EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was first published on The Stream at https://stream.org/are-southern-baptists-ready-for-a-world-that-despises-christians/. Aaron Renn’s penetrating analysis of American evangelicalism in his First Things article triggered much thought. As a respected writer and thinker, Renn uses the framework of three worlds (positive, neutral, negative) with evangelicals swimming against a relentless secular rip current. Evangelicals are not only losing standing in the … [Read more...]
Spurgeon College hosts World Changers mission trip
KANSAS CITY (MBTS) – This summer, Spurgeon College hosted World Changers, a week-long mission trip for high school students, on its campus for the first time. More than 120 students and adult volunteers gathered in Kansas City for five days of service, worship, and fellowship. Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen reflected on the recent event, “We were delighted to host these students on our campus. The experiences they shared and the memories they made were substantial, just as the … [Read more...]
‘We Proclaim Him’ focuses pastors on mission of gospel ministry
ANAHEIM, Calif. (BP) – Mark Clifton opened the 2022 SBC Pastors’ Conference by reminding shepherds of local congregations that there are no unimportant churches and no unimportant places. With the theme “We Proclaim Him,” speakers walked through Colossians, a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, a small town, that could encourage any pastor wondering if his ministry matters. Matt Henslee, president of the 2022 conference, said his hope was that the worship and … [Read more...]
Lifeway’s ‘Spark Studios’ VBS album No. 1 on Apple Music Album chart
NASHVILLE (BP) – Lifeway’s 2022 Vacation Bible School soundtrack “Spark Studios,” reached the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s Top 100 Children’s Music Albums chart recently. The album reached the top spot on the chart during the week of the SBC annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif. In addition to reaching the top spot on the children’s chart, the record also reached the 63rd spot on the overall Apple Music Top 100 chart for all genres. Released Dec. 3, 2021, the album features six tracks, … [Read more...]
Send Relief establishes fund to support survivors of sexual abuse
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Following the recent report that addressed how Southern Baptists have handled sexual abuse allegations in the past, Send Relief is seeking to be a part of the solution by establishing a survivor care fund. Send Relief, the compassion ministry arm of the Southern Baptist Convention of churches, committed $3 million in funding to the SBC’s Executive Committee ahead of the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting to be put toward the cost of implementing recommendations approved by … [Read more...]
Motions at annual meeting range from addressing sexual abuse reforms to entity responsibilities
ANAHEIM (BP) – Several motions presented at the annual meeting related to sexual abuse care and prevention in addition to other subjects of interest to Southern Baptists. One required extended discussion by messengers. That motion, brought by Joshua Scruggs of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jacksonville, N.C., to abolish the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, was defeated by a sizable margin. The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force, yet to be formed by new SBC President Bart … [Read more...]
SATF shares expectations for implementation task force
NASHVILLE (BP) — The work of a yet-to-be-appointed Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) is likely to take years, with an initial report ordered to be given at the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans next June. Marshall Blalock, vice chairman of the Sex Abuse Task Force (SATF) that recommended the new group, said guidelines are in place to allow as long as three years for some of the work. “We anticipated it would take the implementation task force … [Read more...]
‘Take courage,’ Rothschild tells ministers’ wives
ANAHEIM, Calif. (BP) – Blindness must be really hard, Missouri Baptist church member Jennifer Rothschild said, repeating her future daughter-in-law’s words to her. “It is very hard,” Rothschild responded, “but earth is short, and heaven is long.” Rothschild – a member of Second Baptist Church, Springfield, Mo., who spoke at the 2022 SBC Ministers’ Wives Luncheon at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel on June 14 – lost her sight at the age of 15 due to a rare form of Retinitis Pigmentosa, a … [Read more...]
SBC resolutions affirm rural missions, denounce prosperity gospel, address sexual abuse
ANAHEIM, Calif. (BP) – Resolutions affirming the mission field in rural America, denouncing the preaching of the prosperity gospel, calling for an end to the war in Ukraine, and addressing sexual abuse were among those adopted by messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 14-15. Messengers approved language noting that Jesus “regularly identified Himself with rural and small places like Nazareth,” more than 75 percent of all towns and cities in the United States are … [Read more...]
Southern Baptist messengers approve Sexual Abuse Task Force recommendations
ANAHEIM (BP) – Southern Baptists responded with an overwhelming majority in favor of adopting the two recommendations presented by the Sexual Abuse Task Force presented June 14 at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting. Task Force chair Bruce Frank didn’t mince words with messengers, calling it a “Kairos moment” for the Convention. After a lot of talk, actions were about to speak loudest. “Today we will choose between humility or hubris,” he said. “We will choose between genuine repentance or … [Read more...]
Slate of new SBC officers includes first new recording secretary in 25 years
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes additional reporting by Pathway staff. ANAHEIM, Calif. (BP) – Southern Baptist messengers elected a new slate of officers during their annual meeting here, June 14-15. The new slate of officers includes Missouri Baptist minister Don Currence, who was elected once again to serve as the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) registration secretary (Read more below). It also included, for the first time in 25 years, a new recording secretary. During … [Read more...]
Executive Committee president search team receiving recommendations
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...]
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