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…
A sober and sensible look at the danger of missionary work
In a way, too much has been said about the recent killing of an American missionary in the Andaman islands but since John Chau was quite active in publicly recounting his travels and adventures, a recent opinion piece by Southeastern Seminary professor Scott Hildreth that was carried by Religious News Service may be appropriate and relevant. John Chau and the dangers of missionary work The RNS story is worth reading in its entirety. I'll just put a couple of salient quotes here: The death of Chau raises questions for Christians and non-Christians alike. There are ethical questions, as … [Read more...] about A sober and sensible look at the danger of missionary work
Lottie Moon is always the best choice for missions giving
While there are many worthy causes, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is clearly and always the best choice for missions giving among Southern Baptists. The offering, last year's came to $158.9 million, all directed to overseas needs. The LMCO provides over half of our International Mission Board's funding. Thank God that almost all Southern Baptist Churches continue to have a missions emphasis around Christmas and ask their members to give generously, sacrificially to the LMCO. IMB has been taking the Gospel to the nations for 173 years. Their work may be … [Read more...] about Lottie Moon is always the best choice for missions giving
One entity hire made, four to go…
IMB is the largest, oldest, and most important of our SBC entities and has a new CEO. Paul Chitwood was a good choice. My prayers for a stable and prosperous future. IMB has been around for a long time. Although the CEO is important, they don't need any Savior other than Jesus to survive and thrive. That leaves LifeWay, New Orleans and Southwestern Seminaries, and the Executive Committee still looking. I'm somewhat ambivalent about the seminaries but a leader needs some marketing savvy to increase enrollment. The CP pool of funding is not likely to grow; hence, tuition will keep the … [Read more...] about One entity hire made, four to go…
An exciting day at my state convention annual meeting
By popular demand your humble hacker and plodder blogger was in attendance at the annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention yesterday. Actually, the reason for my presence was more marital command (my wife was in the choir for the event) than popular demand, but why quibble over the ultimate cause. I was there, eyes open, eyebrows raised, ears perked. The meeting was dominated by the retirement of our Executive Director, Robert White, and beginning of a new ED, Thomas Hammond. White's tenure was over a quarter century and he is an old school patrician Baptist, an indefatigible, … [Read more...] about An exciting day at my state convention annual meeting
The blogging equivalent of a church potluck supper
I had a wonderful older lady in my church whose habit was to bring rutabagas to the monthly senior luncheon. I don't like the smell of rutabagas. I don't like the taste of rutabagas. I don't like the look of rutabagas. They are virtually inedible just on the basis of the name 'rutabaga'. Why would anyone put such a thing in their mouth anyway? Well, every time the lady would say, "Here, preacher, have some rutabagas," and in a shameful display of spineless pastoral pandering, I'd answer, "Sure" and she would heap on a pile of the foul items on my plate. Under withering scrutiny, I'd eat … [Read more...] about The blogging equivalent of a church potluck supper
SBC Today gives up the ghost
The flagship blog of SBC Traditionalists, SBC Today, announced a few days ago that "for the forseeable future" they would take a "hiatus." I guess that means they gave up the ghost, although with one short post since the announcement a light pulse is felt. May it be hereby noted that this was done on the eve of Reformation Day. Someone ought point that out and I'm happy to oblige. The news was noted in no less than Baptist News Global where Bob Allen had an informative article. At least one additional popular site for Baptists made note, also. Frankly, I hated to see it partly because of … [Read more...] about SBC Today gives up the ghost