Along the Shore

The “Southern Baptist only” baptism policy that has been enacted by the trustees of the International Mission Board has been a source of much controversy and conversation in Baptist life. Basically, the policy reads as follows:

2. The Church

a. Baptism is a church ordinance.

Baptism must take place in a church that practices believer’s baptism by immersion alone, does not view baptism as sacramental or regenerative, and a church that embraces the doctrine of the security of the believer.

b. A candidate who has not been baptized in a Southern Baptist church or in a church which meets the standards listed above is expected to request baptism in his/her Southern Baptist church as a testimony of identification with the system of belief held by Southern Baptist churches.

At the church I pastor, Crossroads Fellowship in Cadiz, Kentucky, we have four basic requirements for church membership recorded in our by-laws. They are:

1. A personal and public commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
2. Completion of the church’s membership class.
3. Baptism by immersion in obedeience to Jesus’ command and as a testimony of salvation.
4. A commitment to abide by the membership covenant, as indicated by signing said covenant.

As you can see, our expectations are simple … baptism by immersion after salvation. We welcome people who have been baptized by immersion within other denominations. I, personally, do not believe that a sacramental (power and/or grace dispensed by the “recognized” official or church) approach to baptism is biblical or wise.

My church does not invest “power” in the one doing the baptizing. Indeed, I only perform about half of the baptisms in our church. We encourage parents to baptize their own children in our worship services. Family members are encouraged to baptize members of their family. Friends are welcome to baptize friends they have led to the Lord. In one recent service, one of our small group leaders baptized both his daughter and his mother. It was one of the most beautiful, worshipful baptism experiences that I have ever been a part of.

I have been very curious about the views of those who frequent Along the Shore. How do you feel about the above-stated IMB policy? More specifically, how does this policy compare to the practice of your local church? Does your church reject what some call “alien” baptism? (I absolutely, positively hate that phrase, BTW… ) Do your own personal views match the policy of your church? Is this a source of conversation, scrutiny, or controversy in your congregation? If you are not a Southern Baptist, what are the beliefs and practices of your church?

The latest edition of SBC Life has a story about the 100 year anniversary of Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center in North Carolina.

That’s funny … I thought some of the dorms I slept in at Ridgecrest back in the 80’s were already at least 100 years old … twenty-five years ago!

But, seriously, I do have a couple of especially fond memories of Ridgecrest. On December 28, 1982, I met a gorgeous, irresistible blonde named Kim Gremore. I was seventeen years old. She was eighteen (okay … I liked “older women”). Here is a picture of us from that weekend Youth Winter Celebration. That’s me with the washboard abs and the afro … no kidding.

On December 29 I fell in love. On December 31 I stole my first kiss. A little over three years later, on February 1, 1986, she became my wife.

She still puts up with me.

So, I guess you could say that LifeWay and Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center have been very, very good to me.

Any other Ridgecrest stories out there?

In my last post, Kat, a regular visitor to Along the Shore, introduced an interesting twist to the discussion of the dynamics of church planting by posing this question:

“How do you respond to people who are ‘labor-intensive’, with many needs (physical, spiritual, mental) and who feel that only ‘the Pastor’ will do to help meet those needs?”

Since I planted the church that I now pastor, and have led the church for over five years, I have a pretty unique viewpoint. Here are portions of my response:

“The church has many similarities, sometimes, to an elementary classroom. There are usually one or two students who are so demanding and who take up 80% of the teacher’s time and attention, while scores of other students are largely neglected.

The church must not be allowed to reach such a state.

I would think that a little Hebrews 5:12-14 would be in order. Some of our “spiritual infants” nead to be weaned. The pastor is called of God to be the shepherd of the sheep (protecting, feeding, leading), not their “baby-sitter.” He is called to equip all of the saints … which is hard to do when a small handful demand so much of his “hand-holding” and time.

