In their recent annual meeting in Waco, messengers of the Baptist General Convention of Texas soundly defeated a motion to approve the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message.

In their recent meeting in Dallas, the BGCT Executive Board effectively nullified the convention action by approving a plan to start churches that have to approve the 2000 BFM to obtain start-up money from the North American Mission Board.

The BGCT, now also known as Texas Baptists, repeatedly has affirmed the 1963 BFM as its statement of faith, although somewhere along the way it has been noted some BGCT churches also endorse the 2000 statement. The affirmation does not mean a BGCT-affiliated church has to adopt the 1963 statement. It is only a guide for faith and practice. It is not a creed.

The Southern Baptist Convention requires any church considered a “fully cooperating” SBC church must adopt the 2000 BFM. It has become the SBC creed.

BGCT / NAMB relationship

A year ago, BGCT Executive Director Julio Guarneri told the Executive Board the SBC’s North American Mission Board no longer would fund BGCT church starts in Texas, because the BGCT did not affirm the 2000 BFM, which was underscored by the BGCT action in Waco.

According to a Baptist Standard article published Feb. 18, NAMB and BGCT leaders met earlier this year to “negotiate a new agreement.” No press representatives were allowed in the meetings.

What came out of the meetings, according to the Standard, was a plan, subsequently endorsed by NAMB, to provide a $300,000 grant to the BGCT for planting churches in good standing in the SBC, that is, which sign the 2000 BFM, and the new churches also will be expected to sign the 2000 statement.

There were some other events and information to be provided by NAMB, but the $300,000 seemed to be the big thing, although Guarneri noted it would be only 10 percent of what the BGCT will spend on church starting. If it’s only 10 percent, why not find some other way to provide it instead of getting involved with the SBC and its creedal entanglements?

BGCT’s ‘big tent’

The Standard story said Guarneri noted he had heard concerns the BGCT’s annual meeting vote against affirming the 2000 BFM might mean the BGCT “was moving toward the left” and that churches affirming the 2000 statement might not be welcome in the BGCT. He gave a “resounding no” to both concerns and said the BGCT is a “big-tent” convention that serves all Texas Baptist churches.

In 1963, the SBC and BGCT were conservative conventions. If there has been any movement to the left or right, it hasn’t been by the BGCT. Let the SBC and NAMB go their creedal way. Forget NAMB’s $300,000 bait. In these inflationary times, it looks more like 30 pieces of silver.

Toby Druin is editor emeritus of the Baptist Standard. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

The present political environment has spawned a level of vitriol and hatred that long has been hidden under the guise of politeness, decorum and once-common unspoken rules of protocol.

However, the sensationalizing of “gotcha journalism” and the less-principled medium of social media has soiled the public sphere.

People who once held their thoughts close and closed in their minds now have the license to release the less-flattering sentiments in an echo chamber that composes a mixture of less-than-intelligent preconceived notions about anything and anybody.

Rather than rational thoughts, one is left to their own imagination to unscramble public discourse they do not know or seek to understand.

It makes for a toxic political environment that leaves a lot to be desired and little to be accomplished.

Where should the Christian look for wisdom and guidance in the midst of this?

When guidance can’t be found

There was a time when most Americans would point to a person of influence as the point of contact.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves living in a time when, more often than not, clergy are struck now with the stress of attempting to determine the parishioner’s ideological leanings. In many cases, a good straight answer no longer is offered, because the clergy works hard to avoid offending people, rather than guiding them toward spiritual wholeness.

Usually, the person seeking wisdom and guidance is overwhelmed with frustration, because they tend not to receive what their inquiring mind desires. As a result, the clergy is not always the most reliable source, especially in this age of separating the ideologically normative sheep from the goats.

Our institutions that once were bastions of thought known as safe grounds for debate and free thinking no longer widely exist but in isolated corners of now-abandoned intellectual spaces.

When humanity fails us, and institutions fail us, we can always go to the Bible.

God’s word guides

The word of God is what we need when we are seeking wisdom. It long has been the belief and understanding of traditional Baptists that God’s word—Scripture—is essential for understanding the strategies needed to navigate life’s challenges.

As far back as the 1800s, Baptists have been guided by the “Articles of Faith” to believe “the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore, is and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.”

That belief in the inspired word of God encourages and emboldens the servant to participate and thrive in life.

Guided by Psalms

Psalm 119:97–105 is one of the most-noted verses of Scripture that magnifies this thought:

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (ESV).

The psalmist expresses the level of intense satisfaction one engenders with the level of confidence and security one experiences when keeping the commands of God. The psalmist speaks of a level of clarity and conviction that can be recognized only by an individual who has been in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The reader can feel the spirit of fulfillment that comes from encountering the divine counsel that reverberates internally at the whispering tones of enunciating the words.

God’s word speaks to every aspect of our lives and pushes the weary warrior forward. It is his word that empowers us and inspires us.

Spurred by God’s word

How can the Christian not aspire toward the greater good when he or she reads Romans 8:31-32?

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

Who can dare not be conscripted into right action when dealing with matters of politics and social justice when God speaks through Micah 6:6-8?

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

In these times, when we must block out the confused noise of less-than-intelligent and uninspired rhetoric, we must find our inspiration in the word of God.

In the words of the late song writer Glenn Burleigh: “It is God’s word that saves sinners, reclaims backsliders, and encourages believers.”

Let us never forget where the power behind our purpose exists.

Rev. Dr. Michael Evans Sr. is the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield and past president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

Growing up in a small, conservative Baptist church in the 1960s, I was taught there are two immutable truths about the Christian faith. First, Jesus is the only way to eternal salvation, and anyone who rejects him is going to hell. Second, in light of that fact, every Christian is compelled to share Jesus with others.

An unspoken corollary to those concepts was when a person commits to living for Jesus, not only do they inherit eternal life, but they also become a better person in this life. If that’s true, then Christianity ultimately would change the world for the better, one person at a time.

