The state conventions in the south (and, counting some border states one might take sixteen of these which would account for ninety percent or so of all SBC metrics - churches, members, money, CP giving, mission giving, etc.) have been around for a long time, many preceding the founding of the SBC in 1845. Some SBC history nerd can inform me as to which state convention will be celebrating their bicentennial soon. My state, Georgia, has a state convention that was founded in 1822. Likewise, several institutions that are or have been connected with the GBMB and which are funded in part by them … [Read more...] about State conventions and legacy spending; unchecked financial hemorrhaging here in Georgia
“I don’t see how a Christian could vote for…”
Large majorities of various Christian sub-groups (classify by race, by region, and other means) vote either Republican or Democratic. While I understand the presence of an escape hatch to the statement ("I don't see"), can a pastor effectively minister to a congregation that has mixed political constituencies? I don't see how. Could some of the brain trust persuade me otherwise. I can see a categorical personal statement, e.g. "I will not vote for any party that supports abortion" or similar. One day, it cannot come too soon, we will be post COVID-19. One day we will be post-Trump. … [Read more...] about “I don’t see how a Christian could vote for…”
About some state conventions claim that NAMB “abandons true collaborative partnership”
Now that statement is a shot across the bow but it isn't much of a surprise or shock. About the only meaningful change wrought by the Great Conservative Resurgence Report, which blue ribbon GCR committee was chaired by Ronnie Floyd and adopted overwhelmingly (3 to 1 ratio in favor) by the SBC in annual session a decade ago, was that the North American Mission Board be "liberat[ed] to conduct and direct a strategy of reaching the United States and Canada with the Gospel and planting Gospel churches...Thus, we believe that the North American Mission Board must be refocused and unleashed for … [Read more...] about About some state conventions claim that NAMB “abandons true collaborative partnership”
NAMB’s lengthy lawsuit; be sure and read this National Review article
NAMB, as most SBCers know, has had this long-running lawsuit going. They are being sued by a former state convention head and strident NAMB critic. Here's a sensible and straightforward article by two attorneys with Becket, a religious liberty specialist law firm. Fifth Circuit to Decide Whether Southern Baptist Minister Can Sue Southern Baptist Ministry over Religious Dispute The Fifth Circuit will soon decide whether to reconsider a case over whether religious groups control their own internal religious matters, or if — in the words of the plaintiff — “Caesar must enter the temple to … [Read more...] about NAMB’s lengthy lawsuit; be sure and read this National Review article
What does it take to get an SBC pastor defrocked, de-ordained?
Trick question because there are no "SBC" pastors. The SBC (Executive Committee, seminaries, state convention, local associations) does not ordain clergy, Not one. Not ever. Thus, the "SBC" cannot revoke any individual's ordination. We all knew that, right? Ordination is a bit of a scandal itself in the SBC. There are no standards, no requirements, no accepted practices, no training, no apprenticeship, nothing, nothing, nothing. As an obscure, old codger blogger once (or twice, or thrice) wrote, "some SBC churches would ordain a ham sandwich." It's all about local church autonomy, of … [Read more...] about What does it take to get an SBC pastor defrocked, de-ordained?
Anti-abortion as divine permission for Christian hatred, misogyny, and racism
I don't speak for the others on the team here but on abortion there is no diversity. All are firmly opposed, as is the SBC officially in resolutions, and all SBC leaders that have spoken on the matter. Nothing has changed in years about this in the SBC except, as I see it, the intensity of reaction towards anyone who doesn't favor political solutions that would eradicate abortion and make it illegal. Where this has put some in our circles is in a place where the most vicious, harsh, hate-filled rhetoric may be directed, with presumed divine sanction, at any who depart in the slightest … [Read more...] about Anti-abortion as divine permission for Christian hatred, misogyny, and racism
Can “Great Commission Baptists” be raised from the dead?
The unofficial nickname of the SBC, "Great Commission Baptists," was passed by the convention in annual session back in 2012 with a 53% vote. It has barely had a pulse for eight years. Now, we have a small flurry of advocacy for the use of the name. Respected and astute Nathan A. Finn , professor at the SC Baptist state college, North Greenville University, offers a string of reasons why it's time to embrace the nickname. While state conventions should retain their regional names for contextual reasons, it is time for Southern Baptists to embrace a name that better reflects our … [Read more...] about Can “Great Commission Baptists” be raised from the dead?
Undermining the Cooperative Program, you say?
The Cooperative Program is our grand cooperative funding mechanism. SBC churches give on average a little under 5% of their undesignated offering plate dollars to the CP, totalling over $460 million. It is the envy of other denominations. But you knew all that, right? Ronnie Floyd, CEO of our Executive Committee has outlined a plan, Vision 2025, that sets a goal of returning the CP to $500 million and more. COVID-19 has struck a blow against that for the moment. July was a good month for the national CP but the EC reports year to date totals down a bit from last year. Still, the EC … [Read more...] about Undermining the Cooperative Program, you say?
ERLC should answer questions from the Executive Committee [update: I hear there has been answers submitted]
[But I don't know what the answers are. They will be dribbled out to the hinterlands eventually, I suppose, unless some Baptist pundit gets his hands on them and tweets them.] This is a long-running, slow motion deal. It is critical in many ways that we get this right. SBC Executive Committee creates ERLC study task force. This was back in February. Mike Stone, chairman at the time, said: "This is not a governance issue. This is a budget issue related to their fulfillment of their mission and ministry assignment. We continue to hear reports that are largely anecdotal but increasing in … [Read more...] about ERLC should answer questions from the Executive Committee [update: I hear there has been answers submitted]
Ridgecrest Conference Center scares me…
...only because I’m here at the place and looking around at things to spend money on if I owned it. When I arrived mid-week, I didn’t see another guest. Lots of staff. No paying customers save for one pastor who is appreciatively discounted. No complaints from me. Lifeway announced earlier this year that they were going to sell the conference center. The virus has caused all conferences here to be cancelled. Normally, the place would be crawling with students attending events. As it is, only a few families are here for getaways. We’re all masked up. Lifeway said the center was … [Read more...] about Ridgecrest Conference Center scares me…