Guest Blogger

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)

"Bill Mac" is a frequent commenter here. I asked my men’s bible study group the following question: “What is the greatest danger ISIS poses to Christians?” As you might expect, I received answers about possible attacks, forced conversions, the spread of Islam, the persecution of Christians, etc. They pointed out the systematic destruction of Christians, their churches, and their artifacts in the Middle East. I reminded them that in our long history, Christianity has only been strengthened by persecution. I asked them to think deeper. I wanted them to think, specifically, about what danger … [Read more...] about The Greatest Danger from ISIS (by Bill MacKinnon)

I asked Dean to respond earlier, and he did - here it is. Dean Stewart pastors Vaiden Baptist Church and blogs at pastordeanstewart.com.   Earlier Dave Miller wrote a post that as a minister your family cannot always come first.  My feathers were not ruffled by Dave’s post and I agree with most of what he says. I disagree with his thesis, “If family is always going to come first, then you should pick another line of work. If you insist on always putting FAMILY FIRST you cannot be an effective servant of God! Pastoral ministry is NOT for you.” My disagreement is twofold with Dave. First of … [Read more...] about When the Ministry Hits the Fan, Your Family Better Come First (Dean Stewart)

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. Western Christianity never looks more lavish, or less like Jesus, than when its leaders are embroiled in scandal.  This past weeks events proved no different, as Creflo Dollar, an Atlanta area pastor and "Word of Faith" teacher made waves across the internet by asking his congregation to provide funds for a new private jet--at the bargain price of $65 … [Read more...] about Creflo, Character, and the Ripple Effect of a Heterodox Life (Joel Rainey)