Former Truett McConnell University Vice President Bradley Reynolds, who became the focus of a years-long alleged abusive relationship with a student and former employee, has been indicted for lying to White County law enforcement in North Georgia. Reynolds denied having…
Caner removed as Truett-McConnell president
Emir Caner is out as president of Truett McConnell University. His 17-year tenure at the Cleveland, Ga., school came to an abrupt end on Thursday night after a meeting of the university’s 54-member board of trustees. The results of the…
Truett McConnell faculty chairs went straight to trustees
The jury is out on the long-term damage to Truett McConnell University brought by a sexual abuse scandal, but the next few weeks will prove critical. News broke May 29 that a former coed had accused a former vice president…
Caner on leave as Truett McConnell trustees investigate abuse claims
Truett McConnell University President Emir Caner has been placed on administrative leave while trustees wait on a third-party investigation into alleged mishandling of sexual abuse complaints at the Georgia Baptist school. University trustees met Friday morning, June 6, as fallout…
Truett-McConnell trustees to meet as sexual abuse scandal worsens
Trustees of Truett McConnell University are meeting Friday to discuss charges of alleged sexual abuse against Hayle Swinson, a former student and later employee, committed by a former university vice president. Valdosta, Ga., trustee B. Miles Hannan confirmed the meeting…
In Georgia, a Baptist school accused of ignoring sexual abuse despite a mountain of evidence
Barely two weeks before Southern Baptists gather in Dallas for their annual meeting, another alleged sexual abuse case — this time involving a former student at a Georgia Baptist university — has surfaced. The story includes the alleged grooming of…
Donald Trump, Teletubbies and end times theology
What do Donald Trump, Teletubbies, Starbucks coffee cups and other forms of Christian persecution have in common? More than you might think. As someone raised in a very conservative Southern Baptist church in Orlando, Fla. — I would not go…
How a Georgia camp went from revival to castaway in five years
Ten days after the Georgia Baptist Mission Board announced the closing of its discipleship-focused camp in Middle Georgia, an agreement appears to allow the facility to remain open under the Friends of Kaleo. The Georgia Baptist Mission Board posted a…
Monetizing Baptist saints
If Southern Baptists have saints, there are only two and they are both women. Each are revered for their dedication to ministry and circumspect way of living. Neither was flashy or given to being the life of the party. This…
On the Trump trial, the SBC and accountability
What happened in New York City Thursday? For one brief moment, in my 72 years, I saw a nation united around one idea that the rule of law still works as it was intended. Transparency hurts at times. In shortly…
Georgia convention finally sells its ‘Taj Mahal’ at a 50% loss
The Georgia Baptist Mission Board, once the largest Southern Baptist state convention east of the Mississippi River, has sold its headquarters building for half its original $42.3 million cost. The state convention announced the sale on Jan. 4 without disclosing…
Georgia Baptist retirees relieved to learn Health Care Foundation will cover their benefits again in 2024
“Yes!” That is the overwhelming response from Georgia Baptist Mission Board retirees whose health care benefits are being extended another year. The benefits were cancelled by the largest Southern Baptist state convention east of the Mississippi River in late 2021…