TRUETT-McCONNELL COLLEGE NAMES ACADEMIC VP

Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland, GA, announces the appointment of Dr. Bradley Doyle Reynolds as Vice President for Academic Services.  He will assume responsibilities for the academic program of the college on July 1, 2009, and will make his home in Cleveland, GA.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Reynolds says: “I am extremely excited to be joining Truett-McConnell College.  We live in a world of uncertainty and confusion; however, I expect TMC under the leadership of Dr. Caner to chart the course in training the next generation of Christian leaders.  I am both honored and humbled to be a part of what God is already doing here.  May God bless us as we seek to honor Him.”

Dr. Reynolds holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the College of William and Mary, with an emphasis in education, specifically centered on policy, planning and leadership.  His dissertation is entitled The Current Status of the Creation/Evolution Debate in Public Schools.  In addition, he holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with an emphasis in languages.

He is married to the former April Davis; the couple has two children, Kelton Isaiah and Laith Isaac.

Currently Assistant Professor of Education at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has taught since 2003, Dr. Reynolds also serves as senior pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Youngsville, NC.  At Truett-McConnell he will be replacing Dr. Mike Simoneaux, Vice President for Academic Services since 2003 and former interim president.  Dr. Simoneaux will become Vice President for Advancement Services beginning July 1, 2009.

Truett-McConnell College is a liberal arts college affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, offering both bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in a variety of majors and programs of study.

TMC president Dr. Emir Caner commented: “Dr. Reynolds personifies the rare blend of a pastor’s heart with an academician’s mind.  His prowess will allow Truett-McConnell College to take the next crucial step toward fulfilling its vision of being an institution that honors, without reservation, academic excellence and Biblical integrity.  How grateful we are that the Lord chose to bring Dr. Reynolds to us.”

The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association of Schools of Music.  Dr. Emir Caner became president of the college in August 2008.  The motto of Truett-McConnell is “Biblically Centered – Distinctively Baptist.”

Merry Christmas!!

On December 19, 1992 Gail and I exchaged vows that we committed to each other for a life time.  I did not post last Friday because Christmas and my Anniversary are so close together.  However, I want all to see the song that I used to catch her eye.  She is the girl of my dreams and I love here dearly.

Rebekah came along in 1997 and she has added more joy to my life.  I want to dedicate this funny and fun Christmas song to the two ladies in my life that bring me the most joy.  I love you both.

To everyone else.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Enjoy one of my favorite artists.

Keeping Everyone Informed

The first time I was on a short-term mission trip speaking through a translator was very difficult.  One thing I learned very early was that I did not use proper grammer when I speak.   The interpreter had a horrible time trying to interpret what I was saying.  My team joked that we had to have an interpreter for me in order to help our language interpreter understand what I was saying.

I learned then that we must make certain that we all understand what is being said.  Someone said it this way; “Communication is a great thing when it works.” In order to be clear when I communicate I try to speak in pictures.  With that in mind I want to be crystal clear about the following terms in order for us all to better understand the language.

This place was Hot!!

This place is Cold!!

This is the face of Young!!

This is the face of OLD!!!

The late Ted Stone Would be Proud–NC Baptist Vote to Remove CBF

The late Rev. Ted Stone for years stood to the convention floor in North Carolina and made motion after motion to either remove Plan C (The Plan that excludes the SBC completely but is still counted as CP giving in NC) or go back to one giving plan.  His last attempt was the convention the November before a heart attack ended his life while he was walking across North America to raise awareness of the drug problems facing our nation.  Brother Ted stood courageously and many times unpopularly.  It was at his last attempt that Brother CJ Bordeaux brought a message from Dr. Morris Chapman that basically placed Brother Ted’s statements as suspect concerning the giving plans.  However, Brother Ted can now take credit that his hard work over the years has born fruit here in North Carolina.

North Carolina Baptist voted Wednesday during the budget discussion to remove Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as an option of the new giving plan.  For years NCBSC had 4 giving plans and last year a motion was made by Dr. Scott Eanes for the Executive Committee to form a committee to study the giving plans as to their viability.  The Study Committee was headed by Dr. Ed Yount from Conover.  This committee had hardened conservative warriors along with hardened moderate warriors.  However, they came to an agreement that the plan to present was one that included an option for churches that still wanted to support the CBF.  This committee did their research and followed what they believed to be the direction God was leading.  One thing they forgot to do.  They forgot to tell the reason for leaving the CBF option available.  The reason everyone was given centered mainly around the desire to stop fussing and fighting and a desire to do ministry together with someone that does not believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.  Those were the reasons given around the convention hall as reported by the maker of the amendment.

