SBC Voices

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

Yesterday, at the meeting of the Executive Committee, a significant event took place. Every SBC agency head and seminary president along with state executive directors and ethnic fellowship leaders signed a document called the "Affirmation of Unity and Cooperation."  Here is the text in full. Affirmation of Unity and Cooperation We the undersigned affirm our commitment to cooperative ministry as a testimony of our unity in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. The passion which drives our unity is twofold: to clarify our evangelistic fervor for the souls of men and women across the nation and … [Read more...] about Coming Together: SBC Leaders’ “Affirmation of Unity and Cooperation”

At last year's SBC in Orlando, Dwight McKissic made a motion to add racism to homosexuality as sins that eliminated one from being in cooperation with the SBC.  The motion was referred (as is standard practice) and the convention voted down a follow-up motion to undo the referral and vote on it.  Many people (myself among them) were disappointed that the vote was not taken but we were hopeful that the Executive Committee would bring back a favorable report on the motion.  That did not happen.  They decided not to recommend the bylaws change.  Dwight McKissic's motion died. I have, for some … [Read more...] about SBC, Race and the Future: The Right Direction?

I would like to thank Vance Pitman for the work he did putting together this year's Pastor's Conference.  Originally, we were going to be part of the promotion for this event, but after all the controversy about Jamar Jones and TD Jakes, which we participated in here, we did not continue that partnership. And some of our contributors and commenters were dissatisfied with some of the choices made about speakers. But I wish to express my opinion that the Conference was one of the best managed I have seen and that it was, at least to me, encouraging and uplifting.  I did not get to hear … [Read more...] about To Vance Pitman: A Job Well Done