2007 SBC Annual Meeting Coverage

Floridians around the Southern Baptist Convention Published July 5, 2007

‘Te amo!’: SBC president greets Hispanic celebration in Spanish Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—“Te amo! Te amo! Te amo!” (I love you) was the message Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page declared to a crowd which erupted in loud applause and a standing ovation at the 2007 National Hispanic Celebration June 10. “Gloria a Dios” (Glory to God).
The SBC through a Latin lens EVA WOLEVER Newswriter Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (FBW)—Enrique and Lidia Gonzales, members of Iglesia Bautista La Hermosa in Homestead, strolled through the massive rooms and sprawling corridors of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Enrique’s arm wrapping around his wife’s shoulders.
Orlando’s James elected Exec. Comm. vice-chair Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—The portion of Cooperative Program dollars previously allotted to GuideStone Financial Resources would be reallocated to the SBC’s public policy arm, stewardship ministry and six seminaries based on a formula approved by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee June 11 in San Antonio.
Bivocational pastors’ new partnerships includes leadership track at BCF Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO, Texas (BP)—The Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers’ Association announced June 11 a partnership with three universities to provide regional centers for bivocational ministry.
Chaplains hear ‘Black Hawk Down’ hero Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–Capt. Jeff Struecker has walked The Road to Unafraid, an experience he described vividly in his book by the same name. As an Army chaplain with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga., he continues to walk with Jesus Christ, leading many of his fellow soldiers along the way.
National Hispanic Fellowship votes to change meeting Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Citing a need for more operational freedom and a desire to avoid scheduling conflicts with other Southern Baptist Convention-related meetings, the National Fellowship of Hispanic Southern Baptist Churches voted in a June 10 business session to schedule future annual meetings independent of the SBC annual meeting.
Messianic fellowship ordains 5 to Gospel ministry Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Jay Fielding grew up in New York in Conservative Judaism. He went to Hebrew school, studied the Torah and learned most of the stories of the Old Testament.
NAAF president elected to 3rd term Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—It’s a pivotal time in the life of the National African American Fellowship, members agreed during their annual two-session meeting June 11, which takes place in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting.
Black Servants Network creates orientation guide Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—An orientation guide for churches new to the Southern Baptist Convention was introduced during the 10th annual meeting of the Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servants Network June 10 in San Antonio.
Seminaries report year’s successes, challenges Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting were reminded of the importance of theological education via reports from the SBC’s six seminaries during the June 12-13 sessions in San Antonio.
WMU fosters mission connection Published June 28, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Dwight Simpson described the value of partnership during the Woman’s Missionary Union Annual Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting’s closing session June 11.

SBC pres. Frank Page elected to 2nd term JAX pastor nominates 1st VP Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—In an unopposed race for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Frank Page, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., was elected to serve a second term.
SBC celebrates 300 years of Baptist associations Tampa DOM Tom Biles leads effort By EVA WOLEVER Newswriter Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (FBW)—Spanning three centuries, the role of local Baptist associations in the life and the development of the Southern Baptist Convention, a denomination of 16.3 million members in over 46,000 autonomous churches, was recognized on the first of the two-day SBC annual meeting June 12 in San Antonio, Texas.
President Bush acknowledges Southern Baptists’ ‘good works’ Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—President Bush praised Southern Baptists for their humanitarian efforts and thanked them for their Christian witness and support of religious liberty during a satellite address to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 13.

What the BF&M; statement means—and doesn’t mean Editorial JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor Published June 21, 2007: Perhaps the most widely discussed action of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio last week was the affirmation by messengers of a SBC Executive Committee statement on the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, our denomination’s confession of faith. Certain persons—in spin control overdrive—are claiming this action means SBC entities cannot go beyond the BF&M; when evaluating prospective denominational employees or establishing doctrinal policies.

