SBC Archives - Baptist & Reflector

SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ADOPTS CP BUDGET CUT BY FIVE PERCENT DURING COVID

September 23, 2020

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Decreased giving during the COVID-19 pandemic led the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee to adopt a Cooperative Program Allocation Budget Tuesday (Sept. 22) that is 5 percent less than the committee projected last February.

During a special called meeting, the Executive Committee adopted a $186,875,000 CP allocation budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, after originally proposing a budget of $197,700,000.

Approval of the CP allocation budget would have been considered by messengers at the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting, but its adoption became the EC’s responsibility when the annual meeting was canceled because of the pandemic. It was the first time in 75 years – since 1945, when the annual meeting was also canceled – the EC had the responsibility.

Amid the economic slowdown resulting from the pandemic, CP giving was down 2.92 percent in the third quarter of the current fiscal year, and 1.14 percent below budget as of August 31 for the entire year. [Read more…]

CHARLES STANLEY TRANSITIONS TO PASTOR EMERITUS AT FIRST BAPTIST ATLANTA, ANTHONY GEORGE NAMED SENIOR PASTOR

September 14, 2020

By Scott Barkley
Christian Index

Anthony George and Charles Stanley. Screen capture from FBC Atlanta.

ATLANTA — In a video announcement following the online service at First Baptist Church in Atlanta today, longtime pastor Charles Stanley announced his transition to pastor emeritus.

Stanley, who came to First Baptist as an associate pastor in 1969 before being named pastor two years later, informed the church’s board earlier this month of the decision.

“I’m so grateful [God] saw fit to allow me to serve as your pastor for more than 50 years,” he said. “As much as I love being your pastor, I know in my heart this season has come to an end.” [Read more…]

KATRINA EVACUEES RETURN THE FAVOR TO CAMP BATTERED BY LAURA

September 9, 2020

By Brian Blackwell
Baptist Message

More than 30 members of Horeb Baptist Church in Gretna cut up trees and removed debris at Dry Creek Baptist Camp in Gretna, La., Labor Day weekend.

DRY CREEK, La. — The winds were still howling as Hurricane Laura blew through Dry Creek Baptist Camp Thursday morning Aug. 27, when camp director Todd Burnaman fielded a welcomed phone call from the pastor of Horeb Baptist Church in Gretna, La., asking how he and his people could lend assistance.

The members of Horeb Baptist, a Hispanic congregation that stayed at the camp for 33 days when they evacuated during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, were excited about the chance to repay the camp’s leaders for their kindness. The group of more than 30, along with staff from a camp operated by Florida College in Tampa, Fla., helped clear trees and other debris on the property during Labor Day weekend.

“We’ve remained good friends with Horeb Baptist 15 years later, and they have been a part of the Dry Creek family since,” Burnaman told the Baptist Message. “When Pastor David Rodriguez was on the line the Thursday of the storm asking if they could come, I didn’t hesitate to tell him to come on.” [Read more…]

DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS FOSTER RACIAL UNITY

September 9, 2020

By Will Hall
Baptist Message executive editor

A grandmother giving care to eight grandchildren and who had suffered house damage from Hurricane Laura said she just wanted ‘that people would love each other’ when asked by Jeff Free, a member of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, about her prayer needs. She then had all the children join hands with her and the chainsaw team to pray.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – While racial tensions continue to claim national headlines, the multi-state disaster relief response to one of the largest hurricanes ever to make landfall in the country is serving as an opportunity to build goodwill between ethnic groups in storm-affected parts of Louisiana.

Hurricane Laura came ashore in the state with 150 mph winds and maintained its ferocity far inland, with tropical storm winds of 50 mph, gusting to 85 mph, recorded in Alexandria, about 130 miles north from where the eye of the storm struck the coast. The winds knocked out power to 579,000 homes and businesses in the state, but the total devastation in terms of lost homes and businesses has not yet been tallied.

In Central Louisiana, comprising 10 parishes, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, alone, has received 900 calls for help regarding damaged homes and property during the first week after the storm. The enormous response, especially by a predominately white Southern Baptist Disaster Relief organization, has alleviated many physical needs, but it also has brought some racial healing.

MAGNOLIA STATE CONVERT

Bob Thomas, a member of Highland Baptist Church in Senatobia, Mississippi, experienced a moment of grace and growth on Saturday morning. [Read more…]

AMERICANS HOLD COMPLEX, CONFLICTING RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, ACCORDING TO LATEST STATE OF THEOLOGY STUDY

September 8, 2020

By Aaron Earls
Writer, LifeWay Christian Resources.

NASHVILLE — More than half of Americans say religious beliefs are a matter of personal opinion, not objective facts. And that’s made clear by examining the varying, and sometimes contradictory, theological doctrines they hold.

