Dave Miller

With our 2019 perspective, we find it absolutely unbelievable that the founders of the SBC could preach the gospel while also owning slaves and regarding people for whom Christ died as sub-human. There are discussions ongoing as to whether the founders - blatant and unrepentant racists - were actually saved. We took action at the Annual Meeting this year that would prevent the founders of our convention and their churches from being a part of our convention today, because of their racism, an action I enthusiastically supported. Were the founders of the SBC false believers? Were they truly … [Read more...] about Racial Blind Spots, the Jerusalem Church, and Southern Baptists

This letter was sent to me by a Missouri Baptist pastor. Since we have published articles about the controversy at Southwest Baptist University, it seems fair to publish this response by the president, Dr. Eric Turner, to the controversy. It appears to be transparent and forthright.   Dear Missouri Baptist Pastor,   In Matthew 28, Jesus commands us to change the world with passion and compassion. During the past fourteen decades, Southwest Baptist University’s education, founded upon a Biblical worldview, has followed that command. SBU Bearcats are impacting the world as … [Read more...] about A Letter from the President of SBU to Missouri Baptist Pastors

We in the SBC have sanctified the bottom line. Good pastors grow churches. If your ministry is plateaued or declining (as the majority of SBC churches are) there is something wrong with you, your ministry, your priorities, or your people. In a Facebook exchange recently, a couple of online friends unwittingly drove knives in my heart when they said that churches that are plateaued or declining should stop playing church, close their doors, and give their buildings to new churches that can be replanted in their facilities. My Situation It hurt because after a long ministry in my current … [Read more...] about Faithful? Failure? Reflections on Frustrating Ministry

I am an old, conservative, fuddy-duddy Baptist preacher. I never thought I would be posting something like I am about to post! If you are not aware, Mark Aderholt, former SBC pastor, IMB missionary, and South Carolina state convention staffer, pled guilty to lesser charges while denying the charges that Anne has consistently made through the years. No, I will not be linking to a Baptist Press article on this. To this point, BP has maintained stony silence about Aderholt's guilty plea. As is usual, the Houston Chronicle is providing excellent coverage, this time, from Sarah Smith. The exact … [Read more...] about Anne Marie Miller’s Survivor Statement to Mark Aderholt

LifeWay's Facts and Trends magazine has just released that Ben Mandrell, pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colorado, will be the search committee's candidate to be the next president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. I heard him speak for the first time at the Pastors' Conference this year and thought he was great, but had no idea this was coming! LifeWay kept this under wraps better than most of the others! Go to Facts and Trends for all the information.   Just as an addendum, yes, we went 5 for 5 as a denomination in keeping the SBC's entity heads white! Each … [Read more...] about Ben Mandrell Announced as Presidential Candidate for LifeWay

LifeWay shared this video at the SBC Annual Meeting which explained why they had to close the brick and mortar stores. I know there are people who are upset about that decision, but this video makes a compelling case. This is the way all such decisions can and should be handled. LifeWay gave the straight scoop to the messengers - gave us the hard, cold, and yes, ugly facts. Can anyone listen to this and say they did the wrong thing? Thank you, LifeWay, for trusting the messengers and being transparent on this issue. Thank you, Brad Waggoner, for your leadership during this interim. … [Read more...] about LifeWay Video Explaining the Store Closings

I am still having trouble recovering from this year's annual meeting. Wears this old codger out. I was born on Friday the 13th, and tried to wear 13 in athletic competition when possible. So, here are 13 prophetic utterances about 2020. Of course, if this were OT Israel my track record on predictions would have long since gotten me stoned to death. What will Orlando hold for the SBC? 1. A smaller church challenge for the pastors' conference is likely to happen again. No, I do not plan to be involved but I think it will happen. 2. As an election year, it will be a bit more rough … [Read more...] about Predictions for SBC 2020 in Orlando

It appears that 16 resolutions were submitted and 13 are being reported out, though some were produced by the committee.  Many are completely rewritten by the committee. Ten of the 16 are listed as declined, yet some of them appear to have been the basis of resolutions brought forth by the committee. I am going to publish this now and then edit this as the discussion goes forward. What will happen (based on previous years) - we will go resolution by resolution until time runs out, then vote the rest as a group. Interesting that some of the most controversial are at the … [Read more...] about Committee on Resolutions Report FINAL

Retail losses in the last 5 years have been 50 million dollars. I hope this video is widely available. It explains the closings very well.   LifeWay.com is growing and healthy. (You should go watch the whole report through the SBC's portal, here's the nearest points on the Lifeway report, unfortunately it's on my Youtube so you see my face there--Doug) … [Read more...] about LifeWay Video Explains Store Closings

1. We need the right heart - to grieve, mourn, and repent. 2. We need the right public statements  - our resolution and bylaws change 3. Right partnerships - associations, state conventions,  national entities 4. Right Training - ERLC is presenting this. 5. Right resources  - video curriculum called "Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused." 6. Right Governing documents  - we are changing them. 7. Right ministry screening processes  - they are working on these. 8. Right unified call to action - 8-step process to be followed in the process in churches. … [Read more...] about J.D. Greear – Eight Action Steps for the SBC on Abuse