“Third time’s the charm”, that’s what we’re told, right? On their third attempt to honor the wishes of Messengers, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee voted 44 to 31 to waive attorney-client privilege (albeit in a VERY limited manner) and agree to the contract with Guidepost to begin the investigation on sexual abuse. But let’s be honest, this is not an investigation on all cases of sexual abuse within the SBC. It’s only about the last 20 years and only within the SBC EC. Is there already a documented case of libel regarding a case of sexual abuse? Yes. And will there be … [Read more...] about Third time’s the charm? (by Dave Pittman)
Trauma Comes to Church: A Licensed Counselor’s Perspective (by David Hughes)
“I was sexually assaulted as a child and I want to work through it with you”. I had been punched in the gut. I knew when I went to grad school to become a counselor that I wanted to be a trauma therapist. Like most trauma therapists, I have a trauma history of my own. For some reason, some survivors are compelled to turn around, walk back into the wound, and help others. Call it part of the healing process. Still, this was my very first client. Counselors need hundreds of hours of counseling just to graduate so we can take our board exam and be provisionally licensed while we accrue … [Read more...] about Trauma Comes to Church: A Licensed Counselor’s Perspective (by David Hughes)
Letter from Southern Baptists to the SBC Executive Committee
Members of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, As faithful members of Southern Baptist churches across the United States and messengers to the 2021 annual meeting in Nashville, we write to express our frustration and disappointment with the recent actions of the Executive Committee. In June, over 15,000 messengers spoke with near-unanimous clarity by adopting the “Motion to Investigate the SBC Executive Committee.” The messengers were clear when they moved, “that the task force agree to the accepted best-standards and practices as recommended by the commissioned … [Read more...] about Letter from Southern Baptists to the SBC Executive Committee
Why the Executive Committee Didn’t Do the Right Thing (by Dave Pittman)
Last week, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee met in Nashville to vote. This was supposed to clear the way for an investigation into sexual abuse within the SBC. So, what on earth happened? As Liz Evan, an attorney and SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force member so accurately stated, “They (The SBC Executive Committee) have flagrantly defied the overwhelming will of the Messengers. A few dozen folks in Nashville decided they know better than the 17,000 Messengers appointed by the churches. Waiver of privilege was not something the Messengers delegated to the EC to consider in … [Read more...] about Why the Executive Committee Didn’t Do the Right Thing (by Dave Pittman)
Q&A: Primary Issues Related to Executive Committee’s Handling of Guidepost Contract
At last week's Executive Committee meeting there were a lot of terms and concepts involved that represent unfamiliar territory for most of us as Southern Baptists. This Q&A is designed to address the most pressing questions we face as the EC Officers and SA Task Force work this week for an agreement on how to proceed. 1. Why is it important for the Executive Committee to waive privilege? Attorney-client privilege is a legal rule that allows the clients of attorneys to keep confidential any legal advice that their attorneys provide them. First, it is important because the motion that … [Read more...] about Q&A: Primary Issues Related to Executive Committee’s Handling of Guidepost Contract
The Future of Southern Baptists Hangs by a Thread (by Malcolm Yarnell)
I first noticed William Lane Craig refashion divine eternity and then adopt a heterodox Christology. Now Craig argues Genesis 1-11 is “mytho-history, not to be taken literally,” denies Genesis 3 records the first sin, and says cherubim are “fantasy.” He admits the genealogies give the early text an historical aura, but dismisses them as “artificial symmetry.” While there are certain denominations which allow for non-literal interpretations of Genesis 1-11, the Southern Baptist Convention has historically taken a strong stand against treating the Bible as “myth,” especially in the sense of … [Read more...] about The Future of Southern Baptists Hangs by a Thread (by Malcolm Yarnell)
Observations from a Task Force Member
If you are a Southern Baptist, you need to understand what has just happened in your Executive Committee. They have flagrantly defied the overwhelming will of the Messengers. A few dozen folks in Nashville decided they know better than the 17,000 Messengers appointed by the churches. Waiver of privilege was not something the Messengers delegated to the EC to consider in their discretion; waiver was a direct and specific command from the Messengers, and it was flouted. Please understand the implications of this. They have just opened up the SBC to MASSIVE liability. In every lawsuit against … [Read more...] about Observations from a Task Force Member
When will Rhetoric become Reality? (Southern Baptist Convention, we’re talking to you) – by Dave Pittman
Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting this summer voted overwhelmingly to create a task force to oversee an independent investigation into the denomination’s handling of sexual abuse. The resolution calls for the newly elected SBC president, Alabama pastor Ed Litton, to appoint the task force, which will head up a review of allegations that the denomination’s Executive Committee mishandled abuse cases, intimidated victims and advocates and resisted reforms. And from the floor of the Convention, something happened I never believed would have. Someone, other than his … [Read more...] about When will Rhetoric become Reality? (Southern Baptist Convention, we’re talking to you) – by Dave Pittman
“Pray Or Die!” an Urgent Call to Prayer Dallas, Ft. Worth and the State of Texas (by Erik Vance)
For those who don’t know me personally but randomly find me on social media, I often get the question: "What does your social media name mean? Pray Or Die!” Some people understand immediately and others find it to be a little harsh without a complete understanding. In 2006 when I was a college student in the Atlanta University Center that consist historically black colleges such as Clark-Atlanta University, Morehouse, Morris Brown, Spelman and The Interdenominational Theological Center I was invited to church by a peer. This service was different. This service was a prayer service. It … [Read more...] about “Pray Or Die!” an Urgent Call to Prayer Dallas, Ft. Worth and the State of Texas (by Erik Vance)
Suggested Ethics for Online Theological Discourse, Part 2 (Phillip Powers)
In my previous post, I began to outline the general contours of a biblical ethic for theological discourse. The ability to discuss questions of theology and biblical interpretation Christianly, especially where there is disagreement, is a primary indication of a person’s maturity in Christ. However, in this current cultural climate, godly virtues like humility, gentleness, kindness, love, and grace are glaringly absent from most (online) theological discourse. As Christians, we are certainly called to contend boldly and vigorously for the truth, and sometimes this necessarily includes calling … [Read more...] about Suggested Ethics for Online Theological Discourse, Part 2 (Phillip Powers)