SBC Issues

This was originally posted at Bart's blog, Praisegod Barebones. The following post refers extensively to the framework that Dr. Al Mohler articulated in his own blog post of 12 July 2005 entitled "A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity." You can find that article here. The official statement of faith for the Southern Baptist Convention is the Baptist Faith & Message. I have signed this document several times. And, in point of fact, not only have I signed it, but I also have read it and I agree with it. My signing of this document has been a matter of informed … [Read more...] about Theological Triage and Statements of Faith (by Bart Barber)

I doubt it. As tempted as I am to leave that as the entire blog, I will explain my thoughts. I think we as the SBC have become stagnant. There are some alive, vibrant churches out there, but as a whole, we have become still water. The push and pull and twist and tug have all negated each other and movement has stopped. Here are the root issues as I see them (this is my opinion). 1. The move to be missional has become a drive to reach people like us. Let's face it, the world has changed and we haven't. We are still fighting about hymns and organs, using powerpoint and under use online tech. … [Read more...] about Can The SBC Change?

For those who end up being replanted in North American soil... About 27 years ago, Cal and I left the US for the mission field.  We were young and strong.  We had a healthy sense of who we were, where we were from, and knew that God had spoken to us.  We left behind extended families, barbecue, football, tulips in spring and leaves in the fall.  We preserved the memory of places and people in our hearts. Over the years, we learned languages and foods.  We ministered and taught.  New workers were welcomed and later sent back to their original homes.  Nationals resisted, listened, … [Read more...] about Coming Home

Jerry Corbaley blogs at Think the Thoughts? You think Jesus Christ was a good looking Caucasian with long flowing hair. You worship Jesus Christ as Savior, but not Lord. You think being rescued from the penalty of sin means that there are no consequences to the sins you commit. You think your pastor is responsible for your spiritual well-being. You pray often for the needs of the physical body, and have little appreciation for the spiritual treasure that is yours for the asking. You think that Jesus Christ would be a democrat or a republican. You think that America is liable … [Read more...] about You Might Be a Cultural Christian If: (by Jerry Corbaley)

It has been a remarkable phenomenon taking place in the last few years, and the tide only seems to be getting stronger. Since the halcyon days of the Moral Majority, the Republican Party has been the proud defender of "traditional family values." We knew that much of this support was tepid at best, but it was there nonetheless. The party platform opposed abortion, an unspeakable evil that must be opposed by anyone with basic moral sense. It stood for the "traditional family" against many initiatives pushed by the social progressives on the other side of the aisle. But the struggle was most … [Read more...] about Let’s Face It, Christian Republicans. We’ve Been Used!

I had to have wasted a good hour. It was my first experience—at least that I recall—with a powerful sunbeam. I pondered the impact that this ray of light had upon our home. Its brightness exposed all of these little creatures. They looked like sea monkeys. Or floating pieces of dirt. They would soon take on a life of their own. I experimented with these dust fragments for all of five minutes. Then I did what all little boys do when confronted with invaders; I busted out my sweet ninja moves. I employed karate chop after karate chop to destroy these little minions bombarding our kitchen … [Read more...] about The Church Going Full-Ninja

Thanks, Greg, for sharing this (in the comments)! I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today... … [Read more...] about Jesus Is Better

Dr. David W. Manner is the Associate Executive Director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at  http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter:  @dwmanner.  In retail, a loss leader is the practice of offering goods or services discounted at or below cost in order to draw consumers in. The strategy is that drawing them in will hopefully lead them to buy additional items at a higher price. Churches are formulating final plans for meaningful Easter worship services at the end of this week knowing they will potentially impact more attendees than … [Read more...] about Loss Leader Easter Sunday (by Dr. David Manner)

Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift.  I am thinking about this week and the story it tells in the Christian life and how we live according to an alternative reality that is rooted in Heaven and not this world. Tomorrow and Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments involving the legalization of Gay Marriage in America. That is not a small issue. We debate politics, the economy, and who has power and who does not. Christians live in a world that is telling and living by a story different from what we see in Scripture. What are we to think? What are we to do? I think that the … [Read more...] about Easter Story: Sin/Suffering, Cross, Resurrection, Ascension, New Creation (by Alan Cross)