Editor: Dr. McKissic is well-known and respected among Southern Baptists. This article was written in response to issues raised here at SBC Voices and on other blogs. I offered this respected brother in Christ the chance to state his views related to this recent debate. The largest animal the Jews knew in biblical times was a camel, as the gnat was the smallest. Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! …Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” (Matthew 23:24) “Straining out a gnat” describes the custom of the strictest sect of Pharisees who strained … [Read more...] about Lessons from the Animal Kingdom by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr
Blog Madness 2011: The Last Day is Upon US!
Contrary to those doubters, the final day has come! Wednesday is the last day to nominate your favorite blog to make the tournament Blog Madness will begin later this week, with the 4 regionals and first round voting. Nominate up to 10 blogs. Even if someone else has already nominated them, you tell us who you like. If a blog gets multiple votes it is more likely to find its way into the tournament. I will be home around 11:00 PM Central Time tomorrow night and will close the nomination process and we will get the tournament going. NOMINATE! NOMINATE! NOMINATE! … [Read more...] about Blog Madness 2011: The Last Day is Upon US!
Evangelism. Storying. Gospel. Sex-Offenders. (by Ricky Kirk)
Editor: Ricky Kirk, a pastor from Ohio, blogs at Panta ta Ethne, where this post recently appeared. Thanks for sharing this with us. Our church as recently been studying/exploring evangelism as we prepare for an upcoming revival and Easter weekend. I am modifying material from several sources and approaching evangelism as something more than the Romans Road or the rote memorization and sharing of a few particular verses. I am also challenging our church to have a greater understanding of God's overarching story of the Bible, so we have covered God, creation, man, fall, Christ, and … [Read more...] about Evangelism. Storying. Gospel. Sex-Offenders. (by Ricky Kirk)
“G.O.S.P.E.L.” An Old Fogey LIKES It!
I had a playful argument with my daughter yesterday about whether is such a thing as Christian rap. It is hard enough for me to go and hear my son's Christian rock band (earplugs help), but I'm an old fogey and rap just ain't my cup o' tea. She reminded me that I was, in fact, a hopelessly old codger who just doesn't get it. Then, I saw this on Timmy Brister's blog today. I was left with one conclusion - I was wrong. This is one of the best presentations of the gospel you are going to hear. G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo. Powerful gospel … [Read more...] about “G.O.S.P.E.L.” An Old Fogey LIKES It!
SBC presidents and the Cooperative Program (by William Thornton)
Editor: William Thornton is the SBC Plodder and a keen observer of SBC life. This is a repost from his site. What shall we say about SBC leadership and their support, or lack thereof, for our grand Cooperative Program? Here is a summary of the past SBC presidents and their Cooperative Program support over the past 32 years: Less than 4%: Rogers, Smith, Stanley, Vines, Young, Elliff, Merritt, Graham, Hunt, Wright. Above the contemporary average: Draper (7%), Chapman (11%), Henry (10%), Welch (15%), Page (12%). Between 1979 and 1992, the year the Conservative Resurgence was … [Read more...] about SBC presidents and the Cooperative Program (by William Thornton)
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth?
Why do people who pile into movie theaters on a Friday evening complain that the Bible is boring on a Sunday morning? One reason, and I stress ONE reason, is that we have not rightly been convinced that the Bible is a compelling story. If our view of Scripture is akin to Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth then I doubt very seriously that we will be compelled to open its pages. At least not until something goes wrong. I’m one of those guys that tries to put something together without reading the instruction manual. I only read it when I end up with an extra part or the … [Read more...] about Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth?
PRIORITY ON PRAYER AND PROCLAMATION
Ever been reading your Bible and a phone rings, a baby cries, a doorbell chimes? Ever find your prayer time interrupted by similar things? Ever plan to do a particular ministry and find yourself bombarded with demands of equal or more pressing priority? Ever start to share Jesus with someone and chaos rips into the conversation? Take heart; interruptions, impediments, chaos, and confusion are mere tactics to undermine your mission as an ambassador for Christ. In Ambassadors On Mission, The Priority Of Prayer and Proclamation, author, Dr. Dan Crawford*, shares how Christians are "first … [Read more...] about PRIORITY ON PRAYER AND PROCLAMATION
Blog Madness 2011: You Are the Selection Committee
Blog Madness is back for 2011. Over the next few weeks, while some little basketball tournament is being played, we are going to be holding our own "favorite bloggers" tournament, with a prize for the winner of LESS THAN $1 Million. (Lot's less - mostly just the joy of being selected). This year, the readers of SBC Voices are the selection committee. You have the next few days (until Wednesday night) to nominate your favorite blogs - up to 10 per person. We'll compile the stats and form our brackets. So, tell, who are your favorite BAPTIST blogs (yes, only fully immersed blogs are … [Read more...] about Blog Madness 2011: You Are the Selection Committee
Call Me Stupid: Let’s Find a “Regular Guy” for 2012 Pastor’s Conference President
I had an idea last night that I want to share. Was it a good idea? Well, I guess you good folks will be the judge of that. You may tell met that it is a hare-brained idea. But, I'm going to put it out there anyway. Here it is: let's run a regular guy, a pastor of a normal Baptist church, as the president of the Pastor's Conference for 2012. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to "Aspire," the 2011 SBC Pastor's Conference. There are some speakers I am excited about hearing. I don't share the concerns of some of the regulars here at SBC Voices, but am of the opinion that it will be … [Read more...] about Call Me Stupid: Let’s Find a “Regular Guy” for 2012 Pastor’s Conference President
An Observation about Baptist Bloggers
When major sporting events are on, (such as NCAA Basketball Conference Tournaments), blogging hits tend to go down. Hope your team wins (unless it is Duke, UNC, Texas or Kentucky). … [Read more...] about An Observation about Baptist Bloggers