- Historic numbers of Southern Baptists

are arriving in Nashville this week.

They're seeking to address major conflict

and select a new president.

- It's gonna be a watershed convention-

- [Heather] Long time SBCmember, Dr. Ed Stetzer

says the meeting must confront sex abuse,

and specifically,accusations that top leaders

have mishandled claims ofthose victimized by it.

Calls for a third party investigation

will likely be brought up for a vote.

- It's not a distraction.

Yeah, I'm at the WheatonCollege of Billy Graham Center.

We care deeply about evangelism,

but this is a real issue

we have to be addressed in the church.

- [Heather] Another issue driving a wedge

between many Southern Baptistsis critical race theory,

which views racism as systemic.

A group known as the ConservativeBaptist Network warns,

those discussing the theory,

could be choosing wokepolitics over scripture.

- It's time we wake up and realize

that we are not where we need to be,

nor are we headed in the right direction.

- [Heather] Stetzer andothers maintain the convention

can pursue racial reconciliation

without adopting the unbiblicalaspects of the theory.

- For a denomination,where far too many people

were on the wrong side of thehoses in Birmingham, Alabama,

Southern Baptists have animportant responsibility

to get this right, get this biblical,

and to do so in a waythat honors men and women

from different backgrounds,cultures and races.

- [Heather] Those differingviewpoints raise the stakes

for choosing the nextSouthern Baptist president,

who will replace Pastor J.D. Greear.

Four men with different views on race,

are vying for the post.

- This next president, Ithink will set the tone

in terms of how weinteract in the culture,

how we relate to the world.

- [Heather] In the last year,

prominent Southern Baptists, Beth Moore

and Russell Moore, no relation,

left the denomination, citing racism

and mistreatment of womenand abuse survivors.

And they're not alone.

Southern Baptist membershiphas declined for over 10 years.

Still, evangelical leaders note,

there's plenty of good work happening

in Southern Baptist churches.

- Most Southern Baptistsare faithful church members

in their churches.

They're goin' about their lives,

trying to live on mission

to reach their neighbors.

- [Ed] I think there is hope, you know,

the north American Mission Board

is planting hundredsupon hundred churches,

surprisingly high numbers, even in 2020.

The majority of church plants

in the Southern Baptist convention

are actually not predominantly Anglo.

- More than 16,000 Baptists

have preregistered for this week.

That's the highest number in decades.

They're no doubt hoping that these issues

will be resolved in some way,

and that SouthernBaptists can move forward

to focus on their number onepriority, advancing the gospel.

Heather Sells, CBN news.