The following is adapted from my written report to my church concerning the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting. One of the things I love most about the church I pastor is our generous and sacrificial giving for the sake of the gospel. Our primary channel for that giving is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). As I teach in our new members class, the SBC is not a top-down denomination. Instead, each SBC church is fully autonomous, and we have voluntarily chosen to cooperate together for the sake of missions and theological education. Each year our little church gives a significant amount of money … [Read more...] about 2026 SBC Annual Meeting Report
Willy Rice: “The future of the Cooperative Program is in question.”
Willy Rice is our new SBC president and is a likable fellow. That goes a long way in my book although I don't know if I would have voted for him or not. He has been running for the office (and function) of SBC president for quite a while and has said a lot of things. I don't think anyone argues about how he has been designated as "a reformer" in the secular press and inside the SBC. Will Willy reform the Cooperative Program? Highly doubtful. His quote above is from Ben Cole's podcast where Willy is asked nicely but pointedly about his church giving record. Credit due BC for pursuing … [Read more...] about Willy Rice: “The future of the Cooperative Program is in question.”
The Mohler amendment
Work with me here. Al Mohler’s guy, one Colin Smothers, not only speaks stridently in favor of the motion but makes a smarmy, cheap shot parliamentary move to disallow any opposition to speak. That was a low class no matter that the assembled messengers, snarling with the smell of the red meat of victory, agreed. A true leader, and the three piece suit guy is not one, would have finessed the matter and equalized the discussion. There was a time when blurting out “call the question” was not considered a proper motion. Find a pattern here. We amended the BFM with no discussion. We create … [Read more...] about The Mohler amendment
When Old Jokes Come to Life
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
Mohler Amendment Jumps First Hurdle
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
The SBC has Problems, But It’s Doing Lots of Good, Too
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
GET OFF MY LAWN: Part DEUX
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
Get Off My Lawn: A Grumpy Old Man’s SBC Complaints
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
A Return to Old-Time Southern Baptist Power Politics
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
Point of Personal Privilege: Encourage Tiffany Helms, Okay?
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?