Tomorrow, more 1,600 Southern Baptists will gather in Dallas Texas for the ERLC’s “Caring Well” Conference. I’m looking forward to the conference and am bringing a small group from my church while others will be watching from home. Personally, I’ve considered myself an advocate for survivors of the trauma of abuse for years and I’ve been very hopeful about the progress being made in the SBC on this issue. Before I write a piece on my hopes for the conference and why I’m attending, I want to acknowledge the pushback I’ve received from others in the advocate community about the ways in which … [Read more...] about Before the Conference – Acknowledging Problems Surrounding #CaringWell
Social Issues
BOOKS: What is a Girl Worth? & How Much is a Little Girl Worth?
Note: Scott was on the pre-release reading and review group for Rachael Denhollander's books. However, they just released this week to the public, and they are well worth us bumping his review back to the top. Both were available, at last check, from Lifeway as well as other booksellers. I have just finished two books which belong in everyone's personal libraries. The author of these books is Rachael Denhollander, a significant survivor voice in the midst of the Larry Nassar predatory abuse scandal in USAG (United States of America Gymnastics) and MSU (Michigan State University). … [Read more...] about BOOKS: What is a Girl Worth? & How Much is a Little Girl Worth?
The Rich and the Poor in James
James 2:5-7. “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? Yet you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the rich oppress you and drag you into court? Don’t they blaspheme the good name that was invoked over you?” The general context of these verses is the teaching of James on avoiding favoritism in the church. Now it is possible to show favoritism to the rich and it is possible to show favoritism to the poor. Exodus 23:3 says, “Do not show favoritism to a poor person in his … [Read more...] about The Rich and the Poor in James
A Resolution from Two Years Ago that Speaks to Our Present Reality
It's not the time of year we would normally talk about resolutions. But I don't think I ever posted this two years ago when our state convention passed it. Unanimously, by the way. This was months after the 2017 SBC when we ultimately passed a resolution condemning the Alt-right. Between the SBC's actions in Phoenix (June 2017) and the November annual meeting of the SBC of Virginia, the "Unite the Right" rally was held in Charlottesville. This resolution deals with the intersection of those events. Dwight McKissic's call for the SBC to speak against the Alt-right and White Supremacist … [Read more...] about A Resolution from Two Years Ago that Speaks to Our Present Reality
Three Words: Justice, Beauty, & Evangelism
NT Wright is one of my favorite authors. Every time I read one of his works it challenges me to think more deeply on matters of faith. In the book Surprised by Hope**, Wright brings into focus how the hopes of eternity found in Jesus intersect with how we live today. Toward the end of the book, Wright suggests that "the church is called to a mission of implementing Jesus's resurrection and thereby anticipating the final new creation" (pg. 212). In other words, though we ourselves cannot make the world perfect, as followers of Jesus we should seek to help the world look as much like Jesus' … [Read more...] about Three Words: Justice, Beauty, & Evangelism
Trevin Wax explains #SBC19 Resolution Committee’s reasoning on Resolution 9
Trevin Wax, who served on this year's Resolutions Committee, gave some thoughts yesterday on Resolution 9. There's been some criticism of that resolution, which speaks to the issues of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality. You can find the thread on Twitter here. I thought it would be helpful to compile the material here for ease of access and for future reference. This is what Trevin said: I had the privilege this year in serving on the #SBC19 Resolutions Committee under the leadership of Dr. Curtis Woods. I’ve been surprised by all the conversation surrounding Resolution #9, and I’d … [Read more...] about Trevin Wax explains #SBC19 Resolution Committee’s reasoning on Resolution 9
The Sexual Abuse Issue at the SBC Annual Meeting – Six Bad Reasons Not to Act
It’s no secret that one of the major issues we’ll be facing today and tomorrow as we convene our annual meeting is sexual abuse and how we will respond to it as a Convention. President Greear indicated last night during the ERLC panel discussion on sexual abuse that we would have numerous opportunities during our annual meeting to hear from abuse survivors, consider actions we can take at the local church level, and vote on key items meant to address the issue head-on. Rachael Denhollander also challenged us to respond in action and not just words. There seems to be a resolve on the part of … [Read more...] about The Sexual Abuse Issue at the SBC Annual Meeting – Six Bad Reasons Not to Act
Birmingham Bound #SBC19
I. I seriously internally and externally debated about attending SBC ’19 Birmingham because SBC entities repeatedly refuse to hire minorities as president of one of the entities, even when they are highly qualified. There have been five entity head vacancies in the SBC over the past 18 months. Four of the five have been filled. No minorities have been hired to date. To say I am disappointed would be an understatement. II. The ten entity heads of the SBC assemble at least biannually, in a meeting known as the Great Commission Council. In a Convention comprised of 20% minorities—Asians, African … [Read more...] about Birmingham Bound #SBC19
BCHS: Maybe the SBC’s Best-Kept-Secret… Seriously!
I promise this will be the last thing I post regarding anything about New Orleans for the foreseeable future. I’m sure those of you who are in the unfortunate circumstance of not living here might get tired of all the doting and mushiness and PDA. ;) I just want to point out an amazing ministry we have here which I believe ought to be replicated across the convention. The news itself about Baptist Community Heath Services (BCHS) is impressive but the ministry happening there is the most important thing going on. This recent report to BCHS partners speaks for itself, but please, if you … [Read more...] about BCHS: Maybe the SBC’s Best-Kept-Secret… Seriously!
Why Do They Hate Us? A (Totally and Completely Serious) Plea on Behalf of Corpulent Baptists (Really!)
As I write this (Monday May 13) I am wearing a nifty "Send Relief" t-shirt - for the first time. When I received it, the largest size they had was 2xl and I was 3xl and in some shirts even bigger. I am now able to wear the 2xl. You guys know me. I"m all about the group hugs and never want to be critical. "If you can't say something nice" Dave. But something happened to me last year at the Annual Meeting that must be addressed - an issue of discrimination against Corpulent Baptists. When I go to the Annual Meeting, I'm all about the free stuff at the display area. One year, I decided to … [Read more...] about Why Do They Hate Us? A (Totally and Completely Serious) Plea on Behalf of Corpulent Baptists (Really!)