We are in a unique time in SBC life. Have there ever been five entities in transition? We have been talking about minority leadership at an entity over the last few years. With nearly half of our entity leadership positions open, it is inevitable that this is a key moment in SBC history. Our trustees need to act wisely at this crucial juncture in denominational history. Here are the facts: The SBC has a shameful racial history - support of slavery, defense of segregation, racism - it hasn't been good. We have been making progress in recent years and heart-attitudes have been … [Read more...] about Five Vacancies. Why the SBC Should Hire Its First Minority Entity President
Who Should Be the Next IMB President?
As I write this, I am in the Casamance region of Southern Senegal on my seventh mission trip attempting to bring the gospel to the Ehing people, a UUPG, and seeking to establish churches in the region. I came first with Bart Barber in 2015, came back in early 2016 and have done two trips a year for the last three years. In previous years I have done two mission trips to Taiwan, two to Honduras and one to Tanzania. I have interacted with many missionaries through the years as well. Of course, my parents were Foreign Mission Board missionaries for a term back when I was a youngster. All of … [Read more...] about Who Should Be the Next IMB President?
Headed to Senegal
I will be leaving in the middle of the night to head to Senegal for a week. I go there twice a year to do evangelistic work with a UUPG in the Casamance region. I'd planned to go back in November for a full trip but my health problems made that impossible. I am piggy-backing on a trip Bart Barber planned to do some training and to meet with some of the chiefs and others. I need to let them know what I am not coming back in November and what has happened to me over the last few months. If all goes well, I will be back next Wednesday. There are a number of issues I'd ask for prayer … [Read more...] about Headed to Senegal
Dr. Al Mohler Addresses Social Justice
In a Q&A at a chapel service at Southern Seminary, Dr. Mohler took questions from students. One, not surprisingly, was about social justice. The question comes at about the 24 minute mark and his answer runs nearly 40 minutes. However, it is biblically, theologically, and historically sound. It is collegial but direct. He details two main reasons why he did not sign and was uncomfortable with the Social Justice statement coming from the MacArthur camp. He gives a detailed explanation of the difference between liberal "critical theory" social justice and biblical social justice, … [Read more...] about Dr. Al Mohler Addresses Social Justice
David Platt to Step Down September 27; Meador Named Interim President
I have heard quite a bit of scuttlebutt over the past few months - this candidate or that was about to be named the new president of the IMB. But in recent weeks we have been hearing that the trustees are nowhere near finding their new leader. David Platt has decided his interim time has gone on long enough. Frankly, this seems like a good move to me - on three counts. 1. The IMB needs to take as much time as it takes to make the right hire. If it takes another month or another year they need to find the president who will lead them and lead Southern Baptists in the days ahead. 2. … [Read more...] about David Platt to Step Down September 27; Meador Named Interim President
Echo Chambers, Conferences, Social Justice and a Dumb (?) Idea
Southern Baptists in particular, evangelicals in a broader sense, and all Americans in the whole have become lovers of echo chambers in which every voice joins in perfect unison with our own to reinforce, without question, the ideas we share. A lady came by the office to express how much she appreciated my ministry and how she had grown under it, but to inform me that God was leading her to another church in town. It was cordial and friendly, but something she said always stuck in my craw a little. "It is nice," she said, "to hear my theology preached every Sunday." I was not quite the … [Read more...] about Echo Chambers, Conferences, Social Justice and a Dumb (?) Idea
Creating Fear: The 9/11 Theological Strategy
September 11, 2001, was one of those days that you never forget. I was waiting for an associational pastors group to arrive at my house and I flipped on the TV just as the second plane hit the second tower. We watched the news for hours and life changed that day. America experienced a brief moment of unity as our president stood on the rubble of the Twin Towers and declared with an unusual eloquence that those who did the despicable deed would hear us as we spoke! Mr. Bush, who left office with popularity ratings lower than the Orioles winning percentage this year, broke records as the most … [Read more...] about Creating Fear: The 9/11 Theological Strategy
Reflections on Dr. Kelley’s Message
Dr. Kelley preached a chapel message recently that has raised the hackles of many in the SBC. Before I raise objections to the message let me give a few words of affirmation about the ministry of Dr. Kelley at NOBTS. I had not had much involvement with NOBTS until recently when I was elected president of the 2017 Pastors' Conference and the Caskey Center became our partner and major sponsor. Dr. Kelley was gracious to us and we have nothing but the highest respect and appreciation for the school and its president. Dr. Kelley has been a man of honor, decency, and integrity. To my … [Read more...] about Reflections on Dr. Kelley’s Message
A Complaint, A Confession, A Commitment
I have always envied some of my friends who seem to have a knack for maintaining their cool when they deal with comments on blogs. I watch men like Bart Barber and David Rogers continue to gracefully engage even the most belligerent responses. I do not have that knack. Comments get under my skin. I try to be careful about what I write - most of the time. If you think my articles are harsh, you ought to see the first, second, and third drafts - the ones I didn't publish, the ones I toned down and smoothed over before I arrived at the ones I published. I make a sincere effort to honor Christ … [Read more...] about A Complaint, A Confession, A Commitment
Thom Rainer Has Announced His Retirement at LifeWay
Thom Rainer surprised the SBC by announcing his pending retirement from LifeWay. He will retire when he his replacement is found or in one year, whichever comes first. In an article entitled, "Why I Am Retiring from LifeWay" Dr. Rainer explains his reasons for the move. He is leaving on his own terms, in his own time. Dr. Rainer has been a man of honor, integrity, and decency. There has never been a hint of any kind of scandal of any sort at LifeWay under his watch - though there was a constant drumbeat of criticism about editorial choices. I am guessing that comes with the job. Dr. … [Read more...] about Thom Rainer Has Announced His Retirement at LifeWay