The ERLC controversy of a month or so ago has thankfully died down. I do not wish to revisit that controversy except to say that I am thankful for an open letter that was released today by the Louisiana Baptist Convention's Executive Board. This letter was written because a motion was made at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention asking the LBC's Executive Board to “study the recent actions of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission with regard to issues of concern to Louisiana Baptists.” The messengers voted to refer the matter to the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...] about Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Executive Board pens open letter to Russell Moore and ERLC Trustees
H.B. Charles to be Nominated as SBC PC President
It was announced today in Baptist Press that H.B. Charles Jr. will be nominated to serve as the president of 2018 Pastors' Conference in Dallas, TX. He will be nominated by Ken Whitten. It was previously announced that Brad Graves would be nominated for the office, but he has announced that he is stepping aside to clear the way for Charles to be elected as the first African American president of the Pastors' Conference. H.B. Charles is the pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He was one of the preachers for the 2016 conference in St. Louis and is scheduled … [Read more...] about H.B. Charles to be Nominated as SBC PC President
Does CP Giving Matter for SBC Officers?
I want to be clear. This is not a post about any particular candidate for any particular office within the SBC. In writing this piece, I am not intending to call into question the Cooperative Program giving of any particular SBC church. But this seems to be a discussion worth having. How much is enough? 10%? 5%? Does it even matter? What if a church does all of their giving through Nashville and little to none of it through their state convention? Since not all state conventions are created equal, does it matter what state the church is located in? As you can see, I have a lot of … [Read more...] about Does CP Giving Matter for SBC Officers?
Jose Abella to be Nominated as SBC 2nd Vice President
Dr. Michael Lewis, Pastor of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, GA, has announced to Baptist Press that he will nominate Jose Abella for the office of 2nd Vice President of the SBC at the 2017 annual meeting. This news breaks just over a month before we convene in Phoenix, AZ for the Southern Baptist Convention. Abella is the Lead Pastor of Providence Road Church in Miami, FL. He is a graduate of The College at Southeastern and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity. Below are some quotes from the Baptist Press article announcing the nomination. From Lewis: "Jose is a … [Read more...] about Jose Abella to be Nominated as SBC 2nd Vice President
Walter Strickland to be Nominated as SBC 1st Vice President
Dr. James Merritt, former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, has announced to Baptist Press that he will nominate Walter Strickland for the office of 1st Vice President of the SBC at the 2017 annual meeting. This is exciting news as we plan to gather in Phoenix, AZ in just over a month. Strickland is a graduate (M.Div and Th.M.) of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Aberdeen. Strickland also serves as the Special Advisor to the President for Diversity & Instructor of Theology at SEBTS. His responsibilities in … [Read more...] about Walter Strickland to be Nominated as SBC 1st Vice President
Lots of Positive Buzz Surrounding 2017 SBC Pastors’ Conference
Has there ever been an SBC Pastor’s Conference with more positive buzz surrounding it than this year’s conference? We all know that the Pastor’s Conference was once an important tool used by the leaders of the Conservative Resurgence to rally the troops to elect conservative SBC presidents and return the convention to biblical orthodoxy. We remember how the 2010 conference focused on the Great Commission Resurgence and was perhaps influential in that way. But usually the Pastor’s Conference is somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to the annual meeting. Not this year. This year’s … [Read more...] about Lots of Positive Buzz Surrounding 2017 SBC Pastors’ Conference
2017 SBC Committee On Nominations Releases Report
One of the signs that the SBC Annual Meeting is fast approaching is the announcement in Baptist Press of the nominees to serve on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, the four denominational boards -- International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources, and GuideStone Financial Resources, -- the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the six seminaries, and the Committee on Order of Business. The announcement is usually pretty unnoteworthy. I must admit that I did not read through the entire list. But as far as I know, this year's … [Read more...] about 2017 SBC Committee On Nominations Releases Report
SBC PC: A Video Interview with Jose Abella
This year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference is June 11-12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will feature 12 preachers who all come from average-size SBC churches. They will be preaching through the book of Philippians over the course of the two day conference. As you know, the speakers for the conference met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a colloquium back in February. The speakers gathered to get to know one another and study Philippians with Dr. David Allen and other preaching faculty members from SWBTS and NOBTS. I had the privilege of attending the colloquium, and one … [Read more...] about SBC PC: A Video Interview with Jose Abella
Of Course Evangelism is a Spiritual Gift
Every so often I hear someone make the statement that evangelism is not a spiritual gift. Usually this is said in an effort to keep Christians from thinking that they are off the hook when it comes to sharing their faith just because they do not feel particularly gifted in evangelism. The intention is good. Lots of Christians either really believe that it is someone else's job to do evangelism, or they just don't care that they are neglecting their job. The Bible is clear. We are all called to evangelize. Jesus did not place any limitations on The Great Commission. He spoke directly … [Read more...] about Of Course Evangelism is a Spiritual Gift
SBC PC: A Video Interview with Nathan Rose
This year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference is June 11-12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will feature 12 preachers who all come from average-size SBC churches. They will be preaching through the book of Philippians over the course of the two day conference. As you know, the speakers for the conference met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a colloquium back in February. The speakers gathered to get to know one another and study Philippians with Dr. David Allen and other preaching faculty members from SWBTS and NOBTS. I had the privilege of attending the colloquium, and one … [Read more...] about SBC PC: A Video Interview with Nathan Rose