No slowing Baptist down for Children’s Homes Wiltshire in launches foster retirement care ministry page 4 page 8 Page 7 APRIL 6, 2019 • News Journal of North Carolina Baptists • VOLUME 185 NO. 7 • BRnow.org Seth Brown to lead SBC EC Biblical Recorder identifies BR staff he Biblical Recorder’s board of directors has FLOYD elected Seth Brown to lead the news journal T following the retirement of current editor- president, Allan Blume. Brown is currently the as presidential organization’s content editor. Gerald Hodges, chairman of the search committee, candidate presented Brown as the committee’s candidate in the board’s semi-annual meeting March 25. By SETH BROWN | BR Content Editor “Early in our conversations with Seth we were very impressed with his passion for the ministry of the Bibli- cal Recorder, his perspective of the current landscape of Baptist journalism, as well as his I believe his appointment wisdom and insights concerning changes and innovations that are “ will prove to be a needed for the Biblical Recorder to move ahead,” Hodges said. pivotal moment ... The search committee also ex- – Ronnie Parrott ” pressed appreciation for Brown’s spiritual maturity, according to Hodges. he search committee of the Southern Baptist Con- Adron Robinson of Illinois, secretary Carol Yarber of “There was a clear consensus T vention’s Executive Committee (EC) announced Texas, Joe Knott of North Carolina, Stephen Rummage within our committee that Seth March 31 that Ronnie Floyd is their preferred candidate of Oklahoma, Rolland Slade of California and Mike SETH BROWN is the man to take the helm as the for president of the organization. Stone of Georgia. leader of the Biblical Recorder. He Floyd also made the announcement in a sermon at The EC was scheduled to vote on his nomination for has a passion to see the Recorder not just survive, but Cross Church in northwest Arkansas, where he has April 2, following a year-long search for a new president thrive in the mission and ministry it has provided since served as pastor for more than three decades. He will in the wake of previous executive Frank Page’s resigna- 1833.” resign from Cross Church April 7, pending an affi rmative tion. (Visit BRnow.org for the latest information.) D. Au- Brown, 33, and his wife, Lauren, are natives of Mis- vote of the EC. gust “Augie” Boto has served as the interim president. sissippi. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in religion “The thought of parting from you has been gut- Ronnie Parrott, pastor of Christ Community Church from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., wrenching,” Floyd told Cross Church. “The sense of in Huntersville, N.C. and former executive leader at and a master of arts in Christian studies from South- loss is undeniable, but the sense of calling at this point is Cross Church, said he affi rmed Floyd’s nomination with eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake greater.” “great joy.” Forest. Brown also serves on the pastoral leadership The EC search committee is chaired by Steve Swof- “I have personally witnessed both Dr. Floyd’s public team at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh. ford, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockwall, Texas. and private life and ministry,” Parrott said. “Dr. Floyd See Brown page 12 The seven-member committee also included vice chair See Floyd page 10 WHAT’S INSIDE NAMB fi nds more churches close in urban areas K. Allan Blume: Time is in His hand ............................... 2 By LIZ TABLAZON | BR Staff Writer Many older metropolitan churches typically have Milton Hollifi eld: ‘Gospel Above All’ buildings that were too large for the members that re- to highlight SBC annual meeting ................................ 3 recent analysis by the North American Mission mained. Column: Raising awareness A Board (NAMB) revealed almost 75 percent of Sanctuaries that once sat hundreds of congregants about the opioid epidemic ......................................... 3 Southern Baptist churches that closed between 2016 cost too much to maintain utilities, insurance and up- Executive Committee addresses sexual abuse issues .. 5 and 2017 were in metropolitan areas with populations of keep, Clifton said. BSC sponsoring public forums to evaluate strategy ...... 6 more than 50,000. They were also likely located in areas with constant Clint Darst appointed as 2020 N.C. Pastors’ Conf. VP .... 9 “We’re closing churches where people live,” said turnover. If a church loses connection with its neighbor- SBC Women’s Leadership Mark Clifton, NAMB senior director for church replant- hood, it has to intentionally refresh its outreach, he said. Network to offer training, support............................... 