Note: This post provides an overview of the SBC Ordination Practices Report. You can download the full report here. “An overseer must be above reproach…” 1 Timothy 3:2 Southern Baptists, we have a problem. Actually, we have multiple problems brought to light by a recent investigation by The Houston Chronicle, which uncovered a horrific litany of sexual abuse among Southern Baptist churches, with more than 700 victims over the past twenty years and more than 250 offenders since 2008. This has led to some difficult, but necessary conversations among Southern Baptists, … [Read more...] about Above Reproach: A Study of the Ordination Practices of SBC Churches (Jason A. Lowe)
The Christian Effectiveness Officer (C.E.O.) (Clayton Pruett)
Over the last few years, a stunning shift has taken place in church culture. Successful, influential, and powerful pastors are being dismissed from their churches. Not for the typical moral failures or money scandals but for unhealthy leadership practices. Why has this become such an issue? Understanding the problem The simplified version is that decades ago as the church began to lose new generations and influence in the culture the church began to adopt a more complex strategy to compete with society. Basically, everything the culture offered people, the church tried to make a … [Read more...] about The Christian Effectiveness Officer (C.E.O.) (Clayton Pruett)
Perspectives from a Seminary Wife: Spiritual Growth, Academics, and Where the Church Falls Short (Rachel Reeves)
When it comes to involvement in ministry, church attendance, and overall biblical knowledge, I would venture to say that I would land with the majority of churchgoers, and many (specifically in the Bible Belt) would likely share numerous experiences with me. I was raised in church. My parents ensured that I attended, they were involved as leaders in a variety of ways, and they taught me to value and hold fast to my faith. They did what any good Bible-believing parent would do: they instilled in me the importance of the Church. They taught me these things, which was new territory for them, … [Read more...] about Perspectives from a Seminary Wife: Spiritual Growth, Academics, and Where the Church Falls Short (Rachel Reeves)
The Church, the Gospel, and the LGBTQ+ Community
Following the special called General Conference of the United Methodist Church, Adam Hamilton, pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, held a discussion with his church about the future of Methodism. In the hour-long video Hamilton argues that the Bible contradicts itself on many issues and that it promotes views of marriage and sexual ethics that conservative Christians in our culture would find deviant, especially polygamy. He also argues that certain passages of the Bible prove harmful to certain people, and we should question such passages in light of modern understandings. When asked if … [Read more...] about The Church, the Gospel, and the LGBTQ+ Community
Addressing Abuse in the SBC: A Proposal (by Keith Whitfield & Malcom Yarnell)
Earlier this week, the Houston Chronicle published three articles – “Abuse of Faith,” “Offend, Then Repeat,” and “Preying on Teens” – concerning some 200 ministers in more than 700 abuse cases occurring in Southern Baptist churches over the past 20 years. These articles properly sparked numerous conversations about how Southern Baptists might respond both as local churches and through our cooperative structures. These conversations increasingly call for both immediate and longer-term responses. Immediate Responses As SBC president J.D. Greear urged, our first immediate response must be grief … [Read more...] about Addressing Abuse in the SBC: A Proposal (by Keith Whitfield & Malcom Yarnell)
The Forgotten Theology of Rights & Revolution (Ken Hamrick)
Was the American Revolution a sinful undertaking? Were the “unalienable rights” written about in the Declaration of Independence not really “endowed by [our] Creator?” It seems to me that the Evangelical church may be forgetting the theological basis upon which our independent nation was established. Triablogue featured a linked video of an interview of John MacArthur by Ben Shapiro, in which Rev. MacArthur denied that Christians ought ever to be involved in revolutions. Shapiro asks, (at 17:04), “…So, early on, you mentioned that you weren’t sure that the American Revolution is in … [Read more...] about The Forgotten Theology of Rights & Revolution (Ken Hamrick)
Ministering to Sex Abusers: What to Do? (Dean Stewart)
If we as Christians believe anything about God it is that He has the power, the ability to transform our lives. Every one of us who have walked with Christ for a period of time can humbly testify that God has changed our lives. The transformation begins suddenly at our new birth and can be drastic at the beginning. We all know people who were instantly, radically changed when they were saved. The difference was stark. However, the sanctification process is not over with that initial change. God does a sanctifying work in our lives. He uses other believers. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron … [Read more...] about Ministering to Sex Abusers: What to Do? (Dean Stewart)
Response to Baptist Press Article (“Much Prayer, Much Power” after Synagogue Massacre) from Dr. Amy Downey
As a member of a Southern Baptist church and a missionary to the Jewish people (further information about me is available in the bio section below) for the last eighteen years, I have several concerns about what was stated in the Baptist Press article, "Much Prayer, Much Power after Synagogue Massacre" as representing the Jewish evangelism movement. I believe it needs to be rectified as it does not represent myself and many others who call themselves Southern Baptists and evangelists to the Jewish people. There are two areas of primary concern in this article that I will focus on in this … [Read more...] about Response to Baptist Press Article (“Much Prayer, Much Power” after Synagogue Massacre) from Dr. Amy Downey
Amando a nuestros vecinos inmigrantes (Howard Harden)
Durante años, la reforma migratoria ha sido un tema candente en los Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, nunca ha habido un momento en que el tema de la inmigración sea más controvertido. Probables votantes en las elecciones de medio término recientemente declararon que la inmigración es su principal preocupación. La reciente controversia con respecto a la detención de niños en la frontera ha agregado leña al fuego. Muchos cristianos están preguntando qué dice la Escritura, si es que lo dice, para guiarnos. Nuestra primera pregunta al examinar cualquier problema siempre debería ser: "¿Qué dice la … [Read more...] about Amando a nuestros vecinos inmigrantes (Howard Harden)
Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors (Howard Harden)
(This is a translation of the Spanish language post published above.) For years, immigration reform has been a hot-button issue in the United States. There has never been a time, however, when the topic of immigration was more controversial. Likely voters in the mid-term elections recently stated that immigration is their top concern. The recent controversy regarding the detainment of children at the border has added fuel to the fire. Many Christians are asking what, if anything, Scripture says to guide us. Our first question when examining any issue should always be, “What does the Bible … [Read more...] about Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors (Howard Harden)