I grew up in a liberal family in Southern California. I belonged to the Bahá’í faith and was raised by two hippies. My grandfather was the first civil rights writer for the L.A. Times and was offered the position of press secretary for Bobby Kennedy. My mom participated in Freedom Summer in Jackson, Mississippi when […]
What does it mean to have a voice in the SBC?
I just read an article where one of the loudest voices in the Southern Baptist Convention in recent years complained about having no voice. He said that his church gave over $200k last year to the SBC, but they feel like they do not have a voice in convention affairs. His comments caused me to […]
A Black Man at the Southern Baptist Convention #SBC21 (by Erik Vance)
This week will be an experience that I will remember all of the days of my life. Being a black man from the South, and attending a historically black seminary, at Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center, learning Baptist Polity was a part of the curriculum. During my studies we learned about […]
The Hurricane Winds Die Down – Dave Goes Dark
I have so many things I would like to say. I came into this week completely bumfuzzled about what would happen and everyone I talked to said the same. What a wild week it was. Almost everything we hoped would happen has happened. Ed Litton got elected. Hallelujah. The EC Business and Financial Plan was […]
Haven’t We Had Enough of “Gotcha” Discernment?
The theological vultures didn’t wait long after Ed Litton’s election to start their attacks. One messenger asked Dr. Mohler to opine on the wording of the doctrinal statement of Litton’s church. There is some theologically imprecise language in the statement and instead of contacting Ed or the church to clarify their position (which is solidly […]
Dr. Yeats Edges Adam Blosser for Recording Secretary
Congratulations to Dr. Yeats. Adam garnered 46% of the vote against a powerhouse SBC leader, even after one of the oddest series of events I have seen in an election. Last night, while I was giving my speech, the parliamentarians suddenly decided that quorum did not exist. They decided to vote this morning without allowing […]
Why the referral of the sexual abuse audit to the ERLC is a good thing — explaining the process and the rationale
Before I made the motion this morning, I shared the strategy and language of the motion to a few key survivors and advocates including Christa Brown and Rachael Denhollander. I otherwise kept both the strategy and the motion private so as to prevent bad actors in the Convention from strategizing against it. Because I did […]
The SBC Executive Committee Needs Change. Here’s Why We Should Elect Adam Blosser Tomorrow Morning. #SBC21
In a bizarre parliamentary situation, the nomination speeches for SBC Recording Secretary were given near the end of the business session this evening, but the vote will not take place until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Messengers tomorrow may not get to hear the speeches again. We think it’s important for you to hear why a vote […]
And Our New President Is…ED
Mike Stone 6278 votes. 47.81% Ed Litton. 6834 votes. 52.04% ED!!!!
Vote totals for SBC President – Stone vs Litton runoff
BOTES. PERCENT Al Mohler. 3764. 26.32% Mike Stone. 5216. 36.48% Ed Litton. 4630. 32.38% Randy Adams 673. 4.71% Litton vs Stone. Where do Mohler’s votes go?
Resolutions Report, Part ONE
Resolution 1: James Merritt moves Resolution 1. Baptist unity and maintaining our public witness. An amendment adding the word secondary to the second resolved section. Amendment failed. Nit-picking wordsmithing is now happening. Passed by about 99% Resolution 2: on the Sufficiency of Scripture for Race and Racial reconciliation Again, this is a biblical and unifying […]
Nominations for President
H.B Charles is nominating Dr. Mohler. Emphasizing Mohler’s CR fidelity and Baptist Heritage. Dean Haun (?) is nominating Mike Stone. Emphasizing “Pastor Mike Stone.” David and Goliath references. Authority and sufficiency of Scripture. Fred Luter is nominating Ed Litton. Bold, but kind leadership. “Take it from Fred, vote for Ed.” Mary Habila (?) is nominating […]