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SBC This Week

Brandon Porter & Laura Erlanson

A weekly news roundup from the Southern Baptist Convention as well as guest interviews from today's top church leaders.

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21 episodes
weekly
Avg 42 min
English

Episodes 21

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#595
Friday · 47 min
Ryan Blackwell installed to lead Lifeway, Pres. Willy Rice announces commission on women in pastoral roles, An interview with Jerome Coleman
In this episode, Laura Erlanson and Brandon Porter tell you about a new commission named by SBC Pres. Willy Rice to bring clarity to women serving in pastoral roles, the installation of Ryan Blackwell to lead Lifeway, the International Mission Board's 2026 MedAdvance conference, Send Relief's response to devastation in Tibet and Nepal, and an interview with National African American Fellowship Pres. Jerome Coleman.
#594
August 21 · 41 min
Johnny Hunt appeals case dismissal, Southern Baptist chaplain receives major promotion, An interview with Thomas Kidd
In this episode, Laura Erlanson and Brandon Porter talk about Johnny Hunt's appeal of the dismissal of his suit against the SBC, how disaster relief workers are helping those facing loss and devastation in Indiana and the Northwest, the promotion of a Southern Baptist chaplain to high rank in the U.S. Navy, and the future of religion in the U.S. in a discussion with Thomas Kidd.
#593
August 14 · 45 min
Johhny Hunt case dismissed; Send Relief responds to Colombian earthquake devastation; New state exec in Alabama
In this episode, Laura Erlanson and Brandon Porter discuss the dismissal of Johnny Hunt's case against the SBC, how Send Relief is responding to a major earthquake in Colombia, abortion-related ballot initiatives this fall, the case for church membership, the Kickoff Rally for the 2027 SBC Annual Meeting & Pastors' Conference, a new state leader in Alabama, and much more.
#592
August 7 · 28 min
Responding to wildfires in the northwest, Guidestone warns of dangerous scam, July Cooperative Program giving trends up
Laura Erlanson and Brandon Porter talk about the devastation and relief efforts connected to wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and how GuideStone is encouraging users to beware of a dangerous scam. They also discuss: - How Cooperative Program giving trended up in July - A Lifeway Research story on the positive effects of small group participation in spiritual growth - The time Christian comedian Jerry Clower was left speechless
#591
July 31 · 42 min
Send Relief Sunday, Guidestone trustees raise Mission:Dignity honorarium, BGCT completes realigment
In this episode: - Send Relief Sunday is August - Guidestone trustees meet, increase Mission:Dignity honorarium - Fourth staff member arrested at Pawleys Island Community Church in Myrtle Beach, SC - Lifeway's Black church week wraps up at Ridgecrest - College students complete 8 week summer internship with the International Mission Board - An interview with Shane Pruitt and Shelly Melia on reaching Gen Alpha
#590
July 24 · 54 min
ERLC presses Congress on Planned Parenthood funding, SWBTS related lawsuit settled, An interview with Lifeway Worship's Kirk Kirkland
A South Carolina abuse-related case shocks Myrtle Beach, SC, as multiple arrests are made, churches and state conventions work together to assist those dealing with flooding across the US, Congress allows funding to Planned Parenthood to resume, a Texas judge dismisses a religious liberty case against Second Houston, an interview with Lifeway Worship's Kirkland and much more in this episode.
#589
July 17 · 44 min
Venezuelan earthquake relief, Remembering Lindsey Graham's Southern Baptist roots, An interview with Ryan Blackwell
Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson highlight Send Relief's work in Venezuela, remember South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham's Southern Baptist roots, reflect on the reaction to the SBC resolution on antisemitism, hear from new Lifeway President Ryan Blackwell, and learn how a Sunday School student remembered his teacher, Annie Armstrong.
- Transcript
#588
July 2 · 47 min
Send Relief helps Venezuelans with hurricane recovery, Protecting missionaries in the age of AI, An interview with David Dockery
In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson talk with Southwestern Seminary President David Dockery, remember how Southern Baptists celebrated the nation's 200th anniversary as we celebrate the 250th, hear about a new DOJ study on religious liberty and celebrate NC Baptists marking 1,000 homes that have been restored following Hurricane Helene.
#587
June 26 · 45 min
Joni Eareckson Tada supports Southern Baptists' disability needs initiative, Thousands gathered in Orlando for SBC26, An interview with ERLC's Evan Lenow
