Back in January I did a "things to watch in 2017" piece. Here's my list: What will be the response to the revamped Pastors Conference in Phoenix? I thought it was very well done and well received. Will we start to see leadership transitions in southern states? Nope. Will limitless missionaries start to become a reality in 2017? I'm not seeing much different. Will we continue to see increasingly diverse representation on trustee boards? Well, I don't know. What's to come of the Russell Moore controversy? He apologized. I hope that was the last time we let an … [Read more...] about Anybody mess up predicting SBC things this year?
Top SBC news stories of 2017
This is only 11 months worth. There's still time to make some news. Our Sacred Clergy Tax Break takes a hit in federal court. The minister's housing allowance, which allows clergy to exclude a considerable portion of their income from income tax, is ruled unconstitutional by a federal district judge. If you live in a parsonage the decision did not apply to you, only to those who receive a cash HA. Oh yeah, we've been here before...same court, same judge, same plaintiff, same outcome. Nothing changes for now, so max out your HA for 2018, just do it properly. Russell Moore gets spanked. A … [Read more...] about Top SBC news stories of 2017
2017 Cooperative Program/State Convention quiz
All of this (except for the last question) pertains to the portion of the Cooperative Program that is sent by the states to the Executive Committee and distributed through the SBC CP Allocation Budget. The data used here are not the total CP including the 60% or so of revenues kept by the state conventions but rather the 40% of total CP received by the Executive Committee. Only the undesignated portion is used, not designated (Lottie, Annie and some smaller designated offerings). So...here you go: 1. The SBC has 42 state conventions. What percentage of the CP is contributed by the 16 … [Read more...] about 2017 Cooperative Program/State Convention quiz
The stalwart, invisible hero of the SBC: The single staff pastor
It's a Southern Baptist cliche: "We are a convention of small churches." We are indeed. The median SBC church will have 70 souls in average weekly worship attendance this coming Sunday which means that around 25,000 SBC churches have a pastor who looks out when he preaches at a few dozen hearers. The pastor almost certainly is the only clergy staff member in the church although he may have a part time paid or volunteer music leader, student or children leader. This would be the place where there is a church of people who all know each other. This would be the place where there is a … [Read more...] about The stalwart, invisible hero of the SBC: The single staff pastor
Some pretty good Baptist talk; some not so much
You can decide which is which for yourself. I give Mike Leake high marks for his post calling the Sunday worship service a "weekly cataclysm," a very nicely turned phrase. I confess that there was an occasional worship service I presided over that was a weekly calamity because of various things. Thank God that another Sunday arrives in seven days. Ummm, is there a way to understand "Watch out for the guy who is an expert on what used to work" in a way other than a boastful slam against people who supposedly don't have a clue about church life in the 21st century? Here's a mixture of … [Read more...] about Some pretty good Baptist talk; some not so much
Hitting the state convention annual meeting
I had not planned to attend this year even though the site is fairly close to me but I had forgotten that my wife was scheduled to sing in the big, statewide chorus. I rearranged my plans. As a seasoned observer of such meetings, I offer a few vignettes of the meeting: Our convention is in pretty good shape. The mood was happy. No rancor afoot that I know of. Folks look like they enjoy being there. It helps that attendees can get their daily calories in personal size candy bars by hitting the exhibits. Ah, Baby Ruths. Good choice. Old school. I didn't bother to get a messenger card … [Read more...] about Hitting the state convention annual meeting
Is NAMB being too heavyhanded with State Conventions?
Some say yes. You can easily find that assertion elsewhere. I don't judge our second largest entity, the North American Mission Board, nor their leadership to be perfect but have come to regard their work as effective and worthy of the support of SBC churches, pastors, and laypeople. It wasn't all that long ago that the SBC so motivated the institution through the Great Commission Task Force and Report to take control of their budget and be more effective in North American missions. My lay understanding of processes and actions is informed by several years of observations and … [Read more...] about Is NAMB being too heavyhanded with State Conventions?
Southwestern Seminary cuts 10% of their full time positions
Baptist Press so reports: SWBTS cuts staff due to health care, utility costs After making "low-hanging fruit adjustments" that included reductions in dining services, copy center hours and the fleet of vehicles at the 200-acre campus, Patrick said the administration decided not to fill positions from natural attrition, including student employees who are graduating and staff and faculty set to retire. In order to continue providing health care benefits to employees and their dependents, a third round of cuts involved laying off 30 fulltime staff "in selected areas where functions can be … [Read more...] about Southwestern Seminary cuts 10% of their full time positions
Tax bill would allow churches to endorse candidates?
That's what is being reported by numerous sources - here, here, here. Excerpt from WaPo: The Republicans’ bill would make it legal for ministers and other religious leaders to endorse candidates from the pulpit but stops short of allowing other political participation such as financial contributions from churches to campaigns. The bill stipulates that a religious institution wouldn’t be found to have violated the law “solely because of the content of any homily, sermon, teaching, dialectic, or other presentation made during religious services or gatherings.” That’s the protection that … [Read more...] about Tax bill would allow churches to endorse candidates?
How much money does your church have in the bank? Today.
Suppose, beloved pastor, you wanted to know how much money your church had on hand today. How would you find out? You could ask the financial secretary and she would give you a number but how do you know this is accurate? (Hint: You don't). You could find the latest financial report given to the church but this might not be current and, besides, the figure might not be correct. You could call the bank if you are an authorized church person and they would tell you. While this would answer the question, you might not on the bank's list of approved persons to whom they may release … [Read more...] about How much money does your church have in the bank? Today.