Last week at #SBC21, messengers sent a clear message that we want our denomination to address the issue of sexual abuse and stand with survivors. As many survivors have pointed out, our decisions made at the annual meeting must be followed up by meaningful action or what we said is just words. Coming home, most […]
Why the referral of the sexual abuse audit to the ERLC is a good thing — explaining the process and the rationale
Before I made the motion this morning, I shared the strategy and language of the motion to a few key survivors and advocates including Christa Brown and Rachael Denhollander. I otherwise kept both the strategy and the motion private so as to prevent bad actors in the Convention from strategizing against it. Because I did […]
Motion to Investigate the SBC Executive Committee: Full Text
Grant Gaines I move that the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting June 15-16, 2021, in Nashville, TN, ask the newly elected president of the SBC to appoint a task force within 30 days of the date of this Convention that shall be comprised of members of Baptist churches cooperating with this Convention and experts in […]
Standing with Survivors: Motion for an audit and assessment of sexual abuse in the SBC
I made the following motion during the first introduction of new motions in the Tuesday morning session. Here is the full text. My name is Todd Benkert, Messenger from Oak Creek Community Church in Mishawaka, Indiana I move to request the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to hire an outside organization to oversee an […]
Addressing the SBC Abuse Crisis — A Needed Next Step
Next week, during the Executive Committee report, Southern Baptists will have the second opportunity to vote to amend our constitution and address the issue of sexual abuse. The constitutional amendment we will voting is worded to provide accountability for churches to respond well to sexual abuse. Thus far, however, the newly founded credentials committee has […]
Pastor Ed Litton to be nominated for SBC President
Yesterday, Baptist Press reported that Fred Luter will nominate Alabama pastor Ed Litton for SBC President this summer in Nashville. Litton becomes the third announced nominee along with SBTS president R. Albert Mohler and Georgia pastor Mike Stone. In his announcement, Luter cites his relationship with Litton that grew from pursuing racial reconciliation together, but even […]
SBC Voices Interview: Keith Getty talks to pastors about SING! Global, Small Church Worship, Covid-19, the importance of family, and more
Recently, SBC Voices editor Todd Benkert spoke with modern hymn-writer and worship leader Keith Getty. In connection with this interview, Getty Music is doing a give-away for our audience. The first SBC pastor to email joni@gettymusic.com will receive a free registration to SING! Global 2020. Also, even if you don’t win, everyone who emails […]
Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality: A useful analytical tool or a dangerous ideology (or both)?
The debate in the Southern Baptist world about Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality (CRT/I) continues. As new questions and possible actions about Resolution 9 emerge, many are asking the question: Is CRT/I a useful analytical tool or a dangerous ideology? I submit that it is both. Previously, Albert Mohler has spoken forthrightly about the issue […]
This Little Light – A reflection on Christa Brown’s Story
At the #CaringWell conference last week, Rachael Denhollander recommended that Southern Baptists read Christa Brown’s book, This Little Light: Beyond a Baptist Preacher Predator and His Gang.[i] I read the book after receiving a copy at the For Such a Time as This rally at the SBC Annual Meeting in Birmingham at the recommendation of […]
Caring Well Conference – Day 3 Recap
I found it difficult to complete my recap series and summarize day three’s morning session—First, because the talks were so rich and full of compelling content that it’s difficult to condense into a concise summary and, second, because even 48hrs later, I remain physically, spiritually, and emotionally exhausted. This conference was one of the most […]
Caring Well Conference – Day 2 Recap
Much of day 2 was taken up with breakout sessions, 4 in total out of 12 options. I won’t take time here to cover those because I could not attend them all and they are not easy to summarize. Note, however, that the sessions were recorded and I believe will be available online in the […]
Caring Well Conference – Day 1 Recap
Well day one of the Caring Well Conference is done and I’m gearing up for a very FULL day today. Here is a recap with a few comments from day 1: Phillip Bethancourt opens the conference noting that the speakers have been given the freedom to speak whatever they would like without censorship. He […]