Do Not Give to the Cooperative Program! (Micah Fries)
Do not, under any circumstances, give your money to the Cooperative Program (CP). Seriously. I mean it. To many, I guess, this might seem odd since, Frederick Boulevard, the church I pastor gives 8% of our undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program. Ahhh, but there is the difference. Giving TO the CP, I think, is something entirely different thing than giving THROUGH the CP. The CP is undeniably an impressive vehicle to take our church’s money and help disperse it to missions causes all over the US and the world. It really is genius, if you think about it. It allows our church to … [Read more...] about Do Not Give to the Cooperative Program! (Micah Fries)
Lottie Moon or Global Missions Offering? (William Thornton)
(The SBC Plodder writes a lot about CP, Lottie and other such issues. Here's one for your perusal.) No. Plodder has not gone moderate. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Lottie Moon knockoff is called "Offering for Global Missions" although I've often seen it promoted as "Global Mission Offering." I don't know if any of the phrases are trademarked as are Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong. The blog title comes from the church I attended Sunday which was in the midst of promoting what they labeled "Global Missions Offering," a composite (and they explain this in their promotional … [Read more...] about Lottie Moon or Global Missions Offering? (William Thornton)
Tebow Warning: Sound FX Reveals the Real Timmy
Watch this ten minute video and you will see some interesting things about this Christian quarterback phenom. Observations: 1) The way he deals with the receiver who dropped the easy TD pass should be shown to every leader. 2) His calm demeanor in the most difficult and tumultuous circumstances. 3) His prayer life. He prays continually throughout the game. I especially appreciated that he never asked God for the victory, but that in victory or defeat he would glorify Christ. 4) Timmy can do anything except sing. Oh, my, he butchers some praise choruses! But hearing an … [Read more...] about Tebow Warning: Sound FX Reveals the Real Timmy
If Santa Is a Myth, What Is the Jesus of the Baptist Funeral? (by CB Scott)
Some of you might think CB Scott is a newcomer to Baptist Blogging, but he's one of the original "Wild West" era Baptist bloggers and one of its key figures through the years. He took a break recently when his town (Birmingham, AL) was devastated by a tornado and he led relief efforts. His words here are very wise. It is the Christmas season. Therefore several posts have appeared here at SBC Voices related to the various issues concerning the way individuals celebrate the Advent. No one can doubt that a great deal of myth has been attached to the time of the year when we formally celebrate … [Read more...] about If Santa Is a Myth, What Is the Jesus of the Baptist Funeral? (by CB Scott)
Why Don’t We Chant SBC?
Raised in what is now Big Twelve country, my football allegiance is to a certain burnt orange team currently rebuilding. However, when Oklahoma wins a football game or Kansas wins a basketball game, it frankly has never occurred to me to start chanting "Big Twelve! Big Twelve! Big Twelve!" Because we are part of the same conference organization, our interests often overlap, but I normally do not celebrate the victories of other teams within the Big Twelve as if their victory had anything to do with mine, at least not in the same way SEC teams often do. Of course, everyone doesn't do … [Read more...] about Why Don’t We Chant SBC?
Mark Driscoll “Sees Things” – I See the Rise of SES* in the SBC (*Supernaturalism Embarrassment Syndrome)
Let me begin with two admissions: 1) Mark Driscoll's "I See Things" video is a little outside of my comfort zone. I've "heard God's Voice." I've discerned the presence of demons. I've had some insights into the future and into people's lives that I can't describe any other way than God's Spirit. But I've never seen people's lives on a screen in front of me. The extent of Driscoll's "visions" and the way he describes them are beyond my experience - uncomfortably so. 2) If Benny Hinn or some other "charismaniac" said the same things, I'd probably be more likely to join into the … [Read more...] about Mark Driscoll “Sees Things” – I See the Rise of SES* in the SBC (*Supernaturalism Embarrassment Syndrome)
Things That Drive Me Crazy About Christmas
So this time of year is full of joy and slight annoyances. I wanted to share my list of humbugs with you as we are all joyus and grouchy. 1. X-Mas. It drives me crazy when Christians make a big deal about X-Mas (you heard me). X=Greek for Christ. WE STARTED THIS, we wrote x-mas when we understood what it meant. Pagan's don't want to take Christ out of Christmas, they are oblivious, they don't care. We did it, forgot we did it and then got ticked off. 2. Happy Holidays. Holiday means "Holy Days". It's not much different that Christmas, it means days that God set apart as Holy. STOP … [Read more...] about Things That Drive Me Crazy About Christmas
If Skip Bayless came to SBC Voices
Have you caught the fever yet? … [Read more...] about If Skip Bayless came to SBC Voices
SBC Voices 2011 “Top Ten” Baptist Blogging Issues and Events
Ed Stetzer released a post today called "Top Religion Stories of 2011 according to Huffpo." According to the Huffington Post, the top 11 stories of the year in the world of religion are: The Muslim Spring The Dalai Lama Steps Down Mormons in Politics The Muslims Are Coming, The Muslims Are Coming The End of the World Presbyterians Acknowledge Gays and Lesbians Can Be Ministers The Struggle for the Soul of Yoga A Jewish American-Israeli Rift? Occupy Faith The New Mass Interfaith Secularists While there are still two and a half weeks left in the year, and there is … [Read more...] about SBC Voices 2011 “Top Ten” Baptist Blogging Issues and Events