Here's an article I was honored to have published in the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions section of "The Alabama Baptist" this past week. Alabama is not the largest state convention, nor are we the richest state convention. However, we lead all states in both total Cooperative Program giving and per capita Cooperative Program giving. In contrast to the growing popularity of many other missions giving paradigms, the Cooperative Program is a tried and true avenue for supporting the Great Commission. May we continue to do missions right! In 1988, when Kentucky Fried Chicken said, … [Read more...] about We Do Missions Right!
SBC Issues
“Who Told You You Were Naked?”
One of the most discouraging aspects of battling a deeply-internalized sexual issue or other commanding presence of repetitive sin is that, even after you face it, fight it, and deprive it, something in that deep-internal goes right back to work to revive it. You choke it, pound it, bury it, surrender it and then, before you know it, you're back under it. You toss it out the window on your journey to freedom and about the time you peek in the rear-view mirror, it's splatting on the windshield. I've heard of . . . and would like to shake the hand of -- some people who faced-down the … [Read more...] about “Who Told You You Were Naked?”
Let’s talk crazy for a moment
I'm sitting here, perusing the Baptist Press article regarding NAMB President Kevin Ezell's goal of seeing 55,901 Southern Baptist congregations by the end of 2020. Especially telling is the closing paragraph of that article, which gives us this information: Ezell said within the Southern Baptist Convention in 1900 in America, there was one SBC church for every 3,900 people. Today, there is one SBC church for every 6,700. In Mississippi, there is one SBC congregation for every 1,400 people. In Canada, there is one congregation for every 124,000; in New Jersey, one congregation for every … [Read more...] about Let’s talk crazy for a moment
IMB’s Baptismal Policy and 4th Century Schismatics
In North Africa in the early 4th century, a presumably theological point of contention morphed into a ecclesiological debate that ultimately split the church in that area. Yawn. The issue behind it all related to Christians who had crumbled during one of the more recent rounds of persecution; specifically, church leaders who turned over copies of the Scriptures to the authorities for burning. Once the persecution ceased, the church had to decide what to do with these traditores of the faith. One group (the laxists) encouraged the church to respond gracefully, forgiving these lapsed … [Read more...] about IMB’s Baptismal Policy and 4th Century Schismatics
Time to Disc It Up
Out here on the Arkansas Grand Prairie, we've finished up this year's harvest. The soybeans are cut, the rice is at the mill, and the corn's gone to the river. It's now time to start doing a little field work to get ready for next year. Some farms will get this done and get wheat in the ground, while others will flood fields to grow a lucrative crop: duck hunters from the city. (Duck hunters from the city is a prized crop for winter time in these parts.) Most everyone right now, though, is out in the fields with a tractor, discing up the ground. The discs cut up the stubble that remains … [Read more...] about Time to Disc It Up
Is God a Narcissist?
I was talking with a student one day, that the most important thing in all of creation is that it reflects and gives God glory. In the dialogue I stated that is the most important thing is to give God glory, than God also does good by bringing Glory to Himself. The student replied "is God narcissistic?" That is an honest question from a student's vantage point. My gut reaction was "no, God is not a human and is not flawed, so it's glory He should get because He deserves all of it. That question however, took me to a larger train of thought. How do we usually look at God? Do we try to … [Read more...] about Is God a Narcissist?
Defenders who Destroy? An Association’s Sad Decision
At their annual meeting, held October 17-18, the Daviess-McLean Baptist Association in Kentucky voted 104-9 to withhold fellowship from Pleasant Valley Community Church in Owensboro. The Western Recorder has reported the action and given the primary reason for the action as the fact that the church was "too Calvinistic." Associated Baptist Press also covered the story, mostly based on the story from the Western Recorder. Sadly, Baptist Press has not covered the story. The facts do not seem to be in dispute. The association brought no charges of heresy against Pleasant Valley. They did … [Read more...] about Defenders who Destroy? An Association’s Sad Decision
The Convention’s Unconventional Name Change
Quick: what's the longest name in all of North American professional sports? No cheating, googling, etc. Just sit on your answer for me; we'll come back to it. As I've watched the lively debate surrounding the potential for a name change in the SBC, I've had to admit a certain apathy. In many ways, it mattered not to me how we organized the letters that form our identifying nomenclature, so the convention's name was off my radar. Then, of course, I realized it really did matter to me; there are certain words I to which I certainly would object (satan, hate, platypus, Calvinist, … [Read more...] about The Convention’s Unconventional Name Change
Feel Better about NAMB? (by William Thornton)
(Our friend the SBC Plodder gave me permission to republish this reflection on the recent workings at NAMB. Thanks, William.) Our North American Mission Board has been the closest thing to a completely dysfunctional agency that Southern Baptists have ever had. Well, let's go ahead and say that NAMB has absolutely been dysfunctional for most of the 21st century. Informed SBCers, even those who love to argue anything and everything, will likely not argue that point. Along came the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force and report and, more than any other SBC entity, NAMB was singled out for … [Read more...] about Feel Better about NAMB? (by William Thornton)
Name Change Suggestion: How about “Ephesus Baptist Convention?”
I wonder what name our Lord and Savior would give to the Southern Baptist Convention? I've spent a lot of time in recent years studying and teaching from Revelation 2 and 3, the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor. I'm going to give you my opinion, and you can take it for what it is worth. As I look at the SBC, the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2 comes to mind. Would Jesus call us the "Ephesus Baptist Convention?" Jesus described the church at Ephesus in very complimentary terms in verses 2-3. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot … [Read more...] about Name Change Suggestion: How about “Ephesus Baptist Convention?”