One of the questions on the table in this new era of SBC life and the rethinking of our institutions is whether the State Convention is still useful going forward or if they should be dismantled in favor of Associations and the National Convention. I would argue that there is indeed an important ongoing role […]
Getting the job done in the wake of the IMB crisis: “I’m in – and so are you!”
The following is a message sent out to pastors from our Indiana Executive Director, Dr. Cecil Seagle. He has given me permission to repost it here. Dr. Seagle’s words are timely and needed — thankful for his clearing of the dust and his affirmation of the heart of our leaders during this heart-wrenching and difficult situation. […]
Three Ways to Become an Evangelistic Church (without starting another program)
Many pastors and church leaders are seeking earnestly for something that will turn their churches from plateau and decline to healthy church growth. Often they turn to outreach programs, emphases and events to get outreach going and turn things around. There’s nothing wrong with programs and events, per se, but they take a lot of […]
The end of the race issue — don’t stop now!
Will we ever be finished with the race issue? Will we ever make enough progress that we can rest, proclaim the job is done, or know that we have somehow moved past the need for racial reconciliation and the pursuit of unity across racial/ethnic lines? In our own spiritual journey toward the heart of God […]
A Review of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Progress on Racial Reconciliation, 1995–2015 (Full Text) #SBC15
We at SBC Voices are thankful for the work of the Executive Committee in compiling the report on the progress of racial reconciliation in the SBC. We believe this report deserves a wide readership and thoughtful reflection and are thankful for Executive Board chairman, Michael Routt, for permission to post the report here. The following […]
A New Day in the SBC: Real progress toward Racial/Ethnic unity #sbc15
Wow, what an amazing day at the SBC yesterday! In the morning I started with mixed emotions. On the one hand I felt positive about the direction of our denomination. I was thankful for both the substantive Executive Committee Report on Racial Reconciliation, and for my friend Alan Cross who brought the task force motion […]
A Reconciliation Recommendation (a motion that would be out of order, but we should do it anyway) #SBC15
If you are at the Convention this year, don’t miss the Task Force report on the SBC’s progress on Racial Reconciliation on page 2 of part 2 of the daily bulletin. I have always been appreciative of a denomination where a single messenger has a voice and any messenger can initiate and be part of […]
A Model for Charitable Theological Discussion: 4 Take-Aways
As long as there are Southern Baptists, there will be disagreements about doctrine. The Baptist Faith and Message unifies us around a common core of gospel imperatives and Baptist distinctives. At the same time, our statement of faith allows for a variety of views on important aspects of church practice, eschatology and soteriology. Because of […]
The real question about the future of SBC missions
This past week, the IMB trustees adopted revised policies for personnel and shared their intent to empower “limitless teams of missionaries to make disciples and multiply churches among unreached people.” Part of the impact of the move was that it reversed previous policies including those enacted a decade ago that controversially narrowed the doctrinal parameters […]
The IMB Personnel Policies — Personal Reflections on a decade of debate
Since hearing the report from the IMB trustees yesterday, I have done a good bit of reflecting about how the IMB policy on baptism affected me personally and shaped me as I actively engaged in Baptist life. I cannot fully describe the feelings I have about this important change or what this means to me […]
Can you be a witness for Christ in the midst of your trial?
In 2 Timothy 4, Paul tells Timothy to preach the word “in season and out of season” and to “do the work of an evangelist.” He instructs his young mentee to preach the gospel at all times, no matter the situation or circumstance. As I post this from a hospital room where my wife is […]
One more post about Ferguson — Why this event DOES raise important issues about race and why that matters to me
Last night I was invited to speak at a small rally in Gary, Indiana in solidarity with the people of Ferguson, Missouri. The following are my remarks at that event: If will allow me tonight, I want to speak both as a white man and as a pastor. A recent PEW research poll demonstrates […]