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!)
Loving Traditionalists in a Changing Church
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
A Day to Remember
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
I Am OUTRAGED!
It didn't take long after the Josh Duggar story hit the news for one of my Facebook friends put up a post chiding evangelicals for our lack of outrage about the situation. "Where is the outrage about the Duggar scandal among conservatives?" This man is a former Southern Baptist who "went out from us" and sometimes highlights what he sees as the shortcomings of conservative evangelicals. Let's face it - we give plenty of opportunity for such observations, don't we? But I've heard that phrase over and over again in a wide range of social circumstances. Why aren't you outraged about this? Why … [Read more...] about I Am OUTRAGED!
When Stars Fall from the Sky: Christians, Celebrities, and Sin
I was driving in my car in October of 2011 doing something very strange – cheering for the Texas Rangers. There were two reasons for that. I’m an American League fan. Why cheer for a league that still makes pitchers hit, for crying out loud? But the real reason I was cheering for the Rangers had to do with one man who stood to the plate in the top of the 10th, about 4 and a half hours into the game. It should have been over by then, with Texas celebrating their first World Series victory. Texas had a 3 run lead in the 8th and one of the better closers in the game, but St. Louis got one in … [Read more...] about When Stars Fall from the Sky: Christians, Celebrities, and Sin
IMB Policies: Breathe, Folks – This Is NOT a Cataclysm!
In another shining example of the sad state of modern Christian news reporting, "Religion News Service" issued a report that would lead one to believe that the next President of the SBC might well Benny Hinn and that David Platt will be seeking missions advice from the Kansas City Prophets as he leads the IMB. Entitled "Southern Baptists open their ranks to missionaries who speak in tongues," the article gives not only no evidence of understanding, but little of an attempt to understand the discussion among Southern Baptists. The issue with the IMB policy was a narrow one - it did not have … [Read more...] about IMB Policies: Breathe, Folks – This Is NOT a Cataclysm!
“Christianity Is Dying in America!” (from Myths Skeptics Believe)
I saw a tweet from Joel Rainey that encapsulated the coverage of the recent Pew Reseach statistics. He observed it was like people were reading two different sets of poll results. On the one hand, you had CNN crowing "Millennials leaving the church in droves," because of their glee that it would give less hope to religious right candidates. The New York Times echoed with "Big Drop in Share of Americans Calling Themselves Christians." They managed to avoid attaching any smiley-face emoticons in their post, which I thought was a nice touch. They see the raw data and make their conclusion, … [Read more...] about “Christianity Is Dying in America!” (from Myths Skeptics Believe)
In the Spirit of Ezekiel: Watchmen, not Salesmen!
I should read more books, I know it! But most of the time I have for reading goes to social media - mostly blog-posts and online articles. Several of those I read regularly are in the millennial camp. Oh, come on, let's call them what they are - young whippersnappers! Many of the millennials show encouraging signs - a commitment to biblical truth and a love for reaching younger generations with the gospel of Jesus Christ. But many younger (self-described) evangelicals operate with an assumption that Christianity must mold itself to please our culture. If we offend, we must adjust. If our moral … [Read more...] about In the Spirit of Ezekiel: Watchmen, not Salesmen!
“Dave Miller for President” and Other Dumb Ideas!
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!
Why I Oppose Internet Voting in the SBC (and ALWAYS Will)
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)