The key is in the communication of expectations on the “front end” of church membership. I make it clear in our new member’s class that the members are the ministers and I am, for lack of a better term, an “administer.” I make it clear that if they need high-maintenance care by the pastor (me), then ours is probably not the right chruch for them.

Our (church) structure is built upon our small groups, called LIFE Groups. Our small group shepherds are the “front line” ministers for our members. They are the people to call first in a time of crisis. In turn, they turn to me in times of greatest need. Of course, in times of crisis, I am always available. And my church people know they can pick up the phone and calle me anytime … day or night. But I do not make it to the hospital for every single procedure. I do not go to the funeral home for the funeral of every extended relative of our chruch members. I am only one man. I have a family of my own to care for. There is only so much of me and so much time to go around.

Bottom line, Kat, one man cannot be the personal “shepherd” or “nurse-maid” to an entire congregation. The responsibility must be shared. That’s why the apostles said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” (Acts 6:2) So they appointed others to handle the hands-on responsibilities so they could “… give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)

Shared ministry is the only model that will work (effectively). The high-maintenance “pastor-only” attitude is the very reason for the pastoral “musical chairs” that occurs throughout church life (pastors moving every 2.5 years in search of the “perfect” church that will “treat them right”).

Australian pastor Steve Grose introduced some incredibly insightful words of wisdom into the thread. He said:

“There is a sense in which the church planter can afford to be a bit more dictatorial to get the church growing right (newcomers perceive it as the pastor’s church), whereas a pastor of an older church has to earn the right to lead, (after ten years it perceived as “his” church by outsiders coming in). He has to be there and baby sit until the church is ready to stand by his leadership or he may find he is leading no one, except his family to a new church!”

And Steve is absolutely right. The new pastor to an established church must “earn the right” to lead. In some cases, because of the atmosphere and expectations of the church, I believe this is almost impossible to do.

So, here’s my question … where do you fall on this continuum? Pastor, are you more of an equipper and administrator? Do you see yourself in the center of your shepherding role, or are you “sidetracked” with issues of “babysitting” and being a “nurse maid” to a handful of immature, demanding church members? Are you somewhere in between? Are you frustrated? Anonymity will be understood and respected on this particular post.

If you a lay person / church member, what are your expectations of your pastor? Have you ever considered the possibility that your expectations may be unreasonable? As you consider the discussion so far, can you begin to understand the frustrations of one man trying to be “everything” for hundreds of people?

Where do we find the pastoral balance?

I know it’s kind of cheesy … but we call the anniversary of the launch of our church, Crossroads Fellowship in Cadiz, Kentucky, our church’s birthday. Every year we host a “Birthday Party” to celebrate another year in the life of our congregation.

This year we held this Birthday Party on our church’s land under our newly constructed Fellowship Pavilion. We own 39 acres of beautiful property which will someday house our campus. We worship in a building adjacent to this property. But this pavilion has provided a “foothold” in the land that God has given us. It is an awesome place for fellowship. Here is a picture as the “party” was winding down.

It’s hard to believe that five years have passed since God allowed me to lead in the launch of this church with a core of 24 people on March 24, 2002. God has blessed … and we have grown. We now have 140 members and about 240 in attendance each Sunday. Over 60% of our people were not in any church five years ago. That is the greatest blessing of all! Crossroads Fellowship is the most incredible, most special, and most inspiring thing that God has ever allowed me to be a part of. God willing, I plan to live out the remainder of my years in ministry with this, my church family.

Please join me in wishing a very “Happy Birthday!” to the sweet people of Crossroads.

According to a Reuters report, Republican State Sen. Dan Patrick of New Braunfels, Texas, has proposed an interesting idea to try and reduce the number of abortions in Texas (about 75,000 were performed last year).

His proposal? An unwanted baby “buy-out” program. He proposes that the state of Texas pay mothers considering an abortion $500 to NOT have the abortion, but to give their babies up for adoption, instead. Apparently, they would not be paid to carry their babies to term then keep them for themselves.

