Want to learn some things? Keep up with SBC This Week the " weekly news roundup from around the Southern Baptist Convention hosted by Amy Whitfield and Jonathan Howe." The two secured an interview with Stephen Rummage, Chairman of the SBC Executive Committee which earlier in the week had announced that they have not one but two study committees that will be looking into the matter of churches dissatisfaction and concerns about SBC entities and how that might impact the Cooperative Program. Rummage said that the actions were not solely because of the decision by Prestonwood Baptist Church … [Read more...] about Executive Committee has more complaints on ERLC than any issue in memory
Power of the Gospel (by Darin Smith)
After a month of tumultuous political discussion on my social media feed, I had to ask the question: Where is the power for the church today? Clearly, if this month proves anything, it proves that it does not find its power in politics. We must discard the budding belief that power politics are what it is all about. I’ve been reminded lately that politics and political parties aren’t where Christ-followers look for hope. Instead, I am thankful that we have an all-sovereign, all-powerful King to find hope in times such as these. Romans 1:16 says that “it is the power of God for … [Read more...] about Power of the Gospel (by Darin Smith)
NOBTS Students Plan to Let Jack Graham Know They Support the Cooperative Program
Jack Graham is scheduled to preach in New Orleans seminary chapel this coming Tuesday, March 7. Graham's been in the news lately and somehow word got around the state of Louisiana that Graham's church, Prestonwood Baptist, is planning to withhold a large amount of previously planned Cooperative Program giving in order to exert pressure on certain SBC leaders. I ran across an article from a NOBTS student, who describes what some students are planning to make sure Graham knows his actions are not appreciated. First, several students plan to write an open letter to Jack Graham and invite … [Read more...] about NOBTS Students Plan to Let Jack Graham Know They Support the Cooperative Program
SBC PC: A Video Interview with David Choi
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 recently met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a colloquium. 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 of the … [Read more...] about SBC PC: A Video Interview with David Choi
On Trump, Moore, and Southern Baptists (By Jeff Wright)
This weekend I read, perhaps like you, Jonathan Merritt’s piece in The Washington Post titled, “Southern Baptists who marginalize Russell Moore are making a grave mistake.” I take the thesis of the piece to be that Russell Moore (and, by extension, the ERLC he leads) bring a helpful, unique, and needed perspective into Southern Baptist life as well as speaking profitably as representatives of Southern Baptists to the broad culture. To put my cards on the table up front, I agree with that thesis. However, Merritt’s tone in the article came across, at least to me, to be the voice of rebuke … [Read more...] about On Trump, Moore, and Southern Baptists (By Jeff Wright)
A Word About SBC Voices
I became the interim editor of SBC Voices about a month ago. You may have noticed that nothing has drastically changed around here. I don't have some grand vision for the site. I'm just holding the fort down for a few months while our fearless leader focuses on the Pastor's Conference. But I thought it would be good for me to give you an idea of my philosophy in leading the site. So, like a good Baptist preacher, I have three points. It's called SBC Voices This is a blog focused on the Southern Baptist Convention. Prior to becoming a contributor and now interim editor, I did not … [Read more...] about A Word About SBC Voices
BAPTIST MADNESS 2017…It’s Not What You Think!
Really…it’s not what you think. Last year I embarked upon a fun (& hopefully helpful) reminder of those who have gone on before us and made significant contributions to our understanding of the faith and our faithfulness from within our Baptist heritage. To do this, I incorporated the concept behind the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (a.k.a. “March Madness”) to create a ‘tournament’ of head-to-head match ups between sixteen historic Baptists. I owe this inspiration to a friend in my church who made me aware of the site, LentMadness, created by some Episcopalian priests to have the … [Read more...] about BAPTIST MADNESS 2017…It’s Not What You Think!
SEBTS Forms New Society for Women in Scholarship
If you do not receive the daily emails from Baptist Press and Baptist News Global, I encourage you to sign up. Baptist Press is the official news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. Baptist News Global is an independent news organization that typically comes from a more moderate/liberal perspective. The advantage of reading Baptist News Global in addition to Baptist Press is that they will provide news and information that Baptist Press just isn’t going to report. With that being said, Baptist News Global had an interesting article this week. The article asks, “Can Southern … [Read more...] about SEBTS Forms New Society for Women in Scholarship
SBC PC: Darin Smith Answers Some Questions about Nathan Rose
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. Nathan Rose of Liberty Baptist Church in Liberty, MO was nominated by Darin Smith. Below are Darin's responses to the questions I sent him. How do you know Nathan? Nathan and I met in the fall of 2006 in Greek class at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We began to minister together on the streets of Westport (an art/bar section of Kansas City) doing street evangelism … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Darin Smith Answers Some Questions about Nathan Rose
Steve Gaines on the Cooperative Program
In an interview with state paper editors our current president was asked about the CP, our flagship giving plan now almost 100 years old. Concerning the Cooperative Program, Gaines said there is no biblical justification for churches to tithe 10 percent of their receipts to the Cooperative Program, regardless of how good the missions support program is. Churches today have a lot of their own ministries and are doing a wonderful job of reaching their communities for Christ. Those ministries should not be sacrificed for giving to the Cooperative Program through their state conventions. He … [Read more...] about Steve Gaines on the Cooperative Program