In practice, too many youth leaders portray a subtle skepticism about the power of the Word of God to change lives. I’m still shocked that I continue to receive invitations from youth pastors to preach to their students. I’m convicted that I have nothing to offer students to whom I preach but the hope of the gospel and the truth of the Scriptures. I don’t share a lot of stories. I’m definitely not trendy or cool in their eyes. I am simply a messenger who God has tasked to carry a message to parents, adult leaders, and teenagers who desperately need to hear it — the message of the … [Read more...] about Preaching Effectively to Generation Z
Most SBCers, naturally, live in SEC country
The SEC ventures west of the Mississippi to poach the University of Texas and Oklahoma University from the Big 12. The Big 12 was mostly the Big 1 and Eleven Others. Whatever, the SEC was already the dominant college athletic conference and adding Oklahoma, four college playoff appearances, enhanced that. Maybe Texas being in the SEC will motivate them to find a way to join the top tier in ways other than big hat talk. Credit to the Longhorns for beating Georgia in a less meaningful non-playoff bowl a few years ago. A win is a win and this Dawg fan doesn't make excuses for his team's losing, … [Read more...] about Most SBCers, naturally, live in SEC country
Social Media: 7 Tips for Christians
Last night I experienced a first on social media. A person claiming to follow Jesus Christ questioned my salvation. This individual did not know me nor anything about my beliefs — other than the fact that I differed with him regarding a political issue. A third person who also commented on the Facebook thread said they left evangelical Christianity because of the type of comments my critic used in the exchange. It doesn’t bother me that someone who doesn’t know me would make such a ridiculous claim regarding my faith. The incident, however, did make me think of how many times Christians have … [Read more...] about Social Media: 7 Tips for Christians
Youth Ministry Networks: 3 Reasons I Like Them
Leadership is a lonely place. Youth ministry leadership can be especially lonely, as youth ministers shepherd students who are facing challenges and issues unprecedented in previous generations. They sometimes serve in churches whose members resist their efforts to contextualize the gospel to reach students and find themselves in the role of trying to help these members, and even their pastors, to understand the importance of such contextualization. Youth leaders work long hours in ministry, often with little praise or recognition from members of their congregations. They fight the … [Read more...] about Youth Ministry Networks: 3 Reasons I Like Them
Are SBC Annual Meeting resolutions more harmful than helpful?
Answer: Absolutely...sometimes. Recent history makes this longtime SBC observer wonder if we would not be better off to find another approach to issues of note. What would that approach look like? I'm not sure but if the current system is a net negative then smart SBC people should find the more positive alternative. For some years I've taken the more radical position that we should eliminate resolutions entirely as an agenda item for the annual meeting. We've had, supposedly, the smartest people around to lead and populate the Committee on Resolutions, a committee that is directly … [Read more...] about Are SBC Annual Meeting resolutions more harmful than helpful?
I’m all vaxxed up. What to do as the delta variant revs up?
My wife and I went to our small town farmers market last Saturday. It was located behind the court house and there were a dozen or so vendors, hobbyists, veggie and fruit sellers. As soon as we had we walked into the area, I spotted a young guy headed for me. "Man," I thought, "this is some aggressive squash seller." Turns out he was with the health department which had a tent giving free COVID vaccines. "I'm all vaxxed up." I told him. "Have been since March." I'm pleased that local health people are semi-aggressive in promoting vaccinations. Frankly, it's a drop dead easy … [Read more...] about I’m all vaxxed up. What to do as the delta variant revs up?
What Ever Happened to Repentance?
Repentance. It’s a word that is largely absent as I’ve listened to prospective church members share their testimonies with me over the last decade. They mention sin, separation from God, the atoning work of Christ and the subsequent forgiveness it brings, but largely leave repentance out of their stories regarding their “conversion” experience. I’ve even heard some church leaders speak of their moral failure as if they were indifferent bystanders observing something being forced on them from an outside source. They talk about “fresh starts”, “new beginnings”, “forgiveness”, and others being … [Read more...] about What Ever Happened to Repentance?
Why I Am Glad I Joined the Conservative Baptist Network (Greg Davidson)
(Editor's Note: We often open our pages to counterpoint posts. Greg is an "SBC Voice" and even though none of us on the Voices team are CBN and generally oppose the organization strongly, we are willing to give opposing views.) I am a California pastor who loves pastoring in the great state of California with some of the most courageous pastors I have ever had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside. This past year we have stood as brothers through persecution, financial distress, declining church attendance, and a spiritual, mental, and emotional crisis among our church members that … [Read more...] about Why I Am Glad I Joined the Conservative Baptist Network (Greg Davidson)
The Snarling Dogs of “Discernment”
I first went to Africa in 1988, a life-changing trip to Tanzania. Eastern Africa teems with exotic wildlife and our missionary host told us many stories about encounters he'd had with the animals people travel the world to see. One interesting tidbit he shared with us stuck with me. He asked us what we thought might be considered the most dangerous animal in Africa. Lions are greatly feared, as are cape buffalo. It was either orangutans or baboons that were especially dangerous, but he told us that one of the most feared animals was a pack of wild dogs. If you encountered such a pack in the … [Read more...] about The Snarling Dogs of “Discernment”
Diversity and Unity in the Gospel
Growing up, I had the privilege of living in West Berlin, Germany during the Cold War (1981-1986). While in Berlin, my family attended Berlin Baptist Church, an international church whose members came from England, Lebanon, Vietnam, Indonesia, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia, Germany, and Cambodia. Being a part of such a diverse body of believers. taught me two important lessons. First, I learned to celebrate the beauty of cultural diversity as a gift of God. Each culture at our church possessed different customs and cultural expressions. Even though we had English in common, our native … [Read more...] about Diversity and Unity in the Gospel