Things are different now in some ways. SBC Voices has deliberately added a number of new writers. The change is welcome. New perspectives are good. Although SBCV is often labeled as a Cal site, contributors here are a mix of theological views, cal and non-cal. No question the choice here was mostly, perhaps fully, Greear, but it has been said that the welcome mat is out for some Traditionalist contributions. SBC Today has an interim director who has said, "I would also like to invite Dave Miller of SBC Voices to join myself in moderating a fruitful and charitable discussion on … [Read more...] about Things Are Different Than They Were a Month Ago
Seminaries
Blessed Messes
I was in the village of Kaliane in the Casamance, southern Senegal, on Saturday, February 24, and I began to feel horrible. It was an amazing day, actually. We had a couple of gatherings planned with kids, arranged by my translator Alioune. We showed up for the morning session and found about 30 children, most much younger than I had expected. I told them a Bible story and then shared the gospel with them. We walked back to Jean Batiste and Isabelle's home and came back in the afternoon. This time there was a slightly older group of nearly 60 children and young teens and I got to tell them … [Read more...] about Blessed Messes
Lament, Power, and the Future of the SBC
Less than a month ago, my dad dropped dead of a heart attack. This was shocking, unexpected, and disorienting for our family. As much as we wanted to pretend it didn’t happen or distract ourselves with other things, we have been helped through the process by talking about it, expressing our emotional responses, and letting each family member grieve in his or her own way. We knew we were going in the right direction when my 3-year-old said, “I miss Grandpa. I feel sad. Grandpa was a pilot. Grandpa died. He’s dead now.” Perhaps because the loss of my dad was so fresh on my heart, I was hoping … [Read more...] about Lament, Power, and the Future of the SBC
Lost in #SBC18 Noise: Evangelism Task Force Report and Recommendations
My how we SBCers do love the 'National Blue Ribbon Task Force' approach to addressing seemingly intractable, long-running problems in the SBC chief of which is the steadily declining baptism total. Steve Gaines appointed and the Convention approved last year such a group, the Evangelism Task Force. Baptist Press reported on it with a couple of stories: Evangelism Task Force Releases Report, Recommendations 'All of us' must evangelize, SBC agrees with task force The ETF produced a report that included a section on "affirmations" and "denials" about evangelism. Naturally, soteriology … [Read more...] about Lost in #SBC18 Noise: Evangelism Task Force Report and Recommendations
#SBC18 Annual Meeting Recap (Karen Swallow Prior)
Last week’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention garnered more attention than others in recent memory. Controversies mounting over recent weeks and months for Southern Baptists and evangelicals—from presidential politics to #ChurchToo—led to intense media coverage in the days leading up to and surrounding the meeting. Countless news outlets reported on the issues that would define the event, from the firing of longtime SBC leader Paige Patterson from the top post at a Baptist seminary, to Patterson’s last minute withdrawal from the honored spot of delivering the meeting’s … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Annual Meeting Recap (Karen Swallow Prior)
The 5 Most Important Things That Happened at #SBC18
After having a great week visiting with friends, making new ones and enduring rollercoaster air conditioning issues in the convention hall, I sat down to review the events of Tuesday and Wednesday of #SBC18 (I refused to use #SBCAM18. Let the trolls be trolls). I have put together a list of what this Louisianian thinks were the 5 most important things that happened in Dallas this past week. Feel free to agree, disagree, comment and/or share your own list. 1. The Election of J.D. Greear: Clearly, the presidential election was the most anticipated/hyped part of our annual event this year. … [Read more...] about The 5 Most Important Things That Happened at #SBC18
#SBC18 Winners
OK, so I wished we could have had all winners and no losers for #SBC18 but, alas, didn't happen. There were many winners though. Here they are: J.D. Greear: The election wasn't close. The Convention coalesced around a next-generation candidate with a stellar church growth and mission support record. OK, so he talks so fast I have to try and understand what he's saying while catching only every third or fourth word. I'll manage. Ken Hemphill: Quality and integrity from crown to cowboy boots. Women in general and not just in the context of abuse. SWBTS trustees. The … [Read more...] about #SBC18 Winners
Breaking: Patterson Has Withdrawn from #SBC18 Convention Sermon and Evangelism Task Force Report
Being reported by SBC This Week and other sources on social media: BREAKING: Dr. Paige Patterson has withdrawn from the convention sermon and evangelism task force report. #SBC18 #SBCAM18 — SBC This Week (@SBCthisWeek) June 8, 2018 Scott Coulter, Patterson's former chief of staff, said on Twitter a full statement will release shortly and that the move was "in an effort to bring full harmony to the Southern Baptist Convention." We'll update this post with the statement when it's released. Update: 11:25 Statement is posted at the Southern Baptist Texan Website. Full … [Read more...] about Breaking: Patterson Has Withdrawn from #SBC18 Convention Sermon and Evangelism Task Force Report
An evaluation of Randy Adams’ SBC Recovery Program
Randy Adams is the Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention, an area covering Oregon, Washington, and northern Idaho. He is a supporter of Ken Hemphill and a critic of J.D. Greear or at least of the type of Southern Baptist that JDG represents. Adams classified most SBC churches as "not fully cooperative" about which I had an earlier piece, Who fully supports the Cooperative Program? In that Adams wrote, "Southern Baptists are at a critical crossroad. One road leads to the continuation of decline in CP missions giving and the continuation of the decline of the SBC (that is a … [Read more...] about An evaluation of Randy Adams’ SBC Recovery Program
5 Lessons and Reasons for Hope In Spite of the Recent Tensions in the SBC (Chris Hefner)
As a Southern Baptist I have been following the recent controversies and tensions at a distance. There is no shortage of opinions, commentary, criticism and defense. The tenor leading up to next week’s convention in Dallas promises to be eventful and significant. There is ample reason for self-examination personally and denominationally. There are lessons we can learn and reasons we can have hope in spite of the controversy and tension. The SBC is an affirmation of the biblical narrative. When you look through the scriptural storyline, you will not find biblical heroes, but rather you … [Read more...] about 5 Lessons and Reasons for Hope In Spite of the Recent Tensions in the SBC (Chris Hefner)