SBC Voices

Maybe Our Worship Needs to be More “Organic”

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Francis Chan in a video session of Crazy Love brings up an idea that I’ve been kicking around in my head for a while—what would happen if we took the Gospel to a group of people, devoid of our cultural traditions about church, and they had nothing to build a church by except the Bible in their hands?  Would their church look much like our churches in America do today?  Probably not. A couple of weeks back, Dave Miller wrote about the idea of our culture dictating our worship “styles” and asked whether or not we were harming the God-intended cross-cultural unity of the church by demanding … [Read more...] about Maybe Our Worship Needs to be More “Organic”

The Flock

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A shepherd was put in charge of an average size flock of sheep, and he took too his task with joy and enthusiasm.  The shepherd was responsible, diligently and worked hard. He kept watch over his flock and rejoiced as the flock continued to increase. From a distance things looked great but there was a problem. The shepherd was extremely near sited and didn't see what was really going on. In the flock, there was a number of wolves disguised as sheep. They would take sheep, but as the sheep disappeared, wolves took their place. The growth in the flock was not sheep, but the enemy coming in.  … [Read more...] about The Flock

Merry Christmas To All!

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Galatians 4:1-7 (ESV) 1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principlesof the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas To All!

Helping Those Who Help in Tragedy

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I contacted Southbury Baptist Church, which Baptist Press said was on the front lines of our efforts to minister to the Newtown Community. It is, I believe, the closest Southern Baptist church to Sandy Hook. I received a letter from John Rowe a few days later (I'm guessing they are inundated) and I would share this letter with the Voices community. There are some prayer requests and information on more tangible help. Here is John's letter: ___________________________________ Mr. Miller My name is John Rowe and I am heading up the response to the contacts that we are receiving. Forgive … [Read more...] about Helping Those Who Help in Tragedy

Who’s to Blame?

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I've decided to remove my post because I believe I was careless with my words and unintentionally derided Christian homeschooling and Christian private schools. That is not my intention and I myself am quite happy with the education and influence of many Christians who homeschool, have been homeschooled, enroll their children in private Christian schools, and attend private Christian schools. I'm going to think about this over my own Christmas vacation and try to formulate something that is both edifying to other believers and focused on the need for greater Christian influence in the public … [Read more...] about Who’s to Blame?

A Holiday Reminder

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‘Tis the season… for depression and struggles, at least that’s what it seems like.  I have found here in recent weeks an upswing in counseling and people struggling with sin.  This seems odd given what we take this time of year to celebrate—the joy of the coming of our great Savior-King. Through the birth, life, perfect sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus we have hope.  By the grace of God through faith in Christ we have perfect salvation.  We who are born into this world in a state of sin, guilty and cursed, with no righteousness of our own, are given as a free gift the righteousness of … [Read more...] about A Holiday Reminder

“Going Bush” till 2013

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In Australia "going bush" describes those who leave civilization behind and head for the outback for a while. I am not planning to backpack or head for a cabin over the "holidays" but neither do I intend to be around this blog much. Contributors: starting Saturday and going through the first of the year, post at will. If you have something ready to go, and no one else has something up, put it up. Also, those of you who have admin capabilities, do whatever comment moderation you feel is needed.  Trust me, people actually enjoy it when you delete their comments - they never get mad and … [Read more...] about “Going Bush” till 2013

Rend Your Hearts Not Your Facebook Statuses

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“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. In Joel’s day (and even still today) a sign of great mourning and grief was to tear your garments.  It wasn’t that they’d bust out into Hulk Hogan’s “I’m a Real American Hero” and rip up their camel-haired cloaks to shreds.  It was usually a slit from bottom to top that indicated deep … [Read more...] about Rend Your Hearts Not Your Facebook Statuses

When the Fullness of Time Had Come…

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Galatians 4:4-5   But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Around 400 BC, God spoke to Israel through the prophet Malachi, calling Israel to repent of their sins. He lodged 5 accusations against them and gave evidence that each was true, in spite of Israel’s protestations of innocence. And then, God went silent. For nearly 400 years, there was no prophetic word given to the people of God. There were false prophets who claimed to have a word from God, and … [Read more...] about When the Fullness of Time Had Come…