SBC Voices

It wasn't that long ago that Baptist churches were marked by five key services a week - Sunday School, Morning Worship, Training Union, Evening Worship and Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. Training union was the first to enter the endangered species list, and Sunday night worship is not far behind. I would guess that Sunday night worship is now held at a minority of Baptist churches, but I've not seen statistical evidence on that. Certainly, it is true in Iowa. Wednesday night prayer meeting may be the next on that list. I am just wondering, as a discussion question, what you do at your … [Read more...] about Whither “Prayer Meeting?”

If you have been in ministry any length of time, you could compile a list for me of people who have offered themselves for baptism, seemed to know all the right answers and evidenced a strong profession of faith. Then, after the baptism, the faith that flamed fizzles fast. Where are they now? Who knows? It is an all-too-common story. And any genuine minister of the gospel is bothered by that story. Did I fail to examine the candidate for baptism well enough? Should I have done something more? Something different? One human and understandable response to this unfortunate story is for … [Read more...] about How Much Discipleship Ought We Do BEFORE Baptism?

I perused two blog posts today - both were lists.  Both were worth reading and devoting some time to. The first was from Ron Edmondson and the post was called "7 of my biggest frustrations as a leader." He mentioned pettiness, selfishness, rudeness, narrow-mindedness, stubbornness, unforgiveness and recklessness. These are also evident in large supply in the blogging world (as are just about every form of fleshly behavior).  But what is most chilling is how often I see them in me. But the prize for "he stopped preaching and started meddling" goes to Joe Thorn, who wrote, "25 Marks of … [Read more...] about Two Lists Worth Reading

I have the unique opportunity, when I preside at a funeral, to do genuine, powerful and evangelistic ministry.  It is also a time in which I can be tempted to compromise truth, to curry favor with people instead of God, to unintentionally promote heresy and squander this unique opportunity. One Sunday afternoon a while back I sat at my desk working on my evening sermon when the phone rang.  One of our members had finally succumbed after a six month battle with brain cancer.  I headed outside into the dreary Iowa dusk to go and visit with this family for a few brief moments.  As I drove … [Read more...] about Doing Funerals without Burying the Truth

One of our evangelism strategies as a church is to use “GRACE” cards.  “What is a GRACE card”, you ask?  I’m glad you asked.  Let me explain. The concept behind a GRACE card is to bless our community.  Really the concept is to put words behind random acts of kindness.  Our church family is encouraged to take a GRACE card and to bless somebody throughout the week.  It can be as simple as buying a book of stamps or leaving quarters in a laundry machine.  Some like to purchase meals for the people behind them at a fast-food chain.  When you do this you simply leave a GRACE card. A GRACE … [Read more...] about What are “GRACE Cards”?

The Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees meets Monday, October 15. From all of the information available ahead of time, they will be discussing electing Jason Allen as President of the Seminary. We have been discussing his election potential around SBC blogs since his name came to light as the candidate from their search committee. (Or was that a team? I can never keep up.) Admittedly, I'm writing this before the meeting and so have no idea how it will actually turn out. I would say that the smart money is on the Trustees voting to proceed with Dr. Allen in the … [Read more...] about How will you respond (to the MWBTS Trustees)?

Ricky Kirk blogs at Panta ta Ethne. I was listening to Pastor Mark Sparks, youth pastor for Journey Youth Ministries at Tri-State Worship Center last night. He mentioned something that served to be a missing piece of the puzzle I've been working on this last 18 months. In beginning the initial exploration stages of planting a missional community, I have read much about engaging culture, reaching neighbors, and building long-term discipling relationships. Part of that is examining my tendency in relationship building as well as listening to the stories of others. Here's what I have stumbled … [Read more...] about We’ve Been Asking the Wrong Question! (by Ricky Kirk)

When does being a good role model require that we admit our sins? Stephanie and I work hard to present the best possible Christian model for our people group to see and emulate.  We make sure we are gracious as possible, as forgiving as we can be.  We take very seriously our responsibility to be "the only Bible people might ever read."  We strive for holiness and purity.  In short, we are the best Christians we can be both for God and for the sake of those who are observing us. We've always been willing to admit our mistakes to the people here.  If we react badly to something, we … [Read more...] about Shamefully Transparent