2 Samuel 16:9,11 - "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head...let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him."

Matthew 7:15 - “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Matthew 24:11 - “…and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

Friday, February 4, 2011

A Pastor's Perspective on FBC Jax Pastor's Conference 2011

Readers: below is an article written by Jeff Haney, pastor of Pinecrest Baptist Church in Corinth, MS. Jeff authors the blog "Change Worth Making". From time to time Jeff posts here on this blog, and he has posted some articles on tithing and other issues that we have discussed here.

Jeff has written about his trip to Jacksonville for the Pastor's Conference, and below is his "wrap up" article summarizing some of the highlights, and he shares some interesting insights about FBC Jax and the conference as compared to years past. Of particular interest are the last two paragraphs, which I've highlighted in blue. He wrote an article prior to the one below, which is here, if you're interested, and then another one back in November 2010 as he was looking forward to the conference.

Apparently the 2011 FBC Jax Pastor's Conference was the most photographed Christian event in history; click here and you can go see nearly 400 photos of the event. The auditorium renovations look very nice, although they could have gone with less photos of Chuck Kelly, and could have shared a few shots of Ergun Caner. Would have liked to see a shot of James Merritt as be blasted anonymous church critics as he stared into the camera. Vines had that duty back in 2007 to talk about the evils of anonymous emails - looks like it was Merritt's turn in 2011. It worked, as this small church preacher, Jeff Haney, really liked Merritt's "brazenness" and "boldness" in taking on church critics. Did Merritt throw in a "shut 'em down?", and did he do a few stomps?

Also, it's been about a week since my last post, as I have taken a bit of a break but have much, much more to write about that I know you will be interested in as I resume a more normal blogging pattern next week.

Here is Jeff's article:

I rarely like the assumption that all pastors are discouraged and need to be propped up by those who have the appearances of greater successes. I will admit that my first impression of the theme of the conference was less than an "oh boy." Even among the “vintage” years of my attendance, and the highest times of my spirit I have always disliked the underlying tones that come from "big preachers" reminding "small preachers" that we’re all the same "preachers." I have always thought, "we know that" but apparently they don’t. Sometimes it’s not the little known preachers that need to know there’s no difference in small church pastors, and large church pastors. Sometimes it’s the other way around. If I had one "tone" about this conference that I’ve never liked that’s it.

However, it was a pleasant surprise to me that even with the theme of Endurance, I did not sense this tone this year to the same degree that I have in years past. It did have moments that I still heard it, but I have become oversensitized to it and may have heard signals no one was really sending.

I must give credit where credit is due. I stand in stark opposition to Al Mohler on the issues of Calvinism. I will say from this day until the last day that the teaching of Limited Atonement, is an inright, outright, upright, downright Heresy with a capital H. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2. Now that being said, Mohler hit a home run. My heart was touched and my spirit was saying amen, as he addressed the issues of God’s people having a lack of knowledge in our day and age. His call for a revival of Biblical knowledge among our people is past due, and under emphasized. His message Sunday night was the best that I personally have heard him preach.

I had never heard Jim Shaddix preach prior to this conference. I am glad that I did. To finally put a pastor on stage who is honest about the less than explosive growth in his church was suprisingly and wonderfully refreshing. The Lord is blessing our church, people are getting saved, numerically we are increasing, spiritually we are growing,but the roof is still on, and the doors haven’t come loose yet. Our people have the same desire for growth (deep and wide) as any other church that the Lord has, but the results have not been as earth shattering as we would like. For Shaddix to preach from the standpoint of someone whose church is not booming, and being honest about it, and approaching it from a scriptural point of view, refreshed my mind and recharged my stamina, and for that I am grateful.

As always Paige Patterson and David Allen, two of my favorites, were surgical with the texts, and dynamite in their message.

James Merritt deserves the "Kiss My Grits" award! Addressing the issue of anonymous "writing", and "people writing about their pastor" in the face of Mac’s friends and nemies, took more grits than Granny Clampett could conjure up. I was, to say the least, impressed with his brazenness, as he rather boldly took up the issue and looked the camera in the the eye and the crowd in the face. What he said was true to the Word of God, and he would not back up one inch.

