Dave Miller

Baptist Press is reporting that Dr. Ken Hemphill, former president of Southwestern Seminary, will be nominated for the office of president of the SBC.  He has served as a pastor and in other denominational roles. The Baptist Press article can be found here. He is the second announced candidate. North Carolina pastor JD Greear's candidacy was announced a few days ago. … [Read more...] about Ken Hemphill to Be Nominated as SBC President

I follow the women's gymnastics team every four years when the Olympics take place. I don't know if I'd ever heard of Rachael Denhollander until a couple of weeks ago when her victim impact statement against uber-pervert Larry Nassar went viral. Now a 33-year-old lawyer, she spoke powerfully to condemn Nasser's actions in abusing what now totals at least 265 teenage girls while also clearly presenting the gospel. She is credited as being the first person to take a public stand against abuse and was the driving force behind bringing this doctor to justice and ending his reign of terror. We … [Read more...] about The Church Needs More (and Fewer) Rachael Denhollanders

In the heat of the moment in St. Louis in 2016, Steve Gaines made a statement about nominating JD Greear at the Dallas convention in 2018. When JD's announcement came a couple of days ago, it was observed that Ken Whitten and not Steve Gaines was going to make the nomination. Some speculated that perhaps Dr. Gaines was reneging on his commitment (whatever that was) or in some way betraying JD Greear. There is an article in the Biblical Recorder (BRnow.org) that explains this. After careful consideration, Gaines and Greear have come to the opinion that it was not a good idea for the sitting … [Read more...] about SBC President Steve Gaines Is Doing the Right Thing

My hopes that JD Greear would cruise to election in Dallas this summer were dashed today when I read a Twitter and Facebook exchange dominated by the estimable Drs. Bart Barber and Nathan Finn promoting an alternate candidate for SBC President. Evidently, Bart is planning to nominate...Chuck Norris for SBC President. The following reasons, given by the Barber/Finn Coalition for Norris, explain the reasons for the candidacy. Chuck Norris casts the ballot of the convention with a roundhouse kick. (Rev. Dr. Barber) Chuck Norris doesn't serve on committees. He is a committee of one. … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: Second Presidential Candidate Rumors Emerge

Some of my buddies were upset at JD when he withdrew - they wanted to take the fight to the mattresses at St. Louis. This was one of the truly great acts of a man of God in recent convention history. After having a slight lead on the first ballot and trailing slightly on the second ballot, JD withdrew before the third ballot because, as he said, the SBC would not be served by a 51-49 division - whoever won. It is now 2 years later, and some are grousing that JD has no right to be elected. Of course not. No one has a right to the office. But who could we elect that is a better man than … [Read more...] about When JD Greear Became My Hero

The Biblical Recorder article is now out. In what qualifies as "no big surprise" to anyone, JD Greear will be nominated in Dallas for the office of president of the Southern Baptist Convention. While no one has a right to election, JD won the hearts of many of us when he stepped aside to avoid what likely would have been a divisive third ballot at the St. Louis Annual Meeting. The Biblical Recorder (my favorite state paper) broke this story and is promising complete coverage soon. Check their site. Here is one man's hope that there will be NO DRAMA in Dallas and that JD Greear will be … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: Ken Whitten will nominate JD Greear as SBC President in Dallas

Just arrived in Springfield, Illinois, for the Midwest Advance - a large gathering of Baptists from the cool-kid states in the Midwest. None of you SEC types are allowed. They used to call this by some other name but it is a triennial gathering. The first one I went to lo these many years ago had this featured speaker from Arlington, TX, named Dwight McKissic. It was long before blogging started and I didn't even get a chance to meet Dwight, but he preached a great message. Todd Benkert is supposed to show up and we plan to stir up as much trouble as we can. Seriously, if you are a Voices … [Read more...] about Breaking Out at Midwest Advance!

Don't you love those reunion videos, where soldiers return home from war and are reunited with their families - everyone hugging and crying? This is not one of those videos. It is a man being torn away from his wife and two children and sent to his parent's homeland, one that is foreign to him. It is a mark of shame against the justice system of the USA. It is heart-breaking and disgusting - that this would happen in America? Too old for DACA, man who spent 30 years of his life in US is deported. Jorge Garcia was 10 years old when his parents brought him to the US. He is now … [Read more...] about And THIS Is Family Values?

I have been running SBC Voices now since my birthday in 2010. I've written 1276 posts, 13,596 comments (not counting the ones I've trashed) and I've seen this thing grow far beyond what I imagined. I have also sinned more times than I care to recount - losing my cool in the heat of blog discussions! There is no doubt that I am a different man than I was 10 years ago when I was invited to write for sbcIMPACT, or nearly 8 years ago when I started with this enterprise. I think I am wiser, but I'm also less patient with certain things. I don't put up with things I used to put up with. Is that … [Read more...] about A Word about Comments and Moderation (and Grumpiness)

I read a story in Baptist News Global today and was discussing it with the guys. Judge Paul Pressler is asking for summary judgment in the lawsuit against him based on the fact that the statute of limitations has passed. We were batting around the ramifications of that strategy, and an idea started to form. Please hear me, I am using the very public Pressler matter as a template for a larger discussion. It often appears to me that people read the title and perhaps a paragraph or two of a post - bad mojo for my 2000 word posts - and start in on the comments. I want to make some strong … [Read more...] about What Does It Mean When Icons Fail?