It seemed the convention was going to get through a year without controversy.  There were two scheduled miscellaneous business sessions where nothing came to the floor from the messengers.  I am certain the leaders of the convention were walking on cloud nine this morning with the diverseness of the committee that was making the only controversial motion.  This probably was a done deal in the minds of many.  Even with Dr. CJ Bordeaux, a constant critic of Plan C and anything CBF in the past, speaking for the recommendation that included the option to be chosen, this motion was not going to pass that easily.  Why?

I believe the reason was right before the eyes of the convention.  I did not attend this year, so I do not know what the spirit was in the convention hall.  However, just seeing this on live stream made me laugh at the simplicity by which this amendment passed.  If I did not know better, I would be suspicious of the back room deal brokers.  However, I know Rick Speas and I can assure you he went out of his way to make certian nothing of the sort happened.  I also know members of the Study Committee and I can also assure you they kept this information close to their chest.  None that I spoke with would even hint at what they were trying to accomplish.  The reason this amendment passed is that NC Baptist are Southern Baptist they are not CBF Baptist.  (This statement is something the Baptist General Convention of Texas would do well to heed.) NC Baptist are trying their best to say that we do not want anything to do with CBF.  If there are churches that desire to be CBF then have at it.  However, do not try to tell the world that you are Southern Baptist and be part of an organization that was organized as a result of being disgruntled with doctrines Southern Baptist believed and held dear.

What does this mean for BSCNC?  It means that the churches that were bypassing the convention are now going to need to stop.  It means that we are in this together and thus we need to support the budget together.  I know the SBC has some fine agencies and I am in agreement that the SBC is who we support with our $$$’s.  However, we do this through the State Convention.  Not only does it mean we move our giving to go directly to the BSCNC, but we need to press our leaders on two other issues.  First, we need leaders serving on the Executive Board that count the CP gifts as only those gifts going to the Cooperative Program.  While I am a supporter of the IMB, by my giving directly to the IMB does not say that I am giving to the Cooperative Program.  Our leaders need to go back and read the 1925 agreement made when the CP came into being.  Second, we need people serving on the Board of Directors to come from churches that give at the very least 5% of their churches undesignated funds in CP giving.  We need these leaders to stop short changing the convention especially when they are serving in a position to direct where the money is going.  Let’s face it, there are churches that were part of the BSCNC for the sole reason that we were allowing their funds to flow through Cary straight to the CBF in Atlanta.  These churches will stop funding through the convention and give to the CBF-NC, which by the way, has the same formula of giving that we used to call Plan C.  Only difference is that the CBF-NC now retains the 64% not the BSCNC.  So there will be a drop in giving so there needs to be an increase from conservative churches to help offset this drop.

Also, there needs to be a call now to the head offices in Cary that NC Baptist have clearly stated we are not CBF. Thus, an employee at the convention offices should be a member of a NC Baptist church not one that is dually aligning themselves with the CBF and the BSCNC.  We had the clarion call today during the budget vote that we will not even give you an opportunity to send funds through us to the CBF.  We certainly should be able to say we want you attending a BSCNC church.

Well, there you have it.  Certainly does seem to have been an interesting convention and I had nothing to do with that motion coming to the floor.  However, I believe the late Rev. Ted Stone would be proud.  Of course he is in a place now that budgets and who gives to whom has no concern for him.  He is rejoicing around our Father’s throne.  Let us now do the same.  Go and expand the Kingdom of God–OUR CLARION CALL!!!

NC Baptist Cooperative Program Giving Plan

A report straight from the Biblical Recorder informs us that a task force formed by the Board of Directors and appointed by the President of the Board just before our convention last year will recommend consolidating our giving plans back into one plan.  The buzzword of the report is; Simple with Options.

Tony Cartledge responds with;

If the proposal is passed in its present form, it is unlikely to spark either a hoped-for spike in giving from conservative churches, or a rapid exodus of moderate churches. Giving from more conservative churches will probably hold steady, however, while the ongoing decline in moderate participation will continue for a number of familiar reasons, most of which have little to do with the giving plans.

