As far as I know, Josh Powell and Willy Rice remain the only two candidates for president though I have heard a few whispers (wishful thinking?) of an unannounced stealth candidate. I suspect that will come to nothing and it will be Powell vs. Rice. I don't know if there is a front runner. Willy Rice may be better known but he also has more baggage after a particularly ugly and angry nomination speech a few years back. He did get a spot in the PC on Monday. Josh Powell seems well liked but not well known. In a situation like this, it might be the nomination speeches that tip the scales. … [Read more...] about Presidential Showdown at the ORL Corral
SBC Issues
Jonathan Greer’s Miscellaneous Motion Deserves Consideration
One of the Miscellaneous Motions today came from my friend Jonathan Greer. Sadly, I believe it will get referred to the EC and die an ignominious death there. Many good ideas have met such a fate. I hope I am wrong because his motion deserves better. I wasn't able to write down everything he said, but what he did say was worthy. Here's what I remember. The Credentials Committee should operate with more transparency. If they are going to move to disfellowship a church it should be publicized at least a month before the convention. The church should be given a better path to … [Read more...] about Jonathan Greer’s Miscellaneous Motion Deserves Consideration
Miscellaneous Motions – Sanity in the SBC?
There wasn't a single "fun" motion. This is usually when the "entertaining" messengers come out to play, but this was the most serious, sane, and sober set of motions in my memory. Here's my summary of the ten motions. President Clint did a pretty good job of keeping the flow going. He was pretty scathing when people tried to speak to their motions - cracked the whip pretty hard! 1. Al Mohler was recognized first to present his Truth and Unity constitutional amendment. There was applause, but it was not raucous or resounding. Not sure how to read that. 2. Jonathan Greer … [Read more...] about Miscellaneous Motions – Sanity in the SBC?
What to Expect at SBC Orlando 2026
There seem to be only TWO major issues this week, though we can never tell what someone will bring up. 1. The election of president seems to be between Josh Powell and Willy Rice. 2. The "Truth and Unity" effort by Dr. Mohler, a renewal of the defeated Law Amendment and other defeated efforts to establish an anti-women-in-ministry clause in the SBC constitution in the will likely be the Battle Royale. Of course, we will also have the entertaining, Present-Your-Own-Motion time, also known as miscellaneous business. This may be the first convention in years where no motion to disband … [Read more...] about What to Expect at SBC Orlando 2026
Nickelodeon and the SBC (Selah Illin)
“But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.” 2 Chronicles 33:9-10. I’ve been reading a book series lately about the time of the kings. This series covers the reigns of kings Ahaz, Hezekiah and Manasseh and showcases Judah’s flow of destruction to prosperity to destruction. The determining factor of this flow is one simple question: will the king lead the people to do what is right or evil in the sight … [Read more...] about Nickelodeon and the SBC (Selah Illin)
I Agree with Al Mohler – 25 Years Ago
Dr. Al Mohler’s theological evolution on the issue of women in ministry has been a wonder to watch over the last 25 years. Dr. Ken Hemphill pointed it out in his recent article, but as a certified old fogey in the SBC, I’ve watched it happen. When the BF&M 2000 was adopted, Dr. Mohler was clear that we were not adopting an authoritative creed that would seek a stranglehold on the inner workings of local SBC churches, but a broad consensus that defined where conservative Southern Baptists agreed. The Senior Pastors of Southern Baptist Churches would be men. That would be our hard and fast … [Read more...] about I Agree with Al Mohler – 25 Years Ago
Baptist Review’s Presidential Forum 2026
If you are still undecided about your vote for president this year at the SBC, Baptist Review is offering a Presidential Forum at 9 PM on Monday with both candidates, Josh Powell and Willy Rice in attendance. Free tickets are required, at Eventbrite. (NOTE - free). The event is taking place in hall WD1. Check for further information when you get your FREE ticket. This is a great chance to hear from both candidates and educate yourself. Thank you to the Baptist Review for putting this together. … [Read more...] about Baptist Review’s Presidential Forum 2026
The SBC can always be relied upon to make messes messier
Give Mike Law credit. He didn't like his kids to look up and see a woman behind a pulpit so he found out how to fix that. He was straight up about it even though ridiculously zealous and wild eyed. He even admitted that the women (whom he patronizingly called "sisters living in disobedience," as if they were shacked up somewhere) were saved. Neither Lottie Moon nor Bertha Smith would have been amused. He failed but you can count on the misogynists/sexists/chauvinists in the SBC to keep at it. Juan Sanchez failed. Well, he admitted he knew nothing about the deep weeds of amending our … [Read more...] about The SBC can always be relied upon to make messes messier
Gonna nail down this women thing once and for all (or maybe not)
The "Truth and Unity Amendment" sayest the SBC's formerly smartest person, Al Mohler. The truth and unity concerns females in the SBC serving as pastors, overseers, and elders or exhibiting any of the functions of a pastor or an overseer or an elder or preaching to the assembled church or using any other job title such as minister, associate/assistant, shepherd etc. depressingly etc etc. This is the most laughable, cynical, and absurd title applied to any of these recent similar efforts concerning women who serve in SBC churches. The last attempt was by a guy who said he wasn't qualified to … [Read more...] about Gonna nail down this women thing once and for all (or maybe not)
How Do You Rebuild the Reputation of Your Church in the Community?
“How do you rebuild your church’s reputation in the community?” Steve, a pastor in Kentucky, emailed me after my last post. Like me, he had to adjust from church planting where the pastor builds the reputation to leading a church whose reputation is already built. Here is what I told him: I've been here for 5 years in June. Much of what you described for your church is true here. I've actually apologized to some people for how our church treated them. I haven't seen the massive shift in how our community sees us that I hoped to see yet, but we are trying to do consistent, faithful basics … [Read more...] about How Do You Rebuild the Reputation of Your Church in the Community?