Remember the old days where churches had steeples and stained glass windows? Remember when there were pews and a choir that sang edifying hymns to our Lord? Remember those days when people wore suits and ties and ladies wore dresses and heels trying to present their best to our God? Remember those days when children … Read more
Ed Stetzer has faced some criticism lately. Criticism, of course, that began with some unkind words to a certain friend of Pulpit & Pen on Twitter and culminated in an open letter to Lifeway by one of the victims of the entity’s pursuit for filthy lucre, a young man named Alex Malarkey, which just happened … Read more
SBC Today posted a blog today about the Caner situation. Sadly, I’ll never get the time that I spent reading it back. I won’t bother to link it. The SBC Today piece seems like some kind strange way of insulating Emir Caner (who may have written it himself) from criticism. According to the Pulpit and Pen’s source, it was … Read more
It’s all too easy to point fingers at the bad actors in American churchian life, and when we avoid self-righteousness, having removed the log from our own eye so as to see clearly to remove the specks in others’ eyes, it is actually a good thing to do. Attempts to free people from deception so … Read more
UPDATE 1 ! According to sources, Lifeway intends to pull this book from it’s bookstore! Warren Throckmorton has the story, but the gist is that in response to Throckmorton’s questions, “Martin King, Director of Communications at Lifeway issued a statement saying the stores are pulling the book: “LifeWay was informed this week that Alex Malarkey has retracted … Read more
Every year, right before the SBC Annual Meeting, a two day Pastors’ Conference is held with various Southern Baptist preachers speaking at the event. This year, the 2015 conference will be held June 14th and 15th in Toledo Ohio, and will be immediately followed by the SBC Annual meeting on the 16th and 17th. … Read more
Where do we go from here? If you’re new to #the15, these two posts explain both the origins of #the15 and who, specifically, #the15 are (here and here). In the mean time, here are a few facts. 1) We NEED to be more than what one well-meaning fellow called “reactionary tweeters.” Don’t get me wrong. … Read more
Full-time country music fan, Russell Moore, recently appeared on the Matt Lewis Show to discuss Johnny Cash’s Christian witness. He also had an opportunity to discuss the Pope. Lewis says, “There is a fear that Pope Francis is engaging in the social Gospel.” This might be the understatement of the year. I could argue, as … Read more
The religion of the Baptist is an inward, spiritual religion, that of the Campbellite an external, formal, mechanical religion. Between them there is the difference of the poles. People sometimes say that Baptists and Campbellites are so near together that they ought to unite. As a matter of fact, there are no two denominations on … Read more
Marketing 316: 25 Traditional Heroes and the Art of Persuasion “Manufacturers of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and hard liquor, will often use the bandwagon technique of associating their product with the ‘in’ crowd.” George N. Root III, Demand Media In order to earn my business degree from the University of Georgia, I was required … Read more
The following is a transcript of a segment from Thursday’s Pulpit & Pen Program. Brian Houston, pastor of the Hillsong United – whatever it is – “church,” had a conversation with one of my friends, Matt, from Canada “eh.” On Twitter, Brian said, “I believe in God the father, I believe in Christ … Read more
The following is a transcript from the Pulpit & Pen Program earlier this week, regarding the corruption of David Hankins, Joe Aguillard, Argile Smith and Tommy French. I’m trying to steer clear of all the problems in the SBC. Again, I don’t know how much I want to give the play-by-play of the sinking of … Read more
Editors Note. This was originally blogged on Seth Dunns blog, found HERE and reprinted with permission. Seth has all sorts of excellent thoughts, so check him out. “The most basic question is not what is best, but who shall decide what is best.” ― Thomas Sowell “Upon this rock I will build My church.” Jesus Allow me … Read more
Yesterday I found myself in a discussion with a co-worker. This is snippet of an exact approximation of what was said. Me. “How long have you been attending this Presbyterian Church?” Her. “Almost 7 years” Me. What’s the pastors name? Her. “Her name is Pastor _________ “ Me. “What do you like most about … Read more
Part 1 HERE The days passed and the months came. The dissapointments had taken a spiritual toll on me and I began to withdraw myself from Church functions and other ecclesial events. I had become a youth leader at the Church I was attending. Whereas initially I had been outwardly enthusiastic and committed, inside my … Read more
