Good intentions may go awry and it's tough to label the past week as much other than a debacle in spite of good men doing what they thought was prudent and appropriate. (Yes, part of the problem is likely the heavily male-dominated makeup of the Executive Committee but more on that later). But it may be helpful to review some of the things that are positive, particularly in comparison with a year ago: The question of sex abuse in churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention is receiving serious attention and that not just from abuse victims and their advocates. Our current … [Read more...] about Lost in the noise: positive things about the SBC and abuse
SBC Issues
The SBC’s New Castle and the Wall
It’s been 31 years since Joel Gregory’s famous “The Castle and the Wall” sermon at the 1988 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). As the illustration goes, Lord Londonderry owned a castle in Ireland with fine stones that the local villagers began pilfering in order to rebuild broken roads and buildings. Prior to an extended trip, Londonderry gave orders to his agent to enclose the castle with a well-coped wall, six-feet in height. Londonderry arrived several years later to find his castle had disappeared. In its place was a large wall enclosing nothing. Londonderry sent for his agent to learn … [Read more...] about The SBC’s New Castle and the Wall
The EC Bylaws Committee Investigation Cannot Stand
A little more than a day after receiving information from J.D. Greear on the 10 churches named in the Houston Chronicle’s series of articles, the Bylaws Committee of the Executive Committee issued a wholly inadequate response that called for further inquiry into three of the churches, absolved six of them by saying that no further inquiry was needed, and pointed out that one of the churches was not SBC-affiliated. (The offender in the non-SBC church moved from an SBC church after committing the offense, so it is easy to see how the Chronicle did not figure that out.) This report cannot … [Read more...] about The EC Bylaws Committee Investigation Cannot Stand
Preacher, Give an Invitation!
In recent years some pastors have abandoned the invitation at the conclusion of the sermon. I’m sure they have various reasons for this; however, the primary reason seems to be equating invitations with “easy believism.” I realize that invitations have been abused and misused over the years; but so have sermons, and we still preach sermons. Properly done, invitations are still necessary and helpful. Why do I still believe in and extend invitations when I preach? Invitations Are Biblical The Apostle Peter gave an invitation on the day of Pentecost: “And with many other words he bore … [Read more...] about Preacher, Give an Invitation!
The Heritage of SWBTS Continues
Yesterday the Board of Trustees of SWBTS elected Dr. Adam W. Greenway as the ninth president of the seminary (See coverage in Baptist Press here). The reception of the news has been overwhelmingly positive both across the campus and across the convention. There have, however, been a few expressions of concern. I write today to address them briefly. Although worded in different ways (Southern takeover, Mohler takeover, Calvinistic takeover, etc.), the expressions of concern yield themselves, I believe to analysis that distills them into two basic loci of angst: First, does Greenway's … [Read more...] about The Heritage of SWBTS Continues
JD Greear Was Right to Name Churches
There has been a lot of discussion over the last few days about whether JD Greear was right to call the names of specific churches during his recent address to the Executive Committee. The manuscript for Greear's entire speech has been published here at SBC Voices. Here's the relevant portion of the speech: In media reports over the last week, churches who are currently in cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention were alleged to have displayed a wanton disregard for the seriousness of abuse. In some cases, they were alleged to have directly acted in a manner that was … [Read more...] about JD Greear Was Right to Name Churches
Greenway is Ninth President of Southwestern
Dr. Adam Greenway has been unanimously elected the ninth president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, according to a release on the SWBTS website. He was also elected as a professor of evangelism and apologetics. In addition to Greenway, the board named Randy L. Stinson as provost and vice president for academic administration, also unanimously. They affirmed the work of Dr. Jeffrey Bingham during the time he was interim president, an affirmation I would strongly affirm. I have spoken to many from the seminary who tell of the work he has done in providing stability and a positive … [Read more...] about Greenway is Ninth President of Southwestern
Autonomy is still the reality and rule in Southern Baptist life
Nothing in the past two weeks has changed these facts of SBC life and polity: The SBC (and I use "SBC" in the broad sense of the entire universe of churches, entities, committees, boards, organizations, and institutions) ordains no clergy. Only churches who voluntarily cooperate with Southern Baptist organizations ordain ministers. Neither does "the SBC" hire, supervise, and fire local church clergy. No body in the broader SBC - not associations, state conventions, the national convention or Executive Committee - puts clergy in churches or transfers them from church … [Read more...] about Autonomy is still the reality and rule in Southern Baptist life
Cliches – What Would We Say without Them?
What would preachers, politicians, and sports writers have to say without clichés? According to my American Heritage Dictionary, a cliche is “a trite or overused expression or idea.” Of course, there is truth in clichés. If there was no truth, we would not use them. Still, some are used so much that wise preachers would do well to avoid them. At least, you should. When I use them, that’s different. I’ve compiled a short list of preacher clichés, and I hope our readers will add to my list. Here are some that I’ve heard (or used). Every head bowed and every eye closed. If no one … [Read more...] about Cliches – What Would We Say without Them?
‘God’s Man’
The Executive Committee Presidential Search Team announced Tuesday that they have found "God's candidate" to lead the Southern Baptist Convention's administrative entity. The announcement comes nearly eleven months after the position of EC President was vacated by Frank Page. I have no doubt that the search team has rightly prayed and sought God's guidance throughout the process. They are, therefore, convinced that they have found the right person to lead the EC. EC Chairman Mike Stone said, "God was guiding us." I am thankful that they experienced the guidance of the Lord throughout the … [Read more...] about ‘God’s Man’