Lone Star Scoop • May 2022

By Texan Staff
April 19, 2022

Final preparations being made for Roundup collegiate event

Registration is ongoing and final preparations are being made for Roundup, SBTC’s headline collegiate event, set for May 11-13 at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Roundup is a collaborative learning event that champions church-based collegiate leaders. It’s also a venue where churches and their leaders can make meaningful connections with one another. “College ministries are on an island, and our goal is to create a network of churches within SBTC that can help each other in the tasks to reach, develop, and send college students,” SBTC Collegiate Ministry Associate Mitch Tidwell said. Shane Pruitt (North American Mission Board), Dhati Lewis (Blueprint), and Austin Wadlow (The Commons Church) will be the keynote speakers at the event. Visit sbtexas.com/roundup for more information and to register.

SBTC Black Church Network restructures, looks ahead

The SBTC’s African American Fellowship has unanimously decided to rebrand itself as the Black Church Network (BCN) and is forming teams to engage in cooperative missions efforts across Texas.

BCN serves in harmony with the SBTC in fulfilling the Great Commission through support of the Cooperative Program. Member churches will aim to help one another in missions, evangelism, compassion ministries, church planting, and church growth while promoting the services offered by the SBTC. The network is currently working to inform churches about its purpose and objective and forming ministry teams.

“As pastors, associate pastors, and leaders in the black community, it’s always beneficial to connect with others who are serving in similar positions,” said Tony Mathews, SBTC’s senior strategist for missional ministries. “The network will be a source of encouragement, as many of the participants experience some of the some challenges in ministry. This is a great opportunity for our leaders and churches to expand the great work they are already doing.”

For more information, e-mail Mathews at tmathews@sbtexas.com.

Task force to review SBTC sexual abuse policies, practices

LONGVIEW—SBTC President Todd Kaunitz, pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church, has appointed a seven-member task force to review the convention’s policies and practices on sexual abuse prevention. Kaunitz appointed the task force in response to a motion made by Michael Criner—pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro—and approved by messengers during the SBTC Annual Meeting in November 2021. The task force consists of: Justin Arnold, chairperson (New Beginnings Baptist Church, Longview), Adam Mason (Houston’s First Baptist Church), Joyce McKinley (Rowlett Friendship Baptist Church), Christy Piles (Emory Baptist Church), Spencer Plumlee (First Baptist Church of Mansfield), Tamera Turner (Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church), and Criner.

SWBTS board approves $37.3 million budget

heological Seminary board of trustees has approved the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget of $37.367 million, representing a 5.86% increase over the current year. The budget includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for faculty and full-time staff, a 3% increase in tuition and fees, as well as targeted investments in Hispanic programs, technology infrastructure, and other campus improvements. “It is my joy to report to the board of trustees that the state of Southwestern Seminary is strong, and it is growing stronger every day by God’s grace,” Adam W. Greenway, president of Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College, said in his report to the board during the April 5 plenary session. Additionally, Danny Roberts—executive pastor of North Richland Hills Baptist Church—was re-elected to role as chairman of the board. Information from SWBTS was used in this report.

SBTC pastor among trio to be nominated for SBC president

Bart Barber, pastor of First Baptist Church of Farmersville, is among three men who have been announced as candidates for the office of SBC president. Messengers will vote during the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 14-15. Barber will also serve as chairman of the Committee on Resolutions at the June meeting—a position he was appointed to by current SBC President Ed Litton, who has opted not to seek a second term. Two other candidates for SBC president had been announced as of press time: Florida pastor Tom Ascol; and Robin Hadaway, senior professor of missions at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The Texan will publish interviews with each of the candidates in its print and online platforms in June. Information from Baptist Press was used in this report.