Just to start this thing out, let me say that I don’t really read this blog.
While I am the one who launched it a few years back and worked to get it off the ground, I’ve moved on. It’s just not something I think about more than once a month. The rare exception is when I become curious about some SBC issue.
It’s time for another transition and I am talking to a few people about taking on Matt’s duties. But before we go too far down that road I’d like to hear what you (the actually readers) of this site really want.
- Are you looking for a debate forum?
- Do you want independent news & opinion about the SBC?
- Do you just want an easy way to keep up with hot topics?
- Are you here only for the blog feeds we link?
Just leave me a comment below. Just tell me where you see this website going over the next few years.
I think all four items listed above are valid enough reasons for me to keep coming back to SBC Voices, so why not continue it? I wish you would devote some to the possibility of enlisting and engaging people in prayer for a Third Great Awakening., reviewing writings germane thereto, along with history of similar events in church history. I would like to write a an SBC Voices posting on the issue of a Third Great Awakening, how I began to pray for such, what it was like to pastor in an Association that grew out of the efforts of people converted in the First Great Awakening and which experienced the Second Great Awakening and which helped launch the Great Century of Missions and our educational efforts for a trained ministry as well (my thesis for the M.A. in American Social & Intellectual History was on the subject, “The Baptists & Ministerial Qualifications: 1750-1850.” Perhaps, it would serve a good purpose in laying a foundation for such a visitation. Certainly, I would pray so.
I like the wide open debate AND independent news. I like a site that has commenters from all sides of issues
I think this blog is great just the way it is. I stop in from time to time to read about topics, and I visit the blog feed often also.
Bradley
I just want to say that I have greatly enjoyed running SBC Voices for the last year and half or so(maybe it’s been longer)… The reason why I am relinquishing my duties is simply because I have new ministry responsibilities and opportunities. I need to clear up some time in my schedule and this was the logical thing to go. With all that is going on internet time was the thing that needed to be cut down.
I am grateful for the relationships that I have gained through SBC Voices.
Be honest. You dropped off so you could concentrate on FOOTBALL!
I want to ban all dialogue about the CR, NAMB, IMB, and the SBC in general from the first week in September through January.
I want to talk about that which is of true importance during this time of the year. Yeah, you guessed it. I want to talk about College Football and the events in the FOOTBALL GALAXY. Especially do I want to talk about the SEC FOOTBALL CONTINENT with a major focus on the SABANATION.
I want full freedom to berate and talk smack about other FOOTBALL CONTINENTS and the FOOTBALL NATIONS therein such as “the big ten” with a special focus on NATIONS like the Iowa BUZZARD-EYE NATION and other such trash FOOTBALL NATION and the various FOOTBALL SUB-CULTURES such as any of the inferior “acc” NATIONS like the TARHEEL NATION or the SEMINOLE NATION.
Football season is a serious time of the year and it should be treated with its proper respect. Good Baptists everywhere should leave off discussions about the SBC, SBC entities and SBC personalities during football season.
If the IMB elects a new president, it should not even be announced before February 1. I mean really, which is more important, the future of the IMB or football season? No contest, right? Its football every time.
So come on. Let’s all do the right thing. Let’s talk about football and only football from now to January when the SANANATION wins the second of two National Championships in row. Its just the right thing to do, especially for Southern Baptists.
Oh, and one more thing. I realize there is a debate as to whether or not women should keep silent in the churches. OK, that’s fine and that argument will continue ’til the Lord returns, I am sure. But, there is no debate about the role of women during football season.
The role of a woman during football season is to remain silent, make sure there is a constant supply of good snacks in the den on Game Day, pack the truck for tailgates when their men are attending the game at the stadium, keep the female children in their place and lastly; make sure their husband’s dogs are fed and watered, because rabbit, fox, deer, bird and ‘coon season is also going on during football season and no one wants to have a sickly dog because a trip to the vet might interfere with going to the game and no body wants that to happen. Right?
So ladies, we will see you back here in February. Until that time, remember to stand by your man….in the den, in case he needs you to get him another sandwich.
Now then, can you hear it? Well, I can!
Its ROLL TIDE!!
cb, old friend, that was too beautiful for words.
When Alabama loses in Durham, NC you will stop talking about everything Football. Of course you do know that you have the Teacher facing the Student this week. The Baptist kicked some Methodist hind parts last weekend and it looks like those Methodist are going to be mad when they fact that Heathen Nation from Alabama coming into the Triangle region.
