Sportswashing
A new term—sportswashing—has been coined to describe using sports to legitimize questionable individual or organizational behavior. The emerging LIV Golf tour is the latest controversial example. LIV Golf is funded by the Saudi royal family and pundits are besides themselves with self-righteous indignation about the moral bankruptcy of this organization and how everyone associated with […]
An Outside Perspective
My summer travels included teaching a seminar as part of our international Doctor of Ministry program, meeting this time in Turkey. One of the most interesting aspects of the trip was a robust conversation with a secular, Muslim, Turkish cab driver—who was more versed on what is happening in the United States than many Americans. […]
Who Gives the Money
Shadow Christians are people who work in dimly lit margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. They are believers who serve quietly, often anonymously, doing the work that keeps churches, organizations, families, and communities functioning. Shadow Christians make an impact even when no one knows their names. Who provides ministry money? […]
Protective Services
Shadow Christians are people who work in dimly lit margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. They are believers who serve quietly, often anonymously, doing the work that keeps churches, organizations, families, and communities functioning. Shadow Christians make an impact even when no one knows their names. Sadly, one of the […]
The Ministry Workforce
Shadow Christians are people who work in dimly lit margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. They are believers who serve quietly, often anonymously, doing the work that keeps churches, organizations, families, and communities functioning. Shadow Christians make an impact even when no one knows their names. If there had been an organizational […]
Bringing people to Jesus
Shadow Christians are people who work in dimly lit margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. They are believers who serve quietly, often anonymously, doing the work that keeps churches, organizations, families, and communities functioning. Shadow Christians make an impact even when no one knows their names. In the Bible, there […]
The Rule of Law and Roe v. Wade
In a blog in November 2021, I wrote, “Respect for the rule of law is a foundation stone for a healthy democracy. This respect begins with the cop on the corner and extends to decisions made by the Supreme Court. Without respect for the rule of law, anarchy and vigilantism will eventually rule the day.” […]
Becoming a Methodist
Having just completed a challenging Southern Baptist Convention, the headline on this blog may alarm you! Never fear, I am not joining the United Methodist Church. Whatever problems we have in the SBC, the problems in the UMC are even more challenging. The kind of Methodist which appeals to me are the men I have […]
Celebrating Ministers Wives
A couple of years ago, my wife Ann Iorg was asked to be the Chairwoman for the National Ministers Wives Luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim. She agreed, grateful the event would be in our backyard and likely easier to host since it was anticipated this annual meeting would have a smaller attendance. […]
Don’t Let’em Ruin You
As I prepared to leave for seminary, a concerned, callous-handed deacon called me aside for a private word. He said, “I know you’re going to seminary and it might do you some good. But, just don’t let’em ruin you.” What he meant was, don’t let a seminary education quench your compassion for people and don’t […]