Dave Miller

I've been in fulltime Christian ministry for over 30 years. I've had some good times. I've also had some moments when I stood there looking like a complete idiot. I've done some dumb things. I will bet that you have as well, if you are willing to admit it. So, tell us your story. What was your most embarrassing moment as a minister? Rules: 1) It has to be true. 2) It has to be embarrassing to you. Don't tell stories that will embarrass another. This is confession time, guys. 3) Try to maintain some small measure of good taste. I will start the ball rolling with two stories - … [Read more...] about Embarrassing Moments in Ministry

A link came across my Facebook page today to a scathing article written by one of the Reformed watchbloggers lambasting Mark Driscoll for a video he did at his "Resurgence" conference this year. So, I watched the 21 minute video. It was typical Driscoll - everything some love and others hate about him. He made a lot of sense and his tone was often cloying at the same time. I will put a link to the video below, so you can watch it if you wish. WARNING: I'm talking about Driscoll just to set up the post today. This is NOT about him and comments that are made about him - pro or con - will be put … [Read more...] about Tribalism and the SBC

If any man on earth deserves the death penalty, it is convicted murderer "Dr." (I put that in parentheses for a reason) Kermit Gosnell. He murdered babies born alive after failed abortions in the most gruesome and heinous way. Critics of the death penalty say that violence begets violence, that state sanctioned killing is no better than the atrocities perpetrated by Dr. Gosnell That is not true according to scripture. Both the OT and the NT approve of the death penalty when administered justly by the government. It can be argued that the death penalty in America is anything but just - … [Read more...] about Dr. Gosnell’s Guilt, the Death Penalty, and Justice

The SBC Annual meeting in Houston seems destined to be one of the less confrontational in recent history. There is no GCR Report to debate, no Traditionalist document recently released to stir up passions, no major kerfuffles, no intense race for office as yet. It looks to be a peaceful time. But looks can be deceiving. I've gone into business meetings thinking there was nothing of significance that could spark a debate and left the meeting an hour later feeling like I'd been hit by a hurricane. When Baptists gather for business meetings there is an unpredictable volatility attached. … [Read more...] about Musings on Houston

I'm leading a Bible study on the OT prophets on Wednesday night. They proclaimed the glory of God and warned Israel and Judah that God would not tolerate their sin, their false prophets with their positive messages, their empty religion, or their unfaithful hearts. Israel ignored the impending doom, and even persecuted the prophets for daring to say that God's judgment would come. Then, one day, the "day of the Lord" came and the chosen nation was laid waste. What the prophets warned had come true. And Israel was wholly unprepared for the aftermath because they never accepted that the … [Read more...] about We Can’t Stop the Crash, But We Can Pick Up the Pieces

I'll be there. Will you? Last year, we gathered and had some good fellowship over beignets. Any interest in another get-together this year? The floor is yours. … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Poll: Who is Going to Houston?

A young couple sat in my office asking me to perform their wedding. As we talked, I realized that this perfectly nice couple was already living together. Each of us handles those situations differently. My concern is that my presence in a public wedding signifies in some way the blessing of God on the union. If a couple is flaunting the will and ways of God and then I confer God's blessings on them, I am at risk of offending God. I shared this conviction with the couple. I would do a private wedding with family and a few friends (based on the "it's better to marry than to burn" verse), but if … [Read more...] about The Fundamental Divergence: The War between Biblical Christianity and Popular Thought

NOTE: Jay Adkins has sent in a postscript to his article, in response to some of the comments. It is attached at the bottom of the post.  Jay Adkins is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Westwego, LA, and a trustee of Louisiana College. He has firsthand insight into the sad events that have taken place there in recent months, and speaks with both courage and conviction. I contacted him and received permission to republish his letter in full. You can read it at his site, here. Here is Jay Adkins' statement in full: A personal statement regarding recent events at Louisiana … [Read more...] about True Courage and Conviction: Jay Adkins’ Statement regarding Louisiana College (Postscript added)

I just finished preaching and I'm heading east. Plan to drive till very late and make my way toward Lynchburg, VA, sometime tomorrow, to visit with the two cutest and most wonderful grandsons anyone ever had. You don't believe me? Take a gander at this photo. You are jealous now, aren't you? Anyway, I'll keep an eye on things here (evidently, they do have the internet now in Virginia), but I'll be even less involved than I have been around here recently. And honestly, folks, just because your kids and grandkids aren't as cute and wonderful as mine doesn't mean they aren't cute … [Read more...] about Pointing My Car East

I have friends who believe that the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC was a work of God that turned a denomination from the path of ruin which other denominations have followed. I have other friends who think the CR was a political shenanigan, a power-grab that had little to do with theology. They do not admit that there was a genuine problem with liberalism and see the CR as a tragedy which has ruined our denomination. I think there is some truth on both sides. I was a foot soldier in the CR. I attended the Houston convention in 1979 and was thrilled when Adrian Rogers was elected … [Read more...] about The Conservative Resurgence: Reflections of a Foot Soldier