Seriously … this guy really has proposed this idea to the Texas legislature, but they haven’t voted on it yet. He wants to give women who visit an abortion clinic the “$500 option.” If they accept it, they would be paid the cash no more than thirty days after giving their baby up for adoption.

Patrick claims that this could save 5% of those lives … about 3,000 babies per year, or about the same amount of lives lost in the Iraq War. (Now, that’s an interesting point … sort of puts the numbers in a very vivid perspective.)

Heather Paffe, political director of Planned Parenthood of Texas, said Patrick’s proposal…

“…is very cynical and insulting to women and their families. It’s insulting to think women would make that kind of decision so easily.”

Is she saying that it is simply an easier decision to just pay $500 and have a baby aborted? I’m not sure. Her quote is puzzling, at best.

Let me say that I am all for creative ideas to reduce, or even someday eliminate, abortions. But this one sort of “takes the cake” in my view.

The primary question that comes to my mind is this … Why would anyone think that a $500 “bribe” would motivate an abortion-minded woman to carry a baby to full term, when she could probably “earn” (not illegally, but creatively) many thousands more by entering into an adoption and personal care contract with a very determined, well-financed, childless couple?

Your thoughts?

Four months ago Elton John told a British newspaper that religion “promotes spite and hatred against gays.” He proclaimed:

“I would ban religion completely,” he reportedly said, adding, “Organized religion doesn’t seem to work. It turns people into hateful lemmings, and it’s not really compassionate.”

Isn’t it interesting that he celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday, on our Lord’s day, in New York’s gothic St. John the Divine Cathedral?

Reportedly, tasteful white flowers filled the church. And in keeping with the religious atmosphere, tables were adorned with silver drinking chalices. How reverent and considerate of them all. But the altar was set up as a stage for the performers such as Sting and Paul McCartney.

Apparently, some of the church members are quite upset about their church being rented out for a drunken celebrity bash. One commented, “It’s inappropriate that everyone will be drunk and flamboyant in the cathedral.”

I don’t even know how to offer commentary on this one. The fact that an Episcopalian cathedral would rent out its facilities so that a homosexual singer and his “husband” could host a birthday bash for the celebrity “in crowd” absolutely mystifies me.

I guess it is what it is, huh?

Actually, he’s been there for 34 years, since 1973 … he just didn’t make his beliefs known until now.

The American Humanist Society recently recognized California (San Francisco area) Congressman Pete Stark as the highest-elected American official to proclaim himself an atheist. The made their announcement in a full-page ad in the Washington Post

American Humanist Society executive director Roy Speckhardt said in a statement,

“With Stark’s courageous public announcement of his nontheism, it is our hope that he will become an inspiration for others who have hidden their conclusions for far too long.”

Stark, who has been in congress since 1973, stated that he was a Unitarian Universalist who did not believe in a supreme being.

I guess I tend to agree with AHA president Speckhardt. Maybe this will inspire politicians and leaders to be truthful about their theology. I would much rather our leaders who do not believe in God, or who practice a religion other than Christianity, just come out and say so. That is much more preferable than having “multi-faced” politicians talking “God talk” to get elected then, once elected, exhibiting private and legislative behavior that demonstrates their “true colors.”

Kris Helphinstine was hired as a part-time bilogy teacher in Sisters, Oregon. But his job didn’t last very long. He was fired by the school system eight days later. The reason? He used Biblical references in a PowerPoint presentation in class.

Not that his motives were as “pure as the driven snow.” Indeed, Helphinstine sounds to me like like a bit of a strange bird. He included his Bible refences in a presentation that linked evolution, Nazi Germany, and Planned Parenthood. Hmmm…. Interesting combination, to say the least.

But what is truly interesting is the rationale behind his firing. He wasn’t fired for being a “nut job.” (Which, considering that presentation, would be my first concern as an administrator or parent.) No, the school board dismissed him for, “… deviating from the curriculum on the theory of evolution.”

