No, sorry, there's no cursing in this podcast, just a discussion of how my son left the faith and became an Assembly of God pastor! We have a lot of interesting discussions about his "transition" from good Baptist boy to Assembly pastor and so we thought we'd record some podcasts about this. We recorded most of these in the early part of the year and then life happened - just releasing them now. In this first episode, we tell our stories and then we begin discussing the Assembly of God statement of faith, discussing our areas of agreement and disagreement. Since he's Assembly of God, we … [Read more...] about Generational Cursing – A Baptist/Assembly of God Podcast
We Need to Stop Applauding Fallen Pastors
Yesterday, I finished a 17-year ministry at Southern Hills Baptist Church. We had a great day with our highest attendance in a long time. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper after I did what I’d done week after week, Sunday after Sunday, since August 28, 2005 – preach a text of Scripture. After church, we had a potluck dinner, enjoyed a warm fellowship, and member after member expressed their love, their sorrow we were leaving, and their prayers for our future. We received a basket of cards with some generous gifts and messages that made my wife cry. It was a wonderful way to wrap things … [Read more...] about We Need to Stop Applauding Fallen Pastors
CP quiz answers, with predictable commentary
For the record, I've always supported and given to the CP in my churches. More than average in some, less in some. The SBC would be unrecognizable without it and it is here to stay. All churches in friendly cooperation with the SBC should support it. Didn't ask, but everyone knows CP giving is not required to be SBC, right? (Exceptions are those churches who are NAMB or state convention supported plants). ____________________ The Cooperative Program is our oldest giving program. FALSE. Both mission boards had their offerings well before the CP was established in 1925 and I'm sure there … [Read more...] about CP quiz answers, with predictable commentary
Take the CP quiz, if you’re up to it.
True/False questions, so that you have a 50/50 chance of getting in right. Use a coin if necessary: The Cooperative Program is our oldest giving program. The CP is our largest and wealthiest SBC giving program. Most CP receipts go to the mission boards and seminaries. SBC churches give around 10% of their undesignated offerings to the CP. The CP is as old as the ages of Bart Barber and Adam Greenway combined. The SBC portion of the CP was actually less than the two big mission offerings, Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong. Generally, churches are giving less to CP and more … [Read more...] about Take the CP quiz, if you’re up to it.
We’re embarking on implementation of the SATF. Questions for the ARITF
The job of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force seems difficult. SBC President Bart Barber appointed nine people, seven men and two women, to the group. In what looks like a wisely and carefully crafted statement, Barber said: “The purpose of this task force is to assist the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention in our efforts to shut the doors of our churches to those who would act as sexual predators and to wrap our arms around survivors and those who love them,” Barber said. Note the word "assist" in describing the job of this task force. No task force, no SBC entity, no SBC … [Read more...] about We’re embarking on implementation of the SATF. Questions for the ARITF
Baptist Summer Camps
Few things are more universal in churches than summer camps. They vary in size, location, and amenities, but almost every church goes to a camp of some sort. I wasn't able to ascertain exactly when camps started, but I can say for certain that they have evolved over the years. An older lady at my church told me they used to take live chickens with them to camp in order that they could have eggs all week. The big treat of the week then came at the end when they had fried chicken. While many churches still have cooks who go with them to prepare meals, I doubt there is any slaughtering of … [Read more...] about Baptist Summer Camps
Fort Worth Memoirs
It doesn’t seem possible, but I enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Seminary fifty years ago. In August 1972 I drove to Fort Worth and began my seminary studies. I went to Southwestern because my pastor recommended it, and I’ve never regretted that decision. When I enrolled, I had two goals in mind—to qualify for missionary appointment by the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) and to learn to preach. My wife and I had written the FMB and informed them of our call to missionary service. The Personnel Department said, “Great, now go to seminary.” So, off we went to Fort … [Read more...] about Fort Worth Memoirs
The strange journey of our venerable CP and mission offerings
Just the facts, brethren. These measures are up, considerably up. CP giving above budget by $10.4 million through July As of July 31, gifts received by the EC for distribution through the CP Allocation Budget total $168,760,690.32. This is $6,714,403.20 or 4.14 percent more than last year’s budget contribution of $162,046,287.12. The amount given is ahead of the $158,333,333.40 year-to-date budgeted projection to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America by $10,427,356.92 or 6.59 percent. The rump takeover group is officially supportive of the CP. It would be … [Read more...] about The strange journey of our venerable CP and mission offerings
Eastern Kentucky Needs YOUR Help
The weather is odd these days. Here in western Iowa, farmers are suffering through a drought that is threatening our corn crops. In Eastern Kentucky, something completely different is happening. I spoke at length over the weekend to an old pal of SBC Voices, the Reverend Dr. C.B. Scott, who less than two weeks ago returned to his previous church, McDowell First Baptist Church, as pastor, after leaving a few years ago first o be Director of Missions and recently the Vice President of a Kentucky Baptist boarding school. He told me about the devastation brought by storms during the middle of the … [Read more...] about Eastern Kentucky Needs YOUR Help
Attention Louisiana & Mississippi Pastors and Staff
Dr. Willie McLaurin, Interim President of our SBC Executive Committee has sent out the invitation to attend our “SBC 2023 Annual Meeting Kick-Off Luncheon.” This event, specifically for pastors, staff and denominational workers in the New Orleans region (especially from south Mississippi and Louisiana) will be a time to inform those in our region on the plans for next year’s annual meeting and an explanation on how they can be involved in helping to make #SBC23 a success. Our Local Encouragement Team (LET) is excited to have you join us for this event which will take place on the campus of … [Read more...] about Attention Louisiana & Mississippi Pastors and Staff