SBC Issues

I'll be there. Will you? Last year, we gathered and had some good fellowship over beignets. Any interest in another get-together this year? The floor is yours. … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Poll: Who is Going to Houston?

Have we turned worship into a ritual?  Is worship something we have shown our people is a process they go through on Sunday morning?  Has worship become a concert we attend each Sunday?  I think we are suffering from decades of worship that has placed man as the center and not Christ. Here are the areas I think we are hurting in the most… Baptism There are certain denominations that teach a baptismal regeneration.  This is not a biblical concept, as if that shocks anyone.  But the doctrine is out there.  As Baptists, I think we have fled so far to the other extreme that we “over” … [Read more...] about When Worship Becomes Habitual (by Andy Hynes)

A young couple sat in my office asking me to perform their wedding. As we talked, I realized that this perfectly nice couple was already living together. Each of us handles those situations differently. My concern is that my presence in a public wedding signifies in some way the blessing of God on the union. If a couple is flaunting the will and ways of God and then I confer God's blessings on them, I am at risk of offending God. I shared this conviction with the couple. I would do a private wedding with family and a few friends (based on the "it's better to marry than to burn" verse), but if … [Read more...] about The Fundamental Divergence: The War between Biblical Christianity and Popular Thought

There is nothing quite like delivering your first sermon. Really there is nothing quite like delivering any sermon. It is a unique event. And with this many young men launching into the ministry (or even those that have been going at it for awhile) often look to books for help in preaching. If that describes you here are a few books that I would recommend. On Preparing a Sermon Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell. This is the best book that I have ever read on preparing a sermon. Preaching to a Post-Everything World by Zack Eswine. Eswine is a wonderful addition to Chapell’s … [Read more...] about Suggested Resources On Preaching

NOTE: Jay Adkins has sent in a postscript to his article, in response to some of the comments. It is attached at the bottom of the post.  Jay Adkins is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Westwego, LA, and a trustee of Louisiana College. He has firsthand insight into the sad events that have taken place there in recent months, and speaks with both courage and conviction. I contacted him and received permission to republish his letter in full. You can read it at his site, here. Here is Jay Adkins' statement in full: A personal statement regarding recent events at Louisiana … [Read more...] about True Courage and Conviction: Jay Adkins’ Statement regarding Louisiana College (Postscript added)

Today I want to address an issue I have seen in Sunday Schools all over. There seems to be a conflict about how to make disciples and teach and have deep learning, yet be open group and grow your Sunday School and church at the same time. I want to propose my suggestion to you today. If I was building a program, this is how I would set it up. First, and I have said this over and over, Sunday School needs to have a 3 fold function of fellowship/connecting people, teaching them scripture, and sharing the Gospel/ outreach. With this function Sunday School needs to be fluid, open group with … [Read more...] about Making Disciples with Sunday School

Through a college friend's Facebook page I became aware of the Barna Group's new survey entitled "Are Christians More Like Jesus or More Like the Pharisees." I predict widespread popularity for the article, since it has three things going for it: (a) It comes from the Barna Group, (b) It provides an opportunity for Christians to denigrate other Christians and other churches, and (c) It hurls the ever-popular epithet "Pharisee" while doing so. Really, it's a can't-miss survey. There's nothing new about people's claiming that they're like Jesus while other people are not (see "Historical … [Read more...] about Are Christian Statistical Researchers Like Jesus, the Pharisees, or Oliver Stone?

The only active ministry role I've ever formally filled is one of missionary.  Readers should not infer that I'm necessarily any good at it, of course.  My vocational ministry limitations simply mean I see many things through a missional filter to the exclusion of all other possible perspectives. While the overwhelmingly vast majority of my work has been in international settings, I think some of the lessons I've learned and techniques I've picked up can apply to the larger Christian community.  I tried to categorize my tips and lessons for your benefit, but in the end, they all fit under a … [Read more...] about Missional Advice: Living Where You Live

Our guest blogger today is Wade Phillips, who blogs at "A Good Infection".  He's a TV news anchor in MS and a husband/father/deacon/SS Teacher combo! After several years of prayer and thought, I have decided to make the leap. If all goes as planned, I will begin seminary classes during the summer session at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Since I currently work full-time in a non-ministry position, I will be taking classes online, at least in the beginning. At some point, I’ll have to come from behind my computer and take classes with the rest of the world. But for now, this is what … [Read more...] about The Ministry Journey: Some Questions at the Start (by Wade Phillips)

I’m on my couch attempting to relax. It’s been a stressful week and I would love to escape into a favorite television show. My muscles begin to relax…my shoulders loosen up a little. “Ahhh, yes…finally a little time to…” An agitated little boy approaches me. He’s whimpering and snot crying. My relaxation will have to wait. Finally, after a couple minutes of wailing, I am informed of the problem. He has lost a piece to a toy. It’s a piece that he has 8-10 others just like. He could still play his game if he didn’t have this little insignificant piece. Unfortunately for my relaxation … [Read more...] about Searching for Dirt