SWBTS trustees SBC: Joining the to meet amid orchestra Patterson controversy page 8 page 5 MAY 19, 2018 • News Journal of North Carolina Baptists • VOLUME 184 NO. 10 • BRnow.org SBC to descend on Dallas BR Staff INTERVIEWS WITH SBC he Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) annual meeting is fast approach- T ing, and information is rolling out almost by the day. Your Biblical Recorder presidential candidates staff has been working hard to collect as much information as possible for this PAGES 10-11 print edition to aid North Carolina Baptists and the messengers who represent them. The SBC annual meeting will take place June 12-13 at the Kay Bailey Hutchi- son Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. In addition, there are dozens of related events scheduled to occur before or during the yearly gathering. Inside (pages 8-17) you will find plenty of news and information that will help you stay informed and plan for these events. Look for the program schedule, list of events, digital resources, officer nominations, candidate interviews and more. We hope you will take this edition with you to Dallas. Please email Liz Tablazon ([email protected]) if you would like extra copies. Also, be on the look- out for BR editorial staff as we cover events on site. It would be our pleasure to meet you. WHAT’S INSIDE SBC president addresses Patterson, racial diversity ......... 2 Global Hunger run in Dallas ........................................... 9 Credentials, Tellers Committees .................................. 14 Milton Hollifield: ‘unity of the Spirit’ ..................................3 Committee on Resolutions ............................................ 9 ERLC panel on sexual abuse, assault ........................... 15 Wireless sound equipment may stop working .................. 3 Scholarships to SBC ..................................................... 9 Events list ...............................................................16-17 Mark Harris unseats Pittenger ......................................... 4 Q&As with Ken Hemphill, J.D. Greear ..................... 10-11 Sunday School lesson summaries ................................18 SWBTS trustees to meet amid Patterson controversy ..... 5 Program schedule ..................................................12-13 Classifieds .................................................................. 19 2 Opinion MAY 19, 2018 • BIBLICAL RECORDER • News Journal of North Carolina Baptists SBC president addresses Patterson, racial diversity Baptist Press they were improper. While I love him ees at our annual conventions. can do a regular fast (liquids but no and appreciate him, I disagree with Ultimately, the trustees have the food). Most anyone can do some sort hank you, Southern Baptists, what he said. right to decide all matters regarding of partial fast (i.e. eliminate certain for allowing me the privilege Preachers should never refer to any SBC entity, including matters foods, or eliminate a meal or two per of serving as your president T women in any way that could be con- related to any entity president. The day). for the past two years. It has been a sidered demeaning. trustees alone are invested with ulti- • Speak positively and construc- joy and honor to travel and see what SBC pastors must do everything mate authority by the SBC. tively. our Lord is doing throughout our we can to protect all women from Southwestern Seminary’s trustees Every word we speak, in private or [Southern Baptist Convention, SBC] being subjected to any form have a special meeting planned for public conversation, even on social family at the local church, of abuse. Tues., May 22. I encourage all of you media, should be Christlike and filled association, state and na- On behalf of the SBC, I to pray for that meeting and to trust with grace. If anyone reviles you, do tional levels. ask for the forgiveness of this process prescribed by our SBC not respond in kind. Far better to be As we approach our an- all women who have been Bylaws that ensures that all proceed- wronged than to participate in an un- nual convention in Dallas, I hurt by these comments and ings will be handled fairly and in a godly exchange of words before a lost want to address some issues the issue of ill treatment of suitable setting. world that is listening and watching. that affect all of us. women within churches in Southern Baptists are at a pivotal • Pray for our SBC trustees. Many have discussed the particular. time. In the very near future, we will They are accountable to the Lord need for racial diversity in I believe we should elect a new president of the SBC, the and to our SBC churches, not to the the various levels of SBC esteem and regard women International Mission Board will elect employees of the SBC entities. Let leadership. That has been a STEVE GAINES in the same way Jesus did a new president, and the SBC Execu- them do their work as we pray for priority of my presidency. Guest Column during His earthly