Is it Either/Or–Bridges/Fences?

If you have never been to Grandfather Mountain and transversed the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, I encourage you to do so. The pictures you see here are from the promotional pictures on the website of Grandfather Mountain. The first picture is a picture of a gorge with the road winding through. The picture to the right is one taken of the Swinging Bridge. The third picture is one taken of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Of course you do realize these pictures were taken at the peak of the fall colors. North Carolina has some of the most lively colors in the fall that you will ever find. Any conference you can register for at Ridgecrest or The Cove is worth the price. However, many do not attend the conferences because they are out riding the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The purpose of this article is to draw your attention to the bridges in these pictures. Do you notice something? Each bridge has a guardrail fence at its boarder. Why would there need to be a fence on the bridge or even leading up to the bridge? It is placed there in order to keep the cars from plummeting over the edge to a certain demise.

Fences are used as both negative and positive. When used in the negative it results in a war between two factions. These two factions believe their rights have been violated and determine never to allow the other faction the opportunity to violate their rights again. Thus you see fences put in place and people never speak again to each other.

When used in the positive fences are good things for protection. My back yard is surrounded by a 4 foot chain link fence. I do this because I have a shop with a motor home sitting beside it and I also have a small dog that I allow to run free inside the fenced area. Can you imagine a thief complaining against my ability to place a fence around my yard? I can hear it now; “Tim should not be able to place a fence around his back yard because I have a right to be free and that fence impedes my freedom.”

Bridges or Fences

I submit to you that we need both. I agree that we need bridges in order to unite areas that are not united. However when they build a bridge they always place a fence along the boundaries of the bridge and also in the areas leading up to the bridge. Why? Can you imagine having a bridge with no boundaries? There has to be fences in order to keep out the things that can harm, but also to keep safe those who use the bridge.

I believe we need bridges. These bridges could unite the Emergent Church with the Traditional Church, younger pastors with older pastors, the pew with the pulpit, denominational workers with laity, Evangelicals with Southern Baptist. However this bridge needs to have a fence in order to clearly establish the boundaries in which we have marked. I wonder if some of the bridges that are being built sometimes are bridges, not to unite, but to further a particular personal agenda? I am not accusing anyone of having a personal agenda, I am merely asking a question.

Uniting

I believe we need to build bridges to accentuate our missions efforts. These bridges would serve us well as we strive to feed and clothe the poor. While Jesus did say the poor you would always have with you, this does not negate our need to reach out to them. Others are doing a great job reaching and doing ministry to the poor and we certainly need to build a bridge into this area of ministry. As I understand, there is an Emerging Church and there is an Emergent Church. I do not know enough about either to discuss their differences, but I do know that each is doing something that we in the traditional church is not doing. I believe there needs to be a bridge built into that area in order to learn and possibly partner in the areas that we can partner. Younger Pastors complain their voices are not being heard and Elder Pastors are questioning the wisdom in listening to these young voices. I believe there are bridges that can be built here in order for the younger voices to be expressed in order to glean the freshness of new ideas. I also believe these voices would find that our elder voices make plenty of sense about issues because there is nothing new under the sun.

There are bridges that need to be built and while I am not an engineer that would design the bridge, I certainly have the ability and desire to build such a bridge. I am not able to design the structure, but I can help in building the structure.

Unison

While bridges are important, fences are just as important. Why build something that as people begin navigating the structure they stumble over the side into the theological abyss and drown in the ocean of ecumenicalism? While it is the bridge that brings about the uniting of two groups, it is the fences that keep these groups in unison.

Let’s say I am called on to join this illustrious group to sing the song Amazing Grace. Let us take for granted that Brother Wes is an Operatic Tenor. While Brother Les sings in the style of a Boy Band. Then we have Brother Robin singing in the Arkansas Southern Gospel style. That leaves Brother Dwight and myself and we both sing in a spiritual style. Can you imagine what we would sound like? There is music on a page in order to keep everyone singing in unison. Fences do the same thing.

Fences keep us heading toward the bridge that is built and they keep us safe as we traverse the expanse. Have you ever thought of why bridges are bridges in the first place? Bridges are built in order to enable a usually none traveled space, to be traversed.

Conclusion

I would like to close this article by asking some questions. As we build bridges, we must ask ourselves are these areas that we need to traverse? In other words, why do we desire to build a bridge into certain areas? Also, if we design a bridge that will reach the area are we not doing an injustice to those that are footing the price of the bridge to not establish fences? These fences would protect those traveling the bridge, and also keep out those that do not like the fences and are only operating within them in order to use the bridge. Therefore as they cross the bridge they are constantly complaining about the fence making the bridge appear more and more narrow. When the fence gets worn and in need of repair, these same ones complain that if the fence is fixed it will only cause others to not desire to use the bridge.

As with all illustrations this one breaks down. I do not advocate fences over bridges, or bridges over fences. I do advocate reaching and teaching and I also advocate protecting and serving. You see, we need the bridge because it will have a uniting effect. But, as with the need for the music, the fence is needed in order for those traveling across the bridge to walk arm-in-arm–this is called unison.

A Tacit Confession?

