The Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are meeting today in a special session to deal with the very public issues that have been discussed recently about Dr. Paige Patterson and the future of the seminary. I am sure each of us has an opinion about these things but ultimately the men and women entrusted with that responsibility will make it. I would ask you to pray for them, that God would grant them wisdom to do what is best for the seminary, the SBC, and the Kingdom. Note: we have decided that comments on Paige Patterson/SWBTS topics might be counterproductive today. … [Read more...] about Pray for the Trustees of SWBTS
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 4:1-6 Walk Worthy of This Calling
We share our opinions and insights at SBC Voices, but we believe that the Voice that matters most is the one that comes from God's Word. We present these daily expositional devotions, beginning with a tour of Ephesians called, "Walk Worthy," in hopes of encouraging our readers to remember to Voice above every voice. Passage: 4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 4:1-6 Walk Worthy of This Calling
Possible Outcomes of Tuesday’s SWBTS Trustee Meeting
Tomorrow the full trustee board of Southwestern Seminary will meet to discuss what action, if any, will be taken in light of the recent controversy surrounding the seminary’s president, Dr. Paige Patterson. No one knows what to expect. The Baptist Press story linked above indicates that Patterson himself requested the meeting. The trustees’ decision will likely have deep and far-reaching consequences regardless of what conclusion is reached. Opinions on this issue have been strong, and no doubt will continue to be. My purpose here isn’t to argue the merits of one choice over the other, but … [Read more...] about Possible Outcomes of Tuesday’s SWBTS Trustee Meeting
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:20-21 “He Is Able”
Passage: Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 Expositional Devotion: We have noticed a trend developing in our home. When our grandkids get told no by mom or dad they will come and ask grandpa for what they want. Somehow, my lack of willingness to say no has given them the idea that I have an unlimited supply of money and willingness to satisfy their desires. They are correct that I would … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:20-21 “He Is Able”
Some pre-convention voices
Twenty-four days to our Grand Confab, the Annual Meeting in Dallas. Here are some things rumbling around: On B21, megapastor, former SBC president James Merritt endorses J. D. Greear and offers a withering criticism of loud, loutish critics: All of this to say this to that I believe this is the most pivotal SBC presidential election since the conservative resurgence. Make no mistake—we will make a loud and clear statement of just who we are and where we want to go. Will we give in to those who want us to always be “battling Baptists,” who show more passion for what they want to “stop” than … [Read more...] about Some pre-convention voices
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:14-19 The Posture and Purpose of Powerful Prayer
Passage: For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:14-19 The Posture and Purpose of Powerful Prayer
Announcing the SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative
In the preface to Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, “That part of the line where I thought I could serve best was also the part that seemed to be thinnest. And to it I naturally went.” We see a need in the Southern Baptist Convention, and our desire is to provide a means to strengthen that weakness. The SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative is designed to be a networking tool that helps open channels of communication within our convention. We are receiving nominations of ethnic minority leaders and women who may be available, interested, and willing to serve the SBC in leadership … [Read more...] about Announcing the SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative
So you want to get a resolution passed? Here’s the process…
There's a presumption rolling around among SBCers that the Resolutions Committee has what they want to do in mind before the convention and sloughs off or dismisses all resolutions that get submitted from individual SBCers. Not so. Those individuals who properly submit a resolution according to the provisions of By-Law 20 will be properly considered. Here's what the By-Law says is necessary for a properly submitted resolution: Be submitted to the Committee no earlier than April 15th and no later than 15 days prior to the annual meeting. Be addressed to the Committee on Resolutions … [Read more...] about So you want to get a resolution passed? Here’s the process…
Why I Am Voting for J.D. Greear to be the Next SBC President (K.V. Paxton)
K.V. Paxton is Lead Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Quinlan, Texas. He's a Palestinian-American, graduate of Criswell College, Midwestern Seminary, and a veteran of the United States Air Force. The Southern Baptist Convention is at a crossroads. We may not be battling for inerrancy like we did during the often-referenced “Conservative Resurgence,” but the future is no less at stake for our convention. Millennials and minorities, both inside and outside of the SBC, are watching what we do next with great interest on a host of topics. And though I am often given to hyperbole, I do not think it … [Read more...] about Why I Am Voting for J.D. Greear to be the Next SBC President (K.V. Paxton)
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:8-13 “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Passage: Ephesians 3:8-13 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, 9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. 10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. 13 So then I ask you not to be … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:8-13 “It’s a Wonderful Life”