I’ve written already about the nominations expected for President, First and Second Vice President, and Recording Secretary. That leaves what may be the most interesting election of #SBC19 – for registration secretary. Two nominees have been announced at this point. Don Currence, who has served in the role for two years after working closely for years with Jim Wells, longtime Registration Secretary will be nominated by his pastor, Phillip Burden. Currence is the administrative pastor at First Baptist Church in Ozark, MO, and has served there for 26 years. Near the end of May, Jimmy … [Read more...] about #SBC19 Registration Secretary Election – the most interesting choice among the officer elections
#SBC19: Recording secretary election – two good choices for the SBC
Yesterday I wrote about the two elections for First and Second Vice President – Marshal Ausberry and Noe Garcia, respectively. Both nominees the only announced for those roles. The election for recording secretary is a different story. Two nominees have been announced so far. John Yeats, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention will be nominated again for a role he’s held for over 20 years. The SBC recording secretary is responsible for the record of the proceedings of the Southern Baptist Convention, training volunteers for convention business sessions and the final … [Read more...] about #SBC19: Recording secretary election – two good choices for the SBC
#SBC19: Excellent Choices in Officer Elections (1 & 2 VP)
The leadup to #SBC19 hasn't focused much on officer elections. For the three roles of conventions president, first- and second vices presidents, only one nominee for each office has been announced to this point. J. D. Greear will, in all likelihood, be elected without opposition to serve a second year as SBC President. While many of us wished he had been elected back in 2016, it now seems providential that Greear was able to provide leadership for what the convention has faced over the past year and a half. Today's release of Caring Well: A Report from the SBC Sexual Abuse Advisory Group is … [Read more...] about #SBC19: Excellent Choices in Officer Elections (1 & 2 VP)
BREAKING: Sexual Abuse Advisory Group Report Released
The North Carolina Biblical Recorder reports that the SBC Sexual Abuse Advisory Group has been released. 52 pages and the pdf is available for download at caringwell.com/report/ https://twitter.com/biblicalrecord/status/1137415421097697280?s=21 https://twitter.com/biblicalrecord/status/1137415422695956480?s=21 https://twitter.com/biblicalrecord/status/1137415423736143872?s=21 https://twitter.com/biblicalrecord/status/1137415424948285445?s=21 Like the Recorder and many others, we'll be reading the report and will have thoughts and reflections soon. … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Sexual Abuse Advisory Group Report Released
SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative – One Year In
One year ago today Alan Cross and I announced the launch of the SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative. I wanted to celebrate the progress we’ve made this year and update our readers on some of what we’ve seen. The LDI was designed as a networking tool for us to be able to discover and identify Southern Baptists for potential leadership roles who we might otherwise be unaware of, particularly ethnic minorities, women, and lay persons. We want to open the floodgates and remove as many barriers as possible to achieve our goal: A convention where ethnic minority leaders and members, as well as … [Read more...] about SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative – One Year In
Cooperation and Complexity on the Question of Women Preaching
Especially over the past year or two, I believe we’ve moved in a healthy direction. We’ve started to see more clearly the giftedness of our sisters in Christ, how much we should be honoring their service to the church, and how valuable their contribution is. Not everyone has moved in this direction, but thankfully many of us have, myself included. The SBC is complementarian in its viewpoint. That’s not in dispute. Our confession of faith says that the role of pastor (elder) is limited to men. Men and women are of equal worth, value, intelligence, competence, ability AND God intends for men … [Read more...] about Cooperation and Complexity on the Question of Women Preaching
Dr. Walter Strickland of SEBTS Details His Academic & Theological Interaction with James Cone
Today Dr. Walter Strickland posted an article giving context to statements reported by the New York Times last week. Dr. Strickland was elected First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention two years ago and has served at Southeastern Seminary for 6 years, currently as Associate Vice President for Kingdom Diversity and Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology. Dr. Strickland's statement includes some key quotes as follows: Cone, however, represents a theological shift away from that longstanding tradition despite being dubbed the “Father of Black Theology.” … [Read more...] about Dr. Walter Strickland of SEBTS Details His Academic & Theological Interaction with James Cone
Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network
On Monday a group of SBC women leaders launched a new initiative called the SBC Women's Leadership Network. We've heard rumblings for a month or two that something was in the works to give SBC women an avenue for networking and encouragement. The SBC Women’s Leadership Network exists to connect, equip, and encourage women leaders throughout the Southern Baptist Convention as we serve in various forms of kingdom mission. The Women's Leadership Network (WLN) has a steering committee, as listed on their website, an impressive list of SBC leaders like Kathy Litton, Carol Pipes, Amy Whitfield, … [Read more...] about Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network
Resources on Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response
One of the things we've learned recently is that we need to learn a lot more on the subjects of sexual abuse and prevention. Below I've tried to compile a starter list of resources I've found helpful and insightful. Please add resources in the comments you're aware of that will help pastors and churches grow in their understanding of sexual abuse prevention and response. Based on recent discussions, for my Southern Baptist friends, I would especially recommend focusing on understanding the grooming process, and also the understanding the ways abuse victims often react and the struggles they … [Read more...] about Resources on Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response
Lyell Statement on Sexual Abuse Released, Details Circumstances of SBTS Professor Resignation
Yesterday details were made public about a Southern Seminary professor and the circumstances surrounding his resignation. Dr. David Sills resigned in May 2018. Baptist Press gave no specific reason for his resignation at that time but alluded that there were moral concerns. In a statement published at lyellstatementonabuse.com, one of Sills' former students gives her account of what transpired, why she waited to tell her story, and why she decided to go public now. Jennifer Lyell, 2006 graduate of SBTS, says in her statement that 2004 was the first time Sills acted against her. She … [Read more...] about Lyell Statement on Sexual Abuse Released, Details Circumstances of SBTS Professor Resignation