Mormons as "Christians"

An interesting debate is taking place now on beliefnet.com about Mormonism. If you're interested click on the link below:

http://blog.beliefnet.com/blogalogue/mormondebate/

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th everyone. It will be a sunny, perfect day in South Carolina. We had a great July 4th celebration at Fairview on Sunday. There was a stirring musical by the choir and a fireworks display that was as well done as any I've seen. There were hundreds of people in attendance. As far as today is concerned, it is grill and chill!

Churches Marketing Hollywood

James Smith has an interesting take on churches marketing movies in an editorial found in the Florida Baptist Witness.

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/7536.article

I am always a bit uncomfortable telling my people to go to a certain movie because Hollywood's overall depiction of Christianity is anything but exemplary. "Facing the Giants," and "Passion of the Christ" are the two exceptions. When I saw the promotion of "Evan Almighty" by some churches I was VERY uncomfortable. We need to be careful.

CBF Counting

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's counting practices have been called into question. See the following article:

http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?id=25983

If a church affiliated with the SBC has a few members give to the CBF, should that church be counted as a CBF church? I think not.

Confused and Dazed

This is a wonderful example of confused and dazed in religious America. An Episcopal priest in Seattle is a practicing Muslim. Read this one and scratch your head in disbelief!

http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?id=25959

This truly is "inclusion run amok."

Retirement

This is where I intend to spend my retirement!!!

Hilton Head

My two favorite girls!

25 Years

Lesa, Stephanie, and I just returned from Hilton Head Island. It was our first time there, and during the week Lesa and I celebrated our 25th anniversary. She's put up with me a long time!

Father and Daughter

Ten things a teenage daughter doesn't want to hear from her dad.

10. “Let me explain what 'deductible' means on car insurance.”

9. “Your mom’s almost ready. Where are we going on our double date?”

8. “Seems to me last year’s prom dress still has some life in it.”

7. “I signed us up for the pairs karaoke contest this Friday night.”

6. “We ate possum toes like popcorn when I was a kid.”

5. “Let's get ice cream, my treat! Just let me grab my jar of coins.”

4. “I am proud that you decided to keep the family unibrow.”

3. “You don't need to go shopping after all. I picked out a purse for you on my way home.”

2. “I ran into Bobby at the grocery store. I told him that you're really hoping he'll ask you to the dance.”

1. “By the way, I had to borrow your deodorant yesterday.”

(www.fathers.com)

I can't wait to give this one to my daughter. I'm sure she could add to the list!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day one day early. I'm writing today because I doubt I have time tomorrow. I wish my Dad were still here to wish him a happy day. Dad died in 2001, and I still miss him. There have been many times over the last six years I would have liked to receive his advice, as crazy as that was sometimes.

My Dad was a bricklayer who wound up owning a catfish restaurant. While he and my mother rarely took my siblings and me to church when we were kids, I owe him alot. Primarily, I owe him the value of a hard day's work and the reward of a good afternoon's nap!

SBC

As expected Frank Page was re-elected without opposition yesterday at the SBC in San Antonio. I've gotten to know Dr. Page slightly in the year I've been at North Greenville. He is the man for the hour in our convention.

Jim Richards of Texas was elected 1st VP. Some see this vote as an opportunity for the "old-guard" to reestablish itself. Perhaps, but since Richards is executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas he had a home-field advantage, much as Page had last year in Charlotte. It will be the presidential vote next year that will determine whether Page's election was just a blip on the screen or something more substantial.

Sermons On-Line

Some of you may be interested my Sunday sermons are now available on-line:

http://www.fairviewgreer.net/page2619.php

We're experimenting with this right now so be patient.

When God Comes to Church

I've just finished reading Steve Gaines' new book, When God Comes to Church. Gaines, the pastor of Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, writes that what churches need is not a reformation of theology, but a reformation of worship. I agree.

The book primarily deals with worship but is also greatly concerned about revival. Some of the salient quotes are:

• You haven't had a great Sunday until God shows up!
• Definition of revival: the glory of God filling the house of God.
• One of the reasons so many people are turned off from the idea of church these days is that it is all so explainable.
• The motto of some churches is "Come as you are; leave as you came."
• Some Christians talk urgently about getting God back into government. Others talk about the need to get God back into the public schools. What I'm most concerned about is getting God back into our churches.
• Worship services should not be designed primarily to attract people. Rather, worship services should be designed to attract the manifest presence of God, and He in turn will attract the people.
• Before any talk about doing, let's talk about being.

These are just some of the nuggets you'll find in this book. My favorite chapter is "What Attracts the Presence of God." Gaines deals with what essentials must be found in a church for God's presence to be real and powerful. Those essentials are: sincere and passionate prayer, tithing, fasting, repentance, corporate worship, and unity.

He writes a great chapter on music. Of course everyone knows this is the silly subject that is getting so many church folks upset today. Every music minister knows the tension of trying to please everyone. Gaines advocates a 50/50 split between the old and new [something we try to do at Fairview with varying degrees of success I might add].

A great quote from the chapter: "Can we all please understand that church was never meant to be your personal jukebox? Everybody has 165 other hours in the week to pick out just the songs you personally like. God to your nearest Christian music supplier and load up on whatever you want. Play it nonstop from Monday to Saturday. The new technology of the iPod makes this even easier. You can select, download, and then replay your handpicked favorites as often as you want. But in the house of God, we have a different agenda. We're offering up praise and adoration for the pleasure of someone else."

Well said--if we want God's blessings we must understand that worship is not about us; it is about Him. I'm tired of people telling me what they like or don't like. It makes no difference what I like or dislike. The question about worship is what does God like and dislike?

This is an important read for those grappling with the idea of what true worship is all about. Gaines seems to be saying that real worship brings Holy Spirit revival. Amen! Let it be so.

I may blog on this more later.

Been A While

Sorry that it has been so long since I've posted. Life has been terribly busy this second semester at North Greenville University. Between classes and doing the interim pastor gig at Fairview Baptist in Greer, I've met my self behind and ahead of myself. My spring and summer terms are now over and maybe I can catch up on a few things of interest as the June and July unfold.

We just finished Vacation Bible School at Fairview. I'm not sure what our final enrollment was, but our average attendance was something like 255. We had at least 18 kids saved! What a blessing. I still believe VBS is the best opportunity for evangelism a church can be involved in. Besides, it reaches the most important generation--the next one!

Mohler on Homosexuality

Al Mohler has created some buzz on his recent writings on homosexuality. I believe he is essentially correct. Here his latest blog entry.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=901

NCAA

Lesa and I always go at each other in the NCAA tourney. She knows nothing about this but always picks well! She got me on Thursday and Friday, but in the end I know that I have her. Seven of her Sweet 16 are out!! I have 13 of my 16 still in!!! Texas disappointed us both. All four of our Final 4 are still in but I have to admit that I'm worried about Ohio State. They could very well lose to Tennessee. We both have North Carolina winning it all, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Kansas cuts down the nets. I just hope its not Florida again. I hate Gators!!

The Country Ten Commandments

1. There is only one God

2. No false gods

3. No hankerin' for other's stuff

4. No cuss'n

5. Gather on Sunday

6. No killin'

7. Mind your Ma and Pa

8. Cheatin' is forbidden

9. Ya'll don't steal

10. No white lies or gossipin'

I like these, don't you?

Something to Ponder

Al Mohler has a fascinating entry that Christians need to think deeply about.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=891

He's right--the perfect ethical storm is brewing.

