Editor's note: Those of you who frequent the site probably notice that Dave generates a lot of the content himself. While he is away, you will likely see my name on posts a lot more often. Just think of it as me making up for lost time since I haven't posted in a while. This article is a repost from my own blog a while back. Yesterday, I got a strange call. As a pastor, I am no stranger to odd requests and since the church phone rings in our house; we get to answer a lot of calls that might be better left to the machine. When I answered the phone yesterday morning, the person on the … [Read more...] about Money, Ministry and Motivations
The Deputy Is on Duty
With Dave's departure for the island nation of Taiwan, I have been left to man the fort and keep posts posted and comments commented, or something like that. I have asked for help from all of our contributors in continuing to bring you some of the finest content we can produce, since I don't tend to write as many posts as Dave does. To that end, I am going to try and write a little more myself in the next couple of weeks and lean on the expertise of our crack staff. And if anyone tries to take advantage of the deputy, I fully intend to "nip it in the bud." Lastly, while the deputy is … [Read more...] about The Deputy Is on Duty
BOOK REVIEW: David Dockery’s “Southern Baptist Identity” (by Wes Kenney)
Wes Kenney blogs at "Reason for the Hope." It has often been said that, thanks to the battles of the last generation in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to return the convention to a commitment to biblical inerrancy, we can be grateful that theological discussions in the SBC can be conducted on that basis. We do not spend our time debating and arguing the veracity of the creation narrative or whether the teachings of Paul on gender roles and homosexuality are culturally conditioned. We have been set free to have robust theological debate on the basis of a firm reliance on scripture, … [Read more...] about BOOK REVIEW: David Dockery’s “Southern Baptist Identity” (by Wes Kenney)
We’re All Bivocational Ministers
Can you spot the bivocational minister? Whether you are a pastor who works full-time outside the church to support yourself and your family or not, this is a good verse for all of us: For this is our confidence: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with God-given sincerity and purity, not by fleshly wisdom but by God's grace. - 2 Cor 1:12 Paul's confidence was that his life was uniform; cohesive. Whether he was dealing in tent-making, preaching in the synagogues, engaging philosophers in the public places, or laboring … [Read more...] about We’re All Bivocational Ministers
Miller-OUT!
I am headed to Taiwan on Thursday. I've got a couple of posts set up for tomorrow, but I won't likely be writing. I am continuing to ADD items to my to-do list quicker than I cross them off. SBC Voices will be in the hands of our writing staff during the next two weeks. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I will be back into the USA on July 26, and probably back to blogging a couple of days later. If I get a moment, I may write a post or two in the next two weeks, but I will not be around much. You will just have to survice without me. Hugs and Kisses. … [Read more...] about Miller-OUT!
How John Piper Helped Me in the Midst of Darkness
I wrote awhile back of what it is like when the lights go out in my fragile mind. I had a pretty intense period of darkness that finally seems to have lifted yesterday (Praise God!). One of the things that really helped me in the midst of darkness was John Piper’s When the Darkness Will Not Lift. I wanted to mention two points of counsel that really helped my soul. They may be surprising. Start with Despair It is really difficult being a pastor that struggles with depression. I feel a ton of added pressure to kick this depression thing. You never want your darkness to negatively … [Read more...] about How John Piper Helped Me in the Midst of Darkness
Resolution 8: Affirming Human Needs Ministry (SBC), Part 1 (by Alan Cross)
Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift. Last month(June 19-20, 2012), I submitted a resolution in New Orleans at the Southern Baptist Convention affirming human needs ministry. I initially called it "holistic" ministry, meaning that true gospel ministry addressed the whole person - spirit, soul, and body, as well as social, economic, and political structures. Part of my thinking here is that can be easy for Southern Baptists to focus only on preaching the Word and to neglect the whole person and society. Or, it can be easy to just focus on helping people and never get around to actually … [Read more...] about Resolution 8: Affirming Human Needs Ministry (SBC), Part 1 (by Alan Cross)
The Aniston Principle
What is truth? (John 18:38) In life, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish what is true from what is false. I mean, who wants to base their judgments and decisions upon faulty information? If only we could measure the plausibility of truth claims and sort through the cluttered deception of worldly fabrications. May I suggest, free of charge, that we adopt “the Aniston Principle” for the systematic processing of information by the otherwise gullible? Mr. Joshua Garlathy dodged child support payments for over a decade, owing $32,000 in back payments. Hiding in Hawaii, he was unwilling to … [Read more...] about The Aniston Principle
Overseas Mission Trips: Do They Serve a Legitimate Purpose?
I'm heading on a mission trip on Thursday, to Taiwan. I recounted the provision of God in a blog post yesterday. It was amazing. But some have pointed out how expensive mission trips are. We will spend between $15,000 to $18,000 on this trip. I will preach around 15 times in 9 days, and our team will lead youth group ministries, lead worship and do other tasks at a missionary conference. It's a lot of money for the ministry we are doing. Is it valuable? Is it worth it? It is cost-effective in terms of ministry? Tough questions. Some say that mission trips are a waste of time and … [Read more...] about Overseas Mission Trips: Do They Serve a Legitimate Purpose?
Declaring the Glory of God: How God Provided for My Trip to Taiwan
On Thursday, I am leaving for a mission trip to Taiwan. When God does something amazing, it is incumbent on the recipients of that amazing work to recount the goodness of God. I want to share what has happened and how this has all come together. Our primary work this time will be serving at the Taiwan Missionary Fellowship, a gathering of evangelical missionaries from all over Taiwan. We will be leading the youth ministry for the week. Ben and Deserai (my son and daughter-in-law) will also be leading the music and worship time at the morning sessions for the adults and I will be teaching … [Read more...] about Declaring the Glory of God: How God Provided for My Trip to Taiwan