SBCnews: What’s it all about? Published June 21, 2007: This issue of the Witness contains coverage of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 12-13 in San Antonio, Texas. The Southern Baptist Convention is comprised of over 46,000 autonomous churches with a total membership of over 16.3 million people throughout the world. Southern Baptist churches cooperate together through local Baptist associations and state conventions, including the Florida Baptist State Convention, to carry out worldwide mission endeavors primarily through support of its mission boards and seminaries. The way that offerings which are typically sent from churches through state conventions—called Cooperative Program monies—are designated for these ministries is decided by messengers, sent from churches, to annual meetings each year. These annual meetings are held in various large cities in the United States. At the meetings, messengers hear reports from each of the entities or organizations that are part of this cooperative, denominational effort, and vote on an annual budget. In addition, messengers also vote to elect trustees for these various entities and vote on a budget and process to facilitate missions and training. Each one of the entities of the Southern Baptist Convention is listed below, along with its purpose:
CP definition approved at SBC Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—A definition of the Cooperative Program was among the recommendations adopted June 12 during the SBC Executive Committee’s report at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.
Florida Baptists elected, appointed to committees, trustee boards Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (FBW)—Two Floridians selected by the SBC Committee on Committees will serve on the Nominating Committee which will submit nominations to the 2008 SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis. Floridians also served on the Tellers Committee in San Antonio, while others were elected to serve on various SBC entities’ governing boards.
Florida sends 522 messengers to San Antonio convention Eva Wolever Newswriter Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP/FBW)—Of the 8,618 messengers who attended the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in San Antonio, the greatest number, 1,592, were from Texas, according to unofficial totals provided by SBC registration secretary Jim Wells.
SBC chooses Orlando for 2010, New Orleans for 2012 meetings Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention selected New Orleans as the site for the 2012 annual meeting, contingent upon satisfactory contract negotiations with the convention center and area hotels. Orlando was approved for 2010.
Day of Prayer for SBC annual event for Hispanic group DAVID S. LEMA Sr. Baptist Press Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—”Great Is Thy Faithfulness” in Spanish rang out through the halls of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio June 11. The chorus was not coming from the main hall where the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference was underway, but from a small group of prayer warriors in Room 211—the designated SBC prayer room.
‘Get off the pew,’ Calif. pastor Rob Zinn urges Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—The great majority of Southern Baptist churches are disobeying the mission given them by Christ, and countless people are destined for hell because those churches refuse to make the changes needed to reach the lost in their communities, a California pastor told messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention June 13 in San Antonio.
Page: Southern Baptists ‘vulnerable,’ need balance Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—An insidious false thinking has left the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention vulnerable to defeat by Satan, and the convention’s only hope is old-fashioned confession and a Holy Ghost revival, SBC President Frank Page told convention messengers during his presidential address June 12.
SBC president fields reporters’ questions in San Antonio Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—”I’m trying hard to present the very wonderful message of our Lord Jesus Christ and his transforming power in church families and individual lives,” Frank Page declared after being re-elected by acclamation as Southern Baptist Convention president June 12 in San Antonio.
Baptist Faith & Message motion grabs SBC attention Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Messengers to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention approved a motion June 12 to affirm the Baptist Faith and Message as the SBC’s “only consensus statement of doctrinal beliefs.”
SBC sharpens global warming stance Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Resolutions Committee members were pleased with the overwhelming vote for a resolution on global warming during the June 13 evening session of the SBC annual meeting, even though two sections of the measure were deleted by messengers.
Baptists address child abuse, hate crimes Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Messengers to the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention approved seven resolutions in the June 13 morning session, including one renouncing child abusers and churches that protect them.
NAMB introduces new president, Geoff Hammond Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—The North American Mission Board thanked the 8,600 messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting for the largest Annie Armstrong Easter Offering ever—$58.5 million—and its new president, Geoff Hammond.
Thom Rainer leading LifeWay to ‘build bridges’ Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Building bridges, staying focused and concentrating on what really matters are priorities LifeWay will emphasize as it seeks ways to provide Southern Baptists with meaningful and relevant resources, said Thom S. Rainer, LifeWay’s president.
GuideStone reports financial strength Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—GuideStone Financial Resources enjoyed a banner year, O.S. Hawkins, president of the SBC entity, reported to Southern Baptist Convention June 12 in San Antonio.
IMB: A lost world waits, Rankin tells SBC Published June 21, 2007
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission calls for reformation Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Richard Land thanked messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention for approving an “encouraging increase in funding” for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, promising that the SBC entity will continue to be at the forefront in calling Southern Baptists to pray for reformation in America.
Chapman urges focus on Baptists’ core beliefs Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Rather than debating “disputable doctrines that lead to destructive distractions” from the task of spreading the Gospel, Morris H. Chapman urged messengers to embrace the core beliefs they hold in common and “learn to engage in healthy debate” about varied interpretations of other doctrines.
Baptist associations celebrate 300 year’s experience Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Undergirded by 300 years of ministry experience, Baptist associations should move into the future with a willingness to innovate and nurture relationships with younger Christian leaders, local churches and Baptist entities.