Nail Obituary

I mentioned earlier that Lesa's uncle, Rev. Bill Nail, died the other day. His obituary shares something of his half-century as a Southern Baptist pastor. Once again, I believe that we should honor the soliders of the cross who pass on.

http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=116367&fh_id=10801&s_id=691F0591BDCA60B1B3C1149313DED56D

Response to Cameron

As you might expect, biblical scholars are challenging James Cameron's documentary set to air on Sunday. Ben Witherington is featured in the following story:

http://www.playfuls.com/news_0005642_Scholars_Prepare_Systematic_Debunking_of_Tomb_of_Jesus.html

I saw "Larry King Live" the other night and Al Mohler did a masterful job as usual in articulating the orthodox response to all this nonsense.

Here We Go Again!

We must be getting close to Easter. James Cameron is going to "sink" Christianity.

http://www.filmstalker.co.uk/archives/2007/02/james_cameron_reveals_remains.html

Don't you get tired of this every year? I do.

Fairview Website

Several of you have asked by e-mail about the website of the church where I am currently serving as interim pastor. Here it is:

http://www.fairviewgreer.net/index.php

You might even get a glimpse of me in a couple of pics.

Bill Nail

I wanted to write just a short piece on the passing today of Lesa's uncle, Rev. Bill Nail. Bill served many years as a pastor, often as a church planter. His most effective ministries were in Michigan, during the days when Southern Baptists were just catching hold in that state. He was a go-getter, and I would have liked to observed him during the height of his ministry.

The old soldiers who paved the way for guys like me are going on to their eternal reward every day. We should learn a few things from men like Bill. First, their devotion to the Lord; that is obvious. Second, their devotion to their church. They loved their people. These men were not CEO types. They lived to serve the people, and they often sacrificed a lot to do that. Third, their devotion to the SBC. Bill was a denominationalist. We're losing that more every day, and the convention is reaping the results of it, I'm sad to say. I hope there will be a renewal of devotion to the convention that Bill and others like him spent their lives building.

Bill has enjoyed today a great reunion in heaven with members of his family who have gone before. I'll always be grateful for knowing him. Lesa is a bit sad today because this is the last one of her uncles and aunts to go on to Heaven. Bill was her mother's younger brother.

His funeral will be Wednesday in Kennett. I'm sure he's heard a "Well Done" from the one who he has served all these years!

Spiritual Warfare

We were blessed at Fairview this weekend to have Dr. Chuck Lawless of Southern Seminary to conduct a Spiritual Warfare conference on Saturday and to preach in our morning service on Sunday. If you ever have a chance to hear him, take the opportunity. Some of the quotes that I wrote down from this weekend are:

• We do not wrestle against flesh and blood. Thus our enemies are not other people.
• If a church has no strategy for equipping new believers, why would God entrust that church with new babes in Christ?"
• The Christian life is a life of joy but not without conflict.
• Are we a church that threatens the enemy?

And this one was an "Oh Me" moment: "The reason some new believers' fire goes out is that they hang around us [meaning other Christians] too much."

In Sunday's service, Dr. Lawless preached an outstanding sermon on quote four above. His text was Acts 19, but I'll leave that for another entry. I will say that I've seldom seen a work of God greater than when the invitation was given in the morning service today. God moved in an unusually powerful way. There is no question that this weekend, planned many months ago, was used by God to do the business in our church that needed to be done. To Him be the glory!

Women Professors

I'm sure you're aware that Southwestern Seminary refused tenure to a Hebrew professor, Sheri Klouda, simply because she is a she. Using the Baptist Faith & Message and its prohibition of women pastors as the reason, Klouda was forced out at SWBTS and is now teaching at an institution in Indiana.

I'm sorry this happened. I know Sheri slightly; we were in the Ph.D. program at SWBTS at the same time. She is a highly competent, gifted teacher. I cannot see how we can broaden the BF&M tenet on pastoral leadership and apply it to the seminary classroom. I've sat in classrooms, and I teach in classrooms. Classrooms ain't churches. Students know it. Profs know it.

While I too have the conviction that women are not to serve as senior pastors; I believe women should be allowed to teach on the theology faculty of our seminaries. I appreciate the trustees of our institutions as well as our administrations, but I think they're wrong on this one.

Naps

Well my Dad was right. New research on napping will keep you alive. Researchers tracked more than 20,000 healthy Greek adults, and those who napped three times weekly for about a half-hour had a 37% lower risk of dying from heart attacks or other heart problems than those who did not nap [Orlando Sentinel].

My Dad made sure his nap was uninterrupted each day. If you woke him up, you were dead pure and simple. I've taken his cue and try to take a nap a couple of times a week myself. On Sunday for sure and any other time I can work one in.

God knew we needed rest. Didn't He command a Sabbath rest? So what if I want to do it more than once a week. I'll live longer!!

SC Winter

Well it is moving out today, but here is what a SC winter looks like!

Work of the Church

Since I'm home with time on my hands, I've been thinking about the work of the church. I think I've boiled it down to four areas:

• Attract--this of course is evangelism. We must attract the lost to Christ and His church. How do we do this? I think the best way is by lavishly loving others, displaying Christ's character. Truly His character is contagious.
• Assimilate--once someone is born into the kingdom of God and becomes part of the church, what then? They must be assimilated into the fellowship. The best way here is to become part of small-group ministry. Call it Sunday School or cell-group or whatever, my experience is that when someone becomes part of a smaller group in the church, he/she begins to feel more at home and comfortable. Small groups must learn to take initiative to do whatever it takes to make assimilation successful.
• Develop--there must be a thorough and well-thought out/prayed over process to develop believers in the faith. How do people get from point A to point B in discipleship? Most churches, unfortunately have not thought this process through. How do people learn the basic building-blocks of discipleship? Every church is different but every church must have a plan!
• Deploy--as believers develop they must be deployed into service. Every Christian has been saved to serve. Again, a church must have a definite plan to move believers beyond the pew into the real work of the church. If not most will not serve and the few that will become too weary in their well-doing.

Of course, these four areas are not new, but I believe these principles are sound and should become the church's "Master-Plan." Everything the church does should be planned, coordinated, and then evaluated according to these four principles. What does not enhance these four should be abandoned.

Winter!

Well winter finally arrived early this morning. It has been snowing since about 3am, and freezing rain is now falling. School is out everywhere, so we're all home enjoying the day off! We missed the first couple of weather events but not this one. It had to happen sooner or later. The folks at church last night were concerned that the freezing rain would cause the same kind of massive power outages as the ice storm of December 05. We'll pray that won't happen!

FBC Daytona Beach

Well another super-church is falling on hard times following the retirement of their pastor. The pastor of FBC Daytona Beach, FL has resigned due to severe criticism of the "changes" he's made at the church since the retirement of Bobby Welch. For more go to the following link:

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/6925.article

I've wondered what would happened to the super-churches after the founding or long-time charismatic pastor resigned, retired, or died. It is awfully hard after they're gone. There will be other carcasses in the road before it is over, I'm afraid.

Factions

I was shocked to learn this week that over 3,000 churches, both Protestant and Catholic, close each year. That's roughly 60 per week. While many close because the community around them has dwindled to nothing, there may be one factor that has helped close the doors than any other: factions. I believe factionalism is the great church killer.

Paul dealt with many issues troubling the church at Corinth, but the one that took up the most space gets to the heart of their problem of the great church killer. The church was divided between the great personalities of Paul, Cephas [Peter], Apollos, and even Jesus. It was factionalism that was at the heart of the other problems within the congregation, and the one that was potentially the most fatal.

Why is there factionalism in the church? Paul knew. Factionalism occurs when the church misunderstands the gospel, misunderstands ministry, and is plain ol' prideful.

