Dr. David W. Manner is Director of Worship and Administration at the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter: @dwmanner. Worship change is inevitable as congregations consider the fluidity of their surrounding cultures and contexts. It would stand to reason, then, that the leaders who facilitate worship in those ever changing congregations must also learn how to develop, cultivate, and lead change by listening to the voice of their community and congregation. How will those leaders be prepared to … [Read more...] about Are Baptist Colleges and Seminaries Preparing Worship Leaders for A Church That No Longer Exists? (by David Manner)
I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
I have made this statement and never had a preacher disagree with me. I spent the weekend doing a wedding and it was a delightful time. The bride and groom seem tremendously suited for one another and I think they will have a happy family. It was a good deal of work, but I had a great time at the dinner, at the wedding and at the reception. I was glad to have the chance to participate But I would still rather do a funeral. No, I'm not happy that someone has died and that people are grieving. But as a pastor, I find funerals to be much more fulfilling ministry than weddings. Maybe you … [Read more...] about I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ
Dr. Bart Barber weighs in on this issue that has been our main topic this week - the nomination of Dr. Jason Allen as the president of Midwestern Seminary. He raises several important issues and the article is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the topic. Go read it. He asks and gives informative answers to these five questions. Are you sure Dr. Allen is a Calvinist? Are you sure that Dr. Mohler is behind Dr. Allen's candidacy at MBTS? Is Dr. Allen's performance at his seminary church really the right measure of his candidacy? Is Dr. Allen a member / leader / … [Read more...] about Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ
You Can Trust That I Trust My IMB Trustees
This post is completely original in every way and wasn't at all inspired by any other posts out there anywhere. Trust me. And no, Dave Miller did not steal my thunder by posting his article before mine. A handful of years ago, the IMB decided to start discussions about a restructuring of the organization. Leaders requested ideas and input. Vice presidents gathered in hallways. Trustees examined policies and strategies. The tech department set up a blog site through which information was disseminated and comments were made. After much ado, Dr. Jerry Rankin began announcing the … [Read more...] about You Can Trust That I Trust My IMB Trustees
II Peter 3:18 Four Imperatives of a Forward Looking Faith Part IV (by Joe Blackmon)
Joe Blackmon attends an SBC church in Tennessee. He blogs at Hear God Speak. You can follow him on Twitter @joe_blackmon_72 Scripture tells us that we, who have trusted Christ to save us, are new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17). In fact, Ephesians 2:1 tells us prior to our conversion we were dead. So, not only are we new creatures, we’re new creatures who went from being stone cold dead to being alive. Now, living things have certain characteristics in common. One of those characteristics is growth. Living things grow. My children, a flower, a colony of bacteria, and a puppy dog will all … [Read more...] about II Peter 3:18 Four Imperatives of a Forward Looking Faith Part IV (by Joe Blackmon)
So It Is, So It Has Always Been: Baptists and the Trustees They (Sometimes) Trust
Long ago, Noah descended from Mt. Sinai carrying five smooth stones and a sling to Mt. Carmel where fire fell, parted the sea, and revealed stones upon which were written the essential principles of Southern Baptist polity. The basis of that polity has been, is now, and forever will be the trustee system. Each year, autonomous local churches gather in a large metropolitan area to hear sermons, elect officers, receive reports and to approve trustees for our various boards, agencies and entities. Those entities are then run and managed by those trustees. It was quite a revelation to me a few … [Read more...] about So It Is, So It Has Always Been: Baptists and the Trustees They (Sometimes) Trust
Did I See You At The Pole?
I dropped my daughter off at school this morning and I was overjoyed to see the kids around the flagpole. I was saddened that this year I couldn't join them. What a great event, a great stride for Christians having prayer in public school, which is 100% legal if you do it right. There is great opportunity for Christian activity on public school campus if it's done correctly. Items like the Equal Access Act give Christian students a right to have Christian clubs if the school allows any other clubs. It opens the door for great opportunity. We need Christian students who will stand up for … [Read more...] about Did I See You At The Pole?
Trust and the Trustees of MBTS
The presidential search team at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary plan on presenting Dr. Jason Allen as their nominee to be the next president of the institution. The process has raised the ire of some bloggers, one in particular who has now at least twice posted a list of trustee addresses (which are publically available) while encouraging others to write and express their displeasure. One of the main issues is the desire of the search team and trustees to keep details of meetings and other aspects of the search process in confidence. Part of the rally cry has been, “If you … [Read more...] about Trust and the Trustees of MBTS
I Apologize in Advance….
Since I don't really care that much about the NFL (at least not while important things like Yankees baseball are still going on), I've watched the foofaraw about replacement refs with amusement. I would make two observations: 1) Everyone complained non-stop about the REAL refs, so some of this is just sour grapes. 2) Think about it, folks. The New England Patriots are 1-2. The Pack is 1-2. New Orleans is 0-3. Can we really say this is a bad thing? We have to admit the replacement refs have done some level of community service. Anyway, in addition to apologizing for those … [Read more...] about I Apologize in Advance….
I Can See You
I saw a Twilight Zone episode years ago about a man who was being punished by being marked. That mark meant that he was functionally invisible, no one could talk to him, address him or help him. He had no interaction with anyone for a year. Sometimes I feel like I am stuck in that episode, like I am seen, but not really seen. More than that, I think the church sometimes does a lousy job of making people functionally invisible. We don't mean to do it, it just sort of happens. Unwed moms, we often just turn away. People who are hurt by the church and become fringe members, as long as we still … [Read more...] about I Can See You