One church in the SBC has had more influence in the last 10 years than any other. Is it First Baptist Jacksonville where thousands of pastors and layman attend a conference each year, hear great preaching, and attend dozens of breakout sessions? I don’t think so. Is it Bellevue in Memphis and the continuing legacy of Adrian Rogers through his sermon ministry? I don’t think so? Which church is it?
How about this? This church has provided material for literally thousands of churches around the world. Many pastors receive a regular pastor’s newsletter from this church. Thousands have attended workshops and leadership conferences led by the staff of this church. Which church is it? You are right – it is Saddleback Church. The purpose driven model is having huge impact on SBC life. Some like it, some love it, some resent it, but make no mistake about it, many are being influenced by it. This is a stream of Baptist life that will make a difference in the convention for decades to come. Some who resent it could find favor in the encouragement Rick gives to purge rolls every so many years.
There is another stream in Baptist life that will be felt for decades to come. It is not as well organized as purpose driven because it does not have a central figure or church, but it will have an impact. It is complete with new methodologies and bright energetic leadership. On one fringe it is the missional church movement within Baptist life and on the end other of the same stream closest to tradition, stand churches like Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. It has grown tremendously and consistently baptizes close to a thousand or more each year. Several networks are developing in this stream that will have a great impact on the SBC in years to come. At the present, these streams are not involved in convention politics. Their influence will be felt at a convention level one day, sooner or later.
If the purpose driven stream teamed up with the Fellowship stream and the missional stream – bingo. That my friends is influence in a convention. This group is not interested in the institution and in many ways the institution is not interested in them. Many of them do not care if the institution is interested or not. The purpose driven stream has infiltrated the traditional stream effectively enough to divide the camp.
Old methods of convention politics are giving way to loose knit networks that will one day grow up and we do not yet know how they will behave.
This is my look into the future. I am not a prophet or the son of a prophet. If these looks do not come true, I am not a false prophet. The do raise some questions.
Could these networks and the meetings they sponsor be one reason why the SBC meeting attendance has dropped along with state convention meeting attendance?
Will one or more of these networks rise up and enter SBC political life at some point in the future?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Hammers and Anvils of Orthodoxy
Going to the blacksmith shop is a learning experience for a young lad. To watch the blacksmith heat up the iron, take it to the anvil, and beat out the exact shape he wants to create is truly watching an artist at work.
In the same way that iron is shaped by heat and pressure, orthodoxy is shaped. Prior to the reformation Christian orthodoxy was shaped at the blacksmith shop called church councils. A form of these councils continues in the Catholic tradition with the writings of Vatican I and II. In the evangelical world, we use a blacksmith cut from a different cloth. There is no hierarchy of a council; rather, there is open debate. In years past this has occurred at an associational level, a state convention level, a national convention level, in seminaries, in newspapers, in personal communications, and of late in the world of blogsville. Each of these avenues has served to test ideas and methodologies against the scrutiny of others with a desire to be true to the Lord and His Word.
In Baptist history classes we learned of the free worship tradition that began in the rebaptizer movement. Preachers were not allowed to carry Bibles into the pulpit. They were expected to rely upon the unction from the Holy Spirit for all they said. Some brave preachers went against the grain and today you are highly criticized if you do not read from the Scripture during a worship service. And then there was the original worship war over music. Again some brave Baptist souls introduced music into worship. As they sometimes say, “the fight was on.” Today it is difficult to imagine a Baptist worship service without music.
These historical facts teach us something about the present debate in Southern Baptist life. We are not perfect and we never will be. Change is difficult but worth the struggle. It is the anvil and the hammer that shape something into a form that is worthy of the struggle.
An argument continues that needs serious evaluation. The call is growing louder that bright young leaders are leaving the SBC because the parameters are to tight. Truthfully, they are only felt when someone seeks to be a denominational employee. Otherwise, church autonomy continues to rule. Very few churches have been denied a seat at the annual meetings.
How should these young leaders respond? It is imperative that they allow their ideas be tested against the prevailing tides. They must know that their ideas and new methodologies will be tested. Recently I read where some in the so-called emergent church movement were seeking to distance themselves from others involved in the conversation. Their ideas were being tested in the market place and they were finding the ideas of others to be outside biblical orthodoxy.
Rick Warren is an excellent example of what young leaders must do. They must establish their path and let it be criticized and examined. While some continually criticize Rick, his influence on Southern Baptist life is massive. (Oh, and he has never held a position yet even preached for that old fundamentalist, Jerry Falwell.)
Elder statesmen must encourage these young leaders to stay the course, remain in the tent and let their methodologies be tested against time and examination. This is the hammer and anvil of orthodoxy in a post reformation Christianity. Will they be criticized, yes and so was Benjamin Keach.
The most difficult place to test these ideas is not in the political life of the SBC but in the local church. The hammer and anvil in the local church is hotter and with more force than denominational powers. If you don’t believe me, just walk in an established traditional church and introduce drums in worship. Our young pastors must learn that the path of least resistance is rarely the correct path. To leave the denomination because their methods are in question is to assume that there will be no resistance or other issues in the world of independence or nondenominationalism. This is a false and dangerous assumption.
In the same way that iron is shaped by heat and pressure, orthodoxy is shaped. Prior to the reformation Christian orthodoxy was shaped at the blacksmith shop called church councils. A form of these councils continues in the Catholic tradition with the writings of Vatican I and II. In the evangelical world, we use a blacksmith cut from a different cloth. There is no hierarchy of a council; rather, there is open debate. In years past this has occurred at an associational level, a state convention level, a national convention level, in seminaries, in newspapers, in personal communications, and of late in the world of blogsville. Each of these avenues has served to test ideas and methodologies against the scrutiny of others with a desire to be true to the Lord and His Word.
