Statistical data among churches is on an up-swing. Yes, you read that sentence correctly. There are many key statistics that should encourage beleaguered churches and pastors. The focus of this post is a summary of Dr. Thom Rainer's podcast interview with Tony Morgan, head of The Unstuck Church Group. You can find The Unstuck Group here, and you can listen to Dr. Rainer's interview here: NINE KEY STATISTICAL INSIGHTS FROM CHURCHES IN 2018. Without giving away the entire podcast, here are 10 encouraging statistics for pastors and churches: CP giving: … [Read more...] about Encouragement for Churches?
Cooperative Program
Evangelism or Compassion?
I'm excited about the recent upswing in public words of affirmation for local baptist associations. I love hearing about the good things happening all around our convention related to the very important (I'd even say pivotal) role that the association can play in permeating the larger local area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My heart aches for my pastor friends serving areas in which the association does not have the support and strength it could (and should) have. Let me just remind you, pastors, YOU have the power to make the association be what it can be. The New Orleans Baptist … [Read more...] about Evangelism or Compassion?
Finally, Chaucer Makes Voices…and Other Recent Notables
Melissa Eddington gets a gold star for working Chaucer into an article. I think I've read a bit of old Chuck Chaucer, guy from Alabama, right? SWBTS trustees are instructed to meet a self-selected group of big donors "forthwith" sayeth the wealthy former donors to the seminary. Money talks. Sometimes it barks out orders, even in Southern Baptist life. Guess we will see who jumps. Brent Hobbs is doing a lot of the editing and admin stuff here now. He is responsible for finding all of these neat photos that come with articles. What goes on in his mind when he matches them up, I don't know, but … [Read more...] about Finally, Chaucer Makes Voices…and Other Recent Notables
Why Dave Ramsey Was Not a Waste of Time at the SBC
My wife and I made sure we made it back into the convention hall Tuesday afternoon to hear Dave Ramsey speak. When we came in, he had already begun speaking. I was excited to hear him. I'm always excited to hear Dave speak; I'll admit I see him as a bit of a hero. My wife and I are Dave Ramsey fans and as soon as we get our house paid off, we're going to Nashville to do our debt-free scream. My kids even have the introduction to his radio show memorized. I was disappointed to hear grumbling in my section, and then murmurings afterward about his appearance. There were those who thought … [Read more...] about Why Dave Ramsey Was Not a Waste of Time at the SBC
Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers
Almost lost amid the more gaudy news out of Dallas this week is something that is assuredly more important to the SBC's future: news on the Cooperative Program. Average percentage of undesignated receipts given to CP: 4.86% down from 5.16%. Although the decline is just a fraction, 3/10 of one percent, it's a pretty steep one year drop, about 6%. Think what it would mean if we had five consecutive years of the same. We would be looking at a CP that is down to 3.5% of church receipts. Weeping and gnashing of teeth everywhere. Churches have been giving on average around five percent … [Read more...] about Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers
#SBC18 Winners
OK, so I wished we could have had all winners and no losers for #SBC18 but, alas, didn't happen. There were many winners though. Here they are: J.D. Greear: The election wasn't close. The Convention coalesced around a next-generation candidate with a stellar church growth and mission support record. OK, so he talks so fast I have to try and understand what he's saying while catching only every third or fourth word. I'll manage. Ken Hemphill: Quality and integrity from crown to cowboy boots. Women in general and not just in the context of abuse. SWBTS trustees. The … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Winners
An evaluation of Randy Adams’ SBC Recovery Program
Randy Adams is the Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention, an area covering Oregon, Washington, and northern Idaho. He is a supporter of Ken Hemphill and a critic of J.D. Greear or at least of the type of Southern Baptist that JDG represents. Adams classified most SBC churches as "not fully cooperative" about which I had an earlier piece, Who fully supports the Cooperative Program? In that Adams wrote, "Southern Baptists are at a critical crossroad. One road leads to the continuation of decline in CP missions giving and the continuation of the decline of the SBC (that is a … [Read more...] about An evaluation of Randy Adams’ SBC Recovery Program
Miami Church Planter Fabian Portunato on Why He’s Attending #SBC18
My name is Fabian Portunato and I am a Send Network planter in Miami, FL, in my 3rd year of this plant. This will be my 4thconsecutive year attending the SBC. It is a commitment I made to myself and my church, that if we were to be Southern Baptists then we would be involved in Southern Baptist life at the local, state and National level. The first year I attended was part of a requirement for my Baptist History class at SEBTS. It was pretty wild seeing characters from the books I had read about the conservative resurgence and it was like seeing those stories jump off the pages into real … [Read more...] about Miami Church Planter Fabian Portunato on Why He’s Attending #SBC18
The Annual SBC Statistical Release Weepfest
Just prior to each year's annual meeting LifeWay releases the previous year's Annual Church Profile statistical summary. Baptist Press reported on it yesterday, ACP: Worship attendance rises, baptisms decline. Last year I had an article on the previous year's data: ACP 2016 Stats: Add a chapter to Lamentations. There's a pattern here and I have the freedom to be more creative in my titles than BP. Here are some highlights and lowlights from the 2017 data: 1. Baptisms are down, and by almost 10 percent. We in the SBC are highly spiritual and prefer not to talk about money. Baptisms are … [Read more...] about The Annual SBC Statistical Release Weepfest
My Vote for J.D. Greear as SBC President (Jimmy Meek)
I am a pastor of a medium size church in south Arkansas, where we probably have more deer than people. While many people have weighed in on the reasons why or why not to vote for J.D. Greear, I thought my perspective as a traditional SBC preacher, brought up in the non-reformed “whosoever will” camp, might be of value to others in my same camp. Cards on the table, I have moved from refusing to even listen to the “chosen before the foundation” side, to embracing the Biblical tension of God’s Word affirming both “chosen” and whosoever will”. I don’t have to understand it, or even explain it, … [Read more...] about My Vote for J.D. Greear as SBC President (Jimmy Meek)