2007 SBC Minister’s Wives Conference Coverage

Pastors’ wives hear stories of strength Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—After Kathy Ferguson’s husband died four years ago in a car accident, her 26-year role as a pastor’s wife changed dramatically.
Wives’ luncheon draws sellout crowd Published June 21, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Author and radio personality Nancy Leigh DeMoss addressed a sellout crowd of 1,600 at the June 12 Ministers’ Wives’ Luncheon during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio.

2007 SBC Pastors’ Conference Coverage

2007 Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—While thousands of fans cheered for the San Antonio Spurs basketball team in the Alamodome, several thousand Southern Baptist pastors cheered for Jesus Christ at the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference at the nearby Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Speaker describes grace-based parenting: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–Parents should aim at creating an environment that emulates God’s heart, one in which children are receptive to the Holy Spirit working in their lives, a family leader told pastors at a breakout session during the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference June 11 in San Antonio.
Pastors, wives urged to exemplify marriage: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–Pastors and their wives not only have a responsibility to minister, but also a duty to exemplify the way Christ commands marriages to be, Gary Chapman, author of “The Five Love Languages,” said June 11 in a breakout session at the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference in San Antonio.
Initiative promises ‘It’s a New Day’: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–The average American spends $1.20 for every $1 earned.

Debt is a problem of staggering proportions for people in the United States -– both inside the church and out, said Howard Dayton, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries. And, like many problems, it presents churches with both an opportunity and a responsibility to minister.
‘Successful leaders model godliness’: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–Everything rises or falls on leadership, Paul Dixon, chancellor of Cedarville University in Ohio, said during a breakout session of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference in San Antonio June 11.
Elliff underscores intimacy with Christ: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–“Intimacy with Christ is a major issue in the life of every believer,” said Tom Elliff, senior vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations at the International Mission Board.
Elliff underscores intimacy with Christ: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–“Intimacy with Christ is a major issue in the life of every believer,” said Tom Elliff, senior vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations at the International Mission Board.
Wolfe sets forth Spirit-filled life: SAN ANTONIO (BP)–“You don’t ever get to be like Jesus by struggling or striving — you do it by emptying yourself of your sin and letting Him live through you,” said Fred Wolfe, president of Barnabas Ministries in Fairhope, Ala.
Scripture often ‘subordinated,’ Whitten says: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Southern Baptist pastors are in agreement about the inerrancy of Scripture but sometimes don’t model its sufficiency in their sermons, Florida pastor Ken Whitten believes.

2007 Crossover Coverage

Crossover ‘en espanol’ and English reaches lost: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Some 1,000 Southern Baptist volunteers weathered 90-degree temperatures to fan out across 18 San Antonio communities June 9-10, sharing the Gospel, good food and good times via Crossover 2007.
Crossover San Antonio: New beginnings abound at Genesis Baptist Church: SAN ANTONIO (BP/FBW)—Anthony, a 16-year-old boy standing on the streets of a San Antonio neighborhood, tried to hide a cigarette from a 65-year old woman walking by.

