Was that a collective inhale and slow release of air between the teeth of certain power structure, inner circle folks?
Wade Burleson has announced that there will be a motion in Greensboro concerning certain activities about which we have all been writing and reading. You can find the motion, in its entirety, at Wade’s Blog today:
The Decision — A Motion in Greensboro.
The real beauty of this motion is that it does not ask for the IMB to do anything. If the motion referred directly to the IMB, it would have been ruled out of order, or, at best, been referred to the BOT of the IMB – which is like asking the patient to prescribe the cure.
Instead, this motion goes to the Executive Committee of the SBC and asks for them to investigate the various issue concerning so many Southern Baptists. Should the motion pass, the ad hoc committee set up to investigate these issues will report to the IMB BOT and the SBC.
The BOT does not have to do anything that the ad hoc committee suggests, but not to do so would probably put a major damper on the denominational aspirations of any “no” voting trustee. I doubt any suggestions would be ignored or dismissed out of hand.
Some may say that they would like the evidence of a need for such a committee before they would be willing to vote to create one. The revelation of such evidence defeats the purpose of such a committee. That committee serves the SBC interest by looking into serious allegations without exposing unsavory information to the general public and the media.
For those who have decried the publicity these issue have generated, the motion to create a committee should be welcome relief. To not create this committee would be to force those who know critical information to publicize it so that the SBC feels compelled to address these issues.
Some will want to know the “gory details” for various reasons. A few will want to see certain people squirm for sinful joy. Others will want try to gain from knowledge of certain details. Still others will genuinely want to know what is going on in their denomination. I hope these will be at peace allowing others to look into the situation for them.
It is a thread in the fabric of Baptist life, by the way. We always allow committees to do the work for the body, because it is easier for them to do the work than the full body.
I hope you will join with me in praying for the passage of this motion, and that you will also join me in Greensboro to put feet to our prayers.
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Kevin Bussey
on Jun 1st, 2006
@ 7:02 pm:
Me likey!
Alan Cross
on Jun 1st, 2006
@ 7:17 pm:
I can see where this was the best move for Wade, but I have NO faith that anything will come of this. I’ve found that when you appoint men to tasks because they have a reputation of being reasonable and impartial, they usually become proud of that reputation and strive to show everyone how reasonable they are. The result is that everyone compromises and nothing happens. Sometimes, you need a William Wallace. Sometimes, you need a warrior who is created for the purpose of NOT being reasonable, but will fight for principle. We do not reason with what is wrong.
Having said that, I see where Wade had no other choice. The only choice left to any of us, it seems, is to go on about our business and find other ways to do international missions. The IMB seems closed to me now, and that is very sad. If the situation changes, or if I can do anything to help change it, then great! I will participate wholeheartedly. But, while millions pass into a hell filled eternity every day, I don’t think that we can just sit around and wait for things to change. What do you think, Art?
flounder
on Jun 1st, 2006
@ 8:39 pm:
Is this a certain thing that this is going to the floor or can this be bottled or dismissed on a technicality.
flounder in BG
art rogers
on Jun 1st, 2006
@ 10:57 pm:
Alan,
I think that the perception of control is no longer accurate. I believe that a vast number of conservative leaders – veterans! – are as disatisfied as the Younger Leaders.
I think this motion could have some real effect and that the support for it will be much greater than you may think. Maybe I’m just an optimist.
flounder,
I believe (though I don’t know this first hand) that it will be cleared legally first to make sure that it will not be ruled out of order and a vote will be taken.
art