That seemed entirely possible 50 years ago. In fact, many prominent evangelical leaders sincerely believed we were on the road to doing it.

And for good reason. Those fundamental beliefs, after all, were the singular focus of the early Christian church and the driving force that led Christianity to overwhelm and revolutionize the Roman Empire.

Liberal threat to evangelism

As I began my theological training to become a pastor, I was told not only did the little church of my childhood get it right on those two fundamental truths, but in addition, there was an evil liberalism in American Christianity undermining the second of those truths (evangelism) by calling into question the first of those truths (Jesus as the only Savior and hell as a reality).

If Jesus is not the only way to God and if hell is not real, the logic went, then evangelistic fervor is squelched. It’s not that evangelism dies so much as it languishes, pushed to the back shelf by other more pressing concerns, like social justice.

“Liberalism is contributing to the demise of evangelism,” was a common refrain.

Sociological research seemed to affirm this claim. While most evangelical churches either were staunchly opposed to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s or simply silent on the most turbulent issues of the day, mainline Protestant churches were at the forefront of those radical social justice movements.

During that same time period, however, those mainline churches were largely in decline. It’s a decline that continues to this day.

Political threat to evangelism

Baptists, as the largest group of evangelicals, loved to gloat about the fact liberalism was killing the mainline Protestant churches, while conservative evangelicals were thriving.

Riding on the adrenaline of being the largest, non-Catholic missionary sending agency in the world, glowing from the successes of evangelists like Billy Graham, and basking in the victory of single-handedly electing Ronald Reagan as U.S. president, evangelicals were at the top of the world and seemingly unstoppable.

“Jesus is obviously on our side,” was the proud slogan.

But there was a subtle and deadly shift taking place among evangelicals. Drunk with the newfound power of political influence, we started looking to politicians to solve America’s problems. Jesus alone was no longer the answer to America’s woes. We saddled Jesus with a political elephant, and it would take 40 years for us to feel the effects.

Christian nationalism

The shift from evangelism to political power cleared the way for Christian nationalism to take root and grow. Christian nationalism in its mildest form is rooted in the idea the United States was founded as a Christian nation and its laws should reflect Christian values.

In its most severe form, Christian nationalism vows to take over and control the “seven mountains” of society: family, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, business, and government.

The most ardent Christian nationalist would have every American subjected to the teachings of the Bible in every area of life or suffer the consequences.

So far, the milder form has meant everything from ending speeches with “God bless America,” to advocating for more prayer in schools, to requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments. It also has meant calls for restricting abortion, same-sex marriage and gender-affirming health care.

In the future, depending on the influence of the more radical versions of Christian nationalism, it could mean strict laws about marriage and divorce, the revitalization of sodomy laws, the restricting of the growth of certain competing religious groups through intimidation and deportation, the banning of materials deemed anti-Christian, the wielding of government levers to control anti-Christian movements and so forth.

Christian nationalism is as old as the Roman Empire. The American version is simply the latest manifestation of an ancient culprit—the temptation to seek our desired outcomes through the power of the state, instead of Christ.

You might ask: What’s wrong with wanting our country to reflect the teachings of Christ? What’s wrong with creating laws inspired by biblical morals and principles? After all, our nation was founded on Christian ideals.

I will examine these dangers further next week in Part 2.

Ellis Orozco served as a pastor 30 years. He is the founder and CEO of Karooso Ministries and the public theologian in residence at Stark College & Seminary, where this article first appeared. It has been adapted and republished by permission.

America is experiencing a chaotic moment, politically and socially. The implications are far-reaching.

Many are wondering if we are witnessing the end of democracy in America and our nation is going to go back to its worst forms. In this moment, we need wisdom and guidance.

For me, I seek wisdom from the Scriptures and recollections from my ancestors to assure me of our ability to survive this tumultuous time.

Among the many Scriptures I reflect upon, I hold to this command of Jesus: “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

This verse of Scripture should be guiding wisdom for our politics for this moment. We have, on the whole, shunned this wisdom.

Slurs

When I moved into my present neighborhood, I was greeted perniciously. In my backyard, someone spelled the n-word in the sand. Suffice it to say, this was not the kind of greeting I wanted from my neighbors.

Seeing this racial slur was degrading and disheartening. This word was not just any racial slur. This word helped bar people from bathrooms, restaurants, neighborhoods, golf clubs and universities. This word has had grave historical consequences. It comes with a history that cannot be denied or dismissed out of hand.

In response, I had to turn to God in that situation, pray and seek God’s grace to handle this world’s evil. I did not pack up and move, nor did I sink into inescapable panic, because I realized what I had experienced was part of a larger story of Black people in this country.

Many in this country, though not Black, believe their lives and livelihoods are being threatened due to the chaos caused by the current political situation.

Ancestors

When I turn to God for guidance now, God reminds me I should listen to the voices of Black Christians who came before me. They experienced chaos in its worst forms in America. Their story gives me encouragement in times like these.

They taught me how to actualize Jesus’ command. Others may call me the n-word, but I am not that. Consequently, I will not return evil for evil. I will promote the good.

Why did this happen to me? Why are we experiencing so much chaos in our government and society?

There is a reason Frederick Douglass said: “Between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference—so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other.”

Another Black man, David Walker, who wrote a littler earlier than Douglass stated: “The white Christians of America, who hold us in slavery, (or, more properly speaking, pretenders to Christianity,) treat us more cruel and barbarous than any Heathen nation did any people whom it had subjected, or reduced to the same condition, that the Americans (who are, notwithstanding, looking for the Millennial day) have us.”

Another 19th-century Black abolitionist, Maria Stewart, said: “All the nations of the earth are crying out for liberty and equality. Away, away with tyranny and oppression!”

Each person pointed out the hypocrisy of living in a “Christian” country where they suffered. These 19th-century Black Christians bemoaned their mistreatment in America. But their cries were not heard, completely.

Yes, but

Yes, slavery was ended. But soon after the destructive power of Jim Crow was unleashed. And to this day, the system is still bent toward the exclusion of Black, brown and many other people.