My heart hurts for the people of FBCJax. The crowd being significantly smaller than years past, and the children’s choirs 1/2 of what they used to be, cannot be easy for those precious people. I did not see Jim Smyrl, Fran Hawk, or the gentleman with the "rock crosses," and I looked. I may just have missed them. I did see Robert Jones, Andy Anderson, Al Broyles, and some of the other ushers that we have grown accustomed to shaking hands with when we enter.

The choir and orchestra is still out of this world, and worth every accolade that comes their way.

What other course people and pastors may choose, I know not, but as for me and Pinecrest, we will serve the Lord, and I will pray for those people. Doing so would definitely be a change worth making.

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tom, you've been missed!

Anonymous said...

Personally, I like Dr. Brunson. I really do think he's a good man. Apart from your personal beef with him, Tom, I do think he's a good man who loves the Lord.

I also think Trey Brunson is a good guy. I think his heart is in the right place.

Having said all that, Trey has pretty much killed what was once "the" conference for pastor's to go to in the SBC.

And before anyone goes all koo-koo on me placing the blame (for lack of a better word) on Trey, it's pretty widely known that Dr. Brunson turned this conference over to Trey.

For what reasons, I'll never understand. Not sure how a young man, fresh out of college, was qualified to take over roles such as this and others.

The FBC Jax Pastors Conference is a shell of its former self. That's not an opinion, it's a fact. The numbers and attendance, even by FBC members, don't lie.

Anonymous said...

Wrong link on the Maurillo thing, Tom. It's a dup from the preacher's wife thing.

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

A few other blog posts that mentioned the FBC Jax PC that I enjoyed:

This preacher's-wife blogger explaining how one of her highlights of the conference was getting to see Debbie Brunson's shoe collection, especially her houndstooth stillettos (I'm not kidding) - and this one where Maurilio explains how he was turned on to the Lingerie Football while in town for the conference.

Shoe collections and women in lingerie playing football....praise the Lord, and a good time was had by all.

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

What is so absolutely funny about Maurilio saying that he went out with his young friends Trey and pals to the Lingerie football game, is I posted a tongue-in-cheeck Tweet that said the pastors were let go early so they could see the Lingerie bowl...and lo and behold I wasn't that far off. Maybe Maurilio is just kidding around, after all I didn't see them there. :)

Here is the tweet.

Anonymous said...

Cracks me up how Maurilio has this picture (linked below) on his blog. It was obviously the Sunday morning crowd when Jerry Vines was preaching.

Why not post a pic of the rest of the conference when the auditorium was about 1/3 full, if that?

http://www.maurilioamorim.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/FBC-Jax-Pastors-Conference.jpg

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the leadership at FBC must be thrilled that Trey took this clown (Maurilio) to lingerie football.

Godly leaders indeed.

Football Fan said...

I can see the connection....houndstooth stilettos and lingerie football. Now THAT's the greatest show on earth !!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that Preacher's Wife blog was all about material things.

Scarey. She's impressed with shoes, stooped to drive a Kia Soul, and is gonna die if she doesn't have an internet connection at home. And notice the name dropping. The conference was all about entertainment it seems. I've never been big on women's groups at church for the same reason. Scrapbooking, crafts and baking cookies just aren't my thing.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that Preacher's Wife blog was all about material things.

Scarey. She's impressed with shoes, stooped to drive a Kia Soul, and is gonna die if she doesn't have an internet connection at home. And notice the name dropping. The conference was all about entertainment it seems. I've never been big on women's groups at church for the same reason. Scrapbooking, crafts and baking cookies just aren't my thing.

February 4, 2011 8:59 AM

I know. When you have been away from it for a long time, it becomes glaringly obvious how shallow they are. However, if you are around it and think these folks are "godly", it is hard to see it.

