Good decisions are seldom made on the basis of distrust, suspicion, accusation, and insinuation. Yesterday, the EC brought a recommendation concerning convention voting procedures. An amendment was brought to keep the quorum provision in place. His reasoning had to do with suspicions that the powers-that-be would try to sneak through business at odd hours so that the messengers wouldn't have a fair chance to vote. I was shocked to see that the convention bought that argument. Every piece of business transacted is publicly announced from the stage. The man who spoke was dead wrong. You … [Read more...] about We Made a Bad Decision
David Platt – IMB REPORT #SBC15
David Platt came out like a bull in a china shop, with his characteristic passion! He is rethinking and reimagining the entire mission structure of the SBC. We topped out at 5600 messengers, are moving down now toward 4200. And this year the IMB operated at a deficit of 20,800,000. This cannot continue. The problem is that the IMB has had a very narrow funnel in getting missionaries to the field. Full-time people. He wants to open the funnel and get as many channels as possible to get people to the mission field. He wants to open the door for as many people as possible to go. He … [Read more...] about David Platt – IMB REPORT #SBC15
A Time of Prayer #SBC15
I hope we never become so sophisticated that a call to prevailing prayer is disdained in any way. This a beautiful thing. Pray. Lay down the weapons and pray. … [Read more...] about A Time of Prayer #SBC15
Resolutions #SBC15
Resolutions don't appear to be very contoversial. Res. 4 On Racial Reconciliation Looks good. No racists opposed it! Res 5. Marriage. Straightforward. K. Ross opposes the resolution because it represents a weaker form of warfare. The church is to share the gospel. (He doesn't seem to have read the resolution.) The committee responds and asks that we adopt the resolution. (Note - I get personally get annoyed with the "we prayed about it" response as if that should sway the day. I'm glad they prayed and took their job seriously but the fact that they prayed about it doesn't … [Read more...] about Resolutions #SBC15
Welcome to the (2nd VP) Club, Chad Keck #SBC15
He, too, had no one run against him, and he was elected by a 1-0 vote by Jim Wells, identical to President and First, Vice President. I don't remember a time when there was not a single contested election. Can anyone else? … [Read more...] about Welcome to the (2nd VP) Club, Chad Keck #SBC15
Executive Committee Part 2 #SBC15
Rec 6- Changing the name of Golden Gate to Gateway Seminary. No quetion, No opposition. Rec. 5 - On Voting William Bosch moves to amend to leave the quorom as it is. There will be a ballot vote on the amendment. we think the amendment fails narrowly, but its close. Now we have to wait for counting before we can finish this i rec. 7. - NAMB no questions. No opposition.No time to read it because we are all still voting. … [Read more...] about Executive Committee Part 2 #SBC15
First Vice President Election #SBC15
Steve Dighton? from Kansas is nominated by Jack Graham. He's the only nominee. Looks like Jim Wells is the only guy who is gonna get to vote on an officer. … [Read more...] about First Vice President Election #SBC15
Nominations #SBC15
Report is presented in bulletin. 16% of nominations are ethnic nominees. Brent Hobbs moves an amendment. Replace Thom Polvogt of First Baptist Church of Katy with Johnson Ellis from Prestonwood church in Dallas. Speaks highly of Johnson Ellis, who was born on the mission field and has been a part of mission work all his life. Joshua Crutchfield of Texas speaks on behalf of Thom Polvogt. The amendment fails by a large margin. I've never seen it work to replace a committee nominee. During the time of the CR, there was a policy put in place that you were not allowed to speak … [Read more...] about Nominations #SBC15
Introduction of Motions (Part 2) #SBC15
Here we go again! David Roberts - NAMB, IMB, and LifeWay work togetehr to figure out how to support Campus leaders/ministries. (People, don't give a speech, just make your motion!) Didn't get name - Bring back the shuttle service! Mike Scott - Boycott Zondervan and Thomas Nelson because they are owned by Rupert Murdoch. Wiley Drake - Ask Ronnie Floyd to pray something about forgiveness of sins and healing our land. Jason Lozier(?) - establish an SBC men's ministry program. Can I just observe, folks, that if you are going to make a motion, you need to do your … [Read more...] about Introduction of Motions (Part 2) #SBC15
Guidestone Report #SBC15
They are looking for efficiency. Guidestone is in the top 20% of mutual funds for 17 consecutive quarters. New group health insurance program allows for groups as small as 2 in churches. 1/2 of the claims paid are for preventable illnesses. Baptist preachers do NOT have healthy lifesyles. That raises our rates for everyone. … [Read more...] about Guidestone Report #SBC15