Texas pastor Bart Barber will serve a second one-year term as president of the Southern Baptist Convention after winning Tuesday’s election by a vote of 7,531 to 3,458.
Barber, pastor of First Baptist Church Farmersville, Texas, won the election over Georgia pastor Mike Stone, who also ran for the post in 2021.
Messengers adopted six resolutions after some discussion, and more will be considered on Wednesday. The resolutions cover the following topics: the importance of revitalization and replanting; the need to support pastors and ministry leaders; the rise of artificial intelligence and what that might mean for ministry; the need to wisely engage in immigration discussions; the legacy and responsibility of women fulfilling the Great Commission; and the office of bishop, elder, pastor within churches.
For more information on these resolutions, visit thebaptistpaper.org/sbc2023.
We also heard three appeals from churches that were deemed “not in friendly cooperation” by the SBC Executive Committee in February. Saddleback Church — which was founded by Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life — was one of two churches disfellowshipped due to concerns over women serving as pastors. The third church’s disfellowshipping stems from concerns about mishandling sexual abuse allegations.
Messengers were able to hear from representatives of all three churches and cast a ballot for each of the appeals. The results of the votes are expected tomorrow.
We’ll continue our live coverage on Twitter and at thebaptistpaper.org/sbc2023 throughout Wednesday, June 14.
