SBC Issues

Our pastor spoke to us on a recent Sunday morning on the difference between "holiness" and "holier than thou". Doctor Hadley gave several verses to point out specifically what holiness is but spent a great portion of the sermon on the latter issue, the sin of being holier than thou. Our main portion of scripture studied was Mark 7: 1-23. I've studied this portion of scripture before but there are always new things to learn each time you read scripture. God reveals a new lesson to you at the appropriate time, I believe. It wasn't that the lesson wasn't there before, or that the scripture … [Read more...] about Holy versus Holier Than Thou

Since 2006 when I started blogging, I've read a continual battery of degrading things about our convention and many of her leaders. The wearisome drone of belittlement, impugning, accusation, and maligning has, at times, stirred me to comment with ire and disgust. Other times I've written posts to encourage us to "grieve not the Holy Spirit" with our maiming of the brethren. Sometimes I've responded to complete strangers on blogs to encourage them not to give up on the SBC because of a few who continually drip, drip, drip words of dissension and division. (I've been so blessed by the … [Read more...] about THE BEST OR WORST OF THE SBC

The New Testament keeps pointing me to local communities of believers as the primary visible outworking of the church. There are occasional times of cooperation, and submission to apostolic leadership. But mostly the local church is busy preaching the Gospel and living out the implications of God's Grace. So, I'm a typical young pastor trying to work out how denominations fit into a biblic understanding of the church. I keep hearing smart people say we can do more together than we can apart. I'm not sure I can agree with that.  Can't most churches do more missions with less money through … [Read more...] about Why Should I Care About The SBC?

Update: After testing, I don't think the current readership fits well with the idea. Just go to churchStaffing.com instead. I'm testing a new  job board feature for this site. It's integrated through a third party company and if it works it could be a revenue stream for this blog. But for now, I've set up a discount code KUMMER that will allow any 30 day job posting for no fee. So if your church (or a church you know) is looking for pastoral or ministry related job canidates, send them over for their free job listing. A little more about the reach of SBC Voices. Our email newsletter … [Read more...] about Ministry Job Board At SBC Voices

There was a USA Today story that came across my Google Reader tonight tagged "Southern Baptist Convention." It was plug for the new Ted Haggard documentary on HBO, but they also quoted LifeWay statistics about pastoral dismissals. One note: The LifeWay figures are about forced terminations. According to the LifeWay article, "The other thing to consider is that this just represents the best data we can gather on forced terminations. It doesn’t include those who were pressured out." What's the difference? Usually guys who resign are closer to repentance, either because their sins are too big … [Read more...] about Ted Haggard, SBC Pastors & The Power Of Forgiveness

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