Illinois Baptist
SBC ‘walks, chews gum’ Apt description for outcomes at complex convention Andrew Hébert P. 13
in focus Multiple motions, important reports, and cultural resolutions in jam-packed business sessions.
‘Roll up your sleeves’
Parallel actions maintain ‘maleonly’ definition for pastors Abuse reform implementation returned to Executive Committee 6 actions approved after Great Commission Resurgence falters Cooperation study group clarifies ‘friendly’ Motion to end ERLC rejected Stance on IVF adopted New president from field of six succeeds Bart Barber
Busiest convention in decades promised. And it was.
SPECIAL TEAM REPORT STARTS on page 5 ▶
PLUS: Missions reports, 83 missionaries commissioned, CP’s 100th birthday nears P. 5
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
SBC News
‘Law’ amendment fails
JULY 1, 2024 Vol. 118 No. 7 Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Springfield, Illinois Permit No. 964
But SBC stance on pastors is largely unchanged
Illinois boy races in Indy P. 11
ILLINOIS NEWS
Capitol roundup From extended session P. 4
Indianapolis | The “Law amendment” to the SBC constitution failed to net a two-thirds majority vote from messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis on Wednesday, June 12, meaning there will be no addition to the constitution limiting the pastorate to males only. However, action in an earlier session dismissing a Virginia congregation for having an egalitarian view of the pastorate and a woman
IBSA NEWS
Making change For future moms P. 4
IB
as “Children and Women’s Pastor” demonstrated that the convention is holding to the complementarian definitions that have driven floor decisions on “friendly cooperation” for the past two years. And the Baptist Faith & Message (2000) still promotes a male-only understanding of “pastor.” The tally in the Law vote was 5,099 in favor of the amendment (61.45%) to 3,185 opposed (38.38%), but a two-thirds margin P. 3
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