SBC Voices

Trick question because there are no "SBC" pastors. The SBC (Executive Committee, seminaries, state convention, local associations) does not ordain clergy, Not one. Not ever. Thus, the "SBC" cannot revoke any individual's ordination. We all knew that, right? Ordination is a bit of a scandal itself in the SBC. There are no standards, no requirements, no accepted practices, no training, no apprenticeship, nothing, nothing, nothing. As an obscure, old codger blogger once (or twice, or thrice)  wrote, "some SBC churches would ordain a ham sandwich." It's all about local church autonomy, of … [Read more...] about What does it take to get an SBC pastor defrocked, de-ordained?

It is no secret that we Southern Baptists are in a bit of a statistical funk and since we venerate statistics as we do, our numerical decline has been the source of great weeping and wailing, and of course, finger-pointing. Every year, the ACP statistics drop shortly before the SBC annual meeting and we don sackcloth and ashes to bemoan the slide. The idealism of the Conservative Resurgence has not panned out. We believed that when we turned our convention “Back to the Bible” and grounded it once again in inerrancy, all good things would follow. Since evangelism is rooted in sound theology … [Read more...] about Building Better Baptists: SBC Decline is Older than I Am

The signs have been there for some time. I am not talking about Jerry Falwell, Jr.'s political involvement, with which many of us disagreed, but his demeanor, words, and behavior which gave rise to serious questions as to whether he possessed the requisite character and spiritual maturity to serve as president of Liberty. My issues with Jerry, Jr began early, when a controversy arose about Glenn Beck (a Mormon) speaking at Liberty convocation. I did not have a problem with Beck speaking (in an academic setting, exposing students to different viewpoints is helpful) as much as what Jerry said … [Read more...] about When Will We Learn?

You have heard by now that Jerry Falwell Jr. has resigned as the President of Liberty University. I don't need to recount for you all the sordid details that led to his forced resignation. I am a graduate of Liberty University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Leadership and Biblical Exposition in 2010. The 3 1/2 years I spent at Liberty were some of the best years of my life. My professors were top-notch. It was at Liberty that I learned how to study the Bible and preach it to others. My love for the local church grew during my time at Liberty. I developed friendships that I … [Read more...] about Hopeful for a new day at LU

An Allegory  The BBBCC brain trust was deep in conversation and frustrations were running high. For decades, they had been the premiere denominational construction company, building a Baptist convention that was the envy of other denominations. Its headquarters were an architectural wonder, its schools the envy of the world. It had great convention edifices in states throughout the South, with successful building projects both here at home and in foreign lands. The Building Better Baptists Construction Company was an example to the entire Christian construction world. As time went on, … [Read more...] about Building Better Baptists: An Allegory

I was furious last night after reading a statement by a friend on Facebook. He repeated the lies being promoted within the SBC, accusations against the doctrinal fidelity and spiritual integrity of our officers, professors, and some key leaders. He is a good man with no ill intent. He is lodging these accusations because he has been led to believe that false charges are true. People he respects say these things without conscience or concern and he believes them. Another friend said something in a private conversation a few days ago that roused me at first, but made me begin to think. … [Read more...] about Calling Out the Call-Out Culture