What was Paul's prescription? It was the cross. If you read chapters 1-4 of 1 Corinthians, you are immediately struck by the emphasis upon the cross. For Paul it was simple--when a congregation's focus was upon the cross, there would be no room for factions. It is the cross that unifies a congregation. It is the cross that brings together so many personalities and backgrounds under one great purpose.

Simple isn't it? In a day when churches and denominations are divided, my prescription is the same as Paul's--focus upon the cross. Glory only in the cross. Preach only the cross. Let the cross of Christ be the rallying point and God will bind us together with one mind and one soul.

Good One

This was given to me the other day by one of my cohorts in crime--Dr. Charlie Bass.

After having dug to a depth of 1000 meters last year, Scottish scientists found traces of cooper wire dating back 1000 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 1000 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the Scots, in the weeks that followed, English scientists dug to a depth of 2000 meters and shortly after headlines in the UK read: "English archaeologists have found traces of 2000 year old cooper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a thousand years earlier than the Scots."

One week later, Texas newspapers reported the following:

"After digging as deep as 5000 meters in West Texas, scientists have found absolutely nothing. They have therefore concluded that 5000 years ago Texas inhabitants were already using wireless technology."

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!

Family Pic

I thought I'd show you how short I've become. This pic was taken on Christmas Eve at my grandmother's home in Kennett, MO. Have a great day!

Mark 5

This past Sunday was my first as interim pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Greer. We had a great day. My message was on Mark 5. If you need a quick outline, here it is:

"Who Is This Man?"

1. He is greater than the devil

2. He is greater than disease

3. He is greater than death

This passage is powerful and gives a great deal of encouragment. Also, don't miss that Mark 5 is an acted parable of salvation. Satan has control over the life of a lost man/woman; the lost person is suffering from the fatal disease of sin, but Christ is greater and can bring salvation to any person.

Mohler

It is good news that Al Mohler is out of intensive care:

http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24730

I pray that Dr. Mohler quicly recovers and gets back into the fray soon!

New Year Commitments

Here is some good stuff I came across from Preaching.com

Timothy Satryan of Wilmington First Assembly of God offers ten rules to make 2007 truly a happy new year!

1. Today I will not strike backIf someone is rude; if someone is impatient; if someone is unkind. I will not respond in like manner.

2. Today I will ask God to bless my "enemy"If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

3. Today I will be careful about what I sayI will carefully choose and guard my words, being certain that I do not spread gossip, slander or malign anyone in any way.

4. Today I will go the extra mileI will find ways to help share the burden of another person. I will find ways to make life more pleasant.

5. Today I will forgiveI will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way. (I will also work to forgive injuries that have been inflicted upon me in the past)

6. Today I will do something nice for someone, but I will do it secretlyI will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another person.

7. Today I will treat others as I wish to be treatedI will practice the golden rule -- do unto others as you would have them do unto you -- with everyone I encounter.

8. Today I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouragedMy smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9. Today I will nurture my bodyI will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods; I will thank God for my body.

10. Today I will grow spirituallyI will spend a little more time in prayer today; I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice!

Happy New Year!

Soapbox

Allow me on the final day of 2006 to get on my soapbox just a bit. I was fired up a couple of days ago when I read an article in The Florida Baptist Witness concerning the merge of a Miami church with Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX. Fellowship's pastor is Ed Young, who is also "pastor" of the Fellowship in Miami, although only by HDTV. In an interview, the mega-church pastor was more than a little revealing about the way he does church and everybody else.

Just a few quotes:

"I don't think a congregational-led church works. I think that's a formula for failure. First of all, it's non-biblical. Secondly, it doesn't work." I'm not sure he's correct on either point. The Bible is not too clear on what is and what is not biblical church polity, and there have been many congregational-led churches that work. By the way when we speak of "congregational led" we mean traditional Baptist polity in which the church votes on various matters. I'm not sure Young has pastored one of these churches in his life to know whether it works or not. He started Fellowship from scratch several years ago.

"The methodology that Baptists have given us is wack . . . it will not work in the local church." Again it doesn't in some but it does in many others. To lump all churches in the same pile is "wack."

"The Baptist thing's not working; we are doing a horrible job . . . Let's face the music. WE have more money, more supplies and we've done a pitiful job in my opinion over the last 20 or 30 years."

He is also critical of the seminaries. "All the young guys, you know the new generation people, they've gone to Rick Warren, they've gone to Bill Hybels and that's where everybody has gotten their great stuff . . . Our seminaries are great for theology, but you know, in a lot of cases, I do the opposite of what I was told in seminary about how to run the church. The opposite." If by opposite he means he runs his church as he sees fit then most likely that is opposite of what he learned in seminary, but does that make what is taught there wrong? In the seminary in which I attended, there was an emphasis upon servant leadership not dictatorship. I prefer the former and to give a congregation ownership of what is going on. That too works. Trusting people is o.k. There are, of course, frustrations when things don't go as fast as you would like, but the congregation usually does what is right, and by the way, a congregation-led church will give a pastor as much authority as he needs to get his job done--especially when that pastor serves faithfully among the people.

When asked about cooperative missions Young said: "I don't think in terms of that right now . . . I've got more, we've got more than we can say grace over right now. We partner with Baptists, but it's mostly ourselves." Young is a denomination in his own right to be sure. He doesn't need cooperative missions, but I wonder how much more effect we could be if guys like him would be more involved in what we're doing around the world.

These are only representative of the comments Young made in the article. I'm just tired of writing.

Young is privileged to pastor a church that has benefited from the urban sprawl of DFW. I wonder if he would have a different outlook is he were elsewhere? Young has a right to his own way of doing church, but it is arrogant to believe his way is the only one that is effective.

By the way, I know the new Fellowship church has someone there who will minister to the people, but where will its "pastor" be? He will be in Grapevine a long way from where he can meet any needs the Miami congregation will have. Have we gotten so far removed from personal ministry that now our pastors are on the big-screen in HD?

Bethlehem

"My message this year is addressed to the world in general and to the Christian world in particular, not to forget Bethlehem." That comes from Bethlehem's mayor, Victor Batarseh, who is urging people to come to Bethlehem at Christmas time. The city has been hard hit with the closing off of Israel to the Palestinians, suicide bombings, etc. The tourism business has greatly suffered [Vines Lines].

Bethlehem is an important location in the Bible. Here are some passages to look at:

• It was the burial place of Rachel [Genesis 35:19].
• In the conquest of the Promised Land, Bethlehem was part of the portion given to Zebulun [Joshua 19:15].
• One of the Judges, Ibzan, was from Bethlehem [Judges 12:8].
• The city is prominent in Ruth. It was the home of Ehimelech and Naomi. She brought Ruth back with her after the death of her husband and sons. Boaz and Ruth had a child there--Obed, the grandfather of David.
• Of course, Bethlehem was the home of David. He was anointed by Samuel at Bethlehem [1 Samuel 16].
• Micah 5:2 gives us the prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem.
• That comes true for us in Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2.

Bethlehem means "House of Bread." I think it is telling that Jesus, the One born in Bethlehem, later said: "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again" [John 6:35].

Let's remember Bethlehem this Christmas season for the greatest gift of all!

Paul's Tomb

The Vatican recently reported that it has found the tomb of the Apostle Paul. You can read the Baptist Press report at:

http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24615

This will be an opportunity for Catholics to worship another set of bones, I guess. Whether this is Paul's tomb or not, the fact remains that we don't worship dead men, however great. We worship the living Savior--the Lord Jesus Christ, whom Paul continues to point us to in his writings of the New Testament.

