Thursday, June 07, 2007

The Bi-Vocational Tear

Looks like I will not be going to the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio next week. That is one of the drawbacks to bi-vocational ministry; sometimes the "regular" job has it's demands. ("Regular" job implies that the ministry position is somehow "irregular". Hmm. I would like to disagree with the idea that most Pastors I know are "irregular" but unfortunately I don't seem to be able to think of any rebuttal material right now!)

Anyway, my little Sweetie is going to make it so at least one of us will be having a good time next week. I wonder which one?

San Antonio seems like it will be an interesting Convention. For the first time in history, so I have been told, a current International Mission Board Missionary will be nominated to serve as an officer. David Rogers will be nominated and will likely be "running" against Jim Richards, Executive Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. I think either one could be a good choice but I am rooting for David. I just think it would be cool. If Jim Richards is elected it will also be a testimony to doing things right. He has led the SBCT to pass along more of Cooperative Program dollars to the Southern Baptist Convention than they retain for SBCT work here in Texas.

There will likely be several interesting revolutions, I mean Resolutions offered. Cooperative Program Support, Questions over the wording and or use of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Private Prayer Languages and Gluttony seem to be especially publicity related and have garnered their supporters both right and ultra right.

There will be mixed reports from many agencies. My almamater Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth will have a report that says the once largest Seminary in the world now has about half the students it had when I attended in the late 80's. Other Seminaries will report an increase in enrollment (Southern and Southeastern). One will report renewal from the flood waters, New Orleans.

I pray for unity. I pray for us to not do anything stupid and for us not to say anything stupid that makes us look like schmucks in the media. Perhaps there will be more focus on worship and evangelism this year than politics. Either way Sweetie will tell me when she gets back. I have given her strict husbandly orders NOT to go to a microphone and speak. I'll let you know how that works out!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Death Of A Chicken

Last night my wife was hostess to a group of ladies she meets with monthly. It is not a serious spiritual event or anything like that they just meet, play games, exchange gifts, fight over gifts and whatever else it is that ladies do when they get together unsupervised.

I have humorously accuse them several times of being some sort of cult group. I don't know why it brings me such delight to do this nor do I understand the consternation it seems to cause the accusees. (That's them what are a bein' called cult memers.) Having never been a cult member myself I assume that real cult members do things like meditate in creepy ways and sacrifice small animals or have a secret handshake.

As far as I can tell they were all quite well behaved last night but we did lose a chicken. Hmmm.