This morning H. B. Charles, pastor of Shiloh Church in Jacksonville, Florida, announced that he intends to nominate Al Mohler for SBC President during the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Dr. Mohler, president of SBTS, had been announced as a nominee for SBC President back in 2008, but eventually withdrew his name from consideration that year due to a health issue. This is quite a bit earlier than we normally see nominations announced, so this is a little out of the ordinary in that sense. For many, Mohler seems a logical choice as he's be one of the most prominent leaders in the SBC for … [Read more...] about H. B. Charles to Nominate Al Mohler for SBC President at 2020 Annual Meeting
Seminaries
BREAKING: Dr. James K. Dew Elected NOBTS President (announcement with commentary)
I was surprised and appreciative to receive an invitation from the PR department of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for today’s official Press Conference announcing the election of the new President (specific thanks to Gary Myers, NOBTS Director of Communications). I attended as a correspondent from SBC Voices and as such, I decided to not only report the event itself but also share my personal feelings about this new era in the life of the SBC’s first seminary founded by the direct action of the Southern Baptist Convention. So here’s the news, this morning the trustees voted … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Dr. James K. Dew Elected NOBTS President (announcement with commentary)
BREAKING: Dr. Jamie Dew to be Nominated as NOBTS President
NOBTS Search Team Chairman, Dr. Frank Cox, has announced that Dr. James Dew of North Carolina will be presented to the full Board of Trustees as the candidate to serve as the next President of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. A special called meeting will take place Wednesday, June 5th on the campus of NOBTS at 9 am for a vote on the candidate. Dr. Dew currently serves as the Associate Professor of History of Ideas and Philosophy at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He is also the Dean of the undergraduate College at Southeastern … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Dr. Jamie Dew to be Nominated as NOBTS President
Dr. Walter Strickland of SEBTS Details His Academic & Theological Interaction with James Cone
Today Dr. Walter Strickland posted an article giving context to statements reported by the New York Times last week. Dr. Strickland was elected First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention two years ago and has served at Southeastern Seminary for 6 years, currently as Associate Vice President for Kingdom Diversity and Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology. Dr. Strickland's statement includes some key quotes as follows: Cone, however, represents a theological shift away from that longstanding tradition despite being dubbed the “Father of Black Theology.” … [Read more...] about Dr. Walter Strickland of SEBTS Details His Academic & Theological Interaction with James Cone
Five Questions I Respectfully Ask Five Southern Baptist Convention Entities To Answer
Five Entities: Southern Baptist Executive Committee (EC), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), International Mission Board (IMB), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), and Lifeway. There are five questions that I plan to forward to five SBC entities (listed above), who have hired, or will be hiring a President for each entity, in the months ahead. If I get actual, specific answers to these questions in writing before the Annual Session of the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, in June, I will not find it necessary to ask these questions during each of these … [Read more...] about Five Questions I Respectfully Ask Five Southern Baptist Convention Entities To Answer
To Attend, or Not Attend, That Is the Question
I enjoy attending the Annual Session of the Southern Baptist Convention each year. Our annual Vacation Bible School and the second week of June SBC session have often conflicted on our church calendar. I have usually opted to attend the SBC, when that occurs, and left an Associate in charge. This year we scheduled the VBS for the last week of June, to make sure it didn’t conflict with the SBC and/or the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education meeting in Baltimore. However, as of today, I’m seriously contemplating whether or not to attend the SBC Birmingham, 2019. Why? To be … [Read more...] about To Attend, or Not Attend, That Is the Question
Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network
On Monday a group of SBC women leaders launched a new initiative called the SBC Women's Leadership Network. We've heard rumblings for a month or two that something was in the works to give SBC women an avenue for networking and encouragement. The SBC Women’s Leadership Network exists to connect, equip, and encourage women leaders throughout the Southern Baptist Convention as we serve in various forms of kingdom mission. The Women's Leadership Network (WLN) has a steering committee, as listed on their website, an impressive list of SBC leaders like Kathy Litton, Carol Pipes, Amy Whitfield, … [Read more...] about Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network
Reflections on Counting the Cost of Pursuing Unity (with Editor’s Statement)
Editor's Statement: Todd and I (Dave) consulted on the construction of this post and I was the one who personally verified the information about the conversation that took place that caused all of the controversy. We would like to clarify that the purpose of this post was to ask the question as to how to address the issue of whether the election of a minority president would actually cause a donor problem. Todd was careful to express his admiration for Dr. Kelley and did not lay the charge of racism at his feet, though some have falsely accused him of such. I was told that the … [Read more...] about Reflections on Counting the Cost of Pursuing Unity (with Editor’s Statement)
Lyell Statement on Sexual Abuse Released, Details Circumstances of SBTS Professor Resignation
Yesterday details were made public about a Southern Seminary professor and the circumstances surrounding his resignation. Dr. David Sills resigned in May 2018. Baptist Press gave no specific reason for his resignation at that time but alluded that there were moral concerns. In a statement published at lyellstatementonabuse.com, one of Sills' former students gives her account of what transpired, why she waited to tell her story, and why she decided to go public now. Jennifer Lyell, 2006 graduate of SBTS, says in her statement that 2004 was the first time Sills acted against her. She … [Read more...] about Lyell Statement on Sexual Abuse Released, Details Circumstances of SBTS Professor Resignation
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)