SBC Life Articles by Norm Miller

PHOENIX (BP)–A meeting of “SBC Conservatives” June 13 in Phoenix drew about 20 pastors and laymen who lamented the current direction of the Southern Baptist Convention. Kent Cochran, a Missouri messenger from Calvary Baptist Church in Republic who organized the meeting at the Hyatt Hotel, announced at the outset that the session was on background […]

DALLAS (BP)--At the time of year when "Happy Holidays" supplants the traditional "Merry Christmas" at various businesses, a website -- GrinchAlert.com -- is giving consumers an opportunity to register their compliments or complaints about which seasonal greeting they see or hear at stores or in their advertising.

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--Ronnie Hill is an evangelist who is intent on "trying to reach the masses any way we can."       "I want to dream bigger for God. I don't want to put Him in a box."

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP)--A motion to "study a policy of the social use of alcohol" passed by an overwhelming margin on a show-of-hands vote from messengers attending the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina's Nov. 8-10 annual meeting in Greensboro.

RALEIGH, N.C. (BP)--Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" Centuries later, people from all walks of life are still searching for the truth, and for answers to some of life's most thorny questions like "Does God Love Gay People?" and "Is Porn Wrong?"       TrueLife.org answers such questions from a biblical worldview by utilizing more than 30 evangelical professors -- theological experts in their respective disciplines of study. The site also can connect the inquisitive Web searcher to local churches for a more personal Christian response to their questions regarding numerous cultural and moral issues.       Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Daniel L. Akin, who appears in some of the site's videos, noted in a letter e-mailed to alumni, "TrueLife.org takes evangelism, discipleship and local church growth to innovative heights. The site capitalizes on the millions who, according to statistics, increasingly use the Internet as a resource for spiritual information and investigation. Each video aptly applies God's timeless principles and truths to every question....       "The answers to biblical and theological issues provide discipleship for church members," Akin said. "Further, the responses to social, moral and cultural matters can be used to challenge lost people and pique their spiritual interest. At that point, TrueLife.org can, through its church location system, lead Web surfers in your neighborhood to connect with a local church for further spiritual assistance."

RALEIGH, N.C. (BP)--"Maybe you are attracted to men like I am, and you wonder if God loves you."

FRESNO, Calif. (BP)–On 10-10-10 at 10 a.m., a Baptist strategy team will kick off a series of church starting events in the Bay Area to launch a California-wide initiative called, appropriately, “10-10-10.” “We’re praying for preview services, vision tours, prayerwalks, community service and outreach events, baptism services, new church ‘baby showers’ and more,” said Linda […]

ORLANDO, Fla., (BP)--Evangelist Tony Nolan told messengers that salvation in Jesus Christ took him "from being a sinking ship to being a workmanship" during the closing sermon at the Southern Baptist Convention ...

ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--Bryant Wright, pastor of the Atlanta-area Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention in a June 15 runoff election, leading a slate of officers that includes two new vice presidents and two re-elected secretaries.       Messengers elected Tennessee evangelist Ron Herrod as first vice president and Arkansas pastor Eric Moffett as second vice president.       By acclamation, messengers elected John Yeats, director of communications for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, as SBC recording secretary -- a position he has held since 1997 -- and Jim Wells, director of missions for the Tri-County Baptist Association in Nixa, Mo., as registration secretary for the eighth consecutive year.       Wright defeated Florida pastor Ted Traylor in a runoff for the presidency. With 7,667 messengers voting, Wright received 4,225 votes, or 55.11 percent. Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla., received 3,371 votes, for 43.9 percent. Nearly 11,000 messengers were registered at the time of the runoff.       While nominating Wright, David Uth, pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlando, said Wright is a pastor whose commitment to the Great Commission is evident: "While we've been talking about Great Commission stuff, Bryant's been quietly leading his church to do it," Uth said. "He wasn't waiting on a resurgence; he wasn't waiting on a vote of a convention. He heard his Lord speak, and he did it."       Started by Wright 28 years ago in Marietta, Ga., Johnson Ferry baptized 478 people last year, has started seven churches in Cobb County, Ga., co-sponsored five other church plants, and in four of the past six years has given more than any other church in the SBC to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. "Ask one of our missionaries if that's doing the Great Commission," Uth said.       More than 1,500 members of the church participated in 70 mission trips to 27 countries last year, recording more than 2,900 decisions for Christ, Uth reported. Johnson Ferry gave more than $2.7 million to missions last year. Uth said Wright would "be quick to say that is the Lord's blessing" on the church that has caused such results.

ORLANDO (BP)–Charles Stanley — long-time pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta — and his son, Andy Stanley — pastor of the Atlanta-area North Point Community Church — appeared together on the platform of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference June 14. Charles Stanley was honored on the 25th anniversary of his election to a second, […]