We Baptists are a bit reserved about the summer solstice primarily because we are too spiritual to even mention such an event we see as pagan. I am happy to fill in the void by saying that the longest day of the year is a splendid event - the sun is shining, birds are singing, kids are playing (even a few of them are playing outside), and flowers are blooming. The Almighty Himself is responsible for the sun, moon, and stars and the length of a day. Sad, though, that the sun repents and starts a slow march backwards and we know that come October, November, and December we will have a SAD time … [Read more...] about Stray Summer Solstice Stuff
If I Were the Baptist Pope
I know, we don't have a pope and I don't want to be one. I'll bet Steve Gaines aged 7 years just trying to run this thing the last couple of years and having papal powers over this bunch would be like trying to herd autonomous cats with soul competency. I have no authority but I do what I can. I "type a lot." (A guy at the convention saw my name tag and said, "Are you the guy who types a lot?" I said I was. He looked at me and said, "I've been praying for you to get saved!") Let me type-type-type out some of my thoughts about SBC 2018. I came into the SBC Annual Meeting with much … [Read more...] about If I Were the Baptist Pope
SBC Speaks On Immigration In a Romans 13 Moment
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." - Romans 13:1-2 How do we reconcile Romans 13 with speaking out on Immigration policy that differs from current law or what the government proposes? How can we be "subject to the governing authorities" while also calling for our government to behave differently than it has when we believe it to be wrong? And, how can we affirm … [Read more...] about SBC Speaks On Immigration In a Romans 13 Moment
The Post-Convention Hangover
Well, we all kicked around writing reflections on the SBC's 2018 Annual Meeting (#sbc18 #sbcam18 #southernbaptistconventionalannualmeetingannodominitwothousandeighteen), but that horse has been ridden, ridden to death, revived, ridden again, and then shot. I appreciate everyone's look back and what they found as highlights and lowlights. I do wish we could be a bit more gracious in victory, which might help us also be more gracious in defeat. I know you want to celebrate the good that happened, and I understand applauding some results, but defeating someone's heartfelt motion is enough. You … [Read more...] about The Post-Convention Hangover
Help Us Help Dave Miller – GoFundMe for Medical Costs
Many of you know our fearless leader, Southern Hills pastor, SBC Voices Editor, #SBCPC17 President Dave Miller has been facing some serious health challenges this year. After getting really sick during his time doing missions work in Africa, then continuing to feel bad after the trip, Dave's doctors realized surgery would be required. A few tests later and they figured out there was more to the story. Cancer. But praise God it was detected early. Thanks to months of feeling terrible, kidney cancer was diagnosed long before any symptoms showed up. God's grace sometimes comes in unexpected … [Read more...] about Help Us Help Dave Miller – GoFundMe for Medical Costs
SBC Women: Where Do We Go from Here? (Kathy Litton)
Ironically, we find ourselves in the midst of two pivotal, transforming moments in the life of our denomination in regard to women. The first is the significant centennial anniversary of the SBC Constitution being amended in 1918 by the necessary two-thirds majority to seat the first ever female messengers at the annual meeting. This event occurred two years before our country granted women the right to vote. It was a powerful, pivotal moment. The second is the present moment in time. Conditions are rising for a monumental shift in the way women are valued, treated, and welcomed into … [Read more...] about SBC Women: Where Do We Go from Here? (Kathy Litton)
Book Review: God’s Amazing Grace: Reconciling Four Centuries of African American Marriages & Families by Pastor Terry Turner
A response to a question Blacks have been asked for years, is finally answered in this great book of epic insights by Terry Turner entitled, God’s Amazing Grace: Reconciling Four Centuries of African American Marriages and Families. “Why don’t you just get over it,” is a question many non-Blacks often ask of African Americans, in regards to any civil rights matter. For most Blacks, the answer is not a simple reply because it is so complex. In this book, Turner does an excellent job of breaking down the issues in the Black community that have stifled growth and positive outcomes in their … [Read more...] about Book Review: God’s Amazing Grace: Reconciling Four Centuries of African American Marriages & Families by Pastor Terry Turner
#SBC18 Annual Meeting Recap (Karen Swallow Prior)
Last week’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention garnered more attention than others in recent memory. Controversies mounting over recent weeks and months for Southern Baptists and evangelicals—from presidential politics to #ChurchToo—led to intense media coverage in the days leading up to and surrounding the meeting. Countless news outlets reported on the issues that would define the event, from the firing of longtime SBC leader Paige Patterson from the top post at a Baptist seminary, to Patterson’s last minute withdrawal from the honored spot of delivering the meeting’s … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Annual Meeting Recap (Karen Swallow Prior)
On Inter-Congregational Relationships
One of the highlights for me of this year's SBC annual meeting was the opportunity I had on the Sunday morning before the convention to worship at both FBC Farmersville with Bart Barber and Cornerstone Baptist Church with Dwight McKissic. Bart and Dwight were gracious hosts, and their congregations were both very welcoming. It was a joy to be able to worship in both churches. As I think about those visits, I am reminded of the inter-congregational relationships that we see throughout the New Testament. A great deal of the Apostle Paul's ministry was devoted to visiting and writing letters … [Read more...] about On Inter-Congregational Relationships
Refugees & Gospel Heritage
My mom was born in Havana, Cuba. My uncle who turned 12 right at the beginning of the Castro regime was one of the 'Pedro Pan kids' whose story was full of heartache and loss as he was sent alone to foster care in Florida to help flee the communist regime. My grandparents and mom waited a long 8 months for their time to leave which culminated in a moment of stepping on a plane with the clothes on their backs and two diapers. The government took everything. Their house, their money, and savings, cars, even their wedding bands. They left everything they knew to start a new life void of … [Read more...] about Refugees & Gospel Heritage