Bradley Cochran just sent me a reminder about a new ministry/website called URBAN GLORY. It looks like a great resource, especially for anyone in the Louisville area. Here are links to the U R B A N G L O R Y website, information about the 3D Event in Louisville this Friday 1/30/09, an interview with the co-founders, and a brief vision statement. You can also read about the website here. Don't miss their podcasts with Dr. Johnny Hunt :: Living a Dream :: 1 of 4 UG Co-founder Aaron Skinner spends 45 minutes with Pastor Johnny Hunt, senior pastor of the 15000 member First Baptist Church … [Read more...] about URBAN GLORY & New Johnny Hunt Interviews
Bible Memory Strategy
What methods and verse do you recommend for memorizing the Bible. Now that I'm out of seminary - I have no excuses for not packing my brain full of bible verses. What would you suggest? So, far my goals include: Relearn all the recently memorized verses Work through this list from Justin Taylor [PDF from Crossway] Memorize some shorter psalms or sections from the NT … [Read more...] about Bible Memory Strategy
Acts 29 vs. the SBC (One Year Later)
As some of you may have seen, in December 2007 there was quite a commotion caused about certain SBC churches mixing "beer with [their] Bible." This was occurring in various ways, through Bible studies being hosted at bars, poker nights with BYOB notices, or simply just an open policy about a Christians right to brew and consume adult beverages. Many of these churches, it happened, also shared another common bond besides their affinity for alcohol: they were funded by the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. For those of you who don't know, Acts 29 is a loose association of church planters and … [Read more...] about Acts 29 vs. the SBC (One Year Later)
Radical Reformation Today?
You may have missed it (like me), but yesterday was the anniversary of the Anabaptist Movement. This was a big deal for Dr. Paige Patterson and will be a perpetual observance at SWBTS. According to the school's website: President Paige Patterson proclaimed January 21 Radical Reformation Day at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary . . . “Today is a very significant day,” Patterson said, adding, “… a day that from this day forward in the life of Southwestern Seminary is going to be a day celebrated.” Update: Baptist Press ran a story about this today. If you need a refresher, you can … [Read more...] about Radical Reformation Today?
Serving Denominations Rather Than God
I caught this collection of quotes coming across my Google Reader. While I suspect these comments come from a critical spirit, there is something we can learn about being Baptist. "Having attended several denominations, and read/heard about many others (mostly Protestant), I've concluded one thing they all have in common is they are all wrong -- doctrinally -- about something. One of my biggest frustrations is that so many denominations serve their denomination as much as their God. I don't think church growth should be a goal. I don't think denomination status, tithes, attendance, etc., … [Read more...] about Serving Denominations Rather Than God
Martin Luther King Jr. At SBTS
To celebrate MLK day, I'm posting the audio from an old Said At Southern Podcast (from my old blog - now retired). It contains a recording of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on April 19, 1961. The speech is more remarkable considering the context. Southern Baptists were not unified in their posture toward the Civil Rights movement and in 1961 the outcome was far from certain. In this speech, you will hear Dr. King cast his vision for the church’s role in racial reconciliation. While it has become fashionable to find fault with his personal … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King Jr. At SBTS
The Tennessean On SBC Decline
What can be done to stop the decline of the Southern Baptist Convention? That is the question raised in this post from the Tennessean.com. I've read some good points on a few other blogs, but wanted to offer a few observations here. The Conservative Resurgence was God's work, even if it was accomplished by less than perfect leaders. Even if the results haven't been all we hoped. When people turn back to God's Word it is his work. Have we gone far enough? Maybe not. Giving verbal agreement to inerrancy is a good start, but we also need to look to the Bible as sufficient for our faith & … [Read more...] about The Tennessean On SBC Decline
Concerning the Apocrypha…
I was raised in a Baptist family, accepted Christ at an early age, grew up with what I consider a hell, fire, and brimstone pastor, and never heard of the Apocrapha until I was at least a late teen, or perhaps it was even later than that and I was a young adult. I can't put an exact date on it but it was farther back in my years than closer to present at least! I do remember, however, that once I did learn about the existence of the Apocrapha that every time I asked what it was, the answer was almost whispered to me, as if it was a taboo subject. I'm a curious sort and so I kept poking around … [Read more...] about Concerning the Apocrypha…
What is the Biblical nature of the Church?
There is a lot of talk in the Southern Baptist Convention about the nature of the church. Words like organic, institution, movement, centralization, etc.. are thrown around quite often. I have read a few books on the issue and I have to be honest: I take a stand on the 'not as popular' side. What is the nature of the church in Acts? Most agree that the nature of the church in Acts is more of an organic, house to house church setting. In Acts we see the phrase 'house to house' numerous times. Paul addressed and spoke of house churches. Paul went house to house in order to disciple and … [Read more...] about What is the Biblical nature of the Church?
Yokes We Cannot Bear
It is the beginning of the new year and a time, undoubtedly, when we all make resolutions to do this thing or that thing better this year. I was reading scripture in the New Testament this afternoon and came upon a certain verse which says "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" This verse is found in the 15th chapter of Acts, verse 10. Peter wasn't asking about the ridiculousness of new years resolutions of course, but I had to laugh as I read the verse because off an on throughout the day my mind had … [Read more...] about Yokes We Cannot Bear