New President Promises Reforms

A new man is in charge of the National Baptist Convention USA (NBC), and he is determined to steer the group clear of its recent troubles.

After a turbulent period of scandal and national embarrassment brought on by the misdeeds of former NBC leader Henry Lyons (CT, April 5, 1999, p. 13), the nation’s largest black denomination last month elected Philadelphia pastor William Shaw as its new president at the NBC Annual Session in Tampa, Florida.

Shaw, 65, beat out 10 other candidates to win the race with 3,694 votes from nearly 10,000 delegates. W. Franklyn Richardson, 50, of Mount Vernon, New York, ran a close second with 3,451 votes.

“With the nation’s eyes upon us, the delegates have chosen a message of redemption and a path of fundamental change for the National Baptist Convention,” said Shaw, who promised to implement needed reforms in the NBC. His campaign slogan, V.I.S.A., heralded “Vision, Integrity, Structure, and Accountability,” four principles he believes have been lacking in the life of the denomination.

Shaw, pastor of Philadelphia’s White Rock Baptist Church for 43 years, is the NBC’s first elected president since Lyons re signed in March. South Carolina pastor Stewart C. Cureton stepped in as interim president following Lyons’s resignation.

Among Shaw’s first goals is a freeze on all nonessential spending and a financial audit of the NBC by an outside accounting firm. Shaw also wants a more accurate count of the NBC’s membership roll. The denomination has long claimed 8.5 million members, but that figure came under suspicion following the Lyons scandal.

Lyons remains imprisoned on racketeering charges, but support for the man was in full display in Tampa. Led by Cureton, the NBC took up an offering to help Lyons’s family and to defray his mounting legal bills. “[Lyons] needs our prayers,” Cureton said. “In spite of the mistakes he made, he is still our brother.”

As many as 60,000 people attended this year’s annual session, which pumped an estimated $46 million into Tam pa’s economy. In addition to election business, NBC leaders baptized dozens of new converts who were evangelized in the community during the week and approved resolutions supporting school prayer, affirmative action, and the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state capitol.

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Revelation NOW: What happens when you treat Revelation like other books of the Bible—looking at its historical context before applying its message to our day? Instead of an end-of-the-world preview, you'll find wisdom to help churches stay faithful in a hostile environment.

Cover Story

Apocalypse Now

Stop the Dating Game

What Hal Lindsey Taught Me About the Second Coming

Is Revelation Prophecy or History?

Called to Hate?

Church Leader Worships Whites

Time Out

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from October 25, 1999

A Quaker at War with Himself

A Nation That Sang Itself Free

Getting to Know Me

To the Church That Endures Persecution by Steve Haas

Business Funnels Profits to Churches

Church Shooting Creates New Martyrs

In Brief: October 25, 1999

Porn Store Reborn As Church

Virtue Folds

Church Aids Refugees Despite Violence

Lutherans and Catholics Sign Declaration on Justification

Christian Journalists Ponder Calling

Religious Freedom Report Released

Editorial

Moms Without Marriage

Wire Story

Pro-Life Pharmacist Sues Kmart

Wire Story

Priest Killed for Illegal Conversions

The Millenial Book Awards

Extending the Dream

Letters

Baptist Foundation Faces Fraud Charges

Interview: George W. Bush on Faith-Based Plans

Christian Filmmakers Flock to End-times Features

Editorial

Make Disciples, Not Just Converts

Wire Story

Africa: Can Christianity and Islam Coexist and Prosper?

Apocalyptic Palette

You've Got Mail

To the Suburban Churches of North America

To the Pentecostal & Charismatic Churches by Todd Hunter

To the Church Called Mainline by William H. Willimon

To the Inner-City Pastor & Church by Gardner Taylor

To the Rural Church by Susan Wise Bauer

To the Church Which Seeks Seekers by John Ortberg

View issue

Our Latest

Play Those Chocolate Sprinkles, Rend Collective!

The Irish band’s new album “FOLK!” proclaims joy after suffering.

The Still Small Voice in the Deer Stand

Since childhood, each hunting season out in God’s creation has healed wounds and deepened my faith.

The Black Women Missing from Our Pews

America’s most churched demographic is slipping from religious life. We must go after them.

News

Wall Street’s Most Famous Evangelical Sentenced in Unprecedented Fraud Case

Judge gives former billionaire Bill Hwang 18 years in prison for crimes that outweigh his “lifetime” of “charitable works.”

Public Theology Project

How a Dark Sense of Humor Can Save You from Cynicism

A bit of gallows humor can remind us that death does not have the final word.

News

Died: Rina Seixas, Iconic Surfer Pastor Who Faced Domestic Violence Charges

The Brazilian founder of Bola de Neve Church, which attracted celebrities and catalyzed 500 congregations on six continents, faced accusations from family members and a former colleague.

Post-Election Gloating and Meltdowns Reveal Our Hopes and Fears

Dealing with emotions across political differences is the next opportunity for the church to work through division.

‘Bonhoeffer’ Bears Little Resemblance to Reality

The new biopic from Angel Studios twists the theologian’s life and thought to make a political point.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube