John Yeats, director of communications for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, was re-elected recording secretary moments ago. Yeats, unopposed, has served as recording secretary since 1998.
Wednesday morning session under way June 24, 2009
- 8:10:00 AM
The Wednesday morning session of the SBC annual meeting is under way. Among this morning's highlights: Resolutions Committee report (9:05), GuideStone Financial Resources report (10:55); convention sermon by John Marshall (11:20). All times Eastern. Read More...
Messengers this morning will debate a resolution that calls the election of President Obama a step toward nationwide racial reconciliation but that criticizes him for several of his policies. Debate on resolutions is scheduled for 9:05 Eastern. The resolution, No. 1 in today's SBC bulletin, says, in part:
IMB's Rankin: Are 5,000 missionaries enough to reach world? June 23, 2009
- 9:37:00 PM
The International Missionary Board delivered its report this evening, with missionaries from closed countries appearing on stage, their faces unseen. IMB President Jerry Rankin noted the shortfall in Lottie Moon giving, saying the IMB will not have the funds to replace 400 short-term missionaries who are leaving their assignments. By this time next year, he said, the IMB will have reduced its missionary count by 700. Read More...
Updated: Messengers overwhelmingly adopt GCR motion June 23, 2009
- 8:13:00 PM
Messengers moments ago overwhelmingly passed a motion authorizing the SBC president to appoint a Great Commission Task Force to bring a report to the annual meeting in 2010 "concerning how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission." By a show of ballots, the motion passed with approximately 90 percent of messengers supporting it. Read More...
Land: SBC has played critical role in pro-life stem cell advance June 23, 2009
- 7:54:00 PM
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, delivered his report to messengers this evening, saying that Southern Baptists have played a significant role in several social conservative advances in recent years, including the pro-life direction of stem cell research. Read More...
Toby elected first VP; Rummage second VP June 23, 2009
- 7:12:00 PM
John Mark Toby, pastor of Beacon Hill Baptist Church in Somerset, Ky., was elected first vice-president, receiving 64 percent of the vote (1,039 votes). Ken Render, pastor of Lakeside Community Church in St. Clair Shores, Mich., received 35 percent (567 votes).
SBC evening session under way June 23, 2009
- 6:30:00 PM
The SBC's evening session is under way. Among tonight's highlights: the ERLC report (6:50 p.m.); the discussion over the GCR motion (7:40 p.m.); and the International Mission Board Report (8:45 p.m.). All times are Eastern. Read the program online at http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc09/program/Read More...
Messengers vote for second vice-president June 23, 2009
- 5:15:00 PM
Messengers seconds ago voted for first vice-president. Nominees were John Mark Toby, pastor of Beacon Hill Baptist Church in Somerset, Ky., and Ken Render, pastor of Lakeside Community Church in St. Clair Shores, Mich. The result likely will be known later tonight during the evening session.
SBC's ministry to homosexuals spotlighted June 23, 2009
- 4:44:00 PM
Bob Stith, the SBC's national strategist for gender issues and the head of the denomination's outreach to homosexuals, appeared onstage this afternoon, telling messengers that in a day of "cultural confusion" Southern Baptists "are making a difference." A video spotlighted Stonegate Fellowship in Midland, Texas., a congregation that holds a yearly "Cross Power Conference" for marriages impacted by homosexuality. Read More...
Fred Winters' widow receives award for husband June 23, 2009
- 4:21:00 PM
LifeWay Christian Resources President Thom Rainer moments ago presented the inaugural HCSB Award posthumously to Fred Winters, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill., who was murdered while preaching in March. Winters' widow, Cindy, appeared on stage and received the award. Their two daughters also were present. Read More...
