This afternoon Southwestern Seminary released another statement from Dr. Paige Patterson. This follows an April 29 statement from him and a May 1 Statement on Abuse from Patterson and the Board of Trustees' Executive Committee. It also follows a widely-circulated open letter to SWBTS trustees from SBC women and a more recent, similar letter from SBC men. The full text of today's statement is copied below. An Apology to God's People Pastoral ministry that occurred 54 years ago, repeated as an illustration in sermons on more than one occasion, as well as another sermon illustration used to … [Read more...] about Breaking News: Patterson Issues Another Statement, “An Apology to God’s People”
Seminaries
The Mess We Are In: Can We Say “Enough Is Enough”?
A few days ago, Dave Miller shared his thoughts on the “Patterson brouhaha” in this post: A Few Words about the Patterson Saga. In my opinion, it was balanced, honest, and gracious. As I reflected on Dave's post, I started to wonder: How exactly did we get in this mess? Make no mistake, it is a mess, and all Southern Baptists are in it – together. People are debating whether Dr. Paige Patterson should preach the convention sermon or whether he should remain president of Southwestern Seminary. Those questions are important. I'm not taking away from those discussions, but that's not my … [Read more...] about The Mess We Are In: Can We Say “Enough Is Enough”?
Answering Some Objections Regarding Paige Patterson
The trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have a difficult meeting ahead of them on May 22. Their President, Dr. Paige Patterson, has come under fire recently for comments made at a 2000 CBMW event regarding abuse and a 2015 conference where he referred to a 16 year old's appearance as "nice." I won't rehash the details of his comments here, but you can read about them elsewhere if you've just slid out from under a rock somewhere and have no idea what I'm talking about. Google will surely help you out. This must not be swept under the rug. It must be dealt with … [Read more...] about Answering Some Objections Regarding Paige Patterson
The Demise of the SBC? Not According to our Seminaries
Our SBC seminaries as a whole have increased in their student enrollment by 8-10% in the past 10 years! SBC Seminaries FULL TIME Student Enrollment 2017-18 vs. 2007-08 SBTS: 1,702 vs. 1,411 = 21% Increase SWBTS: 1,393 vs. 1,847 SEBTS: 1,602 vs. 863 = 86% Increase MBTS: 1,120 vs. 398 = 181% Increase NOBTS: 909 vs. 1,579 Gateway Seminary: 634 vs. 699 TOTAL = 7,360 vs. 6,797 = 8% increase! SBC Seminaries TOTAL Student Enrollment 2017-18 vs. 2007-08 SBTS: 3,157 vs. 2,562 = 23% increase SWBTS: 2,767 vs. 2,693 = 3% increase SEBTS: 2,187 vs. 1,542 = 42% … [Read more...] about The Demise of the SBC? Not According to our Seminaries
A Few Words about the Patterson Saga
A good friend suggested that my surgery and hospitalization was suspiciously well-timed to avoid having to take any kind of position on the Patterson brouhaha that has raged this week. While that is not true, I can admit that I appreciated the excuse not to opine. I am waiting on the final orders to be released from the hospital and am feeling much better, so I thought I would commit the utter folly of entering that fray. I have friends who are supporters of Dr. Patterson and friends who are not and anything I say risks offending someone...or everyone. My first word would build on something … [Read more...] about A Few Words about the Patterson Saga
GoFundMe Available for SWBTS Student Fired for Tweet
Nathan Montgomery is the SWBTS seminary student & former employee who was fired this week for tweeting Ed Stetzer's article critical of Paige Patterson. According to media reports, Montgomery will lose $40,000 in salary and $7,000 in tuition benefits per year as a result of not longer being employed as catering manager. Sarah Pulliam Bailey at the Washington Post has the background and latest. One of the points of Stetzer's article was that the slightest expression of criticism of Patterson brings a huge backlash. Irony noted. Montgomery says he he plans to appeal his termination to … [Read more...] about GoFundMe Available for SWBTS Student Fired for Tweet
Harboring Conflicting Emotions Regarding Paige Patterson’s Counsel on Spousal Abuse and the Resulting Implications
The most loved and loathed personality in SBC history is, without a doubt, Dr. Paige Patterson, current President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX. Dr. Patterson remains a figure held in the highest esteem by many SBC pastors, who find no fault with his controversial and now well-known remarks, spoken on the subject of spousal abuse in 2000 at The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Patterson is loathed by many in the SBC, not only for the spousal abuse comments, but for many miscues, missteps, mistakes and positions taken, that many find unacceptable. [Wade … [Read more...] about Harboring Conflicting Emotions Regarding Paige Patterson’s Counsel on Spousal Abuse and the Resulting Implications
Some Quick Comments on the Paige Patterson Ordeal
You may be aware that Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson has come under fire over the past few days for comments he made in 2000 during a Q&A time at a meeting sponsored by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Here are the comments that are drawing criticism. The church will never be a refuge for abused women so long as prominent leaders like Southern Baptist Paige Patterson are making dangerous statements like this... https://t.co/mOrukbKvjD pic.twitter.com/xeH2lfXe9z — Jonathan Merritt (@JonathanMerritt) April 28, 2018 More vile … [Read more...] about Some Quick Comments on the Paige Patterson Ordeal
Seeking David: On Filling our Entity Leadership Positions
Talk about a blow to your self-esteem. The prophet Samuel showed up to Jesse's home to anoint the man who would be the next king of Israel since God had rejected disobedient Saul. Jesse paraded his seven oldest sons before Samuel, bursting with pride that one of the young men before him would be king. But as Samuel reviewed each one, the Lord told him no. "This is not the one." Finally, Samuel asked Jesse if this was all his sons and Jesse finally remembered little Davey out with the sheep. Can you imagine that? David was so insignificant that his own father did not consider him worth … [Read more...] about Seeking David: On Filling our Entity Leadership Positions
Southwestern Seminary cuts 10% of their full time positions
Baptist Press so reports: SWBTS cuts staff due to health care, utility costs After making "low-hanging fruit adjustments" that included reductions in dining services, copy center hours and the fleet of vehicles at the 200-acre campus, Patrick said the administration decided not to fill positions from natural attrition, including student employees who are graduating and staff and faculty set to retire. In order to continue providing health care benefits to employees and their dependents, a third round of cuts involved laying off 30 fulltime staff "in selected areas where functions can be … [Read more...] about Southwestern Seminary cuts 10% of their full time positions