SBC officer criticizes pastor for praising wife’s preaching
Rod D. Martin, founder and CEO of The Martin Organization and an officer of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, has come under fire for criticizing Arizona Pastor Josh King for praising his wife’s ministry online.
King, who leads the Second Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas, and his wife, Bible teacher Jacki C King, are both graduates of Criswell College, a Christian liberal arts college and divinity school in Dallas, Texas. Both are also students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary led by President Adam W. Greenway.
Martin, according to data on his company website, serves on the boards of several charitable and educational institutions, including the Board of Trustees at Criswell College. He also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Liberty University School of Business, the Board of Trustees of Truett-McConnell University, the Board of Governors at Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, and the State Board of Missions of the Florida Baptist Convention.
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In a tweet on Monday, Josh King shared a screenshot of his wife’s ministry as a Bible teacher and keynote speaker, noting that she delivers: “Solid. Biblical. Preaching.”
Jacki King's ministry appears to be similar to the ministry of Bible teacher Beth Moore who recently announced her departure from the Southern Baptist denomination.
Reacting to Josh King’s promotion of his wife’s ministry, Martin presented it as problematic for a Southern Baptist minister.
“In case you were wondering why some of the Conservative @BaptistNetwork's most vociferous opponents are so vocal. She also preached @CriswellCollege's chapel service. When asked, the college denied it was ‘preaching.’ But just as here, her pastor husband boasted of it,” Martin wrote in a statement on Twitter.
In case you were wondering why some of the Conservative @BaptistNetwork's most vociferous opponents are so vocal.
— Rod D. Martin (@RodDMartin) April 6, 2021
She also preached @CriswellCollege's chapel service. When asked, the college denied it was "preaching". But just as here, her pastor husband boasted of it. https://t.co/BvxNcwVQuL
Outspoken Southern Baptist Pastor Dwight McKissic, who founded and leads Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, quickly made it clear that he didn’t see a problem with King’s support of his wife or her ministry.
“Grateful for Criswell College & their ministry consistent with Mrs. Criswell teaching a coed Bible class of 600 adults. Cornerstone Church will mail Criswell College a generous gift this week in honor of their support for people of color & women; historically marginalized groups,” McKissic replied to Martin.
Greenway, who recently defended the SBC Council of Seminary Presidents’ controversial statement on critical race theory and intersectionality, also appeared to disagree with Martin’s reaction to King.
“Southern Baptists will truly live up to our moniker as Great Commission Baptists when the outrage expressed toward the men of our tribe who never ‘preach’ the Gospel (cf. Romans 10:14-17) exceeds the outrage expressed toward the women of our tribe who actually do,” he tweeted.
The Christian Post reached out to SWBTS for further comment on Thursday, but Greenway was not immediately available to provide further thoughts on the issue.
Greenway did note in another tweet on Tuesday that SWBTS was “the first seminary to grant degrees to women” in 1914 and is “the home of the oldest building continually operated for the theological education of females, Barnard Hall.”