9 ing, in a Facebook video March 11. See NAMB page 3 2 Opinion APRIL 6, 2019 • BIBLICAL RECORDER • News Journal of North Carolina Baptists Time is in His hand ime is a tool God created in lay leaders. The time for a change is now. ern Baptist missions and the Cooperative value of their ministry to Baptist church- order to operate the temporal Leaders are like the stages of a rocket. Program. He is on top of happenings in es and leaders. They need your prayers. T world according to His purpose. At a specific time, each stage burns with Southern Baptist life and has earned the I believe strongly in the future of There is no such thing as “time” in the the energy needed to thrust the payload respect of many Baptist leaders. Baptist journalism in North Carolina also, realm of eternity. However, as long as we to new heights, then it is jettisoned so When we posted news on the Biblical and I call on my fellow N.C. Baptists to live on this earth, time is a limitation all the next rocket can do its job. The pay- Recorder’s website that Seth Brown is the fully support the Recorder. of creation is obligated to observe. We load is still the same. new leader of this news journal, many There is another very important part submit to its boundaries every moment Considering every part of the Re- Baptists commented on Twitter about the of my personal life that I weighed when of every day. corder’s work, I believed it was time step announcement. considering God’s timing for my retire- The Bible has countless ref- down as editor and ask our Danny Akin, president of Southeastern ment. erences to time. Every battle, board of directors to bring Seminary tweeted, “Congratulations Seven years ago, my wife, Pam, was every leader, every prophet, new leadership to the BR. So, @dsethbrown. This is a great thing for diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. It every event is couched in last October I announced my NC Baptist(s). You have our love, support was shocking news to us. She immedi- the context of specific times, retirement, effective May 31, & prayers.” ately began chemotherapy treatment – because time is important. 2019. Other tweets said, “What a great something that continues today. When it is gone, time is never Timing is important. Believ- move! @dsethbrown is an outstanding We have walked this challenging road recovered, never relived. We ers serve according to God’s reporter that will continue the incredible with many prayer partners and an out- say time has “expired.” time and purpose. I believe @biblicalrecord legacy.” standing medical team at the University The psalmist said, “But as for this is His infinite plan. “Incredibly stoked to hear about of North Carolina Lineberger Compre- me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, Seth Brown, content editor @dsethbrown!! Great news for NC Bap- hensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill. We ‘You are my God.’ My times are in K. ALLAN BLUME of the Recorder for the last four tists and @biblicalrecord.” are thankful for each one who has prayed Your hand ...” Psalm 31:14-15b, Editor years, was recently elected by “This is great news! @dsethbrown for Pam. Please continue to pray! NKJV. the Biblical Recorder’s board of has demonstrated he is one of the best As I weighed my options for retire- Time imposes many changes on us, directors to be the next “rocket stage” religion reporters in the country. Follow- ment last year, the desire to spend more whether we like it or not. It’s part of our for this 186-year-old ministry. ing the great leadership of @kablume, time with my wife was a tipping point in all knowing, all powerful God’s plan to I fully support the board’s action and I’m confident that the BR’s best days are the decision. work through cycles of change. Seth’s pending leadership of this organi- ahead!” We look forward to spending more Last year I began reflecting on God’s zation. “A huge congratulations to @dseth- time together, doing things we enjoy – in purpose for the mission of the Biblical Seth is an ordained Southern Baptist brown on his election as editor of spite of the jokes we heard about retire- Recorder (BR) from a different perspective. minister and a founding team member @biblicalrecord. Seth is one of the most ment. One pastor reminded me that a I realized it was time for the BR to of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh. Grow- talented young leaders within the SBC. wife sees retirement as having twice as evaluate the ways we serve North Caro- ing up in Mississippi, he inherited a Such a great move!!” much husband with half as much money! lina Baptists and consider a new course strong background in traditional Baptist “Congratulations to @dsethbrown, Of course, I am not leaving God’s call to take the organization to the next level. churches in Mississippi.