I wrote an article back in 2016, Before We Get Sidetracked, Let's Celebrate Lottie Moon's Big Year. The year was 2016 and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering reached $165 million and was up for the year by almost $13 million. That was pretty impressive. I referenced (on my old blog SBCPlodder) in that article Lottie Moon's Phenomenal Year. That year was 2003 and the offering was over $136 million. What was astonishing about that year was that Lottie was up over $21 million from the previous year, an impressive 18 percent increase. Those were the days of old when bold Southern Baptists … [Read more...] about Lottie Moon over $200 million
Destined for repeated disasters?
For the record: I'm solidly, consistently, permanently SBC with zero interest in departing our beloved convention of churches nor being a part of any church that is not SBC. I'd make an exception if I lived in some remote place in Nebraska, Maine, or Nevada that didn't have an SBC church (I'd have a house church but my wonderful wife might get tired of hearing my sermons). I'll be "SBC dead" in 14 years and 5 months although I recognize that the Almighty doesn't consult actuarial tables. In September of 2022 I like some things about the SBC: IMB, our true crown jewel and flagship … [Read more...] about Destined for repeated disasters?
It’s Official: Greenway Has Resigned
After some serious whiplash today, it has become official. Dr. Adam Greenway has resigned at SWBTS. It appears that both of the "sources" we reported were accurate to an extent. Mark Wingfield had his facts essentially in order but the reports that the resignation was a done deal were a bit premature. We have suspected since this morning that this would happen but that certain details were being finalized. Anyone who speaks to the "why" of all this is spreading rumors. I think it is safe to say that no one knows at this point. … [Read more...] about It’s Official: Greenway Has Resigned
A Word about a Confusing News Day
I am in Cincinnati today and awoke to news from Baptist News Global that Dr. Greenway had resigned. I trust Mark Wingfield as a reporter, though I seldom agree with the opinions of BNG. The story was also being widely disseminated on social media. We report on stories here but generally do not break them. I reported this one with a link to BNG. Again, I consider them a reliable source. I was contacted by another source, authoritative and trusted, who told me that BNG had jumped the gun. Dr. Greenway may still leave SWBTS soon, but I was told it had not happened yet. I also reported … [Read more...] about A Word about a Confusing News Day
Breaking: Greenway Has NOT Resigned
I have received a reliable report from an authoritative source saying that BNG jumped the gun. There may be some issues at SWBTS but at this point Greenway is still at the helm. The situation is fluid and could change. Count me among those who are pleased this is so. My guess is that this will be a story for days to come. Hopefully, clarity will come soon. … [Read more...] about Breaking: Greenway Has NOT Resigned
BNG Report: Greenway Resigns from Southwestern
Baptist News Global has reported that at a trustee meeting, Dr. Adam Greenway has tendered his resignation after only three and a half years at SWBTS. According to their report, the issue was financial management. We have enough information to believe this may be an accurate report, though there has been no official announcement or Baptist Press statement. I have appreciated Dr. Greenway's work and respected him. I would be pleased if this turned out to be false but we have every reason to believe it is true. … [Read more...] about BNG Report: Greenway Resigns from Southwestern
Dr. Mohler’s Growing Political Partisanship
Dr. Albert Mohler will have an honored place in SBC history for people like me who lived through the Conservative Resurgence and were pleased to see the tide of our denomination's history turn. I appreciate what he did to restore confessionalism and a more biblical theology at Southern, even if I do not share many of his theological distinctives. I fear his legacy may be tarnished by his recent turn toward a focus on strident political partisanship. Once a noble statesman and a force of unity among us, he is now in danger of being remembered as a divisive political opportunist whose focus … [Read more...] about Dr. Mohler’s Growing Political Partisanship
On Unrealistic Expectations in Ministry (Phillip Powers)
It is no secret that the last few years have been extremely difficult for churches and even more so for pastors. Of course, pastoral ministry is commonly fraught with its own set of unique stresses, but those stresses have grown exponentially over the past few years due to the chaos and turmoil that has so regularly characterized our society. This has led to unprecedented numbers of pastors leaving the ministry, a trend some are now calling the "Great Resignation". The Barna Group has recently reported that some 42% of pastors have given real, serious consideration to quitting being in … [Read more...] about On Unrealistic Expectations in Ministry (Phillip Powers)
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
Would this pastor be on the Ministry Check database?
Credit to the Tennessean and to the survivor for making this known. Tullahoma pastor resigns after abuse survivor shares story This may be behind a paywall. The salient facts are familiar, and depressing: a youth guy has sex with a teen in his group, 16 years old. The Tennessean quotes the former youth pastor as confessing to the act but the act was determined by law enforcement people in Kentucky where the abuse occurred to not be illegal. Would this non-illegal act have landed the guy on the SBC's database that is being put together? I'm not sure and will have to reread some of … [Read more...] about Would this pastor be on the Ministry Check database?