One of the most disturbing revelations of the Epstein Files is how similar the power dynamics of the men at Epstein’s Little Saint James Island were to the men in mainstream complementarian ministries. Of course, most pastors aren’t actively assaulting…
When nonprofits fail their staff, they fail their governance
Nonprofit organizations exist to serve the public good. They depend on public trust, philanthropic investment and the labor of people who choose mission over profit. That trust, however, is not sustained by vision statements or moral rhetoric alone. It is…
UMC can sue SMU over governance, Texas high court says
The Texas Supreme Court says the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church has legal standing to sue Southern Methodist University over changed bylaws that deprived the regional body of its right to govern the church-owned university located in…
The unchecked influence of Elon Musk
In an era when democracy demands vigilance, I find it deeply troubling to witness the unchecked influence of billionaire Elon Musk over the federal government. As president of the board of directors for the Alliance of Baptists, I feel compelled…
Dispute between SMU and UMC body headed to Texas Supreme Court
A five-year-old dispute between Southern Methodist University in Dallas and a multi-state United Methodist Church body over the university’s ownership and governance will come before the Texas Supreme Court for oral arguments Jan. 15. According to a summary on the…
Here’s what’s wrong with the SBC’s trustee system
Every problem facing the Southern Baptist Convention, every new crisis and scandal and reported financial irregularity, can be reduced to a single and seemingly insoluble root cause: a bloated trustee system that is outdated, inefficient, unmanageable and hopelessly beset by…
Northern Seminary expands board; NT professor McKnight resigns
As it seeks to rebuild after a tumultuous year of internal controversy, Northern Seminary has added three new board members, bringing the total number of board members to 16 and increasing the diversity on the governing board. Two other new…
How to find the trustees of the SBC entities behind the amicus brief
Who’s actually responsible for the positions and actions taken by entities of the Southern Baptist Convention? This is a pressing question now, as controversy flares over the SBC and three of its entities signing an amicus brief in a Kentucky…
What Baptists have in common with pirates (the nice ones)
In light of recent Baptist news, I’ve been doing some reflection about how Baptists are really a lot like pirates, in a good way. (Disclaimer: I’m talking about the pirates of Treasure Island and Errol Flynn and Pirates of the…
Southwestern Seminary trustees called to special meeting next Tuesday
Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have been summoned to a special meeting next Tuesday triggered by a bylaw provision that allows a simple majority of trustees to demand such a meeting. The online meeting will occur just six weeks…
Alumni and students of Canadian Baptist university call for investigation of sexual harassment claims
Forty-three alumni and students of Crandall University have signed an open letter calling on the board of governors of the Canadian Baptist school to address allegations of sexual harassment on campus. Crandall University was founded in 1949 by the Canadian…
Seattle Pacific University in governance turmoil as trustees resign and a group of students, faculty and staff sue to unseat six other trustees
Accusations of denominational meddling and the continuation of anti-LGBTQ hiring and personnel policies have led students and staff to sue members of the Seattle Pacific University board of trustees. Concerns about racial disparities, declining enrollments and giving also motivated the…