Editor: This is the third installment from this anonymous retired missionary (again, I am aware of the missionary's identity and felt the reasons for anonymity were valid). Part One can be found here. Part two here. David Platt is a godly and unusually gifted man who speaks passionately on behalf of God’s glory among the nations. I thank God for him and we should all be disappointed if he does not continue that ministry. When David realized that he could not pastor a church and be president of the IMB at the same time, he chose the local church over the IMB. David chose to lead one church … [Read more...] about IMB – Too Valuable to Lose, Part 3 (Anonymous IMB Missionary Emeritus)
Serving on the Committee on Nominations (Dean Stewart)
I currently have the privilege of serving on the Committee on Nominations of the Southern Baptist Convention. I have had the responsibility of representing Mississippi Baptists on this committee three times now. This year I had the honor of serving with a layman from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A couple weeks ago I emailed our finished product to the Executive Committee of the SBC. We finished our work ahead of the deadline. Our recommendations await approval of the entire Committee on Nominations which will meet in Nashville in a this week. I would like to share some misconceptions that a … [Read more...] about Serving on the Committee on Nominations (Dean Stewart)
IMB – Too Valuable to Lose, Part 2 (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
This post comes from the same missionary who authored the previous post that was read so widely. NOTE: I am aware of the author's identity and made the decision that his reasons for anonymity were valid. Part One from this missionary can be found here. I wrote anonymously earlier to draw attention away from who is writing to what is written. Do Southern Baptists know or care that the mission effort that inspired the cooperation of our churches is declining? I believe it matters to God that we are letting slip away the most effective way for Southern Baptists to impact the world. My … [Read more...] about IMB – Too Valuable to Lose, Part 2 (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
Why the Middle View is Here to Stay (Ken Hamrick)
Calvinists and Traditionalists have been arguing, with varying degrees of amity and enmity, since the SBC was formed. But between these two (with slight overlap of both) is a less argumentative and more cooperative middle view. Because this middle view has commonalities with both Calvinism and Traditionalism, this group has little problem working with pastors and supporting missionaries from either end of the spectrum. However, this ability to cooperate leaves the middle position "out of sight and out of mind," since we (I count myself among them) usually have little use for "in-house" … [Read more...] about Why the Middle View is Here to Stay (Ken Hamrick)
IMB – Too Valuable to Lose (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
For reasons that seemed valid, this missionary emeritus asked to publish this anonymously. The Baptist Press article about David Platt’s intention to resign as IMB president included a critical piece of information and an uncritical piece of misinformation. The critical information was that we now have 3500 missionaries, and (is anybody awake?) that is shocking. Just 30 months ago we were told our IMB had to make dramatic cuts in personnel from 4900 to a fall-back position of 4200 missionaries and that we would hold there. That was painful enough considering that this new position was … [Read more...] about IMB – Too Valuable to Lose (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
Another Missionary Perspective on Platt and the IMB
For security reasons, this post must remain anonymous. As someone currently serving on the field, I am disappointed to see Platt go. However, I don’t want to see a pendulum swing in response. Platt led us well, and his strategy forced us to reevaluate many of our on the field practices that were in need of some sound criticism. I think the list mentioned above is great, but there are a few things that I would like noted. First, someone that can encourage the Church to creatively think through missiology is needed. The “Limitless” campaign has opened many people’s eyes to the reality … [Read more...] about Another Missionary Perspective on Platt and the IMB
From the Field: A Missionary Reflects on Platt’s Tenure
IMB President David Platt asked the trustees of the IMB to begin searching for his replacement. I could stop there, get some popcorn, and open up the comments section. I never thought I’d outlast the Energizer Bunny. We assumed Elliff’s brief presidency would remain an aberration, and Platt would resume the tradition of long-serving presidents. I realize you’re all waiting with baited (bated?) breath for my opinion. “Please,” you beg, “tell us all about your own personal, field-based perspective so we can assume you speak for everyone. Let the golden words drip from your lips to our … [Read more...] about From the Field: A Missionary Reflects on Platt’s Tenure
Resurgence in Church Discipline (Mark Terry)
When I was a doctoral student at Southwestern Seminary, I took Dr. Leon McBeth’s seminar on the History of American Christianity. During the seminar one of my classmates, Gary Snowden, presented a research paper on the history of church discipline in the SBC. He explained that while church discipline was quite common in the 1800s, in the twentieth century it had declined considerably. Of course, we asked him about the reason for the decline. He said that he could document the decline, but his research did not reveal the reason for it. The students speculated that overuse, improper … [Read more...] about Resurgence in Church Discipline (Mark Terry)
Worship Wars Still Rage (Mark Terry)
Older readers can remember the worship wars that raged thirty years ago. The growing popularity of contemporary Christian music led many churches to change (or try to change) their worship style. They abandoned choirs, organs, and hymnals for praise bands, drum sets, and projected lyrics. Generally, younger people embraced the changes enthusiastically, while old folks complained and resisted. In some churches, the wars over worship led to church splits and/or member defections. I’m old enough to remember the night (more than 50 years ago) when our youth group led the evening service. We used a … [Read more...] about Worship Wars Still Rage (Mark Terry)
Has Your Church Lost its Desperation? (by Dr. Kevin Blackwell)
Dr. Kevin Blackwell is Director of the Ministry Training Institute at Samford University. Bottom line is this: The overwhelming majority of declining churches in North America are ineffective simply because they have lost their sense of desperation for Kingdom impact. Oh sure, every evangelical church (I would hope) will say that they want to see people saved, baptized and discipled. You will not find a minister or lay leader in a church that would say, "we really don't care that the majority of people in our community are lost and will die in that condition." I truly believe that the … [Read more...] about Has Your Church Lost its Desperation? (by Dr. Kevin Blackwell)