Paul Thompson blogs at "The Bridge" and was a close second in our 2012 "Blue Collar Blog Madness" blogging tournament. A common thing I hear when I'm in the circles of Baptists is a lot of talk about what we think. (Maybe this is true of others, but it is true of too many Baptists.) I'm guilty of this very thing I'm writing of tonight. I have been pondering the need for church planting in the Magic Valley, Idaho and beyond. I've been reading about church planting and various articles on the subject from mission agencies. I'm not sure what to think on some things related to affinity church … [Read more...] about Preach to All Men, Everywhere (by Paul Thompson)
Six ways NAMB can help your church in evangelism (By Larry Wynn)
Larry Wynn is vice president of evangelism at the North American Mission Board. There’s really no better sign of a church’s spiritual health than the evangelistic activity of its people. It always excites me to see Southern Baptists embrace their calling to make Christ known. We’re fast approaching a season of intense, concentrated engagement in reaching communities for Christ. Crossover 2012 in New Orleans will provide citywide evangelism efforts as Southern Baptists engage in outreach leading up to the Annual Meeting in The Crescent City. As summer moves in, SBC churches across … [Read more...] about Six ways NAMB can help your church in evangelism (By Larry Wynn)
Will state conventions be helped by undermining the Cooperative Program? (by William Thornton)
Editor: I also receive the resolution from Joe McGee that William references, and had thought to respond. William did it first and did it better! I appreciate his perspective. You can (and should) read William at SBC Plodder. The Consolation Baptist Association here in Georgia has passed a resolution suggesting that churches cut their Cooperative Program giving by 25-35 percent and designate this to "state missions" or, as explained to me, to their state convention. I learned of the resolution from a comment left on SBC Voices, asked for and received a copy of it, and have had a couple … [Read more...] about Will state conventions be helped by undermining the Cooperative Program? (by William Thornton)
State Conventions Deal with NAMB Changes: A State Executive’s Analysis (by Thomas Law)
Tom Law is the interim executive director of the Baptist Convention of Iowa. He was brought in after our previous executive retired and is trying to help us restructure and refocus our ministries here in Iowa. He is, to say the least, an expert in how NAMB policies are affecting state conventions. On March 19, 2012, Kevin Ezell wrote an article titled “CHURCHES, NOT INFRASTRUCTURE, BEST WAY TO REACH NEW AREAS”. This was his attempt to outline the strategy which the North American Mission Board (NAMB) was implementing with regards to the State Conventions that relate to the Southern Baptist … [Read more...] about State Conventions Deal with NAMB Changes: A State Executive’s Analysis (by Thomas Law)
The evolution of the church’s focus (by Chris Roberts)
Chris Roberts blogs at "Seek the Holy" and is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Panama City, Fl. Or: how we get from the glory of God to the gratifying of man. One thought frequently burdens me as I seek to pastor faithfully and raise my children biblically: how is it that we have seen a generation of young people who have been raised in solid, conservative Christian churches either plug into ministries and methods that take a decidedly postmodern, pragmatic turn or abandon the church outright? How is it that 21st century young people, and often their parents, have pursued the … [Read more...] about The evolution of the church’s focus (by Chris Roberts)
A KINGDOM VIEW OF RACE AND MARRIAGE By Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.
A KINGDOM VIEW OF RACE AND MARRIAGE What Mitt Romney and President Obama Believe Matthew 19:4, Acts 17:26a By Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr. A Message to be delivered at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, Arlington, Texas, May 20, 2012 “And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,” (Matthew 19:4) “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth,” (Acts 17:26a) God’s universe centers around His Kingdom. At the heart of His Kingdom is His Dear Son. His Kingdom is an everlasting … [Read more...] about A KINGDOM VIEW OF RACE AND MARRIAGE By Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.
NAMB trustees adopt church planting network guidelines (by William Thornton)
The SBC Plodder cuts through the chatter and gets to the heart of things! Our North American Mission Board has endured considerable criticism for supporting church plants that also have a relationship with some church planting network. We are regularly treated to considerable, breathless, blogging acrimony alleging all manner of things about NAMB and other church planting networks. No matter that there have been few concrete examples offered of such things. But then facts usually don't slow down bloggers from displaying a good dose of denominational indignation. NAMB has consistently … [Read more...] about NAMB trustees adopt church planting network guidelines (by William Thornton)
One notable, relevant thing about Fred Luter (by William Thornton)
The SBC Plodder is back with his insights into all things SBC. We always welcome and appreciate his thoughts. Thank you, William! Fred Luter (image from BP) is expected to be elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention in just a few weeks in New Orleans. If I am there (and it's not looking like I will be) I would be unhesitant in casting my vote in his favor. His election will be notable because he will be the first black president of the SBC. That's good. But there is something more notable about Fred Luter that is acutely relevant to the SBC. He is a megachurch pastor and … [Read more...] about One notable, relevant thing about Fred Luter (by William Thornton)
Our Enemy is Neither Calvinism nor Arminianism, but Polarization (By Ken Hamrick)
Editor: Ken Hamrick blogs at "Biblical Realist" and lives in Ohio. I appreciate Ken' submission of this post. I fully agree that we have to realize the dangers of splintering and polarization. The quiet majority is being ignored whenever the more vocal proponents of either extreme frame the argument with the assumption that there is no valid, substantial and established middle path. As Southern Baptists, we have never been fully Calvinist or Arminian. If we had been fully Calvinist, we would have been "Reformed Baptist," with a heavy emphasis on covenants, Calvinism and creedal standards. … [Read more...] about Our Enemy is Neither Calvinism nor Arminianism, but Polarization (By Ken Hamrick)
A RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S DECISION TO ENDORSE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES (By Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
1. President Obama has betrayed the Bible and the Black Church with his endorsement of same-sex marriage. The Bible is crystal clear on this subject, and the Black Church strongly opposes same-sex marriage. His endorsement is an inadvertent attack on the Christian Faith. America is now a candidate for the same judgment received by Sodom and Gomorrah. This was a sad, sad day and a very bad decision, by our beloved President. The moral impact of this day and decision is equal to the military impact of AL-Queda when they attacked the Twin Towers on 911. Today’s announcement is a moral earthquake … [Read more...] about A RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S DECISION TO ENDORSE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES (By Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)