My colleagues and I are at an historic low in regard to being considered trustworthy by the public. Notable Ratings for Clergy, High School Teachers, Police The Gallup poll puts the beloved man-of-the-cloth above lawyers, bankers, and journalists but below nurses, doctors, and accountants. Alas, when I started out in the 1980s we were, as a group, ranked high in trust. Now, we're in the toilet and swirling downward. Gallup tracked the downward movement as beginning early in this century, around the time of the Roman Catholic clergy sex abuse scandals. Lifeway Research takes a look … [Read more...] about Historic low for clergy trust but you need not concern yourself about that
The SBC Voices astronomy report: The ‘spectacular’ Green Comet C/2022 E3
The Green Comet, C/2022 E3 Those intrepid Voices readers who rise early before the sun and who know where to look may easily find in the Green Comet these days. That is officially C/2022 E3 and your humble hacker and plodder blogger, being retired and a light sleeper, has stepped outside on my deck and has been observing this comet for several days. If you look high in the north sky near the Big and Little Dippers before dawn you can find it. its not visible to the naked eye (may be later) and you will need binoculars but if you scan around in that small area you will probably find it. I … [Read more...] about The SBC Voices astronomy report: The ‘spectacular’ Green Comet C/2022 E3
OK, so who are the SBC elites who sit at the cool kids table at lunch?
Pity the exalted, yet poor group of "SBC Elites." Seems the group is always in the bulls eye for one dissenting group or another. They get to sit at the cool kids table at lunch, and, if critics are correct these folks only deign to talk to each other. Communication with lesser SBCers is made by pronouncements, instructions on how to think and act, and by divine fiat. We aren't a convention of churches, as we've been told ad nauseum. We are a convention of pastors, and other clergy who are on the denominational payroll. An elite, self-selected group among these drives the SBC bus. Who … [Read more...] about OK, so who are the SBC elites who sit at the cool kids table at lunch?
Merry Christmas
The Winter Solstice Edition and why Miller and I are grouches and I’m a pagan
Today is the Winter Solstice, egad, 'the shortest day of the year' sayeth the pessimist. "Thank God! Days get longer from here on," sayeth the optimist. So, into the valley of death rides the intrepid old-school blogger tackling the hard issues with as little daylight as possible. I freely declare that I am a pagan, using the original sense etymologically of the word. I live in the country, a rustic. Proof positive is that I can see no neighbors from my house, not one, and none can see me. Hah! Amazon, UPS, and FedEx, of course, regularly invade my space and mess up my yard. … [Read more...] about The Winter Solstice Edition and why Miller and I are grouches and I’m a pagan
Pickleball, those old family life centers, and our declining birth rate
Among the things we Southern Baptists know as reality but seldom express is that churches will almost always be happy to undertake projects that expand their buildings. It makes us feel good about ourselves, as in 'we might not be growing but take a look at our facilities.' If one looks around there are scads of SBC churches who can count several successful building programs in their history. And don't call me a cynic (I prefer 'realist') when I write that the pastor who leads in building that new sanctuary, that new educational building, that new family life center is more likely to be … [Read more...] about Pickleball, those old family life centers, and our declining birth rate
‘Tis the season for seasons, ubiquitous seasons, generic seasons, euphemistic seasons, ridiculous seasons
Here in Georgia we have four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter. Spring is great unless it comes early and leaves quickly, then we have three seasons: summer, fall, winter. Summer is tolerable here, unlike New Orleans and Houston where the devil makes his seasonal residence with oppressive heat and humidity being constant and unpleasant companions. Fall is always super. Winter is OK if you take extra vitamin D to stave off the morose feelings for those long stretches of cold, rainy days with no sunshine. In the south there's really just two seasons: SEC football season and not … [Read more...] about ‘Tis the season for seasons, ubiquitous seasons, generic seasons, euphemistic seasons, ridiculous seasons
Hard to see the matter of ordination as a tool in preventing clergy abuse
Just the facts, friends, just the facts. Here's what the Baptist Faith and Message says about pastor ordination: A leading seminary president has said that Southern Baptists don't have a theology of ordination. A brilliant and erudite blogger has said that some churches would ordain a ham sandwich. OK, maybe a turkey sandwich, a fish taco, a bowl of spicy ramen noodles, or the ultimate: a Chic-fil-A sandwich. Here's where you go in the SBC to find a registry of all ordained ministers: www.fahgettaboutitSBC. There is no requirement that any pastor in any position be … [Read more...] about Hard to see the matter of ordination as a tool in preventing clergy abuse
Autonomy, resourcing, training the big winners in state convention sex abuse task forces
Nice compilation by Baptist Press' Tobin Perry of the actions taken by various state conventions this fall on the issue of sex abuse. State Baptist conventions take historic actions to prevent sexual abuse, care for survivors After the national SBC voted for a Sex Abuse Task Force many of the state conventions followed by appointing their own. These are reporting to their respective states. I count 21 state conventions in this article, the ones from: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland/Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, New … [Read more...] about Autonomy, resourcing, training the big winners in state convention sex abuse task forces
Headlines you are not likely to see from Baptist Press
Considerable research has been done, insiders have talked to insiders, and a good many of the SBC oligarchs have been consulted and we can confidently report that these news items have been suppressed by our denominational news organ, Baptist Press. _________________ Entire denomination stunned by latest comment by current SBC president Bart Barber. In a recent tweet President Barber said, "No comment" in answer to a question. "Unprecedented" said one observer. "Shocking," said another, "It's the end of a highly loquatious era. I don't know if he can run for a second term after … [Read more...] about Headlines you are not likely to see from Baptist Press