SBC Voices

I hate when I see churches and Christian organizations engaged in hype, in PR. I think it is contrary to the way of Christ. We are used to hype and PR in the secular world. Lance Armstrong engaged in a massive campaign of PR hype for years, claiming to be clean, to be a victim of a massive conspiracy. Then the truth came out. How many times heave politicians or businessmen or sports executives played the "nothing is wrong" or "deny, deny, deny" game right up until the world crashes around them. And then the truth comes out. Now, instead of following Scripture, the church has bought into … [Read more...] about The Pernicious Effects of Hype and PR in Christian Organizations

    For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule”; in that day he will speak out, saying: “I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me leader of the people.” (Isaiah 3:6-7 ESV) In other words leadership is so scarce in the land that if a guy even looks like he could pose as a leader he is called for the job.  That’s like giving some dude a badge, a gun, and a nightstick just because he has a bushy mustache.  Paper … [Read more...] about Giving Badges to Guys With a Bushy Mustache

I suppose it is a story as old as time itself.  Man and woman, thrown together by circumstance.  Man tolerates the relationship while the woman is committed, heart and soul.  Eventually, woman finds a way (she believes) to bind her man to herself, to earn his heart-felt commitment once and for all. A baby. It is a formulaic storyline that fills our movies and programs, and for good reason.  It is a time-honored attempt to earn love, or something that emulates deep affection.  It's also pretty life-like.  Don't believe me? Read Genesis 29:31-34. Leah isn't loved, but she's pretty … [Read more...] about What’s Your Story?

It is not as bad as it sounds. I am in 99% enthusiastic support of the Baptist Faith and Message statement of 2000. I also agree that we need to have a confession of faith that defines our common doctrine and practice. I do not view the BF&M as an authoritative document - it is not a creed. But it is a useful doctrinal statement to which I give my essential support. But I do not completely and fully adhere to the document. Some of my disagreements are picky and essentially insignificant - quarrels over wording. I have one area in which I stand in strong disagreement with and violation … [Read more...] about I Disagree with the BF&M: Does It Matter?

Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. During some of the most contentious times in SBC life, there is one plea that keeps coming to my mind: that my generation of young men in ministry would grasp and instill Paul’s encouragement from 1 Tim. 4:12 for themselves.  These words are not inconsequential to older men, but challenged to younger.  Nevertheless, they were written to a young man who had great potential.  Paul recognized distinct virtues in Timothy.  After investing in him he sent him out to Ephesus to lead. Greg … [Read more...] about Man Up! (by Andy Hynes)

I enjoyed watching the twitter comments scroll by almost as much as the game. Baptists really love their football. But right after the Dodge Ram Commercial about farmers, my Twitter feed lit up. For the people I follow, that commercial was the unquestioned winner of the night. Here's the ad. Now, here is what Owen Strachan said about the commercial. The commercial breaks show the polar Americas: one loving nobility & honor & country, the other loving lust & hedonism & self Nailed it! GoDaddy.com has stooped as low as they can to sell their product. I will not … [Read more...] about Dodge Ram, GoDaddy and Owen Strachan

  Here is my prediction on the game: I don't care. Since the two teams-of-great-evil were defeated (Green Bay Packers and New Evil Patriots), and my man-crush Peyton Manning got knocked out, I don't care. If San Fran wins, cool. If Ray Lewis wins, cool. I will make one prediction: Coach Harbaugh's team will win. I will be in church tonight, feeling smug and superior to all of you who cancelled church. But the DVR will be recording it. … [Read more...] about A Harbaugh Bowl Open Forum

I was surprised last night, when my wife and I dined at a local eatery, that our server had not heard the now infamous story of the lady in St. Louis, Alois Bell, pastor of a church of about 15 people, who lost her cool after an 18% gratuity was added to her bill. Applebees tacks that on automatically if a party is 8 or more people, even if you split the bill as Ms Bell did. Angered by the automatic amount, Ms. Bell crossed out the tip and added a message that said, "I give God 10%, why do you get 18?" She then took the extra step to sign her bill "Pastor Alois Bell." Well done. If you are … [Read more...] about Reflections on the Credit Card Receipt Heard Round the World

William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. The list of largest churches in the SBC include just nine with reported weekly attendance over 10,000. My curiosity over just how Southern Baptist these churches really are led me to their public information. Most interesting was Village Church, ninth on the list and a church that has their constitution and by-laws on their website. The SBC at the national level has on occasion kicked out (or taken action to "cease their relationship" if you are picky about the language) churches for being too homosexual friendly and the basis for that action has been … [Read more...] about Elder Rule and the Baptist Faith and Message (by William Thornton)