One of the brag points about our Grand Old Convention, back when we were doing well enough to think about bragging and strutting, was that the SBC in annual session was The World's Largest Deliberative Body. Everyone has a vote and can speak and stuff like that. Now we excel at doing stupid stuff like passing motions that led to incredible, wasteful and perhaps endless squandering of assets, all of that for no discernible benefit at this time. Add to that the recent announcement that the SBC is "losing members at a rate that we have never experienced in modern American Christianity.” (Ryan … [Read more...] about The myth of the world’s largest deliberative body (or, when it comes to women, how the SBC loses its mind)
Varied and Vacuous Observations and Opinions, Part FIVE
The Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting will soon be upon us. One item of particular interest will be the probable effort to defund the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Al Mohler (surprisingly) and Jack Graham (unsurprisingly) have publicly supported defunding, while ten former SBC presidents have advocated keeping the ERLC. Richard Land published an impassioned plea to Southern Baptists to preserve it. As for me, I support maintaining the ERLC. The letter from the former presidents mentions improving the Commission rather than abolishing it. That makes sense to me. If it needs … [Read more...] about Varied and Vacuous Observations and Opinions, Part FIVE
The joke of ‘the world’s largest deliberative body’
Our Grand Old Convention , The Southern Baptist Convention is in those two days that the convention is actually in existence between gavels at the annual meeting touted to be “the world’s largest deliberative body.” I use the word "deliberative" ministerially, brethren and, in spite of goofballs, circus acts, and impenetrable machinations and motions at the meeting, I rather like the idea that one duly registered SBC messenger from the tiniest Southern Baptist church can make a motion, offer to amend a committee report, nominate himself for president or other action. We are congregational even … [Read more...] about The joke of ‘the world’s largest deliberative body’
The CP: celebrating a century of existence and a half century of decline.
Well, our venerable flagship giving scheme is a century old and there's a bunch of stuff going on at the SBCAM in Dallas next month. A Baptist Press Story of May 13th featured the group picture above and I recognize a number of people. Someone do an analysis of the dozens of people in that picture. Chances are most of them are on the Cooperative Program payroll which doesn't mean they aren't good people committed to the Lord and his work through Southern Baptists. It does mean that there is a financial connection between keeping the CP going, however weakly, and putting food on your table I … [Read more...] about The CP: celebrating a century of existence and a half century of decline.
The Most Practical Classes I Took in Seminary (Joe Radosevich)
The most practical classes you can take in seminary are biblical languages. Most seminaries are reducing their required language classes. Pastors make fun of having to learn the silent shewa in Hebrew class. Many times, students have to take elementary classes that don’t count towards their degree. Even though trends move the other direction, here are 2 reasons Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic are the most practical classes you can take in seminary Original Languages Will Save You Hours Every Week of Your Ministry. I loved every class in seminary. I found so much to learn and so many areas … [Read more...] about The Most Practical Classes I Took in Seminary (Joe Radosevich)
Our political climate is exhausting. Must our Convention also be? (Matt Johnson)
I don’t think it’s too controversial to say that it’s absolutely draining to keep tabs on political news. The constant barrage of outrage demands our every waking moment. At times, it feels like the strategy is meant to fatigue us so that we no longer care anymore. Is the SBC operating by the same playbook? A recent piece from our friends at Baptist News Global (link here: https://baptistnews.com/article/as-god-is-my-witness-mohler-has-changed-his-tune-on-erlc/) asserts that at least two influential Southern Baptists are planting seeds to bring yet another motion to defund the Ethics and … [Read more...] about Our political climate is exhausting. Must our Convention also be? (Matt Johnson)
Your Opinion, Please
One stated purpose for SBC Voices is to give Southern Baptists a forum for sharing their opinions. A friend once quipped. “If you gather four Southern Baptists into a room, they’ll express five opinions.” Well, this post provides you with an opportunity to share YOUR opinion. You’ll find below five matters that I’ve been contemplating, and I would like to know what you think. For several years I served as the Teaching Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Crandall, Texas. Our beloved senior pastor, Charlie Wilson, often said, “Now, in my humble but accurate opinion.” So, let’s hear your humble, … [Read more...] about Your Opinion, Please
Do You Value the Great Commission?
In the book Look Before You Lead, Aubrey Malphurs highlights the difference between something we believe in and something that we value. To believe in something is to recognize its importance and know that it should be done. To value something is to actually do the thing. Take discipleship for example. Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations. Disciple-making involves going (evangelism and missions), baptizing those who place their faith in Jesus (marking them as part of the family), and teaching (spiritual mentoring). I’ve yet to meet a Christian who didn’t believe in this Great … [Read more...] about Do You Value the Great Commission?
Right Tool; Right Job: Building on the Foundation of Christ in Church Ministry
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 ESV The work of the ministry is sort of like carpentry. This is not surprising, as our Lord spent much of his life in the carpentry trade with his stepdad (Mark 6:3). But as carpenters, we don’t come in and start from scratch. The foundation is already poured—that is the good news of Jesus himself. We simply … [Read more...] about Right Tool; Right Job: Building on the Foundation of Christ in Church Ministry
More dignity and solemnity; less frivolity and nonsense
Surprising results from a recent Lifeway Research survey: 94% of pastors think their church will survive the next 10 years. Well, that's comforting. No, it's not. The idea that we are in a place where church survival is at risk enough to survey the matter means that 100% of protestant pastors are thinking about survival, some seriously, but most think they and their church has the right stuff to make it another decade. The churches I pastored are now 220 years old, 130 years old, and 125 years old. They are all doing well, although one had to engineer a merger to survive. So … [Read more...] about More dignity and solemnity; less frivolity and nonsense