Calvinists and Traditionalists have been arguing, with varying degrees of amity and enmity, since the SBC was formed. But between these two (with slight overlap of both) is a less argumentative and more cooperative middle view. Because this middle view has commonalities with both Calvinism and Traditionalism, this group has little problem working with pastors and supporting missionaries from either end of the spectrum. However, this ability to cooperate leaves the middle position "out of sight and out of mind," since we (I count myself among them) usually have little use for "in-house" … [Read more...] about Why the Middle View is Here to Stay (Ken Hamrick)
An Open Letter to the World: Robert Jeffress Does NOT Speak for ME!
I was a vocal NeverTrumper during the days leading up to the 2016 election. Since then, I have not spoken much about political issues, for several reasons. First of all, I am burned out on politics. Second, politics has become so divisive in churches and in the SBC that I have not felt that raising partisan issues was a wise use of my time. My feelings about President Donald Trump remain largely unaltered. He has done some good things in his administration - Justice Gorsuch is probably at the top of the list. But he has continued to be crass, belligerent, and to be embroiled in scandals. His … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to the World: Robert Jeffress Does NOT Speak for ME!
My Approach to Missions Strategy
Dave Miller asked me to write this post. Full disclosure: I served as a missionary with the IMB for twenty-four years in Southeast Asia. I received a Ph.D. in missions from Southwestern Seminary. I’ve taught missions at Southwestern Seminary, Southern Baptist Seminary, and lately at Mid-America Baptist Seminary. For many years I’ve offered both a masters course and a Ph.D. seminar on missions strategy. At the end of the course, I share my convictions about missions strategy with my students. These are not all original with me. Dr. Cal Guy, my mentor, and professor at SWBTS taught me many of … [Read more...] about My Approach to Missions Strategy
The IMB’s Biggest Problem
We have published articles by missionaries, former missionaries, retired missionaries, missions professors, and other personnel with far more expertise than I have in international missions. They have discussed strategies and philosophies and missions approaches - interesting discussions. It is evident that there is discouragement, frustration, and confusion in our missionary force - as well as passion and resolve! Most seem to appreciate Dr. David Platt's desire to put the IMB back on solid financial footing but also were confused by some of the management strategies and reorganizational … [Read more...] about The IMB’s Biggest Problem
What Do You Want in the New President of the International Mission Board
Last week I went to the IMB’s International Learning Center to meet with other seminary missions professors and IMB staff members. We do this every year during the spring semester. Of course, the main topic of conversation was the search for a new president for the IMB. The chairman of the IMB trustees has selected 15 trustees to serve on the search committee, and the committee has begun its work. I realize that 15 seems like a large search committee, but the trustees’ by-laws specify that number. The staff informed the professors that the committee would contact us to ask for our … [Read more...] about What Do You Want in the New President of the International Mission Board
IMB – Too Valuable to Lose (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
For reasons that seemed valid, this missionary emeritus asked to publish this anonymously. The Baptist Press article about David Platt’s intention to resign as IMB president included a critical piece of information and an uncritical piece of misinformation. The critical information was that we now have 3500 missionaries, and (is anybody awake?) that is shocking. Just 30 months ago we were told our IMB had to make dramatic cuts in personnel from 4900 to a fall-back position of 4200 missionaries and that we would hold there. That was painful enough considering that this new position was … [Read more...] about IMB – Too Valuable to Lose (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
The Good Ol’ Days
There's a sign at a business in a town near mine that asks the question: When will we get back to the good old days? This is a question of nostalgia that doesn't simply appreciate something old but sees an inferiority in the present and perhaps even a fear of the future. But the question always persists when we talk about the "good old days": Good from what perspective? It never fails that when news comes out of something bad involving a school or children, the memes show up on Facebook with a student at a desk and her head bowed and eyes closed. We didn't have this problem when prayer was … [Read more...] about The Good Ol’ Days
What will the rest of 2018 bring for Southern Baptists?
I'm a little late, so sue me. Being retired, I'm not on anyone's time deadline. Will the average church Cooperative Program percentage crash through the 5% barrier? The average church gives 5.16% of their undesignated offerings through the Cooperative Program, as reported by the SBC Executive Committee for the latest available period, 2015-2016. The old 10% goal, the church's "tithe" to the CP, is a relic of the distant past. Whatever entity leaders are saying about increasing the CP percentage, I suspect that they're not looking in the rearview mirror at 10% but rather on the road ahead on … [Read more...] about What will the rest of 2018 bring for Southern Baptists?
How about a PIE month?
Everybody likes pie, right? You might be like me and prefer cake, but if a good pie is sitting in front of you, you still have to eat a slice (and then another and then another and then another...). Pie is so good, in fact, that I think we should have a month dedicated to it. Obviously, being Baptist, we love to eat. But the pie I'm thinking of is actually not the kind you eat off a saucer. You see, despite being Baptist and thus evangelical (in the historical-theological sense of the word), we tend to have a problem with evangelism. To remind myself of this, I keep a little chart with some … [Read more...] about How about a PIE month?
Brad Jurkovich Interviews SBC Presidential Candidate J.D. Greear
There was a Facebook Live interview today, hosted by Pastor Brad Jurkovich at FBC, Bossier City, LA, which explored the candidacy of J.D. Greear. It is a great interview. Topics such as Greear's agenda, Calvinism, politics and the ERLC, and many other things were covered. The interview in it's entirety can be found in both video and audio form on the SBC This Week site. http://www.sbcthisweek.com/qa-sbc-presidential-candidate-j-d-greear/ There have been some of the most bizarre, ridiculous, vicious, and frankly, dishonest criticisms leveled at Dr. Greear. No man is above critique and … [Read more...] about Brad Jurkovich Interviews SBC Presidential Candidate J.D. Greear