However, David Cutcliffe is shows certain conviction to sticking to things that is rare in today’s college Football scene. He rebuffed Tenn. after Lane left whinning. Saban needs to get ready because his girls will go against someone that knows how to put points on the board.
🙂
Tim
Tim Rogers,
I realize you have never seen real football up close and personal due to being a native to the TARHEEL NATION. I do feel sorry for you along with other of my friends who live in any part of the “acc” FOOTBALL CONTINENT.
That is why I, out of the benevolence of my SABANATION heart, asked Tony to restrict Voices to nothing but football talk between September and January.
That would give those of us who have a superior understanding of Football due to being of the SEC FOOTBALL CONTINENT to help all of you who have been deprived of the sport in all of its glory due to being born on an inferior FOOTBALL CONTINENT such as the “acc”, “big ten” etc.
This would be a great opportunity for me, a true born son of the SABANATION who actually saw Bear Bryant walk across the Coosa River with Joe Namath on one shoulder and Kenny Stabler on the other, to help you of the lesser NATIONS to come to genuine Football experience.
See Tim, my desires come only from the goodness my heart to wipe out Football ignorance in the whole Football Galaxy.
Tim, I will be in the Triangle later in the week and part of next. Come on over to Duke and I will give you advanced lessons in Football this coming Saturday. Maybe after the game, you me, Tom Parker and anyone else here on this board who would like to gain more insight into what real Football is all about can join us for a good meal and free education.
Alabama losing in Durham would make my week, Tim.
CB. It is so evident that u don’t live in TX or understand women in TX. When the Cowboys come on, everyone stops down, including and perhaps especially the women! We evidently don’t have those little gentile things here in God’s country where we keep the stadium open at almost all times so God can watch his team play.
As much as Foxy tries to blame other events for the CR (see I worked it in!). I think it was misunderstanding TX women and their devotion to all things pigskin but especially Cowboys- win or tragically lose that shows why our women won’t be bound by the BFM 2000!
If u ask a TX woman to get u a snack during a game you had better ne ready to duck!
Jim Champion,
I don’t want to be rude here, but you are in reference to Professional Football. You must understand that the Football of which I reference is College Football. College Football is pure and wholesome and the only compensation the players receive is that of an education. At least that is true of all the FOOTBALL NATIONS located on the SEC FOOTBALL CONTINENT.
Now, I been told by reliable sources that the other FOOTBALL CONTINENTS such as the “acc”, “big ten” and all the rest play with 90% if their players being illiterate while the other 10% did learn to read while in prison. That 10% usually play the skilled positions such as QB, RB, DE or LB.
Of course, the players of the SEC are all scholars and during the off season teach rocket science and such while the University faculties go on vacation. It is all part of having good school spirit.
Of course, those who play for the SABANATION are either given permission to go on mission trips with the Alabama Baptist State Convention or teach summer classes for one of the six SBC seminaries or the Beeson Divinity School at Samford.
I hope this helps you to understand Jim. BTW, I have heard that all the FOOTBALL NATIONS in Texas allow their players to get future job training cleaning stables and spreading sawdust at rodeos during the summer. I do admire that you Texas folks are trying to help those boys learn how to make a living after they get out of school. I am sure it does keep a few of them out of prison.
I vote against this. I’m not interested in hearing someone gloat about how their team is destroying everyone else in their weak conference week in and week out. Come back CB at the end of the season and we’ll be good Christians and help you through dealing with the postseason beating Bama gets (likely at the hands of a Big 10 or Mountain West team). 😛
Well thought, well-written and well-argued, Blake.
CB
I heard that when Saban was recruiting one of his stud RB’s, I believe his name was Lemongello, younger brother of Orangello, that Saban asked the young scholar what number he would like to wear. The young man.didn’t miss a beat and told the coach that 1,000,000 would be a nice number. I believe the scholar in question wound up at TCU
One last thing CB, don’t get in front of the momma of a TX high school football player during a game, been there done that and heard words that these fairly seasoned ears haven’t heard put together before!
Jim Champion needs to know the QB for the Movie Friday Night Lights is from Alabama, Speake Alabama.
I have Lucas Black’s autograph. He plays Jimmy Blevins in All the Pretty Horses which also in Texas.
I am not that big a fan of Bama, but be careful when you cast apsersions on My Momma’s homestate.
I got to ask Billy Bob Thornton a question in the presence of Lucas Black in Florence, Alabama a couple years ago.
I was real proud of my question and My Momma woulda been proud of me too.
CB,
Can you imagine the horror of living in a region of the country where people think that a game played with one of those round balls is more important that the TIDE? Of all the things I like about where God called me, there is that terrible thing I have to put up with.
John
John Fariss,
I have lived in both KY and NC. Those people are just pitiful in their worship of basketball. I feel so sorry for them. When I was in NC, I bought season tickets one year to NC State football games. I went to two games. I gave the rest of my tickets away and never went back to another game.
Thier tailgate parties consist opening a can of Vienna Sausages, some Ritz crackers, sliced cheese and grapes. You can’t find one gut pile from butchered hogs, cows and chickens in the whole parking lot. Nobody is selling hickory wood or charcoal out of the back of the pick-up truck.
Only one or two people are selling t-shirts and baseball caps. Its just terrible. They don’t even stand up and take off their hats when the coach walks onto the field. As a matter of fact, I don’t think the coach had more than one bodyguard. And he did not even have a riot shotgun or attack dog with him. In other words, their coaches are not even good enough that a self-respecting crazy person would even want to attack and kill them. And don’t even get me started on the poor quality of their band or mascot.
It is a sad thing, I tell you for a person who has lived with the greatness of real football on the SEC FOOTBALL CONTINENT and especially if one has been part of the SABANATION to live where people worship basketball and then think they have a football team also. Pitiful, just pitiful.
I tell you John, it is so good to be back in the SABANATION. You ought to move back yourself.
Can you hear it? Well, I can! Its ROLL TIDE!
I check out the web page nearly every day for SBC issues, I use it like I would a newspaper. Please keep up the good work.
sdg
rd
I love the site as is it and find it extremely helpful as a one-stop place to not only read your current blog but to also be able to see what’s happening in the greater SBC world. No-one else offers a unique site like yours and I believe you have served the reading public well. Thank you. I hope you are able to keep it running.
Bill Pfister
Taylors, SC
I hope you’ll keep it open. I read the threads certainly more than I comment. There are times I wish not every thread was finally brought around to the CR. But when they move in that direction, it certainly helps me move along to other sites that I might not go to if I was interested in rehashing and rewriting history.
I agree and differ with TomBryant. I think there ought to be an ongoing and continuous thread about the CR, the SBC and all those things; a Vent for folks who always have that in the back of their mind. Some inclination on the part of the participants should be made to keep those matters in the ongoing SBC?CR thread while doing better to stay on topic with new posts.
Other than that I throw in with Tom Bryant in the words of Lyndon Baines Johnson:
LET US CONTINUE
Fox,
I don’t think anyone is surprised that you’d like to continue keeping comments focused on the CR… you’re the inventor of these diversions! 😉
SBC Voices and SBC Impact are really the only two places where a decent discussion can be had (recent discussions notwithstanding). With no offense to the folks at SBC Impact, I tend to spend more time here because topics are introduced more quickly and frankly the SBCImpact website is so darn slow.
I have said elsewhere that in light of recent discussions, heavy comment moderation may be required and I know the blog contributors don’t really have time to do that. The only other option is to institute a set of rules that anyone who names themselves Christian ought to abide by simply out of honor, and then ban those who don’t: specifically, bringing conversations around to the CR or Wade Burleson, however sneakily or snarkily done.
Making fun of the Yankees should always be permitted.
Permitted and encouraged.
I do enjoy the SBC Voices blog. As a layman, I find myself occasionally losing some interest when the posts go deeply into issues that seem not to be of great personal importance to the average church member. However, it may be that I’m just not completely clear on the purposes of the blog. If it is basically a blog for pastors and theologians to discuss theological issues and leadership concerns, then it is probably very satisfactory for that particular audience.
I have submitted a number of posts in the past and received some very good responses here and in personal e-mails from pastors and readers. As you know, my posts have primarily been on the responsibility I believe exists within the church to help our members address the presence of sexual brokenness in our families, rather than leaving it up to para-church ministries like Exodus and its affiliates. I’ve received great feedback from some pastors, in part because of my transparency as one who has struggled and discovered that Christ is truly the only answer, but it is hard to tell what the majority thinks in a forum such as this.
I will say I was taken by surprise when I recently approached my own church — First Southern-Del City — which I consider pretty progressive in reaching out to meet the needs of members. I suggested having an evening class among the electives we offer to simply focus on helping church members know how to respond biblically to their own personal family members — sons, daughters, etc — with truth and compassion regarding homosexuality, pornography, lust, etc. The response was that our church had no need for this now or in the foreseeable future and that such a class would be disruptive. It is this type of response that led me to post on SBC Voices in the first place, in hopes of fostering a discussion about some issues our church family-members struggle with, but generally find too little help with within the church or from church leadership. Having heard this response from my local church, I’ve backed off of posting on SBC Voices out of concern that I am just off the mark in thinking this is a need that leadership should equip our members to address. I hope we are not picking areas to just yield to culture.
