Dave Miller

(I'm paraphrasing)   (I think and hope I got most of my note back) GREAT MESSAGE! Luke 22:24-34 There is a power in the church to overcome whatever it is that is in the world. Jesus has announced his betrayal and his coming death. But now, here he warns them of the changes that are coming. But he still evidences no fear of the future. The culture around us is changing. Baptism was a Bible Belt Bar Mitzvah - you needed a Christian identity to be part of the culture. The culture has changed and we are not longer at the center. Our temptation is to lack confidence and to embrace … [Read more...] about Dr. Russell Moore (Updated) #SBC15

Dean Fulks is from Lifepoint, Columbus. The theme this year is "He must increase and I must decrease." Jonah 1:1ff Why run from revival?   Racism? Nineveh had consistently brutalized the Israelites. An evil people. Jonah, from a northern tribe, may have bitterness against them and he may not want the goodness of God to flourish in Nineveh?  Wanderlust? Maybe Jonah was just captivated by the lure of another place. Tarshish was a far--off place. Ideal. His point is about Jonah and his failure. But God will be glorified whether in our successes or in our failures. Jonah ends … [Read more...] about Dean Fulks at the Pastors Conference #SBC15

I'm getting ready with a post from Brent Hobbs who is here in Columbus, and then I will be posting a lot of thoughts - both here and on twitter (@davemiller7 and @sbcvoices) during the PC and the Annual Meeting. It doesn't look to be a controversial or life-altering convention, but you never know what a group of Baptists will do for fun and frolic. I intend to catch all three sermons tonight and do something akin to blogging them - though perhaps not with the same fervor as I did with the Racial Reconciliation conference at the ERLC. I probably won't be posting any regular posts - … [Read more...] about Rapid Fire Blogging Week #SBC15

Well, it happened again. The ACP statistics were released and things are not looking good for the SBC. About the only positive statistic is church planting - there are more of our churches out there. But fewer people are attending them (by quite a bit). Fewer people are being baptized in them (by a disturbing amount). Missions giving is down, though the reports on CP giving confused me a little - they are up, they are down, yes they are, no they aren't! Let's put it in perspective. We are not a growing denomination anymore. Neither are we in the kind of free-fall that some of the mainline … [Read more...] about The SBC Has Been in Decline Since Before I Was Born – And I’m OLD!

There is a school of fish, a herd of cows, a pride of lions. When bloggers gather, it is called a bluster! Last year, our bluster on Monday evening was one of the highlights of the convention for me. We had a large group that gathered at a Cheesecake Factory in the Baltimore Harbor. What was intended to be an hour or so turned into an evening. We sat and ate and talked and laughed. I'm not kidding when I say it was the most fun I had at the convention. You are invited this year. Same time - right after the afternoon session of the Pastor's Conference ends. The place will not be the … [Read more...] about A Bluster of Bloggers – SBC Columbus 2015. Monday Evening!

I am ready to fall in love. I want to fall in love. All I need is someone to fall in love with. My heart beats fast in anticipation of finding The One and making a commitment. No, my wife has no cause for jealousy. I’m just looking for a candidate to support in the current field of 3127 declared or possible Republican candidates. I’m waiting for one of them to come and sweep me off my feet. But I’ve to play hard to get this election cycle. I’m waiting, candidates – single, unattached, and available. I’m an Iowa Republican and I’m a public speaker! With the caucuses coming up you might find … [Read more...] about Dear GOP: I Want to Fall in Love, But I’m Playing Hard to Get

It is safe to say that navigating the shark-infested waters of healthcare has been difficult in recent years, especially since the current administration "fixed" our system with their "Affordable Care Act." Our church has had some tough times financially over the last 5 or 6 years. We stretched ourselves to the breaking point just before the economy broke! In recent years we have cut every bit of fat out of our budget, and a little bit of lean. If it were not for the astronomically escalating healthcare costs over the last 5 years, our budget would be significantly reduced. Every penny of … [Read more...] about Thank You, Guidestone! (And a STRONG Warning to All!)

I pastor a church with some of the most tradition-loving Baptists you will find anywhere. I've maintained for nearly 10 years that I pastor two churches that meet in the same building, share a church staff and usually get along pretty well. One church, called Southern Hills Baptist Church, meets at 8:30 in the morning on Sundays. We sing out of the hymnal with piano accompaniment, wear a lot of ties and coats, and aren't much different from the church of 1972. Many would agree with Prince Caspian when he observed that he had seen progress in an egg and called it “going bad.”  Many of the … [Read more...] about Loving Traditionalists in a Changing Church

According to my in-depth research (I googled it), approximately 1,264,000 soldiers have given their "last full measure of devotion" in defense of this nation and its freedom. Memorial Day is set aside for the remembrance of their sacrifice. Whether you have family or friends who have paid that price, take a moment today to give thanks to God and to pay respects to those who have served, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy.     … [Read more...] about A Day to Remember