This the third in an accidental trilogy of articles. The first addressed the difficulties Deaf churches face when considering becoming SBC members. While Deaf and hearing churches share the same kingdom goals, values and priorities do not always match, and Deaf churches are relatively powerless to affect any sort of change in the relationship. The second missive pushed readers to consider what goals they might have in starting a Deaf ministry. The post ended with the question of "What sort of ministry model has the best chance of creating opportunities for Deaf people to become full … [Read more...] about Practical Considerations for Deaf Work in the SBC
SBC Issues
Wanted: competent, godly, SBC women
Recent comments by some SBC leaders have acknowledged that "competent" and "godly" women would be acceptable for leadership in some areas. The particular quotes mentioned LifeWay and the SBC presidency. One might consider that it has always been maintained that most church attendees are women and that most church workers are women. I'm speculating that at our oldest and most important entity, the International Mission Board, most personnel are women (most workers are couples and most single personnel are female, thus, most overall are women). It seems odd that we need to be signalled that … [Read more...] about Wanted: competent, godly, SBC women
They Will Know You Are My Disciples If You Trash Heretics
John 13:34-35 is one of my favorite verses. “I give you a new command: Rebuke one another. Just as I have rebuked you, you are also to rebuke one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, by how boldly you rebuke heretics.” Judging from social media, that must be how many read what Jesus said. Seldom a day goes by that I don’t get another warning that someone has “denied the gospel and forsaken the truth,” putting the church at risk. Our only hope is to listen to brave "discerners" who identify and call out those false teachers among us. The problem comes when I … [Read more...] about They Will Know You Are My Disciples If You Trash Heretics
McRaney lawsuit against NAMB dismissed
News broke this week that the lawsuit filed against the North American Mission Board by Will McRaney, former executive of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, was dismissed on Monday. Senior Judge Glen Davidson of the U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi ruled that the lawsuit would require the court to determine religious elements in the case which "the court cannot do." Baptist Press posted an article yesterday about the dismissal which you can find here. ABERDEEN, Miss. (BP) -- First Amendment legal precedent has been cited in a federal court's dismissal of a … [Read more...] about McRaney lawsuit against NAMB dismissed
Some assorted SBC news and the countdown clock to Birmingham is ticking.
Do you millenials know what is meant by a clock "ticking" anyway? Heres the countdown clock for the SBC annual meeting in Birmingham. Don't worry, it's digital. Wouldn't want to stump the whippersnappers with an analog clock. Go ahead and get a copy of SBC FAQs: A Ready Reference by Keith Harper and Amy Whitfield. You will have a chance of knowing what you are talking about concerning convention business if you have this and read it. When all of J. D. Greear's appointments are considered as a whole, there will be no SBC president who has ever appointed a more diverse group - laypeople, … [Read more...] about Some assorted SBC news and the countdown clock to Birmingham is ticking.
So You Want Your Own Deaf Ministry, Eh?
I've had conversations with local pastors and associational leaders who expressed fascination with Deaf ministry and missions. "We," the response comes, "need to do something like that." Everyone has a wife, or a friend, or an aunt who knows sign language and many of them "used to interpret down at the church." But one guy took it farther and said, "What would we need to do?" Well, that depends on what you want. What is your aim? What do you need to hold in your hands at the moment you cry, "Ha! We made it!"? For your reading pleasure and thoughtful consideration, I've included several … [Read more...] about So You Want Your Own Deaf Ministry, Eh?
Is He Worthy? A Good Friday Meditation
The veil of heaven was pulled back for a moment and in Revelation 4, John recounts his vision as glorious worship is directed to the One who is seated on the universe’s throne. Angelic beings gathered around him crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” The Elders of the company of the redeemed encircled the throne and lifted their praise to the Father who was worthy to receive all praise. But as we enter chapter 5, drama arises. The Father holds a scroll in his right hand, a scroll which will reveal his plan for the future of the world; his … [Read more...] about Is He Worthy? A Good Friday Meditation
It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming!
SM Lockridge. Published this six years ago. Thought I'd put it back up. Thought I'd throw this one in just for fun! I'm working on Good Friday and Easter. Then headed to Florida for a week. Unless the world falls apart I won't be blogging much. He is risen. … [Read more...] about It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming!
Easter sunrise services and how Armand made my deacon hall-of-fame
Easter came about a month after I arrived at my first church, an average sized congregation in rural South Carolina. Our church was the only one of several SBC churches in that part of the county that had a full-time, if modestly paid minister. My church and three others traditionally joined for an Easter sunrise service at the side of a small farm pond owned by one of the members. A cross was erected by the water, evidently without thought of the crucifixion actually occurring 'on a hill far away' as the inspired old hymn goes. The service was a classic cooperative venture with the four … [Read more...] about Easter sunrise services and how Armand made my deacon hall-of-fame
Milestones at SBC Voices
I coached at Isaac Newton Christian Academy in Cedar Rapids for about 13 years, before I moved to Sioux City, both soccer (we were the dominant program in Eastern Iowa among Christian middle schools) and basketball. I kept track of stats and analyzed them. I still have the files. Numbers and statistics fascinated me. SBC Voices is coming up on a strange confluence of significant statistical milestones. Wordpress has analytics and I monitor them and noticed that several statistical boxes are about to be checked. This is in a time when we have been having a lot of discussions about the future … [Read more...] about Milestones at SBC Voices