SBC Voices

Thomas Magers is the pastor of Tiplersville Baptist Church in Tiplersville, MS and is a student at NOBTS. The movie Noah will feature a disclaimer to announce to moviegoers that Noah is not entirely biblical. The disclaimer reads, “The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values, and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.” The movie has not been released yet, so I cannot comment on the … [Read more...] about Artistic License: Noah the Movie and Biblical Interpretation (by Thomas Magers II)

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Jesus said that, according to Paul in Acts 20:35. I have heard that verse used in giving appeals all my life. "If you will only give, and give generously, you will receive a greater blessing." That is true and perhaps that is what Jesus meant in the original (and unknown) context of this statement.  But that not what Paul was saying when he quoted Christ. He had a specific reason and purpose which we must understand as leaders of Christ's church. Paul was speaking to the elders of the Ephesian church, sharing his parting words. He told them … [Read more...] about A Good Shepherd Feeds the Sheep; He Does Not EAT Them!

In Back to the Future II, Biff Tannen, the stories lug-headed bad guy, travels back to 1955 and hands a Sports Almanac from 2015 to his 1955 self. Biff becomes the “luckiest man on earth” and predictably quite successful. Knowing the outcome of every sporting event might make your Super Bowl party a tad boring but it’d make your wallets quite fat. Sometimes I think about how sweet it would be to have a world almanac that would “predict” the events that were going to take place for the next sixty years. But I’ll tell you what I’d really like. I’d like a lengthy letter from Jesus that … [Read more...] about Biff and His Book

The Convention will only deem a church to be in FRIENDLY Cooperation...which...has not intentionally operated in...opposition to the doctrine expressed in the [BFM2K]. —EMPHASIS Mine I am committed to cooperating with Southern Baptists no matter how the convention might choose to characterize that cooperation. While I prefer the designation friendly cooperation, if my choices are between "friendly non-cooperation" and "unfriendly cooperation," then I will choose the latter, instructing our financial ministry assistant to forward all funds through denominational channels with a scowl planted … [Read more...] about Pledging My Unfriendly Cooperation

I believe that pastors/elders/overseers are to give leadership to the congregation. I am also a congregationalist, which means that I believe that pastors/elders/overseers are accountable to the congregation and that congregations should attain consensus upon important decisions, as measured by processes that permit members of the congregation to give input, ask questions, offer different points of view for consideration, and decisively indicate their agreement (or, conversely, their disagreement). The New Testament puts before us both the authority of the pastors and the authority of the … [Read more...] about When to Hold ‘Em, When to Fold ‘Em: Pastoral Leadership and Pastoral Humility

As ministers of the Gospel, and more than that as Christians, we are in the truth business. We commit our lives to the Truth (John 14:6) and are commanded to think on things that are true (Philippians 4:8). What do we need to know the truth about? Who do we tell it to? Here are three things that I think we need to be solid on the truth about. These are certainly not exhaustive—if they were, I would have one sermon and just repreach it until everyone got it. 1. We need to be clear on the truth about God. Who is God? What do we know about God? How do we know it? Our doctrine of Scripture … [Read more...] about In the Truth Business

If there is one issue that seems to cause tension between older and younger leaders, it's the issue or respect (or sometimes lack there of).  It causes issues between teens and adults, older and younger youth, pastors and congregations, husbands and wives.  Respect causes issues.  Should we expect and demand respect?  Should I be respected by my peers, by my kids, by my readers and by others? I worked for many years as a Substitute teacher while I served as a youth pastor and one class was rude to the previous substitute.  They had to write an essay on respect, what it is and when to show … [Read more...] about Should We Expect Respect