I currently have the privilege of serving on the Committee on Nominations of the Southern Baptist Convention. I have had the responsibility of representing Mississippi Baptists on this committee three times now. This year I had the honor of serving with a layman from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A couple weeks ago I emailed our finished product to the Executive Committee of the SBC. We finished our work ahead of the deadline. Our recommendations await approval of the entire Committee on Nominations which will meet in Nashville in a this week. I would like to share some misconceptions that a … [Read more...] about Serving on the Committee on Nominations (Dean Stewart)
SBC Annual Meeting
Dr. A. B. Vines to Be Nominated for SBC First Vice President
Baptist Press just reported that Dr. Johnny Hunt will nominate Dr. A. B. Vines for SBC First Vice President this summer at the Annual Meeting in Dallas. Vines is pastor of New Seasons Church in San Diego, President of the California Southern Baptist Convention, and is a recent past president of the National African American Fellowship of the SBC. You'll see all those details and more in the BP article. The announcement notes the extensive missions work of New Seasons Church, Cooperative Program and Great Commission Giving, "community clothing and feeding ministries, at least two church … [Read more...] about Dr. A. B. Vines to Be Nominated for SBC First Vice President
Weigh In: The Most Memorable Pastors’ Conference Sermons
I’ve been attending the SBC Pastor’s Conference and Annual Meeting since 1999. Every year I've been encouraged and strengthened by the messages. I'm looking forward to Dallas and what looks to be a great lineup of preachers. As I anticipate another great pastor's conference, I thought I'd share some of the highlights for me from past years. (Note: Interpret the title as the most memorable sermons to Todd. In the comments, I'd love to hear what sermons have been memorable to you.) These are a few sermons that have made a lasting impact: James McDonald, June 12 2016, … [Read more...] about Weigh In: The Most Memorable Pastors’ Conference Sermons
Some Quick #SBCPC17 Reflections
I am on my way home from Phoenix after visiting Sedona and the Grand Canyon yesterday with my lovely bride. We had a great time in Phoenix. Our parents kept our kids for us, and we were able to spend the whole week together. It's always good to get away, but we are also very ready to be home. I can't wait to hug and kiss my kids and preach on Sunday. God is good. I have lots of thoughts rolling around in my head regarding this year's SBC Pastors' Conference and Annual Meeting. Hopefully some of those thoughts will find their way to this blog in the coming week, but I thought I would … [Read more...] about Some Quick #SBCPC17 Reflections
SBC PC: Pray for Shane Hall
The SBC Pastors' Conference begins tomorrow evening. I'm on the ground in Phoenix, and we're busy making final preparations for this historic event. I hope you are planning to join us Sunday evening and all day Monday. We have 12 preachers from 12 average-sized Southern Baptist Churches who will be lifting up the name of Jesus as they preach expositionally through the book of Philippians. I've been posting a call to pray for one speaker each day until the day of the conference. I hope you will take a moment to pray for these men as they finish up their sermon preparations. Shane … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Pray for Shane Hall
SBC PC: Pray for Bart Barber
It's hard to believe that the SBC Pastors' Conference is almost here. My flight leaves for Phoenix, AZ in just a few hours. I hope you are planning to join us Sunday evening and all day Monday. We have 12 preachers from 12 average-sized Southern Baptist Churches who will be lifting up the name of Jesus as they preach expositionally through the book of Philippians. Including today, we have only 2 days left before the conference. I've been posting a call to pray for one speaker each day until the day of the conference. I hope you will take a moment to pray for these men as they finish up … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Pray for Bart Barber
SBC PC: Pray for Michael Allen
It's hard to believe that the SBC Pastors' Conference is almost here. Social media posts are beginning to pop up with people making their way to Phoenix. I hope you are planning to join us in Phoenix, Arizona Sunday evening and all day Monday. We have 12 preachers from 12 average-sized Southern Baptist Churches who will be lifting up the name of Jesus as they preach expositionally through the book of Philippians. Including today, we have only 3 days left before the conference. I've been posting a call to pray for one speaker each day until the day of the conference. I hope you will take … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Pray for Michael Allen
SBC PC: Pray for Spencer Plumlee
It's hard to believe that the SBC Pastors' Conference is less than a week away. I hope you are planning to join us in Phoenix, Arizona June 11-12. We have 12 preachers from 12 average-sized Southern Baptist Churches who will be lifting up the name of Jesus as they preach expositionally through the book of Philippians. Including today, we have only 4 days left before the conference. So I am posting a call to pray for one speaker each day until the day of the conference. I hope you will take a moment each day to pray for these men as they finish up their sermon preparations. Spencer … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Pray for Spencer Plumlee
The Resolutions Committee Report for #SBC17
In years where there is no major issue scheduled for a vote, the report of the Resolutions Committee is one of the things most worth watching. Last year Southern Baptists passed a resolution "On Sensitivity And Unity Regarding The Confederate Battle Flag." It was controversial, but passed with the overwhelming support of the messengers gathered in St. Louis. The 2014 convention in Baltimore included a resolution "On Transgender Identity." While that one was not as controversial among messengers, it did receive some discussion from the floor at that year's convention. This year we have … [Read more...] about The Resolutions Committee Report for #SBC17
SBC PC: Pray for Jose Abella
It's hard to believe that the SBC Pastors' Conference is less than a week away. I hope you are planning to join us in Phoenix, Arizona June 11-12. We have 12 preachers from 12 average-sized Southern Baptist Churches who will be lifting up the name of Jesus as they preach expositionally through the book of Philippians. Including today, we have only 5 days left before the conference. So I am posting a call to pray for one speaker each day until the day of the conference. I hope you will take a moment each day to pray for these men as they finish up their sermon preparations. Jose … [Read more...] about SBC PC: Pray for Jose Abella