In Baptist history classes we learned of the free worship tradition that began in the rebaptizer movement. Preachers were not allowed to carry Bibles into the pulpit. They were expected to rely upon the unction from the Holy Spirit for all they said. Some brave preachers went against the grain and today you are highly criticized if you do not read from the Scripture during a worship service. And then there was the original worship war over music. Again some brave Baptist souls introduced music into worship. As they sometimes say, “the fight was on.” Today it is difficult to imagine a Baptist worship service without music.
These historical facts teach us something about the present debate in Southern Baptist life. We are not perfect and we never will be. Change is difficult but worth the struggle. It is the anvil and the hammer that shape something into a form that is worthy of the struggle.
An argument continues that needs serious evaluation. The call is growing louder that bright young leaders are leaving the SBC because the parameters are to tight. Truthfully, they are only felt when someone seeks to be a denominational employee. Otherwise, church autonomy continues to rule. Very few churches have been denied a seat at the annual meetings.
How should these young leaders respond? It is imperative that they allow their ideas be tested against the prevailing tides. They must know that their ideas and new methodologies will be tested. Recently I read where some in the so-called emergent church movement were seeking to distance themselves from others involved in the conversation. Their ideas were being tested in the market place and they were finding the ideas of others to be outside biblical orthodoxy.
Rick Warren is an excellent example of what young leaders must do. They must establish their path and let it be criticized and examined. While some continually criticize Rick, his influence on Southern Baptist life is massive. (Oh, and he has never held a position yet even preached for that old fundamentalist, Jerry Falwell.)
Elder statesmen must encourage these young leaders to stay the course, remain in the tent and let their methodologies be tested against time and examination. This is the hammer and anvil of orthodoxy in a post reformation Christianity. Will they be criticized, yes and so was Benjamin Keach.
The most difficult place to test these ideas is not in the political life of the SBC but in the local church. The hammer and anvil in the local church is hotter and with more force than denominational powers. If you don’t believe me, just walk in an established traditional church and introduce drums in worship. Our young pastors must learn that the path of least resistance is rarely the correct path. To leave the denomination because their methods are in question is to assume that there will be no resistance or other issues in the world of independence or nondenominationalism. This is a false and dangerous assumption.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The Blessings of Rain
A difference in one year!
For what seems like the 7th day in a row, we have had our daily shower of rain accompanied with a little wind, a heavenly display of lights, and billowing clouds. It was just a year ago when the sky would not yield a drop of rain, the grass was withering, and cattlemen regularly remarked about praying for rain and paying the preacher more. If the increased prayers equaled the increase in pay for preachers around, God was certainly not disturbed or encouraged to action. The grass today is green. The remarks are now pray for the rain to stop and the biggest problem with putting up hay is getting it baled before it rots in the field due to all the moisture. Things sure change quickly.
Winter brings hope of spring, spring brings hope of summer, and summer gives way to fall only to lead to winter again. There is always hope. Christians ought to be the most optimistic people in the world. Mark Lowry used to say at his concerts that his favorite words in the Bible are, “and it came to pass.” Just as the drought has passed from our area, your trials will pass as well. May you find the hope of the passing season toward the blessings yet to be received.
For what seems like the 7th day in a row, we have had our daily shower of rain accompanied with a little wind, a heavenly display of lights, and billowing clouds. It was just a year ago when the sky would not yield a drop of rain, the grass was withering, and cattlemen regularly remarked about praying for rain and paying the preacher more. If the increased prayers equaled the increase in pay for preachers around, God was certainly not disturbed or encouraged to action. The grass today is green. The remarks are now pray for the rain to stop and the biggest problem with putting up hay is getting it baled before it rots in the field due to all the moisture. Things sure change quickly.
Winter brings hope of spring, spring brings hope of summer, and summer gives way to fall only to lead to winter again. There is always hope. Christians ought to be the most optimistic people in the world. Mark Lowry used to say at his concerts that his favorite words in the Bible are, “and it came to pass.” Just as the drought has passed from our area, your trials will pass as well. May you find the hope of the passing season toward the blessings yet to be received.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Preaching This Week
I expect most pastors have their sermons in the final stages of preparation by Thursday. It might be rather interesting to see what others are preaching this week. Why not post your text and outline here this week and see what others are preaching as well. My AM sermon this week comes from Philippians 2:14-16. I have taken the title from an old David Ring sermon called "The Eleventh Commandment". The subtitle, "Thou Shalt Not Bellyache."
Three reasons Christians are not to murmur and dispute.
1. Because of their position. -- Children of God.
2. Becasue of the problem. -- The generation we live in murmur and dispute, Christians are supposed to be different.
3. Because of their purpose. -- to serve as luminaries, not complaining about life as they know it, but rather holding forth the Word of life. Everlasting life, abundant life.
Three reasons Christians are not to murmur and dispute.
1. Because of their position. -- Children of God.
2. Becasue of the problem. -- The generation we live in murmur and dispute, Christians are supposed to be different.
3. Because of their purpose. -- to serve as luminaries, not complaining about life as they know it, but rather holding forth the Word of life. Everlasting life, abundant life.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Wake Up the Church
Wake Up the Church
Rev. 3:1-6
Jesus speaks to the church at Sardis
For the last 30 years the preaching across America has suggested that the current state of church in America is like the church at Laodicea. The church at Laodicea was a luke warm church. It was full of complacency and apathy. Is it possible that the current state of the church in America is no longer a luke warm church but a dead church? Acts chapter 2 describes an alive church as being one that is devoted to the teaching of the Apostles. It was a church with warm fellowship, active ministry, and dynamic preaching. It was a church where lost souls were being saved on a consistent basis. If the statistics circulating these days about church growth and in particular those that are growing evangelistically, then surely we would have to say if the church is not dead, her vital signs are so weak that we would have to use a heavily amplified stethoscope to get a heart beat.
