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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

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...]

SWBTS trustees elect Dockery, president, and Hawkins, chancellor

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor FORT WORTH, Texas (LBM) – Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees have elected David S. Dockery as the 10th president of the institution and O.S. Hawkins to the new role of chancellor. Dockery had been serving as interim president, and Hawkins was acting as senior adviser and ambassador at large. Dockery succeeds Adam Greenway who resigned amid trustee concerns of “dysfunctionality amongst senior leadership, budget mismanagement, overspending resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars of deficits per month and attempts to pass the blame for these matters onto three different chief financial officers who were each removed,” according to an Oct. 18, 2022, SWBTS press release. Greenway followed Paige Patterson who was fired in 2018 because of negative media reports and social media activism regarding women’s issues. Dockery and Hawkins are SWBTS alumni. Before serving in their temporary SWBTS roles, Dockery was on the SWBTS faculty (since 2019) and Hawkins was retired, after serving 25 years as president and CEO of GuideStone Resources until March 2022. The new position of chancellor is a volunteer position that will allow Hawkins to continue advising … [Read more...]