SBC Voices

I am more encouraged about the direction of Southern Baptists and their future than I have been in a long time. Reading blogs you can get an enhanced sense of our division and splintered nature.  We do indeed face real problems and challenges, no question about it. But I think that there is a growing sense of unity among certain groups (there are those who are determined to fight - and they have legitimate points to make) but there is a sense of optimism here that may or may not have come through the feeds. Bryant Wright did a great job.  There was neither much controversy, nor any … [Read more...] about Leaving Las Vegas (tomorrow – and Phoenix today)

Just when you thought it was safe to go into the desert, a group of pro-gay organizations, zeroing in on the upcoming SBC Convention and gasping for public attention, is demanding an apology from the SBC “for the harm its teachings are causing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.” Oh, please. Or, rather, please don’t. A coalition composed of The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Believe OutLoud, Faith in America , GetEQUAL, Soulforce and Truth Wins Out plans to present a petition during the Convention, asking the SBC to end the “insidious bigotry … [Read more...] about No Apology Necessary

There is a protest going on here by pro-homosexual groups.  It's not much of one - I haven't even seen it, except on twitter.  They say that we are purveyors of hate and discrimination, oppressing homosexuals out of hatred, fear and bigotry. On the other hand, there are those who claim that key leaders in the SBC are compromising in their views on homosexuality. Yesterday, a homosexual recovery group (which our friend Thom Hunter works with) was given time on the stage to describe their ministry.  I can't flesh this out much, but I think that there is a new approach developing. Here is … [Read more...] about Is it a New Day for Baptists and Homosexuality?

OS Hawkins gave an impassioned explanation of how Obamacare will gut and destroy private healthcare plans and especially how destructive it would be to church and denominational plans. He urged us to vote next year to elect folks.who will defeat Obamacare . Most political statement so far. But he made a lot of sense. … [Read more...] about Guidestone and Obamacare

We took a significant ballot vote a few moments ago. A resolution was presented about immigration and an intense debate ensued between law and order approaches and redemptive view. The key question is whether illegals should have an opportunity to become legal. Passionate debate on both sides and the vote was so close a ballot vote had to be taken. Results this afternoon. … [Read more...] about Immigration Brouhaha at SBC

Baptist Press is reporting on a meeting of "SBC Conservatives" led by Kent Cochran, with about 20 people in attendance.  I have no idea who was there (the details of the meeting were kept secret and attendees names withheld).  I would make the following observations and points. 1)  The beauty of the SBC is that anyone can meet and can express their opinions.  We are a free church/free convention.  They let Wiley Drake speak about 500 times yesterday.  In reality, for all the talk by groups on all sides of being marginalized, no one in the SBC is marginalized.  Become a messenger, come to … [Read more...] about What is this Small Group of “Baptist Conservatives”?

Kevin Ezell's first NAMB report was pretty much boilerplate SBC agency reporting - testimonies, encouraging stories, videos of work being done.  That is not a criticism, it's a fact.  In these reports, the agency heads highlight the good work being done by their agency and they all follow a fairly similar pattern.  It is good to hear the good things that are happening through our SBC schools and missions agencies, but the reports do have a certain sameness. But then, Ezell engaged in some straight-shooting with the Phoenix crowd, helping us to "Define Reality".  He used Jesus statements in … [Read more...] about Straight Talk from Kevin Ezell

The motion to form the GCR study committee died the death of all SBC motions - referral. I thought there might be a move to.fight referral but it didn't happen, at least not yet. There was a."moment" during presidential nominations when Wiley Drake nonated himself after David Platt renominated Bryant Wright. My hope is that Wiley will get less than 1% as the SBC says a resounding no to his nonsense! There is a good.spirit here today. … [Read more...] about Convention Business

I have said for a long time that what the SBC needs right now is an Adrian Rogers, a statesman who can bring us together and unite us around the task that we have.  There is a lost and dying world.  Every day we awaken, the church has fallen farther behind in the task of evangelism and instead of accomplishing our work, the SBC is engaged in petty squabbles and distractions from our gospel task.  We need someone who can forge a trail for us. I believe that perhaps God has provided Dr. Frank Page for that role.  He just delivered a powerful and unifying report (well, part 1 of it) and I will … [Read more...] about Frank Page, Honesty, and the Executive Committee Report