The standard Jesus used for the church at Sardis is a great word for a dying church. Boiled down to a nutshell, Jesus used a negative tone of prophetic speaking and gave us three descriptions of an alive church.
He described its:
1. Vibrancy
2. Vision
3. Victory
1. Vibrancy. As Jesus speaks so sternly to this church, a local church, a local called assembly, He pronounces them dead on arrival. They have a name that says they are alive, but they are dead. Evidently they have a reputation of being an alive church, but in reality, they are dead. There must be activity for He says He knows their deeds. Truthfully they are a church that is alive to many things, they are just not alive to spiritual things and a church that is not alive to the things of God is a dead church.
Perhaps the church at Sardis was alive to the flesh rather than the Spirit. Romans 8:5-10 explains so very clearly that one alive to the flesh is dead to the spirit. Perhaps they were a church that was filled with unbelief and as Jesus did not do many miracles in Nazareth due to unbelief, neither did he do many in Sardis because they were filled with unbelief.
An alive church, on the other hand, is a church that is alive to the Spirit. It is a church that hungers and thirsts after righteousness. It is a church that Acts 2 describes as a people that are in awe of what God is doing. It is a church filled with belief that an all powerful, supernatural creator of the universe is personally intervening, as an answer to their prayers in the daily affairs of their lives. It is a church full of belief. It is a church that is filled with positives because the negative produced by unbelief is driven away. It is a church with a testimony of vibrancy because it is a church full of people with a vibrant walk with Jesus.
2. Vision. In verse 2 Jesus sends out the resounding call for the church to wake up. Some years ago I served on the local volunteer fire department. One day we were called to an accident where a man was seriously injured. As a matter of fact, by all appearance he was just a corpse. As the medical technicians arrived, they discovered some kind of faint pulse in the man's neck. They immediately moved to action sticking needles here and needles there. They put a contraption over his mouth and began to breath for him. After a period of time his limbs once again responded. The man was alive. In this verse we see the same picture. There is a little life with a great opportunity for resuscitation. But it is the vision that will allow and encourage a revival to their soul. Jesus says your works are not complete. They are not finished. They can look forward to more supernatural working in their presence because God is not yet finished if they will merely repent. We are reminded that according to the written Word of God when he begins a work He will finish the work.
3. Victory. An alive church is a victorious church. It is a church that understands that it does not work to victory but from victory. Jesus says that there are and will be those of this church that wear robes of white, whose names will not be blotted out of the book of life. The imagery included in these verses is of a kingdom that keeps records of all that are born. It is as if God has a huge book in which the names of every person who will ever live on earth were written down. Those people come and live on the earth. Some receive eternal life to live forever. Others refuse Jesus and have not eternal life. When a person passes from this life without Jesus, their names are blotted out of the book of life. But to those who have received Jesus Christ as personal savior, the blood of the lamb has caused those names to be written in such a way that they can never be blotted from the book of life.
The victorious church works from a position of victory. It is filled with people who have experienced victory and believe that God will bring victory to others. It is a church that understands the teaching of God’s Word that Jesus is sanctifying his Bride to receive her as a spotless Bride. It is a church that walks in confidence knowing that the devil is defeated and the Savior is exalted.
In order for the church to be unified in spirit, she must first be alive the Spirit. May God revive His church in America so that she is not dead but fully alive in the Spirit.
Rev. 3:1-6
Jesus speaks to the church at Sardis
For the last 30 years the preaching across America has suggested that the current state of church in America is like the church at Laodicea. The church at Laodicea was a luke warm church. It was full of complacency and apathy. Is it possible that the current state of the church in America is no longer a luke warm church but a dead church? Acts chapter 2 describes an alive church as being one that is devoted to the teaching of the Apostles. It was a church with warm fellowship, active ministry, and dynamic preaching. It was a church where lost souls were being saved on a consistent basis. If the statistics circulating these days about church growth and in particular those that are growing evangelistically, then surely we would have to say if the church is not dead, her vital signs are so weak that we would have to use a heavily amplified stethoscope to get a heart beat.
The standard Jesus used for the church at Sardis is a great word for a dying church. Boiled down to a nutshell, Jesus used a negative tone of prophetic speaking and gave us three descriptions of an alive church.
He described its:
1. Vibrancy
2. Vision
3. Victory
1. Vibrancy. As Jesus speaks so sternly to this church, a local church, a local called assembly, He pronounces them dead on arrival. They have a name that says they are alive, but they are dead. Evidently they have a reputation of being an alive church, but in reality, they are dead. There must be activity for He says He knows their deeds. Truthfully they are a church that is alive to many things, they are just not alive to spiritual things and a church that is not alive to the things of God is a dead church.
Perhaps the church at Sardis was alive to the flesh rather than the Spirit. Romans 8:5-10 explains so very clearly that one alive to the flesh is dead to the spirit. Perhaps they were a church that was filled with unbelief and as Jesus did not do many miracles in Nazareth due to unbelief, neither did he do many in Sardis because they were filled with unbelief.
An alive church, on the other hand, is a church that is alive to the Spirit. It is a church that hungers and thirsts after righteousness. It is a church that Acts 2 describes as a people that are in awe of what God is doing. It is a church filled with belief that an all powerful, supernatural creator of the universe is personally intervening, as an answer to their prayers in the daily affairs of their lives. It is a church full of belief. It is a church that is filled with positives because the negative produced by unbelief is driven away. It is a church with a testimony of vibrancy because it is a church full of people with a vibrant walk with Jesus.