2007 SBC Annual Meeting Preview

NEWS ANALYSIS: Changes in Rogers’ answers suggest more than subtle editing JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor Published June 8, 2007: SAN ANTONIO, Texas (FBW) – David Rogers, a candidate for the office of first vice-president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has given permission for Florida Baptist Witness to publish changes made to answers to a questionnaire officer candidates were asked by the Witness.
Blogger Ben Cole makes 57 changes to David Rogers’ answers in Witness questionnaire JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor Published June 8, 2007: UPDATED: 11:20 A.M. (EDT), June 8
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (FBW) – Just days before the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio, Ben Cole, a controversial blogger and major critic of the Southern Baptist Convention leadership, June 7 was discovered to have advised David Rogers, a candidate for first vice president of the denomination, on answers to a questionnaire put forth to candidates by the Florida Baptist Witness newspaper.

Florida Baptist Witness Questionnaire for Southern Baptist Convention Officer Candidates Jim Richards, First Vice President Published June 7, 2007: Editor’s note: Florida Baptist Witness sent questionnaires to all of the candidates for Southern Baptist Convention offices that are being contested at the annual meeting in San Antonio, June 12-13. Jim Richards is executive director-treasurer of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. For more information about him, please click here.
Florida Baptist Witness Questionnaire for Southern Baptist Convention Officer Candidates David Rogers, First Vice President Published June 7, 2007: Editor’s note: Florida Baptist Witness sent questionnaires to all of the candidates for Southern Baptist Convention offices that are being contested at the annual meeting in San Antonio, June 12-13. David Rogers is a church planter and mobilization coordinator for the International Mission Board serving in Madrid, Spain. For more information about him, please click here.
Florida Baptist Witness Questionnaire for Southern Baptist Convention Officer Candidates Bill Britt, Second Vice President Published June 7, 2007: Editor’s note: Florida Baptist Witness sent questionnaires to all of the candidates for Southern Baptist Convention offices that are being contested at the annual meeting in San Antonio, June 12-13. Bill Britt of Gallatin, Tenn., is president of Compel Outreach International and immediate past president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists. For more information about him, please click here.
Florida Baptist Witness Questionnaire for Southern Baptist Convention Officer Candidates Eric Redmond, Second Vice President Published June 7, 2007: Editor’s note: Florida Baptist Witness sent questionnaires to all of the candidates for Southern Baptist Convention offices that are being contested at the annual meeting in San Antonio, June 12-13. Eric Redmond is pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Temple Hills, Md. For more information about him, please click here.
Pastor Eric Redmond is v.p. nominee Published June 7, 2007: RICHMOND, Va., (BP)–Maryland pastor Eric C. Redmond will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, a Virginia Baptist leader announced May 18.
Evangelist Bill Britt is v.p. nominee Published June 7, 2007: DALTON, Ga. (BP)–Evangelist Bill Britt of Gallatin, Tenn., will be nominated as second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the June 12-13 annual meeting in San Antonio. Brian Fossett, vice president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists and president of the Conference of Georgia Baptist Evangelists, announced Britt’s nomination March 29.
Side by Side comparison to SBC Officer Questionnaire First Vice President Candidates Published June 7, 2007
Side by Side comparison to SBC Officer Questionnaire Second Vice President Candidates Published June 7, 2007

