As you read the report about the redemption of 970 acres of land surrounding Windermere, some will ask themselves, “What are they thinking? Didn’t we lose Windermere on appeal with the state Supremes? Isn’t this finished?” When I first heard of a potential buy-back, I had similar thoughts. However, with a little more time and information, the word that began to stick in my brain was “comprehensive” and more specifically, “think comprehensively.” Whenever we face a difficult situation, … [Read more...]
Fixing the SBC
Considering the complex issues swirling around the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), I’m not sure anyone has a definitive word on how to fix what ails us, especially as we rub against a culture increasingly more hostile to the gospel. There is no silver bullet to fix all that plagues our great convention of churches. Truth is, we are broken people, raised by broken parents, living in a broken world, and our only hope is the transformational power of the Lord Jesus to fix our brokenness. … [Read more...]
Interruptions God uses
We’ve all experienced this. We make our plans for the day or week and something comes along that obliterates our carefully constructed agenda. Unless we are the one making the changes, we don’t like having our plans modified. After all, we have places we want to go and things we want to do. Then along comes an interruption. Something explodes our plans and we have significant choices to make. We can become angry, frustrated, bitter and grouchy. Or we can use the interruption as a divine … [Read more...]
MBC Pastors: Important Survey
This week I am sending an email to Missouri Baptist pastors with a link to an important survey that focuses on cooperation. We have made every effort to find email addresses for the 1,900 senior pastors from every size church in our state convention – or a mailing address for those without access to email. In addition, we are including many other paid staff, volunteers and lay leaders in the survey. The reason: Your Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) state missionaries sincerely desire to … [Read more...]
Yeats: Passing the baton of God’s truth to the next generation
Dennis and Barbara Rainey tell the story of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards. This colonial couple left a legacy that was much larger than either of them could have imagined. The Raineys write, “Jonathan Edwards felt God’s call to become a minister. He and his young bride began a pastorate in a small congregation. During the years that followed, he wrote many sermons, prayers and books, and was influential in beginning the Great Awakening. Together they produced 11 children who grew into … [Read more...]
Yeats: Conviction and compassion
This year’s Missouri Baptist Convention Worldview Conference was an extraordinary experience. Because it was held on the campus of Hannibal-LaGrange University, many students engaged in thought-provoking dialogue with the program personalities and participants. I’m encouraged by the thirst of the next generation to learn about engaging the culture from a faith perspective. One of the takeaways from the conference was the message from every speaker about the value of speaking and … [Read more...]
Extraordinary prayer: No bands, no parades, just prayer
Last issue I called an audible requesting Missouri Baptists on April 8 to enter into a special time of prayer and fasting. In response, some are organizing prayer times in their homes or church houses. Others plan to join us in the Baptist Building. We are taking time to pray from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No lunch. Just prayer. Bring a cushion for your knees. Since I made this announcement, I have been amazed at the number of pastors and church leaders who have called or sent an email to the … [Read more...]
April 8 Call to Prayer
Peyton Manning is perhaps the best quarterback at calling audibles. Football fans have watched this guy for years step up to the line of scrimmage, and if he discovers that the play called in the huddle is not going to translate into a successful yardage gain, he calls an audible. The play doesn’t need to be complicated, just something the opposing team doesn’t expect. I need to call an audible. One of the functions of the state convention is to convene the people of God called … [Read more...]
Trusteeship – a sacred trust
Just this week I returned from serving on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. Our February meeting was full of important decisions impacting the cooperative work of churches that identify themselves as Southern Baptist congregations. My fellow trustees listened to amazing reports about our international missionaries and new church planting in North America. We were challenged to hear how our six Southern Baptist seminaries are adapting their work of equipping tomorrow’s … [Read more...]
Strong loving relationships key to healthy discipling churches
Even as you receive this column, “Valentines Day” is occurring or has just occurred. This time of year sets many to thinking about caring for someone other than himself or herself and that is always a healthy stream of thought. Rather than post a list of things a guy can do to demonstrate that he loves his bride, I reflected on principles I’ve learned from influential church leaders and their healthy marriages. Perhaps you could do the same. There does appear to be connection between … [Read more...]
Show Me – One million Bibles
As a follower of Christ, you know the Bible is the single most important book ever written. As a believer, you know the power the Bible has to transform not only your life, but also your family and the generations that follow the legacy of your life. This book is foundational to things we cherish like hope, purpose, respect for people who are different than we are, forgiveness, religious liberty, sustainable family order, kindness toward hurting people, a Constitutional form of … [Read more...]
Weather poses an adventure of faith
Looking out the window the first week of January, I watched as the snow and swirling wind around the house created an eerie scene. It was cold – so much so that even the young at heart exercised caution. Some of our churches suspended Sunday worship services. As a pastor, I always hated not having a scheduled service because of weather. But there are times that warrant prudent caution over proceeding with what one might consider as normative. I read a post by pastor/evangelist Bill … [Read more...]