I love where I live. New Orleans is full of music, food and history. It has character and is unique in many ways. It also has great challenges and difficulties. One of the things which excited me about the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting coming here to New Orleans this year (again, sorry to my NC friends), is that those of us who live here would have the opportunity to be ambassadors for this place in a special way and shine a light on some interesting facts you might not know about this city and the surrounding area. Early on in preparing for SBC23, our Local Encouragement … [Read more...] about Did You Know?!?
Announcement
Your Invitation to New Orleans from our Local Association of Churches (Jack Hunter)
New Orleans is bounded on the north by Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary covering 630 square miles connected to the Gulf of Mexico by the Rigolets and Chef Menteur Pass, and supplied with fresh water by many different rivers, tributaries, and bayous. The Lake is good metaphor for the churches of the New Orleans Baptist Association. Our association comprises many different streams, but we are united by one heart, one hope, one identity—our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our Baptist community is equal parts African American and Anglo, and we have a rapidly growing Hispanic constituency … [Read more...] about Your Invitation to New Orleans from our Local Association of Churches (Jack Hunter)
Pastor Jay’s Lists of Stuff You Should Know for #SBC23 in New Orleans
Once I knew the #SBC23 Annual Meeting was coming to New Orleans I immediately thought of assembling a list of things to taste, touch, smell, hear and see while messengers visit this most unique of American cities. The following "list of lists" is certainly not exhaustive but I believe it's a good start. I will likely tweak, add to, or otherwise update these groupings from time to time. I will also be Tweeting out individual portions of these lists from now until convention time. Also, be sure to take a look at the website NOBTS has put together as a resource for visitors. It is fantastic. … [Read more...] about Pastor Jay’s Lists of Stuff You Should Know for #SBC23 in New Orleans
SBCcalled.com: A Resource You Should Check Out IMMEDIATELY!
This article was supposed to be imbedded in another one I am writing about collegiate ministry and Collegiate Week in particular. But the more I wrote about this subject, the more I realized how important it is and that it really needed its own article. The Yoda of Louisiana collegiate ministry is Steve Masters, BCM director at LSU. This guy is a machine. I had known of Steve for years, but really got to know him and see him work the week we all lived together during Collegiate Week this past August. He has created a website which is chock-full of resources every Pastor, Youth Pastor, … [Read more...] about SBCcalled.com: A Resource You Should Check Out IMMEDIATELY!
A Recap of the #SBC23 Kick-Off Meeting and Luncheon
I’ve been behind on a few projects while I’ve focused on several things at the church which has taken precedence. One of the things I wanted to have written up earlier was a recap of our #SBC23 Annual Meeting “Kick-Off” event which happened on the campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) two weeks ago today on Tuesday, August 23rd. This “Kick Off” is only the fourth of its kind and I think the idea is a great one! I was certain it would be an encouragement for the pastors from our region and a helpful sort of “pep-rally” for our area. What I did not expect is that we … [Read more...] about A Recap of the #SBC23 Kick-Off Meeting and Luncheon
Attention Louisiana & Mississippi Pastors and Staff
Dr. Willie McLaurin, Interim President of our SBC Executive Committee has sent out the invitation to attend our “SBC 2023 Annual Meeting Kick-Off Luncheon.” This event, specifically for pastors, staff and denominational workers in the New Orleans region (especially from south Mississippi and Louisiana) will be a time to inform those in our region on the plans for next year’s annual meeting and an explanation on how they can be involved in helping to make #SBC23 a success. Our Local Encouragement Team (LET) is excited to have you join us for this event which will take place on the campus of … [Read more...] about Attention Louisiana & Mississippi Pastors and Staff
An Update on #SBC23 in New Orleans
We just finished up the inaugural meeting of the newly renamed Local Encouragement Team (LET) (formerly known as the Local Arrangement Committee) for the #SBC23 meeting taking place here in New Orleans on June 11-14, 2023. I just thought I'd share some behind-the-scenes stuff in case any of our readers might be interested (and because Luke Holmes suggested I should). The first two wonderfully encouraging meetings were hosted by our friends at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. What a great partner to our churches who’ve already shot out of the gate strong and are working hard to … [Read more...] about An Update on #SBC23 in New Orleans
Response to the Sexual Abuse Task Force Report [Guest Author: Bart Barber]
We, the SBC Voices Editorial Team, repost here for your consideration Dr. Bart Barber's response to the report of the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force. For the original source, click here. For the SBC SATF documents, click here. Bart Barber May 25, 2022 For Immediate Release I have now read the complete text and the appendices of the May 15, 2022, document from Guidepost Solutions entitled, “Report of the Independent Investigation: The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations and an Audit of the Procedures and Actions of the Credentials … [Read more...] about Response to the Sexual Abuse Task Force Report [Guest Author: Bart Barber]
Why I Am Being Nominated for SBC Recording Secretary
Let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Adam Blosser. My wife, Ashley, and I have been married for ten years. We have four children. I am the lead pastor of Goshen Baptist Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia where I have served for almost five years. And Dave Miller is nominating me for recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention. There are three primary reasons why: 1. I want to serve Southern Baptists. My entire life has been spent in Southern Baptist churches. As a child, my Southern Baptist parents took me to our Southern Baptist church every time the doors were open. … [Read more...] about Why I Am Being Nominated for SBC Recording Secretary
Announcement: Scholarships for #SBC21 Organized by SBC Voices
For the 2017 Pastors' Conference, one of the most edifying experiences (out of many) was being able to provide scholarships for 50 61 pastors to attend the Conference and Annual Meeting in Phoenix. We've had people ask about the possibility since and this year we decided to do something about it. We're raising money to help send messengers to Nashville. No strings attached. As long as they meet the criteria for the application, they'll be eligible and recipients will be chosen randomly from those who apply. Some details: Scholarships will be awarded on a random basis for those who … [Read more...] about Announcement: Scholarships for #SBC21 Organized by SBC Voices