I hear a lot about the death of blogging. I think it’s wishful thinking. Sometimes I would echo that wish.
But I haven’t abandoned my post. I’ve neglected the site for the last month or so, and the next two weeks are going to be even worse. I’m leaving tomorrow evening after prayer service for Omaha to catch a flight on Thursday morning to Africa. I’m going to be spending 11 days on an intense discipleship program trying to counsel and assist the good Dr. Bart Barber with some of his personal issues.
Actually, I’m sure exactly how much detail to give, but we will be doing evangelism among unreached, unengaged people groups in the West African nation of Senegal. We’ll be back on the 18th. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say after that!
SBC Voices and our blogging feeds off of two things:
1) A scandal or some other event that draws people together to talk. We saw plenty of those last year and will likely see more of them this year. I absolutely hate that kind of blogging, but I’ve come to realize that SBC Voices has the unique position now that we are where people go to talk about things like that.
2) Writers who provide fresh, thought-provoking insights on issues of theology, ministry, even politics and societal issues, from a biblical,and, yes, Baptist perspective.
Writers come and they go. Some people get a fire in their belly and write reams for a time, then fall off the map. We’ve got lots of those. I appreciate when they are in the authorial manic phases and understand when the well is dry.
We are always looking for new writers who want to get involved. To be honest, I’ve gotten a little pickier than I used to be. If all you want to do is rehash Calvinism, we’ve been there and done that (about 7 million times). While a reasoned and biblically based criticism of the SBC and its entities is always in order, we’re not interested in the conspiracy theorists or the theological terrorists. I know, that’s a judgment call. Writing a criticism in a godly spirit is one of the hardest things to do. Look back through the archives – we’ve published many and both succeeded and failed in maintaining the spirit of grace.
I will not be able to add any new authors right now. Sorry. When I get back from Africa, I will.
While I’m gone, Mike Bergman, one of our longest standing authors will be in charge of the site. I’ll give out his contact information before I go.
Contributors: Typical “post ’em if you got ’em” rules apply.
1) If you have something ready to go, just post it. Normally, you set it as pending and let me set the schedule. But just put them up when you are ready.
2) If someone else has something scheduled or just posted, make sure you give it at least 5 or 6 hours between posts. Maybe you can even schedule your post to go up first thing the next morning. Up to you.
3) Mike will sort things out, if need be, but everyone is a moderator. If you see a comment that is inappropriate, feel free to delete it if you think it needs to be deleted.
4) I’ve stopped trying to moderate comments as much. It takes a lot of time. But when things get out of hand, I just shut the comments down. Look for the same two or three people going back and forth and a discussion getting increasingly personal. It’s just better to shut it down.
From what I understand, there will be pretty much no internet access where we will be, so I will be completely out of touch for 11 days.
You guys behave.
Oh, and GO OHIO STATE! (But if Oregon wins, the obvious display of SEC ineptitude was satisfying and I can congratulate Dale with joy – all people of good will can celebrate a national championship game that includes NO SEC teams!).
And would someone please, pretty please, with sugar on it…. BEAT the New England COMMUNISTS, the Seattle Vultures, and if its not too much trouble, that Green Bay team.
Most important point of all: On Friday Dave Miller will witness me speaking in tongues.
Bart,
I usually wait too late to remind you of the Sacred Harp singing event at Cowden Hall at Southwestern Seminary. Noticing you are going out of the country reminded me to mention it. It will be on Saturday January 31st this year. Will send you an e-mail.
I wondered when you would mention it!? Alas, although I’ll be back in the USA, I am the coach of an Upward Basketball team, and since we have embraced this ministry at our church, I’ve been booked every Saturday in January and February for games.
OK. But take a 2016 Calendar and pencil in “Cowden Hall” on Saturday, January 30, 2016 (d.v., of course).
Unless this basketball ministry fails (and I hope it does not—we’ve connected with a LOT of young families who have become church members through this), then I’ll be booked on that Saturday, too!
They just need to move it to April. 🙂
I need to conjure up something really controversial. I love to do that and then drop off the face of the earth right after it goes live.
Usually, that’s when you are in the Ozarks.
Sorry.
Oh, for shorter memories!!!
Re “trying to counsel…Bart Barber” Don’t mess up the good doctor. He’s doing fine on his own. Re “a national championship game that includes NO SEC teams” Ever since Alabama’s loss to Ohio State, I’ve had this Watts hymn rolling through my head as the dirge of all the SEC bowl losers to their champion Tide. I post it here in hopes of getting it out of my head (and in yours, to the tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne’): “In spite of all your towers; The tall the wise the reverend head, Must lie as low as ours.” Re “BEAT…if… Read more »
As a (still) ordained Baptist minister and (still) a member at a local Baptist church, I’ll get my submissions ready!
I’ll shoot you an email to send those to…routed through North Korea.
North Korea has hacked the US. They already have copies.
Chris
I’m Curious…do you really still hold your ordination papers?
While I obviously no longer claim to be a Baptist minister, as far as I know my ordination is still intact, and I’m pretty sure my membership is as well. It’s unlikely that the church that ordained me knows of my turn, though the church I last pastored knows. But I actually like those people and don’t want to create a fuss one way or another (allowing time to help ease the blow is one reason I waited 6 months after leaving the church before going public with my views) – if they want to remove me from membership, fine.… Read more »
Chris First let me admit, it is absolutely none of my business and I am sticking my nose in where it does not belong. I was thinking however, that the better part of integrity would be to offer your ordination papers to the ordaining church. That takes no vote on the part of the church. One simply submits them to leadership and it is a done deal. Just one man’s opinion, and again I stress I am out of line in butting into this. BTW my butting-in-ness has nothing to do with your views. This, IMO should be done by… Read more »
Agreed, DL. That would be in keeping with integrity.
Why? I make no secret of my atheism, but nor do I see reason to go out of my way to let them know. The ordination is a non-issue, other than the fact that I can still legally perform weddings which could come in handy now that Florida has affirmed marriage equality. But even then, it’s not like an ordination is hard to come by.
When I was ordained, and every one I have taken part in for that matter- the candidate was is asked to affirm that should he of the church find him/himself to no longer be qualified that he would surrender his ordination.
Did that not happen with you?
I honestly don’t recall, that was 10 yearsish ago. I don’t remember that, though that doesn’t mean it wasn’t requested.
Chris There would be no reason to “advertise” to your ordaining church your views. One simply says my choices have changed and vocational ministry is no longer in my future plans. The question to which Tarheel alluded is a very standard question. I have never been a part of an ordination that did not ask that. However admittedly if I was on the council I would ask that so that is really no evidence. The wedding issue? Southern Baptist are basically unilaterally agains same sex marriage. Are you saying you would use a Southern Baptist ordination document to perform a… Read more »
Chris
Another issue you might want to consider. In time your ordaining church will likely “discover” your change in views. If that happens they will probably either ask you to return the document or simply by vote of the church rescind your ordination and notify the Association and/or State Convention of their action. Would that not be more problematic for you and the church than if you would voluntarily return it.
Again I stress, this is not my call or even any of my business, just having a diaslogue with you.
The church is a few states away, and while I’m sure I could track down a phone # or address for someone still there, I see no reason for the effort. As to the wedding issue, though the possibility has occurred to me that “ordained is ordained” (no one knows where anyone has been ordained – we only know that they have been ordained) – no, I probably wouldn’t use my SBC church ordination papers to show my fitness to perform a wedding, I would likely seek ordination through a secular group or one of the many ordination mills out… Read more »
Chris
Just for clarity you raised the wedding issue not me.
Bottom line, this is obviously your decision, just putting in my two cents worth. Feel free to give me as much change as you feel you should 🙂
Guys I think Chris meant that as an obvious joke and it’s best to leave it there.
Dave
I will abide by your wishes. I am done with it.
I only spoke because I take ordination so very seriously. It is a sacred trust that a local church has invested in those who hold ordination papers.
Dave,
Depends which part you mean. I was joking about contributing – I know that’s not going to happen. I was trolling about using my Baptist ordination certificate to perform a same-sex marriage. But to the best of my knowledge, my ordination remains valid and I remain on the membership roles of the last church I pastored.
DL,
It’s no surprise that he “sees no reason to surrender his ordination papers” – – he’s a false prophet who has intentionally sought to mock God and deceive the people of God – this is just yet another example of that.
Tarheel, I for one am glad Chris continue to participate on Voices. My prayer is God would soften his heart. Why the anger and angst? Are you so insecure in your own faith that you can’t handle someone asking questions and injecting a little levity? Chris has not demonstrated that he is a false prophet. He has been open anout who he is and how he has lost his faith. Why are you so determined to shoot the wounded? Chris, for my part I find your honesty and candor refreshing. I don’t agree with you and your journey away from… Read more »
Ryan, your post is confusing. On the one hand you chided Tarheel for “shooting the wounded.” On the other hand you asked, “Are you so insecure in your own faith that you can’t handle someone asking questions and injecting a little levity?” Which is it? Should we not “shoot the wounded” or should we condescendingly suggest that others are insecure in their faith? I find it strange that you belittled one who professes to be a brother in Christ while also defending someone who is hostile to Christianity against similar belittling.
