There have been numerous posts recently from different SBC personalities about the visions competing for the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. In my opinion, the debate has gotten nasty and defaming to Christ. People have differing opinions on what these visions are and how many different visions exist. There is the Baptist Identity vision, the Founders vision(GCR), the cooperationists vision, and in my opinion there is the common man vision.(there are more visions, but I will leave it at those) I am a common man. I want what is best for the Southern Baptist Convention. I am … [Read more...] about SBC: In Need of Direction
Disagreement Concerning Women Serving As Pastors Is Sufficent Cause To Separate
This post is a follow up of my last post on the issue of First Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia being 'disfellowshipped' from the Georgia Baptist Convention. Wade Burleson has written again on the topic, this post is my response. First of all, my post is not going to be nearly as long as Wade's, but I encourage you to go and read his own post. He is a great writer and I believe he deeply loves the Southern Baptist Convention. Wade and I disagree on this issue, but I greatly respect his opinion and I also thinks he makes a lot of great points. Wade's main thesis is that it is absurd to … [Read more...] about Disagreement Concerning Women Serving As Pastors Is Sufficent Cause To Separate
FBC, Decatur: A Test Case For The SBC
There has been a divisive issue within Evangelicalism lately and it has hit the SBC once again. Wade Burleson recently wrote about the Georgia Baptist Convention's intentions to disfellowship with First Baptist Church of Decatur, Georgia. I encourage you to read the post yourself. I warn you that it is very long and I cannot go into what exactly Burleson says... Here is the issue: The Southern Baptist Convention is complimentarian, according to the newest Baptist Faith and Message. We as Baptists, have the right to fellowship and disfellowship with whoever we choose. That is the … [Read more...] about FBC, Decatur: A Test Case For The SBC
What is the Biblical nature of the Church?
There is a lot of talk in the Southern Baptist Convention about the nature of the church. Words like organic, institution, movement, centralization, etc.. are thrown around quite often. I have read a few books on the issue and I have to be honest: I take a stand on the 'not as popular' side. What is the nature of the church in Acts? Most agree that the nature of the church in Acts is more of an organic, house to house church setting. In Acts we see the phrase 'house to house' numerous times. Paul addressed and spoke of house churches. Paul went house to house in order to disciple and … [Read more...] about What is the Biblical nature of the Church?
Should We Change Our Name?
I love the Southern Baptist Convention. I am a Southern Baptist by conviction. Theologically and missions wise I feel that the Southern Baptist Convention is the strongest. I love the influence that the SBC has, but could our name be hurting our influence? Could the name 'Southern Baptist Convention' actually be holding our convention back? Yes.. You might be a little surprised by my answer, but I think that it is true. I was born in Nebraska and I talk to a lot of people from there. I also served in Indiana for awhile and spoke with many people up there. The church in Indiana was … [Read more...] about Should We Change Our Name?
Diversity in the SBC: Finding Common Ground
In my last post I talked about how we ought to celebrate the diversity within the SBC when it comes to philosophy of ministry. In this second post I am going to talk about the theological diversity of the SBC. Again, we must approach this with great humility. There is always going to be theological differences and we will kill our churches if we proceed in arrogance. No one wants to hear angry, mean spirited men argue about theology. People do want to hear humble, grace fulfilled discussion about the truths of Scripture. We, as Southern Baptists, disagree on more theology than any … [Read more...] about Diversity in the SBC: Finding Common Ground
Is Baptist Diversity Holding Us Back?
Not many would disagree in saying that the SBC is quite diverse. We are diverse in every area of church life. We are diverse in our style of worship; fundamentalist, traditional, contemporary, blended, modern, and this list could go on forever... With 16 million Baptists on record we have 160 million ways of doing things. I do not want to spend much time talking about diversity in our style of worship, but more importantly our diversity in our philosophies of ministry. One would have to be ignorant not to see all of the diverse opinions within the SBC. We are all trying to figure out … [Read more...] about Is Baptist Diversity Holding Us Back?