peterlumpkins.com

SBC Tomorrow: A Quick Update

Some hefty events have taken place since I last posted. In fact, I've only posted six times this year, one piece being the thoughts of a guest contributor. Nonetheless, I've forged some fairly strong conclusions about some of the more significant happenings in and around the Southern Baptist Convention, including but not limited to, my own place of employment. A lot of people have tried to "pick my brain" about Brewton-Parker College and the criticism surrounding the events of the last two months. And at times, I confess, it's the... Read more →

A final but hopeful plea for the healing of the Ergun Caner family by Bucky Kennedy

I would like to offer a final address toward the current circumstances regarding Ergun Caner specifically and then another issue generally. Ergun Caner had spoken with me several times after Braxton's death about lacking the energy or the will to get beyond the grief of Braxton's suicide. In early November, Ergun spent several days in ICU suffering from congestive heart failure and since then has been diagnosed with a heart condition that would have prevented him from continuing as the president of Brewton Parker C ollege. I was in the... Read more →

Georgia Baptists pass resolution on social media, cyber-bullying and teen suicide

Meeting at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon Georgia, the 2014 Georgia Baptist Convention passed among others a resolution on cyber-bullying and teen suicide. Allen Rea, pastor at and messenger from Dunn Memorial Baptist Church, Baxley, GA submitted the resolution to the resolutions committee for consideration. It passed without opposition. RESOLUTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND CYBER-BULLYING WHEREAS, The Bible is clear concerning affirming positive, Christ-like interaction with all people whether verbally in person or using modern digital means such as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter; and WHEREAS, the New... Read more →

Mental health expert describes Caner critic as "inhumane and not intellectually respectable"

On Thursday, October 2, during the regular chapel service at Brewton-Parker College, trustee chairman and pastor of Vidalia First Baptist Church, Bucky Kennedy, led a special time honoring the late Braxton Caner, son of President and Mrs. Jill Caner and older brother to Drake Caner. During the memorial time, Pastor Kennedy, who is also the Caner’s pastor, announced the establishment of The Braxton Caner Memorial Fund for the Prevention of Suicide and Cyber-bullying. The memorial fund was a way to honor the young Caner's brief life as well as address... Read more →

Braxton's List: a Georgia Baptist leader speaks out about cyber-bullying

While social media bullies continue their endless crusades in recklessly making life as miserable as possible for those whom they vow to harass, one Georgia pastor steps to the plate and knocks it out of the park. The following short piece by Vadalia First Baptist Church pastor and former Georgia Baptist Convention president, Bucky Kennedy, was recently published in The Christian Index 1 As the Index notes, Pastor Kennedy reflects on the death of Braxton Caner on July 29. The 15-year-old Texas high school football star was the son of... Read more →

Thom Rainer's insightful perspective on Christians using social media

LifeWay's president, Thom Rainer, offers caution to Christian leaders in their use (or abuse) of social media platforms. He lists seven warnings which are relevant not only to leaders but anyone employing social media like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Among the seven warnings are: 1. Consider anything you say on social media to be permanent. Yes, you can delete or scrub regretful things you have said on social media but, more times than not, the information can still be retrieved. And countless people take screen shots the moment they see... Read more →

Tennessee Pastor writes an open letter on cyber-bullying

Knoxville, Tennessee pastor, Tim Guthrie, writes an open letter pleading with Southern Basptist pastors to put an end to internet bullying. Speaking of their tactics, Guthrie writes: They bully people using social media and web sites. Ironically, their main approach finds them using anonymous twitter accounts and websites to bring about their desired action, usually "repentance" of their targets. Pastor Guthrie goes on to call for action: Good men must rise and say enough is enough! James White, JD Hall, and their thugs must be told ENOUGH! Ministry is not... Read more →