...and more has been spent on the two Georgia U.S. Senate seats than is received for the SBC Cooperative Program (national allocation) and both major mission offerings combined. What I have to show for it is a stack of about 70 pieces for slick mail, all but a couple from Republican and Republican friendly PACS like the NRA, Realtors, Chamber, etc. etc. This stack goes to... ...my wood stove in the basement. William the Plodder will get some BTUs out of American white-hot politics, if nothing else. Call me a recycler and give me credit for further warming the earth. About 3 million … [Read more...] about Unique Georgia election today
What shall we talk about in 2021?
SBC Voices published 265 articles in 2020, about one per weekday. We are a Southern Baptist site so SBC stuff dominates what appears here. COVID-19, politics, and CRT/I sucked almost all the air out of this place last year. While one hopes that the pandemic will recede and that in a non-election year discussions will focus on subjects more positive in our Grand Convention, I'm not at all optimistic that they will. Executive Committee leader, Ronnie Floyd, announced a grand vision statement early in 2020. It was swamped. Our IMB announced a plan to add 500 missionaries over the next few … [Read more...] about What shall we talk about in 2021?
What you read most on Voices in 2020
Double Trouble for the IMB, Mark Terry. The former IMB missionary and seminary professor wrote of our IMB personnel being evacuated from many parts of the world due to COVID-19. This and the financial impact of the virus made for the "double trouble." Fortunately, IMB was and is in a solid financial position. Reports for the latest Lottie Moon offering are encouraging. This was the top post by a considerable margin, mainly due to connections through social media. It was many times our usual daily figure. How the Conservative Baptist Network Took Control of the Executive Committee. Jared … [Read more...] about What you read most on Voices in 2020
Some under noticed SBC news stories from 2020
These are not prioritized: Boy Scouts bankruptcy could leave churches liable in future sex abuse claims. This Baptist Press article from October advised SBC churches "who chartered or have ever hosted a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop should seek legal counsel now in case they are named in future sex abuse claims against the BSA, a Southern Baptist legal representative told Baptist Press." The gist of the article was that churches which hosted or did host a BSA troop might have legal exposure as a result of the BSA declaring bankruptcy. BSA has no assets victims can access, they may come … [Read more...] about Some under noticed SBC news stories from 2020
Breathless, melodramatic update from the Georgia senatorial runoff race!
Jupiter and Saturn have passed alignment but the stars in the heavens may or may not align Georgia republicans Purdue and Loeffler. Will the solar system survive the election of two more Dems to the senate? The galaxy? The universe? Humanity and huwomanity? BBQ grilling? Gas lawnmowers? Sweet tea? Hundreds of millions of dollars are flooding into my fair state, Georgia, on both sides of the race for the two senate positions. I estimate that before it's over, and the election is nine days off, hundreds of dollars will be spent just on yours truly, a Georgia citizen and voter. This mail … [Read more...] about Breathless, melodramatic update from the Georgia senatorial runoff race!
Top SBC news of 2020 (Part One, maybe)
COVID-19 and churches. Need anything more be said? The seminary president’s statement on CRT/I blows up. This is ongoing as I write. Messy. Alaska Baptist state convention votes to destroy the Cooperative Program. Very poor move by one of our smallest state conventions. As Ronnie Floyd said in response, "It's the CP program, not the CP cafeteria." Undermining the CP because you are mad at NAMB is not a good approach. Six state convention leaders issue joint complaint to the SBC Executive Committee about NAMB. Back in the sultry days of August, six smaller conventions sent a letter to … [Read more...] about Top SBC news of 2020 (Part One, maybe)
Winter solstice today, thank God
No. I’m not having a pagan party to celebrate but might indulge in a swig of ridiculously sweet egg nog, sans hard likker, to celebrate. I mean, we’re only getting 9 hours and 53 minutes of daylight here. That’s not enough for civilized people. After 5:02 this morning we get a little more sun each day. Southern Baptists could use some additional sunshine. It’s been a bleak year mostly with the virus (I haven’t been to indoor church since March 15th). The two gummit checks (second one coming soon) haven’t assuaged my mild moroseness over the whole thing. I’ve got friends who have … [Read more...] about Winter solstice today, thank God
Jill, don’t worry about that doctorate…at least from SBCers
Seems there's some sort of dust up over the proper title of Jill Biden, wife of the PRESIDENT ELECT, Joe Biden. Some business about "Dr. Biden" being the proper designation rather than just Jill or Ms. Biden or whatever. I confess that I thought she was an M.D. rather than an Ed.D. She has a doctorate in education, not medicine, not a PhD. Doesn't matter to me. It's a free country. She can insist on whatever title she wants. I'll not quibble about it. But nothing is more inflated in church life than this business of titles. Well, maybe egos are more inflated, but I'm writing about the … [Read more...] about Jill, don’t worry about that doctorate…at least from SBCers
Time to come together and pray for president elect Biden
Our venerable Electoral College votes today in their respective states. Diehards still see options, probably extending to Inauguration Day and beyond. Let them exercise their first amendment rights loudly but peacefully, but Joe Biden won. Donald Trump lost...and lost...and lost...and lost. One need not agree with any of Biden’s positions, policies, appointments, or nominees but Christians do need to pray for political leaders - a clear biblical mandate, not an optional suggestion. The sooner prayers begin, the better. And join me in continuing in prayer for President Trump for the next … [Read more...] about Time to come together and pray for president elect Biden
Does the future growth of the SBC depend on non-anglo congregations?
For many reasons it appears so, and has for some time. Check the graph recently compiled by the SBC Executive Committee comparing various congregation types over the 1990-2018 period. You may find this and other data in Ronnie Floyd's recent excellent and informative article: A statistical analysis of growth in SBC congregations by race and ethnicity from 1990-2018. To wit: Compare anglo growth, around 11 percent over the period, to non-anglo growth (African American + Hispanic + Asian American + Other ethnic) whose growth rate was over 30 percent. Anglo churches still make up … [Read more...] about Does the future growth of the SBC depend on non-anglo congregations?