2. Vision. In verse 2 Jesus sends out the resounding call for the church to wake up. Some years ago I served on the local volunteer fire department. One day we were called to an accident where a man was seriously injured. As a matter of fact, by all appearance he was just a corpse. As the medical technicians arrived, they discovered some kind of faint pulse in the man's neck. They immediately moved to action sticking needles here and needles there. They put a contraption over his mouth and began to breath for him. After a period of time his limbs once again responded. The man was alive. In this verse we see the same picture. There is a little life with a great opportunity for resuscitation. But it is the vision that will allow and encourage a revival to their soul. Jesus says your works are not complete. They are not finished. They can look forward to more supernatural working in their presence because God is not yet finished if they will merely repent. We are reminded that according to the written Word of God when he begins a work He will finish the work.
3. Victory. An alive church is a victorious church. It is a church that understands that it does not work to victory but from victory. Jesus says that there are and will be those of this church that wear robes of white, whose names will not be blotted out of the book of life. The imagery included in these verses is of a kingdom that keeps records of all that are born. It is as if God has a huge book in which the names of every person who will ever live on earth were written down. Those people come and live on the earth. Some receive eternal life to live forever. Others refuse Jesus and have not eternal life. When a person passes from this life without Jesus, their names are blotted out of the book of life. But to those who have received Jesus Christ as personal savior, the blood of the lamb has caused those names to be written in such a way that they can never be blotted from the book of life.
The victorious church works from a position of victory. It is filled with people who have experienced victory and believe that God will bring victory to others. It is a church that understands the teaching of God’s Word that Jesus is sanctifying his Bride to receive her as a spotless Bride. It is a church that walks in confidence knowing that the devil is defeated and the Savior is exalted.
In order for the church to be unified in spirit, she must first be alive the Spirit. May God revive His church in America so that she is not dead but fully alive in the Spirit.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Reflections
Reflections on the 2007 SBC.
As I left San Antonio today, my impressions were distinctly different than when I left the BGCT annual meeting held in Amarillo in 1994. The Amarillo meeting was my first convention and I vowed it would be my last. I was put off and disgusted at the arrogance and pride displayed by the moderates who gained firm control on that day. Thirteen years later I have changed my perspective of that meeting and it bears on this years SBC Annual meeting as well. What I really saw in 1994 was grown men who had been soundly defeated at SBC meetings for 15 years who won at their state level. I saw their jubilance, heavy handed politics, and boasting as arrogant and prideful. Today I see it as tremendous release of stored up energy and emotion. Four years later those whom in victory they belittled, walked away and started the SBTC.
I am older now and having been in church ministry since 1995, I have matured in my outlooks and patience with others. I believe what I saw in San Antonio was healthy debate. I came away believing that the dialogue Wade Burleson is hoping for is happening within the leadership of the various agencies of the SBC. In 1994 I thought the sky was falling and in many ways it did fall. As a result there is one vibrant Texas convention and another that is struggling to find its way out of the past and into the future. One of the brightest spots I have seen in years to help the BGCT out of its wilderness is the hiring of Jon Randles to head up the team on evangelism. For the Executive Director of the SBTC to be elected as first VP speaks well of the vibrancy of that convention.
I sense an awakening of determination in the SBC to lock arms for the sake of the Gospel. Not everyone is onboard yet and as many employees and ministries as there are within our convention there will always be some disagreements among us. I am impressed because a new generation is emerging that has a renewed passion for the Gospel. They are growing up quickly but not like the generation that grew up in the wars of yesterday. The wars of yesterday pushed liberalism out the door. The enemy today must be seen as the enemy that keeps this world in the dark. We must gather the army and attack the darkness around us with the same vehemence that we attacked liberalism.
If you are a young person reading this blog and this was your first convention, let me encourage you to avoid allowing the political maneuvering and robust discussions keep you from your support, diligent service, and commitment to a great convention, the SBC. At 49, I can assure you this was the most enjoyable convention of my life. Greeting old friends and spending time together is something that non denominationals and independents never get the opportunity to experience. The convention is more than politics. There will always be some things you don’t like. There will always be some things you think are great. Try to change the things you don’t like, but concentrate on the things you do. Give yourself to Jesus and kingdom work.
As I left San Antonio today, my impressions were distinctly different than when I left the BGCT annual meeting held in Amarillo in 1994. The Amarillo meeting was my first convention and I vowed it would be my last. I was put off and disgusted at the arrogance and pride displayed by the moderates who gained firm control on that day. Thirteen years later I have changed my perspective of that meeting and it bears on this years SBC Annual meeting as well. What I really saw in 1994 was grown men who had been soundly defeated at SBC meetings for 15 years who won at their state level. I saw their jubilance, heavy handed politics, and boasting as arrogant and prideful. Today I see it as tremendous release of stored up energy and emotion. Four years later those whom in victory they belittled, walked away and started the SBTC.
I am older now and having been in church ministry since 1995, I have matured in my outlooks and patience with others. I believe what I saw in San Antonio was healthy debate. I came away believing that the dialogue Wade Burleson is hoping for is happening within the leadership of the various agencies of the SBC. In 1994 I thought the sky was falling and in many ways it did fall. As a result there is one vibrant Texas convention and another that is struggling to find its way out of the past and into the future. One of the brightest spots I have seen in years to help the BGCT out of its wilderness is the hiring of Jon Randles to head up the team on evangelism. For the Executive Director of the SBTC to be elected as first VP speaks well of the vibrancy of that convention.
