SBC Voices

...and concluding that my day may indeed be past. Clergy temp staffing agencies. The idea that the person who fills the pulpit or who leads worship of Almighty God, or who teaches students or other church staff can be interchangeable, that is, it doesn't really matter who the person is, is foreign to me. Filling the pulpit in the pastor's absence, interim ministry positions, temporary worship leaders all are a serious business. The church and/or pastor prays, talks, seeks, checks and arrives at a person who is called by God to the task needed, for the church needed. How do we legitimately … [Read more...] about Five current church practices that have me scratching my head…

I will admit, last night's vote in Georgia stunned me. I wanted the GOP to win those. It is not that I passionately pro-GOP these days, but I am unenthused about the idea of the Democrats having unfettered control of government for the next couple of years. They can implement some policies that will be difficult to undo. I know little about Perdue or Loeffler. I know nothing about Ossoff. What I know about Warnock is not good. Fundamentally, I believe in the old adage, that government governs best which governs least. If the GOP could have pulled off at least one win in Georgia, and it should … [Read more...] about Trump, the GOP, and a Primer in Self-Destruction

Democratic turnout was on fire and it looks like both Republican candidates lost here in my home state. Baptist minister Warnock has a lead of over 50k votes. Jewish candidate Ossoff (dude is 33 years old) around 15k. My punditry is not so hot. I thought both Dems would lose. My post-election analysis is on target, though: Republicans blew these every which way and Trump's feuds hurt the two candidates. But, who knows what might happen? Easy to predict some finger pointing here. There aren't enough old white guys (like me) in this state. Demographics have changed. Republicans in this … [Read more...] about Are you ready for the Dem agenda?

Sports tells us a lot about ourselves. We are prone to idolatry and false priorities, but there is something I have noticed on social media proclamations about the college football playoffs this year that I believe reveals something about our culture and our nature. If I had a nickel for every time I've read the following, or some variation of it, I would have a large nickel collection. Any team with only six wins in the regular season is disqualified and should not be included in the college football playoff. Many of those who say this are Big-12 fans who wanted Oklahoma in or SEC fans who … [Read more...] about A Revelatory College Football Playoff

...and more has been spent on the two Georgia U.S. Senate seats than is received for the SBC Cooperative Program (national allocation) and both major mission offerings combined. What I have to show for it is a stack of about 70 pieces for slick mail, all but a couple from Republican and Republican friendly PACS like the NRA, Realtors, Chamber, etc. etc. This stack goes to... ...my wood stove in the basement. William the Plodder will get some BTUs out of American white-hot politics, if nothing else. Call me a recycler and give me credit for further warming the earth. About 3 million … [Read more...] about Unique Georgia election today

SBC Voices published 265 articles in 2020, about one per weekday. We are a Southern Baptist site so SBC stuff dominates what appears here. COVID-19, politics, and CRT/I sucked almost all the air out of this place last year. While one hopes that the pandemic will recede and that in a non-election year discussions will focus on subjects more positive in our Grand Convention, I'm not at all optimistic that they will. Executive Committee leader, Ronnie Floyd, announced a grand vision statement early in 2020. It was swamped. Our IMB announced a plan to add 500 missionaries over the next few … [Read more...] about What shall we talk about in 2021?

Double Trouble for the IMB, Mark Terry. The former IMB missionary and seminary professor wrote of our IMB personnel being evacuated from many parts of the  world due to COVID-19. This and the financial impact of the virus made for the "double trouble." Fortunately, IMB was and is in a solid financial position. Reports for the latest Lottie Moon offering are encouraging. This was the top post by a considerable margin, mainly due to connections through social media. It was many times our usual daily figure. How the Conservative Baptist Network Took Control of the Executive Committee. Jared … [Read more...] about What you read most on Voices in 2020

In my view, Critical Race Theory is neither primary nor necessary for followers of Christ to formulate a comprehensive, effective ministry that addresses the evils of white supremacy and racism in American society. God’s Word is the true lamp to our feet and light to our path. Nevertheless, we have a Christian and moral responsibility to do everything we can to eradicate racism from every area of the church and within each community where our churches are located. Holy Scripture is our first and highest authority to be consulted in overcoming any sin in the church and the world. Our SBC … [Read more...] about Response to SBC Presidents on Critical Race Theory (Rick Armstrong)

Our church keeps a lost and found box in the church office. Folks leave behind Bibles, umbrellas, sunglasses, coffee mugs, and all sorts of things. Probably, you have a lost and found box, too. I’ve been thinking that in 2020 our churches lost some things and found some things. Lost Things Twelve weeks of in-person worship services. Our church had to cancel in-person worship for 12 weeks in March, April, and May. Who imagined that in January 2020? Vacation Bible School. We always have VBS! Not this year. The pandemic forced us to cancel it. A few churches in our area offered virtual … [Read more...] about Lost and Found