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
SBC Institutions & Entities
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
What Women Really Want (Melissa Edgington)
In “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,” Chaucer creates a king who, as punishment for an evil deed, is sent on a quest to find out what it is that women really want. He travels the entire land, asking women everywhere, and much to his discouragement, every answer is different. He is beginning to believe he will never learn the truth of what it is that women truly desire. Finally, he comes across an old mystic who reveals that the ultimate wish of all women is to dominate and rule over their husbands and lovers. In the end the king is forced to marry the old woman and, once he finally concedes … [Read more...] about What Women Really Want (Melissa Edgington)
SBC Entities, Child Abuse, and Sexual Harassment
Our flagship and by far largest entity, the International Mission Board, published a statement on child abuse and sexual harassment. The board says, The IMB is committed to zero tolerance for child abuse and sexual harassment among our personnel. Further, the IMB is committed to communicating clearly and cooperating with our partners to guard against child abuse and sexual harassment. The policy provides that, IMB personnel are subject to immediate dismissal for such offenses. IMB will comply with mandatory reporting on such things. IMB has a dedicated phone number for reports of … [Read more...] about SBC Entities, Child Abuse, and Sexual Harassment
The ERLC on the Revoice Conference
I am so thankful for this iteration of the ERLC. In years past I wondered about having an arm of our cooperative work which was so intrinsically tied to politics. However, the men and women who are currently serving at the ERLC seem to deeply care about their work and they do not tie their opinions to partisan politics. I very much appreciate that (I will write more about my thoughts on that soon). Over the last few years they have taken shots, like a champ, from both sides of the political spectrum so arguably they must be doing something right. (bring on the condescending comments) I want … [Read more...] about The ERLC on the Revoice Conference
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
Thoughts on J.D. Greear’s Comments on Homosexuality
I was once asked to officiate a wedding for a young couple that had been attending our church. The young man had waited for me outside the building and he was very nervous. I knew the couple had been living together, and when he asked, I looked into his face and said, "I don't normally marry couples who are living together. That's against what God's Word says, so we'll have to talk about that." I'll never forget that conversation. I was right. However, I did a poor job of loving my neighbor. I loved being right more than I loved that young man, and it cost me the opportunity to influence … [Read more...] about Thoughts on J.D. Greear’s Comments on Homosexuality
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