Teddy Roosevelt gave reasons for church attendance

Barry Howard, from FBC Pensacola, compiled this article that  Teddy Roosevelt gave to the Ladies Home Journal years ago about church attendance. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard about this one before, it is a really interesting compilation of reasons for going to worship. It is still relevant after all these years.

 

Georgia Baptists officially oust FBC Decatur

This is really nothing unexpected, but it is worth mentioning that the Georgia Baptist Convention have now made the divorce official. The state convention has chosen to sever ties with the historic FBC Decatur congregation after almost 150 years of ministry together.

The nature of this action is nothing knew to our state, as the Missouri Baptist Convention dismissed 18 of its congregations for not following the “single alignment” approach in their giving and ministry partnerships.

The timing of this action reinforces something our church heard this weekend, as we welcomed Dwight Stinnett to join us for our annual Baptist Heritage Day and Thanksgiving Banquet. During a question and answer time, he indicated that den0minations were not necessarily going away but that they were changing and must change in order to connect with our 21st century world. “Many people like Jesus”, Dwight said, “but they don’t like the church.” That is food for thought.

I wish FBC all the best as they move forward in reaching their community and world for Christ. The local church remains the headquarters of Kingdom work, and I am thankful that Baptist churches remain free to choose their own ministry partners, call and ordain whom they choose, and find ways to be relevant for Christ in their own communities.

A Church for Dogs

Well, this one is different.

There’s a church in California that is offering worship services for dogs–literally. The Los Angeles congregation is holding half hour meetings with ”individual doggie beds, canine prayers, and an offering of doggie treats” for those four legged creations that can make it. One question I might have is whether you can count those dogs in the daily attendance figures. It might be hard to get them to fill out a guest card though.

I’m all for finding ways to reach out into the community, especially in light of this situation where the membership is aging and the attendance is dwindling. It’s so difficult to reinvent the church’s role in a changing neighborhood. There are fewer things more discouraging than to be part of a congregation that was at one time vibrant but now is doing all it can to keep the doors open, as if that is the main focus of a church. However, I am not sure how to relate to this kind of worship experience. Ministry is contextual, and I commend any pastor and congregation who attempts to get beyond it walls into the community.

I’ve heard about cowboy churches, but not so much about “cow churches.” I’m sure these would be moooving to be a part of it. If this canine congregation works, then we can all go down to the zoo for regular worship services. Of course, this is California and Los Angeles we’re talking about.

With respect to dog lovers out there, I’d like to know how this LA worship style relates to others.

MBC affirms CP funds for lawsuits

The Missouri Baptist Convention has approved a budget with an opt out for churches who don’t want their CP funds used for lawsuits–but they’ll have to take church action on it. Unless churches say otherwise, some of their CP funds will go to maintain the litigation against Baptist institutions.

There is already a mechanism in place for receive funds for litigation, apparently, but this vote will guarantee an influx of funds to keep the lawyers happy for a while.

Most Baptist pastors will tell you that it can be difficult getting their people to act on anything against the conventional Baptist way of doing things. Usually it takes an informed and strong pastor to lead the people away from ties to the state convention. My hope is that there are some pastors like that in Missouri who will stand up and speak out in their congregations about what is happening to their CP money. It seems like the convention is putting the ball back in church’s court, and it will be interesting to see which pastors and churches send a dissenting message back to Jeff City.

MBC sizes up lawsuits: “CP or not CP, that is the question”

Messengers at the Missouri Baptist Convention meeting in a few weeks will be asked to vote on using Cooperative Program monies to continue the lawsuits against several Baptist entities. Those who attend the gathering in Raytown will be given options of whether to use CP money for this purpose or “opt out” by voting on a plan B version. Churches are supposed to be given the choice of whether their money goes for this pursuit or not.

I’m in an interesting position in that our church is not in the state convention (anymore) yet the lawsuits do affect our people. We support these entities currently being sued and are greatly saddened by the fact that fellow believers in Christ would spend millions of dollars (literally) in this way. In turn, these entities are having to come up with large amounts as well to defend themselves. Just think what those millions of dollars could have used for, especially in this economically challenging time.

The one redeeming point in this whole deal is Windermere’s victory over the MBC, despite repeated appeals by the latter. Windermere was supposed to be overmatched and outgunned and a quick and easy target. Justice prevailed, however, and my hope is that the other entities will share the same result. If the lawsuits continue, there’s a good chance that it will. Bob Perry has a good overview of the lawsuit impact that is found here.

I’ve developed some friends in our local association who care a great deal about the future of the state convention. I really feel for them, because they are leading churches who love missions but don’t want their money going to sue people. I’m also glad not to be in the bind they are in. They are not supportive of the lawsuits and are aware of the countersuit against the MBC, which if successful, could bankrupt the convention. It means a lot to me to hear that there are those with these sentiments in the state convention. It would mean even more if these persons and others would rise to the occasion and speak out and often against this waste of Baptist resources.

