Dave Miller

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 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

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

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

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

I am in the "studio" this Sunday morning - except it is Saturday and I'm going to confused all week. I got up early like I do on Sunday, got dressed up like I do on Sunday (as all respectable pastors do!), came into the church to finalize my sermon and preach it, like I do on Sunday. This time, though, it will be in an empty worship center with cameras and microphones. We recorded the music on Wednesday and are adding my sermon today. We decided to go with prerecorded rather than streaming our services - for us, that just worked better. COVID-19 hasn't hit here yet but everything is closed and … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Forum: How’s It Going, Televangelists?

         *barring further developments!  **Further developments happened. In discussing this with the missionary in Senegal, he thought it best if we postpone. Go ahead, call me stupid. That will be one of the nicest things I've been called on social media recently! I am scheduled to leave for Senegal next Saturday, March 21, long before the sun comes up, for my 10th trip to minister to a UUPG - the Essing - in the Casamance. I have been especially excited for the opportunity to speak this time at a regional men's conference in which as many as 150 men are expected to gather. God … [Read more...] about This Hardheaded Old Codger Is STILL [NOT] Going to Africa*

As you can tell, I was pretty upset yesterday when the Executive Committee took the unprecedented step of asserting authority over the Pastors' Conference. I don't know of anyone - literally ANYONE - who is excited about this year's Pastors' Conference slate of speakers. I find myself in the odd position of defending the right of David Uth to choose the speakers he wanted even though EVERY SINGLE PERSON I've talked to believes it is not a desirable list of speakers. Vance Pitman and Jimmy Scroggins would be bright spots. Personally, I like Cymbala. But comedians and poets and weird … [Read more...] about The Pastors’ Conference – Long-Term Solutions