SBC Issues

My simple opinion: "No." Seems like just last year we were agonizing over the fact that no one wanted to attend the annual meeting any more. Attendance was down. Interest was flagging. God has a sense of humor and the SBC provides plenty of occasions for a good laugh. We've had this covered for 175 years. Everything moves along as needed. Budgets and funding may be approved by other bodies. We still have officers and trustees. The Cooperative Program rocks along as it has. Our system is deliberately designed to preserve the status quo. It's a good and wise system. Absent absolute, … [Read more...] about Does it really matter that the Annual Meeting is put off until 2021?

Our constitutional right to religious liberty stands on two legs. One of them, the "Establishment Clause," is the opening phrase of the First Amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." The other leg, the "Free Exercise Clause," follows with, "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Because of the Establishment Clause, you don't have to pay taxes to support someone else's church, synagogue, ward, or mosque. This clause protects you from being forced by the state to adhere to someone else's religious belief. Because of the Free Exercise Clause, the … [Read more...] about Will the Free Exercise Clause Catch the Coronavirus?

Baptist Press has just released a statement informing us that the SBC annual meeting in Orlando has been canceled. The EC voted 77-0 to take this action. This has been expected for a couple of weeks but is now final. Key information: 1. The elected officers will continue for another year. J.D. Greear remains president for another year. There is great rejoicing in some quarters and weeping, wailing, and rending of garments in others. 2. Each entity will operate by its own bylaws in terms of operating its trustees. It seems that the biggest question left will be the rotation of … [Read more...] about The SBC Annual Meeting Has Been Cancelled

I am in the "studio" this Sunday morning - except it is Saturday and I'm going to confused all week. I got up early like I do on Sunday, got dressed up like I do on Sunday (as all respectable pastors do!), came into the church to finalize my sermon and preach it, like I do on Sunday. This time, though, it will be in an empty worship center with cameras and microphones. We recorded the music on Wednesday and are adding my sermon today. We decided to go with prerecorded rather than streaming our services - for us, that just worked better. COVID-19 hasn't hit here yet but everything is closed and … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Forum: How’s It Going, Televangelists?

I know one guy who has an actual survival bunker - underground with a year's supply of food and water. I don't think he has made the transition yet. I know a couple of people who have been big on accumulating guns and ammo, like dozens of guns and thousands of rounds of ammo. If it comes to that, I don't think one old dude and his wife will be able to stave off the Visigoths. Yeah, it's those reckless, licentious, insouciant, and senseless spring breakers partying in big groups at beaches that will move this thing along. Come to think of it, if I could have afforded it, I would have done … [Read more...] about BREAKING USELESS INFO: Hunkered down in my survival domicile…watching stuff.