I must agree with him as I do not believe we will see any spike in giving as a result of this plan.  The reason?  The same reason conservative churches began going around the BSCNC and giving directly to the SBC in the first place–support of causes that are seen as liberal leaning.  Neither do I see a rapid exodus of moderate churches due to this giving plan.  That reason?  The same reason there has not been a rapid exodus of moderate churches to date–there is not that many churches in NC that consider themselves as moderate, it is the pastors that are moderate.  These pastors are experts at using what has, in the past, been referenced as “double-speak“.  For example, they will say to their congregation that they believe in the inspiration of scripture.  Saying such, to a uninformed church member sounds like they are saying the Bible is without error.  Why?  The average church member believes that God inspired the Scripture and it is logical that if God inspired it, then there are no errors.  However, as time moves along and the pastor begins ordaining women deacons by questioning certain texts one begins to realize their pastor does not believe the Scriptures are without error.  By the time one realizes such a thing the pastor has endeared himself to the WMU director and she is the one being considered for ordination.  As the church member responds he/she finds out the church they have been a member of for the past 20 years will disintegrate over this issue.  Besides the one that feels compelled to confront the issue also believes the Bible when it says to honor their pastor.  Thus the moderate pastor leads the church by saying something like the CBF is a good cause and then presents a plan that would allow church member to check a box that would send money to the CBF.

Concerns about the Recommendation

I see basically two concerns with this recommendation.  The first concern is the recommendation itself.  Notice what Dr. Ed Yount stated in his presentation to the BoD.

North Carolina Baptists — their multiple giving plans unique among state Baptist conventions — told the task force they wanted something less confusing, Yount said. His committee provided “a simple plan, with options.”

This is a very well articulated presentation and it deserves consideration.  However, notice the reason for this task force, as quoted in this article.

Eanes, a friend of Rogers, said his intent is, “simply to study the feasibility of the plans.”

“Are they doing what they were designed to do?” he said. “The dynamics are changing. The demographics are changing. Some of the plans have pretty significant decreases. Others have had increases. The only plan that’s had any study is Plan C. I just want to look at what we have and see if they’re working.”

This response from Brother Scott is the purpose of the Task Force as it was presented to the BoD.  Notice the amendment that was asked to be included.

David MacEachern, of Bat Cave, asked Eanes to amend his motion to declare the intention of the study would be to “move to one giving plan.” Eanes declined, saying his intent was simply to study the plans.

Brother Scott’s comments were made after Brother David’s appeal for an amendment to include this in the Task Force’s purpose.  This was not included thus, the intent of the Task Force has been expanded without proper authorization.  According to Dr. Yount their committee heard from churches that wanted something less confusing which says nothing about the feasibility of the plans being used.  If the main purpose of the Task Force was simply to study the feasibility of the plans, then how did a recommendation come out that still includes the plans?  Wouldn’t it seem reasonable that a recommendation to remove the plans that were not feasible and combine into the one plan the items that were feasible?  As it is, we are still at the same point we were last year.  We want the money but not the responsiblity to say enough is enough.

The second reason I have concerns is the CBF allocation.  However, it is not just the CBF allocation but add to that the negative designations and you still have a Plan C.  The plan that; The number of “Plan C only” churches peaked at 169 in 2006. It dropped to 160 in 2007 and is at 119 through nine months of 2008, as reported here.  Allow a simple scenario of how it could work.  A church could send their funds to the NCBSC with the box for CBF checked and then negative designate the SBC portion.  Let’s say that happens with a church that gives $10,000.00 per year.  Because they checked the CBF box then $1,000.00 goes to CBF through the NCBSC.  This leaves $9,000.00 remaining.  Other boxes that could be checked would be the Non-SBC theological education.  This $9,000.00 would then become $6,500.00, if the 2.5% is based on the original gift of $10k, which is not clear.  If the 2010 Budget Committee agrees to place Southeastern Baptist Theological College as an allocation within the budget then one could negatively designate that portion.  Thus, this would conclude with a church not supporting the Southern Baptist Convention with one red penny.  But, because the church contributed to the State’s allocated version of the Cooperative Program to the tune of $6,500.00, that church has the ability of sending a full slate of messengers to the annual convention without a dime of support going to the SBC.

However, there is a section that defines Cooperative Program giving on the Proposed 2010 MISSIONS GIFTS REMITTANCE.  This bulleted sections is below.

A church may choose to contribute to the Cooperative program by entering the amount of the gift in the box below.  The church may choose to negatively designate up to 3 items of the Cooperative Program budget by indicating the excluded items on the lines below.

