===Southern Baptist Convention===
John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), alternatively the Great Commission Baptists (GCB), is a
Baptist Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination, and the largest Protestant and second-largest Christian denomination in the United States. In 1845 the Southern Baptists separated from the Triennial Convention in order to support slavery, which the southern churches regarded as "an institution of heaven". During the 19th and most of the 20th century, it played a central role in Southern racial attitudes, supporting racial segregation and the Lost Cause of the Confederacy while
opposing interracial marriage. In 1995, the organization apologized for its history. Since the 1940s, it has spread across the United States, having member churches across the country and 41 affiliated state conventions.
Baptist Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination, and the largest Protestant and second-largest Christian denomination in the United States. In 1845 the Southern Baptists separated from the Triennial Convention in order to support slavery, which the southern churches regarded as "an institution of heaven". During the 19th and most of the 20th century, it played a central role in Southern racial attitudes, supporting racial segregation and the Lost Cause of the Confederacy while
opposing interracial marriage. In 1995, the organization apologized for its history. Since the 1940s, it has spread across the United States, having member churches across the country and 41 affiliated state conventions.
- DAVIS: When Evangelicals Supported Abortion
California Baptists Cut Staff, Citing Decline In Cooperative Program Giving
The California Southern Baptist Convention, one of 41 regional groups that make up the Southern Baptist Convention, announced this week that it had cut six staff jobs, citing an ongoing decline in giving. Donations to the state’s Cooperative Program, which funds national, international and state-specific ministries, fell short by $170,000 in the current fiscal year. That 7% shortfall is part of an ongoing decline in giving, according to Baptist Press, an official SBC publication. State Baptist officials have drawn on reserves to cover shortfalls over the past three years. The staff cuts, including four layoffs and two voluntary retirements, mean the state convention will not need to draw on reserves — as long as giving does not decline.
(Julie Roys 7/5/24) READ MORE>>>>>
The California Southern Baptist Convention, one of 41 regional groups that make up the Southern Baptist Convention, announced this week that it had cut six staff jobs, citing an ongoing decline in giving. Donations to the state’s Cooperative Program, which funds national, international and state-specific ministries, fell short by $170,000 in the current fiscal year. That 7% shortfall is part of an ongoing decline in giving, according to Baptist Press, an official SBC publication. State Baptist officials have drawn on reserves to cover shortfalls over the past three years. The staff cuts, including four layoffs and two voluntary retirements, mean the state convention will not need to draw on reserves — as long as giving does not decline.
(Julie Roys 7/5/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Andy Stanley criticises Southern Baptist Convention over female pastor fallout
Pastor Andy Stanley, from North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, has publicly criticised the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for disfellowshipping Rick Warren's Saddleback Church over the ordination of a female teaching pastor. According to the Christian Post, in a sermon delivered on Sunday, Stanley, son of the late Southern Baptist pastor and televangelist Charles Stanley, emphasised the need to "remove obstacles" for those seeking to follow Jesus Christ. Identifying himself as "theologically conservative," Stanley said that the progress many churches were making to reach the lost "is being undermined and reversed like crazy." (Premier Christianity 7/4/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Pastor Andy Stanley, from North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, has publicly criticised the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for disfellowshipping Rick Warren's Saddleback Church over the ordination of a female teaching pastor. According to the Christian Post, in a sermon delivered on Sunday, Stanley, son of the late Southern Baptist pastor and televangelist Charles Stanley, emphasised the need to "remove obstacles" for those seeking to follow Jesus Christ. Identifying himself as "theologically conservative," Stanley said that the progress many churches were making to reach the lost "is being undermined and reversed like crazy." (Premier Christianity 7/4/24) READ MORE>>>>>
SBC Abuse Survivor Calls Executive Committee’s Lack of Action on Amicus Brief ‘Disgusting’
On Thursday (Nov. 16), the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) met in a special session three weeks after it was discovered that the SBC, the EC, Lifeway Christian Resources, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) quietly submitted an amicus brief to the Kentucky Supreme Court earlier this year. None of the current EC members, apart from ex officio member and SBC president Bart Barber, knew about the briefing until Andrew Wolfson of Louisville Courier Journal published a story about the case on Oct. 24. (Jesse T Jackson/ Church Leaders 11/17/23) Read More>>>>>
On Thursday (Nov. 16), the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) met in a special session three weeks after it was discovered that the SBC, the EC, Lifeway Christian Resources, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) quietly submitted an amicus brief to the Kentucky Supreme Court earlier this year. None of the current EC members, apart from ex officio member and SBC president Bart Barber, knew about the briefing until Andrew Wolfson of Louisville Courier Journal published a story about the case on Oct. 24. (Jesse T Jackson/ Church Leaders 11/17/23) Read More>>>>>
Feb 21, 2023: Religion News Service: Southern Baptists oust Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church for naming a female pastor
Saddleback Church, the megachurch long led by Rick Warren, has been ousted from the Southern Baptist Convention for naming a woman to its pastoral team, against SBC teaching.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee decided on Tuesday (Feb. 21) to approve the recommendation from the denomination’s credentials committee that the Lake Forest, California, church “be deemed not in friendly cooperation with the Convention, on the basis that the church has a faith and practice that does not closely identify with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith, as demonstrated by the church having a female teaching pastor functioning in the office of pastor.”
