Over the past two years, I have learned more about SBC/Baptist life than I ever have in the churches I've worked with. I've seen the good and the bad, said the good and the bad, and have grown a ton through my interactions here. Thank you all, especially Dave and the regulars for your support, encouragement, and correction as I've become a man in many ways through my experiences here. I leave SBC Voices with great appreciation for my time here, and will always be thankful for it! I'm working at an Acts 29 church now (I know... I know...), but will likely always be a Southern Baptist by … [Read more...] about Goodbye, SBC Voices.
Yes. Peter Lumpkins Got a Time-Out
I usually defend Peter's blog as an interesting side-note to the Baptist conversation. Other times, I call him our weird cousin from Georgia. Either way, I think SBC Voices should be a place where outliers find their place. He earned a brief time-out the Jonathan Merritt posts. That seems over except for a few private grudges. Peter, welcome back. Any protests are welcome in the comments. Watch below if you are still upset. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSReSGe200A … [Read more...] about Yes. Peter Lumpkins Got a Time-Out
Why I’m Sending Back The Gospel Project
It finally arrived. A few days ago the UPS guy lugged in two hefty boxes. Inside the boxes contained a treasure that I have been awaiting for months now. I honestly, have never been so excited about a Sunday school curriculum. I opened the box and with trembling hands pulled out the leaders guides to The Gospel Project. In my feeble hands I was holding the most potent and subtle dose of Arminian/Traditionalist/non-Calvinistic kryptonite this world has ever seen. From various sources I have been informed that this Gospel Project thing was a subtle way to indoctrinate our churches in … [Read more...] about Why I’m Sending Back The Gospel Project
Blogging is only a start
I posted my first blog post in 2008. Since then, I have blogged at my blog, blogged at other people's blog, and I blog here as well. I have blogged on issues, I have blogged to get free stuff, and I have blogged to vent anger. I have also blogged to celebrate events and to promote places I think are good. Some of what I blog about are things I would like to see changed. That's good, but there is a relevant addition to this reality. Blogs, on their own, do not change much. That is not to say that a blog is not useful, but when you want to see organizational or institutional change, a blog is … [Read more...] about Blogging is only a start
Correcting Misconceptions about SBC Voices
I got a direct message on Twitter from a friend when I got home today, asking why he had been placed on moderation. Somehow, our computer had read him as a new user and blocked his comments until I approved them. But that started me thinking how often people seem to have mistaken ideas about how we operate here at Voices, and what I do here. So, I thought I would share a few facts I have shared before. Several times recently, I have been asked questions that indicate that there is widespread misunderstanding about how we work. Frankly, some of that is intentional. There are people out … [Read more...] about Correcting Misconceptions about SBC Voices
Gabby Douglas Interview
Saw this at Denny Burk's site. If you didn't see it there (and shame on you if you don't read Denny regularly!), here it is. Iowa is proud of our champ, even if she is a transplant! … [Read more...] about Gabby Douglas Interview
A Suggestion for Better Baptist Blogging
I am a conflicted blogger. I love blogging and I love this site, and yet I am often concerned about whether the way we do things is the right way. There can be little doubt about the popularity and expanded impact of blogging. But the question still remains as to whether what we do is spiritually productive. Are we an asset to the kingdom or do we hinder God's work? If we are going to improve our work, a little self-reflection is in order. I think there is a simple way for each of us to review our own record as bloggers - to do a little self-evaluation that could help us. Here's my idea; … [Read more...] about A Suggestion for Better Baptist Blogging
Beyond Chikin and Kissin’ are People in Pain
Chicken sandwich wrappers are headed to the landfill in record numbers. Digestive juices have done their duty. Thousands upon thousands of waffle fries have worked their way into the calorie count. And it's Thursday and we're hungry again. Thousands of men and women who struggle with sexual identity, poised between the pain of the pull, paused to watch the lines grow and the commentators commentate and the pundits pundit and beneath the wash of explanations and declarations, they pondered the rationales and motivations and tried to uncover what it all means for the gnawing … [Read more...] about Beyond Chikin and Kissin’ are People in Pain
Have Some SBC Critics “Nuked the Fridge?”
The last (hopefully) iteration of the Indiana Jones franchise, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" has spawned a slightly more modern version of the widely-used term, "jumped the shark." That term refers to a point at which a TV program's popularity peaks and it begins its downhill slide; a referenced based on the "Happy Days" episode in which Fonzie ski-jumped over a pit of hungry sharks. In Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones hides in a lead-lined refrigerator to protect himself from a nuclear blast. The lead fridge not only protected him, but the blast propelled him to safety. … [Read more...] about Have Some SBC Critics “Nuked the Fridge?”
Lessons for a Car Accident
I got in a car accident last week and totaled my pickup. I really loved that truck too, it was a great truck. I got a new truck with the help of my car accident lawyer that helped me win the case and I really like the new one, but I didn't write this post to talk about trucks. I want to talk about compassion, and how I have seen compassion. I found something extremely disturbing. This is a trend I have seen in church, in community and on blogs, and it's really starting to disturb me. Compassion comes from the world in much greater supply than it does from God's people. When I have had … [Read more...] about Lessons for a Car Accident