One year ago today Alan Cross and I announced the launch of the SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative. I wanted to celebrate the progress we’ve made this year and update our readers on some of what we’ve seen. The LDI was designed as a networking tool for us to be able to discover and identify Southern Baptists for potential leadership roles who we might otherwise be unaware of, particularly ethnic minorities, women, and lay persons. We want to open the floodgates and remove as many barriers as possible to achieve our goal: A convention where ethnic minority leaders and members, as well as … [Read more...] about SBC Leadership Diversity Initiative – One Year In
Social Issues
Friendly Fire and Elephants
I have started, deleted, and restarted this post no less than 25 times. There is a war waging inside; it’s a war between being misunderstood versus the deep felt emotion that runs through my veins. It gives my stomach a bit of a sick feeling and a slight lump in my throat. It is a physical reminder of the investment, deep care, and tension that I feel. Have you ever felt like the elephant in the room? I remember being a young 20-something in the middle of my Bible college coffee shop, and like many days, a group of guys was debating whether or not babies went to heaven or hell. I remember … [Read more...] about Friendly Fire and Elephants
Cooperation and Complexity on the Question of Women Preaching
Especially over the past year or two, I believe we’ve moved in a healthy direction. We’ve started to see more clearly the giftedness of our sisters in Christ, how much we should be honoring their service to the church, and how valuable their contribution is. Not everyone has moved in this direction, but thankfully many of us have, myself included. The SBC is complementarian in its viewpoint. That’s not in dispute. Our confession of faith says that the role of pastor (elder) is limited to men. Men and women are of equal worth, value, intelligence, competence, ability AND God intends for men … [Read more...] about Cooperation and Complexity on the Question of Women Preaching
The Fall of All the Mall Walls: Definitions in the Age of Social Media (Dean Treloar)
Recently, I was talking to a friend about a mishap he had experienced on twitter. This friend of mine, a pastor, was defending a biblical view on social issues when, presumably due to the language used, was miscategorized by a reader as being an advocate for a trending political controversy. The misunderstanding of tweets as a result of language — in this case, language that happens be shared in hot-button topics in our current political bipartisan divide — is all too common. Consequently, my friend and I spent a great deal of time talking about the phrases we use and the words we select to … [Read more...] about The Fall of All the Mall Walls: Definitions in the Age of Social Media (Dean Treloar)
SBC Deep State Has Been Discovered … Join Now!
There's a whole thing going on with stained glass windows and Liberty University and Jerry Falwell and SWBTS and Jerry Vines that isn't of too much interest to me, but in the midst of all of that, Jerry Falwell, Jr., President of Liberty University and spiritual advisor to the President revealed "shocking" news. Apparently, there is an "SBC deep state regime" involving Russell Moore of the ERLC. I'm not sure if Dr. Moore is leading this effort, but yes, it does exist. And, I'm happy to admit that I'm a part of it. You might be too! By God’s Grace, there’s a large group of pastors, leaders, … [Read more...] about SBC Deep State Has Been Discovered … Join Now!
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
Resources on Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response
One of the things we've learned recently is that we need to learn a lot more on the subjects of sexual abuse and prevention. Below I've tried to compile a starter list of resources I've found helpful and insightful. Please add resources in the comments you're aware of that will help pastors and churches grow in their understanding of sexual abuse prevention and response. Based on recent discussions, for my Southern Baptist friends, I would especially recommend focusing on understanding the grooming process, and also the understanding the ways abuse victims often react and the struggles they … [Read more...] about Resources on Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response