The Apostle Paul reminds in Ephesians that the Lord “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (4:11-12).” To fulfill our commitment to “help churches reach Kentucky and the world for Christ,” the Kentucky Baptist Convention […]
Today’s post is part two of my three part series based on the report I delivered to the KBC Mission Board at the May meeting. The changing culture creates greater challenges in some areas of our work than others. The drama surrounding Sunrise Children’s Services in 2013 is a perfect example. While Sunrise still has
Part 2: Mission Board Report Read More »
I am urging each of our 2,400 Kentucky Baptist churches to support a one-time special offering, Sunrise Children’s Services’ “Shine!” campaign! Just a few months ago, Sunrise was in the headlines. The agency’s former CEO proposed to its board of directors a change in hiring practices that was contrary to biblical principles. Kentucky expressed their
Time to ‘Shine’ for Sunrise Read More »
LOUSIVILLE, Ky. (BP) — Dale Suttles, Sunrise Children’s Services’ eastern region advancement director, has been named interim president by the Baptist child care agency’s trustees. Click here to read a letter from Sunrise to Kentucky Baptist pastors. Suttles, who was appointed during a special called trustee meeting Nov. 26, joined the Sunrise staff in January
Baptist Press: Interim Sunrise President Appointed Read More »
Philip Meade, pastor of Graefenburg Baptist Church in Waddy, recently published a challenging post on his blog: “Gospel Faithfulness and Orphans.” Meade’s premise is that true Gospel faithfulness demands Kentucky Baptists do more than uphold convictions related to Biblical sexuality; we must also be at least as passionate about figuring out how to continue to
Gospel Faithfulness Read More »
I had the opportunity today to submit an op-ed piece to the Louisville Courier-Journal on the topic of the recent debate over hiring practices at Sunrise Children’s Services. The piece expands on an earlier post. Here’s the article as it appeared in the C-J: In reaction to trustees of Sunrise Children’s Services voting to maintain
Courier-Journal Op-Ed: Baptist, gays and caring for children Read More »
Bill Smithwick serves as the president of Sunrise Children’s Services, a Kentucky Baptist agency that has cared for hurting children for more than 150 years. The agency has always fought to retain a commitment to biblical hiring standards, meaning that open and avowed homosexuals were not eligible for employment. However, in a shocking about-face, Smithwick
Kentucky Baptist children’s agency faces ‘ethical dilemma’ Read More »
In light of the vote of Sunrise Children’s Services board of trustees to maintain Christian standards in the ministry’s hiring practices, some have asked if Baptists hate homosexuals. I know that is not true of me and I believe it is untrue of any Baptist who seeks to obey God’s word. The Bible teaches us
Love, Hate and Caring for Kids Read More »
Moments ago, the Board of Trustees of Sunrise Children’s Services voted not to change their hiring policies. For more from Sunrise, read this press release: I rejoice in the courage and conviction exhibited by the board’s decision. While I know, given where our culture is headed, government funding for Sunrise may someday be in jeopardy,
Sunrise Trustees Vote to Maintain Hiring Policy Read More »
Will Sunrise Children’s Services become the new poster-child for the movement to require all religious organizations to affirm and hire gays and lesbians? This article from the Christian Post points in that direction: The New York Times in an editorial denounced the religious exemption clause found in the U.S. Senate bill that bars employment discrimination
Will Sunrise Become the Poster Child? Read More »
