This is a common refrain from abuse victims, advocates, and others that follow the deplorable cases of abuse now prominent in secular, religious, and social media. In fact, the phrase "the SBC ought to do something about..." can be completed with reference to many issues - racism, sexism, poverty, human trafficing, and a host of other societal ills. In regard to the title above the assertion is flawed in its expression "the SBC ought..." because of the autonomy of SBC churches and entities and our non-connectional system. The "Southern Baptist Convention" doesn't: have churches … [Read more...] about The SBC ought to do something about clergy sex abuse
Autonomy is a reality, not an excuse
Discussions of clergy sex abuse in SBC churches and entities are, sadly, common these days. Several current examples, deplorable each one, are found in articles here within the past days. This used not to be the case. When clergy misconduct occurred it would be whispered not published. Pastors, denominational workers, and leaders would find out through back channels and the Baptist grapevine. Very seldom would Baptist Press or any of the state Baptist newspapers would touch these stories. Things have changed. Communication is easier. Victims have means to make public their cases. They also … [Read more...] about Autonomy is a reality, not an excuse
What is Worship? Marrying Corporate and Individual Worship (Eric Reeves)
In every aspect of our corporate worship, music has become synonymous with worship. At our Baptist colleges and seminaries, getting a worship degree means being a music major and not a theology major. I will not attempt to explore why we have conflated music and worship. Instead, I would like to explore what worship actually is with the hope that we can begin to shift our perspectives. I firmly believe the biblical idea of worship is the fulfilling of God’s purpose for humanity, nothing more and nothing less. Corporate Worship We must define our terms before we can begin to delve into a … [Read more...] about What is Worship? Marrying Corporate and Individual Worship (Eric Reeves)
SCBC Addresses Aderholt’s Employment and Arrest
Tuesday I published a post here in which I addressed the sexual assault allegations against Mark Aderholt. One of my answers to the question, "What needs to happen now?" was that the executive director of the SCBC must be transparent with its member churches about what he and others responsible for hiring Aderholt knew. If they knew nothing, why? Today the SCBC Exec. Board Chair Tommy Kelly and SCBC Pres. Marshall Blalock released an open letter through the Baptist Courier addressing the situation. Below is the full text of that letter. We are writing this letter to express our … [Read more...] about SCBC Addresses Aderholt’s Employment and Arrest
The Invisible People of Mayberry
During the 80s, I lived in a small country town for four years that reminded me of Mayberry, at least when we first arrived. I discerned one major difference during my time there. Recently, during my slow recuperation from surgery, as I rewatched the first three seasons of the Andy Griffith Show on Netflix, I noticed a second major difference. First, our little Mayberry had no Sheriff Taylor to help people see the light and change their behavior. Andy’s Mayberry was filled with nice folks who were gossips, petty, easily offended, xenophobic, and just plain ornery. But Andy would … [Read more...] about The Invisible People of Mayberry
Sacrificing at the Altar of Love One Another (Melissa Edgington)
Jesus was no people pleaser. He wasn’t predictable or palatable or pandering or polite. Yet, He consistently and completely carried out His mission to bring ultimate glory to His Father. Sometimes He did that through speaking. Sometimes by remaining quiet. Sometimes He delivered harsh truths to people. Yes, He taught people their worth. But, He also taught us how far we are from the holiness of the One True God. He was born the Prince of Peace, yet He also said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn … [Read more...] about Sacrificing at the Altar of Love One Another (Melissa Edgington)
Is it ever too late to call police when sex abuse is reported?
Recent cases of sex abuse of minors in churches by church staff have raised a number of important questions. Perhaps the first question that current church leaders might need to answer is when a report of past abuse should be reported to the police. While blogs and comments are an important forum for discussing such things, often information is a mixture of opinions, questions, ponderings, and facts. This article from LifeWay's Facts and Trends of May 18, 2018 is particularly helpful. Sex abuse in the church: Is it ever too late to call the police? Texas attorney Kimberlee Norris often … [Read more...] about Is it ever too late to call police when sex abuse is reported?
Silence Is NOT Golden
Surely you've heard by now that a former missionary with the IMB, Mark Aderholt, was arrested on July 3 and charged with sexually assaulting a teenager. The alleged crime took place 21 years ago when Aderholt was a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The IMB learned of the allegations made by Aderholt's victim in 2007 while he was serving with the board. They conducted an internal investigation which determined that "Aderholt 'engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship' with a teen in 1996-1997, that the victim 'suffered as a result' and that Aderholt 'was not … [Read more...] about Silence Is NOT Golden
National Cooperative Program up $17 million while state CP down $41 million
When interim Executive Committee CEO Augie Boto made his report at #SBC18 he shared the graph below. While the subject is arcane to most Southern Baptists it is critical to leaders at the state and national level and what the graph shows is no surprise to those who must watch their revenue streams to maintain employment levels and ministries. Here is the way Boto put it in his report (this excerpt from my state paper, The Christian Index): Boto then explained that the statistical information shows that in the last 18 years “our national receipts have improved by just over $17 … [Read more...] about National Cooperative Program up $17 million while state CP down $41 million
Can a woman serve as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention? (Casey Hough)
Much pontification has been digitally uploaded to this site recently regarding the question as to whether or or not it is appropriate for a woman to serve as President of the SBC. My friend Casey Hough offered his thoughts on this subject at his personal page on Thursday. I asked Casey if I could post his text in full here at Voices in order to offer another opinion on the subject. Now, I must admit that I am not completely convinced by his argument (although the vast majority of it resonates loudly with me) but his tone and congenial tenor draw me in and I completely understand and appreciate … [Read more...] about Can a woman serve as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention? (Casey Hough)