The past week has seen several notable statements of support for Dr. Moore’s continued leadership at the ERLC. We’ve covered most of them in individual posts but I thought it might be helpful to compile some of the most important here together.
- Yesterday morning, Matt Chandler tweeted a strong word of support: “
@drmoore was 1 of the reasons@villagechurchtx re engaged in Southern Baptist life. Hope they don’t now force out a man we love”. Chandler is another leader many younger Southern Baptists hold in high esteem and I haven’t known him to make many public statements about this kind of thing.
- Thursday Byron Day, president of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention expressed strong support for Dr. Moore. Day’s statement focused on the importance of unity for the SBC but also admiration for Dr. Moore. Day said: “Russell Moore has done nothing worthy of discipline or firing. He… has been outstanding as president of the ERLC… he has also addressed social injustices such as racism which have been long overlooked.”
- On Monday, Dwight McKissic’s post in support of Russell Moore went viral. By tomorrow night Dwight’s post will be the most-read post ever here at SBC Voices. McKissic explained how the current pressure being exerted through “escrowed” giving and Executive Committee actions to study the current situation made for an environment where black and other minority Southern Baptists were seriously reconsidering their involvement in SBC life – not directly because of Moore, but because of the political shift he perceives this pressure represents.
- Outside the SBC several Christian leaders have expressed support for Russell Moore recently, for example this piece by Kaitlyn Schiess titled “American Evangelicals Need Leaders Like Russell Moore“
- There are too many individual social media posts expressing support to individually reproduce here, but back in December, for example, Moore was coming under criticism and those expressing support through the hashtag #IStandWithMoore that Christianity Today reported on the situation with over 1,200 expressing their support over a couple of days on Twitter.
These are just some notable examples over the past week. I’ve had people ask me how they can show support for Dr. Moore. I wish we had some official way of doing so because I believe the response would be overwhelming. People just aren’t sure what would be effective—and to some extent they are trusting the system to deal effectively and diffuse the vocal critics who do not speak for so many of us.
I’m convinced that Dr. Moore remaining at the ERLC at this time is incredibly important for a number of reasons, but these recent examples highlight the pivotal role he plays in keeping the younger generation and ethnic minorities engaged in convention life. These are areas I think we’ve seen good (not perfect) progress over the past 10 years. And any direction other than onward would be the wrong choice for the SBC.
If you feel so led, feel free to use the comments section to express support for Dr. Moore.
Dr. Moore is a reasonable man. For example, in Spring of 2004 I had Dr. Moore when he was just promoted as the Dean of Theology at SBTS. His tone then was very snarky, but, Dr. Moore is a humble man. He and I have spoken since that time when I’ve seen him at the SBC Convention. Each time it’s been a very pleasant exchange as we both humbling admitted to our faults. Therefore, I’d encourage anyone who has any disagreements with him to seek time to talk things through with him. Part of the problem I had was my… Read more »
I may have missed it but which SBCers have called for his dismissal, aside from assorted bloggers and commenters? The one church witholding CP monies hasn’t, nor the prominent pastor. Has SBC Today or any of the Trads? The XComm was careful to say nothing, since they have no authority. No motion to dismiss will be entertained at the annual meeting even though any messenger may offer one. I liked his tone from the start and what looked to me like a change in emphasis that had less culture war rhetoric and more defense of religious liberty. My view is… Read more »
If Graham and others are not trying to force his resignation, then they should come out and make that explicitly clear. I think we know why that won’t happen. If that isn’t what they are trying to do, then what is the end goal of withholding money? Just to have a conversation? Pretty sure a guy like Graham can have that conversation anytime he wants without withholding anything. What does PBC and Graham want to see happen? Seems if you are going to take this public like they did, they should be very careful to delineate precisely why they are… Read more »
Jason, I do not think you are alone in these sentiments.
I know I share them. I hope I am wrong. I truly do.
