SBC Voices published a post in early September authored by Bart Barber entitled, “The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Narrative New Testament Passages.” In the comment section of Barber’s post he addressed the following remark to yours truly: Dwight, I appreciate the thoughtful work that you’ve put toward an exegesis of 1 Corinthians 12-14 from your theological vantage-point. If you would like to offer your understanding of the narrative passages in Acts, to refute the points that I have tried to make, then I would be interested in reading … [Read more...] about A RESPONSE TO BART BARBER’S QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RELATIONSHIP OF TONGUES IN ACTS AND I CORINTHIANS 12-14 BY WM. DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR.
How NOT to Leave a Church (by Jeremy Vanatta)
Jeremy Vanatta is the pastor and an elder of Southside Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN. He holds a PhD in New Testament from Mid-America BTS. He blogs at The Threshing Floor, where this article originally appeared. Here’s an article that I’ve been wanting to write for years, but there’s never seemed to be a good time to do so because I always felt like someone who has left the church recently might think I’m talking about them. But I’ve come to realize that I’ll never be able to write this article if I continue to worry like this because there’s always people coming to and leaving the … [Read more...] about How NOT to Leave a Church (by Jeremy Vanatta)
When “Friendly Fire” Isn’t so Friendly (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). This post was originally published at his site. Nearly two decades ago, Pastor Trey Rhodes was sitting in a meeting of other pastors who were considering the sponsorship of a new church. The local Baptist Association had called this meeting to discuss "concerns" that several of the pastors had relative to this new church proposal. Church planting wasn't nearly as "cool" back then as it is now, and in fact was held in … [Read more...] about When “Friendly Fire” Isn’t so Friendly (by Joel Rainey)
Just 4% of SBC Churches Give 50% of All Cooperative Program Gifts (by William Thornton)
William remains the SBC Plodder, when he is not out fishing. SBC Life has some interesting Cooperative Program statistics in the current issue. Under a short piece entitled, "Interesting (and Important) Facts about the CP?" one finds this: 2,025 churches reported giving a combined amount that equals 50 percent of all Cooperative Program gifts given through the state Baptist conventions — more than 240 million dollars ($240,704,503).*Among churches that gave this amount are: 89—churches with more than 2,000 in worship attendance 56—churches with 1,501 to 2,000 in worship … [Read more...] about Just 4% of SBC Churches Give 50% of All Cooperative Program Gifts (by William Thornton)
Mental Illness and the Church: Where do We Go From Here? (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). This post was originally published at his site. On Monday night, my wife and I watched the heartbreaking interview with Rick and Kay Warren in which, for the first time, they shared with the public their experiences surrounding the April suicide of their 27 year old son Matthew. Due to the circumstances surrounding Matthew's death, the interview spanned a number of issues: including parenting, gun control, and the … [Read more...] about Mental Illness and the Church: Where do We Go From Here? (by Joel Rainey)
A List of Resources on Holistic Development and Working With the Poor Around the World (by Alan Cross)
Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift, where this was originally posted. Since the 1990's I have had a real interest in working with and ministering to the poor as an expression of worship to God and love for people. Verses like James 1:27 (Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world), Isaiah 1:17 (Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow), Isaiah 58, Matthew 25:31-46, and Luke 4:18-19 (The Spirit of the Lord is on me, … [Read more...] about A List of Resources on Holistic Development and Working With the Poor Around the World (by Alan Cross)
Pastor, Put Down the Multi-level Sales Scheme and Step Away from It! (By William Thornton)
William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. You're a Southern Baptist pastor, that's as high up as you are ever going to get, and you are paid less than the average $60k salary for SBC senior pastors. You look at your future with a clear eye and understand that upward pastoral mobility is limited and substantial salary inreases will probably not be coming. You recognize that the salary difference between a senior SBC pastor with ten years experience and 30+ years is not much, on average. So, understanding that you need to provide for your own retirement, educate your own kids, and have a house … [Read more...] about Pastor, Put Down the Multi-level Sales Scheme and Step Away from It! (By William Thornton)
Pulpit Bully (by Dr. David Manner)
Dr. David W. Manner is the Associate Executive Director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter: @dwmanner. The 26th United States President, Theodore Roosevelt coined the term “bully pulpit.” His observation was that his position of influence as president gave him a unique platform from which to persuade, exhort, instruct and inspire. Roosevelt famously used the word bully as an adjective meaning “great, superb, excellent or wonderful.” Pastors have been given a similar position of influence … [Read more...] about Pulpit Bully (by Dr. David Manner)
God Sets the Lonely in Families – A Real-life, Right Now Need (by Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey, a frequent guest at this site, has shared a need that we would like to make public. If God lays this on your heart as a burden, contact Joel at joelrainey@wecare.org. Please join us in praying about this situation. “Father of the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families….” -Psalm 68:5-6 NIV For more than a decade, my wife and I have maintained a prayerful awareness of the global orphan crisis. We've had several opportunities to contribute to the solution by helping families bring their children home, orphan awareness and … [Read more...] about God Sets the Lonely in Families – A Real-life, Right Now Need (by Joel Rainey)
Stop Using Facebook To Send A Message to People That You Won’t Confront Directly and Privately! (by Alan Cross)
Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift. Christians who use Facebook to complain about people instead of confronting according to Matthew 18:15-35 are in error. Passive-aggresiveness is their forte. I see it all the time. Veiled complaints and accusations against people. General complaints about the church and being hurt and people treating you wrong and sinning against you. Yet, you do not speak directly to the people who hurt you. You just lash out at everyone and throw a blanket of blame, victimhood, and condemnation among everyone who scrolls down their newsfeed. We might pray for you or we … [Read more...] about Stop Using Facebook To Send A Message to People That You Won’t Confront Directly and Privately! (by Alan Cross)