Guest Blogger

I am writing in response to Brad Whitt’s article “Young, Southern Baptist and irrelevant?” which was recently published in The Baptist Banner (vol. 24, no.6, pp. 5-8).  He laments over what seems to be a self-perceived irrelevance brought on by a minority that he describes as “outsiders from within” (p. 8; code, I think, for Calvinists).  This minority of men in the SBC has appropriated the Convention microphone and is taking its cues from not a few prominent non-traditional, non-SBC pastors.  The bottom line is that these me are hurting the Convention, and if he, and others like him, could … [Read more...] about Young, Southern Baptist, and Self-Important? (by Alan Pearce)

Hi all, Today I want to write about a topic that is near and dear to my heart – adoption. Adoption is wonderful in so many aspects. I have had the wonderful privilege to adopt three children (and perhaps more in the future). I want to say a few things about adoption. First, it is a wonderful way to rescue children. I cannot imagine what it is like to not have a home. But every time I look at my children, I see children for whom there was a time when they had no mom or dad. My boys were too small to remember it, and likely my daughter won’t remember it as she grows older either, but it is … [Read more...] about Adoption: It’s For All of Us (by Jim Giffords)

Hello, all. My name is Jim Gifford (I post as Jim G. on SBC Voices) and this is my first post as a contributor to Voices. A week or so ago, Dave Miller asked if there would be any non-Calvinists that would want to contribute and I volunteered. I will be contributing postings largely in theology from time to time. I’ll do my best to stay away (most of the time) from the C-A debates, as there are things I think that are far more important and more fun. A little about me: I currently live near Charlotte, North Carolina after living my whole life (until this May) in West Virginia. I graduated … [Read more...] about Why the Virgin Birth is Necessary (by Jim Giffords)

The SBC Plodder is back with another examination of Calvinism. I will put on my Karnak turban and predict a lively discussion. After all, I have ESP-N.   I'm a hacker and a plodder and am no different than the other fifty thousand or so SBC pastors but I do have a thirty year history with Calvinism and Calvinists and, unsurprisingly, have an opinion about it and them. To be candid, while I’m mostly ambivalent about Calvinismm, I'm decidedly wary of Calvinists. Here’s why: 1. Calvinists can be, well, rather arrogant. No, they don’t have a monopoly on such but my observation is that they … [Read more...] about Why I’m wary of Calvinists (by William Thornton)

Here's another submission from our friend William Thornton, the SBC Plodder.  Somehow, I'm guessing this one could be a little lively. I'm of the opinion that the internet was made for Calvinists, since there seems to be so many of them who love endless discussions. I've been interacting with my Calvinistic brethren/sistren online for almost twenty years, going back to the SBC's old SBCNet Forum in the 1990s. I do like some things about them: Almost all of the calvinists I know are serious about their beliefs. An old prof said to our class years ago, "All you have is what you believe. … [Read more...] about What I like about Calvinists

Alan Cross has been one of my favorite bloggers for years - insightful and incisive.  He writes at Downshore Drift.  We are glad to have one of his posts here at Voices. I walked into the massive building with my young children and was immediately overwhelmed and similarly impressed. We were visiting a megachurch on a weekend that I was away from home and we brought our children to the childcare center.  Behind the long desk was a bank of closed-circuit televisions that broadcast the goings on in each classroom. We gave our children over to the smiling people behind the desk and they gave us … [Read more...] about How Is Technology & Megachurch Altering Our Understanding of the Gospel? (by Alan Cross)

David blogs at "Gulf Coast Pastor" and recently posted this article.  I am very well aware that it is a counterpoint to the views of some of our writing team and readers.  That is what we are about - discussing issues in a collegial way, even when we disagree (or that's the goal anyway).  So, let us set the bar high here.  A lively exchange free of personal insult and invective. Can we be patriotic in our July 4th Worship Service? Can we sing patriotic songs and have the American, Texas, and Christian flags in our sanctuary? Yes, of course we can. It seems rather strange that practices I … [Read more...] about Patriotism and Christian Worship (by David Brumbelow)

I received this post from a friend who requested anonymity.  I appreciate his willingness to share this very personal struggle. I hesitate to write these words and I write with anonymity because I am not so bold as others who share their struggles.  At the recent Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Albert Mohler responded to a question and gave an impassioned plea for the evangelical community at large to repent of half-truths it has told and homophobia it has displayed towards those in homosexual relationships and struggling with same-sex desires.  In a limited sphere of the blogging world, at … [Read more...] about Ministering to those Struggling with Same-Sex Desires

Most mornings in midtown Nashville find quiet streets and sidewalks filled with runners, dog walkers, and the occasional bicyclist. Vanderbilt University casts a long shadow over this community and shapes its culture into something that feels more like a Northern urban enclave rather than a neighborhood surrounded by "Southern" charm. Nashville is ground zero for the country music industry and the crown jewel of the "Bible belt," with the headquarters for various Christian denominations (such as the Southern Baptist Convention) and numerous religious publishing empires (such asLifeWay) dotting … [Read more...] about Border Crossings: The SBC of the 21st Century by Douglas E. Baker

Once again, SBC Voices' friend, the SBC Plodder (known in real life as William Thornton) shares his perspective with us.  Should be a good discussion. I love the brethren, my ministerial colleagues, fellow soldiers of the Lord, partners in our common calling of pastoral ministry; however, there is a malady that is common only to us: Chronic Clergy Complaining Syndrome (I recognize that my brethren have an unnatural and perhaps unhealthy love for alliteration and am happy to feed their addiction). Perhaps you have seen it, or, had it. I haven't overlooked that the data show that "clergy … [Read more...] about Chronic Clergy Complaining Syndrome (by William Thornton)