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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.... Continue Reading »

IMB issues statement regarding Aderholt investigation

The International Mission Board has issued a statement which it says clarifies and corrects previous statements made by the IMB that appeared in articles published in July 2018 in Baptist Press. The articles, published July 16, 2018, and July... Continue Reading »

WMU announces voluntary retirement plan amid COVID financial crisis

In response to a decline in sales due to COVID-19, national WMU announced today it is offering a voluntary retirement plan to staff. “We have worked incredibly hard over the past several years to ‘right size’ our organization based... Continue Reading »

New Executive Committee chair Rolland Slade viewed as pastor of all El Cajon

Rolland Slade’s longtime friend John Hughes describes him as the pastor of all of El Cajon, a San Diego suburb of more than 100,000 people. So much so, said Hughes, that when an ecumenical group of pastors sought to... Continue Reading »

SBC continues decline, Ronnie Floyd calls for rethinking ACP

For the 13th consecutive year, the Southern Baptist Convention reported a drop in its membership. Total membership in the Southern Baptist Convention fell almost 2 percent, to 14,525,579, from 2018 to 2019. The decline of 287,655 members is the... Continue Reading »

Mississippi Baptists ask Legislature to remove Confederate symbol from state flag

Offering a “voice of healing in the name of Jesus Christ,” Mississippi Baptists asked the Legislature June 23 to replace the state flag with a design that does not include the Confederate flag. National racial tension and discussions regarding... Continue Reading »

In historic election, SBC Executive Committee elects first African-American chair

The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee elected its first African-American chair in a special called meeting June 16. Rolland Slade, pastor of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon, Calif., was unopposed as EC chair and was unanimously elected by... Continue Reading »

Racial healing, Great Commission, Cooperative Program headline SBC Advance

Amid unprecedented challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as racial unrest and tumult after the recent death of an African-American man in police custody, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee offered a healing balm June 2 with... Continue Reading »

SBC institutions make budget cutbacks in wake of COVID-19

In the wake of the COVID-19 virus and amid other declining metrics, Southern Baptist Convention institutions have enacted budget cuts for the 2020-2021 budget year. LifeWay eliminated its World Changers mission projects for this summer and closed all future... Continue Reading »

Southern Baptist leaders issue joint statement on the death of George Floyd

Southern Baptist leaders have published a statement grieving the recent death of George Floyd and calling for the end of “racial inequity in the distribution of justice in our country.” The statement, co-authored by SBC president J.D. Greear and... Continue Reading »

IMB temporarily relocates personnel due to COVID-19

As airlines reduced flights and countries around the world went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some International Mission Board missionaries found themselves unexpectedly back in the United States. In an email to all overseas personnel, IMB President... Continue Reading »

Parliamentarian Barry McCarty to join Truett McConnell faculty

Barry McCarty, longtime parliamentarian for the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meetings, will join the faculty of Truett McConnell University as professor of rhetoric and communication. McCarty also will develop and serve as dean of the university’s new School of... Continue Reading »