http://morrischapman.com Dr. Morris Chapman's Blog http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=71 In my report entitled Leading by Example to the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, I noted that the Executive Committee in February had adopted the following statement about the Baptist Faith and Message: "The Baptist Faith and Message is not a creed, or a complete statement of our faith, nor final or infallible; nevertheless we further acknowledge that it is the only consensus statement of doctrinal beliefs approved by the Southern Baptist Convention and as such is sufficient in its current form to guide trustees in their establishment of policies and practices of entities of the Convention." 6/21/2007 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=71 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=70 Report of the Executive Committee President to the Southern Baptist Convention The Executive Committee makes a conscientious effort to lead Southern Baptists by example. Although it is done without fanfare, the Committee has taken every precaution to be ever conscious of the Convention’s welfare. Our Committee members who function as trustees have routinely demonstrated their love for Christ, a steadfast loyalty to our Convention, and a realization that we do not have all the answers but with God’s guidance we will work to give our Convention our best counsel based upon a thorough study of the issues. 6/12/2007 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=70 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=69 On February 17, 2004, the ad hoc Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Study Committee of the SBC Executive Committee made a historic recommendation to the Executive Committee that in turn was recommended to the 2004 Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis. Members of the Baptist World Alliance Study Committee were: Morris Chapman, chairman, Jimmy Draper, Tom Elliff, Paige Patterson, Paul Pressler, Jerry Rankin, Joe Reynolds, Gary Smith, and Bob Sorrell. The Southern Baptist Convention had been a founding member of the BWA almost 100 years earlier, but by 2004, times, attitudes, and beliefs of BWA leadership had changed. 3/28/2007 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=69 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=68 Dr. Steve Lempke is serving as the interim director of the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Under his leadership, the Center has recently started a blog related to issues impacting Baptist theology and ministry, called "The Baptist Blog." He is enlisting guest hosts to answer 10 questions. I appreciate his invitation to participate. 3/26/2007 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=68 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=67 The chairman of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, wrote a memo to company executives on February 14, 2007 in which he stated that "in order to achieve the growth, development and scale necessary to go from less than 1,000 stores to 13,000 stores and beyond, we have had to make a series of decisions that, in retrospect, have (led) to the watering down of the Starbucks experience, and, what some might call the commoditization of our brand." 2/24/2007 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=67 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=66 Chapman says, "Cooperation among Southern Baptists is crucial if the Convention is to grow spiritually. The key ingredients of cooperation are 'truth, trust and being trustworthy.'" 2/22/2007 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=66 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=65 For many years “pastoral authority” has been a topic much discussed in seminaries, churches, and among pastors. In 1983 I was invited to write an article for Shophar, a publication of Criswell College for Biblical Studies, Dallas, TX. I wrote an article entitled “The Pastor’s Call to Leadership.” I think my comments are still applicable today and I post the article as a blog with the prayer that, after all these years, some will find it encouraging and helpful. 2/12/2007 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=65 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=63 As much as we try to live for Jesus and give Him thanks for the life and opportunities he has given us, self and satan always try to trip us up in the race of life. If we are not careful jealousies emerge, self-driven ambitions accelerate, pride creeps in, and then, wham, reality sinks in. We have become less than that which we intended to be for Jesus' sake. Thanksgiving is a time we can reflect upon God's goodness and refocus upon Him who has given us every blessing, large and small. 11/20/2006 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=63 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=62 One of the major decisions for the administration and trustees of SBC entities is the placement of the entity's reserve funds with a firm that manages institutional investments. 11/11/2006 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=62 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=60 Periodically I am asked if the changes recommended in 1995 by the Program and Structure Study Committee(PSSC)succeeded in maximizing every single dollar Southern Baptists are investing in God's Kingdom through the Cooperative Program. While great progress has been made due to the changes, subsequent decisions made by some of the entities have only partially taken advantage of the window of opportunity. The next question is usually, "What other program and structural changes should be made for the SBC to have unified national and international objectives?" That's a good question. Hopefully, this post will encourage you to dig deep for your own answers to the question. 9/25/2006 http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=60