Guest Blogger

William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. Here are the two main choices SBC churches have in regard to the Cooperative Program: Give to it through the regular state convention channel or not give to it. Almost all churches give to the Cooperative Program. In fact, and despite the incessant lamentation over the declining percentages given to the CP, the average church gives 5.5% of its undesignated offerings to the CP. While this may be about half of the percentage of a generation ago, it still is a mammoth common funding plan that generates almost half a billion dollars to our ministries. If we … [Read more...] about Is there a realistic “Third Way” Cooperative Program alternative? (by William Thornton)

Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey).  Nearly six years after a near economic collapse, our nation continues to limp toward what has proven to be, at best, an anemic economic recovery.  Its truly scary out there, and over the past three years, I've watched as the people in the churches I serve have lost their livelihoods, homes, and hope. I've also had a front row seat to the effect of these realities on the churches themselves. Over the past several months, … [Read more...] about Tightening Your Belt With a Purpose: How to Budget During Tough Financial Times (by Joel Rainey)

Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey).  These are exciting days for Maryland Baptists for many reasons, but next week marks one of those reasons as we welcome our larger Southern Baptist family to our state’s largest and most influential city.  We hope you enjoy Baltimore! But several weeks ago, our excitement grew exponentially here in the “free state” when we learned that one of our own—Dr. Dennis Manpoong Kim—would be nominated for SBC President.  Many of … [Read more...] about What Maryland Baptists Would Say about Dr. Dennis Kim (by Joel Rainey)

Adam Blosser is the pastor of Drakes Branch Baptist Church, in Drakes Branch, Virginia, and blogs at One True Joy.  As you have probably heard by now, Glenn Beck preached a Mormon sermon  (on the campus of Liberty University during a recent convocation service.  I wasn't initially going to write about this as I have no desire to appoint myself as the leader of a new one of those dreaded "discernment ministries."  However, I feel it important that this situation receive the same level of attention that other recent "scandals" have received. It should be noted that I do not approach this … [Read more...] about Reflections on Glenn Beck’s “Sermon” at Liberty (by Adam Blosser)

Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift where this post originally appeared.  It has been 5 years since the Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) Task Force was appointed by then-SBC President Johnny Hunt in 2009. The GCR Task Force, chaired by Ronnie Floyd, gave its Report/Recommendations at the SBC Annual Meeting the following year. The Task Force had 22 people on it, including one Asian, one Hispanic, and one African American. Almost all of the participants were from the Deep South. Did this overall lack of ethnic diversity on the Task Force lead to the GCR Report basically ignoring the issue … [Read more...] about Fred Luter, the GCR Task Force, and the Continued Need for Ethnic/Cultural Diversity In SBC Leadership (by Alan Cross)

Guest Post by: Job Dalomba Each week at Emmanuel Church, we observe the Lord’s Supper near the end of our corporate worship service and personally speaking, it is an emotional event. I am reminded of the forgiveness of my sins and reflect upon the specific sins in which I have been convicted of during this worship service. Coming to the table is an act of faith because we are acknowledging our helplessness to atone for our sins. The body and blood of Christ are set before us and there we face works based righteousness or righteousness found only in Christ. Is my righteousness enough for … [Read more...] about Family Faithfulness & The Lord’s Supper (by Job Dalomba)

Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey).  Last month, the Christian music community was shocked to hear of the pending divorce between musicians Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken.  After 13 years of marriage, the couple announce the dissolution of their union due to Derek's infidelity. As a pastor of more than 20 years, my heart breaks every time I hear of a couple splitting up.  I've been in those counseling rooms, and the visceral emotions and long-term damage … [Read more...] about The Kissing Cousins of Divorce and Heresy (by Joel Rainey)

America is at war. As of yesterday, 05-24-14, the number of men and women of the American Armed Forces who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan was 6,805. It is highly possible that before anyone reads this post another father or mother will be notified that their daughter or son will not be coming home. Another young wife or husband may get the news that his or her spouse paid the ultimate price. A little boy may learn that his daddy will never coach him in Little League again. Some little girl may come to the realization that when she gets ready to go to her high school prom, her … [Read more...] about A Memorial Day Tribute (by CB Scott)

Bob blogs at "Eagles Rest", is a good friend and has been around blogging many years.  I just finished reading "When Heaven and Earth Collide ... Racism, Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus". Its author is Alan Cross, a pastor in Montgomery, AL, who happens also to be a personal friend. But before my observations of what I saw in the book, a few notes about the author. I met Alan in 2006 or 2007, as we were involved in some mutual projects involving Bloggers and the SBC. Shortly after, in February 2007, Alan slept on a cot in our hotel room that CB Scott and I had reserved. Alan had … [Read more...] about “When Heaven and Earth Collide”; A Review of a Book and a Pastor (by Bob Cleveland)

Here is the text to our friend Pastor Dwight McKissic's letter expressing his reasons for nominating Dennis Kim as SBC President. Here is a link to an excellent article by Shannon Baker on the nomination. It has a lot of good background information.  WHY PASTOR DENNIS MANPOONG KIM, TH.D, NEEDS TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION by WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. MAY 20, 2014 If God wanted something other than a family, He would have had us to call Him something other than Father. The first recorded words of God’s Son make it crystal clear that the Father’s business … [Read more...] about Dwight McKissic to Nominate Dennis Kim as SBC President