I sense an awakening of determination in the SBC to lock arms for the sake of the Gospel. Not everyone is onboard yet and as many employees and ministries as there are within our convention there will always be some disagreements among us. I am impressed because a new generation is emerging that has a renewed passion for the Gospel. They are growing up quickly but not like the generation that grew up in the wars of yesterday. The wars of yesterday pushed liberalism out the door. The enemy today must be seen as the enemy that keeps this world in the dark. We must gather the army and attack the darkness around us with the same vehemence that we attacked liberalism.
If you are a young person reading this blog and this was your first convention, let me encourage you to avoid allowing the political maneuvering and robust discussions keep you from your support, diligent service, and commitment to a great convention, the SBC. At 49, I can assure you this was the most enjoyable convention of my life. Greeting old friends and spending time together is something that non denominationals and independents never get the opportunity to experience. The convention is more than politics. There will always be some things you don’t like. There will always be some things you think are great. Try to change the things you don’t like, but concentrate on the things you do. Give yourself to Jesus and kingdom work.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
SBC Convention Day 2 Evening
SBC Convention Day 2 Evening
While walking around in the exhibit hall I stumbled up on a booth sponsored by the Evangelism Team of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The new team leader, Jon Randles along with his wife Kelly, were greeting guests and speaking of great hopes for the BGCT.bgct I must say that this is the best news I have heard from the BGCT since the Amarillo Convention in 1994. Jon is a man who is passionate about souls and is well equipped and experienced in reaching the younger generations. His long time work with college students has been a model that others have sought to duplicate all over the US. His optimistic and active spirit would encourage and lift others regardless of where he finds himself. May God bless Jon and may he find receptive hearts in the power circle within the BGCT.
The stats from the SBC Annual book of reports show that it takes 35 BGCT Baptist to win one soul. The same book reports show that it takes 28 SBTC Baptist to win a soul. Perhaps Jon can bring a renewed focus to souls in the BGCT. I am confident that Don Cass is successfully accomplishing that task among the SBTC.
These stats also reveal that while there are over three times as many BGCT churches as there are SBTC churches; the BGCT gave only 2 million more dollars to the cooperative program than did the SBTC.
While walking around in the exhibit hall I stumbled up on a booth sponsored by the Evangelism Team of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The new team leader, Jon Randles along with his wife Kelly, were greeting guests and speaking of great hopes for the BGCT.bgct I must say that this is the best news I have heard from the BGCT since the Amarillo Convention in 1994. Jon is a man who is passionate about souls and is well equipped and experienced in reaching the younger generations. His long time work with college students has been a model that others have sought to duplicate all over the US. His optimistic and active spirit would encourage and lift others regardless of where he finds himself. May God bless Jon and may he find receptive hearts in the power circle within the BGCT.
The stats from the SBC Annual book of reports show that it takes 35 BGCT Baptist to win one soul. The same book reports show that it takes 28 SBTC Baptist to win a soul. Perhaps Jon can bring a renewed focus to souls in the BGCT. I am confident that Don Cass is successfully accomplishing that task among the SBTC.
These stats also reveal that while there are over three times as many BGCT churches as there are SBTC churches; the BGCT gave only 2 million more dollars to the cooperative program than did the SBTC.
Wednesday Morning, Convention Day 2
I am continuing to especially enjoy the convention. This year’s convention has helped me to grow in the conviction that I need to do more to the church where God allows me to serve more involved.
It was refreshing to me to hear Morris Chapman's address yesterday. Hearing some of our strong leaders who have worked diligently to set a good course for our convention helps me to believe that as we seek a greater level of cooperation that we won’t sell ship. It is a healthy day in the SBC when we can take on difficult issues, debate them openly and then cooperate whole heartedly together even when our ideas and opinions do not prevail.
Wade Burleson posted a blog prior to the convention about the Big Leagues and there certainly appears to have been maneuvering on some of the issues. The more I am involved with organizations, the more I understand the necessity of great leadership and what some would call politics. I long for a great statesman to arise within our convention who can be heard clearly when he speaks. In listening to the speakers yesterday, it seems as though Morris Chapman and Mac Brunson may have those capabilities.
It was refreshing to me to hear Morris Chapman's address yesterday. Hearing some of our strong leaders who have worked diligently to set a good course for our convention helps me to believe that as we seek a greater level of cooperation that we won’t sell ship. It is a healthy day in the SBC when we can take on difficult issues, debate them openly and then cooperate whole heartedly together even when our ideas and opinions do not prevail.
Wade Burleson posted a blog prior to the convention about the Big Leagues and there certainly appears to have been maneuvering on some of the issues. The more I am involved with organizations, the more I understand the necessity of great leadership and what some would call politics. I long for a great statesman to arise within our convention who can be heard clearly when he speaks. In listening to the speakers yesterday, it seems as though Morris Chapman and Mac Brunson may have those capabilities.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday SBC Convention -- Evening
I believe Monday was a good day for Southern Baptists. The overall spirit seemed to be congenial and supportive of one another. Various motions came throughout the day mingled with reports and opportunities to worship in song and prayer. Of course the hot topics of the day were for the 1st VP and the motion on the BF&M.
It seems to me we opened a Pandora’s box with what appears to be a passing of the motion on the BF&M.(the official ballot count had not been released when I left the convention hall.) The motion may turn out to actually narrow the parameters rather than widen them. Since it is to be used as the doctrinal guide, it would make sense that no one could serve as a trustee or employee who felt it necessary to sign with caveats. If that is true, some who supported this motion and serve as trustees should seriously consider resigning from their trustee positions to protect their own integrity. This could, perhaps, prohibit missionaries from serving who signed with caveats. I would hope that my first understandings are incorrect.
