At the recent Executive Committee meeting, Tom Elliff really made me angry. No, not like that. I wasn't angry at him, but I was angry at what he said. As he was giving his IMB report, he gave some information that set me off a little. Before I get to what he said, let me share a graphic I saw over at William Thornton's site, along with his Plodder's assessment of the current CP trends. After peaking in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Cooperative Program giving took a sharp decline over the next three years. The last three years have been flat, but that is encouraging compared to the … [Read more...] about Are Our Spats, Differences, and Personal Goals Worth the Damage We Are Doing to Missions?
SBC Issues
Review of “Pursuing Peace” by Robert D. Jones
Call me a nerd but I was very ecstatic about what was going down on Tuesday evening in my little church in Northeast, Missouri. I had been saved for a few months now and beginning to get acclimated into the church. I could not seem to get enough of this life with other believers. So it was only fitting that when there was something on Tuesday night that I would attend. That something in this instance was the quarterly church business meeting. Boy, was I pumped! I figured that this was were we all got together to talk about our evangelism strategies, to share about how the church was … [Read more...] about Review of “Pursuing Peace” by Robert D. Jones
One Thing That Disturbs Me About Propaganda’s Song “Precious Puritans”
I have been listening to Propaganda’s new album and also reflecting on the recent online dust-up concerning his song “Precious Puritans”. If you aren’t hip to the discussion, a little debate has been going on about whether or not Prop went too far in his critique of the Puritans as slave owners. First watch the clip: Now, if you desire to get you caught up (though I’ll warn you it could take a good hour) then you need to check out these articles. First read these two from Joe Thorn: Precious Puritans Part 1 and Part 2. Then go readOwen Strachan’s rebuttal. (Be sure to also read … [Read more...] about One Thing That Disturbs Me About Propaganda’s Song “Precious Puritans”
An(other) Open Letter to the Midwestern Board of Trustees
To the Trustees of Midwestern Seminary, I do not envy you the job you have. Dr. Jason Allen has been nominated by your search committee as your next president and it is up to you to decide whether to affirm that nomination or decline it and renew the search. A lot of eyes are on you and there has been no shortage of opinions about the nomination. We are in a new age in which social media gives opinions such as mine and the others you have heard a wide hearing. You have had letters threatening to de-fund the seminary if you elect Jason Allen. You have had more thoughtful letters, such as … [Read more...] about An(other) Open Letter to the Midwestern Board of Trustees
Lessons on Chicken and Waiting
I have a confession to make. Sometimes I hope that Chick-Fil-A gets my order out to me really slowly and botch their service. Why? Because I know if they do then I’ll get a card that entitles me to free awesomeness in the form of a Chick-fil-a sandwich. They screw up and I get rewarded. So, sometimes I secretly hope they jack something up. I won’t complain. I won’t even look disappointed. I’ll just humbly hold out my hand and allow them to appease me with a free sandwich. I’m not always that giddy about waiting though. A few weeks ago I was waiting for about 10 minutes in the … [Read more...] about Lessons on Chicken and Waiting
The Problem with Jason Allen’s Nomination at MBTS is Not Possible Calvinism or Ties to Southern (by Dr. Rodney Hammer)
Dr. Rodney L. Hammer is the Executive Director of Missions for the Blue River - Kansas City Baptist Association and a former IMB missionary. He has submitted this letter to the Trustees and asked that we post it here. Dear Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Trustee, The purpose of my writing is to urge you and the Board of Trustees to seek another candidate/nominee for the next President of Midwestern. I understand from others that Dr. Allen is a fine Christian gentleman, a very sharp and talented brother in the Lord and gifted in many ways. However, he is not qualified to serve … [Read more...] about The Problem with Jason Allen’s Nomination at MBTS is Not Possible Calvinism or Ties to Southern (by Dr. Rodney Hammer)
Table Manners, the BF&M, & Majority Practice
Who has better table manners? That question once again comes to the forefront in Southern Baptist life following the release of a recent survey on Lord’s Supper practices among SBC churches conducted by Lifeway, an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention. While some found the survey results to be surprising and still others, including Voices' own Jared Moore (agreeing with the Kentucky Baptist Convention's Executive Director, Paul Chitwood), passionately circled the wagons around close/closed communion, my own observation is that these results reveal what many believed to have been the … [Read more...] about Table Manners, the BF&M, & Majority Practice
Are Baptist Colleges and Seminaries Preparing Worship Leaders for A Church That No Longer Exists? (by David Manner)
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. Worship change is inevitable as congregations consider the fluidity of their surrounding cultures and contexts. It would stand to reason, then, that the leaders who facilitate worship in those ever changing congregations must also learn how to develop, cultivate, and lead change by listening to the voice of their community and congregation. How will those leaders be prepared to … [Read more...] about Are Baptist Colleges and Seminaries Preparing Worship Leaders for A Church That No Longer Exists? (by David Manner)
I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
I have made this statement and never had a preacher disagree with me. I spent the weekend doing a wedding and it was a delightful time. The bride and groom seem tremendously suited for one another and I think they will have a happy family. It was a good deal of work, but I had a great time at the dinner, at the wedding and at the reception. I was glad to have the chance to participate But I would still rather do a funeral. No, I'm not happy that someone has died and that people are grieving. But as a pastor, I find funerals to be much more fulfilling ministry than weddings. Maybe you … [Read more...] about I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ
Dr. Bart Barber weighs in on this issue that has been our main topic this week - the nomination of Dr. Jason Allen as the president of Midwestern Seminary. He raises several important issues and the article is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the topic. Go read it. He asks and gives informative answers to these five questions. Are you sure Dr. Allen is a Calvinist? Are you sure that Dr. Mohler is behind Dr. Allen's candidacy at MBTS? Is Dr. Allen's performance at his seminary church really the right measure of his candidacy? Is Dr. Allen a member / leader / … [Read more...] about Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