SBC Voices

While our own (and more important) Blog Madness is going on, there is this silly little basketball tourney going on as well, the NCAA men's basketball championship. Big stuff happened today.  I thought you might want to talk about it. As always, with our sports forums, trash-talking is not only permitted, it is strongly encouraged. Two points of note today:  One, the Alabama Crimson Crud got knocked off by a team from just south of Sioux City.  Go Blue Jays. Also, #2 Mizzou got knocked off. Should be lots more to watch this weekend.   … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices NCAA March Madness Forum

There is a certain amount of arrogance, I suppose, in undertaking a subject like this.  It assumes that I know something about excellence in blogging or that I am an expert in building blogs.  I'm not. But I have been in blogging a long time (especially if measured in blog years), and I have observed the process.  Blogs come and go.  Most of the top SBC blogs back in 2006 either do not exist anymore or have faded out of the limelight.  If I named some of the luminaries of the Baptist Blogging world from back then, many of you would say, "Who?" I was a newbie back then, now I'm part of the … [Read more...] about How to Build an Excellent Baptist Blog

Some of you with nominated blogs need to get with the program.  Others are out there (in the spirit of fun and Christian charity) shamelessly promoting their blogs for the tournament. Eric Schumacher got it going with a free book offer to those who would vote for him! The best I have seen so far is Mike Leake's recently posted article:  "How to save cute little kittens."  In spite of the fact that it took an unwarranted shot at Yankee fans, it was brilliant. Some have just put up simple links to ask for votes.  Frank Gantz had a good one - even giving voting instructions. That is … [Read more...] about Inventive (and Approved) Methods of Electioneering for Blog Madness 2012

My wife and I have had a unique opportunity lately, taking classes in order to become foster parents.  In the classes, we have seen and heard the modern secular humanist ideas of what "discipline" is.  This is the model used by the public school system.  It's a mockery that they call it discipline, because it's anything but.  The basic premise comes from your friend Abraham Maslow, who made a hierarchy of needs.  His basic premise, however, is totally flawed.  It begins with humans who are "good" and if they have their needs met, they will achieve more and be better.  This this flawed … [Read more...] about The Problem with “Modern Discipline”

First, let me start with a confession.  Today was lots of fun for an Iowa pastor! I got to spend time with some really cool people, people whose names I have known for years and with whom I have interacte only (or mostly) online.  I got to chat with Ed Stetzer, Trevin Wax, to meet JD Greear and Matt Chandler, to have lunch with Travis Loller from Associated Press, and to share meals and coffee with Matt Svoboda, Micah Fries, and the Godfather of Baptist blogging, the inimitable Marty Duren. And LifeWay demonstrated some wonderful Southern hospitality.  They brought me here, put me up in … [Read more...] about Reflections on “The Gospel Project” Webcast – and a Challenge!

Here is the link to the gospel project webcast.  The webcast itself begins at 2:00 PM, but I think there will be coverage starting about 1:30 - that is Central Daylight Time. LifeWay has some of the friendliest people I've met, they've been great hosts. http://lifeway.live.s3.amazonaws.com/tgp.html Hope some of you will take the time to follow along. I will be adding comments below. Trevin Wax: going deep means different things to different people.  To some, its all about information, but even demons know.  Others simply want immediate application and treat the Bible like a … [Read more...] about The Gospel Project Webcast Is on NOW!

I'm at Lifeway Chapel, waiting for Matt Chandler to speak. I don't really know how to "live blog." but I'm trying. I'm using my phone and my fat fingers make that hard. I will be constantly updating this post. Rainer says 4500 have already signed up for gospel project. Chandler. Danger for LifeWay employees and church workers-that Jesus and the gospel become a product you package, present and promote instead of a personal commitment. He just apologized for using the ESV instead of Holman. Great moment. Paul utterly rejected confidence in the flesh (Phil 3) but often … [Read more...] about Matt Chandler at Lifeway Chapel

First, yes, the designation for Sioux City's airport is SUX. It is both a description and a designation. Assuming all goes well between here and Nashville, I will be live blogging from Lifeway tomorrow during the webcast introducing the Gospel Project Sunday School curriculum, at 2 Central time. I will also be tweeting at @davemiller7 during the day. Hope you will watch the webcast. Then we will actually be able to discuss what is really in TGP. Hope you will follow it tomorrow. … [Read more...] about From SUX to MSP to BNA for TGP

Tennessee pastor David Worley (known as Volfan007 to many) offered this good word about the essentials of church. What should a church be most interested in? Numbers and finances? Budgets and Backsides in the pews(or chairs)? I don’t think so. Oh, I’m not saying that these things are not important. They are. And, nobody would be more excited about my church having double the attendance that we have now, than me. Nobody would love to see the finances being much better and overflowing, than me. But, there are some people, who would make these things THE most important factors in determining if … [Read more...] about What Really Matters in the Church? (by David Worley)