SBC Voices

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

If I Were KING of the SBC

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I've been attending the SBC Annual Meeting, on and off, since 1979, and I've seen changes happen. If I were elected King and Supreme Ruler of the SBC, these are the changes I would make to our esteemed gathering. 1. Of course, #1 would be the name-tag issue. Print our names bigger on the front and scrunch the schedule up a bit on the back so you can print our names on the back as well. Those silly things always flip over. Names on both sides - because I said so! 2. I would institute a rule that says a person  who uses his or her 3 minutes to advocate for or against a motion CANNOT then, … [Read more...] about If I Were KING of the SBC

The Speech I Planned to Give in Support of the Motion to Censure (by Louis Cook)

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I am Louis Cook. I am a messenger sent by Oak City Baptist Church in Oak City, North Carolina. Brothers and sisters in Christ, this motion might sound unusual to many of you. Let me make clear that the purpose is not to attack or disparage. It simply calls on you, as messengers, to approve a motion of censure of these leaders who serve our Convention. Censure does not fire nor suspend someone. What it does is express our strong disapproval of a specific action. I believe that most messengers and the churches that sent us remain unaware of what was done in our name in 2022 and has remained … [Read more...] about The Speech I Planned to Give in Support of the Motion to Censure (by Louis Cook)

What I Was GOING to Say about the Censure Motion

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Some of you have noted that you saw me standing behind Juan Sanchez as he made his successful challenge to the censure motion made by Louis Cook. I had prepared to make an amendment to the motion and was next in line. Here is what I was going to say if I had been allowed to speak. "I rise to ask the messengers to remove the name Bart Barber from this motion to censure. I was saddened when Josh Wester gave his ARITF report yesterday, to hear his frustrations about the lack of support for robust abuse reform among the entities of the SBC. The full and unconditional support that was expressed … [Read more...] about What I Was GOING to Say about the Censure Motion