By Doug Munton, pastor and author I’m neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet. That’s a bad start for confidence in my predictive powers. But let me speculate on the future of the Southern Baptist Convention with whom I have been associated my entire life. In many ways I am describing what is more than what will be. Perhaps this is more of where we are than where we are headed. While it seems likely we will have more of what we currently have, God can change things dramatically. Perhaps we will have a great revival. Perhaps we will have ruin. But here is where it seems we are and where we are headed. (Keep in mind the “neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet” part.) 1. We will be less evangelistic. It is hard to imagine a denomination being much more evangelistic than the SBC was for several decades. While not all churches were evangelistic, and certainly many individual members weren’t, the denomination as a whole was focused on reaching people. For a variety of reasons, we are less so now. Focusing on those reasons is for another blog. (Is it theological, cultural, because evangelism is so hard, etc.?) But it seems obvious we are less likely to be involved in evangelistic activities. We even talk about … [Read more...]
Believing God for our upcoming Southern Baptist Convention
By Ronnie Floyd, President of the Southern Baptist Convention COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) -- There are years when we come together as Southern Baptists annually, having little to no expectation of what God may want to do among us. For the sake of a very lost America and an ever-growing lost and dangerous world, let's come together in Columbus believing God to work in us, among us and through us. Let's refuse unbelief I am reminded of the words recorded in Matthew 13:58, "And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief." I am convinced this is the reason we see a limited work of God in many churches in America. I assure you, in our own church, business as usual is Satan's weapon to create unbelief. This year in our convention gathering, let's refuse unbelief! It is the opposite of faith; therefore, we should refuse it in every way. As pastors and church leaders, let us not be guilty of what we accuse our people of at times: coming together with little to no expectation of God doing anything among us. As leaders coming to Columbus, Ohio, we do not need to sit, listen, evaluate and critique. Let's refuse this way of thinking along with all attitudes and actions of unbelief. Let's believe God I love the words of our … [Read more...]
Moral conviction and not popular opinion essential in democracy
By Jeff Iorg, President, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, California A very successful political consultant in the Bay Area, who has helped elect a number of local officials, was recently arrested and charged with multiple counts of child pornography. At his arraignment, the evidence presented reportedly included some particularly heinous depictions of sexual acts involving children. The political fallout has been dramatic and immediate. Former clients, particularly those now in office, have rushed to outdo themselves with denials of any and all relationship with their confidant. He is radioactive – political death to anyone associated with him. While his purported actions are deplorable, watching politicians scramble to find the moral high ground on this issue has been frustrating at best, comical at worst. They are applying a double standard to his behavior which reveals the convoluted reasoning prevalent in making and enforcing laws these days. In light of current reasoning, what legal defense should this alleged pedophile mount? How about these familiar arguments: “My sexual orientation makes me a protected class citizen; therefore, expressing it is my civil right. My sexual orientation is an inborn trait; … [Read more...]
Is any problem too big for God?
By David Jeremiah, Pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, Calif. EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) – “Houston, we have a problem.” When NASA flight directors heard those words from Apollo 13, it was like an invitation: “You are hereby invited to solve a life-or-death problem” – and they did. Flight director Gene Kranz sprang into action: “Okay … stay cool. Work the problem, people.... Failure is not an option!” (Excerpt from the movie, “Apollo 13.”) Work the problem! With no heat, no light and little communication with the ground, the astronauts drifted back toward earth in darkness – helpless. Work the problem! Ground engineers had to conserve enough power to fire the engines and direct them safely into the earth’s atmosphere. And they did! Lost in space Ever felt lost in space, drifting along, helpless, wondering if even God is stumped by your situation? We know God can solve problems, but in your darkest moments you wonder if He is even working on it. Friend, He is! Look at the Apollo 13 situation in a split-screen format: three astronauts on the left screen huddled in their freezing spacecraft, speaking little to conserve energy, fighting to stay awake, with only a flashlight – dark, cold, silent. On the right … [Read more...]
What’s on my heart for SBC
By Ronnie Floyd, Southern Baptist Convention president COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) – For 11 months, I have had one of the greatest privileges ever given to me by the Lord. Serving as president of the Southern Baptist Convention is one of the most humbling and overwhelming experiences in life and leadership. With each day, while my burden deepens, my hope exceedingly rises. What an incredible moment God has given to each of us to live at this time in human history. In light of that, I want to share a few things on my heart about our upcoming SBC annual meeting. Coming together Yes, coming together is on my heart. I pray we will come together in Columbus, Ohio, on June 16-17. I pray we will come together in unity. While our uniqueness and various perspectives express themselves at times, we do need to resolve: We will come together, stay together, and leave together as followers of our Lord in our Southern Baptist family. I pray we will come together in Columbus with great expectation. This expectation does not need to be in men or programs, but in the Lord Himself. He is doing some mighty things among us and I pray when we are together, He will do some mighty things in us. Come expecting God to meet with us powerfully and send us out … [Read more...]
