I want to be clear. This is not a post about any particular candidate for any particular office within the SBC. In writing this piece, I am not intending to call into question the Cooperative Program giving of any particular SBC church. But this seems to be a discussion worth having. How much is enough? 10%? 5%? Does it even matter? What if a church does all of their giving through Nashville and little to none of it through their state convention? Since not all state conventions are created equal, does it matter what state the church is located in? As you can see, I have a lot of … [Read more...] about Does CP Giving Matter for SBC Officers?
Jose Abella to be Nominated as SBC 2nd Vice President
Dr. Michael Lewis, Pastor of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, GA, has announced to Baptist Press that he will nominate Jose Abella for the office of 2nd Vice President of the SBC at the 2017 annual meeting. This news breaks just over a month before we convene in Phoenix, AZ for the Southern Baptist Convention. Abella is the Lead Pastor of Providence Road Church in Miami, FL. He is a graduate of The College at Southeastern and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity. Below are some quotes from the Baptist Press article announcing the nomination. From Lewis: "Jose is a … [Read more...] about Jose Abella to be Nominated as SBC 2nd Vice President
The Moss Perspective vs. The McKissic Perspective: Opposite Sides of the Window Interpretations of the SWBTS Preaching Photo
Rev. Otis Moss III, the eloquent and winsome young preacher who succeeded Rev. Jeremiah Wright as Pastor of The Trinity Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois, posted on Facebook a brutal response—tantamount to a rebuke—of the five Preaching professors at SWBTS, and by extension, a rebuke of the Seminary and the SBC. Moss’ intellectual and insightful mind is on full display in his “Standing on the Outside of the Window—Looking In” interpretation of the Twitter photo. Four years ago, I was privileged to be a table mate of Rev. Moss for three hours, during an invitation-only Phoenix gathering of … [Read more...] about The Moss Perspective vs. The McKissic Perspective: Opposite Sides of the Window Interpretations of the SWBTS Preaching Photo
Walter Strickland to be Nominated as SBC 1st Vice President
Dr. James Merritt, former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, has announced to Baptist Press that he will nominate Walter Strickland for the office of 1st Vice President of the SBC at the 2017 annual meeting. This is exciting news as we plan to gather in Phoenix, AZ in just over a month. Strickland is a graduate (M.Div and Th.M.) of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Aberdeen. Strickland also serves as the Special Advisor to the President for Diversity & Instructor of Theology at SEBTS. His responsibilities in … [Read more...] about Walter Strickland to be Nominated as SBC 1st Vice President
Lots of Positive Buzz Surrounding 2017 SBC Pastors’ Conference
Has there ever been an SBC Pastor’s Conference with more positive buzz surrounding it than this year’s conference? We all know that the Pastor’s Conference was once an important tool used by the leaders of the Conservative Resurgence to rally the troops to elect conservative SBC presidents and return the convention to biblical orthodoxy. We remember how the 2010 conference focused on the Great Commission Resurgence and was perhaps influential in that way. But usually the Pastor’s Conference is somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to the annual meeting. Not this year. This year’s … [Read more...] about Lots of Positive Buzz Surrounding 2017 SBC Pastors’ Conference
My ordination was a joke
Thus spake one senior pastor, referring to the ordination process used by his church but more specifically of his examination by an ordination council. Seems the council just assumed he was a good guy and fit for the Christian ministry. Why ask a bunch of questions? Paul Powell, in "The New Minister's Manual" wrote, The purpose of ordination is twofold: First, to signify that the individual has decided to devote his life to the church’s ministry; and second, to indicate that the church is approving and authorizing them to serve the church in ministry. Ordination is a recognition of God’s … [Read more...] about My ordination was a joke
SBCPC Scholarship Recipients (Round 2)
We're glad today to announce the second and final round of recipients for the 2017 SBC Pastors' Conference Scholarship. Round two includes 30 pastors and church planters who will, along with 30 in the first round, receive $1,000 for travel and other expenses to attend all sessions of the SBC Pastors' Conference and SBC Annual Meeting. As before, these recipients pastor average-sized SBC churches and wouldn't be able to attend without these scholarship funds. About 30% of our applicants are church planters. Close to half of this list are from outside traditional SBC states. We love having this … [Read more...] about SBCPC Scholarship Recipients (Round 2)
2017 SBC Committee On Nominations Releases Report
One of the signs that the SBC Annual Meeting is fast approaching is the announcement in Baptist Press of the nominees to serve on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, the four denominational boards -- International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources, and GuideStone Financial Resources, -- the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the six seminaries, and the Committee on Order of Business. The announcement is usually pretty unnoteworthy. I must admit that I did not read through the entire list. But as far as I know, this year's … [Read more...] about 2017 SBC Committee On Nominations Releases Report
Grace, Racism, Social Media, and THAT Photo!
Monday night in Boston, a despicable act of racism took place. There are not two baseball teams I like less than the Orioles and the Red Sox, and there are few players I cheer against more than Adam Jones. There's a reason for that. He's a confirmed Yankee-killer. Just brutalizes Yankee pitching. But last night he was subjected to racist taunts from the stands during the Orioles game against the much-hated Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox condemned the action in no uncertain terms as did the mayor of Boston. Boston fans have gone on social media to decry the racist and his actions. There is a … [Read more...] about Grace, Racism, Social Media, and THAT Photo!
More full time senior pastors over 65 than under 40
Go visit around the churches in your area. If the article below is to be believed you would encounter more gray hair (and presumably experience and wisdom) in pulpits than the high and tight or undercut tonsorial looks (along with youth and inexperience). You would find more senior pastors who are on Medicare than Obamacare and more pastors who are seeing life's sunset days rather than the bright days of life's prime. The full time churches would have more senior pastors who are over 65 than under 40. I'm feeling a little old myself. Here's a link to a story on the research: American … [Read more...] about More full time senior pastors over 65 than under 40