SBC Voices

It’s Wednesday night and for the fourth time this week and Sally finds herself praying all too familiar of words: “Lord, forgive me for my bitterness and the way that I lashed out at my friend.” She’s frustrated that she continues to come back to this same spot. But what more can she expect? She shouldn’t be surprised that she keeps coming back to this spot—should she? Another evening squandered on laziness. What started as a quick game on his PS4 turned into him staying up until 3:00 AM. Jim will be tired for work tomorrow. He’ll be grouchy. He’ll be wide open for depression. Not to … [Read more...] about I’m Shocked!

Danny Akin began his report by saying something to the effect that Paige Patterson does not owe me an apology for sharing the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. Ditto for me, Danny. Now, I'm pretty much a rules guy. I believe in asking permission, not forgiveness. Clearly, Patterson made an executive decision he was not authorized to make. Just as clearly, he offered one of the most profoundly moving and sincere apologies you will ever, ever hear. I was literally moved to tears. Think about it... The bold and courageous, wild game hunting, lion hearted general of the Southern … [Read more...] about I Agree With Danny Akin

Here are some of the big events coming up. 2nd VP Elections - done Nomination Committee report ~2:43 This is usually perfunctory but a nomination challenge may take place. Those almost always fail but it would be the first contentious moment. We'll know soon. NAMB Report.  The Q&A session can go unplanned places. Committee on order of business ~4:03. We will find the disposition of various motions. New Motions (if any) ~4:17 Resolution Committee report -~4:27                 … [Read more...] about Afternoon Session

Six motions were introduced,  3 by the inimitable Willey Drake. 1. Tim Overton moved a recommendation on tithing. Might be out of order because it's more of a resolution. Will get referred. 2. Wiley Drake moved we join with something called American Spring which is calling for impeachment of Obama. Almost died for lack if a second. Will die in the program committee. 3. Alan Cross offered a motion asking the convention to authorize the president to appoint a task force to study the progress of racial reconciliation and make concrete proposals to further that cause. This has a good … [Read more...] about Motions Introduced

The scheduled time for the presidential election this morning is 10:30 AM. That is a change from previous conventions - the first election was always after lunch. But all the elections will be today. Ronnie Floyd is still the expected winner of the election, but there is a lot of Dennis Kim buzz around. Just don't know it will all play out. As far as I know, there are still just the three who will be nominated. I plan to update this post with news as the election progresses. … [Read more...] about Item 1: The Presidential Election

Last night David Platt brought a powerful, God-glorifying message calling us to worship and serve God. This AM we heard from Johnny Hunt, a message about our need to seek souls and reach the lost.  The guy following Johnny Hunt (Clayton King?) Is wearing jeans and a t-shirt and preaching powerfully. Eric Mason followed him with a distinct African-American style. Great message. I sit here while we sing "How Great Thou Art" after we just sang some loud, driving, contemporary music. Across the aisle from me is a man in a suit,  a traditional Baptist from the good old days. Behind him, a … [Read more...] about The Amazing Variety of the SBC

From time to time calls arise for us to go to regional conventions or online voting. I have a number of reasons for opposing those - theological, ecclesiological, pneumatological, and such. One reason is very personal and selfish. I love to come to the SBC and hang out with friends, people I communicate with online on an only daily basis but generally only see the second week of June. That is fellowship time I couldn't get glued to a screen in my office. So, what is going to happen in Baltiimore 2014? Some things are predictable while often the most controversial items seem to just arise. So, … [Read more...] about Things to Watch for at the SBC Annual Meeting 2014

After talking to a few folks, the best time to get together for a "Bluster of Bloggers" seems to be between the afternoon and evening sessions of the Pastors' Conference. We will meet at the Cheesecake Factory for supper (or just cheesecake if you want it). The Cheesecake Factory is about a 5 or 10 minute walk from the convention center, which is on Pratt. Take a right coming out of the convention center and walk down Pratt till you see the big ship (USS Constellation) and walk toward the harbor. Keep on going down past the ship, past the dragon boats (you will see them) until you reach the … [Read more...] about A Bluster of Bloggers (Well, Perhaps Two?)

I know, I know, we don't have a pope for several reasons - biblical, practical and traditional. But I still sometimes wish I had papal authority among Southern Baptists for a day or two. I could really make some significant, sensible and sure-fire changes that would forever change the direction of the SBC. Good changes? Bad? Not sure. But the SBC would change, that's indisputable! I realize some of these measures may sound harsh and extreme, but we live in extreme times. Here are some of the first actions I would take if I were the Baptist pope. 1) Excessive alliteration of sermons would … [Read more...] about If I Were the Baptist Pope

I have been in Boston and New York this week. Hung out with my granddaughter. Caught a Yankee game (2-1 victory over Oakland) and saw the Lion King on Broadway. Saturday morning we are leaving NYC and heading to Baltimore. I never know what kind of internet access I will have. So, if you have a post, put it up. If someone else just put one up, wait at least 4 hours. I would suggest that you not put up more general interest posts at this point. We might hold off on those until the convention ends. Once the convention starts I will be tweets and posting regularly and any other SBC Voices … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Contributors: Fire at Will!