Category Archives: Baptists

Luke 24 as paradigmatic text (or) This story is our story

Posted on May 16, 2011 by admin

Notes from Evensong talk on Emmaus narrative from Luke 24 last night May 15 2011. Newly called co-pastors Mike Massar and Griff Martin were present. Got a lot of strong positive feedback on this. Paradigmatic texts of the Bible – … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Bible, Ecclesiology, Internationals, Ministry, New Testament, Sermons, Worship and Liturgy | Comments Off

Late Lent and Pascha and unexpected variations in liturgical calendar

Posted on February 15, 2011 by admin

Since seminary have used the lectionary and followed the Christian liturgical calendar. The two are related but distinct. Theoretically one can observe the liturgical calendar without following the lectionary. In fact back in 2000(?) when Keith Putt led University Baptist … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Christian Practice, Orthodoxy, Worship and Liturgy | Comments Off

Tired of the worship wars (or) Why would they leave?

Posted on December 13, 2010 by admin

Perhaps no issue has generated more controversy at University Baptist Church than worship. By which one means worship style.* Twelve years ago when I began serving here we had two Sunday morning services. One early more contemporary and supposedly the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Ecclesiology, Ministry, Music, Society and Culture, Worship and Liturgy | 5 Comments

Who leaves and who keeps the house? (or) When denominations undergo radical change

Posted on November 30, 2010 by admin

Was perusing Lectionary Homiletics for December as part of my weekly sermon preparation. Noticed how many contributions are from Ed McNulty. Wonder who that is? Do a search. Come across a website that might tell me more. Turns out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Christianity, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Culture, Logic and Reason, Ministry, Same-sex, Southern Baptist Convention | 3 Comments

No Baptist theology of ordination?

Posted on October 10, 2010 by admin

The deacons of University Baptist Church asked me to lead the ordination process for one of my fellow ministers who is not yet ordained. The church by-laws are not very clear on what exactly is the process. In the event … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Christian Practice, Ministry, Southern Baptist Convention, Theology | Comments Off

Death and life to Sunday school (or) Catechesis!

Posted on September 30, 2010 by admin

Provocative post by Coach Shef who serves with North Point Community Church in Atlanta area. I have heard the pastor Andy Stanley speak many times when attending the Catalyst Conference. I believe one of the most destructive ideas for for … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Education, Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism | 2 Comments

Failures of imagination and the racism charge redux

Posted on July 13, 2010 by admin

One of the things I appreciate about the blog Politics, Policy, Pathology and Hope Within The Black Community (how’s that for a blog title?) is how often he asks “why do we focus so much ire and attention on that … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Ethnicity and race, Logic and Reason, Propaganda, Society and Culture, Southern Baptist Convention | 2 Comments

Is this what it takes to attract young Baptists?

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Rick

From one of the coordinators for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Louisiana I received by email a link to a recent opinion piece published through the Associated Baptist Press: “Why 20- and 30-year-olds are leaving the Baptist church” by Carra … Continue reading →

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Has "women in ministry" become central dogma?

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Rick

I could get in serious trouble for this. Let me begin by reminding people that: I married my campus minister (and she hates that I keep saying that – sounds like she was some sort of stalker or predator who … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Christian Practice, Christianity, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Orthodoxy, Personal, Southern Baptist Convention, Women | Comments Off

Church as visible concrete reality versus(?) overly-realized eschatology

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Rick

What and where is the Church? Is there only an ideal Church off somewhere/somewhen in heaven? Or can we see and experience and participate in the Church here and now? Metropolitan Ware writes: The Church is accomplished on earth without … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Christianity, Ecclesiology, Orthodoxy, Theology | Comments Off