After a month of tumultuous political discussion on my social media feed, I had to ask the question: Where is the power for the church today? Clearly, if this month proves anything, it proves that it does not find its power in politics. We must discard the budding belief that power politics are what it is all about. I’ve been reminded lately that politics and political parties aren’t where Christ-followers look for hope. Instead, I am thankful that we have an all-sovereign, all-powerful King to find hope in times such as these. Romans 1:16 says that “it is the power of God for … [Read more...] about Power of the Gospel (by Darin Smith)
On Trump, Moore, and Southern Baptists (By Jeff Wright)
This weekend I read, perhaps like you, Jonathan Merritt’s piece in The Washington Post titled, “Southern Baptists who marginalize Russell Moore are making a grave mistake.” I take the thesis of the piece to be that Russell Moore (and, by extension, the ERLC he leads) bring a helpful, unique, and needed perspective into Southern Baptist life as well as speaking profitably as representatives of Southern Baptists to the broad culture. To put my cards on the table up front, I agree with that thesis. However, Merritt’s tone in the article came across, at least to me, to be the voice of rebuke … [Read more...] about On Trump, Moore, and Southern Baptists (By Jeff Wright)
Open Letter to the Wearied Pastor (by Dr. Kevin Blackwell)
I purposefully write this article to you on a Monday morning because that is when a wearied pastor needs it the most. Every pastor I know has at one time slouched in his desk chair on Monday morning feeling completely exhausted both mentally and physically. Sometimes you suffer from Monday fatigue because you had a marvelous Sunday which led you to a “good tired”. However, there are other weeks where your fatigue is mostly emotional and spiritual. Maybe for you attendance hasn’t been good lately, tithing is down, deacons meeting didn’t go as you would have preferred, you feel as though you … [Read more...] about Open Letter to the Wearied Pastor (by Dr. Kevin Blackwell)
Prestonwood, The ERLC, and The Cooperative Program (By Jedidiah Coppenger)
5 Prayers For Past, Present, And Future Southern Baptist Conflicts Last week Southern Baptists learned that one of their largest churches, Prestonwood Baptist Church, is going to push pause on Cooperative Program (CP) giving. For those who know the role CP giving plays in SBC life, this announcement is a big deal. CP giving is often a key standard by which leaders and churches are judged. The CP is significant in SBC life because it is the funding mechanism for almost all of its cooperative ministries—a list that includes the largest missionary force in world history, several of the world’s … [Read more...] about Prestonwood, The ERLC, and The Cooperative Program (By Jedidiah Coppenger)
The Shack: A Pastoral Perspective by Joel Rainey
Next Friday, The Shack opens nationwide, prompting full theaters, plenty of box office profits, and apparently, a bunch of ticked off conservative pastors. I get it. I really do. I read the book when it was first released back in 2007. When I finished, I was simultaneously impressed and fearful. I was impressed because it was truly a riveting novel that deals with real life issues of pain that too few churches are willing to honestly address. I was fearful because the "god" portrayed within its pages isn't the one true and living God who has revealed Himself to us in … [Read more...] about The Shack: A Pastoral Perspective by Joel Rainey
5 Reasons to Join a Local Church by Darin Smith
I’ve got a personal relationship with Jesus. I spend daily, personal, and private time with the triune God in prayer, petition, study, worship, confession, etc. So why do I need to join a local church? Here are at least 5 biblical & practical reasons to join a local church. 1. Join a local church for the glory and praise of God. Conspiracy theorists, don’t worry! Local church membership isn’t just the idea of pastors that need money to feed their families. Nor was it the idea of the local Chamber of Commerce either to attract people to their city. The idea of the local church is … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons to Join a Local Church by Darin Smith
Congregational Diversity by Julian Wells
Editor’s Note: Julian is a layman who has taught Sunday School in various Southern Baptist churches for the past 20 years. The article originally appeared at his personal site, Ridgetop Reflections. The words from the pulpit pierced my heart as the pastor challenged us to look around the congregation and notice that the crowd we formed that morning was likely the most “racially homogenous group” we routinely gather with in any given week. While that might have been a bit of an overstatement, the message was clear. It was also very timely, coming just a week before the start of Black … [Read more...] about Congregational Diversity by Julian Wells
Reflections on the SBC Pastor’s Conference by Chris Davis
Editor's Note: The following article was written by Chris Davis. It is his reflections on being asked to preach at the SBC Pastor's Conference and his participation in the colloquium. Chris is the Pastor of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. This was originally posted at his church website. Before the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting each June, many pastors and church leaders gather on Sunday night and all day Monday for the SBC Pastor’s Conference. High-profile authors, speakers, and pastors are brought in to encourage those invested in the life of the … [Read more...] about Reflections on the SBC Pastor’s Conference by Chris Davis
To The Fields! by Julian Wells
Editor's Note: Julian is a layman who has taught Sunday School in various Southern Baptist churches for the past 20 years. The article originally appeared at his personal site, Ridgetop Reflections, as a part of a series of posts. “When he saw the crowds. he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:36-38 NIV) My wife recently purchased a stalk of cotton, … [Read more...] about To The Fields! by Julian Wells
Lessons from the Cotton Field by Julian Wells
Editor's Note: Julian is a layman who has taught Sunday School in various Southern Baptist churches for the past 20 years. The article originally appeared at his personal site, Ridgetop Reflections, as a part of a series of posts. “Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they … [Read more...] about Lessons from the Cotton Field by Julian Wells