The weather is odd these days. Here in western Iowa, farmers are suffering through a drought that is threatening our corn crops. In Eastern Kentucky, something completely different is happening. I spoke at length over the weekend to an old pal of SBC Voices, the Reverend Dr. C.B. Scott, who less than two weeks ago returned to his previous church, McDowell First Baptist Church, as pastor, after leaving a few years ago first o be Director of Missions and recently the Vice President of a Kentucky Baptist boarding school. He told me about the devastation brought by storms during the middle of the … [Read more...] about Eastern Kentucky Needs YOUR Help
I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This
I was chatting with the guys about our mutual enemy COVID and what is happening with it across the nation. My doctor says it is an ever-present reality now, and isn't going away. My anecdotal evidence tells me that it is not yet time to hang the "Mission Accomplished" banner. There may be some new variations ready to throw curve balls at us. Several of us in that group either have COVID or have had it recently, and at least three of us are members of the "long COVID" club, one you never want to join. After you recover from the acute symptoms of the disease, annoying effects linger, like … [Read more...] about I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This
A Plea to Angry Baptists
I spent four days pounding on this phone, either on this site or Voices Twitter. Once the gavel fell, I gave my fingers a bit of a break, but I've heard from friends that Saul of Tarsus did not have any harsher words on the road to Damascus than some of those being posted by certain 1689ers and CBNers. Many are threatening to leave the SBC over our liberalism, our wokeness, our sinful worldliness, our failure to fully embrace abolitionist views - the grievances are many and the passions are strong. I have been in several discussions where people said, "I wish they'd just leave." Two … [Read more...] about A Plea to Angry Baptists
Resolutions, Advocacy, and the SBC
As we could have expected, Bart Barber and the Resolutions Committee did a great job of bringing forward solid, biblical resolutions that express our united view as Southern Baptists. If you look at some of the rejected resolutions, it is clear that some are weaponizing the process to force the SBC to adopt their narrow views on controversial issues. Southern Baptists are united in our opposition to abortion. There is a resolution expressing that. It unifies us as a pro-life convention. Under that pro-life umbrella, we differ on strategy. Resolutions that seek to politicize and … [Read more...] about Resolutions, Advocacy, and the SBC
Jay Adkins’ Statement to the EC
Jay was given the opportunity to address the EC today in regards to the response to his motion last year, concerning legal conflicts of interest at the EC. Here is his statement. Thank you Mr. President for the opportunity to speak to this particular concern of mine. May I start by offering a word of thanks that after a bit of a faux pas yesterday morning, I was approached by our new lawyers, our chief parliamentarian and our interim EC President yesterday afternoon. They were very kind in their engagement with me and our Brother, President Willie McLaurin (of whom I’ve become a big fan) … [Read more...] about Jay Adkins’ Statement to the EC
That Time I Was Wrong
A few years back there were 5 or 6 openings for leaders at our entities. Here at Voices we strongly advocated for at least one of those leaders to be a minority. The best chance for that to happen was New Orleans Seminary where one of the final candidates was an African American. I wanted him to be selected so badly and was disappointed when Dr. Jamie Dew was announced. I know you folks think I am always right and can never imagine me being wrong (right?) but I was wrong that day. So wrong. Jamie Dew is my favorite entity leader of all of them. That is not an aspersion on others, … [Read more...] about That Time I Was Wrong
Wednesday Schedule Revised
There's preaching, prayer, and praise, but there's also business. 8:55 Election (Fourth) First Vice President Get to the hall now! 9:00 EC recommendations 9:55 Election (Fifth) Second Vice President 11:35 Previously Scheduled Business This is, I believe, when the motion to defund and disband the ERLC will be brought forward. 11:45 CoB report Third Afternoon 2:50 CoB (Fourth) 3:00 Committee on Resolutions (Part 2) 3:30 Previously Scheduled Business … [Read more...] about Wednesday Schedule Revised
Nathan Finn Is Recording Secretary
Nathan Finn, to the surprise of many, won election as our recording secretary without a runoff. I will not be surprised if he does a great job and we want to keep him on as long as we kept Dr. Yeats. Here's the record: Total registration- 8085 Votes - 5335 David Roach - 741 13.94% Nathan Finn - 2727 51.3% Javier Chavez - 1836 34.54% Congratulations, Dr. Finn. … [Read more...] about Nathan Finn Is Recording Secretary
Bart Barber Wins the Runoff Handily
Here are the key stats. 8098 registered Messengers. 5587 voted Bart Barber received 3401 votes, for 60.87%. Tom Ascol got 2172 votes on 39.88% I floated back to the hotel. I have never been so sure the right man was elected!! … [Read more...] about Bart Barber Wins the Runoff Handily
Disposition of Previous Motions
Referred to SEBTS- Michelle Lesley motion. Referred TO SBTS- DWIGHT McKissic motion. Referred to EC Tom Rush - no Executive Sessions Michael Law - adding an item to the Constitution Matt Dunn - pro-Israel statement in BF&M Samuel Gilliam- trustee contact info Toby Brogdan- ?? Nathan Stuller- adding article 15 Rob Collinsworth- independent BP Mark Spence-do away with Resolutions Committee One I couldn't hear...sorry Jay Adkins motion Jason Sampler motion on limits to board service. Keith Myers on adding a day to the calendar focusing on abuse and … [Read more...] about Disposition of Previous Motions