After ten months of this fiscal year the CP is looking like there will be a slight increase for the year. Last year the Florida Baptist Convention sold their building and made a $3.1 million gift to the CP allocation budget. Because of that the yearly total may be slightly under last year. National CP 3.06% ahead of projection Designated giving to the Executive Committee, almost all of that Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong contributions, is up about $2.8 million from the same period last year. It's easy to gripe about SBC matters, decisions, snafus, and other things. Somehow, though, … [Read more...] about The Cooperative Program will almost certainly be up for the fiscal year
Georgia Baptists have a nominee for our state convention CEO
The Georgia Baptist Mission Board is one of the largest state conventions ranking second or third by several measures. The GBMB will likely be the second largest contributor to the SBC Cooperative Program allocation budget this year. Our CEO is retiring after 25 years and a new one has been nominated. Thomas Hammond to be nominated as Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board Oddly, the news reports omit ages, not that such is the most critical factor but it is a factor in these changes. The retiring CEO is in his early 70s. Hammond is 56 or so. It's not quite a generation … [Read more...] about Georgia Baptists have a nominee for our state convention CEO
The SBC needs vigorous Traditionalist voices
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 The Facebook discussion page was jettisoned and has been replaced by another and is a definite improvement.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