We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia (2 Cor 8:1) In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul describes the Macedonian’s giving as an act of God’s grace. Their giving was a living witness to the grace of God in their lives. Giving is a natural expression of a life that has been changed by the gospel. True Godly giving is not of our own doing, but of the work of Christ through us. If you want to be a witness for Christ, one significant way to do that is to excel in the grace of giving. As you seek to be a witness for Christ, note the … [Read more...] about Giving as Witness
Small Town Independence Day Celebrations Are the Best
I've been going to one close by for a couple of decades most every year. Just a few thousand people in this small, Georgia railroad town but they do a great job and it's always interesting. I go for the bbq but always watch the all-comers-welcome parade that precedes it. The bbq is pictured. If Jimmy Meek gets a photo here of the flag and fireworks then it is necessary for someone else to add the other essential to our July 4th celebrations, pork bbq. It is excellent. My only complaint is that for the last decade or so I haven't been able get there early enough to get some pork skins. Seems … [Read more...] about Small Town Independence Day Celebrations Are the Best
Life, Liberty, and Happiness (Jimmy Meek)
As I observe, and reflect on all the 4th of July posts, it seems the “go to” quote is that our Creator guarantees Americans life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I suppose our constitutional framers may have been trying to guarantee this, but unless we get away from the commonly accepted definitions of these terms, don’t assign this guarantee to God. Defining “life” as this earthly existence , we see that God does not guarantee that. In fact in Scripture, and church history, we see many followers of Jesus going to an “Early” death because of their faith. The book of Revelation … [Read more...] about Life, Liberty, and Happiness (Jimmy Meek)
Hope For the Post-Abortive Woman
Have you ever had to keep a secret? I'm not talking about the surprise trip to Disney Land for your family, but instead the secret that feels like a long slow death. How about keeping that secret for decade upon decades? Wondering over and over again what it will be like if and when it gets out. What more you will lose at the cost of the secret. The thing about secrets is that they are so incredibly powerful even in their silence. It can be so loud it's deafening, but it makes no audible noise as it slowly chokes the life and beauty out of a person's soul. Secrets birth shame, … [Read more...] about Hope For the Post-Abortive Woman
What Would Chuck Lawless Do?
Chuck Lawless is the Dean and Vice-President of Graduate Studies and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also teaches evangelism and missions at SEBTS. If you are not familiar with his blog, you should make yourself familiar with it. The articles he posts are often very informative and helpful. I receive his emails each day and have found them to be a great source of challenge and encouragement. I would encourage you to consider signing up as well. You can do so from the main page of his site. I found his July 2 article particularly helpful, so I thought I … [Read more...] about What Would Chuck Lawless Do?
Finally, Chaucer Makes Voices…and Other Recent Notables
Melissa Eddington gets a gold star for working Chaucer into an article. I think I've read a bit of old Chuck Chaucer, guy from Alabama, right? SWBTS trustees are instructed to meet a self-selected group of big donors "forthwith" sayeth the wealthy former donors to the seminary. Money talks. Sometimes it barks out orders, even in Southern Baptist life. Guess we will see who jumps. Brent Hobbs is doing a lot of the editing and admin stuff here now. He is responsible for finding all of these neat photos that come with articles. What goes on in his mind when he matches them up, I don't know, but … [Read more...] about Finally, Chaucer Makes Voices…and Other Recent Notables
Ideas for Increasing Annual Meeting Attendance
Below is the list of annual meetings, location, and attendance for the past 19 years. This from the nice folks at SBC This Week. Year City Attendance 2000 Orlando 11,959 2001 New Orleans 9,581 2002 St. Louis 9,645 2003 Phoenix 7,077 2004 Indianapolis 8,600 2005 Nashville 11,641 2006 Greensboro 11,639 2007 San Antonio 8,630 2008 Indianapolis 7,277 2009 Louisville 8,795 2010 Orlando 11,075 2011 Phoenix 4,852 2012 New … [Read more...] about Ideas for Increasing Annual Meeting Attendance
Wealthy Patterson Supporters Threaten to Withhold Future Donations to SWBTS
News reported this afternoon. 16 individuals or couples have signed a letter to Kevin Ueckert and the SWBTS trustees threanening to withhold "tens of millions" in future donations to the school. In seven pages they express "utter disdain for your actions on May 30," the day Patterson was terminated. They demand for an investigative committee to be appointed, half of which would be signers of the letter (sounds like it would be objective...). Nugget: Bigtime Southwestern Seminary donors have sent a letter to the executive committee of the board of trustees saying that unless "serious wrongs" … [Read more...] about Wealthy Patterson Supporters Threaten to Withhold Future Donations to SWBTS
Ten Steps for Vetting Your Next Pastor (Stacy Morgan)
Recently a small Louisiana Baptist church began the process of seeking a pastor. Resumes were received from all over the region, and a few from as far away as Missouri, but one candidate caught the attention and interest of the search team. His resume more than impressed the search committee. He had a doctorate and was working on another overseas. He previously served declining churches who (apparently) experienced revitalization. The pastor search team had an initial conference call with the candidate and began formulating a time for a visit. Since the candidate was from a neighboring … [Read more...] about Ten Steps for Vetting Your Next Pastor (Stacy Morgan)
Things Are Different Than They Were a Month Ago
Things are different now in some ways. SBC Voices has deliberately added a number of new writers. The change is welcome. New perspectives are good. Although SBCV is often labeled as a Cal site, contributors here are a mix of theological views, cal and non-cal. No question the choice here was mostly, perhaps fully, Greear, but it has been said that the welcome mat is out for some Traditionalist contributions. SBC Today has an interim director who has said, "I would also like to invite Dave Miller of SBC Voices to join myself in moderating a fruitful and charitable discussion on … [Read more...] about Things Are Different Than They Were a Month Ago