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?
This Hardheaded Old Codger Is STILL [NOT] Going to Africa*
*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*
Examining the Work of EC Chairman Mike Stone
The Pastors’ Conference – Long-Term Solutions
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
An Unfortunate Takeover of the PC by the EC
The Executive Committee has given into pressure and is threatening David Uth with banishment from the Convention facilities unless he kowtows to their demands and rearranges his speaking schedule at the PC. This is unprecedented and an unfair last-minute change. Uth could probably sue if he were of a mind to do so. I am guessing he will simply move the PC to First Baptist, Orlando and the building will sit empty for 2 days. The EC has also taken some other troubling actions today. I am grateful for Ronnie Floyd's leadership and for JD Greear, but the EC under Mike Stone has been an … [Read more...] about An Unfortunate Takeover of the PC by the EC
Uth Responds to Critics
David Uth, pastor of First Baptist, Orlando, and president of the 2020 SBC Pastors' Conference, has responded to the movement by some to pressure him into changing the SBC Pastors' Conference schedule he has designed. He is not backing down, but he has removed one point of attack for the critics. Some were seeking to pressure the EC to refuse the normal $100,000 in funding they receive for help with the venue costs. Uth has declared that First Baptist, Orlando will underwrite all the expenses. No money from any SBC entity will be sought. Donations from churches and individuals will … [Read more...] about Uth Responds to Critics
The LAST Thing the SBC Needs Is EC Oversight of the Pastors’ Conference
I am not saying this to defend or to criticize David Uth. If I were president of the PC, I would not be doing some of the same things he is doing this year. Oh, if I didn't have an agenda such as the one we used back in 2017, I would enthusiastically invite Vance Pittman to speak. Jimmy Scroggins should do a wonderful job. There are others that I am not as familiar with and I might make other choices. The chances of me inviting someone to do spoken word poetry are about the same as me performing an interpretative dance to the song "Oceans" during the conference. I am very much not a … [Read more...] about The LAST Thing the SBC Needs Is EC Oversight of the Pastors’ Conference
Conservative Baptist Network: Reflections
Another new Baptist network has formed, purporting to represent the grassroots majority of Baptists who have been disenfranchised somehow (since all our meetings allow open voting) that is going to lead us away from a drift into "woke" theology and liberalism. The networks have formed - some made a big splash and others barely a ripple - and generally faded away. What will happen to the "Conservative Baptist Network" announced today is yet to be seen. The network is a little nebulous at this point, still revealing itself, its structure and leadership, its purposes and tactics. Who knows … [Read more...] about Conservative Baptist Network: Reflections
An Unprecedented Opportunity among Muslims
I spent an hour on the phone yesterday with a kid who grew up in one of my previous churches. I have to be vague because he now works in a high-security Muslim country where it is illegal to share Christ. I was absolutely amazed at what God was doing through him and others in nations that we consider our enemies and which are often seen as closed to the gospel. For lack of time, I will simply give you a list of reactions to our conversation. 1. Don't give up on those annoying kids you minister to at church. Many moons ago, I did Bible drill with preteens on Sunday night before the service. … [Read more...] about An Unprecedented Opportunity among Muslims
Why I’m Struggling with the Value of Blogging (And Social Media)
I haven't been writing much. Thanks to William and others for holding down the site during my unscheduled, sort-of sabbatical. It's been intense at the church and a time of family crisis (both of my parents have rounded the final turn and are headed for the finish line), plus some stuff I can't talk about, but to be honest, I have been burned out, discouraged, and disillusioned with blogging and social media. I have been mulling in my own mind whether it still has value and what my place is here. Last week I had two conversations, one with one of our contributors here and another with a … [Read more...] about Why I’m Struggling with the Value of Blogging (And Social Media)