On a recent blog article the writer called into question the veracity of an SBC Seminary education. The statement went; “… to get a seminary doctorate but are who are thereby less likely to find employment in the American academy.” From that statement it appears the author does not believe that one who receives a PhD. from one of our seminaries has the academic credentials to be employed within the world of academia. This reader would humbly disagree. However, that is not what this article is about. It seems the writer of the blog mentioned earlier confessed to something that he apparently did not realize. (Of course according to this article by the blogger he has spoken truth about me.>)) Allow me to state that I am no theologian and this area of expertise is something that I am lacking. For me to discuss theologians and their philosophies would be like a first year algebra student discussing calculus. Some of the concepts are familiar but a fuller understanding of theorem is lacking.

I am not about to discuss the finer understandings of Liberation Theology. I will say only that Liberation Theology implemented outside the sterility of academia will lead to Marxism. See here for a thorough discussion on Liberation Theology. The purpose of this article is to present something that Baptist support with no appearance of concern.

Academic Openness

Academic openness has been the proclamation of the Academy for years. I remember when Dr. Russ Bush was appointed to the faculty of SEBTS. The media and moderates began sounding the alarm that conservatives were turning their seminary into Bible Institutes. Bible Institutes were used in derogatory terms describing the lack of academic discipline. However, what many may not realize, would be Bible Institutes do turn out preachers. For example, we have in North Carolina a place named Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute. Fruitland has instructors teaching whose academic qualifications would not allow for them to teach in the world of academia. However, Fruitland turns out preachers. One thing that churches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee know, when you get a preacher from Fruitland you find, not only a Pastor, but you also get someone that can Preach. Dr. Kenneth Ridings has been Professor of Homiletics since 1968. Before that a little known preacher by the name of Dr. Charles Stanley taught Homiletics. One of the largest churhes in South Carolina has for her Senior Pastor, a graduate from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute. Therefore, coming from a Bible Institute is not always a bad thing. Dr. Russ Bush has never taught at a Bible Institute, and was teaching in the Theology Department at SWBTS thus, has the academic credentials. But the moderates tried their best to paint him as unqualified for the position. Anyone that has taken Dr. Bush knows that he is more than qualified to teach in any school of academia.

According to the confessional charge of my Brother over at Baptist Blogger, the intellectual inbreeding [sic] of the SBC has created an educational degree that does not practice openness. He states that he received “no serious engagement with Liberation Theology.” I personally did not take every class that my Brother took at SEBTS, but I do remember being in Dr. Patterson’s first semester of Systematic Theology with my Brother. I do personally remember engaging Liberation Theology during a portion of that semester. Was there a class at SEBTS entitled Liberation Theology? No there wasn’t, but neither was there a class entitled Millennium Theology.

According to what I have been taught about academic openness, there is a presentation of the various arguments within the discipline then the student engages the various arguments. This leads to a student using other learned disciplines to arrive at a conclusion. Here I find the tacit confession of my Brother. His encounter with Dr. Ellis is described in this sentence. “With faculty and students hiding down the hall, my professor pounded his fists on his desk and told me that he “didn’t give a d______ (my deletion) what I thought.”

I only have three questions. Where is the engagement of academic openness? What would have been the outcry within the SBC and CBF if this would have happened at any one of our six seminaries? Where is the outcry from the Academy about a professor degrading a student in such a way based on inaccurate gossip?

Academic Dishonesty

An area of academic dishonest that is seen in this diatribe speaks about the culture of the SBC. “In fact, so concerned are Southern Baptists to limit exposure to these cultural influences that we are forced to consider the perennial efforts to remove our kids from public schools.” It seems that our Brother tacitly describes an education of anything other than public school is less than academic. Because a parent takes seriously their responsibility before God to insure their child gets a Christian World View we are now doing a dis-service to our children. Of course I have to remember who it is that is making this statement–a young man, never married, and not responsible for offspring.

This kind of statement reveals the academic dishonesty that is being taught within the educational system. It would appear that my Brother has bought into the age old rhetoric of the Academy. The rhetoric is such that Bible Colleges do not produce an educated minister. However, our Brother says; “Thus we may have created a vortex of ministry unpreparedness and biblical illiteracy from which we cannot extract ourselves, unless drastic measures are taken — and taken fast.” He argues for more intellectual openness and theological acumen but the he makes this statement concerning SBC education. I know that seminaries produce great educated pastors. But one thing that seminaries do not do–produce biblical literacy. I went to both a moderate University and a conservative Seminary, and at both I had to fill my electives with Bible classes.

I only have one question with two follow-up questions about academic dishonesty. Does one believe there to be a dichotomy between Biblical Literacy and an Educated Clergy? If yes, why present a need for Biblical Literacy? If no, how is the SBC inbreeding?

Academic Elitism

This area is rife throughout the entire article. Let me just show one example concerning the Liberation Theologians the author references. According to this article Dr. Gutierrez as founder of this discipline advocates:

true “liberation” has three main dimensions:

First, it involves political and social liberation, the elimination of the immediate causes of poverty and injustice.

Second, liberation involves the emancipation of the poor, the marginalised, the downtrodden and the oppressed from all “those things that limit their capacity to develop themselves freely and in dignity”.

Third, Liberation Theology involves liberation from selfishness and sin, a re-establishment of a relationship with God and with other people.

Our Brother at Baptist Blogger states; “Liberation theologians take seriously the words of Jesus, who told his disciples that the blessed poor were those for whom the gospel was intended.” Let’s see. Liberation theologians take seriously the words of Jesus, but then state the first thing that needs to take place is to change the political environment. I believe you will also hear Liberation theologians state that the government cannot mandate morality. When Jesus liberated me, He did not liberate me from culture. He presented Himself to me through the shackles of a redneck culture and liberated me from the shackles of sin. It also seems that Paul never once tried to change the political environment he found himself in and even was beheaded by Nero. Maybe someone should have told Paul about this liberation that he overlooked.