Gifts which negatively designate the Baptist State Convention of NC will not be considered Cooperative Program gifts.  Gifts which negatively designate the SBC will not be reported to the SBC as qualifying gifts for SBC messenger status, but will qualify the church for BSCNC messenger status.

A church must congribute $420 per employee each year in order for its employees to be eligible to receive Matching Funds and Protection Benefits under the Church Annuity Plan.

While this explanation seems reasonable there is one thing that our committee seems to forget.  The messenger cards for the SBC comes from the SBC not from the NCBSC.  The churches not only get their messenger cards from the SBC, but when I went online to order my messenger cards they asked the amount my church gave to the SBC.  My messengers to the SBC are determined by what I tell them I give to the CP not what NCBSC reports.  Why do I say this?  Have you ever heard of http://sbds.lifeway.com/?  That is your way of entering your churches ACP and that is what the SBC follows.  If there is a difference in the state convention reporting of CP gifts and the Church’s reporting, according to Baptist Polity the Church is the one right.

What Now?

We go to the convention and vote for the recommendation.  If someone were to ammend this recommendation to exclude the options it may be something worth considering.  Also, it would be worth considering an amendment to separate the options from the giving plan and vote on each individually.  I am not certain that could be done because I am no Parlimentarian and it would take one to figure out how to do it.  But you can certainly rest assured that a Parlimentarian has certainly advised the BoD on how best to present this motion in order to restrict the amendments.  It is going to be an interesting convention.

When Storms Come

When storms come into your life, they come unexpedely.  In Mark 8 we see that the chapter begins with these words: And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. This is verse 1 and by the time we get to verse 23 & 24 we see the Bible gives us a situation the disciples find themselves; But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

The point I am making has to do with storms.  Did the disciples think they would be crossing the sea and a storm abruptly come upon them?  No!  While Jesus was in the boat with them, they took his silence on the issue as not really caring for their situation.  That is how it is when a storm comes upon you suddenly.  As storms have come into my life one comfort that I have found is just meditating on God’s word.  I do this through Scripture and prayer, but I also do this through music.  The following YouTube url is bookmarked on my computer at work along with my home computer.  I encourage you to just meditate on God and the words of this song. Enjoy and I pray it encourages you as it does my family.

Vacation Fun

Getting Ready to see Mickey!

Rebekah meets Prince Caspian

We had a great time at Disney World in August.  We went just before Rebekah went back to school.  It was such a great time.

At the Entrance of Disney World

I can still hear my daughter’s voice in my ear as we sat watching the parade at Majic Kingdom.  As the Princess went by in her carriage with all of the lights, I asked Rebekah if she were having a good time.  She hugged me and said; “I wish it would never end.”  I have tears in my eyes as I type this.  Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Don't tell Wiley Drake.

My Girls on the most fun ride we did--The Sky Tram!

The reason that I had to give up my NASCAR dream.

While we were in Orlando we did not forget the one we were there to worship–Our Lord Jesus!! We visited Aloma Baptist and had my picture taken with a pastor that is 38 and drives an old person’s car.

Here I am with Pastor Anthony George.

Guarding the Heart!

As a father, I am convinced that God will hold me accountable if I do not help teach my daughter how to guard her heart.  According to Proverbs 4:23; Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life, our heart is the seat of our emotions and are very precious.  When it comes to my daughter’s emotional well being I am to help her understand this verse.  Also, according to Proverbs 16:1, The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord, I am to teach Rebekah that God will guide her and I am to help her understand how God leads her.  I am constantly working on ways to help Rebekah open herself to God’s leading in order to allow the Lord to prepare her heart.  I did something the other evening and I pray that God will use it in order to help my daughter understand how precious her emotions are and how special it is to “fall in love”.

I believe that we live in such times that little girls and boys are promoted to be boyfriend and girlfriend before their emotions are able to handle it.  My daughter had an experience at camp this past year where a boy camper asked her if she would be his girlfriend.  She spoke with me about it and I told her I felt it was too early and that if she wanted to trade email addresses it would be ok.  He kept persisting and she told him she would be his girlfriend.  She was so excited and we did not want to place a damper on her excitement.  Gail and I had to leave early from the camp and we left Rebekah there with the rest of the group.   We found out later that this young boy told one of his buddies that he was only using her because he wanted to have a girlfriend.  It broke my daughter’s heart.  She cried and was hurt but she acted so mature.  She confronted him about this statement and he confirmed it was true.  She then told him that his treatment of her was not cool and he should have come to her and told her instead of telling others.  He later came back and apologized to her for what he did, which does say something about the young man’s character.