White Christmas

One of the enduring sounds of the season is "White Christmas," the most recorded and biggest selling song of all time. If you're interested, here is the Wikpedia entry on the song.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Christmas_(song)

There have been at least 500 cover versions of the song--that may be a low estimate. Anyway, I never get tired of hearing it. Bing's is my favorite, but I like Clyde McPhatter's too.

Warning

Al Mohler discusses the sad state of Christmas in Great Britian in an interesting entry on his blog today.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=842

I pray this never happens in America, but one wonders if we're heading this way.

The Nativity

Last night we saw "The Nativity." I have to say that it captures the beauty and simplicity of the Christmas Story brilliantly. The only disappointing thing was the fact that there was no "heavenly host" singing praise to God when the angel makes the birth announcement to the shepherds. Other than that, no real quibble can be made. The movie helped me to further appreciate the social stigma attached to the pregnancy as well as the "cost" of obedience for Joseph and Mary. I highly recommend this film. It will enhance your Christmas celebration!

Christmas Materialism

I was reading on The Dallas Morning News website a few days ago that according to a 2005 survey for the Center for the American Dream, nearly nine out of ten Americans [87%] believe that Christmas should be more about family instead of giving gifts. Four in five do not believe that it is necessary to spend a lot of money in order to have an enjoyable holiday, and 78% wish the holidays were less materialistic.

I find this fascinating, especially in light of the prediction by experts that Americans will spend over $450-billion this year on gifts. As Beth Teitll of The Boston Globe recently put it: "So who, exactly, is forcing us to rise at 5am on Black Friday, drive to the mall and trample old ladies slowing our path to the pile of discounted DVD players? . . . Is it the work of the other 13% in the survey? Are they so bossy that they're able to force the rest of us to slug it out over Game Boys and max out our credit cards just to avoid their wrath?"

Unfortunately, she is right on. I'm glad that most Americans "wish" the Christmas season was more about family and less about spending, but the reality is that it isn't. Maybe Americans one day will get fed up enough with the hype, spend less, and enjoy this time of year more. I doubt it but the that sugar plum does dance in my head.

Interim

I am looking forward to taking over the duties of interim pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Greer January 1. This is a bit unusual as I will sort of be the interim for the interim as Dr. Steve Crouse has to move on. Hopefully, the interim won't be too long--we're looking forward to God calling our next pastor in the near rather than far future. However, we want to be patient and wait upon Him. In the meantime, I'll try to hold down the fort.

First MCM Graduate

Today is the first graduation I will attend at NGU. It is historic as we will see the first graduate of our Master of Christian Ministry program "walk." Kenny Moore is pastor of Davidson Street Baptist Church in Clinton, SC. He will always have the distinction of being the first person to graduate with a Master's degree from North Greenville University. Congratulations Kenny!

Pearl Harbor

Today is the 65th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. I was reading this morning that this will be the last official reunion of survivors because of their age and health. It is sad, but time marches on whether we want it to or not. However, our memory of what happened on that day can and must live on. God bless those who were there that day. It is because of their service and sacrifice that we enjoy freedom today!

Hypocrites in the Church

For years I've heard people complain about hypocrites in the church. Well--there are hypocrites in the church. I'm one of them. So are you. I read a good commentary on this subject this week in The Florida Baptist Witness. Art Toalston wrote about Ted Haggard, former pastor of a prominent Colorado church, who confessed immorality and was subsequently terminated by the church. I want to share some quotes from the commentary.

"No doubt, there are hypocrites, imperfect people and even addicts of all kinds within the Christian community. To their credit, however, these individuals have the courage to embrace a faith that challenges their sin and seeks to redeem their lives. Sadly, people outside the faith have no such resource."

"Rarely are addictions to various forms of depravity easily broken. A relationship with Jesus always will prove to be an uplifting, precious addition to the believer's life, and some believers may see their weaknesses and addictions quickly fall away. But for others, struggles with the inner churnings of sin may continue to exist after they have turned to Jesus for salvation . . . And so, it is entirely possible for a believer to be what the world calls a 'hypocrite,' to believe with all of his or her heart that such-and-such behavior is sinful, yet, in a weak moment, commit sin. In the interim, the communion with Jesus increasingly becomes a desperately needed place of refuge after each defeat . . . The believer knows that sooner or later, 'you may be sure that your sin will find you out . . . When that moment of truth and tumult finally comes, the believer's faith in Jesus will provide the grace and fortitude to face even public embarrassment or great personal loss if, ultimately, such tragedy is required in order to attain a long-yearned-for, more complete life of purity with God."

Well said. Toalston goes on to write of the great compassion and forgiveness of our God. "By God's supernatural grace, we gain opportunity to become as fresh as the first day He entered our lives, poised to venture forth again in ever-more-rejuvenating faith."

There's hope for hypocrites! God is full of forgiveness and grace. Yes there are hypocrites in the church, but God is in the business of making all things new--including turning our hypocrisies into opportunities to show his love, mercy, and life-changing power!

The Power of Forgiveness

I recently preached a sermon from Matthew 18:21-35 on the subject of forgiveness. I am struck its power. The power has been seen recently in the terrible tragedy suffered by the Amish in Lancaster County, PA. As much as people were horrified by the murders in the Amish schoohouse, they have been awestruck by willingness of the Amish community to forgive.

"The deep capacity for forgiveness shown by the Amish is a powerful winess for a culture that seeks 'closure' after murders by means of the death penalty, or strives for 'justice' during the sentencing stage of a murder trial through 'impact statements,' in which family members sometimes lash out at those who killed their loved ones. These are natural impulses. The Amish remind us, however, that these human impulse must be tempered with the desire for forgiveness. A gift to those who grieve and those who are culpable, forgiveness is the foundation for peace between individuals, within families and among nations" [America, 23 October 2006].

This from The Roanoke Times [9 November 2006]:

Some people maintain overcoming evil with good can only work with individuals, not nations. Throughout the ages, all nations have reflexively reacted to violence inflicted upon them with a response of more violence . . . But I wonder jut what would happen if the Amish version of shock and awe were ever tried by a nation on the worldwide scene. What if, instead of the reflex of 'might makes right,' some nation would choose an 'invastion' exclusively with peace volunteers, bringing education, medical care and economic aid to suffering people around the world. Would the awe of such compassion in action transform the way nations resolve fear and hatred?

I read recently about Eva Moses Kor, who along with her sister, were treated as guinea pigs at Auschwitz. The sisters were experimented on by Dr. Josef Mengele. They were given several shots of bacteria, and Mengele documented how their bodies would react. They were left for dead, but they didn't die. They were rescued in 1945. Her sister died of cancer in 1993, likely due to those experiments. Eva carried bitterness in her heart for 50 years, but eventually forgave the people who tortured her during the Holocaust. When she forgave she said she got her life back. "I immediately felt that a burden of pain was lifted from my shoulders. I was no longer a victim of the Nazis" ["Freed by Forgiveness," The Indianapolis Star, 11 November 2006].

There is power in forgiveness.

Why must I forgive? God forgave me, and I'm supposed to be like him.

Final Thanksgiving Thought

Before I put my Christmas lights up today and Thanksgiving is a distant memory--here is a final thought:

"This Thanksgiving I'm thankful. That there aren't twice as many Congressmen and half as many doctors. That grass doesn't grow through snow, necessitating winter mowing as well as shoveling. That there are only twenty-four hours available each day for TV programming. That civil servants aren't less civil. That teenagers ultimately will have children who will become teenagers. That I'm not a turkey. That houses still cost more than cars. That the space available for messages on T-shirts and bumpers is limited. That liberated women whose husbands take them for granted don't all scream at the same time. That snow covers the un-raked leaves. That hugs and kisses don't add weight or cause cancer. That record players and radios and TV sets and washers and mixers and lights can be turned off. That no one can turn off the moon and stars." (Christianity Today, 11-17-1978)

A little old, I know but I thought you'd like this from "Vines-Lines." My kids won't know what a record player is, so I guess the above would be o.k. if you replaced it with C.D. player or MP3! You still get the idea...Let me be the first to wish you a blessed upcoming Christmas season!

Warren in Syria

Rick Warren's visit to Syria is generating a lot of news. On the one hand it seems he was often used by the government for proaganda purposes, but on the other hand it seems that he often says what he denies saying. Perhaps it is a little of both. I think preachers should remain in the pulpit and not venture into the realm of meeting with foreign heads of state. Usually the preacher winds up in trouble because he is in a world he really doesn't understand.

For more on Warren's visit:

http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24441

Rick--stick with what you do best!

NAMB Survey

I was interested in a recent survey conducted by the North American Mission Board through Zogby that shows that 57% of adults viewed Southern Baptists favorably. Only 17% viewed us unfavorably, but 24% said they were unfamiliar with us. Even in the Western and Eastern parts of the country, half of the respondants viewed the SBC favorably. I think this is good news and shows that many churches are doing good things in their communities. Because nearly 1/4 of those who responded are unfamiliar with us, there is still much work to do to get our good news out.

I found something else interesting in this survey. Because the word "Baptist" may not always appear in a church's name, the research also looked at what the significance of knowing that a particular church is indeed Southern Baptist would have on someone's decision to visit or join that church. The survey found that 31% of respondants said this would positively affect their decision, 25% said it would have a negative impact, but 36% said it would have no effect at all.

We've been told for years by some that the name "Baptist" would have negative impact and should not be in the name of the church. This survey shows that is not necessarily true. I have always believed that church's should be as up-front as possible on what it believes. That starts with the name.

Various Musings

Sorry that I have not written in a while. I'm very much behind with papers to grade and final preparations for the end of the semester to make. We have had some good friends of ours with us this weekend. Ed and Rose Pilarczyk from Graceville, FL were with us. Ed and Rose were among the first to join our church in Florida in 1989 shortly after we arrived. Ed and I were classmates at Florida Baptist Theological College, and they have been friends ever since.

I had the privilege of preaching this past Sunday at our home church--Fairview in Greer. We had a good crowd, the choir was excellent, and I really was blessed by the experience. My text was Matthew 18:21-35, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. I rather think that the parable should be entitled, The Parable of the Forgiving God, because we should ask what a text says about God rather than what it says about us. Anyway, I pray the message was used by the Lord.

We heard last night that our former church, Riverside in Ft. Worth, called a pastor last Sunday. May the Lord bless him and that great congregation!

Thanksgiving is ahead. I hope during the long weekend to catch up on a few things I've wanted to write. We'll see. I'm thankful for the Lord's blessings--family, friends, and faith. I can't wait for Lesa's turkey and dressing!

Weekend Musings

Some random thoughts on the weekend.

I preached tonight at Davidson Street Baptist Church in Clinton. Pastor Kenny Moore has a great congregation, and the Lord moved mightily. We had a good time in an old fashioned Sunday night Baptist service--it was a blessing!

Veteran's Day--I'm thankful for the service of our men and women in uniform. I always think of my two grandfathers who served in WWII, my uncles who served in Vietnam, and the many men and women I've pastored who served in the military. God bless them all!

Tis the Season? We were in a store this week and Christmas music was already pumping! Isn't it a bit early for Jingle Bells? Also, as we drove in from Clinton tonight, we saw two houses with Christmas lights on already. Let's get my favorite holiday--Thanksgiving over first!

Congratulations NGU! The football team is 9-2 and hosting the "Victory Bowl" this week. This is apparently the game between the two best Christian college teams each year. We're playing Malone College out of Ohio. I hope we show some good ol' southern hospitality, but also I hope we win!

Weekend Musings

Some random thoughts on the weekend.

I preached tonight at Davidson Street Baptist Church in Clinton. Pastor Kenny Moore has a great congregation, and the Lord moved mightily. We had a good time in an old fashioned Sunday night Baptist service--it was a blessing!

Veteran's Day--I'm thankful for the service of our men and women in uniform. I always think of my two grandfathers who served in WWII, my uncles who served in Vietnam, and the many men and women I've pastored who served in the military. God bless them all!

Tis the Season? We were in a store this week and Christmas music was already pumping! Isn't it a bit early for Jingle Bells? Also, as we drove in from Clinton tonight, we saw two houses with Christmas lights on already. Let's get my favorite holiday--Thanksgiving over first!

Congratulations NGU! The football team is 9-2 and hosting the "Victory Bowl" this week. This is apparently the game between the two best Christian college teams each year. We're playing Malone College out of Ohio. I hope we show some good ol' southern hospitality, but also I hope we win!

Revival in the SBC

I have been greatly encouraged by Dr. Frank Page's emphasis on revival during his short tenure as SBC president. In a recent article, Dr. Page quotes Roy Fish: "For 30 years we have tried to raise baptism numbers among an un-revived people in unrevived churches." This has been a concern of mine for some time as well.

I would urge us who love our blessed convention:

• to stop fighting over Calvinism, church polity, and worship styles and begin to work together to bring revival to our churches. There is much more to unite us than can divide us.
• to renew our revivalistic emphasis, once so strong in our convention but now waning.
• to renew the use of revivals in our churches. For years now we have seen what was once a traditional part of our church ministries being neglected. We are reaping the results of that now. And...
• to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways so that God will hear us and heal us, bringing spiritual renewal.

I pray that our president's call for revival will be heeded.

Staff Dismissals

I've been meaning to post on this for a week or so but haven't had time. I was interested in a recent study released by LifeWay that shows that 1300-plus people were dismissed from church staffs in the SBC in 2005. As usual, relational issues top the list of problems that churches have with ministers. I'm wondering when ministers will learn to understand that they are in the people business. At the same time, I wonder when churches will learn the same thing--ministers are people too.

Some other interesting notes from the study. A pastor's lack of administrative skills and sexual misconduct were found among the top ten reasons for dismissal for the first time. I'm not surprised by the latter, and the former seems to be more of a problem than ever in our churches. By the way, administration is not a biblical function of the pastorate. If a pastor lacks that skill, and many do, lay people or other staff gifted in administration should deal with those issues. Allow the pastor to do what he is called and gifted to do: preach, pray, minister, and spiritually lead.

Finally for the first time, disagreement over doctrine is mentioned in the list at number 12. Bob Sheffield, a LifeWay specialist quoted in The Baptist Courier, said that it is difficult to know what that means, but let me hazard a guess--the problem between Calvinists and non-Calvinists. The Calvinists are usually the pastors and the non-Calvinists are usually the churches. I've known of more than one church over the last ten years that has dismissed a pastor after they found out that he had Calvinist leanings. By the way, a prospective pastor owes it to the pastor search committee to fully disclose his theology.

Saturdays

Saturday morning is my favorite of the week. It is the only morning of seven that the household is not stirring around. How wonderful it is to get up early, put the coffee on, leisurely read and move slowly into the day. This morning I was able to read the entirety of 1 Peter in the Greek text, read the paper, and spend at a while catching up on the blogs I've missed during the week. Praise the Lord for Saturday morning!

