This past Friday we celebrated graduation at SEBTS. We have grown so much the past few years that the college and seminary must have separate graduations.  What a joy to see so many students I taught graduate.  I am proud of all of them-undergrad, grad, and especially at the doctoral level. I had three students graduate this time with doctorates.  Joseph Phan, a Vietnamese minister who earned his MDiv at Southeastern before earning both the Thm and the DMin with … →

  I have a love-hate relationship with the American Evangelical Church, and particularly in that tradition known as Southern Baptists. I love so much of who we are and what we have been about. I am grateful for my heritage: hearing the gospel as a child, and in my case seeing it on display through the Jesus Movement in the lives of hippies who were changed.  I love my church’s love for me and for family, and its simple faith … →

I am going to start giving a little time on Sundays to note what a blessing students are and to highlight some key students with whom I minister.  This weekend I had the joy of being with current and former students Justin and Nicole Arbuckle (I taught them both before they were married) and current DMin student Nick Colton.  The guys serve (Justin as youth pastor and Nick as missions pastor) at Hocutt Memorial Baptist in Clayton, about 45 minutes … →

This week we wrap up the spring semester at Southeastern with finals beginning on Thursday.  As I reflect on the past semester I am reminded why I remain optimistic about the future of the SBC.  I recognize our students comprise only a percentage of the future leaders in the convention. I also recognize that not all our students have the focus, the passion, and in some cases the call to be bold leaders in the days to come.  But I … →