Virginia SBC Messengers Meeting with Rachael Denhollander Pastors Adam Blosser and Brent Hobbs are hosting a Zoom meeting with SBC Sex Abuse Task Force advisor Rachael Denhollander for pastors and church leaders, and those serving as SBC messengers. The meeting is an opportunity to hear more information about the recommendations from the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force that will be presented at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA. You can read about the recommendations here. You will have an opportunity to hear from Rachael and ask questions you may have about the recommendations. Please … [Read more...] about Upcoming Event for Virginia Pastors & Messengers: Zoom Call with Rachael Denhollander, Monday, 2:30pm EDT
Privilege, Master Process, and More: Details from the SA Task Force you may have missed
This document was released on Tuesday, but if you're like me, you may have missed it or not read it fully because of the Executive Committee meeting taking place that day. I think it's worth reposting here because it contains a lot of helpful details as well as answering a lot of the common objections we keep hearing over and over again. This is the report of the Task Force related to the contract negotiations requested by the Executive Committee regarding the engagement of a third-party firm to conduct an independent investigation of the Executive Committee. Available at the Sexual Abuse … [Read more...] about Privilege, Master Process, and More: Details from the SA Task Force you may have missed
Historian Nathan Finn on SBC Fundamentalism, Then and Now
Twitter thread this morning from Nathan Finn, Baptist historian and Dean at North Greenville University in South Carolina. I thought this was worth compiling here for future reference and ease of access: https://twitter.com/nathanafinn/status/1407684504727080967 My dissertation was titled “The Development of Baptist Fundamentalism in the South, 1940-1980.” As a church historian and committed Southern Baptist, I thought I’d share some thoughts on our history and the current tensions within the SBC. 1/ I define fundamentalism as militant conservative dissent against progressive trends … [Read more...] about Historian Nathan Finn on SBC Fundamentalism, Then and Now
Eight Key Victories in Nashville at #SBC21
#SBC21 is in the books and it's a convention we'll all remember for years to come. I went in unsure of what to expect, and came home encouraged. Here are eight key victories I believe we saw last week in Nashville. 1. Motion for convention-wide voluntary assessment of abuse Leading up to the convention, most attention was on the Gaines/Parrott motion published in the lead up to the Annual Meeting and in the aftermath of the Russell Moore letters. See #2 for more on that motion. But behind the scenes, Todd Benkert had been working for months with counsel from survivor advocates on a plan to … [Read more...] about Eight Key Victories in Nashville at #SBC21
The SBC Executive Committee Needs Change. Here’s Why We Should Elect Adam Blosser Tomorrow Morning. #SBC21
In a bizarre parliamentary situation, the nomination speeches for SBC Recording Secretary were given near the end of the business session this evening, but the vote will not take place until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Messengers tomorrow may not get to hear the speeches again. We think it's important for you to hear why a vote for Adam Blosser is a vote for change at the SBC Executive Committee. Full Speech Text Southern Baptists have come to realize how desperately the Executive Committee needs to change, and it is my pleasure to nominate Adam Blosser as Recording Secretary today as … [Read more...] about The SBC Executive Committee Needs Change. Here’s Why We Should Elect Adam Blosser Tomorrow Morning. #SBC21
#SBC21 Endorsement: Ramon Medina for 2VP (by Grant Gaines)
On Tuesday afternoon I’ll be nominating Pastor Ramon Medina for the position of Second Vice President of the SBC, and I hope you’ll prayerfully consider voting for him. With all the significant issues facing our convention right now, it’s vitally important for the newly elected SBC president to have qualified voices surrounding him to help lead our convention. We need high ranking elected officers who will have a team mentality to leadership and who will help Southern Baptists unite together for the purpose of advancing gospel mission and pursuing reconciliation. Pastor Ramon is that kind … [Read more...] about #SBC21 Endorsement: Ramon Medina for 2VP (by Grant Gaines)
These Additional Steps Needed in SBC EC Investigation
Recently the SBC Executive Committee announced that they had hired Guidepost Solutions to conduct an "independent process assessment" in response to "recent accusations of the inappropriate handling of sexual abuse claims." Response was varied, from affirming to skeptical to critical. The first question was about the firm they hired. Guidepost has handled some high-profile abuse cases recently. While some were skeptical, others praised the organization for its strong track record. Rachael Denhollander, a voice I trust more than any other on this subject, affirmed Guidepost, but relayed … [Read more...] about These Additional Steps Needed in SBC EC Investigation
Nashville, We Have a Problem. Al Mohler Is Not the Answer.
We’re only a few days away from the SBC Presidential Election. It’s the time of year when people who aren’t paying much attention the rest of the year begin to consider the choices they’ll make at the Annual Meeting. I know many people have already made up their minds about who they’ll be voting for in Nashville. But there may be some who are still considering which nominee is the best choice. I’d like to offer some thoughts on the vote for SBC President, especially knowing that Al Mohler has the highest name recognition among those being nominated. I’m someone who should be a likely … [Read more...] about Nashville, We Have a Problem. Al Mohler Is Not the Answer.
SBC Whistleblower Report: Southern Baptist leaders on sexual abuse in their own words
This report and letter were released earlier today by Phillip Bethancourt to confirm the accuracy of events as described in Russell Moore's letters that were made public last week. June 10, 2021 To: Mike Stone, Ronnie Floyd CC: Rolland Slade, JD Greear Mike and Ronnie, I am writing to you in regard to your public responses to the recently publicized letters from Russell Moore. Ronnie, you said you “do not have the same recollection” of the events. Mike, your video called Moore’s claims “absolutely slanderous,” “ungodly,” and an “outrageous … [Read more...] about SBC Whistleblower Report: Southern Baptist leaders on sexual abuse in their own words
Russell Moore Letter to SBC President on the Current Crisis in the SBC [Full Text]
May 31, 2021 J.D. Greear President Southern Baptist Convention The Summit Church Durham, North Carolina Dear J.D., As I said to you the other night, you have my prayers as you go into your last Southern Baptist Convention meeting as president in a historically long—and even more historically accomplished—presidency. One of the great joys of the last eight years has been working alongside you on issues of monumental importance for the witness of the church. Some of the letter below is almost verbatim what I said to my own board officers last February. … [Read more...] about Russell Moore Letter to SBC President on the Current Crisis in the SBC [Full Text]