SBC Voices

As I look out over a congregation, any group that claims to be mostly made of up Believers, I am haunted by two things that always leave me wondering.  You see, Jesus said in Matthew chapter seven there will be people who think they are saved, but are not.  They have fruit, but it's bad fruit.  When judgement comes, they think they are in, but will hear "depart from me, I never knew you".   The second thing is a story I know from a very wise and Godly man.  When he was younger, he entered the ministry and began to pastor.  One evening he attended a revival meeting to support some of the work … [Read more...] about Are you sure you are saved?

You are lonely.  You passionately pray for God to bring a companion.  The next day you meet this absolutely amazing person of the opposite sex.  Everything seems perfect.  God has “finally opened up this door”.  Yeah, he’s not a believer, but you are confident that because God has perfectly aligned the stars this person will certainly become a believer soon enough.  It’s the will of God.  It has to be. I’ve counseled a good number of people with this very mindset (not just teenagers, either).  Things are lining up into place so this MUST be the will of God.  After all doesn’t God … [Read more...] about The Danger of “Open Doors”

Okay, I'm going to make some deductions from assumptions here.  If you don't agree with my assumptions you obviously will not agree with my deductions, but here goes anyway. I'm an American Idol fan.  It was not always so, but when my daughter hit her teenage years she began to demand more control of the remote and suddenly we were an American Idol family.  I've always loved the audition programs when people we wouldn't let sing a solo at church are shocked that they are turned down by the judges.  But since the advent of the DVR era, I have watched every episode of the last three … [Read more...] about American Idol, Simon, Encouragement and Ministry

Once again, SBC Voices' friend, the SBC Plodder (known in real life as William Thornton) shares his perspective with us.  Should be a good discussion. I love the brethren, my ministerial colleagues, fellow soldiers of the Lord, partners in our common calling of pastoral ministry; however, there is a malady that is common only to us: Chronic Clergy Complaining Syndrome (I recognize that my brethren have an unnatural and perhaps unhealthy love for alliteration and am happy to feed their addiction). Perhaps you have seen it, or, had it. I haven't overlooked that the data show that "clergy … [Read more...] about Chronic Clergy Complaining Syndrome (by William Thornton)

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.—Romans 8:20-22 Over this past month the country has been rocked with numerous tornadoes resulting in 500+ deaths, the latest 100+ from a single tornado, alone, in Joplin, MO—the deadliest single tornado on record.  And this not far removed from an earthquake that … [Read more...] about Creation is Groaning

I have been in vocational ministry for about a decade. I know many of you have done this for several decades and as I listen to advice and read and learn, I find out thing. There is a lot of people who basically say "your job will make you miserable." I have been taught that you spend 60-80% of your time doing the things you don't want to do and aren't not gifted at so you can spend the other 20-40% of the time doing the ministry you feel called to do. People will have unfair expectations, you work hard, you work long and they will still not be happy. People will assume you work an hour a … [Read more...] about Is Misery the Expectation?

I was a communications major in college, but in my small Baptist school that meant that I was part of the theater department.  In my junior year I got my first big part in a musical - Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls.  I was 19 years old and had to play an old man.  I just wasn't getting it - I couldn't find the soul of the character. One day, during rehearsal, the director said some words that stung me deeply.  "Dave, you sound like you are reading a phone book."  Now, I am not sure all that is encompassed in that statement, but I am pretty sure of one thing, it is not a compliment.  The … [Read more...] about Living for Heaven’s Amen

In Ephesians 4:11 Paul listed and described some roles within the church.  He wrote," And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.." (HCSB).  I was reading over this passage this morning and happened to check the comments at the bottom of the page. This is what it said: "Pastors do all for the church that a literal shepherd does for the sheep: feeds, nurtures, cares for, and protects from enemies.  A shepherd's task is not to acquire sheep.  However, if a shepherd does what he is supposed to do, he will have healthy sheep and his … [Read more...] about Pastors: Sheep Acquisition Professionals?

I wrote this awhile back when I was super busy with sermon preparation for a church camp that I was pastoring: I am super busy with camp and trying to prepare the “perfect” sermons to proclaim that Jesus is Enough. I have four sermons to preach (as well as write short devotions, team-time devotions, and put a little together for the morning worship services).  I have spent a good deal of time on sermon number one.  It keeps going through revision.  I get it all together and then decide to cut something.  Then I add something else.  Then I cut something else.  The process keeps … [Read more...] about Monday’s Ministry Musing: The Only Perfect Sermon Was Crucified