By the team you read this, Fred Luter, Jr. may have already been elected as President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Most Southern Baptists have prayed for years that we as a convention would atone for our regrettable past in the slave debate and both privately and publicly initiate racial reconciliation on a grand scale. Our prayers have been surely answered as we await and celebrate the presidency of Luter, a descendant of slaves. I'm also proud to say that Criswell College, the school at which I work and study, recently bestowed the honorable Doctor of Divinity on him. With … [Read more...] about Will Voting in Fred Luter, Jr. Matter?
A Surprise…No Questions!
I was a little surprised when LifeWay was not peppered with questions about the Calvinist conspiracy theories related to the Gospel Project. I was shocked when there were no questions of Dr. Land. I figured he would get hammered. Nothing. Soon, the Great Commission Baptists issue will come up. … [Read more...] about A Surprise…No Questions!
President Fred Luter
We all knew it was coming, but it has happened. Fred Luter has been elected unanimously and enthusiastically elected president of the SBC, our first African-American president. It was exciting to be part of this great celebration. But before we break our arms patting ourselves on the back, the job isn't done. If we view this as the finish line, we will have erred. This is a step in the process. A good step. A big step. But just a step. I had a thought this week. The next major step in racial reconciliation will be when black men are regularly considered as candidates for and pastors of … [Read more...] about President Fred Luter
Thank you, Bryant Wright
Two years ago, I voted against Bryant Wright twice. I was stupid twice. He has been a great SBC President. Actually, I'd still vote for my friend Leo Endel, but if he couldn't win, I'm so glad Bryant did. … [Read more...] about Thank you, Bryant Wright
Presentation of Motions
The introduction of motions is often a silly season during the SBC. There are a few good motions every year, a few nit-picky type motions, one or two personal crusades, and some downright silly ones. 1) No presentation of motions session would be complete without a Wiley Drake sighting. Wiley moved that the New SBC president be instructed to study and report on the subject of Imprecatory prayers. That motion almost died for lack of a second. It will die soon. 2) I was walking to my seat when Todd Littleton made his motion concerning Richard Land. The gist, as I got it, was to affirm our … [Read more...] about Presentation of Motions
Bloggers and Beignets Tonight
I'm looking forward to meeting with bloggers and blog readers tonight after the session (supposed to end at 9) at Cafe du Monde. If you are walking, take a right out of the hall, walk past the Hilton and around the bend. Take a right at Decatur and go to the cafe. It's about 1.2 miles, from Mapquest. There is also a trolley you can pick up down on the river. Costs 1.25, I'm told. I'm wearing the lime green (more embarrassing than I thought). . If you see me, join me!! Hope to see you there. … [Read more...] about Bloggers and Beignets Tonight
NOLA Won’t Be Boring for Baptists
You never know when the rumors swirl if they are truth or just the Baptist grapevine, but this is certainly going to be an interesting week at the SBC. 1) Of course, electing Fred Luter as the first African-American president of this convention is the highlight, and I think everyone wishes we could elect him and go home. No such luck. The narrative of racial harmony may be encroached upon by some of the other factors. 2) Lost in the discussion is the significant vote about the Great Commission Baptists moniker. That vote will tell you where the wind lays in this convention. A couple … [Read more...] about NOLA Won’t Be Boring for Baptists
Tony Evans Brings IT!!
Notes on SBC President, the IMB, and Ethnicity
“Ladies and gentlemen, fellow messengers and Convention workers, there’s a lull in the events here and they’ve asked me to fill it. Therefore, I’d like to take a moment to talk about the IMB…more or less. “As you well know, your churches labor to send missionaries throughout our nation and the world. You’ve given so much of your time, your volunteers, and – to be quite blunt about it – your money. Your sacrifices are too numerous to list here, and yet list them is exactly what I would love to do. That is not what I am here to say, though. “Part of international missions, indeed a … [Read more...] about Notes on SBC President, the IMB, and Ethnicity
George Whitefield, John Wesley, and the Southern Baptist Convention (by Dr. Tim McKnight)
Dr. Tim McKnight is the Lead Pastor at Lakeview Family Church in Hartsville, SC. He blogs at DrTimMcKnight.com. We appreciate him (and Joel Rainey who sent this article to me) sharing this with us. As I prepare to leave for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans, I am grieved over the current dissension in our Convention regarding the issue of Calvinism. The current debate relates to the recently published statement of faith entitled “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation.” As I read the debate over the issues, I am … [Read more...] about George Whitefield, John Wesley, and the Southern Baptist Convention (by Dr. Tim McKnight)