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The parable of the preservationist

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No, I'm not making this up like the Fire Department Story. This is one of the parables of the Lord Jesus Christ. He tells us this during the last week of His earthly, pre-Resurrection life. (Side note: it's hard to label the Lord Jesus Christ with time: "last week of His life" is not accurate, kind of like calling Him "young" isn't. He's eternal, so He's never really been young, even if His incarnate body was. He's eternal, so He hasn't, and never will have, a "last week." So, last week of earthly, pre-Resurrection life is the best I can do.) Why don't you see the Parable of the … [Read more...] about The parable of the preservationist

Stop Doing That!

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It seems that with almost any child, ‘no’ becomes one of the first words learned.  After all, they hear it quite frequently.  Most of us Christians probably have at least mild familiarity with the criticism that we are more well known for what we stand against than what we stand for.  Any reading of the sacred Scripture undoubtedly shows that lists of “do not’s” and “avoid this” indeed exist.  As his children, God does tell us “No!” and there are certain things we must stand against. But, generally speaking, should the path of spiritual growth in the Christian life be coated with “no” or is … [Read more...] about Stop Doing That!

Closed Communion?

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So here is something that I was discussing with a pastor in my local association. Do most churches practice closed or at least close communion? If someone comes to Christ in your church, and the next week you hold the observance of the Lord's Supper, do you allow that individual to participate? I know at many of the churches I have attended, we just ask that people are believers before they participate in this act, but the Baptist Faith and Message states: Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of … [Read more...] about Closed Communion?

Small State Conventions, Budget Cuts, and a Question of Fairness

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One of our SBC Voices buddies, the SBC Plodder, has posted some excellently "wild and crazy" ideas about the Cooperative Program today, called "Three Outrageous Suggestions for the Cooperative Program." Who knows, that might find its way on here later in the week.  One of the suggestions he made is to reduce the number of Trustees for each of our entities.  I think it is good, but I am going to suggest something that goes the other way a little. The state conventions in New Work states like Iowa, the Dakotas, Minnesota-Wisconsin and others are largely dependent on NAMB funding.  Obviously, … [Read more...] about Small State Conventions, Budget Cuts, and a Question of Fairness

Whose Clothes Are These?

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In AD 324, Constantine the Great defeated his rival claimant to the Roman throne. After deciding that Rome was a poor location for his capital, Constantine choose the city of Byzantium for the seat of government. Straddling the connection point between Europe and Asia, Byzantium was the perfect spot for managing the European, Asian, and North African territories of the Roman Empire. There was a catch: it was too small. In AD 330, the city was named Constantinople. An enormous building project began to enlarge the rather small metropolis, with armies of workers, craftsmen, and artisans. The … [Read more...] about Whose Clothes Are These?

The Root of Church Defection

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(This post originally appeared at my blog: Borrowed Light) …those who more boldly than others incite defection from the church, and are like standard-bearers, have for the most part no other reason than their contempt of all to show they are better than the others. (John Calvin, Institutes, 1030) Ripping on the church has become a national past-time.  It is not uncommon for people to get so fed up with the brokenness of the church that they decide their relationship with Jesus could be just as easily cultivated at home. There is also the other type of person that hops from … [Read more...] about The Root of Church Defection

Being a Radicle Person

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No, that's not misspelled. I'll explain: This past week I was listening to back issues of Russell Moore's podcast of The Cross and the Jukebox. Once I got over my envy that he's getting to mix pleasurable work (talking about Jesus) with pleasure (country music), I was able to glean a good bit of information. The issue (episode?) I listened to that struck me the most, though, was this one about Don Williams' song Good Ole Boys Like Me. Dr. Moore spoke of growing up in southern Mississippi and how much he felt bad for the kids from the nearby Air Force Base that answered the "Where are you … [Read more...] about Being a Radicle Person

Ageism and immortality in the SBC. Why we are joyfully ignorant.

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When I was a young man . . . ok a younger man, in my teens and 20s, I had some great mentors. I had men who walked with me and beside me, who encouraged me and really showed me the ropes. I am so grateful for those men and the men in my life now who encourage me and provide me opportunities. The world at large is not looking to help me at all. At the age of 34, I have been around long enough to know that emergent and incumbent leaders don't get along too well. The emergent feel like they are marginalised and stifled, the incumbent feel like they are disrespected and pushed aside. The … [Read more...] about Ageism and immortality in the SBC. Why we are joyfully ignorant.

GUEST POST: Young-Preachers- Finding a Place to Preach

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[First posted by David Brumbelow, at Gulfcoast Pastor] When I attended college, I was surprised to meet young preachers who had never preached. They had felt God’s call to preach. They had surrendered their lives to the ministry. They were being educated to follow that call. Yet they had never had the opportunity to preach. Others I met had only had the chance to preach once or twice. Part of the blame goes to their home pastors. Pastor, if you have a young man who surrenders his life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ - give him the opportunity to preach. Let him bring a devotional in a … [Read more...] about GUEST POST: Young-Preachers- Finding a Place to Preach