After the compensation study we have been discussing, I decided to edit and reprint an article I published here in December. Let me be clear, I am stating MY CONVICTIONS. While I believe they have a biblical basis, I am not trying to make them a universal demand for all. I got my first paycheck from a church in 1980, and have been in "full-time Christian ministry" for the last 30 years. I served as a youth pastor for five years in Tequesta, Florida, as a pastor for 4 years in Drakes Branch, Virginia, and am approaching my 20th year of ministry in Iowa - over 14 in Cedar Rapids and the last … [Read more...] about My Personal Conviction: I Will Not Negotiate Salary with my Churches
Nathan Finn’s “Baptist Identity” Series – A MUST READ!! (Don’t argue! Because I said so, that’s why!)
Dr. Nathan Finn, a prof at SEBTS, is doing a series of posts on Baptist Identity at his blog, "One Baptist Perspective." It is a must-read for all of us who call ourselves Baptists. I think he is on his fourth or fifth post in the series - his blog posts appear on our blogroll on the left of the main pain. Go back and read the whole series if you have missed it so far. Good stuff. … [Read more...] about Nathan Finn’s “Baptist Identity” Series – A MUST READ!! (Don’t argue! Because I said so, that’s why!)
Random Thoughts from the Black Hills
I'm on vacation and I'm not going to take the time to write much here. I've got a grandson to spoil and a limited time in which to do it. I remember being frustrated when my kids would come home from my parents house and we had to spend a day "detoxing" them and reminding them that rules have to be obeyed. It is much more fun on the other end - doing the spoiling and letting Faith and Josh worry about it later. 1) I had a thought, and don't really have the time to work it through. The Bible says that God loves us like a father. I think of how I look at my grandson and there is just an … [Read more...] about Random Thoughts from the Black Hills
Al Mohler, Homosexuality, and Job’s Friends
As you are certainly aware, there has been a good amount of discussion regarding Dr. Mohler’s comments at the SBC Annual Meeting. You can read the full transcript here. Or watch the video here. But most of the controversy stems from these words: But we as Evangelicals have a very sad history in dealing with this issue. We have told not the truth, but we’ve told about half the truth. We’ve told the biblical truth and that’s important, but we haven’t applied it in the biblical way. Not to put words in Dr. Mohler’s mouth but I think in part what he is saying is that we have been very … [Read more...] about Al Mohler, Homosexuality, and Job’s Friends
The Joy of Incapacitation
I have had surgery lately, fixed a gastro-esophageal issue I have. Since the surgery, I have been immobile. Most of my time in bed, in some pain and on medications. I have been healing ok. Your prayers will be appreciated. During my down time, I have been struggling with my lack of ability to do "stuff". I want to work, I want to get up and get things done. I am having a hard time with that, I feel like there are expectations of me, people who want me to work hard. I am not working hard, I am laying down, struggling with myself. The pain meds have diminished my capacity and … [Read more...] about The Joy of Incapacitation
What I like about Calvinists
Here's another submission from our friend William Thornton, the SBC Plodder. Somehow, I'm guessing this one could be a little lively. I'm of the opinion that the internet was made for Calvinists, since there seems to be so many of them who love endless discussions. I've been interacting with my Calvinistic brethren/sistren online for almost twenty years, going back to the SBC's old SBCNet Forum in the 1990s. I do like some things about them: Almost all of the calvinists I know are serious about their beliefs. An old prof said to our class years ago, "All you have is what you believe. … [Read more...] about What I like about Calvinists
Rethinking the Ministry of the Evangelists
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…--Ephesians 4:11-12 Most of us are likely familiar with the term “evangelist.” Certainly we have heard about Billy Graham and his crusades, and if you grew up in a Southern Baptist church you likely experienced more than one “revival” in which an “evangelist” came and spoke. Maybe it even had musical evangelists. Much of our modern conception about evangelists ties to the notion of revivalism in evangelical church life, but … [Read more...] about Rethinking the Ministry of the Evangelists
Monday’s Ministry Musing: How Important IS a Testimony?
This may be one of those articles that I look back on 10 years (or 10 days) from now and regret. I think I may be flirting with the idea of tipping over a sacred cow of modern evangelicalism. I’ll show you my cards up front…I’m not sure a personal testimony is really as important as we make it out to be. With every church interview I have ever been a part of this question is inevitable…”would you please share your testimony”. Granted, it’s a good question. You want to know that the person you are considering for membership, leadership, or whatever is actually a believer. The motivation … [Read more...] about Monday’s Ministry Musing: How Important IS a Testimony?
On Word Christian Soldiers
A decade ago I dabbled in stand-up comedy. My humor was the weird kind that when the punchline came you could almost count the beats before the audience got the joke. Thankfully, most everyone in the crowd (all 17 of them on a good night) usually got it. One of my favorites from those days was, "What's the deal with those 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books? I saw one the other day, 'Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul.' What if your pet was a chicken?" 3...2...1...aaaaaaand cue the laugh track. I know I see the world differently than a lot of people. My skewed perspective means I … [Read more...] about On Word Christian Soldiers
Mark Driscoll on Church Politics concerning Illegal-Immigrant Calvinist Homosexual Homophobes who Deny Baptist Identity in Emergent Megachurches
I actually have nothing to say. I'm on the way to Omaha to pick up the world's cutest and most wonderful grandson ever (and I will not tolerate debate on this issue). But here's the challenge. Top that title! There is a large cash prize (I'll take a dollar bill and blow it up to an 11x17 sheet of paper and mail it to you) for the best potentially controversial blog title. My money is on Doug Hibbard. … [Read more...] about Mark Driscoll on Church Politics concerning Illegal-Immigrant Calvinist Homosexual Homophobes who Deny Baptist Identity in Emergent Megachurches