Archive for the ‘Essay’ Category

For Southern Baptists, B. H. Carroll is an iconic figure, and for Texas Baptists he is especially so. During his 28-year pastorate, the First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas became one of the state’s most preeminent congregations. Denominationally, he channeled domestic and foreign missionary efforts, advocated the establishment of the Sunday School Board, helped to Read more

In 1963, Southern Baptists convened in Kansas City, Mo., and adopted the first-ever revision of the Baptist Faith & Message. Like the first BF&M—whose committee was chaired by E. Y. Mullins and adopted in 1925; and the most recent iteration, whose committee was chaired by Adrian Rogers and approved in 2000—each issuance of the BF&M Read more

Times of change are as natural as life itself, and at Midwestern Seminary this is a season of transition. The election of a new seminary president self-evidently ushers in a time of change and prompts the seminary community to reflect upon all God has done – and is calling us to do – as a Read more

Southern Baptists are similar folks.  Wherever you find Southern Baptists – regardless of the location – you tend to find people who love Jesus, the Bible, the local church and fellowshipping with one another. Whether in Argentina or Alabama, Mumbai or Missouri, this rings true. I have been especially struck by this commonality among Southern Read more

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” With this opening line, Charles Dickens introduced the themes of contradiction and paradox in his classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities.  Dickens’ timeless words might aptly describe not only pre-revolution France, but also modern-day ministry. The “worst of times” is easy to Read more