The newly fired teacher, in a phone interview with The Bulletin newspaper of Bend, Oregon, said that he included the supplemental material to teach students about bias in sources, and his only agenda was to teach critical thinking. “I never taught creationism,” he said. “I know what it is, and I went out of my way not to teach it.”

But just listen to what some of the parents had to say!  They appeared unconcerned about the deviation from the evolutionary curriculum.  The also seemed unconcerned about the teacher’s state of mental health.  No, they were most concerned about their children being exposed to the Bible!

One parent, John Rahm, said, “He took passages that had all kinds of Biblical references. It prevented her (Rahm’s daughter) from learning what she needed to learn.”

Another parent, Dan Harrison, asked, “How many minds did he pollute?”

Wow! Did he really say that?

The Bible … apparently now considered by some to be an “intellectual pollutant.”

Welcome to the world of postmodernism. Oh, happy day.

Enough of all of this denominational, theological, political talk.

Let’s talk about a truly important issue in the life of every true Southern Baptist.

Pig or Cow?

I am declaring an all-out, take-no-prisoners bar-b-que war.

As you enter the “fight,” you need to share six basic pieces of information:

1. Where you’re from.
2. Pig or cow?
3. Soaked (sauced) with what? (Mustard, vinegar, bbq sauce, etc…)
4. Slaw or no slaw on that sammich?
5. The best bar-b-que joint on planet earth (in your opinion), including location and web link (if you can find one).
6. The rationale for your choice.

I’ll begin …

1. West Tennessee / Memphis Area (Originally) /Cadiz, Kentucky Now (Western KY – LBL Area)
2. The pig, the whole pig, and nothing but the pig. Cows are for steaks and hamburgers, not buns, beans, and slaw.
3. Not soaked in anything. Pork bar-b-que should be dry and hand-pulled, with a light squirt of mild sauce on top.
4. Slaw … definitely. Oh, yeah…
5. Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q in Mason, Tennessee.
6. I ate there with my family every other Friday night when I was growing up. We usually waited in line for an hour. Sometimes, we had to sit at the diner bar that looked into the kitchen. I will never forget the smells. The place has the best beans I have ever eaten in my life. If you’re ever near Memphis, you have to give it a try. The restaurant was the diner that was used in filming Walk the Line. They didn’t use the sign in the movie, but I recognized the front and the interior. Whenever I drive through Mason, I turn off the radio and roll down the windows so I can smell the hickory smoke. Five stars … definitely.

So, what about you? Join in the fun!

How’s this for an idea? Some people are proposing that we spend trillions of dollars over the next thirty years to put millions of solar umbrellas in orbit around the planet! Sort of like “sunscreen” for terra firma. It’s one of those proposals that makes you go, “Hmmmmmm….”

We have all heard about a phenomenon called “global warming.” There seems little doubt that there has been some recent warming of the atmosphere of the earth. Recent reports on temperature measurements seem to bear this out. But is it an abnormal rise? Or is it simply part of the “ebb and flow” of life on this planet?

With regard to the current debate over “global warming,” the typical response of Republicans in the United States is an attitude of dismissal. The typical response of Democrats (such as Al Gore) in the United States is flaming hysteria.

But the biggest question remains. What is causing this slight rise in global temperatures? Could it possibly be the inferno-engulfed ball of piping hot gas a few hundred million miles away (Hello! The Sun!), or is it our air conditioners, light bulbs, and lawn mowers?

We hear so much about carbon dioxide as the “queen mother” of greenhouse gases? But have we forgotten that the most abundant “greenhouse gas” is, by far, water vapor?

Ultimately, we must ask ourselves, do we really think that man is big enough, important enough, and somehow capable of actually altering the climate of such an enormous eco-system as the one on planet Earth?

What do you think? All views are welcome!