SBC Issues

I posted on Saturday afternoon concerning my struggles about the direction of commenting here at SBC Voices, with a wide range of responses.  Thank you for your suggestions, and those I've received privately from some of our contributors who shared their wisdom.  I have drawn a few conclusions from the discussion.  I don't have a final plan of action,  yet; I want to discuss this with our writing team.  But here's what I gleaned from some of your comments and my own thoughts - sort of an opinion mishmash. 1)  Quite a few people like the open commenting policy here, though most realize it … [Read more...] about Conclusions from Comments about Comment Moderation

This is a heavy day for all of us involved in blogging.  No need to go back over the details.  But as I was looking on Facebook, I saw this song (on Jeff Musgrave's site) from Phil Keaggy.  It's an oldie, but a good reminder (if we needed one) about the dangers posed by the sin that each of us deals with and the importance of walking in Christ's power daily, not our own. Enjoy the song. Walk in Christ.  Remember that we stand in his strength and not in our own. … [Read more...] about “It Could’ve Been Me” – A Reminder from Phil Keaggy

(Baptist Press has released an article about the events.) Frankly, I don't know what to do tonight. How do we respond to a tragedy like this? I feel like I've been punched in the gut. When I got back to my office after evening service, there was an email waiting for me from someone I have grown to consider a friend, someone with whose judgment and astute theological argument I was increasingly impressed, admitting moral failure. I did a little research and found a link to a news article that disabused me of any hope that this was not real or that it was not as serious as it … [Read more...] about Stunned, Sad, and Confused: A Blogging Brother Falls into Sin

SBC Voices has an unusual niche in the Baptist blogging world.  We have become something of a social media forum.  No other Baptist blog has the lively comment streams that we do.  That is one of our strengths.  It is also our biggest challenge.  I think we publish some good articles here, but a lot of the conversation lacks grace. I'll be honest, I am amazed at the words some Christians think are justified in discussing issues. Blog discussions are tricky.  Since there is a sense of anonymity, we tend to say things in ways we might not in person. And because we can't read tone of voice, … [Read more...] about A Forum: What to Do About Blog Comments and Moderation

While our own (and more important) Blog Madness is going on, there is this silly little basketball tourney going on as well, the NCAA men's basketball championship. Big stuff happened today.  I thought you might want to talk about it. As always, with our sports forums, trash-talking is not only permitted, it is strongly encouraged. Two points of note today:  One, the Alabama Crimson Crud got knocked off by a team from just south of Sioux City.  Go Blue Jays. Also, #2 Mizzou got knocked off. Should be lots more to watch this weekend.   … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices NCAA March Madness Forum

There is a certain amount of arrogance, I suppose, in undertaking a subject like this.  It assumes that I know something about excellence in blogging or that I am an expert in building blogs.  I'm not. But I have been in blogging a long time (especially if measured in blog years), and I have observed the process.  Blogs come and go.  Most of the top SBC blogs back in 2006 either do not exist anymore or have faded out of the limelight.  If I named some of the luminaries of the Baptist Blogging world from back then, many of you would say, "Who?" I was a newbie back then, now I'm part of the … [Read more...] about How to Build an Excellent Baptist Blog

Some of you with nominated blogs need to get with the program.  Others are out there (in the spirit of fun and Christian charity) shamelessly promoting their blogs for the tournament. Eric Schumacher got it going with a free book offer to those who would vote for him! The best I have seen so far is Mike Leake's recently posted article:  "How to save cute little kittens."  In spite of the fact that it took an unwarranted shot at Yankee fans, it was brilliant. Some have just put up simple links to ask for votes.  Frank Gantz had a good one - even giving voting instructions. That is … [Read more...] about Inventive (and Approved) Methods of Electioneering for Blog Madness 2012

My wife and I have had a unique opportunity lately, taking classes in order to become foster parents.  In the classes, we have seen and heard the modern secular humanist ideas of what "discipline" is.  This is the model used by the public school system.  It's a mockery that they call it discipline, because it's anything but.  The basic premise comes from your friend Abraham Maslow, who made a hierarchy of needs.  His basic premise, however, is totally flawed.  It begins with humans who are "good" and if they have their needs met, they will achieve more and be better.  This this flawed … [Read more...] about The Problem with “Modern Discipline”