Mike Stone has launched a second campaign for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention, and he is focusing on the SBC ‘s handling of sex abuse. On a recent podcast interview, he spoke about one of the SBC’s most painful instances of sex abuse and its mishandling by a Georgia Baptist church, a Georgia Baptist association, the Georgia Baptist Convention, and the Executive Committee of the SBC. Instead of pointing to the failures and bitter lessons learned, Mike took credit for keeping Trinity Baptist Church, Ashburn, Ga, from leaving the SBC and for having an abuser terminated who … [Read more...] about Mike Stone’s Campaign Story—An SBC Case Study Not to Be Repeated (Troy Bush)
On Celebrity Preachers and Plagiarism (Phillip Powers)
There is a reason that previous generations referred to the pulpit as "the sacred desk;" it is, no doubt, the same reason that the prophets of the Old Testament sometimes referred to "the burden of the Lord". The responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God to the people of God is a serious and oftentimes heavy calling, and those who have been entrusted with this task should carry out their service with the utmost theological fidelity and personal integrity. In recent years, this concern has become even more evident in light of the growing awareness of the problem of plagiarism. This problem … [Read more...] about On Celebrity Preachers and Plagiarism (Phillip Powers)
On a Vision for Cooperative Preaching Ministry (Phillip Powers)
A well-known seminary president recently tweeted, "Any consideration of Christian preaching must begin with the realization that preaching is essentially an act of worship—the central act of Christian worship." Putting the possible overstatement aside, the preached word has been a staple of the church's theological, doxological, and ethical life together since its very inception. Even today, in most churches, preaching occupies the primary place of emphasis and importance in the weekly worship gathering. However, more often than not, the priority of preaching in today's churches has to do with … [Read more...] about On a Vision for Cooperative Preaching Ministry (Phillip Powers)
Your Invitation to New Orleans from our Local Association of Churches (Jack Hunter)
New Orleans is bounded on the north by Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary covering 630 square miles connected to the Gulf of Mexico by the Rigolets and Chef Menteur Pass, and supplied with fresh water by many different rivers, tributaries, and bayous. The Lake is good metaphor for the churches of the New Orleans Baptist Association. Our association comprises many different streams, but we are united by one heart, one hope, one identity—our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our Baptist community is equal parts African American and Anglo, and we have a rapidly growing Hispanic constituency … [Read more...] about Your Invitation to New Orleans from our Local Association of Churches (Jack Hunter)
On the Annual Celebration of Christmas and Easter (Phillip Powers)
Rethinking Pastoral Discipline (Jordan Bird)
Matt Chandler returned to the pulpit of The Village Church this Sunday after three months of leave. The leave was to be “disciplinary and developmental,” after Chandler confessed to inappropriate-but-not-romantic conversations with a woman through messaging. Apparently, in the last three months an investigation was done, counsel was sought, and tough conversations were had. I have been greatly encouraged by the ministry of The Village Church and by Matt Chandler’s preaching over the years. We are partners in missions, I’m a well-wisher to them all, and I’m happy to pray that they would … [Read more...] about Rethinking Pastoral Discipline (Jordan Bird)
Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Honoring enslaved and free Black people
Editor’s note: This is the third in a three-part series of articles exploring the monumental contributions slaves and convict laborers made in Georgia Baptist history. This article was first published by The Christian Index and is reposted here by permission of the author. The Georgia Baptist Convention was remarkably biracial before the Civil War, and enslaved members and pastors made a significant contribution to Georgia Baptists. Clarence L. Mohr noted in Masters and Slaves in the House of the Lord that in 1860 there were nearly 30 semi-autonomous Black churches in the GBC. That same … [Read more...] about Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Honoring enslaved and free Black people
Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Lamenting a heritage of racism and slavery
Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series of articles exploring the monumental contributions slaves and convict laborers made in Georgia Baptist history. This article was first published by The Christian Index and is reposted here by permission of the author. Thousands of enslaved Black people were members of Georgia Baptist churches. They supported their churches through active membership, including voluntary gifts, and through the profits taken from their labor. Willis Williams and Lucrecia “Creecy” Daniel were two such enslaved persons and were members of Shiloh Baptist … [Read more...] about Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Lamenting a heritage of racism and slavery
Georgia Baptist bicentennial leads to conversations about slavery, racism, and biblical reconciliation
Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series of articles exploring the monumental contributions slaves and convict laborers made in Georgia Baptist history. This article was first published by The Christian Index and is reposted here by permission of the author. Jesse Mercer, one of the most influential founders of the Georgia Baptist Convention, cared for the men and women he enslaved. Charles D. Mallary, also a slaveholder, was Mercer’s friend and an influential Georgia Baptist leader. In Memoirs of Elder Jesse Mercer, Mallary said Mercer’s example as a “master … deserves to be … [Read more...] about Georgia Baptist bicentennial leads to conversations about slavery, racism, and biblical reconciliation
On Unrealistic Expectations in Ministry (Phillip Powers)
It is no secret that the last few years have been extremely difficult for churches and even more so for pastors. Of course, pastoral ministry is commonly fraught with its own set of unique stresses, but those stresses have grown exponentially over the past few years due to the chaos and turmoil that has so regularly characterized our society. This has led to unprecedented numbers of pastors leaving the ministry, a trend some are now calling the "Great Resignation". The Barna Group has recently reported that some 42% of pastors have given real, serious consideration to quitting being in … [Read more...] about On Unrealistic Expectations in Ministry (Phillip Powers)