ministry. tive Committee will also elect a new them. The church I pastor is be- Women are created in the president. The Southern Baptist Convention coming increasingly racially diverse image of God and are of great value For such a time as this, I’m ask- needs your help. God has allowed and I am grateful for that. and worth. ing all Southern Baptists to do four us to live during such a time as this. All who love God and believe the The church especially is no place things: Let’s unite in Jesus Christ and come Bible should love all people, regard- for misogyny or disrespect for any- • Pray for the SBC. together in Dallas and show a lost less of race or ethnicity. I believe the one. This year marks the 100th an- Ultimately, our struggle is not with world that we really do love Jesus, vast majority of Southern Baptists niversary of women being messengers people, but with Satan and demonic love each other, and love them as genuinely feel the same way. to the SBC annual meeting. It is my spirits (cf. Ephesians 6:12). We must well. I have sought racial diversity in the prayer that this year will also mark stop fighting one another, and start (EDITOR’S NOTE – Steve Gaines, pas- appointments I have made and I am a renewed commitment to honoring fighting the devil on our knees. tor, Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis confident my successors will do the women and their contributions to • Fast and pray 21 days for our and president of the Southern Baptist Con- same. our churches and convention. SBC meeting in Dallas. vention, released a full statement May 11 I also want to address the issues Some have called for me to stop I call all Southern Baptists to responding to questions about his committee regarding comments made by one of Patterson from preaching the Con- participate in a 21-day fast beginning appointments and controversy involving a our seminary presidents, Paige Patter- vention Sermon in Dallas. Tues., May 22 through Mon., June 11. Southern Baptist seminary leader, racial di- son. I praise God for the leadership The SBC president does not have That will enable us to fast for 21 days versity of his appointees and ways Baptists he gave to the SBC during the Con- the authority to make that decision. immediately prior to the SBC meeting can pray leading up to the annual meeting servative Resurgence. Neither does the SBC Committee that begins on Tues., June 12. Some June 12-13 in Dallas.) I am also grateful for his leader- on Order of Business. It was the mes- ship at my alma mater, Southwestern sengers of the 2017 SBC meeting that Baptist Theological Seminary. I have selected Patterson to preach the 2018 talked with him in person and by Convention Sermon. phone regarding his comments and There are only two scenarios in told him that I disagree with the which Patterson will not preach the (ISSN 0279-8182) Volume 184 No. 10 counsel he gave to a woman who Convention Sermon: (919) 847-2127 was married to an abusive husband. News Journal of the Baptist State Convention 1) the messengers of the SBC vote of North Carolina Fax (919) 467-6180 I personally believe that if a husband at the annual meeting in Dallas for Founded 1833 by Thomas Meredith now.org abuses his wife physically, the wife him not to do so, or K. Allan Blume, Editor/President Board of Directors: Nate Jones, chair; Tony Honey- should immediately: 2) Patterson personally withdraws [email protected] cutt, vice chair; Angela Brady, secretary; David Clary, treasurer; Kevin Atchley; Frankie Gordon; Lisa Harris; 1) notify the police and follow their from that responsibility. In either Seth Brown, Content Editor (919) 459-5697; [email protected] Gerald Hodges; Todd Houston; Cindy D. Jennings; Dan instructions, case, the alternate preacher, Kie Bow- Meyer; Frank Norwood; Jim Pennington Jr.; Donna 2) remove herself and her children man, would preach the Convention Dianna L. Cagle, Production Editor Robinson; Donnie Seagle; Meredith Snoddy; Marilyn (919) 459-5698; [email protected] Thurman; Aaron Wallace; Tammy Weeks; and Keith physically from the abusive husband Sermon. under the protection of police for her Alison McKinney Liz Tablazon Whitfield Some have asked how our SBC pro- Business and Circulation Manager Subscriptions safety, and cess functions regarding SBC entity Advertising Manager (919) 459-5693 • Individual subscriptions, $15.99 (one year); $27.99 (two 3) notify the family’s pastor so the years); $39.99 (three years) heads and to whom they are account- (919) 459-5691 [email protected] • Club Plan, $13.50 [email protected] • Bulk Plan, $11.50 church can engage in church disci- • Family Plan, $12.50 • Single copies, .60 cents each able. Carly Conley pline toward the abuser. The church Laura Crowther Payable in advance. N.C. sales tax is included. All SBC employees, including Editorial Aide Graphic Designer Digital rates: $5.99 (one year); $10.99 (two years); $15.99 should also seek to come alongside presidents, answer ultimately to their (three years).