One other area of academic elitism is seen in this statement;

Those pastors and professors who contribute most to Southern Baptist life are those who have explored more diverse philosophical and theological perspectives than their counterparts of limited interaction with the mainline academy.

What appears to be said is that unless you have been widely educated and engaged all of the various disciplines you will not be able to contribute to Southern Baptist life. I need to remind my Brother that this very argument was leveled at the Conservative Resurgence. But, unlike my Brother, I began my theological studies under the former left theological leaning leadership. They taught exactly what they wanted you to know. I found conservative books and had to read them outside of class in order argue from the conservative view point. I need to remind my Brother that when the name Gleason Archer was presented to the former Administration at SEBTS the students were told he was not academically qualified to teach. When the name Carl F. H. Henry was presented, the former administration would not even respond.

Conclusion

It seems that we have found a confession by one that probably did not mean to confess all that came out of the article. The Academy is rife with elitism and it appears our Brother has fallen as prey to this elitism. I do pray for him and count him as one I can seek and get advice from. However, I must call him to task on his description of the SBC educational system as it is at the least not an unbiased description and at the most academic dishonesty.

You Fill in the Caption

Well, for some bloggers it Phriday Photo. These pictures are certainly done by an amateur and not as crisp as Brother’s Tom Ascol, Art Rogers, Micah Fries and others. But I just thought I would post some of my time in San Antonio. It is a beautiful city. I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, in 1978, for my Medical Training when I joined the ARMY. I had completely forgotten how beautiful the river walk was. I walked by the USO one day and told my wife that the USO was where I spent most of my time. The reason? I never had any money. Enjoy and feel free to comment.

1.)

Trolling the river looking for Spooky Fundies!

2.)

I heard they went under here!! Shh!!!! Shh!!!

3.)

Brother Dwight explaining how one speaks in tongues employing the use of his ventriloquist look-alike named Les. Brother Dwight is so good, I never saw his lips move.

Brother Robin auditioning for “America’s Got Talent” with his look-alike ventriloquist act also named Les.

My secret coalition meeting, because this was the only coalition I could get together.

Brother Les ordering 5 McDonald Extra Value meals just before the resolution vote on gluttony.

Brother’s Wes and Dwight just before entering the GQ contest.

4.)

Man, I love the Pastor’s Breakout sessions.

5.)

Brother’s Robin and Les discussing the finer points of the gluttony resolution.

**Special Note **

These next two pictures are not open for you to comment on. I do want you to see a couple of reasons I would be against Brother Wade’s proposal for an online convention meeting. I believe he presents some good ideas, but I would be against something like that for these two reasons.

The first is that my family and I take seriously the responsibility to serve as messengers. If I am not willing to inconvenience myself for the sake of making certain the Gospel goes forth, then I have no reason to be part of a denomination. People died because they were baptized as adults. If their conviction was that strong for making certain Baptist Doctrine went forth, I can be inconvenienced for 4-6 days.

The second picture presents my second reason. With denominational loyalty at an all time low, I want my daughter to understand the high honor and responsibility we have. This was her first convention where she was voted on by the church to serve as a messenger.

The greatest gift I have received from God next to the gift of Salvation! Her name is Gail. :>)

Rebekah enjoyed this first convention as a messenger. She was responsible to keep up with her ballots and you should have seen her scrambling one time when we were voting and she could not get her hands on her ballots. :>)

This next picture you may comment on.

6.)

Rebekah took Brother Bob Cleveland’s hat while he wasn’t looking. :>)

The SBC Continental Divide

I was reading on the blogs just the other day about one blogger’s description of various issues. This blogger, and I cannot for the life of me remember who it was, described an issue by referencing their time at the Continental Divide. The comments were about placing one’s feet on each side of the Continental Divide and realizing the water that melted from the snow under the left foot went to one ocean and the snow under the right foot went to another ocean. I thought that was a very perceptive insight into every situation one finds themselves. It is rumored there is a Continental Divide within the SBC and the motion passed on the BF&M sets forth a case for the rumor.

Let me illustrate by pointing to another example that I have seen on the internet. This example is a blog article that popped up when I went into WordPress.com. (**Warning** This site contains some pretty graphic language relating to the effects of a medication. I only refer to this site because it is a source for my thoughts. This reference is merely designed in order that I do not plagiarize.) It seems that there is a new diet pill, named alli, on the market that is being promoted and grabbed up by every obese person that ever wanted to lose weight. However, notice something important about this over-the-counter medication.

You see, there’s (1)what the drug company markets it as, (2)the medical description of what it does and (3)the biggest effect you’re actually going to notice.

The drug company markets it as a weight loss pill. They say it will give “safe, effective weight loss”. Because it’s FDA approved it must be good. What could possibly go wrong?

A simplified medical description of the drug is that it’s a fat blocker. It stops your body from absorbing some of the fat in your diet. It doesn’t burn calories. But fat that would have otherwise been absorbed by your body… isn’t. Because fat contains calories less calories will go into your body.