I’m asking for common sense and courtesy to prevail in calling for an end to these lawsuits. Too much money has already been spent on control of these earthly institutions. This doesn’t seem to be a “liberal or conservative” issue to me but rather a realization that there are higher and more important things on which to invest the church’s Cooperative Program dollars.

I grew up in Southern Baptist congregations and that CP percentage was as sacred a cow as there was. It would have been unthinkable to use these funds for legal means rather than spiritual ones. I do hope and genuinely pray for the state convention this year and for leaders with convictions to speak them and bring an end to these lawsuits.  I’ve been to my share of state conventions through the years, and there hasn’t be a single one that had as it’s lead story line whether or not to use cooperative program money to sue uncooperative people. There ought to be a higher and nobler purpose for the Missouri Baptist Convention. It’s time to get off this path of diminishing returns and on to better things. I hope the actions of messengers in Raytown inspire all of us toward reconciliation and building up the Kingdom of God.

Dockery critiques denominational worries

It’s been a while since I’ve heard the president of  a Southern Baptist institution say something worth hearing. David Dockery of Union University is and has been the exception. He talked about the future of denominationalism at a conference, indicating the helpfulness of the para-church organizations but not their necessity for church’s to do Kingdom work. Dockery called upon Christians to advance beyond their adherence to denominational distinctives,  embrace the tenets of the gospel, and ”move from handwringing to hopefulness.”

Denominations are in trouble. You don’t have to look beyond the show me state to figure that out. The Missouri Baptist Convention is having their annual meeting this month and they are voting on using those sacred cooperative program dollars to sue brothers and sisters in Christ over control over certain Baptist institutions. Many MBC churches are getting tired of this ongoing struggle and putting their lack of money where their mouth is. In the broader scheme, the Southern Baptist Convention is going through a fight right now over the Cooperative Program. There are those who emphasize “percentage” giving vs. those larger churches who focus on the “amount” that is given.

Although the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship doesn’t claim to be a denomination, this Baptist body also struggles with the reality of shrinking budgets and seeking a vision for the future. For almost 15 years, the CBF served as the anti-SBC body with the primary mantra “we’re not that kind of Baptist.” It’s been a necessary and helpful home for Baptists in exile, but now something more is needed to generate enthusiasm for the future of the movement.

This isn’t new information, but what is new is hearing Dockery’s commentary on the situation. His challenge to move beyond handwringing is welcome news to this Baptist but probably not for those whot I would add that these partnerships and cooperation will depend less on geography and more on philosophy. I

Friday night Scriptures

There’s a small controversy brewing in GA relating to high school football and religion. It relates to whether or not a high school football team can run through a banner with a Bible verse on it. I wasn’t sure what would happen if the other football team had a banner with a Bible verse to run through as well. Wouldn’t that be a conflict? Here is another viewpoint.

As a pastor, I definitely want people to know their Bible and study it and most of all to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ. This is a challenge to all who are honest in their faith. Today I was reading Alphabet of Grace by Buechner and he started his book by saying he was a “part-time Christian.” He meant that he lived up to the name of Christ sometimes and other times he didn’t. I’ve found that to be the best description of Christian living yet. So, I am all for free speech but this situation goes into the area of religion and would be best handled by not quoting Bible verses.

Maybe they could get by with something similar by resurrecting the Constantinian vision before the battle of the Mulvian bridge. Their coach could make them put crosses on their helmets and have them run through a banner with the words “with this sign conquer.” The pep club could also make stickers with the greek letters “chi rho” on them and wear them during the games.

There’s an interesting relationship between religion and sports, particularly football. It’s not uncommon to see a player drop to a knee in the endzone after scoring a touchdown or pointing to the sky after a good play. What I am still waiting to see is a running back fumble the ball on a key play and give God glory for that miscue or a quarterback who throws a “pick six” and drops to a knee in gratitude. I’m very uncomfortable with the assumption that God wants one team to win over another or that there is a great deal of eternal significance in the outcome of a ballgame.

From another vantage point, I was thinking about how parents in the stands would react to a saying from the Koran being written on a banner for their children to run through. That would present an interesting case study for those of us in the Bible belt.

Pastor’s suicide shocks North Carolina church

David Treadway was found dead in his car last Sunday morning.  This article tells about this pastor who apparently took his own life in Hickory, NC. His wife discovered his body as she prepared to leave their house for church. It is a very sad outcome about a minister who was struggling with depression on the inside but on the outside was leading a growing congregation that was impacting its community for Christ. My heart goes out to his wife who will have to not only deal with this devastating loss but also try to explain this to the children.

There are a number of thoughts that come to my mind about this story, but I won’t go into all of them right now. However, it is worth mentioning that before we start judging or criticizing this man for this life ending act we need to realize one simple truth: this could happen to anybody.

