In my previous article I asked a pointed question: when it comes to tragedies in the African-American communities, will we weep with those who weep? I want to go a bit further in this post. This is an intensely difficult piece for me to write. I am not African-American and will never fully understand what it means to be black in America. But I truly believe that a desire for unity in the body of Christ should compel us to seek to listen to the experiences of our African-American brothers. We must seek to understand their concerns, and find common ground from which we as fellow believers can … [Read more...] about Will White Christians Hear and Stand with Our Black Brothers?
An irreverent look at our pastor search process, Part 1 (By William Thornton)
William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. I had a guy in one of my churches who was a sausage maker and I made a pastoral visit to him while he was hard at work. There they sat, pans and pans of blood, guts, and porcine body parts I had never seen and didn't recognize. I don't recall eating his sausage. I'll have the sausage in the nice, tidy package, thank you. Our SBC pastor/staff search process is like making sausage. It's often ugly, some would say inherently ugly. While I could live without eating my member's sausage, most pastors and staff cannot stay in the pastoral ministry without … [Read more...] about An irreverent look at our pastor search process, Part 1 (By William Thornton)
Why do they weep alone?
“Weep with those who weep” – Romans 12:15 We evangelicals love social media and we loves causes. We use social media to raise awareness, stand in solidarity, comfort the grieving, and call others to prayer. In recent days, the evangelical blogosphere has taken up the cause of Iraqi children on the other side of the globe, the plight of refugees at the Mexican border, and the victims of mental illness who have taken their own lives. When it comes to another equally significant tragedy, however, we hear nothing. A deafening silence. A national news story, an unarmed young black man has been … [Read more...] about Why do they weep alone?
President Obama, Iraq, and the Christian Response (by Adam Blosser)
Adam Blosser is the pastor of Drakes Branch Baptist Church, in Drakes Branch, Virginia, and blogs at One True Joy. My heart is heavy this morning as I consider the current situation in Iraq. It is a mess no matter which way you slice it. It really doesn't matter whether you supported President George W. Bush's initial action to invade Iraq. It really doesn't matter if you supported President Obama's decision to withdraw troops from Iraq. This is a mess, and the United States is right to act. I often find myself torn in situations like this. I do not like that America has often taken … [Read more...] about President Obama, Iraq, and the Christian Response (by Adam Blosser)
Who Owns My Children’s Bodies?
At the heart of the abortion debate and the Hobby Lobby contraception debate lies the follow concept: body ownership. Other factors weigh into the discussion, but the question of "What right have you to tell me what to do with my body?" pops up with great frequency. Since all adults once filled elementary schools as children, we could reasonably pose a clarifying question: "Has it always been your body?" An article on CNN.com from 2012 answers that question unequivocally: the child owns her body. I've read it several times, and thought about how I am raising my own children. I've wondered … [Read more...] about Who Owns My Children’s Bodies?
Why Pastors should pursue an MBA instead of DMin
Why Pastors should pursue an MBA instead of DMin This article is not for everyone and I am sure many will disagree with my statement. Not everyone is cut out to pursue additional degrees after the MDiv. But if one is considering pursuing a DMin, I am addressing this article to you. I am starting my second semester pursuing my MBA (completed 11 hours so far). I have earned my MDiv with Biblical Languages from SWBTS in 2001 and have completed 13 hours toward my DMin at Beeson Divinity School. Since 2001, I have pastored a total of 3 churches. I am pursuing my MBA at Kennesaw State … [Read more...] about Why Pastors should pursue an MBA instead of DMin
What to Do With Mark Driscoll
Mark Driscoll is hot news again, this time with protesters and many calling for his resignation. What do we do with the Mark Driscolls of the world? I have little doubt that Mark loves God and desires to serve Him. I also have no doubt that Mark is a strong leader, a charismatic leader and people are drawn to him. He has been successful in planting a very large church and gathering a large following. Do these things combined together to make a good pastor? May would say that Driscoll illustrates a resounding NO. There seem to be two types of men who go into Pastoral ministry, or … [Read more...] about What to Do With Mark Driscoll
Time to Stop Being Fanboys and Pursuers of Bigger, Better, and More
This will be short (for me) but will hopefully stir some discussion. With the recent (and long-term) events involving Mark Driscoll and the tragedy involving Ergun Caner coupled with the beginning collapse of the megachurch system (including a score of other examples), I think that the rest of us really need to take a break from following the personalities and "successes" that has marked so much of Evangelical Christianity over the past 40-50 years or so - really since the 1950s. We never really held the megachurch phenomenon up against Scripture to ask if it was the right approach. There was … [Read more...] about Time to Stop Being Fanboys and Pursuers of Bigger, Better, and More
What Has Near to Do With Far?
"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. They higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation." Augustine I'm an international missions guy. In my years of ministry, the international side of things has always occupied my heart and mind. Teaching methods and theological perspectives always run through a cross cultural filter. Traveling and speaking in the U.S. usually requires me to discuss what I've accomplished while overseas. My involvement in a specific … [Read more...] about What Has Near to Do With Far?
Are Liberian and Mexican Souls Less Valuable Than American Souls?
In the August 6 edition of the Southern Baptists of Texas' Digital Texan, an article named "52,000 Immigrant Children and the Call to Love Outsiders" appeared (originally published on erlc.com), coauthored by Criswell College's Barry Creamer and Brandon Smith. The article encouraged Christians to sensitively consider that the border crisis is more of a people crisis than a political one. It was a well-thought out article that posed and answered important questions concerning the situation. On the same day, Ann Coulter published a blog on her own website called, "Ebola Doc's Condition … [Read more...] about Are Liberian and Mexican Souls Less Valuable Than American Souls?