I am not playing the race card. This is a reality I have experienced in my own life, and most of the Black people I know have experienced this as well.

Let me be clear. Oppression is not new for Black people. Having resources denied us is not new for Black people. Having our votes rejected is not new for Black people.

In the land of the free, we have experienced the contradiction of enslavement and disenfranchisement. How so? This country forsook the commandment of Jesus in its treatment of people of color. We are showing signs now of going back to our worst ways.

Remember

I make this appeal to my white brothers and sisters: Remember where God has brought us. Americans have voluntary amnesia about the worst things in our history.

We do not want to remember during the wars of the 20th century, Black people fought for a country that hated them.

We do not want to remember Black people were told, with the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, they did not have the right to drink from the same water fountain or go to the same bathroom.

We do not want to remember Black people were physically—not just on paper—barred from moving into certain neighborhoods.

We certainly do not want to remember Black people being hung up on trees on Sunday afternoons right after church. In fact, many white people still have this very day jars with the remains of Black people who were lynched.

But we must remember. How else will we learn?

When we choose to forget or choose to change these stories to make ourselves feel better, we invite peril.

I invite all Christians of every color to remember the depths our country sank to in its formation. We have to remember the horrors and atrocities we have committed in the name of freedom. We have to listen to the voices of those who cried out against such horrors, if we will ever learn not to repeat them.

Wisdom’s source

Our wisdom must not be found in the illusions of American exceptionalism. We must not make up a doctrine that centers America as the apple of God’s eye, destined to rule the world. These beliefs only lead to imperialism and wanton brutality toward other peoples.

As a Christian, I argue we must lean on the words of our Christ. What we want for ourselves, do that to others. When we choose another way, we must realize as Thomas Jefferson said, God’s “justice cannot sleep forever.”

Rev. Dr. Ralph D. West is the founder and pastor of the Church Without Walls in Houston. The views expressed in this opinion article are those solely of the author.

In today’s politically charged environment, Christians often find themselves seeking a reliable source of wisdom, guidance, hope and strength.

The constant bombardment of conflicting opinions and divisive rhetoric can leave us feeling disoriented and disheartened. However, as believers, we have answers in the uncompromising and inerrant word of God. The Holy Scriptures offer timeless truths and profound insights.

Isaiah’s promise

One of the most powerful sources of guidance is found in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 9:6, we read: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

This prophecy not only foretells the coming of Christ, but also reassures us ultimate authority rests with him. Amid political instability and leadership crises, we are reminded Jesus Christ is the sovereign ruler whose governance is marked by justice, wisdom and peace. His shoulders bear the weight of the world’s governments, and his reign is eternal and indisputable.

This passage from Isaiah provides a profound sense of comfort and assurance. It reminds us, no matter how chaotic the political landscape may appear, the ultimate authority belongs to Christ. His rule is characterized by righteousness and peace, offering a stark contrast to the often-tumultuous nature of human governance.

As Christians, we can find solace in the knowledge our Savior is King of kings and his kingdom is unshakeable.

Psalms’ assurance

In times of turmoil, the Psalms offer a sanctuary of peace and reflection. Psalm 46:10 exhorts us: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

This verse calls us to a posture of stillness and trust in God’s sovereignty. When the political climate is tense with anxiety and unrest, we are invited to cease our striving and rest in the knowledge God is in control.

The psalmist’s declaration is a powerful reminder God’s presence is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). By anchoring ourselves in this truth, we find the peace that transcends understanding, enabling us to navigate the complexities of the world with calm assurance.

The Psalms, with their poetic beauty and profound depth, provide a rich source of spiritual nourishment. Psalm 46, in particular, speaks to the heart of our need for divine reassurance.

In a world where political tensions often can lead to fear and uncertainty, the call to “be still” and recognize God’s sovereignty is a balm for our souls. It encourages us to step back from the quarrels, to quiet our hearts and to trust in the One who holds all things in his hands.

Romans’ exhortation

The New Testament also provides invaluable guidance for living in a politically charged environment.

Romans 12:18 instructs us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

This exhortation underscores the importance of pursuing peace and harmony in our interactions with others, regardless of political differences. The Apostle Paul’s words challenge us to rise above the divisiveness and hostility that often characterize political discourse.

By embodying the principles of love, humility and respect, we become ambassadors of Christ’s peace in a fractured world. This call to peaceful living is not a passive resignation, but an active pursuit of reconciliation and understanding.

Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:18 is particularly relevant in today’s polarized climate. It calls us to be peacemakers, to seek harmony and understanding, even in the midst of disagreement.

This does not mean compromising our convictions, but rather approaching others with a spirit of grace and humility. By doing so, we reflect the character of Christ and contribute to a more compassionate and just society.

Hebrews’ reminder

One of the most reassuring aspects of our faith is the unchanging nature of God’s word. In a world where political ideologies and societal norms are constantly shifting, the Bible remains a steadfast source of truth.

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

This constancy provides a solid foundation upon which we can build our lives. Our strength and hope are always found in him and his word, which never changes and never fails.

In the midst of political turmoil, it is crucial for Christians to silence the noise of distractions and focus on the mission of the church. The enemy often uses these tumultuous times to divert our attention from our primary calling.

We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds, ensuring we are not swayed by the chaos around us. Instead, we should be driven to our knees in prayer, seeking God’s guidance and strength.

The political climate should push believers to deepen their dependence on God and to engage more fervently in the mission of the church, both globally and locally.

Grounded in Scripture

Theologically

Theologically, these passages underscore the sovereignty of God, the peace of his presence and the call to live out our faith in tangible ways.

Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us Christ’s lordship extends over all earthly powers, offering us a perspective that transcends temporal politics.

The Psalms invite us into a deeper trust in God’s providence, encouraging us to find solace in his unchanging nature.

Romans challenges us to be peacemakers, reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives.

Practically

Practically, these truths can be applied in various ways.

In our personal lives, we can cultivate a habit of stillness and prayer, seeking God’s guidance and strength.

