Matt Snellings

Listening to God. Stumbling forward. Having fun in the process.

[Ed Stetzer @edstetzer]

People often assume that if God wanted to sort out the world, he would use raw power. But in my interview with N.T. Wright, he points out that God's agenda for the kingdom looks like the Sermon on the Mount—sending in the meek, the brokenhearted, and the peacemakers.

Watch the clip and listen to the full episode of the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

-from the @WycliffeHall chapel at Oxford University

[Beth Moore @BethMooreLPM]

Those in the SBC who think I no longer should have anything to say about the SBC profoundly underestimate the power of love. I’d served southern Baptist women for 40 years by the time I left. And when I left, I left directly on their behalf because it became disturbingly clear to me that the SBC as an entity was more interested in protecting shepherds than the sheep entrusted to their care. When protecting the pulpit from women becomes a far greater priority than protecting women (& children) from an abusive pulpit, something is wrong. Which has been the greater problem: women trying to become your senior pastors or pastors misusing or abusing women?

My biggest concern is that what happened with the CRT witch-hunt will happen now in regard to women. The overreach resulted in numerous pastors, teachers and professors dropping the immensely important biblical teachings against racism rather than risk being accused of CRT. I heard from pastors at that time who preached against racism and already had emails Monday morning from people in their congregation accusing them of CRT. Because the difference wasn’t clarified, they lumped all of it into the one category. The aim became: shut every mouth to shut some mouths.

I pled for SBC seminary presidents and leaders to please clarify to pastors and teachers and, thereby, to congregations & students what qualified as CRT and what indeed was the proper and deeply rooted and needed biblical approach to anti-gospel racism.

Crickets.

I see the same potential here. I have never once fought for SBC women to take over church pulpits. I have esteemed and supported the role of male senior pastors. My own pastors would tell you that. If you think I was in the SBC trying to lead a revolution against men, you are clearly not familiar with my materials. What I believed then and believe now is that God has called both men and women to serve their churches and communities and proclaim the gospel. He has poured out his Holy Spirit on men AND on women, calling them to broadcast the good news.

You have beaten the drum loudly about what women in SBC churches cannot do. So, what CAN they do? Clarity here is essential. What is a woman to do who has been gifted BY GOD to teach the Bible, especially if her church has moved to the community group model and there is no Sunday school to teach?

Here is what I see on the horizon. If you leave these matters involving women so vague that it becomes about pastoral roles/actions rather than the title of pastor, it will shift to the subjective rather than objective. I wish I was naïve enough to think that wasn’t the point to some of these leaders but, sadly, I’m not.

What if that senior pastor doesn’t allow a woman on the prayer team to pray over people at the end of the service because he deems she is acting pastorally? What if the pastor sees that a woman’s Sunday school class of WOMEN is getting, in his estimation, a little too big? Can he just decide she acting pastorally and remove her from the role? Can she counsel people with her God-given wisdom and knowledge or would she be acting pastorally? The examples could go on and on. And, of course, I realize many would not use their positions to disesteem women but surely you and I both know countless others would. God only knows how many unqualified, unloving, mean-spirited men are in pastoral positions but the obsession remains the women.

I have no desire to see SBC women leave the denomination. I loved and flourished in that denomination. I want them to be able to flourish in their spiritual gifts. I want them to be esteemed in their serving inside and outside their homes. I want them to be able to serve Jesus and proclaim his glorious gospel.

I know I’m going to get hit here. That’s fine. But you should know I will fight for them to the death. Because I love them. And, yes, whether they love me or not.

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@ZachWLambert This guy still owes me $50 from the time I took my whole family to see his Christmas movie. Last “Christian” movie I ever watched. 🤣

[Rev. Benjamin Cremer @Brcremer]

Hate is exhausting.

Watching people hate each other.

People in power stoking one group’s hate towards another.

People using Christianity to justify hating others.

People confusing hate with their political and religious beliefs.

Hate is exhausting, unproductive, and harmful.

[Zach W. Lambert @ZachWLambert]

Brennan Manning on what it means to be truly pro-life.

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@RevKimWChafee Preach it Rev!

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@thescottbarber It simultaneously destroyed the ozone layer. 🤣

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@ZachWLambert @RestoreATX Keep up the good work Pastor!

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@BethMooreLPM I love that your donkey’s name is Donk. Hilarious.

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@ZachWLambert Keep up the good work Zach! There are a lot of people who need this kind of community.

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@thescottbarber

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@thescottbarber

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@thescottbarber 1988…flawless.

[Holy Post Media @HolyPost_Media]

NEW TRAILER! Why I'm Still a Christian - A Holy Post Special Special Series featuring @lecrae @kkdumez @JemarTisby @drmoore

First episode drops on Monday, September 18! Make sure to subscribe to The Holy Post wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss it!

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@Crazy4ComicCon @DragonCon Wow! That’s a cool hotel. Hope the DragonCon is straight 🔥!

[Julie Roys @reachjulieroys]

I don't know this guy, but his post is 🎯
If only more disgraced pastors would take it to heart.

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@thescottbarber

[Matt Snellings @Msnellings]

@JesterWootton I’m in! Let me know what topics you want to cover and where to send it.

[Kristin Du Mez @kkdumez]

“If you are so preoccupied with self-examination you’re not going to have the energy to challenge the system itself.” Loving @eve_ettinger in this!