REFLECTIONS AND RUMINATIONS ON THE SBC AND HER FUTURE BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. PART I Revisiting the IMB Tongues Policies: A Response to a Reasonable and Respectful Request The SBC is a branch of the Kingdom of God that He has used mightily in days past and gone, and is still using, to advance His Kingdom and to bring Him glory. It is quite apparent though, to anyone remotely observing, that the SBC light is not shining quite as bright as it once did. If the SBC is to return to her former glory and surpass it, there must be some major shifts and adjustments made, and commitments to … [Read more...] about Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Her Future: Part 1 – IMB Tongues Policy (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? PART TWO (by CB Scott)
It is Saturday morning. You are sitting on the back deck of your home. You are drinking coffee, strong and black. You normally drink a lot of coffee because you like it. However, you have been drinking much more of it for the last three days. One reason is because you are not very hungry so you are drinking coffee just so you will not be sitting at the table with your family staring off into another world as they try to eat their meals. However, you have noticed that your wife and teenage children are not eating much either. In addition, the normal table talk that takes place during meal times … [Read more...] about WHAT WOULD YOU DO? PART TWO (by CB Scott)
“HIS MOUTH IS MOST SWEET” Song of Solomon 5:16 (by Randall Cofield)
“His mouth is most sweet….” Who may measure the sweetness which flows from the mouth of our dear Savior?! What a boundless metaphor of the beauty and distinguishing character of Him who is Altogether Lovely! He opens His mouth and endless rivers of salvation, comfort, and assurance pour forth in resplendent beauty. He but speaks and the winds and waves of this life’s trials obey His omnipotent voice. He whispers sweet words of peace and our troubled souls are afforded refuge in the midst of storms. Indeed, the words of his mouth are most sweet! Consider the posit of ancient Job, who … [Read more...] about “HIS MOUTH IS MOST SWEET” Song of Solomon 5:16 (by Randall Cofield)
Worship Leaders – Get a Real Job! (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. Now that I have your undivided attention, I do believe that full-time worship ministry is indeed a worthy calling and vocation that requires preparation, education and skills. And yes, it is a real job. But what if opportunities were no longer available for you to lead worship vocationally? What if you needed to voluntarily or were asked involuntarily to step aside from full-time worship … [Read more...] about Worship Leaders – Get a Real Job! (by Dr. David Manner)
What Would You Do? (by CB Scott)
You work every day of your life with families as a minister. Ministry is your calling. Your entire livelihood or an important portion of your livelihood comes to you from a local church. You love God, your spouse, your children, and the flock to which God has assigned you as a shepherd. You take your ministry seriously. You have made a private and public commitment to be a minister in accord with the biblical exhortations of 1Peter 5:1-4. You hunger and thirst after righteousness and seek to lead the membership of the local church you serve to do the same. Thus far, God has blessed your … [Read more...] about What Would You Do? (by CB Scott)
SBC In Real Statistical Decline Now. What’s Next (by Alan Cross)
This was originally posted at Alan's site, Downshore Drift. SBC In Free Fall? How Far Will the Decline Go and Why Aren't We Talking About This? 5.5% decline in baptisms from 2011 to 2012 making this the worst year for baptisms since 1948. We now require 50 members of SBC churches to see 1 baptism per year. There are 105,000 less members than the year before. 188,000 less in worship attendance. We now have less than 16 million members and less than 6 million in worship. We have all known that the 16 million number is false and has been for some time. It might legitimately be half that. … [Read more...] about SBC In Real Statistical Decline Now. What’s Next (by Alan Cross)
What I Hope the SBC in Houston Does NOT Do: Part 2 – Bash the Boy Scouts (by Louis)
Louis, a frequent commenter on this and other blogs has given us part 2 in his series, "Two Thing I Hope Do Not Happen at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Houston, 2013." Here is a link to Part 1, about Guidestone's decision to sell products beyond previous boundaries. The second matter that I am concerned about is how the SBC responds to the Boy Scouts. I am sure that several resolutions may be floating around already. I have not read them. Who knows what may be presented on the floor of the Convention. It is no surprise to anyone that the Boy Scouts made a … [Read more...] about What I Hope the SBC in Houston Does NOT Do: Part 2 – Bash the Boy Scouts (by Louis)
What do I do with my suffering? (By Andy Hynes)
Part I of II “It is the disposition of God’s children, after they have tasted the sweet mercy and comfort and love of God, to break forth into the praising of God and to thanksgiving.” ---Richard Sibbes (Exposition of 2 Cor. Chapter 1) Sibbes’ exposition on this passage may be second to none! He describes the mercy, comfort, and love experienced from God to the individual during the time of suffering. Notice the resulting actions by the individual, “praising of God and thanksgiving.” What a sweet idea for us as God’s children to gather in the midst of our trying times. There has been … [Read more...] about What do I do with my suffering? (By Andy Hynes)
TWO THINGS I HOPE DO NOT HAPPEN AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION IN HOUSTON, 2013 (by Louis)
Louis has been a part of the blogging community for a long time. This is Part 1. Part 2 will come later. I plan to attend the annual meeting of the SBC in Houston, Texas next week. I am looking forward to the meeting. I enjoy the reports from the SBC entities. I enjoy hearing about our cooperative efforts to share the Gospel and disciple believers around the world. I also enjoy the fellowship that I have with many people in the SBC. I know people in the SBC from all over the country. The annual meeting brings us all together for fellowship and business. There are two things … [Read more...] about TWO THINGS I HOPE DO NOT HAPPEN AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION IN HOUSTON, 2013 (by Louis)
Resolution: On the Mormon Church – Mormonism is Not Evangelical (by Dwight McKissic and Tim Rogers)
The following resolution will be offered by Pastors Dwight McKissic and Tim Rogers in Houston. It certainly has my support, for what it's worth. WHEREAS, Historically, Southern Baptists have embraced Christian brotherhood and cooperation with other evangelicals and WHEREAS, We have witnessed in recent years the portrayal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as Christian and termed an evangelical group and WHEREAS, We have witnessed in recent years an increased call of denominations as barriers to be overcome on the road to unity and WHEREAS, our convention along … [Read more...] about Resolution: On the Mormon Church – Mormonism is Not Evangelical (by Dwight McKissic and Tim Rogers)