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
The end of your search for a friendly church? Probably not.
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