A couple of people have said, "Why is this the first we are hearing about this?" There is one answer. Because you didn't listen to David Platt's wonderful, home run, blisteringly passionate, (yes) radical statement at the SBC in Columbus. The fact that the SBC is deficit spending was his OPENING POINT. He led off with this, before he began to deal with the new policy changes. David Platt's IMB Report at SBC 2015 from David Tarkington on Vimeo. If you haven't watched this, do so. He made it clear that financial problems existed at the IMB. Evidently they were not ready to roll out … [Read more...] about David Platt’s IMB Report: When the Deficit Discussion Began
FAQs related to IMB Organizational Reset
Here is an addendum to the previous post. I don't know who the "Editor" is - I guess it is IMB personnel. Editor’s note: International Mission Board leaders have outlined a plan to address IMB’s revenue shortfalls and complete a reset of the organization in order to move forward into the future with innovative vision, wise stewardship and high accountability. The plan was presented by senior IMB leadership, including President David Platt, during an Aug. 27 town hall meeting including missionaries and staff, who collectively attended either in person or through digital communication. IMB … [Read more...] about FAQs related to IMB Organizational Reset
Breaking News from the IMB: IMB leaders announce plan to balance budget, prepare for future
(This is the full text from the press release that has just come out from the IMB - thought you might be interested. More information is coming. This appears to be BIG.) Summary: IMB leaders outline plan for innovative vision, wise stewardship and high accountability. By IMB staff RICHMOND, Va.—International Mission Board leaders have outlined a plan to address IMB’s revenue shortfalls and complete a reset of the organization in order to move forward into the future with innovative vision, wise stewardship and high accountability. The plan was presented by senior IMB leadership, … [Read more...] about Breaking News from the IMB: IMB leaders announce plan to balance budget, prepare for future
Ashley Madison: The Storm IS Coming…There IS a Harbor!
I have been assured by people who know that the Ashley Madison data dump may well be an EF5 tornado blowing through Christian churches and denominations, including my beloved SBC. In the last few days, I've been told things that turn my stomach. In the last few hours, I've heard things that make my heart break. The Ashley Madison information is out there. It's viral. We can quibble about how it got released, but the fact is that it is out there and it is not going away. I'd like to share some facts and some advice. Some Ashley Madison Facts (As I Understand Them) I am most certainly not … [Read more...] about Ashley Madison: The Storm IS Coming…There IS a Harbor!
Josh Duggar, Hypocrisy, and the Extrapolation Fallacy
Well, I guess Josh Duggar won the not-so-desirable prize. When I saw the reports that the Ashley Madison website hackers were finally releasing the information they had stolen, one of my first thoughts was that it was likely that a few well-known Christian names were likely to appear on the list. Some pastors, Christians celebrities, actors or athletes. When something like this happens the fact that we are flesh and blood, frail to the bone, and sinful to the core, is usually reinforced for all to see. Unless there are names that I haven't seen, Josh Duggar is the first big name … [Read more...] about Josh Duggar, Hypocrisy, and the Extrapolation Fallacy
Should a Pastor Look at Giving Records?
Sometimes I realize how insulated my life has been. I was born into the home of a Southern Baptist preacher and missionary. My grandpa (maternal - Dr. Eugene Pratt) was an SBC pastor, professor at SWBTS, and head of evangelism for the Missouri convention until his death in 1965. I've been attending Southern Baptist churches regularly since 9 months before I was born. I attended an SBC college (as liberal as Donald Trump is crazy) and graduated from Southwestern (after a two-year sojourn at Dallas). Even whilst I attended a non-denominational seminary I was a member of an SBC … [Read more...] about Should a Pastor Look at Giving Records?
And Then There Were 17….A GOP Debate Forum
I have several BRILLIANT ideas for posts that I conceived in my mind whilst I was in Nashville and on the drive home. However, being an old fa....uh....fogey, I'm too tired to write. One of our readers suggested a forum for you guys to talk politics. Good idea. I've not watched the debates, just a few snippets and clips. I've got it DVRed, but the Yankees were beating the Red Sox and I lacked the mental energy to engage. My impressions. Donald Trump is a moron - how can anyone take him seriously? On Twitter last night he called Megyn Kelly a bimbo. Can you imagine anyone but him getting … [Read more...] about And Then There Were 17….A GOP Debate Forum
SEND NA & SBC Annual Meetings: Why Such a Difference?
Many people have pointed out the different dynamics of the SEND North America conference going on right now in Nashville and the annual meetings of the SBC which occur annually in cities around the USA. SEND had to close registration at somewhere in the neighborhood of 13,500 (I've not heard an actual number) for the two day conference. The SBC struggles to get to the 5000 mark each year. SEND charges a fairly substantial fee for attending the conference, in additon to the costs of travel and hotel. There is no charge for the Annual Meeting - you just have to get elected a messenger … [Read more...] about SEND NA & SBC Annual Meetings: Why Such a Difference?
JD Greear: Sending
(I'm taking notes, not quotes getting the gist of the message but not the word for word blow by blow!) Told of his church's aggressive church planting strategy. John 12:20 -25 Greeks came to see Jesus. Jesus explained the principle of the harvest. His plan was not the growing of one institution, but by seeds dying, being spread and growing in new life. Reasons to Send 1. Jesus's Promises about the greatness of teh church were always tied to sending. John 14:12 - Greater works than these will he do Spirit in us is better than … [Read more...] about JD Greear: Sending
Getting a Handle on SEND: What’s It All About?
I'm at SEND for the first time. I've heard about it - you can hardly not hear about it. There are well over twice the number of people here in the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville than there were as registered messengers at the SBC Annual Meeting in Columbus. Nearly three times as many. As I understand it, registration topped out at over 13,000 and would have been more but the arena sold out. It took a shooting war for the SBC to get that many people to gather for an annual meeting and it's been a long time since it's happened. This is a gathering of (mostly) younger Southern … [Read more...] about Getting a Handle on SEND: What’s It All About?