SBC Voices

I heard a sermon the other day that was a “good sermon”.  The speaker was funny.  The congregation was engaged.  The congregation was given very helpful pointers, things that would help in living better lives.  There was nothing heretical in the sermon; nothing that I could not heartily affirm.  Helpful, engaging, down-to-earth, and it used biblical principles.  Yet, after hearing the sermon I felt sick to my stomach. What caused my sickness?  Was it my breakfast burrito?  Perhaps too syrupy of pancakes?  That could have added to my sickness but the main problem was not in something I ate … [Read more...] about Monday’s Ministry Musing: Why I’m Sick of Hearing “Good” Sermons

As a rule, I do not tell jokes that involve God and his ways.  Just doesn’t seem right.  But this old joke makes a point. A man was trapped in a flood on top of a barn.  He prayed, calling out to God and a voice came from heaven saying, “I will save you, my son.”  With that confidence, he relaxed on the roof and awaited his rescue.  Soon, a man in a canoe came by and told him there was room in the front.  The man said no because he was waiting for God to save him.  As the waters continued to rise, a motorboat came by and offered him a ride.  Again, he turned it down and awaited divine … [Read more...] about One Thing Changed: The Key to Church Health and Growth?

Recently a young man in my church asked the question: is it okay for Christians to have doubt?  One well meaning lady told him that Christians shouldn’t experience doubt and he just needed to be more spiritual.  That answer left both he and I unsatisfied. Let’s face it—most if not all Christians, whether we want to admit it or not, experience moments where we identify very much with Thomas and you might as well dub us as “Doubting” Mike or Suzanne or Ichabod!  But what do we do with our doubt? Before anything else, we must remember to not glorify doubt.  In one seminary class, we were … [Read more...] about What do we do about doubt?

I have been guilty of telling many other people why they need Jesus, instead of sharing why I need Jesus.  I know sometimes it makes me come across as a "holier than, better than and more righteous than" sort of individual.  I don't want that.  I want to share with you, my friends, brothers and sister why I need Jesus. I am a sinner.  You all knew that.  I have some sins that I struggle with more than others.  I have the sin of pride, I try to study and learn and go, and as a result I often have a pride issue.  I am not quick to admit when I am wrong, I don't react well to criticism, even … [Read more...] about Why I Need Jesus

I always love reading William Thornton, the SBC Plodder.  But this time, he is just flat meddling!  Seriously, we pastors love our housing allowances, don't we?  Thanks for the knowledge, William. Lest we forget when we complain about the government – we are on the receiving end of a pretty significant tax loophole, the minister’s housing allowance. So far, President Obama hasn’t railed against it or labeled it ‘clergy welfare.’ I am unaware of any legitimate justification for this tax break, but then who said tax policy in this country had to be legitimate, sensible, or fair? Recent news … [Read more...] about Our Sacred Tax Break: The Minister’s Housing Allowance (by William Thornton)

I paid the slightest attention to the Casey Anthony murder trial in Florida.  Evidently, now, if you look up "dysfunctional family" on Wikipedia, the Anthony family photo pops up - what a mess.  I was aware the case had gone to the jury, but yesterday I checked my Facebook and saw anguished cries of pain at the injustice in Florida.  I checked Fox News and sure enough, Casey Anthony beat the rap.  She is legally not guilty of killing her child. Evidently, twelve jurors sat through hours and hours of testimony.  They were not allowed to watch the breathless 24/7 coverage of this trial and … [Read more...] about A Nation of Experts Renders a Verdict!

The disciples frantically shuffle through all their belongings hoping to find some bread.  “I thought Andrew was bringing the bread”, remarks a beleaguered Thomas.  “No, it was Thaddaeus”, Andrew responds.  Back and forth they go only to find one measly loaf of bread. Then their greatest fear is realized.  Jesus says, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” “GREAT! The Master knows.  Our foolish act of forgetting bread has been exposed.  And now Jesus, speaking in parables like he always does, is rebuking us for being so dense.  We are going to starve … [Read more...] about Jesus Has More Power Than My Lack of Bread

Alan Cross has been one of my favorite bloggers for years - insightful and incisive.  He writes at Downshore Drift.  We are glad to have one of his posts here at Voices. I walked into the massive building with my young children and was immediately overwhelmed and similarly impressed. We were visiting a megachurch on a weekend that I was away from home and we brought our children to the childcare center.  Behind the long desk was a bank of closed-circuit televisions that broadcast the goings on in each classroom. We gave our children over to the smiling people behind the desk and they gave us … [Read more...] about How Is Technology & Megachurch Altering Our Understanding of the Gospel? (by Alan Cross)

This is an IMB worker's response to  Anthony Russo's post "Should Christians Express Their Political Views?" For starters, I am uninterested in re-hashing the various points made during Mr. Russo's post, as well as those presented during the discussion.  Others have done an excellent job in raising perspectives that apply to the situation.  Instead, I would like to present a different view of the subject; this requires us to leave the North American environment and even the current year. Consider situations where Christians or the church have wed themselves to a particular political, … [Read more...] about Should Christians Express Their Political Views: A Response to Anthony Russo