In the previous article, I spelled out some weighty problems within the SBC. And I asked the question, “Do you want to do something, or do you want things to stay the same?” Since I don’t believe it’s fair to point out problems without offering solutions, I want to practice what I “preach” and spell out some ways to help. What can be done? What can the SBC and the individual member do to correct the past and properly address the crimes? And in the present; To better protect your children, to properly respond to victims and the perpetrators? 1. Acknowledge that Sexual Abuse within … [Read more...] about SBC Survivor Stories: Do you want to help? Or do you want things to stay the same? (Part 2 by Dave Pittman)
SBC Issues
Why I Am Being Nominated for SBC Recording Secretary
Let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Adam Blosser. My wife, Ashley, and I have been married for ten years. We have four children. I am the lead pastor of Goshen Baptist Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia where I have served for almost five years. And Dave Miller is nominating me for recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention. There are three primary reasons why: 1. I want to serve Southern Baptists. My entire life has been spent in Southern Baptist churches. As a child, my Southern Baptist parents took me to our Southern Baptist church every time the doors were open. … [Read more...] about Why I Am Being Nominated for SBC Recording Secretary
SBC Survivor Stories: Will the Church Be a Haven or a Hunting Ground? (by Dave Pittman)
To say that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is having some difficulties is like saying an oncoming hurricane will have showers and a breeze. It doesn’t fully capture the detail of what the damage will be, or the tragedy left in its wake. Vitriolic disputes over theology. Christian Nationalism and racial injustice. The continued coverup of sexual abuse crimes. And members leaving in droves. At the heart of it all, is a power grab for its core. So, what on earth is going on with the SBC? For me to answer that, I can only explain in this way… What is most personal is most … [Read more...] about SBC Survivor Stories: Will the Church Be a Haven or a Hunting Ground? (by Dave Pittman)
Paige Patterson vs SWBTS: Implications for the SBC Presidential Election
I've been reading the recent resurgence of wrangling regarding Dr. Paige Patterson and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). The question of guilt involves not only these two parties, but by extension also impacts the coming SBC presidential election. Pastor Mike Stone bears the public perception of being Dr. Patterson's man by way of their mutual involvement in the organization Mr. Stone and Dr. Patterson helped to found, the Conservative Baptist Network (CBN). Should Dr. Patterson be (in this matter) the rascal many claim, the resulting guilty-by-voluntary-assocation scars both … [Read more...] about Paige Patterson vs SWBTS: Implications for the SBC Presidential Election
Russell Moore Letter to SBC President on the Current Crisis in the SBC [Full Text]
May 31, 2021 J.D. Greear President Southern Baptist Convention The Summit Church Durham, North Carolina Dear J.D., As I said to you the other night, you have my prayers as you go into your last Southern Baptist Convention meeting as president in a historically long—and even more historically accomplished—presidency. One of the great joys of the last eight years has been working alongside you on issues of monumental importance for the witness of the church. Some of the letter below is almost verbatim what I said to my own board officers last February. … [Read more...] about Russell Moore Letter to SBC President on the Current Crisis in the SBC [Full Text]
(Almost) Twenty Years a Baptist (by Cody Glen Barnhart)
Where a power structure can be wielded for good, a power structure can be wielded for evil. Friends, Baptists, countrymen, lend me your ears: I come to bury our past, not to praise it. The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interrèd with their bones. So let it be with the Conservative Resurgence. Being Southern Baptist is in my bones. I professed faith and was baptized at age six in an SBC church, and my life since been decidedly SBC-centric. I remained a member at SBC churches through my adolescence. Then, I went to Italy with the Tennessee Baptist … [Read more...] about (Almost) Twenty Years a Baptist (by Cody Glen Barnhart)
The increasing paucity of SBC males who will serve overseas
Almost nine years ago, I wrote an article about how two-thirds of the young college graduates who serve overseas through our International Mission Board's Journeyman program were females. This is one of the SBC's best opportunities to serve the Lord in places far more needy than affluent U.S. of A. IMB Journeymen are young adults, age 21-30, who are sent by their churches as missionaries for a 2-year term through the IMB. A Journeyman’s primary responsibility is to engage in the missionary task by sharing the gospel, making disciples and helping plant churches. In 2012 we were in, as we … [Read more...] about The increasing paucity of SBC males who will serve overseas
Prioritism and the SBC
I first noticed the term, “prioritism,” in David Hesselgrave’s book, “Paradigms in Conflict” (Kregel Publications, 2005). Dr. Hesselgrave taught missions at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for more than 30 years, and he was one of the founders of the Evangelical Missions Society. Dr. Hesselgrave died two years ago, but he was the godfather of evangelical missions. In his book he defined “prioritism” in this way: “What I will call traditional prioritism recognizes the importance of all or most of those ministries that address the various medical, educational, economic, and social needs of … [Read more...] about Prioritism and the SBC
The Racially Insensitive Comments about Trillia Newbell were Made by…
Yesterday, a letter from Dr. Russell Moore to the trustees of the ERLC was leaked. In it, he explains his reasons for leaving the ERLC (and now, the SBC). He realized that his enemies at the Executive Committee were seeking to make him live in "psychological terror" and he was not willing to do that anymore. He recounted the years of abuse of power by leaders at the EC. The full text of the article can be read here. In the article, Dr. Moore said something that infuriated many people. I will copy that paragraph in full Another SBC leader used constant pressure against me in protest of our … [Read more...] about The Racially Insensitive Comments about Trillia Newbell were Made by…
Binary Polarization Syndrome
On some issues, there are only two choices. We are either male or female and the whole "non-binary" gender movement may be the most ridiculous thing in history. I had four children and back then the gender-reveal party was simple. My wife gave birth. I looked at the new baby and revealed to my wife what we had. I was never confused. Gender dysphoria is a real thing, but God made us male and female. My dad used to say there are two kinds of people - the saints and the aints. People often try to add categories of Christians, but there are the redeemed and the lost and there are no … [Read more...] about Binary Polarization Syndrome