SBC Voices

...love them, hate them, or be ambivalent about them. According to Thom Ranier, head of LifeWay there are 177 of them in the SBC. That is, 177 churches that report on the Annual Church Profile an average primary worship attendance of at least 2,000 weekly and who give something to the Cooperative Program. Not all churches reported, so there's probably a few missing from this list. Some that are on the list are probably only nominally SBC. Some observations on the 177 megachurches: About 0.4% of SBC churches are megachurches but on an average Lord’s Day of the 6.2 million people that … [Read more...] about SBC Megachurches…(by William Thornton)

I’m growing, but I still have pack-rat tendencies. There are still a few objects that I have a really hard time getting rid of: screws, bolts, springs, various parts that I have no idea what they are or what they are for, old shirts, ratty jeans, and “important” papers that will probably in reality remain unnecessary until well after Jesus returns. I keep these things because, hey…you never know when you might need them.  Which has proven itself true maybe about three times in my life.  There was that one time that I was able to use a spring, then I needed some ratty jeans for a paint … [Read more...] about Hoarding v. A Daily God

At the sbctoday blog, Dr. Steve Lemke of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is currently writing a series of posts entitled “Distinctive Baptist Beliefs.”  While pointing out the many bridges between Baptists and Presbyterian traditions, he is seeking to also provide a series of distinctives that separate Baptists from our Presbyterian brethren.  The second distinctive concerns the age/state of accountability—a theological idea more readily recognized in the question, “What happens to babies when they die?” Many in both traditions posit that infants (and people, such as those who … [Read more...] about The Age (or State) of Accountability and Original Sin, One Baptist’s Perspective

Do you know a “close talker” - someone who stands too close to you as they talk.  When conversing with a close talker, I find myself slowly backing up, trying to get some distance, to maintain my “personal space.”  There it is; a mantra of our culture.  “Don’t invade my personal space.”  It makes me very uncomfortable when someone stands too close.  Each of us has a sense of territory and we want people to respect our privacy, our personal space. There are a lot of theological close talkers, who are not content to leave others their own personal space on issues of conscience.  On most issues, … [Read more...] about Personal Space Issues: Every Christian Has a Conscience! (Brick Walls, Picket Fences 12)

The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes - from every tribe, nation and language on earth.  We forget that to our own detriment. "The gospel" is also a buzzword among young evangelicals, who talk about being gospel-centered and gospel-focused. Nothing could be better.  We need to understand the gospel and to proclaim it clearly and forcefully. Everything we do must be gospel-centered and gospel-proclaiming. But I have a small problem with the "gospel" talk that goes on.  Of course, there are some who use "the gospel" as a theological wedge.  "My group … [Read more...] about I Have a “Gospel” Problem

Election is both conditional and unconditional. Election is unconditional in that it doesn't stem from any merit found within a human being; God simply chooses to provide salvation because of His inherent goodness, grace, and mercy (cf. Titus 3:5). A major advantage of examining soteriology from the perspective of unconditional election results in the understanding that salvation can't be "earned" or even "obtained" from one's inherent ability. Salvation is truly the gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9) and comes from God alone. Election is conditional, however, in that it requires a faith and … [Read more...] about My Take on the Doctrine of Election

Although I am not a moderate, I do serve as a moderator.  Since our church bylaws give the Pastor that responsibility, I do this about ten times per year. Occasionally, I run into that fairly rare situation in which my role as Pastor places me in the best position to speak intelligently about a concern, to actively propose or describe a situation in church life, or to address a matter from the perspective of one who is advocating a certain course of action. I certainly understand that it is not the moderator's role to advocate a position, but frankly, to guide the discussion, rule on … [Read more...] about Moderating and Advocating

On Henry Ford’s fiftieth wedding anniversary, he was asked for some advice on how to achieve marital bliss and longevity.  He replied, “Just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model.” The Bible is crystal clear; divorce is a sin.  According to the Bible, marriage is a lifetime commitment.  Jesus referred to married couples by saying, “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6).  Malachi 2:16 further reveals God’s heart in regards to this issue:  “I hate divorce, says the LORD God ofIsrael.”  Clearly, … [Read more...] about The Difficulties of Divorce and Remarriage