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
The Crucifixion of Jesus
The Crucifixion of Jesus 32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. … [Read more...] about The Crucifixion of Jesus
Missouri Baptists show us how to trash the Cooperative Program
One would think that Holy Week would be a week for NOT publishing controversial hard SBC news but since the Missouri state paper, The Pathway, chose yesterday to post a piece explaining how their state convention is undermining the venerable Cooperative Program, a timely response is needed. You don't have to agree with my take on this. Just don't complain about political posts being made during this, the holiest week of the Christian calendar. Churches now able to withhold funds from SBC entities in MBC's new 'Plan B' giving option State conventions are the collecting agents for our … [Read more...] about Missouri Baptists show us how to trash the Cooperative Program
Faithful
Faithful—it’s a word that means loyal and reliable, dedicated, steadfast. Faithful is what God is. Faithful is often not how I feel. I think there is a reason Hebrews 6:19 calls Jesus the anchor of the soul. We’re like a ship on the sea. Sometimes the weather is calm, and it seems like smooth sailing. Other times, we’re tossed here and there, wondering if the next wave will capsize us. Yet, there is Jesus, holding us, refusing to let us go. Thank God he is faithful. In 2 Timothy 2:11-13, we find a beautiful passage, a trustworthy saying, as Paul called it. Perhaps it was the theology of … [Read more...] about Faithful
Rejoice greatly!
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ________________ Have a great Lord's Day and Holy Week! … [Read more...] about Rejoice greatly!
To the surprise of many CP giving is up substantially
I've often written articles about the Cooperative Program, usually after the Executive Committee's monthly CP report. The theme has consistently been about declining revenues. But not today. Baptist Press reports National CP giving nearly $11M above budget halfway through fiscal year. This is significant enough that even longtime critics like our mod/lib friends report on it: Against the odds, the SBC is experiencing a double-digit increase in giving. Why the good news? Could be a lot of things but, clearly, the increases in giving express Southern Baptists' confidence in and … [Read more...] about To the surprise of many CP giving is up substantially