Brent Hobbs is a singer - many of you did not know that. Here is his rendition of the Christmas classic, "O, Holy Night." … [Read more...] about Brent Hobbs Sings “O Holy Night”
It’s no mystery why pagans celebrate Winter solstice
The winter solstice is today at 5:23 PM EST. Shortest day of the year. Bah! Humbug! If your church even mentions the word "solstice" that would probably put you on the SBC exclusion list. That would be terribly pagan, but many SBC churches these days like to be on the cutting edge of eccelsiastical practice with things like fog machines and zip lines. Can solstice parties be far behind? From where I am these short days make it easy to get in a sour state and I confess that I look forward to this day. I get a little morose as the days shorten. It's cold. The sun doesn't shine on many … [Read more...] about It’s no mystery why pagans celebrate Winter solstice
Prophetic or Pastoral?
I’m old enough (as are Dave Miller and William Thornton), to remember the old Baptist Program magazine. The SBC Executive Committee published it for years, and SBC Life replaced it some years ago. Chevis Horne often wrote for the Baptist Program, and he served for many years as the pastor of the FBC of Martinsville, Virginia. He wrote an article that I’ve pondered over several decades. In that article he posed the question: Should a pastor be more prophetic or more pastoral? In the article he made the point that the more you are one, the harder it is to be the other. In other words, if a … [Read more...] about Prophetic or Pastoral?
The Migrant Caravan, Christmas, and Ministry at the Border
Through October and November, we heard a great deal about the Migrant Caravan from Central America and its journey through Mexico. Approximately 7000 migrants came from Honduras all the way to Tijuana, Baja California, to present themselves for asylum at the U.S. Border. Like many, I watched this development with interest to see what would happen and also to see how this would be framed by our leaders and how the church would respond. Last week (December 15), I went to Tijuana to see for myself what was really going on. I joined 150 or so other pastors and church leaders from across America … [Read more...] about The Migrant Caravan, Christmas, and Ministry at the Border
Theology Professor Dismissed by Southwest Baptist University to Appeal Firing on Friday
Dr. Clint Bass was dismissed "with cause" from the theology faculty of Southwest Baptist University back in November. According to a petition posted by supporters of Dr. Bass, he will appeal to trustees of the Missouri Baptist college this Friday and ask to be reinstated. According to his dismissal letter and other documents posted along with the petition, it appears that Dr. Bass is supportive of the BF&M2000 and was concerned that his colleagues at Southwest Baptist University were not supportive and were teaching contrary to the statement of faith – in spite of the fact that the … [Read more...] about Theology Professor Dismissed by Southwest Baptist University to Appeal Firing on Friday
Cringeworthy funeral moments
I assisted in a funeral Sunday afternoon. That is the occasion when the coats and ties in my closet rejoice that they will see the light of day because otherwise they stay put. The funeral was for a friend and longtime member of the church from which I retired. I joined the current pastor and another former pastor in doing the service. It was, as I like to put it, a triple header. All went smoothly. It was a good funeral. The lady was a believer, a faithful church member, and had lived a long life. As is the custom these days there was not only the preachers preaching and sharing anecdotes, … [Read more...] about Cringeworthy funeral moments
NAAF President Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr. Responds to SBTS Report on Slavery & Racism
As President of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, I commend Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler’s commissioning the study and releasing the internal report on the history of slavery and racism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is clear leadership akin to the men of Issachar. (1 Chronicles 12:32 (ESV) 32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...) Dr. Mohler clearly understands the times and knows what to do! I am sure that Dr. Mohler … [Read more...] about NAAF President Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr. Responds to SBTS Report on Slavery & Racism
James MacDonald Withdraws from 2019 SBC Pastors’ Conference
SBC Pastors' Conference President Danny Wood released a statement today announcing that James MacDonald will not be speaking at #SBCPC19. MacDonald had been named as one of the speakers back in October. Recently a World Magazine article about MacDonald and Harvest renewed some earlier concerns and brought new information to light that reflected poorly on MacDonald. There were growing questions and discussion about MacDonald's participation in #SBCPC19. Wood announced the following via the Pastors' Conference twitter account: Statement from Dr. Danny Wood, president of #SBCPC19: James … [Read more...] about James MacDonald Withdraws from 2019 SBC Pastors’ Conference
Unto Us a Child is Born
In the absence of other content, I thought I'd post a short series I've done on Isaiah 9:1-7, focusing on the four names assigned to our Savior in 9:6. Here is the overview of Isaiah 9:1-7. Joy to the world, the Lord has come Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing The miraculous events of Bethlehem took place over 2000 years ago now, but many of the promises attached to the birth of Christ have yet to come to fruition. The world we live in has not prepared room for the king, heaven and nature do not sing, and Jesus does not rule the world … [Read more...] about Unto Us a Child is Born
Criticism and the SBC: Part 2 – Criticizing in Love
I watched a video recently decrying the feminization of men in the modern church. The speaker valued things like aggression and even anger as masculine and admirable. A while back a blogger wrote an article challenging the "idolatry of unity" - we cherish love and unity to the point where we are afraid to condemn sin and challenge error in the church. Perhaps there is a nugget of truth in these observations, but there is much to be wary of and much to reject. The fact is, as I noted in my first post, the Bible says much more about love and unity than it does about confrontation, about "calling … [Read more...] about Criticism and the SBC: Part 2 – Criticizing in Love