SBC Issues

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” So what if the person’s weeping is unfounded? Or what if their rejoicing is foolishness? Am I still called to rejoice with them? To weep with them? It’s pretty easy to say that if some guy is rejoicing because he just had an affair, I should not join in his cheer. Nor should I match the anguish of soul my daughter feels when she skins her knee. Rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep does not necessarily mean matching their emotion. What I see Paul saying in this verse (and the surrounding context) is … [Read more...] about Should I Still Mourn With Someone Whose Mourning Isn’t Based in Reality?

A SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION PASTOR’S PRESENCE AMONG PREACHERS OF LA One Size Does Not Fit All  BY WM. DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR.   Materialistic; Immoral; Egotistical; Prosperity Preachers; Pulpit Pimps, Soft on Homosexuality; and Celebrity Seekers; are among some of the nicer descriptions tossed about relative to the “Preachers of LA.”   The debut telecast had one million viewers—the second highest ranked cable TV show that aired on that Wednesday evening—which is historically a church mid-week worship night. With an audience of that magnitude, church goers and … [Read more...] about A SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION PASTOR’S PRESENCE AMONG PREACHERS OF LA: BY WM. DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR.

SBC Voices published a post in early September authored by Bart Barber entitled, “The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Narrative New Testament Passages.” In the comment section of Barber’s post he addressed the following remark to yours truly:   Dwight, I appreciate the thoughtful work that you’ve put toward an exegesis of 1 Corinthians 12-14 from your theological vantage-point. If you would like to offer your understanding of the narrative passages in Acts, to refute the points that I have tried to make, then I would be interested in reading … [Read more...] about A RESPONSE TO BART BARBER’S QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RELATIONSHIP OF TONGUES IN ACTS AND I CORINTHIANS 12-14 BY WM. DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR.

“It’s as though all human encounter were one big sore spot, inflamed with opportunities to give, and truculently receive, offense.” So wrote Robert Hughes in his 1993 book, The Culture of Complaint. Twenty years later Hughes’ statement is even more accurate. I’m a child of this little experiment of changing our world through changing our words. For as long as I can remember we have been fighting a war against those dastardly words of black and white. It seems that today we cannot handle the cold reality of concrete words. Orwell was correct: If you simplify your English, you are freed … [Read more...] about I’m Offended That Someone Might Be Offended

The last 24 hours have been a brutal inconvenience. An hour and a half drive to the airport in Omaha. A flight to Minneapolis on a smaller jet. Hanging out, killing time in MSP until we board our 3 hour flight to JFK in New York. Then, things got interesting. We thought we had about 6 hours to kill, but we had not accounted for dealing with El Al security - that is no joke, folks. Some really invasive questioning and another trip through security. Then, we finally boarded a 747 for a ten hour flight to Tel Aviv. Without going into specifics, they do not engineer those seats for people who are … [Read more...] about Excited about the Destination! Lessons Learned by a Weary World Traveler

Making announcements at church is a big, fat pain in the...uh...well...neck! In my nearly 3 1/2 decades of service to churches, I have been involved in about 3,345,972 discussions of how to handle announcements and ministry promotions during our worship services. We've talked about eliminating them completely, and just ask people to read the bulletin, look at the web, or whatever other electronic or printed means of dissemination are available. But the problem is that people don't often do that, don't know what is going on, don't show up, then complain that we didn't make the … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Forum: Making Announcements without Messing Up Worship

She’s the most notorious sinner in town. When you think of the type of woman that you want your little boy to avoid when he grows up, she is the first person that comes to mind. She exemplifies the Proverbs 7 woman as she mocks your Proverbs 31 ambitions. This is why you are shocked to get a phone call from her. First, you wonder who put your number in bathroom stall as a joke. Then you realize that this woman has hit rock bottom and she is crying out for help. You learn that she got your number from a mutual friend (which kind of makes you wonder how you share a friend). You set up a lunch … [Read more...] about When the Local Prostitute Thinks She’s a Christian

Here is your "Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor" devotional thought for the day! Israel had no shortage of great warriors, who accomplished great deeds in battle; with David, perhaps, the greatest of these. He defeated Goliath and many other foes during the years he led Israel. When he ascended to the throne, he made them musical directors in the house of the Lord. They knew him and his work. And, in Psalm 44:6-7, they said these words, words which I’m sure reflected David’s beliefs and practices. “For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword does not bring me victory. But You give us victory over our … [Read more...] about Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor: October Weigh-in Time!

First thing in the morning, I'm headed to Omaha, to fly to Minneapolis, to fly to JFK to fly El Al airlines to Tel Aviv, Israel. I will be returning on October 11. I have been excited beyond words about this trip. About thirty pastors are joining Frank Page, Fred Luter and a few others to tour the Holy Land.* I have no idea how much internet access I will have, or how much time I will have to write posts. I plan to post as much as I can at my Facebook site to keep friends and family apprised about our travels. But I'm not sure if I will have time or interest in writing posts for … [Read more...] about Off to Israel!