Let me start this with a of honesty. I chose the word "like" instead of "love" for a reason. I don't love this solution. In my perfect world, we'd be voting to actually change the name of our convention to "Great Commission Baptists" instead of just adding it as a designation. Like Dr. Paige Patterson, I've wanted to see our regionally-focused name replaced for a long time. But the Task Force determined (and from what I have seen, rightly so) that a name change would cost so much and be so legally difficult that whatever benefits might come from it were not worth it. So, we are going to … [Read more...] about Why I Like “Great Commission Baptists”
A critique of “A Color-Blind Denomination”
My friend Raymond Dix is an African-American, Baptist pastor in a neighboring community. I asked him to read and respond to my post on "color-blindness", knowing that he would disagree with me on some key points. I offer his careful critique with his permission to further this needed discussion. Blessings, Todd ___________ A Critical Analysis of Todd Benkert’s “A Color-Blind Denomination?” By a Black Baptist Pastor Raymond C. Dix Jr. Berean Fellowship Baptist Church Gary, IN Let me begin this analysis by stating two of the most important facts found in my … [Read more...] about A critique of “A Color-Blind Denomination”
Remember Who You Are
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 Flee. Run. Hide. Seek. Turn. Emerge. Rinse and repeat? For too many people, life has become an extended game of playground freeze tag. There they stand, scattered around like trees in winter, fixed and flash-frozen either as they have been proclaimed to be by someone more righteous, or as they in their brokenness project themselves to be, perhaps in a state of readiness to run at the first approach . . . or in … [Read more...] about Remember Who You Are
Skirting Southern Sin
In two short weeks, ABC is launching a situation comedy that will simply be known as GCB. Please note that these are the same three initials found in the highly publicized, proposed, optional and informal replacement name for the Southern Baptist Convention. Ours may stand for "Great Commission Baptists" but the rest of America will soon associate the three initials GCB with the phrase "Good Christian Belles." Please understand I am using the term "belles" here in place of the British term for female dogs, which is inferred but cannot be used even by ABC in describing Christians. Apparently, … [Read more...] about Skirting Southern Sin
Affliction, Marriage, and Rescue
There are abominations which, like nests of vipers, lie so quietly within, that we hardly suspect they are there till the rod of affliction rouses them; then they hiss and show their venom. This discovery is indeed very distressing; yet, till it is made, we are prone to think ourselves much less vile than we really are, and cannot so heartily abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes. (John Newton, Letter to Mrs. Wilberforce) I would not necessarily consider marriage a “rod of affliction”. Marriage is wonderful. But marriage also comes with difficulties. Because God is radically … [Read more...] about Affliction, Marriage, and Rescue
Interview with “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” star Jeff Bethke
Unless you live under a rock and completely avoid social media, you’ve at least heard of my man Jeff Bethke’s viral YouTube video “Why I Love Jesus, But Hate Religion.” If you haven’t, watch it here. At the time of this post, just six weeks after its release, the video is sitting at 19.3 million views (I remember when it was a big deal to get to ONE million!). Jeff was kind enough to take a few minutes between speaking engagements and appearing on shows such as ABC Nightline to do a quick interview with me about his story and the making of his poems. For more interviews like this, click … [Read more...] about Interview with “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” star Jeff Bethke
Who is Authorized to Baptize? (by Stephen M Young)
(Stephen M Young is a missionary living in Brazil. He blogs at "Beyond Outreach" and has a personal blog as well. I appreciate him sharing this post with us.) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 I baptize you my brother… A few weeks into my freshman year at ETBU (1994), a … [Read more...] about Who is Authorized to Baptize? (by Stephen M Young)
How Nicknames Work
The nice thing about nicknames is that they aren't real and probably should not be taken too seriously. I have NEVER, EVER seen or heard of one being put up for a vote by any deliberative body. In other words, the people coming up with the nickname just sort of do it on their own authority. How strange that a committee formed on its own authority and not that of the Southern Baptist Convention did not feel empowered to just start using a totally optional nickname without asking for official say-so. If they want to start referring to Southern Baptists as "Great Commission Baptists" as a … [Read more...] about How Nicknames Work
The “Great Cop-Out Baptist” Convention
In the past, I've considered a full SBC name change a worthy idea. But it's more fun to be negative, so here are # reasons why the proposed "Great Commission Baptists" naming scheme is a failure. It's a deceitful label. With declining baptisms and missions giving, this looks like wishful thinking. "Rainer said Baptists need to spend more time spreading the faith to nonbelievers. In the 1950s, he said, there was one baptism for every 20 Southern Baptists. "Now, it takes 40 of our members to baptize one person," he said." (USA Today) It will accelerate the divisions. Instead of saying, … [Read more...] about The “Great Cop-Out Baptist” Convention
A “Color-Blind” Denomination?
When it comes to the issue of race, many today advocate that we take a “color-blind” approach. That is, in our interactions with people we should refuse to allow race to be a factor at all, whether we are interacting with a neighbor, talking about social issues, or choosing a Convention president. At this point in our history, however, a color-blind approach is counter-productive to achieving the racial unity we all desire. Certainly, the sentiment behind a color-blind approach is a positive one. It stems from a desire to act in a way that is free from racism and achieves the dream set … [Read more...] about A “Color-Blind” Denomination?