SBC Issues

For the next few months, I am preaching through James. The book of James sets an agenda for the church for how we might live as the people of God. James focuses his letter on the outward signs of faith that reflect the inward change that has taken place in the life of a believer. For James, faith is a “lived out” faith, demonstrated by what we say, what we do, and how we live. As I reflect on the teaching of James, I am asking questions about how this 3-fold focus applies to fulfilling the mission God has given us and our churches. Let us consider, then, how we might renew our faithfulness to … [Read more...] about Outward Signs of an Inward Change

What is the foundation, the cornerstone of church discipleship programs? I realize that a lot of folks, especially some of my good friends, are not going to agree with this old fogey's take on this. The church has a lot of discipleship programs today - Sunday School, small groups, short-term studies, how-to classes. All of them have their effect and impact. But in my 32 years of ministry, I have come to believe that there is a specific discipleship program that is the ground of truly effective discipleship. The impact of the other programs is magnified if this discipleship program is … [Read more...] about Biblical Exposition: The Foundation of Effective Discipleship

THE WONDER OF ISRAEL AND HER RELATIONSHIP TO AFRICA THE AFRICAN-ISRAELI CONNECTION by William Dwight McKissic, Sr.  “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things.” (Psalm 72:18) “To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;” (Psalm 136:4) “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” (Psalm 68:31) “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones, Shall bring My offering.” (Zephaniah 3:10) Israel is a wonder of God’s creation. Jerusalem is the only … [Read more...] about The Wonder of Israel and Her Relationship to Africa (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr.)

We've all heard it hundreds of times—SBC Headquarters is the local church and not some denominational agency. If this line is nothing more than a misleading notion humbly tossed out under the pretense of sounding spiritual, then we should stop saying things we do not really mean. However, if it is indeed true, since I represent one and only one such local church, I am compelled to submit this memo from my SBC Headquarters Branch to every Southern Baptist institution in general and to the ERLC in particular. It is our policy here at headquarters to extend great latitude toward our entity … [Read more...] about Memo From SBC Headquarters

In Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday January 20, 2014 FROM KING TO OBAMA A FULFILLMENT OF JEWISH PROPHECY? Psalm 68:31 “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” Does the Hebrew Scripture predict descendants of Africa occupying seats of worldwide political influence and power before the Lord returns? Was the election of Barack Hussein Obama a fulfillment of biblical prophecy? Does a study of Noah’s descendants throughout the Bible demonstrate a pattern of how God has operated in the history of mankind? Did Martin Luther King, Jr. … [Read more...] about From King to Obama: A Fulfillment of Jewish Prophecy? (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)

This is the edited text for my message today at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, IA.  It would be hard for the Bible to be clearer about anything than this fact: no one knows when Jesus is going to come back. There is a lot about the Second Coming that remains shrouded in mystery, but God has made it clear that this mystery will not be revealed until the moment the trumpet sounds. In spite of the unequivocal and adamant assertions of Jesus that no one knows the day or the hour of his return, people continue to be fooled by those who announce that they have either received some … [Read more...] about Be Awake, Be Ready: A Personal Journey

Church History is a common course in almost every undergraduate and graduate level degree in Theology, Bible, ministry, etc. However, I have begun to think we have lost the purpose or thrust behind the need for studying the historical roots of the church. In a day when the newest, latest, and most innovative ideas take center stage, it may be that we need to take a step back and look into the past. So why study the history of the church? I wish I could take all the credit for these ideas, but I can’t. This is the culmination of many individuals before me, some of which taught me. 1. … [Read more...] about The Significance of Church History

I am having some medical tests, and my normally prolific staff of writers has badly failed me, so here is one from the archives - published at my personal site "Word Processing" about a hundred years ago. Today, it meets a need for me, if no one else gets anything from it.  I sucked my thumb. There, I said it. My deep, dark secret is now out. I loved that thumb. It gave me security and pleasure. But my mother had a different opinion. She knew that my thumb-sucking needed to stop. So, she put “Thum” on my thumb. Thum tasted bad. Really bad. It wasn’t poison, but it tasted like it. Every time … [Read more...] about A Bad Taste

Kevin is the Director of Family and Youth Ministry at FBC Durham, and this post originally appeared at that church's website.  As a young pastor, I would like to write a simple word of encouragement and advice to young, developing future leaders. Perhaps you are an under-30-something seminary student, and you’re excited and can’t wait to be a pastor. What practical advice might help you? The following are six things that have come to my mind over the years as I have aspired to be a pastor—nothing really groundbreaking, just helpful reminders. 1. Don’t rush it   There is nothing … [Read more...] about Practical Advice for Seminary Students (by Kevin Schaub)