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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

MBC offers ‘Plan B’ to bypass SBC entities

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board has authorized a new method of cooperative giving for its churches. “Plan B” allows churches to withhold funds from selected Southern Baptist Convention entities without withdrawing from Cooperative Program support altogether, according to The Pathway, the news service of Missouri Baptists. The MBC Executive Board overwhelmingly voted to approve “Plan B” during a special-called Zoom meeting, April 7. During the meeting, MBC leaders described “Plan B” as an attempt to acknowledge Missouri Baptists’ concerns with some SBC entities – for example, the SBC Executive Committee’s hasty decision to hire a law firm that promotes LGBTQ+ causes. “Plan A” is the MBC’s traditional form of CP giving through which churches send undesignated gifts to the SBC Executive Committee for distribution according to the allocation plan approved each year by Southern Baptist messengers at the SBC annual meeting. If churches opt for “Plan B,” they can select which SBC entities to withhold their funds from, and the MBC will forward their gifts only to those SBC entities that are not explicitly excluded by the church. “The MBC Executive Board continues to forward 38 percent of all … [Read more...]

SBC 2023 annual meeting may move to New Orleans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee will meet via Zoom, April 28, to discuss moving the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting from Charlotte, N.C. to New Orleans, La. Rolland Slade, chairman of the SBC EC told Baptist Press the move was a sign of good news because “attendance at the annual meeting is trending up, which is the primary reason for the move.” Charlotte was confirmed as the 2023 host city by messengers to the 2016 SBC Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Since that meeting, however, attendance at the annual event has grown, which means the 280,000-square-foot Charlotte Convention Center is not large enough to host the now-anticipated 15,000 messengers and guests, Baptist Press reported, noting that space requirements have recently surged to 400,000 square feet. Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Steve Horn was enthusiastic. “We are excited to welcome back the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2023,” Horn told Baptist Press. “It’s been 11 years since Louisiana last hosted this gathering, and we’ll be ready to roll out the welcome mat for our Baptist family from across the nation. We’ll also be sure and save some of your favorite Louisiana cuisine!” Jamie Dew, … [Read more...]

SBC EC seeks inputs via 2 surveys

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The President Search Team is seeking inputs to develop a “candidate profile for the next president and CEO” of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, according to a press release received by the Baptist Message. An online survey, allowing defined responses to discrete questions, is available for pastors and lay[1]people. Meanwhile, a different survey (which also allows personal comments) was sent to state executive directors, SBC entity heads and EC members. The President Search Team said the results “would help better inform us on what Southern Baptist leaders, pastors, and churches are looking for in our next SBC Executive Committee president & CEO.” Participants will remain anonymous, the press release noted. “As you answer the questions, please know that your answers will remain confidential,” the statement explained. “Your survey will only be seen by the President Search Team, and we are committed to keeping your answers and comments private. We ask that you answer the questions prayerfully, honestly, and with a desire to serve our Convention with your insight.” Pastors and church members may access the first survey here. Members of SBC EC President Search Team are Adron … [Read more...]