SBC Issues

(We'd like to ignore it, but sexual abuse is a reality in every part of society today.  The SBC Plodder's perspective here is good advice.) Some time ago in a deacons' meeting, I was speaking on the subject of sexual abuse of children in churches and our church's policies on the same. The sordid subject was in the news as a result of the Roman Catholic scandals and not a few cases of SBC churches and clergy involved in such things. While we have adopted policies in our church, nothing made the matter more clear to the deacons than when I said, "Here's what we do if someone comes to me with … [Read more...] about Pick up the phone. Call the cops. (by William Thornton)

Something is bothering me. Before I explain what is bothering me—hopefully for your edification and my own—allow me to make a few qualifiers. First, it is very possible that I am assigning motives and issues of the heart that are not really there but only a reflection of my own sinful tendencies. Second, this piece is intended to be a caution to my Reformed/Calvinistic brothers and sisters.  If you do not fit that bill then you can use this piece to look at your own heart as it relates to the “theological camps” that you tend to frequent.  However, this is not to be used as fodder to … [Read more...] about Is It Hard to Hug an Arminian?

Iowa Hawkeyes  24, Michigan Wolverines 16. Northwestern Wildcats 28, Nebraska Cornshuckers 25 LSU 9, Alabama Crimson Crud 6 Oh, yeah!   … [Read more...] about Life is GOOD! (The “Roll Tide” Edition)

I have a really good introduction for this article.  I tell you a really funny story about a toy, gadget, etc. that I really wanted because I knew that it would solve all of my problems.  It was one of those things that I absolutely had to have. In this really good introduction I explain how I worked hard to get this new toy/gadget; either through actually working or “working” the way that jobless kids do--by figuring out how to manufacture the right balance of enough, tears, whining, and solid behavior to merit such an awesome gift. I continue in this super amazing introduction for a … [Read more...] about Is it too small a thing?

Travel, as any missionary will tell you, is a key part of life.  My sister says that travel is what makes my life complicated.  To hear her tell it, it takes a 45 minute drive to the airport, two flights with a layover, 30 minutes in a taxi, a bus ride, and short jaunt by donkey just to get to my house.  My response is that there are no donkeys involved and that once you arrive at our house life is pretty normal, assuming you consider gutting your own chickens to be normal.  Of course, I could point out she is being egocentric and we could say that in fact it takes all those things just to get … [Read more...] about How Many Bags, Mr. Missionary?

I'm leaving tomorrow to head to the Baptist Convention of Iowa Annual Meeting.  Our meetings are almost always completely free of tension and drama of any kind.  How about yours?  If you attended your state convention meeting this year, tell us about it. This is pretty much an open forum for state convention related discussions. … [Read more...] about State Convention Meeting Forum

(David Worley, "Volfan007" is a frequent commenter here and sent me this today.  I know this is a hot-button topic and David never shades his views on things! But this is new information about a new study, so here it is.  I'm guessing this should be a lively discussion.  It is absolutely important that we not ridicule David for his silly position - I'm talking about the support of the Tennessee Volunteers, of course.) I don't know if yall have heard the latest study about alcohol, or not; but it's not very conducive to the moderationists position. Only the tee-totallers will rejoice in this … [Read more...] about Latest Research Backs up Bible about Booze (by David Worley)

Is anyone tired of the discussion of the name change for the SBC? I am often amused by comments in which people express weariness of the discussions of certain topics.   But I watch the statistics on this blog.  In spite of what people say, there is a nearly unquenchable thirst for discussion of certain topics - Calvinism, alchohol, the GCR, whatever.  What we sometimes run out of is fresh insights and we end up rehashing the same arguments over and over. Statistics would demonstrate that Southern Baptists care a lot about the issue of the name change.  But I think we've been rehashing a … [Read more...] about Trevin Wax’s Insights on the SBC Name Change

When I left Cedar Rapids in 2005, after more than 14 years of ministry at my church there, it was a huge shock.  I thought that I would one day retire as the pastor of that church and I used to tell people that my goal in ministry was to leave one solid church behind that would be my spiritual legacy.  God showed me that this was not his will and I didn't understand it.  We were settled in Cedar Rapids, happy in Cedar Rapids.  Why did God move us? As time went on, I began to realize some reasons that God might have moved us across the state of Iowa to Southern Hills Baptist Church. The … [Read more...] about It’s About Lives Changed, Not Churches Built!

As I was driving to the office this morning, I heard a snip-it from Adrian Rogers. He said that God gave the Ten Commandments to families, and he talked about the commandment to fathers to teach it to your children. It really resonated with me, I agree. It seems like we want God to touch our nation. God isn't going to touch the nation, He is going to touch people, and we have the responsibility from there. The 10 Commandments don't belong in the Courthouse, they belong in your house. They don't belong in the classroom, they belong in the bedroom. The commands of God, his statues and … [Read more...] about Where the 10 Commandments Belong