Sherman Book

I highly recommend the book below. A different kind of book is the autobiography of Cecil Sherman. I had never read a moderate Baptist's view of the SBC controversy of the 80s and 90s, which ultimately led to the formation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Sherman, a leader in the movement and first director of CBF, tells his story, which by his own admission is from his own point of view.

I appreciated reading his own account of the controversy, and although I still cannot hold to a moderate's view of the Bible, I've often wondered what our convention would look like today if everyone involved in Baptist politics had found some sort of common ground. Perhaps it just wasn't possible. I know there are always two sides to every break-up, and it was good for me to read about the Baptist divorce from one who was in leadership on the moderate side.

My favorite part of the book, however, is Sherman's account of his pastoral ministry. His fight against racism while at First Baptist Asheville is a story of courage and integrity forged in conflict. Every pastor, particularly young ones, would benefit from reading that section of the book.

The last section of the book is the story of his wife's [Dot] battle with Alzheimer's. It is a story of love and commitment that proves the words, "for better or for worse," mean something.

By the way, Paige Patterson has offered an interesting review of this book:

http://www.baptisttheology.org/ByMyOwnReckoning.cfm

Carson Book

I recently finished this book and it is a must read for any pastor. D.A. Carson writes about his father, who ministered for many years in Quebec. Tom Carson was an ordinary pastor. He ministered in a difficult place with sometimes only minimal "results." He often questioned himself and his faithfulness to God. We've all been there!

This book would be required reading if I were teaching a pastoral ministry course. Its primary contribution is that success in ministry cannot be determined by budgets, numbers, etc. It is determined only by faithfulness!!

40/40

I want to encourage you to be involved in the 40/40 Prayer Vigil that has begun. It is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and the Ethics/Religous Liberty Commission of the SBC. It is one of the best prayer guides I've ever seen. Ultimately we pray for revival in this nation, but it begins with the individual and moves to the church before prayers are offered for the country.

www.ilivevalues.com/prayer

Stop Signs, Stop Lights, and Pride

Well it happened again this morning. Each morning as I drive to work I come to a three-way stop sign that is usually pretty busy around Greer High School. The car on my left had just gotten out of the way, the car in front of me went, and thus it was my turn right? Oh no! The person behind the car in front of me decided to do a rolling stop and turn left in front of me. This kind of thing happens every day.

Of course no one stops at red lights any more. A few days ago three cars turned left in front of traffic after our light had turned green. I was in the front car along with another vehicle to my left. We both honked, but the last of the illegal turners gave us a look and a gesture. He was talking on his cell phone, probably with no idea that the light had even turned.

Why is it that folks won't wait their turn at stop signs and have the need to run a red light? The issue is pride. The thought is, "My time is more important;" "Where I have to go is more important." "I didn't get up early enough to be on time so now that I'm late I'm more important." We could go on and on but the point is made.

The foundational sin is pride. Pride simply means that "me, myself, and I" are the three most important people in my life--everyone else is secondary. Pride is ruling the roost on the roadways, and it's going to get people hurt and killed.

Preacher and Politics

Here are some good words foundat preaching.com

In the Summer 2008 issue of Leadership, Mark Dever reminds us not to forget there is a difference between the gospel and the political realm: "Too many Christians today are trying to improve on the gospel. The gospel is what it is: the Cross of Christ. Christians on both the political right and left are downplaying the effects of the Fall, and instead buying into a secular myth of progress through market economics or socialism. That is not something a Christian preacher should adopt.

"A Christian preacher should be critical of any temptation toward earthly Utopianism. The answer to the world's ills is not even something as good as outlawing abortion. I certainly would like for us to have such laws, but even more, I'd like people not to want to kill unborn babies. There's only so much outward conformity that laws can build into a people who are not in agreement with the heart issues.

"It serves us well to understand the difference between the gospel and the implications of the gospel."

I could not agree more with Dever's insight and warning.

Preacher be very careful as the political rhetoric heats up--you are one who is to center on the cross not politics. What will change this country's direction is not a political leader but revival!!