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Archives For May 31, 2013

Changing of the guard for SBC ethics commission

Meredith Flynn —  June 11, 2013
Russell Moore (right), the new president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission explains that the ERLC will support principles, rather than specific legislation. President Emeritus Richard Land (left) led the commission for 25 years.

Russell Moore (right), the new president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission explains that the ERLC will support principles, rather than specific legislation. President Emeritus Richard Land (left) led the commission for 25 years.

HOUSTON | Richard Land, President of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the past 25 years, turned over the organization’s leadership reigns to new president Russell Moore during the ERLC’s report Tuesday afternoon.

The two men only stood together for a moment, to tag-team answer a question about the ERLC’s stance on immigration reform.

Land’s contribution to the ERLC and to Southern Baptist history was celebrated in a video that showed a lighter side of the long-time culture warrior. Footage of Land telling humorous stories from his past was intercut with words of appreciation from SBC leaders like Al Mohler and Paige Patterson, and from conservative stalwarts on Capitol Hill. Land received a standing ovation from the audience in Houston.

Then, Moore took to the podium. Repeating a phrase he used at Tuesday morning’s “Marriage on the Line” breakfast hosted by the ERLC, he committed to lead churches to act with “convictional kindess” in a world that presents questions that wouldn’t have been asked a generation ago. And referencing Ephesians 6, he urged Southern Baptists to remember who the true enemies are.

“We oppose demons. We don’t demonize opponents.”

He also tried to put in perspective Christians’ ideological differences with the culture.

“We have no reason to be fearful or sullen or mean. We’re not the losers of history,” Moore said.

“Since Jesus is marching onward and since the gates of hell cannot hold Him back, why on earth would we be panicked over the Supreme Court?”

 

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What the Conservative Resurgence bought for us as a denomination was a second chance to be theological, rather than dead.

Al Mohler, speaking at the B21 panel discussion in Houston

Posted on June 11, 2013 In News, SBC , , ,
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For the Supreme Court to attempt to define marriage, when marriage is already clearly defined in the first chapters of Genesis forever and ever, is unbridled chutzpah. They have no business even attempting it.

Paige Patterson, at the “Marriage on the Line” breakfast hosted by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

Posted on June 11, 2013 In News, SBC , , , , ,
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Meredith Flynn —  June 11, 2013

Luter_gavelHOUSTON | Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter called to order the 2013 SBC Annual Meeting this morning in Houston with a light-hearted moment. When SBC Executive Committee Frank Page handed him the official gavel and told a little about its history, Luter pretended to bobble it. If we could use a smiley face in a news story, we would use one right now.

On the schedule for Tuesday:

– The report of the SBC Executive Committee, featuring a presentation from the Calvinism advisory team appointed to study theological differences in the denomination

-Reports from the North American Mission Board and LifeWay Christian Resources

-The introduction of new Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore, and appreciation for President Emeritus Richard Land

-Illinois Baptist pastor Adam Cruse will close the afternoon session with prayer

-Luter will preach his president’s message tonight at 7:20

As of this morning, 4,205 messengers were registered in Houston. Check back here throughout the day for news and commentary from the SBC, and follow the action live at sbcannualmeeting.net.

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After bungee jump, church planter takes the plunge in Chicago

Meredith Flynn —  June 11, 2013
Scott Venable shares his story of planting a church in Chicago at the WMU Missions Celebration in Houston.

Scott Venable shares his story of planting a church in Chicago at the WMU Missions Celebration in Houston.

HOUSTON | God used bungee jumping to move church planter Scott Venable to Chicago. At the WMU Missions Celebration, Venable told women he and his wife, Ashley, knew they were called to start a new church, and had visited the city several times in search of housing. But they were waiting to sell their house in Texas before fully committing.

On his 30th birthday, Venable went bungee jumping, and hesitated mightily before finally taking the plunge. Later that day, Venable said, he heard God say, “I want you to jump.”

