SBC Voices

After nearly four decades in this job, I believe it is fair to say that the ministry presents unique challenges. No, despite what we like to say when we are together boasting about who is the busiest, we preachers don't work harder than anyone else. Every job has its stress and the people in our pews work hard and carry burdens just as we do. But there are challenges that face the man behind the pulpit (or sitting on the stool?) that the person in the pew may never understand. I have lived in a pastor's home all my life - first as a pastor's son and then as a pastor. Our families have all … [Read more...] about To Be Like Christ: When the Knife Sinks Deep

Back in January I did a "things to watch in 2017" piece.   Here's my list: What will be the response to the revamped Pastors Conference in Phoenix?  I thought it was very well done and well received. Will we start to see leadership transitions in southern states?  Nope. Will limitless missionaries start to become a reality in 2017? I'm not seeing much different. Will we continue to see increasingly diverse representation on trustee boards?  Well, I don't know. What's to come of the Russell Moore controversy? He apologized. I hope that was the last time we let an … [Read more...] about Anybody mess up predicting SBC things this year?

We are going to be changing some things around here the first of the year (hopefully, if all goes well). We still intend to write the same kind of soul-stirring, mind-expanding, convention-altering blog posts (am I laying it on too thick?) that we've always done, but we are also beginning three regular features - and you can help with those. They will be daily features Monday through Friday. (NOTE: the names are preliminary - they could change). In the Word: We had a great time last year promoting expositional preaching at the Pastors' Conference. We want to keep that up by beginning … [Read more...] about The New and Improved (?) SBC Voices

Will it be Ohio State or Alabama? Will the committee send up the white smoke and surprise us all by selecting Southern California? I don't know. By the time church is done today, I will. I have the selection show on my Tivo and the interwebs will be screaming it. I'm glad I won't have to watch the whole show as they drag out the naming of four teams over 60 minutes. Really? And we know this - there will either be weeping and wailing coming out of Columbus or Tuscaloosa. Before I make my point, let me make my prediction. I will make the startling prediction that Clemson will get … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Football: Fix The Bowl Selection Process

The Chairman of the Deacons approached me about a rumor floating around the church during my tenure as an Arkansas Pastor from 1977-1983. The rumor: the pastor is engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with girls between the ages of 13-17. Although astonished by the deacon’s inquiry, I hurriedly and truthfully assured my deacons that there was not one iota of truth to the rumor. I then asked the deacons the source and basis of the rumor. The source of the rumor was the church’s janitor. His evidence; “feminine napkins” he often had to discard from the trash can in my office after youth choir … [Read more...] about Alabama Voters Will Determine Whose Voice Matters Most (William Dwight McKissic, Sr.)

Jesus says some strange and difficult things in the Gospels. Some just leave us confused and some are downright mind-boggling. But in John 16:7 he says something that most of us simply do not believe – even though we are inerrantists! Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. Don’t worry, the disciples didn’t believe it either. He told them that he was going away and that he was doing so for their benefit. It is a remarkable assertion. The Spirit would be … [Read more...] about Baptist in the Spirit, Part 6: Jesus’ Shocking Words – The Spirit in Us Is Better than Jesus with Us

I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from David Murray’s latest book, Reset. It’s a phenomenal book on preventing burnout. Though not specifically about burnout, I want to share a paragraph I read that was incredibly helpful. In the seventh chapter Murray encourages his readers to assess their calendars. He suggests making statements of purpose over four life areas: spiritual life, family life, vocational life, and Christian service. As he began the section on Christian service, Murray said this: Remember, you are already serving God in your spiritual life, in your family life, and in your … [Read more...] about Does That Ministry Count?

All of this (except for the last question) pertains to the portion of the Cooperative Program that is sent by the states to the Executive Committee and distributed through the SBC CP Allocation Budget. The data used here are not the total CP including the 60% or so of revenues kept by the state conventions but rather the 40% of total CP received by the Executive Committee. Only the undesignated portion is used, not designated (Lottie, Annie and some smaller designated offerings). So...here you go: 1. The SBC has 42 state conventions. What percentage of the CP is contributed by the 16 … [Read more...] about 2017 Cooperative Program/State Convention quiz