Saddleback Church, the megachurch long led by Rick Warren, has been ousted from the Southern Baptist Convention for naming a woman to its pastoral team, against SBC teaching.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee decided on Tuesday (Feb. 21) to approve the recommendation from the denomination’s credentials committee that the Lake Forest, California, church “be deemed not in friendly cooperation with the Convention, on the basis that the church has a faith and practice that does not closely identify with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith, as demonstrated by the church having a female teaching pastor functioning in the office of pastor.”
Bart Barber and Mike Stone face off to lead Southern Baptist Convention
Two years ago, Georgia pastor Mike Stone received nearly 6,300 votes for president during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, more than any candidate in a contested election in nearly two decades. Except for one. His opponent, Alabama pastor Ed Litton, got more than 6,800 votes, winning by a narrow margin. The loss was difficult for Stone. Not long after the SBC annual meeting, Litton got in hot water after critics discovered he had used parts of another pastor’s sermons without attribution, in a controversy
that became known as “Sermongate.” Litton would later apologize and decide not to run for a second year in office. Stone also ended up suing former SBC ethicist Russell Moore, a longtime rival, for allegedly ruining his reputation and costing Stone the election. That suit was later dropped.
(Washington Post 6/9/23) READ MORE>>>>>
Two years ago, Georgia pastor Mike Stone received nearly 6,300 votes for president during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, more than any candidate in a contested election in nearly two decades. Except for one. His opponent, Alabama pastor Ed Litton, got more than 6,800 votes, winning by a narrow margin. The loss was difficult for Stone. Not long after the SBC annual meeting, Litton got in hot water after critics discovered he had used parts of another pastor’s sermons without attribution, in a controversy
that became known as “Sermongate.” Litton would later apologize and decide not to run for a second year in office. Stone also ended up suing former SBC ethicist Russell Moore, a longtime rival, for allegedly ruining his reputation and costing Stone the election. That suit was later dropped.
(Washington Post 6/9/23) READ MORE>>>>>
Jan 14, 2023: Sight Magazine: Southern Baptists: Dispute over abuse hotline reveals how far the SBC still has to go
For years, Southern Baptist Convention leaders refused to listen to abuse survivors, ignoring their concerns and labeling them as enemies of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
After the release last spring of a major report detailing decades of mistreatment of survivors, Southern Baptist leaders pledged to change.
One of their first steps: setting up a confidential hotline where allegations of abuse could be reported to trauma-informed experts.
For years, Southern Baptist Convention leaders refused to listen to abuse survivors, ignoring their concerns and labeling them as enemies of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
After the release last spring of a major report detailing decades of mistreatment of survivors, Southern Baptist leaders pledged to change.
One of their first steps: setting up a confidential hotline where allegations of abuse could be reported to trauma-informed experts.
Bart Barber, a country pastor who also happens to be the sitting president of the Southern Baptist Convention, began his Tuesday (Nov. 29) as he does most days, with prayer and feeding his cows.
Before the day was out he would take the rare step of denouncing one of his predecessors.
“I would permanently ‘defrock’ Johnny Hunt if I had the authority to do so,” Barber, who leads a church in Farmersville, Texas, said in a statement released Tuesday.
Hunt, who served as president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination from 2008 to 2010, stepped aside from public ministry in May after allegations that he had sexually assaulted another pastor’s wife were made public. Then, last week, a group of pastors announced that Hunt has been restored to ministry, less than six months after Southern Baptists passed a series of reforms designed to address a sex abuse crisis. --SBC President Bart Barber Says Predecessor Johnny Hunt is Unfit to Return to Ministry 12.1.22
Before the day was out he would take the rare step of denouncing one of his predecessors.
“I would permanently ‘defrock’ Johnny Hunt if I had the authority to do so,” Barber, who leads a church in Farmersville, Texas, said in a statement released Tuesday.
