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We need to find a way to keep these predators from being around our children/wives.

I drink coffee in Sunday School and leave my cup there when church starts. I don't believe it belongs in the preaching service and I can do without it for an hour. But I wouldn't attend John Piper's church regardless of whether he let me drink coffee in the sanctuary or not. He has much more pressing things to get right on, than "drinking coffee" in church.

Working in pairs or more, like we do when dealing with two different sexes can be an effective means. Don't allow one on one situations.

Independent; but not fundamental

Having a strong relationship with police doesn't mean a thing. I'm sure that school in Uvalde, TX had one. I conceal carry but I don't advertise about it. I'm sure there are other men in church who do also.

Preachers who say "God told me" are automatically on my "DO NOT TRUST" list. The pastor and president of what was then Fellowship Baptist College said this about buying several duplexes adjacent to the church, saying that the Lord had told him that the church/college needed to buy them because the college was going to dramatically grow. They bought the property and though the college did go on for several years, it ended up closing without the growth the pastor had claimed God had promised. We left that church especially in light of the fact we had been set up and suspended with the help of the college administration and his son, over something we had allegedly said to others in the college study room. It was one of our friends that had made the statements and we were guilty by association whether we agreed with our friend or not. We weren't even given a chance to defend ourselves. So, to be clear, I have very little patience or interest in ANY pastor/preacher who make such claims.

I hope he is truly saved - but too many of these Hollywood/celebrity conversions are just junk, making religious people with no real spiritual substance. Oh, Elon Musk is saved because his interviewers got him to pray with them (with no clear gospel presentation or repentance). Oh, Chris Pratt is saved because he said something about the (universal) Fatherhood of God at a Disney convention recently (of course, you must overlook the fact that he started blaspheming God and using Jesus’ name in vain in several of his recent movies - if he was really taking a stand for Jesus because he got saved, you figure he would stand against using his professed Saviour’s name as a swear word). Be like Justin Bieber - produce basically pornographic music videos as long as you cover yourself with “Jesus tattoos”. Now THAT’s showing love for (the Hollywood) Jesus!!

I've found material he produced for Christian families to be very helpful. Particularly 'The Christian Home.'

There are differences between coffee and water...coffee is hot and can scald if someone is not careful and spills it on someone. Drinking-temp water is not/would not. Coffee stains if spilled, water does not. Coffee stinks as it sits and dries if not thoroughly cleaned up. Water does not. As I mentioned earlier, coffee will also mold. Water will not. (now, granted, if someone is on the ball and thoroughly cleans the spill, there are not real problems...but when the church cleaner isn't thorough, or when a spill is not mentioned, problems come). Aside from that, coffee is also a beverage that many folks enjoy while chatting with friends. No problem with that. But we have experienced the casual attitude that takes over when everyone's holding a cup of coffee (in some cases it was tea and hot chocolate - you can't say no to those if you say yes to coffee). Anyone who is familiar with human nature knows that an irreverent attitude during worship service is a heart issue. That's not even my point...my point is if the pastor KNOWS that something is going to encourage a casual atmosphere and allows it, that pastor is guilty of encouraging what will likely lead to an irreverent - and then worldly - atmosphere, and heart issues amongst those who are irreverent. If you haven't experienced a church that is actually irreverent due to casual atmosphere, it's not uplifting at all. Again, each church has to make its own decision. But I have to disagree that church is a "private social club." God's church is not a club, social or otherwise, and shouldn't be treated as such. It is the called out assembly of believers joining together to worship a Holy God. Fellowshipping at church does not equate to the club atmosphere. True Christian fellowship far surpasses that of any social club. IMO. (That does not mean churches that allow coffee during the morning service are sinning, FWIW.) I don't think anyone is going to be able to point to scripture that forbids coffee during the worship service. But there are many principles regarding behavior in the House of God that might give folks pause.

No, it's not supposed to be a "social club" per se.. But being "social" is the whole point of "the assembling of yourselves together". Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

There's nothing inherently wrong with drinking coffee or other beverages at church, but if there are clear rules about eating or drinking in certain areas during certain times, it would be respectful to follow those rules. My church doesn't have such rules, but when I attend churches that do, I follow them.

Coffee is not allowed during our main worship service, but it is allowed during Sunday School and evening Bible Study. We found that coffee created a too-casual atmosphere during the worship service. Of course, every area is different, but that was the case for us.

