The annual Southern Baptist Convention is June 12-13 in Dallas, TX, and the Illinois Baptist will be there to provide complete coverage of it and the Pastors’ Conference that precedes it. You can follow our coverage here, on Facebook, Twitter, and on our IB2news blog. Messengers will elect a new president – two candidates are in the running – NC Pastor J.D. Greear and former Southwestern Seminary President Ken Hemphill, and the Evangelism Task Force will present its report. Three major SBC entities are also seeking new leaders going into the convention. But the biggest issue discussed is expected to be the treatment of women.
Paige Patterson was recently terminated as president and president emeritus of Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX over comments he made about a woman who reported a rape on campus and the reporting of an alleged rape to police. Comments he made nearly 20 years ago regarding spousal abuse and divorce also fueled the controversy. Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, has submitted a Resolution on Affirming the Dignity of Women and the Holiness of Ministers to the SBC Resolutions Committee.
Allen calls it, “a powerful statement of conviction to the world and to our convention, and of remorse and accountability to God and man,” and “a call to protect, support, and honor women.” Several SBC entity and state convention heads have signed the resolution in a show of support, including IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams.