Yet another clickbait title today. One specific question that seemed to percolate out of #SBC18 was: "Can a woman be elected as SBC president?" Former president James Merritt says, "yes." Dwight McKissick says "yes" and makes the case for Beth Moore. Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Seminary was asked and, although I can't find the quote right off, had a "yes, but" sort of reply. The SBC controlling documents are clear, though knowledgable SBC leaders usually answer the question with a negative cast, "There's no constitutional reason that would prevent...". Unfortunately, … [Read more...] about About a woman being SBC president
Small Town Independence Day Celebrations Are the Best
I've been going to one close by for a couple of decades most every year. Just a few thousand people in this small, Georgia railroad town but they do a great job and it's always interesting. I go for the bbq but always watch the all-comers-welcome parade that precedes it. The bbq is pictured. If Jimmy Meek gets a photo here of the flag and fireworks then it is necessary for someone else to add the other essential to our July 4th celebrations, pork bbq. It is excellent. My only complaint is that for the last decade or so I haven't been able get there early enough to get some pork skins. Seems … [Read more...] about Small Town Independence Day Celebrations Are the Best
Finally, Chaucer Makes Voices…and Other Recent Notables
Melissa Eddington gets a gold star for working Chaucer into an article. I think I've read a bit of old Chuck Chaucer, guy from Alabama, right? SWBTS trustees are instructed to meet a self-selected group of big donors "forthwith" sayeth the wealthy former donors to the seminary. Money talks. Sometimes it barks out orders, even in Southern Baptist life. Guess we will see who jumps. Brent Hobbs is doing a lot of the editing and admin stuff here now. He is responsible for finding all of these neat photos that come with articles. What goes on in his mind when he matches them up, I don't know, but … [Read more...] about Finally, Chaucer Makes Voices…and Other Recent Notables
Ideas for Increasing Annual Meeting Attendance
Below is the list of annual meetings, location, and attendance for the past 19 years. This from the nice folks at SBC This Week. Year City Attendance 2000 Orlando 11,959 2001 New Orleans 9,581 2002 St. Louis 9,645 2003 Phoenix 7,077 2004 Indianapolis 8,600 2005 Nashville 11,641 2006 Greensboro 11,639 2007 San Antonio 8,630 2008 Indianapolis 7,277 2009 Louisville 8,795 2010 Orlando 11,075 2011 Phoenix 4,852 2012 New … [Read more...] about Ideas for Increasing Annual Meeting Attendance
Things Are Different Than They Were a Month Ago
Things are different now in some ways. SBC Voices has deliberately added a number of new writers. The change is welcome. New perspectives are good. Although SBCV is often labeled as a Cal site, contributors here are a mix of theological views, cal and non-cal. No question the choice here was mostly, perhaps fully, Greear, but it has been said that the welcome mat is out for some Traditionalist contributions. SBC Today has an interim director who has said, "I would also like to invite Dave Miller of SBC Voices to join myself in moderating a fruitful and charitable discussion on … [Read more...] about Things Are Different Than They Were a Month Ago
Book Review: Together on God’s Mission, How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Great Commission by Scott Hildreth
Is our main channel of cooperation, the Cooperative Program, best viewed as (a) a tax on churches, (b) dues for membership in the Southern Baptist Convention, (c) an efficient and practical way of spending our money, or, (d) the primary means of expressing cooperation among churches, an important theological value and teaching? Scott Hildreth, Assistant Professor of Global Studies George Liele director of the Center for Great Commission Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, advocates for (d) in his new book, Together on God's Mission, How Southern Baptists Cooperate to … [Read more...] about Book Review: Together on God’s Mission, How Southern Baptists Cooperate to Fulfill the Great Commission by Scott Hildreth
SBC Entities, Child Abuse, and Sexual Harassment
Our flagship and by far largest entity, the International Mission Board, published a statement on child abuse and sexual harassment. The board says, The IMB is committed to zero tolerance for child abuse and sexual harassment among our personnel. Further, the IMB is committed to communicating clearly and cooperating with our partners to guard against child abuse and sexual harassment. The policy provides that, IMB personnel are subject to immediate dismissal for such offenses. IMB will comply with mandatory reporting on such things. IMB has a dedicated phone number for reports of … [Read more...] about SBC Entities, Child Abuse, and Sexual Harassment
Lost in #SBC18 Noise: Evangelism Task Force Report and Recommendations
My how we SBCers do love the 'National Blue Ribbon Task Force' approach to addressing seemingly intractable, long-running problems in the SBC chief of which is the steadily declining baptism total. Steve Gaines appointed and the Convention approved last year such a group, the Evangelism Task Force. Baptist Press reported on it with a couple of stories: Evangelism Task Force Releases Report, Recommendations 'All of us' must evangelize, SBC agrees with task force The ETF produced a report that included a section on "affirmations" and "denials" about evangelism. Naturally, soteriology … [Read more...] about Lost in #SBC18 Noise: Evangelism Task Force Report and Recommendations
Stray Summer Solstice Stuff
We Baptists are a bit reserved about the summer solstice primarily because we are too spiritual to even mention such an event we see as pagan. I am happy to fill in the void by saying that the longest day of the year is a splendid event - the sun is shining, birds are singing, kids are playing (even a few of them are playing outside), and flowers are blooming. The Almighty Himself is responsible for the sun, moon, and stars and the length of a day. Sad, though, that the sun repents and starts a slow march backwards and we know that come October, November, and December we will have a SAD time … [Read more...] about Stray Summer Solstice Stuff
Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers
Almost lost amid the more gaudy news out of Dallas this week is something that is assuredly more important to the SBC's future: news on the Cooperative Program. Average percentage of undesignated receipts given to CP: 4.86% down from 5.16%. Although the decline is just a fraction, 3/10 of one percent, it's a pretty steep one year drop, about 6%. Think what it would mean if we had five consecutive years of the same. We would be looking at a CP that is down to 3.5% of church receipts. Weeping and gnashing of teeth everywhere. Churches have been giving on average around five percent … [Read more...] about Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers