Since 1845, Southern Baptist’s have focused on “… eliciting, combining, and directing the energies of the Baptist denomination of Christians, for the propagation of the gospel….” While it’s true that our faithfulness to this cooperative mission has varied over the years, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed with gratitude for the grace of God so evident in the SBC’s impact …
Jon Akin Leaving B21 for NAMB
I was blessed to be able to work with brothers that I love to create Baptist21. Our purpose from the beginning was to engage younger Baptists in convention life, and I think in many ways, we have been able to do that. When we started almost a decade ago there were very little venues at the annual meeting that …
The Upside Down Kingdom of God in Daniel
The Book of Daniel, among many other things, gives us a clear picture of the upside-down (from our perspective) reality of the Kingdom of God–Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matt. 23:12). For in Daniel we see the most powerful ruler humbled, made to be like a beast, and the kingdom and glory given to …
Prestonwood, The ERLC, And The Cooperative Program: 5 Prayers For Past, Present, And Future Southern Baptist Conflicts
Last week Southern Baptists learned that one of their largest churches, Prestonwood Baptist Church, is going to push pause on Cooperative Program (CP) giving. For those who know the role CP giving plays in SBC life, this announcement is a big deal. CP giving is often a key standard by which leaders and churches are judged. The CP is significant …
Lessons Learned From Church Revitalization Part 2: Lead Your People
I recently completed my first six months of my first pastorate in a position that would probably be characterized by the experts as a “revitalization effort.” I had done my research. I had read up on church revitalization, what to do in your first six months, how to shape gospel-centered ministries, etc. But of all the thoughts, plans, etc. …
SEBTS GO Certificates
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary wants to come alongside you to help equip your church for ministry. That’s why we’ve created the Southeastern GO Certificates—education to help small group leaders, Sunday school teachers and more become more effective in their ministries. GO Certificates offer the opportunity to have sound teaching and practical application in a format that will fit the …
Lessons Learned From Church Revitalization Part One: Don’t Do Church
I recently completed my first six months of my first pastorate in a position that would probably be characterized by the experts as a “revitalization effort.” I had done my research. I had read up on church revitalization, what to do in your first six months, how to shape gospel-centered ministries, etc. But of all the thoughts, plans, etc. …
When You Feel Dead On The Inside Part 2: 10 Actions Every Struggling Christian Should Take
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it. “I feel dead on the inside.” This sentence, or some variation of it, has come up more often than I thought it would in my time as a pastor. It’s voiced by new Christians and seasoned Christians alike. I’ve said it. Somewhere along the way a person’s emotional energy, intellectual energy, spiritual …
Beasts from the Sea and the New Adam
Daniel had a prophetic vision of four beasts coming out of the sea (Daniel 7). The beasts stand symbolically for pagan kings or kingdoms. But who were they? Since the visions and dreams of Daniel 2, 7 and 8 are parallel, three of the four beasts were actually named in Daniel. The first beast was Babylon as named by Daniel …
When You Feel Dead On The Inside: 10 Questions Every Struggling Christian Should Answer
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it. In fact, it was something I’d been told quite a bit as a pastor. “I feel dead on the inside.” It’s voiced by new Christians and seasoned Christians alike. I’ve said it a surprising amount of times. You don’t see it coming typically. It seems to just happen. The energy-intellectual, emotional, …