A Cordova pastor was named the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday.
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The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant Christian denomination in the USA with 15.8 million members, on Tuesday adopted a resolution that said the flag was an emblem of slavery, and called members to discontinue its display “as a sign of solidarity of the whole Body of Christ, including our African-American brothers and sisters”.
Southern Baptists remain the largest Protestant denomination in Alabama, with over 1 million members living in the state – roughly one out of every four Alabamians – and worshiping in one of over 3,300 active Baptist churches. “Wouldn’t be surprised – especially Baptists and Southern Baptists – would not be surprised, be at all surprised they fly it”. “We are the church of Jesus Christ”.
And while membership at white churches is decreasing, it is on the rise at churches identified as predominantly “non-Anglo”.
Floyd appealed to listeners for more church and convention unity to address racial discrimination.
ST. LOUIS (BP) – Tennessee pastor Steve Gaines was elected by acclamation as Southern Baptist Convention president after fellow candidate J.D. Greear withdrew his candidacy June 15 in a display of unity.
Among his denominational service, Gaines has been a member of the Committee on Nominations, a trustee of LifeWay Christian Resources, a member of the committee that proposed a revision of the Baptist Faith and Message in 2000, chairman of the Resolutions Committee, and president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference, Hunt noted.
The Southern Baptist Convention approved a resolution Tuesday that says the flag is perceived as a symbol of “hatred, bigotry and racism”, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Messengers voted on the proposals over both days of the annual meeting, adopting resolutions that expressed compassion for those devastated by the Orlando mass shooting, urged consistent evangelism of unbelievers and encouraged care for refugees.
He also condemned what he said were sales of aborted fetus parts by Planned Parenthood and the lighting up of the White House in rainbow colors after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.
“Christian organization, I guess, they can do whatever they want, but I just feel like it’s a waste of their time”, said Greg Anderson.
Young recalled growing up in MS – “I know racism firsthand” – and being encouraged by his preacher father to become a Christian.
He called on Southern Baptists to be evangelists.
Gaines’ appointment prompted immediate ire from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests because of his failure to immediately report a confession of sexual abuse from one of his employees nine years ago.
He said as for his church, they don’t fly any flag at all.
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Jason Duesing, provost and associate professor of historical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., and a member of Antioch Bible Baptist Church in Gladstone, Mo., served as vice chairman of the committee.
