Some of the most eye-opening indictments on our own failings as the Church come when we look back to the warnings that the Old Testament prophets delivered to Israel. One such warning that struck me acutely is found in the book of Haggai. In chapter 2, verse 12, Haggai asks the priests presiding over the Jews returning from exile a question about whether holiness can be transferred to an object by simply bringing it into contact with something God has made holy; a question to which the priests plainly answer "No." This is so pertinent today because we find ourselves just as guilty as the … [Read more...] about The Error of Manufacturing Holiness
SBC Issues
Should We Change Our Name?
I love the Southern Baptist Convention. I am a Southern Baptist by conviction. Theologically and missions wise I feel that the Southern Baptist Convention is the strongest. I love the influence that the SBC has, but could our name be hurting our influence? Could the name 'Southern Baptist Convention' actually be holding our convention back? Yes.. You might be a little surprised by my answer, but I think that it is true. I was born in Nebraska and I talk to a lot of people from there. I also served in Indiana for awhile and spoke with many people up there. The church in Indiana was … [Read more...] about Should We Change Our Name?
THE GRIEF OF HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
It's hard to believe. Amid turkey-dinner plans, anticipated shopping trips, and gaily decorated stores, stands a group of folks who aren't excited. The turkey sounds dry, the shopping trips stagnant, and the season's "ho-ho-ho" greets a spirit of inaudible sighs of heaviness. That's right. Many folks do not take pleasure in the approaching holidays. A variety of reasons come to mind: expenses, booking flights, flights canceling, and dysfunctional families. I could write several posts on each of the lists that pop into my mind today. But today I want to focus on one. Grief. Do you … [Read more...] about THE GRIEF OF HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Podcast With Michael Spencer
I first met I first met Michael last Spring, when he was in Louisville on Sabbatical. He's not a denominational superstar, which is one reason I wanted to do this podcast. I also appreciate the unique perspective he brings to Southern Baptist life. Michael Spencer is the campus minister at a Southern Baptist boarding school in Kentucky and known online for his blogs InternetMonk.com and Jesus Shaped Spirituality. He is a longtime Southern Baptist, having graduated fro Southern Seminary and having served in several Kentucky Baptist churches. Download Mp3: Michael Spencer Podcast Here are … [Read more...] about Podcast With Michael Spencer
Open Letter to All Pastors of Churches in the SBC
Dear Pastor, Let me first clarify that this letter is for Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) pastors in general. I am well aware that what you are about to read does not include all pastors – at least not in totality. I also write this from the perspective of having been a pastor myself and therefore include myself as an addressee. I look around the SBC and see, hear, and read about how the SBC is in decline. Resolutions come out saying regenerate membership must be our focus. Conferences are convened that decry the faults of various theological models of soteriology. Mission boards … [Read more...] about Open Letter to All Pastors of Churches in the SBC
WHEN GOD GRIEVES…
...are you the cause? I was reading Ephesians and it said, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30. Preceding that verse there is a list of things that are quite offensive to the Holy Spirit: foul or polluting language, evil words, unwholesome or worthless talk. In fact, it states that our conversation be “only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a … [Read more...] about WHEN GOD GRIEVES…
I Wish I’d Prayed More
My family grew up watching Billy Graham specials around the television. The nights that he was preaching were the only nights that the children were allowed to stay up late on a school night. My husband and I have continued that tradition with our own children. If Rev. Graham is on, we watch him. Several years ago, Rev. Billy Graham did a sit down interview before one of his sermons. Out of everything he said, the one thing I most remember was "I wish I'd prayed more." I was in awe that he would humbly admit that and I wrote the quote and the date on a piece of paper and stuck it on my … [Read more...] about I Wish I’d Prayed More
Interview With Les Puryear
Les Puryear is not president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He's just an ordinary pastor who God has been using in an unusual way over the last year to encourage other ordinary pastors. Les is the kind of SBC voice that we want to amplify in the life of the denomination. >> Download Mp3 here << You can learn more about Les on his blog titled "Joining God In His Work." He also writes for SBC Impact. You can also check out the 2009 Small Church Leadership conferences. See more links at the bottom of this post. Why You Should Listen To This Podcast Although he was … [Read more...] about Interview With Les Puryear
Are We Still Leading The Fight Against Poverty?
I am grateful for the strong tradition of social conscience among Southern Baptists. This is seen clearly in nearly every state Baptist convention, NAMB and globally in our World Hunger Fund. It's even written into our Baptist Faith & Message, in article XV The Christian and the Social Order: All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the … [Read more...] about Are We Still Leading The Fight Against Poverty?
Diversity in the SBC: Finding Common Ground
In my last post I talked about how we ought to celebrate the diversity within the SBC when it comes to philosophy of ministry. In this second post I am going to talk about the theological diversity of the SBC. Again, we must approach this with great humility. There is always going to be theological differences and we will kill our churches if we proceed in arrogance. No one wants to hear angry, mean spirited men argue about theology. People do want to hear humble, grace fulfilled discussion about the truths of Scripture. We, as Southern Baptists, disagree on more theology than any … [Read more...] about Diversity in the SBC: Finding Common Ground