According to an lengthy email sent tonight by Dr. Mohler's office, the seminary is facing a budget shortfall of up to $3.2 million for the remainder of this academic year. The President spoke of aggressive actions to balance the Seminary's budget including: a hiring freeze on non-critical positions reductions in travel and related expenses an immediate halt on future projects that are yet to be contracted and funded Even with these cutbacks, the Seminary projects up to $1.5 million in further reductions that will be necessary over the next several months. Further meetings are … [Read more...] about Southern Seminary Facing Layoffs & Tuition Increases?
The Error of Manufacturing Holiness
Some of the most eye-opening indictments on our own failings as the Church come when we look back to the warnings that the Old Testament prophets delivered to Israel. One such warning that struck me acutely is found in the book of Haggai. In chapter 2, verse 12, Haggai asks the priests presiding over the Jews returning from exile a question about whether holiness can be transferred to an object by simply bringing it into contact with something God has made holy; a question to which the priests plainly answer "No." This is so pertinent today because we find ourselves just as guilty as the … [Read more...] about The Error of Manufacturing Holiness
Should We Change Our Name?
I love the Southern Baptist Convention. I am a Southern Baptist by conviction. Theologically and missions wise I feel that the Southern Baptist Convention is the strongest. I love the influence that the SBC has, but could our name be hurting our influence? Could the name 'Southern Baptist Convention' actually be holding our convention back? Yes.. You might be a little surprised by my answer, but I think that it is true. I was born in Nebraska and I talk to a lot of people from there. I also served in Indiana for awhile and spoke with many people up there. The church in Indiana was … [Read more...] about Should We Change Our Name?
THE GRIEF OF HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
It's hard to believe. Amid turkey-dinner plans, anticipated shopping trips, and gaily decorated stores, stands a group of folks who aren't excited. The turkey sounds dry, the shopping trips stagnant, and the season's "ho-ho-ho" greets a spirit of inaudible sighs of heaviness. That's right. Many folks do not take pleasure in the approaching holidays. A variety of reasons come to mind: expenses, booking flights, flights canceling, and dysfunctional families. I could write several posts on each of the lists that pop into my mind today. But today I want to focus on one. Grief. Do you … [Read more...] about THE GRIEF OF HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Video: Ed Stetzer On Why Change Is Hard In The Church
Here is a video clip from Dr. Ed Stetzer from September 2008. He is speaking at the Comeback Church Conference hosted by Hickory Grove North Campus, Charlotte, NC. In this two minute video he explains why pride is often the root of our unwillingness to change. There is a second clip from the conference where Dr. Stetzer talks about relevance in ministry context. … [Read more...] about Video: Ed Stetzer On Why Change Is Hard In The Church
Being a Good and Godly Influence
I was reading Philemon today. This book in the New Testament is very small and contains just one simple chapter containing a letter from Paul to Philemon. Yet its purpose of instruction is mighty! Onesimus was a slave and he had run away. Some commentators say that he had stolen from his owner and then ran away but as Paul only states "if he owes you anything" I can't say that I agree completely with their assessment. However, the main purpose isn't really about how or why Onesimus became separated from Philemon. The main purpose is that Paul is trying to be of service by being a good … [Read more...] about Being a Good and Godly Influence
Podcast With Michael Spencer
I first met I first met Michael last Spring, when he was in Louisville on Sabbatical. He's not a denominational superstar, which is one reason I wanted to do this podcast. I also appreciate the unique perspective he brings to Southern Baptist life. Michael Spencer is the campus minister at a Southern Baptist boarding school in Kentucky and known online for his blogs InternetMonk.com and Jesus Shaped Spirituality. He is a longtime Southern Baptist, having graduated fro Southern Seminary and having served in several Kentucky Baptist churches. Download Mp3: Michael Spencer Podcast Here are … [Read more...] about Podcast With Michael Spencer
Open Letter to All Pastors of Churches in the SBC
Dear Pastor, Let me first clarify that this letter is for Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) pastors in general. I am well aware that what you are about to read does not include all pastors – at least not in totality. I also write this from the perspective of having been a pastor myself and therefore include myself as an addressee. I look around the SBC and see, hear, and read about how the SBC is in decline. Resolutions come out saying regenerate membership must be our focus. Conferences are convened that decry the faults of various theological models of soteriology. Mission boards … [Read more...] about Open Letter to All Pastors of Churches in the SBC
After the Election
You woke up on November 5th and you weren't very happy with your newly elected official (insert whoever YOU voted for if he wasn't the guy the rest of the free world chose) that the majority of the People elected to lead our great country. What happens now? Do you rant and rave about how ignorant those other folks were? Do you let fear and worry set in about what might happen to your future, or your children's future? We might be tempted to lean in that direction but if we are smart then we will dig into the Word of God and let Him be our guide. The first thing you have to remember is that … [Read more...] about After the Election
WHEN GOD GRIEVES…
...are you the cause? I was reading Ephesians and it said, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30. Preceding that verse there is a list of things that are quite offensive to the Holy Spirit: foul or polluting language, evil words, unwholesome or worthless talk. In fact, it states that our conversation be “only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a … [Read more...] about WHEN GOD GRIEVES…