Todd Benkert

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 and Owen Strachan has recently written a series of posts on the issue and they are helpful in demonstrating the origins of CRT/I and the dangers of adopting its worldview. Others react even more strongly and see the issue generally, and … [Read more...] about Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality: A useful analytical tool or a dangerous ideology (or both)?

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 a friend. I too commend the book to you. This Little Light was released 10 years ago, a year after the SBC Executive Committee declined to create a database of credibly accused sex offenders (considering a motion originally made by Wade Burleson). In the book, … [Read more...] about This Little Light – A reflection on Christa Brown’s Story

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 intense, personal, important, moving, challenging conferences I’ve ever attended. The stakes are immensely high and the movement frustratingly slow. Here is my summary, though I don’t really do these talks justice in my meager attempt here so … [Read more...] about Caring Well Conference – Day 3 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 coming days along with the main sessions Here is a summary of the morning and evening sessions for Friday:   Justin Holcomb – Justin opened the session with a talk entitled “Rid of my disgrace -- The work of Christ and the effects of abuse.” Similar to his book of the same name, Justin highlighted the … [Read more...] about Caring Well Conference – Day 2 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 notes, “We’re not here to control a message, we’re here to equip the church. So far, that seems to be the case. However, the more pointed topics and speakers are up today (Friday).   Russell Moore is up first with his message, based on John 9:35ff, that our response to church … [Read more...] about Caring Well Conference – Day 1 Recap

In a few hours, the ERLC’s much anticipated National Conference "Caring Well: Equipping Churches to Confront the Abuse Crisis" will begin. I am thankful for the ERLC choosing this timely subject for their conference this year – enough so that I am attending my first one and have brought a small group from my church with me. I attend a fair number of conferences and have participated in many of the SBC’s denomination wide emphases over the years, but this one seems different and I am hopeful that it will make a lasting impact as we focus on ministering well to those around us. In a previous … [Read more...] about #CaringWell: An Opportunity for the SBC and My Local Church

The following are recommendations of the executive committee to be considered by the  Convention:   The Executive Committee report will be one of the opportunities the Convention will have to act on the issues surrounding sexual abuse, as well as ethnic discrimination. Here is a quick summary of the relevant recommendations. The first EC report is scheduled for 9:17am and the second at 5:30pm. I don't know during which of these report times that these recommendations will be considered. Note also that sometimes the schedule will be ahead or behind schedule and these times are … [Read more...] about EC Report — Recommendations relevant to Sexual Abuse and Racism Issues