Rick

In Part One we explored both the unilateral creation of the task force itself and the selection of its entire membership by our SBC President. We considered the relatively brief nature of their deliberations in light of the historic decision to change our denominational name by introducing a second officially approved term with which it would be forced to compete. We reviewed the confusion of identity this replacement name would cause outsiders and even addressed the questionable use of a term that may prove, in the course of time, to sound "churchy" as it does not resonate with the culture, … [Read more...] about Twenty POLITE Reasons to Oppose GCB (Part Two of Four)

It is fashionable these days to suggest that anyone who disagrees with you is sowing seeds of discord, displaying a nasty attitude that is bitter or snarky. In this article I intend to strike a clear, articulate and principled tone discussing only the subject of the name change study process and result while not insulting the personalities behind it. Please note that if my dearest Christian friends in the whole world had been responsible for this recommendation and the way it came about, I would still oppose the idea while preserving the same love, respect and appreciation for them as brothers … [Read more...] about Twenty POLITE Reasons to Oppose GCB (Part One of Four)

Since 1845 our Southern Baptist ship has sailed without the banner of an informal descriptor. Now that we are being asked to choose whether or not to adopt one, we must consider: "What exactly is an informal descriptor?" 1. It is not merely a nickname. Nicknames are given by people who just start using them and then see if they stick. Nobody ever votes on a nickname. If this were only a nickname, then any church who wanted to use it could do so already. There is no nickname police to stop the Pastor of some Journey Church somewhere from saying, "Hey, everybody, we partner together with … [Read more...] about Informal Descriptor or Officially Approved Optional Replacement Name?

In two short weeks, ABC is launching a situation comedy that will simply be known as GCB. Please note that these are the same three initials found in the highly publicized, proposed, optional and informal replacement name for the Southern Baptist Convention. Ours may stand for "Great Commission Baptists" but the rest of America will soon associate the three initials GCB with the phrase "Good Christian Belles." Please understand I am using the term "belles" here in place of the British term for female dogs, which is inferred but cannot be used even by ABC in describing Christians. Apparently, … [Read more...] about Skirting Southern Sin

The nice thing about nicknames is that they aren't real and probably should not be taken too seriously. I have NEVER, EVER seen or heard of one being put up for a vote by any deliberative body. In other words, the people coming up with the nickname just sort of do it on their own authority. How strange that a committee formed on its own authority and not that of the Southern Baptist Convention did not feel empowered to just start using a totally optional nickname without asking for official say-so. If they want to start referring to Southern Baptists as "Great Commission Baptists" as a … [Read more...] about How Nicknames Work

My wife's real name is Karen and you should know that I love her dearly. She is kind, gentle and compassionate. She has a smile that brightens my darkest days. She has a calm and sweet temperament that blesses my soul. God has given me the amazing privilege of going through life joined at the heart with the most pleasant person I have ever met. If you were to ask me how favorably I view my wife, I would be at a loss for words to describe her highly enough. Not to change the subject (a phrase we strangely use whenever we do indeed change the subject), but at the risk of offending women named … [Read more...] about My Wife Lucretia

The Southern Baptist Convention must restore the practice of traditional congregational polity, especially when it comes to the creation, staffing and reporting of our leadership structures. With each passing year, we have grown more complacent in our commitment to congregational polity, having practically surrendered to a style of church government more suited for elders and bishops than congregationalists. In each example below, I will first state a principle of leadership I consider to be consistent with traditional Baptist practice. I will then offer one example to show how this … [Read more...] about Restoring Southern Baptist Polity

With reference to our present Southern Baptist denominational controversy, there has been more than enough talk of "wackadoodles" and "bogeymen." I am not interested in characterizing pejoratively those who disagree with me by calling them names. I now reject the notion that the existence of a full-scale Southern Baptist takeover or "quiet revolution" is in any way a conspiratorial idea, a stretch or a lark. It is not a conspiracy. It is a reality. My earlier post simply asked the question, "Are we being reformed?" In developing my article, I wasted far too many words disclaiming conspiracy … [Read more...] about Who Is Reforming Us?

I am not a conspiracy theorist. Don't talk to me about JFK, the Illuminati or Area 51. However, mindful of the fact that the Pharisees conspired with Judas to give up Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, we must admit in all fairness that sometimes there is indeed a conspiracy, even in religious matters. Just as businesses and politicians must deal with secret agendas, religious organizations are not immune from silent takeovers simply because our purposes are spiritual rather than financial or civic. As I write this, I am completely sober and of sound mind. I slept well last night, have risen … [Read more...] about Are We Being Reformed?

With apologies to John Ondrasik's band of the same name, and in response to Dave Miller's humble yet impassioned plea for content, I introduce five "short" topics for your consideration. No, these ideas are not developed into full-length feature articles. Is that always necessary? I re-read Jack London's "To Build a Fire" this morning, appreciating both his master storytelling and his brevity. Why take forever to say something if you can say it briefly? 1.  Rooftop Sex in the Bible So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of … [Read more...] about Five For Fighting