Recently, our pastor stated, “Antioch was a great church. I wish our church could be like the church in Antioch.” Of course, he meant the church in Antioch of Syria. (The other one was in Antioch of Pisidia.) His statement caused me to ask myself: What made Antioch such a good church? Clearly, Luke considered the church in Antioch quite important. The first seven chapters of Acts focus on the Jerusalem church, but the following chapters emphasize the ministry of the Antioch church. Antioch became a great church for several reasons. 1. First, it was a multicultural church. Acts 11:19-23 … [Read more...] about What Made Antioch a Great Church?
We Are Getting OFF the Bus (Dwight McKissic)
In 2006, Dr. Jim Richards, the recently retired (2020) executive director of the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention (SBTC), made a startling statement regarding pastors in the SBT—which included me—who believed in the continuation of all the gifts of the Spirit listed in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and I Peter 4, and their practice in the life of believers and churches today, gifts that are particularly often exercised in private worship. The backdrop of Dr. Richard’s comment was in response to a sermon that I preached in chapel at Southwestern Seminary in August 2006 entitled, … [Read more...] about We Are Getting OFF the Bus (Dwight McKissic)
In Praise of Plow Horses
As a young boy I read a book about the race horse "Man of War." As a small child growing up in the big city, I didn't know anything about horses, and as a baptist I especially didn't know about horse racing. But the book told me all I needed to know about the infamous horse. He was incredibly tall at over 16 hands, weighed over 1100 pounds, and ate over 12 quarts of oats everyday. He was more than just his looks though, as he dominated almost every race he was in. He won 20 out of 21 races and was named "Athlete of the Year" in 1920, sharing the honor with Babe Ruth. When he retired to … [Read more...] about In Praise of Plow Horses
What would happen if the SBC elected a single staff pastor as president?
The chances aren't at absolute zero for this but are pretty close. But, let's dream and speculate anyhow. ____________ Those who want to take over the SBC will privately gripe and grumble over the delay in their well-laid plans. Those who see themselves as The Lord's SBC Kingmakers will privately fume, since they believe they are doing the Lord's work to orchestrate who gets or doesn't get the top SBC positions. Those who consider themselves experts will declare that the single staff guy is not capable of handling the responsibilities of the office even though the things required … [Read more...] about What would happen if the SBC elected a single staff pastor as president?
The unsung heroes of the SBC: Single staff pastors
It's a Southern Baptist cliche: "We are a convention of small churches." We are indeed. The median SBC church will have 70 souls in average weekly worship attendance this coming Sunday which means that around 25,000 SBC churches have a pastor who looks out when he preaches at no more than a few dozen hearers. The pastor almost certainly is the only clergy staff member in the church although he may have a part time paid or volunteer music leader, student or children leader. This would be the place where there is a church of people who all know each other. This would be the place where … [Read more...] about The unsung heroes of the SBC: Single staff pastors
Three times my state convention helped me greatly
I suppose I'm known as a state convention critic, with good reason. All that is for another time. I can recall three times my state convention helped me and my church. Here they are. Volunteer mission trip. Way back when state conventions had formal partnerships with various countries around the world, through IMB and their personnel of course, my state had a partnership with Kenya. Trips were scheduled. State staff led trips. Those who could put together a team led trips, probably with their trip leader expenses paid. I was an average sized church pastor. Neither me nor my church had the … [Read more...] about Three times my state convention helped me greatly
A week of edification, encouragement, and affirmation.
This is the winter of our discontent, our division, our depression, our discouragement. It need not be. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, Therefore … [Read more...] about A week of edification, encouragement, and affirmation.
When your best members leave the church
Although I am retired and not serving as senior pastor of any church now, I was saddened to hear of a family leaving one of my former pastorates for another church nearby. Both the family and the current pastor (my successor in the position in my former church) are my friends. I have had casual conversations with both. It is a situation not precipitated by pastoral failure, divorce or crisis in the lay family, or any other particular cause other than it was felt that a change was needed. Happens. All. The. Time. Any senior pastor who has served any length of time has had that sad … [Read more...] about When your best members leave the church
Reading some Spurgeon in 2021
After going on a nearly two-and-a-half-year hiatus and transitioning to a new editor and research team, The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon are back with Volume IV. Courtesy of Broadman and Holman Publishers, I'm glad to bring you up to speed on the latest addition to this series. First, a little background on Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was one of the most influential preachers of the 19th century. He regularly preached before crowds of more than 5,000 in his church in London (once to a crowd of over 23,000 people). He also founded a college, an orphanage, and was a strong advocate for … [Read more...] about Reading some Spurgeon in 2021
Is Biblical Illiteracy the Church’s Biggest Problem?
Last month I read an article in The Christian Post (Dec 3, 2020), entitled “Biblical Illiteracy Utmost Problem Facing Global Evangelicalism.” Leah Klett’s article summarized an interview with Thomas Schirrmacher, the new secretary-general of the World Evangelical Alliance. Schirrmacher stated, “Our biggest problem is that Bible knowledge is fading away. This is the utmost problem we have beyond all theological differences, and political questions.” His statement surprised me. I thought he would mention resurgent Islam or human trafficking or world hunger. Instead, he focused on biblical … [Read more...] about Is Biblical Illiteracy the Church’s Biggest Problem?