So, what's up with the Trads these days? The loose SBC political sub-group generally labeled "Traditionalists" has manifestly been in disarray since the late May SBC Today meltdown and severe losses at the mid-June SBC. Please, don't throw any hymnals at me for saying it. The Facebook discussion page was jettisoned and has been replaced by another and is a definite improvement. Admin seems to recognize that there are both Cals and Trads who are poison to sensible exchanges among SBCers of differing theological and ecclesio-political perspectives. In years past I had numerous public … [Read more...] about The SBC needs vigorous Traditionalist voices
Should entity trustees consider younger CEO retirement ages?
Perhaps some of our entities already have this but I think a good case could be made for not having leaders continue well into their 70s before leaving. It would force planned transitions, avoid messy situations, and help retain talented, younger leaders. I recognize that we have a general distaste for an arbitrary age at which a pastor or leader is told that their work is done but staying too long can be a problem. State conventions and local associations are slogging along. New, fresh ideas and leadership couldn't hurt but we have an aversion to talking openly about these things. What … [Read more...] about Should entity trustees consider younger CEO retirement ages?
Will new tax on churches force thousands of congregations to file tax returns?
How about my putting the probably answer at the first here? "NO." But scare headlines are always with us these days. Here's a couple of articles I've run across on the subject: New tax levied in GOP overhaul draws laments from churches, other nonprofits Churches and other nonprofit groups are struggling to make sense of a new levy imposed on their traditionally tax-exempt operations by the sweeping tax overhaul that Republicans in Congress passed last year. Those outfits in Texas and beyond now must pay a 21 percent tax on some fringe benefits, such as parking or mass transit passes, … [Read more...] about Will new tax on churches force thousands of congregations to file tax returns?
What’s the reason for the Ridgecrest renaissance?
Ridgecrest Conference Center (and note the lack of the word "Baptist" in the name, we will certainly take non-Baptist dollars), LifeWay's venerable Smoky Mountains location for retreats, conferences and the like seems to be doing just fine. So fine that more free labor is needed. Baptist Press reports on it: Volunteers needed as Ridgecrest attendance climbs. Yeah, I've give a week to menial labor at Ridgecrest for room and board. I was at Ridgecrest last July for a night and was surprised at how things had improved. Now, the executive director of Ridgecrest says, "It was the most people … [Read more...] about What’s the reason for the Ridgecrest renaissance?
The SBC ought to do something about clergy sex abuse
This is a common refrain from abuse victims, advocates, and others that follow the deplorable cases of abuse now prominent in secular, religious, and social media. In fact, the phrase "the SBC ought to do something about..." can be completed with reference to many issues - racism, sexism, poverty, human trafficing, and a host of other societal ills. In regard to the title above the assertion is flawed in its expression "the SBC ought..." because of the autonomy of SBC churches and entities and our non-connectional system. The "Southern Baptist Convention" doesn't: have churches … [Read more...] about The SBC ought to do something about clergy sex abuse
Autonomy is a reality, not an excuse
Discussions of clergy sex abuse in SBC churches and entities are, sadly, common these days. Several current examples, deplorable each one, are found in articles here within the past days. This used not to be the case. When clergy misconduct occurred it would be whispered not published. Pastors, denominational workers, and leaders would find out through back channels and the Baptist grapevine. Very seldom would Baptist Press or any of the state Baptist newspapers would touch these stories. Things have changed. Communication is easier. Victims have means to make public their cases. They also … [Read more...] about Autonomy is a reality, not an excuse
Is it ever too late to call police when sex abuse is reported?
Recent cases of sex abuse of minors in churches by church staff have raised a number of important questions. Perhaps the first question that current church leaders might need to answer is when a report of past abuse should be reported to the police. While blogs and comments are an important forum for discussing such things, often information is a mixture of opinions, questions, ponderings, and facts. This article from LifeWay's Facts and Trends of May 18, 2018 is particularly helpful. Sex abuse in the church: Is it ever too late to call the police? Texas attorney Kimberlee Norris often … [Read more...] about Is it ever too late to call police when sex abuse is reported?
National Cooperative Program up $17 million while state CP down $41 million
When interim Executive Committee CEO Augie Boto made his report at #SBC18 he shared the graph below. While the subject is arcane to most Southern Baptists it is critical to leaders at the state and national level and what the graph shows is no surprise to those who must watch their revenue streams to maintain employment levels and ministries. Here is the way Boto put it in his report (this excerpt from my state paper, The Christian Index): Boto then explained that the statistical information shows that in the last 18 years “our national receipts have improved by just over $17 … [Read more...] about National Cooperative Program up $17 million while state CP down $41 million
Southwestern’s Potemkin village and other fascinating excursions in SBC vocabulary
Ben Cole, flung out of the sordid business of secular politics and back into the sordid business of denominational politics is perhaps the first to employ Potemkin village in our Grand Convention. Rather than Neil Sedaka as Ben suggests, better cue the Mussorgsky for SWBTS and change "Bald Mountain" to "Seminary Hill." By blogging fiat, I declare complementarianism to be Southern Baptists favorite tongue-tying word, as well as being about six syllables beyond what we are comfortable with. No wonder it is undefinable and applications vary widely among us. ...concerning which, the … [Read more...] about Southwestern’s Potemkin village and other fascinating excursions in SBC vocabulary
Outside of the local church, who can do anything about SBC clergy who are sex abusers?
Who, aside from the local church or churches involved, can do anything about SBC clergy who are accused of sex abuse? The answer depends on what actions are considered or are to be taken. You may have read about the case of a Tennessee SBC pastor who resigned after accusations of his abusive behavior at a Texas church in the 1980s. The story is told at length here. It is a sad story and one that should grieve any and all of us. It raises a number of questions about how sex abuse is handled in SBC churches and also about how SBC entities outside of the local church react when approached … [Read more...] about Outside of the local church, who can do anything about SBC clergy who are sex abusers?