We just heard 17 new motions in 20 minutes. It was actually less silly than usual. As usual, there were the calls for the head of the leader of ERLC, for financial audits of NAMB, and not one, but TWO calls for remote voting at the Annual Meeting. This has been going on for 25 years. There were resolutions in the form of motions. Honestly, though, this was probably the most reasonable set of motions that I may rescind my moniker “silly season” if this trend continues.
Gotta hand it to our President! Somehow, he got through to the messengers. There was not a single person who gave a long preamble to his or her motion. So often, in the past, a person would get up and give a long statement in favor of the motion.
Here’s a list of the motions. I tried to record names, churches, and such, but I failed. Here’s what I have. You can check the later record. I probably have some of these names wrong, too.
1. Jan Ballard from South Dakota wants a study of the relationship of the State Conventions and the EC. I think, if I understand it, he hopes that smaller state conventions can get representation at the national level. As a longtime Iowa Baptist, where we had CP-giving without representation (it eventually changed), I understand.
Prediction – referred to EC.
2. Ben Cole from Prestonwood moved to allow ERLC to raise funds from non-SBC sources and reduce their CP allocation by the amount they raise.
Not sure what the backstory is here, but Ben always knows what is happening.
Prediction – it will get referred, but since it has to do with funding, it might go to EC.
3. Andy Brown moved the adoption of the NIcene Creed. He took the time to read the entire Nicene Creed.
Not sure why he did this. Does he not know about the motion to do this already?
Prediction – this will be declared redundant.
4. Paul Montgomery moved that all entities be requested to use only those outside counsel whose values align with the BF&M.
Clearly, he is upset with some stuff that happened at the EC.
Prediction – he moved this as a request. If it was a direction, it would be out of order, but as a request, it will be referred and ignored.
5. Brett Burns (Rhett?) – A recurring motion, which I am simplifying, that the business plan be amended to demand our entities publish information in line with IRS form 990.
This train seems to be coming down the tracks and the entities are resisting. They probably are not going to be able to resist forever. It seemed like a very carefully worded motion, but I’m not good at these things.
Prediction – I don’t know, but EVENTUALLY, the entities are going to have to be more transparent on their financial issues, especially what they pay their leaders. This may not fly this year, but this isn’t going away.
6. John Michael LaRue moved the formation of a task for to include all of our historic creeds (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian) in the BF&M.
He actually made a mountain out of a molehill. He should have simply moved the adoption of the creeds into the BF&M. It doesn’t take a task force to do this.
Prediction: No idea. There is a lot of angst about the Nicene Creed motion and this may have been a response to that. Don’t know. This seems like using a cannon to attack a gnat. I do not know what the response will be.
7. ??? requested the resignation of Brent Leatherwood.
OUT OF ORDER.
8. Megan Lively moved the ERLC to accept the task of assisting churches to deal with abuse ministry. If they would not, that the EC form a new entity to do so.
Prediction: This will get referred.
9. ??? moved that LifeWay develop homeschool textbooks.
Prediction: will get referred.
10. Someone from Ohio moved that we study how to have remote conventions so people can participate from home.
11. Kei (?) Cody moved to reallocate all ERLC money to IMB.
OUT OF ORDER.
12. Kristin Ferguson moved a bylaws change having to do with the submitting of resolutions.
Prediction: honestly, no idea. I didn’t completely understand her motion.
13. Tyler Pierce moved the EC upgrade its website.
Prediction: referred.
14. ??? moved a bylaws change concerning the credentials committee.
Part of it, I didn’t really get, but one part was that if a church is ruled as not in friendly cooperation, the Credentials Committee cannot change that designation. It takes another vote of the Annual Meeting.
15. Parker Roberts moved to request a formal forensic financial audit of NAMB.
Prediction: likely ruled out of order.
16. Scott Talley (?) Form a task force to study how to increase evangelism, conversions, and baptisms.
Prediction: Please, NOT another task force!
17. Brandon Booth (?) A LONG, detailed involved motion on remote voting.
Prediction: referred to EC.
