Afghanistan Veterans
When the Vietnam War ended, military veterans and others who served came home to shame and disappointment. They were ridiculed by some, ignored by others. Their physical injuries scarred over but their emotional wounds remained raw reminders of the frustration, anger, and emptiness many of them felt. Slowly, we realized our mistake in caring for […]
Baptizing More People – Part One
A common concern among Southern Baptists is our decline in both the number of baptisms and the ratio of members to baptisms over the past decades. The data indicates a significant problem. How do we reverse this trend and baptize more people? The most frequent suggestions, including much of my writing and speaking on this […]
Baptizing More People – Part Two
A common concern among Southern Baptists is our decline in both the number of baptisms and the ratio of members to baptisms over the past decades. The data indicates a significant problem. How do we reverse this trend and baptize more people? The most frequent suggestions, including much of my writing and speaking on this […]
Value of Being a Southern Baptist
More than 25 years as a Southern Baptist denominational executive, preceded by more than a dozen years as a Southern Baptist pastor, has shaped my perspective on navigating the vagaries of working among and with the large network known as the Southern Baptist denomination. It can be a daunting and at times disappointing task. Here […]
Unraveling
A recent story in the Wall Street Journal clarifies why the Equality Act is very bad legislation. We have a California version—SB 132—which took effect in January 2021. This law allows transgender-identified male inmates to transfer to women’s prisons based on “individual preference.” A spokesperson for the prison system reported 264 male prisoners had already […]
A Sad Change
The Olympics are awesome! The summer games are particularly interesting—with lesser-known sports like fencing, water polo, badminton, and table tennis getting time in the spotlight. Another enjoyable part of watching the games is the attention given to women’s sports and female athletes. Lydia Jacoby, the first swimmer from Alaska to make an Olympic team and […]
Preoccupation with Culture Wars
Southern Baptist churches, based on our baptism reports, are less and less effective at sharing the gospel in such a way people receive it and become Christians. The reasons for this vary from church to church, but there are some common problems which span geography, culture, and ministry style. This is the sixth installment in […]
Theological Murkiness Leading to Practical Universalism
Southern Baptist churches, based on our baptism reports, are less and less effective at sharing the gospel in such a way people receive it and become Christians. The reasons for this vary from church to church, but there are some common problems which span geography, culture, and ministry style. This is the fifth installment in […]
Embarrassment About Being A Christian
Southern Baptist churches, based on our baptism reports, are less and less effective at sharing the gospel in such a way people receive it and become Christians. The reasons for this vary from church to church, but there are some common problems which span geography, culture, and ministry style. This is the fourth installment in […]
Overcomplicating Sharing the Gospel
Southern Baptist churches, based on our baptism reports, are less and less effective at sharing the gospel in such a way people receive it and become Christians. The reasons for this vary from church to church, but there are some common problems which span geography, culture, and ministry style. This is the third installment in […]