In our communities, we can strive to build bridges of understanding and cooperation, even with those who hold differing views.

In the public sphere, we can advocate for justice and righteousness, informed by the principles of Scripture.

Amid the politics of the day, Christians are called to look beyond the transient and often tumultuous landscape of human authority to the eternal and unchanging word of God. By grounding ourselves in these scriptural truths, we find the wisdom, guidance, hope and strength needed to live faithfully and effectively in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ.

Rev. Dr. S. Michael Greene is the senior pastor of the historic Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Richardson, now known as The Rock. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

I have close friends who are recently widowed, getting biopsies and taking chemo, learning to use walkers and canes, wondering if life and travel as they knew it are over, wondering, “Are doctor appointments all I have left?”

We need something, but we cannot manufacture it ourselves from what is left of us.

We need God’s grace to finish life, to complete our calling. We need God to make a way and show us a new way of life that glorifies him and fills us with contentment and joy.

Grace can have a broad definition. It means, “God’s undeserved favor,” but beyond that, grace is also who God is and all he does. Grace is his work in us through Christ and the Spirit.

The grace of the Spirit

In Sunday school recently, we studied a Scripture that says the Holy Spirit will infuse believers with wisdom (1 Corinthians 2). We can receive the Spirit—amazingly so—to the point that Paul says, “We have the mind of Christ.”

After personally having 16 infusions of chemo, I loved the idea of having infusions of the Spirit. The Spirit is life-giving and animating, the fountain of life who flows from God and Jesus. The Spirit brings to our remembrance the truth of God and guides us to deeds of ministry and missions.

The Spirit comforts and heals our spirits when our spirits are open wounds—open to the touch of God himself.

It is not easy to talk about our vulnerability. Often at church, we do not show woundedness. We want to look good and present ourselves as God’s “success stories,” knowledgeable, prosperous and attractive. Some of our churches look for the most attractive and successful people to lead the church, as if God needed a talent agency to choose his servants.

But we can rest assured everyone needs God’s Spirit. We never should be surprised at the degree of separation from God that anyone—even a pastor or leader—can choose or fall into. The sins of others never must shake our faith, for we know we are human and dust, all with the sin nature and tendency to sin.

Grace in all circumstances

When the Bible says, “Weep with those who weep; and rejoice with those who rejoice,” (Romans 12:15), we understand everyone has times of weeping and times of rejoicing in their lives.

We have weddings and divorces, love connections and breakups, births and deaths, times of wealth and times of want, times of depression and times of elation at the blessing of God. Life is all of this—miracles and tragedy.

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances,” Paul wrote (Philippians 4:11).

He often wrote as a greeting or goodbye: “Grace and peace to you, from God our Father.”

Grace, enough for today, leads to peace—the contentment Paul referenced. Grace for today is enough to move forward, to take the next step in life God shows us.

The Holy Spirit—sometimes called “the Encourager”—helps us move on with life. The Sprit’s comfort has an objective, a goal—that we persevere with fortitude, face truth and follow God in the present circumstance, that we praise God and bring glory to him.

God’s ever-present grace

Scripture is such a wellspring of truth. At times we may feel overwhelmed with all God is, does and how he works in us. How can we take all this in? How can we handle it all?

We start now with open hearts to receive the filling of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, and we continue life in the circumstance God has placed us.

We can be open to God and other Christians about our emotions as we ask God’s healing. We move forward in quiet times alone with God and in times of fellowship and worship—even worship at home via television if we are homebound. Any place can be a place of grace, worship.

Any home can be a mission field—your living room, the rehab center, the nursing center. Any place can become an altar for prayer or a pulpit for teaching. The seminary is not the only place that has “the chair of fire” for preaching. God works everywhere.

If you are in a place of suffering and worried for friends undergoing hard times, be encouraged through the Holy Spirit that God is with you. His grace for today is enough. His grace will enable you to take the next step in life. He will carry you.

God’s boundless grace

When I was younger, I loved the Holy Spirit and saw him as the one giving great power in preaching and missions. I spent years in ministry watching the Spirit work and feeling his warmth in sanctuaries of beauty and holiness. He was the key to success in evangelism and true worship.

Now as an older adult, I see all this and more. I depend on his comforting and encouraging side, because I need that. I need him.

God is perfect, personal love. He has so many dimensions that meet our needs and fulfill his will. God is beyond dimensions we could fathom. He is all and in all. We are the people of his possession, bought with the blood of his Son.

God is enough. His grace for each day, along with his promised presence, is enough to see us through our weakness of body, mind and soul. He will provide the encouragers and helpers we need, especially the sweet, peaceful, powerful Holy Spirit.

Ruth Cook is a longtime Texas Baptist. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

My associate pastor, Bill Hays, was an older man approaching his 80s. He had been a deacon in the church before becoming the associate pastor by default. The previous pastor had been fired. Bill was the man everyone trusted to take care of the administrative duties of the church until a new pastor could be found—me.

Before Bill Hays became an associate pastor, before he became a deacon, before he became a Christian, he was a successful businessman working for Exxon for years before becoming an independent businessman in land development.

While in business, the bottom fell out during the savings and loan crisis. Bill lost everything.

If that wasn’t bad enough, his house burned down after forgetting a pan on the stove top. The only thing that survived was the old family Bible that sat near the staircase of his home.

The revered book, seldom opened by Bill at the time, was not even singed, though the whole house collapsed around it. Bill took notice, shook his head, bewildered. He never gave it another thought.

His family moved into an apartment, thanks to the help of a former business associate.

Turning a corner

It wasn’t long after, Bill was given an opportunity to earn some income by running a used furniture shop. He was good with people and had a knack for retail.

A few years later, he was able to borrow the money to buy the furniture shop for his family business. He renamed it “2nd Debut Furniture.” The profit each week amounted to a little more than minimum wage after all the bills were paid, but he was happy to be self-supporting.

