Memphis 1
May 2nd, 2006 | By art rogers | Category: Missional, SBCMarty has my power cord, so I will be as brief as possible. It really is hard to be brief about a meeting that has taken 3.5 hours. Still, here goes.
We talked around the various issues in the SBC for a while. Ben Cole opened with a statement paper that addressed the various things that we all have sensed were problems, not only for us, but for others.
I was surrounded by people who had worked within the convention for many years. There were a few Younger Leaders, as well. I was greatly heartened by the things I heard coming from the “Veterans.” Frankly, they sounded like me and some of my circle.
The focus of the issues boiled down to arrogance of Southern Baptists and the system that promotes it. There were two other talking points, which were valid, but did not receive much comment. I think it is because they seem (to me) to be an extension of the arrogance issue – that we isolate ourselves from other denominations and the our mission efforts are unilateral. We think that we are it, and everyone else is sub-par, basically.
All of this stems from the system that promotes the idea that as the SBC goes, so goes conservative evangelicals; as conservative evangelicals go, so goes the west; as the west goes, so goes the world.
I raised the question that has been on my mind for a couple of days. “The SBC is a bottom up structure at every level but one, the Presidential appointment process. Do you try to elect a president, or do you try to change the system? And if you try to change the system, will the massive middle of the convention, who are not part of the power structure but follow their lead, will they allow a change that would then prevent the ability to reclaim the convention if they feel the need?”
Frankly, I wanted neither option. I don’t need to remap the takeover with a new group calling the shots. I want no part of that.
The political structure/system change thing is a spider’s web of politics that is exhausting and for which I have no heart.
Imagine my feelings when voices around the room echoed those feelings. There was disdain for any attempt to become “Kingmakers.” Further, there was an eschewing of any attempt to rewrite the rules of Convention governance. No point. Waste of time.
So what then?
A call to certain positive statements for all Southern Baptists by these Southern Baptists. Using the information channels afforded us by technology and press releases, it is our intent to craft and release a statement calling us to several things. You will have to wait for the content, I’m afraid, but you will be excited to hear it.
What power is there in this?
None. The power is the Lord’s. We are giving voice to the convictions that He has placed on us. I sense that the timing of the groundswell among Southern Baptists and our convictions in repentance and commitment is God’s hand at work among us.
We seek no power, nor do we seek to deny power to any. We seek to glorify the Lord and to call all Southern Baptists to do likewise.
Yes. It is necessary to make such a call, because, no, some of us are acting in ungodly ways.
I close with this question asked by Dr. Tom Ascol, after referring to the “ends justifies the means” process that led people to attack other Southern Baptists “for the sake of the cause”: “What ’cause’ allows us to violate the principles of righteousness?”
What cause indeed?
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Thanks for the report Art!
I was with you in prayer, sorry I couldn’t be there.
If you do not wish to be kingmakers, why have a system that allows kings to exist. I know it would be almost impossible to change but we need to take so much power out of the hand of one person, the president. Come up with a formula that takes the appointment process back to the state conventions so they can have a voice in deciding who represents them on committees and boards. The SBC keeps asking them to raise the percentage of CP funds given to the SBC but doesn’t want them to have a voice in deciding how the funds are spent.
Some say that we are supposed to not have a connection between the national and state conventions. The connnection already exists. The seats on trustee boards are based on the existance of the state convention. The SBC also depends on the state convention for funds.
The system worked back in the days when our presidents were working for the benefit of the convention as a whole. It doesn’t work when we have presidents who uses the appointment process to build political power for themselves and their organization.
I am also concerned as to why Ben Cole would invite Don Hinkle but not editors like Trennis Henderson, Charlie Warren or Bob Terry who have a reputation for fairness. Ben seems tied to the old resurgence propaganda system.
I am glad to see you are there Art. I was afraid the only participants were disgruntled conservative resurgence supporters. I hope there are some there who had the wisdom to see from the beginning the true nature of the conservative resurgence and not just those who are slow learners and only now beginning to understand it.
Ron, how can I get in contact with you? We think similarly. Do you have an e-mail address?
rewest@pobox.com
I am a born again Christian
I am a Southern Baptist
I am a Taiwan Baptist
I am an Arkansas Baptist
I am a theological conservative
I could go on but I will stop there.
Ron & all,
The system of State Convention nominations was brought up but it was made evident by several that the leadership recycling process exists at state levels, and in some states worse than at the national ones.
We are not here to “fix” the convention. We are forming a statement of repentance and intention for ourselves in hopes to lead others among us.
Don Hinkle is here because he was originally a participant in the conversation, not as a media representative. When the media then found about the meeting and pressed for a presence, we turned to Don and asked him to document it and release it.
This is a matter of comfort for the participants not wanting to be misquoted or misrepresented. By having one person with which to deal, we are able to speak more freely.
No media were invited as media. When some media pressed for a presence, we simply turned to one of our number with skill in this area and asked him to do double duty.
We know that this statement will be scrutinized and may well be attacked. I see predispositions of many who are not here already coloring what we are doing.
This statement is about us, not others. It is about what we need to do, and if you don’t want to do it, as a Southern Baptist, you don’t have to do a thing.
I strongly encourage you to look hard at the people who are attacking Ben. If they are anonymous, that tells you much. If they tell you who they are, you should understand their motives.
Ben made one of the most humble and empassioned confessions of repentance of ever participating in political junk last night. Wait on the statement.
Unlike others, you will not have to wait long.