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)
(Almost) Twenty Years a Baptist (by Cody Glen Barnhart)
Where a power structure can be wielded for good, a power structure can be wielded for evil. Friends, Baptists, countrymen, lend me your ears: I come to bury our past, not to praise it. The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interrèd with their bones. So let it be with the Conservative Resurgence. Being Southern Baptist is in my bones. I professed faith and was baptized at age six in an SBC church, and my life since been decidedly SBC-centric. I remained a member at SBC churches through my adolescence. Then, I went to Italy with the Tennessee Baptist … [Read more...] about (Almost) Twenty Years a Baptist (by Cody Glen Barnhart)
Significant Concerns about the New SBC Business & Finance Plan (Part 2) by Jon Canler
See part 1 here, where Canler discusses the first two areas of concern. There he said: My concerns revolve around three aspects of the plan, two of which I’ll highlight in this post, and the third I’ll discuss in part two: Reservations Regarding Escrowing Cooperative Program (CP) Funds and Entity Reporting Reservations Regarding Trustee and EC Nominations Reservations Related to Sole Membership, Ascending Liability, and Seminary Accreditation What is Sole Membership and Why is it Good for Southern Baptists? Sole membership is the legal way the Southern Baptist … [Read more...] about Significant Concerns about the New SBC Business & Finance Plan (Part 2) by Jon Canler
Significant Concerns about the New SBC Business & Finance Plan (Part 1) by Jon Canler
Consider my two posts an open letter to the Executive Committee (EC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and to SBC legal counsel where feedback and clarity are welcomed concerning the current text of the revised and updated SBC Business & Finance Plan (BFP) being brought before the messengers of the 2021 SBC annual meeting in Nashville, TN. For reference, you can find the current BFP on pg. 25 here and the proposed plan to be voted on in Nashville here. First, know that I am certainly for business and financial stewardship, accountability, and transparency among the SBC and its … [Read more...] about Significant Concerns about the New SBC Business & Finance Plan (Part 1) by Jon Canler
Suggested Ethics for Online Theological Discourse (Phillip Powers)
The legacy of Donald Trump’s term as President of the United States will not be measured in terms of legislation passed, appointments made, or diplomatic accords achieved. It will not be counted by any advancements of the Republican party’s agenda, by any conservative causes that were championed, or by any national or international crises that were averted. No, the lasting influence of the 45th President will only be measured by the bitter division and caustic animosity that has absolutely engulfed our country. It is an insidious sickness that has pervaded every sphere of our public discourse, … [Read more...] about Suggested Ethics for Online Theological Discourse (Phillip Powers)
Who’s Caring Well Now?
The following is a guest post by Dee Miller, former FMB missionary and long-time survivor advocate. See her post from last week #LONGbeforeMeToo: SBC’s Oldest Survivor Advocate Speaks Out for important background. ______________ It’s a Set-Up! A total Set-Up! Not only for survivors who’ve waited years in hoping the SBC might someday hear their cries. It’s also a set-up for everyone on the Credentials Committee. And they know it, I discovered in the opening remarks made by chairman Mike Lawson in a Zoom call I’d been waiting to have for weeks. If the EC had asked me for input … [Read more...] about Who’s Caring Well Now?