Our church has recently started up live services and I am glad. Sunday, we celebrated the Lord's Supper together for the first time since late February, a great moment. Things are not horrible, but something doesn't feel right either. I had a conversation with several friends last week about ministry during a pandemic and it helped me put some thoughts into words. It feels like I am living in a make-believe world, marking time until the world goes back to normal, and wondering if it ever will. Attendance at church has been decent, maybe 60% of normal, but offerings are slowly dwindling as … [Read more...] about Loneliness, Isolation, and Ministry in a Pandemic
Just When I Thought I Was In, They Pulled Me Back Out
Last week I recommitted myself to regular writing here. I wrote two articles. Pulled one for personal reasons, but I wrote two days in a row. I was back. Now, I am sitting in SUX - yeah, that's our airport here in Sioux City, preparing to fly to Palm Beach International Airport. Dad was an SBC pastor for half a century, a well-known Bible conference speaker, leader on the Foreign Mission Board in the 80s, and he and mom were missionaries to Taiwan in the early 70s. Dad's health has been declining and we put him on hospice at Christmas. Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer but … [Read more...] about Just When I Thought I Was In, They Pulled Me Back Out
Racism, Riots, and the Future
A couple of evenings ago, I decided to zip over to Sam’s club about a half-hour before it was scheduled to close to pick up a couple of things we needed. They were closed and the parking lot was abandoned. I wasn’t sure what had happened until a couple of hours later when my wife told me about a Facebook post from a lady in our church who had been there when they suddenly made an announcement asking people to clear the building quickly. Walmart, a block away, also closed up. Evidently, there are busloads of folks going from town to town in the Heartland, stirring things up, and the rumor … [Read more...] about Racism, Riots, and the Future
That Time Dave Had a Really Stupid Thought
No, it wasn't the suit - that is still classy after all these years. I remember when we first started facing the idea of a shutdown from the coronavirus, and my first thought was, "I won't have anything to do." It was going to be like a lengthy vacation. Sometimes, a man just isn't thinking clearly. Since we suspended services a couple of months ago, it has been a bit of a whirlwind. I've barely had time to look at this site. Other than a few posts on politics, I've pretty much contributed nothing. I'm looking forward to starting up again in the next couple of weeks. Sioux City had a … [Read more...] about That Time Dave Had a Really Stupid Thought
The Final Nails in My Coff…er..Theses
This is the final in my series of three posts about politics. I am not endorsing a candidate or telling anyone else for whom they should or shouldn't vote. My purpose is to attempt to define biblical principles for political engagement. Part 1 Part 2 Here's part 3, in which I put the final nails in my coffin - oops, my theses. 21. America is not the new Israel, chosen by God. I believe the American political system is exceptional in many ways – there’s not a system of government I’d like to switch it for – but the idea that our nation holds a special place in God’s heart is … [Read more...] about The Final Nails in My Coff…er..Theses
A Pandemic of SBC Controversy
The last couple of weeks have been momentous in the life of our beloved convention. Southwestern Seminary is still dealing with financial issues, exacerbated by the COVID-19 shutdown. Departments were reorganized and we understand there were some personnel reductions. Of course, the biggest news was their dealings with the fraudulent Dead Sea Scrolls scraps purchased by the Pattersons. Southern Seminary also made some significant budget cuts. Of course, what created the stir was that they laid off three professors due to the financial crisis and possibly a fourth is heading in that … [Read more...] about A Pandemic of SBC Controversy
The SBC, Pastors, and Politics: Nailing My Theses – Part II
The first set of ten was more background and these get a little more specific, and possibly more offensive to some. I am not hopeful anyone will follow this, but we've had a couple of posts recently where we discussed political things. I would love it if we stuck to these points for our discussion. Again, I realize that is a bit of a lost-cause request, but miracles happen. Again, my comparison of what I am doing to Luther's 95 theses is tongue-in-cheek. His confrontation of the Church instigated a reformation. Mine is more likely just to irritate some folks. Part 1 of this series can be … [Read more...] about The SBC, Pastors, and Politics: Nailing My Theses – Part II
The SBC, Pastors, and Partisan Politics: Nailing My Theses on the Wall
I believe that the 2020 presidential election season has the potential to be one of the final nails in the coffin of the SBC. If we continue on our current course we may well see this as the point at which the die was cast and our fate was sealed. (Let me see if I can work another cliche or two in there). I hope the reader doesn't misunderstand my use of the concept of Luther's 95 theses. I realize, first of all, that my political meanderings do not compare in any way to the Reformation inducing insights of Dr. Luther. I was gathering a list of insights about politics and thought of his … [Read more...] about The SBC, Pastors, and Partisan Politics: Nailing My Theses on the Wall
Some Southern Baptist Realities
1. Calling off Orlando was 100% the right thing. I love the annual meeting and look forward to it. Calling this one off was the right call. Even if we are blessed and the COVID-19 virus crisis fades quickly, we need to be spending the next couple of months ministering in our communities, not preparing for a trip to Orlando. I hate it, but it was right. 2. The SBC Cooperative Program is in a crisis mode. I am sure some people will find a way to point fingers of blame on this, but the math is simple. My church gives 10% of our general offerings to missions through the CP. If our … [Read more...] about Some Southern Baptist Realities
The SBC Annual Meeting Has Been Cancelled
Baptist Press has just released a statement informing us that the SBC annual meeting in Orlando has been canceled. The EC voted 77-0 to take this action. This has been expected for a couple of weeks but is now final. Key information: 1. The elected officers will continue for another year. J.D. Greear remains president for another year. There is great rejoicing in some quarters and weeping, wailing, and rending of garments in others. 2. Each entity will operate by its own bylaws in terms of operating its trustees. It seems that the biggest question left will be the rotation of … [Read more...] about The SBC Annual Meeting Has Been Cancelled