Change is one of the most controversial and divisive issues in the church, but it doesn’t have to be this way. A great deal of tension can be avoided when the members of churches understand that change is normal and without it, a church cannot stay healthy. I recently preached a sermon on the parables… Read More
In the days after the SBC there are many speculating about what happens next and how far some of these decisions will reach. Some are saying it means that women can’t be ministers, others are wondering if they can be missionaries, and even others are worried they can’t serve as chaplains. It’s my experience that… Read More
During the afternoon session of the SBC 2023 annual meeting, the messengers affirmed the first change to our statement of faith in 23 years. It should come as no surprise that this change is related to Article VI on the church because this is the section of our confession that speaks to the offices of… Read More
The messengers of the SBC 2023 annual meeting voted to amend Article 3 of the Constitution of the SBC. This section outlines what it means or looks like for a church to be considered in friendly cooperation with the SBC. In other words, this is the section a church uses to see if it fits… Read More
This morning the messengers of the SBC Annual meeting voted to uphold the decisions to disfellowship three churches. I am thankful for the encouragement of our President, Bart Barber. Before the announcement, he reminded us that we don’t celebrate divorce when it happens, and we don’t need to celebrate the decisions if they are upheld. … Read More
Today the SBC voted on several important items. We voted on who will serve as president of the SBC next year. Bart Barber was overwhelmingly elected to a second term with 68% of the vote, and Mike Stone received 31% in his second attempt at being president. In addition, the convention heard various appeals related… Read More
Day 1 of the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Meeting, Part 1 Today we begin day 1 of the SBC Annual Meeting. The last two days have been filled with one of my favorite parts of the week, the Pastors Conference. Yesterday was filled with connecting with old friends, incredible worship, and solid preaching. Last night… Read More
More and more I think the sentiment Jackie Hill Perry shares here is spot on. (See pic) This post is mostly for my pastor friends, but it’s applicable across the board. If you’re posting to social media before you have said it to someone in person take a break… reconnect with real people and see… Read More
After a morning with a light feel and some respectful disagreements… we moved into another time of business to vote on motions made yesterday. Right before lunch we voted on a motion to defund/dissolve the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). Regarding the motion to dissolve/defund the ERLC… The messengers voted overwhelmingly to keep the… Read More
Today has felt much lighter than yesterday. There is a spirit of unity and candor that is welcome after the last few months of social media attacks and political grandstanding. It seems that after the votes for Pastors Conference Pres and SBC Pres the crowd has thinned and the mood is lifted. While I am… Read More