In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share how disabilities ministry advocate Joni Eareckson Tada has shared support for the recent SBC disability ministry initiatives, give details on who attended SBC26, highlight DR work and recent storms in Illinois, talk with new ERLC President Evan Lenow and hear how Southern Baptists played an integral role influencing public policy during wartime.
#586
June 19 · 48 min
Ethnic Research Network releases new resources, Reaction to the Truth and Unity Amendment, Interview with Danny Akin
In this episode, Laura Erlanson and Brandon Porter give updates on SBC 26 Annual Meeting stories, talk with Southeastern Seminary President Danny Akin, and remember Explo '72, a youth evangelism event, featuring Bill Bright, Billy Graham, Johnny Cash and more.
#585
June 12 · 7 min
2026 SBC Annual Meeting recap
In this episode we share the highlights from the SBC Annual Meeting June 9-10 in Orlando.
#584
June 5 · 22 min
2026 SBC Annual Meeting preview, CP giving up in May, Proposed resolutions released
In this episode, Laura Erlanson and Brandon Porter share a preview of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, report on May 2026 Cooperative Program giving, discuss the proposed resolutions for the Annual Meeting, highlight the Disability Needs Task Force recommendation and share about Evan Lenow's preparation to lead the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
#583
May 29 · 49 min
Annual Meeting issues and personalities, A new worship devotional, An interview with Clint Pressley
In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share stories and themes as they head into the SBC Annual Meeting. They highlight a story on understanding the work of the Holy Spirit, discuss the need for digital decluttering, and Laura talks with SBC President Clint Pressley.
#582
May 22 · 45 min
Interviews with Willy Rice and Josh Powell, Albert Mohler announces proposed amendment, Interview with EC President Jeff Iorg
In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson highlight recent interviews with known SBC presidential candidates Willy Rice and Josh Powell, detail Albert Mohler's proposed amendment to the SBC Constitution, learn about a new strategy from the International Mission Board, hear annual meeting plans from SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg and much more.
#579
May 18 · 57 min
Interview with 2026 Presidential Nominee Willy Rice
Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson interview Florida pastor Willy Rice, a potential for SBC president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting.
#580
May 18 · 51 min
Interview with 2026 Presidential Nominee Josh Powell
Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson interview South Carolina pastor Josh Powell, a potential nominee for president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting.
#581
May 15 · 42 min
International Mission Board appoints 71 new missionaries, Annual Meeting previews, Interview with Paul Chitwood
In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share about the recent International Mission Board meeting, share about two potential nominees for 2nd vice president at the SBC Annual Meeting, give an overview of the exhibit halls and meeting at the SBC Annual Meeting, highlight a World Cup evangelistic resource from the North American Mission Board, talk with IMB President Paul Chitwood and much more.
#578
May 8 · 37 min
2025 Annual Church Profile report, NAMB trustees meet, An interview with Jonathan Howe
Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson share information and insight related to the 2025 Annual Church Profile report, encourage pastors to take the Guidestone/Lifeway compensation study, share about the recent North American Mission Board meeting, report the April 2026 Cooperative Program giving, and give details on increased baptisms in Wyoming and a sports outreach event in Utah and Idaho. Plus, we get an update on the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting from Jonathan Howe.
#577
May 1 · 39 min
NAMB announces church planting growth, Clergy Act passed U.S. House, Pastors' Conference preview with Aaron Burgner
In this episode, Brandon Porter and Laura Erlanson detail a new report from the North American Mission Board with the highest totals of church plants since 2016. We hear about the passage of the Clergy Act in the U.S. House and how the Supreme Court protected a New Jersey pregnancy support center. We also have updates on state convention initiatives, including reaching the FIFA World Cup in Kansas City. Aaron Burgner stops by to highlight the 2026 SBC Pastors' Conference.
#576
April 24 · 35 min
Lifeway elects Ryan Blackwell to lead, SEBTS calls Scott Pace to follow Danny Akin, Child Abuse Awareness Month
April has been an eventful month for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), marked by significant leadership changes and essential discussions surrounding child safety. In this post, we'll explore key updates, including the appointment of new entity presidents and the importance of Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes