I was surprised and appreciative to receive an invitation from the PR department of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for today’s official Press Conference announcing the election of the new President (specific thanks to Gary Myers, NOBTS Director of Communications). I attended as a correspondent from SBC Voices and as such, I decided to not only report the event itself but also share my personal feelings about this new era in the life of the SBC’s first seminary founded by the direct action of the Southern Baptist Convention. So here’s the news, this morning the trustees voted … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Dr. James K. Dew Elected NOBTS President (announcement with commentary)
BREAKING: Dr. Jamie Dew to be Nominated as NOBTS President
NOBTS Search Team Chairman, Dr. Frank Cox, has announced that Dr. James Dew of North Carolina will be presented to the full Board of Trustees as the candidate to serve as the next President of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. A special called meeting will take place Wednesday, June 5th on the campus of NOBTS at 9 am for a vote on the candidate. Dr. Dew currently serves as the Associate Professor of History of Ideas and Philosophy at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He is also the Dean of the undergraduate College at Southeastern … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Dr. Jamie Dew to be Nominated as NOBTS President
Dr. Steve Horn Recommended to Lead Louisiana Baptists
A Louisiana search committee has decided on the candidate they will recommend to serve as the next Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Dr. Steve Horn, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lafayette, Louisiana will be presented to the LBC Executive Board's Administrative Committee during a special meeting slated for Thursday, April 11. If the committee confirms the nominee, he will be presented to the full Executive Board on May 7th. Dr. Horn would replace Dr. David Hankins who has announced his retirement. You can find more information at the Baptist Message. … [Read more...] about Dr. Steve Horn Recommended to Lead Louisiana Baptists
I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
One week ago I wrote my first draft of this article, then I didn't post it because I realized I was angry and my words were not appropriate nor were they even coherent due to my frustration. Thus, I have waited until today when the hard copy of the article to which I was responding arrived at our church office (and I am in better control of my faculties ). Also, I had another title for this article but some dear friends suggested I should soften it a bit. So this is me not being angry or incendiary... The Baptist Message's "Investigation" Last week the Baptist Message (BM), the state … [Read more...] about I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
The Man We Need in New Orleans
Recently, our esteemed Grand Poobah and Chief Pontificator around here offered a thorough and sound argument for the type of person we need serving our convention of churches in Nashville as our Executive Committee CEO. I’d like to unashamedly steal his title and repurpose it for a similar musing about the type of person I believe we need here in my home of New Orleans to serve our convention as the next President of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS). Those of you who regularly read our posts at Voices might know that I am the number one fan of the work the SBC does here in … [Read more...] about The Man We Need in New Orleans
Dr. David Hankins Announces Retirement
Dr. David Hankins, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2019. This newest announcement comes in the wake of a number of other recent highly visible SBC personalities stepping aside from leadership positions for various and sundry reasons. Many people might know that Dr. Hankins and I have had our disagreements over the years but I wish he and his family nothing but the best as he transitions on to a new chapter in his life. Dr. Hankins was a faithful pastor, is a gifted speaker, and cared very much for the Southern Baptist … [Read more...] about Dr. David Hankins Announces Retirement
BREAKING: Dr. Chuck Kelley Jr. Announces His Retirement from NOBTS
This morning during the Founder’s Day Chapel Service on the campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), Dr. Charles “Chuck” S. Kelley Jr. announced he will be retiring from his role as the seminary’s eighth President effective July 31, 2019. Dr. Kelley was elected President of NOBTS on February 23, 1996 taking office on March 1 of that year. At the time his retirement begins he will have served approximately 23 years as president of NOBTS which will make him the longest tenured president in the school's 100 year history. Dr. Kelley responded to God’s call to preach the … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Dr. Chuck Kelley Jr. Announces His Retirement from NOBTS
NOBTS Chapel and My Meeting with Dr. Kelley
Some time after Katrina (I’m not sure when. Months maybe. Those early years are a blur to me now) I arrived back to my house from a long day of helping visiting mission teams gut homes. My wife Michelle met me at the door with a big smile. It was hard to smile then and we were very busy. Well, I was very busy. Maybe too busy. But Michelle greeted me with a smile and said, “hurry in and look at what we received today.” There on the kitchen counter was probably the prettiest bouquet of flowers I’d ever seen and on the note was something like the following, Dear Michelle and Jay, We know how … [Read more...] about NOBTS Chapel and My Meeting with Dr. Kelley
Evangelism or Compassion?
I'm excited about the recent upswing in public words of affirmation for local baptist associations. I love hearing about the good things happening all around our convention related to the very important (I'd even say pivotal) role that the association can play in permeating the larger local area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My heart aches for my pastor friends serving areas in which the association does not have the support and strength it could (and should) have. Let me just remind you, pastors, YOU have the power to make the association be what it can be. The New Orleans Baptist … [Read more...] about Evangelism or Compassion?
Can a woman serve as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention? (Casey Hough)
Much pontification has been digitally uploaded to this site recently regarding the question as to whether or or not it is appropriate for a woman to serve as President of the SBC. My friend Casey Hough offered his thoughts on this subject at his personal page on Thursday. I asked Casey if I could post his text in full here at Voices in order to offer another opinion on the subject. Now, I must admit that I am not completely convinced by his argument (although the vast majority of it resonates loudly with me) but his tone and congenial tenor draw me in and I completely understand and appreciate … [Read more...] about Can a woman serve as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention? (Casey Hough)