The basic problem is man centeredness. If you notice, Jeff talks about the speakers. Seems normal enough. But is it for a Christian? Shouldn't one walk away from any gathering of believers (especially paid professional Christians) talking and thinking of Christ instead of man?

It is man-centeredness and it is so prevalent it seems normal to most. I wish that were not so.

Anonymous said...

How sad, for true believers, situations in some of Gods churches are. Having been around for all of the previous Christ centered conferences, hearing about this particular deterioration is upsetting. As to numbers...I can remember many years when the auditorium was packed with around 10,000, the cafeteria was overflowing and many left because of no seats. This a perfect picture of what happens when man puts himself on the throne instead of Jesus. How secular church in general has become. No wonder the church age now is called the Church of Laodicea. And God is sick over it and says He will spue it out of His mouth.

As for some small preachers: some definitely give evidence of being in training to be big mega preachers. I ask this question: Who are our spiritual heros and authorities today? So goes the church. You understand elevation up the corporate ladder.

Is a shoe collection and a lingerie event a memory one should take away from a pastors conference. How did these subjects command attention, and what is their relevance?

Anonymous said...

Who does "Jeff" think he is...Roger Ebert? Thumbs up or Thumbs down? Is that the way he wants his parishioners to treat him this Sunday?

Is he keeping notes on the number of people that have attended over the past 10 years? So???

Maybe if he concentrated on what God is calling him to do, he would not be focusing on "large church pastors" and sounding extremely jealous.

It's lunchtime...I need some Tums after reading that bellyaching!!!

Anonymous said...

they're all caught up in their world of money.

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

See, Jeff? This is what you get when you even softly criticize the big boys. They don't take kindly to peons like you and like me offering analysis and opinion and criticism about their church and pastor.

Anonymous said...

I too was at the FBC Jax Pastor's Conference for the 6th time - starting back in 1998 I have gone every other year.

I have seen some decline in numbers, even before Brunson arrived. This year's conference actually looked larger than the conferences of the past 6 years. According to the registrar, the numbers registered were higher this year than the past 4 years.

There are so many pastor's conferences out there today, so many of them regionally placed, and of course the majority of church's have cut their budgets these past 3-4 years. I'm not surprised that most conferences are smaller now than they were 10 years ago.

FBC Jax's pastor's conference is still the best in my opinion. I thought Al Mohler, David Platt, Eric Mason, Jim Shaddix, Danny Akin and Mac Brunson were outstanding...worth the entire event.

Junior Hill was so encouraging in his wisdom and Tullian Tchividian was so challenging.

The music as always was so inspiring and I love the addition of a worship band/team this year in Michael Bleecker.

There are always detractors, and there are always other conferences that speak more to some than others...I am so grateful for FBCJax and her people who were so kind and so hospitable.

I am a 44 year old pastor, and this is the conference I plan on going to every other year until I retire.

God's blessings and grace to you Watchdog, to FBC Jax and the churches in our nation who love the Gospel.

Pastor Jack

Jeff H. said...

Tom,

I don't know what to say. If there is anything to say.

Bellyaching? - I thought I just said how much I enjoyed the conference. I think I said how much my heart was touched by some of the different messages that were preached. (Of which Christ receives the Glory)

"Who does "Jeff" think he is...Roger Ebert?"

I didn't know I had to be somebody or to qualify to a certain degree in order to write my opinion or observation. I think I just shared what I thought, (generally positive) about the people of FBCJax and their conference.

Can't help but notice a smaller attendance. (elephant in the room) I guess just saying so bothers some people. Didn't mean it as an insult, merely an observation.

Never my intention to offend.

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

Jeff - don't read much into it, just a bellyacher who doesn't represent the majority of people at the conference. Afterall, Trey Brunson posted on your site and thanked you for writing about the conference. That I think is more representative of people there than this guy who took you to task.

But my point is, this is what people who express their opinions about churches face. Zealots who interpret any negative commentary, or even harsh criticism, to be of the devil.

