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MBTS, SEBTS, SBTS profs resign amid moral failure, spiritual issues, and silence

Three Southern Baptist seminary faculty members have resigned their positions, vacating ministries that previously had placed them in the news. Christian George resigned on May 3 "due to a personal moral failing," according to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, while Sills resigned on May 23. No reason for Sills resignation was stated by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which deferred instead to say, "this is a personnel matter, we cannot comment further." For a full report on these matters, click here. Meanwhile, Alvin Reid resigned from the faculty of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, May 21. Reid, SEBTS senior professor of evangelism and student ministry, wrote on his website that he resigned "to address personal and spiritual issues in my life." SEBTS declined comment beyond, "our institutional policy dictates that all personnel matters are confidential." A more complete report can be read here. … [Read more...]

Patterson: ‘I will not preach the convention sermon’

By David Roach, Baptist Press DALLAS (BP) -- Paige Patterson has withdrawn from preaching the convention sermon next week at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. As a result of that decision, Austin, Texas, pastor Kie Bowman will deliver the meeting's keynote message. Patterson announced his decision in a June 8 email to SBC President Steve Gaines and said he also is withdrawing as chairman of the evangelism task force appointed by Gaines a year ago in response to a vote of the convention in Phoenix. Patterson was terminated May 30 from his employment at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he had served as president since 2003. The previous week, the seminary's trustees moved him to president emeritus status on the same day allegations surfaced that he mishandled a sexual assault report during his 1992-2003 presidency of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Since late April, Patterson also has been under fire for statements he made in the past about domestic violence and women's physical appearance. "I will not preach the convention sermon as I was invited to do by the 2017 Committee on Order of Business and SBC messengers," Patterson wrote. That decision and his withdrawal as … [Read more...]

Churches must abandon 600MHz wireless sound systems

By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) -- Churches that haven't updated their wireless sound system may have trouble being heard on any given Sunday, as the federal government is phasing out the 600MHz frequencies many congregations use. The Federal Communications Commission will complete the transition of the 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz spectrum bands from wireless microphones and television broadcasts by July 13, 2020, but the transition began in 2017. The frequencies are being transitioned to wireless communicators such as cellphone companies to meet industry demand, and will become unavailable for use by wireless mic systems by the 2020 deadline or earlier, according to the FCC. Violators could face fines or additional criminal penalties, the FCC reported. T-Mobile bought 45 percent of the available 600MHz spectrum during a 2017 auction when the transition began, the company announced, with a purchase price of $7.99 billion. Churches that haven't updated their wireless sound systems in recent years are more vulnerable to sound system failure, LifeWay Christian Resources' Mike Harland told Baptist Press. "Where it would impact churches is if they have wireless equipment that may be a few years … [Read more...]