Last week I posted an essay on women pastors, and I want to share some additional thoughts and information. I believe many critics of the complementarian position on women pastors miss a key point. Those of us who oppose women pastors are not claiming that women are incapable of serving as pastors. No, obviously women could (and do) serve as pastors. Women work in all the professions—law, medicine, counseling, etc. They serve wonderfully well. In my life, I’ve had two female family physicians, and they were both great. I followed their instructions and was the better for doing that. We’re also … [Read more...] about More Thoughts on Women Pastors [Mark Terry]
The database including ‘credible reports’ of abuse. A bridge too far?
[Author's note: SBCV is a collection of opinions by various people. While folks are free to classify, categorize, and criticize the blog as they wish, it has always been the case that differing opinions are now and have always been offered. I suspect that my opinion as stated below (and often going back years and years, since I've been attuned to the issues for a couple of decades now) is not shared by most, likely all, of my colleagues here.] The issue on abuse has almost always been dominated by this question: In our collection of cooperating but autonomous congregations, what can be done … [Read more...] about The database including ‘credible reports’ of abuse. A bridge too far?
Mike Stone’s Campaign Story—An SBC Case Study Not to Be Repeated (Troy Bush)
Mike Stone has launched a second campaign for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention, and he is focusing on the SBC ‘s handling of sex abuse. On a recent podcast interview, he spoke about one of the SBC’s most painful instances of sex abuse and its mishandling by a Georgia Baptist church, a Georgia Baptist association, the Georgia Baptist Convention, and the Executive Committee of the SBC. Instead of pointing to the failures and bitter lessons learned, Mike took credit for keeping Trinity Baptist Church, Ashburn, Ga, from leaving the SBC and for having an abuser terminated who … [Read more...] about Mike Stone’s Campaign Story—An SBC Case Study Not to Be Repeated (Troy Bush)
What a strange SBCAM we will have
I will almost certainly miss it and...doggone it...I hate to miss sultry, sweaty New Orleans in June. Barber or Stone? I was accused last week of being an editor or something here on SBCV. I'm coping with the insinuation. I edit nothing, not even my own stuff. Your humble hacker and plodder, old school blogger is a lonesome, solitary voice here who likes some things about Mike Stone: He is a Georgian (though, south Georgia, practically a foreign country to me). He is a very good preacher. I'd just as soon hear him preach as few others. He is a good, long term pastor to his church. I … [Read more...] about What a strange SBCAM we will have
Average CP percentage and a few other new stats: 2023 Book of Reports
SBC number nerds may download the 2023 Book of Reports here. It is 215 pages of reports, charts, and information. I've already seen that folks will use information in the BOR as a club to bash the other party. I still hold to the naive idea that we are all on the same side for Jesus, for the Gospel to the nations. But here you are. Average Cooperative Program church giving as a percentage of undesignated gifts: 4.59%. This has slightly declined for several years. Bart Barber's church gave over 12% CP. Mike Stone's church, zero percent (they decided to give direct, bypassing the CP. You can … [Read more...] about Average CP percentage and a few other new stats: 2023 Book of Reports
The annual SBC statistical weepfest, 2022 version
2022_ACP_Summary It's out! The SBC's annual statistical report: Southern Baptists Decline in Membership, Grow in Attendance, Baptisms. This is the headline and article from Lifeway Research. You can always count on our mod/lib friends to put an astringent spin on any SBC news. Here's their article and headline. In SBC annual statistics even the good news isn't that good. Everyone gets to put a spin on it. Seems the most notable statistic is that membership decline is the largest ever, 457,371. Dropping that many members is about like having another New Madrid earthquake only … [Read more...] about The annual SBC statistical weepfest, 2022 version
Understanding Adult Sexual Abuse – A breakout at the SBC Annual Meeting
Join SBC Voices at the SBC Annual meeting for the breakout seminar "Understanding Adult Sexual Abuse." Taking place on Tuesday evening from 7-8:30 pm in room 208 of the Convention hall, this engaging session aims to shed light on the complexities of adult sexual abuse, with a focus on clergy abuse. Attendees will gain valuable insights into this sensitive issue, learn strategies to support survivors, promote healing, and prevent future occurrences. Don't miss this informative event. Key Topics to be Covered: Defining Adult Sexual Abuse: Understanding the different forms … [Read more...] about Understanding Adult Sexual Abuse – A breakout at the SBC Annual Meeting
Thinking about Women Pastors
Pastor Mike Law of Arlington, Virginia, has stated his intention to submit an amendment to the SBC constitution and by-laws at this year’s annual meeting. This amendment would require the SBC to disfellowship (expel) any church that employs a woman as its pastor. Of course, his announcement has prompted lots of discussion. So, let us join the debate here at SBC Voices. Navigators determine their position on the globe by calculating their latitude and longitude. For purposes of this discussion, let’s make Bible verses our latitude and previous SBC motions our longitude. Note: I am not saying … [Read more...] about Thinking about Women Pastors
Confession Time: I’m Using ChatGPT on My Sermons!
My techie son recently bought me a subscription to ChatGPT-4, the latest version of the AI tool that is causing so much furor. For the last month or so, I have actually been using it to help me with my sermons! (Insert your joke here...) Actually, it isn't as awful as it sounds. I manuscript my messages - something I started doing during the COVID shut down when we were recording our Sunday services. I wish I'd done it all my life. I don't read the messages when I preach them, but I study, then write a draft, then edit it a couple of times. Then I know it's ready to go. Manuscripting … [Read more...] about Confession Time: I’m Using ChatGPT on My Sermons!
Scatter Shooting, Part Four
SCATTER SHOOTING, PART FOUR BY MARK TERRY Scatter shooting while wondering where W. A. Criswell bought his white suits. Summertime has arrived in Texas. It’s 94 degrees today. I was sad to learn of Charles Stanley’s passing. He was an excellent preacher. He was able to show the practical application of doctrine better than anyone else. During our first four years in the Philippines, FBC Atlanta sent me a package of his sermon cassettes (!) every month. They were like a stream in the desert for me. I read on the internet (so it must be true) that gray hair can be reversed. No … [Read more...] about Scatter Shooting, Part Four