There's a presidential race on steroids I never thought I'd live to see an ordinary pastor be president but through an odd route, here comes Bart Barber to end the run of megapastor presidentes. At least Barber talks to us. I don't have much to complain about with him. I like cows, longwinded former bloggers and such. He's done a good job. Our first Twitter/X president. We have tribes in the SBC, you say? Six, count 'em, six presidential candidates: Jared Moore. Former SBCV writer, smart guy (he has a PhD now from Suthun Seminary now, they don't hand them out to dumb guys, do they?), … [Read more...] about The scintillating SBCAM24 preview from the hinterlands
SBC Issues
Servant Leadership in an African Village
During my first trip to Africa, a teaching trip to Tanzania in 1988, before most of you whippersnappers were born, the IMB missionary we worked with told of a problem in the churches. Chiefs in the villages had great privilege and the people served the chiefs. He told us that pastors tended to act like church chiefs, lording it over the congregation and expecting to be honored for their exalted position. Fortunately that never happens in American churches! I am currently on my 15th trip to the Casamance in Southern Senegal and I ran into a problem with one chief in one of our 7 … [Read more...] about Servant Leadership in an African Village
My Appreciation and Challenges with John MacArthur Results in Blessing for Pastor Coleman (Dwight McKissic)
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to give my John MacArthur collection to this young pastor and fellow SWBTS graduate, as well as current student. Approximately 15-20 individuals expressed an interest in receiving these books. But for some reason, this gentleman stood out to me. Perhaps in part because of his proximity to me, and his willingness to actually come and pick up the books, which reduced the workload of my “overworked” assistant. I feel good having met him; and giving him these books as a very young pastor which was about the age I was as a young pastor in Arkansas … [Read more...] about My Appreciation and Challenges with John MacArthur Results in Blessing for Pastor Coleman (Dwight McKissic)
Varied and Vacuous Observations and Opinions, Part Three
In Part Two, I included an item about Southwestern Seminary, but I failed to include an important development at the seminary. Dr. Mark McClellan leads the Spanish language program at Southwestern, and it has grown tremendously. This is good for the seminary and great for the SBC. The number of Spanish-speaking folks in the USA is increasing rapidly, so this is important. Mark told me that he and his colleagues are developing a Portuguese program, also, and that will have a big impact overseas. My good friend, Dr. Matt Queen, has resigned as Professor of Evangelism at Southwestern to become … [Read more...] about Varied and Vacuous Observations and Opinions, Part Three
The Eclipse: Has the End Come?
I hear the world is coming to an end this afternoon. Something about an eclipse? During my life, there have been a series of prognostications of impending apocalyptic events, none of which have, to this point, panned out. The most disappointing to me was the failure of Ed Whisenant's book "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988." He set the date for my birthday (September 13) that year. It came and went and no trumpets sounded. Harold Camping set dates and any number of false prophets have arisen. There have been Red Heifers in Israel, blood moons, and myriad "signs of the times" that … [Read more...] about The Eclipse: Has the End Come?
Who gave the Executive Committee power to rule individual pastors as being “biblically disqualified?”
Our 83 member Executive Committee has not served us well recently. While the EC individuals may all be stellar people, clearly the organization as a whole is an embarrassment to the SBC. Perhaps if the new CEO has success he can rectify this situation. One hopes and prays. A question: Who appointed this beleaguered group to rule on individual pastors as being "biblically disqualified?" No one. Yet, they have done just that and it may be demanded of them that they do so regularly, if the Law amendment passes. Recent EC church expulsions included West Hendersonville Baptist Church for … [Read more...] about Who gave the Executive Committee power to rule individual pastors as being “biblically disqualified?”
Varied and Vacuous Opinions and Observations (Part 2)
Christa Brown (attorney, abuse victim, advocate for abuse victims, and critic of the SBC Executive Committee) has written two opinion pieces for Baptist News Global about the SBC sex abuse crisis. She wrote in both that the Executive Committee’s efforts, as well as the SBC’s, have been totally futile, a waste of time and money. Now, I’ll grant that the EC’s efforts in regard to addressing the crisis have been ineffectual, at least so far. It always seems like one step forward, two steps back. Still, I disagree with Christa Brown that the whole effort has been a waste. We have seen good come … [Read more...] about Varied and Vacuous Opinions and Observations (Part 2)
If you’re standing for election to an SBC office, scrutiny is expected: 1VP candidate Michael Clary and miniscule cooperative giving
Adrian Rogers used to illustrate two parallel values in SBC life: doctrine and cooperation. He would take two hymnals and stand one on its edge vertically with the other lying flat. "No train can run on these tracks," he would state, meaning that the SBC has to have both doctrinal matters and cooperative matters working together or the Grand SBC Train runs off the tracks. Michael Clary is an announced candidate for SBC First Vice President and is running on the Credo Alliance ticket along with SBC presidential candidate, Jared Moore. Moore used to write for SBC Voices. He had over two … [Read more...] about If you’re standing for election to an SBC office, scrutiny is expected: 1VP candidate Michael Clary and miniscule cooperative giving
Can Anything Clear Come Out of Confusion? The Self-Contradiction, Omission, and Myopia of the Law Amendment (Brian Dembowczyk)
In John 1:46, Nathaniel asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” I want to ask a similar question: “Can anything clear come out of confusion?” One of the consistent arguments for the Law Amendment has been that, if approved, it will bring much-needed clarity to the SBC. Here’s how sbcamendment.org puts it: This is why the amendment is so important. Amending the constitution—which carries a greater binding authority than the Baptist Faith & Message (2000)—would clearly define who is and is not part of the SBC. Such an amendment could add stability to our convention for decades, … [Read more...] about Can Anything Clear Come Out of Confusion? The Self-Contradiction, Omission, and Myopia of the Law Amendment (Brian Dembowczyk)
Shall we relinquish the messenger directive to create a database that includes credible reports of abuse?
We are several years into abuse reform in the SBC and we can point to near unanimous messenger votes, two grand task forces, extensive and expensive reports, millions of dollars spent, millions of words...and no database of abusers. Why is this? The convention voted to implement this database to include four categories of offenders. From the first sex abuse task force: Confession in a non-privileged setting Conviction in a court of law Civil judgment rendered Determination by an independent third party according to a preponderance of evidence We have now had the latest … [Read more...] about Shall we relinquish the messenger directive to create a database that includes credible reports of abuse?