SBC Voices

I believe that our immigration policy is in need of reform, particularly with regard to Mexican immigrants. Mexicans benefit from coming here to work. Americans benefit from having them here to work. Mexicans coming to the United States are far more likely to encounter evangelical Christianity than they are in Mexico. I have them in my church, as do most pastors in Texas. Ethnic churches are one of the major growth areas of the Southern Baptist Convention. I've only ever heard two arguments against permitting Mexican immigration: One is economic and one is political. The economic argument … [Read more...] about In Defense of Amnesty

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Thanksgiving approaches and there is a lot in life to be thankful for—my family, my church family, and my friends, for starters; all of whom I dearly love. But for a moment I want to … [Read more...] about A Band of Brothers

There has been a plethora of posts and articles opining on the life, ministry and travails of Mark Driscoll. As a part of that discussion, the issue of restoration comes to the forefront. When a minister falls, in whatever way he falls, can he be restored to ministry? Can an adulterous pastor, who repents and is spiritual renewed, eventually become a leader in a church? What about someone who is divorced? Someone who got mired in financial malfeasance? Can a biblically qualified elder (or deacon) who strays from the path and disqualifies himself ever get re-qualified? Or is disqualification … [Read more...] about Can a Fallen Leader Be Restored?

My church has a benevolence fund, and it is my great joy as pastor to be the one who delivers checks to those in need. We've been able to give and give generously to those in the church family who lose a job or have some other family hardship. That is a pastor's joy. It is not quite so much fun when one of the Siouxland "regulars" calls the church asking for a handout. There is a group of people who evidently spend their days calling or dropping by churches to ask for money. I'll be honest, I hate it passionately when one of those folks calls or shows up. I'm not claiming that is the most … [Read more...] about “Can Your Church Help Me with My Rent?”

WHY THE GALILEE GRIGGS MEMORIAL DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF BAPTIST CHURCHES EXISTS By William Dwight McKissic, Sr. Servant/Moderator of the GGMDABC And Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church, Arlington, TX Impacting the Next Generation for the Kingdom Psalm 145:4 I. INTRODUCTION AND TESTIMONIAL Jesus established the church in order for the church to represent His Kingdom on planet earth. The church’s primary role is to be ambassadors of Christ’s Kingdom. Although the church and the Kingdom are not synonymous, they are interrelated and interdependent. The theme of Jesus’ preaching was … [Read more...] about Concerning the Galilee Griggs Memorial District Association of Baptist (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)

One of the downsides of spending the last 24 years preaching at only 2 churches (14.5 in Cedar Rapids, now closing in on 9.5 in Sioux City) is that preaching over the holidays gets to be a little difficult. My people have heard pretty much every sermon I've got in my arsenal, some of them twice! So, the Christmas season is coming and I'm looking for some fresh ideas and new perspectives on seasonal sermons. Here's some of my observations and thoughts about Christmas preaching: 1) Many of you in the younger whippersnapper crowd eschew preaching Christmas messages (or others based on … [Read more...] about Can Someone Help Me Prime My Christmas Pump?

I have served in Vocational Ministry for a little more than a decade when I was transitioned out. I have been an interim,Youth Pastor, Education Pastor, Associate Pastor, Campus Missionary and Teacher. Currently I am working in a manufacturing plant. It's a good job, good pay but it's not where my heart is. I want to share with you today a view from someone who feels a calling and a burden, but for some purpose, God has moved me away from the vocation that I cherished for a time. The Pastorate can be burdensome, it comes with expectations that are sometimes unfair and requirements that … [Read more...] about The Gift of Vocational Ministry

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has evidently ruled in favor of the housing allowance that we in ministry have come to depend on. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal has this article. I also understand that Guidestone is going to put out some info on this pretty soon. However, all is not good news here. The appeals court did not rule in favor of the housing allowance, but simply ruled that the plaintiffs did not have standing to bring the suit. Since none of them had been denied the housing allowance, they could not show harm. The 7th Circuit, however, found that the plantiffs lacked the … [Read more...] about Whew! The Housing Allowance Survives! (For Now)

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 She was not happy with me, not at all. I was teaching Proverbs 22:6, which says essentially the same thing in every modern English translation, some variation of the ESV translation above. I made an observation about the nature of proverbs. They are statements about the general course of life, but are not meant to be ironclad promises or absolute guarantees. That bothered her. Still single, she anticipated getting married and having children, but if she did not have a guarantee that her … [Read more...] about Train Up a Child: What Does Proverbs 22:6 Actually Mean?