The unofficial nickname of the SBC, "Great Commission Baptists," was passed by the convention in annual session back in 2012 with a 53% vote. It has barely had a pulse for eight years. Now, we have a small flurry of advocacy for the use of the name. Respected and astute Nathan A. Finn , professor at the SC Baptist state college, North Greenville University, offers a string of reasons why it's time to embrace the nickname. While state conventions should retain their regional names for contextual reasons, it is time for Southern Baptists to embrace a name that better reflects our … [Read more...] about Can “Great Commission Baptists” be raised from the dead?
Expectations of a Pastor
I’ve been reading John S. Dickson’s book, The Great Evangelical Recession. It is an accurate, but not uplifting, analysis of the state of evangelicalism in the USA. In one chapter he discusses the expectations church members have of their pastors. He writes about how those expectations have changed over the years. Fifty Years Ago Pastors were expected to: Study the Bible Pray for the members Be friendly Preach Visit the sick Witness to lost people Marry and bury Thirty Years Ago Church members added these expectations: Visionary leader Aggressive … [Read more...] about Expectations of a Pastor
My Visit to Southern Hills Baptist in Sioux City
I’m writing this post for two reasons. First, God instructs us in His word to be encouragers, to spur one another on to good works. I want to be an encourager. Second, our fearless leader, Dave Miller, sounded like he needs a little encouragement, judging from his last post. My family vacationed at Mt. Rushmore last week, and as we were traveling home, we attended Dave’s church in Sioux City. Every good SBC Voices writer should make a pilgrimage to Dave’s church at least once in their lifetime. We arrived and were immediately greeted by a gentleman who showed us where the hand sanitizer … [Read more...] about My Visit to Southern Hills Baptist in Sioux City
Baptists You Should Know, B. Frank Belvin and the Jesus Road
The history of the SBC includes thousands of missionaries, pastors, workers, and others who often get lost to history. My goal is to highlight a few of those people in order that we can be encouraged and inspired by their lives and sacrifice. “I’ll skin every white man I can.” B. Frank Belvin hated white people and all they stood for. He decided to devote his life to gain revenge on those who had put him down. He spoke those words as a teenager after his family experienced several incidents of violence directed towards them as a result of being Native American. Born in Boswell, OK in … [Read more...] about Baptists You Should Know, B. Frank Belvin and the Jesus Road
Are you feeling called to Charlestown, Indiana?
I clicked on a link to a page on the SBC website recently and discovered that the link was broken. What happened? Well, it seems that the entire site has been overhauled, and it looks pretty good. I’m surprised the Baptist Press didn’t cover it. It’s been a while since I shared a job listing, so, to draw your attention to the sleek, new SBC.net, and to highlight a church in need of a pastor, here I go again with some light comedic flair. Has the present pandemic left you drawing an extra $600 of unemployment (until recently)? Is your job situation shaky? Do you feel called to be an … [Read more...] about Are you feeling called to Charlestown, Indiana?
Ministry in a Pandemic is Wearing This Old Codger Down
I woke up a couple of hours ago and I already wish I hadn't! That's perhaps a bit extreme, but it has been a gloomy 120 minutes. I got a call from our oldest member that his wife had died and since I'm about to leave on vacation to see my newest grandson, my schedule is in a tizzy. I'm in talks with my Sunday Leader about whether to open up our Sunday School ministry at the start of the school year and again I am confronted with the fact that I just don't have a clue! There are those who seem to know exactly what to do at every moment, self-assured to the core. I'm not blessed with such … [Read more...] about Ministry in a Pandemic is Wearing This Old Codger Down
Is Being “Woke” So Bad?
"Woke" is a common insult thrown around by those who oppose the pursuit of justice as a Christian mandate. When they are upset at the stands that other conservative Christians take on racial issues, on sexual abuse issues, on political matters, when some refuse to acquiesce to GOP/conservative orthodoxy, they resort to dismissive name-calling. Derogations such as liberal, "social justice warriors," or the ubiquitous "woke" are common. In certain circles, woke is synonymous with liberal, denying the Scriptures, or at least ignoring the primacy of the Gospel. I've objected to the insult because … [Read more...] about Is Being “Woke” So Bad?
Undermining the Cooperative Program, you say?
The Cooperative Program is our grand cooperative funding mechanism. SBC churches give on average a little under 5% of their undesignated offering plate dollars to the CP, totalling over $460 million. It is the envy of other denominations. But you knew all that, right? Ronnie Floyd, CEO of our Executive Committee has outlined a plan, Vision 2025, that sets a goal of returning the CP to $500 million and more. COVID-19 has struck a blow against that for the moment. July was a good month for the national CP but the EC reports year to date totals down a bit from last year. Still, the EC … [Read more...] about Undermining the Cooperative Program, you say?
My Wife, a Teacher in the Midst of COVID-19
My wife is a hero. She is the ultimate educational “utility player.” When I met her she was a young college assistant professor. Since I have known her she has served anywhere she has been needed in both public, private, home-school and college settings. She has taught high school, pre-K, middle school, college courses and across elementary school grades (she’s a science teacher by training as well as having a Master’s in Counseling). She really is amazing. The Ultimate Utility Player. This year, the year of the Novel Coronavirus-19, she will be teaching kindergarten because that is where … [Read more...] about My Wife, a Teacher in the Midst of COVID-19
Baptists You Should Know, Victor Kaneubbe
The history of the SBC includes thousands of missionaries, pastors, workers, and others who often get lost to history. My goal is to highlight a few of those people in order that we can be encouraged and inspired by their lives and sacrifice. This week we look to a pioneer in Native American Ministry. Half of native churches are in Oklahoma and they are asking us to pray for a spiritual awakening this week as they host their annual camp meeting online. Indian Falls Creek is one of the largest annual Native camps in America. Pray for them as they meet this week. Learn more at … [Read more...] about Baptists You Should Know, Victor Kaneubbe