Thinking Critically . . . Acting Faithfully

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) As this incredible part of my journey, as executive director of Texas Baptists Committed, comes to a close, I want to share with friends and TBC supporters a little about the faith journey that has led me to this point – or, more accurately, the Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) In the 1990s, David Currie and Texas Baptists Committed fought tooth-and-nail to keep Texas Baptists free to be faithful. As the Fundamentalists, in the late 1980s, neared their goal of achieving full control of the Southern Baptist Convention, they set their sights on the Baptist Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) Lawrence Ware, Baptist pastor and co-director of the Center for Africana Studies at Oklahoma State University, was deeply offended by the hesitancy of the voting delegates of the Southern Baptist Convention to adopt a resolution condemning the Alt-Right political movement with its racist, white supremacist ideology. After some Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) With this blog post, I am announcing that – after almost three decades – Texas Baptists Committed will cease operations at the end of July 2017. Our Board of Directors voted yesterday, Friday, July 7. In January 2016, the TBC Board and I convened a Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) As we approach the end of the active ministry of Texas Baptists Committed, it’s helpful to look at its history and recall its impact. For a detailed history of the origins of Texas Baptists Committed, I refer you to “The History of Baptists Committed,” by Jimmy Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) Earlier this week, Baptist News Global published a column by CHUCK QUEEN, entitled, “Jesus is the gate. But are there others?” I always find Chuck Queen’s columns thought-provoking and enlightening, and this one was no different in that regard. Yet I also felt there was something lacking. For example, Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) Wouldn’t you know it? The one SBC national leader I trust, and they want to get rid of him! After Russell Moore succeeded Richard Land as president of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), it didn’t take long for me to notice the difference: Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) As I write this, I’m sitting at the back of the room, observing the deliberations of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In November, my home church, Wilshire Baptist of Dallas, voted to recognize only one class of members. There would no Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) Jerry Barnes passed away this morning. Jerry was pastor of University Baptist Church in Shawnee when I was a student at Oklahoma Baptist University. He was key in giving me guidance and support during the faith struggle I experienced, which began early in my sophomore year (1970-’71) Read more . . .

(Originally published on the Texas Baptists Committed blog at texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com.) As Christians, and especially Baptist Christians, we should be able to disagree and then go on to work together, in the many areas where we agree, to carry the grace of Christ to a hurting world. There is too much need in the world for us Read more . . .