Pick Out Two

by Joe Thorn on May 10, 2006

During the last U.S. presidential election someone was asked who they were going to vote for. He said, “It’s like Moe asking you to pick out two fingers. It doesn’t matter which two you pick, you’re still going to get poked in the eyes.” I am afraid that this is how I may wind up feeling at the SBC this year.

Let me say that I like the idea of having a couple guys nominated. Choice is a good thing. It promotes discussion of the issues that matter (ideally). My concern is that some who are hopeful for change in the Convention (as I am) will nominate the wrong guy as an alternate candidate.

I am not looking for a Reformed Prez (though I think that would be great), I am not looking for some young guy, I am definitely not looking for a megachurch pastor – but that certainly doesn’t make someone a bad choice either. I wont vote for someone who is hostile to our Reformed churches. I would love to see someone elected who understands the real problems within our Convention, can effectively work with the variety of churches within the convention while promoting a missional mindset for the Convention as a whole.

There are a number of people who can serve us well, and a few that might make the election about something other than the point. The wrong nominee can distract our attention from what matters. “God, give us wisdom.” I am praying for what will happen in Greensboro. I am praying for good thing to happen. And I am praying that I don’t get poked in the eye.

About Joe Thorn

I am the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in Saint Charles, IL, and author of Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself. Jen is my wife, and Katherine, Elias, Madeline and Kilian are my kids.

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  • http://jessetherevolutionary.blogspot.com Jesse Perry

    Joe
    Not trying to get you in hot water, but who would be good nominees in your opinion? I want names! :)

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Jesse,

    When I said “there are a number of people who can serve us well,” I really meant it. I don’t have a list of names, but think there are a number who would do more than try to increase the number of baptisms. My point is simply – if you are considering nminating someone, please think it through. The men I would prefer to see in the office either don’t want to, or are already nominated to serve in another capacity.

  • http://theviewfromosprey.blogspot.com/ Tom Bryant

    The last real election, as opposed to selection, was in 2000 in Orlando when the Jim Henry was elected and that was considered as a surprise.
    My first choice is to elect someone who “understand the real problems within our convention” … However, I’d settle for someone who would just admit that there are problems and work to deal with them Biblically.

  • http://chriselrod.blogspot.com Chris Elrod

    I’m new to your site, but have really enjoyed what I’ve read so far. I’m also a Southern Baptist (literally all my 40 years on this Earth) and am in my third year of planting a church in Central Florida for 20-somethings. I consider myself a reformission pastor and speak at quite a few church plant conferences for the SBC. I think one of the problems we all may encounter with finding a progessive SBC presdient is that anyone that would be good at it couldn’t give two hoots about doing it. The SBC Convention, the election of a president, the insane resolutions that are decided each year are so irrelevant to most of the new guys in the field. They just couldn’t care less!!! Alas, the Southern Baptist Convention in its present form has become a dinosaur . . . happily eating away at buttercups while it’s rapidly getting colder.

  • http://jessetherevolutionary.blogspot.com Jesse Perry

    I’m afraid Chris might be right, but I hope not. Anyway, even if a missional guy ran, what chance would he have of getting elected?

  • http://jessetherevolutionary.blogspot.com Jesse Perry

    Maybe one of us should take a risk on God and let Him surprise us.

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    I think “letting God surprise us” is a dangerous thing. It sounds too much like, “Let’s not think about it and just see what happens.” God often lets his people make stupid choices and sufer the consequences.

    Also (Tom), I think most of the leadership knows there are problems in the convention. The issue is being able to make a proper diagnosis.

  • http://jessetherevolutionary.blogspot.com Jesse Perry

    I see what you’re saying Joe, but I merely meant that maybe we should ask ourelves: ‘What do I believe is impossible, bu if it could be done would bring fundamental change? – The future belongs to those who have the courage to ask the question and the tenacity to hang on until they discover or create an answer.’ (to paraphrase Andy Stanley)

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Sorry Jesse – I obviously misunderstood you. Good words.

  • http://theviewfromosprey.blogspot.com/ Tom Bryant

    I agree that they know, but obviously, at some level and for some reason, they are refusing to admit it.
    “If we can just reach and baptize more people…”
    “if we can just develop a tighter doctrinal position …”

    btw, from one poor but apsiring photographer to a really talented one, great photos!

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Yeah man, that’s my point as well. The problem is not what is often diagnosed.

    Thanks for checking out my pics. I am learning too man. It’s a blast. Do you put anything up on Flickr?

  • http://alienman.blogspot.com Brad Williams

    Joe,

    There are many ways in which the President of the convention can influence our churches. One thing I am hoping for is a renewed interest in the seriousness of encouraging one another and accountability in the local church. I have serious doubts that one has “persevering faith” and can continually despise the local assembly. We ought, especially as pastors, be grieved over the absence of half of the flock.

    For myself, it has been a difficult and enriching experience to emphasize these things to the people. We are currently trying to visit all the AWOL members that we can find to encourage them to return to us. If they refuse, we will regretfully inform them that they will be removed from membership.

    This, I believe, is an issue around which both Calvinist and Arminian (or whatever one calls oneself) ought to be able to unite. I have found that such emphasis not only raises awareness to the preciousness of the local church, but equally raises the level awareness of the lostness of those in our communities.

    That is why I find the “Million More” campaign so frustrating. I want, with all of my heart, to see millions come to salvation in Jesus Christ. But I believe the thing we need to see is the beauty of the Church and the depth of love for Christ and others that only grows there.

    There are certainly other concerns, but this is nearest to my heart as a pastor. I love the Church, and I wish to see her strong and glorious and worshipful and without spot or blemish, not shallow, superficial, and loveless. I pray that God will grant us such a man with such a vision.

  • http://theviewfromosprey.blogspot.com/ Tom Bryant

    Joe,
    Never tried flickr. I like working with regular film. I’ve been enjoying black and whites recently. I have to start using my wife’s digital, but never really got a feel for it yet.

  • http://www.wisdomofthepages.com Scott Lamb

    Nice new spread Joe.

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Thanks Scott. I just needed to try something different.

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