Focus on Louisiana College: LC President Rick Brewer’s letter to LC Family
Dear Louisiana College family: My first day as president has arrived, and I can think of only a few events in my life that reflect the impact this next adventure God has before me. Coming to saving faith in Jesus, meeting and marrying Cathy, having children and grandchildren all were momentous and meaningful occasions. Becoming the 9th president of Louisiana College, however, is the beginning of another chapter in this life that has prepared me for the challenges and victories the future has for every stakeholder of Louisiana College. The role of president opens a new destination for me, but behind me are the familiar paths of a collegiate community and academic accomplishment, all of which are God’s blessings. I am humbled. I am blessed. In light of recent history, perhaps some may wonder why I accepted the helm of the college. In responding to the unanimous vote of our trustees I also yielded to God’s call upon my life. This gives me peace about the past and assurance for the future. Another confidence builder in what lies ahead is Louisiana College’s remarkable student body. I have met scores of our students personally. And in their bright eyes and engaging smiles I sense the weight of responsibility every one of us has for … [Read more...]
God give us more than we can handle to show His power
God will never give you more than you can handle. I’m sure many, if not all, of us have heard this said before. Maybe we have even said it ourselves. This is often the “go to” reply to try to comfort anyone who is going through a difficult situation, has suffered some sort of loss, or has a major decision to make. I can’t help but wonder though, is this true? Does this align with what we see in scripture? Is it true that God will never give us more than we can handle? Abraham was put into a situation he could not handle when he was promised that he would be the father of many nations. The age of Sarah and Abraham made it virtually impossible for them to be able to have any children naturally. An important detail in being the father of many nations is that you need to be able to produce offspring! They further proved their inability to handle the situation by showing a lack of faith in the promise of God. God had promised that an heir would come through Sarah. Knowing the impossibility of this, they tried to take matters into their own hands and Abraham had a son with Sarah’s servant; a decision that would have consequences for generations to come, including our present time. It is clear they were dealing with something they … [Read more...]
People, churches, stewardship & CP working together
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP) – Our nation once rode the wave of expansive optimism and blessed economic prosperity. Now we appear to be trying to find our place in line with the long list of mediocre economies that were corrupted by greed, injustice and violations of biblical conscience. Yet, in the scheme of things we are still immensely blessed in comparison to the rest of the world. According to GlobalRichList.com, U.S. income of just $2,000 per month places you in the top 2.24 percent of the wealthiest people in the world. That is $12.50 per hour compared to the average laborer in Zimbabwe who makes only 53 cents per hour. In a year an American worker might make $24,000. It would take the average laborer in Zimbabwe 23 years to make the same amount. Historically, our nation’s birth and prosperity demonstrated to the world the importance of freedom of conscience and personal responsibility. These are two high values in the Word of God that are worthy of acceptance by every citizen. To echo the words of the Lord Jesus when He spoke the parable of the talents to His followers, “Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48 ESV). The Lord Jesus didn’t make this statement to simply fill the room with … [Read more...]
All we really need is to stand on Christ the Solid Rock
EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) – Perhaps you know the hymn, “The Solid Rock,” which begins with these words of testimony: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” The Solid Rock emphasizes one of the foundational truths of the Christian faith: Our salvation is based on Christ alone. The Bible says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). This is the great legacy of the New Testament theologians. When the Gospel of Christ leaped over the boundaries of Israel and Judaism, key questions arose. Is salvation for the Gentiles too? And, if so, do these Gentiles need to become Jewish proselytes? Do they need to conform to Jewish law? Do they need to be circumcised? Do they need to adopt the Jewish calendar of Feast Days? Must they acquiesce to Jewish dietary requirements? Acts 15 recounts that a great counsel was convened to discuss these matters. The central question was: “What must a person do to be saved?” The apostles and church leaders defied efforts to impose legalism and ritualism on new believers, affirming for all time that salvation is totally by grace through faith in … [Read more...]
Let God use you to spread the Gospel to all we meet
ATLANTA (BP) – The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is the story of a man with a hole in his soul. The Ethiopian had an emptiness that would not leave him, no matter what he tried to pack in his life. The brief narrative in Acts 8 unfolds his story around three themes. A reading man The Ethiopian had traveled from his home to Jerusalem to participate in celebratory worship. On his return home, he was reading from Isaiah’s prophecy, seeking to understand its underlying message. This was a man of great power and prestige. He had charge of the Queen’s treasury. He was likely dressed in finery and traveling in the “Rolls Royce” chariot of his time. From outward appearances, this man seemed to have everything. But the Lord, who has placed eternity in the heart of every person, was at work in his life. A running man The Lord prompted Philip to leave the revival taking place in Samaria and go on a wilderness journey. When Philip saw the chariot, the Lord instructed him to “overtake” the chariot. As Philip ran toward the chariot, he had no idea what he would find. He was not intimidated by the obvious finery of the chariot, the adornment of the horses, the attire of the attendants. He did not know what the Ethiopian was thinking … [Read more...]
