SBC Issues

I am only about a week late on this, but seeing that I have an earned doctorate in procrastination, that is pretty good. This is our SBC Voices "Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor" challenge, and it is officially underway (underweigh?). The following men have indicated they want to be in. If you'd like to join us, please feel free - you can get in at any time, though the longer you wait (weight? - sorry, I'll stop now) the more of a head start the rest of us will have. The goal, simply, is to lose weight between now and the end of the year. The challenge is designed to provide support, encouragement, … [Read more...] about It’s ON! The SBC Voices “Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor” Challenge (Updated)

Thom Rainer's blog (thomrainer.com) is a must-read for any Southern Baptist pastor. Every post has factual, practical wisdom based on both sound research and biblical principles. (Send the check to my church address, Dr. Rainer). His latest post buttresses a statement my dad used to make about a study done years ago, showing the unrealistic expectations of congregations on their pastors. This one was performed by Dr. Rainer himself with his deacons at a church he served previously. It is entitled, "How Many Hours Must a Pastor Work to Satisfy the Congregation?"  - the title pretty much … [Read more...] about Ministry Migraines: Dealing with Members’ Unrealistic Expectations

Okay I cannot prove that the ancient Hebrews did not have coffee mugs. But I do know that if they did they would not put Bible verses on them the same way that we do. If I paint Philippians 4:13 in eye black and go out and play a tremendous game of church league softball, you know the statement that I’m making. I’m saying “I can do all things [like kick your tail in softball] through him who strengthens me.” End quote. That is not the case with the way that the New Testament writers would quote the Old Testament. When Jesus says from the Cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” He … [Read more...] about Jews Didn’t Have Coffee Mugs

Sing with me! ....Red and Yellow, Black and Normal, They are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world! In 1954, psychologist Muzafer Sherif conducted what is now known as the Robber's Cave experiment.  The participants in the study were 24 boys, all roughly 12-years old, who were from basically identical backgrounds.  Essentially, the experiment demonstrated the speed with which people form cliques and engage in hostile behavior towards those who are not a part of us.  Apparently, everyone assumes, "I'm basically good and normal, and everyone who is not me is not … [Read more...] about Deviant!

HOW TO HANDLE A TRAYVON-ZIMMERMAN MOMENT BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. No one disputes that George Zimmerman initiated the communication with Trayvon Martin. No one disputes that Neighborhood Watch Volunteers are trained not to carry a weapon. No one disputes that Neighborhood Watch Volunteers are trained not to personally intervene if they observe a suspicious person or activity, but rather notify law enforcement. No one disputes that the 911 dispatcher counseled Zimmerman not to pursue Trayvon. No one disputes that Trayvon had just as much right to be on those premises in Samford, … [Read more...] about How to Handle a Trayvon-Zimmerman Moment (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr)

 Ben Simpson is the pastor of West Main Baptist Church in Alexandria, TN and his blog is part of that church's site.  The Bible makes it clear that those who follow Christ are to smell like Him.  No, don’t go running out to try to find a bottle of pure nard perfume to anoint yourself with (John 12:3).  God is talking about a spiritual aroma and not a physical one.  He tells us through Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of … [Read more...] about Of Garbage Dumps, Cesspools, and Outhouses: Aromas That Repel (by Ben Simpson)

Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift. My first post in this four part series was about how I am rethinking the need for Christian institutions and seeing that organization and building something that will last is a lot more important than I used to think. Of course, I wanted to see gospel movement last, but I thought that if we just preached the gospel and lived it out, then everything else would take care of itself. I am finding that we need a bit more than that. We need strong churches and ministries and Christian hospitals and colleges and businesses. We need people to work in all different … [Read more...] about How Disney & India Taught Me That I Was Wrong About Our Need for Institutions, Part Two (By Alan Cross)

The Licentious vs. The Legalist Observations from the Prodigal Son The parable of the Prodigal Son has provided a plethora of instruction, application, and edification. To grasp the fullest understanding of the parable you must take a glance backward to verses 1-10. There is the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin. In the first, there is a shepherd who ventures off to look for the lost sheep. Noticeably, he is the only person who is aware the sheep is lost. The emphasis seems to be placed upon the lost sheep, but is that the most accurate portrayal of the passage??? In the lost … [Read more...] about The Licentious vs. The Legalist

“I feel like I am going to explode. I know that it is unhealthy to hold stuff in. So I just need to vent to someone. I don’t need advice, counsel, or anything—I just need to express all of my feelings.” I’ve heard such statements numerous times. In fact I’ve heard something similar pouring from my own lips. Social media has given a new medium in which we can vent; namely Facebook. Just scroll down your news feed and within 15-20 posts you are likely to read some sort of complaining, whining, griping, or venting. But is it biblical? Is it okay for us to vent to other people? Is it … [Read more...] about Is It Okay to Vent?

This article was originally posted at "A Mother Far from Home: On Becoming a Supermom." Christie Wright is a teacher and assistant principal at Highland Rim Academy in Cookeville, TN.  She has three children, and is married to a Southern Baptist pastor (Jeff Wright). When my dear friend, Rachel, asked me to be a guest blogger on the topic of “Educating Rescuers” I knew instantly this would be an opportunity to tell a dragon story. I blame J.R.R. Tolkien for my love of dragon tales, but I’ll begin by quoting his good mate, C.S. Lewis, who knew quite well how to tell a dragon tale of his own. … [Read more...] about Why Educate your Children? How Should You Educate your Children? (by Christie Wright)