Comments on Founders Ministries Blog: The SBC and our Ongoing Need for the Gospel

I'm pleased to see such resolutions made withi...

2010-08-16T11:58:25.343-04:00

I'm pleased to see such resolutions made within the SBC, however, I feel that they may not move beyond rhetoric in the average SBC church. In small town America, most churches would agree with such resolutions because in their mind they are fulfilling the great commission or preaching the gospel. True gospel churches are extremely rare in the Bible Belt, but most of them think of themselves as sound Bible believing and preaching churches. The most frustrating thing in my community is not those who deny that we should preach the gospel, I know of none, but rather those who affirm that we should make it central but then preach a different gospel all the while thinking they are faithful. Our church sponsors a local conference to challenge local churches and to call issues to their attention so that we can effect change at the local level. I encourage all pastors to take the battle to their local streets and not be content with at large resolutions. We need both to effect real change. Keep up the good work Tom and may God take your work to the grass roots level, stirring local pastors to do battle at the local level.
Russell Taylor
www.shepherdologyconference.com

Tom That is a big step and I am glad to see we t...

2010-08-07T20:15:09.370-04:00

Tom

That is a big step and I am glad to see we took it. I am curious as to what exactly does it mean? Perhaps a return to Christ centered ecclesiology encompassing not only the way in which we do church but the way we order our worship and preach too? That would be fantastic! Let me know what you think.

"I hear you and agree 100%. Talk is cheap if ...

2010-07-04T13:57:45.691-04:00

"I hear you and agree 100%. Talk is cheap if not enacted. I am encouraged because at least we are now saying important things. It is a step. Russ Moore and his Resolutions Committee are to be commended for raising the issues and directing our conversation. I pray that churches will take these things to heart, as well."

Last night, during the 4th of July festivities in Canton, Ga., I and 4 other folks (who are sick and tired of hearing how we need to go and evangelize our town but can never find others to go with us)handed out hundreds of tracts and talked with dozens of people about their eternal destination. We ran into a few of our deacons and several members of our church who were there to watch the fireworks but had no interest in helping us reach the lost.

So, yes, talk is cheap.

I also agree with Kern when he say's, "I don't know how churches can take the Resolution to heart when a great majority of the pastors and their churches do not know the gospel."

I go to a church that has a couple thousand folks on the roles...we run two services and I'm always amazed how many people between our walls do not know the gospel and could not communicate it reasonably with a lost person.

Sorry to rant here but it can be so disheartning when an event like the 4th of July has thousands of folks sitting around and our church of 2000 can only find 5 people willing to tak the gospel to the masses.

I pray the resolution gets pastors motivated to prod the saints to action!

Thanks, David & Mark. The gospel is our only h...

2010-07-02T13:32:43.884-04:00

Thanks, David & Mark. The gospel is our only hope and it is enough to keep us going and give us life abundant every day, no matter what. We need to keep preaching to ourselves and each other!

I'm with David. That was a great post Tom. It ...

2010-07-02T13:16:18.303-04:00

I'm with David. That was a great post Tom. It ministered to a fellow pastor on the front lines of "always reforming."

In Christ
Dr. Mark Richardson

Dr. Tom, A most excellent post and commentary on ...

2010-07-02T11:26:51.377-04:00

Dr. Tom,

A most excellent post and commentary on the Cross and God's work in Christ therein. I nearly wept as I read it; thanks be to God for you, brother.

sdg,
dbh

Kern: I fully understand that discouragement and ...

2010-07-01T09:48:29.483-04:00

Kern:

I fully understand that discouragement and I am not naive. What I find hopeful is that the discourse is changing, meaning that more and more people are beginning to get it. I know some will use the vocabulary without consulting the dictionary, but even that can become opportunity to press for definition and biblical understanding.

When I think of these recent developments in relation to the trajectory of the last 30 years, I find reason to be encouraged.

ta

Tom. I don't know how churches can take the R...

2010-06-30T20:10:48.193-04:00

Tom. I don't know how churches can take the Resolution to heart when a great majority of the pastors and their churches do not know the gospel.

They would rather argue over alcohol, tongues, elders or other silly stuff.

Hope I am wrong but have been discouraged too many times before.

Prophet: I hear you and agree 100%. Talk is cheap...

2010-06-30T08:38:21.967-04:00

Prophet:

I hear you and agree 100%. Talk is cheap if not enacted. I am encouraged because at least we are now saying important things. It is a step. Russ Moore and his Resolutions Committee are to be commended for raising the issues and directing our conversation. I pray that churches will take these things to heart, as well.

Thanks!

Tom, I rejoice in this statement. That is the GOOD...

2010-06-30T08:28:09.932-04:00

Tom, I rejoice in this statement. That is the GOOD NEWS! Two observations.

1. In 40 years of Pastoral Ministry I have seen few if any 'Resolutions' that did anything except kill trees.

2. Jesus said numerous times "Blessed are you if you DO THESE THINGS!

PAssing a Resolution is laudable. Seeing the essence of the content of same actually implemented across the SBC is quite another matter. I only could hope to share your optimism and I pray I AM WRONG!

Appreciate your diligence and perseverance Tom.