Recently, I was sent Gerald Harris’ article in the Christian Index entitled, “The Southern Baptist Convention is Undergoing a Seismic Shift.” Harris is the Senior Editor of that Georgia Baptist Paper. After reading the article, I was left with the question, “Did we attend completely different conventions?” Harris laments in the article that Southern Baptists used to be about evangelism and missions, but that …
A Modest Proposal for Baptist Associations by Aaron Menikoff My proposal may shock and even upset some. I offer it humbly, recognizing I don’t have all the answers, and that every association is different. Nonetheless, I offer this proposal to launch a conversation about how Southern Baptist churches can improve local cooperation. Simply put, I propose pastors reclaim an interest …
SEVEN THINGS EVERY (FIRST TIME) SBC’ER SHOULD KNOW As the annual Southern Baptist Convention is fast approaching here are seven things we think all first timers to the annual convention should know: I. THE NEED OF THE HOUR FOR HUMILITY AND UNITY IN OUR CONVENTION Leading into a convention there is usually much going on and this year seems no …
Recently, we asked Dr. J. D. Greear to comment on pastoral ministry, baptist life, and the future of the Southern Baptist Convention under his leadership. What do you love most about pastoring? I know it sounds cliche, but I genuinely love seeing people’s lives transformed through the gospel. I love getting letters like I did the other day from a …
Recently, we asked Dr. Ken Hemphill to comment on pastoral ministry, baptist life, and the future of the Southern Baptist Convention under his leadership. What do you miss most about pastoring? I miss most everything about it. I think the call to pastor the local church is a great privilege. I miss the continual interaction with people from new birth …
Why I Am Voting Ken Hemphill For SBC President by Brad Graves Brad Graves is the Senior Pastor at Ada First Baptist Church. Brad received his education at the University of Arkansas and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. To hear more from him, follow him on Twitter at @BradleyGraves Next week, we will gather as an extended family for our SBC annual meeting. My …
A New Day In Dallas by Spence Shelton Spence Shelton is the founding pastor of Mercy Church in Charlotte, NC. Spence served as the pastor of small groups and spiritual formation at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham for 10 years before being sent out by The Summit to plant Mercy Church. He is the co-author of The People of God and has …
Ken Hemphill: A Gift To Southern Baptists At The Right Time By Brad Jurkovich Brad Jurkovich is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana. First Bossier is a multigenerational ministry committed to reaching every person, every family so they can experience Christ in every way. He received his M. Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and …
Why I Still Support J. D. Greear for SBC President by Bill Curtis I was thrilled when I heard that Dr. J. D. Greear was going to be nominated for SBC President two years ago in St. Louis, MO. By now, most Southern Baptists know the story of Greear’s willingness to withdraw his name from nomination for the sake of unity …
Matt Chandler Follow Matt Chandler on Twitter @MattChandler74 Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church in Texas. Under Chandler’s leadership, The Village Church has grown from 160 members to over 11,000 across multiple campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In 2012, He became the president of Acts 29 and began to shift its focus toward four …