I told a friend the other day that I admire his optimism regarding the “conversations” and his hope for a “restorative moment”. I further told him that I want nothing more in this situation for my deep cynicism to be unwarranted and to be wrong in my reading of the tea leaves here. I meant that.
Might I point out that although a significant number of folks in leadership positions in the Louisiana Baptist Convention are apparently firmly in the anti-Moore camp, many Louisiana Baptists in the New Orleans area deeply appreciate Dr. Moore and his words resonate with us and through the Metropolitan area in which we live and serve. Some students at NOBTS have recently made some statements regarding the support of Moore (in light of but not directly in the CP letter) and members of the Administrative Team of the New Orleans Baptist Association of churches wrote a word of support for Dr.… Read more »
I almost linked to that statement because it’s so good. I just limited it to things that have come out in the last week. Thanks Jay.
I haven’t always agreed with Moore , but I feel that his leadership at the ERLC has been invaluable and he continues to be a faithful representative of the SBC and the gospel in the public square. I will continue to support Dr. Moore and hope a resolution can be found which is faithful to our calling as disciples of Christ.
I am grateful to God for Dr. Russell Moore, and oppose any punitive action against him for articulating consistently and with conviction that which we Southern Baptists have long believed and affirmed.
I am against any discussion of reduction in CP funding or elimination of the ERLC in this climate.
(Oh, and I am very much, and very proudly Southern Baptist)
While I have been vocal about Dr. Moore taking the initiative and providing an authentic apology, I have never, nor do I think that Dr. Moore should be fired. I also don’t believe, as many others have said, that the ERLC should be shutdown in the current climate. However, when this situation calms down, I do think the SBC needs to take a look at why they need a Political Lobbyist, and a lobbying organization, when much of the leadership keeps telling us (through this issue) that Southern Baptist’s shouldn’t allow politics to divide us. Having a Political Lobbyist that… Read more »
Here may be a helpful way to *respectfully* express support for Dr. Moore:
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
901 COMMERCE STREET
NASHVILLE, TN 37203-3699
Though I have been more ambivalent toward Christian involvement in politics in the past, Russell Moore has helped me to better understand the connection between gospel faithfulness and certain types of political engagement from a theological, biblical framework. I believe he is an important positive voice for gospel-centered values in the public square and I am delighted to have him continue to represent me as a Southern Baptist by means of the ERLC.
I suspect that the liberation-theology moderators of this board will not approve this comment, as there is nothing they fear more than the truth from Bible-centered believers such as myself.
I am a college student, Baptist, conservative and I deeply oppose Russell Moore and David Platt.
Both Russell Moore and David Platt support the Third World and refugee invasion of the USA.
Heck, Russell Moore’s open-borders, satanic Evangelical Immigration Table is even funded by Soros.
These men are pure evil. They’re going to hell, I can only assume. Don’t let them take the SBC down with them.
Oh boy…
sometimes you publish just so everyone can see the crazy.
Someone cue that scene from Billy Madison……
JD? Is that you?
That is funny right there.
Steve Young in Arkansas
I’m leaving this comment only so people can see what’s out there. If anyone’s going to hell, it might be the racist here who’s bearing false witness against Moore and Platt and proud of his sin.
If you want any more of your comments approved, you’ll publish your name with them.
This comment deserves to be trashed but may better serve the site by illustrating the idiocy of some young minds filled with political nonsense rather than Christian grace, kindness, and gentleness. One has hope, perhaps,forlorn, of baptist college students growing up and growing in the Christian graces.
Oy vey.
Who would you rather have leading the ERLC? Russell Moore, or that guy?!
I pastor on the MS Gulf Coast, Dr. Moore’s beloved homeland! As a young pastor in the heart of Cultural Christianity, I am so thankful for Dr. Moore’s call to biblical Christianity and not a civil religion. I may not agree with every statement from Dr. Moore but I am thankful for his bold witness. In my estimation, Dr. Moore represents the heart of the Protestant Reformation. We are to be a prophetic voice crying out against that which might feel good to our gut but is contrary to Holy Scripture. I pray that Dr. Moore continues to serve the… Read more »
Russ Moore has defended the building of Mosques (houses of devil worship).
