This week will be an experience that I will remember all of the days of my life. Being a black man from the South, and attending a historically black seminary, at Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center, learning Baptist Polity was a part of the curriculum. During my studies we learned about the National Baptist, Progressive Baptist, American Baptist and Southern Baptist conventions. When it came up, the SBC was always a frowned upon in the academy – and rightfully so. In the African American community, the SBC is viewed in a way that’s disparaging. … [Read more...] about A Black Man at the Southern Baptist Convention #SBC21 (by Erik Vance)
SBC Sexual Abuse: One church’s response when the SBC process failed
The following is a statement by Troy Bush, Lead Pastor, Rehoboth Baptist Church, Tucker, GA What we did not know then, we know now. And what we know should be important to Southern Baptists, especially Georgia Baptists. We didn’t know Franklin “Frankie” Andrew Wiley, a student minister who served our church family, Rehoboth Baptist Church, Tucker, GA, in the early 1980s had molested 5 of our boys. We also didn’t know he sexually abused other boys at other Georgia Baptist churches before and after his time at Rehoboth. We now know the names of each boy he assaulted in our … [Read more...] about SBC Sexual Abuse: One church’s response when the SBC process failed
Southern Baptists Are at a Fork in the Road (by Ed Stetzer)
I could have titled this piece “Southern Baptists are at a Crossroads.” Southern Baptists have faced many crossroads in their history. Yet where things sit for Southern Baptists in June 2021 isn’t a crossroads moment, but a fork-in-the-road moment. The choices facing Southern Baptists in the year of our Lord 2021 remind me of Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” In that poem, Frost talks about how two roads diverged in the woods, leaving him with a choice of which road he was going to take. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in a few days will be facing votes on a series of … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists Are at a Fork in the Road (by Ed Stetzer)
SBC Sexual Abuse Survivors Joint Statement
We come now collectively, as SBC sexual abuse survivors, to make our wishes known in regard to the ongoing crisis of sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention. Together, we strongly urge that these immediate actions are taken: 1. All SBC messengers support the motion of Todd Benkert for the hiring of an outside organization to audit and assess abuse and mishandling of abuse within the denomination. 2. The scope of the Guidepost investigation into the Executive Committee is broadened to include the Credentials Committee and all paid, appointed, elected or … [Read more...] about SBC Sexual Abuse Survivors Joint Statement
#SBC21 Endorsement: Dr. Anthony Dockery for 1VP (by Marshall Blalock)
With all the focus on the Southern Baptist Convention’s presidential election, the office of First Vice-President is important for reasons that may not be obvious. The First VP steps in if unforeseen events cause the President to be unable to serve, and that reason alone makes the election important. However, the nomination of Dr. Anthony Dockery for this role is particularly important. The reason? Whoever is elected President will need someone of the character and background of Dr. Dockery to provide vitally important counsel. Dr. Dockery has the heart of a man willing to put his … [Read more...] about #SBC21 Endorsement: Dr. Anthony Dockery for 1VP (by Marshall Blalock)
Do What Must Be Done, Whatever the Cost, to Eradicate the Sin in our Midst (by Brent Epling)
Southern Baptists are rightfully grieved over this week's many revelations. It seems like a hundred years ago when the Book of Reports revealed Southwestern Seminary's response to Ben Cole, which reported that its former president had absconded with seminary property, including confidential documents, artwork, and donor lists. Then, someone leaked two letters Russell Moore wrote detailing the Executive Committee's depravity in handling the SBC's rampant sexual abuse and racism problems. And in the past few days, more correspondence (and now a series of damning audio clips) have emerged of … [Read more...] about Do What Must Be Done, Whatever the Cost, to Eradicate the Sin in our Midst (by Brent Epling)
Boto, Page, Pressler, Patterson, and Mike Stone: The Thread of Resistance to Abuse Response (by Colton Strother)
Yesterday I tweeted a thread on several pieces of Southern Baptist controversy and what the implications are for this year's SBC Annual Meeting that meets in Nashville next week, June 15-16. What follows is largely the content of that thread. The original thread can be found here. To begin, the purpose of this article is not to address the brewing controversy surrounding CRT/I nor the punches being thrown left and right regarding the ever-resurfacing debate about the nature of the convention’s complementarianism. This article cannot consider every issue that needs to be addressed in … [Read more...] about Boto, Page, Pressler, Patterson, and Mike Stone: The Thread of Resistance to Abuse Response (by Colton Strother)
SBC Survivor Stories: Do you want to help? Or do you want things to stay the same? (Part 2 by Dave Pittman)
In the previous article, I spelled out some weighty problems within the SBC. And I asked the question, “Do you want to do something, or do you want things to stay the same?” Since I don’t believe it’s fair to point out problems without offering solutions, I want to practice what I “preach” and spell out some ways to help. What can be done? What can the SBC and the individual member do to correct the past and properly address the crimes? And in the present; To better protect your children, to properly respond to victims and the perpetrators? 1. Acknowledge that Sexual Abuse within … [Read more...] about SBC Survivor Stories: Do you want to help? Or do you want things to stay the same? (Part 2 by Dave Pittman)
Friendly Fire in the SBC (by Kevin Blackwell)
There were many tragic events during the years of the Second World War, but perhaps one of the most troubling occurred on July 25, 1944. As the Normandy campaign began with the historic beach landings of D-Day, massive allied bombing campaigns ensued clearing the way for Operation Overlord. Around 3,000 allied planes took flight that morning in a plan known as Codename Cobra and as they approached their target the pilots experienced low clouds making visibility almost impossible. The pilots intended to fly east to west along the enemies lines unloading their payloads, instead they approached … [Read more...] about Friendly Fire in the SBC (by Kevin Blackwell)
SBC Survivor Stories: Will the Church Be a Haven or a Hunting Ground? (by Dave Pittman)
To say that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is having some difficulties is like saying an oncoming hurricane will have showers and a breeze. It doesn’t fully capture the detail of what the damage will be, or the tragedy left in its wake. Vitriolic disputes over theology. Christian Nationalism and racial injustice. The continued coverup of sexual abuse crimes. And members leaving in droves. At the heart of it all, is a power grab for its core. So, what on earth is going on with the SBC? For me to answer that, I can only explain in this way… What is most personal is most … [Read more...] about SBC Survivor Stories: Will the Church Be a Haven or a Hunting Ground? (by Dave Pittman)