Ryan, You obviously have not read all that Chris’s posted if you think he’s not a false prophet. I haven’t been half or anywhere near as aggressive in my comments toward Chris as the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter were and even as Jesus was when dealing with those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing attempting to deceive the brotheren and mock God. He, by his own admission, continued to hold the office of Pastor, along with all the trust (and financial renumeration) that entails for some time after his “revelation”. If that’s not a false prophet – maybe… Read more »
*mind blowing
Tarheel
Well said. I see no mean spirit, but I do see contending for the faith. It is appalling that ordination can be taken so lightly and excused so readily.
I asked Tarheel a simple question. Not shooting the wounded or belittling. I’m confused by his aggression and rancor. It’s as if Chris has offended him personally. As far as ordination goes, it’s a man made not a biblical institution. The word ordination is nowhere in the text. It’s important and should be taken seriously but I don’t see it as a “defending the faith” issue. And I sure don’t see the importance of someone “returning their papers” I mean how many of you have ordained deacons who are no longer in your churches that have ordination papers? I think… Read more »
Ryan, I suggest these are not as isolated incidents as one might suppose. John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees “a generation of vipers”. Jesus did so as well, also calling them “hypocrites”, “blind guides,” “whited sepulchres,” and “serpents.” Concerning false teachers, etc. in the epistles we are told to rebuke them, mark & avoid them, have no fellowship with them, withdraw from them, not receive them into our house and separate from them. In addition to Peter, Paul named Demas, Hymenaeus, Alexander, Philetus, Alexander the coppersmith, and others. John named Diotrephes. You can find a good bit of… Read more »
Ryan
Re-read my comments brother. I would appreciate you pointing out where I have been mean spirited with Chris. Chris and I had an exchange of ideas. I was not rude to him and he was not rude to me. It was a discussion.
I think we are going to have to be satisfied to see the ordination and implications of ordination differently.
BTW Chris did not admit to humor, he did however say he was trolling. Personally I have no problem with that.
I am a tad bit surprised at this discussion. Now I will admit I am old and of the old school. I will also acknowledge that ordination is not the same today as it was 50 years ago when I was ordained. I was grilled by the entire St. Louis Metro Assoc for 3 and 1/2 hours. That has changed sme I admit. There are many reasons why men leave vocational ministry. All of those reasons are between the man and God. When a man does make that decision it is now between the man and his ordaining church. He… Read more »
Guys, how is this in any way productive? For the record, Chris is NOT a false prophet. A false prophet is one who deceives and presents himself as a true prophet of God, attempting to deceive God’s people. A false prophet claims to have revelation from God that leads the people of God astray. I don’t think Chris claims to have any revelation from God. Chris is apostate. He has denied the faith. It grieves me that he has done so, but he’s not a false prophet. I say again, there is little value in this conversation. It’s not like… Read more »
Dave, “A false prophet is one who deceives and presents himself as a true prophet of God, attempting to deceive God’s people.” It appears we agree on what a false prophet is, but hold disagreement in that you adamantly (using caps) deny Chris being one – when actually he has admitted doing just what you said a false prophet is. Also, Question. Am I allowed to respond to the accusatory comments and name calling directed at me by one decrying the use of accusatory comments and name calling when addressing an apostate – or have you declared this discussion over?… Read more »
As far as data-release goes, we’re pretty transparent about what we’re doing (very low risk where we are), but you and your church will have to make your own decisions about releasing information about what you are doing.
The only information I control tightly is that video of me at that tribal dance.
I just want pictures if anyone comes back with a lip plate.
“…Mike Bergman, one of our longest standing authors, will be in charge of the site.”
Whew, Dave Miller – I am so glad someone said yes, after I turned down the role of temporary moderator while you are out of the country.
😉
I’ve been knocked down the past few days with an upper respiratory infection with a fever. I think I was out of it and delusional when I said ‘yes.’
Okay, so maybe he got to me before that, but still, I was obviously impacted by the germs!!!
Praying for a safe, healthy, and spiritually fruitful time in Africa, Dave.
Thanks for all you do with the blog.
I’m just a little bit more than stunned at the “Go Ohio State” remark. Simply dumbfounded. Gobsmacked even.
Big 10 pride.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”–Proverbs 16:18
Need I say more? I thinketh not.
A real SBC pastor would be against everything Ohio!!
Oregon is a “mission” state you know!!!
We can live the sinful world without cheering for its football teams.
What is up with the time stamps this morning? Is it daylight savings time already and I forgot to move my clock forward?
Honestly don’t know.