Yes, I realize that is somewhat of a sweeping generalization but the reality is that there are any number of individuals who are wrestling with troubles that are sufficating them. Some can literally see no way out of their despair and they are suffering in a quiet and real way with a smile of their face. My primary interest rests with fellow pastors and other ministers, many of whom are dealing with pressures related to church, health, and home life. It’s a never ending juggling act and I can definitely relate to someone who gets to the point they can’t go on anymore. Not every minister has an adequate support system within the church and also equally important friends outside the church who can offer an understanding and non-threatening presence during a critical period.

I don’t have the medical expertise to offer comments about clinical depression, and it appears that is an issue in Treadway’s death. According to the ABP story, he had informed his congregation that he was receiving treatment for this condition. It’s hard to understand how someone could be experiencing depression when it seemed like things were going well. From what I have read and been told by those who do struggle with this condition, life experiences don’t always have an affect on whether or not someone is suffering from depression.

One final thought relates to this issue of suicide itself. It has to be difficult to officiate at a funeral of this nature, and there are many emotions stirring among family and friends. There are many questions that will never be answered, but it is important not to allow an act carried out in the last remaining moments of a person’s life to overshadow the entirety of that person’s life up to that point. Sometimes good people make bad decisions, and it is hard to figure out something like someone killing himself especially when it appears things are going well. We must tread carefully and softly when we don’t know all the details, and most of all believe that God is a gracious God who loves his children and will take care of us even when we don’t understand.

“Moderate” Baptists have other things to talk about

I came across an article in ABP recently which dealt with the current emotional state of moderate Baptist congregations. Cody Sanders offered some observations dealing with anger and grief relating to how much some Baptists have lost in their departure from the Southern Baptist Convention. 

I’m kind of in that middle ground between experiencing some of this alienation without going through the depths of sadness that apparently some lifetime SBCers have gone through. Having read through Cody’s article, I couldn’t help reaching the conclusion that at some point folks have to come to terms with the past and move on with the Kingdom work. There are similarities with the grief stages as it relates to denominational loss and personal loss, and an awareness of this is helping in adjusting and assimilating the past. It may be surprising for some to note that there is still denial in the works for some Baptists who simply don’t acknowledge that a dramatic shift has taken place in Southern Baptist life. These folks keep on giving, living, and serving the institution without much thought to what has happened. This is not true of all persons, and for those who realize the current Baptist order and are supportive of it then they are the exception. I am particularly sympathetic to those churches who are trying to maintain dual alignment with the SBC and CBF (especially their pastors).

While appreciating psychological evaluations of Baptist griefwork, I don’t believe that the current lack of energy and motivation is related to that. I’m not entirely supportive of the premise that moderate congregations are locked in the past, believing their best days are behind them. At least in my particular Baptist orbit, people aren’t that concerned about SBC organizations or paradigms, except from a spectator’s position in the bleachers. Many Baptists have done their grief work and are recognizing new ways of cooperating with other Christians that heretofore have gone unnoticed.  

There is good work taking place among moderate Baptists in our efforts to reach the world with the gospel of Christ. One thing I am realizing more and more is that the generation coming into influence now (millennials) doesn’t care about denominations as a whole and are much more interested in what is happening at the local church level. Churches must rise to the challenge and find ways to engage persons to impact their communities with active caring first and then be prepared to share “the reason for the hope that is within us.”

I was attending a Jr High football with my daughter recently, and got into a conversation with another parent who picked up on my southern accent. She asked about my work and as usual I braced for whatever reaction might come. It pleased me to know that she had heard of University Heights and had even participated in the Parents Night Out program we offer on occasion. One of her children attends the elementary school close to our building and we partner with them through a variety of social events held on our property. She asked if we were Southern Baptist and I said no. I also shared about how men and women serve alongside each other in our congregation and how this is a significant point of departure from the SBC. Her response makes the point of this blog. She said, “Well, that must be liberating to not be bound to those kinds of restrictions.”

We’re at a point now that this information of loss and grief may be relevant for history books, but it isn’t an excuse for not being engaged in our communities and the cause of missions. Let all “moderate” Baptists move on to new opportunities and paradigms of doing the Lord’s work. Let’s rejoice with other Baptists of other stripes as well as they move on with Kingdom work.  I believe that has already happened for many of us, and hopefully it won’t take too long for others to catch up. May we “forget what is behind” and embrace what is ahead as the Holy Spirit leads.

September 11th: never forget

Eight years ago our nation was shocked into a horrible reality, and that realization cost us thousands of lives. We were introduced to terrorism, up close and personal, in a way that heretofore was only seen on television in places halfway around the world.

Let us never forget what happened to the USA that day, or how we came together to support one another as a result. May we remember the men and women who lost their lives doing the day to day things that we so often take for granted. Surely they had no idea that 9/11/01 would be their last.

In recognition and in memory of this terrible anniversary, I suggest we count our blessings and ask God for wisdom in how we can make this world a better place.