(Our friend the SBC Plodder gave me permission to republish this reflection on the recent workings at NAMB. Thanks, William.) Our North American Mission Board has been the closest thing to a completely dysfunctional agency that Southern Baptists have ever had. Well, let's go ahead and say that NAMB has absolutely been dysfunctional for most of the 21st century. Informed SBCers, even those who love to argue anything and everything, will likely not argue that point. Along came the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force and report and, more than any other SBC entity, NAMB was singled out for … [Read more...] about Feel Better about NAMB? (by William Thornton)
When God Seems Distant
I’ve had several people in my church come to me recently at different times but with the same issue: “I feel like I’m just going through the motions, and when I pray or read my Bible nothing is there. I’m not sure anymore if I’m even a Christian.” It’s those difficult moments where the God who has spoken and the God who is personal and near suddenly seems like the God who is so distant. We’ve likely all experienced those times—those spiritual valleys where we feel as if we’re alone, and no amount of prayer seems to break the depression. So, of course, it becomes easy to question and to … [Read more...] about When God Seems Distant
McMarriage Counseling
Thinking about what to write today, my wife suggested I write something lighter since my last few essays were heavy-duty. Wives are great for reading us husbands, aren’t they? Oftentimes I’m slow to recognize what my wife has known for a long time. Yesterday was a perfect example of this. We were home and I went to check myself in a mirror. As I was taming a wild hair I had an epiphany. “You know,” I said, turning to around to her. “You’re right. You really are blessed to have me as your husband.” I could tell by her face that I surprised her. I’m not sure what the rolling of her eyes … [Read more...] about McMarriage Counseling
Name Change Suggestion: How about “Ephesus Baptist Convention?”
I wonder what name our Lord and Savior would give to the Southern Baptist Convention? I've spent a lot of time in recent years studying and teaching from Revelation 2 and 3, the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor. I'm going to give you my opinion, and you can take it for what it is worth. As I look at the SBC, the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2 comes to mind. Would Jesus call us the "Ephesus Baptist Convention?" Jesus described the church at Ephesus in very complimentary terms in verses 2-3. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot … [Read more...] about Name Change Suggestion: How about “Ephesus Baptist Convention?”
Fun With Task Forces
My first experience with task forces came 25 years ago while I was a Resident Assistant at the University of Texas. The Director of Residence Hall Housing selected several RA's to serve on a task force addressing, if I recall, the subject of vandalism. We met a few times, made suggestions, shot most of them down and never really did anything. I was later informed by someone in the know that our task force was formed so the Director could say, whenever the subject came up: "I have formed a task force to look into this problem." It sounds decisive, no? A entire "force" of people were … [Read more...] about Fun With Task Forces
Who Are We to Teach Hope?
motorDeath comes easily in some places. As a general rule, the world is deadly. There are some locales, though, where death is a constant companion. Living is simply what people do while waiting to die. Death is closer than God, and has more explanations for its existence. In Port Au Prince, Haiti, if the earthquake didn’t get you, the cholera will. Or perhaps the mounds of garbage, left to rot by a municipality that lacks waste management plans, will lead to some sort of infection. The poverty could help in shuffling off this mortal coil; then again the limited access to medicine … [Read more...] about Who Are We to Teach Hope?
Missing the Point by Magnifying the Gospel? Problems with Gospel-Centered Terminology
Sometimes, I love an unorthodox approach and Alan Cross published one a few weeks ago. It spurred my thinking on an issue that's been roiling around in my brain since I attended the Band of Bloggers meeting a while back. I know I'm going to come across as way more confrontational and critical than I want to, but there is a key issue at stake here. My goal here is not so much to correct as to fine-tune and refine. Alan Cross is one of those bloggers who consistently makes me jealous, leaving me to think “I wish I’d said that.” In a post with a title that would make any good Baptist gasp, … [Read more...] about Missing the Point by Magnifying the Gospel? Problems with Gospel-Centered Terminology
SBC Voices and sbcIMPACT! are Joining Forces. Welcome to Our New Contributors
It is with a mixture of joy and sadness that I make this announcement. The contributors at sbcIMPACT have decided to deactivate regular posting on that site - one of the SBC's best blogs in the four years it has been in operation. Their name was also a description - those writers made an impact on the life of the SBC. That's the sad part. Now the happy time! The writers from sbcIMPACT are going to join forces with SBC Voices and become part of our writing team. While they may not have the time to maintain the regular posting schedule at IMPACT, they still have lots to say. So, we will … [Read more...] about SBC Voices and sbcIMPACT! are Joining Forces. Welcome to Our New Contributors
The Lengthening Shadow of Pro-Gay Theology
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. -- I Timothy 4:3-4 SPOILER ALERT: Pro-gay theology is untrue. I remember a time, way back in the '70s, when I had an ah-hah moment and it seemed obvious to me that the people around me -- especially my fellow Christians -- had somehow avoided the truth about homosexuality. Out of their in-bred squeamishness … [Read more...] about The Lengthening Shadow of Pro-Gay Theology
Are We Simply the Sum of Our Sins?
This was originally composed in March 2011. Enjoy. I went to the town of Puyo last week for the third time. It reminded me that I'd like to introduce you to a new friend. The first thing you'll notice about my pal Carlos is how shockingly skinny he is. Wow. If he stood sideways and stuck out his tongue, he would look like a zipper. If you put a quarter in his left hand and a dime in his right, he'd lose his balance. The second thing you'll observe is that Carlos is quite homosexual. If you watch a little longer, you'll see that he is probably more so than you originally … [Read more...] about Are We Simply the Sum of Our Sins?