SBC Issues

I am a CP guy. My current church gives 12% to missions through the Cooperative Program and that is the smallest percentage of the 4 churches I have been involved in during my 31 years of ministry. A couple of my churches gave in the neighborhood of 20% and my last church was giving near 15% - I believe in the Cooperative Program! I think it is an amazing and genius idea that has enabled us to fund an unparalleled world missions program. I have fought against tendencies to fix our church's financial problems by cutting missions giving - that is the easy way out, and I am convinced, the wrong … [Read more...] about Are We Entering a Post-Cooperative Program Era in SBC Life?

It can always be a little bit of a minefield for a lily-white Iowa guy like me (not enough sun to even maintain a decent tan!) to talk about racial issues. Years ago, my church and my association in Cedar Rapids were making specific efforts to reach out and fellowship with a predominantly black church in town. We had a wonderful joint service. A representative of our state convention was there and stood to make remarks about the meeting. In the process, he made a statement that made me cringe and evidently gave great offense to the choir from the black church. He was simply trying to say … [Read more...] about What I Have Learned from Dwight McKissic about Racial Reconciliation in the SBC

Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr. is the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, TX. He blogs at Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr. While watching the Dallas Cowboys versus the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving Day, I was excited to see the advertisement of the Christmas Day release of a movie featuring Jamie Foxx entitled, “Django Unchained.” I am not a movie-goer. I am a man in love with my wife, and she loves to go to movies. Therefore, from three to six times a year, we make our way to the movies together. One of our favorite times to go together is during the Christmas Holidays. This … [Read more...] about Why Born-Again Believers Should Boycott the Jamie Foxx Movie “Django Unchained” (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr)

An enormous part of cross cultural missions is the examination our worldview and our behaviors.  In order to separate our own cultural understanding from the Bible's message, we're duty-bound to carefully study both the Bible and our own cultural perspectives.  Additionally, we must find ways that our non-biblical cultural views (time, money, family, nature) differ from local views.  We change how we act in the non-essentials of life while holding firmly to what we believe to be true about the Bible. Simple to say, yet not easy to accomplish.  However, since we are changing our thinking and … [Read more...] about Practical Missions: When What You Are Clashes with Where You Are

William Thornton is the SBC Plodder and always has an interesting take on the happenings in the SBC South Carolina Baptists are doing something that ought to raise at lease a single eyebrow around the Southern Baptist Convention. They are taking a significant portion of their Cooperative Program receipts from the churches and sending it directly to the International Mission Board thereby bypassing the Executive Committee, all of the seminaries, the North American Mission Board, and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. I am unaware of any other state convention taking this … [Read more...] about New wrinkle to the Cooperative Program (by William Thornton)

Ron F. Hale -- serves on the pastoral staff of a Baptist church in his hometown of Jackson, TN.  He has served as church planter, pastor, director of associational missions, and evangelism director of a state convention. Dr. Al Mohler, president of the SBTS, received a “liberal lashing” from Dr. Miguel De La Torre in his Associated Baptist Press article on November 7th.  These days it seems that “fundamentalist” Christian white men who might also be Republican are scarier than plane-flying al-Qaeda hijackers bent on jihad. I am certainly no fan of Dr. Mohler’s reformed theology (with all … [Read more...] about The Post-election Chest-beating of Miguel De La Torre (by Ron F. Hale)

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42 ESV) The above text is actually more about not being the means by which disciples falter, but it can also be applied to being a daddy.  It goes without saying that I do not desire the destruction of my children.  One because I love them.  Two because a millstone seems like a really uncomfortable necklace—especially for swimming in the sea. If you, however, think a millstone necklace would be fashionable attire … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Destroying Your Children’s Souls

We ain't here! Nothing to talk about! (Oh, and before you ask, I wrote this Monday night and scheduled it to post today!) … [Read more...] about Really? You’re reading blogs TODAY? Go eat some turkey, watch some football. Hang out with your family. Oh, yeah, GIVE THANKS!

I am on my way to Ohio for a family reunion. I won't be posting or paying much attention to blogs. Our contributors may post if they wish, but I don't think they are going to do much either. So, have a great Thanksgiving and I will see you Monday. … [Read more...] about I’m Giving My Voices a Break

Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift. Acts 1:8 is where Jesus is speaking to his disciples right before his Ascension into Heaven where he says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This was spoken to a small group of Jesus' followers in Jerusalem around 33 AD. He was telling them that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and empower them to be witnesses/martyrs for him starting in Jerusalem. Then, the gospel would go throughout Judea and north to Samaria and then … [Read more...] about Are We Interpreting Acts 1:8 Wrong? (by Alan Cross)