I had trouble finding a seat, and I got here a little after 8:30. Registration is at about 7000 right now-in a non-election year. Anecdotally, from my observation, the crowd seems younger and more diverse. Right now there is enthusiasm in the room. Obviously, there are landmines out there. We punted the sex abuse issue for decades and it has smacked us in in the choppers. The response to the abuse report will define this convention. J.D. has led well and the abuse workgroup has proved its worth. I believe we will do right on this one. But, at the … [Read more...] about Rumors of the Demise of the SBC May Have Been Exaggerated
ERLC: Sexual Abuse and the SBC Conference
Philip Bethancourt moderating. Panelists: Russell Moore, Beth Moore, Susan Cadony?, J.D. Greear, Rachael Denhollander. They are talking faster than I can type. These are NOT quotes. I will be constantly updating this. Rachael - 1. Survivor community loves the church and finds hope in the gospel. 2. Unity that comes from silence and doesn't confront sin is not real unity. Enforcing unity through silence is not godly. 3. The survivor community is used to hearing words without actions. There is skepticism because of the movement by some because they are used to their.stories not being … [Read more...] about ERLC: Sexual Abuse and the SBC Conference
David Platt’s Pastors’ Conference Message
SBC Voices Dinner…at “The Southern” at 4:30
Or 5...or 5:30...or...you might want to check if you are coming that late. … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Dinner…at “The Southern” at 4:30
JD Greear’s Presidential Report
Gave a very affirming report, hopeful that the EC would deal well with the issue of sexual abuse. Encouraged unity and assuming the best of one another. Summary highlights: How we respond to this crisis will shape the perception of Southern Baptists for years or generations to come. Baptist pastors are horrified to learn what had happened and want to be led. The cost and difficulty of dealing with this will be great. The cost and difficulty of not dealing with sexual abuse will be even greater. We must move forward. Some have said this is a distraction and that we should get … [Read more...] about JD Greear’s Presidential Report
Ronnie Floyd’s First EC Report
After a long walk all over this convention center we found the site of the EC meeting at the moment Ronnie Floyd began his address. He said his report would be brief. It was. He is moving to Nashville and has sold his home in Arkansas. I ran into Dr. Floyd yesterday and he enthusiastically told me to contact him and said he wants to work together. He made a brief report to leave time for the big issues that lay ahead. … [Read more...] about Ronnie Floyd’s First EC Report
If You Criticized (Or Supported) David Platt…
Watch his PC message! He is preaching blessed are the meek and used his experience of the last week as a model. He explained his reasons for praying for Trump and then made an equally strong case for why he might not have done it. He modelled meekness and humility and spoke of how pastors can respond to criticism. Home run! I will post it here when it is released on vimeo. … [Read more...] about If You Criticized (Or Supported) David Platt…
Carpe Diem…The Plan for Today
Headed over to hear David Platt at the PC, then several of us are going to the EC meeting, hoping not to get blocked by executive sessions. Lunch and more PC time will lead to our dinner at "The Southern" which begins at 4:30 and ends when we stop talking. I sat through all 3 sermons last night of the Pastors' Conference and I think it is going to be a good one this year. They are working through the Beatitudes and each message last night was a good treatment. Would love to meet you. One thing about bloggers - we are all nicer in person than online. Except for Blosser. He's the … [Read more...] about Carpe Diem…The Plan for Today
Ed Litton’s Powerful Pastors’ Conference Message
My first Pastors' Conference was in 1979, the year the Conservative Resurgence started. Electricity filled the air as man after man stood up, preached the word, upheld the perfection of that word, and planted the seed from which the CR grew. Tonight, I heard a sermon that could walk tall among the best PC messages I have heard. Ed Litton preached on "Blessed are those who mourn." The whole sermon is great, but it is the part that begins at minute 25 that was particularly powerful - directly addressing issues in the SBC. Ed Litton did not seem to have the support of everyone in … [Read more...] about Ed Litton’s Powerful Pastors’ Conference Message
SBC Voices Dinner Monday – 4:30 PM at “The Southern”
It was foreordained. Last night, Jenni and I walked the convention area with Scott Gordon and his often poorly behaved wife Rhonda checking for a place we could invite you to gather with us. We like to have an SBC Voices get together each year. In the end, the decision was made for us. We explored the local BBQ establishment known as Saws...you need to go but my living room is bigger. If 15 of us showed up we'd have to shut the doors. There's a make your own pizza place called "Your Pie" and we could have called it "Shut Your Pie Hole." Appropriate for a bloggers gathering, … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Dinner Monday – 4:30 PM at “The Southern”