As is normal, the Executive Committee is meeting today and they seem engaged in the task of reminding us just how badly change is needed there. Ronnie Floyd has been regaling them with how wonderful "we are" and they have been taking actions that say the opposite. Jared Wellman brought a motion to expand the investigation to include Rachael Denhollander'd suggested alterations. It was defeated. It becomes increasingly suspicious that Ronnie is seeking to use his investigation to avoid a real investigation. Rumors have been swirling about actions the CBN-controlled faction will seek to … [Read more...] about The EC Is Reminding Us Why Change Is Needed
SBC Voices Dinner tonight at Jack’s BBQ
It is getting harder to schedule a get-together for the SBC Voices family at the convention. We will be gathering at Jack's BBQ on Broadway, a brief walk from the convention center. We will seek to reserve some tables and have room when the IMB sending service dismisses. (5:30 to 6:00 pm). YOU are invited. Sorry- you pay your own check. Get your food and come upstairs. NOTE: if you walk out of the front of the MCC to Broadway, cross the street, Jack's will be there just a few doors down. … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Dinner tonight at Jack’s BBQ
Southern Baptists Are at a Fork in the Road (by Ed Stetzer)
I could have titled this piece “Southern Baptists are at a Crossroads.” Southern Baptists have faced many crossroads in their history. Yet where things sit for Southern Baptists in June 2021 isn’t a crossroads moment, but a fork-in-the-road moment. The choices facing Southern Baptists in the year of our Lord 2021 remind me of Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” In that poem, Frost talks about how two roads diverged in the woods, leaving him with a choice of which road he was going to take. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in a few days will be facing votes on a series of … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists Are at a Fork in the Road (by Ed Stetzer)
The unique candidacy of Randy Adams
We’ve had candidates who said they would reform the SBC but never one that specified exactly what and who needs reforming - naming names and calling out wrongdoing. Randy Adams is unique in that fashion. Randy Adams will come in last in the first ballot but get more than a token few votes. I like a lot of his ideas on openness and transparency and have written several articles on him here and, rather than make a lot of new links, offer one piece with many links: So I https://sbcvoices.com/so-i-watched-an-hour-of-randy-adams-live-last-night/ watched an hour of Randy Adams las … [Read more...] about The unique candidacy of Randy Adams
#SBC21 Endorsement: Ramon Medina for 2VP (by Grant Gaines)
On Tuesday afternoon I’ll be nominating Pastor Ramon Medina for the position of Second Vice President of the SBC, and I hope you’ll prayerfully consider voting for him. With all the significant issues facing our convention right now, it’s vitally important for the newly elected SBC president to have qualified voices surrounding him to help lead our convention. We need high ranking elected officers who will have a team mentality to leadership and who will help Southern Baptists unite together for the purpose of advancing gospel mission and pursuing reconciliation. Pastor Ramon is that kind … [Read more...] about #SBC21 Endorsement: Ramon Medina for 2VP (by Grant Gaines)
Contributors: Convention Chaos Rules Apply
Normally, we try to space our articles by at least 5 hours or so, to give each article a fair chance to get read. Sometimes a post goes up accidentally or there is breaking news and we jump in. About 361 days a year we strive for order in the publication of posts. When the 4 days of the Pastors' Conference (SEND this year) and the Annual Meeting roll around, we drop the rules and institute "convention chaos." Publish when ready. There may be multiple posts within minutes. This post is just to remind our authors that if you have posts about anything other than convention business, … [Read more...] about Contributors: Convention Chaos Rules Apply
SBC Sexual Abuse Survivors Joint Statement
We come now collectively, as SBC sexual abuse survivors, to make our wishes known in regard to the ongoing crisis of sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention. Together, we strongly urge that these immediate actions are taken: 1. All SBC messengers support the motion of Todd Benkert for the hiring of an outside organization to audit and assess abuse and mishandling of abuse within the denomination. 2. The scope of the Guidepost investigation into the Executive Committee is broadened to include the Credentials Committee and all paid, appointed, elected or … [Read more...] about SBC Sexual Abuse Survivors Joint Statement
When Owen Strachan Was Woke – WE Didn’t Change, THEY Did
The meme among those who find the pursuit of justice - active opposition to racism, dealing with abuse, etc - to be contrary to gospel Christianity is that it is new, an innovation that departs from the settled faith of our fathers. They repeat constantly that we (woke Christians, etc) are seeking to bring back liberalism and lead the convention to the left. One of the chief voices among them is Owen Strachan, until recently at MBTS, now at an obscure seminary in Arkansas. An article from 2014 was circulating yesterday which Owen Strachan wrote. It says EVERYTHING that we are saying today, … [Read more...] about When Owen Strachan Was Woke – WE Didn’t Change, THEY Did
These Additional Steps Needed in SBC EC Investigation
Recently the SBC Executive Committee announced that they had hired Guidepost Solutions to conduct an "independent process assessment" in response to "recent accusations of the inappropriate handling of sexual abuse claims." Response was varied, from affirming to skeptical to critical. The first question was about the firm they hired. Guidepost has handled some high-profile abuse cases recently. While some were skeptical, others praised the organization for its strong track record. Rachael Denhollander, a voice I trust more than any other on this subject, affirmed Guidepost, but relayed … [Read more...] about These Additional Steps Needed in SBC EC Investigation
Addressing the SBC Abuse Crisis — A Needed Next Step
Next week, during the Executive Committee report, Southern Baptists will have the second opportunity to vote to amend our constitution and address the issue of sexual abuse. The constitutional amendment we will voting is worded to provide accountability for churches to respond well to sexual abuse. Thus far, however, the newly founded credentials committee has proved to be ineffective in responding to reports of mishandling of abuse. So to survivors, what it looks like is a big fat nothing. And they’re not wrong. There is no database, not yet any real accountability, and known abusers continue … [Read more...] about Addressing the SBC Abuse Crisis — A Needed Next Step