Some unexpected things have already happened. Speculation is rampant, but then, we are SBCers and we always speculate about things. It doesn't cost a thing. Here you go...from the hacking and plodding SBC hinterlands: J. D. Greear can stir the pot, as we have seen. Any more surprises, JD? Here, take this giant Baptist spoon and stir some more, bro. I'll help you. Executive committee leader and other CEO searches. IMB: check. SWBTS: check. NOBTS, LifeWay, and the Executive Committee: not yet. The EC sayeth that they have "God's man" and it's the worst kept secret in SBC history. It might … [Read more...] about Any more surprises in store for SBCers this year?
SBC Issues
Our housing allowance: safe for now with appeals court ruling
We clergy love our minister's housing allowance and want to keep it. It's our very own Sacred Clergy Tax Break and the most important item in the tax code that recognizes clergy and gives us favorable treatment under the tax law. Unsurprisingly, some want to clean up the tax code and eliminate the tax break that is given to ministers but not to others. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has challenged this twice. Both times the federal district court ruled in their favor but the federal appeals court overturned the decision. The FFRF, whose co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker … [Read more...] about Our housing allowance: safe for now with appeals court ruling
Good Ides of March news: Housing Allowance upheld
Our Sacred Clergy Tax Break safe for now. Ruling of the federal appeals court is in. Scintillating commentary to follow when I feel sufficiently scintillated. https://www.becketlaw.org/media/court-protects-ministers-1b-tax-lawsuit/ Here is another report, from a source not many among us read: https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/03/15/appeals-court-tax-free-housing-for-faith-leaders-but-not-atheists-is-legal/ … [Read more...] about Good Ides of March news: Housing Allowance upheld
I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
One week ago I wrote my first draft of this article, then I didn't post it because I realized I was angry and my words were not appropriate nor were they even coherent due to my frustration. Thus, I have waited until today when the hard copy of the article to which I was responding arrived at our church office (and I am in better control of my faculties ). Also, I had another title for this article but some dear friends suggested I should soften it a bit. So this is me not being angry or incendiary... The Baptist Message's "Investigation" Last week the Baptist Message (BM), the state … [Read more...] about I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
Constitutional Amendment? Credentials Committee? How Shall We Address Sexual Abuse in the SBC?
Southern Baptists stand in agreement that we must demonstrate to the world that sexual abuse is a wicked thing, that we will protect and minister to victims, and that the days of cover-up among us have come to an end. When we leave our Annual Meeting in Birmingham, we want to have spoken with one voice and loudly that we are united on this issue. The exact path to achieve that end is less clear and there is certainly a hefty amount of disagreement as to the best way to achieve that end. Since the Executive Committee meeting a few weeks ago when our president J.D. Greear boldly stood up and … [Read more...] about Constitutional Amendment? Credentials Committee? How Shall We Address Sexual Abuse in the SBC?
Inquiries, investigations, and registries: It’s complicated
"The subject of a database is complicated and will take time to evaluate" That was J. D. Greear's statement to the Executive Committee not quite three weeks ago. Seems like ages have past since he named churches and spoke to the group about sex abuse in the SBC. That all Southern Baptists at every level want kids to be safe in our churches, institutions, and entities is not complicated. What can be done becomes complicated in many ways, not just in regard to a database of SBC offenders. J. D. Greear's address to the Executive Committee included this: I urge the bylaws workgroup of the … [Read more...] about Inquiries, investigations, and registries: It’s complicated
Perspectives from a Seminary Wife: Spiritual Growth, Academics, and Where the Church Falls Short (Rachel Reeves)
When it comes to involvement in ministry, church attendance, and overall biblical knowledge, I would venture to say that I would land with the majority of churchgoers, and many (specifically in the Bible Belt) would likely share numerous experiences with me. I was raised in church. My parents ensured that I attended, they were involved as leaders in a variety of ways, and they taught me to value and hold fast to my faith. They did what any good Bible-believing parent would do: they instilled in me the importance of the Church. They taught me these things, which was new territory for them, … [Read more...] about Perspectives from a Seminary Wife: Spiritual Growth, Academics, and Where the Church Falls Short (Rachel Reeves)
The Church, the Gospel, and the LGBTQ+ Community
Following the special called General Conference of the United Methodist Church, Adam Hamilton, pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, held a discussion with his church about the future of Methodism. In the hour-long video Hamilton argues that the Bible contradicts itself on many issues and that it promotes views of marriage and sexual ethics that conservative Christians in our culture would find deviant, especially polygamy. He also argues that certain passages of the Bible prove harmful to certain people, and we should question such passages in light of modern understandings. When asked if … [Read more...] about The Church, the Gospel, and the LGBTQ+ Community
Disagreeing Baptists
Baptists disagree. We started out disagreeing with the Reformers over baptism, over state churches, and over the restriction of religious freedom. In the 70s and 80s, we began to dissent from the leftward drift in our institutions and entities, and a swelling tide of leaders expressed those concerns publicly. Perhaps, with hindsight, we would modulate our tone a bit, but men stood and spoke, saying the direction of the SBC was not what it should be. Dissent from our leaders is at the heart of Baptist life. It still is today. I am a loyal Baptist, a lifelong Southern Baptist and I want our … [Read more...] about Disagreeing Baptists
Georgia Baptists See Leadership in Action from Thomas Hammond
Last week, I posted an article about the problems at Trinity Baptist in Ashburn, Georgia. In that article, I mentioned that the pastor of that church, Rodney Brown, claimed to have received support from not only the Executive Committee staff, but from the Georgia Convention and from his association. This was upsetting, that Baptist entities would support a church that had a known pedophile openly serving in leadership. The Christian Index published a statement from Thomas Hammond, the new Executive Director of Georgia Baptists, that demonstrated real leadership. He admitted that he had … [Read more...] about Georgia Baptists See Leadership in Action from Thomas Hammond