Once I knew the #SBC23 Annual Meeting was coming to New Orleans I immediately thought of assembling a list of things to taste, touch, smell, hear and see while messengers visit this most unique of American cities. The following "list of lists" is certainly not exhaustive but I believe it's a good start. I will likely tweak, add to, or otherwise update these groupings from time to time. I will also be Tweeting out individual portions of these lists from now until convention time. Also, be sure to take a look at the website NOBTS has put together as a resource for visitors. It is fantastic. … [Read more...] about Pastor Jay’s Lists of Stuff You Should Know for #SBC23 in New Orleans
Is Your Church a Friendly Church?
Some years ago, I served as the interim pastor of a county-seat First Baptist Church in Kentucky. One week I received a note from a woman who had visited our church. She told me that I was the only one who greeted her when she visited. Her note prompted two reactions in me. I was relieved that at least I had greeted her, but I felt dismayed that no one else had done so. In reaction, I shared this with the congregation both in a service and in the church newsletter. I encouraged them to greet all our church guests. Well, how well does your church do in welcoming guests? I discussed this with … [Read more...] about Is Your Church a Friendly Church?
Merry Christmas
The Winter Solstice Edition and why Miller and I are grouches and I’m a pagan
Today is the Winter Solstice, egad, 'the shortest day of the year' sayeth the pessimist. "Thank God! Days get longer from here on," sayeth the optimist. So, into the valley of death rides the intrepid old-school blogger tackling the hard issues with as little daylight as possible. I freely declare that I am a pagan, using the original sense etymologically of the word. I live in the country, a rustic. Proof positive is that I can see no neighbors from my house, not one, and none can see me. Hah! Amazon, UPS, and FedEx, of course, regularly invade my space and mess up my yard. … [Read more...] about The Winter Solstice Edition and why Miller and I are grouches and I’m a pagan
Non-Debatable Realities of Christmas
Here are the non-debatable, inarguable realities of Christmas. You may not agree. This is America. You have the right to be wrong! George C. Scott was Scrooge and other versions are vying for second place in "which is the best 'Christmas Carol'" discussions. He is the gold standard. Die Hard was an entertaining action movie set at a Christmas party. It is NOT a Christmas movie and only heretics, Gnostics, and liberals say it is. The Christmas classic "A Christmas Story" should have ended with the narrator, the adult Ralphie, appearing with an eye patch, after shooting his eye out … [Read more...] about Non-Debatable Realities of Christmas
He Understood Christmas
With all the foofaraw and hullaballoo of the Christmas season, do you ever wonder if people really understand what it’s all about? They celebrate frenetically but have little clue about the reality of Christmas. This is nothing new. Most people were oblivious to the birth of the Savior when it happened. The residents of Bethlehem, even those where Mary and Joseph sought refuge, could have had a front-row seat to the birth of the Messiah but were clueless. The intelligentsia of Israel was ignorant and blind. They didn’t even walk six miles to find out if the one they’d awaited for centuries was … [Read more...] about He Understood Christmas
Pickleball, those old family life centers, and our declining birth rate
Among the things we Southern Baptists know as reality but seldom express is that churches will almost always be happy to undertake projects that expand their buildings. It makes us feel good about ourselves, as in 'we might not be growing but take a look at our facilities.' If one looks around there are scads of SBC churches who can count several successful building programs in their history. And don't call me a cynic (I prefer 'realist') when I write that the pastor who leads in building that new sanctuary, that new educational building, that new family life center is more likely to be … [Read more...] about Pickleball, those old family life centers, and our declining birth rate
‘Tis the season for seasons, ubiquitous seasons, generic seasons, euphemistic seasons, ridiculous seasons
Here in Georgia we have four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter. Spring is great unless it comes early and leaves quickly, then we have three seasons: summer, fall, winter. Summer is tolerable here, unlike New Orleans and Houston where the devil makes his seasonal residence with oppressive heat and humidity being constant and unpleasant companions. Fall is always super. Winter is OK if you take extra vitamin D to stave off the morose feelings for those long stretches of cold, rainy days with no sunshine. In the south there's really just two seasons: SEC football season and not … [Read more...] about ‘Tis the season for seasons, ubiquitous seasons, generic seasons, euphemistic seasons, ridiculous seasons
Anathematize the Heretics Who Cancel Christmas Church?
Rumor has it that woke liberal leftist pastors are considering doing the unthinkable on Sunday, December 25. When they should be gathered with the people of God celebrating the birth of Christ they will be nestled in their beds demonstrating their worldliness. Heathens and heretics! I will be honest, I could not cancel church on Christmas Sunday. That comes from conviction, but also from my tradition and training. My dad (also my pastor through my formative years) wavered slightly in his view of eternal security when people dared to cancel church for Christmas or Super Bowls or anything … [Read more...] about Anathematize the Heretics Who Cancel Christmas Church?