David Rogers to be nominated as 1st VP Published June 7, 2007: TYLER, Texas (BP)—Missionary David Rogers, son of the late Adrian Rogers, will be nominated for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Texas pastor David Dykes announced June 5.
Ken Whitten to nominate Georgian for Pastors’ Conf. JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor Published June 7, 2007: LUTZ (FBW)—Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., will be nominated as president of the Pastors’ Conference, Florida pastor Ken Whitten announced June 1.
Mac Brunson to nominate Texas exec for first VP Frank Page ready for second term Published June 7, 2007: JACKSONVILLE (BP)—Mac Brunson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, has announced his intention to nominate James W. Richards, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Pastors’ Conference president hopeful for unity, revival CAROLYN NICHOLS Newswriter Published May 31, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (FBW)—In planning the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference June 10-11 in San Antonio, Hayes Wicker said he focused mainly on keeping unity and promoting a spirit of revival among pastors.
SBTC hosting ‘Welcome to Texas’ reception at 2007 Southern Baptist Convention Published May 31, 2007: GRAPEVINE, Texas (SBT)—The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention will host a “Welcome to Texas” reception following the June 11 evening session of the SBC Pastors’ Conference in San Antonio.

SBC Crossover looks to reach San Antonio’s unchurched Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO, Texas (BP)—An estimated 2,000 Southern Baptist volunteers will join forces for “Crossover San Antonio” prior to the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 12-13 annual meeting at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Welch visits Texas in anticipation of Crossover Published May 10, 2007: KATY, Texas (BP)—Bobby Welch is continuing his six-week tour across Texas, speaking at churches, sharing his Vietnam War testimony at “God and Country” rallies and going door-to-door to share the Gospel. But each of these events is couched in an underlying passion to see the local church reach its neighbors and reverse a disturbing trend he sees in the continuing decline in baptisms.
SBC San Antonio: Pray for ‘His Holy Spirit revival’ Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Let us pray.
Floridians appointed, nominated to SBC posts Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (FBW)—Two Floridians have been appointed by Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page to serve on the SBC’s Committee on Committees which will assemble in San Antonio, Texas, just prior to the SBC’s June 12-13 annual meeting. Page also appointed Floridians to the Tellers Committee, while others have been nominated to serve on various SBC entities’ governing boards.
GuideStone Wellness Walk slated June 12 Published May 10, 2007
SBC Annual Meeting Schedule; June 12-13, 2007 Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas Published May 10, 2007
Pastors’ topics range from finances to family Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—For the second year in a row, the SBC Pastors’ Conference will feature Monday morning breakout seminars-something that proved very successful last year.
Wives ‘Strength for the Journey’ in Texas Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—”Strength for the Journey” is the theme for the third annual Pastors’ Wives Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Pastors’ Conference in San Antonio, with several noted pastors’ wives sharing ways God has strengthened them in their life experiences.
Fiesta theme at wives luncheon Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Southern Baptist ministers’ wives will celebrate the culture of the Southwest and enjoy centerpieces provided by International Mission Board workers at their 52nd gathering June 12, in San Antonio.
Plenty afoot at the SBC Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—San Antonio’s Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center will become a hub of activity when the Southern Baptist Convention comes to town.
SBC seminary luncheons June 13 Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—The Southern Baptist Convention’s six seminaries will host luncheons for alumni and guests in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 12-13 annual meeting in San Antonio’s Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Evangelists to hear from Stetzer Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Proclaiming the Gospel will be the theme for the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists June 8-10 as they emphasize the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy 4:5 to “Do the Work of an Evangelist.”
Florida pastor leads Hispanic group Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—”Rise and Build” will be the theme of the Hispanic events taking place June 9-11 in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in San Antonio, a city rich in Hispanic-American heritage.
NAAF to spotlight initiatives Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—San Antonio’s Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church will host the opening session of the National African American Fellowship’s annual meeting at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 10, in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 12-13 annual meeting.
Black Servants Network to honor Florida’s Boyd Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—A reorganization of the Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servants Network is to be explained during its June 10 annual meeting in San Antonio.
Messianics focus on Jewish evangelism Published May 10, 2007: SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Aslam Masih, a church planting missionary with the North American Mission Board, and Jack Kinsella, editor of The Omega Letter website, will be the featured speakers at the Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship’s June 8-10 meeting in San Antonio.
CALLED! WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting, June 10-11, 2007 San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, Grand Ballroom – Salons E/F Published May 3, 2007

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