Dear Baptist Press, I thank you for the good work you do. I'm going to be critical of you here, and I know that is not pleasant. I know what it is like to have your words, your ideas, your thoughts publicly derided. It does not feel good. I thank you good folks for what you do. Before I mention some things that bother me, I'd like to thank you for what you do well. You do a wonderful job of highlighting the work that is going on in Southern Baptist Churches and other entities. Your stories on churches and ministries that are reaching people and changing lives are inspiring and … [Read more...] about Inform the People! An Open Letter to Baptist Press
Brick Walls, Picket Fences (7): Why Build a Brick Wall When a Picket Fence Will Do?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the Christians in a city could come together and form one church? Think of it – only one church for all of Sioux City. What a blessing that would be, right? The unity that God intended for His church – an answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 – experienced here on earth. Christians joining to worship the Lord and serve him together without all that petty bickering and division – it would be glorious! Someone start humming the Doxology so we can all join in! But then, after the euphoria began to fade, a few uncomfortable realities might begin to present … [Read more...] about Brick Walls, Picket Fences (7): Why Build a Brick Wall When a Picket Fence Will Do?
What does your church do to make disciples?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”—Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) When we think about the primary purpose of the church, I say it has to be that we glorify God by making disciples. Of course with this famous “Great Commission” passage that is the exact command Jesus gives us—make disciples; and Jesus … [Read more...] about What does your church do to make disciples?
A GCR Necessity: A Recipe for Making Disciples
There have been a lot of great discussions around here about the GCR and a lot of good things written. A lot of my experience in SBC life has shown that we are good at focusing on and developing strategies for evangelism and winning people for Christ. The GCR seems to be the latest push, alongside GPS (can we get some acronym love around here?) for bringing people into the Kingdom of God through soul-winning efforts and more church choices. I don't think that our problem comes from not being able to share our faith when it comes to soul-winning. We have so many methods for sharing our … [Read more...] about A GCR Necessity: A Recipe for Making Disciples
Genesis 3: Temptation, the Fall, and Gender Roles
There is great conflict in the modern church, even among evangelicals, about gender roles in the home and at the church. While there are extremes on both ends of the spectrums, evangelicals tend to fall into two groups. Egalitarians assert that the Bible regards all people equally and does not assign different roles on the basis of gender. Wives are not obligated to submit to their husbands, nor are pastoral or other church leadership roles limited to men. Complementarians believe that while men and women have equal value and standing before God, we have been assigned different roles. … [Read more...] about Genesis 3: Temptation, the Fall, and Gender Roles
A Proposal for Dealing with Westboro
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 It is clear from the discussion of Dr. Thomas White's post, that we all agree with this proposition: The Westboro group is not Christian, not Baptist and not even a church. They are false - publicity hounds who preach a message of hate that twists God's Word and gives the church a black eye in the process. The discussion was odd, because we had people who normally argue about just about everything who were uniting to condemn the Westboro … [Read more...] about A Proposal for Dealing with Westboro
Thank You, Andy Pettitte
I feel a lot of sadness tonight, and a little joy. You may not know this, but I am a fan of the New York Yankees. I don’t make a big deal about it, so most people don’t even know that I’m a fan of the Bronx Bombers. It is a sad day for Yankee fans. One of our greatest pitchers has hung up his glove. Brian Cashman announced today that Andy Pettitte will not be pitching for the Pinstripes in 2011. That made me feel sad. I spent 18 years passionately cheering for a team that never seemed to get it done. After our stirring win in 1978, we lost a heartbreaker to the evil Dodgers in 1981, … [Read more...] about Thank You, Andy Pettitte
Thomas White on “The Group at Westboro”
Thomas White has written an excellent essay called "The Group at Westboro." He has given me permission to copy it here. His blog (Thomas White) is worth reading regularly. He is a professor at Southwestern Seminary. That group has never claimed to be Southern Baptist, but by having Baptist as a part of their designation, they paint all of us with their shame. Dr. White has written powerfully to show that this group is neither Baptist nor a church. Here is Dr. White's article. The Group at Westboro If I told you that I was a bird, you might have your doubts. After all, I don’t look … [Read more...] about Thomas White on “The Group at Westboro”
Being Southern Baptist in a Northern Latitude and Attitude
I grew up in the south, where there was a Southern Baptist church on seemingly every corner. I was raised in an SBC church that was a scant 1/4 mile from our house. We were part of an association that spanned a couple of counties and included dozens of churches plus our own associational church camp. I grew up in that SBC church and when I entered college I was active in BSU (I think it is called BCM now) and surrendered to the ministry and began to serve in various SBC churches. I was part of a small rural church (less than 50 members) and I was part of a large mega-church and that was … [Read more...] about Being Southern Baptist in a Northern Latitude and Attitude
Does the GCR Stand a Ghost of a Chance?
Before I begin, let me say I am in support of the Great Commission Resurgence. I think it’s a great thing, and we need to focus our ideas, resources and tool on reaching out. I have already posted on the things I think will hinder the SBC from really seeing a movement of God from the GCR, and I don’t want to hash that out again. What I want to look at is simple. Does the Great Commission Resurgence have a chance to really move the SBC forward in outreach, or is it just great propaganda? Here are some things I would like to discuss and toss around. If the SBC is a bottom up … [Read more...] about Does the GCR Stand a Ghost of a Chance?