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?
Dr. Yeats Edges Adam Blosser for Recording Secretary
Congratulations to Dr. Yeats. Adam garnered 46% of the vote against a powerhouse SBC leader, even after one of the oddest series of events I have seen in an election. Last night, while I was giving my speech, the parliamentarians suddenly decided that quorum did not exist. They decided to vote this morning without allowing us to make our case for Adam to those who would vote. Still, Adam only lost by around 600 votes. I believe if we had been allowed to make our case to voting messengers we might well have seen a very different outcome. We had two people planning to request that … [Read more...] about Dr. Yeats Edges Adam Blosser for Recording Secretary
Why the referral of the sexual abuse audit to the ERLC is a good thing — explaining the process and the rationale
Before I made the motion this morning, I shared the strategy and language of the motion to a few key survivors and advocates including Christa Brown and Rachael Denhollander. I otherwise kept both the strategy and the motion private so as to prevent bad actors in the Convention from strategizing against it. Because I did that, many survivors believed that the motion would come to a vote. Although I knew that it would not, I did not correct that understanding, because to do so would have revealed the strategy and leave it vulnerable to potential foul play. The ultimate goal is not an … [Read more...] about Why the referral of the sexual abuse audit to the ERLC is a good thing — explaining the process and the rationale
The SBC Executive Committee Needs Change. Here’s Why We Should Elect Adam Blosser Tomorrow Morning. #SBC21
In a bizarre parliamentary situation, the nomination speeches for SBC Recording Secretary were given near the end of the business session this evening, but the vote will not take place until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Messengers tomorrow may not get to hear the speeches again. We think it's important for you to hear why a vote for Adam Blosser is a vote for change at the SBC Executive Committee. Full Speech Text Southern Baptists have come to realize how desperately the Executive Committee needs to change, and it is my pleasure to nominate Adam Blosser as Recording Secretary today as … [Read more...] about The SBC Executive Committee Needs Change. Here’s Why We Should Elect Adam Blosser Tomorrow Morning. #SBC21