It is the #3 item I need to explain because the article uses graphic, vulgar language to explain the side effects treatment effects. The result of this, that the drug company refers to as “bowel changes”, means that your feces changes into oil and it makes you incontinent. You become gaseous and believe you are about to pass gas, but you end up squirting oil. It seems that the drug company allows for this by explaining it this way;

The excess fat that passes out of your body is not harmful. In fact, you may recognize it as something that looks like the oil on top of a pizza. Eating a low-fat diet lowers the chances of these bowel changes. You may feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Until you have a sense of any treatment effects, it’s probably a smart idea to wear dark pants, and bring a change of clothes with you to work.

C an you imagine the spin placed out there by the drug company? Isn’t it amazing that they compare the oil produced by your body to the oil on top of a pizza? If that is the same oil, I will never eat another pizza. Also, they advise you to, not only wear dark pants, but to keep a change of clothes with you. If I have to waddle into Heaven with Brother Ben Cole’s resolution on gluttony tattooed to my chest, I will not take this pill to lose weight.

Tying it Together

I have been told that the leadership of the convention is not together. Brother Jeremy Green also deals with this issue of a divide in our Great Commission Council. **SEE UPDATE BELOW FOR THE CORRECT RENDERING OF THIS SENTENCE.** However, any attempt on my part to determine if the leaders are together would be purely speculation and thus result in gossip. I will not attempt to explain if there is a division among those who lead us. However, there is no doubt that there are differing ideas. Dr. Chapman’s version of the use of the BF&M by trustee boards is quite clearly different than Dr.’s Mohler, Kelly, Patterson, Land, Roberts, and Akin. I use these heads of agencies because I did not hear any other heads of agencies address this issue.

How does this alleged divide play into the SBC landscape? It seems that others are trying to place Dr. Akin in an opposite position than that of the others mentioned. I would agree with the article of fellow Pastor/blogger Brother Micah Fries that Dr. Akin did not use as passionate language as Dr. Mohler, but he did say the same thing. Others have tried to paint him as saying something opposite. here here Which brings me to the advertisement for the diet pill.

What is the Real Meaning?

If you will notice in this ad, the drug company painted it the way they wanted it to be painted and depended on the office of the FDA to enhance their movement. What they did not tell you was that your bathroom needs would increase dramatically, not to mention your clothes cleaning bill.

What does it mean if the leaders in our convention are divided? It means that they do not see eye-to-eye on things and that to anyone who has been in Baptist life means they are Baptist. To those outside of the SBC it means that some predictions long ago are coming to fruition. Therefore, some are ready to hook their horses to the cart of dividing forces and roll their way back into the city of the SBC in a Trojan Horse. This Trojan Horse has the appearance of being a gift and it looks so innocent that to accept it and bring it inside would only help. It appears some leaders view the discontent of some within our ranks as such a gift. They see this gift, it appears, as one they can use to build their circle of influence. Others are correctly, IMO, discerning this discontent as what it is–a Trojan Horse full of the possibility of spilling open with every neo-orthodoxy practice that gained its way into the pre-1979 convention. It appears that Dr. Adrian Rogers felt not all those he opposed in the Convention would deny the inerrancy of the Bible. He said on page 166 of his book Love Worth Finding; “The moderate is a person who may believe the Bible to be without error, but who also believes in inclusivism.” Also, some have said they do not desire leadership positions, but they court various leaders in order to make their voices heard.

The ones that promote the BF&M as being the sufficient guide–meaning nothing more is needed–forget that “On November 10, 1926 the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma voted to withhold Cooperative Program funds from any Southern Baptist Institution or Seminary whose faculty refused to sign the McDaniel Statement.” This was done in order to hold those teaching in our seminaries accountable to what the convention had passed. Let me add the McDaniel Statement said; “the Convention accepts Genesis as teaching that man was the special creation of God, and rejects every theory, evolution or other, which teaches that man originated, or came by way of a lower animal ancestry“, nothing in the McDaniel Statement is vague as “a sufficient guide“. While those that support sufficient guide–meaning it will be consulted and should be consulted as trustees make decision–remember that “Baptist churches, associations, and general bodies have adopted confessions of faith as a witness to the world, and as instruments of doctrinal accountability. We are not embarrassed to state before the world that these are doctrines we hold precious and as essential to the Baptist tradition of faith and practice.“

Conclusion

While some would have you believe that we have a divide in our convention, I would like to say I DO NOT BELIEVE IT. I know that we have a difference of opinion. As the water that melts on each side of the Continental Divide ends up in different oceans, some that follow one opinion will end up in a different place than others that follow another opinion. Also, as the diet pill’s side effects treatment effects are not communicated as clearly as they should be, some effects of deciding to make the BF&M as a maximum confessional statement have not clearly been communicated. This is evident by the constant spinning of Dr. Akin’s address. Dr. Akin said the same thing that the other presidents said. It seems the only one that referred to the BF&M in a different way was Dr. Chapman. And while he is my Executive Director, I will humbly disagree with him and allow the convention to make the final decision on exactly what that statement means.

**UPDATE**I have misstated a point referencing Brother Jeremy Green article about a Pandora’s Box.  Brother Jeremy does not state there is a divide on the Great Commission Council and I have not stated that correctly.  What I should have said was; Brother Jeremy Green deals with a difference of opinion from one that serves on the Great Commission Council.  If I in any way misrepresented Brother Jeremy’s assessment I do apologize.

Retractions of Insinuations

What do you do when the words you say are not the words someone hears? I do this often and find myself working hard to establish better communication skills. The last thing I want to be accused of is double-speak, which is what I feel the EC statement adopted last week by the convention does. Aaron Weaver, known in the blogging world as Big Daddy Weave, stated something about me in a previous post that rings true. He stated that I was “brutally honest”, something I do take as a compliment. However, words mean things and I have stated some words that have been interpreted in a way that I need to retract.