Did you read Thom Rainer's bellyaching article about bellyachers in Baptist Press. These guys really are out in left field. Rainer is writing about how churches need to ramp up their church discipline and expel the complainers from the church.

I guess Rainer didn't follow the fiasco at FBC Jax the past 3 1/2 years. They did what Rainer is suggesting, and it didn't work out too well.

Lynn said...

Re the woman's blog report talking about shoes, etc. How is all this any different from a group of wives of politicians getting together to discuss the pressures of being in the spotlight? It's basically an elite group of women who value looking snazzy and material things.

I mean if they were there to discuss starting a special charity or something, it would be more impressive. They are there because they're married to powerful men.

And that whole set-up of a panel of women having some inside secrets to help other women just sounds awkward and unnatural to me.

I've been to women's retreats where you hear a pastor's wife give her words of wisdom, then you just overeat and start to see the fakeness and silliness of it all.

Lynn said...

So what happened with Caner? Did anybody picket? Did he preach to a huge crowd?

Anonymous said...

"So what happened with Caner? Did anybody picket? Did he preach to a huge crowd?"

Kind of wondering this myself.

Anonymous said...

"Did you read Thom Rainer's bellyaching article about bellyachers in Baptist Press. These guys really are out in left field. Rainer is writing about how churches need to ramp up their church discipline and expel the complainers from the church."

It's the new "biblical censorship". A way to twist scripture to get rid of the dissenters who do not worship at the altar of the leader. It has been a hot topic in the SBC for a few years now. Just another way to get rid of Priesthood teaching.

If true church discipline were taking place, we would be getting rid of mostly pastors! Too bad more people sitting in the pews do not know scripture well.

X Baptist said...

And even one said, AMEN - especially those paid preachers.....

Pass the Plate please...

Anonymous said...

Isn't it still true that 70% of all SBC congregations are either plateaued or declining in terms of their numerical growth? And isn't it still true that 100% of all SBC churches--including the plateaued and declining ones--are led by senior pastors (not by ministers of music or youth or education or whatever)? If these things still are true, then it would seem: (1) a really good, educational, uplifting pastors' conference--focused on "how" but not "what"--could be a beneficial thing annually; and, (2) most of the guys walking around on the property and slapping each other on the back recently at FBC-J are leading congregations to their deaths as organizations, more or less.

Interesting . . .

Anonymous said...

Too bad more people sitting in the pews do not know scripture well

This can be mistaken because most people sitting in the pews believe they know the bible well. The truth is, people well not know the bible well until they have good teachers.

Anonymous said...

What is so absolutely funny about Maurilio saying that he went out with his young friends Trey and pals to the Lingerie football game Dog, is there another article or tweet where Murillo says that he went out with Trey to the Lingerie game? I read the article you linked to a couple of times and I cannot find where any such claim could be substantiated. Murillo really does not say that he went to the game either. Did someone say they saw them there?

Anonymous said...

Jeff H. says "the children's choir is 1/2 what it used to be" You couldn't be more wrong! The youth choir only performed on the Grand Finale and that was only the middleschool choir and that wasn't all the middle school kids. 2nd-5th plus the high schoolers didn't sing this year. (the new renovation could not possibly hold the entire youth! In fact the attendance maybe down but the youth departments are thriving as mew members are getting younger!

Anonymous said...

Jeff H. says "the children's choir is 1/2 what it used to be" You couldn't be more wrong. The youth choir only performed on the Grand Finale and that was only the middleschool choir.(that wasn't all the middle school kids) 2nd-5th plus the high schoolers didn't sing this year, the new renovation could not hold the entire youth choirs! In fact the attendance maybe down but the youth departments are thriving as new members are getting younger!

Anonymous said...

Jeff is probably referring to the night that the middle school choir and orchestra sang and played, and then the night the high schoolers played and sang. Jeff's 1/2 was being generous. They were both way less than 1/2 of what they were in years past. The numbers were way, way down, probably more like 1/4 or 1/3.

Anonymous said...

No false there were atleast 125 in each choir this year. So if you are saying a 1/4 compared to the past then you are saying there used to be 500 in each choir in the past. That is simply not accurate. Overall attendance is way down but the youth department is keeping up!

Anonymous said...

Wrong, your numbers are off.

There was not 125 in both MS and HS choirs. It was less than 1/2 that. I counted.

Anonymous said...

You are so wrong..but even at 65 kids you are saying that is only a 1/4 of years past what a false statement there has NEVER been 260 in each choir.

Anonymous said...

There were about 220 high schoolers in the choir and orchestra in the late 90s and early 00s.

You are wrong. The numbers in the youth are down by about 1/3 to 1/4. You are in denial.

Anonymous said...

I don't agree with what you are saying there is more than 70 kids in each choir. I could care less as I am at a church with 200 members. And the power isn't in the number of people at my church. We just have a difference view. Well have a blessed life and Jesus loves us no matter what and that is really what is important. If I am wrong then so be it. I was blessed by this conference can't wait to go back next year God willing.

Anonymous said...

He said "your numbers are off I counted" wow how spiritual while these kids were singing their hearts out (whether it was 2 or 200) in worship to Jesus you were counting the numbers? Your Savior must be really pleased you took time out of worship to help count kids!

Anonymous said...

"Pastor Jack,"

You said numbers were declining even before Dr. Brunson took over?

One word: Phooey!

The then 10,000 seat auditorium was packed nightly for the conference for the last several years before Dr. Brunson. Want proof? Go get some of the videos of past conferences.

When Adrian Rogers, Jerry Falwell, etc. spoke, that place was jammed wall to wall. In fact, Vines last year there were an estimated 12,000 people there.

Not trying to denigrate Dr. Brunson and his team, but the "numbers were declining" thing is hogwash.

Lynn said...

I have a friend whose husband immediately makes an estimate of crowd size when he gets to a Philly game. I think it's a male thing.

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

Anon 11:12 pm.

At the end of Maurilio's article:

"After spending a few days with these guys, I don’t regret my choice. Even though I didn’t get enough sleep and ate too much bad food. Oh, and I was also introduced to Lingerie Football League."

By "these guys" I assume he means the three in the picture, who he mentions by name at the top of the article.

Maybe they didn't go. It says "introduced to".

I don't care if Maurilio or Trey went to the Lingerie bowl. I just thought it amusing I posted a tweet spoofing 1000 pastors and Lingerie Bowl being in town on the same weekend, and lo and behold Maurilio - one of the speakers at the conference - infers that he went, and that he went with the guys running the Pastor's Conference. That is funny.

Anonymous said...

Why would FBC Jax be losing members? Maybe they don't want some people for members. When I went to the Chest of Joash service two weeks ago, I was told I HAD to go down front that day by an usher. I was on the back row of the balcony. When I said, "well, i'll have to leave then because I dont want to go up there", he said, "Sorry". I was kinda hurt. I should have remembered that it was Chest of Joash Sunday. But I was on the back row of the BALCONY, and still don't see why I couldn't have stayed.

And that wasn't the first time I got hurt by someone in that church.

So if they want to know why they are losing members, maybe they should explore the fact that they treat some people like they are unwelcome.

Maybe some people actually ARE unwelcome. And if you are treated that way, eventually you will go elsewhere. Especially when gas prices are so high, and if you live any distance away.

Was my going down front really important enough that I had to leave? Couldn't I have just stepped out of the way, being in the back and all. The usher came up to me before the service, and started the conversation by saying, "Now, you know how this works right...You have to go out this way and then I said, Oh you mean this is Chest of Joash Sunday and i said I don't want to go down there....and he said You have to...we all do....and I said well then i'll have to leave I guess, and he said Sorry...."

Yeah, I didn't like that too much. Thought about complaining, but you know, I think it will do more good to say something on here, honestly.


And I did go to the Sunday morning service of the Pastors Conference and it was packed, by the way, and people were sitting in the halls...however, I know they took some seats out.

Do I plan to go back....only for special choir programs...I love their music in that church.