One day, a homeless-looking woman walked into his shop. She walked right up to Bill and said: “Sir, you have lost everything to a fire, but what would be worse is to spend eternity in the fires of hell. You need to receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior.”

With that, the woman he never had seen before walked out.

Bill began to think about what she said. He was curious. How did she know he had lost everything in a fire? And, what gave her the right to question his eternity?

Bill was troubled. He shared the encounter with his wife Gay. She was as taken back as Bill, but because she was not there herself, she passed it off as some misunderstanding. Bill did not.

A few weeks later, Bill looked out the shop window to see the homeless-looking woman walking toward the entrance of his shop. He met her at the door.

She looked him in the eye and asked him, “What are you going to do with Jesus, sir?”

She then walked back out, never to be seen again.

Turning a page

Bill pulled that old, singed Bible off his bookshelf in their apartment. He knew it had survived the fire, but he had not realized until that moment, not one scent of smoke was found within its pages.

Inside, he read how to escape the eternal flames.

He searched for Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. He read of his actions in the Gospel of Mark. He studied Jesus’ lineage in the Gospel of Luke. He was floored by his love in the Gospel of John.

Conviction swelled. While his family was away, he knelt by his bed in that cheap apartment and asked Jesus to be his Savior. Bill Hays’ life was changed.

Later, his wife would receive Jesus as her Savior, as would their daughter and son.

It’s your turn

I did not know him before he was Rev. Bill Hays, but I heard him tell his testimony enough.

He would tell any who would listen: “I have lost everything—my business, my career, my savings, my home, my health.” He would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s not long after.

“And I would do it all over again. For though I lost everything, my family and I gained everything—peace, joy, forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. I am the richest man on the face of the Earth.”

Bill and Gay have gone on to be with the Lord, to a mansion the Father built for them. They walk on streets of gold. Bill is reunited with his family members who passed on that old Bible. The struggles in his life were worth it all.

Have you given your heart to the Lord Jesus like Bill? You can now.

If you have, you join “the richest man on the face of the Earth,” and you are headed for an even better place in heaven, not far from Bill’s mansion in one of your own.

Johnny Teague is the senior pastor of Church at the Cross in West Houston and the author of several books, including his newest, The Lost Diary of Mary Magdalene. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

What do you think or feel when you hear the word “sabbath?”

Do you think of sabbath as an outdated Old Testament regulation, legalism, a burden or a gift from God?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the pace of life and wonder if you might find a God-flavored way to catch your breath, even in small doses during the week?

For several reasons, my relationship to sabbath is somewhat complicated. I am a pastor. So, what we call the Lord’s Day is anything but a day of rest for me.

Also, in American evangelical circles, it seems sabbath is the one commandment of the Ten Commandments we are taught is optional. We may appeal to ideas like Jesus initiating a sabbath rest in him. Similarly, Paul tells us Old Testament ceremonial regulations like sabbaths are not binding on the Christian, because they are a shadow of things fulfilled in Christ (Colossians 2:16-17).

On a more personal level, there have been seasons of my life when Sundays were miserable. The loneliness of my life situation made the commands not to work torturous, since work was how I kept from feeling so alone and sad.

Finally, during seminary and doctoral studies, Jesus’ proverbial “ox” was in the proverbial “ditch” most of the time (Luke 14:5). The combination of pastoral ministry and academic studies did not allow a day of rest most weeks.

I wonder if you feel the same.

You may not understand whether we ought to observe sabbath. You may find your worth in productivity or hide from pain or loneliness in a busy schedule. You simply may have to work so hard to provide for yourself and meet responsibilities that time to rest and focus on God is not available to you right now in large blocks of time.

How my view of sabbath changed

My own relationship to sabbath began to change some time ago.

One factor was my study of spiritual disciplines. The change of pace offered by sabbath allows for the sort of soul-nourishing reading and prayer that differ from preaching and teaching preparation. Silence, solitude and some measure of simplicity are easier to practice when we step aside from busyness.

However, sabbath or the spirit of sabbath is not simply rest, taking a break from normal work, or enjoying some diversion, hobby or activity.

Another factor is the Ten Commandments are moral law, rather than ceremonial law or case law, and we do not dismiss any of the other nine commandments. Plus, sabbath was in place before Mosaic law.

The Genesis account suggests the weekly rhythm of work and rest is built into God’s design. Please do not hear me contradicting the inspired word of God in Colossians, but rather, wrestling with what I feel is a biblical tension.

In my experience, sabbath serves as sort of a weekly reboot, a time to get recentered in the Lord and “let the dust settle” in my mind and spirit, so I get clarity.

Rightly practiced, it is about drawing aside to focus on the Lord and let him work in our souls.

It is about rest at the level of our inner being, not just what we do or refrain from doing.

So, when you think of sabbath, think of worship and time to focus on God and be with him. Think about creating the mental and spiritual space for questions, reflection, recentering and recalibrating.

And think about Christian community—relationships of Christian fellowship that nourish the soul and encourage us in Christ.

I do not simply mean corporate worship or small groups. There is something about the real Christian fellowship of shared hearts, time, stories, moments of growth in Christ and life in the awareness of your connection to Jesus that renews the spirit and recenters life in the Lord.

Samples of sabbath

All of this brings me to times I am calling samples of sabbath.

I do not believe in relying on these times exclusively as sabbath. However, I began being more intentional about finding or creating these times during my doctoral studies.

I was putting in 70-hour to 80-hour weeks—sometimes 90. So, there were no extended times of rest, worship and reflection.

I was disciplined about daily Bible and prayer, but that was about it. However, for my mind and spirit to function well, I had to have short times of refreshing—stepping back, if only briefly.

I would get small pieces of soul-rest where I could find them. There were times taken after class or research in the library when, instead of going straight home, I would step out on the back deck of the student center at Dallas Baptist University.

Either before or after a hospital visit, I would stand for a few minutes in the parking garage at Arlington Memorial Hospital just to be calm and look out over the city.

I would take a few minutes to stop studying and enjoy the fire in the fireplace or take a few minutes outside the office to watch the rain or a sunset before I got in the truck to go home.