It seems to me we opened a Pandora’s box with what appears to be a passing of the motion on the BF&M.(the official ballot count had not been released when I left the convention hall.) The motion may turn out to actually narrow the parameters rather than widen them. Since it is to be used as the doctrinal guide, it would make sense that no one could serve as a trustee or employee who felt it necessary to sign with caveats. If that is true, some who supported this motion and serve as trustees should seriously consider resigning from their trustee positions to protect their own integrity. This could, perhaps, prohibit missionaries from serving who signed with caveats. I would hope that my first understandings are incorrect.
SBC Day 1
SBC Convention Day 1 Morning
As I reflect on yesterday’s events I was reminded of the good spirit that seems to prevail among the messengers. I remembered how another blogger commented about the younger group attending the preaching sessions of the conference while many of the older messengers could be found visiting in the halls. This reminds me that the older I grow, the more I value friendships and the more I realize that a very important part of the annual convention is the meetings that take place in the halls.
I woke up thinking about the old friends I saw again yesterday and the new acquaintances as well. I thought about my friend Joe Stewart and how men like Joe encourage me about the future of our convention. His heart for evangelism is evident in his daily life. He refused the tracts from those encouraging us to use them in San Antonio because sharing Jesus is so much a part of life for him that it just appears in normal encounters with others. I believe his current studies in the emergent/ermerging/missional church will be of great benefit to those who share his heart to reach the Pomo generation. Joe is extremely bright, humble and articulate both in verbal and written communication.
I even wonder who I will see today that I did not see yesterday.
I was able to squeeze in a little sermon preparation this morning before the convention begins and to write this blog over breakfast. I will return to my hotel room and upload the post before making my over to the convention hall to join by brothers and sisters in Christ as we seek the touch of the Holy Spirit in leading the Southern Baptist Convention.
Some disdain politics yet it is the term we use to describe the shaping and moving of organizations by those who are willing to engage the necessary activities to bring about progress and change. No organization under heaven is perfect and therefore they all require maintenance and revision. I welcome all involved in the process especially those with whom I disagree. I know I will disagree with some who bring motions and resolutions today yet I thank God for their contributions to thought and dialogue. Their thinking invigorates my thinking and sometimes changes my mind. May God be glorified today at the annual meeting of the SBC.
Feel free to respond to this post but be aware that at the current time moderation requires my approval before it will actually be posted. I will change this when I get a little time to be online and figure out how to change the setting. I apologize for this inconvenience, it is just a bit difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.
As I reflect on yesterday’s events I was reminded of the good spirit that seems to prevail among the messengers. I remembered how another blogger commented about the younger group attending the preaching sessions of the conference while many of the older messengers could be found visiting in the halls. This reminds me that the older I grow, the more I value friendships and the more I realize that a very important part of the annual convention is the meetings that take place in the halls.
I woke up thinking about the old friends I saw again yesterday and the new acquaintances as well. I thought about my friend Joe Stewart and how men like Joe encourage me about the future of our convention. His heart for evangelism is evident in his daily life. He refused the tracts from those encouraging us to use them in San Antonio because sharing Jesus is so much a part of life for him that it just appears in normal encounters with others. I believe his current studies in the emergent/ermerging/missional church will be of great benefit to those who share his heart to reach the Pomo generation. Joe is extremely bright, humble and articulate both in verbal and written communication.
I even wonder who I will see today that I did not see yesterday.
I was able to squeeze in a little sermon preparation this morning before the convention begins and to write this blog over breakfast. I will return to my hotel room and upload the post before making my over to the convention hall to join by brothers and sisters in Christ as we seek the touch of the Holy Spirit in leading the Southern Baptist Convention.
Some disdain politics yet it is the term we use to describe the shaping and moving of organizations by those who are willing to engage the necessary activities to bring about progress and change. No organization under heaven is perfect and therefore they all require maintenance and revision. I welcome all involved in the process especially those with whom I disagree. I know I will disagree with some who bring motions and resolutions today yet I thank God for their contributions to thought and dialogue. Their thinking invigorates my thinking and sometimes changes my mind. May God be glorified today at the annual meeting of the SBC.
Feel free to respond to this post but be aware that at the current time moderation requires my approval before it will actually be posted. I will change this when I get a little time to be online and figure out how to change the setting. I apologize for this inconvenience, it is just a bit difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Pastor's Conference Monday June 11, 2007
As I stated on my early Sunday Morning post, the opportunities for the week are tremendous. We made the 500 mile drive to a small community near Eagle Pass to get a mission group set to conduct a Bible School in a community that has no Baptist and no evangelical witness. Today they had nineteen children in attendance.
Personally, I attended portions of the Pastors conference, met up with some old friends and met others for the first time. Conventions really are about networking and fellowship as well as worship and business. I had the pleasure to meet Eric Geiger, coauthor of Simple Church. I also met Ed Stetzer and discussed some ideas about missional churches. It was also good to meet some of the blogger crowd including Wes Kinney, Bart Barber, and VolFan. They are certainly gracious men standing on their convictions, their love for Jesus, their love for the lost, and their love for Southern Baptist.
As always, Johnny Hunt is a messenger of blessing when he preaches. Jimmy Drapers testimony about temptation should be a warning to us all and James Merrit issued an equally compelling plea. Due to the fact that I arrived in San Antonio well after midnight, I did not attend the afternoon session. Hays Wicker did a fantastic job in lining up the Pastor’s conference. If the crowd tonight is any indicator of things to come, we will see a large crowd for this convention.
I also attended the SBTC welcome to Texas meeting only to be encouraged by Bobby Welch, Morris Chapman, and Bart Barber.