Anonymous said...

And let me say, that because I was hurt by someone in that church, it kind of colors the way I look at everything when I go, so much so that I don't even think I SHOULD go anymore. And Dog, I think because you were hurt by them, that it colors the way you look at everything, too. Sometimes its best to just MOVE ON, if all you can see is wrong.

That doesn't absolve people who are hurtful from their responsibility, its just better for YOU.

If there are certain types of people not wanted in a church, then just LEAVE, and LEAVE the whole situation alone.

Its not how GOD feels about people,, and thats all I care about.

Anonymous said...

Ritiulasim...that's all it is anymore. People can be hurtful in church...very hurtful. Not all but some.

Isn't it interesting that Jesus died for ALL of us. He accepts any person that will come to Him. No requirements necessary except belief in Him and repentance. Jesus ate with the publicans and sinners.

You have to know how to "handle" people. Some are so full of themselves and their little positions. But by the time you fight the caste system you are so disillusioned you may as well not go. Been there done that. Sorry it happended to you.

Regarding the Priesthood of the believer. Many pastors "say" they believe in it but their actions are so authoritarian there is little proof they do. I am thinking of one in particular. You would be suprised who.

Dr Who said...

Remember, James Merritt is a part of that Ga. Gang called the "Georgia Baptist Convention".

I am not 100% sure, but I do wonder if he was one of those who supported the "Anti Blogging Resolution" passed by his fellow Baptist.

Yet he can stand up on stage and ramble about those that dare expose issues within the Baptist Mafia membership!

I bet he would not say it to or stare at the "Ga Bloggers revolutionist" whom they tried to silence, face and say it!

Rules are different for the righteous and Cowards are everywhere....Right James and Robert and Mike and.....

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

I do know Merritt was one of the signers of the infamous letter of support for Bob Reccord, former prez of NAMB. Didn't like the criticism of Reccord over the wasteful spending at NAMB that was exposed by Mary Kinney Branson in her book "Spending God's Money".

Anonymous said...

Have I missed it? Has anybody been upset that a Presbyterian preacher was a speaker at the Pastors Conferance?

Anonymous said...

By "these guys" I assume I don't care if Maurilio or Trey went to the Lingerie bowl.

So if someone were to spread a rumor that you were a sociopath, I guess you might let that pass?

Now tell me how what you were named is miles and miles apart from what you just did to these men. In my opinion this is a real shame and a new low. These guys are more apt to do something to further the gospel than most.


Maybe they have too much class to get all lawyered up. (All in my opinion)

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

I would tell you how it is miles and miles apart, but you most certainly wouldn't understand. Would be way over your head pal.

Wow, pretty sad.

Anonymous said...

I do know Merritt was one of the signers of the infamous letter of support for Bob Reccord, former prez of NAMB. Didn't like the criticism of Reccord over the wasteful spending at NAMB that was exposed by Mary Kinney Branson in her book "Spending God's Money".

February 5, 2011 11:11 AM

His son was the one that wrote that treatise on a green environment and got a bunch of big wigs to sign it and claimed it was the SBC's position on being green. Of course, being daddy's boy helped. A nobody in seminary would not have been able to do that.

This guy is a kid and already has a speaking schedule. To speak on what, for crying out loud. All to make money in ministry. It is all they know how to do: make merchandise of the gospel.

Anonymous said...

http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/2009/10/creation-care-conference-at-sebts-by-peter-lumpkins.html

Is there more than one type of "green" involved?

Anonymous said...

http://www.sebts.edu/college/low-bandwidth/news-resources/headlines/articles/energy-found-grant.aspx

I guess the consultant gets paid...

"The money provided by The Energy Foundation will be used for a recycling program at Southeastern; a conference on creation care; funding for a consultant for Southeastern’s L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture; and a book endowment for useful new materials."

