Author Archives: Rick Patrick

When the Changed Lives and Broken Hearts Are Yours

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Rick Patrick

Mission Trip Reflections by Rick Patrick After investing our Spring Break on a mission trip to Aguascalientes, Mexico–a desert city of nearly one million people–our mission team of ten church members will never be the same. It is challenging to … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Author | 4 Comments

Ten Traits of a Southern Baptist president

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama Apart from prayer, the most direct way to impact the Southern Baptist Convention is to vote for a president who will guide it in the direction one believes … Continue reading →

Posted in SBC | 66 Comments

SBC Values In Conflict
Why Our Theology Is Not The Only Issue

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama Abraham Maslow has been credited with the observation that “if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” When looking for a solution, we project … Continue reading →

Posted in SBC Issues | 182 Comments

The Founder’s Ministry

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama Martin Luther founded the Lutherans. John Wesley founded the Methodists. The views of John Calvin are foundational to the Presbyterians. In the same way, historians consider our Baptist … Continue reading →

Posted in Calvinism | 97 Comments

Incineration vs. Decapitation: What to do with Servetus?

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Rick Patrick

By Rick Patrick  According to The History and Character of Calvinism by J. T. McNeil, in 1553 John Calvin requested that Michael Servetus be decapitated as a traitor rather than burned as a heretic. In light of this merciful request, … Continue reading →

Posted in Calvinism | 242 Comments

TULIP Mania Strikes Again:
Of Bulbs, Bubbles and Burgeoning Beliefs

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama  Long before the dot-com crisis fifteen years ago and the real estate disaster five years ago, from the Dutch Golden Age of the Seventeenth Century comes the fascinating … Continue reading →

Posted in Calvinism, SBC Issues | 262 Comments

A Primer Against TULIP
A Review of “Considering Calvinism: Faith or Fatalism”
by Gil VanOrder, Jr.

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama Author Gil VanOrder, Jr., in “Considering Calvinism: Faith or Fatalism,” presents a clear and logical case against Five Point Calvinism. While his book is accessible for any layperson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Calvinism | 77 Comments

Nettles recommends ‘universal’ Calvinism in the SBC

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama On page 468 of the book By His Grace, For His Glory, Dr. Tom Nettles concludes: Calvinism should still occupy the place of universal adherence in Baptist life. … Continue reading →

Posted in Calvinism | 202 Comments

Working on Commission
Balancing Our Mission to Reach Both Souls and Groups

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama Although at our recent Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting the new descriptor “Great Commission Baptists” went over like a pregnant pole vaulter, there is another issue concerning the … Continue reading →

Posted in Missions | 41 Comments

Defining the Elephant
Part 2 of 2

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Rick Patrick

By Dr. Rick Patrick Senior Pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Hueytown, Alabama At some point, it is fair to ask the question, “Is it good stewardship for me to pay for the institutional advancement of organizations promoting doctrines I do … Continue reading →

Posted in SBC Issues, Uncategorized | 181 Comments