Although I disagree with the Darren Wilson verdict as I understand the facts of this case, I am committed to the notion that a jury verdict must be respected and responded to with civility and restraint, even when there is vehement disagreement. Therefore, I deplore and decry the rioting, looting, violence, burning, anarchy, and acts of disrespect, rebellion, and violence exhibited toward police and civil authorities in Ferguson, and elsewhere. I am absolutely convinced that Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin would both be alive if the persons that killed them had not profiled them. Darren … [Read more...] about Keeping the Faith in Spite of Ferguson (by William Dwight McKissic, Sr)
What’s In a Name? (by Louis)
Louis has been a regular and respected commenter at this site. November is the month that our church celebrates “Missions Month.” It is a great time of emphasis on international, domestic and local missions work. We highlight the work of the International Missions Board, other mission agencies, and local work. We hear testimonies from missionaries and people who work with other Christian organizations. At the end of the month we take up an offering, which we use for funding missions activities during the year. I believe strongly that the Church is to fulfill the commission that Jesus … [Read more...] about What’s In a Name? (by Louis)
A personal mission for David Platt in regard to young, male, sniveling wimp SBCers (William Thornton)
This is the SBC Plodder at his curmudgeonly best! (He used that term, I just stole it!) It has been almost two full years since I put up a post about how our International Mission Board's Journeyman program, the two to three year overseas program for single college graduates aged 21-26 is completely dominated by females. My humble 2012 post: Young, male, restless conservative SBC seminarians: SNIVELING WIMPS The irreverent phrase that not-so-gently stepped on the little twinkies of our young, single, male seminarians was, "SNIVELING WIMPS." How impolite, and impolitic of Plodder to call … [Read more...] about A personal mission for David Platt in regard to young, male, sniveling wimp SBCers (William Thornton)
Concerning the Galilee Griggs Memorial District Association of Baptist (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
WHY THE GALILEE GRIGGS MEMORIAL DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF BAPTIST CHURCHES EXISTS By William Dwight McKissic, Sr. Servant/Moderator of the GGMDABC And Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church, Arlington, TX Impacting the Next Generation for the Kingdom Psalm 145:4 I. INTRODUCTION AND TESTIMONIAL Jesus established the church in order for the church to represent His Kingdom on planet earth. The church’s primary role is to be ambassadors of Christ’s Kingdom. Although the church and the Kingdom are not synonymous, they are interrelated and interdependent. The theme of Jesus’ preaching was … [Read more...] about Concerning the Galilee Griggs Memorial District Association of Baptist (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
Is NAMB planting vast numbers of Calvinistic churches…. (by William Thornton)
William is the SBC Plodder. ...and, if this is true, should Southern Baptists be concerned? There has been and is this narrative afoot in our Convention: Calvinists are too numerous, have become too powerful, occupy too many leadership positions, occupy too many pulpits, exercise too much influence, and steps should be taken to slow or stop this Calvinist train. This is a Gospel Narrative to some in our convention and it colors how this group sees our entities and decisions by our trustees. For example, our North American Mission Board has this nascent church planting program called … [Read more...] about Is NAMB planting vast numbers of Calvinistic churches…. (by William Thornton)
No One Prepared Me for the Loneliness (by Tony Jones)
This post is authored by Tony Jones. Tony is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rich Hill, MO. He blogs at http://thespiritualwoodshed.com/. When I was a music minister, it seemed I was always surrounded by people. There was always someone there, in part, because music ministers are always part of a staff of ministers and there really is always someone else there. I enjoy the presence of others, and I always enjoyed spending my days amongst other people. When my office was located in the back of the church, I would hear the front door open and I would walk to the front office to see … [Read more...] about No One Prepared Me for the Loneliness (by Tony Jones)
Sorry, but that MDiv is not a paying investment (William Thornton)
The SBC Plodder is back with his customary incisive analysis of all things SBC. LifeWay and Baptist Press do a good job this time of the year in researching and writing about clergy salaries. BP's story about pastor salaries not keeping pace with inflation is a good example. According to LifeWay's 2014 Clergy Compensation Survey, pay and pay package increases for full-time senior pastors are going up at a rate less than the rate of inflation. This means that, as a group, senior pastors are slightly losing ground in their income considering the cost of goods of services. Any senior pastor … [Read more...] about Sorry, but that MDiv is not a paying investment (William Thornton)
“Your Comment Contains Profanity” (Paul Thompson)
Paul Thompson blogs at the Bridge. Unfortunately, evidently he also needs his mouth washed out with soap! The childhood fear of having my mouth washed out with soap haunted me this evening as I was responding to some push back from mycolumn this morning in the Times-News. I’m thankful for the opportunity to write a regular column for the Times News. They are kind to publish my 500-700 word column in a rotation with 5 others in the Magic Valley. Today’s post generated a small amount of discussion via www.magicvalley.com (the online version of the Times-News). In my attempt to dialog with … [Read more...] about “Your Comment Contains Profanity” (Paul Thompson)
When Those Who Preach Don’t Know God (Paul Thompson)
Paul Thompson blogs at "The Bridge." Today (October9, 2014) at 5 p.m., mountain time, we will know what the courts will say in regard to Idaho’s defense of marriage. In the mean time I’ve received messages like this in response to my calling the church (Eastside Baptist) to prayer. “OK, well in my place of worship my pastor fully supports gay rights. I’m a bisexual Christian I married a man when I was 19 and that man cheated on me and divorced me and with man or woman I’m happy and God is happy to call me his child and is proud that I spread love throughout the state.. So keep your rude … [Read more...] about When Those Who Preach Don’t Know God (Paul Thompson)
Designated giving UP; Cooperative Program giving DOWN for 2013-2014 (William Thornton)
William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. The SBC Executive Committee has closed the books on the fiscal year 2013-2014 and Baptist Press reports that "The Southern Baptist Convention ended its fiscal year 0.76% below last year's contributions and missed its Cooperative Program allocation budgeted projection of $191.5 million by 2.58%..." Here are the relevant figures as compared to the last fiscal year. These are for monies received by the SBC Executive Committee for distribution to the SBC entities IMB, NAMB, the seminaries, ERLC, and EC itself. The figures, in millions of dollars, do not … [Read more...] about Designated giving UP; Cooperative Program giving DOWN for 2013-2014 (William Thornton)