Illinois Baptist Named #1 Christian Newspaper by the Evangelical Press Association
One nagging question I ask it every year about this time Nate Adams
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Landslide: Greear wins with 2-1 majority, becomes youngest SBC president ever
in focus
The gavel is passed Team coverage starting on P. 5
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
JUNE 18, 2018
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
Vol. 112 No. 8
2018 Convention
Politics takes spotlight
Pence appearance overshadows abuse debate Dallas | Argument by convention messengers over the last-minute addition of a speech by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence shunted discussion of Paige Patterson’s handling of sexual abuse allegations and subsequent firing. And Pence replaced Patterson as the most controversial figure on the schedule at the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas in June. After his firing by the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustees executive comPENCE mittee as president emeritus, Paige Patterson eventually withdrew as the scheduled preacher at the convention. Patterson was replaced by the alternate who was elected last year, Austin, Texas pastor Kie Bowman. Patterson’s firing produced a string of motions and debate, but it was Pence’s appearance that ignited the most argument in the hall and online, and produced a small protest. P. 3
Patterson withdraws as convention preacher after second firing Action by Southwestern executive committee supported, messengers reject their removal Task force identifies ways to increase evangelism and turn baptism declines Actions on sexual abuse, role of women pass with little debate Plus: Look who we saw in Texas SPECIAL SECTION P. 5-13
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