Last year I spent about 30 minutes in the convention hall - I was toast after the PC. This year I plan to do better but I won't be in the room gavel to gavel. Does anyone except the president and the parliamentarian spend every moment in the hall? Of course, everything that goes on matters but you have to pick and choose. I would point out a few times that might be significant. My choices here are focused on the business times, not messages, times of worship, and other important segments. NOTE: The times are not sacrosanct. The convention often runs ahead. If we are running ahead on … [Read more...] about Key Moments during #SBC18
We Are Entering Convention “Free-for-all” Mode
I am at my hotel getting ready to head over to the convention site and so are most of our group. That means that we are entering convention mode. Only posts about the SBC will appear. We won't likely take submissions, though you can send them. It is likely they will be overlooked in the busyness of the next 4 days. If you are a contributor and have something, just post it, even if something else just posted. We are likely to have a lot of short posts rather than longer ones. Check @sbcvoices for ongoing info. We will try to post news and reactions for those of you who are … [Read more...] about We Are Entering Convention “Free-for-all” Mode
SBC: Is This a Time for Lament?
I have a confession to make. I believe with all my heart that the Bible is inspired, word by word, and that it is truth without any mixture of error. But when I read through the Bible there are portions that I will sometimes skim a little more carelessly than others. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles may not get my word for word attention as Romans 8 does. I don't give Leviticus' instructions on infectious skin disease, bodily discharge, and mildew the same rapt attention that I give 2 Corinthians 4 and 5. And, when my assigned reading has been Lamentations I may have let my eyes glaze a … [Read more...] about SBC: Is This a Time for Lament?
How to Destroy Good Men
I think there's a union somewhere - the Difficult Deacons Association. They send out one or two to almost every Baptist church (hopefully only one or two). When one member of the DDA moves on, another one is appointed to take his place. I also have had a trickle of folks from the Cantankerous Members Union at my churches. We get upset about the Difficult Deacons (or Exasperating Elders) or the Cantankerous Members and try to figure out ways to silence them. I've actually known of pastors who sought to put such people on church discipline because of their lack of support for his "vision" for … [Read more...] about How to Destroy Good Men
Statement by Kevin Ueckert, Chair of Trustees at SWBTS
Kevin Ueckert, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at SWBTS, has released this statement at the Southwestern website. Based on a number of follow-up questions I have received this week, I am providing this additional statement related to our May 30, 2018 statement. The unanimous decision by the Executive Committee to immediately terminate Dr. Paige Patterson was prayerfully considered and warranted. We confirmed this week through a student record, made available to me with permission, that an allegation of rape was indeed made by a female student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary … [Read more...] about Statement by Kevin Ueckert, Chair of Trustees at SWBTS
Thoughts on the Removal Of Dr. Paige Patterson
Often, we get advanced warning about big events but yesterday's decision came as a complete shock to us here. I knew that the trustees had received a report on the Washington Post article during their meeting and decided to wait until they were able to get all the facts before acting on it, but I had no idea that the action would come this quickly and this decisively. In the last year the two icons of the Conservative Resurgence, Judge Pressler and Dr. Patterson, have taken hits to their reputations and legacies. I would have never believed that the tenure of Dr. Patterson would end with an … [Read more...] about Thoughts on the Removal Of Dr. Paige Patterson
Breaking: Paige Patterson Has Been Terminated Immediately from SWBTS
A statement has just been released by the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Seminary that Dr. Paige Patterson has been immediately terminated as a result of the information concerning the handling of the sexual abuse allegation at Southeastern. All of the previous benefits granted to Dr. Patterson have been revoked. The full statement can also be found on the SWBTS website. During the May 30, 2018, Executive Committee meeting of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) Board of Trustees, new information confirmed this morning was presented regarding the handling of an … [Read more...] about Breaking: Paige Patterson Has Been Terminated Immediately from SWBTS
Dr. Jason Allen’s Resolution on “On Affirming the Dignity of Women and the Holiness of Ministers”
Dr. Jason K. Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has released a resolution which he has submitted for consideration at the SBC Annual Meeting. It is signed by entity heads, by President Steve Gaines, by both presidential candidates, by past SBC presidents, many of our state executives (I did not check to see how many did or did not sign), and by many mega metro pastors. The resolution is printed below in full. Dr. Allen's commentary on the resolution can be found at his website and is well worth reading. This resolution is well-written and much-needed. As the … [Read more...] about Dr. Jason Allen’s Resolution on “On Affirming the Dignity of Women and the Holiness of Ministers”
Southern Baptists, This Is a Time for War
I guess you know, this means war. How many times did Bugs Bunny utter those words to one of his antagonists in the cartoons of my youth? I believe the words are apt today. We are at war. The Southern Baptist Convention, its entities, its churches, and its people are at war. It is a long and brutal war and it will not end until the day we see Jesus face to face. A state of war exists in the SBC, but it is a war that we are fighting badly. We are fighting the wrong war against the wrong enemies using the wrong weapons. Paul warned the Corinthians of just such a problem when he gave … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists, This Is a Time for War
Lord, Send a Revival, and Let It Begin…
Things are a mess in the SBC right now, aren't they? I don't think I have to argue that. The convention held its breath for 13 hours yesterday while the trustees of SWBTS debated the future of Dr. Paige Patterson as president. Their decision is a matter of debate throughout the SBC and few are fully satisfied. I am an old-fashioned old-fogey and I believe in the "trust the trustees" mantra. They did not reach the decision I'd have wished for but they had information I do not and I am willing to yield to their wisdom. Social media is a hot mess. The hostility, the crassness, the profane … [Read more...] about Lord, Send a Revival, and Let It Begin…