Paul Chitwood spoke at our church this morning. Excellent. I'm all in for IMB, whatever else is going on around the SBC. IMB and NAMB are having record offerings, a measure of what Southern Baptists think they are worth among our churches. Let's keep it that way. I'm still supportive of our general giving plan, the venerable Cooperative Program, but my practice has always been to put the Lottie Moon offering, 100% going to overseas missions, at the top of my and my church's giving priorities. ____________ Photo: A silver haired beauty, Dr. Chitwood, on old codger with coffee. … [Read more...] about Thank God for lack of drama at our most important entity: IMB
If churches are SBC headquarters, then look to see what HQ is doing on international and North American missions
In our dual approach to funding denominational causes, cooperative and societal, the bulk of missions money comes through the two offerings dedicated to international and North American missions. Those would be the two named offerings: Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong. They are both at record levels reflecting the true interests and goals of Southern Baptist individuals, churches, and denominational workers. LMCO exceeds goal...! The total for 2020-2021 was $177.6 million. Great news. [One note, I am told that the sum includes overseas giving through an IMB sponsored and promoted … [Read more...] about If churches are SBC headquarters, then look to see what HQ is doing on international and North American missions
Take in the good news that Lottie Moon hit a record $177.6 million for 2019-2020
Back in 2009, an era ago, the Lottie Moon goal was set at $175 million. The receipts fell short by $26 million, $29 million, $30 million, $28 million...years on end proving that it was an unrealistic goal. Even in the post voluntary retirement year where 1,100 missionaries left the field, the receipts were far under $175 million. Witness the just-released LMCO receipts for 2019-2020: $177.6 million. Last year the total was $159.5 million. The increase to this year was over $18 million. There is no way to describe this short of "spectacular!" LMCO total exceeds goal, reflects committment … [Read more...] about Take in the good news that Lottie Moon hit a record $177.6 million for 2019-2020
The inevitable resort to weaponizing money in church and denominational conflict
Happens every time. It's in our DNA as Southern Baptists. In those periodic times when there is dissension and conflict in our Grand Denomination the cry goes out, "Don't send them your money!" That's seldom appropriate and seldom effective. I daresay that every pastor of an SBC church has been in the place where individuals or groups have declared their intent to withhold their giving to the church in objection to church staff or direction. The beleaguered and formerly beloved pastor is usually the focus of the giving boycott. Sometimes this is the kind of pressure that works. More … [Read more...] about The inevitable resort to weaponizing money in church and denominational conflict
In any SBC drama and conflict the Cooperative Program takes a hit
...and these last weeks have been more drama since the hot years of the Conservative Resurgence. I have observations and opinions but perhaps the investigation will prove beneficial in the long haul. No one knows. One might note this significant change in the Baptist Press policy on reporting abuse: Baptist Press will continue to report every instance of abuse related to Southern Baptist churches or leaders of which we are made aware. BP made this change earlier, not as a result of the past weeks of turmoil. Some of us were attuned to clergy sex abuse when BP would never carry and news … [Read more...] about In any SBC drama and conflict the Cooperative Program takes a hit
What we need is a little more optimism, a lot less doomsday
Here is the press release of the SATF: Today, the members of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention voted to fully fund the third-party independent investigation by Guidepost Solutions as requested by the Sexual Abuse Task Force. It also encouraged the Executive Committee officers and Task Force to work toward a solution within 7 days regarding the waiving of attorney-client privilege as directed by the Messengers in their motion. While we are glad that the investigation can begin, we are disappointed that so far, the Executive Committee has not followed the … [Read more...] about What we need is a little more optimism, a lot less doomsday
Reasons for close scrutiny of The Sex Abuse Task Force
I learned an early lesson about the realities of Southern Baptist life: Anyone who asks honest, respectful questions about individuals, entities, budgets, policies and the like gets looked at askance, with disapproval, with suspicion and wariness. I asked some questions about the new Sex Abuse Task Force. Others have done the same. One hopes that the current reaction of the SATF is a pattern for the future. The TF brethren and sistren are issuing regular updates and have answered some questions. They declare that they will be open and transparent. This signals a new day in the SBC where the … [Read more...] about Reasons for close scrutiny of The Sex Abuse Task Force
The eighth generation church member and pastors’ suspicion of multi-generation church families
I recently read a story about a baptism, a young girl who was the eighth generation of her family in that one church. That's a lot of 'begats.' Most people wouldn't be able to come up with names for eight generations of their family. Eight generations back from my grandchildren would reach to my great-great-great grandparents. Having spent fifty years researching family genealogy, I can list that far back from memory which would include some direct ancestors born in the late eighteenth century and quite a few Civil War veterans. Most people have a real life and deal with live folks. I … [Read more...] about The eighth generation church member and pastors’ suspicion of multi-generation church families
SBC’s record is 50-0 in lawsuits
This according to longtime convention attorney, Jim Guenther, and is the estimate for ascending liability lawsuits where someone has a problem in a local SBC-affiliated church and sues the Executive Committee or SBC. There has never been a successful lawsuit of this type. Yes, I understand that the current matter is gravely serious and involves deplorable and heinous sins. My hope and prayer is for the SATF to do their work efficiently and sensibly and come to the end by helping the SBC and its churches in the matters involved. You can read what Guenther says about ascending liability … [Read more...] about SBC’s record is 50-0 in lawsuits
Why can’t some followers of Jesus just talk normally?
There's another epidemic raging through our fair land. In addition to COVID-19 and variants there is a highly infectious strain of alternative communication making deep inroads into our Christian subculture. Here are just a couple of examples: Some ministry leaders don't just resign but "step into a substantial season of reordering." Indeed, marching into a summer, winter, spring, fall, presumably a globally climate change enhanced "substantial" season, not just a normal season. I recall (from reading, not from personal experience) the year without a summer, 1816. Now that was a … [Read more...] about Why can’t some followers of Jesus just talk normally?