SBC Issues

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…

As a followup to our proposal for a Baptist future, I wanted to offer a few thoughts about unity - especially unity in SBC life. Unity doesn’t just happen. In fact, our natural tendency given our various opinions, personalities, temperaments, priorities, callings, contexts, theological bents, and our common sin nature all make DISunity the more natural outcome. Yet, the New Testament, over and over again, makes an appeal for the unity of believers – both within the local church and among churches who were markedly different from one another. To achieve such unity, we can’t just sit back and … [Read more...] about In Pursuit of Unity – Small Steps for Everyday Baptists

Live This: SBC Pastors Conference 2016, St.Louis Speakers: David Platt, Greg Laurie, Ed Stetzer, Jack Graham, James MacDonald, Byron McWilliams...and "more to come." __________________ Session sponsors: Southern Baptists of Texas, Harvest America Greg Laurie, Compassion In  Jesus' Name Diamond sponsors:  Our journey of Hope, NAMB, Midwestern Seminary, Maranatha Tours, Inc. Platinum sponsors: Auxano ________________________ Compassion in Jesus' Name is Compassion International, Inc., an enormous charity based in Colorado Springs, Colorado with revenues exceeding $700 … [Read more...] about 2016 Pastor’s Conference

Many men smarter than me have made this point before, but after a year of coaching Junior Varsity sports it really makes sense to me. On the football field all of my receivers wanted to try to catch the ball with one hand and shout Odell, in reference to the Giants receiver that made this catch last year. Meanwhile their ability to catch probably doesn’t exceed that of Adele, the musician who sings this. On the basketball court every single player thinks they’re a shot blocker ignoring the fact that you couldn’t slide a quarter under their feet when they jump. Blocked shots get the crowd … [Read more...] about You Replicate What You Celebrate (Dustin Lair)

“We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” That quote, of questionable provenance, is attributed to Benjamin Franklin (or to Richard Penn, or to an anonymous American General) at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Whether he actually spoke the words, the sentiments are beyond dispute. In such a time of extremity unity is essential, not optional. Those who came together to craft, discuss, debate, and finally sign that document had disparate backgrounds, beliefs, agendas, and purposes. Yet, they were able to unite in the belief that the course … [Read more...] about Voices for a New Baptist Future: A Group Proposal