NASHVILLE (BP) – The Credentials Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention held its initial meeting July 22 by video conferencing, electing Stacey Bramlett of Tennessee as its chair. The nine-member Credentials Committee was repurposed during the SBC's 2019 annual meeting into a standing committee to make inquiries and recommendations for action regarding instances of sexual abuse, racism or other issues that call a church's relationship with the SBC into … [Read more...]
Augie Boto to retire from SBC Executive Committee
NASHVILLE (BP) – D. August "Augie" Boto has announced he will retire from the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee effective Sept. 30. Boto, the EC's executive vice president and general counsel, notified EC President and CEO Ronnie Floyd of his retirement in a July 18 letter. His retirement brings his service "full circle," Boto told Baptist Press, having joined the EC as a member in 1995, the same year Floyd began his 1995-1997 service as EC chairman. Boto, 68, … [Read more...]
‘Astonishing, astounding’: Jerry Vines reflects on ‘Battle for the Bible’ in exclusive interview
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest article in a year-long series, commemorating the history of the Conservative Resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in honor of its 40th anniversary. To read previous articles, visit www.mbcpathway.com/ConservativeResurgence. HOUSTON – Jerry Vines, 81, has served as a Southern Baptist pastor and preacher for more than 60 years. He was elected as pastor at the First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla., in 1982 and served at the church until his … [Read more...]
50 years ago: Aldrin celebrated communion on moon
LUNAR SURFACE – Apollo 11’s lunar lander touched down on July 20, 1969. It was a Sunday. Mission protocol called for an hours-long wait before opening their hatch to the surface, so Buzz Aldrin opened his tiny pouch of personal items and retrieved a thimbleful of wine and some bread. See related story: Missed gospel opportunity 52 years ago ignited evangelistic passion in astronauts’ secretary See related story: God, creation and the day men walked on the moon The astronaut, an elder … [Read more...]
Pastors’ conference unpacks Beatitudes, elects David Uth
BIRMINGHAM (BP) – "Kingdom Character" was the theme of Monday afternoon's and evening's 2019 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference (June 10). The focus, from Matthew 5, was on the last three Beatitudes and being salt and light. Pastors also elected David Uth, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla., as president of the 2020 SBC Pastors' Conference during Monday afternoon's session, held in conjunction with the SBC's annual meeting in Birmingham June … [Read more...]
18 of 23 SBC messenger motions referred
BIRMINGHAM (BP) – Eighteen of the 23 motions by messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting here – including one motion by a Missourian – were referred to SBC committees or entities; five were ruled out of order. The Committee on Order of Business made the recommendations to messengers during the SBC’s June 11-12 meeting. Referred to all entities: • A motion by Matt Dunn of First Baptist Church in Bates City, Mo., that the convention convene a study committee to update … [Read more...]
FOURTH OF JULY: Let us pray
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a first-person article by Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee and author of "How to Pray: Developing an Intimate Relationship with God." NASHVILLE (BP) – July 4, as the day we set aside to celebrate America's independence, is but one of 365 days that are crucial for our country's future. Each day, we must join in prayer for America. Our nation is in dire need of a new, fresh touch of God. Sin is abounding in a … [Read more...]
FOURTH OF JULY: Chaplains, fog of war, flow of life
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a first-person article by Chaplain (MG) Doug Carver, USA-Retired, executive director of chaplaincy for the North American Mission Board. The article is adapted from his address honoring veterans on the opening day of the June 11-12 Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Ala. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Seventy-five years ago, in June 1944, after the largest amphibious landing in history, U.S. and Allied forces began their offensive push from the blood-soaked … [Read more...]
Member of non-MBC church named to SBC nominating committee
BIRMINGHAM (BP) – Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention have elected the 68-member Committee on Nominations for 2019-2020 to represent the 34 states or territories qualified for representation on the committee according to SBC Bylaw 30. The committee, with at least one layperson from each qualified state or territory, was elected during the June 11-12 SBC annual meeting in Birmingham. The committee will make nominations to messengers at the June 2020 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, … [Read more...]
Southern Baptists affirm stances on sex abuse, racism
BIRMINGHAM (BP) – By overwhelming votes, Southern Baptists strengthened their stances against sexual abuse and racism during the opening day of their June 11-12 SBC annual meeting in Birmingham, Ala. Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, told messengers after their votes, “I believe this is a very significant moment in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention. And I believe that every one of us needs to thank God for this moment.” Messengers raised booklets … [Read more...]
Missouri churches invested in new missionaries
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two men baptized in Missouri churches were among 26 new missionaries appointed by the International Mission Board during a sending celebration at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, June 12. Lev Fields*, along with his wife Elsie* and their daughter, will be serving in Northern Africa and the Middle East with the IMB. Although they were sent by a church in North Carolina, Lev was baptized in Missouri. He and Elsie shared with Southern Baptist messengers … [Read more...]
‘We need prayer’: Fort Leonard Wood chaplains call Southern Baptists to intercede for military
FORT LEONARD WOOD – Capt. Jose Rondon of the U.S. Army huddled in prayer alongside fellow military chaplains on the stage of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, June 11, in Birmingham, Ala. Rondon was one of multiple chaplains representing all Southern Baptist affiliated chaplains in a “Celebrating Freedom” portion of the annual meeting. As Rondon and other chaplains prayed on stage, Southern Baptist messengers called out to God to bless these chaplains and bring spiritual … [Read more...]