Hunt, who served as president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination from 2008 to 2010, stepped aside from public ministry in May after allegations that he had sexually assaulted another pastor’s wife were made public. Then, last week, a group of pastors announced that Hunt has been restored to ministry, less than six months after Southern Baptists passed a series of reforms designed to address a sex abuse crisis. --SBC President Bart Barber Says Predecessor Johnny Hunt is Unfit to Return to Ministry 12.1.22
Nov 29, 2022: Christianity Today: Former Southern Seminary Prof Sues SBC Leaders for Labeling Him an Abuser
David Sills admitted to misconduct but claims he has been “falsely attacked” by Southern Baptists and their investigative firm.
David Sills admitted to misconduct but claims he has been “falsely attacked” by Southern Baptists and their investigative firm.
June 24,2022: Baptist News Global: Two viruses threaten the life of the Southern Baptist Convention: Male hierarchy and dominion theology
The Southern Baptist Convention has been unhealthy for a very long time, and now her two most deadly latent viruses are wreaking havoc on the body.
The SBC released an independent report regarding decades of sexual abuse within some churches and institutions. In excruciating detail, it chronicles the horrific, calloused and hypocritical behavior of top SBC leaders who worked to stonewall, discredit and even demonize abuse victims who came forward.
The Southern Baptist Convention has been unhealthy for a very long time, and now her two most deadly latent viruses are wreaking havoc on the body.
The SBC released an independent report regarding decades of sexual abuse within some churches and institutions. In excruciating detail, it chronicles the horrific, calloused and hypocritical behavior of top SBC leaders who worked to stonewall, discredit and even demonize abuse victims who came forward.
June 14, 2022: New York Times: Southern Baptists, Battling Divisions, Gather for ‘Historic’ Convention
In recent years, the Southern Baptist Convention has grappled with declining membership, high-profile departures and a sprawling sex abuse scandal. The country’s largest Protestant denomination has also seen bitter internal clashes over race, gender and politics. This week, with all those pressures bearing down, thousands of Southern Baptists are gathering for an annual meeting that may prove to be its most consequential in decades.
In recent years, the Southern Baptist Convention has grappled with declining membership, high-profile departures and a sprawling sex abuse scandal. The country’s largest Protestant denomination has also seen bitter internal clashes over race, gender and politics. This week, with all those pressures bearing down, thousands of Southern Baptists are gathering for an annual meeting that may prove to be its most consequential in decades.
June 10, 2022: Religion News: When Southern Baptists meet next week, anything could happen
The 13.7 million-member denomination has been rocked in recent weeks over a report that found SBC leaders had worked for decades to downplay the problem of sexual abuse and protect the denomination while demonizing abuse survivors, treating them as enemies of the church. Southern Baptists have also been divided by the polarization affecting the broader culture, with a group of self-styled conservative pirates hoping to change the direction of the SBC, claiming it has been invaded by liberals, critical race theory and female preachers who are steering the denomination away from the Bible.
The 13.7 million-member denomination has been rocked in recent weeks over a report that found SBC leaders had worked for decades to downplay the problem of sexual abuse and protect the denomination while demonizing abuse survivors, treating them as enemies of the church. Southern Baptists have also been divided by the polarization affecting the broader culture, with a group of self-styled conservative pirates hoping to change the direction of the SBC, claiming it has been invaded by liberals, critical race theory and female preachers who are steering the denomination away from the Bible.
The Religious Right and the Abortion Myth
Meeting in St. Louis in 1971, the messengers (delegates) to the Southern Baptist Convention, hardly a redoubt of liberalism, passed a resolution calling for the legalization of abortion, a position they reaffirmed in 1974 — a year after Roe — and again in 1976. When the Roe decision was handed down, W. A. Criswell, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas and sometime president of the Southern Baptist Convention, issued a statement praising the ruling. “I have always felt that it was only after a child was born and had a life separate from its mother that it became an individual person,” Criswell declared, “and it has always, therefore, seemed to me that what is best for the mother and for the future should be allowed.” (Randall Barmer/Politico 5/10/22)
READ MORE>>>>>
Meeting in St. Louis in 1971, the messengers (delegates) to the Southern Baptist Convention, hardly a redoubt of liberalism, passed a resolution calling for the legalization of abortion, a position they reaffirmed in 1974 — a year after Roe — and again in 1976. When the Roe decision was handed down, W. A. Criswell, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas and sometime president of the Southern Baptist Convention, issued a statement praising the ruling. “I have always felt that it was only after a child was born and had a life separate from its mother that it became an individual person,” Criswell declared, “and it has always, therefore, seemed to me that what is best for the mother and for the future should be allowed.” (Randall Barmer/Politico 5/10/22)
READ MORE>>>>>
June 18, 2021: Vox: America’s largest evangelical denomination is at war with itself
The Southern Baptist Convention, an umbrella group for conservative evangelical churches across the country, is the largest Protestant denomination in the country. But for the past few years, it has been rocked by a series of internal controversies — most notably, fights over the cover-up of sexual abuse in SBC churches and in the organization’s approach to racism and critical race theory.
