Does the love fest between the rabid Cals and the formerly militant, though now meek, Trads extend to Great Commission Giving, the SBC giving category that can't get any respect? I'm just trying to manage all the consequences of recent SBC political developments that have my head spinning. You'd think my Christian, Baptist, Southern Baptist colleagues would have more respect for their elders than to jerk their head this way and that with convention politics. Fantasyland, SBC style. So, the Trads love their presidential candidate, longtime follower of Jesus and John Calvin, Tom Ascol. I like … [Read more...] about Great Commission Giving. Trads and Cals now love that giving metric?
SBC Issues
If Anyone Remembers Me, I’m the Guy in Africa
There was a time when my trips to Taiwan or Israel or Senegal created something of a problem here at SBC Voices, since I was active on a daily basis. Such is not the case now, but I thought I would let folks know I am taking my 11th trip to the villages of the Casamance in Southern Senegal. Plan to return April 3. We walk from home to home telling Bible Stories and sharing the gospel. For many of these folks, it is their first exposure to the true gospel. Would appreciate your prayers. I have gotten sick the last few times I have gone and we have been encountering some resistance in … [Read more...] about If Anyone Remembers Me, I’m the Guy in Africa
Tom Ascol, Voddie Baucham and what a time to be in our Grand Convention!
While the SBC isn't 'woke' it may be drowsy at times and the joint announcement of the campaigns of anti-wokesters Tom Ascol and Voddie Baucham should rouse any sleepyheaded SBCers. When I've heard Tom Ascol, he has always handled himself well, at least on the floor of conventions. There has been a bit of a downgrade recently, recall the scurrilous trailer presented in Birmingham. Not his best moment, but, as Shelby Foote says, "Longevity conquers scandal every time." Ascol is the original rabid Calvinist and to the surprise of many is now allied with the old Trad anti-Cal faction. I … [Read more...] about Tom Ascol, Voddie Baucham and what a time to be in our Grand Convention!
Look for the lone, the sole, the indefatigable stalwart ONE AND ONLY pastor in most US congregations
"And, behold, I looked and saw a vast number of churches in the United States of America. I looked again and, behold, in most of these churches there was a single, solo, lone pastor serving them." I love these religion in America studies and surveys. This one presents what we all think is the ideal and normative US church: a rather small church that has a pastor, and only A pastor, not a team of pastors, not a lead/chief/senior/CEO pastor and a gaggle of sub/assistant/associate pastors. The National Congregations Study from the non-basketball side of Duke University has more data that you … [Read more...] about Look for the lone, the sole, the indefatigable stalwart ONE AND ONLY pastor in most US congregations
There be three SBC things that are an embarrassment, yea, four an absurdity [by William Thornton]
The Baptist Faith and Message. What is an embarrassment is that so many SBC entities and institutions feel compelled to append multiple paragraphs and inferior paragraphs that were composed by a self-appointed, unelected small groups of Southern Baptists. No church has to affirm the BFM, certainly not approve or adopt any ad hoc add-ons to qualify as a cooperating Southern Baptist church. It's been almost a generation since Adrian et al put this together. Time to start denominational WWIII and clean it up. Or, we can just 'wink-wink' our way forward. Some say we can rally around it. Hasn't … [Read more...] about There be three SBC things that are an embarrassment, yea, four an absurdity [by William Thornton]
Thoughts on Andy Stanley’s Recent Sermon
I'm not a huge Andy Stanley fan, to say the least. He likes to stir things up by throwing evangelicals under the bus in an effort to reach those who doubt, who are departing, those who are deconstructing and leaving the church behind. I appreciate his effort to reach people like that, but it seems counterproductive to hit the eject button on the family of the redeemed in the effort. I am not sure the end justifies the means. The latest iteration of "Barbeque Andy Stanley" had to do with a quote he put out on Twitter. He cannot claim he was misquoted or anything, since it was his own tweet. … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Andy Stanley’s Recent Sermon
Who can be president of the Southern Baptist Convention?
With the recent announcement that Ed Litton will not be running for a second term as SBC President, rumors have been flying about the open position and who will run for it. Florida pastor Willy Rice has already been announced as a candidate by the man who will nominate him, Clint Pressley. There will undoubtedly be another candidate, especially given the current climate of the SBC. It’s expected that the Conservative Baptist Network will announce a candidate that they choose to support, and there are plenty of names being bandied about. I don’t wish to discuss the relative merits … [Read more...] about Who can be president of the Southern Baptist Convention?
One California Pastor’s Experience with Willy Rice (Christopher Cole)
Willy Rice doesn’t need this California normative-sized SBC church pastor to endorse his nomination for the SBC presidency. Pastors of far bigger and more effective churches have already endorsed this nomination and deservedly so. Anyone at SBC21 with ears to hear and eyes to see realized we heard a timely message from a true man of God as Willy delivered last year’s convention message. Many others know Willy far better and can testify to his giftedness in leading his church and Florida Baptists to effectively engage a lost community, state, and world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Still … [Read more...] about One California Pastor’s Experience with Willy Rice (Christopher Cole)
Ed Litton is NOT Running for Reelection as SBC President
Since the moment Ed Litton was elected, elements of the SBC have been seeking his destruction, fault-finding and nit-picking in ways that are not of Christ. They did manage to find a fault, one Ed readily admitted to and apologized for, and one for which certain segments of the SBC showed absolutely NO grace. They dragged him through the mud. This is a good man, a godly man. Not a perfect man, but one who has served Southern Baptists well. A message to the SBC. https://t.co/RWMBfTWeZr — Ed Litton (@EdLitton) March 1, 2022 I deeply regret not being able to vote for him a … [Read more...] about Ed Litton is NOT Running for Reelection as SBC President
SBC22 Disneyland Guidance (by DJ Jenkins)
SBC22 in Anaheim, California is just around the corner! And with the convention center being literally across the street from Disneyland Resort, many Southern Baptists and their families will be taking advantage of the opportunity for some great family memories at the parks. As a former Send Network planter and now SBC pastor of a church in Los Angeles, I’m thrilled to be welcoming everyone to our great state. And as Disneyland annual passholders for the past decade, my family has a lot of experience with how to best navigate the parks. Consider this my best advice and a helpful guide to all … [Read more...] about SBC22 Disneyland Guidance (by DJ Jenkins)