We can find samples of sabbath in the enjoyment of nature, listening to a refreshing piece of music, sitting on the front porch for a bit, or visiting with a Christian friend in a way grounded in Christ and that gives refreshing and renewal.

Recently, my sample of sabbath was a nice meal and a walk to the bayou in my small town before going home.

Practice

We have to practice hitting the pause button with God in mind, quieting one’s mind and spirit, intentionally resting in the Lord for a brief time of peace and enjoyment of a soul-refreshing nature.

Again, this is not a substitute for sabbath, unless you are in a season of life that makes extended times of restful renewal impossible. Rather, these times are a way to build Christ-centered renewal and resilience into an otherwise busy and stressful life.

Let me encourage you to find samples of sabbath where you briefly draw aside to meet with Jesus during your week.

Ron Danley is pastor of First Baptist Church in Jefferson and blogs at Pastor Ron Danley, where this adapted article first appeared. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

As the Constitutional Convention came to an end in 1787, Elizabeth Willing Powel reportedly asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”

Franklin replied, “A republic, if we can keep it.”

Over the past two centuries, Americans have lived in the middle of the “if,” striving for a more perfect union, while wrestling with slavery, war, Jim Crow, sexism, xenophobia, corruption, Christian nationalism and terrorism.

The work is not finished, nor is success inevitable. It requires constant work and diligence, compromise and compassion.

As President John F. Kennedy said: “Democracy is never a final achievement. It is a call to effort, to sacrifice and a willingness to live and to die in its defense.”

In other words, democracy is hard.

While the church is not dependent on any type of government in order to flourish, our support of democracy and work for liberty—including religious liberty—is a calling we must strive toward continually.

Politics and polarization

Every four years, we elect a president, and every four to eight years, we observe a transfer of power, not just from one person to the next, but often from one political party to the other. This process cannot be taken for granted.

As we witnessed in 2021, it took the willingness and courage of multiple individuals to maintain this peaceful transfer of power by placing the country over partisanship. We hope that experience was not a harbinger of the future, but we also must admit it may be, especially following the recent pardons of those who committed previous political violence.

Our society is so polarized due to the omnipresence and misapplied role of politics.

As David Brooks writes in How to Know a Person: “Over the past decade, everything has become politicized. Churches, universities, sports, food selection, movie award shows, late-night comedy—they have all turned into political arenas …

“Political movements these days are fueled largely by resentment, by a person or a group’s feelings that society does not respect or recognize them,” he continues. “The goal of political and media personalities is to produce episodes in which their side is emotionally validated and the other side is emotionally shamed.

“The person practicing the politics of recognition is not trying to formulate domestic policies or to address this or that social ill; he is trying to affirm his identity, to gain status and visibility, to find a way to admire himself.”

We must change this.

Over-identification with politics

Religion has become identified increasingly with politics, leading to an unhealthy union between the two, which inevitably leads to greater political and religious instability and to a compromise of religious values.

As Steve Bezner writes in Your Jesus is Too American: “[History] teaches us that when the church and government are too closely related, the witness of the church is almost always corrupted and the spiritual health of the corresponding nation struggles.”

We can hear the echo of Jesus’ words: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Consequently, we must reorient the growing confusion of priorities between government, politics, faith and freedom, focusing again on the faithful calling to religious liberty for all.

How do we do this? How do move away from the politics of “me” to that of a healthy service of others?

Baptist contribution to politics

For Baptists, our historic commitment to religious liberty and separation of church and state remains of paramount importance for our faith and our country, providing a way for the polarization and proper perspective of religion and faith to be properly applied.

Because of pluralism and the importance of equality for all, the striving for freedom of conscience and free exercise of religion must be properly emphasized and strengthened.

We must recommit ourselves to biblical principles and ideals that will lead not only to a freer church and state, but also a stronger and healthier church and state, not one obsessed with temporal political power, but one driven by love for all.

The church, rather than acting as a blind partisan, should be a prophetic witness, speaking truth to power, defending the marginalized and neglected, even when those words clash with governmental authority.

As Gregory Boyd wrote in The Myth of a Christian Nation: “When God flexes his omnipotent muscle, it doesn’t look like Rambo or the Terminator—it looks like Calvary! And living in this Calvary-like love moment by moment, in all circumstances and in relation to all people, is the sole calling of those who are aligned with the kingdom that Jesus came to bring.”

Through all our faults, Baptists’ positive contributions to American religious life—namely, separation of church and state—needs continual reaffirmation and recommitment in our country today.

Church to serve society

As stated in the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message, the church is to be the servant of society, not seeking influence through government coercion, but through sacrificial love of community:

“The Christian should oppose in the spirit of Christ every form of greed, selfishness, and vice. He should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the aged, the helpless, and the sick,” doing so while “always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.”

Every day presents new opportunities for Christians to maintain a faithful witness in the public square—one that doesn’t seek power over others, but service of the community.

Our contribution in living within the “if” of Franklin’s quote should strengthen the church, the state and our neighbor as we humbly live out our faith and serve others.

As Jesus said: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Jack Goodyear is dean of Dallas Baptist University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

CORRECTION: “Democracy” at the end of the quote in the first paragraph was corrected to “monarchy.”

I grew up in Tamu town, an Indo-Burma border town in Sagaing Region or province located in the northwest part of Burma (Myanmar).

My parents practiced spirit worship, but they converted to Christianity when I was a young child. Because we lived in a predominately Buddhist area, I attended a Buddhist school.

When I was 18, I responded to a missionary’s altar call and became a Christian. I had a burden to share with my Buddhist friends the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, I decided to attend Bible college. I then continued my theological studies in India, the Philippines and the United States.

In 1993, I was impacted personally by violence inflicted on the community in which I was raised due to religious beliefs. I was doing studies at a seminary in the Philippines when back home, my pastor and three village leaders were killed and our church elders were tortured. They were accused of insulting some group of citizens.

