I was five when I trusted Jesus. Some might say that was too young. Maybe? I don't know. I would hesitate and think long about it if my child was that young. Looking back, I don't doubt it was a true faith, though maturity came much later. I was in college when I learned to own my faith. (I read somewhere recently that some come to faith like a bright flash, a light suddenly turning on. Others, though, are like the sun slowly creeping over the horizon. That was me.) Regardless of what we might think of how old a child might truly understand the Gospel, the fact is the Gospel is simple … [Read more...] about The Gospel, Simply
Not Bound
“The word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9 CSB). Say that with me: The word of God is not bound. If you’ve never noticed, we Americans like to think about freedom. A lot. It seems one of the deepest cultural fears is the idea that something will happen and we won’t be free. We celebrate freedom every year in a shindig of fireworks and booze (never a good combination, but we’re Baptists here, right? So, fireworks and soda, which is a little safer). And you might remember that brief time after 9/11 where French fries were redubbed by some as freedom fries. We love our freedom! And … [Read more...] about Not Bound
So, what’s the problem with choirs?
Here I am in retirement, free to worship where I please and not currently the pastor of a church. Were I, I suppose they would expect me to show up most every Sunday. I'm not a music person, other than I know what I like and don't like. In church music it's mostly don't like. But music isn't a deal breaker with me and the church I attend. Recently, my wife and I made a move back to my home church in part because she is an outstanding singer and the church has - GASP! - an actual volunteer choir that sings every Sunday. They're good. The congregation appreciates them. The choir members … [Read more...] about So, what’s the problem with choirs?
You gotta problem with this?
Up the road there lives a patriot...or a Christian...or...some melding of the two. Any problems here? Not that I would complain. It's private property and free speech. I've seen churches do worse like the one that covered up the cross on their sanctuary wall with a giant American flag. Only for a single Lord's Day. Around Easter, crosses abound sometimes draped with cloths of different colors. But I've never seen this one. … [Read more...] about You gotta problem with this?
Great Commission Giving. Trads and Cals now love that giving metric?
Does the love fest between the rabid Cals and the formerly militant, though now meek, Trads extend to Great Commission Giving, the SBC giving category that can't get any respect? I'm just trying to manage all the consequences of recent SBC political developments that have my head spinning. You'd think my Christian, Baptist, Southern Baptist colleagues would have more respect for their elders than to jerk their head this way and that with convention politics. Fantasyland, SBC style. So, the Trads love their presidential candidate, longtime follower of Jesus and John Calvin, Tom Ascol. I like … [Read more...] about Great Commission Giving. Trads and Cals now love that giving metric?
Hard Work and Harvest
My wife loves to garden. When we bought our house four years ago, one of her “must-haves” was a yard big enough for a garden. Then, our first spring together in our home, I went out to a patch of grass with our tiller, tore up the ground, and built a box around the churned dirt so she could have her garden. There is no question, though, that gardening is work as much as she enjoys it. Prepping the ground isn’t a one-time thing. You have to do it every year: Pull out the weeds, break up the dirt, ready the rows, plant the seeds, provide enough water, pull out more weeds, chase off the bugs, … [Read more...] about Hard Work and Harvest
If Anyone Remembers Me, I’m the Guy in Africa
There was a time when my trips to Taiwan or Israel or Senegal created something of a problem here at SBC Voices, since I was active on a daily basis. Such is not the case now, but I thought I would let folks know I am taking my 11th trip to the villages of the Casamance in Southern Senegal. Plan to return April 3. We walk from home to home telling Bible Stories and sharing the gospel. For many of these folks, it is their first exposure to the true gospel. Would appreciate your prayers. I have gotten sick the last few times I have gone and we have been encountering some resistance in … [Read more...] about If Anyone Remembers Me, I’m the Guy in Africa
Tom Ascol, Voddie Baucham and what a time to be in our Grand Convention!
While the SBC isn't 'woke' it may be drowsy at times and the joint announcement of the campaigns of anti-wokesters Tom Ascol and Voddie Baucham should rouse any sleepyheaded SBCers. When I've heard Tom Ascol, he has always handled himself well, at least on the floor of conventions. There has been a bit of a downgrade recently, recall the scurrilous trailer presented in Birmingham. Not his best moment, but, as Shelby Foote says, "Longevity conquers scandal every time." Ascol is the original rabid Calvinist and to the surprise of many is now allied with the old Trad anti-Cal faction. I … [Read more...] about Tom Ascol, Voddie Baucham and what a time to be in our Grand Convention!
His Name Is Derek
I was a junior in college, a brand-new student to the University of Oklahoma as a transfer from a school in my home state. I had grown up in a Christian home and given my life to Jesus at the age of five, with as much understanding as a five-year-old can have. Looking back, I don’t doubt the sincerity of that choice, but it took me a while to truly come to own my faith. I wish I remembered where I heard this recently: It was a conversation about how people come to faith. The testimonies we hear are often like Paul on the Damascus Road. The person was walking in spiritual darkness, then … [Read more...] about His Name Is Derek
Look for the lone, the sole, the indefatigable stalwart ONE AND ONLY pastor in most US congregations
"And, behold, I looked and saw a vast number of churches in the United States of America. I looked again and, behold, in most of these churches there was a single, solo, lone pastor serving them." I love these religion in America studies and surveys. This one presents what we all think is the ideal and normative US church: a rather small church that has a pastor, and only A pastor, not a team of pastors, not a lead/chief/senior/CEO pastor and a gaggle of sub/assistant/associate pastors. The National Congregations Study from the non-basketball side of Duke University has more data that you … [Read more...] about Look for the lone, the sole, the indefatigable stalwart ONE AND ONLY pastor in most US congregations