1. Hard to get out of the carpet 2. Why have it? Is someone that addicted they can’t bear to be without it for an hour? Burden of proof for having it should be on those wanting to bring it in (I say that as someone who sometimes is still drinking my first coffee to wake up as I arrive at church - but I finish it outside the sanctuary or leave it).

The Bible does not explicitly state whether vaccines are a sin or not. Therefore, each individual must decide what is best for their family. A pastor should not try to play the role of the Holy Spirit and tell their congregation whether or not vaccines are a sin. Instead, they should encourage their congregation to pray and seek guidance from God on this matter. @Sabrina Welcome to OB.

The SBC has it's liberals and even heresy infecting their circles, such as Calvinism, just like IFB churches do. Calvinism is very heretical if you ask me and I can't, for the life of me, comprehend why either a SBC church or IFB one would associate with such who teach it. But just like IFB churches can choose not to affiliate or associate with certain churches with teach false doctrine(and many do have networks of churches they associate with), the SBC can do things like "kicking out" churches with women "preachers". And an SBC affiliated church can leave the SBC any time it wants to. An example, by contrast, I know of a little country Methodist church we used to visit in our area (to play music) which recently pulled out of the United Methodist organization; the organization took their church building, bank accounts and all other assets. I know of an Assembly of God church which went through basically the same thing. But I'd be willing to bet my pastor would pull out of the SBC if they condoned women preachers, homosexual preachers, or any other junk like that, and we wouldn't lose our church assets for doing it. How is that not actually independent?

The large churches here followed the same downward trends most of you are talking about. Several years ago there were a handful of churches who had 2-3 different worship services. The sermon was exactly the same so they were mostly divided by "music style". Later every one of them decided to drop Sunday night service and even the traditional Wednesday night services because so much was going on on Sunday morning. Eventually they all blended into one service and for the most part the hymns went out the window in favor of modern music...but even after that they still decided Sunday and Wednesday nights were unnecessary. At least one of the churches out new seats in and got rid of pew bibles and hymn books. Now everything is shown on the screen and no one has any idea what the bible says except for what their pastor says.

Yes, Rick Warrens church, it's only good though to liberals

Replace "Liberals" with the devil

Let's put this in perspective, he was married with two children. It's sickening to me anytime someone cheats on their spouse, to willingly do it with someone that's a young woman is another level. Don't get me wrong, I truly pray that he repents and turns from his ways. He has disqualified himself from the pastoral position.

Not only that @BrotherTony but if he is the youth pastor, he should be called to that position, not appointed. The office of pastor, whether senior or youth is a calling by God, not an appointment by man.

I don't necessarily agree with your assessment. If someone is hired as the youth minister, if he's capable, doing a great job, and there are no problems, he should be left in place. I've been in many churches where the youth minister and workers have been in place for many years, and there have been no problems. Those that have been in the youth groups love, cherish, trust, and respect these people. And many churches aren't large enough or have enough people to do this. If they did as you are suggesting, the church would be in a constant state of disarray.

I understand that. I also believe that we should place more accountability measures with our pastors and staff members.

Amen to that! Vetting doesn't always work. This makes me want to vomit. And then get a baseball bat.......

Vivian and I are hoping to get a chance to watch it soon. Sounds like a good movie.

Well done. I have watched supposed "Christian" movies before that left a lot to be desired, or were just plain unscriptural.

It really is. Pastor Shiflett is a great guy and they did a great job on the film. It's worth the time to watch on youtube

I'm talking about in a time of a deadly emergency. Some churches are out far from police and the time it would take to get there it's better to be prepared ahead of time. I remember a State Trooper, who attended a church I did, warning us that at times, depending on where they were in the county and how many were on duty, it could take them 45 minutes to get to a call. I know some of the brethren are dead set against self defense but not me.

MEEE!!!!? I have one of those propane-powered thingies. Good for burning weeds and starting bonfires. Not really a weapon, per se, although it would hurt really bad if it hit somebody.. https://www.amazon.com/Flame-King-YSN320Ka-Propane-Burner/dp/B09PD9BGK6/ref=asc_df_B09PD9BGK6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563593981914&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10813134964080136888&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011629&hvtargid=pla-1599443882341&psc=1

Dr Sexton passed do to complications from a brain injury which he suffered back in August of last year in a fall, although doctors didnt catch the injury for several months. This is according to his wife Evelyn.

