Much pontification has been digitally uploaded to this site recently regarding the question as to whether or or not it is appropriate for a woman to serve as President of the SBC. My friend Casey Hough offered his thoughts on this subject at his personal page on Thursday. I asked Casey if I could post his text in full here at Voices in order to offer another opinion on the subject. Now, I must admit that I am not completely convinced by his argument (although the vast majority of it resonates loudly with me) but his tone and congenial tenor draw me in and I completely understand and appreciate … [Read more...] about Can a woman serve as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention? (Casey Hough)
SBC Annual Meeting
SBC & Politics: Why I Made a Motion to Exclude Politicians from the Annual Meeting (Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr.)
At the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention, I made a motion that beginning in 2019 the SBC would refrain from allowing elected officials to speak at the Convention. The exception was for the host Mayor or appropriate official to give a welcome greeting and to receive thanks from the Convention for hosting the Convention. The reason I feel it is time for such a position for the Convention is multi-fold. It has nothing to do with Vice President Mike Pence speaking at the 2018 Convention. In my opinion, Vice President Pence and Mrs. Pence are good godly people. Though some were calling for the … [Read more...] about SBC & Politics: Why I Made a Motion to Exclude Politicians from the Annual Meeting (Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr.)
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
Wealthy Patterson Supporters Threaten to Withhold Future Donations to SWBTS
News reported this afternoon. 16 individuals or couples have signed a letter to Kevin Ueckert and the SWBTS trustees threanening to withhold "tens of millions" in future donations to the school. In seven pages they express "utter disdain for your actions on May 30," the day Patterson was terminated. They demand for an investigative committee to be appointed, half of which would be signers of the letter (sounds like it would be objective...). Nugget: Bigtime Southwestern Seminary donors have sent a letter to the executive committee of the board of trustees saying that unless "serious wrongs" … [Read more...] about Wealthy Patterson Supporters Threaten to Withhold Future Donations to SWBTS
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
Why Dave Ramsey Was Not a Waste of Time at the SBC
My wife and I made sure we made it back into the convention hall Tuesday afternoon to hear Dave Ramsey speak. When we came in, he had already begun speaking. I was excited to hear him. I'm always excited to hear Dave speak; I'll admit I see him as a bit of a hero. My wife and I are Dave Ramsey fans and as soon as we get our house paid off, we're going to Nashville to do our debt-free scream. My kids even have the introduction to his radio show memorized. I was disappointed to hear grumbling in my section, and then murmurings afterward about his appearance. There were those who thought … [Read more...] about Why Dave Ramsey Was Not a Waste of Time at the SBC
Unity, Division, the Past, and the Future of the SBC
When we seek unity at the SBC, we often come at it from the wrong perspective. We seek to downplay our differences, as if we all walk hand in hand, one in mind and spirit. We seek to suppress the voices of dissent and keep them from speaking their minds. We demand that those of different cultures and preferences conform to our ways. We accuse those who challenge, question, or criticize of being divisive and of threatening unity. This is a gross misunderstanding of biblical unity and actually tends to lead to greater anger and division. People feel bullied, pressured … [Read more...] about Unity, Division, the Past, and the Future of the SBC
Lament, Power, and the Future of the SBC
Less than a month ago, my dad dropped dead of a heart attack. This was shocking, unexpected, and disorienting for our family. As much as we wanted to pretend it didn’t happen or distract ourselves with other things, we have been helped through the process by talking about it, expressing our emotional responses, and letting each family member grieve in his or her own way. We knew we were going in the right direction when my 3-year-old said, “I miss Grandpa. I feel sad. Grandpa was a pilot. Grandpa died. He’s dead now.” Perhaps because the loss of my dad was so fresh on my heart, I was hoping … [Read more...] about Lament, Power, and the Future of the SBC
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