1. Creation of the Sex Abuse Task Force. To be cussed and discussed for a generation. 2. Ed Litton elected SBC president. A surprise that Mohler didn't make a runoff. Litton's sermon practices later became top news. 3. SBC Executive Committee CEO, Ronnie Floyd, resigns. Vision takes a back seat to perceived leadership failure. 4. Mass resignations of Executive Committee members. The CBN exits for reasons they think are compelling. Bye. 5. Churches mostly back to normal after COVID. 6. Russell Moore resigns as CEO of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. And goes Presby … [Read more...] about Top SBC events of 2021
The SBC, the EC, and Waiving Attorney-Client Privilege (by Jon Canler)
Over late summer and early fall 2021, the Executive Committee (EC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) deliberated whether or not to waive attorney-client privilege (ACP) as part of a sexual abuse investigation into the actions of the EC over the past two decades, an investigation overwhelmingly demanded by the messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting. As the deliberations drew out, with resistance from some on the EC who were not willing to waive ACP, all kinds of commentary were offered to explain what was happening. As is readily apparent from this statement, some within the SBC … [Read more...] about The SBC, the EC, and Waiving Attorney-Client Privilege (by Jon Canler)
Voices Top Ten Articles of 2021
If something big happens this week, like the Second Coming, I'll let one of the other guys handle that. So, here are the top ten articles. We keep score here...on everything. Russell Moore Letter to SBC President on the Current Crisis in the SBC [Full Text], Brent Hobbs, June 5th. Copy and paste job of Moore's letter to J. D. Greer, a pre-election surprise. J. D. Greear's powerful message to the SBC Executive Committee, Brent Hobbs. February 23rd. This was an address by Greear back in February. The article linked the video of Greear. SBCers wanted, I presume, to see him and listen … [Read more...] about Voices Top Ten Articles of 2021
Has the SBC reached its winter solstice?
Today's the day. The sun comes to a slow stop from going southward and inches back up. I'm a little depressed but things will literally be sunnier from now until beyond the contentious SBCAM in June. My fair locale has 9 hours and 53 minutes of sun today. The farthest north I've ever been, North Pole, Alaska, has a meager 3 hours and 44 minutes of sun today. Gimme a handful of vitamin D pills, quick. But how's the SBC looking, metaphorically speaking, in regard to sunlight and darkness? From where I stare out at the gray, cloudy, chilly, leafless dimness it looks pretty bad. I have … [Read more...] about Has the SBC reached its winter solstice?
Christians and the Public School (by Dale Huntington)
Growing up in a family of mostly secular humanist educators, I never once questioned if I should be going to public school. My father was the elementary school principal my friends referred to as Dr. Huntington and my mom was a school teacher and a college counselor for most of my life. So, when private Christian school and homeschooling were mentioned to me, I had no point of reference for it. And to be honest, the homeschooled kids I met seemed like they were from a different planet. It was in public high school where I was exposed to Christian teaching about the wrath of God and the saving … [Read more...] about Christians and the Public School (by Dale Huntington)
Ah, our Grand Old Convention: Politics, leaks, dirty tricks doth infuse, infuriate, energize and electrify us
It's our system. Why should anyone be surprised? My mantra on the SBC Annual Meeting, specifically in response to the clamor of the remote voting crowd has always been, "Show up. Vote. Go home." We had over 15,000 registered messengers in Nashville. There was heavy, strident, and sometimes dramatic competition for their individual votes. As long as that is the case, we will have the kind of stuff we've been having. Ed Litton won the presidential race by around 500 votes, out of over 13,000 votes cast. I'll say it again. Votes for Mike Stone were negatively affected by release of … [Read more...] about Ah, our Grand Old Convention: Politics, leaks, dirty tricks doth infuse, infuriate, energize and electrify us
The Man Who Understood Christmas
I haven't had time to enter into the fray here, so I thought I'd drop by leave a Christmas message here. I know our audience isn't always motivated unless there's something to fight about, but this is what I'm writing and working on these days. Do you ever wonder during all the hullaballoo of the Christmas season if anyone understands what the season is all about? We celebrate frenetically but seem to have little clue about the season’s true meaning. This phenomenon is not new. There is little evidence that those who experienced the events of the first Christmas fully understood what was … [Read more...] about The Man Who Understood Christmas
2022 SBC Pastor’s Conference
The SBC Pastor's Conference has announced their speakers for the 2022 meeting. Baptist Press: SBC Pastor's Conference speakers spread across multiple ministry settings The list of pastors speaking at the 2022 SBC Pastors’ Conference stretches across a variety of backgrounds, from small congregations to megachurches and combat veteran to former Division I college football player. I'm not planning to attend the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim unless convention expenses drop from the clouds or dollar bills start growing on the trees in my yard. Being retired means a lot of things one of … [Read more...] about 2022 SBC Pastor’s Conference
Taking a Prophetic Stand: Die Hard is NOT a Christmas Movie
This was originally posted in 2016, but since heretics like Jay Adkins continue to troll social media promoting Die Hard as a Christmas Movie, people who stand for truth, justice, and the ho-ho-ho way have to continue to stand. I read a post the other day differentiating trolling and taking a prophetic stand. Trolling is when someone takes a strong stand with which I disagree. When I agree, that person is taking a prophetic stand. I am taking a prophetic stand against a great evil I've seen on several of my friends' Twitter and Facebook posts. On lists of great Christmas movies, … [Read more...] about Taking a Prophetic Stand: Die Hard is NOT a Christmas Movie
Should Mid-America Seminary be put on SBC ‘probation?’
My answer at the top here: "NO." I'm an alumnus of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and I'm embarrassed by recent actions of my beloved alma mater. I arrived at the seminary in 1978 and, after three full years including one full and fun summer of Hebrew, I received my MDiv. I haven't been on the campus in quite some time and am not connected in any way. MABTS was a great seminary in my day. I would think that it is still a good place to get a solid theological education with an emphasis on practical missions and evangelism. The seminary is the chosen "partner" school of the … [Read more...] about Should Mid-America Seminary be put on SBC ‘probation?’