As a result of this adventure I decided that it was time for me to take action in order to prepare her and teach her to guard her heart.  The picture you see here is a ring that I purchased and gave to Rebekah this past Monday evening.  I had a special time with her where we went to get ice cream.   As we sat down I presented the gift to her and told her that God had bestowed on me the duty of guarding her heart.  The ring is in the shape of a heart and it represents her heart.  I told her that I was watching that ring and it was to stay on her finger until she gets married.  I told her that she was to treat that ring like she would treat her heart.  In this explanation, I told her that if I were to see her using that ring improperly or abusing it in any way I certainly would call her attention to it and even say no in some instances.  It would be the same thing if I saw her abusing her emotions or treating them without care or concern.  As long as the ring was on her finger it meant that she has not given her heart in marriage to anyone.  When she did find that special love she was to wait until her wedding night to give the ring to her husband.  It would be when she gets married that I release my duty of guarding her heart over to her husband.

I pray that God will honor this act and I pray that Rebekah will find the love that God has given me in my wife Gail.

25 feet From my Front Door

The article here describes for you the pictures in this article that show you what I saw at about 7am on Tuesday.  What you cannot see is the person in the accident is out of the picture about 65 feet from the truck to the left.  They had to airlift him to Charlotte Medical Center.  The last I heard he was talking and has spleen damage along with a puncture lung and some spinal damage.  Pray for Rusty Cathway and ask our Father to uphold him now as he is recovering.  One of the items I picked up out of my yard after they took him away was his Bible.  I do not know if he is a Believer or not, but his Bible was one of the items scattered across my yard. 

I was in my bathroom when the accident occured and put on clothes as I ran out the front door.  I was barefoot as I ran all over my front yard trying to find out if someone else was in the truck.  The bottom of my feet are cut from the glass and they are sore but they will heal.  Please do not let the date stamp on the picture fool you.  We have not set that up on our camera and did not realize it until after we took these pictures.

Needless to say it was an unusual way to begin a Tuesday morning.  But, God allowed me to get to work in time to keep an appointment.  The appointment was for one that was seeking God.  I had the awesome privilege to minister to Rusty there as an accident victim and two-hours later express to a young lady how fragile life is as I shared the plan of salvation with her.  Praise God!! It is fun being a preacher.

News From the West–Updated

It seems there is a disagreement between the current pastor of FBC Dallas and two of her ministries.  According to Dallas News Dr. Jerry Johnson has confirmed there is a serious disagreement between FBC’s current Pastor, Dr. Robert Jefress and himself concerning the future of the Criswell College.  According to the report from Dr. Johnson, the pastor is trying to sell off the assets of the college to raise money to build a new sanctuary.  The current sanctuary seats 2000.  According to their 2007 ACP they average 2450 in worship attendance in three services.  In one of those services the sanctuary is not used.  Dr. Jefress is leading the church in this direction as he believes God has called him.

Dr. Johnson has seen an influx of funds and slight increase in enrollment in the past year at Criswell College.  He strives to follow God and seek His direction in the many different areas he is called as President of the Criswell College.  The Criswell College Trustees were rejected by FBC Dallas congregation in their attempt to sell KCBI the christian radio station the church started and given oversight of to the college.  Now, it seems that KCBI is viewed as a cash cow as its assets of $20 million will produce a tremendous influx of cash for a new sanctuary.  Dr. Johnson is leading the college in the direction that he believes God is leading him.

Here we have two men of God trying to follow God.  Then we have SWBTS as the potential beneficiary of this dispute.  I only have a couple of questions concerning this situation.  If SWBTS ends up assimilating the Criswell College into her school, what does that mean for Southern Baptist?  If FBC Dallas releases the school; would SWBTS be the Mercy Ship that would provide housing and other benefits to the college?  Or, would FBC Dallas require renumeration from the SBC for this little deal?

Who knows what is going on in Texas.  I have some good friends that claim Texas as their home and I also have good friends living in Texas.  There are two things that I have learned over the years that you can tell someone from Texas.  First, you can tell a person is either living in Texas or is from Texas because they will let you know that within the first three sentences of introduction.  The second thing I have learned you can tell someone from Texas–Nothing.

I pray God will work this situation out for His Glory.

It seems that Dr. Jerry Johnson has resigned his position as President.  Read about it here.