Our annual sweatfest, the SBC Annual Meeting, is only a couple of weeks off. With the Greear/Hemphill presidential contest and the Patterson messes having consumed all the pre-convention publicity, you could be forgiven for forgetting that other things will take place. One of these is the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (SBCAL) which meets in Dallas a couple of days prior to the annual meeting. This year the SBCAL, as a part of their year-long study A fresh look at the time-honored work of associations within SBC life, will recommend a name change for what most of us … [Read more...] about Can you jettison “DOM” for “AMS” in our Baptist lingo?
SBC Institutions & Entities
Dr. Jason Allen’s Resolution on “On Affirming the Dignity of Women and the Holiness of Ministers”
Dr. Jason K. Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has released a resolution which he has submitted for consideration at the SBC Annual Meeting. It is signed by entity heads, by President Steve Gaines, by both presidential candidates, by past SBC presidents, many of our state executives (I did not check to see how many did or did not sign), and by many mega metro pastors. The resolution is printed below in full. Dr. Allen's commentary on the resolution can be found at his website and is well worth reading. This resolution is well-written and much-needed. As the … [Read more...] about Dr. Jason Allen’s Resolution on “On Affirming the Dignity of Women and the Holiness of Ministers”
The Role of SBC President: Does This Year Matter More?
This is the most highly contested SBC presidential contest since the end of the Conservative Resurgence. I think the 1990 election in New Orleans where Morris Chapman defeated Dan Vestal by 15 percentage points was the last white hot election. We've had contested elections since but none like this year's. One group casts this election as one to turn the convention around, reclaim the convention, etc. Steve Gaines and others call it "pivotal" but doesn't explain how it is so. Maybe it's supposed to be self-evident. Is the SBC president that big of a deal? In the light of current events, … [Read more...] about The Role of SBC President: Does This Year Matter More?
To Publish or Not to Publish? Resolutions in a Social Media Age
Last Thursday, our own William Thornton helped potential resolvers by laying out the steps to properly submit a resolution, along with a few details on what happens after the resolution is submitted. Monday Resolutions Committee chair Jason Duesing provided an extended explanation of their committee's work and process in Baptist Press. If you're interested in the resolutions process and some of the more technical details, you'll find a ton of good info there. So you already know the official process. But there's a trend recently that goes beyond those official steps. More and more people … [Read more...] about To Publish or Not to Publish? Resolutions in a Social Media Age
2018 may be the SBC’s annus horribilis
My apologies to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, from whose 1992 speech I borrowed the Latin phrase. The royal family had a number of personal difficulties that year...and Windsor Castle caught fire. Sometimes royalty, even in the SBC, has difficulty. In the Grand Old Southern Baptist Convention we'd like to catch a different kind of fire but it looks like we will have to deal with extensive damage first. To Americanize annus horribilis, try Judith Viorst's 1972 children's book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. All of those descriptors work well. Some of the … [Read more...] about 2018 may be the SBC’s annus horribilis
I’m an SBC Woman & I Have a Vote (Jacki C. King)
For as long as I can remember, I have been looking for a tribe, a group, a place, from the halls of Jr. high waiting to see if I made the spirit squad to staring at the walls of my public university wondering if anyone else was crazy enough to sign up for that 8AM lecture. I’m well past those moments of wonder but these last few weeks I’ve wrestled, struggled, and prayed through the tension of “Who are my people? Where is my tribe.” I’ve tasted the goodness and fruit of all God is doing in the SBC, from surrendering my life at the local Girls in Action camp as a young girl to serving women … [Read more...] about I’m an SBC Woman & I Have a Vote (Jacki C. King)
6 Ways the SBC Needs to Grow in Light of Our Recent Failures
I am deeply grieved by what I am reading online about the crisis at my alma mater, Southwestern Seminary. It is devastating to me learning of the women who have been hurt through this crisis. I have been a Southern Baptist (SBC) my whole life, all 44 years. Born and raised in a Southern Baptist church (baptized at age 7). I attended a Southern Baptist university for 4 years (BS degree), attended a Southern Baptist seminary 4 years (earned Master of Divinity degree in 2001), full-time pastored Southern Baptist churches for 5 years, bivocational preacher for scores of Southern Baptist churches … [Read more...] about 6 Ways the SBC Needs to Grow in Light of Our Recent Failures
A Resolution for #SBC18: “On Repudiating Predatory Behavior”
I have submitted the following resolution, On Repudiating Predatory Behavior, to the SBC Committee on Resolutions for their consideration. I am hopeful that this will be reported out by the committee to the messengers gathered at this year's annual meeting in Dallas as it is, or in hybrid form combining any other similar resolutions on this subject. I believe the significance of this resolution lies in the full scope of its application. Predatory behavior includes domestic violence (sexual, physical, and psychological), child abuse (sexual, physical, and psychological), sexual predation, … [Read more...] about A Resolution for #SBC18: “On Repudiating Predatory Behavior”
What Is Happening in the SBC: Helpful Thoughts & Reflections
It's been a little quiet around here since Tuesday evening. We closed comments temporarily and thought it was best to allow things to settle some before jumping back into the conversation. A lot has happened on social media and these articles have been widely shared. I think all three are really helpful in thinking through and absorbing what has transpired over the last month and especially this week. Each one is well worth your time. The Wrath of God Poured Out — The Humiliation of the Southern Baptist Convention by Al Mother. Available at Mohler's website and Christianity … [Read more...] about What Is Happening in the SBC: Helpful Thoughts & Reflections
Paige Patterson Has Been Made President Emeritus of SWBTS – Effective Immediately
We have received word that Dr. Paige Patterson has been transitioned to the president emeritus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, effective immediately, after a lengthy Board of Trustees meeting today. Jeffrey Bingham is Interim President. Baptist Press has more detail. We realize that this decision will bring about a wide range of reactions, from joy to anger. We feel it is best to let the information come out fully in the next day or so before we begin to add opinion to these facts. Comments are closed for now. God bless Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. … [Read more...] about Paige Patterson Has Been Made President Emeritus of SWBTS – Effective Immediately