My question about SBC Voices is really just a clarification of intended audience. I would enjoy writing an occasional post, but I have been uncertain if the tent is broad enough.
Thom
The response was that our church had no need for this now or in the foreseeable future and that such a class would be disruptive.
Just my opinion, not trying to specifically knock any single church… but from my experience, espeically w/ younger guys and I don’t doubt the issues among the older and women: any church that claims they have no need for such a class is fooling themselves or, for some reason, unaware of the struggles people face when it comes to things of sexuality.
I’ve always appreciated what you’ve written here, Thom.
I do have a side question, unrelated: just knowing where you’re from and having read your bio on your blog… are you related to a Russel Hunter?
Mike,
Russell is the second of my four sons. We both live in Norman, but our relationship is, unfortunately, strained, due to my sexual brokenness and my past deception, which has been chronicled greatly in the blog, which grew from my repentance. Russell attends the church which exercised discipline against me, which I’ve also covered in the blog. I pray and remain hopeful that someday God will restore our relationship. I’m very proud of all my sons and my daughter.
Thanks for asking. I guess you and Russell are acquaintances?
Thom
Yeah. I was a student at OU from 2000-2003, was involved in the BSU, went to Trinity, and was friends w/ Russell, though I haven’t really kept up with him since graduating.
Knowing his first name and the # of siblings he had, I kinda figured you were his dad. I’m guessing everything that happened that you’ve wrote about came after I graduated.
Like I said, in my ministry, I’ve dealt w/ several who have faced sexual brokeness and I appreciate all that you’ve written (that I’ve read), b/c it’s not something that gets talked about.
And now that I have the dots connected, I certainly want to offer up my prayers for the “strain” in your’s and Russ’s relationship.
Thank you, Mike. I love Russell very much. Many have said he is more like me than any of my four sons.
Tony,
90% of the time I come to SBC Voices is the blog feed/aggregator. It’s nice to have a place that filters the latest blog post on the internet from the Baptist world.
I don’t see how in the world people can track with posts that have hundreds of comments. If there about 10-15 people who want to debate, I would create an alternative forum for that if I were you.
Tony,
I agree with Timmy 90% of the time I come to SBC-Voices for the blog feed/aggregator.
However, I would like to add that I think the “Free-for-all” comments are getting out of hand. I would recommend that comments be limited to only registered and verified members of SBC-Voices.
That would end a lot of this “drive by” stuff by those who are really just trying to stir up a fight and have no connection the the Southern Baptist Convention at all. Someone could still comment under an anonymous name if needed, but the blog administrator would always know who the person really was, and even better know that they are not just someone trolling the blogs looking for a fight.
I like it just the way it is. Thanks for setting it up. It is very useful to me.
I like it as it… I just think there needs to be some more self restraint practiced among us who post comments in the discussions.
A noble dream, Mike.
I like to dream big… 🙂
I’ve been dreaming since 2006, Mike. Still wishing and hoping and praying…. 🙂
Its a noble dream.
I come for #s 2,3, and 4.
I actually only ever come here for the directory and Baptist blog March madness, but I must also say I greatly appreciate all of things mentioned about this blog in the post and comments. This would be one of the first places I’d go to do research on SBC current events. I’d like it to keep going as is.
Blake…I see this as a great opportunity for me to ask you to go by my website and put it in your links to drop by and now and then. I am usually somewhere in the March Madness. I need all the readers and votes I can get. I hereby declare the Madness advertisements begin! Come see me. That is SelahV Today !! 🙂
I agree with Greg A. regarding the need to know that we are dealing with bona fide Southern Baptists instead of some drive-by shooter. Bona fides are notrubber stamps. S. Fox is Southern Baptist as is Gene S. even though they disagree vociferously with the CR and love to fuss about it and take pot shots. At least they are known opponents and sometimes worthy of the name regardless of their abrasive remarks. As to football, Ala. had to get its most famous coach from the great state of Arkansas where I think the bear invented it. He left Ky. to go to Texas A & M, cause as he said, Ky was basketball country as is Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham, which any football fan knows. Even my grandson worked for Coach K’s basketball camps, while his uncle, my son, writhed in terrible distress as any alumni of CH would.
