SBC Voices

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

Ergun Caner is a real ex-Muslim

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Ergun Caner has been at the center of controversy recently.  Mohammad Khan, a Muslim, has launched a website called fake ex muslims.  Mohammad has used this website to point out errors and contradictions in Ergun Caner's testimony, speeches and publications. Last week I posted evidence on my blog that indicates Ergun Caner was born in Sweden, moved to America before his fourth birthday and has remained here ever since.  This is a contradiction to Ergun's biography on the Liberty University website which states he immigrated to the United States in 1979.  Following the start of this … [Read more...] about Ergun Caner is a real ex-Muslim

A Rock and A Hard Place: An Iowa Baptist Confronts Tough Issues in the GCRTF Report

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I do one thing most of the time. I teach and preach the Bible. That hardly qualifies me to analyze denominational structures and give insight on how to restructure them (or not) to face the challenges of the future. I have read through the Task Force Report, though I have not exegeted the document, parsed its verbs or performed word studies on it in the original languages as some have done. My cursory reading, though, has left me somewhat conflicted about whether to support the report in Orlando or not. Two major factors go into my feelings. 1)  The GCRTF Report is almost certainly … [Read more...] about A Rock and A Hard Place: An Iowa Baptist Confronts Tough Issues in the GCRTF Report

Remembering the Internet Monk, Michael Spencer

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I just caught the news across the web tonight that the man we called iMonk has passed away. I only met him twice, but I was impressed with his devotion to Jesus. We ate together at Olive Garden, hung around my favorite coffee shop, then hit a used bookstore. He talked much about his now adult children, baseball, and Jesus-shaped spirituality. His blog helped me examine many of my religious beliefs from a new point of view. In the end his words help me become a better Christian. I get the feeling that thousands of others would say the same. In October 2008, I recorded a podcast Michael … [Read more...] about Remembering the Internet Monk, Michael Spencer