The conflict in Myanmar is not solely about religious persecution, but is a battle between democracy and dictatorship, with the public supporting the democratic movement.

Myanmar has struggled with military rule, civil war, poor governance and poverty during its decades of independence. Min Aung Hlaing, chief of the military government, took control of the country in a coup in 2021, squashing hopes for democratic reforms in the Southeast Asian nation.

The reality is, however, there is religious persecution in Myanmar.

Religious persecution in Myanmar

Religious persecution in Myanmar is not just about ideology, but is also about destroying religious symbols and institutions to enforce total allegiance to the government. When soldiers went to our villages and Christian areas, they destroyed churches, arrested pastors, threw Bibles outside and even spent the night in the church.

Christians live in fear in Myanmar. For example, it could be midnight and dogs are barking. There is always fear the police or military soldiers are coming.

When I returned to Myanmar after schooling and began pastoring a church, I always was shadowed by the Ministry of Intelligence. Whenever I preached, they would listen and then report to their office what I was saying. On occasion, they would request to see my sermon notes in advance.

All churches are open to the public in Myanmar, but they must be registered. At times, the government required us to submit our notes so they could check the content.

During that time, I also was serving as general secretary of a Baptist association. One night while I was at their office training some pastors, the police came and wanted to see my notes. They did not find anything that was against the government, so they left.

However, the next morning, I was called to the administrative office of the court. They wanted to know why I was training pastors without their permission. I had submitted my application for permission the prior month, but I heard nothing. So, I went forward with the training. They checked their records, and then I was allowed to leave.

Ministry under duress

I came to the United States in 1996 to study chaplaincy ministry so I could return to my country and start one in a hospital. After I finished my studies, I returned to Myanmar for two years to serve as a minister and complete my term as general secretary of the Baptist association.

While in the United States, my wife had health issues that precluded her from going back to Myanmar with me for those two years.

I have returned to Myanmar multiple times since for ministry and mission trips, but after the coup in 2020, the situation for Christians has deteriorated significantly. There is no justice or rule of law.

I still have family in Burma, and my sisters are living as refugees in India. Refugees from Myanmar face unequal treatment in India, with some states providing aid, while others reject them.

The Myanmar Baptist Convention is the largest Baptist organization in Asia, with 1.5 million members and more than 5,000 churches.

In the western part of Myanmar, we have lost more than 200 local churches. As for the rest of the country, at least 500 local churches are not functioning due to fear and violence forcing Christians in villages and towns to flee. In the cities, some churches are functioning but with limitations.

Christians and other religious minorities in Myanmar are suffering and in danger. They cannot speak out due to fear of arrest, torture or death. We must not tire of amplifying their voice, telling their stories and advocating for them to live out their faith in their country without fear.

Only those outside the country can speak boldly about the reality of the situation in Myanmar.

Pray for Myanmar

Pray that God will change the hearts of military leaders in Myanmar. Change of heart is important, so they will have the courage to take responsibility for their actions. Without this, the problems will continue.

Pray for the Christians in Myanmar to have endurance and to find a secure, safe place to live.

Pray for the young, pro-democracy fighters fighting for justice and peace.

*******

You can learn more about the current situation in Burma (Myanmar) and the religious freedoms under attack here and here.

Rev. Dr. Thong Kho Lun is the founding pastor of Greater Houston Burmese Christian Fellowship, a mission of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston. His wife Rev. Dr. Mang Tiak is associate pastor. He is the president of the Burmese Christian Association of North America and continues to be involved in mission work in Myanmar and Thailand.

This article first appeared on 21Wilberforce.org and is adapted and republished by permission.

In December of 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white person on the bus she took on her ride home from work. And she was arrested.

Parks was charged with violating Montgomery, Ala.’s, segregated bus seating law.

Soon afterward, the Montgomery bus boycott was organized and the “Montgomery Improvement Association” came into being.

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., pastor at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, was asked to become the president of the MIA, because he had been the voice behind the boycott from the start.

King accepted the presidency and soon became the focus of white racists opposed to equal rights for Afro-Americans and the civil rights movement in general.

A fateful night

On Monday night, Jan. 30, 1956, King was speaking at a meeting at Montgomery’s First Baptist Church organized to support the bus boycott. Every seat was taken, with 2,000 people standing around the walls and into the stairways.

The bus boycott was a couple of months long now, and King was tired. The long walks, the threat of violence always against him, was wearisome.

When the boycott began, he had delivered a speech that lit a fire, and for the next six weeks, King would preach, and the people would listen.

They had gathered because they all knew they were challenging segregation and white supremacy. Together, they found solidarity, courage and hope. This was a moment for them to come together.

Consider, also, that Martin Luther King Jr. had just turned 27 years old.

While King was speaking, his wife and firstborn daughter, Yoki, were home. Suddenly, a bomb, planted on the front porch of King’s residence went off and blew out the windows of the house and caused significant damage to the front porch of the family home.

King saw that his close friend, confidant and advisor, Pastor Ralph Abernathy, was receiving notes during the service, and finally, King asked him what was going on.

“Your house has just been bombed,” he said.

Not knowing if his family was OK, dead or alive, King stepped up with his customary public calm demeaner and asked the crowd to go home in peace. He left out the side door and went home.

But understandably, the people did not go home in peace. Instead, when King arrived at his home, he found a crowd of Black brothers and sisters with sticks, knives and guns in his front yard with a barricade of white policemen keeping them from his house. The officers’ presence did not improve the mood of the crowd gathered.

A stunning instruction

A week earlier, Clyde Sellers, Montgomery police commissioner, publicly joined the White Citizen’s Council, which effectively made the Montgomery Police Department an arm of the Ku Klux Klan.

As King walked through the destruction of the front of his house, inside he found reporters, the police chief and the fire chief, and Coretta and Yoki, shaken but unhurt. Members of his church already were there, surrounding Mrs. King and their 10-week-old baby.

Outside, no one was leaving, not until they knew King’s family was OK. Clyde Sellers began to panic. He grew increasingly concerned as the scene outside was about to escalate into something they were not prepared for.

