Last spring, the ERLC invited me to speak as part of a panel the night before the SBC Annual Meeting in Birmingham, my hometown and just miles from where my abuse occurred. The symbolism of speaking in the same town about the worst evil I have encountered in church overwhelmed me, and I trembled backstage waiting to enter the room. Then I met Dr. Moore. Noticing my agitation at telling my story publicly for the first time, Dr. Moore broke the tension by telling me stories about his children, and then helpfully explained that I would not be able to see anyone because of the stage lights. He … [Read more...] about The ERLC Is Imperative (Dr. Susan Codone)
Like a Broken Cup and Superglue (Dr. David Norman)
Each year, Southern Baptists gather before the annual meeting for the SBC Pastor’s Conference. During this time, Baptists are treated to some of the best preaching the convention (and often, the larger evangelical world) has to offer. This week, Baptist Press released the speaker list for the 2020 SBC Pastor’s Conference scheduled in Orlando. But before considering the list of names published in Baptist Press, I think it’s worth considering that which is most-needed by the convention family during this time. Our Southern Baptist family is not well. We are wounded. For some, the reports … [Read more...] about Like a Broken Cup and Superglue (Dr. David Norman)
Suspended & Silenced by an SBC Pastor (Dr. Susan Codone)
Dr. Susan Codone is an "SBC Voice" - an active and supportive Southern Baptist. Her approach to this issue has been direct but it has honored local church autonomy. The church in question is free to do as it chooses, but she is also free to dissent and to put public pressure on that church when it does something that violates her conscience. Susan is a professor at Mercer University, an abuse survivor, a powerful voice within the SBC on issues of sexual abuse, and has spoken at ERLC and other SBC events. Here is Susan's story. Timothy Pigg, pastor of Fellowship Church in Immokalee, Florida, … [Read more...] about Suspended & Silenced by an SBC Pastor (Dr. Susan Codone)
Malcolm Yarnell Thread on Autonomy and Discipline
Recently, Dr. Malcolm Yarnell from SWBTS posted a Twitter thread on how Autonomy and Discipline can work together in SBC life, based on his experience and understanding. He has cleaned it up into paragraphs and I thought it would be valuable here for your perusal. Later today (or this week, depending,) I will post my own response to Dr. Yarnell's thoughts and that will provide the comment stream for discussion, accusation, and heretic-burning. Dr. Yarnell won't be able to interact here, so I am closing the comments on his post and you can yell and scream on mine later. … [Read more...] about Malcolm Yarnell Thread on Autonomy and Discipline
Will this be the Last Christmas for Syrian Christians?
Guest Post by Dr. Eric Costanzo, pastor, South Tulsa Baptist Church. In Syria, this may be the last Christmas for Christian communities who’ve been there since the first century. If the U.S. fails to act, ancient Christian communities dating back to the Book of Acts might soon be deserted. Since the first mission movements of the Early Church, Assyrian (Syriac) churches have never failed to maintain a confessional Christian presence in or near their original lands. If the current crisis facing northeastern Syria worsens, the last remnants of this people group could be driven out of … [Read more...] about Will this be the Last Christmas for Syrian Christians?
It’s Complicated: Hong Kong and the Church – Part 1 (Shawn Powers)
A Cry for Understanding The day started like any other. As I reviewed about a dozen messages sent me overnight, one message stood out, it was from Hong Kong. My friend wrote, If Jesus is good, why does he not just come and help Hong Kong right now? The private message, sent me through a China-based social media app known as Wechat, was from someone I know well. While living in China, I had worked with this person. I consider this person a friend, who I trust. I know this person to be a Christian. Upon reading the message, I knew my friend, who is normally cool under pressure, was … [Read more...] about It’s Complicated: Hong Kong and the Church – Part 1 (Shawn Powers)
Re-Thinking Our Lottie Moon Giving (Dr. Steve Horn)
Some years ago, our church hosted an International Mission Board speaker to speak to us about his work and the importance of giving to that year’s offering. As I introduced him, I challenged our church to erase whatever we thought we were going to give and be receptive to hearing from God. At the very end of his talk, our missionary speaker made a startling statement that should cause all of us to rethink our giving. The missionary told about being in a meeting with about 220 other missionary families. In this gathering, the missionaries themselves were asked to make a sacrificial gift to … [Read more...] about Re-Thinking Our Lottie Moon Giving (Dr. Steve Horn)
The Credentials Committee: A Call for Patience (Susan Codone & Megan Lively)
The Southern Baptist Convention seems to have been frozen in time for a few decades, entrenched in doctrinal disagreements, ongoing concerns of sexual and spiritual abuse, and so focused on operational autonomy that renders it unable to police itself. For good reason, a small army has risen to protest the harm this torpor has generated. Their voices are both valid and valuable. There is a tipping point, though, at which genuine advocacy slips into routine outrage, especially regarding a large and lumbering religious system that has managed to ride by most cultural reforms on the backs … [Read more...] about The Credentials Committee: A Call for Patience (Susan Codone & Megan Lively)
Response to Paige Patterson’s 2012 Letter (Dr. Marshal Ausberry)
I was saddened and wounded to read the letter from seven years ago from our Brother Paige Patterson to Jimmy Draper. I was asked by a couple of news agencies to give comment. But as I prayed about it, I felt led to share first with my SBC family through the Baptist Press. I agree that anyone holding the office of President of the Southern Baptist Convention must have sound biblical doctrine, to include inerrancy of Scripture. That is one distinctive of Southern Baptists; we have a high view of Scripture. Southern Baptists hold that “…all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.” (BFM … [Read more...] about Response to Paige Patterson’s 2012 Letter (Dr. Marshal Ausberry)
An Admonition for Women Serving Christ (Etta Linton)
"Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these WOMEN who have CONTENDED FOR THE GOSPEL at my side..." Philippians 4:2 Ladies, we are not secondary to gospel ministry. Our job here on this earth isn't JUST to make things pretty and sweet and delicate and feed the men and build them up. Note: I said JUST. (I actually want and enjoy doing those things...well, maybe not so much the delicate part.) We are GOOD at those things and we should do them. But we, LADIES, are CONTENDERS FOR THE GOSPEL. BY THEIR SIDES. Don't ever think for a second that God doesn't intend to use you, woman, for the … [Read more...] about An Admonition for Women Serving Christ (Etta Linton)