William Thornton

About a month ago the CP was reported by Baptist Press to be significantly lower than the previous year. Someone even wrote an article about it. After December's CP receipts were reported by the Executive Committee, all is about the same as last year. National CP .04% above last year's first quarter Give my colleague and fellow Georgian William Maxwell of the Tennessee Baptist Convention credit for his observation last month that advised "“Pay[ing] no attention until the end of the first three months.” It simply takes that long for the calendar to work itself out and the trends begin to … [Read more...] about Cooperative Program…about the same as last year

1. Big Ten, Pac 12 football. Does anyone require an explanation? 2. Alliterative sermon outlines. Forgive my fervent yet forlorn and perhaps foolish foray into the subject. Adrian could make it work but no one since. 3. The silly idea that only megapastors can be SBC presidents. God, give us a faithful pastor of a sub-megachurch as president...before I die. 4. Any pastor who asks, "Are you tracking with me?" I'm tracking the talking, preaching cliche of a pastor who uses the phrase. 5. The evaluation of everything in the SBC on the basis of Calvinism. Why would any noncal … [Read more...] about Some things that should be left behind in 2017

The venerable "Billy Graham rule" has served many ministers well over the years. The rule is a simple concept: not being alone with another woman not one's wife. I suppose there are variations and exceptions but those who follow it do not arrange private luncheons with another woman and some go to the extent of not ever being alone with another woman. The latter is impractical, perhaps impossible to follow for some single staff churches with a secretary. The pastor may well be in the building alone if he maintains any office hours at all. I'm curious if the rule which is in its seventh … [Read more...] about Replacement of the Billy Graham rule?

National CP 4.13% under projection The percentage drop featured in the Baptist Press story above is a bit less negative than the actual CP receipts for the first two months of the fiscal year as compared to the first two months last year: a drop of 5.07%. That is a significant number although there is some variation in how states might send the checks to Nashville, so the two consecutive monthly drops may be quickly reversed. The most recent trend for the CP is that it has leveled off and even shown slight increases at the national level. The economy is doing better, state conventions … [Read more...] about Not good news, Cooperative Program 2016-17 is down significantly

  We managed to have worship on the Lord's Day for centuries but now Christmas Day just doesn't work for us if it falls on a Sunday. "No one will show up."    Some will. Try it. "OK, not enough will show up."  No sense in worshiping with just a few, huh? "Families have their own Christmas Day activities." You bet...and some families even include worship with their church on Sunday, Christmas Day. "The staff needs this day off with their families."  Odd. Clergy have until now considered leading worship on Sunday as a rare privilege, part of their calling. "We do … [Read more...] about You’re cancelling Christmas Sunday services? Aw, come on man!

I've had an interesting experience in retirement of joining an affinity group. A few months ago I decided to follow through on a long, though casual, interest: join a rock and gem club. My wonderful wife, given to wry humor at times, responded to me when I announced I was joining, "I didn't know the gym had rocking chairs. You will probably enjoy it." So, with that bit of encouragement I searched out and joined the nearest club. My experience reminded me of how many churches claim to desire to grow, to have new members, but seem like they are doing all within their power to discourage … [Read more...] about Does your church want new members?