The SBC Plodder usually cuts through the fog and does so here. I am reticent about Calvinism-related topics, but this one seemed newsworthy and worthwhile. Thank you, William. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preached a chapel message on October 16th to address what he called a "faulty and jaundiced view of who we [SEBTS] are." SEBTS: What will be our reputation? The message was on the wonderful little book tucked away towards the end of the New Testament, 3 John. Akin said that "in recent days there are those who either ignorantly or maliciously … [Read more...] about Southeastern will be a Calvinist seminary over Danny Akin’s dead body (by William Thornton)
We’ve Been Asking the Wrong Question! (by Ricky Kirk)
Ricky Kirk blogs at Panta ta Ethne. I was listening to Pastor Mark Sparks, youth pastor for Journey Youth Ministries at Tri-State Worship Center last night. He mentioned something that served to be a missing piece of the puzzle I've been working on this last 18 months. In beginning the initial exploration stages of planting a missional community, I have read much about engaging culture, reaching neighbors, and building long-term discipling relationships. Part of that is examining my tendency in relationship building as well as listening to the stories of others. Here's what I have stumbled … [Read more...] about We’ve Been Asking the Wrong Question! (by Ricky Kirk)
Do Hard Things, the Easy Way: Concerns about the Changes at World Changers (by Bryant Laird)
Bryant Laird serves as the Family & Student Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Cayce, SC. He previously worked at the North American Mission Board and was in charge of recruiting, hiring and training Summer Staff for the ministries of World Changers and PowerPlant from 2006-2011. Bryant also served at First Baptist Church Yazoo City, MS as Minister to Students from 2002-2006 and has a history with World Changers that includes time as a participant (1991-1995), Summer Staffer (1996, 1998-2000), Coordinator (2001-2005) and Group Leader (2003, 2005, 2012). Bryant is married to Olivia, … [Read more...] about Do Hard Things, the Easy Way: Concerns about the Changes at World Changers (by Bryant Laird)
Gospel-Driven Leadership Conference (25% Discount) (from Tim Brister)
In three weeks, there is a great training opportunity for church leaders across the Southeast taking place at the PLNTD Nashville Conference. On Nov. 2-3, Ed Stetzer and Trevin Wax will be leading a weekend focused on cultivating gospel-driven leadership in the local church. There is no shortage of leadership books and resources today, and the same is becoming true for gospel-centered theology. However, the connection between gospel-driven theology and church leadership is relatively new, and this conference hopes to forward the conversation by focusing on how the gospel shapes the leader as … [Read more...] about Gospel-Driven Leadership Conference (25% Discount) (from Tim Brister)
Are Pastors Functioning As Protestant Priests? (by Dr. David W. Manner)
Dr. David W. Manner is Director of Worship and Administration at the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter: @dwmanner. Evangelical churches have rejected the old covenant practice of designating priests as a special class of religious hierarchy. And even though Anglican and Episcopal congregations have retained the title, their priests function in a pastoral role as ministers rather than interceders. The belief that someone else must mediate our relationship with God for us or dispense God’s grace to us … [Read more...] about Are Pastors Functioning As Protestant Priests? (by Dr. David W. Manner)
THE MOSS “EPISTLE” vs. THE TREASURE BOX: Equipping Black Christians to Respond to Pro Same-Sex Marriage Pastors (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
In the aftermath of President Obama’s public affirmation of same-sex marriage, a high profile Black pastor not only supported the President’s position, but also gave a robust defense of the government sanctioning of same-sex marriage. Pastor Otis Moss III serves as Senior Pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, formerly pastored by Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Pastor Moss is making a mark and stamp on the social order, contemporary culture and the Black church at large as did his predecessor and his beloved father, Rev. Otis Moss Jr., a retired Baptist pastor and iconic Civil Rights … [Read more...] about THE MOSS “EPISTLE” vs. THE TREASURE BOX: Equipping Black Christians to Respond to Pro Same-Sex Marriage Pastors (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
The Problem with Jason Allen’s Nomination at MBTS is Not Possible Calvinism or Ties to Southern (by Dr. Rodney Hammer)
Dr. Rodney L. Hammer is the Executive Director of Missions for the Blue River - Kansas City Baptist Association and a former IMB missionary. He has submitted this letter to the Trustees and asked that we post it here. Dear Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Trustee, The purpose of my writing is to urge you and the Board of Trustees to seek another candidate/nominee for the next President of Midwestern. I understand from others that Dr. Allen is a fine Christian gentleman, a very sharp and talented brother in the Lord and gifted in many ways. However, he is not qualified to serve … [Read more...] about The Problem with Jason Allen’s Nomination at MBTS is Not Possible Calvinism or Ties to Southern (by Dr. Rodney Hammer)
Are Baptist Colleges and Seminaries Preparing Worship Leaders for A Church That No Longer Exists? (by David Manner)
Dr. David W. Manner is Director of Worship and Administration at the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter: @dwmanner. Worship change is inevitable as congregations consider the fluidity of their surrounding cultures and contexts. It would stand to reason, then, that the leaders who facilitate worship in those ever changing congregations must also learn how to develop, cultivate, and lead change by listening to the voice of their community and congregation. How will those leaders be prepared to … [Read more...] about Are Baptist Colleges and Seminaries Preparing Worship Leaders for A Church That No Longer Exists? (by David Manner)
II Peter 3:18 Four Imperatives of a Forward Looking Faith Part IV (by Joe Blackmon)
Joe Blackmon attends an SBC church in Tennessee. He blogs at Hear God Speak. You can follow him on Twitter @joe_blackmon_72 Scripture tells us that we, who have trusted Christ to save us, are new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17). In fact, Ephesians 2:1 tells us prior to our conversion we were dead. So, not only are we new creatures, we’re new creatures who went from being stone cold dead to being alive. Now, living things have certain characteristics in common. One of those characteristics is growth. Living things grow. My children, a flower, a colony of bacteria, and a puppy dog will all … [Read more...] about II Peter 3:18 Four Imperatives of a Forward Looking Faith Part IV (by Joe Blackmon)
Is 60%+ of each CP dollar enough for state conventions? (by William Thornton)
William Thornton blogs at the SBC Plodder. Our wonderful Cooperative Program has done well in funding the panoply of state and SBC missions, seminaries, and entities over the last 87 years. It is not a perfect stewardship vehicle but is has been and is our main channel for cooperation. SBC life as we know it is unimaginable without it. As it stands now, the state conventions keep, on average, about 62% of each CP dollar for their own use, a figure well within the 60 to 65 percent range that is the historic average. Question: How much of each undesignated Cooperative Program … [Read more...] about Is 60%+ of each CP dollar enough for state conventions? (by William Thornton)