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:44 am Feb 6. God takes care of the lowly sparrow. The problem centers around the "church in the building" vs the "church outside the building". You really can't seperate the two. People even if they attend all the services spend less than 2% of their avalable time in the building. You will find that people have two or three sides. The side in the (1)"building", (2)outside the "building" i.e., on the job, at the store, in the neighborhood, etc; and then in their (3) "home". Some (very few) are the same in all three places. Then there are the pretenders that are different in all three. Seen them, know them, and you are correct as it is best to leave them alone. Let God deal with them in His own way. They will never change. Thats the principle reason why there are so many different "churches". Almost one on every corner in some cities. God knows the wheat from the tares and it is becoming a lot easier for some of us to recognize the real differences between the two groups. Witness wherever you go for Jesus Christ but never recommend a church to anyone as you may send them into a place that would do more harm than good in their growth as a real Christian. The inside politics of churches is worse than what transpires in congress. Whats ironic is that in either place they have to be voted in. Once in, it sometimes becomes imposible to deal with them. That is why so many are leaving the church, staying home without the hassel. Concentrate on the bible and stay close to the Lord. You don't need a church for that. The verse many use.."don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together", was written to the Jews..not the church. No one can require you go to a church if it ceases to be a true church. And there are less and less real ones around.

New BBC Open Forum said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
New BBC Open Forum said...

Here's yet another SBC good-old-boy get-together, this one in Alabama. James Merritt is on the program. This time Steve Gaines is taking along four Bellevue staff members who are going to lead sessions. They are listed as "Program Personalities."

There's the obligatory "pastors' wives banquet" where the keynote speaker is a pastor's wife who's written a book entitled You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes. Sounds deep.

2011 Alabama State Evangelism Conference

Program

Hardly a week goes by that I don't see or someone sends me another one of these program announcements -- conferences, retreats, cruises, Holy Land and European tours. You soon realize it's the same core group of men. Their churches pay their regular salaries, then either pay their way there or the sponsors pay them from conference fees (FBC Jax Pastors' Conference) or (as it appears in this example) from the cooperative program of the state. Just look at the titles of some of the sessions to see where the emphasis is. (Hint: Out of a 20-page brochure, the name of Jesus is mentioned twice.) And they want you to dig deep and give more.

Anonymous said...

"Anon 8:44 am Feb 6. God takes care of the lowly sparrow. The problem centers around the "church in the building" vs the "church outside the building". You really can't seperate the two. People even if they attend all the services spend less than 2% of their avalable time in the building. You will find that people have two or three sides. The side in the (1)"building", (2)outside the "building" i.e., on the job, at the store, in the neighborhood, etc; and then in their (3) "home". "

People do not get it. The "church" is the people. God resides in US as the temple if we are saved. We ARE the temple. Buildings have NOTHING to do with it. Unfortuantly, so much has been made of buildings for centuries that people really believe it is "God's House".

However, these buildings will perish. The true "temple" where God resides will be in paradise.

Our buildings, as most see them, are nothing but idols.

This understanding is so very basic to the Gospel is floors me that so many do not know it.

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Bro./Min.Rod H. said...

" Anonymous said...
Don't some of you really think that Maurilio makes a post like this to try and prove he is (100%) straight and interested in things like lingerie instead of how skinny a man's tie should be? Many of his posts also try to show how much money he has and how he knows about living the "high life." Always trying to show that he has made it, financially that is..."

February 6, 2011 7:41 PM


When it comes to Maurilio, "Out of the treasures of his heart,his mouth speaks".
What habitually comes out of his mouth is who he is!

Ramesh said...

Off Topic: SBC Plodder [William Thornton] > Criticize your pastor? You might be lost.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Brunson's son is so LIBERAL, it is disgusting.

Anonymous said...

Some people live in a fantasy world. And, they want that world to be beautiful and perfect especially if they "preside" in it. The problem is, in the meantime people are lost and going to hell for the lack of someone to tell them the ugly facts about hell. They need Jesus. How many, I wonder, in the fantasy world also need Jesus?

Anonymous said...

"Dr. Brunson's son is so LIBERAL"



How? In what way? How do you know?