The outside firm leading an investigation into alleged mishandling of sexual abuse claims by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has received more than 4 terabytes of data and has conducted or scheduled more than 100 one-on-one interviews. These data…
A story behind the story on the SBC and sexual abuse
It has been a humiliating week for Southern Baptists. Earlier this week, as a Clemons Fellow with Baptist News Global, I reported on the release of a memorandum authored by a sexual abuse survivor that details stunning and sweeping allegations…
Willie McLaurin appointed interim Executive Committee president, becoming the SBC’s first-ever Black entity head
Willie McLaurin, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization, has been appointed interim president and CEO of the Executive Committee. The appointment came 10 days before the four-month mark of Ronnie Floyd’s resignation from…
29-page memorandum illustrates what the SBC Sexual Abuse Task force is hearing
A 29-page single-spaced memorandum originally obtained by Baptist News Global and subsequently made public by the survivor and advocate who authored it alleges at least 18 years of mishandling specific instances of sexual abuse by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive…
Baptist pastor Wade Burleson running for Congress from Oklahoma
A well-known Oklahoma Baptist pastor announced Feb. 1 that he will challenge a 28-year incumbent to represent the state’s Third Congressional District. If elected, Wade Burleson would be the second Oklahoma Baptist pastor currently serving in Congress; Oklahoma Sen. James…
Another key leader at SBC Executive Committee resigns
Another top-level leader with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee is leaving his post — after only 15 months on the job. However, unlike others who have recently left the Executive Committee staff, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Pearson made it…
Acts 29 ups the ante by offering church planters $50,000 apiece
In yet another sign of how church networks are replacing denominational identity, the Acts 29 network announced Jan. 11 that it will provide up to $50,000 apiece for new churches started through its sponsorship. Leaders of Acts 29 insist it…
McRaney case against NAMB must proceed for now, U.S. district court rules
For those who are keeping score at home, the stats are now Will McRaney 4 and North American Mission Board 1. But this legal game is far from over. In the latest twist to the curious case of McRaney’s lawsuit…
Vocal critic of SBC leadership leaves denomination over social justice agenda and Litton
One of the most conservative public voices within the Southern Baptist Convention announced Jan. 4 that his Georgia church has left the SBC. Josh Buice is pastor of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, Ga., and founder of an online…