Are things really changing? If you had told me six months ago that we would have three people nominated for each office of the SBC, I would have thought you were off your rocker. Well, I would have had to eat crow.
What has changed? I would like to think that a couple of things have brought about this work.
1. Jimmy Draper’s involvement last year with Young SBC’ers. I really wasn’t sure it would have much impact. I figured that those disaffected would remain so because not much would be allowed to happen through the GOBS (good old boy system). I was wrong. The grassroots movement that was naturally launched last year has magnified.
2. Blogs. I believe that blogs are growing as a form of communication, expression and fact-checking in all areas of life. Much of it is good. Some of it is not. But two blogs launched a explosion of like-minded blogs over the past seven months. SBCOutpost and Missional Baptist Blog broke the IMB issues last November. Others followed suit, including Wade Burleson, which stoked the fires greatly. Marty is now quoted in Baptist Press, ABP, and other “news” sources and everyone who is someone in the convention reads his posts and the comments. So is Art Rogers.
3. The IMB trustees. If there were words to describe the debacle that is the IMB trustee board, I’ve yet to find them. Now they have every word of their public meetings, decisions and press releases under a microscope. Their decision to invoke unbiblical policies about baptism and prayer language brought attention to a wealth of issues within the leadership of that board. The actions against one particular trustee started to bring out of the woodwork all those were dissatisfied at the oligarchy within the convention. The exposure of the workings of that oligarchy have brought even more people out.
In addition, the IMB issue awakened people to see that we have neglected interest in our boards and agencies for far too long. Now every decision by every board will examined.
4. Paltry giving by the megachurches. The practice in the early part of the conservative resurgence has finally bit itself in the rear. With the nomination of someone who received more money than they gave to the state convention, small churches who are the backbone of the convention have finally started making their concerns known. Unfortunately, the measure of success within the convention is numbers, but we are finally forcing the issue with regards to cooperative program giving. Those who want leadership need to lead by example and that includes giving. The perception is that these pastors want to control but don’t want to make the investment financially to the convention. I’m ok if they don’t want to give, but don’t cry for leadership and control if you’re not willing to make the investment financially.
So as of today, we have three presidential candidates, three 1st VP candidates, and three 2nd VP candidates.
It’s been an amazing year! Can’t wait until Greensboro!
