Here is my completely subjective list of the top Southern Baptist news stories of 2016. Presumably, all of our colleagues will be occupied with Christmas gaiety and not make news between now and the end of the year. The rankings are meant to be generally taken. _______________ 1. Russell Moore's strident opposition to Donald Trump and reaction from some segments of the SBC The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission CEO, Russell Moore, was a heavy critic of Donald Trump. Some segments of the SBC objected to what was seen as imbalance in his anti-Trump. One mid-level SBC personage spoke … [Read more...] about Top ten Southern Baptist news stories of 2016
Replacement of the Billy Graham rule?
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?
Not good news, Cooperative Program 2016-17 is down significantly
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
You’re cancelling Christmas Sunday services? Aw, come on man!
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!
Does your church want new members?
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?
Lottie Moon: Far and away a record last year and building on a balanced IMB budget
Fifteen months ago the IMB was sailing through an ocean a red ink, their spending exceeding revenues by tens of millions of dollars. It seems like along time ago that the Board and all concerned Southern Baptists endured the painful series of voluntary personnel reduction measures that saw 800 IMB workers leave the company. The ocean now is black ink with a projection of a balanced budget for 2017. Thank God for that. Missionary appointments are up, IMB projects appointing 451 new personnel in 2017, which represents a 3 percent net increase in total field personnel (100 additional field … [Read more...] about Lottie Moon: Far and away a record last year and building on a balanced IMB budget
A pleasant excursion to my state convention’s annual meeting
It's been a few years since I attended the annual meeting of my state convention, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. I enjoyed spending some time this week at the meeting. It didn't hurt that it was in a very pleasant destination, Savannah, where the weather was just right for outdoor dining and strolls along the riverfront park. The historic district is always interesting and half of my party enjoyed the many interesting places to shop. Savannah is sort of the second-string Charleston but I would say that publicly. I like my state convention. It is one of the largest with a Cooperative … [Read more...] about A pleasant excursion to my state convention’s annual meeting
In praise of the apolitical church
I have enjoyed this political season, not the least reason for which is the lack of any intense political thrust coming from the church I currently attend. While the election may come up in a casual pulpit remark, the general thrust is that we do not "do politics" from the pulpit. I gather that this is pastor-driven but accepted and even welcomed by church leadership. Personally, I don't think the pastor could add anything to what I already know about local or national politics. There is not any group or even individual that I know of who complains that the church is inadequately … [Read more...] about In praise of the apolitical church
Shall we expel that uncooperative church which has failed to send in their statistics?
Well, highly unlikely that we would yet some state conventions are in a position to do just that because of their definition of what constitutes a church in friendly cooperation. Baptist Press reported recently on how Indiana Baptists amended their bylaw regarding cooperating churches. The new State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (SCBI) rule provides "a personal and proactive approach to dealing with churches that have not met the basic requirements of being a 'cooperating church with the SCBI,'" the group reported... ...Under the amended church cooperation bylaw, approved … [Read more...] about Shall we expel that uncooperative church which has failed to send in their statistics?
Jack Chick died two weeks too soon
Jack Chick, yeah, the one and only Jack Chick died Sunday. His tracts, a staple of the "you're-gonna-bust-hell-wide-open-and-fry-like-a-sausage" wing of Protestant, American Christianity, were big and occasionally found in my circles in the 1970s and 1980s. Since he waged holy war on Halloween, a death on that date would have been ironic. The Lord is in charge of beginnings and ends. He worked according to His schedule. I first laid eyes on one of those Jack Chick tracts in the late 1970s. A few of my seminary classmates favored them. I may run across one these days about once every few … [Read more...] about Jack Chick died two weeks too soon