Twenty-five years ago this month I surrendered to the Gospel ministry. In 1992, what became known as the culture war was in full bloom. In fact, 1992 was the very year that Pat Buchanan gave his well known “culture war” speech at the Republican Convention. I was fully immersed in the idea that conservative politics and orthodox theology were synonymous. Twenty-five years down the road, the John Wylie of today is a bit more complex politically and even in some ways theologically. I have learned that monolithic thinking and uniformity are the enemies of honesty, progress (not liberalism), … [Read more...] about You Don’t Have to Buy the Whole Load (by John Wylie)
SBC Fake News – updated
It should not surprise any observer of Southern Baptist matters that there has always been a market for fake news among us, mainly through unofficial outlets like blogs, blog comments and the like. While I am probably not informed enough to offer an exhaustive list of fake SBC news items, these below are some of the more current and prominent ones. I welcome any additions to the list The Cooperative Program is Dead or Dying The Cooperative Program provided over $478 million for the state conventions and SBC entities in the latest figures available. At almost half a billion the CP is … [Read more...] about SBC Fake News – updated
Open Letter to Jack Graham from NOBTS Students
This is the text of the open letter to Jack Graham by six NOBTS students. The letter was first delivered to Graham during this morning's visit to the NOBTS campus. It was released at their website, iheartcpblog.wordpress.com and they offer the option to add your name to the document. Graham preached chapel today at NOBTS and the students made "I Heart CP" t-shirts and asked questions during a forum time requested by Graham. We've covered some of the details as students have written about the situation & their concerns. I'm thankful for this letter as it's gracious, measured, but pointed … [Read more...] about Open Letter to Jack Graham from NOBTS Students
SBC PC: Chris Wright Answers Some Questions about David Choi
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. David Choi of Church of the Beloved in Chicago, IL was nominated by Chris Wright. Below are Chris' responses to the questions I sent him. How do you know Dave? A little over five years ago I was introduced to Dave through a mutual friend. I was serving with the state convention staff and tasked with recruiting and coaching church planters. Dave was assembling a core team … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Chris Wright Answers Some Questions about David Choi
The strange world of SBC “small” churches
I'm a little weary of reading that Dave Miller, on temporary hiatus from this place while he manages the 2017 SBC Pastor's Conference, is a "small church" pastor. Ed Stetzer did an interview with him recently entitled, One on One with the Small Church Pastor Who "Took Over" the SBC Pastor's Conference to Highlight Smaller Churches. It's a great interview and I'm pleased to see Dave get a free lunch from Stetzer and a nice article on the Pastor's Conference. But my irascibility is showing here about the business of him being classified as a "small church" pastor. Nothing about him is "small" … [Read more...] about The strange world of SBC “small” churches
NOBTS Student T-shirts Available & Updates Throughout the Day
Today at NOBTS Jack Graham is scheduled to speak in chapel. A group of students has composed a letter to Graham, open for fellow students to sign. They were up last night printing 200 "I Love CP" t-shirts that will be available this morning beginning at 6am. Jack Graham as requested a Q&A time with NOBTS students. It should be a fascinating day and my goal is to keep you updated in the comments section of this post. 316Tees Shop says that their t-shirt designs will set the tone and the most important aspect is that they use inspired designs, and not imitations for you to wear unique … [Read more...] about NOBTS Student T-shirts Available & Updates Throughout the Day
The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was one of the most influential preachers of the 19th century. At a time before automobiles, airplanes, and electricity, he regularly preached before crowds of more than 5,000 in his church in London (he once even preached before crowd of over 23,000 people). He founded a college, an orphanage, and was a strong advocate for foreign missions. He was personally acquainted with D. L. Moody and Hudson Taylor. Famous Americans like Mark Twain, John D. Rockefeller, and James Garfield (before he became the 20th president of the United States) visited his church to hear him … [Read more...] about The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Decision to Investigate Russell Moore Has Huge Implications for Black SBC Churches
The Prestonwood Baptist Church of Plano, TX, (a Dallas suburb) led by Dr. Jack Graham, a former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, has determined to escrow funds totaling $1 million, that were previously designated for the Cooperative Program—the premier funding mechanism of the Southern Baptist Convention’s agencies— because of positions and policies taken by Dr. Russell Moore, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Other predominately White Southern Baptist Churches are also threatening to withhold Cooperative Program funds … [Read more...] about The Southern Baptist Convention’s Decision to Investigate Russell Moore Has Huge Implications for Black SBC Churches
The Story Behind the NOBTS Letter to Jack Graham & CP T-Shirt Project
Devin Haun is a student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and associate pastor at Grace Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA. He's a service manager at The Bomb Factory, a hot rod shop in New Orleans, and has appeared on The History Channel's Big Easy Motors. He also runs a small screen printing shop. He's been married for five years and he and his wife have one daughter. I asked Devin if he would tell us about the events planned for Tuesday at NOBTS in his own words. Hello world, my name is Devin Haun and I am a student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I am sure many that … [Read more...] about The Story Behind the NOBTS Letter to Jack Graham & CP T-Shirt Project
Update: Jack Graham to Participate in Q&A with Students after Tuesday’s Chapel
Yesterday, we reported that some NOBTS students have planned to write an open letter to Jack Graham and wear "I Love CP" t-shirts during Tuesday's chapel service. I've been able to talk with another of the students involved, Devin Haun, since yesterday's article. His story is fantastic and will be available in an upcoming post very soon. Dr. Kelly also tweeted yesterday that Jack Graham had contacted Chuck Kelly and asked for a Q&A time with students following the chapel. This Q&A session is in the works and sounds like it will take place. I don't have any information on the format … [Read more...] about Update: Jack Graham to Participate in Q&A with Students after Tuesday’s Chapel