Quick thoughts on today’s Supreme Court decision striking down abortion restrictions (requiring doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospital): First and foremost I’m saddened by the result of this ruling. As someone strongly pro-life, I want every baby given an equal chance at life, and I believe that should be legally guaranteed. Many pro life states have tried to place restrictions on abortion that will pass judicial scrutiny while the pro life movement hopes for the eventual reversal of Roe v. Wade. This tactic has achieved varying levels of success, depending on the … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Abortion Restrictions
No, Mr. White Supremacist, I’m Not ‘Ashamed of My Race’
“Are you ashamed of your race?” I was asked that about two years ago in an unexpected conversation with a white supremacist. He didn’t “wear a hood” he told me, but knew plenty of people who did. I didn’t know that was still a thing. Call me naive. How do I answer that question? Am I ashamed of being a white person? I tried to think quickly because here’s the reality: that question had never, literally ever crossed my mind before. Sometimes you’re slow to answer because you want to word an answer carefully. This wasn’t that. I paused because I had no category and no point of reference to … [Read more...] about No, Mr. White Supremacist, I’m Not ‘Ashamed of My Race’
National Day of Prayer Livestream with SBC Leaders Tomorrow, 2:30pm
Baptist press reports that a National Day of Prayer gathering will be taking place tomorrow, May 7, at 2:30 Eastern. J.D. Greear, SBC Vice President Marshall Ausberry, SBC Second Vice President Noe Garcia, as well as other SBC pastors and leaders will be leading the prayer time. Would you join tomorrow? Would you ask your church to join? It's hard to think of a better time for us to come together in prayer. Join me, @MAusberry, @_Matt_Carter, @plattdavid, church planters, missionaries, & others as we fast and pray together Thursday, May 7 at 2:30pm EST on Facebook @pastorgreear. … [Read more...] about National Day of Prayer Livestream with SBC Leaders Tomorrow, 2:30pm
Would Your Church Consider Baptism Sunday? Fill the Tank on Easter
I've found that intentionally planning a baptism service, even during times we don't have any candidates committed to be baptized has been a helpful way to start conversations about baptism within our church family. I'd recommend that your church consider Baptism Sunday this coming Easter Sunday, April 12. SBC President J.D. Greear and NAMB, along with Ronnie Floyd, state conventions and Associations leadership are working to promote this initiative across the convention. Several of our team here at SBC Voices are planning on joining in. I'm pretty excited because the Sundays we have … [Read more...] about Would Your Church Consider Baptism Sunday? Fill the Tank on Easter
David Uth releases new statement from Pastors’ Conference responding to Executive Committee
Statement from Dr. David Uth regarding SBCPC 2020 February 19, 2020 Available at sbcpc.net. Direct link. On Tuesday, February 18, I learned that the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted to disallow the use of the 2020 SBC venue at the Orange County Convention Center for the 2020 Pastors’ Conference unless we adjust the program of the Pastors Conference to meet the approval of the Executive Committee officers. The action issued a deadline of February 24 for me to decide if we are going to submit an amended program. Yesterday, in separate phone calls I informed J.D. … [Read more...] about David Uth releases new statement from Pastors’ Conference responding to Executive Committee
The SBC Deserves Better: Another Executive Committee Faceplant
The purpose and most basic task of the SBC's Executive Committee is "to act for the convention" between our Annual Meetings. Can we pause and think together about what that means – that the EC should act for the convention? There are multiple definitions of the word "for" but only one of those really makes sense in this case. The EC is supposed to work "on behalf of" Southern Baptist messengers when the convention is not in session. Can we make a basic assumption together? If the EC's duty is to work on behalf of the convention's messengers, doesn't it follow that it shouldn't act against … [Read more...] about The SBC Deserves Better: Another Executive Committee Faceplant
New Credentials Committee Outlines Submission Process
The Biblical Recorder reports that the new SBC Credentials Committee has announced a new online submission process to report church misconduct. This comes after the past Annual Meeting and the decisions by the messengers to rework the Credentials Committee's process and function to allow them to conduct inquiries in the case of churches who are obviously outside of friendly cooperation with the SBC by virtue of mishandling abuse, racism, or other matters of cooperation. The website for submitting information is http://www.sbc.net/credentials Visiting the site you start of with two … [Read more...] about New Credentials Committee Outlines Submission Process
H. B. Charles to Nominate Al Mohler for SBC President at 2020 Annual Meeting
This morning H. B. Charles, pastor of Shiloh Church in Jacksonville, Florida, announced that he intends to nominate Al Mohler for SBC President during the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Dr. Mohler, president of SBTS, had been announced as a nominee for SBC President back in 2008, but eventually withdrew his name from consideration that year due to a health issue. This is quite a bit earlier than we normally see nominations announced, so this is a little out of the ordinary in that sense. For many, Mohler seems a logical choice as he's be one of the most prominent leaders in the SBC for … [Read more...] about H. B. Charles to Nominate Al Mohler for SBC President at 2020 Annual Meeting
A Resolution from Two Years Ago that Speaks to Our Present Reality
It's not the time of year we would normally talk about resolutions. But I don't think I ever posted this two years ago when our state convention passed it. Unanimously, by the way. This was months after the 2017 SBC when we ultimately passed a resolution condemning the Alt-right. Between the SBC's actions in Phoenix (June 2017) and the November annual meeting of the SBC of Virginia, the "Unite the Right" rally was held in Charlottesville. This resolution deals with the intersection of those events. Dwight McKissic's call for the SBC to speak against the Alt-right and White Supremacist … [Read more...] about A Resolution from Two Years Ago that Speaks to Our Present Reality
Trevin Wax explains #SBC19 Resolution Committee’s reasoning on Resolution 9
Trevin Wax, who served on this year's Resolutions Committee, gave some thoughts yesterday on Resolution 9. There's been some criticism of that resolution, which speaks to the issues of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality. You can find the thread on Twitter here. I thought it would be helpful to compile the material here for ease of access and for future reference. This is what Trevin said: I had the privilege this year in serving on the #SBC19 Resolutions Committee under the leadership of Dr. Curtis Woods. I’ve been surprised by all the conversation surrounding Resolution #9, and I’d … [Read more...] about Trevin Wax explains #SBC19 Resolution Committee’s reasoning on Resolution 9