The story of #SBC14 in ten tweets

The annual Southern Baptist Convention met this week in Baltimore to discuss the direction of the movement throughout the US as well as to make decisions on some important resolutions.

A lot happened during the two-day conference, so we've rounded up some of the highlights:

Megachurch pastor Ronnie Floyd was elected as the new SBC President on Tuesday, receiving just over 51 per cent of votes. Leader of Cross Church, Springdale for the past 27 years, Floyd was nominated by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R Albert Mohler Jr, who has praised him as a "unifier and a denominational statesman".

However, despite the new election, an emphasis was placed on the work of laypeople, and their efforts in sharing the Gospel.

But the focus was always on the strength of God, and his ability to work through our darkest moments:

Amidst criticism that much of the Southern Baptist leadership is white and male, the conference emphasised the importance of diversity:

Yet the Convention voted to oppose the moral validation of transgender people, approving a proposal that affirms "God's original design to create two distinct and complementary sexes".

And his last one might be a joke, but we wish it were true:

related articles
\'There is no third way\' – Albert Mohler says churches can\'t hold a middle ground on homosexuality
'There is no third way' – Albert Mohler says churches can't hold a middle ground on homosexuality

'There is no third way' – Albert Mohler says churches can't hold a middle ground on homosexuality

Southern Baptists condemn transgender people
Southern Baptists condemn transgender people

Southern Baptists condemn transgender people

Megachurch pastor Ronnie Floyd elected as Southern Baptist Convention president
Megachurch pastor Ronnie Floyd elected as Southern Baptist Convention president

Megachurch pastor Ronnie Floyd elected as Southern Baptist Convention president

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.