Group of Southern Baptists Roll Out New "Conservative Baptist Network" to Oppose Social Justice Movement
A coalition of Southern Baptists have rolled out a new network, dubbed the Conservative Baptist Network, for conservative Southern Baptists who are concerned about the influx of liberal ideology and progressivism -- particularly, social justice -- in the Southern Baptist Convention.
According to the network's website, the network plans to officially launch June 8 during the denomination's annual meeting in Orlando.
Listing Brad Jurkovich as the spokesman for the Conservative Baptist Network, a press release on February 14 said that the network is a "product of a grassroots movement that developed organically in the hearts and minds of devoted Southern Baptists who have become concerned about the current direction and perceived future of the convention."
The press release cites "insolence" and "disrespect" to Vice President Mike Pence as many Southern Baptist leaders and messengers walked out in protest during his speech at the 2018 annual meeting and concerns that there is "growing apprehension about where the Southern Baptist Convention is headed."
"We are concerned about the current road our Southern Baptist family is traveling," Jurkovich was quoted as saying, "It is a road that is twisting what God’s Word is saying about things like human sexuality, biblical racial reconciliation and socialistic justice.”
Jurkovich said he was concerned that by walking away from the denomination, churches would be handing "billions of dollars of assets, and mission passion and evangelism strategy over to ideologies that will lead this convention into irrelevancy."
According to the press release, the stated purpose of the Network has been drafted and proclaims, “The Conservative Baptist Network is a partnership of Southern Baptists where all generations are encouraged, equipped, and empowered to bring positive, biblical solutions that strengthen the SBC in an effort to fulfill the Great Commission and influence culture.”