I doubt it. As tempted as I am to leave that as the entire blog, I will explain my thoughts. I think we as the SBC have become stagnant. There are some alive, vibrant churches out there, but as a whole, we have become still water. The push and pull and twist and tug have all negated each other and movement has stopped. Here are the root issues as I see them (this is my opinion). 1. The move to be missional has become a drive to reach people like us. Let's face it, the world has changed and we haven't. We are still fighting about hymns and organs, using powerpoint and under use online tech. … [Read more...] about Can The SBC Change?
Coming Home
For those who end up being replanted in North American soil... About 27 years ago, Cal and I left the US for the mission field. We were young and strong. We had a healthy sense of who we were, where we were from, and knew that God had spoken to us. We left behind extended families, barbecue, football, tulips in spring and leaves in the fall. We preserved the memory of places and people in our hearts. Over the years, we learned languages and foods. We ministered and taught. New workers were welcomed and later sent back to their original homes. Nationals resisted, listened, … [Read more...] about Coming Home
You Might Be a Cultural Christian If: (by Jerry Corbaley)
Jerry Corbaley blogs at Think the Thoughts? You think Jesus Christ was a good looking Caucasian with long flowing hair. You worship Jesus Christ as Savior, but not Lord. You think being rescued from the penalty of sin means that there are no consequences to the sins you commit. You think your pastor is responsible for your spiritual well-being. You pray often for the needs of the physical body, and have little appreciation for the spiritual treasure that is yours for the asking. You think that Jesus Christ would be a democrat or a republican. You think that America is liable … [Read more...] about You Might Be a Cultural Christian If: (by Jerry Corbaley)
Let’s Face It, Christian Republicans. We’ve Been Used!
It has been a remarkable phenomenon taking place in the last few years, and the tide only seems to be getting stronger. Since the halcyon days of the Moral Majority, the Republican Party has been the proud defender of "traditional family values." We knew that much of this support was tepid at best, but it was there nonetheless. The party platform opposed abortion, an unspeakable evil that must be opposed by anyone with basic moral sense. It stood for the "traditional family" against many initiatives pushed by the social progressives on the other side of the aisle. But the struggle was most … [Read more...] about Let’s Face It, Christian Republicans. We’ve Been Used!
The Church Going Full-Ninja
I had to have wasted a good hour. It was my first experience—at least that I recall—with a powerful sunbeam. I pondered the impact that this ray of light had upon our home. Its brightness exposed all of these little creatures. They looked like sea monkeys. Or floating pieces of dirt. They would soon take on a life of their own. I experimented with these dust fragments for all of five minutes. Then I did what all little boys do when confronted with invaders; I busted out my sweet ninja moves. I employed karate chop after karate chop to destroy these little minions bombarding our kitchen … [Read more...] about The Church Going Full-Ninja
Five Questions with…an IMBer Who Communicates
Welcome, folks, to yet another interview with an IMB worker; yes, those five-question time wasters are back despite popular demand. Lapses between interviews grow exponentially, mainly because nobody is answering my emails anymore. However, I crossed paths, virtually or literally, with someone too nice to turn me down. Fyve Legumbre works primarily as in the language learning department of the IMB. She’s been on the field, in one fashion or another, for more than 10 years and less than 25, and is a proven commodity in helping others learn and master new languages for the purpose of … [Read more...] about Five Questions with…an IMBer Who Communicates
When God Judges a Culture
“The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave…” ~ Genesis 18:20 With the gay marriage question before the Supreme Court, the media (social, news, or otherwise) outlets of our culture have seen an explosion of activity and strong opinion in both directions. At the core of this issue is the notion of homosexuality itself, and such always seems to draw minds to the story of God’s judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis. God determined to rain his judgment and wrath upon the culture of those cities because of the greatness of their sin. A hint of this sin is … [Read more...] about When God Judges a Culture
Jesus Is Better
Thanks, Greg, for sharing this (in the comments)! I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today... … [Read more...] about Jesus Is Better
Loss Leader Easter Sunday (by Dr. David Manner)
Dr. David W. Manner is the Associate Executive Director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter: @dwmanner. In retail, a loss leader is the practice of offering goods or services discounted at or below cost in order to draw consumers in. The strategy is that drawing them in will hopefully lead them to buy additional items at a higher price. Churches are formulating final plans for meaningful Easter worship services at the end of this week knowing they will potentially impact more attendees than … [Read more...] about Loss Leader Easter Sunday (by Dr. David Manner)
Follow (pt. 4): Help Others Follow Jesus
Below is part 4 (the conclusion) of an outreach and discipleship booklet I put together for my church based on an April 2013 sermon series by the same name. You can find Part 1: Give Up Your Life for Jesus, here; Part 2: Value Jesus Above All Else, here; and Part 3: Delight in the Father’s Love, here. Help Others Follow Jesus Jesus’ first followers were a group of common tradesmen, fishermen to be exact. They were use to long days on a boat, casting nets into the sea, and pulling in large hauls of fish. That is, if the day went well. It was a long, hard, dirty, smelly, sweaty … [Read more...] about Follow (pt. 4): Help Others Follow Jesus