SBC Issues

I have the unique opportunity, when I preside at a funeral, to do genuine, powerful and evangelistic ministry.  It is also a time in which I can be tempted to compromise truth, to curry favor with people instead of God, to unintentionally promote heresy and squander this unique opportunity. One Sunday afternoon a while back I sat at my desk working on my evening sermon when the phone rang.  One of our members had finally succumbed after a six month battle with brain cancer.  I headed outside into the dreary Iowa dusk to go and visit with this family for a few brief moments.  As I drove … [Read more...] about Doing Funerals without Burying the Truth

One of our evangelism strategies as a church is to use “GRACE” cards.  “What is a GRACE card”, you ask?  I’m glad you asked.  Let me explain. The concept behind a GRACE card is to bless our community.  Really the concept is to put words behind random acts of kindness.  Our church family is encouraged to take a GRACE card and to bless somebody throughout the week.  It can be as simple as buying a book of stamps or leaving quarters in a laundry machine.  Some like to purchase meals for the people behind them at a fast-food chain.  When you do this you simply leave a GRACE card. A GRACE … [Read more...] about What are “GRACE Cards”?

The Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees meets Monday, October 15. From all of the information available ahead of time, they will be discussing electing Jason Allen as President of the Seminary. We have been discussing his election potential around SBC blogs since his name came to light as the candidate from their search committee. (Or was that a team? I can never keep up.) Admittedly, I'm writing this before the meeting and so have no idea how it will actually turn out. I would say that the smart money is on the Trustees voting to proceed with Dr. Allen in the … [Read more...] about How will you respond (to the MWBTS Trustees)?

Ricky Kirk blogs at Panta ta Ethne. I was listening to Pastor Mark Sparks, youth pastor for Journey Youth Ministries at Tri-State Worship Center last night. He mentioned something that served to be a missing piece of the puzzle I've been working on this last 18 months. In beginning the initial exploration stages of planting a missional community, I have read much about engaging culture, reaching neighbors, and building long-term discipling relationships. Part of that is examining my tendency in relationship building as well as listening to the stories of others. Here's what I have stumbled … [Read more...] about We’ve Been Asking the Wrong Question! (by Ricky Kirk)

When does being a good role model require that we admit our sins? Stephanie and I work hard to present the best possible Christian model for our people group to see and emulate.  We make sure we are gracious as possible, as forgiving as we can be.  We take very seriously our responsibility to be "the only Bible people might ever read."  We strive for holiness and purity.  In short, we are the best Christians we can be both for God and for the sake of those who are observing us. We've always been willing to admit our mistakes to the people here.  If we react badly to something, we … [Read more...] about Shamefully Transparent

Bryant Laird serves as the Family & Student Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Cayce, SC.  He previously worked at the North American Mission Board and was in charge of recruiting, hiring and training Summer Staff for the ministries of World Changers and PowerPlant from 2006-2011.  Bryant also served at First Baptist Church Yazoo City, MS as Minister to Students from 2002-2006 and has a history with World Changers that includes time as a participant (1991-1995), Summer Staffer (1996, 1998-2000), Coordinator (2001-2005) and Group Leader (2003, 2005, 2012).  Bryant is married to Olivia, … [Read more...] about Do Hard Things, the Easy Way: Concerns about the Changes at World Changers (by Bryant Laird)

One of the most used (over used) resources in the modern church is often guilt.  As Baptists, we don't have the corner on the market when it comes to guilt, but we definately have more than our fair share of usage. I'll admit I have used it from the pulpit, classroom, article and the occasional blog. We use guilt to promote faith, but should we?  One of the things I see very often is people struggling with guilt and not knowing what to do. Guilt can sometimes be a trap for people, but it doesn't need to be. Guilt had to be understood in it's proper context so people can be free of it's … [Read more...] about Do you Guilt, or Let the Spirit bring Conviction?

Dr. David W. Manner is Director of Worship and Administration at the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at  http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter:  @dwmanner.  Evangelical churches have rejected the old covenant practice of designating priests as a special class of religious hierarchy.  And even though Anglican and Episcopal congregations have retained the title, their priests function in a pastoral role as ministers rather than interceders.  The belief that someone else must mediate our relationship with God for us or dispense God’s grace to us … [Read more...] about Are Pastors Functioning As Protestant Priests? (by Dr. David W. Manner)