August 29, 2018
LifeWay's Rainer to retireAugust 28, 2018 by BR Staff | |
Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, told the organization’s board of trustees Aug. 27 that he is retiring. Rainer, 63, plans to step down whenever a replacement is named or after one year ... READ MORE |
'Be the light' urged after Jacksonville shootingsAugust 28, 2018 by Diana Chandler, Baptist Press | |
Four deaths and 13 injuries from shootings at two sporting events this past weekend in Jacksonville, Fla., have leaders lamenting “a new normal” of violence ... READ MORE |
Pew: African, Latin American Christians most committedAugust 27, 2018 by Diana Chandler, Baptist Press | |
Commitment to prayer, church attendance and religion is highest among Christians in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, Pew Research Center said Aug. 22 READ MORE |
Johnny Hunt to lead NAMB evangelism, leadership groupAugust 27, 2018 by Mike Ebert, NAMB | |
Johnny Hunt, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock, Ga., and past president of the SBC, will join NAMB as senior vice president of evangelism and leadership. READ MORE |
SWBTS announces presidential search team
Army chaplain Squires cleared of all charges
Political divides in church focus of new study
Small church, bivocational group offers free education
Fred Luter: Don't ditch your denomination
K. Allan Blume BR Editor | Another entity vacancy This edition of the BRweekly comes to you at the close of the traditional summer season with news of yet another vacancy in the top position of a Southern Baptist entity. Thom Rainer announced on Monday his intention to step down as president of LifeWay Christian Resources within one year or when his replacement is named by LifeWay’s board. Changes in SBC leadership posts have been in the headlines since IMB president David Platt announced his pending resignation Feb. 12. Within six weeks the SBC’s chief executive officer, Frank Page, resigned with admission of moral failure. Two months later, Paige Patterson was removed as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary by the seminary’s trustees. A search team for his replacement was announced last week. All three positions remain vacant as separate search committees carry out their duties. Meanwhile, Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, created a stir among many Southern Baptists when he began the seminary’s chapel season with a message describing his concerns about the current state of the SBC. This highly respected statesman’s comments were uncharacteristic of his non-political style. He confessed to the unusual nature of his sermon and concluded with an appeal to stay involved with the SBC. Still, many were concerned about the negativity of his comments, as described in this SBCVoices post. Ironically, many expect Kelley’s retirement soon, potentially opening another top SBC post. A few miles down the road from NOBTS, Fred Luter called for Southern Baptists to band together and maintain loyalty. As always, there is no shortage of news in the SBC. We should note that some of it is very good, such as the announcement that Johnny Hunt will take a new position at NAMB. So, there is much to pray about. “Pray without ceasing” is the scriptural appeal. Stay tuned -- the Biblical Recorder will keep you informed! People need to know! Email me: [email protected] Follow me on Twitter Follow the Biblical Recorder on Twitter |