I confess to giving this some thought but without much in the way of an answer. The call is often heard that "the SBC" should relinquish some of its cherished autonomy in order to keep kids safe at church. Here's how the most recent case was explained. "The SBC views itself as a network of Baptist congregations, each of which is independent and self-governing. Abuse survivors and advocates say that this doctrine of autonomy has thwarted their attempts to fight sexual abuse in SBC churches, such as through the creation of a denomination wide sex offender database." “This clearly paints a … [Read more...] about What would less autonomy look like?
This is the future of SBC missions
Atlanta area megachurch Johnson Ferry Baptist announced the results of their annual Great Commission Offering. It was suitably mega with over $5 million given. The offering was divided: $2.7m Lottie Moon, $1.7m Johnson Ferry missions budget, and $680k Annie Armstrong. That's a single SBC church giving about 1.5% of the total Lottie Moon offering. … [Read more...] about This is the future of SBC missions
Phillip E. Johnson, my kind of creationist, RIP
When I first read Johnson's book, Darwin on Trial, it was a revelation of a sort, my background being steeped in simple ("there's oil because all the dead dinos sank to the bottom of the one-earth ocean"), succinct ("6,000 year old earth, ten thou at the max is all you're going to be allowed if you're a good Christian"), and not so sweet (YEC is rife with strident and harsh polemicists). Johnson launched me on an intellectual search that explored with great interest and curiosity Australopithecus-es and other past creatures. I proudly claim, by DNA mind you, about 4% Neanderthal. Those hairy, … [Read more...] about Phillip E. Johnson, my kind of creationist, RIP
CP sort of up for 2019-2020; designated giving definitely up
No one pays attention to Cooperative Program this early in the fiscal year (runs Oct 1 to Sep 30). Sage Baptist bean counters tell me to wait until January to see how things are going. But the Executive Committee gives a report every month, partly to keep their positive headline writing skills sharp, so I'd like them to know that at least one person reads these articles. As of October 31, gifts received by the Executive Committee for distribution through the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget totaled $15,207,651.44. This exceeded October 2018's budget contribution of $14,454,637.36 by … [Read more...] about CP sort of up for 2019-2020; designated giving definitely up
And now “credible accusations of misconduct” has currency in the SBC because of Al Mohler
Abuse survivors and their advocates have long called for the creation and funding of an independent investigatory body in the SBC and staffed with experts on sex abuse. Part of the task of such a committee would be to investigate "credible reports" of abuse in SBC churches. So far as I know, no SBC leader supports this proposal. Yesterday, Al Mohler, president of our oldest seminary, announced nominee for president of the SBC, and one whom many would say is the SBC's most visible spokesperson, made a statement to the public about an SBC pastor, SBTS grad and adjunct professor. The statement … [Read more...] about And now “credible accusations of misconduct” has currency in the SBC because of Al Mohler
Top Ten State Conventions in total giving to IMB
Baptist General Convention of Texas........$30.0 million Alabama..................................................... $24.8 Tennessee.................................................. $24.3 North Carolina.......................................... $22.7 Georgia...................................................... $22.1 South Carolina.......................................... $17.8 Mississippi................................................ $15.9 Florida...................................................... … [Read more...] about Top Ten State Conventions in total giving to IMB
A simple way to bankrupt your church and lose your job in the process
The administrative assistant in charge of financial matters was a long term employee and completely trusted. She was also a brazen thief and by the time the organization started paying attention to her spending she had stolen at least $1.3 million over a period of years. The theft finally came to light when a check was needed to pay an obligation and there were no funds in the account. After the matter was investigated it was found that the trusted employee would ask one or the other of her supervisors to sign blank checks. Sometimes the requests were verbal, other times she left sticky … [Read more...] about A simple way to bankrupt your church and lose your job in the process
The strange world of autonomous Southern Baptist churches
I was in conversation with a search committee about being their pastor. We did the usual tapdance of questioning each other. I asked what their procedure was for voting to extend a call to a new pastor. One committee member jumped the question and answered, "We require an 80% congregational vote but I moved that we add one additional point for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit." I'm pretty good at math and that makes an 83% vote necessary. I think the size of that church was such that they might have 60 or 70 voting members present for a pastor-call vote. The 83% … [Read more...] about The strange world of autonomous Southern Baptist churches
IMB has 3,681 total field personnel headed toward 4,200
The great majority of these are full time, career overseas personnel, mostly couples but some singles. We all know that IMB counts spouses as missionaries; thus, a couple is two. Not rocket science for most SBCers but the counting policy should be understood. Some of the 3,681 (the number reported on IMB's site) are not career but mid-term people, a few years commitment and some are IMB team members overseas who are filling jobs for the mission but not funded by IMB. Paul Chitwood, IMB CEO, in his recent address to trustees said there were currently 3,700 overseas personnel (I'm assuming a … [Read more...] about IMB has 3,681 total field personnel headed toward 4,200
Dear SBC churches: Give something, anything to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions
The days are shorter, skies are grayer, birds aren't singing, and flowers aren't blooming as much these days. So how about my adding a depressing thought. Paul Chitwood, CEO of the IMB said: A look back over the last decade of LMCO receipts reveals that 10 percent fewer churches contributed in the past five years than in the five years prior. Paul Chitwood, September 26, 2019. I understand that our oldest and most valued entity, The International … [Read more...] about Dear SBC churches: Give something, anything to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions