Celebrating the birth of Jesus, redeemer of “lost causes”
by Bill Jones

(originally published 12/20/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

In this Advent season, I’ve been reflecting on this Jesus whose birth we celebrate. What is He really about? Earlier this week, I was talking with a friend and colleague about a ministry effort in which we’re both involved that, when it began, seemed so daunting as to be considered a “lost cause.” Now, after Read more . . .

Thank you, Jacob Lupfer and Save OBU
by Bill Jones

(originally published 9/20/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

This past Tuesday, on his Save OBU blog, Jacob Lupfer announced ‘the end of Save OBU’ or – at the very least – the end of his involvement in it. I couldn’t let this announcement pass without saying a public word of thanks to Jacob for the significant contribution he’s made to the cause of Read more . . .

George Mason, 25 years . . . Thanks be to God
by Bill Jones

(originally published 8/23/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

This weekend, at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, we have been celebrating the ministry of George Mason, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as senior pastor at Wilshire. George’s contribution – to Wilshire, to the immediate community surrounding it, to the Dallas area as a whole, and to the larger Baptist and Christian communities Read more . . .

From the TBC archives: by DAVID R. CURRIE (2008) –
The Danger of Politics in the Pulpit
by David R. Currie

(reprinted 6/21/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

Texas Baptists Committed has hundreds of articles archived on our Web site (www.txbc.org), mostly from the TBC (print) Newsletter (1993-2009); David R. Currie’s A Rancher’s Rumblings (2007-2009); and Baptist Reflections (2008-2009). Much of this material, though originally presented years ago, is still relevant to our lives and circumstances today. TBC will be presenting archived articles Read more . . .

50 years ago today: LOU BROCK, a trade, and clippings on my wall
by Bill Jones

(originally published 6/15/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

Sports idols of our youth – somehow, they’re always a part of us. I didn’t really become a baseball fan until I was 11. In July 1962, my parents and I moved to Kansas City, Missouri. A week later, Daddy took me to my first major league baseball game – our KC A’s were playing Read more . . .

Fresh expressions . . . of TBC (part 2)
by Bill Jones

(originally published 6/6/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

In addition to introducing a new TBC logo, this week we’ve given the home page of TBC’s Web site an ‘extreme makeover’; thankfully, it was much less expensive than the ‘extreme makeovers’ you see on cable TV. The cluttered, text-heavy look of the old home page has been replaced by . . . 3 quick-click Read more . . .

Fresh expressions . . . of TBC (part 1)
by Bill Jones

(originally published 6/6/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

For some time, I’ve been intrigued and impressed with the work of Fresh Expressions, a movement that began in England, and has been brought to the US by Virginia Baptists. Fresh Expressions encourages creativity and innovation in worship and, generally, “doing church.” Maybe Fresh Expressions was on my mind when I began thinking about a Read more . . .

PHIL STRICKLAND (2005): Where have all the prophets gone?
by Phil Strickland

(reprinted 1/16/2014 on Texas Baptists Committed blog)

(NOTE: The late Phil Strickland, who served as director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission for over 25 years, prepared this address for presentation to the 2005 Texas Baptists Committed Breakfast at the BGCT in Austin. Because Phil’s illness prevented him from attending, his friend and pastor George Mason delivered the address.) (Click here Read more . . .