In an interview published by Texas’ “Conservative” convention paper, Wade Burleson discusses our ability to cooperate with other Baptists, using the BGCT as an example. He further discusses the Presidency of the SBC, the potential for his candidacy and that of another man – and the timing of a potential announcement concerning this other man’s intents.
Read the SBC Texan article:
Wade Burleson discusses SBC presidency
In the article, Wade also states a belief that reform is coming to the convention with the engagement of younger leaders.
For an opposing view, Southeastern Seminary student, Ben Brammer critiques younger leaders and bloggers for being, according to my understanding of his words, disrespectful of the spiritual giants of the resurgence.
You can read his words for yourself:
Emerging Leaders or Submerging Servants?
Even though this article seemed to be directed critically at me and my peers, I at least understood Ben’s point of view. I politely disagreed with most of what he said, but had to raise an eyebrow at this statement:
If some young pastors are obsessed with change, others are obsessed with personalities. I am troubled when I see some young pastors caring more about whom they know and who knows them than the precious old saint stuck in her hospital bed for several weeks. We must always remember that God has called us to serve Him and others. Jockeying for leadership is always repulsive, whether it comes in the form of cronyism or coup d’etat.
I can honestly say that this is one of the worst mischaracterizations of every young pastor I know. Ben is a PhD student. I wonder if he understands what a “straw man” argument is?
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Kevin Bussey
on May 16th, 2006
@ 3:45 pm:
Thanks for the links Art!
Wade is right on as usual!
As far as the other article, yes there are those who are critical on blogs, etc…
But to paint a broad brush is a little misleading. We are not all critical. You posts facts and let them speak. Sometimes you give opinions but you say that.
At least most of us post our names. Anyway, keep up the great work!
Paul
on May 16th, 2006
@ 5:16 pm:
I wonder if Ben knows what it means to actually be a pastor?
Paul
on May 16th, 2006
@ 5:30 pm:
I obviously posted that before reading his article. I stand corrected.
But here, to me, is a gaping irony: he chastises younger leaders for wanting their voices to be heard and for being self-appointed. He did so in a “point of view” column, which I assume he submitted himself. IOW, he appointed himself to let his voice be heard.
Now, my question is: is the cause that led him to write that piece to the Florida paper a more pressing or vital cause than the cause for which others are speaking out (in the print media of blogs) which criticizes?
Paul
on May 16th, 2006
@ 5:31 pm:
“…which he criticizes.” Bad typing day.
GeneMBridges
on May 16th, 2006
@ 6:42 pm:
If some young pastors are obsessed with change, others are obsessed with personalities. I am troubled when I see some young pastors caring more about whom they know and who knows them than the precious old saint stuck in her hospital bed for several weeks.
And this is from an article that disparages the younger set for not respecting the “spiritual giants” of the past. Perhaps Ben might want to rethink what he said. This is a self-refuting statement for him, since he has written an opinion piece about the personalities his peers should respect (most of whom were functional Unitarians in their soteriology I would add, not to sound mean but to remind him what he is calling out as praiseworthy). It astounds me that folks write with such vitriole only to defend the cult of personality in the SBC in the process.
Phillips Lynn
on May 16th, 2006
@ 10:07 pm:
GeneMBridges,
AMEN!!!!