Lovely Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest is a Southern Baptist retreat/ conference/ camp facility in the North Carolina mountains. It has been operating for over a century. Many Southern Baptists have attended retreats there over the years.

Approximately 6 years ago, it was sold to a private ministry group– Ridgecrest Ministries— but maintains a Christian/ Southern Baptist identity.

Now, we learn from Megan Basham that it is being used to host a conference for black church leaders and members:

White folks need not apply. There is no comparable conference exclusively for white church leaders and white church members.

Remain mindful that the Southern Baptist Convention has in the past issued apologies/repentance for slavery; and adopted a statement endorsing Critical Race Theory as a useful tool. One or more black pastors within the Convention agitated for these things.

More recently, the Convention refrained from taking action on the matter of female pastors because so many of its black churches have female pastors. Funding black pastors and the planting of black churches have been major emphases of the North American Mission Board.

A segregated conference for black pastors and church members might seem harmless. But consider the recent history.

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4 thoughts on “Lovely Ridgecrest”

    1. Over the last 10 years or so, Fred, the Convention has been straining to make itself appear righteous and enlightened on all matters racial. As Joe Rigney might say, they are acting under the progressive gaze.

      This is where the liberal mainline denominations were 40 years ago.

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