During the summer, one of the things I love to do is take time to read. Perhaps it started with a hunger to know more through reading. In the summers following the fourth grade to early junior high, I joined a program at the public library to read a book each week. As I read, I wanted to read more. By the time I entered junior high, one particular author spurred my interest above all others. His books were short in comparison to many others. Maybe that was the attraction. There were no … [Read more...]
Article XVI of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000: Peace and war
Following is another in a series of columns on The Baptist Faith & Message 2000. Article XVI of The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 reads: “It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war. “The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs … [Read more...]
Southern Baptists pass first approval of constitutional amendment over women pastors
NEW ORLEANS, La. (BP) — A motion to clarify Southern Baptists’ stance on women and men filling the role of pastor was passed by messengers on June 14. The motion, first brought last year by Virginia pastor Mike Law, received the required two-thirds vote by messengers. Another two-thirds vote of approval is necessary at next year’s annual meeting to proceed with the amendment to Article III of the SBC Constitution. The motion that was passed was amended from its original version, which … [Read more...]
Conserve truth, celebrate fidelity during month of June
For decades, Christian writers have warned us about the decline of Western – and, more particularly, American – culture. “The barbarians are coming,” conservative evangelical theologian Carl F.H. Henry cried in the 1970s. He repeated the pronouncement again in 1988, writing, “We live in the twilight of a great civilization, amid the deepening decline of modern culture.” His was a stark message, but he maintained hope. Last month, Peter J. Leithart, president of the Theopolis Institute, … [Read more...]
Messengers deem Saddleback, two other churches not in friendly cooperation with SBC
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Messengers to the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention have upheld the Executive Committee’s decision that Fern Creek Baptist in Louisville, Ky., Freedom Church in Vero Beach, Fla., and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., are not in friendly cooperation with the SBC. Registration Secretary Don Currence reported the results to messengers on Wednesday morning: Vote to sustain EC actions – Fern Creek Baptist: For – 91.85% (9,700) Against – 7.63% … [Read more...]
Contrary to Rick Warren’s claims, Baptist confessions provide doctrinal accountability
EDITOR'S NOTE: Clint Bass (DPhil, Oxford) is a Baptist historian and member of Southern Hills Baptist Church, Bolivar, Mo. Last February, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee deemed Saddleback Church a body “not in friendly cooperation with the convention.” As an attempt to contest the Executive Committee’s actions, Saddleback pastor Rick Warren published an open letter on 2 June. His basic claim is that Southern Baptists have lost their way in creedalism and this … [Read more...]
Barber, Stone to be SBC presidential nominees at annual meeting, June 13-14
Bart Barber to be renominated as convention president NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Pastor Steven James of Lake Charles, La., announced, Feb. 13, his intent to re-nominate Texas pastor Bart Barber for SBC president at the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans this June. Barber was elected to the position for the first time at last summer’s gathering in Anaheim. James and Barber know one another well due to their time together on the board of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. “During our … [Read more...]
Legacy of Crossover’s evangelism efforts set to continue in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Southern Baptists were venturing to Las Vegas in 1989 for the SBC’s Annual Meeting, a controversial location due to the city’s negative reputation. Many reportedly threatened to boycott the meeting, but others recognized the intent – to emphasize evangelism and make an impact for the Gospel in the host city. “The intent that is being made to witness to the people in Las Vegas is a unique feature of this convention,” John Wright, chairman of the SBC Committee on Order of … [Read more...]
Preaching ministry ‘an honor and privilege,’ Whitney says
HOLTS SUMMIT – Brother Frank Whitney stood up, took a deep breath, and walked toward the pulpit. Bible in hand, he double-checked his notes for the Sunday evening sermon. Tonight’s topic: faith the size of a mustard seed. The crowd wasn’t any larger than usual; about 30 people. It was just another Sunday evening service, except for one detail: The preacher, Brother Whitney, was 12 years old. Whitney was born in 1956 in Decatur, Ill. When he was 2 years old, his family moved to Oak Ridge, … [Read more...]
Missouri WMU holds missionary family retreat
ROCKY MOUNT (WMU) – After three long years of pandemic concerns, Missouri WMU (MWMU) was finally able to host the Missionary Family Retreat at Cross Pointe Camp and Retreat Center here, April 24-25. The theme of the retreat was “Hope in Christ,” based on Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Participants included 23 retired missionaries; prospective missionaries Dustin and Cherith Winslow; Sharon Pumpelly, who represented the International Mission … [Read more...]
Article XIV of BF&M: Cooperation
Following is another in a series of columns on The Baptist Faith & Message 2000. Article XIV of The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 reads: “Christ’s people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people … [Read more...]
Word Power
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” –Psalm 19:14 (NKJV) Have you ever heard very young children use ugly words while playing or talking to others? I have, and it is not pretty. Where did they get such a vocabulary? In all likelihood, they picked it up from family at home or classmates at school. There was a time when we did not hear so much of such talk. Now, it seems that even news on TV often … [Read more...]
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