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
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 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
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 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
#CaringWell: An Opportunity for the SBC and My Local Church
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
Before the Conference – Acknowledging Problems Surrounding #CaringWell
Tomorrow, more 1,600 Southern Baptists will gather in Dallas Texas for the ERLC’s “Caring Well” Conference. I’m looking forward to the conference and am bringing a small group from my church while others will be watching from home. Personally, I’ve considered myself an advocate for survivors of the trauma of abuse for years and I’ve been very hopeful about the progress being made in the SBC on this issue. Before I write a piece on my hopes for the conference and why I’m attending, I want to acknowledge the pushback I’ve received from others in the advocate community about the ways in which … [Read more...] about Before the Conference – Acknowledging Problems Surrounding #CaringWell
EC Report — Recommendations relevant to Sexual Abuse and Racism Issues
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
The Sexual Abuse Issue at the SBC Annual Meeting – Six Bad Reasons Not to Act
It’s no secret that one of the major issues we’ll be facing today and tomorrow as we convene our annual meeting is sexual abuse and how we will respond to it as a Convention. President Greear indicated last night during the ERLC panel discussion on sexual abuse that we would have numerous opportunities during our annual meeting to hear from abuse survivors, consider actions we can take at the local church level, and vote on key items meant to address the issue head-on. Rachael Denhollander also challenged us to respond in action and not just words. There seems to be a resolve on the part of … [Read more...] about The Sexual Abuse Issue at the SBC Annual Meeting – Six Bad Reasons Not to Act
The SBC Annual Meeting – Putting it in perspective
As I type this, my wife is driving and we’re headed to Alabama from our home in Northern Indiana. It’s an annual ritual that I explained to some of my church friends is a combination of a business meeting, worship gathering, family reunion, and trade show. I’ve been attending the SBC Annual Meeting since 1999 and make it a point to actively participate as a messenger each year. A couple thoughts have been running through my mind over the last couple weeks that I wanted to share as we come together in Alabama this week. 1. What we are doing is … [Read more...] about The SBC Annual Meeting – Putting it in perspective
Reflections on Counting the Cost of Pursuing Unity (with Editor’s Statement)
Editor's Statement: Todd and I (Dave) consulted on the construction of this post and I was the one who personally verified the information about the conversation that took place that caused all of the controversy. We would like to clarify that the purpose of this post was to ask the question as to how to address the issue of whether the election of a minority president would actually cause a donor problem. Todd was careful to express his admiration for Dr. Kelley and did not lay the charge of racism at his feet, though some have falsely accused him of such. I was told that the … [Read more...] about Reflections on Counting the Cost of Pursuing Unity (with Editor’s Statement)
Adam Greenway to lead Southwestern Seminary
Reports came out this morning that Billy Graham School Dean, Adam Greenway, will be nominated to serve as the next president of Southwestern Seminary to be elected at a special meeting of the SWBTS board, Feb 26-27. You can read the press release here. I affirm the work of the search committee and I believe Dr. Greenway will make an excellent president at Southwestern. The Baptist Press article notes several qualities about Dr. Greenway that led the committee in selecting him. The search committee describes Greenway as “a man of impeccable character who demonstrates kindness and humility in … [Read more...] about Adam Greenway to lead Southwestern Seminary