...in the churches this year. Anecdotal evidence here but I'm hearing of healthy increases in some churches. My church did much better. This is the SBC's oldest and best mission offering. Whatever is askew in our convention doesn't diminish the need for a global strategy for missions where resident workers who are immersed in the culture and speak the language share the Gospel. I think, overall, Southern Baptists understand this and give faithfully and often sacrificially. There have been years when the LMCO jumped $20 million from the previous year. Not sure where we will be when the … [Read more...] about The Lottie Moon offering seems to be doing well…
Some duds of 2018
I'm owning up to some of my articles that didn't quite capture the interest of folks around here. Duds. ___________ In the dead of mid-winter last year I wrote on things admirable, deplorable, or forgettable, a compilation of well-used and ill-used vocabulary. Seems that post was altogether forgettable. Nary a comment, not even a snarky one. Want to hear crickets? Write a piece on leadership changes in state conventions. In spite of the fact that about 90% of Cooperative Program revenue flows through sixteen legacy state conventions in the south, there seems to be little interest here … [Read more...] about Some duds of 2018
Fabulous SBC Voices College Bowl Game Contest
There are sixteen bowl games left, including the championship game. I'm not counting some minor bowls not worth watching. The ones that are left, not including Auburn who isn't going to make my list of anything, are the ones below. Heck, one of the goofball bowls cancelled their game. Go figure. ______________________________________ Saturday, Dec. 29 1. Orange Bowl, Alabama vs. Oklahoma 2. Cotton Bowl, Clemson vs. Notre Dame 3. Peach Bowl, Florida vs. Michigan 4. Belk Bowl, Virginia vs. South Carolina Monday, Dec. 31 5. Military Bowl, Cincinnati vs. Virginia … [Read more...] about Fabulous SBC Voices College Bowl Game Contest
The SBC single best moment of 2018
That would be the moment in our annual session when messenger and trustee of Southwestern Seminary, Bart Barber, said the following: I am an old-time Baptist congregationalist. My church has business meetings every month because I want us to have business meetings every month. I believe in our polity. And it is a part of our polity that our entity heads do not get to remove trustees when they become an inconvenience to them, that entity heads have to answer to their boards both when they want to do so and when they don’t want to do so, that seminary employees have to abide by board … [Read more...] about The SBC single best moment of 2018
Best of the SBC for 2018
Nothing is over more quickly than Christmas. No more carols. No more Christmas sermons. No more trees, poinsettias, and ugly sweaters. The gifts have all been opened and many will be returned today. Kids have already broken some of theirs and are in tears. Leftovers will dominate the culinary offerings for the week. So, although I like Dave Miller's four-sermon Christmas series (and I'd steal and use it if I didn't already a a similar series), let's go back to business as usual here: Best quotes: I’ve been talked down to by male seminary students and held my tongue when I wanted to say, … [Read more...] about Best of the SBC for 2018
It’s no mystery why pagans celebrate Winter solstice
The winter solstice is today at 5:23 PM EST. Shortest day of the year. Bah! Humbug! If your church even mentions the word "solstice" that would probably put you on the SBC exclusion list. That would be terribly pagan, but many SBC churches these days like to be on the cutting edge of eccelsiastical practice with things like fog machines and zip lines. Can solstice parties be far behind? From where I am these short days make it easy to get in a sour state and I confess that I look forward to this day. I get a little morose as the days shorten. It's cold. The sun doesn't shine on many … [Read more...] about It’s no mystery why pagans celebrate Winter solstice
Cringeworthy funeral moments
I assisted in a funeral Sunday afternoon. That is the occasion when the coats and ties in my closet rejoice that they will see the light of day because otherwise they stay put. The funeral was for a friend and longtime member of the church from which I retired. I joined the current pastor and another former pastor in doing the service. It was, as I like to put it, a triple header. All went smoothly. It was a good funeral. The lady was a believer, a faithful church member, and had lived a long life. As is the custom these days there was not only the preachers preaching and sharing anecdotes, … [Read more...] about Cringeworthy funeral moments
Top SBC news of 2018
The year's not over but it's still time to review the top SBC news items for 2018. If stuff happens in December other than all the brethren and sistren stuffing themselves with Christmas fare, I'll do an update. This year saw more newsworthy items in the SBC than for many years past. The election of a next generation president: J. D. Greear. The SBC presidential election was hotly contested. It shouldn't have been but this is our system, our practice, and our preference. Sadly, the election between two outstanding men was framed as a contest between cooperative and societal … [Read more...] about Top SBC news of 2018
Interesting facts on the most famous Southern Baptist ever
Lottie Moon, missionary to China from 1873 to her death in 1912, is the most famous person in Southern Baptist history. Our largest offering, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, is named for her. In time, her life came to be mythologized by Southern Baptists and her name invoked in order to raise money for missions. Over $1.5 billion has been received for overseas missions use since 1888. I hope your church has and will receive a Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions this year. Do your best. There are many good things to support. This is the best thing … [Read more...] about Interesting facts on the most famous Southern Baptist ever
Christmas food, and you can have my White Fudge Oreos…
...when you pry them from my cold dead fingers. The only exceptions to that are if my doctor gives me an especially grave lecture or my wife gives me a sidelong glance. After all, I spent most of 2018 answering the same question from the Kroger cashiers, "Did you find everything you needed?" My answer was always, "No. You didn't have white fudge Oreos," after which I'd usually get a puzzled look. Once or twice the nice cashier said, "Yeah, those are really good. I think they are a Christmas item." Indeed. But when I found them, I exercised notable restraint by buying only three boxes: … [Read more...] about Christmas food, and you can have my White Fudge Oreos…