NASHVILLE (BP) – After a season of prayer, the group tasked with presenting the next candidate for president/CEO of the Executive Committee wanted to hear from Southern Baptists before taking next steps. The team is now ready begin the search in earnest. Messengers to last week’s annual meeting in Anaheim approved recommendations from the Sexual Abuse Task Force that will have a direct impact on the work of the Executive Committee. Events in Anaheim gave search team members the clarity … [Read more...]
Sexual Abuse Task Force modifies recommendations in advance of the annual meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – Changes to the recommendations that Sexual Abuse Task Force members will present to messengers at next week’s SBC annual meeting will address the nature of third-party investigations at the church level, including funding and action toward churches that refuse to respond to an accusation. The changes came after hearing from Southern Baptists in the days following the initial presentation of the recommendations, said SATF Chair Bruce Frank in a video on June 8. “We are … [Read more...]
Iowa church holds prayer meeting, seeks to recover after shooting
AMES, Iowa (BP) – Members and friends of Cornerstone Baptist Church are recovering after a shooting in its parking lot June 2 left three dead, including the shooter by his own hand. “… We are more than saddened by the events that transpired,” said a statement on the church’s website. “Our hearts break for all involved, and we are praying for everyone affected, especially the [families] of the victims.” The first summer gathering of the church’s collegiate ministry, The Salt Company, … [Read more...]
SATF recommends ‘Ministry Check’ database, Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force
NASHVILLE (BP) – A report issued Wednesday, June 1, from the Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) includes “challenges” for Southern Baptist groups toward better abuse prevention policies as well as two recommendations, including the formation of a website to maintain a record of those credibly accused or convicted of sexual abuse. Those challenges included the request for a $3 million allocation to fund the implementation of sexual abuse reforms over the next year. That allocation will come … [Read more...]
Key leaders named in Guidepost report respond
NASHVILLE (BP) – The names of numerous Southern Baptist leaders appeared throughout the lengthy report made available May 22 by Guidepost Solutions on the subject of sexual abuse allegations and the SBC Executive Committee. Although at differing levels of involvement today, each factored into the investigation’s scope of Jan. 1, 2000, through June 14, 2021. Below are the names of some key leaders mentioned as well as the context in which the report places them and their responses to the … [Read more...]
MBTS to host conference at SBC annual meeting
ANAHEIM – Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College will unveil a new booth at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting. The booth highlights the For The Church vision for theological education. A featured giveaway – For The Church T-shirts – also returns with a new look. Visitors will be able to receive a shirt and discuss any prospective student questions with a member of MBTS’ Admissions team. Midwestern Seminary will also host FTC Anaheim: Micro Conference at … [Read more...]
CP stage to foster a ‘laser focus’ on unity, generosity, diversity
ANAHEIM (BP) – A drive toward unity in the Gospel and taking the Great Commission to the nations will permeate the presentations and discussion at the Cooperative Program Stage at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting, organizers say. “It will be an opportunity for messengers to hear firsthand reports about a variety of SBC missions and ministries, and ‘listen in’ on hard-hitting and relevant panel discussions which orbit around important issues for Southern Baptists,” said Willie McLaurin, interim … [Read more...]
David Roach to be nominated for recording secretary
NASHVILLE (BP) – Alabama pastor David Roach is the latest announced nominee for recording secretary at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. Mark Snowden, director of missional leadership for the Cincinnati Area Baptist Association in Ohio, announced his intention to nominate Roach in an April 25 statement. Roach, 42, has served as senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Ala., since 2020. Previously, he had taught at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, … [Read more...]
New Plan B ‘temporary,’ MBC executive board chairman says
NASHVILLE (BP) – A secondary option for Cooperative Program giving through the Missouri Baptist Convention “is by no means permanent,” said that state’s president and board chair. “This is only temporary,” explained Jon Nelson, pastor of Soma Community Church in Jefferson City. “As our new interim [Executive Committee] Director Willie McLaurin and Executive Committee address these issues, we look forward to going back to where we just were, which is one option, fully supporting the … [Read more...]
Wisconsin church celebrates 50 years of outdoor Easter witness
MILWAUKEE (BP) – For Easter weekend 1972 Pastor Paul Becker decided to take advantage of Northwest Baptist Church’s location, adjacent to a main thoroughfare in the suburb of Wauwatosa. The result became a long-running witness to the community now spanning generations. “The observance of Holy Week prior to Easter is particularly significant in Milwaukee, where liturgical churches predominate,” says an excerpt of “From a Small Stream: A Forty Year History of Minnesota-Wisconsin Southern … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist University theatre raises more than $3,000 for Send Relief, Ukraine
ST. LOUIS (BP) – “Fools” is a comedy play and “one long-running gag,” said Kasey Cox, director of theatre and dance for Missouri Baptist University (MBU). From March 24-27, though, Cox and her crew used it to raise $3,146.49 for a serious subject, sending those funds through Send Relief to aid Ukrainian refugees. As previously reported in The Pathway, the MBU theatre's fund-raising initiative is one of many Missouri Baptist efforts bring relief to the people of Ukraine. Following each … [Read more...]
Oklahoma church meets one week after losing building, parsonage
KINGSTON, Okla. (BP) – Keith Rogers planned to celebrate his 65th birthday preaching to Texoma Southern Baptist Church on March 27. Despite a tornado that destroyed the building and his home days earlier, he was still able to do so. A fast-moving storm through this area on the Texas/Oklahoma border March 21 destroyed or heavily damaged most of the buildings on the church’s property. Built in 1972, it had added other sections over the years including a gym, education space and the … [Read more...]