SBC Issues

Okay, guys, it's time for some strategy. I have to admit that this election cycle has confused me more than any before. The American electorate has changed and I just don't understand it anymore. But there's a big question that we, the members of the SBC Voices Super PAC (we've contributed 0$ to 0 candidates and raised $0 so far) need to discuss. It's about the upcoming Florida GOP primary. It is one of the first 2 winner-take-all primaries and there are about 100 delegates (perhaps 99?) at stake. The guy with the most votes gets them ALL!  If Trump wins, he's on his way to the nomination. If … [Read more...] about You Are Invited: A Voices Super PAC Discussion – What about Florida and NeverTrump?

(I was supposed to post this a couple of days ago, but I've been enjoying the flu. Most of you know Joel. You may not know that he recently returned to the pastorate!) Two days ago, the "Super Tuesday" elections seemed to solidify the already large lead of the current front-runner for the Republican nomination for President. Donald Trump has surprised nearly everyone, and if the trend continues, we are headed toward a Republican convention that will nominate him to face off with the Democratic nominee--presumably Hillary Clinton--in the November general election. It is truly sad that … [Read more...] about Evangelicals and Donald Trump: Its not Him. Its Us. (Joel Rainey)

Here we go again. My state, Georgia, is in the throes of another legislative season where various bills are proposed. These relate to gay marriage, protection of pastors, religious liberty, and the ability of Georgians to discriminate. How the issues are framed depend on which side you are on. Check a few quotes: Our Governor, Nathan Deal, a Southern Baptist, says he is not interested in any bill that "allows discrimination in our state in order to protect people of faith..." Our paid Georgia Baptist lobbyist, Mike Griffin, a pastor, failed political candidate, and now employee of the … [Read more...] about In favor of religious liberty…or against discrimination…or neither…or both.

**In the light of Stanley's apology, I changed the more incendiary title of this post to a more descriptive one. Andy Stanley has responded in a tweet, not to this article in particular, but to the general social media firestorm. Here is what the tweet said: The negative reaction to the clip from last weekend's message is entirely justified. Heck, even I was offended by what I said! I apologize.  That is a fair response by Andy Stanley and I would hope that our response to that would be equally gracious. Obviously, many of us still have differences with Andy Stanley on other issues. … [Read more...] about Andy Stanley’s Statement on Smaller Churches** (Stanley’s Response)

J. D. Greear to be SBC president nominee I don't think I have ever seen as much statistical information tossed out for an SBC presidential nominee. Church growth from 350 to 10,000 928 baptisms in 2014 149 SBC, IMB missionaries from his church currently on the field $390,000 budgeted in 2016 for the Cooperative Program (up from $150k the last reporting year; it's confusing) 26 church plants the last five years in conjunction with NAMB Great Commission Giving "around 10%" although ACP data has it at 13-15% Over $1 million to IMB, over $500k to NAMB, $500k destined for an … [Read more...] about Aha, finally, a nominee for SBC President

The idea of having to choose between the dishonest Hillary Clinton and the despicable Donald Trump is a nightmare that causes reasonable people great despair. I have to admit that I did not believe it would come to this. I over-estimated the wisdom of the GOP, believing that Trump's character would be exposed and his antics would wear thin and eventually his popularity would fade. But his supporters shrug off inconvenient truth and go on supporting him in spite of his character, his beliefs, his behavior, and his positions on issues. He makes statements supporting Planned Parenthood and … [Read more...] about A Simple Super-Tuesday Proposal for Protecting America from an Unthinkable Nightmare

Balance, schmalance..."beer is a gift to be enjoyed in moderation" sayeth my neighbor Georgian evangelical pastor...and brewer. Heavenly balance? A craft-beer-brewing, evangelical pastor Alas, the dilemma of today's newspaper editors. If an evangelical pastor founds a brewery, where should the story go? Better put it in the business, not religion, section of the paper, but be sure to include more than a little about the church angle; you know, details like the brewery founder has a degree from the venerable Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the concept that "beer brings people … [Read more...] about Crafting that delicate balance: the church and alcohol

Near the end of Philippians, a letter you could call Paul’s Book on Joy, we get a glimpse of his heart-felt and loving concern for two church ladies in the midst of a disagreement. There is plenty that we don’t know about this situation including what the disagreement was about, what caused it, how long it had been going on, and how it affected others. Whatever the answer to these questions, the issue was significant enough for Paul to publically call out the ladies and urge others in the church to help correct the issue: I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I … [Read more...] about Pursuing Unity in Disagreement: A Foundation

Do what you want! Do what makes you happy!—these seem to be modern mantras for many people. Life is short, don’t waste your time doing a bunch of things that make you miserable, and enjoy being happy while you can. In a way, the Bible agrees. But in the pages of scripture we also find a fence drawn around this idea—a boundary to help guard one’s heart from destructive things that will ruin a life and an eternal soul. Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon wrote about his experiences. He tested various pleasures and withheld nothing from himself that he desired. Yet, with time, it all proved … [Read more...] about Do what you want! But…