Being in Athens, TN our church has a number of young adults that go to Crown and our pastor was a friend of Pastor Sexton. We have been closely watching and praying over his condition from the beginning. While not unexpected, it still brought a great amount of sadness within our church. But this is where the blessing of our hope comes in. Pastor Sexton is suffering no more and this year he gets to spend Christmas in the physical presence of Jesus Christ Himself. There is a great deal of comfort to be taken from that thought.

TGL, even in the smaller chuches there are many hunters. If I'm not mistaken about 40 percent of the men are hunters and over 30 percent of the women.

It's supposed to be a place of worship, but it has to be a social club, and I hate that word "club." But, it is a club of sorts. One can't get away from that fact.

Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. Maybe he should of had some coffee????

Preachers have authority to remind people of the principles of God's Word. If a politician/political leaning is blatantly defying God's ways, then there is a place for pastors to remind people of truth and to remind them to pay attention to what their politicians support. They can share what they've learned re politics, what their personal choice is and why, but shouldn't outright tell people who to vote for, IMO. Health (and what goes/doesn't go) into our bodies is the responsible of the individual, and occasionally the family (for children). Except where sin is involved, it is not the place or responsibility of the church to have an opinion therein.

I agree. Personally, I don't think he's got a leg to stand on. The university having been founded by his dad has every legal right to use the founders likeness and materials to promote itself. Jr is just ticked off because ke got caught in his wickedness and has lost his prestige and income to support his deluded and devilish lifestyle. Shameful.

Brother Tony, I m aware of your position in this matter, and of course you are entitled to it. But, I respectfully disagree with your assertion in many posts that "all SBC churches are Independent, autonomous," I disagree for these reasons; if your church is listed as an SBC church, you are part of that organization, after all, it is an organization, something organized to exert some form of control over their membership churches. If your church uses SBC materials, supports their mission boards, or any of their programs or in any other way, toes the SBC line, you are not truly Independent. You may have limited Independence in that, your church membership votes and decides what other churches it will fellowship with. But if your church deviates from SBC guidelines, or if you break with their traditions you are no longer in good standing; that is control. If the SBC has any authority to disfellowship or kick your church out of the SBC, your church is not truly Independent. This subject has been hashed over many times among Baptists and no agreement will result from this post at this time. But looking to scripture for justification of organizations in regard to churches will fail. Scripture is clear in its teaching that each church is to be Independent.

Yet, churches can become so Independent" they end up with little or no accountability to their people, as the pastor becomes a dictator and usually ends up in some kind of trouble. Not all are like this, but, many do. Case in point is First Baptist in Hammond. And, as I have stated many times here, all SBC churches are Independent, autonomous, Baptist churches no matter how much some here will disagree. They decide whom they wish to fellowship with...and believe it or not, there are many IFB churches that fellowship with SBC churches. Jim, you're always welcome to your opinion on the subject. Yet, many in the IFB churches hate to admit they associate with other IFB churches through things like listings of IFB churches for travelers, or for people moving. And just as all IFB churches are not the same, neither are churches who fellowship with other SBC churches are not all the same.

That I would agree with. Convention churches can probably offer better health & retirement plans due to the larger number of participants, but in our independent churches, that's often not feasible.

The pastor probably invested in Pfizer or Moderns. When someone flip-flops it's almost always because money was involved or someone has something on him.

That agenda is being pushed by the homosexual community, not all Liberals are that way @TheGloryLand

I have been so ashamed of this university over the past 28 that we've lived here. Their continued slide towards being PC is over as far as I am concerned. There were several SS students there the past few years with no repurcussions directed towards those students. I have many friends who have graduated from there, and many more who are going there at the moment. We've discussed this, but they would rather go for financial expediency instead of going to more theologically sound institutions. It's sad...very sad. I applied to Belmont back in the 1970s. I'm thankful that the Lord led me elsewhere.

Isaiah 5:20-24 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Can verse 25+ be far off?

So does this make Rick Warren an Independent Baptist now??

It is likely their tithes went up in smoke. ??️

We're going to be showing it on a Friday night (in July) at our church for our members to invite friends. Road Trip? ?

You're correct. This poll was those that say they go to church, it would be interesting to see what the actual data is.

Yeah, I'll have to see what the news articles are reporting as "attacking"

I can't believe Tony Hutson is going so low as to even be a part of this type of thing. It seems more like something Mr. Locke would be promoting or participating in. Just my humble opinion.

It can toast 500 marshmallows at one time, cool. ??

Many things now labeled "political" are not political but rather moral -- killing babies, sexual perversion, adultery, fornication, gender were all Bible (and sin) issues long before a politician took up the "cause"!