Dear SBC President Dr. Steve Gaines, We want to begin by saying thank you. We had a great convention in Phoenix, and we believe that is due in part to your leadership. You set the tone for the convention with your emphasis on prayer. You also exhibited wise pastoral leadership from the podium. We realize that the resolution condemning alt-right white supremacy would not have happened without your support. So thank you. We are also excited about the emphasis of this next year on evangelism. We share your concerns regarding our declining baptism numbers. Southern Baptists are a … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Steve Gaines Regarding Evangelism Taskforce Diversity
Our Choice for Pastor’s Conference President: Dave Miller
Two weeks ago, we posted our vision for the SBC Pastor’s Conference. The reception has been positive and encouraging beyond what we could have hoped. Our vision alters the focus of the conference from big names and big production to a theme that’s exegetically driven and carried out by a diverse group of pastors whose church size most of us can relate to. The first step in seeing this vision come to fruition is electing someone who shares this vision Pastor’s Conference president during this year’s meeting, June 12-13 in St. Louis. For that role, we intend to nominate Dave Miller, Pastor … [Read more...] about Our Choice for Pastor’s Conference President: Dave Miller
An Interview with David Crosby
David Crosby is the pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans and will be nominated for president of the SBC by former president Fred Luter. We have asked him the same set of questions we asked JD Greear and Steve Gaines. We thank him for his time in answering our questions. 1. Why do you want to be SBC president? I think the primary reason the convention exists is to help us do world missions together. Our distinctive as Southern Baptists is that we voluntarily join our resources to accomplish greater things for Christ and the gospel. I want to help facilitate the discussion about … [Read more...] about An Interview with David Crosby
An Interview with Steve Gaines
We were encouraged to be able to interview Dr. Steve Gaines. For this interview, Todd Benkert did the legwork, in coordination with the group of guys who have been discussing SBC Issues together. The first 10 questions are identical to our previous interview, with a bonus question at the end. As before, though Todd corresponded with Dr. Gaines, we present this as a group interview. We thank Dr. Gaines for willing to be interviewed here. Why do you want to be SBC president? What do you hope to bring to the SBC over your tenure? I’ve been a Southern Baptist all my life. I was … [Read more...] about An Interview with Steve Gaines
An Interview with JD Greear
Dave Miller is getting incredibly forgetful these days! I set this interview yesterday and then consulted Alan Cross about how we should format it, then just forgot. Alan Cross did the legwork, in coordination with the group of guys who have been discussing SBC Issues together (not sure any of us really like the name "Voices for a New Baptist Future" - but till we come up with something new that's it). We worked together on the questions and so Alan felt we should present this as a group interview, even though he did all of the work. After reaching that decision, I promptly forgot to format … [Read more...] about An Interview with JD Greear
Voices for a New Baptist Future: A Group Proposal
“We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” That quote, of questionable provenance, is attributed to Benjamin Franklin (or to Richard Penn, or to an anonymous American General) at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Whether he actually spoke the words, the sentiments are beyond dispute. In such a time of extremity unity is essential, not optional. Those who came together to craft, discuss, debate, and finally sign that document had disparate backgrounds, beliefs, agendas, and purposes. Yet, they were able to unite in the belief that the course … [Read more...] about Voices for a New Baptist Future: A Group Proposal