I highly recommend Jay Adkins as First Vice President of the SBC. I was unaware that my friend Jay now has competition for the position. I do not know the other candidate and have no reason to think or say anything negative about him, but I do know Jay and i believe that the messengers would do well to elect Jay Adkins as their 1VP. Jay labors at FirstWego, here in New Orleans, in the heart of a difficult culture, a true mission field, and he embraces his ministry with joy, passion, and conviction. Ask the local DOM about Jay. He will tell you the kind of man, the kind of pastor he … [Read more...] about Vote for Jay Adkins for First Vice President
Convention Free-for-All Rules Apply
I have been disconnected recently - finalizing my house sale, packing, moving, unpacking - it's been a blur. I now live in Tekamah, Nebraska, where I pastor a small and wonderful church. Anyway, convention rules apply at Voices now. That means if you have something, post it. If 2 people post at the same time, no problem. I will still take submissions at dmille3098@gmail.com but may or may not see them. If they aren't about convention business, we will wait till things die down. I don't know if we will have our Monday night fellowship meal. Brent is flying in a couple hours from now … [Read more...] about Convention Free-for-All Rules Apply
Scatter-Shooting, Part 5
Scatter shooting while wondering what happened to all the old wooden pulpits. Where did they go to die? Speaking of old, do you remember the term “sugar-stick”? In the old days, every preacher had one or more “sugar-sticks.” This was your best sermon that never failed to prompt lots of amens. You could preach it when you preached in view of a call or when you preached a revival. I read that Tim Keller died after a struggle with cancer. I did not know him personally, but he was a great model for urban church planting and ministry. Rest in peace, faithful servant. Here’s a question for … [Read more...] about Scatter-Shooting, Part 5
Confession Time: I’m Using ChatGPT on My Sermons!
My techie son recently bought me a subscription to ChatGPT-4, the latest version of the AI tool that is causing so much furor. For the last month or so, I have actually been using it to help me with my sermons! (Insert your joke here...) Actually, it isn't as awful as it sounds. I manuscript my messages - something I started doing during the COVID shut down when we were recording our Sunday services. I wish I'd done it all my life. I don't read the messages when I preach them, but I study, then write a draft, then edit it a couple of times. Then I know it's ready to go. Manuscripting … [Read more...] about Confession Time: I’m Using ChatGPT on My Sermons!
The EC Needs to Elect Jared Wellman!
I upset some friends the other day when I voiced questions about the process at the EC that has nominated Jared Wellman as the next EC president. Now, let me see if I can make more people mad at me. Many people have concerns about the process, and I affirm that. We continue to wonder when the SBC is going to elect a minority candidate to lead one of our entities. That time is long since passed. Having said all of that, there is only one candidate on the ballot at the EC this week, Jared Wellman. This is not an election between two candidates. So, my position is this: I wholeheartedly, … [Read more...] about The EC Needs to Elect Jared Wellman!
Are We Are ALWAYS Going to Be a White Convention?
Word has started circulating that Jared Wellman will be the search committee's recommendation on Monday as our new Executive Committee President. Wellman demonstrated great courage when former leaders at the EC tried to bully him into silence. He is a young man of godliness, character, conviction, denominational loyalty, and integrity. He is exactly the kind of younger SBC leader this convention needs for the future. I am a Jared Wellman fan. However, I have some reservations about the process. We have a large African American fellowship in the SBC and we have been telling them that if … [Read more...] about Are We Are ALWAYS Going to Be a White Convention?
The Senegal Test of Our Baptist Battles
Once I might have called this the Taiwan test. Admittedly oversimplified, I believe there's an idea here worth our consideration. In 2012, I was leading an interdenominational Bible study for missionaries in Taichung, Taiwan, during the heyday of Baptist blogging. As I chatted with some of the missionaries, I realized how irrelevant the hot-button issues raging in the Baptist blogosphere were to people actually doing ministry on the Kingdom's frontlines. Our petty, internecine squabbles, which seemed so crucial as we engaged here, meant nothing to them. I am sitting under African … [Read more...] about The Senegal Test of Our Baptist Battles
A Real Danger in the SBC
There is no shortage of voices in the SBC claiming that the end is near, that we balance on a precipice over the pit of destruction. I believe most of those voices are mistaken - some out of ignorance and others willfully. Most of the "enemies within the church" they warn us about are bogeymen designed to manipulate us into action, so that they can gain and maintain power. Wokeism is not a huge danger in the SBC. There is a misguided "woke" movement in American politics, centered in our universities, but it is not huge issue in the SBC. The SBC is filled with conservatives - some more … [Read more...] about A Real Danger in the SBC
You Reap What You Sow – an Exhortation
My life has taken some unfortunate turns in the last few years. My church struggled greatly to recover after COVID and after discussions the leaders thought that a 65 year old pastor might not be their best bet in rejuvenating the church. It was a friendly, cordial, involuntary retirement/resignation/dismissal. Honestly, after nearly a year I still do not know how to describe what happened. People ask what went on and we hem and haw because we do not know how to categorize what happened. They expressed deep love and appreciation and respect for me, then sent me on my way. Now I am 65 year … [Read more...] about You Reap What You Sow – an Exhortation
It Is Time to Stand
I have followed Karen Swallow Prior for several years. Though I've never had the privilege of meeting her in person, I've interacted with her often on social media. She is a woman of grace, godly character, and Christlike conviction. I've observed how she has responded to the most vile attacks against her with kindness, returning good for evil, loving her enemies. She demonstrates Jesus daily. Extreme elements of the SBC and Christian social media have attacked her in an organized and evil way. They have distorted her views, lied about who she is, and spread the most vile false accusations … [Read more...] about It Is Time to Stand