SBC Issues

Although I am retired and not serving as senior pastor of any church now, I was saddened to hear of a family leaving one of my former pastorates for another church nearby. Both the family and the current pastor (my successor in the position in my former church) are my friends. I have had casual conversations with both. It is a situation not precipitated by pastoral failure, divorce or crisis in the lay family, or any other particular cause other than it was felt that a change was needed. Happens. All. The. Time. Any senior pastor who has served any length of time has had that sad … [Read more...] about When your best members leave the church

Last month I read an article in The Christian Post (Dec 3, 2020), entitled “Biblical Illiteracy Utmost Problem Facing Global Evangelicalism.” Leah Klett’s article summarized an interview with Thomas Schirrmacher, the new secretary-general of the World Evangelical Alliance. Schirrmacher stated, “Our biggest problem is that Bible knowledge is fading away. This is the utmost problem we have beyond all theological differences, and political questions.”  His statement surprised me. I thought he would mention resurgent Islam or human trafficking or world hunger. Instead, he focused on biblical … [Read more...] about Is Biblical Illiteracy the Church’s Biggest Problem?

...and concluding that my day may indeed be past. Clergy temp staffing agencies. The idea that the person who fills the pulpit or who leads worship of Almighty God, or who teaches students or other church staff can be interchangeable, that is, it doesn't really matter who the person is, is foreign to me. Filling the pulpit in the pastor's absence, interim ministry positions, temporary worship leaders all are a serious business. The church and/or pastor prays, talks, seeks, checks and arrives at a person who is called by God to the task needed, for the church needed. How do we legitimately … [Read more...] about Five current church practices that have me scratching my head…

I will admit, last night's vote in Georgia stunned me. I wanted the GOP to win those. It is not that I passionately pro-GOP these days, but I am unenthused about the idea of the Democrats having unfettered control of government for the next couple of years. They can implement some policies that will be difficult to undo. I know little about Perdue or Loeffler. I know nothing about Ossoff. What I know about Warnock is not good. Fundamentally, I believe in the old adage, that government governs best which governs least. If the GOP could have pulled off at least one win in Georgia, and it should … [Read more...] about Trump, the GOP, and a Primer in Self-Destruction

Democratic turnout was on fire and it looks like both Republican candidates lost here in my home state. Baptist minister Warnock has a lead of over 50k votes. Jewish candidate Ossoff (dude is 33 years old) around 15k. My punditry is not so hot. I thought both Dems would lose. My post-election analysis is on target, though: Republicans blew these every which way and Trump's feuds hurt the two candidates. But, who knows what might happen? Easy to predict some finger pointing here. There aren't enough old white guys (like me) in this state. Demographics have changed. Republicans in this … [Read more...] about Are you ready for the Dem agenda?

Sports tells us a lot about ourselves. We are prone to idolatry and false priorities, but there is something I have noticed on social media proclamations about the college football playoffs this year that I believe reveals something about our culture and our nature. If I had a nickel for every time I've read the following, or some variation of it, I would have a large nickel collection. Any team with only six wins in the regular season is disqualified and should not be included in the college football playoff. Many of those who say this are Big-12 fans who wanted Oklahoma in or SEC fans who … [Read more...] about A Revelatory College Football Playoff

...and more has been spent on the two Georgia U.S. Senate seats than is received for the SBC Cooperative Program (national allocation) and both major mission offerings combined. What I have to show for it is a stack of about 70 pieces for slick mail, all but a couple from Republican and Republican friendly PACS like the NRA, Realtors, Chamber, etc. etc. This stack goes to... ...my wood stove in the basement. William the Plodder will get some BTUs out of American white-hot politics, if nothing else. Call me a recycler and give me credit for further warming the earth. About 3 million … [Read more...] about Unique Georgia election today

SBC Voices published 265 articles in 2020, about one per weekday. We are a Southern Baptist site so SBC stuff dominates what appears here. COVID-19, politics, and CRT/I sucked almost all the air out of this place last year. While one hopes that the pandemic will recede and that in a non-election year discussions will focus on subjects more positive in our Grand Convention, I'm not at all optimistic that they will. Executive Committee leader, Ronnie Floyd, announced a grand vision statement early in 2020. It was swamped. Our IMB announced a plan to add 500 missionaries over the next few … [Read more...] about What shall we talk about in 2021?

Double Trouble for the IMB, Mark Terry. The former IMB missionary and seminary professor wrote of our IMB personnel being evacuated from many parts of the  world due to COVID-19. This and the financial impact of the virus made for the "double trouble." Fortunately, IMB was and is in a solid financial position. Reports for the latest Lottie Moon offering are encouraging. This was the top post by a considerable margin, mainly due to connections through social media. It was many times our usual daily figure. How the Conservative Baptist Network Took Control of the Executive Committee. Jared … [Read more...] about What you read most on Voices in 2020