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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Task Force drops pro-LGBT Guidepost Solutions

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) – The chairman of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force of the Southern Baptist Convention has announced that the group, which has responsibility for developing and implementing a sexual abuse reporting system, has dropped plans to hire the controversial Guidepost Solutions for the project. In a statement to The Baptist Paper, a sister publication of The Alabama Baptist newspaper, Marshall Blalock, ARITF chair, said the group had voted “for the sake of building widespread confidence in the Ministry Check website, to seek firms other than Faith Based Solutions and Guidepost Solutions to create and manage the Ministry Check system.” The SBC has been under fire for having hired the pro-gay Guidepost Solutions, which produced the disputed “Report of the Independent Investigation” about alleged mishandling of sex abuse by the SBC EC. Likewise, the SBC Executive Committee has been criticized for hiring the pro-LGBT Bradley law firm of Nashville to represent it in a related investigation by the Department of Justice. Southern Baptists were similarly unhappy when the ARITF announced this year that it had hired Guidepost Solutions to develop the … [Read more...]

SBC EC reports continued downward CP trend

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the March financial report, April 5, showing that gifts through the Cooperative Program had dropped 1.18 percent while designated giving for the month had increased 5.09 percent compared to March 2022. Meanwhile, year-to-date figures show both funding channels were in decline. From October 2022 through March 2023, CP contributions were down 7.62 percent overall compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year. Likewise, designated giving was down 3.9 percent year-to-date for the same months. Both the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering were down for the new fiscal year through the end of March. Only nine states showed a positive CP trend for the year, including three “old line” Southern states, Louisiana, North Carolina and a combined Virginia (which has two state conventions). Louisiana and North Carolina also were among 13 state conventions which showed a positive trend in designated giving. … [Read more...]

Charles Stanley enters Heaven at the age of 90

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ATLANTA (LBM) – Charles Stanley, pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, “passed away peacefully … at his home,” April 18, according to a statement on fba.org. He was 90 years old. Stanley’s ministry spanned 65 years, 50 years as pastor of FBC Atlanta: -- He served as SBC president in 1985 and 1986, during the grassroots movement known as the Conservative Resurgence, which helped change the theological direction of the national body. -- He founded In Touch Ministries, a global evangelical broadcasting effort that reached millions around the world in more than 127 languages. -- He published 70 books totaling 10 million copies. The family asks that any tributes be made as donations to support the ongoing mission of In Touch Ministries. A memorial site is accessible via charlesstanley.com. … [Read more...]

Judge dismisses lawsuit against SWBTS, Patterson

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor PLANO, Texas (LBM) – U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan has dismissed claims related to a lawsuit against Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and its former president, Paige Patterson. Jordan’s judgment against the allegations of negligence (regarding protection of the plaintiff) and defamation (based on statements by others, not Patterson) relating to a sexual assault on campus was issued “with prejudice,” meaning that the plaintiff, “Jane Roe,” cannot refile the claims, although she is able to appeal the ruling. Jordan rejected portions of Roe’s evidence as “opinion” and “irrelevant,” noting “Patterson and SWBTS immediately notified local law enforcement authorities of Roe’s outcry,” and “Roe declined to pursue charges against Doe.” Patterson was fired by SWBTS trustees in 2018 after “a series of media reports alleging that Patterson had committed various misdeeds while at SWBTS and his former institution, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (“SEBTS”), as well as a petition signed by thousands of Southern Baptist women criticizing Patterson for his past conduct,” according to court documents. … [Read more...]