The 2020 fiscal year for the Southern Baptist Convention ended Sept. 30, 2020, and despite challenges related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, giving by Southern Baptist churches through the Cooperative Program for national and international missions and ministries totaled more than $192.9 million. After gifts of more than $14.8 million were received in September, giving […]
Now debt free, church doubles CP giving to 10 percent
Pastor Scott Linginfelter had just preached the opening night of a tent revival on a farm field in rural Greenback, Tenn., when he told Baptist Press of his commitment to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program. “Somebody found treasure in a field,” he said of his sermon based on Matthew 13:44. “To find treasure, it […]
Greear announces 2021 SBC theme
Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear has announced that the theme for the 2021 annual meeting will be “We Are Great Commission Baptists.” Greear said the theme is designed to encourage Southern Baptists to show how we should treat each other and what we should be known for. The theme connects to a current movement […]
How Many Churches Will Close?
Speculation runs rampant these days as prognosticators and researchers attempt to predict how many churches will be closing within the next 12 to 24 months. Recently, Barna president David Kinnaman indicated that as many as 20 percent of churches could close within the next 18 months. Speaking to the NPR’s “Here and Now” gathering, he […]
Stanley transitions to pastor emeritus at Atlanta First
In a video announcement following the online service at First Baptist Church in Atlanta Sept. 13, longtime pastor Charles Stanley announced his transition to pastor emeritus. Stanley, who came to First Baptist as an associate pastor in 1969 before being named pastor two years later, informed the church’s board earlier this month of the decision. […]
Grant named director of African-American relations and mobilization
Charles Grant has been named executive director of African-American relations and mobilization at the SBC Executive Committee. In a partnership jointly funded by the SBC Executive Committee and the North American Mission Board, Grant will work to equip and mobilize African-American churches, as well as to engage potential new churches. Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO […]
LifeWay, Rainer settle contract dispute
LifeWay Christian Resources and Thom Rainer have agreed to settlement terms in a breach of contract lawsuit between the Southern Baptist Convention entity and its former CEO. The statement indicates the agreement was reached Monday (Oct. 5), a day after Rainer had tweeted his intent to accept LifeWay’s terms to end the lawsuit. According to […]
Most state conventions redesign or cancel annual meetings
Most Southern Baptist state conventions are either redesigning or canceling their 2020 annual meeting to prevent spread of COVID-19. As of Sept. 10, only 12 — including the South Carolina Baptist Convention — intended to proceed with in-person gatherings. In Mississippi, where COVID-19 test results show a 14.51 percent positivity rate, the Mississippi Baptist Convention […]
SBC entities move to online meetings due to COVID-19 restrictions
The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee meeting scheduled to be held in Nashville Sept. 21-22 has been canceled and replaced with a special called meeting, to be held online Sept. 22. EC Chairman Rolland Slade said given the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting virtually was the best decision for the safety of EC members, their families, congregations […]
Most state conventions redesign or cancel annual meetings during COVID-19
Most Southern Baptist state conventions are either redesigning or canceling their 2020 annual meeting to prevent spread of COVID-19. As of Sept. 1, only 13 — including the South Carolina Baptist Convention — intend to proceed with in-person gatherings. In Mississippi, where COVID-19 test results show a 14.51 percent positivity rate, the Mississippi Baptist Convention […]