William

I didn't have plans to come back up here after Lifeway sold their venerable conference center in the North Carolina mountains but the new owners have it open and here I am. It's quiet this week but still a great place. The Ridgecrest Foundation owns it now and it's called Ridgecrest Conference Center. The campus is tidy. The staff friendly and helpful. I like it and will return. I have a bit of nostalgic heaviness as a I roam around the familiar spots here. Back in the day I'd be in charge a group of students ("youth" was still an acceptable word back then) from my church. There would … [Read more...] about Ridgecrest is open and still a great place

The ERLC lacks a permanent leader at the moment, Russell Moore having resigned earlier this year after leading the organization for eight years. I always liked the demeanor that Moore brought to the ERLC. The acting President is Executive Vice President Daniel Patterson and the ERLC trustees have appointed a search committee for the new leader. I do not know him but presume he and all ERLC employees are wonderful people and represent the SBC well. The ERLC President has the toughest job in the convention. Severe criticism is guaranteed, some will be vicious and unchristian. A few … [Read more...] about Taking a look at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

So, my millennial techno savvy friends who don't write checks, who use Venmo, order groceries online and Prime every purchase. You are in charge of the SBC Annual Meeting. How would you manage voting? There are some rules in place: Only registered messengers may vote. Votes may be made only by those present in the hall. No proxy voting allowed. This years SBCAM had 15,726 registered messengers, largest in a quarter century. Each was given a bundle of paper ballots when they registered. A number of votes were made by marking ballots. So far, no one has complained about the … [Read more...] about Decidedly low tech but high confidence SBC voting and counting

Please, grow up and let's not hear so much whining. It's not a good look. Over the years dissenting groups have made plans to stack the mics with those friendly to their cause. It's part of what you get when you have a democratic mass meeting like our Annual Meeting. I don't particularly like this but I don't know of a better system than the one we use. But, what if you are really keen on a motion or resolution and feel compelled to speak to the assembly? Here's one way to do it. The best thing, perhaps the only good thing about Central Time, is that there is daylight very early. As an … [Read more...] about So, you couldn’t get to a mic at SBC21?

Imagine that. In a meeting of followers of Christ membership and balloting relies heavily on individuals acting like, well, followers of Christ, exhibiting things like telling the truth, not being deceitful, following agreed upon rules, and the like. #SBC21 was the most important annual meeting in a generation. The attendance was higher than it had been in over 25 years. The most important vote, the presidential election, had over 13,000 votes cast and the difference between winner Ed Litton and loser Mike Stone was only 556 votes. How confident may we be about the outcome? What … [Read more...] about Annual meeting registration and voting is basically on the honor system

I got into an elevator at the convention hall. All was well until a bunch of people squeezed in after me. ”Anybody in here have germs? I asked, to the slight embarrassment of my wonderful wife. A lady opposite jerked her thumb at her husband, “He does,” she said. I wasn’t trying to start anything but it’s like a sardine factory here. Not a mask in sight but I did see a couple on the floor. I don’t know how long the Moon Pies will hold out in the exhibit hall but if everyone took four like I did, maybe not long. Two chocolate and two vanilla. Wanted to share if necessary. I … [Read more...] about Whatever happened to social distancing #SBC21?