I like the concept and execution of the 2017 SBC Pastor's Conference and plan to be present for some of it, probably the Monday sessions. My question is this: Is the 2017 PC the best expression of what the Southern Baptist Convention is supposed to look like? Not in a racial or demographic look but in the following ways: It has been called a "collaborative" effort and is therefore a cooperative effort. Dave Miller may have been elected president but he has been clear from the outset that the conference is the work of a number of people besides himself. If Southern Baptists are about … [Read more...] about 2017 SBC Pastor’s Conference: Is this what the SBC is supposed to look like?
SBC PC: Jamie Cartledge Answers Some Questions about Chris Davis
Editor’s Note: Each of the speakers for this year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference in Phoenix, AZ was nominated by someone. I have asked each speaker’s nominator to answer a few questions about the person they nominated. Chris Davis of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA was nominated by Jamie Cartledge. Below are Jamie's responses to the questions I sent him. How do you know Chris? In August of 1990, the fall of my 7th grade year, I began attending a Christian school in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. Knowing no one in my class going in, I went about the process of getting to know my … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Jamie Cartledge Answers Some Questions about Chris Davis
Jesus, the Last Adam, Resurrection, and a Syrian Family
I spent part of Holy Week in Nashville visiting with pastors, church leaders, and missionaries who are working to minister to refugees and immigrants who have come to the area from all around the world. I heard about what churches were already doing, their plans for the future, and why they cared about refugees. Then, one evening, I visited an apartment complex and had cake with a Syrian refugee family who had been here for about a year. They fled Hama, Syria when the Civil War started, spent a couple of years in Lebanon, and were then selected for refugee resettlement to the United States … [Read more...] about Jesus, the Last Adam, Resurrection, and a Syrian Family
SBC PC: A Video Interview with Ryan Rice
This year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference is June 11-12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will feature 12 preachers who all come from average-size SBC churches. They will be preaching through the book of Philippians over the course of the two day conference. As you know, the speakers for the conference met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a colloquium back in February. The speakers gathered to get to know one another and study Philippians with Dr. David Allen and other preaching faculty members from SWBTS and NOBTS. I had the privilege of attending the colloquium, and one … [Read more...] about SBC PC: A Video Interview with Ryan Rice
A Christian, and Baptist, Response to Syria and War (by Joey Giles)
A few days ago Brother Dave Miller presented, what I thought, a very good article on the recent actions of President Trump and the response to Syria’s chemical attack on its own people. His ultimate conclusion was that he saw the argument from both sides of the perspective, and that there isn’t a clear cut, right/wrong answer, especially with a subject like war and conflict. Unfortunately, as has happened on too many occasions, people used the comment section to go from healthy, constructive dialogue to name calling, baiting, and just plain hateful, non-Christian jargon. [Last couple sentences … [Read more...] about A Christian, and Baptist, Response to Syria and War (by Joey Giles)
You Can Help! Scholarships for Smaller Church Pastors
When I was elected president of the Pastors' Conference, the first thing I was told was that I could not do the job. The man who told me that was absolutely right. I was totally incapable of effectively planning and managing the PC. What he didn't know is that I had two great officers in Paul Smith and Toby Frost and a group of ten or so diligent, creative, and committed friends standing with me who would seek to make this year's Pastors' Conference a great experience. With the partnership of the Caskey Center, some good sponsors, the support of the Executive Committee, and a lot of man hours, … [Read more...] about You Can Help! Scholarships for Smaller Church Pastors
Pastors’ Conference Scholarship Application
Loading... Apply here for the 2017 SBC Pastors' Conference scholarship. More information available here. … [Read more...] about Pastors’ Conference Scholarship Application
I’m with You Fellas: Conflicted Reflections on Syria
I love the scene in “O Brother, Where Art Thou” when Pete and Everett are arguing about who should be in charge and decide to take a vote. Pete: Suits me. I'm voting for yours truly. Ulysses Everett McGill: Well I'm voting for yours truly too. [Everett and Pete look at Delmar for the deciding vote] Delmar O'Donnell: Okay... I'm with you fellas. Delmar votes with both of them, though they disagree. That’s how I feel about the split opinion among conservatives about the president’s decisive and swift action in response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons on its own people. Some say we … [Read more...] about I’m with You Fellas: Conflicted Reflections on Syria
Lottie Moon looks to take a big hit this year
Last year, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions was a stupendous $165.8 million infusion into our flagship SBC mission board which had been struggling financially with serious and continuing deficits. Over 1,000 personnel, mostly overseas workers, took the early retirement offers and reductions in personnel costs put the board on a sustainable path. That Southern Baptists gave over $12 million more to the LMCO in 2015 than 2014 was an added boost and a great help in restoring reserves and providing stability going forward. Alas, it looks like the 2016 offering will … [Read more...] about Lottie Moon looks to take a big hit this year
SBC PC: A Video Interview with Chris Davis
This year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference is June 11-12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will feature 12 preachers who all come from average-size SBC churches. They will be preaching through the book of Philippians over the course of the two day conference. As you know, the speakers for the conference met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a colloquium back in February. The speakers gathered to get to know one another and study Philippians with Dr. David Allen and other preaching faculty members from SWBTS and NOBTS. I had the privilege of attending the colloquium, and one … [Read more...] about SBC PC: A Video Interview with Chris Davis