I have never come into a convention with less of an idea of how things will go. There were two votes that may give a hint. First, Tom Ascol made a poorly constructed motion which was ruled out of order, asking that any entity that affirmed CRT be defunded. He appealed the ruling of the chair and needed 2/3 to support him. He got about 1/3. The Business and Financial Plan went down in flames - perhaps 99.9%. I could see maybe a dozen who voted for it. In 40 years, I have never seen the Executive Committee so completely repudiated. The CBN guys at the EC pushed this plan as a … [Read more...] about Early Returns: Two Key Votes
An Appeal: Reject the Executive Committee’s Business and Financial Plan
The Executive Committee is meant to be a coordinating and enabling group but in the last couple of years they have lost sight of their purpose. Gradually, they are seeking to take more of control over other entities. Instead of doing what they are supposed to do, they are gradually seeking to become the ruling elders of the SBC. That is NOT acceptable. Their Business and Financial Plan changes things in ways that need to be rejected, especially in this tumultuous time when the messengers may be asking for multiple investigations of the EC. It is not time to give this dysfunctional … [Read more...] about An Appeal: Reject the Executive Committee’s Business and Financial Plan
And Now…It Begins! Resolutions Report
We will act on resolutions today in distinction to previous years. The full report is out and available online.. There are 10 resolutions. Resolution 1: on Baptist unity and our public witness. Resolution 2: On the sufficiency of Scripture for race and racial reconciliation (This loosely addresses the CRT issue, though not directly.) Resolution 3: On taxpayer complicity in abortion and the Hyde Amendment. Resolution 4: On the Equality Act Resolution 5: On abuse and pastoral qualifications. Resolution 6: On sole membership Resolution 7: On Christian … [Read more...] about And Now…It Begins! Resolutions Report
Matt Henslee WINS!! Pastors Conference Nominations – LIVE Updates
The first nomination was a surprise - Austin Adams from Chicago. Vance Pitman is now nominating Matt Carter. Kyle Walker is nominating Jamar Andrews. Bruce Chester is nominating Greg Davidson from Vacaville California. Josh Reavis is nominating Matt Henslee. NOTE: We were told that ONLY senior pastors should vote. Sorry, women! Also, we are told that order of nomination was a random draw. Voting: pastors are asked to stand. Matt Henslee wins easily … [Read more...] about Matt Henslee WINS!! Pastors Conference Nominations – LIVE Updates
The EC Is Reminding Us Why Change Is Needed
As is normal, the Executive Committee is meeting today and they seem engaged in the task of reminding us just how badly change is needed there. Ronnie Floyd has been regaling them with how wonderful "we are" and they have been taking actions that say the opposite. Jared Wellman brought a motion to expand the investigation to include Rachael Denhollander'd suggested alterations. It was defeated. It becomes increasingly suspicious that Ronnie is seeking to use his investigation to avoid a real investigation. Rumors have been swirling about actions the CBN-controlled faction will seek to … [Read more...] about The EC Is Reminding Us Why Change Is Needed
SBC Voices Dinner tonight at Jack’s BBQ
It is getting harder to schedule a get-together for the SBC Voices family at the convention. We will be gathering at Jack's BBQ on Broadway, a brief walk from the convention center. We will seek to reserve some tables and have room when the IMB sending service dismisses. (5:30 to 6:00 pm). YOU are invited. Sorry- you pay your own check. Get your food and come upstairs. NOTE: if you walk out of the front of the MCC to Broadway, cross the street, Jack's will be there just a few doors down. … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Dinner tonight at Jack’s BBQ
Contributors: Convention Chaos Rules Apply
Normally, we try to space our articles by at least 5 hours or so, to give each article a fair chance to get read. Sometimes a post goes up accidentally or there is breaking news and we jump in. About 361 days a year we strive for order in the publication of posts. When the 4 days of the Pastors' Conference (SEND this year) and the Annual Meeting roll around, we drop the rules and institute "convention chaos." Publish when ready. There may be multiple posts within minutes. This post is just to remind our authors that if you have posts about anything other than convention business, … [Read more...] about Contributors: Convention Chaos Rules Apply
When Owen Strachan Was Woke – WE Didn’t Change, THEY Did
The meme among those who find the pursuit of justice - active opposition to racism, dealing with abuse, etc - to be contrary to gospel Christianity is that it is new, an innovation that departs from the settled faith of our fathers. They repeat constantly that we (woke Christians, etc) are seeking to bring back liberalism and lead the convention to the left. One of the chief voices among them is Owen Strachan, until recently at MBTS, now at an obscure seminary in Arkansas. An article from 2014 was circulating yesterday which Owen Strachan wrote. It says EVERYTHING that we are saying today, … [Read more...] about When Owen Strachan Was Woke – WE Didn’t Change, THEY Did
Why Can’t We Just Fire Ronnie Floyd?
A friend asked me this question on Facebook messenger. Why can't we just make a motion and hold a vote to fire Ronnie Floyd from the Executive Committee? His leadership during these troubling times has been anything but unifying and inspirational. While conflagrations in the SBC have been igniting all around us, he has sent out articles about public invitations, and reminded us that "now is the time to lead." We need an inspiring statesman to draw us together but Ronnie seems more a flailing politician. There is a rising sentiment that the heart of the problem in SBC is the Executive … [Read more...] about Why Can’t We Just Fire Ronnie Floyd?
The Racially Insensitive Comments about Trillia Newbell were Made by…
Yesterday, a letter from Dr. Russell Moore to the trustees of the ERLC was leaked. In it, he explains his reasons for leaving the ERLC (and now, the SBC). He realized that his enemies at the Executive Committee were seeking to make him live in "psychological terror" and he was not willing to do that anymore. He recounted the years of abuse of power by leaders at the EC. The full text of the article can be read here. In the article, Dr. Moore said something that infuriated many people. I will copy that paragraph in full Another SBC leader used constant pressure against me in protest of our … [Read more...] about The Racially Insensitive Comments about Trillia Newbell were Made by…