Since the other Voices team members live in solidly Democratic states like Virginia and others are in foreign countries like Iowa and Indiana, it falls to me to write the official and definitive SBC Voices guide to the Georgia senatorial runoff races, the two contests that will determine the fate of the nation, yea, of all humanity. Here's where we stand and why the two remaining elections are so important: Republican seats in the U. S. Senate: 50 Democratic seats in the U. S. Senate: 48 Georgia has two Republican senators who are fighting for reelection. If the Dems win them both they … [Read more...] about The official Voices guide to the Georgia senatorial runoff races and the fate of all humanity
Last week was a quiet week…
...if you were on Mars...deep underground...in a wire mesh sealed cave...with noise cancelling headphones. The latest "most important election in the history of our country" is over, except for the shouting, recriminations, complaints, demonstrations and the like. In my church yesterday one would have thought last week was a quiet week. There was scant mention of the election because far more important subjects demanded attention: worship of almighty God, the eternal Gospel, hurting and hungry people. I'm not going to spend the next four years griping and complaining, a … [Read more...] about Last week was a quiet week…
Your guy lost, so get over it.
No one wants to hear your whining for the next four years...not your wife, your kids, your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers, your dog, or your cat. People voted, that’s that. Your daily life likely isn’t going to change one bit. You could gripe full time but how much good would that do the country, your family, your friends, your church, or yourself? Maybe you should have shared the Gospel more and politicked less. Maybe your church would be more unified on the eternal Gospel if you didn’t get so deep into the latest election as Armageddon. You could gripe less and … [Read more...] about Your guy lost, so get over it.
Just how easy, or difficult, is it to become an SBC church?
One of the long running narratives about our Grand Old Convention is that it doesn't take much to become a Southern Baptist Church. That's a false narrative. Here's what it takes: Local SBC associations have extensive and detailed requirements and processes for churches to join. Here is the web page for my local association in Georgia. There are 1,116 SBC associations. I can offer anecdotal reports for the handful of associations in which I have participated. There are committees involved, examinations of doctrine and practices, a waiting period, and a formal vote for … [Read more...] about Just how easy, or difficult, is it to become an SBC church?
Anonymous site calls for SBC transparency
No, not the Babylon Bee but an actual petition site that calls for a "forensic audit of NAMB & Lifeway." Let's ruminate a bit here, first, on the idea of an anonymous site calling for transparency. Who set up the site? Who funded it? Who is behind it? Who wrote the petition? Seems absurd for a secret group to toss out a petition like this calling for, of all things, transparency. Second, the call is not for transparency. It is for an audit. The petition is not just for an ordinary audit or for NAMB and LifeWay to be more open about their spending but a forensic audit. I'm neither CPA … [Read more...] about Anonymous site calls for SBC transparency
An election like no other…or, so we’re told.
Here in the Peach State which is not even one of the swing or battleground states this election is like no other in some ways. We've got the candidate from Q-Anon, or that's what her opponents say. We've got the Hezbollah candidate, or at least that's what a friend from the middle east said when he saw the candidate's signs. Seems the guy owns a very successful gun store and has a silhouette of an AR-15 or some similar menacing weapon. Second amendment guy, I guess. And then we've got the candidate who brags about being "to the right of Atilla the Hun (he who "slew monks and maidens in … [Read more...] about An election like no other…or, so we’re told.
How Alaska Baptists would destroy the Cooperative Program and blame it on NAMB
It's called The COOPERATIVE Program, not the Cooperative Program CAFETERIA. Necessary background reading (not that anyone actually reads relevant articles): Alaska Baptists vote to withhold CP funds, this is a thorough article by George Schroeder, associate VP at the SBC Executive Committee. If you think Schroeder's piece is biased then show me how. Quotes from both sides. Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, said the action taken by Alaska’s state convention “is a unilateral breach of a 95-year system as our most trusted funding mechanism,” and added: “The … [Read more...] about How Alaska Baptists would destroy the Cooperative Program and blame it on NAMB
Lottie, Annie, and the CP: Good news, bad news
The three most important offerings for Southern Baptists are the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions and the Cooperative Program. How are these faring in the age of COVID? The numbers are in. Here's how we're doing. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering total exceeds goal at $159.9M The total is the second highest in history. It's $4.5 million over what IMB budgeted and $2.6 million more than was given last year. Great news here! Although some churches give to Lottie year round, most churches still … [Read more...] about Lottie, Annie, and the CP: Good news, bad news
Alaska state convention action: Can the CP survive cafeteria style? [Revised, updated, nuanced]
There is other news of note than the sad saga of LifeWay and President and Mrs. Trump being sick. For a bright, positive example consider our IMB appointing 80 new missionaries, ones that are "fully funded" and supported by our existing revenue stream. More on that later. But about the Alaska state convention and our beloved Cooperative Program as reported in Baptist Press: Alaska Baptists vote to withhold CP funds ANCHORAGE, Alaska (BP) – Messengers to the annual meeting of the Alaska Baptist Resource Network took the unprecedented step of attempting to withhold the allocation of … [Read more...] about Alaska state convention action: Can the CP survive cafeteria style? [Revised, updated, nuanced]
You want SBC villains?
Then lock and load because all SBC leaders have giant, bright red bullseyes on their back. Sadly, it's part of our system. I diverge from almost all SBC leaders - the number of which includes entity heads, celeb megapastors, influencers, and others - on a few things but not enough to leave or participate in a new and needless CR. There has to be a way that we consider ourselves on the same side against the devil, debauchery, and societal deterioration. There also has to be a way for Bible believing churches and people to join together in favor of the Gospel, grace, goodness, and … [Read more...] about You want SBC villains?