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Denominational politics among Texas Baptists has reached a new low this year. In times past, it has not been unusual for innuendoes, distortions, and sometimes vicious rumors to circulate about the character and theology of the candidates who were running for offices in the convention. This year, however, a candidate for office is openly circulating Read more . . .

(Phil Strickland, director of the BGCT Christian Life Commission, wrote this speech for presentation to the TBC Breakfast at the BGCT meeting in Austin, November 14, 2005. Unable to attend because of illness, he asked his friend and pastor George Mason, Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, to deliver the speech. Phil passed away on February 11, Read more . . .

A blog can be either a monologue or a dialogue. “Monologgers” use their blogs as nothing more than a personal soapbox, just big enough for them – and no one else – to stand on. Our TBC bloggers are “dialoggers.” Yes, we intend to vigorously promote the historic principles upon which John Smyth, Thomas Helwys, Read more . . .

Some wise somebody has said that the formula for steering clear of criticism is to “believe nothing, do nothing, dream nothing, expect nothing, plan nothing, say nothing, support nothing, and think nothing.” If you want to make a redemptive difference, prepare yourself for criticism. Naysayers, critics, negaholics, and detractors, you will have with you always. Read more . . .

The recent renewal of Texas Baptists Committed seems to have caused a bit of angst among some Texas Baptists. Some fear that TBC is back in business in order to establish an oligarchy that will control Texas Baptist life. In my opinion, this angst is unnecessary. In fact, the work of TBC ought to have Read more . . .

As I said in my last post, the networking model of Baptist cooperation should be attractive to a post-modern culture. The problem, however, is that many Baptists have either forgotten or abandoned the model of networking and are trying to mold us into a denomination at the exact moment when denominations are waning. This is Read more . . .

A few days ago Bill Jones tried to launch a discussion about issues that are “dealbreakers” in Baptist life.  He got three comments — one negative, but respectful — and a disrespectful blog lashing from a blogger more enamored with the Samurai side of his personality than with the spiritual side. It’s apparent that dialogue, conversation Read more . . .

In part 1 I mentioned that we may be entering a post-denominational age. Well, that ought to be good news for Baptists! Baptists are not a denomination. We are a movement of believers who are suspicious of ecclesiastical authority and creedal fiat. We were post-moderns before anyone knew what that was! Our leader is Jesus, Read more . . .

“The times they are a changin’.” Maybe you recognize those prophetic words from folk music legend Bob Dylan. He first sang them years ago in the midst of social upheaval, but they are no less true today than they were back in 1964. The times are indeed a changin’. Now I don’t like that very Read more . . .

In announcing its decision to “discontinue” its relationship with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth explained that it wants to end the distractions caused by “questions concerning the congregation’s position on homosexuality.” This comes not quite 4 months after the BGCT Executive Board’s vote to end the convention’s relationship with Royal Lane Baptist Church Read more . . .