Sunday night in Orlando turned out to be a night of great fun and fellowship with bloggers I had never previously met. Let me share a few tidbits with you. Bloggers, evidently, attend the convention, but stand in the hallways chatting. On my way into the convention center, I saw a tall (I mean really tall) thin man I recognized as Micah Fries. Then, a few steps down the hallway I saw another tall man (not quite so thin) – Tim Rogers. He was standing there talking to Bart Barber, Wes Kenney and several others. As we were standing there, David Rogers walked by. It was a regular … [Read more...] about Tony Roma’s for Bloggers: Day One in Orlando
Why I Will Vote for Leo Endel for SBC President
My vote for SBC President is going to go to the least known of all the candidates. Leo Endel is the Executive Director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention. After quite a bit of thought, I've decided to cast my vote for him. I'd like to tell you why. In the interests of full disclosure, I will tell you that Leo is a close friend of mine. We arrived in Iowa about the same time and spent a lot of quality time in the state office serving on the Iowa Executive Board. When Leo was elected president of the Baptist Convention of Iowa, I was elected first vice-president. Leo led … [Read more...] about Why I Will Vote for Leo Endel for SBC President
Dave Miller and Matt Svoboda Played Golf Today: Who Won??
It was a beautiful day in Sioux City. … [Read more...] about Dave Miller and Matt Svoboda Played Golf Today: Who Won??
I’m Through Cheering For Jerks
I am sick of the jerks; the cheats and losers who have become superstars in the sports world today. I am glad that there are so many noble, decent, hard-working athletes. But today, there are just too many jerks to ignore. Let me be honest – I’m a sports nut. It’s probably an unhealthy addiction for me. My office bears witness to my passion for sports – especially the New York Yankees and the Iowa Hawkeyes. My light switch and mousepad have Yankees logos. I have a large Yankee banner. My pride and joy is a life-sized cardboard cutout of Babe Ruth, perhaps the greatest Yankee of them … [Read more...] about I’m Through Cheering For Jerks
A Rock and A Hard Place: An Iowa Baptist Confronts Tough Issues in the GCRTF Report
I do one thing most of the time. I teach and preach the Bible. That hardly qualifies me to analyze denominational structures and give insight on how to restructure them (or not) to face the challenges of the future. I have read through the Task Force Report, though I have not exegeted the document, parsed its verbs or performed word studies on it in the original languages as some have done. My cursory reading, though, has left me somewhat conflicted about whether to support the report in Orlando or not. Two major factors go into my feelings. 1) The GCRTF Report is almost certainly … [Read more...] about A Rock and A Hard Place: An Iowa Baptist Confronts Tough Issues in the GCRTF Report
Dr. Chapman, Dr. Rankin: Clash of the Titans
On February 10, Dr. Morris Chapman addressed the state executive directors in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and made some comments that were critical of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force interim report. On March 8, Dr. Jerry Rankin wrote a blog which was very critical of Dr. Chapman’s report. Let me say a couple of things before I address this disagreement. First, both of these men have been favorites of mine for a long time. I am in agreement with Dr. Rankin’s passion for world missions and his desire to see the SBC participate in the bigger world of world evangelization. I got into … [Read more...] about Dr. Chapman, Dr. Rankin: Clash of the Titans
A Baptist Voices Debate: The Culture Clash – Cultural Engagement and the Story of Lot and Sodom
A Discussion between Rastis and Dave Miller The Debate Topic Is Lot an example of moral compromise and its ill effects, or is he a model of cultural engagement? That is what we will be debating today. In a post at sbcIMPACT, Rastis argued that traditional viewpoints regarding the interpretation of the Lot story miss some key biblical elements. He sees Lot in a more positive and exemplary light than the traditional viewpoint. Dave Miller will be arguing the traditional version of Lot’s story – that Lot made some serious mistakes that cost him his family and any chance he had at moral … [Read more...] about A Baptist Voices Debate: The Culture Clash – Cultural Engagement and the Story of Lot and Sodom
Diverse Voices Debate: What Does Eternal Security Have to Do with Baptism?
Is the belief in eternal security necessary to perform a valid, biblical baptism? Do the doctrinal beliefs of the church or administrator of baptism contribute to the validity of that baptism? Should a person who wishes to join a Baptist church and was baptized by immersion in a church that believes salvation can be lost be re-baptized in a Baptist church? This debate has raged in blogs for years, often creating as much heat as light. In our last debate we focused on church oversight of baptism. Now, we tackle this thorny issue in hopes that we can take one step toward greater … [Read more...] about Diverse Voices Debate: What Does Eternal Security Have to Do with Baptism?
A Response to the Baptism Oversight Debate
Thanks to Robin Foster and all who have participated in this debate – especially those who agreed with me! I have been disappointed only by the cruel comments that Doug Hibbard made about the New York Yankees, but I am trying to work through my feelings against him. Other than that ugly episode, it has been an encouraging inauguration of this debate series. Observations 1) Blogging has a tendency to magnify our differences. I am convinced that we are not as far apart on this issue as our rhetoric might make it appear. I do not say that church oversight is never appropriate and those … [Read more...] about A Response to the Baptism Oversight Debate
Diverse Voices Debate: Is Church Oversight Essential for Baptism?
Baptism- No Need For Church Oversight Baptist churches observe two ordinances – baptism and the Lord’s supper; ordered by Christ. We reject the term “sacrament” because we believe that no saving grace is imparted by these observances, but that they are important because they symbolize the death of Jesus Christ in one way or another. We believe that only those who have professed faith in Christ may be baptized, and that by immersion. And we all agree that that the primary venue for the observance of these ordinances is the local church. The question at hand is … [Read more...] about Diverse Voices Debate: Is Church Oversight Essential for Baptism?