By my count, 12 motions were introduced. As it normal, most will get referred. Here they are. 1. Sam Fordham of Alabama moved the establishment of a new entity to promote evangelism and equipping. Not gonna happen. We are not forming a new entity. Probably gets referred to EC and dies. 2. Wade Burleson of OK Resurrected an old call to establish a sexual predator database. Again, not gonna happen. Referred. 3. Philip Bethancourt of TN. Moves a task force to deal with abuse and predation issues, develop strategies, and report back to the 2019 convention This will likely … [Read more...] about Introduction of Motions – with Predictions and Results
Free Book Recommendation: Mobilize to Evangelize by Dr. Matt Queen
As a biblioholic, one of the things I look forward to in each Convention is the opportunity for free books. I am sure to pick up many volumes over the next few days of quality, helpful material on a variety of topics. Most of our readers are aware of where to get some of the best free stuff our annual SBC trade show has to offer. This morning, I want to highlight one such book so you don't miss it. I commend to you picking up Dr. Matt Queen’s new book Mobilize to Evangelize: The Pastor and Effective Congregational Evangelism. The book will be the give-away today at the Southwestern Seminary … [Read more...] about Free Book Recommendation: Mobilize to Evangelize by Dr. Matt Queen
Is There An Effort to Put Anti-Moore Trustees on the ERLC Board?
Editor's Note: We received this from Derrick Lynch Monday and are deeply concerned. We checked out the story as best we could with several sources who confirmed it. The gist of this is a profoundly disturbing accusation which has been confirmed by three authoritative sources. Dan Anderson was replaced as a trustee of the ERLC because he refused to agree to oppose Dr. Russell Moore. Of course, this leads to a broader question. Is there a concerted effort to stack the ERLC board with anti-Moore trustees? Our hope is that this action was taken by a rogue committee member and does not … [Read more...] about Is There An Effort to Put Anti-Moore Trustees on the ERLC Board?
Mike Pence Should Not Address #SBC18
Baptist Press released news about an hour ago that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will address the SBC Annual Meeting on Wednesday morning at 11am. My heart sank when I read the news. Not because I dislike Mike Pence. He's a good man who professes faith in Christ. I understand it would be a kind of honor to have the Vice President of the United States address the convention. A kind of honor. But not the kind we should be seeking. The focus of our meeting should be brokenness and repentance. A theology of the cross – as opposed to a theology of glory. Many have called for an extended time … [Read more...] about Mike Pence Should Not Address #SBC18
Never Mind…SCHEDULE CHANGE – VP Pence to Speak Wednesday
The schedule I just released got scrambled by the news that VP Pence is speaking on Wednesday. That will mean tightened security and a completely scrambled schedule. Will update. … [Read more...] about Never Mind…SCHEDULE CHANGE – VP Pence to Speak Wednesday
Key Moments during #SBC18
Last year I spent about 30 minutes in the convention hall - I was toast after the PC. This year I plan to do better but I won't be in the room gavel to gavel. Does anyone except the president and the parliamentarian spend every moment in the hall? Of course, everything that goes on matters but you have to pick and choose. I would point out a few times that might be significant. My choices here are focused on the business times, not messages, times of worship, and other important segments. NOTE: The times are not sacrosanct. The convention often runs ahead. If we are running ahead on … [Read more...] about Key Moments during #SBC18
Dead Olive Trees & Imperishable Seeds
Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly, 23 because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:22-23 I'm a killer of plants. Joanna Gaines seems like a superhuman to me with her ability to keep plants green, living, and better yet flourishing. I thought it would be great idea to get an olive tree for inside my home a couple of weeks ago. One because I am Cuban and we love our olive … [Read more...] about Dead Olive Trees & Imperishable Seeds
Pass us not, O gentle Savior
It's been a tough couple of weeks (really couple of months) in the SBC. Leaders have fallen. Sin has been revealed. There is a heaviness that rests over our Southern Baptist family as we head into our annual meeting this week A friend recently said, "Tell me why I should stay." Those are sobering words. I must admit that similar thoughts have passed through my mind. But I will be in Dallas. I want to be part of the solution. I believe that God can and will continue to use the Southern Baptist Convention. So as I listened to the words of Fanny Crosby, they became my prayer for the … [Read more...] about Pass us not, O gentle Savior
An appeal to my brother and sister messengers
Of all that will happen over the next few days, there are many uncertainties. Who will be elected president? What resolutions will be passed? What kinds of motions will be made from the floor? What will our entity heads be asked when they open the floor for questions? How will the various secular and religious media sources cover the meeting? Will we do anything foolish that makes us look bad in front of a watching world? Will the issues and elections I care most about be decided in the way I desire? All of these questions are currently unanswerable and will have to play out over the course … [Read more...] about An appeal to my brother and sister messengers
Well, here we go…
...Dallas wasn't on my June 2018 agenda but my wife and daughter wanted to come, so here we are. I'm resigned to being bossed around a bit this week. Good to have a millennial along for Ubering, and tech stuff anyway. The only thing I wanted to do outside of SBC18 is stroll around Dealy Plaza. I was in eighth grade back then. School let out early. Zapruder, sixth floor, grassy knoll...seems like the two crude "X" marks in the roadway don't quite fit the event but I suppose if there were permanent markers they would be stolen. Even 911 didn't have the somber gravity of Kennedy's … [Read more...] about Well, here we go…