Dave Miller

Another Baptist college has run afoul of the accrediting agency SACS. In a letter dated July 9. 2014, SACS has alleged non-compliance with their Principles of Accreditation in at least 6 areas and Louisiana College now bears the burden of proving why its membership in SACS should not be withdrawn. They are back on SACS probation. Here is a link to the full letter from SACS, released by LC today. (LC SACS (here is another version in case the letter happens to disappear from LC's site). The six areas with which SACS has a problem are: PR 1.1 - Principles of Integrity SACS accuses LC … [Read more...] about Louisiana College Back in SACS Hot Water

I've been a regular attender of an SBC church since 9 months before I was born. It's all I've known. I attended a Baptist-affiliated college, then after a brief and blessed stay at a conservative but non-denominational seminary, I graduated from SWBTS. I'm SBC born, SBC bred, and when I die I'll be SBC dead. In fact, one of the strongest moments of divine call I had in my life was when I sense God's leading to return to the SBC fold and move from Dallas to Southwestern, to invest my life in the SBC. My dad was lobbying for me to find another place to serve - his frustration with the SBC of the … [Read more...] about Maybe the SBC Isn’t for You?

I do not know precisely what happened that tragic day when Officer Darrell Wilson shot Michael Brown to death. I've read some reports and watched some video, and gone back and forth thinking, "This is unconscionable police brutality and murder" to "Wow, what else could the officer do?" I don't have all the facts, just press reports and some opinions and a lot more questions than answers. I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one left with some doubts, but most of the opinions I'm reading declaim with certainty and confidence that I just don't have. Those who opine seem assured that they … [Read more...] about Observations on the Ferguson Tragedy

I got challenged to pour a bucket of ice water on my head today, to help raise awareness (and funds, I guess) for ALS research. I've never really known anyone who had ALS, other than public figures, but I am aware of the disease - any lifelong Yankee fan knows about Lou Gehrig and the disease named after him. It is a terrible disease. I get appeals all the time from the heart fund, the cancer society, Jerry Lewis, Wounded Warriors, Susan G. Komen, the March of Dimes, and the Children's Miracle Network. They are all, I'm sure, worthy charities. There are hundreds of charities making hundreds … [Read more...] about Ice Buckets, Charity and Choices

When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,but the one who controls his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 Bloggers are word-people. Wise words. Foolish words. Harsh words. Gentle words. Destructive words. Encouraging words. Truth in love. Truth in anger. Twisted truth in obsession. Fun words. Demeaning words. Ridicule. Praise. Words of all kinds. But when you engage in social media, you engage in words. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter - words, words words. Despite what the critics of blogging and social media would say, much good goes on through blogging and other outlets. But we also give constant … [Read more...] about A Wake-up Call for Bloggers from Dr. Rainer

I can remember driving down the highway in Virginia in a state of depression. I've slipped into depression - probably a milder form than many have experienced - two or three times in my life. One was during my first pastorate, back in the late 80s. Every Saturday I'd get a copy of the Richmond newspaper and peruse the help wanted ads to see if there was a way for me to provide for my family if I threw in the towel on ministry. Honestly, if I'd had a fall-back option then I'd probably not be in the ministry today. As I drove down the rural highway in Southside Virginia my mind was walking … [Read more...] about Suicide, Christians and the Church: A Reflection

Word has begun to leak out about the tragedy that has come upon the Ergun Caner family. Braxton Caner, the 15 year-old son of Ergun Caner, has committed suicide, according to reports that have become public. I know from experience the devastation that suicide brings in families, though the loss of a child must multiply that grief in ways I can't imagine. I held off saying anything until the news was leaked by other sources. Now that it has been made public, let me express my sympathy to Dr. Caner, his family, and the entire Brewton Parker College family. It is time to pray for Dr. Caner … [Read more...] about Pray for the Caners. JUST Pray!

I understand the angst that some feel about the love that many Christians have for Israel. I get it. We need to balance our perspective. God loves Palestinians as much as he loves Americans or Israelis. Jesus died for all. Standing with Israel does not mean that we ought to support or defend every action of the Israeli government or the Israeli army. As Christians, our concern is pastoral and evangelistic in the Middle East conflict, not just political. Again, I get it. It is a legitimate criticism that some (especially in my own eschatological camp) have gone overboard in the … [Read more...] about Is the Pendulum Swinging Too Far? Christians, Israel and the Middle East Conflict

This is the fewest posts we've had at SBC Voices in a week since I took over this site about a hundred years ago. I apologize for the lack of diligence. I have been both lazy and busy. I guess I'm going through my normal post-SBC burnout phase. It tends to happen. Evidently, my crack staff of writers are about as burned out as I am. Hopefully, we will all get inspired soon! I have two series of articles I want to write, but time is a problem there. We'll see. I hope next week will be more active than this last week was. … [Read more...] about No, We Have NOT Shut Down