I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Kevin Ezell has been nominated for NAMB president. To me, seeing someone who has evidenced a commitment to church planting is essential. Kevin does not just like church planting, he has been involved in helping church planters for years. I talk about that some on my personal blog at EdStetzer.com.
Jimmy Scroggins, senior pastor of First Baptist Church West Palm Beach:
Kevin Ezell is the … [Read More]
Kevin Ezell Nominated as President of North American Mission Board
A Generation of Carnivores
“I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” I Corithians 3:2
“A decade ago teens were coming to church youth group to play, coming for the entertainment, coming for the pizza. They’re not even coming for the pizza anymore. They say, ‘We don’t see the church as relevant, as meeting our needs or where we need to be today.’ ” Thom Rainer in … [Read More]
Practical Darwinism
“Doing what little one can to increase the general stock of knowledge is as respectable an object of life, as one can in any likelihood pursue.” Charles Darwin
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Darwin
“The animal species, in which individual struggle has been reduced to its narrowest limits, and the practice of mutual aid has … [Read More]
In Memory of Avery Willis
We at BtT would like to point you to a brief blogpost in memory of Avery Willis. The post, “Reflections on the Impact of a Southern Baptist Giant,” is written by Scott Hildreth, the director of SEBTS’ Center for Great Commission Studies. To access the post, go to apps.sebts.edu/mission or click here.
Ecology and Theology: Investing in Sustainable Ministry
In 2005 an organization called the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) began with 40 organizations committed. Today over 1,000 have signed on, from universities to ecological groups. More than a few researchers consider the concept of sustainability—from renewable energy to viable long term jobs—one of the key megatrends, ranking up there with information technology and globalization.(1)
If you google synonyms for “sustainable” you will find the following. Note the two categories:
Synonyms: maintainable, … [Read More]
A Life-Changing Experience in Sudan
In early May, Charlotte and I had the honor and joy of going to Sudan. It was one of those life changing experiences! 1631, most of them walking (!), came together from Congo, Uganda and Sudan for a Pastors/Bible Conference. 171 were baptized. One new church was started under mango trees! And, the American team was changed forever.
At the Pastors’ Conference at the SBC in Orlando, I shared a brief 5 minute video that beautifully … [Read More]
Jerry Rankin on SBC, Unity, and Diversity
We at BtT would like to make you aware of Jerry Rankin’s latest blog, “Anticipating the SBC,” at his weblog, Rankin Connecting. In the post, he deals with unity and diversity within the Southern Baptist Convention.
The Ten Commandments: Ethics for the Twenty-First Century
Thou shalt not ignore this book. Or so say Walter Kaiser, Daniel Heimbach and scores of other reviewers who say that Mark Rooker’s recently published The Ten Commandments: Ethics for the Twenty-First Century is a must-read for theologians, pastors, Old Testament scholars, ethicists, and cultural commentators.
In the book, Rooker devotes a chapter to each commandment, discussing each one in its ancient context, showing how each commandment connects with other Old Testament and New Testament passages. … [Read More]
GCR or CPR? Jon Akin’s Recent Blogpost at B21
We at BtT would like to make you aware of Jon Akin’s recent blogpost, “GCR or CPR? What Are We Voting for in Orlando?” In the post, Akin refers to two paths in the SBC. Here is a sample of his thoughts:
One path is the “Great Commission Resurgence” (GCR) vision set forth by the GCRTF and their recommendations. The other path has been coined as the “Cooperative Program Resurgence” (CPR). These two … [Read More]
Why Attend the Southern Baptist Convention?
1985.
Dallas, Texas.
45,000 Messengers.
Focus: A resurgence of conviction regarding the Word of God.
I picked an interesting year to attend my first SBC annual meeting. I was a 26-year-old pastor with little practical knowledge of the inner workings of the convention. As a student in seminary at the time I loved class, but I had a disdain for meetings.
It took a lot to get me there. “Just let me be and let me lead a church” was … [Read More]
