SBC Issues

Bradley Cochran just sent me a reminder about a new ministry/website called URBAN GLORY. It looks like a great resource, especially for anyone in the Louisville area. Here are links to the U R B A N G L O R Y website, information about the 3D Event in Louisville this Friday 1/30/09, an interview with the co-founders, and a brief vision statement. You can also read about the website here. Don't miss their podcasts with Dr. Johnny Hunt :: Living a Dream :: 1 of 4 UG Co-founder Aaron Skinner spends 45 minutes with Pastor Johnny Hunt, senior pastor of the 15000 member First Baptist Church … [Read more...] about URBAN GLORY & New Johnny Hunt Interviews

I caught this collection of quotes coming across my Google Reader. While I suspect these comments come from a critical spirit, there is something we can learn about being Baptist. "Having attended several denominations, and read/heard about many others (mostly Protestant), I've concluded one thing they all have in common is they are all wrong -- doctrinally -- about something. One of my biggest frustrations is that so many denominations serve their denomination as much as their God. I don't think church growth should be a goal. I don't think denomination status, tithes, attendance, etc., … [Read more...] about Serving Denominations Rather Than God

What can be done to stop the decline of the Southern Baptist Convention? That is the question raised in this post from the Tennessean.com. I've read some good points on a few other blogs, but wanted to offer a few observations here. The Conservative Resurgence was God's work, even if it was accomplished by less than perfect leaders. Even if the results haven't been all we hoped. When people turn back to God's Word it is his work. Have we gone far enough? Maybe not. Giving verbal agreement to inerrancy is a good start, but we also need to look to the Bible as sufficient for our faith & … [Read more...] about The Tennessean On SBC Decline

I was raised in a Baptist family, accepted Christ at an early age, grew up with what I consider a hell, fire, and brimstone pastor, and never heard of the Apocrapha until I was at least a late teen, or perhaps it was even later than that and I was a young adult. I can't put an exact date on it but it was farther back in my years than closer to present at least! I do remember, however, that once I did learn about the existence of the Apocrapha that every time I asked what it was, the answer was almost whispered to me, as if it was a taboo subject. I'm a curious sort and so I kept poking around … [Read more...] about Concerning the Apocrypha…

Check out a new blog about dealing with church conflict by David Noble author of Winning The Real Battle At Church.  Here is what SBC President Johnny Hunt said about that book. If your church has ever dealt with any type of internal strife or conflict and you have wished there was a resource to help guide you, let me commend this book to you. I'm excited that David is bringing this topic to the blogosphere. … [Read more...] about New Blog About Church Conflict

What events from this past year will have a lasting impact on the life of the SBC? Here is my attempt to answer that question. This exercise is sure to invite criticism and I am open for your correction in the comment section. 1. Decline In SBC Giving: While membership numbers can be inflated and baptisms can fluctuate, the real measure of our denominational mission has always been our missions offerings. That is what the SBC does - cooperate for missions. So, when that slides it should catch our attention. This story broke in early October but was largely ignored.  The quote, "Cooperative … [Read more...] about Top 10 SBC Stories Of 2008