Rick

Danny Akin began his report by saying something to the effect that Paige Patterson does not owe me an apology for sharing the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. Ditto for me, Danny. Now, I'm pretty much a rules guy. I believe in asking permission, not forgiveness. Clearly, Patterson made an executive decision he was not authorized to make. Just as clearly, he offered one of the most profoundly moving and sincere apologies you will ever, ever hear. I was literally moved to tears. Think about it... The bold and courageous, wild game hunting, lion hearted general of the Southern … [Read more...] about I Agree With Danny Akin

A man walks up to a bank teller and asks, "Can you give me change for this one hundred dollar bill?" The teller says, "Sure. What denomination?" And the man replies, "Baptist—Southern Baptist if you've got it." No, there is not really such a thing as Southern Baptist money—except for the fact that there is. Southern Baptist money is the money given by Southern Baptists to promote Southern Baptist causes and build up the Kingdom of God in and through the ministry channels of the Southern Baptist Convention. And herein lies a major problem. The walls clearly delineating our religious … [Read more...] about Baptist Methods and Money

Specifically and in the greatest level of detail humanly possible, can somebody please explain the precise nature of the partnership between Southern Baptist Theological Seminary—with which I am necessarily affiliated as a Southern Baptist—and Sovereign Grace Ministries—with which (quite by intention) I am not personally affiliated in any manner whatsoever? … [Read more...] about One Simple Question

In Part One, I explained that despite its worthy intentions, the One Percent Challenge does not satisfy the test of a specific and measurable goal, advocating that Southern Baptists pick a number high enough to meet our ministry obligations and promote it so our churches might measure themselves against it and determine if they are paying their fair share. I also dismissed the notion that setting such a true target (rather than a minor directional change) would in any way violate the autonomy of any local church. In Part Two, I separated Cooperative Program goals from leadership requirements … [Read more...] about Pick A Number and Fix the Cooperative Program, Part Three

In Part One, I explained that despite its worthy intentions, the One Percent Challenge does not satisfy the test of a specific and measurable goal, advocating that Southern Baptists pick a number high enough to meet our ministry obligations and promote it so our churches might measure themselves against it and determine if they are paying their fair share. I also dismissed the notion that setting such a true target (rather than a minor directional change) would in any way violate the autonomy of any local church. In Part Two, I separate Cooperative Program giving goals from leadership … [Read more...] about Pick a Number and Fix the Cooperative Program, Part Two of Three

The magician says, “Pick a number—any number," before identifying it and astonishing the crowd. Like the Cooperative Program itself, the trick is simple, marvelous and works like magic, but only if someone bravely decisive truly does pick a number, and lately, any Southern Baptist doing so has drawn heavy rounds of not so friendly fire. When it comes to Cooperative Program funding, Southern Baptists need a little magic. The average church percentage of budget receipts forwarded through our Cooperative Program channels has decreased from over 10% twenty years ago to about 5.6% today. Our … [Read more...] about Pick a Number and Fix the Cooperative Program, Part One of Three

The Convention will only deem a church to be in FRIENDLY Cooperation...which...has not intentionally operated in...opposition to the doctrine expressed in the [BFM2K]. —EMPHASIS Mine I am committed to cooperating with Southern Baptists no matter how the convention might choose to characterize that cooperation. While I prefer the designation friendly cooperation, if my choices are between "friendly non-cooperation" and "unfriendly cooperation," then I will choose the latter, instructing our financial ministry assistant to forward all funds through denominational channels with a scowl planted … [Read more...] about Pledging My Unfriendly Cooperation

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19, ESV) Recently, certain deeply flawed and overly broad interpretations of the above verse have come to my attention. At best, they enable ministerial misconduct. At worst, they are themselves literally criminal. This essay seeks first to set firmly in place some appropriate boundaries for the application of the verse. Second, it seeks to identify the proper biblical context of the verse. Third, it seeks to define exactly what constitutes a charge, and perhaps more importantly, what does … [Read more...] about Charging Elders With Charging Elders

Reprinted below is a letter I recently received from a Southern Baptist layperson struggling with the changes taking place in her church. Following the letter is my reply. Certain details have been removed in order to protect her anonymity. From time to time, all churches face conflict in making decisions and seeking God's will, but the special sense of betrayal felt by this woman appears mostly related to two issues. First, during his candidacy, her Pastor denied his reformed theology. Second, reforms were not implemented openly as one might anticipate in a church business meeting, but … [Read more...] about Victims of Soteriological Dishonesty

Different strokes for different folks, And so on and so on and Scooby dooby doo-bee. (Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone, 1968) I get it. You are more than capable of making your own decisions concerning social media. Because I am profoundly committed to the idea that you possess free will, you do whatever you want. As for me, my aversion to Twitter has developed into full blown bitter contempt—a loathing born not from its requirement for brevity, which I admire, but from its mode of expression demanding abruptness, inspiring haste and facilitating the clandestine spread of … [Read more...] about Don’t Fritter Life with Twitter Strife!