SBC Voices

Am I Better Than You?

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Have I always lived in perfect harmony with others?  Have I never pointed a finger of judgment at another living soul?  Have I looked at brothers and sisters in Christ with eyes of a merciful Savior or with judgmental eyes of man?  When I stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for what I have done in the body, will there be a single time I could be ashamed of myself?  Have I completed every task?  followed through on every commitment I ever made?  Told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?  Always? Do I keep secret the gifts of tithes and offerings I … [Read more...] about Am I Better Than You?

Book Review: “Radical” by David Platt

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Book Review- “Radical” by David Platt Following blogs and the general “word” on the ‘Net around the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, I kept hearing one surprising piece of information that didn’t involve convention motions or politics.  The general buzz concerned a sermon at the Pastor’s Conference by a pastor from Alabama named David Platt.  After opening his sermon with quotations from the Psalms calling for praise, Platt challenged those present (and who would later listen or watch electronically) that we as churches and as a convention had the choice to “die in our … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Radical” by David Platt

Liberty University, SBC of Virginia and Ergun Caner

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In Ergun Caner is a real ex-Muslim, I challenged the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to be wise stewards of God’s cooperative program resources and prayerfully consider if Liberty University is bringing God glory.  I did this because I assumed that the SBC of Virginia was supporting Liberty University financially.  I was wrong.  Brandon Picket, Director of Media Services for SBC of Virginia has contacted me to correct my misunderstanding of the relationship between SBC of VA and Liberty University. Since 2000, Liberty University has been a ministry partner of SBC of VA, approved … [Read more...] about Liberty University, SBC of Virginia and Ergun Caner

Charting a GCR Future for NAMB

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*originally posted here. As I think about what it might look like to be part of a convention of churches which is radically, aggressively, sacrificially giving itself to the cause of Gospel advance I cannot help but be excited! However, thinking through the implications of Christ’s call to come and die as He expects us to “take up our cross and follow” Him, I cannot help but think that we are failing in our effort to advance the Kingdom of God. How else do we explain having the Gospel, in its present form, for almost 2,000 years now and still seeing a third of the globe’s population unable … [Read more...] about Charting a GCR Future for NAMB

Megachurch Missionaries and “Unnecessary Duplication”

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This post is more of a question than a rant.  Actually, it's not even close to a rant, so if you were wanting something like that, disappointment awaits you.  I know that one of the major aims of the GCR movement is to eliminate what many feel are unnecessary duplications and everyone's favorite pinata, "bureaucracy."  I would hope that any of us would see that requiring multiple layers of oversight by different entities can create a confusing and ineffective system, even when we might disagree on how to fix those issues. So, here's my question:  I know of several larger churches that while … [Read more...] about Megachurch Missionaries and “Unnecessary Duplication”

The “Spiritual” vs. “Structural” Red Herring

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I’m looking forward to the final Great Commission Resurgence Task Force (GCRTF) report coming in a few days.  If the widespread and differing reactions to their initial progress report were any indication, we Southern Baptists will have a lot to discuss in the next month or two! But I would like to consider a potential red herring in our discussions that I have seen pop up a time or two in the different reactions I have read to the initial report, and that undoubtedly will reappear once the final report comes out. This “red herring” that appears is the response of some that “Well, the … [Read more...] about The “Spiritual” vs. “Structural” Red Herring

Subverting Negative Expectations in Blogging

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Someone that I have really come to appreciate in the blogosphere wrote this and he gave me permission to post it at length- Josh Collins.  While I consider Josh a "blogosphere friend" he is also quick to challenge some of my thoughts, which I appreciate. Enjoy the post!- Matt Svoboda For the record, I’m just a lowly blogger with a readership of about 2 (3 if my mom is in town).  I don’t really know the pressures of consistent blogging that many of you face.  I honestly get more hits per day often when I don’t write anything. That said, in a recent comment thread I was in, the topic … [Read more...] about Subverting Negative Expectations in Blogging

I’m Through Cheering For Jerks

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I am sick of the jerks; the cheats and losers who have become superstars in the sports world today. I am glad that there are so many noble, decent, hard-working athletes. But today, there are just too many jerks to ignore. Let me be honest – I’m a sports nut. It’s probably an unhealthy addiction for me. My office bears witness to my passion for sports – especially the New York Yankees and the Iowa Hawkeyes. My light switch and mousepad have Yankees logos. I have a large Yankee banner. My pride and joy is a life-sized cardboard cutout of Babe Ruth, perhaps the greatest Yankee of them … [Read more...] about I’m Through Cheering For Jerks

The Shelf Life of a Lie

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"And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." -- Matthew 6:30-33 Our dining table sits inside a large window facing west. Our yard slopes somewhat gracefully and … [Read more...] about The Shelf Life of a Lie