Archive for March, 2006
Power of prayer… studied scientifically?
March 30th, 2006 | 3 Comments | Posted in » In the News...
This is an, um… interesting… news story from msnbc.com… “Power of prayer flunks an unusual test”.
Once again, science has rode in on its mighty horse to rescue us from the time and effort of the practice of faith…
I’m so glad we’re making such great use of our research dollars! Did we really need a study to prove that God isn’t Burger King (you can’t always “have it your way”)?
Sheesh.
What to Do About Re-Baptism
March 28th, 2006 | 2 Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues, Church Stuff...
My church, Missouri Valley Baptist, has recently had to deal with the “re-baptism” issue arising from the IMB’s new baptismal requirements policy for missionaries. My pastor, Micah Fries, has posted a great summary of how we handled the issue.
Worth reading if you’re a Baptist… the issue may just come up in your church!
The Strength of My Heart…
March 27th, 2006 | No Comments | Posted in » Devotions / Bible Studies, My Life
Psalm 73:25-26
25Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire
besides you.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
As I was reading from the book of Psalms on Friday as I was flying to Chicago (for Baseball Chapel training), I ran across this particular passage of scripture and it really stuck in my mind. I’m not quite sure why, but God has placed a lot on my heart recently along these lines… is He really the strength of my heart? Is He really my portion? Is He really everything to me? Do I really desire Him more than any earthly thing?
Certainly not the easiest questions to answer… both humbling and humiliating all at once. It’s the whole “head answer” / “heart answer” thing… you know what I mean… in your head, you know the right answer and want to believe that’s the real you… but your heart knows differently?
Yeah. That’s me. I’m humbled that God (the creator of the universe and author of everything good) wants anything to do with me… yet humiliated that so often, I want nothing to do with Him.
It’s a terrifying thought… to know that you need to pray, asking God to help you make him your everything. Worries abound. What if He actually answers, but does so by taking everything else precious to me? What if He calls me to do something I don’t want to do to prove my trust? Do you go ahead and pray the prayer, or do you stand, firmly planted in your place of complacency?
I took that leap of faith and prayed. I’m both terrified and excited to find out how He answers. Maybe it’s a test of faith (as my friend Micah shared to me last night, like Abraham and Isaac). Maybe it’s more. Time will tell.
So how about you? Could you pray or sing this passage from Psalms 73 with all truth and honesty? Would you dare to pray that God would help you to allow Him to be your all in all?
Looks like the IMB site has the new policy…
March 23rd, 2006 | No Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues
The new policy which has everyone (including me) so disappointed has been posted on the IMB website.
Worth your time to review! I can’t say that I feel any better about this, but at least I now know exactly what it is we’re talking about.
There are two items that appear to conflict in this policy:
(From the General Trustee Responsibilities section)
2. Trustees are expected TO REPRESENT the interests of all Southern Baptists in global evangelism, not primarily the interests of Southern Baptists in his/her state. In other words, each trustee represents the total constituency, not any particular segment within the geographical United States.
(From the Trustee Standards of Conduct section)
1. Individual IMB trustees must refrain from public criticism of Board approved policies. Experience has shown that it is not possible to draw fine lines in this area. Freedom of expression must give way to the imperative that the work of the Kingdom not be placed at risk by publicly airing differences within the Board.
Maybe I’m just dense, but how does the Board expect “to represent the interests of all Southern Baptists” adequately when board members (trustees) aren’t allowed to discuss “differences within the Board” with Southern Baptists?
More from Baptist Press on Tampa…
March 23rd, 2006 | No Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues
I was wondering when Baptist Press would get around to posting something about the IMB Trustee meeting….
Here’s one article: Trustees at IMB meeting adopt new document concerning ‘public criticism,’ formalize new missionary selection process.
I find the discussion on the silencing of trustee dissent particularly interesting, especially David Button’s statement:
Trustee David Button of New York added: “Ephesians 4:3, ‘maintaining the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace,’ trumps our constitutional desire to protect our free speech after a decision has been made. We’ve not seen that over the past couple of months. We’ve had things that are tearing our board apart…. It’s a good policy (that) adheres to those biblical maxims.”
Interesting that he thinks silencing dissent is the right way to maintain unity in the body of Christ. Here I always thought the Biblical model was to work through our differences… you know, “bear with one another in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2)?
I remain frustrated with this whole issue. The majority opinion is NOT always correct, and this new policy leaves no room for trustees in the minority to address errors made by the board as a whole (short of resigning so that they can express public dissent).
Finally, a bit of clarification
March 23rd, 2006 | No Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues
Okay, I found an article cover the trustee meeting that explains a lot… Here it is, courtesy of the North Carolina Biblical Recorder: IMB won’t remove blogging trustee but prohibits dissent in future actions.
I appreciate the report that the trustees have a new appreciation for the passion and “fearless” nature of younger leaders. I am thrilled with the new guideline affirming a need to speak in love to and of others (trustees, IMB staff, missionaries, etc.). But the prohibition on public dissent by trustees? This is still most alarming, particularly given that trustees are accountable to the SBC as a whole. Such a prohibition eliminates their ability to express well-founded concerns to whom they are accountable! Yes, they can resign to do so… but that fuels the problem for which they dissent, no?
I had hoped that our trustees would diffuse this entire mess this week. Today, I still find myself most disappointed.
Now I’m Confused…
March 22nd, 2006 | No Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues
Okay… now I’m confused. We seem to have conflicting reports of today’s meeting from Marty Duren, Wade Burleson, and Rick Thompson. Rick’s account is glowing… he states it was a great meeting, and the new policy is good. I don’t get it.
The big question that I’m confused about is whether the new policy (replacing the Blue Book) strictly prohibits trustees from expressing public dissent / dissatisfaction regarding policy, or if the policy is strictly in regard to conflict between people (trustees, IMB staff, missionaries, etc.).
Can someone PLEASE post the new policy so we can all get the facts straight?!?
(BTW, maybe it’s just me that doesn’t get it. If so, my apologies for being dense!)
I feel very sick right now
March 22nd, 2006 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Baptist Issues
Well, the IMB Trustees have moved forward with a replacement for the blue book, effectively silencing any criticism of adopted policies from those who would know best… other trustees. The minority voice will no longer be heard.
I feel absolutely sick.
Have faith, though, friends. This seems a dark hour, yes… but God is still in control and is using this situation right now to accomplish His will.
I (for one) can’t wait to find out what that is.
Pray for our IMB Trustees Today!
March 22nd, 2006 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Baptist Issues, Prayer Requests
Obviously, we always need to be in prayer for those in leadership positions in our convention, but based on Wade’s account of yesterday’s happenings, we especially need to do so today. Readers… PLEASE PRAY TODAY!
Trustees… please do not take steps to silence principled dissent. Such an action will undermine any trust you have remaining amongst young leaders throughout our convention! For the sake of unity… for the sake of missions… can’t we just agree to disagree on certain issues? Why divide our convention unnecessarily?
What a first day for missionsconneXion.com!
March 20th, 2006 | No Comments | Posted in » In the News...
I think one word sums up this day… WOW!
Over 1500 page views… visitors from at least 20 countries. The apparent interest in missionsconneXion.com overwhelms me!
God is DEFINITELY good! I pray he does amazing things to unite missions-minded Christians through the site…
