SBC Issues

In two short weeks, ABC is launching a situation comedy that will simply be known as GCB. Please note that these are the same three initials found in the highly publicized, proposed, optional and informal replacement name for the Southern Baptist Convention. Ours may stand for "Great Commission Baptists" but the rest of America will soon associate the three initials GCB with the phrase "Good Christian Belles." Please understand I am using the term "belles" here in place of the British term for female dogs, which is inferred but cannot be used even by ABC in describing Christians. Apparently, … [Read more...] about Skirting Southern Sin

There are abominations which, like nests of vipers, lie so quietly within, that we hardly suspect they are there till the rod of affliction rouses them; then they hiss and show their venom.  This discovery is indeed very distressing; yet, till it is made, we are prone to think ourselves much less vile than we really are, and cannot so heartily abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes.  (John Newton, Letter to Mrs. Wilberforce) I would not necessarily consider marriage a “rod of affliction”.  Marriage is wonderful.  But marriage also comes with difficulties.  Because God is radically … [Read more...] about Affliction, Marriage, and Rescue

(Stephen M Young is a missionary living in Brazil.  He blogs at "Beyond Outreach" and has a personal blog as well.  I appreciate him sharing this post with us.) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 I baptize you my brother… A few weeks into my freshman year at ETBU (1994), a … [Read more...] about Who is Authorized to Baptize? (by Stephen M Young)

The nice thing about nicknames is that they aren't real and probably should not be taken too seriously. I have NEVER, EVER seen or heard of one being put up for a vote by any deliberative body. In other words, the people coming up with the nickname just sort of do it on their own authority. How strange that a committee formed on its own authority and not that of the Southern Baptist Convention did not feel empowered to just start using a totally optional nickname without asking for official say-so. If they want to start referring to Southern Baptists as "Great Commission Baptists" as a … [Read more...] about How Nicknames Work

When it comes to the issue of race, many today advocate that we take a “color-blind” approach. That is, in our interactions with people we should refuse to allow race to be a factor at all, whether we are interacting with a neighbor, talking about social issues, or choosing a Convention president. At this point in our history, however, a color-blind approach is counter-productive to achieving the racial unity we all desire. Certainly, the sentiment behind a color-blind approach is a positive one. It stems from a desire to act in a way that is free from racism and achieves the dream set … [Read more...] about A “Color-Blind” Denomination?

For more info, here is the link to the BP article.  http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37224 1)  This should come as a surprise to those who thought there was some kind of pressure to force an agenda on everyone.  They studied the issue and came up with what they think is a "win/win." Reasonable folks without an agenda came to a reasonable decision. 2)  When you see the wide range of Baptist leaders who support this (Al Mohler, Paige Patterson - about as far apart on Baptist issues as you can get) it has a good chance to pass. 3)  The name will not be a legal change or even a dba. … [Read more...] about Observations on “Great Commission Baptists”

The Southern Baptist Convention! The name is NOT going to change.  However, there will be an informal name, which will be announced in a minute. It has been clarified that this is NOT a dba, but more like an informal nickname. The nickname will be "Great Commission Baptists." Here's the BP article  http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37224     … [Read more...] about Legally: SBC // Informally: Great Commission Baptists

There has been an interesting phenomenon in these recent years of upheaval in the SBC.  Group after group has laid claim to one form or another of the "Majority Baptists" or "grassroots Baptists" moniker.  That is not a surprise.  Every one of us wants to believe that not only are our views correct, biblical and beneficial, but that a majority of people see things the same way.  That is especially true of Baptists who practice majority rule.  To lay claim to "majority" or "grassroots" is to give your viewpoint or organization credibility and authority. But there is a problem with these … [Read more...] about The True SBC Majority

My wife's real name is Karen and you should know that I love her dearly. She is kind, gentle and compassionate. She has a smile that brightens my darkest days. She has a calm and sweet temperament that blesses my soul. God has given me the amazing privilege of going through life joined at the heart with the most pleasant person I have ever met. If you were to ask me how favorably I view my wife, I would be at a loss for words to describe her highly enough. Not to change the subject (a phrase we strangely use whenever we do indeed change the subject), but at the risk of offending women named … [Read more...] about My Wife Lucretia