North Carolina’s Plan C

Recommendation #12 reads as follows:

The Cooperative Program (CP) is Southern Baptists’ unified plan of giving through which cooperating Southern Baptist Churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries.

When this recommendation came to the floor on Tuesday morning, I merely asked a question. My question had to do with our specific situation here in North Carolina. As I understand the autonomy issue, North Carolina is completely autonomous of the Southern Baptist Convention. In fact, according to the agreement between the SBC and the NCBSC, our convention serves only as a collecting agency of the SBC. I know that the NCBSC stated in the 2005 convention that funds going the CBF through Plan C would not be considered Cooperative Program Giving. However, that is only 10% and the rest is considered CP giving. That was the purpose of my question. The answer to my question was that the SBC would not receive any funds from CBF. I was approached by a couple of our state leaders that lovingly chastised me for asking the question. I was told that it placed North Carolina Baptist in the light of being liberals that give to the CBF.

Allow me to respond by saying three things. First, it never has been my intention of placing a bad light on North Carolina. I love this state and I love this state convention. I have been educated with funds given by people in the pews of this state and I am forever grateful for the upbringing I have had from SBC churches affiliated with North Carolina Baptist. Second, according to the SBC recommendation, the funds not given to CBF can be allowed to count as CP funds. The recommendation states that CP funds are “undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries.” You may say the word “and” makes a difference, but I submit that Lottie and Annie make the “and” of no importance. A church that is supporting Plan C may loose the 10% allocation, but with Lottie and Annie receipts that church is giving through their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries. Let me quickly add that I do not know of any CBF churches that would desire to be counted part of the SBC, but I am saying that the door is open if one desires. Third, I was instructed by some of our state leaders that we, as a convention, do not support the CBF. I call on us all to re-look at the giving plans. The giving plans reveal that as North Carolina Baptist we do support the CBF. To say that we do not is like saying Bill Clinton was not my president because I did not vote for him. During former President Clinton’s eight years, he was my president though I voted for George Bush-the elder, and Bob Dole–President Clinton was still my President. As North Carolina Baptist we support the CBF I do not care which plan your church chooses to support.

However, let me state clearly. It was not my intention with the question to place North Carolina Baptist in a bad light with the Southern Baptist Convention.  If I anyone feels I did that, it was not my intention and I am sorry.

Dr. Ed Stetzer and LifeWay’s PPL Research

Wes Kenney Robin Foster and I, along with our families, were returning Monday evening from supper for the evening session of the Pastor’s Conference. While we were waiting at the crossing, Dr. Ed Stetzer walked up behind us. I recognized him and we began a conversation. He remembered me from Jackson as giving him a ride. I joked, while we were waiting for the crossing light that he needed to do another survey. We all laughed and he told me he would be interested in speaking with me on that PPL results. I responded that I would be glad to discuss it and we parted ways at that time.

As I walked through the Exhibit Hall eating the candy I took from the different candy bowls, I spotted Dr. Stetzer in the Lifeway Research booth.  As I stopped to speak with him we had a very interesting conversation.  He challenged me on my assessment of the PPL Research that was released on his first official day at LifeWay.  After answering some of my quesitons, he then dropped a bombshell on me.  He told me that I participated in the survey.  I was taken aback and then he reminded me that I even posted on my blog about participating in the survey. I then remembered receiving something from NAMB about a survey on how seminary prepared me to tackle the issues of the day.  I did post on it.  He told me that was the portion of the research report about the seminary graduates.  I imagine I must be in the 4%.  Let me take back also the questions I raised on methodology.  The post I did immediately after the Research results were released I did raise a question of methods concerning SBC Laity.  Dr. Stetzer informed me that SBC Laity were involved in this survey but the number of laity would not allow them to release the results because of such a high margin of error.

One other retraction I need to make concerns the release of the research results.  Dr. Dwight McKissic and I had a conversation on the releasing of the results and his word was that if LifeWay sat on this information and allowed the convention to vote on PPL without it he would feel misinformed.  I respect that thinking.  Dr. Stetzer told me the reason they released the material was that they were completed studying the data.  This data was released once it was complete.  I questioned him about the alcohol portion and he stated they were not finished studying that data.  He agreed that he could see where people could question the timing of the release and there were other things that people questioned that were fair questions.

The main question that Dr. Stetzer and I both agreed with was the question concerning theology.  He told me that question alone was the flaw, if there was a flaw, in the research results.    It seems that there is no clear theology supporting a PPL, but 50% of the pastors believe there is such a thing as PPL.  All in all, I enjoyed getting to know Dr. Stetzer more during the time in San Antone, and I look forward to more Research coming from LifeWay.

I would also like to say, publicly, if I offended anyone at LifeWay Research by my analysis, I am sorry.  It was never my intention to be offensive. 

Retractions and other SBC Statements Forthcoming!

It is Friday and I have just gotten back in my office.  Jet lag, late nights, humid conditions, and just plain laziness caught up with me last night around 10:30pm.  I began an article on the flight from DFW to Charlotte but could not finish.  I planned on finishing it when I got home but was unable.  Then we went to VBS where I was able to give the evangelistic appeal.  We saw 20 some kids respond, but after we counseled them individually we feel comfortable with 12 of those decisions.  I used Dr. Criswell’s response with those we beleived came forward without an understanding–you have made a step toward God.  I encouraged them to go home and speak with their parents and then I would set up a time to come by and visit with their parents also.

