Guest Blogger

Like many of you, earlier in the week, I heard about another seemingly racially motivated attack on a young man in Georgia.  And to my shame, I did not investigate it because I was caught in my own world, doing what I thought was important.  Not long after hearing about this, I started seeing the video being posted on various social media platforms, and I felt that maybe I needed to watch it.  So I did.  It shook me to my core. Ahmaud Arbery was simply jogging, and since he "matched a description" of someone in connection to some alleged neighborhood burglaries was targeted by two white men … [Read more...] about How Long O Lord? (Adam Wyatt)

Today, I am writing two letters. The first is to our county Sheriff, thanking him and his deputies for stellar service during our Easter “drive-in” services yesterday.  Since we held our last “in-person” worship service on March 15, our church had gone almost completely online—live corporate worship at 5 online channels, small groups meeting via Zoom, and social distancing and other protective measures instituted for any on-campus ministry (food distribution and a coming “lunch to go” for the unemployed) necessary for meeting the needs of our community and region—all under the advice of … [Read more...] about Safety and Liberty are Not Mutually Exclusive (Joel Rainey)

On this Silent Saturday, I read the last two chapters in my journey through the New Testament reading plan that I’ve been going through with two close friends. It was fitting, that it was the last two chapters of Matthew—his version of the crucifixion and resurrection. Of course, I don’t think that was a coincidence, even though technically I should have been done a week ago. This quarantine has thrown everything off, but I don’t think that was one of the things. What occurred (or rather, didn’t occur) out of distraction, preoccupation, and suddenly becoming an elementary teacher again, God … [Read more...] about Silent Saturday (Etta Waller Linton)

I recently engaged an old friend on several questions related to how the Coronavirus has changed the way our church (Memorial Baptist Church, New Castle, Indiana) is currently doing ministry. This informal Q&A amongst friends helped me process what I am learning as I lead our church through some valleys. What I Have Learned. 1. The Officers of the Church Have Had to Take More Responsibility, Not Less. That’s right. Instead of things getting easier on lockdown things have gotten harder. Our church is a conservative Reformed Southern Baptist Church. We have Elders who provide oversight … [Read more...] about The Coronavirus Learning Curve (Tobby E. Smith)

Like many of us, I have been watching closely the coronavirus.  Further, I have seen all the memes and social media posts stating that this is something that China has engineered to take America out or something Democrats have cooked up to undermine Trump’s presidency.  We have been told this is simply the flu by Facebook experts and have been reminded that only the “old and vulnerable” are the ones that are going to be threatened with death.  As a pastor, I have sat back all week watching schools close, events cancel, and even NCAA sports cancelled. Further, many states are calling for … [Read more...] about Coronavirus and the Art of Judgment (Adam Wyatt)

Much has been said regarding Resolution 9, Critical Race Theory, and Intersectionality (CRT/I) since Birmingham. Some are in agreement and some are in disagreement, but from my interactions with others actually aware of the debate, most are indifferent and confused. This is something I understand because I’m just as confused about all the nuances of CRT/I as the next guy. So upfront, the argument of this piece is not to air my opinions of CRT/I because I’m far from an expert on the matter (I’ll make my appeal in a moment). I’ve read as much of the dialogue regarding these issues as my brain … [Read more...] about Resolution 9, CRT/I, and an Appeal to Trust (Kris Sinclair)

(This chapel message was preached by Dr. Yarnell after the passing of distinguished SWBTS professor Dr. Garrett.)  Our key texts today are found in Matthew 5 and 11. Among the first beatitudes of his inaugural sermon, Jesus said, “Blessed are the gentle [hoi praeis], for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Later, after praying to the Father who gave him all things, Jesus invited the disciples, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle [praüs eimi] and humble in heart, and you will find rest … [Read more...] about “Blessed Are the Gentle” (Chapel Tribute for James Leo Garrett Jr.) – Dr. Malcolm Yarnell

Controversy is not new to Baptist life.  More than sixty years ago many promised fireworks at the annual meeting if their issues were not addressed, others predicted a convention divided, and everyone was grumbling about supposed problems with professors.  I’m not talking about our most recent controversy though.  Those issues and more were at stake in the early 1960s.  In 1961 doctrinal controversy was set off by the release of the book “Message in Genesis” by Ralph Elliot.  The release of the book merely brought to the surface tensions which had long been simmering.  There was a concern … [Read more...] about A Statement For all Baptists (Luke Holmes)