In early August I had the opportunity to take my first trip to Collegiate Week at Falls Creek camp in Oklahoma. My good friend Corey Olivier, Metro Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director in New Orleans, invited me along so I jumped at the chance. I have heard about Falls Creek most of my ministry life and always wanted to see the facility. I am now able to *check off* of my bucket list “purposely traveling to Oklahoma for any reason at all.” ;) Seriously though, let me first say that Falls Creek is an amazing place. Ridgecrest is special to Michelle and I and because of that I can see why … [Read more...] about Collegiate Week at Falls Creek
SBC Institutions & Entities
SBCcalled.com: A Resource You Should Check Out IMMEDIATELY!
This article was supposed to be imbedded in another one I am writing about collegiate ministry and Collegiate Week in particular. But the more I wrote about this subject, the more I realized how important it is and that it really needed its own article. The Yoda of Louisiana collegiate ministry is Steve Masters, BCM director at LSU. This guy is a machine. I had known of Steve for years, but really got to know him and see him work the week we all lived together during Collegiate Week this past August. He has created a website which is chock-full of resources every Pastor, Youth Pastor, … [Read more...] about SBCcalled.com: A Resource You Should Check Out IMMEDIATELY!
The Chair’s Opening Message to This Year’s Committee on Nominations is Encouraging
I was recently sent a copy of an email which was written by this year's Chair of the SBC Committee on Nominations, Michael Criner, and sent to his full Committee. As a member of last year's NomCom this is of great interest to me. To my knowledge, I have not yet met Michael but I deeply appreciate the direction he is moving and I see this as a faithful forward movement/extension in the same direction that Leah Finn led our team last year. I appreciate Michael's faithful effort in following the lead of the Convention especially now in light of the SATF report. He is taking this task seriously … [Read more...] about The Chair’s Opening Message to This Year’s Committee on Nominations is Encouraging
A Recap of the #SBC23 Kick-Off Meeting and Luncheon
I’ve been behind on a few projects while I’ve focused on several things at the church which has taken precedence. One of the things I wanted to have written up earlier was a recap of our #SBC23 Annual Meeting “Kick-Off” event which happened on the campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) two weeks ago today on Tuesday, August 23rd. This “Kick Off” is only the fourth of its kind and I think the idea is a great one! I was certain it would be an encouragement for the pastors from our region and a helpful sort of “pep-rally” for our area. What I did not expect is that we … [Read more...] about A Recap of the #SBC23 Kick-Off Meeting and Luncheon
Attention Louisiana & Mississippi Pastors and Staff
Dr. Willie McLaurin, Interim President of our SBC Executive Committee has sent out the invitation to attend our “SBC 2023 Annual Meeting Kick-Off Luncheon.” This event, specifically for pastors, staff and denominational workers in the New Orleans region (especially from south Mississippi and Louisiana) will be a time to inform those in our region on the plans for next year’s annual meeting and an explanation on how they can be involved in helping to make #SBC23 a success. Our Local Encouragement Team (LET) is excited to have you join us for this event which will take place on the campus of … [Read more...] about Attention Louisiana & Mississippi Pastors and Staff
What it was Like to Serve on the Committee on Nominations
For those who are interested I have written up a walkthrough of my experience on this year’s Committee on Nominations. It’s a little long but there are some things here that you might find interesting. I know I sure learned a lot in this process. I must say this was nothing like I assumed it would be. When I was asked by Robin Purdy and Criseida Gomez (Louisiana’s two members on the Committee on Committees) to serve alongside Larry Johnson as the 2 representatives from Louisiana on the Committee on Nominations (NomCom) I was excited and considered it an honor. I figured it would be a … [Read more...] about What it was Like to Serve on the Committee on Nominations
Jay’s Top Ten from Anaheim
For the last few years, I have offered on this site what I would identify as my top 10 takeaways, favorite things or memorable events from the Annual Meeting. This year there were a few more than 10, but I’d like to try to keep my commentary to that number with this one caveat: Can we all agree that the real number one thing that happened in Anaheim was the passage of the Sexual Abuse Task Force Recommendations? With that surely being the unanimous decision, I will move on with “the rest” of that Top Ten. These are things that I personally witnessed. I will also say that Todd Benkert's … [Read more...] about Jay’s Top Ten from Anaheim
Jay’s Motion to Permanently Remove the Recording Secretary’s Position from the EC
It is my intention to offer the following motion Tuesday morning at the 10:10 am time during the Introduction of New Motions. I post it here with some brief commentary in order to express my rationale and purpose for bringing it up. The Text of the Motion Thank you, Mr Chairman. My name is Jay Adkins, messenger from FBC Westwego in Louisiana and I rise to submit the following motion: I move the convention-elected office of Recording Secretary be permanently removed from holding a seat as a member on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention by striking “…and the … [Read more...] about Jay’s Motion to Permanently Remove the Recording Secretary’s Position from the EC
A Devastatingly Deficient Defense: The Sad Response to my “Conflict of Interest” Motion From the Executive Committee
In just a few days the Executive Committee (EC) will present their annual report to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and at least a portion of that report will be embarrassing for them. The official EC response to my motion regarding a possible conflict of interest related to the previous SBC law firm has been published… and it is utterly laughable. The Background I offered the first motion to be brought to the floor of the SBC last year in Nashville regarding what I, and some others, believed to be an apparent conflict of interest concerning our convention’s legal counsel. … [Read more...] about A Devastatingly Deficient Defense: The Sad Response to my “Conflict of Interest” Motion From the Executive Committee
Response to the Sexual Abuse Task Force Report [Guest Author: Bart Barber]
We, the SBC Voices Editorial Team, repost here for your consideration Dr. Bart Barber's response to the report of the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force. For the original source, click here. For the SBC SATF documents, click here. Bart Barber May 25, 2022 For Immediate Release I have now read the complete text and the appendices of the May 15, 2022, document from Guidepost Solutions entitled, “Report of the Independent Investigation: The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations and an Audit of the Procedures and Actions of the Credentials … [Read more...] about Response to the Sexual Abuse Task Force Report [Guest Author: Bart Barber]