Cooperation between local churches has long been a hallmark of Baptist identity. Going all the way back to the earliest English Separatists, Baptists have always understood that, though local churches are autonomous, we are better able to accomplish the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations when we partner together. Our history is filled with example after example of local churches that have worked together to fund, train, and send missionaries around the world. In many ways, these precedents are the foundation for the denominational structures that exist today. Whether it is the … [Read more...] about On the Value of Local Association Ministry (Phillip Powers)
SBC Voices’ #StandWithSurvivors project in Anaheim
SBC Voices* will be active this June at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim to give a voice to SBC abuse survivors, educate messengers about the need to support structural reforms on the denominational level, and help SBC churches minister well to survivors of abuse. We’ll be hosting a booth at the Pastors’ Conference and a breakout session on Tuesday night. The first objective of this project is to give SBC abuse survivors the opportunity to speak directly to Southern Baptist messengers about abuse. At the same time, we want to introduce SBC pastors and messengers to resources to help … [Read more...] about SBC Voices’ #StandWithSurvivors project in Anaheim
Debbie Vasquez and the fallacy of the “angry survivor”
Debbie Vasquez, now in her mid-sixties, was molested by a minister in her church beginning when she was 14 years old and was later impregnated by him. The perpetrator went on to pastor for decades, most recently at an SBC church that withdrew from the Convention when the credentials committee began an inquiry. If you don’t know her story, you can read about it here, and here, but I warn you, it’s a horrific story. Debbie has given me permission to share part of her story and our interaction with each other in this essay. I met Debbie Vasquez in 2019 at the close of the ERLC’s Caring Well … [Read more...] about Debbie Vasquez and the fallacy of the “angry survivor”
Inerrancy, the Resurrection, and Reconciling Gospel Accounts
I have been doing a sermon series called "Creation, Cradle, Cross, Crown" since the first of November. It was rooted in a story we told in Africa called "Creation to the Cross" which tells the Bible story from Creation to the Fall to the Law, to the Cross, and so on. I thought it might make an interesting sermon series. With a couple of preliminary sermons in November, I covered the Christmas story and then hit the highlights of the life of Christ leading up to Easter. Now, I am taking a few weeks to look at the post-Resurrection appearances of Christ and seeking to finalize the series on June … [Read more...] about Inerrancy, the Resurrection, and Reconciling Gospel Accounts
Interview with Daniel Dickard: Candidate for SBC Pastors’ Conference President
Up until a few weeks ago, I had personally never heard of Daniel Dickard. When he was announced as a candidate for SBC PC president, I reached out to him. His heart for ministry, for the SBC, and his passion for ministry exuded from him and I was greatly encouraged by our conversation. I asked if I could interview him for SBC Voices and introduce him to our readers here. _________ Daniel, you were telling me a little about how your family legacy is a key part of your story, can you share that with our readers? It is difficult to share my story without giving the broader story of God’s … [Read more...] about Interview with Daniel Dickard: Candidate for SBC Pastors’ Conference President
The sex abuse database, surely coming to a denomination near you
I am not the SBC Voices expert on sex abuse, nor on any component of SBC sex abuse solutions. But, I do read the things that pertain to it. Last week I wrote an article about the Sex Abuse Task Force and the deadline that is drawing near for the report of the investigative firm, Guidepost Solutions, LLC, to be released to the SATF. We are less than a month from that. The SATF gets an additional week after the report to digest it and make "suggestions" to the SBC. After that week the full Guidepost report plus the SATF suggestions must be released so we can all read it. We have less than … [Read more...] about The sex abuse database, surely coming to a denomination near you
What Do YOU Do with Old Bibles?
My dad devoted his life to studying and preaching God's word. He was kind of an old-fashioned guy, with fundamentalist leanings. He'd gone to Bob Jones until he got chased out of the school, but he never completely shook off his old-school ways. He spent hours daily studying his Bible (I mean 8 hours, 10 hours, every day) and this was before anyone had ever heard of computer software. He died believing that demons inhabited computers, except for MLB.com which allowed him to watch Yankees games. He wore out Bibles quickly. It shocked a lot of people, then, when one day in a sermon, he said … [Read more...] about What Do YOU Do with Old Bibles?
Yea, 25 days until the Guidepost final sex abuse report is released
The SBC has never done anything like this. That is, to have an unelected group (the Sex Abuse Task Force, appointed by SBC president Ed Litton) and give them an undefined and essentially unlimited budget to spend on an independent group which is to "review includes an investigation into any allegations of abuse, mishandling of abuse, mistreatment of victims, a pattern of intimidation of victims or advocates, and resistance to sexual abuse reform initiatives." (The full motion and other questions about the SATF and its work may be found here.) So, here we are less than a month before … [Read more...] about Yea, 25 days until the Guidepost final sex abuse report is released
Ministry beyond the manuals
If you’ve even been a shade tree mechanic you probably know the name Chilton. Their manuals on car repair were the gold standard for almost every make and model of car. They gave detailed explanations on almost every aspect of car maintenance. Founded in 1904 Chilton soon became a leader for manuals in all types of industries. If you had a problem you couldn’t figure out, or if you tore apart a carburetor and couldn’t get it back together, Chiton’s could help you. The local library often had a huge collection of them, and before the internet they were the go-to source for car … [Read more...] about Ministry beyond the manuals
Wonderful Easter at two churches…to worship, see, and be seen
I was present for worship on Resurrection Sunday morning, not in one but two separate churches. It was a great Lord's Day. In my current church there were three services and my wife was singing in the choir for each one, leaving yours truly with extra time to scout around. Our church is a large, thriving church. It is also my home church from long ago prior to seminary and service as a pastor. I love the family atmosphere on Easter with kids being dressed up - little girls in frilly, lacy, brightly colored dresses. Some little boys in outfits with suspenders and bow ties. Ah, … [Read more...] about Wonderful Easter at two churches…to worship, see, and be seen