Methodists and Biblical Authority

Methodists are strongly debating sexuality issues, which are dividing the denomination. Al Mohler has an insightful post that shows that it is not homosexuality that is at the heart of the problem.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=806

Integrity and Preachers

I was greatly upset by a story in recent days on Baptist Press. A pastor in Florida lied about his education credentials, and when the truth came to light he had to resign after less than two months in the pulpit. The following story on BP deals with accreditation more than the story in Florida, but it will give you an idea of the issues.

http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24242

What is up with the lying on one's resume? From Notre Dame to Radio Shack to West Palm Beach, Florida. By the way, once you lose your integrity it is awfully hard to get it back.

Celebration!

Part of the grand celebration in St. Louis. The improbable has been done! Thank you for a great October!

That's A Winner!

The long wait for Cardinals fans is over. I've been waiting for 24 years--the year I got married, for a repeat performance. Now from the most unlikely of teams, we have it---a World Series champion. The Cards, who no one thought would win, did win game 5 to take the Series from the Detroit Tigers. It was awesome to see the celebration in the new Busch Stadium. Now the monkey is finally off the back--Cards fans can breathe and smile! Now when I think of the Cardinals it won't be just about Gibson, Brock, Ozzie, Sutter, and McGee; I will also think about Albert, Carpenter, Suppan, Weaver, and Eckstein. By the way, Jeff Weaver will never have to pick up the tab in St. Louis the rest of his life!

This takes the sting away from an terrible childhood memory. In 1968, South Elementary School in Kennett gathered as one in the lunch room in front of a small B/W T.V. to watch Bob Gibson toe the rubber for Game 7 against the Tigers. The cheering of exuberant elementary kids turned to tears as we watched our beloved Cards lose that one. The sting of '68 has always been there. Thankfully it is gone! I saw a sign in the stands last night--"Retaliate for '68"--it has been done! One South school alum is glad.

Fall in SC

We're enjoying fall in SC. It is going to be cold tonight--hovering around the freezing mark. It's not Texas!

Bellevue

I've been wondering for several years what would happen to the super-churches when their pastor retires, leaves, or dies. Look no further than Bellevue in Memphis.

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=24193

Inspirational Dad

I was greatly moved by Rick Reilly's article in this week's Sport's Illustrated. Riley wrote about an inspirational Dad and his son. Patrick Henry Hughes was born with a rare genetic disorder that left him without eyes, and with arms and legs that won't straighten. He has not, however, allowed these challenges to defeat him. He is a gifted musician who plays the trumpet in the University of Louisville marching band. He is able to do so because his Dad, Patrick John Hughes, pushes the wheelchair his son is in.

Dad also pushes his son to classes, sits with him and whispers anything written on the blackboard. Then there is band practice and Dad still has to go to work at 11pm. He gets off at 5am, gets a little sleep, then goes to classes and band with his son.

Dad is quoted as saying: "We still say, Why us? But now it's Why us--how'd we get so lucky?"

That my friend is unconditional love!

I'd urge you to read Reilly's article in the Oct 16 edition of SI.

Students Fighting Back

As I read Saturday's The Greenville News, I was surprised to see a by-line from Burleson, Texas, our former home. It seems high school teachers and students are being taught to fight back if some maniac comes into the classroom intending harm. Apparently amajor in the British Army Reserve has done the training, the first of its kind in America.

Of course, there will be some who will criticize the training. Surely, they say, some child will be killed. But isn't it at least possible that many more children would be saved if they know what to do? Bravo Burleson! Perhaps it is time to turn the tables on the wackos.

Women in Ministry Report

I've finally gotten around to reading a report on women in ministry and Baptist churches. It is just as I surmised--some Baptists loudly proclaim that women should serve as senior pastors, but they are not willing to call them when their pulpits are vacant. The report can be accessed at:

http://www.bwim.info/index.php/html/main/welcome.html

Witherington on the Amish Tragedy

Ben Witherington has written a powerful entry on his blog concerning the Amish tragedy. It is a must read.

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/

I too have been greatly moved by the spirit of forgiveness shown by the Amish, who no doubt are greatly devestated by what took place. Although they are crushed they are not defeated. May their type of Christianity increase.

Battle of the Bulge and Iraq

I don't get into politics too much on the blog, but a thought hit me recently. I wonder what today's reporters would have said if they had had been looking at the events during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. You recall that the Germans made one final push in December 1944 to salvage victory in Europe. There were many casualities and for a while it didn't look good for the Allies. The news media of today would have been whining as now, I'm sure. However, we did win that one as I recall.

The same is true in Iraq at the moment. The violence has escalated as the enemy attempts to salvage victory. The media is whining about how badly things are going. I have confidence we're going to win this one too!

Facing the Giants

We got to see "Facing the Giants" over the weekend in Spartanburg. It was a well done picture that sends the message that with God all thing are possible. I was a bit worried at the beginning; the movie starts a bit slow and the acting is sub-par. But as the movie progresses, the actors step up and do a more than decent job. The primary characters are believable and their faith journey inspiring. I left the theatre encouraged and thankful how God is working through the film. By the way, I've been to only one other movie this year where there were as many people in the theatre--"The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." If y0u have a chance to see the movie, by all means do it--you'll be glad you did.

Case of the Missing Remote

Have you ever lost something, and you would not rest until that something was found? It happened to us this weekend when we lost our TiVo remote. It was lost sometime on Saturday afternoon. We looked high and low. We looked under and above. We completely gutted the living room--no remote. We all went to sleep on Saturday night with one question: Where is the remote? All day Sunday. No remote. Sunday night. No remote.

Finally, just after 1am this morning--Lesa found it. It was caught inside her recliner. We had looked. We had put our hands down the filthy back and sides of the recliner [isn't it disgusting how bad those get?] . She didn't find it until early this morning, exhausted from the search, she leaned far enough back in the recliner to feel something strange. She back down on her hands and knees and reached deeply into the leaning recliner--there it was!

How did it get there? Who put it there? I'm blaming the dog. But no matter--the case of the missing remote is solved. All is right in our world. We can surf our channels without getting out of the chair again. PTL!

Vines on Islam

I thought you'd like this from Jerry Vines, who has had lots of experience in dealing with criticism of Islam. I think he can sypathize with the Pope.

POPE "OFFENDS" MUSLIMS

So what else is new?
Pat Robertson tells the truth about Islam and muslims are "outraged."

Franklin Graham tells the truth about Islam and muslims are "irate."

Jerry Falwell tells the truth about Islam and muslims are "angry."

I tell the truth about Islam's founder and muslims are "offended."

Now, the Pope has "offended" the muslims yet again. Pope Benedict XVI, in a speech last week a Germany's Regensburg University, said that the only thing Muhammad brought that was new was "only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." Keep in mind Islam has a standard procedure when they are "offended." They riot in the streets, burn churches, and kill people.

Sister Leonella, a 65-year-old nun was ambushed and shot just days after the Pope's remarks. Their reaction actually proved the point of the quotation the Pope cited. The Pope is trying to distance himself from his remark. He says he was quoting someone else and is "deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries a few passages of my address were considered offensive." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9-18)

If a cartoon "offends" them, they riot, burn churches and kill people. The pattern is always the same.

Now, here is the question - were the Pope's statements true? And those of Jerry Falwell, Franklin Graham, Pat Robertson and myself? Any fair-minded reader of Islam's tenets and anyone familiar with Islam's history will have to say, yes. But, we must not "offend" the muslims by telling the truth.

"Facing the Giants"

"Facing the Giants," a film completely produced by a church in Albany, GA, has opened. I hope to see it this week in Spartanburg. I find it interesting that the movie rated PG for its outspoken Christian message. It is unbelievable but true. If it is in your area--go see it.

