our Great-Grandchildren’s Money
Fred Luter Addresses the Executive Committee – “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”
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”
Intriguing LifeWay Study on the Lord’s Supper: The Majority are Ignoring the BF&M
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