The Inner Circle has never lost in Texas. It is their strong tower, so to speak. However, I know a couple of SBT pastors who’s sympathies do not run to the Inner Circle. These are not bloggers, either. I wonder how many others like them are there? I am led to believe that many in the BGCT, though able, are not willing to send messengers, having had enough fighting for the SBC, so the question will be, “Where will the SBT sympathies lie?”
Ronnie Floyd’s statement about Sutton splitting the “strong, conservative vote” is telling. What he really means – AND I AGREE WITH HIM – is that the vote of those who follow the Inner Circle (knowingly or unwittingly) was split. That is true.
Again, he is wrong to assume that all Sutton votes would have gone to him had Sutton not been in the race. That still doesn’t matter, though, because Page beat them both combined.
The question now is, “What will be the make up of the convention in San Antonio?”
Before I left, Marty, his lovely wife, Sonya and I ate at the Lone Star Steakhouse. As we were waiting, I took a picture of this:
Somehow, I thought it significant.
By the way, this is an anti-littering campaign slogan that the state of Texas came up with when I was a child. It seems to have taken on a life of its own.
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Jeff Richard Young
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 12:53 pm:
Dear Brother Art,
The Inner Circle underestimated the level of dissent, fomented and fostered in part by us Baptist Bloggers. But even in their moment of weakness, all that happened was that a non-establishment man got 50% of the vote for President, and that’s about it. Remember that Dr. Ascol’s resolution on church membership and Dr. Cole’s on principled dissent were not even cosidered!
As far as the sentiment here in Texas, remember that Dr. Jim Richards is the one who strengthened the anti-alcohol resolution, and he’s our SBTC Executive Director!
If we are to affect further positive change, and not have the leash yanked back next year in San Antonio, we’re going to have to keep up the biblical education and communication that we’ve started. Much good work needs to be done between now and then.
Love in Christ,
Jeff
CB Scott
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 3:02 pm:
Art,
Did you guys have the Rattle snake bites? That is what I had there and they were sooo good.
Phillips Lynn
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 3:16 pm:
Jeff,
You are correct. We can’t quit now. We have to continue to attend BoT meetings, especially the IMB BoT meetings, as we have opportunity to do so. And we have to continue to inform our readers and churches of the issues.
The “old guard” will not rest until they are “back in the saddle” again. They will have more time to develop their strategy and rally their troops.
This year they were not prepared for the “blogger effect.” That will not be the case next year.
We must continue to pray, especially for Dr. Page and his family. The “old guard” will be watching his every move in order to gain information to use for their next campaign.
Now that Greensboro is behind us, I hope to see you next year in San Antonio.
Kevin Bussey
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 3:19 pm:
You went to Greensboro and didn’t have BBQ! Uggh! What am I going to do with you!
art rogers
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 3:36 pm:
They didn’t have BBQ in Greensboro. All they had was pulled pork and there is no way I was going to torture myself thusly.
I have not sufficiently sinned enough to require such an act.
annie
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 3:55 pm:
I tend to disagree about the OG trying to fight to “get back in the saddle.” With the advent of blogging there are no secrets anymore. In the past, cover-up was easier. Now they know that in reality, they can’t trust anyone. THERE ARE TOO MANY SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET to draw attention to one’s self lest it encourage excessive “delving.
martyduren
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 4:29 pm:
Art-
How long have you been reading Eating the Elephant?
art rogers
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 4:32 pm:
Finished with it months ago. I’ve moved on to and through Blue like Jazz and the Missional Leader.
Everything on the right side of the screen is still in a stack on my desk, waiting on me to quit blogging at night and read.
Might just have to do that after we get moved.
Sonya D
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 5:08 pm:
You mean we could have had rattle snake bites with our raspberry tea?
Kevin Bussey
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 5:46 pm:
So that’s why you don’t eat real BBQ because you are eating elephant!
Tim
on Jun 19th, 2006
@ 7:50 pm:
About the SBC Annual Meeting in Texas…
I don’t know, but you might be pleasantly suprised by the BGCT turnout.
I know, I know, the BGCT has given up on the SBC, right? Well, you probably are right. But, a lot of us still give to the CP, and therefore have some interest in things.
Also, don’t count out those guys that give a smattering to the CP, and would love to show up just to vote against the Fundementalist Establishment. Seriously, there are some old farts here that have long memories, and would love to be a fly in the ointment to the old SBC guard.
Also, and finally, there is a generation of BGCT/SBC pastor/leaders that were barely in Jr. High when the original conflict was taking place. Yes, they will be different from you in some areas. We won’t use the word “inerrant,” but we do use words like “infallible, totally trustworthy in all areas” and even “without error” to apply to the Bible. But, we won’t use the word “inerrant” because of political reasons. Heck, you might even find some of us that won’t use “inerrant” or “infallible” because of the political overtones.
So, who knows… You may be suprised.
Tim