Germantown Pastor

For some time we 've been splitting churches over music, then it was Calvinism, now it is elder-led vs. congregational led churches. Here's the latest on a Memphis area pastor who recently split his church over the issue and now isn't even Southern Baptist.

http://www.commercialappeal.com


Are you tired of all this? I am.

Byron Nelson

I was sadded to learn of the death yesterday of the great golfer, Bryon Nelson. Lord Byron will be remembered for his accomplishments as a golfer, but many more will remember him for the Christian life that he led. Every time I heard him interviewed, I was impressed with his character. For more on his life:

http://www.wfaa.com


I'm sure he has heard a "Well done" from the Lord.

Founder's Day

Today was Founders Day at NGU. It is the day that the history of the university is celebrated. It was my first official/formal function at the university as the faculty dressed in academic regalia. It was a bit trying to find my place in the recession, but I finally found the person I was to stand behind and all went well. The speaker was Dan Cathy, president/CEO of Chick-fil-A. He did an excellent job, and I was impressed by his company's Christian commitment. As you know part of that commitment is that they are closed on Sunday. I've done my part today--I had chicken for lunch and dinner!

Fairview

Well we finally joined a church last Sunday. We have been visiting churches through the summer, but we finally settled on Fairview Baptist in Greer. Dr. Steve Crouse, campus minister at NGU is the interim. If you'd like to check the place out the web address is:

http://www.fairviewgreer.net/index.php

Insults with Style

You'll like this from "Preaching Now"....

Insults with style

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." (Winston Churchill)

"A modest little person, with much to be modest about." (Winston Churchill)

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." (Clarence Darrow)

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." (William Faulkner, about Ernest Hemingway)

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" (Ernest Hemingway, about William Faulkner)

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." (Moses Hadas)

"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." (Abraham Lincoln)

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." (Groucho Marx)

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." (Mark Twain)

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." (Oscar Wilde)

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play. Bring a friend . . . if you have one." (George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill)

"Cannot possibly attend first night. Will attend second . . . if there is one." (Winston Churchill, in reply)

Preaching to Felt Needs

Here is an insightful blog post on the danger to preaching to felt needs.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=773

IMB Commissioning Service

My family and I had the privilege of attending an International Mission Board Commissioning Service last night at North Spartanburg First Baptist Church. To say that it was inspiring is an understatement. The service from start to finish was a true worship experience. It was gratifying to see one of my former Southwestern students and his wife commissioned. If you have never been to a commissioning service, by all means go to the next one close to you. You really won't be the same.

I was sad that Gordon Fort was not able to attend. He was on the program but was not there. Gordon's wife, Leann, grew up at my last church--Riverside in Ft. Worth. I was hoping to touch base with him but of course was not able to do so. Other than that, it was great night.

Tongues & Baptists

The recent flap over the Dwight McKissic sermon at Southwestern again brings to the forefront the subject of Baptists and tongues, or the politically correct term "private prayer language." That's the term Baptists like to use to make sure they are not getting mixed up with the tongue speakers in Pentecostal/charismatic groups. In essence, that is still what we're talking about. McKissic was highly critical of the International Mission Board of Trustees over its decision to not appoint missionaries who claim to speak in tongues. Are they right in doing so?

The idea of a private prayer language comes from 1 Corinthians 14 where Paul attempts to set in some kind of order the confusion brought out by the use tongues in worship. In 14:2 Paul wrote: "For the person who speaks in [another] language is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit." In 1 Cor 14:14 Paul writes: "For if I pray in [another] language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful" [HCSB]. The term translated "another language" in the HCSB is "tongue." Do these verses demand the idea of a private prayer language. In both cases the answer is no. In v. 2 all Paul is saying is that when one speaks in tongues only God can understand him/her [if an interpreter is not present]. In v. 14 the apostle seems to only be saying that when one prays in tongues he/she cannot understand what is being said. Neither of these verses require the idea of a private prayer language.

Clearly in 1 Cor 12-14 tongues are seen by Paul as a spiritual gift. In chapters 12 and 14 he is clear that tongues are to be used to glorify God and build up the church. Spiritual gifts are not individual-centered but corporate-centered. In other words, they are not for the building up of the individual [although they do that] but for the building up of the church. Spiritual gifts are not a "private" matter but a "corporate" matter.

All of our experiences must be examined in light of Scripture. Is there such a thing then as a "private" prayer language? I would like to see an example of it in Scripture to be convinced. I don't find that example. Although I at first was critical of the IMB position, I believe now that the trustees were correct.

Osteen

You'll likely be interested in this report about Joel Osteen's recent Boston visit.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=766

This reminds me of his appearance on Larry King in which he danced around the reality of hell.

Preaching and Technology

One of the things mentioned in Al Mohler's take on contemporary preaching [posted recently here] was his concern that the preacher is becoming too enamored with technology. I agree. Based on my experience this summer of being in several different churches for worship, I would say that preachers have become "PowerPoint crazy." It is almost overwhelming when almost everything the preacher says is projected on the screen. People are not as tuned into the preacher when that happens and are more worried about what is going up next. Besides, when too much is projected, you feel like you're in a classroom lecture. I don't want to feel like I'm in school when I'm at church. Also, when too much of the sermon is on PowerPoint, the preacher may feel enslaved to the presentation and not go "off script" should the Spirit demand it.

Not every point and subpoint needs to be projected on the screen. You don't need a lot of animation. I have reminded my preaching class that "less is more." Use technology but don't become a slave to it. Remember the best preaching is still done verbally!

FBC Marietta

I had my first preaching opportunity since coming to South Carolina on Sunday at Marietta First Baptist Church. Lesa and I had a great time in the two morning services. The church has a sweet spirit, and it is obvious that God is blessing that congregation. The church is a bit unusual in that it has a bigger congregation for the earlier service than in the second one. It is also unusual in that both service have the same order of worship. Thanks to Pastor Bennie Durham for giving me the opportunity to fellowship with his great church!

State of Preaching Today

Al Mohler has written a commentary entitled, "The State of Preaching Today." It is well worth the read.

http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2006-08-28

More SWBTS Chapel

Here's the latest from Baptist Press on the SWBTS chapel service on Tuesday.

http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?ID=23889

I mentioned to a friend the other day that probably Dwight McKissic spoke as he did because he is used to doing so in his pulpit within the African-American church climate. That is exactly what Bro. McKissic says in the above article:

McKissic had stated in his letter to Patterson, "If addressing the [IMB] policy violated SWBTS chapel protocol, and apparently it did, I deeply apologize for having done so. Please forgive me; I was unaware of this protocol. I was speaking from my faith tradition (National Baptist Convention) and cultural background that encourages addressing unbiblical and discriminatory issues prophetically and publicly. However, I do believe in submission to authority and I will submit to SWBTS protocol in the future to the extent that I am aware of it." He offered to submit an advance manuscript of his message if he is invited again as a chapel speaker [BP].

I don't know if the above statement gives Bro. McKissic a pass. It seems to me he should have been more sensitive to the issue of speaking so strongly against an IMB policy in the chapel at Southwestern and at least given Dr. Patterson the courtesy of a "heads-up" on what he was going to say. That could have prevented this fiasco. Whether one agrees with the IMB policy or not or agrees with Dr. Patterson's stance against tongues or not, a preacher being invited by the president of Southwestern has the obligation to at least give a private warning before releasing a bomb. Bro. McKissic says that he desires to submit to authority. When you preach in another's pulpit, you are under authority. Submission requires giving warning when something super controversial is coming in the sermon.

SWBTS Chapel Service

Well the dust still hasn't really cleared from yesterday's chapel service at Southwestern. Read this from Baptist Press:

http://bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23882

Read the seminary news release in its entirety at www.swbts.edu

I'll have some reflections of my own on the IMB and "private prayer language" later in the week.

