Some of our best discipleship and evangelism tools belong in the kitchen. Stacy is the family pastry chef, so to speak. She whips up oatmeal cookies, an oddity in Ecuador, and churns out cinnamon bread and muffins. Recently, she's been baking banana bread, also an unknown commodity down here. I find it puzzling, this lack of banana bread, considering that there are so many acres of banana trees down by the coast that we have local banana barons who greatly influence local economies and politics. We own, as you can see in the photo, exactly two loaf pans; wedding presents, I believe, … [Read more...] about Of Coffee Mugs and Loaf Pans
Shamefully Transparent
When does being a good role model require that we admit our sins? Stephanie and I work hard to present the best possible Christian model for our people group to see and emulate. We make sure we are gracious as possible, as forgiving as we can be. We take very seriously our responsibility to be "the only Bible people might ever read." We strive for holiness and purity. In short, we are the best Christians we can be both for God and for the sake of those who are observing us. We've always been willing to admit our mistakes to the people here. If we react badly to something, we … [Read more...] about Shamefully Transparent
SBC Trends That We Might See Someday…If We Don’t Already
I've never been called a prophet nor do I have a reputation for insightful brilliance, so take this all with a grain of salt. The BCS-ination of the SBC I enjoy college football as much as a good many people, though not as much as some nut-jobs out there. However, a recent trend has set my teeth on edge: small and mid-sized football conferences are losing their best schools to the major conferences: Big 10, Pac-12, Big 12, Big East, ACC, SEC, etc. These conferences in turn set most of the rules and dominate the airways. Smaller groupings lose their best schools, players, and income … [Read more...] about SBC Trends That We Might See Someday…If We Don’t Already
IMB Personnel Losses and the Cooperative Program
Dave Miller’s post about the IMB losing 700 missionaries and the subsequent discussion have roused me from my slumber. I have shaken off my lethargy (late night beating the pants off Offspring #1 in chess) and am here to solve everyone’s problems with this particular issue by sharing what the lowest man on the IMB’s totem pole thinks. A few random thoughts: How Did 700 Missionaries Go Away? Dave mentioned that the IMB was previously north of 5,000 missionaries and aiming for 6K at some point, but that now we are down to far less than 5,000. Specifically, he cited a loss of 700 … [Read more...] about IMB Personnel Losses and the Cooperative Program
You Can Trust That I Trust My IMB Trustees
This post is completely original in every way and wasn't at all inspired by any other posts out there anywhere. Trust me. And no, Dave Miller did not steal my thunder by posting his article before mine. A handful of years ago, the IMB decided to start discussions about a restructuring of the organization. Leaders requested ideas and input. Vice presidents gathered in hallways. Trustees examined policies and strategies. The tech department set up a blog site through which information was disseminated and comments were made. After much ado, Dr. Jerry Rankin began announcing the … [Read more...] about You Can Trust That I Trust My IMB Trustees
Is Calling Legitimate?
A few weeks ago, a post regarding calling and the IMB hit SBC Voices (found here). A number of very astute comments were made regarding the nature of calling, and some hard questions came up. All of that got me to thinking, so I went around and asked a bunch of international missionaries for their perspective. Enjoy. _____________________________________ We actually began the process with the IMB before I felt 'a call.' Once my husband felt called to serve overseas, he asked me to pray about it. I fervently prayed for 6 months, hoping not to be called to a foreign place. I had … [Read more...] about Is Calling Legitimate?
Twelve Headlines That Would Cause a Panic in the SBC
Author's note: It's a joke, folks. Just being silly. 13. Heresy: There's an App for That 12. Biblical Proof that Potato Salad, Fried Chicken, and Moon Pies are Unclean Foods 11. IMB Announces End to Lottie Moon Offering: "We've got enough money for now...Thanks!" 10. Baptist Men Sue for Right to Join WMU 9. Preachers Win Court Case: Can Now Wiretap Your Phone, then Preach Sermons Aimed Directly at You 8. Lottie Moon was a Calvinist 7. Youth Directors Resign En Masse; Stunned Parents Now Required to be Involved with Their Youth 6. Ergun Caner, Richard Land to … [Read more...] about Twelve Headlines That Would Cause a Panic in the SBC
Church Policy Changes from Your New Pastor
Dear Members: With the recent change in pastoral leadership here in our congregation, some necessary changes have been instituted. Church Attire - It is requested that you come to church dressed as you can afford to dress, based on your salary, so church leaders can get a better feel for the amount of tithing we can expect. If we see you wearing Manolo Blahnik shoes, we shall assume you are doing well financially and therefore should be giving more; say, enough to pay for the 16-person, 9-day mission trip to China in January. If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money … [Read more...] about Church Policy Changes from Your New Pastor
Levitical Implications for Today?
In 1 Chronicles, we can read the account of King David’s organization of the temple, one that he helped design. He instituted singers, handed out specific duties to various Levitical branches and clans, established an order of worship, and more. In so doing, the king introduced a radical shift in Levitical function. No longer would the Levites pack, unpack, set up, take down, and carry the tabernacle. Gone were the days of routine maintenance of a cloth-and-leather structure. Instead, they would care for a permanent structure, one with porticoes and multiple floors, with massive … [Read more...] about Levitical Implications for Today?
Missionary Kids: Churchless
You type it. You’re the blogger in the family. No, you. It’s your story. I can’t write it like you can. Well...that goes without saying. What? Fine! I’ll show you! Hey, sorry about that! Despite what it says in the author slot above, this is Wife, taking over blogging duties from my husband. Welcome! Come on in, have a Diet Coke, and get a glimpse of what I am struggling with on the field. If you want coffee, go find Ethan. My husband and I are Deaf. Our three children are all hearing and use a variety of languages. Being with the IMB for almost 13 years, we have … [Read more...] about Missionary Kids: Churchless