Dave Miller

We should really elect a "regular guy" as president of the SBC shouldn't we - someone who pastors a normal-sized church! For all our lives the presidents of the SBC have been luminaries and mega-church pastors - celebrities who live in different worlds than we do. They don't really understand how we live and we don't really understand how they live. So every year people start suggesting that we run a non-mega pastor for the exalted office of president of the SBC. The nominations usually begin with the good Dr. Bart Barber - frankly, I think he is an excellent choice, but he assures me he … [Read more...] about “Dave Miller for President” and Other Dumb Ideas!

I originally wrote this article on June 21, 2010, back when Matt Svoboda was still the kingpin at this site. My views have done nothing but strengthen. Since the advent of the internet, the chorus of voices calling for regional voting sites or internet voting at home has become stronger. I am editing that old article and updating it. I understand the reasons people advocate for the inclusion of internet voting - either at regional sites or in the privacy of your own home at your own computer. Travel is expensive. It costs a lot of money to go to the convention and that leaves people … [Read more...] about Why I Oppose Internet Voting in the SBC (and ALWAYS Will)

It's called the "honeymoon phase" of your ministry, and it's usually pretty fun. You walk in the door and everyone walks to make a good impression on you just as you want to make a good impression on them. It's like a first date that lasts three to six months. Everything is new. No one has heard your sermons before. All your jokes are new. All your illustrations are new. Everything you do is new. You are so new that even your annoying qualities haven't started annoying people yet! In Deuteronomy 24:5, there is an interesting provision in the law. A newly married man was not supposed to be … [Read more...] about When the Ministry Hits the Fan: The Day You Walk in the Door

Please see my note at the bottom explaining some edits I made to this piece.  It's happened again. They are beating on us poor Baptist bloggers again. Maybe it's time to put on my housecoat and head back to the basement! The lastest iteration of the blogger-bashing tactic comes from someone named Joni B Hannigan in something called the "Christian Examiner." She wrote an article entitled, "Southern Baptist bloggers bullied leader to disinvite Ben Carson." (Link removed.) Her article demonstrates a lack of understanding of Baptist life and polity and gives a sterling example of why blogging … [Read more...] about Baptist Bloggers and Bullies: A Response to Hannigan’s False Accusations (Edited)

I have to admit that I am shocked. I did not see a gracious way for that to happen. But in conference with Willy Rice, Dr. Carson has decided not to appear at the SBC Pastors' Conference. You can read Willy Rice's article announcing the withdrawal here. (http://www.calvary.us/pages/page.asp?page_id=296405&articleId=48662) I want to say two things. 1. This is probably the best possible outcome. Presidential candidates at Pastors Conferences is not a good idea. 2. I feel bad for Willy Rice. He is a good man who is in a position where he simply CANNOT please everyone. I … [Read more...] about Ben Carson Withdraws from Pastors Conference

Pardon my sarcastic title. I'm in one of those moods. Let me make it clear that I agree completely with Bart Barber in his previous article about the invitation to Ben Carson to speak at the Pastors' Conference in Columbus. Bad idea. I was packing, traveling and conferencing yesterday, so I did little more than glance at the Baptist 21 article that is making the rounds on social media, but I agree with what I saw of that. Politicians have no place at the Pastors' Conference. For that matter, neither do Seventh Day Adventists. But it is also time for a reality check. 1. The … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: SBC Will Survive Carson’s Appearance at the Pastor’s Conference

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 If all went as planned, his plane just took off from Dulles and will be in the air for about 7 hours, so I can talk about him freely, without the fear that he will know about it. I’m uncomfortable both giving and receiving compliments, so I purposely held this post until I knew he would be unable to respond. Maybe he will never see it. My guess is that he would be embarrassed to read it.  It's the perfect time! I can talk about him behind his back … [Read more...] about I Witnessed Greatness among the Bayot

That's what the Gaffer said to Frodo when he returned to the Shire and promised to do all he could to set thing right. He couldn't understand why Frodo and the others had gone off on their foolish quest or why they'd been gone so long. Events in far off lands couldn't matter as much as the pain and sorrow that had taken place right there in Hobbiton. But now the travelers had returned as fierce warriors ready to set things right. And at Frodo's assurance, the Gaffer was satisfied. "You can't say fairer than that." That is also my response to James MacDonald's post from yesterday, … [Read more...] about “You Can’t Say Fairer than That.” Examining James MacDonald’s Apology

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” Matthew 11:19 It was one of the barbs that the religious leaders sent Jesus' way. "He is a friend of sinners." They meant it as an insult, but it was one of the greatest compliments they could have imagined. Jesus was, in fact, a friend of sinners. No dirty rotten scoundrel ever had a better friend than Jesus. He was a friend of the rough, low-class sinners from the Galilean sea shore. He was a friend of … [Read more...] about Can We Be Pro-Homosexual?