SBC Voices

You are here: Home / Archives for SBC Issues

SBC Issues

On the Executive Committee’s independent sexual abuse investigation and Task Force.

by

Among the most notable items of the recent SBC Annual Meeting was the passage of a motion by Ronnie Parrot and Grant Gaines that directed the SBC Executive Committee to "transfer oversight of the independent third party review into handling of sexual abuse to a task force" appointed by the SBC President. The new president, Ed Litton, has named the Task Force which has seven members and two advisors. The Executive Committee had earlier secured Guidepost Solutions for an independent review of its handling of sexual abuse issues; thus, an outside outfit will be doing an "independent review" … [Read more...] about On the Executive Committee’s independent sexual abuse investigation and Task Force.

Ridgecrest is open and still a great place

by

I didn't have plans to come back up here after Lifeway sold their venerable conference center in the North Carolina mountains but the new owners have it open and here I am. It's quiet this week but still a great place. The Ridgecrest Foundation owns it now and it's called Ridgecrest Conference Center. The campus is tidy. The staff friendly and helpful. I like it and will return. I have a bit of nostalgic heaviness as a I roam around the familiar spots here. Back in the day I'd be in charge a group of students ("youth" was still an acceptable word back then) from my church. There would … [Read more...] about Ridgecrest is open and still a great place

Plagiarism/schmagiarism, how about the whole religious/church industrial complex?

by

So everyone says at some level,"Hey Ed, cut that stuff out" even though he (a) obtained prior permission, and (b) apologized. The number of heroic virtue signalers are legion in this matter. A few of my favorites: Don't do anything your homiletics prof would not approve of. Good luck with that. Can we note the difference between the classroom and the real world? Good profs recognize that some weeks the typical single staff pastor will not have 20 hours for sermon prep. And if you re-preach a sermon to the same audience, isn't that called something? Laziness? Phoning it in? I'm … [Read more...] about Plagiarism/schmagiarism, how about the whole religious/church industrial complex?

Taking a look at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

by

The ERLC lacks a permanent leader at the moment, Russell Moore having resigned earlier this year after leading the organization for eight years. I always liked the demeanor that Moore brought to the ERLC. The acting President is Executive Vice President Daniel Patterson and the ERLC trustees have appointed a search committee for the new leader. I do not know him but presume he and all ERLC employees are wonderful people and represent the SBC well. The ERLC President has the toughest job in the convention. Severe criticism is guaranteed, some will be vicious and unchristian. A few … [Read more...] about Taking a look at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

A History of the Formation and Function of the Executive Committee

by

The SBC Annual Meeting in 2021 is one that will be remembered in history as an important one for some time.  While it’s easy to get lost in the respective highs and lows of the meeting, it’s also important to remember that the actions of the SBC when it gathers can have lasting actions. One such meeting happened in 1916 when the actions of one messenger still affect us today.  The Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives records it this way.    In 1916, M. H. Wolfe of Texas proposed to amend the SBC Constitution “to create one strong executive board which … [Read more...] about A History of the Formation and Function of the Executive Committee

How should the Ed Litton borrowing sermons situation be handled?

by

I believe there are significant concerns that have been raised regarding Ed Litton’s use of JD Greear’s sermons. I don’t like the way the concerns first came to light. None of us should be prowling the internet seeking someone to devour. I’ve been guilty of doing that before. It wasn’t right then. And it isn’t right now. We already have an adversary who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. When Christians seek to devour one another, they image the devil, not Jesus. But legitimate concerns shouldn’t be ignored just because they came to light by illegitimate means. That’s the same argument I … [Read more...] about How should the Ed Litton borrowing sermons situation be handled?

The Southern Baptist Convention: What’s in a Name?

by

I remember during the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting being somewhat perplexed.  A motion came forward to change the name of the SBC.  As my memory serves me, the thought process behind the motion was to help Southern Baptists who plant churches in the northern states and in other parts of the country not located in the South to avoid geographical baggage that might accompany the current name of the SBC. Rather than change the Convention’s name, the motion proposed that the Convention allow these church planters and any Southern Baptist congregation to use the name Great … [Read more...] about The Southern Baptist Convention: What’s in a Name?

Peacemaking: 4 Lessons Southern Baptists Can Learn From Whitefield and Wesley

by

Peacemaking. It’s a word that probably won’t get this post many views or likes. It seems that we currently are like the drivers who frustrate the stew out of me on the interstate. They slow down traffic while passing an accident scene to rubberneck and see the carnage from the collision. Or perhaps we are like sharks who participate in a feeding frenzy after they sense blood in the water. We have a frustrating tendency in the SBC to distract ourselves with fights over tertiary issues rather than focusing on the Great Commission. As I read recent posts and comments on social media arguing … [Read more...] about Peacemaking: 4 Lessons Southern Baptists Can Learn From Whitefield and Wesley

Certainly, I fully support our SBC president Ed Litton

by

Among the SBC Voices writers and editors, I believe I am the only one who does not know Ed Litton personally. I've never met him. I did not attend any of his pre-convention meet-and-greets. Until about a year ago, he was someone that I had never heard of. After reflection, he got my vote for SBC president because I thought he was the right guy for the task and because I thought he had the right message for our times. I still believe those two thing are true. All SBCers who eat and drink SBC politics are fully informed, some fully and sinfully engaged, about the news that Litton preached … [Read more...] about Certainly, I fully support our SBC president Ed Litton