Guest Blogger

Adam Blosser is the pastor of Drakes Branch Baptist Church and blogs at One True Joy, where this article first appeared.  Church discipline has made its way into the news recently as a result of a situation at The Village Church in Dallas, Texas.  I first became aware of the situation there as a result of some watchdog blogs picking up the story.  It began to spread like wildfire on social media.  Then Sunday I opened up my computer to discover that the front page of Yahoo had picked up the story.  I was grieved as I read the way the Bible's teaching on church discipline was misrepresented to … [Read more...] about Let’s Recover BIBLICAL (i.e. Congregational) Church Discipline (by Adam Blosser)

This was originally published at "The Bridge" - Paul's blog. It is the allegorical ancient town of Vanity Fair that John Bunyan describes an atmosphere where  “jugglings, cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, rogues, and that of all sorts,” were happening all day and all night.  As well as, “thefts, murders, adulteries, false-swearers, and that of a blood-red color.” Is there any connection that a pop-culture magazine, where merchandise is bought and sold “as houses, lands, trades, places, honors, preferments, titles, countries, kingdoms, lusts, pleasures, and delights of all sorts, as … [Read more...] about Living in John Bunyan’s “Vanity Fair” (Paul Thompson)

Tony Jones is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rich Hill, MO. Editor's note: Rich Hill is on the southern end of the same county of my church (northern end). Rich Hill’s population is 95% white, and Bates County clocks in around 96% white. (Mike Bergman) I am, at this moment, sitting in the main lobby of Children’s Mercy Medical Center in downtown Kansas City.  I live in Rich Hill, Missouri, a town of approximately 1500 residents which, until approximately 35 years ago had a sign that warned black people not to be caught in town after dark. I hope the title of this post shocked … [Read more...] about Help, I Still Live in White America (by Tony Jones)

I was delighted to see William Thornton's post about Baptist Global Response on SBC Voices  -- and the many positive comments that were made. I wanted to offer a word from BGR and open a line of communication for those who want to know more. Our mission statement says Baptist Global Response "connects people in need with people who care." The “people in need” are communities overseas suffering from acute problems such as disasters, wars, epidemics, etc., as well as chronic problems including poverty, hunger, poor health, etc. BGR is unapologetically Christian and Southern Baptist. We are … [Read more...] about A Word from Baptist Global Response

Joel Rainey leads the Engagement Team for Evangelism and Missions at the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. He is on the adjunct faculty of two seminaries, and the author of three books. He blogs at Themelios, where this was originally posted. Hopefully, it will surprise no one reading these words to discover that I'm a Baptist.  I was brought to a Baptist church for the first time when I was just a few days old.  I heard the message of Jesus, and became one of His followers in a Baptist church.  I was licensed and duly ordained as a Baptist minister, I'm a two-time graduate of a Baptist seminary, … [Read more...] about Is “Tribalism” a Threat to Your Church? (Joel Rainey)

Joel Rainey leads the Engagement Team for Evangelism and Missions at the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. He is on the adjunct faculty of two seminaries, and the author of three books. He blogs at Themelios, where this was originally posted. Human beings are, at one and the same time, created in God's image and likeness, and separated from God because of their sin.  And the more human beings you have located in the same place, the more obvious those two realities become. Living within the shadow of Baltimore Maryland for over a decade, I can recall many moments when that great city has … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Love Baltimore (by Joel Rainey)

We strain the eyes to behold the things we cherish. This is why eye contact with a loved one is important. When I participate in wedding ceremonies my favorite thing to do while the bride is walking in is to get a good look and the groom... that man's eyes are always fixed on his bride while she's entering and walking toward him. Who do Christians behold? Who does your church behold? I'm in the seventh week of a bible study with several folks in my church called "Behold Your God". My take-away from last night’s discussion and last week’s bible study has me considering what this church … [Read more...] about Behold (by Paul Thompson)

A REPLY TO DR. DELMAN COATES FROM PASTOR DWIGHT MCKISSIC, CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERNED PASTORS APRIL 15, 2015   Dr. Coates, grace and peace to you in the Name of our Great King, Jesus Christ. Thanks for your thoughtful and thorough response to the National Baptist Concerned Pastors Press Release regarding three pro-gay marriage speakers who recently appeared on the campus of American Baptist College, Nashville, TN. The tenor and tone of your response posted at “Many Voices:  Black Church Movement for Gay and Transgender Justice” seeks to communicate … [Read more...] about A Reply to Dr. Delman Coates (William Dwight McKissic, Sr.)

An Open Letter Response to American Baptist College President Dr. Forrest Harris And Colgate Rochester Crozer President Dr. Marvin A. McMickle By Rev. Dr. John H. Grant, D. Min., Pastor Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Asheville, NC March 27, 2015   I am affiliated with the National Baptist Fellowship of Concerned Pastors and endorsed a recent letter objecting to same-sex marriage advocates Bishop Yvette Flunder, Dr. Delmen Coates and Dr. Allan Boesak being invited to preach at our American Baptist College in Nashville. If we concerned pastors are guilty of “idolatry of … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Dr. Forrest Harris and Dr. Marvin McMickle (Dr. John H. Grant)