I am not the SBC Voices expert on sex abuse, nor on any component of SBC sex abuse solutions. But, I do read the things that pertain to it. Last week I wrote an article about the Sex Abuse Task Force and the deadline that is drawing near for the report of the investigative firm, Guidepost Solutions, LLC, to be released to the SATF. We are less than a month from that. The SATF gets an additional week after the report to digest it and make "suggestions" to the SBC. After that week the full Guidepost report plus the SATF suggestions must be released so we can all read it. We have less than … [Read more...] about The sex abuse database, surely coming to a denomination near you
Yea, 25 days until the Guidepost final sex abuse report is released
The SBC has never done anything like this. That is, to have an unelected group (the Sex Abuse Task Force, appointed by SBC president Ed Litton) and give them an undefined and essentially unlimited budget to spend on an independent group which is to "review includes an investigation into any allegations of abuse, mishandling of abuse, mistreatment of victims, a pattern of intimidation of victims or advocates, and resistance to sexual abuse reform initiatives." (The full motion and other questions about the SATF and its work may be found here.) So, here we are less than a month before … [Read more...] about Yea, 25 days until the Guidepost final sex abuse report is released
Wonderful Easter at two churches…to worship, see, and be seen
I was present for worship on Resurrection Sunday morning, not in one but two separate churches. It was a great Lord's Day. In my current church there were three services and my wife was singing in the choir for each one, leaving yours truly with extra time to scout around. Our church is a large, thriving church. It is also my home church from long ago prior to seminary and service as a pastor. I love the family atmosphere on Easter with kids being dressed up - little girls in frilly, lacy, brightly colored dresses. Some little boys in outfits with suspenders and bow ties. Ah, … [Read more...] about Wonderful Easter at two churches…to worship, see, and be seen
The Crucifixion of Jesus
The Crucifixion of Jesus 32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. … [Read more...] about The Crucifixion of Jesus
Missouri Baptists show us how to trash the Cooperative Program
One would think that Holy Week would be a week for NOT publishing controversial hard SBC news but since the Missouri state paper, The Pathway, chose yesterday to post a piece explaining how their state convention is undermining the venerable Cooperative Program, a timely response is needed. You don't have to agree with my take on this. Just don't complain about political posts being made during this, the holiest week of the Christian calendar. Churches now able to withhold funds from SBC entities in MBC's new 'Plan B' giving option State conventions are the collecting agents for our … [Read more...] about Missouri Baptists show us how to trash the Cooperative Program
Rejoice greatly!
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ________________ Have a great Lord's Day and Holy Week! … [Read more...] about Rejoice greatly!
To the surprise of many CP giving is up substantially
I've often written articles about the Cooperative Program, usually after the Executive Committee's monthly CP report. The theme has consistently been about declining revenues. But not today. Baptist Press reports National CP giving nearly $11M above budget halfway through fiscal year. This is significant enough that even longtime critics like our mod/lib friends report on it: Against the odds, the SBC is experiencing a double-digit increase in giving. Why the good news? Could be a lot of things but, clearly, the increases in giving express Southern Baptists' confidence in and … [Read more...] about To the surprise of many CP giving is up substantially
So, what’s the problem with choirs?
Here I am in retirement, free to worship where I please and not currently the pastor of a church. Were I, I suppose they would expect me to show up most every Sunday. I'm not a music person, other than I know what I like and don't like. In church music it's mostly don't like. But music isn't a deal breaker with me and the church I attend. Recently, my wife and I made a move back to my home church in part because she is an outstanding singer and the church has - GASP! - an actual volunteer choir that sings every Sunday. They're good. The congregation appreciates them. The choir members … [Read more...] about So, what’s the problem with choirs?
You gotta problem with this?
Up the road there lives a patriot...or a Christian...or...some melding of the two. Any problems here? Not that I would complain. It's private property and free speech. I've seen churches do worse like the one that covered up the cross on their sanctuary wall with a giant American flag. Only for a single Lord's Day. Around Easter, crosses abound sometimes draped with cloths of different colors. But I've never seen this one. … [Read more...] about You gotta problem with this?
Great Commission Giving. Trads and Cals now love that giving metric?
Does the love fest between the rabid Cals and the formerly militant, though now meek, Trads extend to Great Commission Giving, the SBC giving category that can't get any respect? I'm just trying to manage all the consequences of recent SBC political developments that have my head spinning. You'd think my Christian, Baptist, Southern Baptist colleagues would have more respect for their elders than to jerk their head this way and that with convention politics. Fantasyland, SBC style. So, the Trads love their presidential candidate, longtime follower of Jesus and John Calvin, Tom Ascol. I like … [Read more...] about Great Commission Giving. Trads and Cals now love that giving metric?