SBC Voices

“Days Gone By” – SBC Memories

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I teach the Legacy Builders Bible Fellowship Group (think old folks Sunday school class) at our church. Because we never sing a hymn in the worship service, we sing a hymn each week in class. Recently, we sang “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” and that opened floodgates of church memories for me. My earliest memory of church is standing beside my mother at the First Baptist Church of Fairfield, Texas. My father was the pastor, and the year would have been 1954. That memory prompted me to remember other things of the SBC past. Old timers reading this will nod and smile (I hope), and younger … [Read more...] about “Days Gone By” – SBC Memories

Does your church have a discipleship pathway?

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Does your church have a discipleship pathway? If you’re wondering, “What is that?” then you might not, and you would have plenty of company. Thom Rainer of Church Answers estimates that only 5% of churches in the United States have a discipleship pathway. According to research by Rainer and Eric Geiger in their book Simple Church, churches that have a clearly defined discipleship pathway tend to be healthier and more vibrant than those without. Given that an estimated 80 to 85% of churches in the United States have plateaued or are in decline, perhaps it is time that we collectively revisit … [Read more...] about Does your church have a discipleship pathway?

Why The SBC Needs the ERLC (by Jonathan Raffini)

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When I read of the news that Brent Leatherwood had been removed as president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the denomination I have been a member for my entire life, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), I was shocked as most of you were. After years of trying to best understand the role that the ERLC plays in denominational life, I could not believe what I was reading.  There have been multiple calls for reform, leadership change, accountability and even motions to defund and abolish the ERLC, seemingly culminating in Tom Ascol’s motion at the SBC annual meeting … [Read more...] about Why The SBC Needs the ERLC (by Jonathan Raffini)

Why You Should Consider Hiring a Church Consultant

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There’s a preacher joke you might have heard before: Two young fish are swimming along when they pass an older fish. “How’s the water?” the older fish asks as he swims by. A few moments pass and then one young fish says to the other, “What’s water?” The point of this fishy parable is that when we are immersed in an environment, we don’t always see clearly what is happening around us. If you live in the water day after day and know nothing other than water, then what’s water? I have experienced this reality myself, and I’m sure you have too. I grew up in the Midwest. I never lived quite … [Read more...] about Why You Should Consider Hiring a Church Consultant

Varied and Vacuous Observations, Part 4

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At the SBC Annual Meeting, the messengers elected Clint Pressley as the new president. I’m embarrassed to say that I had never heard of him. In fact, six candidates vied for the office, and I only knew two—David Allen and Michael Keahbone. I don’t know if that says more about me (my ignorance) or about the candidates. Last week, I wrote Bart Barber to thank him for serving as our SBC president. He did a good job in a difficult period, and he demonstrated that the pastor of a mid-sized church can serve as president. The common wisdom before was that only a candidate with a big church or … [Read more...] about Varied and Vacuous Observations, Part 4

What Makes an Effective Missionary? (Don Dent)

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This is Part 4 in Don Dent's "Finding Direction" Series We have painted ourselves into a corner with the idea that “everyone is a missionary.”   I first noticed this statement from SBC leaders in the early 2000s.  It has been repeated and advocated by so many on so many occasions since then that it is now considered a truism.  The idea gained popularity because we need to renew in our churches the emphasis that every believer is a witness, but this is the wrong way.  All believers should definitely be contributing to accomplishing the Great Commission, that does not make every believer a … [Read more...] about What Makes an Effective Missionary? (Don Dent)

Honor Your Father and Mother (for Adults)

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One purpose of SBC Voices is to provide a forum for our readers to share their opinions. That’s what I’m requesting in this post. For some years I’ve pondered the question: How should we honor our parents as adults? We veterans of Sunday School learned the Ten Commandments, and the fifth states, 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Ex 20:12, ESV) When we teach this, we emphasize that minor children should obey their parents. Put another way, children honor their parents by obeying them. That is the way the … [Read more...] about Honor Your Father and Mother (for Adults)

Finding Direction, Part 3 – Is Participation in God’s Mission Important? (Don Dent)

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Israel Adam and Eve’s fellowship with God in Eden quickly deteriorated into personal sin, guilt, cultural rebellion, multiplication, scattering, and confused communication among men by Gen 11.  In that situation, God chose the small wandering clan of Abraham to establish a covenant relationship of promise and purpose (Gen 12).  Three times God affirmed this relationship with Abraham, and each time he declared it would bless all nations (Gen 12, 18, 22).  When he renewed the covenant with Isaac (Gen 26) and with Jacob (Gen 28), the blessing to the nations was an integral part.  The God of … [Read more...] about Finding Direction, Part 3 – Is Participation in God’s Mission Important? (Don Dent)

Eddie Lopez is 2nd VP

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In a very close vote, Eddie Lopez (2074 votes/52.11%) won the election for second VP over Michael Pardue (1886 votes/47.39%). These were some of the closest elections I remember this entire convention. Welcome to the 2VP club, Eddie. Call me and I will give you the website address and password, plus teach you the secret handshake. … [Read more...] about Eddie Lopez is 2nd VP