Thank-you, Dr.Willingham
Tony,
I think you should leave it unchanged. I don’t read SBC Voices (or any blog) on a daily basis, but when I catch-up on SBC happenings every few days, this is one of the first places I come. And I agree with Tim that the aggregator function is very helpful. I think SBC Voices meets a particular, needed niche in the Baptist blogosphere. For that reason alone it is worth keeping, assuming somebody is up to the task of running it.
FWIW,
NAF
So, do I take it that I am the only one who sees the evident need to make Voices about happenings in the FOOTBALL GALAXY from September through January?
Well that is just really sad. I would have thought better of some of you, especially those of you who have seen football in its glory by attending a SEC game.
Go ahead then. Beat each other to death about the SBC. I promise to, from-time-to-time, sprinkle a little football education on your miserable heads, in hopes that someday you will all see the light and repent of this great lacking you all have in your lives and come to the place wherein you can raise up your voices and cry……………………………..
ROLL TIDE!
C.B.,
my husband goes football-crazy also during this time of year;
SO bad that I paid for a complete renovation of an upstairs guest-room into a ‘man-cave’, with all of the trimmings: little refrigerator, gigantic wide-screen tv, four recliners, and ‘Steeler’s decorations all around. He was thrilled.
It’s HORRIBLE up there, but he is SO happy, I guess it was worth it. 🙂
(And now there is peace and quiet in the main part of the house when the Steeler’s play: WHAT a relief!!!!!)
L’s,
I have asked you many questions in the past. Many of them were of a very seriouis nature.
Now, I must ask you a question that ranks among the most important. Here it is:
What College FOOTBALL NATION does you husband desire to win the National Championship this year?
OMG, I have failed the test. What on Earth is a ‘college football nation’???????
I have no clue.
But let me take a guess at which college TEAM he supports . . .
I think (but am not sure) that it’s Penn State.
He loves ANYTHING Pennsylvania: Steelers, Penn State, the Penguins, the Pirates . . . ad nauseum . . . on and on and on
He’s a sports NUT. I have endured all this craziness for over forty years. Yes, it’s true.
But I love him anyway. In spite of it all. Can’t help it.
He’s adorable. 🙂
LOL L’s,
When you mentioned the Steelers, I thought he might be a PENN STATE NATION fan.
Ask him how he liked the little excursion they had down here to the SABANATION.
Ask him if he can hear it? When he asks, Hear What? You say, ROLL TIDE!
That will put a new spark in your relationship. 🙂
LOL , falling out of chair laughing . . .
a new spark? More like WW III
C.B., you KNOW that I am much smarter than the average bear and I can see right through your ‘advice’ 🙂
Thanks, but NO THANKS !
thems ‘sparks’ I don’t need
I was just trying to be helpful there L’s. I guess its just the servants heart coming out in me. 🙂
I want to echo what Nathan Finn said.
Byron,
Nathan Finn is a fan of the SEC. You can only “echo” him if you are worthy of such. Are you a fan of the SEC?
Sorry, CB, I didn’t see your reply (didn’t check back here, so it’s my fault). I’m a sports agnostic. I hear everyone’s testimonies about it, and don’t know what to believe, or how to prove any of it even if I did. 😉
It is evident that the fellow who thought this was limited to pastors and theologicans exploring deep subjects, etc., was totally wrong. Clearly, it is an attempt to promote the most important subject of football from the SEC which except for Alabama (and it had to get the Bear to get it really rolling) and one or two others leave much to be desired. The old Northwest territory in the Midwest and Southwest invented football as any football fan knows. All other areas are basketball country. Clearly this was all predestinated by God in His free will for a lot of laughs. After all, He named the second Patriarch, “LAUGHTER!”
So James W,
Does devoting Voices to happenings in the FOOTBALL GALAXY from September through January get your vote?
Not really. I still prefer theology so deep like the navy boys over the Mariannas Trench where you can’t reach the bottom, but I will tolerate the references. I played tackle one year in high school (being a big old farm boy on the Jr. varsity, 6′ 180 at the time at age 13. I ran into the variety store owner’s son in scrimmage who out weighed me by 20 lbs and he was down and out for the count and the coach was having visions of an end to his promising career turned the air even bluer), then moved to St. Louis and started weight lifting where the coach thought it made one muscle bound (now they won’t hardly let any one play even basketball without weight lifting) and so I continued weight lifting and had tolet football go though I was faster than 80% of that Big City Hi’s team (proven in gymn class) and more flexible anyday than 99% of them.
So much for the glory of sports. Agree with Dr. Finn whom I have had the pleasure of meeting. He teaches at SEBTS. Our blog masters ought to get him to write on some of the controversial set tos we have.