There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stain. Today is not a day for debate or discussion, but for reflection. This is a holy week, a week in which we think about one thing, one person – the most important thing that ever happened and the most important person who ever lived. I would ask you to celebrate with me, to join in the rejoicing over one fact, that there is indeed a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. … [Read more...] about The Crimson River: A Reflection on the Power of the Cross
Passion Week: Reflecting on the Death and Resurrection of Our Savior
We are going to take a break from our regular programming (unless something huge comes up) the rest of the week and focus our posts on the meaning and power of the Cross, of the glory of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Blogging is by nature divisive and causes us to major on secondary issues. Let us make the next few days "holy" - set apart for the consideration of the Cross and our Risen Lord. We believe that Jesus is the Divine Son, sent to live the life of perfect righteousness which we could not. We believe that having fulfilled all righteousness he offered himself as a … [Read more...] about Passion Week: Reflecting on the Death and Resurrection of Our Savior
Vance Pitman on Leadership
Pastor Vance Pitman graciously took the time to answer several questions about leadership, administration and church growth. I believe the SBCVoices audience will benefit from his words of wisdom and I hope each reader can take something back to their own church to help lead their congregation in God's direction. Vance Pitman is the Founding and Senior Pastor of Hope Baptist Church in Las Vegas, NV. Vance was raised in a Christian home and mentored by his father, a Southern Baptist Minister, Vance surrendered control of his life to Jesus Christ at age seventeen. At age eighteen, in response … [Read more...] about Vance Pitman on Leadership
The Gospel Hammer, the Idolatry Bludgeon, and Blogging Discussions
I attended the Band of Bloggers meeting in Chicago on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun and instructive. I had a chance to meet a few people and we had some interesting discussion on the dangers and blessings of blogging. Before I make my point, let me share some of the things that were discussed. The thrust of the meeting was "gospel-driven blogging" - what could be more noble? But one of the discussion leaders (I didn't take notes and can't remember who said it) said that "gospel" is in danger of becoming another undefined buzzword, much as "missional" has been. Actually, this is the … [Read more...] about The Gospel Hammer, the Idolatry Bludgeon, and Blogging Discussions
Practice Praise When Possible
When we moved to the Black Hills as Mission Service Corps(MSC) Missionaries back in 2003, I managed to find a job at a local call center in Rapid City as a way to help make ends meet. It was an inbound customer service center affiliated with GE and I started out in the department that took service calls from people who had appliances under service contracts or warranties. I won't bore you with the details, but those who have spent any time whatsoever in customer service of any kind, know that people generally only call such a place to complain about things. It is a service line you might … [Read more...] about Practice Praise When Possible
SBC Calvinism & Patriotic Worship: A Final Word
On Wednesday, SBCVoices published my post, "SBC's New Calvinism & Patriotic Worship: Part 1." Part 2, which is my response to Professor Stam's original letter that was published at B21, can be read here. Since my initial posts (both here and on my blog, From Law to Grace), I have gotten many responses — both positive (here and here) and negative (here and here) . Based upon this admittedly limited response, one could begin to understand one of the SBC's major fault lines – “majority Baptist theology” vs. “Reformed Baptist theology” – that Dr. Steve Lemke described in his recent post, “The … [Read more...] about SBC Calvinism & Patriotic Worship: A Final Word
Bringing Joy to Your Pastors
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.—Hebrews 13:17 Recently, there’s been some talk about the discouragement pastors face in their ministry. Even though discouragement is the reality of what is, it’s not what should be. But as much as God places the accountability of care and shepherding into the hands of men called pastors, he also places the accountability of bringing joy to pastors into the hands of the … [Read more...] about Bringing Joy to Your Pastors
Jesus was an Introvert!
Introverts of the world, disband. (It's ironic, because introverts like to be alone and. . . oh nevermind). I'm an introvert, if you hadn't guessed. I'm an introverted Associate Pastor, proving that God has a sense of humor. I am a low I on my DISC profile. Let's be honest, I don't like people. I like individuals, but groups of people are not my thing. I get overwhelmed by large groups, being with people drains me, even my closest friends. Like most introverts, I am surrounded by mostly extroverts who don't get me at all. Their idea of down time is being together. My idea of down … [Read more...] about Jesus was an Introvert!
Claire’s Prayers
“Claire” usually wears a bright blonde wig placed obviously over her own still-dark hair. Sometimes she has her teeth in, but not usually. Either way you are guaranteed to be greeted with a huge smile beneath squinty, cheerful eyes. When she says “hi” her voice goes up, up, up and back down all in one syllable—like a roller coaster peak, or maybe a steep sine wave, but I never took calculus so I don’t know for sure. I do know that no packet of Sweet ‘n Low is safe when Claire’s around though. Yes, Claire is quite a character. I often wonder what she was like before … [Read more...] about Claire’s Prayers
Some Things Really Are Universal in the Church
When the lead editor is away the assistant editor will play. I might take some grief for this, but if so, I will take it with joy. Just so everyone knows, I am not pointing fingers in any particular direction. I found this clip, courtesy of a different clip from the same group that our local ELCA pastor had posted on Facebook. I was simply struck by how many of the issues these guys have apparently argued about that are similar to things that crop up around here as well. It turns out there are some things that really are universal in the church I guess. Although I am fully … [Read more...] about Some Things Really Are Universal in the Church