“I had to go back and tell my wife that God has used bungee jumping to get us to go to Chicago,” Venable said to laughter from the audience. They found an apartment online, put down a deposit, and 10 minutes later, got a call that someone wanted to put a contract on their house in Texas.

The Venables’ church, Mosaic, is now two years old and averaging 75-80 in worship. They just baptized four people in Lake Michigan. The church also runs a busy program for kids in their neighborhood.

Venable thanked WMU specifically for their unflinching focus on missions, like the mounds of cards they send to missionaries on their birthdays. “Don’t ever underestimate what those mean to us on the field,” he said. “[They] brighten our day and strengthen our hearts and our courage.”

A veteran of Southern Baptist missions education programs, Venable told the audience he was a Mission Friend (the SBC program for preschoolers), and later accepted the call to ministry as an RA (Royal Ambassador).

“Missions is at the very center of what the church should be about,” he said, congratulating WMU on its first 125 years, and urging women to maintain that focus on missions.

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Photo Gallery: SBC Pastors’ Conference, Day 2

Meredith Flynn —  June 11, 2013

HOUSTON | Monday featured panel discussions on preaching and family, worship music led by FBC Houston’s choir and orchestra, and faith and culture-themed messages from Ed Stetzer and Mike Huckabee.

'The culture shifts, but we stand on an unshifting foundation," Ed Stetzer told the audience at the Pastors' Conference. "The question is, Will we live as salt, or will we take on another flavor, maybe bitterness?"

‘The culture shifts, but we stand on an unshifting foundation,” Ed Stetzer told the audience at the Pastors’ Conference. “The question is, Will we live as salt, or will we take on another flavor, maybe bitterness?”

North Carolina pastor Tony Merida joined a panel discussion on preaching, where participants answered questions about preparation, sermon length, and the appropriateness of personal illustrations.

North Carolina pastor Tony Merida joined a panel discussion on preaching, where participants answered questions about preparation, sermon length, and the appropriateness of personal illustrations.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee opened his Pastors' Conference message with humor: He no longer has to pay for a cell phone tracking app, because if he loses it, "I'm just going to call the government and say, 'Hey, where is my phone?'"

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee opened his Pastors’ Conference message with humor: He no longer has to pay for a cell phone tracking app, because if he loses it, “I’m just going to call the government and say, ‘Hey, where is my phone?'”

The choir and orchestra from First Baptist Church, Houston, led the audience in a moving anthem about the blood of Jesus.

The choir and orchestra from First Baptist, Houston, led the audience in a moving anthem about the blood of Jesus.

People stood to their feet and sang along with a familiar hymn: "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

People stood to their feet and sang along with a familiar hymn: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

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The most dangerous thing a person who calls themselves a leader can ever do is to draw power unto the leader, rather than empower the people he or she is leading.

Gov. Mike Huckabee, speaking at the SBC Pastors’ Conference

Posted on June 10, 2013 In News, SBC , , ,
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‘Strategic moments’ take center stage at Send: North America luncheon

Meredith Flynn —  June 10, 2013

HOUSTON | A luncheon hosted by the North American Mission Board today had one foot planted in the past – celebrating Southern Baptists’ Conservative Resurgence of the 1970s and 80s – and one foot in the future, highlighting church planting as the most effective way the denomination can penetrate spiritual darkness.

“We feel like this is a strategic moment for Southern Baptists,” NAMB President Kevin Ezell said to the crowd gathered for the Send: North America lunch. But this strategic moment wouldn’t be possible without other moments from Baptist history, he added. Ezell invited Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler, knwon as the architects of the SBC’s return to conservative doctrine, to join him on the stage and thanked them on behalf of church planters and younger Southern Baptists.

The presentation that followed mixed old-school sleight of hand with modern technology. Illusionist “Harris III” took the audience through a timeline of Southern Baptist history, emphasizing landmark moments like Annie Armstrong’s leadership of Woman’s Missionary Union. The multi-media journey also pointed to the trends, specifically mass urbanization, that are driving NAMB to plant more churches all over the continent, but particularly in cities.

