SBC Voices

NOTE: I have just released a book which compiles (and edits and expands) these posts. It is called "Disqualified? What the Bible Says about Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry."   It is available on Amazon.com. The Kindle version will be released in the next couple of days - not sure what the hold-up is there. This book reviews the biblical evidence on divorce and remarriage, beginning with the cornerstone in the Old Testament - the twin principles of God's intent of marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman and the understanding of the brokenness caused by sin. It then lays the … [Read more...] about Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry: What Did Jesus Say?

SBC Voices is what I call a blue-collar blog.  We do not have the star power of some of the other active SBC blogs.  We are more of a discussion forum on Baptist issues.  Most of the prominent Baptist blogs focus on the ideas and opinions of one man.  They are good blogs, well worth reading.  But we are a little different.  You come to SBC Voices to talk about the issues you read about on other blogs.  We are a place for average Baptists to have a voice about what is going on in the SBC. At least, that is the goal. For years, we have done something called "Blog Madness" in March.  It's a … [Read more...] about Blue-Collar Blog Madness Coming Soon

I want to share a true story with you. The names have been omitted, except mine, because it's my story and I want to tell it that way. Once upon a time in a good ole SBC legacy state, there was a church. A church with "Together We Build" envelopes in the pews, WMU Circles, a day care, a youth group and grumpy old deacons. The grumpy old deacons were the guardians of everything in that church. There was one, in particular, who knew how to play the politics and play them well. He manipulated the operations of the nominating committee. He forced out youth ministers like a Steinbrenner. He … [Read more...] about SBC Politics and Mixed Emotions

Comrade Brady loses.  Premiere Belichick is defeated. The world, for a few brief moments, is a place of joy … [Read more...] about Once Again, Communism is Defeated!

I'd really like to watch a football game tonight.  Well, I'd like to watch the New York Giants beat the New England Communists, anyway. But I will be taping the game. We have church on Sunday night.  I know a lot of you no longer have Sunday Night services and I've wondered if they are going the way of the dodo bird, the mastodon and Training Union.  But we still have a service every Sunday night.  Sunday night is not a biblical mandate and those who don't have one are not sinning, but it is part of our regular weeking schedule. And I just can't bring myself to cancel the service or … [Read more...] about Brontosaurus Baptist Church: We Are Having Church Tonight

Green Lake Conference Center is gorgeous. Speaking at the Minnesota/Wisconsin pastors/wives retreat has been fun (for me at least). The people are wonderful. Internet and phone service not so great. Hope everyone is behaving. Contributors, take charge if needed but play nice. Someone keep an eye on CB Scott. … [Read more...] about Stranded at Green Lake.

I am excited about what might happen at this month's Executive Committee meeting.  I've been advocating for a name change for some time, so your decision to name this task force and study the issue, thought it has been controversial, was welcome to me. I have no doubt that you will have dealt with these issues thoughtfully and honorably as a task force.  Some of the best minds (and strongest personalities) we have in the SBC are in that group.   You chose well! I'm not going to try to tell you what name you should recommend. That is the part of this whole thing I've never been able to … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Bryant Wright and the Name-Change Task Force

Some questions to ponder, my beloved, blustery, battling, (bloviating?) Baptist-blogging buddies. Is there a secret conspiracy of Jewish bankers which has conspired through the centuries to control international monetary affairs? Did communists infiltrate every level of USA government and society during the Cold War era in an attempt to gain control of the US? Did the FBI, the mob, and/or the Cubans conspire to hire Lee Harvey Oswald to shoot JFK, or perhaps use him as a patsy in the operation? Did man really walk on the moon or was it all filmed on a sound stage somewhere? Did … [Read more...] about Is There a Reformed Conspiracy to Take Over the SBC?

I am not a conspiracy theorist. Don't talk to me about JFK, the Illuminati or Area 51. However, mindful of the fact that the Pharisees conspired with Judas to give up Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, we must admit in all fairness that sometimes there is indeed a conspiracy, even in religious matters. Just as businesses and politicians must deal with secret agendas, religious organizations are not immune from silent takeovers simply because our purposes are spiritual rather than financial or civic. As I write this, I am completely sober and of sound mind. I slept well last night, have risen … [Read more...] about Are We Being Reformed?

In the last 50 years, we have seen the removal of Christian influence in the public schools. The result of pro-secular idealism has created a moral vacuum in public education. The result of this moral decline has led many believing families to pull their kids out of the public education. This has created an even large moral and ethical voids. The children are suffering and need spiritual life. They need to hear about Jesus, but there is a systematic abandonment of the care of children. The pressing issue for me is how the church has begun to follow suit. We have begun to create children's … [Read more...] about The Abandonment of the Souls of Children