I can tell you the batting average of Dale Murphy from his 1983 NL MVP season rose 21 points from his 1982 MVP season(.281 to .302). Much to the chagrin of my poor wife I might add, I am a statistical nerd. It’s true I hated Statistics in college though. No not stats, but Statistics, Probabilities & such. I don’t care if you roll a pair of dice 2909872 times you might not ever get six on both at the same time, but I digress. This isn’t a post about my abnormal LOVE for statistics, the measurable ones at least, it’s a post about the recent kerfuffle we as SBC folk have found ourselves in. … [Read more...] about If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It (Chris Gordon)
ERLC Responds Powerfully to Mike Stone and EC Task Force
In a statement just posted at ERLC.com, the ERLC trustees address the actions taken by the SBC Executive Committee during Tuesday's meeting. Full Text Below: Letter from the ERLC Executive Committee Feb 20, 2020 Dear Chairman Stone and Members of the Executive Committee, As convictional and grateful Southern Baptists, we would like to thank every member of the Executive Committee for their service to the Southern Baptist Convention. Our convention is indebted to all who take time to do the unglamorous but vital work of serving on our various boards and … [Read more...] about ERLC Responds Powerfully to Mike Stone and EC Task Force
David Uth releases new statement from Pastors’ Conference responding to Executive Committee
Statement from Dr. David Uth regarding SBCPC 2020 February 19, 2020 Available at sbcpc.net. Direct link. On Tuesday, February 18, I learned that the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted to disallow the use of the 2020 SBC venue at the Orange County Convention Center for the 2020 Pastors’ Conference unless we adjust the program of the Pastors Conference to meet the approval of the Executive Committee officers. The action issued a deadline of February 24 for me to decide if we are going to submit an amended program. Yesterday, in separate phone calls I informed J.D. … [Read more...] about David Uth releases new statement from Pastors’ Conference responding to Executive Committee
The SBC Deserves Better: Another Executive Committee Faceplant
The purpose and most basic task of the SBC's Executive Committee is "to act for the convention" between our Annual Meetings. Can we pause and think together about what that means – that the EC should act for the convention? There are multiple definitions of the word "for" but only one of those really makes sense in this case. The EC is supposed to work "on behalf of" Southern Baptist messengers when the convention is not in session. Can we make a basic assumption together? If the EC's duty is to work on behalf of the convention's messengers, doesn't it follow that it shouldn't act against … [Read more...] about The SBC Deserves Better: Another Executive Committee Faceplant
The EC and the ERLC: A Dangerous Overreach
First, the disclaimer. I’m on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) Leadership Council. Which by the way, and contrary to the belief of some phone calls I have received, has no authority or power at the ERLC but is a group of about 80 people who were nominated / chosen to “receive intentional investment from the ERLC and serve as ambassadors for the organization.” You can read more about the Leadership Council HERE. I suppose it should be said that I have come full circle in my appreciation for the ERLC as I once argued it should be dissolved. I no longer think it should and you … [Read more...] about The EC and the ERLC: A Dangerous Overreach
The ERLC Is Imperative (Dr. Susan Codone)
Last spring, the ERLC invited me to speak as part of a panel the night before the SBC Annual Meeting in Birmingham, my hometown and just miles from where my abuse occurred. The symbolism of speaking in the same town about the worst evil I have encountered in church overwhelmed me, and I trembled backstage waiting to enter the room. Then I met Dr. Moore. Noticing my agitation at telling my story publicly for the first time, Dr. Moore broke the tension by telling me stories about his children, and then helpfully explained that I would not be able to see anyone because of the stage lights. He … [Read more...] about The ERLC Is Imperative (Dr. Susan Codone)
The Executive Committee’s investigation of the ERLC should be scrutinized
The Pastor's Conference has been a slow-motion train wreck from the start. One would expect the Executive Committee to exert control over what happens at the venue identified as the Southern Baptist Convention in annual session. I still have gripes about who gets display space in the exhibit hall for the SBCAM even though the EC has guidelines for that. If the EC establishes guidelines for the PC if they want to meet in the same space that is to be expected. But, I'm not all that heavily invested in the SBCPC, so I yield to Dave Miller and those who are. But the investigation of the ERLC is … [Read more...] about The Executive Committee’s investigation of the ERLC should be scrutinized
The Pastors’ Conference – Long-Term Solutions
As you can tell, I was pretty upset yesterday when the Executive Committee took the unprecedented step of asserting authority over the Pastors' Conference. I don't know of anyone - literally ANYONE - who is excited about this year's Pastors' Conference slate of speakers. I find myself in the odd position of defending the right of David Uth to choose the speakers he wanted even though EVERY SINGLE PERSON I've talked to believes it is not a desirable list of speakers. Vance Pitman and Jimmy Scroggins would be bright spots. Personally, I like Cymbala. But comedians and poets and weird … [Read more...] about The Pastors’ Conference – Long-Term Solutions
An Unfortunate Takeover of the PC by the EC
The Executive Committee has given into pressure and is threatening David Uth with banishment from the Convention facilities unless he kowtows to their demands and rearranges his speaking schedule at the PC. This is unprecedented and an unfair last-minute change. Uth could probably sue if he were of a mind to do so. I am guessing he will simply move the PC to First Baptist, Orlando and the building will sit empty for 2 days. The EC has also taken some other troubling actions today. I am grateful for Ronnie Floyd's leadership and for JD Greear, but the EC under Mike Stone has been an … [Read more...] about An Unfortunate Takeover of the PC by the EC
Count me in on Vision 2025
Baptist Press reports on Executive Committee CEO Ronnie Floyd's report to the EC yesterday: Floyd issue Vision 2025 call to reach every person with the Gospel Five "strategic actions": Increase the total number of full-time, fully funded missionaries by a net gain of 500, giving the SBC 4,200 full-time, fully funded missionaries through the International Mission Board (IMB). New IMB leader Paul Chitwood has already outlined this goal for our oldest, largest, and most important entity. Glad we are together on this one. Add 6,000 new churches to the Southern Baptist family, giving … [Read more...] about Count me in on Vision 2025