SBC Voices

ERLC: Sexual Abuse and the SBC Conference

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Philip Bethancourt moderating. Panelists: Russell Moore, Beth Moore, Susan Cadony?, J.D. Greear, Rachael Denhollander. They are talking faster than I can type. These are NOT quotes. I will be constantly updating this. Rachael - 1. Survivor community loves the church and finds hope in the gospel. 2. Unity that comes from silence and doesn't confront sin is not real unity. Enforcing unity through silence is not godly. 3. The survivor community is used to hearing words without actions. There is skepticism because of the movement by some because they are used to their.stories not being … [Read more...] about ERLC: Sexual Abuse and the SBC Conference

This is different

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Maybe it's me but there's a different feel to the convention this year: it's better, fresher, younger, more energetic and vibrant, less perfunctory and predictable. Maybe it's because I'm spending my own money here and feel compelled to enjoy it and get my money's worth. I sit in on the Executive Committee meeting. It's Southern Baptist sausage making, reminds me of my own church business meetings at times, but they get it done. JD addresses the group. If he has written remarks he doesn't look at them; nonetheless, he hits every correct note. It looks to me like he is so thoroughly … [Read more...] about This is different

‘This is the mission’

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I am sitting in the Executive Committee meeting. We just listened to JD Greear's presidential address, and he said something in reference to sexual abuse that I've heard him say before: "This is not a distraction from the mission. This is the mission." Some may recoil upon hearing that statement. But I think Greear is exactly right. Let me briefly explain. Of course salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. No one will be won to Jesus this week by how we respond to sexual abuse in our midst. But our mission does not end when a person comes to faith in Christ. We are called to make … [Read more...] about ‘This is the mission’

JD Greear’s Presidential Report

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Gave a very affirming report, hopeful that the EC would deal well with the issue of sexual abuse. Encouraged unity and assuming the best of one another. Summary highlights: How we respond to this crisis will shape the perception of Southern Baptists for years or generations to come. Baptist pastors are horrified to learn what had happened and want to be led. The cost and difficulty of dealing with this will be great. The cost and difficulty of not dealing with sexual abuse will be even greater. We must move forward. Some have said this is a distraction and that we should get … [Read more...] about JD Greear’s Presidential Report

#SBC19: Recording secretary election – two good choices for the SBC

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Yesterday I wrote about the two elections for First and Second Vice President – Marshal Ausberry and Noe Garcia, respectively. Both nominees the only announced for those roles.  The election for recording secretary is a different story. Two nominees have been announced so far. John Yeats, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention will be nominated again for a role he’s held for over 20 years.  The SBC recording secretary is responsible for the record of the proceedings of the Southern Baptist Convention, training volunteers for convention business sessions and the final … [Read more...] about #SBC19: Recording secretary election – two good choices for the SBC

Ronnie Floyd’s First EC Report

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After a long walk all over this convention center we found the site of the EC meeting at the moment Ronnie Floyd began his address. He said his report would be brief. It was. He is moving to Nashville and has sold his home in Arkansas. I ran into Dr. Floyd yesterday and he enthusiastically told me to contact him and said he wants to work together. He made a brief report to leave time for the big issues that lay ahead. … [Read more...] about Ronnie Floyd’s First EC Report

If You Criticized (Or Supported) David Platt…

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Watch his PC message! He is preaching blessed are the meek and used his experience of the last week as a model. He explained his reasons for praying for Trump and then made an equally strong case for why he might not have done it. He modelled meekness and humility and spoke of how pastors can respond to criticism. Home run! I will post it here when it is released on vimeo.   … [Read more...] about If You Criticized (Or Supported) David Platt…