Commissioner Sellers asked King, “Will you speak on my behalf to the crowd?”

Rev. King said, “Yes.”

He stepped out on the ruins of his small white house, and here’s what he said:

“Don’t get panicky. Don’t do anything panicky. Don’t get your weapons. If you have weapons, take them home. He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword. Remember that is what Jesus said.

“We are not advocating violence. We want to love our enemies. I want you to love our enemies. Be good to them. This is what we must live by. We must meet hate with love.”

King’s character

This one incredible moment revealed, not only the character of this young 27-year-old pastor, but also the power behind his world-changing work that was to come.

King could have incited a riot. He could have justified violence against those who sought to kill his family. He could have refused to help the man who was joining forces to stop all King stood against.

He could have settled for a short-term win, while losing the long-term victory. He could have sought to appear “strong and courageous” by verbally taking down the chief and the authorities—and he clearly had the verbal skills to do so.

Instead, King pointed to the One who truly was in authority. He pointed to his own nonviolent King, who had changed his heart and had revealed another way.

King could have just sent the people home to fight another day, instead of teaching them how the battle would be won in the days ahead. His response serves as a model of leadership for us all today.

What King teaches us

Consider what Dr. King teaches us from this single event. He showed us:

• True strength is seen in what might look like weakness.
• True leadership is found in what might look like abdication.
• True courage is revealed in what some might think is cowardice.
• True victory is attained in what might seem like surrender.
• True love is displayed in what looks like foolishness.

King taught us true change comes by following the paradoxical way of his King, Jesus.

He later would preach, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Enemy love is the way of Jesus, most explicitly taught in the Sermon on the Mount and ultimately revealed on the cross. This was the way King sought to live his life.

May King’s life and legacy call each of us to the way of enemy love, as we live to see the Dream become a reality in our time.

Jeff Warren is the senior pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.

When I throw a party, I get to determine the guest list. When I attend a party someone else is hosting, I have little say in the matter.

Even if the host invites me to help with the dinner, I would be stepping beyond my responsibilities if I began culling the guest list according to my own preferences. The host rightly would be furious if I let people in who were not invited. He also would be justifiably angry if I refused to admit those who were on the list.

Which of those would be the worst offense? Baptists have come up with different answers. Those advocating for closed communion appear to believe the greatest offense when serving the Lord’s Supper would be accidentally to admit some to the table who God excludes.

Their main argument comes from Paul’s discussion of the Lord’s Supper in his first epistle to the Corinthians.

Paul on the Lord’s Supper

Paul challenges every believer to examine oneself before observing the Lord’s Supper (11:28). Those who fail to do so, and fail to discern the body of Christ, “eat and drink judgment on themselves.” (11:29).

The argument is made that any who participate in the meal with unconfessed sin bring judgment upon themselves and perhaps upon the entire congregation. Churches, therefore, should carefully fence the table against the unrepentant lest judgment fall heavily upon Christ’s church.

This necessitates, in their view, a prohibition against any unrepentant believers and all unbelievers. For many churches, this takes the form of prohibiting anyone not baptized by immersion from participating, with a few churches going so far as to limit participation to their own church membership.

Clearly, Paul’s warning is a serious one. All the more reason to make sure we understand his argument.

A closer look at Corinth

A close reading of the text reveals the issue in the Corinthian church was not one of permitting unqualified people to participate in the meal. Instead, it involved the opposite offense. Some in the Corinthian church were rushing ahead with the meal before the entire church could gather to eat (see 11:21).

More specifically, the wealthy feasted, while the poor went hungry, mirroring the social inequalities of their day. Paul sharply criticized this behavior, emphasizing the Lord’s Supper was not a private dinner party, but is a communal meal meant to reflect Christ’s selfless love. If they gathered and ate before everyone arrived, the meal they ate could not be considered the Lord’s Supper (see 11:11).

Paul’s warning against eating in an “unworthy manner” had to do with the way in which the church was excluding certain members from participation in the Lord’s Supper, not with any unconfessed sin of an individual believer. How ironic that these very words have been used to exclude believers from table fellowship.

Jesus’ example

This does not mean we should come carelessly to the table. Properly remembering Christ’s sacrifice for our sins always should call us to thoughtful times of reflection, confession and repentance.

But to use the table as an opportunity to exclude someone Christ intends to include is to take the meal in an unworthy manner—the very thing Paul warns against.

My approach is also influenced by Jesus’ own example. Our Lord constantly irritated the religious gatekeepers of his day by the table company he kept. Paul, likewise, seemed continually to provoke his adversaries by arguing rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, slaves and free all could sit down at the same table, thanks to Jesus.

Who should be excluded

An honest reading of the biblical text reveals we are not given specific instructions about where the limits of this inclusion should be in regard to the Lord’s table. Is there someone who should not be allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper?

There are verses in the New Testament that speak to the exclusion of believers who are actively sinning in significant ways. But these seem to be extreme cases where inclusion of a particular person would bring great shame upon the congregation, because their sins were obvious even to outsiders (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

Where I fall

When I reflect on Jesus’ table practice and Paul’s teaching, I find myself wanting to err on the side of inclusion when it comes to the Lord’s Supper.

I am reminded there are plenty of people who would exclude me from Christ’s table if they could—people who think I am incorrect on some point of doctrine or another. I’m grateful they ultimately are not in charge of the guest list. Of course, neither am I.

When it comes down to it, I think I would rather dine with someone I wasn’t supposed to than to exclude someone Jesus intends to include.

A proper reading of 1 Corinthians 11 helps us understand the one instance Paul criticized was an instance of improper exclusion, not improper inclusion. This is why I have chosen not to heavily fence participation in the Lord’s Supper, but instead, to invite all those who have professed their faith in Christ, or would like to in this moment, to come and have a seat at the table of the Lord.

Taylor Sandlin is the senior pastor of Sugar Land Baptist Church in Sugar Land. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author. A contrasting view can be read here.