SBTC messengers delay implementation of constitutional amendment over office of pastor
By Southern Baptist Texan staff
EULESS, Texas (BP) —Messengers to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention voted to delay implementation of a 2022 motion regarding the office of pastor and approved a $27.8 million budget, among other actions, while meeting Nov. 13-14 at Cross City Church in Euless.
A registered attendance of 1,172 included 925 messengers and 247 guests.
Danny Forshee, lead pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, was elected president by acclimation. Eddie Lopez, pastor of First Baptist Forney En Español was elected vice president while Sharonda Cooper of Emmaus Church in Georgetown was elected convention secretary, both also by acclamation.
The budget remains the same from 2022, in keeping with the SBTC’s business and financial plan that prohibits raising a budget for the next fiscal year above the current year, beyond receipts in the prior year.
A motion approved last year and set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024 sought to clarify Article IV, Section 1 of the SBTC Constitution over “Affiliation Qualifications.” It clarified that the phrase “The office of pastor [shall] be limited to men” would extend to those beyond the lead pastor role.
The convention’s Executive Board recommended moving the date of implementation to Jan. 1, 2025 for presently-affiliated churches, pointing to a request by SBC president and fellow Texas pastor Bart Barber to press pause on ongoing work or motion-drafting regarding the office of pastor and state of cooperation.
Rob Collingsworth, a messenger from Redemption Story Church in Fort Worth, announced his intention to propose two constitutional amendments at next year’s Nov. 11-12 annual meeting at Sagemont Church in Houston.
In Article III: Doctrinal Statement, Collingsworth’s motion will call for the phrase “and amended in 2023” added to a description of the Baptist Faith and Message. The second amendment, for Article IV: Affiliation, in Section 1 (d), would read “with changes in italics) as “Affirms the church-wide authority and oversight office of pastor/elder/overseer to be limited to men.”
In other reports, a free MinistrySafe membership for training and resourcing churches in the prevention of sexual abuse will be provided to the first 500 churches signing up for the first time. Also, a licensed therapist specializing in trauma and sexual abuse has been retained by the convention as a resource to churches.
Alabama Baptists commemorate 200th anniversary
By The Alabama Baptist staff
MONTGOMERY, Ala., (BP) — The Tuesday evening session of the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting was a time to “marvel at God’s faithfulness among us” over the past 200 years, said Billy Irvin, director of ministry relations for Faith Radio, who emceed the evening at First Baptist Church Montgomery.
Those present at the Nov. 14 service celebrated the convention’s bicentennial by hearing historical accounts and present-day testimonies.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey offered a greeting to start the evening, and a mass choir and orchestra led worship.
Irvin also recognized Alabama Senator Gerald Allen, great-great-great-grandson of the convention’s first president, Charles Crow.
Allen’s son, Wes — Alabama’s Secretary of State — was also present and shared why the evening was meaningful for his family.
Lonette Berg, executive director of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, presented convention president Buddy Champion with a framed certificate to commemorate the occasion — her last presentation before her retirement.
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said the celebration “was one of the most exceptional worship experiences I’ve had in my more than 25 years in this position, and I think we did a good job of being able to reflect on our history and anticipate our future.
“We praise the Lord for it,” he said.
Along with the special bicentennial-themed aspects of the annual meeting, 732 messengers from 346 Alabama Baptist churches adopted a $37 million Cooperative Program budget, which mirrors the 2023 budget, and six resolutions.
Two resolutions honored leaders who are retiring in the coming year — Berg and Lonnie Burnett, University of Mobile president. Two addressed current issues — foster care/adoption and prayers/support for Israel — and two were notes of appreciation related to the annual meeting. All resolutions submitted this year were reported out.
Alabama Baptists will continue a 50–50 allocation, with 50 percent of Cooperative Program gifts allocated to Southern Baptist Convention Great Commission ministries and 50 percent focused on state convention-related Great Commission missions and ministries.
Lance announced that as of the first day of the annual meeting, Alabama Baptists had crossed the $1.5 billion mark in giving through the CP since its inception in 1925.
He also noted the convention’s support for the Psalm 139 Project, a ministry of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission that helps provide ultrasound machines for pregnancy resource centers and training for employees and volunteers who will use them to help women in crisis.
During the State Board of Missions report, ERLC president Brent Leatherwood presented Lance the Partner for Life award and thanked Alabama Baptists for their support.
The Sexual Abuse Advisory Task Force also gave its final report to messengers and announced a new website with resources churches can utilize to help prevent abuse within their congregation — safe.alsbom.org.
Outgoing convention president Buddy Champion wrapped up his two one-year terms in the role and urged Alabama Baptists to continue Kingdom work with humility during his president’s address.
New convention officers elected were president, Craig Carlisle, director of missions for Etowah Baptist Association in the Gadsden area and the first DOM to be elected president of the state convention; first vice president, Jarman Leatherwood, pastor of House of Hope and Restoration Church in Huntsville and previously second vice president; and second vice president, Ryan Whitley, pastor of Crosspoint Church in Trussville and was elected 172–148 in the only contested election of the convention. Greg Corbin, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham, also was nominated for second vice president.
Another DOM — Mel Johnson, director of missions for Autauga Baptist Association — made history with his election as chair of the SBOM trustees this past year (the first DOM to serve in that role). Johnson led the SBOM report during the annual meeting and was re-elected for a second term.
Jarman Leatherwood delivered the convention sermon on the annual meeting theme Scripture, Philippians 3:13–14, and Neal Hughes, director of missions for Montgomery Baptist Association, presented the convention theme interpretation.
The 2024 annual meeting will be held Nov. 12–13 in Daphne at Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Ben Bowden, pastor of First Baptist Church Enterprise, was announced as the convention preacher and Peyton Hill, pastor of First Baptist Church Prattville is the alternate preacher.
