SBC Voices

Through a college friend's Facebook page I became aware of the Barna Group's new survey entitled "Are Christians More Like Jesus or More Like the Pharisees." I predict widespread popularity for the article, since it has three things going for it: (a) It comes from the Barna Group, (b) It provides an opportunity for Christians to denigrate other Christians and other churches, and (c) It hurls the ever-popular epithet "Pharisee" while doing so. Really, it's a can't-miss survey. There's nothing new about people's claiming that they're like Jesus while other people are not (see "Historical … [Read more...] about Are Christian Statistical Researchers Like Jesus, the Pharisees, or Oliver Stone?

The only active ministry role I've ever formally filled is one of missionary.  Readers should not infer that I'm necessarily any good at it, of course.  My vocational ministry limitations simply mean I see many things through a missional filter to the exclusion of all other possible perspectives. While the overwhelmingly vast majority of my work has been in international settings, I think some of the lessons I've learned and techniques I've picked up can apply to the larger Christian community.  I tried to categorize my tips and lessons for your benefit, but in the end, they all fit under a … [Read more...] about Missional Advice: Living Where You Live

Our guest blogger today is Wade Phillips, who blogs at "A Good Infection".  He's a TV news anchor in MS and a husband/father/deacon/SS Teacher combo! After several years of prayer and thought, I have decided to make the leap. If all goes as planned, I will begin seminary classes during the summer session at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Since I currently work full-time in a non-ministry position, I will be taking classes online, at least in the beginning. At some point, I’ll have to come from behind my computer and take classes with the rest of the world. But for now, this is what … [Read more...] about The Ministry Journey: Some Questions at the Start (by Wade Phillips)

I’m on my couch attempting to relax. It’s been a stressful week and I would love to escape into a favorite television show. My muscles begin to relax…my shoulders loosen up a little. “Ahhh, yes…finally a little time to…” An agitated little boy approaches me. He’s whimpering and snot crying. My relaxation will have to wait. Finally, after a couple minutes of wailing, I am informed of the problem. He has lost a piece to a toy. It’s a piece that he has 8-10 others just like. He could still play his game if he didn’t have this little insignificant piece. Unfortunately for my relaxation … [Read more...] about Searching for Dirt

The SBC Plodder is blessing us again with his unique perspective. Thank you, William. ...if you check the latest job rankings. Clergy are ranked number 110 out of 200 job categories by CareerCast.com which analyzed data from the U.S. Labor Department, Bureau of Labor Statistics, other government agencies, trade associations and private survey firms. Depressed on Monday? You chose this rather meager and unsatisfying career path, but take heart: Your job ranking beats that of attorney (117) perhaps because attorneys slink around courthouses trying to scare up a retainer or two and … [Read more...] about Being a pastor is a pretty sorry job… (by William Thornton)

Ladies and gentlemen, I know you all read Dave Miller's post about heading east. Just a few minutes ago, Dave posted this on Facebook:   Totalled my Durango. Uninjured. Stranded in Hermann, Missouri. First of all, prayers of thanks that Dave is ok. Then: Please pray for Dave: 1. He's in Missouri, which always requires prayer. 2. He's totaled his vehicle, needs prayer for guidance. 3. He's not with his grandchildren, which is like depriving him of oxygen and needs prayer for patience.   Thanks for praying for Dave.   Now, back to Bart's post. … [Read more...] about A quick note

Bart Barber is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Farmersville, TX, and one of the mainstays of Baptist blogging through the years (Praisegod Barebones). Few things are as controversial among Southern Baptists as the employment status of a teacher or missionary. Counting the topics that have, each in their respective moment, sucked all of the oxygen out of the Southern Baptist blogosphere since 2006, the most populous category involves professorial employment. I'd like to take a few moments of your time to put forward some ideas I've come to embrace about how things ought to be in our … [Read more...] about A Few Thoughts about Denominational Hirings and Firings (by Bart Barber)

This has been said before, and I'm not the first to say it, but today I want to get out a soap box. You can disagree with me, tell me I'm wrong and crazy, but this is something I feel strongly about. In the SBC, we are the "people of the Book" and we say the Bible is sufficient, but there is one area I see we don't live it. I have torn a page out of the handbook for cooperate America and grafted it in our New Testament. That is this fascination with purpose statements, mission statements, vision casting and marketing. It's become ludicrous how much we would rather look like GE or IBM than like … [Read more...] about CEO No More

I just finished preaching and I'm heading east. Plan to drive till very late and make my way toward Lynchburg, VA, sometime tomorrow, to visit with the two cutest and most wonderful grandsons anyone ever had. You don't believe me? Take a gander at this photo. You are jealous now, aren't you? Anyway, I'll keep an eye on things here (evidently, they do have the internet now in Virginia), but I'll be even less involved than I have been around here recently. And honestly, folks, just because your kids and grandkids aren't as cute and wonderful as mine doesn't mean they aren't cute … [Read more...] about Pointing My Car East

That title bothers you doesn’t it? It bothers me too. But that is telling. We revere angels—as maybe we should. So I invite you to imagine a scenario with me for a moment. You’re driving home from work. You haven’t had codeine or any other mind-altering substance. You’ve been sleeping well. You didn’t have Indian food for lunch, either. All of a sudden you get this weird urge to pull over to the side of the road. You ignore it for awhile but after it keeps gnawing at your guts you sheepishly veer off to the shoulder. Your car has not been stopped for more than 15 seconds when a man … [Read more...] about That Angel is an Idiot