I am deeply grieved by what I am reading online about the crisis at my alma mater, Southwestern Seminary. It is devastating to me learning of the women who have been hurt through this crisis. I have been a Southern Baptist (SBC) my whole life, all 44 years. Born and raised in a Southern Baptist church (baptized at age 7). I attended a Southern Baptist university for 4 years (BS degree), attended a Southern Baptist seminary 4 years (earned Master of Divinity degree in 2001), full-time pastored Southern Baptist churches for 5 years, bivocational preacher for scores of Southern Baptist churches … [Read more...] about 6 Ways the SBC Needs to Grow in Light of Our Recent Failures
Seminaries
A Resolution for #SBC18: “On Repudiating Predatory Behavior”
I have submitted the following resolution, On Repudiating Predatory Behavior, to the SBC Committee on Resolutions for their consideration. I am hopeful that this will be reported out by the committee to the messengers gathered at this year's annual meeting in Dallas as it is, or in hybrid form combining any other similar resolutions on this subject. I believe the significance of this resolution lies in the full scope of its application. Predatory behavior includes domestic violence (sexual, physical, and psychological), child abuse (sexual, physical, and psychological), sexual predation, … [Read more...] about A Resolution for #SBC18: “On Repudiating Predatory Behavior”
What Is Happening in the SBC: Helpful Thoughts & Reflections
It's been a little quiet around here since Tuesday evening. We closed comments temporarily and thought it was best to allow things to settle some before jumping back into the conversation. A lot has happened on social media and these articles have been widely shared. I think all three are really helpful in thinking through and absorbing what has transpired over the last month and especially this week. Each one is well worth your time. The Wrath of God Poured Out — The Humiliation of the Southern Baptist Convention by Al Mother. Available at Mohler's website and Christianity … [Read more...] about What Is Happening in the SBC: Helpful Thoughts & Reflections
Email to SEBTS Students on Washington Post Story [Full Text]
This afternoon, SEBTS released this email to seminary students to address the steps they have taken and are taking as a result of information that's recently come to light in today's Washington Post story. Dear SEBTS Students: Today an article was released in the Washington Post that mentions Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The focus of the article is the handling of a rape accusation that involved two students in 2003. The event took place under a previous administration. I was only recently made aware of this event. Since being made aware of the event, I have asked our … [Read more...] about Email to SEBTS Students on Washington Post Story [Full Text]
Washington Post: Allegation Patterson Urged Student Victim Not to Report Sexual Assault
The Washington Post has just released a story with disturbing allegations against Dr. Paige Patterson. Patterson is accused of pressuring a rape victim not to report the rape during his tenure at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. You can read the story at the Washington Post. The article was released during the time SWBTS trustees were in closed meeting. Comments are closed. … [Read more...] about Washington Post: Allegation Patterson Urged Student Victim Not to Report Sexual Assault
Pray for the Trustees of SWBTS
The Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are meeting today in a special session to deal with the very public issues that have been discussed recently about Dr. Paige Patterson and the future of the seminary. I am sure each of us has an opinion about these things but ultimately the men and women entrusted with that responsibility will make it. I would ask you to pray for them, that God would grant them wisdom to do what is best for the seminary, the SBC, and the Kingdom. Note: we have decided that comments on Paige Patterson/SWBTS topics might be counterproductive today. … [Read more...] about Pray for the Trustees of SWBTS
Possible Outcomes of Tuesday’s SWBTS Trustee Meeting
Tomorrow the full trustee board of Southwestern Seminary will meet to discuss what action, if any, will be taken in light of the recent controversy surrounding the seminary’s president, Dr. Paige Patterson. No one knows what to expect. The Baptist Press story linked above indicates that Patterson himself requested the meeting. The trustees’ decision will likely have deep and far-reaching consequences regardless of what conclusion is reached. Opinions on this issue have been strong, and no doubt will continue to be. My purpose here isn’t to argue the merits of one choice over the other, but … [Read more...] about Possible Outcomes of Tuesday’s SWBTS Trustee Meeting
Why Good Trustees Don’t (And Shouldn’t) Blog About Their Business
I'm the one guy who contributes here who sits on the board at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I'm the one guy who contributes here who has had nothing whatsoever to say about recent controversies at the seminary. At the end of this post, those two things will still be true. But I aspire someday to be a full-fledged SBC polity wonk, and it seems to me that this is an opportune moment for us to think together about the way that our polity works. Why haven't I put to writing my thoughts about these important matters? A superficial answer would be this: I wish to end my term as a … [Read more...] about Why Good Trustees Don’t (And Shouldn’t) Blog About Their Business
A Concern with Paige Patterson’s Apology
Editor: This article was originally posted at Mike’s website, Borrowed Light, on Friday, May 11. I really don’t want to write this. It is going to be seen as dog piling or as harboring bitterness and unforgiveness. I pray if those charges are leveled that they don’t have truth in them. I pray that my motives here are completely pure. Yesterday Paige Patterson issued an apology to God’s people. And it’s not sitting well with me. And, honestly, I feel it puts into a precarious position the women who signed the letter to trustees and have expressed concerns about Patterson. Allow me to … [Read more...] about A Concern with Paige Patterson’s Apology
When Apologies Don’t Mean Much… And When They Do
Because of the grace of Jesus, we are invited to forgive over and over again. 70 times 7. We are invited and enabled to forgive even before someone apologizes. We can even forgive if they never apologize. We can forgive not because of who the other person is or what they have done, but because of who Jesus is and what He has done in forgiving us. When we do wrong, we are to apologize and we are to apologize when we have caused pain, hurt, and loss. We are to try to make amends and to make things right. An apology doesn't take away what happened, but it does show that we agree that offense has … [Read more...] about When Apologies Don’t Mean Much… And When They Do