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
Interview with a pirate about the SBC and women pastors
William: "You there with the ear ring, the cutlass, and your hair on fire; you've got problem with women pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention? Pirate: "Aaaargh! Dadgum straight I've got a problem with it. It's a big problem." W: "Yeah, a big problem? How many women are there in the SBC who lead churches as pastor?" P: "I don't know of any who are senior or lead pastors, but..." W: "Hold on right there, swashbuckler. There aren't any women senior pastors in the SBC?" P: "Well, no, but..." W: "Hold the 'but' Blackbeard. I want to be sure I'm hearing you right. There are … [Read more...] about Interview with a pirate about the SBC and women pastors
Can these average sized and below SBC churches survive?
Dave Miller's insightful article about his and his church's recent travails was excellent. It was also paradigmatic of thousands of SBC churches. Dave's church was not a small or average-sized church and I'm thinking here of the average-sized SBC church, somewhere around 125, and the median sized SBC churches, somewhere around 70. Generally, these are churches that can support a full-time pastor and most of the opportunities for being THE pastor (senior pastor, lead pastor, etc.) are in churches of this size. There are tens of thousands of SBC churches in this range and below. Many of them … [Read more...] about Can these average sized and below SBC churches survive?
An Update on #SBC23 in New Orleans
We just finished up the inaugural meeting of the newly renamed Local Encouragement Team (LET) (formerly known as the Local Arrangement Committee) for the #SBC23 meeting taking place here in New Orleans on June 11-14, 2023. I just thought I'd share some behind-the-scenes stuff in case any of our readers might be interested (and because Luke Holmes suggested I should). The first two wonderfully encouraging meetings were hosted by our friends at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. What a great partner to our churches who’ve already shot out of the gate strong and are working hard to … [Read more...] about An Update on #SBC23 in New Orleans
I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This
I was chatting with the guys about our mutual enemy COVID and what is happening with it across the nation. My doctor says it is an ever-present reality now, and isn't going away. My anecdotal evidence tells me that it is not yet time to hang the "Mission Accomplished" banner. There may be some new variations ready to throw curve balls at us. Several of us in that group either have COVID or have had it recently, and at least three of us are members of the "long COVID" club, one you never want to join. After you recover from the acute symptoms of the disease, annoying effects linger, like … [Read more...] about I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This