The biennial State of Theology study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research explores the religious and cultural beliefs of U.S. adults.

For 54 percent of Americans, theological beliefs are not a matter of objective truth, but rather belong in the category of subjective personal opinion.

“Many Americans treat theology like a choose-your-own adventure book,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “It’s clear from certain beliefs that some people feel truth is something people are free to define on their own, and in doing so they possess seemingly incompatible beliefs.” [Read more…]

LAURA’S TOLL INCLUDES 140 LOUISIANA BAPTIST CHURCHES

September 7, 2020

By John Kyle

Louisiana Baptist director of communications

Telephones poles crashed into the streets amid the winds of Hurricane Laura.

ALEXANDRIA, La. — A little more than a week after slamming the Louisiana coast, it is obvious Hurricane Laura’s 140 miles per hour, Category 4, winds considered nothing sacred, including houses of worship.

Numerous reports have shed light on the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans left without power and water. Power companies have indicated it may be weeks, or longer, before power is restored to certain areas. Likewise, many communities remain under a boil advisory and cars are lined up to receive bottled water and ice from the National Guard and various non-profit groups, including Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams.

However, perhaps as devastating to the state is the destruction to houses of worship, which often are central to the lives of thousands in a community.

According to John Hebert, director of missions and ministries for Louisiana Baptists, approximately 107 Louisiana Baptist churches have sustained damage from minor to catastrophic – and some may not open their doors again. [Read more…]

LIFEWAY LOOKING FORWARD AMID COVID-19 CHALLENGES

August 26, 2020

By Carol Pipes
Director of corporate communications for LifeWay

LifeWay president and CEO Ben Mandrell addressed the trustees during a recent virtual meeting.

NASHVILLE — During a virtual meeting on August 25, LifeWay Christian Resources trustees received an update on the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the organization and unanimously approved a $210 million budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year — 17 percent lower than the 2019-20 budget.

Trustees also elected Jamie Adams as senior vice president and chief information technology officer. The regularly scheduled meeting was conducted via video conference in light of COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions.

During his report to trustees, President and CEO Ben Mandrell addressed the challenges facing the organization due to declining sales and loss of revenue related to the cancellation of student camps and women’s events. LifeWay leaders are predicting to miss the FY20 budgeted revenue by $61 million and end the year with a net loss of $21.7 million. [Read more…]

FALWELL RESIGNS AS PRESIDENT OF LIBERTY

August 24, 2020

By George Schroeder
Baptist Press

Jerry Falwell Jr.

LYNCHBURG, Va. —After drama, denial and dispute, it’s official: Jerry Falwell Jr. has resigned as president of Liberty University.

The school announced his departure Tuesday (Aug. 25), saying Liberty’s board of trustees had accepted his resignation.

The move came amid escalating controversy over Falwell’s conduct, as well as allegations that he condoned an affair between his wife and a man he described as a family friend. The man, who was also a business partner, told Reuters that he had a sexual relationship with Becki Falwell from 2012-2018, and alleged that Jerry watched some of their encounters.

Following publication of the Reuters report Monday, multiple news outlets reported Falwell had agreed to resign. When Falwell denied those reports, Liberty sent a statement Monday evening saying he had agreed to resign and then reversed course. [Read more…]

CALIFORNIA DISASTER RELIEF STYMIED DURING FIRES AS COVID-19 IMPACTS RESPONSE PROTOCOL

August 24, 2020

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

Screen capture from CBS news.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, Calif. — As monster fires displace tens of thousands of Californians, Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers are stymied by changes in response protocols necessitated by COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, volunteers in relief efforts were able to provide food and chaplains’ assistance to displaced residents housed at American Red Cross shelters.

“With COVID rules the Red Cross is not putting people up in congregate shelters,” said Mike Bivins, disaster relief director with the California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC). “Feeding and chaplaincy work was done in the shelters, and they are not setting up any overnight congregate shelters.”

Instead, those forced to flee the flames are being given vouchers for hotel housing in multiple locations. [Read more…]

IMB’S OLDEST LIVING MISSIONARY EMERITUS DISCUSSES VISION FOR NEXT 100 YEARS

August 20, 2020

IMB news office

Shirley Clark, age 100, served as a missionary in Venezuela for more than 30 years.

Shirley Clark and her husband, Charles, served as missionaries in Venezuela for more than 30 years. They were appointed in 1951, studied the Spanish language in Costa Rica for one year, then moved to Venezuela as church planters.

For more than three decades, they served among the Venezuelans. Charles served in roles including pastor, Executive Director of the Venezuela Baptist Convention, and professor at the Venezuela Baptist Seminary. Both Charles and Shirley served during different terms as treasurer for the missionaries in Venezuela and Shirley was instrumental in starting the Venezuela Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union in the early 1950s. [Read more…]

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