Football games are trivial, non-consequential events, the gladiator contests without (much) blood and not ending in executions. I'm far too spiritual to give much time and attention to such things, and, knowing the disdain that my friends have for certain college conferences, I'll not waste much time on that. But... Most clergy take time off around the end of the year... (LSU 63 Oklahoma 28) ...and it's a form of harmless entertainment... (Georgia 26 Baylor 14) ...to watch a football contest... (Kentucky 37 West Virginia 30) ...and eat some triple bypass snacks like … [Read more...] about Bowl Games (This is not about the SEC), and how about giving a ticket’s worth of money to Lottie Moon?
Prayers for IMB January 3, 2020
Here are some requests today from our team in the Americas. Thank you for lifting up our missionaries in prayer and for more requests, go to Prayers for IMB I've also started a weekly prayer list for different people groups. Some are being reached, some are unreached. You can find the current list here. Colombia--Pray for a new worker and his preparation as he will be joining our team in May for 3-year term. Peru--God continues to call His servants into the harvest field! Recently, the son of a Cuban pastor in Arequipa, along with his wife and children, followed God’s call to … [Read more...] about Prayers for IMB January 3, 2020
Matt Henslee for Pastor’s Conference President
Bart Barber announced on Twitter this morning that he intends to nominate Matt Henslee, Pastor of Mayhill Baptist Church in Mayhill, New Mexico, for President of the SBC Pastor's Conference in 2021. As pastor, he has encouraged his church to give sacrificially to the cooperative efforts of Southern Baptists to carry the Gospel to the nations. He has even put his own looks on the line by shaving his beard when Mayhill exceeded their Lottie Moon goal. I join with many others who now hope he regrows it and makes the same offer next year... That will be the Pastor's Conference held in … [Read more...] about Matt Henslee for Pastor’s Conference President
Where were we in 2010?
Where were you 10 years ago? When the calendar flipped to 2010, what were you doing? Were you serving in your current ministry? Did you have as many kids/grandkids as you have today? Who were your friends? What lessons did you learn between 2010 and 2020? Here are a few reminders of where the world was ten years ago. President Trump had often flirted with a presidential bid, but no one ever took him seriously. Osama Bin Laden was alive and well. Patrick Mahomes was in the eighth grade. There was no College Football Playoff. Dr. Paige Patterson was enjoying his position … [Read more...] about Where were we in 2010?
Prayers for IMB–January 1, 2020
I'm going to try and be more consistent with this in 2020. It is an honor and privilege to advocate for prayer on behalf of our IMB missionaries. These requests come from Japan, and there are more at Prayers for IMB. Pray for good relationships with one of our IMB families and their new neighbors. They each thank God for their previous relationships He gave them in their old neighborhood and ask that you pray with them that seeds planted there would continue to grow as they now begin sowing gospel seeds in a new community. Pray for the moms that one of our workers has met during a … [Read more...] about Prayers for IMB–January 1, 2020
2010-2019, a decade of disasters for SBC entities
Here are the Southern Baptist national entity heads in 2010 with a look at what happened during the 2010s. International Mission Board, Jerry Rankin. Rankin was a short-timer in January, 2010. He left in July of that year. Tom Elliff was his replacement, serving from 2011-2014. David Platt took the top job in 2014 and served until late 2018. Paul Chitwood was elected and took office late in that year. Our oldest, largest, richest, and most important entity went through the 2010s with four CEOs. It wasn't a good decade in many respects. We went from a career missionary as leader (Rankin), to … [Read more...] about 2010-2019, a decade of disasters for SBC entities
What are your top quotes from SBCers for 2019?
I'll go with just these three, mainly because I didn't keep a record all year. There is a tipping point, though, at which genuine advocacy slips into routine outrage, especially regarding a large and lumbering religious system that has managed to ride by most cultural reforms on the backs of those who have preserved a dangerous status quo. The labeling of some sex abuse advocacy as "routine outrage" is the key here. Susan Codone and Megan Lively, both abuse survivors, co-authored the article, The Credentials Committee, A Call for Patience. “…if we ask women to do something spiritually … [Read more...] about What are your top quotes from SBCers for 2019?
Notable SBC deaths of 2019
Bill Tolar, December 29, 2018 (late year death not reported until early 2019). Longtime SWBTS professor. Rick Stanley, January 7. Step-brother to Elvis and evangelist. Jimmy Allen, January 9. Last of the moderate SBC presidents, 1977-1978. His successor was Adrian Rogers. The changeover was permanent. One of the most energetic and capable SBC presidents. A family member of mine did some financial services for him. When Dr. Allen was told "Oh, my brother is a Southern Baptist preacher", he insisted on sending greetings. Bailey Smith, January 14. He followed Adrian Rogers as president, … [Read more...] about Notable SBC deaths of 2019
Top Ten Voices Articles for 2019
These are in order from the most popular. Doctrinal Concerns of Southwest Baptist University Alumni. SWBU Alumni. This and the one below were of intense local interest. Not on my radar and not of much impact to the SBC as a whole. This follow-up article added to the controversy but was not as well read here. I look askance at the use of anonymous websites aimed at damaging any individual. We can handle things better. Too much of the worst of the old Conservative Resurgence in this brouhaha. Southwestern Seminary: Painful Recalibration. Dave Miller. Judging from attention or lack thereof … [Read more...] about Top Ten Voices Articles for 2019
Will this be the Last Christmas for Syrian Christians?
Guest Post by Dr. Eric Costanzo, pastor, South Tulsa Baptist Church. In Syria, this may be the last Christmas for Christian communities who’ve been there since the first century. If the U.S. fails to act, ancient Christian communities dating back to the Book of Acts might soon be deserted. Since the first mission movements of the Early Church, Assyrian (Syriac) churches have never failed to maintain a confessional Christian presence in or near their original lands. If the current crisis facing northeastern Syria worsens, the last remnants of this people group could be driven out of … [Read more...] about Will this be the Last Christmas for Syrian Christians?