SBC Voices

My dad used to tell a story about a pastor who went to visit an older woman who had been visiting his church. He encouraged her to join. She said, "Pastor, I'm not physically able to be a Baptist." After being in the convention hall the last 4 days, I am beginning to wonder. Am I physically able to be a Baptist messenger?   … [Read more...] about When Old Jokes Come to Life

I was writing down the exact numbers when I got an emergency message from my wife. She won the Foundation money estimate and demanded I come out. That's about all I won this week. The amendment passed by approximately 75% to 25% as many of us expected. It has to pass again next year.   … [Read more...] about Mohler Amendment Jumps First Hurdle

I have two groups of SBCish friends. I've got friends who think about the SBC the way Bilbo and Frodo thought about Mordor. Some have already left and others are engaging in quiet-quitting (not participating, giving less or designating). Many who have left are vocal in lambasting our denomination (or convention of churches) at every chance. Some get offended if anyone says anything positive at any time about anything in the SBC. Most of that is, frankly, related to the SBC's failure to deal well with sexual abuse and its survivors. I have other friends who are excited about the SBC, … [Read more...] about The SBC has Problems, But It’s Doing Lots of Good, Too

Notice the French? I'm nearly 600 days into my Duolingo French! Impressive, right? During the discussion as to whether we should go to Anaheim, I noticed another "Grumpy Old Man" moment I wanted to vent about. A (likely perfectly nice) young pastor said that we should ONLY have SBC conventions in the DEEP SOUTH because that is where most of our churches are and that it would be cheapest. As someone who spent 32 years pastoring in Iowa and the last almost 4 in Nebraska, I say, GET OFF MY LAWN! The SBC needs to expand outside the SEC-territory base, and one way to do that is to … [Read more...] about GET OFF MY LAWN: Part DEUX

There are a couple of things I don't like about SBC Orlando, and it has nothing to do with the massive amount of walking I've had to do. I'm going to turn 70 next year, so that's just a problem for me! It's life for us old codgers. I have a couple of serious gripes about the process. The thing about the SBC is that it's a 10,000-person business meeting, and it's going to be messy. I get frustrated with some of the silly motions people make, but it's one of the things that makes us unique. Any person can get up and brave the echo that makes them sound like a drunk and make any motion they … [Read more...] about Get Off My Lawn: A Grumpy Old Man’s SBC Complaints

It feels like old-time Conservative Resurgence power politics at the SBC Orlando. I attended most of the conventions from 1979 through the decisive election that settled the victory of conservatives about 12 years later. There were certain things that happened. The conservative candidate always had a prominent place at the Pastors' Conference. Lo and behold, Willy Rice was given a speaking slot at this year's PC. It was pretty clear that this was an orchestrated attempt by the denominational power structure to promote his candidacy. Josh Powell is also conservative, but one side insists … [Read more...] about A Return to Old-Time Southern Baptist Power Politics

If you see Tiffany, and she's not hard to spot, give her a word of encouragement and support. Tiffany has a unique hairstyle, unlike any preacher's wife I know. Bright pink. She made a motion Tuesday to establish a ministry to support pastors wives. It was one of the ones sent into outer darkness by the messengers. Before that, though, she was the subject of some online trolling by people claiming to be pastors, because of her appearance. If you see her, why not thank her for her concern for pastors wives, and let her know she is welcome among us. I chatted with her and Larry on … [Read more...] about Point of Personal Privilege: Encourage Tiffany Helms, Okay?

This batch was a little less ordered than the morning sessions. Still no motion to disband the ERLC though we did get the obligatory motion for remote voting, which will go nowhere. Gregory Mathis moved to end online preregistration Monday night at 11:59 AM. Jared Long was our only 2x motioner. He asked for a written explanation on entity alcohol policy. Josh Abitay(sp?) made a request of the EC, but I can't read my own handwriting! Michael Clary moved that employees of entities and their spouses be prohibited from serving as trustees. Michael Scheider requested a review of … [Read more...] about Miscellaneous Motions – Part Deux

I have been coming to conventions since 1979, though I certainly haven't attended them all, and we did something today that I didn't know we could do. Several of the motions were automatically referred but grouping of about 5 of them were up for a vote. Ben Cole recommended that we NOT refer them to the EC. We overwhelmingly voted not to refer them. Then, by the motion of the same Mr. Cole we sent the motions into parliamentary limbo. They had a term that I do not remember. I have never seen this happen before. Ever. I suspect it will happen again. Often. … [Read more...] about Who Knew? Dismissing Motions into Oblivion