In Part 1, I explained the historical background of the Nicene Creed and published the creed for our readers’ information. You should read Part 1 before you read Part 2. In this post, I am sharing Dr. Yarnell’s responses to several questions that I posed to him. So, the questions are mine, the answers are his. Let me share a disclaimer. Dr. Yarnell is a respected professor of theology, Research Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Seminary. I am not a theologian, but rather a missiologist. I’m sure some readers will ask questions. It may be that Dr. Yarnell will respond. I don’t know. … [Read more...] about Should We Adopt the Nicene Creed? (Part 2 – Answers from Dr. Yarnell)
What No One Tells You in Church Planting: Part One
You are planting a church in a broken world. Here is what you face that no one talks about: First, churches will sin against you. Every church planter I know had the rug pulled out from under them by their sending church or a nearby church. Another planter will recruit from your core team or pastors will talk about you behind your back. After a disappointing start, supporting churches aren’t so supportive anymore. Every planter has stories of being let down by those that should have helped. If you have problems with your sending church, then you are normal. If you don’t have problems … [Read more...] about What No One Tells You in Church Planting: Part One
Should We Adopt the Nicene Creed?
At the 2025 Annual Meeting of the SBC, Dr. Malcolm Yarnell, Research Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, made a motion, asking the SBC to formally adopt the Nicene Creed. His motion failed to garner enough votes to pass, but Dr. Yarnell intends to make the same motion at this year’s meeting. When I read about his motion, a question came to mind. I thought—Our SBC Statement of Faith and Message rests on the ancient creeds of the church and several historic Baptist statements of faith. Why does the SBC need to do this? My inquiring mind prompted me to write Dr. Yarnell to … [Read more...] about Should We Adopt the Nicene Creed?
What Are We Praying and Working for in 2026
At the Illinois Baptist annual meeting in November, two people mentioned that I write for SBC Voices. Both said that SBC Voices comment section isn't what it once was. Controversies in the past provoked comments and discussion. I imagine a lot that kind of back and forth is on social media. There are still controversies. I don't miss reading comment threads about them and won't try to make them come back here. I'm curious, though, for some discussion about what we as Southern Baptists (Great Commission Baptists if you prefer) are praying for and working for. What are you praying … [Read more...] about What Are We Praying and Working for in 2026
3 Health Tips for Church Leaders
With New Year’s around the corner, you might be making plans for your health in 2026. I was a certified personal trainer for several years and have stayed interested in health and fitness. Here are three tips you are likely not aware of. Take your unique job and lifestyle into account when trying to be healthy. Paul wrote about that in 2 Corinthians 11:28, “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” Stress is higher in ministry, and that makes a pastor’s health and fitness different. Allostatic load is a term that means the cumulative stress from … [Read more...] about 3 Health Tips for Church Leaders
Another ‘one time’ opt-in window for Social Security: If it passes, take it!
Another “one time” opportunity for clergy who opted out of Social Security to jump back in may be offered. A bill is progressing through congress to do just that. Baptist Press reports the latest news on it. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/clergy-act-advances-from-house-ways-and-means-committee/ I’ve been retired for 14 years now and don’t circulate among the pastors’ conferences, conventions, and meetings where a lot of pastors and clergy staff congregate and gab. But, on occasion, I will run into some on the pickleball court or elsewhere. A short while ago it was … [Read more...] about Another ‘one time’ opt-in window for Social Security: If it passes, take it!
Great Short Books to Give Away
Most of the people reading this are pastors and church leaders. Most of us are readers. Our lives have been changed by books. We can't give away our favorite books, though. Many people won't read them because they are long. Today, I want to describe some great short books that you might give away. I’ve found that most people will read a book if it is relevant, excellent, and short. I think a short book should be under 100 pages. Maybe someday people will read longer books, but the point isn’t the length. The reason we give books is that we want to help people grow in Christ. Here are … [Read more...] about Great Short Books to Give Away
The Worst Ministry Advice I Ever Received
I didn’t tell my wife about the problems in my first senior pastorate. I wanted to protect her from worry. I was deceived into the position. I was mistreated and deceived throughout my pastorate. I was scared, hurt, and angry. I didn’t want her scared, hurt, or angry too, so I buried it. That was the advice I had heard in ministry: protect your wife by not taking your problems home. I thought I could outwork the problems. When I couldn’t hide the problems anymore and told her everything that I had faced for three years, she struggled to trust me. She wondered what else I had hidden from … [Read more...] about The Worst Ministry Advice I Ever Received
Varied and Vacuous Opinions and Observations, Number 6
For the third year, I’m teaching evangelism and missions at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth. I was surprised when they invited me to teach, given my age (old), but I’ve enjoyed teaching. I was a Master of Divinity student at SWBTS fifty years ago. Those were the years of the Jesus Movement, and students inundated the seminary. The hallways were crowded, the restrooms were crowded, the parking lots were full, and so were the classrooms. It is much different today. The campus seems almost deserted to me, compared to the old days. Now, more than 50% of the students study online. Last … [Read more...] about Varied and Vacuous Opinions and Observations, Number 6
My Dr. Danny Akin Story
Since Dr. Danny Akin announced his retirement yesterday, I thought I would share my Dr. Akin story. Dr. Akin preached a revival at our south Georgia church when I was in high school. He was still at Southern seminary as Dean and professor of preaching. I felt called to ministry and thought preaching would be in my future, so I paid careful attention to his preaching. He preached four or five times that week. I still remember one sermon warning us against falling away like Demas. I noticed that he started each sermon on the left side of the pulpit at the front of the stage. I suspected … [Read more...] about My Dr. Danny Akin Story