Wrapping Up: Encouragement
Okay, by now you all know what happened at the Convention:
At the pastors’ conference we had flaring nostrils the first night and a fog machine the next (rolls eyes). We elected a President for the SBC many did not think would win, though no one I spoke with thinks it will make much of a difference in the Convention either way. I am praying for Frank, and am hopeful he will do a great job. We passed a resolution encouraging abstinence from alcohol only after it was amended to be even more restrictive than originally intended. And we refused to consider a motion calling for integrity in reporting our numbers in our Southern Baptist Churches. And you know what? I am still encouraged.
I am encouraged because I do see things beginning to change. The Pastors’ Conference was highly attended, including a significant number of “younger leaders.” The theological break-out sessions were excellent. Many of the speakers on day two encouraged pastors to preach the Scripture in the language of the people to whom they have been sent. Shane and Shane was great. At the big show, the resolution on refusing the gift of God (calling for abstinence from alcohol) overwhelmingly passed, but a number of courageous men spoke against it, encouraging biblical thought that should naturally flow from a belief in both the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. I imagine a few years ago fewer, if any, would have spoke against the resolution at all. And concerning Tom Ascol’s excellent proposed resolution that was shot down by both the Resolution Committee and the majority of the messengers present during the meeting… okay, there’s nothing good to pull out of that one. I think many of us were dumbfounded at how that vote turned out.
My point is I am encouraged because things are changing, and it is not happening through political maneuvering. It is happening as our churches continue to allow sola scriptura to form their confession and character. You can’t raise a generation of men and women on the infallible/inerrant word of God and expect them to remain comfortable while introducing extra-biblical law and denying our Christian liberty. We have begun to hear this “missional” message now for two years, and I am praying it will begin to stick. I am also encouraged because – get this: God has been breaking me and rebuilding me in very positive ways over the past few days. I look forward to sharing what’s going on in the near future. Let me just say I have never been more excited about risking everything to follow Christ in preaching the Gospel to community in which I live. And being at the SBC played a major roll in that.
Joe,
This is the guy you met in the hotel lobby in Greensboro Tuesday night.
Great post. I agree. The alcohol vote was “a snapshot, not a moving picture” of the SBC. Of the almost 12,000 messengers, I doubt if 3,000 were present.
I do sense the changes you speak of and this was my first convention. I was encouraged as well for reasons too numerous and difficult to explain in full on a blog comment. I am looking forward to seeing God work in the future in the SBC.
Blessings
At the convention we took some steps back, alcohol vote and voting down the integrity resolution, but change is taking place. Hunt mutilated the word “missional” but he tried to use it. He at least wanted us to think he wants to understand. There may be some slow progress but progress is progress.
Having Page voted president was an encouragement because no one was playing politics but peacefully seeking change.
My comment about Hunt was from his nomination of Ronnie Floyd not the Pastor’s Conference. I didn’t get to hear him Sunday night, so if I am wrong please kindly correct me.
I don’t see those as steps back, but examples of bad theology and exegesis that have been in place for some time. But yeah, how those resolutions were handled was terrible.
Few using the word “missional” use it well, but I think this will change over time as our missional churches point the way.
This was my 5th convention. It was the same old thing 75% of the time…with the business, the motions, the resolutions, etc. It is a long, boring business meeting. But there was creativity this year, and a new feel to what the convention is.
There were a lot suits this year…pastors are obviously feeling more comfortable not looking like the poster boy of the SBC. I’m serious about this. My first SBC no one considered a dressed down approach.
This year there was much more talk about theology. There were lots of books available that reflected both sides of the current debate. Dever was given a slot, as was Warren, in the pastor’s conference, which encouraged me. Warren, BTW, was good, despite the video. And to hear McManus, etc, was so refreshing. I think Bryant Wright did a phenomenal job in putting together a conference like that. I hope Hayes follows in his footsteps.
There was also recognition of a younger presence and vision in the SBC. I didn’t talk to anyone, young or old, who wasn’t aware of the issues that have been raised on the blogs over the past 3 months. No one.
The alcohol thing, the vote on the integrity thing, and the shofar thing wasn’t disappointing so much as expected. But my encouragement is that the SBC of the future will have left those things behind.
Joe,
Great point about the sufficiency of Scripture and the fact that “You can’t raise a generation of men and women on the infallible/inerrant word of God and expect them to remain comfortable while introducing extra-biblical law and denying our Christian liberty.” I think you nailed it here.
Also, what about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in salvation? Do you think the syngergistic emphasis undermines the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to “save to the uttermost”?
I am encouraged as well, largely in part because of the courage and conviction of men and women in the SBC who are pointing the finger out ourselves and calling us to honesty, integrity, brokenness, and repentance.
Dear Brother Joe,
I don’t think I’ve ever been called, “courageous” before, and I’m not sure I deserve it now, either. Thank you, though. I’m just desperate for my people in my local church to accept God’s Word into their lives. They say they believe the Bible, sure, but they really don’t use it to make decisions in their lives. This alcohol resolution does NOT help in the process.
It is still God’s Word, though, no matter what the SBC does with it, and it will still accomplish God’s purposes.
Love in Christ,
Jeff