By BP staff 

NASHVILLE — SBC Executive Committee chairman Mike Stone has named the six members of a study task force that was authorized by the group at their February 2020 meeting last week.

Joining the chairman on the task force are:

• Ron Hale, retired pastor, Jackson, Tenn.

• Mike Lawson, senior pastor, First Baptist of Sherman, Texas

• Cheryl Samples, retired, Dallas, Ga.

• Hoyt Savage, lead pastor, Foothills Baptist, Las Vegas, Nev.

• Monte Shinkle, senior pastor, Concord Baptist, Jefferson City, Mo.

• Rolland Slade, senior pastor, Meridian Baptist, El Cajon, Calif. [Read more…]

By George Schroeder
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Officers of the Board of Trustees of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) strongly objected Thursday (Feb. 20) to the formation of a task force to study the ERLC’s effectiveness and instructed the entity and its leadership “not to comply” with the inquiry.

In an open letter to SBC Executive Committee chairman Mike Stone and EC members, the ERLC trustee officers called the task force, which was formed by the EC earlier this week, “unwarranted, divisive, and disrespectful.” Signed by ERLC Board of Trustees chairman David Prince and the board’s other officers, the letter suggested the EC was attempting to usurp the role delegated to the ERLC’s trustees and included a statement of support for ERLC president Russell Moore.

“We find the action of the Executive Committee … disappointing, unnecessary, and harmful to our cooperative work in the SBC,” the ERLC trustee officers wrote, adding: “At a time where a unified voice is needed for our cooperative Gospel work, the Executive Committee is sowing needless division, treating trustees with disrespect, and spreading suspicion with this unnecessary task force.” [Read more…]

By Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Missiologist and researcher Ed Stetzer has been named chairman of the 2020 Southern Baptist Convention Resolutions Committee, SBC President J.D. Greear announced Feb. 11.

Greear also announced his appointment of Angela Suh Um of Cambridge, Mass., as vice chair. Um will be only the second woman to serve in a leadership role on the committee, according to Baptist Press’ review of SBC records.

“Ed Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches across the country in a variety of settings,” Greear told Baptist Press. “Additionally, his vast experience as a researcher makes him uniquely qualified to understand the questions and concerns that the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention face. He is a strong leader who can guide the committee as they help the messengers express their positions on issues that matter to them.” [Read more…]

By George Schroeder
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Responding to concerns about the speakers’ lineup for the 2020 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, the SBC Executive Committee voted Tuesday (Feb. 18) to allocate meeting space for the event provided changes are made to the proposed program.

According to the action, the Executive Committee believes “multiple aspects” of the proposed program for the pastors’ conference “are sufficiently beyond the parameters of the faith and practice of Southern Baptists in accordance with The Baptist Faith and Message.” The action calls for “amendments” to the program to be made by Monday, Feb. 24, and approved by officers of the Executive Committee. (Full text of the action below.)

Since the program was announced earlier this month, many have voiced concerns that not all speakers were Southern Baptist and that scheduled performer Hosanna Wong, a spoken word artist, is also a teaching pastor at her non-Southern Baptist church. [Read more…]

By Jonathan Howe
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted Tuesday (Feb. 18) to create a study task force to “review the past and present activities” of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC).

The ERLC is tasked with helping churches understand the moral demands of the Gospel and public policy as well as promoting religious liberty on behalf of Southern Baptists. The Executive Committee action (full text below) comes in response to “ongoing concerns” cited by EC members, state leaders and other Southern Baptists that the ERLC is not adequately fulfilling its Convention-approved ministry assignments.

The motion specifically noted that concerns “have been expressed both publicly and privately to various members of the Executive Committee and other Southern Baptists regarding how the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s actions in relation to its ministry statements are affecting the Convention and its relationships with local churches, local associations, and state conventions.” [Read more…]

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

ORLANDO — First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla., has paid the full cost of the 2020 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, leaders said Monday (Feb. 17) in response to disagreement about speakers and performers slated for the June 7-8 event.

“We will not receive any financial support of any kind from any SBC entity or auxiliary,” pastors’ conference leaders said in a statement released by Matthew Robinson, First Orlando pastor of administration. “Our hope is that this will ease conflicts or tensions that exist over the slated program for the conference. The 2020 SBC Pastors’ Conference is in no way being sponsored, controlled or paid for by the SBC, even though its purpose is still to bless and encourage SBC pastors and wives.”

The speakers and performers remain the same as originally announced, the conference said. [Read more…]