SBC Voices

Scatter shooting while wondering who will get Dave Miller’s lime green suit when he passes on to his reward. At my age, happy hour is an afternoon nap. When I was a boy, learning to play baseball, my coach said repeatedly, “Mark, keep your eye on the ball.” Of course, that’s the key to hitting a baseball, but it’s also key for Southern Baptists. For us, the ball is missions. Missions is what motivated Baptists in the USA to form their first convention, the Triennial Convention, in 1814. The first thing the SBC did when it organized in 1845 was to establish the Foreign Mission Board and … [Read more...] about Scatter Shooting, Part Three

There is a reason that previous generations referred to the pulpit as "the sacred desk;" it is, no doubt, the same reason that the prophets of the Old Testament sometimes referred to "the burden of the Lord". The responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God to the people of God is a serious and oftentimes heavy calling, and those who have been entrusted with this task should carry out their service with the utmost theological fidelity and personal integrity. In recent years, this concern has become even more evident in light of the growing awareness of the problem of plagiarism. This problem … [Read more...] about On Celebrity Preachers and Plagiarism (Phillip Powers)

There is no shortage of voices in the SBC claiming that the end is near, that we balance on a precipice over the pit of destruction. I believe most of those voices are mistaken - some out of ignorance and others willfully. Most of the "enemies within the church" they warn us about are bogeymen designed to manipulate us into action, so that they can gain and maintain power. Wokeism is not a huge danger in the SBC. There is a misguided "woke" movement in American politics, centered in our universities, but it is not huge issue in the SBC. The SBC is filled with conservatives - some more … [Read more...] about A Real Danger in the SBC

My life has taken some unfortunate turns in the last few years. My church struggled greatly to recover after COVID and after discussions the leaders thought that a 65 year old pastor might not be their best bet in rejuvenating the church. It was a friendly, cordial, involuntary retirement/resignation/dismissal. Honestly, after nearly a year I still do not know how to describe what happened. People ask what went on and we hem and haw because we do not know how to categorize what happened. They expressed deep love and appreciation and respect for me, then sent me on my way. Now I am  65 year … [Read more...] about You Reap What You Sow – an Exhortation

I have followed Karen Swallow Prior for several years. Though I've never had the privilege of meeting her in person, I've interacted with her often on social media. She is a woman of grace, godly character, and Christlike conviction. I've observed how she has responded to the most vile attacks against her with kindness, returning good for evil, loving her enemies. She demonstrates Jesus daily. Extreme elements of the SBC and Christian social media have attacked her in an organized and evil way. They have distorted her views, lied about who she is, and spread the most vile false accusations … [Read more...] about It Is Time to Stand

Scatter shooting while wondering if the Oak Ridge Boys are really from Oak Ridge. Over the years I’ve been asked if I believe all of the Bible is true. I believe all of the Bible is true except one verse—1 Timothy 1:15. In this verse Paul writes, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost” (ESV). I believe all that verse except the last part. Paul should have written, “of whom Mark Terry is foremost.” I believe those who preach regularly would do well to use the expository preaching approach. … [Read more...] about Scatter Shooting, Part Two