Things are different now in some ways. SBC Voices has deliberately added a number of new writers. The change is welcome. New perspectives are good. Although SBCV is often labeled as a Cal site, contributors here are a mix of theological views, cal and non-cal. No question the choice here was mostly, perhaps fully, Greear, but it has been said that the welcome mat is out for some Traditionalist contributions. SBC Today has an interim director who has said, "I would also like to invite Dave Miller of SBC Voices to join myself in moderating a fruitful and charitable discussion on … [Read more...] about Things Are Different Than They Were a Month Ago
Book Review: Together on God’s Mission, How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Great Commission by Scott Hildreth
Is our main channel of cooperation, the Cooperative Program, best viewed as (a) a tax on churches, (b) dues for membership in the Southern Baptist Convention, (c) an efficient and practical way of spending our money, or, (d) the primary means of expressing cooperation among churches, an important theological value and teaching? Scott Hildreth, Assistant Professor of Global Studies George Liele director of the Center for Great Commission Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, advocates for (d) in his new book, Together on God's Mission, How Southern Baptists Cooperate to … [Read more...] about Book Review: Together on God’s Mission, How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Great Commission by Scott Hildreth
SBC Entities, Child Abuse, and Sexual Harassment
Our flagship and by far largest entity, the International Mission Board, published a statement on child abuse and sexual harassment. The board says, The IMB is committed to zero tolerance for child abuse and sexual harassment among our personnel. Further, the IMB is committed to communicating clearly and cooperating with our partners to guard against child abuse and sexual harassment. The policy provides that, IMB personnel are subject to immediate dismissal for such offenses. IMB will comply with mandatory reporting on such things. IMB has a dedicated phone number for reports of … [Read more...] about SBC Entities, Child Abuse, and Sexual Harassment
Lost in #SBC18 Noise: Evangelism Task Force Report and Recommendations
My how we SBCers do love the 'National Blue Ribbon Task Force' approach to addressing seemingly intractable, long-running problems in the SBC chief of which is the steadily declining baptism total. Steve Gaines appointed and the Convention approved last year such a group, the Evangelism Task Force. Baptist Press reported on it with a couple of stories: Evangelism Task Force Releases Report, Recommendations 'All of us' must evangelize, SBC agrees with task force The ETF produced a report that included a section on "affirmations" and "denials" about evangelism. Naturally, soteriology … [Read more...] about Lost in #SBC18 Noise: Evangelism Task Force Report and Recommendations
Stray Summer Solstice Stuff
We Baptists are a bit reserved about the summer solstice primarily because we are too spiritual to even mention such an event we see as pagan. I am happy to fill in the void by saying that the longest day of the year is a splendid event - the sun is shining, birds are singing, kids are playing (even a few of them are playing outside), and flowers are blooming. The Almighty Himself is responsible for the sun, moon, and stars and the length of a day. Sad, though, that the sun repents and starts a slow march backwards and we know that come October, November, and December we will have a SAD time … [Read more...] about Stray Summer Solstice Stuff
Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers
Almost lost amid the more gaudy news out of Dallas this week is something that is assuredly more important to the SBC's future: news on the Cooperative Program. Average percentage of undesignated receipts given to CP: 4.86% down from 5.16%. Although the decline is just a fraction, 3/10 of one percent, it's a pretty steep one year drop, about 6%. Think what it would mean if we had five consecutive years of the same. We would be looking at a CP that is down to 3.5% of church receipts. Weeping and gnashing of teeth everywhere. Churches have been giving on average around five percent … [Read more...] about Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers
#SBC18 Winners
OK, so I wished we could have had all winners and no losers for #SBC18 but, alas, didn't happen. There were many winners though. Here they are: J.D. Greear: The election wasn't close. The Convention coalesced around a next-generation candidate with a stellar church growth and mission support record. OK, so he talks so fast I have to try and understand what he's saying while catching only every third or fourth word. I'll manage. Ken Hemphill: Quality and integrity from crown to cowboy boots. Women in general and not just in the context of abuse. SWBTS trustees. The … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Winners
#SBC18 Losers
Don't take it personally, but... The AC system. The messengers from the North Pole were quite comfortable. Wise pastors know you can never win the thermostat wars. Just shut up and suffer whether it's too hot or too cold. Paige Patterson. We didn't have to go through all this. I suspect it's not over. Committee on Order of Business. Sure, I get that they were put in an impossible position by Steve Gaines shuffling the VP's self-invitation off to them but when a motion was made that might have uninvited him, the chair had to belt out a sermonette on why it was biblical for the SBC to … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Losers
SBC18 news you’ll only find on SBC Voices
Hard news about the SBC annual meeting doesn't exhaust the things coming out of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center this week. To wit... We are in the heart of Texas, there are about 10,000 registered messengers and I've seen only four or five cowboy hats. Probably a couple of ringers among those few. What's this state coming to? I was at the bar today, twice, a record for me. It was because restaurants were crowded. I asked one bartender if the alcohol was flowing freely. "Only one or two," he replied. I baptist-splained the situation to him. Great guy. A highly placed source … [Read more...] about SBC18 news you’ll only find on SBC Voices
Well, here we go…
...Dallas wasn't on my June 2018 agenda but my wife and daughter wanted to come, so here we are. I'm resigned to being bossed around a bit this week. Good to have a millennial along for Ubering, and tech stuff anyway. The only thing I wanted to do outside of SBC18 is stroll around Dealy Plaza. I was in eighth grade back then. School let out early. Zapruder, sixth floor, grassy knoll...seems like the two crude "X" marks in the roadway don't quite fit the event but I suppose if there were permanent markers they would be stolen. Even 911 didn't have the somber gravity of Kennedy's … [Read more...] about Well, here we go…