We love cliches in the SBC and the old church sign standard, "The end of your search for a friendly church", is about as well-worn as any. It is pithy, has a rhyme, and expresses something that we want communicated to those outside of our churches. Unfortunately, it is probably not the truth about your church. A state convention worker was preaching in my church once and he offered this truism: "Most churches think they are friendly but aren't." I'm in agreement, especially after spending a year or so after retirement visiting churches. Almost all were not friendly. One would think that … [Read more...] about The end of your search for a friendly church? Probably not.
The long, slow slog to a 50/50 Cooperative Program split
For those with a surfeit of election year political stuff, I humbly offer some calming and pacifying (some may say 'mind numbing') information on our beloved Cooperative Program. Watch out for the high weeds, though. _____________ The money collected under our venerable Cooperative Program, now in its tenth decade, is divided into two parts: the first part is the money kept by the state conventions, the second part is forwarded to the SBC Executive Committee, most of which is divided among the mission boards and seminaries. Of interest to those who pay attention is the … [Read more...] about The long, slow slog to a 50/50 Cooperative Program split
SBC Cooperative Program shows first significant increase in years
The SBC Executive Committee is reporting that for the fiscal year 2015-2016 that ended September 30th Cooperative Program receipts have increased by 3.47 percent over last year. Designated receipts, almost all Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong were up 4.95% from the previous fiscal year. Cooperative Program receipts: 2015-2016 $195,730,508.40 2014-2015 $189,160,231.41 Designated Receipts: 2015-2016 $204,671,725.92 2014-2015 $195,013,412.58 Designated giving surpassed CP giving at the SBC level several years ago and remains … [Read more...] about SBC Cooperative Program shows first significant increase in years
Cooperative Program receipts will show an increase this year
The SBC Executive Committee is always prompt in reporting monthly Cooperative Program receipts. Their fiscal year ends Friday so I look for a Baptist Press story on Monday that announces a significant increase in yearly CP contributions to SBC national and international missions. This is only the minority portion of the total Cooperative Program, since state conventions keep about 60% of every CP dollar given by local churches. The increase over last year looks to be about 3% but the exact figure will be known Monday. Calling a 3% increase "significant" is subjective but based on the past … [Read more...] about Cooperative Program receipts will show an increase this year
Is the Annual Church Profile dying a slow death?
"We don't report anything," sayeth a younger pastor colleague whose church is biblical, Baptist, active, growing, missions-minded, and non-traditional. This is the time of year when about 40,000 of the 50,000 or so Southern Baptist Churches gather their statistics and compile them in a report usually called the Annual Church Profile (although here in Georgia it is called the Annual Church Report) the aggregate numbers of which are reported next June at or just prior to the SBC annual meeting. The churches I pastored always filed the report. Why would anyone not respond to the request … [Read more...] about Is the Annual Church Profile dying a slow death?
The pastor and inappropriate interactions with women in the church
When a pastor is said to be "inappropriately involved with a woman or women in his church other than his wife", it used to be that the phrase was our ecclesiastical euphemism for breaking the seventh commandment. The pastor got physically involved in an adulterous affair. Once that is known to be true, the pastor is effectively finished at his church while church leadership attempts to arrange his departure in a way that shows grace towards him and his family but upholds ministry standards. Opinions vary about whether or not the adulterer pastor is finished for good. LifeWay Research did a … [Read more...] about The pastor and inappropriate interactions with women in the church
$76,492: Average SBC Senior Pastor Pay Package
Add up your salary, housing allowance (or fair rental value of your parsonage plus utilities paid by the church), Social Security equivalent payment (if you receive one), retirement payment, and health insurance. If it is over $76,492 then you are paid above the SBC average according to the 2016 LifeWay Compensation Study just released. LifeWay and GuideStone produce this report in even numbered years and it is helpful in assessing pay rates for SBC clergy and staff. It is a self-reported survey of SBC churches, not a random sample, so the results have some limitations but I've found it to … [Read more...] about $76,492: Average SBC Senior Pastor Pay Package
The SBC could do better in helping pastors with sabbaticals
Labor Day is a good day to think about sabbaticals, that elusive extended period of time away from the church and pulpit. We pastors usually get extended time off by being fired, quitting, or retiring. I never had a sabbatical, not after serving as pastor for more than a decade in two different Southern Baptist churches. By way of abject confession I'm sharing why my resume would not include any brief or extended period away from my church for renewal and rest: I never asked. Had I asked, the two wonderful congregations where I served longer pastorates would likely have worked with me … [Read more...] about The SBC could do better in helping pastors with sabbaticals
They’re coming after your housing allowance…again
"They" would be the Freedom From Religion Foundation which gained a victory in a federal court district ruling in 2013 which disallowed the cash housing allowance. Unfortunately for them, the ruling was overturned at the appeals level. The appeals court found a problem with a technical legal issue, standing, and made no determination about the constitutionality of the cash version of the minister's housing allowance. This problem with standing has been resolved and we should expect the FFRF's current lawsuit challenging the housing allowance to move forward without the problem that sank it … [Read more...] about They’re coming after your housing allowance…again
College football TOP TEN!
Here's the Top Ten in college football. Not my ranking but that found here. (1) Colorado (2) Georgia Notre Dame (4) Kentucky (5) Chattanooga (6) Alabama Florida (8) Hawai'i (9) Kansas Youngstown State _______________ Any questions? Four teams from the mighty SEC. This is the parody award, Fulmer Cup, that tracks the criminal achievements of various college football programs during the offseason and declares a "winner." Unfair? Perhaps. I think a swallow of bitter realism on life in America is good for perspective. College football is super … [Read more...] about College football TOP TEN!