I enjoy attending the Annual Session of the Southern Baptist Convention each year. Our annual Vacation Bible School and the second week of June SBC session have often conflicted on our church calendar. I have usually opted to attend the SBC, when that occurs, and left an Associate in charge. This year we scheduled the VBS for the last week of June, to make sure it didn’t conflict with the SBC and/or the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education meeting in Baltimore. However, as of today, I’m seriously contemplating whether or not to attend the SBC Birmingham, 2019. Why? To be … [Read more...] about To Attend, or Not Attend, That Is the Question
SBC Institutions & Entities
Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network
On Monday a group of SBC women leaders launched a new initiative called the SBC Women's Leadership Network. We've heard rumblings for a month or two that something was in the works to give SBC women an avenue for networking and encouragement. The SBC Women’s Leadership Network exists to connect, equip, and encourage women leaders throughout the Southern Baptist Convention as we serve in various forms of kingdom mission. The Women's Leadership Network (WLN) has a steering committee, as listed on their website, an impressive list of SBC leaders like Kathy Litton, Carol Pipes, Amy Whitfield, … [Read more...] about Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network
Reflections on Counting the Cost of Pursuing Unity (with Editor’s Statement)
Editor's Statement: Todd and I (Dave) consulted on the construction of this post and I was the one who personally verified the information about the conversation that took place that caused all of the controversy. We would like to clarify that the purpose of this post was to ask the question as to how to address the issue of whether the election of a minority president would actually cause a donor problem. Todd was careful to express his admiration for Dr. Kelley and did not lay the charge of racism at his feet, though some have falsely accused him of such. I was told that the … [Read more...] about Reflections on Counting the Cost of Pursuing Unity (with Editor’s Statement)
I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
One week ago I wrote my first draft of this article, then I didn't post it because I realized I was angry and my words were not appropriate nor were they even coherent due to my frustration. Thus, I have waited until today when the hard copy of the article to which I was responding arrived at our church office (and I am in better control of my faculties ). Also, I had another title for this article but some dear friends suggested I should soften it a bit. So this is me not being angry or incendiary... The Baptist Message's "Investigation" Last week the Baptist Message (BM), the state … [Read more...] about I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
Resources on Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response
One of the things we've learned recently is that we need to learn a lot more on the subjects of sexual abuse and prevention. Below I've tried to compile a starter list of resources I've found helpful and insightful. Please add resources in the comments you're aware of that will help pastors and churches grow in their understanding of sexual abuse prevention and response. Based on recent discussions, for my Southern Baptist friends, I would especially recommend focusing on understanding the grooming process, and also the understanding the ways abuse victims often react and the struggles they … [Read more...] about Resources on Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response
Lyell Statement on Sexual Abuse Released, Details Circumstances of SBTS Professor Resignation
Yesterday details were made public about a Southern Seminary professor and the circumstances surrounding his resignation. Dr. David Sills resigned in May 2018. Baptist Press gave no specific reason for his resignation at that time but alluded that there were moral concerns. In a statement published at lyellstatementonabuse.com, one of Sills' former students gives her account of what transpired, why she waited to tell her story, and why she decided to go public now. Jennifer Lyell, 2006 graduate of SBTS, says in her statement that 2004 was the first time Sills acted against her. She … [Read more...] about Lyell Statement on Sexual Abuse Released, Details Circumstances of SBTS Professor Resignation
Trinity Baptist Pastor Rodney Brown Seeks Forgiveness, Apologizes to SBC, Greear, Victims of Former Staff Member
In a stunning but welcome turn of events, last night Trinity Baptist (Ashburn, GA) pastor Rodney Brown released a statement in the Georgia Christian Index apologizing for his handling of a situation with a staff member accused of sexual abuse. Brown apologized and asked for forgiveness from a number of different people during the course of his statement: David Pittman and the other victims, SBC President J.D. Greear, the entire SBC, and the Georgia Baptist Convention. The situation at Trinity Baptist gained attention when J.D. Greear listed the church in his address to the SBC Executive … [Read more...] about Trinity Baptist Pastor Rodney Brown Seeks Forgiveness, Apologizes to SBC, Greear, Victims of Former Staff Member
Precedent, Inquiries, and the EC Bylaws Workgroup
The issues surrounding last week’s response to the sexual abuse controversy are incredibly complex. I know a lot has been written already. Yesterday I tried to give an overview of where things currently stand. In addition, there are so many details that deserve to be traced out to fully appreciate how we could have responded and where we go from here. One objection we’ve heard from a number of places (just for an example this comment on a recent post) is that the bylaws workgroup wasn’t equipped or ready for the task they were given. Almost as if it was J.D. Greear’s fault for placing on … [Read more...] about Precedent, Inquiries, and the EC Bylaws Workgroup
Bylaws Committee Statement: Update and Where Things Stand
Last week we saw a considerable outcry against the statement issued by the Executive Committee's Bylaw Workgroup. Several of our writers took issue with the statement, as well as other notable voices like Rachael Denhollander and Ed Stetzer. We've seen responses from a number of people involved, and here are some of the notable developments. First the good and then the ones that aren't so... Several Executive Committee members have responded with support for Greear's 10 Calls to Action and other steps to hear from victims and/or push back against the Bylaws Workgroup statement. EC … [Read more...] about Bylaws Committee Statement: Update and Where Things Stand
The SBC’s New Castle and the Wall
It’s been 31 years since Joel Gregory’s famous “The Castle and the Wall” sermon at the 1988 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). As the illustration goes, Lord Londonderry owned a castle in Ireland with fine stones that the local villagers began pilfering in order to rebuild broken roads and buildings. Prior to an extended trip, Londonderry gave orders to his agent to enclose the castle with a well-coped wall, six-feet in height. Londonderry arrived several years later to find his castle had disappeared. In its place was a large wall enclosing nothing. Londonderry sent for his agent to learn … [Read more...] about The SBC’s New Castle and the Wall