I know there is concern about the rise of Populist* Fundamentalism in the SBC and the push of a certain group to gain power. While this isn't going to be an exhaustive list, and I could be wrong in my optimism, I believe the tide is pretty obviously away from that group. It is also important for me to say this: I am a fundamentalist in the classic sense. I subscribe to the 5 fundamentals: the deity of Jesus the Virgin Birth penal-sub atonement the bodily resurrection biblical inerrancy So how was the agenda of the populist fundamentalist group repudiated? First, their … [Read more...] about Why the Loss for an SBC Splinter Group Was Greater Than Just a Few Hundred Votes (by Michael Linton)
Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
I’ve had the opportunity to attend 11 SBC Annual Meetings. This year was different than all the rest. It was the largest in 25 years with over 15,700 messengers. This was an historic meeting and I’m glad I was in the room. If you weren’t there and you followed along in the media, online, or on social media, it’s easy to find varying opinions and feel confused as to what transpired. At times it’s hard to tell what happened when you have to wade through the bias and perspective of the author. That being said, here is my perspective on what happened this week. 1. On Monday evening we … [Read more...] about Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
I returned late Wednesday night from a whirlwind trip to Nashville, TN where I attended the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is the sixth annual meeting that I have attended in person. My first was in 2005. This was the largest annual meeting in 25 years, having a total of 15,726 messengers and over 20,000 total people in the building. I left Nashville physically and mentally exhausted but otherwise encouraged and optimistic. There is plenty I could share about auxiliary events, the missionaries we commissioned, and other meetings that happened. But my focus here … [Read more...] about Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
I grew up in a liberal family in Southern California. I belonged to the Bahá’í faith and was raised by two hippies. My grandfather was the first civil rights writer for the L.A. Times and was offered the position of press secretary for Bobby Kennedy. My mom participated in Freedom Summer in Jackson, Mississippi when she was 18 to help with voting rights for all people. So when you look up “bleeding heart liberals” in the dictionary you will see a picture of my extended family. (Probably eating tofu and picketing segregated housing.) I still cherish my dad’s favorite button which said; “Reggae … [Read more...] about When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
A Black Man at the Southern Baptist Convention #SBC21 (by Erik Vance)
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)