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SBC Institutions & Entities

Yes, Resolutions Do Matter

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Leading up to the SBC annual meeting every year, much is made of the resolutions that are being submitted. Many of these resolutions are posted online for all to see even as they are being submitted to the resolutions committee. With this comes the inevitable pontificators stating how resolutions really do not mean anything at all. So what’s the point? On one hand, it is true that SBC resolutions are non-binding. As you surely know, resolutions are considerably different than motions offered on the floor during the meeting itself. SBC churches are not bound in any way by the resolutions … [Read more...] about Yes, Resolutions Do Matter

Stray Summer Solstice Stuff

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We Baptists are a bit reserved about the summer solstice primarily because we are too spiritual to even mention such an event we see as pagan. I am happy to fill in the void by saying that the longest day of the year is a splendid event - the sun is shining, birds are singing, kids are playing (even a few of them are playing outside), and flowers are blooming. The Almighty Himself is responsible for the sun, moon, and stars and the length of a day. Sad, though, that the sun repents and starts a slow march backwards and we know that come October, November, and December we will have a SAD time … [Read more...] about Stray Summer Solstice Stuff

If I Were the Baptist Pope

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  I know, we don't have a pope and I don't want to be one. I'll bet Steve Gaines aged 7 years just trying to run this thing the last couple of years and having papal powers over this bunch would be like trying to herd autonomous cats with soul competency. I have no authority but I do what I can. I "type a lot." (A guy at the convention saw my name tag and said, "Are you the guy who types a lot?" I said I was. He looked at me and said, "I've been praying for you to get saved!") Let me type-type-type out some of my thoughts about SBC 2018. I came into the SBC Annual Meeting with much … [Read more...] about If I Were the Baptist Pope

#SBC18 Annual Meeting Recap (Karen Swallow Prior)

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Last week’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention garnered more attention than others in recent memory. Controversies mounting over recent weeks and months for Southern Baptists and evangelicals—from presidential politics to #ChurchToo—led to intense media coverage in the days leading up to and surrounding the meeting.  Countless news outlets reported on the issues that would define the event, from the firing of longtime SBC leader Paige Patterson from the top post at a Baptist seminary, to Patterson’s last minute withdrawal from the honored spot of delivering the meeting’s … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Annual Meeting Recap (Karen Swallow Prior)

Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers

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Almost lost amid the more gaudy news out of Dallas this week is something that is assuredly more important to the SBC's future: news on the Cooperative Program.  Average percentage of undesignated receipts given to CP: 4.86% down from 5.16%.  Although the decline is just a fraction, 3/10 of one percent, it's a pretty steep one year drop, about 6%. Think what it would mean if we had five consecutive years of the same. We would be looking at a CP that is down to 3.5% of church receipts. Weeping and gnashing of teeth everywhere. Churches have been giving on average around five percent … [Read more...] about Lost in the #SBC18 Noise: Cooperative Program Numbers

The 5 Most Important Things That Happened at #SBC18

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After having a great week visiting with friends, making new ones and enduring rollercoaster air conditioning issues in the convention hall, I sat down to review the events of Tuesday and Wednesday of #SBC18 (I refused to use #SBCAM18. Let the trolls be trolls). I have put together a list of what this Louisianian thinks were the 5 most important things that happened in Dallas this past week. Feel free to agree, disagree, comment and/or share your own list. 1. The Election of J.D. Greear: Clearly, the presidential election was the most anticipated/hyped part of our annual event this year. … [Read more...] about The 5 Most Important Things That Happened at #SBC18

#SBC18 Winners

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OK, so I wished we could have had all winners and no losers for #SBC18 but, alas, didn't happen. There were many winners though. Here they are:   J.D. Greear: The election wasn't close. The Convention coalesced around a next-generation candidate with a stellar church growth and mission support record. OK, so he talks so fast I have to try and understand what he's saying while catching only every third or fourth word. I'll manage. Ken Hemphill: Quality and integrity from crown to cowboy boots. Women in general and not just in the context of abuse. SWBTS trustees. The … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Winners

Five Questions Heading into #SBC18

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My suitcase is packed. I am headed for Dallas. This will be my sixth Southern Baptist Convention. My first was in Houston in 2013, and I haven't missed one since. I am excited to hear reports of what God is doing among and through Southern Baptists. I am excited to enjoy some tasty tex-mex. And I am excited to get together with friends that I interact with all year but only see once a year. But before we gather in Dallas, I thought I would put together a brief list of questions that I have heading into #SBC18. Surely there are other questions. Surely there are things that will come up that … [Read more...] about Five Questions Heading into #SBC18

Breaking the SBC’s Addiction to the Wrong Kinds of Power

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How big is your church? Small? Medium-sized? Large? Mega? How many baptisms? How much money do you take in? How much money do you give? How much money do you give to the Cooperative Program? How many were in church last Sunday? What kind of impact are your making? How many have you led to Christ? How hard are you working? What are the results? The measurables? How effective is your leadership? We did everything "right." Why didn't we see the same success as the church down the street? Why are they "stealing" our people? Who do they think they are? They're just growing because the … [Read more...] about Breaking the SBC’s Addiction to the Wrong Kinds of Power

Breaking: Patterson Has Withdrawn from #SBC18 Convention Sermon and Evangelism Task Force Report

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Being reported by SBC This Week and other sources on social media: BREAKING: Dr. Paige Patterson has withdrawn from the convention sermon and evangelism task force report. #SBC18 #SBCAM18 — SBC This Week (@SBCthisWeek) June 8, 2018 Scott Coulter, Patterson's former chief of staff, said on Twitter a full statement will release shortly and that the move was "in an effort to bring full harmony to the Southern Baptist Convention." We'll update this post with the statement when it's released.   Update: 11:25 Statement is posted at the Southern Baptist Texan Website. Full … [Read more...] about Breaking: Patterson Has Withdrawn from #SBC18 Convention Sermon and Evangelism Task Force Report