SBC Issues

An Allegory  The BBBCC brain trust was deep in conversation and frustrations were running high. For decades, they had been the premiere denominational construction company, building a Baptist convention that was the envy of other denominations. Its headquarters were an architectural wonder, its schools the envy of the world. It had great convention edifices in states throughout the South, with successful building projects both here at home and in foreign lands. The Building Better Baptists Construction Company was an example to the entire Christian construction world. As time went on, … [Read more...] about Building Better Baptists: An Allegory

I was furious last night after reading a statement by a friend on Facebook. He repeated the lies being promoted within the SBC, accusations against the doctrinal fidelity and spiritual integrity of our officers, professors, and some key leaders. He is a good man with no ill intent. He is lodging these accusations because he has been led to believe that false charges are true. People he respects say these things without conscience or concern and he believes them. Another friend said something in a private conversation a few days ago that roused me at first, but made me begin to think. … [Read more...] about Calling Out the Call-Out Culture

The unofficial  nickname  of  the  SBC,  "Great  Commission  Baptists," was passed by the convention in annual session back in 2012 with a 53% vote. It has barely had a pulse for eight years. Now, we have a small flurry of advocacy for the use of the name. Respected and astute Nathan A. Finn , professor at the SC Baptist state college, North Greenville University, offers a string of reasons why it's time to embrace the nickname. While state conventions should retain their regional names for contextual reasons, it is time for Southern Baptists to embrace a name that better reflects our … [Read more...] about Can “Great Commission Baptists” be raised from the dead?

I’ve been reading John S. Dickson’s book, The Great Evangelical Recession. It is an accurate, but not uplifting, analysis of the state of evangelicalism in the USA. In one chapter he discusses the expectations church members have of their pastors. He writes about how those expectations have changed over the years. Fifty Years Ago Pastors were expected to: Study the Bible Pray for the members Be friendly Preach Visit the sick Witness to lost people Marry and bury Thirty Years Ago Church members added these expectations: Visionary leader Aggressive … [Read more...] about Expectations of a Pastor

I woke up a couple of hours ago and I already wish I hadn't! That's perhaps a bit extreme, but it has been a gloomy 120 minutes. I got a call from our oldest member that his wife had died and since I'm about to leave on vacation to see my newest grandson, my schedule is in a tizzy. I'm in talks with my Sunday Leader about whether to open up our Sunday School ministry at the start of the school year and again I am confronted with the fact that I just don't have a clue! There are those who seem to know exactly what to do at every moment, self-assured to the core. I'm not blessed with such … [Read more...] about Ministry in a Pandemic is Wearing This Old Codger Down

"Woke" is a common insult thrown around by those who oppose the pursuit of justice as a Christian mandate. When they are upset at the stands that other conservative Christians take on racial issues, on sexual abuse issues, on political matters, when some refuse to acquiesce to GOP/conservative orthodoxy, they resort to dismissive name-calling. Derogations such as  liberal, "social justice warriors," or the ubiquitous "woke" are common. In certain circles, woke is synonymous with liberal, denying the Scriptures, or at least ignoring the primacy of the Gospel. I've objected to the insult because … [Read more...] about Is Being “Woke” So Bad?

The Cooperative Program is our grand cooperative funding mechanism. SBC churches give on average a little under 5% of their undesignated offering plate dollars to the CP, totalling over $460 million. It is the envy of other denominations. But you knew all that, right? Ronnie Floyd, CEO of our Executive Committee has outlined a plan, Vision 2025, that sets a goal of returning the CP to $500 million and more. COVID-19 has struck a blow against that for the moment. July was a good month for the national CP but the EC reports year to date totals down a bit from last year. Still, the EC … [Read more...] about Undermining the Cooperative Program, you say?