Personally, I attended portions of the Pastors conference, met up with some old friends and met others for the first time. Conventions really are about networking and fellowship as well as worship and business. I had the pleasure to meet Eric Geiger, coauthor of Simple Church. I also met Ed Stetzer and discussed some ideas about missional churches. It was also good to meet some of the blogger crowd including Wes Kinney, Bart Barber, and VolFan. They are certainly gracious men standing on their convictions, their love for Jesus, their love for the lost, and their love for Southern Baptist.
As always, Johnny Hunt is a messenger of blessing when he preaches. Jimmy Drapers testimony about temptation should be a warning to us all and James Merrit issued an equally compelling plea. Due to the fact that I arrived in San Antonio well after midnight, I did not attend the afternoon session. Hays Wicker did a fantastic job in lining up the Pastor’s conference. If the crowd tonight is any indicator of things to come, we will see a large crowd for this convention.
I also attended the SBTC welcome to Texas meeting only to be encouraged by Bobby Welch, Morris Chapman, and Bart Barber.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
United We Stand
What an incredible amount of opportunity this week holds. Today I will be preaching a message that God has burned into my heart called, “All for One and One for All.” It is taken from Philippians 2:2 and centers on a unity in spirit. That is ironic on the eve of the Southern Baptist Convention to be held in San Antonio. The outline is simple and comes from just one verse.
Be of the same mind.
Maintain the same love.
Be united in Spirit.
Be intent on one purpose.
While reading about the word that is translated mind, I found that it could easily be translated opinion as well. I have been told all of my life that we Baptist are entitled to our own opinion, yet in the church Paul is saying that our opinions ought to be the same. He also writes on the same subject in Romans 12:2 when he says our minds are to be renewed so that we will know what the will of God is. In verse 5 of Philippians 2 he also says our attitude, another translation of the same word translated mind, should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
In order for the church to be the church, there must be a transformation of mind. Minds cannot be divided between the things of God and the things of the world. The person who stands with one foot in the church and another in the world is a person with a divided mind, not a sober mind. There will be little or no power in the church where the members are divided in mind. The transformation of mind goes beyond the individual to the whole. In order for the church to be the church, those who make up the church must share a common mind. Their opinions must agree.
Maintain the same love. Yes the word love here is that agape kind of love, which Jesus literally defined. I am told that of the literature written in Greek prior to the coming of Jesus, this word Agape was used very sparingly. It is continually used to describe the love of the Lord toward us and therefore is defined by Jesus. In John 13:34-35 it is this love that causes the world to know who are His followers.
The very word maintain reminds us that this is not a task to be accomplished without intentional effort. In the area where I was raised we had dirt roads. No oil top, a few black tops, but most of the roads other than state highways to this day are dirt. The county owns what we called maintainers. Some call them a scraper, but let it be known that they have to continually scrape the dirt from the ditches upon the road in order for it to be maintained. If there is a maintenance mode the church needs to be in today, it is the maintenance of Agape love for one another.
United in spirit. This phrase has also been translated as “in one accord.” Notice that it does not say uniform in spirit but united in spirit. In one accord is quite different than all one chord. In one accord leaves ample room for a variety of instruments to work together just as Romans 12 reminds us that there are many members of the body who bring together a variety of gifts to make a beautiful music. While all four of these imperatives work together as a whole, it is this unity of spirit or lack of it that poses one of the greatest threats to the health of the church. Spirit literally means wind and is used to describe the heart, soul, and essence of one’s life. We could say a person has a cheerful spirit or a sad spirit. We are speaking of their demeanor knowing full well that it is a person’s demeanor that shapes their life. So here, the Bible is speaking of the demeanor and will of a local church body. It is to be united. Haven’t you heard it said, united we stand, divided we fall. Jesus told us in Luke 11:25 that any house divided against itself will not stand. When the opinions or minds of the people in a congregation are not the same, the spirit will be divided. When the spirit is divided, the house will fall.
The opposite of a united spirit is a divided spirit or a contentious spirit. Some years ago, while my boys were playing baseball, we traveled to a nearby town for them to play. A man stood behind the backstop and taunted the umpire. The umpire was a young man, maybe 19 or 20 years old. The man had a very contentious spirit and was just waiting for the umpire to miss a call by some 1/10,000 of an inch, upon which time he would go into a tirade against the call. The man was contentious hoping to sway the umpire to call for his grandson who was pitching. He had a contentious spirit.
I was listening to Herb Reavis from North Jacksonville Baptist Church in Florida the other day that said this about this subject. He said, "it is not the mean people who are destroying churches today." It is the nice people. The mean people say what they will say and the nice people do nothing. If we are to have unity in the church, the nice people have to stand up. I thought about that day at the ballpark. I simply moved over next to the man and when he disagreed with the call, I simply disagreed with him. When he said it must have been a ball, I said it looked like a strike. Do you know in short order, this man quit yelling at the umpire and our boys had a good contest? It is the same way in the church. Minority voices often find that they can control a church by verbal dissent, which dampens the spirit and destroys unity. So what do we do? When someone says I didn’t like that song and you did, simply say, I am sorry that you did not like that song but it really ministered to me. When they say, I wish we wouldn’t do that and you think it is ok, say so. Stand up. By standing up you will quiet the voices of dissention opening the door for a unity of spirit.
Intent on one purpose. Phil. 3:10-14 That purpose is not in the past it is in the present and the future. It is not about yesterday but today. It is not only about tomorrow and glory but today and walking with Him. Our purpose is summed up in the great commission where Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples of all the nations. That commission has been accepted and is the mission of the church. But our overarching purpose ladies and gentlemen is to glorify Jesus. Some have said that is knowing Jesus and making Him known. The word intent is not merely about a simmering intention but more closely thought of as being intense. It is one that knows, neither life, nor death, nor principalities, nor powers shall separate us from the love of Christ. It is the intensity that the Hebrew writer spoke of when he said Heb 12:1-2
Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
NASU
Imagine this, hearts that are intense on one purpose. That intensity might be like the intense furnace where the three Hebrew children survived the fiery furnace. Intent like the hot sun in the desert on a clear sunny day in early August.
