#SBC21 is in the books and it's a convention we'll all remember for years to come. I went in unsure of what to expect, and came home encouraged. Here are eight key victories I believe we saw last week in Nashville. 1. Motion for convention-wide voluntary assessment of abuse Leading up to the convention, most attention was on the Gaines/Parrott motion published in the lead up to the Annual Meeting and in the aftermath of the Russell Moore letters. See #2 for more on that motion. But behind the scenes, Todd Benkert had been working for months with counsel from survivor advocates on a plan to … [Read more...] about Eight Key Victories in Nashville at #SBC21
SBC Institutions & Entities
Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
I’ve had the opportunity to attend 11 SBC Annual Meetings. This year was different than all the rest. It was the largest in 25 years with over 15,700 messengers. This was an historic meeting and I’m glad I was in the room. If you weren’t there and you followed along in the media, online, or on social media, it’s easy to find varying opinions and feel confused as to what transpired. At times it’s hard to tell what happened when you have to wade through the bias and perspective of the author. That being said, here is my perspective on what happened this week. 1. On Monday evening we … [Read more...] about Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
I returned late Wednesday night from a whirlwind trip to Nashville, TN where I attended the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is the sixth annual meeting that I have attended in person. My first was in 2005. This was the largest annual meeting in 25 years, having a total of 15,726 messengers and over 20,000 total people in the building. I left Nashville physically and mentally exhausted but otherwise encouraged and optimistic. There is plenty I could share about auxiliary events, the missionaries we commissioned, and other meetings that happened. But my focus here … [Read more...] about Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
What Messengers Should Know About the Conservative Baptist Network’s Plans for #SBC21
The SBC functions as a bottom-up convention of churches. It is often said that the headquarters of the SBC is in the local church. We say this for good reason. It is true. Between our annual meetings, our entities and their trustees carry out the will of the Messengers, who represent the churches. Whenever you have people involved, processes in place, and decisions being made, you have politics, which is not necessarily a problem. In part, it is just the way groups of people navigate collective decision-making. Thus, it is no surprise that the SBC, for many years, has operated with a … [Read more...] about What Messengers Should Know About the Conservative Baptist Network’s Plans for #SBC21
Southern Baptists Are at a Fork in the Road (by Ed Stetzer)
I could have titled this piece “Southern Baptists are at a Crossroads.” Southern Baptists have faced many crossroads in their history. Yet where things sit for Southern Baptists in June 2021 isn’t a crossroads moment, but a fork-in-the-road moment. The choices facing Southern Baptists in the year of our Lord 2021 remind me of Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” In that poem, Frost talks about how two roads diverged in the woods, leaving him with a choice of which road he was going to take. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in a few days will be facing votes on a series of … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists Are at a Fork in the Road (by Ed Stetzer)
These Additional Steps Needed in SBC EC Investigation
Recently the SBC Executive Committee announced that they had hired Guidepost Solutions to conduct an "independent process assessment" in response to "recent accusations of the inappropriate handling of sexual abuse claims." Response was varied, from affirming to skeptical to critical. The first question was about the firm they hired. Guidepost has handled some high-profile abuse cases recently. While some were skeptical, others praised the organization for its strong track record. Rachael Denhollander, a voice I trust more than any other on this subject, affirmed Guidepost, but relayed … [Read more...] about These Additional Steps Needed in SBC EC Investigation
Addressing the SBC Abuse Crisis — A Needed Next Step
Next week, during the Executive Committee report, Southern Baptists will have the second opportunity to vote to amend our constitution and address the issue of sexual abuse. The constitutional amendment we will voting is worded to provide accountability for churches to respond well to sexual abuse. Thus far, however, the newly founded credentials committee has proved to be ineffective in responding to reports of mishandling of abuse. So to survivors, what it looks like is a big fat nothing. And they’re not wrong. There is no database, not yet any real accountability, and known abusers continue … [Read more...] about Addressing the SBC Abuse Crisis — A Needed Next Step
#SBC21 Endorsement: Dr. Anthony Dockery for 1VP (by Marshall Blalock)
With all the focus on the Southern Baptist Convention’s presidential election, the office of First Vice-President is important for reasons that may not be obvious. The First VP steps in if unforeseen events cause the President to be unable to serve, and that reason alone makes the election important. However, the nomination of Dr. Anthony Dockery for this role is particularly important. The reason? Whoever is elected President will need someone of the character and background of Dr. Dockery to provide vitally important counsel. Dr. Dockery has the heart of a man willing to put his … [Read more...] about #SBC21 Endorsement: Dr. Anthony Dockery for 1VP (by Marshall Blalock)
Do What Must Be Done, Whatever the Cost, to Eradicate the Sin in our Midst (by Brent Epling)
Southern Baptists are rightfully grieved over this week's many revelations. It seems like a hundred years ago when the Book of Reports revealed Southwestern Seminary's response to Ben Cole, which reported that its former president had absconded with seminary property, including confidential documents, artwork, and donor lists. Then, someone leaked two letters Russell Moore wrote detailing the Executive Committee's depravity in handling the SBC's rampant sexual abuse and racism problems. And in the past few days, more correspondence (and now a series of damning audio clips) have emerged of … [Read more...] about Do What Must Be Done, Whatever the Cost, to Eradicate the Sin in our Midst (by Brent Epling)
Nashville, We Have a Problem. Al Mohler Is Not the Answer.
We’re only a few days away from the SBC Presidential Election. It’s the time of year when people who aren’t paying much attention the rest of the year begin to consider the choices they’ll make at the Annual Meeting. I know many people have already made up their minds about who they’ll be voting for in Nashville. But there may be some who are still considering which nominee is the best choice. I’d like to offer some thoughts on the vote for SBC President, especially knowing that Al Mohler has the highest name recognition among those being nominated. I’m someone who should be a likely … [Read more...] about Nashville, We Have a Problem. Al Mohler Is Not the Answer.