Well, you see my predicament.  I now will be more busy than I was before the convention.  I love this work!!!  However, I plan on posting next week some retraction statements concerning the PPL report.  I am not backing up on my understanding, but after speaking with Dr. Ed Stetzer, I do have some retractions to make because of a few implications I arrived at.  Dr. Stetzer was very gracious to me and I enjoyed speaking with him and joking about another Survey forth coming.  He is a good sport.   Also, I made a statement at the SBC that got me in trouble with my Ex. Dir. here in NC.  I do need to set the record straight because of a response at the convention given to a question I asked.

Well, enough for now.  I must get ready.  Continue to pray for Noah and Jillian.  Also pray for a person in a former ministry by the name of Carl.  Brother Carl has a very serious bacterial infection and he is critical.  He has two children under the age of 18.  Pray for him to be healed.

I am Sorry!

I have been busy, very busy.  We are enjoying the convention and meeting different people.  I have met some people that I had only met in the blogging world.  This evening I met Brother Wade Burleson for the first time.  Such a cordial person and he truly seemed happy to meet me.  His wife Rachelle is much more pretty in person than she is in their picture.  We only were able to speak greetings to each other, but it certainly was my honor to be able to meet them.

Why am I Sorry?

I told you guys that I would be blogging lively. I just cannot do it!!  Trying to keep up with what is going on and having all these people pulling you for your time (Rebekah) keeps me divided in what is happening.  I certainly want to apologize if you have been trying to follow the convention from this perspective.

Another reason I am sorry has to do with some information I found out at the convention.  I will be elaborating on this when I have the opportunity in the next couple of days.

Well, I need to close.  Continue praying for the convention.

Lively Blogging!

I have decided that I may not be able to “live” blog, meaning giving minute-by-minute updates.  I plan on “lively” blogging, meaning doing minute-by-minute updates at times and at other times giving wrap-up analysis.

Wrap-up of Sunday

We began the day by breakfasting with another pastor friend and his wife.  It has been a little while since we have seen Randy Speight and he and his wife Elaine are a joy and pleasure to be with.  They are fun to be around and we truly enjoy their company.  We went to the  COSBE worship service and truly were blessed by hearing the preaching of the Word of God.

Afterwards we came back to the hotel and enjoyed some pool time with Rebekah.  From the pool we went to lunch with Brother Randy and met his brother Dallas Speight.  Brother Dallas is head of the Pastoral Department with the Colorado Baptist State Convention.  He truly has a heart for helping pastors and also helping hurting pastors.  Colorado Baptist certainly have been blessed by God to be able to enjoy the gifts God has given this man.

At 4pm we went to the convention center to get registered and met Wes Kenney and David Worley (volfan007).  Brother David’s wife was with him and what a joy she is.  She has a sweet spirit and a heart for ministry.  You can tell how she looks at her husband that she is truly in love with him after 25 years.  We found that we had a common anniversary.  Gail and I have an anniversary on 12/19 and theirs is on 12/18.  After getting registered, Brother Wes and I registered for our press credentials.  The lady made sure to remind us that this press pass only allowed us into the press conference as an observer.  I believe I will go back tomorrow and see if I can scope some of the fruit and snacks that are in the press room. :>)

Pastors Conference

Ran into many people at the Pastor’s Conference.  One of the reasons for going was to hear Dr. Patterson.  Last year at the Greensboro convention I invited Dr. Patterson to speak to our congregation.  It worked out that he was free and would be willing to come.  Dr. Chuck Kelly and his wife along with a number of others across the convention made it to our church.  We have moved from that ministry to the one we are in at this time.  However, what you do not know is that we were in conflict at our previous ministry.  We did all that we could to end the conflict, even calling in an outside mediator.  However, those that were wreaking the havoc could care less about ending the conflict they just wanted to get what they wanted.  Dr.’s Patterson both met with Gail and I and encouraged us immensely in my office that Sunday before the service.   I told Gail that we really wanted to hear Dr. Patterson’s testimony on this evening.  He certainly did not disappoint.  God used him to reveal to me how much hurt our conflict had inflicted on my wife.  Gail received some of the nasty responses, and she also received a letter calling into question her integrity for some things she had said and ministries she was trying to start.  What Dr. Patterson did when he publicly told Sister Dorothy thank-you, resonated with Gail and me.  Rebekah raised her head and listened when he spoke to the children because she had been the target of some harsh statements about her Daddy from other children.  I praise God for this message as it ministered to me and my family.  Gail wanted to leave after that so I walked her back to the Riverwalk.  I told her that according to another blogger she had nothing to fear because she could spot who was in town for the convention and who wasn’t.

Other Bloggers

I had made contact with other bloggers earlier.  Brother’s CB Scott and Bob Cleveland I met in the lobby.  Brother Bob has a lovely wife.  Of course if you ask him he was predestined to have her.  As I was leaving the convention hall to walk Gail and Rebekah to the river, I ran into Brother Dwight McKissic.  We hugged and I introduced him to Gail and Rebekah.  After we left Rebekah asked me about turning my reading glasses around from the front of my neck to the back of my neck.  I told her that when Brother Dwight sees people he hugs them and his hugs are quite tight some times.  Therefore, I did not want to get my glasses bent.  Rebekah responded by saying, “Daddy, he did not hug me or Mama.”  I giggled!  Rebekah then said, “I saw him hug another lady and he did not squeeze her hard, he was very gentle.”  After leaving them, I returned to the convention hall and found Brother Dwight in the same spot I left him.  However, he was speaking to a different person, Dr. Sam Storms.  I introduced myself to Dr. Storms.  We exchanged pleasantries and he was left the conversation.  Brother Dwight asked me what I was doing and I told him I was returning to my seat.  I invited him to come join me as I was sitting with fellow bloggers; Robin Foster, Wes Kenney, David Worley, Bart Barber, & Matt Brady.  He told me that he would ruin my name.  I told him that I would ruin his name.  But let us both ruin each other’s name and go on in together.  He honored me by sitting with me and you should have seen the look on some of the other’s faces when they say Brother Dwight sitting with us.  I saw Brother Ben in the lobby and he told me to tell Brother Dwight hello.

Well, more probably later today.  I probably will not go to any of the morning sessions, but look forward to being there this afternoon and evening.  If you see me please stop me and introduce yourself.

Prayer Request

I ask that you pray for a person that came to know Christ in my fellowship.  We have been working with this young man for months.  His wife came forward receiving Jesus as her Savior a month back.  She was scheduled for Baptism but he took her out and they stayed out all night.  We canceled her Baptism and began more counseling.   He became more and more beligerant toward God and anything to do with the church.  Finally, he called his mom and told her he was ready to surrender everything.  I was out of town here in San Antonio, so one of our Deacons and our FAITH Director went over to the home and led him to Christ.  He came forward yesterday morning and announced to the church his surrender.  Pray for him!  His name is Noah and his wife is Jillian.  Noah was into some of the occult.  He followed the thoughts of an artist in New York that does dark side art.  He is struggling with night mares and other evil thoughts still invading his mind.  I am communicating with him and giving his Scripture to read and praying with him over the phone.  Pray that God will keep these evil thoughts and images out of his mind and he will overcome this now.

Live Blogging

Well, the Blues Brothers Barber Bloggers are leaving Joshua, Texas heading in caravan toward San Antonio, Texas on a mission from God.  As you compare the group, the Burleson Blog Coalition, New Baptist Covenant Invitee Coalition, I don’t like anything Paige Patterson does Coalition, Carter/Clinton Covenant Coalition, Burleson-Cole-Duren Coalition to the Blues Brothers Barber Bloggers I believe the Blues Brothers Barber Bloggers has the coolest music. “You know you make me want to shout”  is more cool that any theme from Star Wars.  The theme from Star Wars does not have any words with the music.  The Burleson Blog Coalition, New Baptist Covenant Invitee Coalition, I don’t like anything Paige Patterson does Coalition, Carter/Clinton Covenant Coalition, Burleson-Cole-Duren Coalition has the slogan; “the force be with you”, while the Blues Brothers Barber Bloggers have the slogan; “We are on a mission from God”.

Wait, there is a live update.  We have lost Brother Wes Kenney’s wife.  She has had to fly with their kids to Michigan.  It seems Brother Wes’ brother could not make the flight to pick up their children so Sister Debbie had to fly with them.  I have been told that Brother Ben Cole with all of his connections had something to do with the delay of Brother Wes’ brother.  :>)  I wonder if I were to go to the Marriot and tell them my name was Ben Cole and I was already staying at the Hilton and I needed to cancel my reservation what would happen.  :>)  No, I will not allow myself to think like that. ;>)

Well, this is the latest update.  I went to the COSBE service this morning.  Great services and great messages.  We need to be about witnessing.  Whatever the outcome of this convention, when I get back to Statesville I have committed to refocus on evangelism.   I pray that we all will be committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ whether we are in our Jerusalem, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the World.

Why are You going to San Antonio?

Some pastor friends of mine, here in NC, have asked me that very question. My wife, in recent months asked it in a different version. Her question can after a little drama in the blog world between me and others, of whom do not like to admit it but they are, in the Burleson Blog Coalition, New Baptist Covenant Invitee Coalition, I don’t like anything Paige Patterson does Coalition, Carter/Clinton Covenant Coalition, Burleson-Cole-Duren Coalition. She asked it a little different but it was the same question. She asked; “Remind me again why we are loading up our family to go to San Antonio?” I am going to San Antonio for two reasons. The Cooperative Program is now being defined as designating your giving to any agency you like and not giving to an agency you do not like. The second reason, hinging on the first, points to what I believe is a clear Baptist Distinctive that has become dyslexic.

Cooperative Program Giving

With the announcement of the 1VP candidates came the call for a look at the CP giving of the candidate. As you know Dr. Jim Richards does not lead a church, but he is a member of one that gives 12% to the CP. Also, Dr. Richards leads a relatively new state convention and he is leading them to a 55% ratio. Many have pointed to new works and how they can afford to give more to the SBC because they do not have as much to fund. However, some of these same ones point to Thom Rainer and Eric Gieger’s book Simple Church as a model to which we must return. It seems that Dr. Richards is leading the SBCT in a Simple Church model where less is more. Also, ask a church planter their biggest temptation? They certainly are not tempted to give more money to the CP than they keep on their ministry field. So the “new convention” argument really rings hollow.

