By now it’s not news to readers of Voices that the President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee has resigned. He has reminded us repeatedly of his fiduciary duties to the SBC, and in his resignation letter explained that he can no longer carry out those duties after the October 5th EC vote to waive attorney-client privilege relative to the Sexual Abuse Task Force investigation. You may have also read Rod Martin’s letter of resignation from the EC, in which he writes that “the SBC is in grave danger” due to the EC vote to waive privilege. Floyd believes the SBC is in “uncertain, unknown, … [Read more...] about How Executive Committee Leaders Failed in Their Fiduciary Duties Long Before October 5th (Benjamin Wright)
Thank God for lack of drama at our most important entity: IMB
Paul Chitwood spoke at our church this morning. Excellent. I'm all in for IMB, whatever else is going on around the SBC. IMB and NAMB are having record offerings, a measure of what Southern Baptists think they are worth among our churches. Let's keep it that way. I'm still supportive of our general giving plan, the venerable Cooperative Program, but my practice has always been to put the Lottie Moon offering, 100% going to overseas missions, at the top of my and my church's giving priorities. ____________ Photo: A silver haired beauty, Dr. Chitwood, on old codger with coffee. … [Read more...] about Thank God for lack of drama at our most important entity: IMB
Ronnie Floyd did what he had to do
Last night Ronnie Floyd announced his resignation as president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. You can read the Baptist Press article here. The article contains the full text of Floyd's resignation letter to EC trustees and Southern Baptists. Floyd attributed his resignation to “decisions made on Tuesday afternoon, October 5, in response to the 2021 Convention," which he said, "now place our missionary enterprise as Southern Baptists into uncertain, unknown, unprecedented and uncharted waters." EC Chairman Rolland Slade said of Floyd's resignation, “I am saddened by his … [Read more...] about Ronnie Floyd did what he had to do
Live at Peace With Everyone
The Apostle Paul’s admonition to the church members in Rome to “live at peace with everyone” is a message of truth we desperately need in our culture and as Great Commission Baptists. Too often on social media, in churches, and recently on committee Zoom meetings, we witness people in conflict speaking inciting words in an aggressive tone. Daily on Twitter, we see clashes between pastors who preach the love and peace of the gospel yet use words towards other pastors that are foreign to those fruits of the Spirit. Amid this conflict, it’s tempting to call for civility as the lowest common … [Read more...] about Live at Peace With Everyone
On My Motion Regarding Our Lawyers and a Conflict of Interest
Much has transpired since my visit to the Executive Committee (EC) meeting in Nashville last month. I originally wanted to get this article written and published earlier but it became clear that the Sexual Abuse Task Force's work and the response of the EC was a far more important issue (although I would argue these two items are related). Thus, I decided to hold off publishing this article until things finally came to a head after not a small kerfuffle and a third and final motion from Jared Wellman ultimately passing the EC to waive privilege. Since then things have devolved even further … [Read more...] about On My Motion Regarding Our Lawyers and a Conflict of Interest
If churches are SBC headquarters, then look to see what HQ is doing on international and North American missions
In our dual approach to funding denominational causes, cooperative and societal, the bulk of missions money comes through the two offerings dedicated to international and North American missions. Those would be the two named offerings: Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong. They are both at record levels reflecting the true interests and goals of Southern Baptist individuals, churches, and denominational workers. LMCO exceeds goal...! The total for 2020-2021 was $177.6 million. Great news. [One note, I am told that the sum includes overseas giving through an IMB sponsored and promoted … [Read more...] about If churches are SBC headquarters, then look to see what HQ is doing on international and North American missions
Take in the good news that Lottie Moon hit a record $177.6 million for 2019-2020
Back in 2009, an era ago, the Lottie Moon goal was set at $175 million. The receipts fell short by $26 million, $29 million, $30 million, $28 million...years on end proving that it was an unrealistic goal. Even in the post voluntary retirement year where 1,100 missionaries left the field, the receipts were far under $175 million. Witness the just-released LMCO receipts for 2019-2020: $177.6 million. Last year the total was $159.5 million. The increase to this year was over $18 million. There is no way to describe this short of "spectacular!" LMCO total exceeds goal, reflects committment … [Read more...] about Take in the good news that Lottie Moon hit a record $177.6 million for 2019-2020
The inevitable resort to weaponizing money in church and denominational conflict
Happens every time. It's in our DNA as Southern Baptists. In those periodic times when there is dissension and conflict in our Grand Denomination the cry goes out, "Don't send them your money!" That's seldom appropriate and seldom effective. I daresay that every pastor of an SBC church has been in the place where individuals or groups have declared their intent to withhold their giving to the church in objection to church staff or direction. The beleaguered and formerly beloved pastor is usually the focus of the giving boycott. Sometimes this is the kind of pressure that works. More … [Read more...] about The inevitable resort to weaponizing money in church and denominational conflict
Third time’s the charm? (by Dave Pittman)
“Third time’s the charm”, that’s what we’re told, right? On their third attempt to honor the wishes of Messengers, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee voted 44 to 31 to waive attorney-client privilege (albeit in a VERY limited manner) and agree to the contract with Guidepost to begin the investigation on sexual abuse. But let’s be honest, this is not an investigation on all cases of sexual abuse within the SBC. It’s only about the last 20 years and only within the SBC EC. Is there already a documented case of libel regarding a case of sexual abuse? Yes. And will there be … [Read more...] about Third time’s the charm? (by Dave Pittman)
In any SBC drama and conflict the Cooperative Program takes a hit
...and these last weeks have been more drama since the hot years of the Conservative Resurgence. I have observations and opinions but perhaps the investigation will prove beneficial in the long haul. No one knows. One might note this significant change in the Baptist Press policy on reporting abuse: Baptist Press will continue to report every instance of abuse related to Southern Baptist churches or leaders of which we are made aware. BP made this change earlier, not as a result of the past weeks of turmoil. Some of us were attuned to clergy sex abuse when BP would never carry and news … [Read more...] about In any SBC drama and conflict the Cooperative Program takes a hit