The title is the response I'd give if I reported a case of clergy sex abuse and the church leaders cautioned me with, "You wouldn't want to ruin the man's ministry." I wouldn't? "Actually, I'd love to ruin the man's ministry." If you have abused a child I'd be happy if I could say the word and you would never serve as senior pastor or in any staff position ever again. I'd be pleased to do that deed. Unfortunately, and far too often, the response to a victim of sex abuse in a church is to caution the victim or his or her family that reporting might hurt the spiritual leader's ministry … [Read more...] about “Actually, I’d love to ruin the man’s ministry.”
SBC Issues
JD Greear names Curtis Woods as Chair of Resolutions Committee
Curtis Woods, co-interim executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention since November, has been named by SBC President J.D. Greear as the chair of the Resolutions Committee. Keith Whitfield, a vice-president as Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been named the vice chairman. The rest of the committee will be named at a later date. The Baptist Press article can be seen here. A few relevant passages from the article, written by David Roach. Woods, who served on the 2018 SBC Resolutions Committee, will be only the second African American to chair the committee, according … [Read more...] about JD Greear names Curtis Woods as Chair of Resolutions Committee
A Plea to the Trustees of Southwestern
There are things I believe I know something about and things I know I know nothing about. Running a seminary is one thing I know that I know nothing about. I know a little something from my years on the Executive Board of the BCI, and on its Admin Team, about accounting for a non-profit, just enough to know that the ins and outs of the use of temporarily restricted funds at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is beyond my ability to understand and opine. I have largely stayed out of those discussions. I have also advocated "trusting the trustees" because we don't have a lot of … [Read more...] about A Plea to the Trustees of Southwestern
A Few Comments about SWBTS’s Finances
I'm not supposed to speak about matters presently before the board of trustees, so I'm going to limit my remarks to a few observations about how being a trustee works and the nuts and bolts of how we relate to the Southern Baptists who have placed us into office. Some trustees are blabbermouths and some trustees are very tight-lipped and most trustees are somewhere in the middle. Me? I'm a blabbermouth by nature. When I get myself into trouble, it is usually for saying too much. Not everyone is like that. Trust me when I tell you that my natural inclination is to tell you a lot more. Doing … [Read more...] about A Few Comments about SWBTS’s Finances
How my church manages its membership roll is none of your business
In the SBC universe of churches: Some churches have a formal membership roll. Some churches don't maintain a formal roll. Some churches use a specific book in which membership and the changes to the same are meticulously maintained. This book is a historical, permanent church document. Some churches have dispensed with a written membership book and rely on software. Some churches have explicit rules on how one can join the church and strictly follow them. Some churches have explicit rules on joining but are soft on following them. Some churches have a membership roll … [Read more...] about How my church manages its membership roll is none of your business
Miscellaneous Tidbits from this Week
I'm trying to write at least one post per week. I know it's not required, but it's a habit I want to cultivate, and I'm appreciative of the group here at voices for allowing me to post some of my miscellaneous ramblings. I started writing this post earlier this week and was finding myself bereft of material. It was a slow week, but as good 'ol JR would say when a wrestler would interrupt the match of his pay-per-view opponent, "business has picked up." James McDonald has taken an indefinite leave of absence. You can find more particulars here. This is the third pastor, in recent … [Read more...] about Miscellaneous Tidbits from this Week
Should a Pastor Ever Retire?
Recently, someone asked me if I was retired. The question flummoxed (a word for William’s list) me somewhat. That’s because I am partially retired. These days I’m receiving Social Security payments as well as withdrawals on my Guidestone account. The IMB made me an Emeritus Missionary, and Mid-America Seminary named me a Professor Emeritus. So, by those measures, I am retired. Yet, I still go on international mission trips, and I still teach some for Mid-America Baptist Seminary. Beyond that, our church has graciously provided me with an office, and I serve in various ways in our church. I … [Read more...] about Should a Pastor Ever Retire?
Sunday Is a “Super Blood Wolf Moon” – Ugh!
As a moderately dispensational premillennialist, I groan a little every time there is some kind of celestial wonder such as is supposed to come our way Sunday night - a Super Blood Wolf Moon. Two things happen that irritate me - and as someone who six weeks out from surgery, is not healing well, still has a lot of pain, and feels tired and grumpy all the time, I don't need this kind of irritation. Eschatology wingnuts come out of the woodwork telling us about the powerful portent of this sign, and of the next, and of the next, and of the goings on in Israel and in the Middle East and … [Read more...] about Sunday Is a “Super Blood Wolf Moon” – Ugh!
Would SWBTS kindly inform Southern Baptists of the seriousness of your financial “challenges”?
I believe all we have heard was that there are "challenges." What is being said ranges between comments like, "It's not a big deal" to impending catastrophe. Is it not time for Southern Baptists to be better informed and that directly from the seminary? Talk to us, publicly, brethren and sistren. We're on the same side. Thanks. ________ … [Read more...] about Would SWBTS kindly inform Southern Baptists of the seriousness of your financial “challenges”?
Thanks, but I’ll pass on sharing wedding officiant duties with your BFF
A friend of mine said he was going to be away at a wedding recently. I presumed that he, a generation younger than me, was either a groomsman or was just attending. Nope. He was officiating. Seems some friends were going to be wed and asked him to do it. He scrounged around and had obtained some mail order credentials to be able to fulfill the requirements in my state for doing weddings. It surprised me to see one news outlet state that 40% of all weddings are done by a couple's friend or family member. Really? I suppose I'm severely out of touch these days with weddings. The designer … [Read more...] about Thanks, but I’ll pass on sharing wedding officiant duties with your BFF