There it is. All things lined up in one direction. Minds, love, spirit and purpose. What could God do with such a church? In these days of our convention, what could God do with such a convention?
In addition to my attendance at the convention this week, our church will be conducting a Bible School in small Texas community that has no Baptist witness.
My what opportunities God is giving us this week. May He be glorified in all we do.
Be of the same mind.
Maintain the same love.
Be united in Spirit.
Be intent on one purpose.
While reading about the word that is translated mind, I found that it could easily be translated opinion as well. I have been told all of my life that we Baptist are entitled to our own opinion, yet in the church Paul is saying that our opinions ought to be the same. He also writes on the same subject in Romans 12:2 when he says our minds are to be renewed so that we will know what the will of God is. In verse 5 of Philippians 2 he also says our attitude, another translation of the same word translated mind, should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
In order for the church to be the church, there must be a transformation of mind. Minds cannot be divided between the things of God and the things of the world. The person who stands with one foot in the church and another in the world is a person with a divided mind, not a sober mind. There will be little or no power in the church where the members are divided in mind. The transformation of mind goes beyond the individual to the whole. In order for the church to be the church, those who make up the church must share a common mind. Their opinions must agree.
Maintain the same love. Yes the word love here is that agape kind of love, which Jesus literally defined. I am told that of the literature written in Greek prior to the coming of Jesus, this word Agape was used very sparingly. It is continually used to describe the love of the Lord toward us and therefore is defined by Jesus. In John 13:34-35 it is this love that causes the world to know who are His followers.
The very word maintain reminds us that this is not a task to be accomplished without intentional effort. In the area where I was raised we had dirt roads. No oil top, a few black tops, but most of the roads other than state highways to this day are dirt. The county owns what we called maintainers. Some call them a scraper, but let it be known that they have to continually scrape the dirt from the ditches upon the road in order for it to be maintained. If there is a maintenance mode the church needs to be in today, it is the maintenance of Agape love for one another.
United in spirit. This phrase has also been translated as “in one accord.” Notice that it does not say uniform in spirit but united in spirit. In one accord is quite different than all one chord. In one accord leaves ample room for a variety of instruments to work together just as Romans 12 reminds us that there are many members of the body who bring together a variety of gifts to make a beautiful music. While all four of these imperatives work together as a whole, it is this unity of spirit or lack of it that poses one of the greatest threats to the health of the church. Spirit literally means wind and is used to describe the heart, soul, and essence of one’s life. We could say a person has a cheerful spirit or a sad spirit. We are speaking of their demeanor knowing full well that it is a person’s demeanor that shapes their life. So here, the Bible is speaking of the demeanor and will of a local church body. It is to be united. Haven’t you heard it said, united we stand, divided we fall. Jesus told us in Luke 11:25 that any house divided against itself will not stand. When the opinions or minds of the people in a congregation are not the same, the spirit will be divided. When the spirit is divided, the house will fall.
The opposite of a united spirit is a divided spirit or a contentious spirit. Some years ago, while my boys were playing baseball, we traveled to a nearby town for them to play. A man stood behind the backstop and taunted the umpire. The umpire was a young man, maybe 19 or 20 years old. The man had a very contentious spirit and was just waiting for the umpire to miss a call by some 1/10,000 of an inch, upon which time he would go into a tirade against the call. The man was contentious hoping to sway the umpire to call for his grandson who was pitching. He had a contentious spirit.
I was listening to Herb Reavis from North Jacksonville Baptist Church in Florida the other day that said this about this subject. He said, "it is not the mean people who are destroying churches today." It is the nice people. The mean people say what they will say and the nice people do nothing. If we are to have unity in the church, the nice people have to stand up. I thought about that day at the ballpark. I simply moved over next to the man and when he disagreed with the call, I simply disagreed with him. When he said it must have been a ball, I said it looked like a strike. Do you know in short order, this man quit yelling at the umpire and our boys had a good contest? It is the same way in the church. Minority voices often find that they can control a church by verbal dissent, which dampens the spirit and destroys unity. So what do we do? When someone says I didn’t like that song and you did, simply say, I am sorry that you did not like that song but it really ministered to me. When they say, I wish we wouldn’t do that and you think it is ok, say so. Stand up. By standing up you will quiet the voices of dissention opening the door for a unity of spirit.
Intent on one purpose. Phil. 3:10-14 That purpose is not in the past it is in the present and the future. It is not about yesterday but today. It is not only about tomorrow and glory but today and walking with Him. Our purpose is summed up in the great commission where Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples of all the nations. That commission has been accepted and is the mission of the church. But our overarching purpose ladies and gentlemen is to glorify Jesus. Some have said that is knowing Jesus and making Him known. The word intent is not merely about a simmering intention but more closely thought of as being intense. It is one that knows, neither life, nor death, nor principalities, nor powers shall separate us from the love of Christ. It is the intensity that the Hebrew writer spoke of when he said Heb 12:1-2
Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
NASU
Imagine this, hearts that are intense on one purpose. That intensity might be like the intense furnace where the three Hebrew children survived the fiery furnace. Intent like the hot sun in the desert on a clear sunny day in early August.
There it is. All things lined up in one direction. Minds, love, spirit and purpose. What could God do with such a church? In these days of our convention, what could God do with such a convention?
In addition to my attendance at the convention this week, our church will be conducting a Bible School in small Texas community that has no Baptist witness.
My what opportunities God is giving us this week. May He be glorified in all we do.
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