This year's presidential election was very close. Since I only started attending the convention in 2013, I was interested to look back and see how close previous SBC presidential elections have been. Combing through old SBC annuals is tedious, but there are a lot of interesting nuggets to be discovered. I love that Wiley Drake nominated himself for SBC President in 2011. Thus, Bryant Wright is the only SBC president since 2000 who had an opponent when he ran for re-election. As you can see below, the 2016 election between Steve Gaines and J.D. Greear was the closest over the last two … [Read more...] about A history of SBC presidential elections since 2000
Eight Key Victories in Nashville at #SBC21
#SBC21 is in the books and it's a convention we'll all remember for years to come. I went in unsure of what to expect, and came home encouraged. Here are eight key victories I believe we saw last week in Nashville. 1. Motion for convention-wide voluntary assessment of abuse Leading up to the convention, most attention was on the Gaines/Parrott motion published in the lead up to the Annual Meeting and in the aftermath of the Russell Moore letters. See #2 for more on that motion. But behind the scenes, Todd Benkert had been working for months with counsel from survivor advocates on a plan to … [Read more...] about Eight Key Victories in Nashville at #SBC21
Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
I’ve had the opportunity to attend 11 SBC Annual Meetings. This year was different than all the rest. It was the largest in 25 years with over 15,700 messengers. This was an historic meeting and I’m glad I was in the room. If you weren’t there and you followed along in the media, online, or on social media, it’s easy to find varying opinions and feel confused as to what transpired. At times it’s hard to tell what happened when you have to wade through the bias and perspective of the author. That being said, here is my perspective on what happened this week. 1. On Monday evening we … [Read more...] about Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
I returned late Wednesday night from a whirlwind trip to Nashville, TN where I attended the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is the sixth annual meeting that I have attended in person. My first was in 2005. This was the largest annual meeting in 25 years, having a total of 15,726 messengers and over 20,000 total people in the building. I left Nashville physically and mentally exhausted but otherwise encouraged and optimistic. There is plenty I could share about auxiliary events, the missionaries we commissioned, and other meetings that happened. But my focus here … [Read more...] about Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
Annual meeting registration and voting is basically on the honor system
Imagine that. In a meeting of followers of Christ membership and balloting relies heavily on individuals acting like, well, followers of Christ, exhibiting things like telling the truth, not being deceitful, following agreed upon rules, and the like. #SBC21 was the most important annual meeting in a generation. The attendance was higher than it had been in over 25 years. The most important vote, the presidential election, had over 13,000 votes cast and the difference between winner Ed Litton and loser Mike Stone was only 556 votes. How confident may we be about the outcome? What … [Read more...] about Annual meeting registration and voting is basically on the honor system
When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
I grew up in a liberal family in Southern California. I belonged to the Bahá’í faith and was raised by two hippies. My grandfather was the first civil rights writer for the L.A. Times and was offered the position of press secretary for Bobby Kennedy. My mom participated in Freedom Summer in Jackson, Mississippi when she was 18 to help with voting rights for all people. So when you look up “bleeding heart liberals” in the dictionary you will see a picture of my extended family. (Probably eating tofu and picketing segregated housing.) I still cherish my dad’s favorite button which said; “Reggae … [Read more...] about When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
What does it mean to have a voice in the SBC?
I just read an article where one of the loudest voices in the Southern Baptist Convention in recent years complained about having no voice. He said that his church gave over $200k last year to the SBC, but they feel like they do not have a voice in convention affairs. His comments caused me to ask, "What does it mean to have a voice in the SBC?" My first SBC annual meeting was in Houston in 2013. I have attended every year since. In the time since my first annual meeting, I've become deeply immersed in the work of our Southern Baptist Convention. I don't serve on any boards or committees at … [Read more...] about What does it mean to have a voice in the SBC?
A Black Man at the Southern Baptist Convention #SBC21 (by Erik Vance)
This week will be an experience that I will remember all of the days of my life. Being a black man from the South, and attending a historically black seminary, at Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center, learning Baptist Polity was a part of the curriculum. During my studies we learned about the National Baptist, Progressive Baptist, American Baptist and Southern Baptist conventions. When it came up, the SBC was always a frowned upon in the academy – and rightfully so. In the African American community, the SBC is viewed in a way that’s disparaging. … [Read more...] about A Black Man at the Southern Baptist Convention #SBC21 (by Erik Vance)
The Hurricane Winds Die Down – Dave Goes Dark
I have so many things I would like to say. I came into this week completely bumfuzzled about what would happen and everyone I talked to said the same. What a wild week it was. Almost everything we hoped would happen has happened. Ed Litton got elected. Hallelujah. The EC Business and Financial Plan was defeated almost unanimously. The Gaines/Parrott motion to investigate the EC's shameful history on sexual abuse passes nearly unanimously as did Todd's motion which went to the ERLC. The light is about to shine on shameful deeds of darkness. With a couple of exceptions, we couldn't be … [Read more...] about The Hurricane Winds Die Down – Dave Goes Dark
Haven’t We Had Enough of “Gotcha” Discernment?
The theological vultures didn't wait long after Ed Litton's election to start their attacks. One messenger asked Dr. Mohler to opine on the wording of the doctrinal statement of Litton's church. There is some theologically imprecise language in the statement and instead of contacting Ed or the church to clarify their position (which is solidly Trinitarian). He chose to ask the question in such a way as to cast aspersions on the character and theological fidelity of this good man. Do we not get tired of this? Where is charity and grace? Why not believe the best? Why play the gotcha … [Read more...] about Haven’t We Had Enough of “Gotcha” Discernment?