EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie McLaurin serves as vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee. NASHVILLE (BP) – If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video recording must be worth a million. In the disturbing video of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on Memorial Day while in police custody, words are really hard to come by. A bystander's cellphone video showed a former police officer, Derek Chauvin, … [Read more...]
Southern Baptist leaders issue joint statement on the death of George Floyd
NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders have published a statement grieving the recent death of George Floyd and calling for the end of "racial inequity in the distribution of justice in our country." The statement, co-authored by SBC president J.D. Greear and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary president Jamie Dew was unanimously signed by all SBC officers, entity heads and state convention executive directors. Two Missourians were among the signatories: namely, John Yeats, SBC … [Read more...]
SBC Executive Committee to host SBC Advance June 2
NASHVILLE (BP) – While the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting has been canceled for the first time since 1945, Southern Baptists will still be provided with an opportunity to hear from the entities of the Southern Baptist Convention through an online event June 2 hosted by the SBC Executive Committee. SBC Advance, a two-hour online event, is not designed to be a substitute for the annual meeting, but will provide ministry updates from and interviews with all SBC entity and auxiliary heads, as well … [Read more...]
National convention reports drop in CP giving
NASHVILLE (BP) – Stay-at-home orders around the country due to the COVID-19 global pandemic continue to affect churches and church giving. As a result, all aspects of Southern Baptist life are beginning to feel the economic changes. While data points related to giving have been sparse in the initial phases of the pandemic, national Cooperative Program receipts are beginning to reflect the stalled global and national economy. National CP receipts in April dropped more than 8 percent … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists urged to remember church security as buildings reopen
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptists are eager to celebrate their first Sunday back at church, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advises worshipers not to let down their guards with respect to church security. Most local churches have security measures in place, and these should be reviewed and practiced as they open their doors in the days ahead. Brian Harrell, assistant director for Infrastructure Security for DHS, issued a letter April 8 to U.S. houses of worship … [Read more...]
Freedom at risk? Religious liberty threats already on rise pre-pandemic
WASHINGTON – Potential threats to religious liberty have come to the forefront across the United States because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Even in the best of times, guarding our First Amendment freedoms can be an uphill battle. And these are not the best of times,” John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, wrote, April 14. He described the arrest of Christians in Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C., while they prayed outside of abortion clinics. They … [Read more...]
LifeWay trustees authorize exploration of the sale of Ridgecrest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – LifeWay Christian Resources’ board of trustees authorized a recommendation for the organization’s executive team to pursue viable options for the disposition of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer Camps including, but not limited to, transfer or sale to SBC entities, state conventions or other external parties. The trustee executive committee presented the recommendation to the full board of trustees during a meeting held via Zoom on April 23. The board unanimously … [Read more...]
Paycheck Protection Plan draws feedback from pastors, ethicists
SEATTLE (BP) – As pastor of Epic Life Church in Seattle with only five employees, Keith Carpenter sees the Paycheck Protection Plan loan as a godsend during a devastating economic downturn prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. So does pastor A.B. Vines, whose multisite New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, Calif., employs about 50. But some pastors have theological and ethical concerns with the loan, which is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. "The purpose behind the loan … [Read more...]
Amid COVID-19, Midwestern trustees hold online meeting
KANSAS CITY (BP) – For the first time in the history of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS), trustees met virtually March 30 to address key issues and conduct institutional business during the Spring Trustee Meeting. The seminary's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and budgetary issues dominated updates from MBTS president Jason Allen, who underscored the seminary's solid position despite these trying times. "Our nation is clearly entering a season of economic disruption and … [Read more...]
Religious liberty concerns resolved for CARES Act
NASHVILLE (BP) – An Interim Final Rule published by the U.S. Small Business Administration provides assurance that churches and other ministries are in fact eligible to receive loans as part of a massive financial stimulus bill passed last week by Congress, and that those faith-based nonprofits will not face potential conflict with religious liberty protections. The Paycheck Protection Program, enacted as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act to relieve economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 … [Read more...]
Founders Midwest conference celebrates 25 years, partners with MBC entities
ST. LOUIS – This past February marked the 25th consecutive year of the Founders Midwest Conference. The yearly conference provides sound, theological teaching and genuine fellowship to pastors and laypeople in the Midwest. Meeting at the First Baptist Church of Fenton in St. Louis, Founders Midwest welcomed attendees from across Missouri and the surrounding states of Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, and Texas. The Founders Midwest Conference offers a unique opportunity for pastors to … [Read more...]
Midwestern Seminary expands summer live-video classes; offers new four-week online format
KANSAS CITY – Following the recent announcement that all summer classes will be offered in a synchronous technology format, Midwestern Seminary has expanded its total number of course offerings and added a new format of four-week long online classes. President Jason Allen explained that while the school is not currently able to offer its typical on-campus, in-class experience, it’s important to note that “Anyone desiring to pursue their theological education at Midwestern Seminary and … [Read more...]