Success in Ministry

You no doubt will benefit from reading Ben Witherington's post on success in ministry. You'll stop to think.

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/

Plagerism in the Pulpit

I've been thinking some lately about plagerism in the pulpit. A New York Times article recently reported that a pastor had admitted preaching other guys' sermons that he downloaded from the internet. We were visting with friends earlier this summer who believed the same thing about their pastor. We have all borrowed from each other in the homiletical arena, and "there is nothing new under the sun," but when does a preacher cross the line into plagerism?

• When his outline is someone else's and he doesn't give credit
• When one of those cute "turns of the phrase" that is not his is not credited to the one who really turned it
• When another's experience is related as his own [that's also lying!]
• When quotes are lifted from books or sermons without giving credit

I'm sure I'm missing some things here, but this is a start. I tell students when writing papers that if the thought is not your thought footnote. I would say to preachers--If the thought is not really yours give credit. Your credibility and integrity will then never be questioned.

What about background material gained from study? When you simply summarize background material as you explain a text in the sermon, you don't have to give credit. When you define biblical terms, I don't think it is necessary to quote the source; your congregation will assume you looked that definition up anyway. However, if you find something really great that you want to use and you do so word-for-word, give credit.

I have used outlines of others, quotes from others, etc. in the past--we all have. But I have attempted each time to make sure the proper person gets credit for it. That's only right. If I might twist a verse just a bit--"Give credit to whom credit is due!"

New York SS Teacher

Well much has been said in the press this week about the New York state Sunday School teacher who was "fired" from her ministry in a Baptist church in New York state [I'm glad to say not an SBC church]. Someone asked a question about it during the Wedneday night prayer meeting I attended, and I've read several blog entries. All I can say is that church will have a tough time getting ministry done without the women. If it had not been for women SS teachers in the churches I pastored, we wouldn't have had very many. I shudder to think what my churches would have done if we had to rely on men teachers.

Top 10 for Worship

You might be interested in this Top Ten from Jim Shaddix on worship.

http://www.baptistcourier.com/785.article

Pharaoh's Heart

I've been looking over the latest edition of edition of the New American Commentary: Exodus by Douglas K. Stuart. This is going to be one of the better volumes of the series, no doubt about it. There are many exegetical conundrums in Exodus. One of which is the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, which is found several times in the book [4:21; 9:12; 10:20, 27 just to name a few]. In his Excursus on this matter Stuart wrote in part:

His [Yahweh's] purpose in preventing Pharaoh from giving in too easily and too early was, as
will be seen in subsequent parts of the narrative, to allow himself fully to demonstrate his sovereignty over Pharaoh, the Egyptians, the land of Egypt itself, and the gods to which Pharaoh and the Egyptians trusted. . .The Egyptian Pharaoh was supposed to be a pure person, a divine manifestation of the gods,a nd one whose sovereignty over the people was credentialized in part by the purity of his 'ib [Egyptian for 'heart'] . The idea that Yahweh could do whatever he wanted with Pharaoh's heart, and specifically could "harden" it, therefore, was both an evidence of Yahweh's control of all things including the mightiest monarch of the day and also evidence that Yahweh had done what the Egyptians thought the "gods" would usually do--weigh the heart and decide whether the owner was worthy of eternal life or not. In effect, then, each time Yahweh is decribed as hardening Pharaoh's heart, the alert reader is reminded that Yahweh had, as it were, weighed Pharaoh and found him wanting . . . In terms of the classical theological-philosophical issue of free will versus determination, none of the references to the hardening of Pharaoh's heart is decisive. That is because God's causing Pharaoh to be stubborn is simply not presented in the narrative as a general permanent phenomenon (eternal election or rejection) but rather as an ad hoc action of God, temporary in nature . . . and limited to the special purpose of humiliating the Egyptians and their false religion [149-50].

A cogent discussion of a topic that bothers many folks in church when this subject comes up. By the way, Stuart is best known by many seminary students as the co-author with Gordon Fee of How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. His work on Exodus, just released by Broadman and Holman, will be well worth the purchase for anyone preaching and teaching in Exodus. I may have more quotes from the commentary later on.

Revivals

Do revivals still work? I believe they will. Is there a time more important than now in America for churches to emphasize revival and spiritual renewal? Read these two articles from Baptist Press.

http://bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23819

http://bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23818

The second article above deals with what old fashioned evangelism did in a church that had not had a baptism in TWENTY years! Praise the Lord.

I would pray that churches would have at least one and even more than one revival during the year. We just finished attending the North Greenville Crusade this week at NGU; it was a blessing, and many people were saved. Revivals still work, but they take lots of prayer and lots of preparation.

Christians and Muslims

The Florida Baptist Witness is publishing a series of articles by Dr. Mark Rathel of the Baptist College of Florida comparing Islam and Christianity. The latest can be found at:

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/6268.article

I would urge you to read these.

Who does the Atheist thank?

Al Mohler has a recent post on his blog that I found fascinating. Who does the Athiest thank?

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=741

The Big Hug

Well we got through "The Big Hug." That's the term used at North Greenville University for the last goodbye we parents have to give our kids at their dorm. We had a day full of orientation activities; I appeciate NGU for letting us work our way into letting-go slowly. We've heard from Andrew today, and all seems to be going fairly well. If he can get his Internet running, I think he'll be o.k.

Lesa did pretty well--not too many tears, although I could have missed some when I left her alone. Today has been a bit dreary both in weather and in our overall attitudes, but I know we'll be fine too. We look forward to attending the NGU Crusade this week, so we'll get a first hand look on how things are really going.

We've got to get through another big day on Thursday--Stephanie's first day at Greer High School. I'm sure we'll have another emotional buildup to that. Stay tuned!

College

Well the day has arrived that I've been dreading--taking our son to college. He's only a few miles away really, but it is the thought I guess. What I dread most is my wife's reaction. Andrew is left in his dorm while I have to deal with Lesa! The "Big Hug" is around 4:30 this afternoon. At a faculty meeting yesterday, the Vice-President of Student Services remarked that he was looking forward to that so the parents can leave and "we can get the kids straightened out." Good luck. More on the days activities later.

Sales Tax Weekend

Well it is sales tax exemption weekend in SC. Lesa and Steph are geared up for a "shop till you drop" shopping marathon. I can't wait to see how much money she has "saved" me!

Page Articles

For those who might want to read more on various stances of our new SBC president, the Florida Baptist Witness has some good articles from last week's edition. Access them at:

www.floridabaptistwitness.com

All the hoopla resulting from Page's election is comical. When the rug gets pulled out from under the status quo, it can be quite unsettling.

Alcohol Resolution

I can't imagine that there be any debate among SBC pastors/leaders about the recent resolution on alcohol at the convention. For those interested in what the resolution says read:

http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=1156

If I could eliminate all alcohol consumption today, I would. That of course is no possible, but I can keep praying that it would be so. To say that the resolution infringes on our "freedom in Christ" is to pervert that blessed statement.

Membership & Baptism

A church in Oklahoma has decided to table for now discussion about accepting members without baptism. Read the article at:

http://bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23725

The church's pastor says the concern to change the by-laws was prompted by those who cannot be immersed due to some handicap and those who mistakingly believe that sprinkling is scriptural. I have empathy for the first problem and have myself poured water on a older lady who could not physically get into the baptistry. She greatly desired to be baptized before she died. I have no problem with that. As for the other problem--those who have been sprinkled have not be scripturally baptized, and we should not back up for one moment on that point.

It is a shame that so many of us today want to forget our history.