SBC Voices

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!

Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey).  These are exciting days for Maryland Baptists for many reasons, but next week marks one of those reasons as we welcome our larger Southern Baptist family to our state’s largest and most influential city.  We hope you enjoy Baltimore! But several weeks ago, our excitement grew exponentially here in the “free state” when we learned that one of our own—Dr. Dennis Manpoong Kim—would be nominated for SBC President.  Many of … [Read more...] about What Maryland Baptists Would Say about Dr. Dennis Kim (by Joel Rainey)

The Baptists are coming- Don’t be scared The Baptists are coming- I hope you’re prepared The Baptists are coming- We won’t stay long The Baptists are coming- You better hold on! You’ve heard a lot about us, but now you get to see The chicken fryin’, gospel cryin’, SBC Led at the head by a man named Luter He’s a fast preachin’ , people reachin’ Real straight shooter. Who we are and what we do Might come as a big surprise to you. We don’t handle snakes, we don’t hate people Our women wear pants & we count them equal. We believe in the Scripture and the … [Read more...] about The Baptists are Coming

The local church is changing, just like everything else in this country.  The shift is seen all across our towns and cities.  It began with how we shop.  First, it was the local grocer in a small shop., It then it became the Supermarket which has given way to the Mega, Super-centers which have everything.  The days of the mom and pop local store are fading and they are closing up shop.  What the all in one stores didn't destroy, the mega specialty chain franchises have causes major problems.  There are a handful of small shops where I live that I use constantly, they are so hard to find these … [Read more...] about My Concern For Health of Church Community

The State of Texas has done it again. Highly credible internet sources (duh!) report that Texas resident Andrew Chifari ordered the most expensive Starbucks drink in history, a $54.75 monstrosity containing 60 shots of espresso, chocolate syrup, protein powder, and apparently gold leaf. That's right: the state that gave the nation Ross Perot, Gary Busey, and the Cadillac Ranch managed to produce someone with both the imagination and the cardiac fortitude to create and consume a 128-ounce caffeinated beverage, all on a free-drink coupon.  The teeming masses of our grateful and quite … [Read more...] about Judging Another Man’s Coffee

I know a group of cows is called a herd. If it's lions, it's a pride. Birds form a flock, but geese a gaggle. Fish never learn to read but together they are a school. So, what do you call a group of Baptist Bloggers who get together? I can think of no better name than a "Bluster of Bloggers." So, I'm trying to organize a Bluster of Bloggers in Baltimore next week. I've talked to my local contact and he tells me that there is a Cheesecake Factory near the convention center. Alas, there is no Beignet-bearing Cafe Du Monde anywhere, but cheesecake might be a good consolation prize. Now, … [Read more...] about A Bluster of Bloggers in Baltimore: A Real-Life Gathering