In early August I had the opportunity to take my first trip to Collegiate Week at Falls Creek camp in Oklahoma. My good friend Corey Olivier, Metro Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director in New Orleans, invited me along so I jumped at the chance. I have heard about Falls Creek most of my ministry life and always wanted to see the facility. I am now able to *check off* of my bucket list “purposely traveling to Oklahoma for any reason at all.” ;) Seriously though, let me first say that Falls Creek is an amazing place. Ridgecrest is special to Michelle and I and because of that I can see why … [Read more...] about Collegiate Week at Falls Creek
NAMB
SBCcalled.com: A Resource You Should Check Out IMMEDIATELY!
This article was supposed to be imbedded in another one I am writing about collegiate ministry and Collegiate Week in particular. But the more I wrote about this subject, the more I realized how important it is and that it really needed its own article. The Yoda of Louisiana collegiate ministry is Steve Masters, BCM director at LSU. This guy is a machine. I had known of Steve for years, but really got to know him and see him work the week we all lived together during Collegiate Week this past August. He has created a website which is chock-full of resources every Pastor, Youth Pastor, … [Read more...] about SBCcalled.com: A Resource You Should Check Out IMMEDIATELY!
How a Church Might Reallocate Funds Away From the Executive Committee
Last night after watching the debacle that was the Executive Committee (EC) meeting and then seeing so many pastors suggest they might lead their church to leave the convention or escrow their giving, I posted the following to Twitter. “Friends, please don’t leave the SBC. Too many good things happening. If anything, consider temporarily redistributing CP & GCG funds away from the EXComm until we get to Anaheim & we radically redefine the work of the EC & reformat the allocation budget commensurate w/the change.” In short order I was asked how such a redistribution might be … [Read more...] about How a Church Might Reallocate Funds Away From the Executive Committee
Army Chaplains: Clearing Up Some Myths
There is a good bit of misinformation circulating around the internet regarding military chaplains in general and Army chaplains in specific. I’ve seen posts that claim that Army chaplains cannot pray in Jesus’ name when they conduct their worship services. Some people claim that chaplains are forced to conduct services for other religions. Hopefully this post will help clear up some of these common myths related to military chaplaincy. Myth #1: Chaplains Cannot Pray in Jesus’ Name This myth stems largely from confusion regarding military ceremonies versus worship services. Attendance at a … [Read more...] about Army Chaplains: Clearing Up Some Myths
Baptists You Should Know, B. Frank Belvin and the Jesus Road
The history of the SBC includes thousands of missionaries, pastors, workers, and others who often get lost to history. My goal is to highlight a few of those people in order that we can be encouraged and inspired by their lives and sacrifice. “I’ll skin every white man I can.” B. Frank Belvin hated white people and all they stood for. He decided to devote his life to gain revenge on those who had put him down. He spoke those words as a teenager after his family experienced several incidents of violence directed towards them as a result of being Native American. Born in Boswell, OK in … [Read more...] about Baptists You Should Know, B. Frank Belvin and the Jesus Road
Baptists You Should Know, Victor Kaneubbe
The history of the SBC includes thousands of missionaries, pastors, workers, and others who often get lost to history. My goal is to highlight a few of those people in order that we can be encouraged and inspired by their lives and sacrifice. This week we look to a pioneer in Native American Ministry. Half of native churches are in Oklahoma and they are asking us to pray for a spiritual awakening this week as they host their annual camp meeting online. Indian Falls Creek is one of the largest annual Native camps in America. Pray for them as they meet this week. Learn more at … [Read more...] about Baptists You Should Know, Victor Kaneubbe
Would Your Church Consider Baptism Sunday? Fill the Tank on Easter
I've found that intentionally planning a baptism service, even during times we don't have any candidates committed to be baptized has been a helpful way to start conversations about baptism within our church family. I'd recommend that your church consider Baptism Sunday this coming Easter Sunday, April 12. SBC President J.D. Greear and NAMB, along with Ronnie Floyd, state conventions and Associations leadership are working to promote this initiative across the convention. Several of our team here at SBC Voices are planning on joining in. I'm pretty excited because the Sundays we have … [Read more...] about Would Your Church Consider Baptism Sunday? Fill the Tank on Easter
BCHS: Maybe the SBC’s Best-Kept-Secret… Seriously!
I promise this will be the last thing I post regarding anything about New Orleans for the foreseeable future. I’m sure those of you who are in the unfortunate circumstance of not living here might get tired of all the doting and mushiness and PDA. ;) I just want to point out an amazing ministry we have here which I believe ought to be replicated across the convention. The news itself about Baptist Community Heath Services (BCHS) is impressive but the ministry happening there is the most important thing going on. This recent report to BCHS partners speaks for itself, but please, if you … [Read more...] about BCHS: Maybe the SBC’s Best-Kept-Secret… Seriously!
SBC Deep State Has Been Discovered … Join Now!
There's a whole thing going on with stained glass windows and Liberty University and Jerry Falwell and SWBTS and Jerry Vines that isn't of too much interest to me, but in the midst of all of that, Jerry Falwell, Jr., President of Liberty University and spiritual advisor to the President revealed "shocking" news. Apparently, there is an "SBC deep state regime" involving Russell Moore of the ERLC. I'm not sure if Dr. Moore is leading this effort, but yes, it does exist. And, I'm happy to admit that I'm a part of it. You might be too! By God’s Grace, there’s a large group of pastors, leaders, … [Read more...] about SBC Deep State Has Been Discovered … Join Now!
NAMB goes high profile on evangelism
Baptist Press reported: Johnny Hunt to lead NAMB evangelism leadership group The group Hunt will be leading will be focused on championing the cause of evangelism among Southern Baptist churches and pastors. It will also equip pastors with tools and leadership skills that will allow them to lead their churches to become more evangelistically active. NAMB critics should be satisfied with this, since they have found NAMB's lack of an evangelism staff to be a profitable route to gripe about the SBC's declining baptism numbers. Predictably, no evidence links the two unless you are a big fallacy … [Read more...] about NAMB goes high profile on evangelism