Comments on: Good, Bad and Ugly

By: Trey

Trey — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 06:32:28 +0000

Guys-
I agree with all of your comments!! On a less cynical and more humorous note, that bus was the greatest thing I have seen in a long time. I cracked up out loud. I know that wasn’t the point of the tour but it is what is. Like Alex, the American flag that the SBC loves to drape everywhere strikes me in an odd way for people who do like to separate themselves from the “world”.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 13:33:40 +0000

I’ve heard of that solgan. Look, I happen to like a theologically sound slogan. “sola scriptura,” “sola gratia,” “sola fide,” “solus christus,” “solid deo gloria.” But the stuff we’ve put out is closer to the infamous, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” Closer in it that the slpgan rests on bad theology.

I know we have great men and women who could serve our convention well, and I know we have some currently serving. I am hopeful that in a few years we’ll begin to see some very cool changes.

By: Andrew Thornley

Andrew Thornley — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 05:42:32 +0000

I thought we had learned our lesson on “sloganeering.” Vance Havner, referencing the SBC evangelistic slogan for 1954 (“A million more in ’54″) wryly remarked, “A million more like the bunch we’ve got and we’re doomed!”

My soul, could we please get some leadership?

By: Rick Marshall

Rick Marshall — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 21:11:23 +0000

Man, that bus looks horrible! Almost as bad as the million baptisms crusade.

By: D.R.Randle

D.R.Randle — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 22:26:07 +0000

Joe,

Great stuff. I think you are right on with the bus and preaching comments. But I might switch those categories because that bus is one ugly vehicle. I think that you are correct in saying that the declining baptism rates might be a good thing. I love how some of those guys criticize the founders folks for having low baptism rates (of course many of those churches don’t report them because of principle), but never point to the fact that they (founders’ churches) tend to retain their membership in stunningly contrasting rates to the typical SBC church. True kingdom impact can’t be measured in how many people we dunk — it’s changed lives. Something we haven’t found a quantitative measure for (and unfortunatly for some, won’t).

BTW, glad to hear from so many that the ERLC’s presentation was excellent. Understanding and ministering to homosexuals is definately an area SBC’ers need work on (myself included). Expect an email from me in the next couple of days. It was great to meet and talk to you at the YLS Sunday. Sounds like y’all had a good time.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 14:09:17 +0000

That’s a great post Joe.

It is hard for me to talk about the bus without becoming terribly cynical. I’m with you. I think I’ve mentioned before that part of the problem is that it continues to propogate the idea that baptism is the end of our work with people. “Get ‘em saved, get ‘em wet, get ‘em to church on Sunday.” I wish we talked about discipleship as much as evangelism because, really, they’re part of the same process.

I wonder what you guys’ opinion would be of the “God and country” stuff or how much of it there has been. I thought about that when I saw the huge American flag on the bus.

I’m thinking I might actually go next year (depending on where it is…)

By: Richard A. Bailey

Richard A. Bailey — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 13:32:04 +0000

Joe, thanks for the reports from the frontline. Like many, I’ve enjoyed reading them. Hope you and Steve have a safe trip home.

By: Marty Duren

Marty Duren — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 11:46:09 +0000

That’s a good post Joe and I’m proud of you for exercising restraint. Thanks for the comment about the prophets–so true.

By: Rodney McCarty

Rodney McCarty — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 05:34:22 +0000

I agree that the bus was a bad idea and have for a long time. At first it sounded Ok, but the more I thought about it and saw the DVD’s that were sent out, the more I thought the whole idea stunk.

It is good that everyone has a say – even when we hear things that we wish we hadn’t.