The Southern Baptist Convention, an umbrella group for conservative evangelical churches across the country, is the largest Protestant denomination in the country. But for the past few years, it has been rocked by a series of internal controversies — most notably, fights over the cover-up of sexual abuse in SBC churches and in the organization’s approach to racism and critical race theory.
June 16, 2021: Intelligencer: How Critical Race Theory Overran the Southern Baptist Convention
As they headed toward Nashville for the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, the cars with black pirate flags strapped to their windows — complete with smirking skulls and crossbones — were a good indicator that some of the passengers were spoiling for a fight.
These Protestant swashbucklers were followers of a coalition called the Conservative Baptist Network, whose leaders have warned of a leftward drift in a denomination known for its deep-rooted conservatism on issues both political and theological. Before the meeting, held this week at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville, CBN supporters filled their social-media profiles with Jolly Roger emojis and memes comparing themselves to gangs of marauding buccaneers. Their rallying cry heading into the gathering made their intentions clear: “Take the ship.”
As they headed toward Nashville for the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, the cars with black pirate flags strapped to their windows — complete with smirking skulls and crossbones — were a good indicator that some of the passengers were spoiling for a fight.
These Protestant swashbucklers were followers of a coalition called the Conservative Baptist Network, whose leaders have warned of a leftward drift in a denomination known for its deep-rooted conservatism on issues both political and theological. Before the meeting, held this week at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville, CBN supporters filled their social-media profiles with Jolly Roger emojis and memes comparing themselves to gangs of marauding buccaneers. Their rallying cry heading into the gathering made their intentions clear: “Take the ship.”
Feb 28, 2019: Church Leaders: The Southern Baptist Convention’s Major Problem
In 1840, five years before the creation of the Southern Baptist Convention, Baptists from across America met in New York City and listened to an Address to Southern Baptists by Elon Galusha, a lawyer by education and a Baptist minister by vocation.
Mr. Galusha appealed to the Baptist ministers of the American South to give up the institution of slavery. The Southerners who listened to Mr. Galusha would five years later break away from the loose association of American Baptists called The Triennial Convention and form the Southern Baptist Convention (1845).
In 1840, five years before the creation of the Southern Baptist Convention, Baptists from across America met in New York City and listened to an Address to Southern Baptists by Elon Galusha, a lawyer by education and a Baptist minister by vocation.
Mr. Galusha appealed to the Baptist ministers of the American South to give up the institution of slavery. The Southerners who listened to Mr. Galusha would five years later break away from the loose association of American Baptists called The Triennial Convention and form the Southern Baptist Convention (1845).
June 5, 2018: MercyHouse: What's happening in the Southern Baptist Convention and why should I care?
If you've been paying any attention to the news over the last few months, you've probably heard news stories and editorializing about the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). They've been embroiled in a controversy that has included the ousting of some high profile leaders in the denomination. Two of the biggest are Frank Page and Paige Patterson. Frank Page was the president of the denomination from 2010-2018 and was recently ousted because of a "morally inappropriate" relationship. Paige Patterson was the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 2003-2018 until recently fired because of inappropriate comments he made about the domestic abuse of a woman and allegations that he didn't properly handle the report of a rape that happened on his campus 15 years ago. This has caused quite a stir in the denomination and many have called for a deep repentance among all who make up the SBC family. See these articles by Beth Moore, Albert Mohler, and Sam Rainer for a taste of these kinds of calls for change.
If you've been paying any attention to the news over the last few months, you've probably heard news stories and editorializing about the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). They've been embroiled in a controversy that has included the ousting of some high profile leaders in the denomination. Two of the biggest are Frank Page and Paige Patterson. Frank Page was the president of the denomination from 2010-2018 and was recently ousted because of a "morally inappropriate" relationship. Paige Patterson was the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 2003-2018 until recently fired because of inappropriate comments he made about the domestic abuse of a woman and allegations that he didn't properly handle the report of a rape that happened on his campus 15 years ago. This has caused quite a stir in the denomination and many have called for a deep repentance among all who make up the SBC family. See these articles by Beth Moore, Albert Mohler, and Sam Rainer for a taste of these kinds of calls for change.
June 13, 2017: The convention authorized its Executive Committee to sell the building at 901 Commerce St., if it receives an acceptable offer, Roger "Sing" Oldham, spokesman for the Executive Committee, said in an email. The vote making way for the sale of the building took place Tuesday in Phoenix during the Protestant denomination's annual meeting. The Southern Baptist Convention headquarters houses the Executive Committee, the Southern Baptist Foundation, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the convention's Historical Library and Archives and Seminary Extension. The Council of Seminary Presidents also has a conference area on site. It was built in 1984 and 1985 and later remodeled.