I appreciate that Tony Jones has shared lots of missionary prayer requests with us. As an emeritus IMB missionary (Latin for “has been”), let me share some suggestions about how to pray for missionaries. Missionary prayer requests are not new; in fact, they go back to the Apostle Paul. Here is his: Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Col 4:2-4, … [Read more...] about How to Pray for Missionaries
The work of an overseer is still a noble task
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (NIV) The work of a pastor/elder/overseer is a noble task. Always has been. Is now. Always will be. Better paying and more prestigious clergy and church related tasks may abound. We have coaches, consultants, marketing experts, catalysts, specialists, and strategists. There are church-targeting authors who sell a lot of books, social media church specialists who have huge followings, and ugh, bloggers you have lots of page views. We have layer-upon-layer of denominational employees: CEOs, … [Read more...] about The work of an overseer is still a noble task
There Is No Camel (Bill McKinnon)
Since Donald Trump announced his intention to run for president in June of 2015, a lot of people have wondered at Trump’s popularity among evangelical Christians. A man with Trump’s well documented moral failings seems an unlikely choice for a community that railed unrelentingly against Bill Clinton for his moral failures. But evangelical support has, on the whole, remained solid. Trump famously quipped that he could shoot someone on 5th avenue and he would not lose support. This statement, to the surprise of many, turns out to be true. Over the course of the campaign and his presidency, … [Read more...] about There Is No Camel (Bill McKinnon)
Still Thin-skinned after All These Years
Credit for this post goes to a friend who, weathering some storms in ministry, recently asked me, "What does it take to grow a thick skin?" I'm basically setting forth my reply in writing, with some added material that comes from having had several days to reflect upon what I said. The way I weather a crisis has changed down through the years, but I have not yet grown a thick skin. In other words, in some ways I experience hurt and disappointment in just the same way that I did when I was 22 and when Tracy and I went to our first church together, and in some ways that experience has … [Read more...] about Still Thin-skinned after All These Years
No one is better than Southern Baptists at slogans, titles, and labels
Southern Seminary is now "Trusted for Truth". Leaving Southeastern and others to be trusted for, what, something less than truth? Well, Al has that alliteration going for him. Southeastern is the original Great Commission Seminary, probably the better branding. I do hope seminaries stay as "seminaries," seed beds for ministers, pastors, and religious leaders. Or, maybe they've already moved beyond that to being seed beds for consultants, coaches, and impressive titles and degrees. No level of SBC life has had to be more creative and aggressive with titles and labels than associations. I … [Read more...] about No one is better than Southern Baptists at slogans, titles, and labels
BOOKS: What is a Girl Worth? & How Much is a Little Girl Worth?
Note: Scott was on the pre-release reading and review group for Rachael Denhollander's books. However, they just released this week to the public, and they are well worth us bumping his review back to the top. Both were available, at last check, from Lifeway as well as other booksellers. I have just finished two books which belong in everyone's personal libraries. The author of these books is Rachael Denhollander, a significant survivor voice in the midst of the Larry Nassar predatory abuse scandal in USAG (United States of America Gymnastics) and MSU (Michigan State University). … [Read more...] about BOOKS: What is a Girl Worth? & How Much is a Little Girl Worth?
Late Summer Musings
Here are some things I’ve mused about this summer. Chris Babbler is an announcer on KRLD radio in Dallas. Every time I hear him I think he should have become a preacher. Mid-America Baptist Seminary in Memphis (alma mater of William Thornton) has named Dr. Lee Brand, an African-American, to serve as academic dean. Certainly, I applaud this action. I know many were disappointed that none of the recent institutional presidencies went to a minority person. It seems to me that naming minority persons to positions such as vice president and dean will lead to their promotions to CEO … [Read more...] about Late Summer Musings
Politics is such fun: The Great Democratic Debate, Count ’em…10.
Who's to say that we can't have some fun every now and again? Politics is a spectator sport and this is the political Cirque du la Comedie. _________________ Biden: Ol' bloody side-eye himself. Can he run the long race without stumbling? Well, not so far. He's going to overshadow Gerald Ford's reputation for bumbling and stumbling. Booker: I'm not votin' for anyone who's always angry. That went for Ted Cruz and goes the same for Booker. Buttigeg: Dude, stay away from the Bible. It cannot help you. Castro: Pretty smooth guy. VP. Harris: So far a nothingburger. Can't make a … [Read more...] about Politics is such fun: The Great Democratic Debate, Count ’em…10.
What’s in a Name?
About twenty years ago, Dr. Ed Stetzer and I worked on a church plant on the east side of Louisville, Kentucky. As the planning progressed, Ed asked me what we should name the church. I suggested Eastside Baptist Tabernacle. He rejected that immediately, and I believe he settled on River Oaks Community Church. The church plant failed because the church planter left after six months. When we evaluated the project, I told Ed it failed because he rejected the name I suggested. From time to time the discussion arises about whether a Southern Baptist church should include Baptist in its name. In … [Read more...] about What’s in a Name?
Loneliness, Despair, Fear: So You Wanted to Be a Pastor?
Next summer will mark the 40th anniversary of my first paid ministry job and I consider it an honor to have been called to the service of the Savior, to have drawn my income from ministry for nearly four decades. I wouldn't do anything else. The privilege of proclaiming God's word to people, of telling lost people of the hope there is in Christ, of being a part of people's lives - that is an honor and blessing for which I am eternally grateful. Ministry has also worn me out. I have known the betrayal of close friends, have experienced lies, false accusations, and gossip from the sheep I was … [Read more...] about Loneliness, Despair, Fear: So You Wanted to Be a Pastor?