SBC Voices

I don't have time to write anything today (well, not this AM anyway) and my usually prolific team of writers are evidently busy with lesser things like ministry and family and such. So, I cruised the archives. This was originally posted on June 30. 2011. I'm doing a few small edits, but this is a reprint. I'd call it the "Best of Dave" but I think that might be trademarked and is a value judgment that is not mine to make! I am now in my ninth year of blogging - in blogger years that is ancient.  I have been involved in discussions of baptism and private prayer language, opined on the Wade … [Read more...] about The Baptist Blogger’s Code: Ten Rules* for Blogging (*Well, more like guidelines than actual rules)

I was 25 when I became a senior pastor. That was 15 years ago. Honestly, I’m a little down about this whole age thing. I’m looking back a little. Time has gone by so quickly. I have been reminiscing about life in the ministry. In looking back I have come to the conclusion that it would have been great if there were a mentor in my life to prepare me for ministry. The reality is, at that point, I was so hard headed I probably would not have listened to anyone. I was pretty independent. The only person I would have listened to was me. I wish 40 year old me had been around when I was 25. I would … [Read more...] about What 40 Year Old Me Would tell 25 Year Old Me

As we prepare for another national holiday devoted to drunken revelry tomorrow, CB reminds us of who St. Patrick really was.  The saint of God who became known as St. Patrick to the world was born in his native homeland of Scotland in A.D. 389. Below is a very short history of this tough-as-nails follower of Christ who became known as St. Patrick. (This is a story of the slave trade. Slavers have been parasites upon humanity since the early years of creation. The Bible records many such stories. The Bible also records the stories of God’s wonderful works of grace and deliverance in spite … [Read more...] about Patrick of Ireland was a Scot (by CB Scott)

Just read, as you probably have, that Fred Phelps is very near death. His family is at odds, and there is word that even Fred himself was excommunicated from his own "church" a few months ago. He is hovering on the brink of eternity and the church he founded will likely pass into the hands of one of his progeny, perhaps his daughter. Fred will be gone soon. I don't know how I should feel about this. How am I supposed to feel when Saddam is hanged or bin Laden takes a bullet? When great evil passes from this world there is a natural sigh of relief, a sense that the world is a better … [Read more...] about How Am I Supposed to Feel about Fred Phelps’ Death?

I have been a night owl since I can remember. My wife (a morning person to beat all morning people) has asked me a million times - why don't you just go to bed? I don't have a credible answer to that, except that I don't. Every night around 11 I tell myself I need to get to bed, but something deep inside me fights that decision. Of course, as a confirmed night owl, I have a serious allergy to mornings. They are of the devil! I think if I had the freedom to set my own schedule I'd be on a 2 or 3 AM bedtime with a wake-up call at 9 or 10 AM - followed by a strong pot of coffee to get me … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Forum: Night Owl? Morning Person? Does It Matter in Ministry?

I am grieved when I watch these preachers on tv who take advantage of people who are searching for help. Jesus called them sheep without a shepherd. May have looked like this. There was once a small flock of sheep who decided they needed a shepherd.  They began to look for a shepherd and in the search they met one they all liked.  He was big and strong and seemed to have everything they wanted.  He seemed like he knew a lot about helping sheep and seemed to care for their well being a great deal.  They decided to make this shepherd their care taker.  Things were going great, the flock was … [Read more...] about How to Eat Sheep

A young man walks into your office, and you share the gospel with him - that he is a guilty sinner headed to an eternal hell for whom Jesus died, paying the price for those sins. You explain that Jesus rose from the dead to offer new life to anyone who would believe in him. He responds to the message of love and grace, turning from his sins and trusting Christ. What do you do now? If we were back in the days of the book of Acts, I am convinced that the next thing we would do is seek out a body of water in which to baptize him. We would not even wait until the next Sunday service. … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Forum: What Precedes Baptism in Your Church?

Old School The modern Christian movement has enveloped itself in a battle over worship. Unfortunately, the primary issue is style, proving today’s impression of worship; starts and ends with “singing.” However, singing is not the end all of worship, but a single component. Our worship today often resembles a cultural shift based upon our demographic or target group, and I do not think it is safe. The second-generation disciples painted a picture of worship that I think can help us. They lived shortly after the original NT organization. After all, the New Testament church was a … [Read more...] about What was it like back in the day?

As some of you may know, I was nominated as president of the SBC recently by one of my followers on Twitter. To my surprise, a second quickly followed. I take this opportunity to publicly state that I accept the nomination. I look forward to a lively debate with the other nominees. Please allow me to outline some of the reasons I should be president of the SBC. An anon twitter personality has never been elected president of the SBC. I know this may come as a surprise to you, but it is true. Fifty-nine times we have elected a president. The SBC has existed for almost 170 years and not once … [Read more...] about “Eight Reasons to Elect me SBC President” by the Unappreciated Pastor