Brother David Rogers, the other candidate for 1VP, neither is a pastor of a local church. However, he does plant churches. Of course he corrected that mistake, and to his credit, he did not have to do so. Therefore, I do see integrity with Brother David as it does seem that his desire is not to mislead. However, he is being nominated by one that has total allegiance to the BGCT. The BGCT has a giving plan that is so confusing that after reading it and trying to figure out exactly how much money makes it out of the state of Texas, you will be as mixed up as a termite in a wooden yo-yo. However, the BGCT’s giving plan has nothing to do with Brother David Rogers, or does it? Brother David, it appears, is allowing someone to nominate him that gives total allegiance with a state convention that has rejected the very principles that Dr. Adrian Rogers stood. As a missionary, Brother David has said he will go if we will hold the ropes. The BGCT may be holding some ropes, but those with the ropes in one hand have a knife in the other hand ready to cut those ropes at a moments notice.

The Cooperative Program is being redefined. If Frank Page’s election was about the Cooperative Program, then this year’s 1VP race is about the definition of CP giving. I stand for Dr. Jim Richards, because Dr. Richards believes in the CP as defined from the start. Giving to the CP through designating which entity receives what–is not CP giving! The same ones that advocate Brother David Rogers for 1VP are the ones that cried foul when it was revealed that Dr. Ronnie Floyd bypassed the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and gave directly to the Executive Committee, IMB and other agencies. They said then, that you could not count this as CP giving. However, they have now changed their tune advocating GABC as the largest giving CP church.

Therefore, I am headed to San Antonio to make my voice heard for defining Cooperative Program giving.

The Clear Baptist Distinctive is becoming Dyslexic

While the CP is as much a part of Southern Baptist life as fried chicken at homecomings, our Baptist Distinctive has become dyslexic. This is not meant to denigrate those opposed to my point of view, but only to define what I am saying. According to the definition, a dyslexic is familial learning disability involving difficulties in acquiring and processing language. I submit to you this familial learning disability is found in the family of Southern Baptist and the language is the language of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

We have some Southern Baptist that state if it is not covered in the BF&M2K then we do not address it. We have others that say if it is found in the BF&M2K then I can choose not to agree with it. Which is it? Is the document to be used for denominational accountability or not? While the BF&M2K is not a creed, it does give an important understanding of why we are distinct say from; American Baptist, Methodist, CBF, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Evangelicals, New Baptist Covenant, etc. etc.

Some have even stated that the BF&M2K is in disagreement with the Abstract of Principles that Boyce began with at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. How ridiculous of a statement is this? That would be like saying; the New London Confession is in disagreement with Calvinism. Do the people that say these things not realize who sat on that Baptist Faith and Message Committee? Dr. Al Mohler is rumored to be the one that drafted the BF&M as a discussion point for the committee to begin. Does one not realize that if Dr. Mohler, President of the seminary that holds the original Abstracts, penned a document he certainly would not have allowed it to be in disagreement to the position of those who founded SBTS? Read a portion of this document published on SBTS’s website.

There are few threats more perilous for the evangelical church
than theological seminaries set adrift from theological accountability.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is unembarrassed
in our commitment to require all professors to teach “in
accordance with and not contrary to” our Abstract of Principles
and the Baptist Faith and Message.
Furthermore, we expect our professors to hold these convictions
as personal beliefs and commitments, not merely as contractual
obligations for teaching.

Dyslexia is setting in.

Another thing about the BF&M2K. It seems that some are desiring to make statements like; I believe in church membership, but membership in the church universal trumps membership in a Baptist church. I did not know that we were separating Baptist Church membership from membership into the Family of God. No one has called anyone to task in such a way that would point to this. However, some feel that remaining true to a Baptist distinctive somehow, someway, means that you believe Baptists are the only ones going to Heaven. Allow me a soap box for a moment. If I believed there was another denomination that was any closer to the New Testament definition of church than the Southern Baptist Convention, then I would be whatever that denomination was. However others in other denominations that are Born Again Believers will be in Heaven.

While the BF&M2K is not infallible or inerrant, we as a convention have stated this is our confession. Anyone being payed with funds from this convention, or serving in leadership in this convention should not have the luxury to pick and choose what they believe and do not believe about our confession. If you believe it, great. If you do not believe it, do not expect to serve. Trying to define this document depending on your own whims and personal feelings, reveals dyslexia. Does one not realize that when they are critical of this document, they are criticizing the entire SBC? I like the way Dr. Adrian Rogers stated it;

We now propose a new edition of our honored confession. This generation must set forth its witness to the truths revealed in the Bible. Where necessary, we have proposed changes and additions to certain sections. We have retained the structure of the confession and the substance of each article. We have proposed no new articles. Several of the articles are presented without any revision at all. Our recommendation is intended to clarify our doctrines for this present age, and to define our beliefs against the backdrop of modern confusion.

It seems this backdrop of modern confusion has made its way into the ranks of Southern Baptist in the form dyslexia when it comes to reading the BF&M2K.

Therefore, I will board a plane in Charlotte, NC on Saturday morning to fly to San Antonio, Texas. While I am there, I plan on visiting the Alamo with my family and if time and funds permit, Sea World. I plan on seeing old seminary friends and others that I have met through blogging and other venues. However, my main purpose is to be there casting my ballot in favor of delivering a clear definition for the Cooperative Program and setting a clear Baptist Distinctive. This will be done when Dr. Jim Richards is elected 1VP and the various resolutions and motions are passed that clearly state Southern Baptist do not believe in PPL, and the BF&M2K is our minimal doctrinal beliefs for serving in employment or voluntary leadership positions.