SBC Voices

The Speech I Planned to Give in Support of the Motion to Censure (by Louis Cook)

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I am Louis Cook. I am a messenger sent by Oak City Baptist Church in Oak City, North Carolina. Brothers and sisters in Christ, this motion might sound unusual to many of you. Let me make clear that the purpose is not to attack or disparage. It simply calls on you, as messengers, to approve a motion of censure of these leaders who serve our Convention. Censure does not fire nor suspend someone. What it does is express our strong disapproval of a specific action. I believe that most messengers and the churches that sent us remain unaware of what was done in our name in 2022 and has remained … [Read more...] about The Speech I Planned to Give in Support of the Motion to Censure (by Louis Cook)

What I Was GOING to Say about the Censure Motion

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Some of you have noted that you saw me standing behind Juan Sanchez as he made his successful challenge to the censure motion made by Louis Cook. I had prepared to make an amendment to the motion and was next in line. Here is what I was going to say if I had been allowed to speak. "I rise to ask the messengers to remove the name Bart Barber from this motion to censure. I was saddened when Josh Wester gave his ARITF report yesterday, to hear his frustrations about the lack of support for robust abuse reform among the entities of the SBC. The full and unconditional support that was expressed … [Read more...] about What I Was GOING to Say about the Censure Motion

Presidential Election – Runoff of the Runoff (also 1 VP)

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Presidential Election Results - First Runoff We have another runoff. Here are the results of the first runoff. David Allen - 2577 votes, 30.19% Dan Spencer - 2600 votes, 30.46% Clint Pressley - 3330 votes, 39.01% Clint Pressley and Dan Spencer make the runoff. Dan Spencer defeated David Allen by only 23 votes - a razor-thin margin. FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT Election Brad Graves - 4072 Votes - 69.04% Michael Clary - 1812 votes, 30.72% Brad Graves is elected First Vice President. … [Read more...] about Presidential Election – Runoff of the Runoff (also 1 VP)

Presidential Election Results – Runoff Here We Come!

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We had six candidates. Here are the results. Jared Moore - 921 Votes, 10.27% Bruce Frank - 1396 votes, 15.56% David Allen - 1896 votes, 21.14% Dan Spencer - 1585 votes, 17.67% Mike Keahbone - 868 votes, 9.68% Clint Pressley - 2289 votes, 25.52% The runoff will be between Clint Pressley, at 25.52% David Allen at 21.14% Dan Spencer at 17,67%   I assume that runoff vote will be taken tomorrow.     … [Read more...] about Presidential Election Results – Runoff Here We Come!

Presidential Nominations – Here We Go

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Dusty Deevers nominated Jared Moore with a fiery nomination speech that ran long. Focused on social issues - homosexuality, things like that. Jared's focus on theology, etc. He got cut off at the end at about 3:14. John Mark Harrison nominated Bruce Frank. Focuses on his ministry as a faithful servant. Spoke of his heart for people and passion for his church, and his leadership of the ARITF, his soul-winning passion. He barely avoided the hook on his nominating speech. Quit at about 3:09 just before they gave him the hook! Danny Forshee nominated Dr. David Allen as a scholar on fire. … [Read more...] about Presidential Nominations – Here We Go

Test Case ONE: Religious Freedom over Nationalism

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One of the key divisions in our convention is between the historic Baptists who believe in religious freedom - a free church in a free state - and the recent rise of more passionate nationalists who believe, as John MacArthur has stated, that religious freedom does not reflect Scripture. We should seek to assert Christ's Lordship in every area, even government. This movement comes largely from Reformed circles (not surprising if you know about Calvin and other reformers, perhaps). The second resolution was on Religious Freedom and formed the first test case about the relative strengths … [Read more...] about Test Case ONE: Religious Freedom over Nationalism

A Sad and Disconcerting Abuse Reform Task Force Report

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Josh Wester rose to give the ARITF report and to bring two recommendations from the task force. After a couple of questions, the sad truth emerged. The task force was not able to do its work because, in spite of the clear will of the messengers expressed in previous conventions that we have robust abuse reform, the task force was not allowed to do what it was tasked to do. Money that was promised was not released to the committee. It seemed, as I read between the lines, that cooperation from entities was not as full as it could have been. Insurance concerns and financial concerns … [Read more...] about A Sad and Disconcerting Abuse Reform Task Force Report

Motions…Motions…Motions

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There were dozens of motions made this afternoon, and I failed in my task of recording them. I had good reason - for the first time in my life, I made one. "Your holiness, I move that the convention, on behalf of us old codgers who have trouble remembering names, print the names on the front AND THE BACK of the name-tags for the next convention." The response to my motion was overwhelmingly positive but I have no idea if it will produce the desired result. SBC name-tags ALWAYS flip over and you see someone you know you should know but you can't remember their name. All they have to do is … [Read more...] about Motions…Motions…Motions