Russ Moore has been unapologetic in his defense of Mosque building.
Russ Moore advocates for open borders, ignorant of the dire consequences.
Russ Moore needs to find another job.f
Again, Russell Moore has defended religious liberty, which yes, includes Muslims. And Russell Moore has not advocated for open borders. Truth matters. Please stop repeating these lies.
I grew up as an SBC preacher’s kid. We even went to the conventions on vacations and I had what felt like an insiders tour of the SBC from a very young age. As an adult, believer & member of a large SBC church, I had little to no interest in engaging in the SBC itself for various reasons. Russell Moore was a large part of what caused me to feel differently and to actually have an affinity for the SBC at all again in adulthood. I have always been so encouraged by how he has been able to engage… Read more »
Best comment! I agree wholeheartedly that Russell Moore can reach people outside the church because of his loving Gospel focus. I appreciate his defense of the weak and powerless, whether minorities or refugees, or those of us who chose to not vote for either immoral candidate!
I do not support any type of move against Moore and for his removal. Several reasons… 1 – I have said things others considered stupid and kept my ministry job. 2 – I have made an apology that didn’t seem like an apology to others and kept my ministry job. 3 – I have others in the SBC who disagree with me so much, they banned me from their discussion boards because I was not in agreement with them, and / or presented things in ways they did not like, and / or kept typing when they wanted to have… Read more »
Dr. Moore, you have my prayers and support. I thank God for you and will continue lifting you up as you serve Him. Blessings!
Dr. Moore was our Sunday School teacher when my husband was attending SBTS in the early 2000’s, and I remember him so well because he is one of the first people I ever heard teach straight through the Word, expositing the text and equipping his students with the knowledge and context that the Bible deserves. It was a defining time in my life, and since then, I have been watchful of his ministry and this is what I have seen… His actions in public life have not wavered from the man he was in that Sunday School room. He is… Read more »
Amen!
The “referendum” on Dr. Moore is really a choice between the past and the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. No doubt there are wonderful things about our collective past, but it’s also full of shameful, hurtful things. In Dr. Moore’s leadership we see the fruit of corporate repentance, but in his opposition we see a hanging-on to old attitudes that aren’t helpful.
So grateful for the leadership and voice Dr. Moore provides for the SBC! He represents NOBTS well.
I have known Dr. Moore personally for about 15 years, and I cannot think of a person more fit for the position he currently holds. The task of ERLC President means that he will at time take positions and voice concerns that will be at odds with some segments of the SBC populace. In fact, at some point, he may offend and be at odds with everyone in the SBC. I do not always agree with the positions he takes, but I am always challenged to re-evaluate why I believe what I do. IMO, that is precisely what he is… Read more »
Good words Jason Gray.
It is clearly understood that some commenters and SBCers have differing views on religious liberty for Islam and Islamic refugees. While it is acceptable to make those comments, it is unacceptable to do so in an unchristian manner.
Thanks.
I fully support Dr. Moore and the work he is doing. For some of us (maybe particularly some of us older guys), perhaps our thinking is being challenged and stretched by Dr. Moore. However, that is the way God often works. Dr. Moore doesn’t think “just like me” (and most people will breathe a sigh of relief). However, that does not negate his commitment to God’s Word and positive impact he is making for the kingdom.
I am not Southern Baptist, but I am a Christ follower who holds to a conservative political ideology. I have not always agreed with Dr. Moore , but I respect him. I have greatly appreciated his courage in applying a Biblical ethic to the Trump phenomenon. It was encouraging to those of us who could not support Trump. It made us feel like we were not alone. I have also appreciated his focus on repairing race relations in this country. I find it disturbing that his position may be at risk because he chose to speak truth to power. I… Read more »