NAMB President Kevin Ezell (right) recognizes Judge Paul Pressler (center) and Paige Patterson at a luncheon for Send: North America.

NAMB President Kevin Ezell (right) recognizes Judge Paul Pressler (center) and Paige Patterson at a luncheon for Send: North America.

Illusionist Harris III presents a history of Southern Baptists, while a ticker moved through the years from Baptists' beginnings to the year 2013.

Illusionist Harris III presents a history of Southern Baptists, while a ticker (in this photo, set at 1845) moves through the years from Baptists’ beginnings to the year 2013.

Banners representing metro areas designated as "Send" cities by the North American Mission Board. Chicago and St. Louis are among the 30 cities.

Banners representing metro areas designated as “Send” cities by the North American Mission Board. Chicago and St. Louis are among the 30 cities.

 

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Calvinism, Beth Moore, and a Transformer

Meredith Flynn —  June 10, 2013

HOUSTON | All three took center stage at different moments today in the Southern Baptist Convention Exhibit Hall.

The Southern Baptist Convention Exhibit Hall opened today, giving messengers a place to catch up with old friends, learn more about SBC agencies and partners, and meet a robot. (Keep scrolling down.)

The Southern Baptist Convention Exhibit Hall opened today, giving messengers a place to catch up with old friends, learn more about SBC agencies and partners, and meet a robot. (Keep scrolling down.)

IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams (center) visited the exhibits at Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center with his sons, Ethan (left) and Noah.

IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams (center) visited the exhibits at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center with his sons, Ethan (left) and Noah.

Illinois Baptist pastor Adam Cruse (center, in red) talked with friends in the exhibit hall, including Illinois' own Sons of the Father gospel group.

Illinois Baptist pastor Adam Cruse (center, in red) talked with friends in the exhibit hall, including Illinois’ own Sons of the Father gospel group.

A walking, talking robot (or Transformer) greeted guests at the LifeWay Christian Resources booth, charming most and befuddling a few born before the 1980s cartoon. LifeWay's "Transformational Church" materials are designed to help strengthen congregations by measuring the signs of a healthy church.

A walking, talking robot (or Transformer) greeted guests at the LifeWay Christian Resources booth, charming most and befuddling a few born before the 1980s cartoon. LifeWay’s “Transformational Church” materials are designed to help strengthen congregations by measuring the signs of a healthy church.

People gathered in the hall to hear from the Calvinism advisory team appointed to study how Southern Baptists can cooperate across theological divides. The team's findings likely will be featured during the SBC Executive Committee's report tomorrow.

People gathered in the hall to hear from the Calvinism advisory team appointed to study how Southern Baptists can cooperate across theological divides. The team’s findings likely will be featured during the SBC Executive Committee’s report tomorrow.

Leo Endel, executive director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention and a member of the advisory team, said, "When we talk about the unity, particularly in John 17 that Jesus prayed for, that is not the same thing as uniformity. And in fact, we become richer by the conversation that takes place across the spectrum."

Leo Endel, executive director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention and a member of the advisory team, said, “When we talk about the unity, particularly in John 17 that Jesus prayed for, that is not the same thing as uniformity. And in fact, we become richer by the conversation that takes place across the spectrum.”

LifeWay's Ed Stetzer interviewed Bible study author and teacher Beth Moore about how she went from a substitute Sunday School teacher to a world-renowned speaker.

LifeWay’s Ed Stetzer interviewed Bible study author and teacher Beth Moore about how she went from a substitute Sunday School teacher to a world-renowned speaker.

In-depth Bible study "has been life out of the ditch for me," Moore told Stetzer.

In-depth Bible study “has been life out of the ditch for me,” Moore told Stetzer.

 

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Once a preacher feels extremely confident, he needs to be real careful.

Go to sbcannualmeeting.net to watch Pastors’ Conference sessions online.

Ronnie Floyd, in a Pastors’ Conference panel discussion on preaching

Posted on June 10, 2013 In News, SBC
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