Anthony Jordan, Executive Director of the BGCO, brought a challenge from Hebrews 11. Paralleling Scripture, he recalled Oklahoma Baptists over the last 100 years and said that he felt they would call us to 6 things.
1. A call to the Word of God, Inerrant and Infallible.
2. A call to the church and the fulfillment of its mission.
3. A call to Baptist distinctives. He admitted this was a hot button, but said he was going in anyway. He did, but first enumerated the essentials – tier one issues.
The church the body of Baptized believers is the only Baptist distinctive mentioned, but I never heard the word “local” so that still leaves the issue of the universal church undefined.
4. A call to personal evangelism.
5. A call to cooperation. The unity of the convention was extolled, and done well. This certainly stands in stark contrast to Texas Baptists, both of whose state conventions are meeting this week as well. More on that some other time.
6. A call to take risks of faith. Amen. For great things to happen, we must risk much.
He said he would move through the points quickly. That must be “ministerially speaking” for “the better part of an hour.” ;-)
It was good, though.
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Alan Cross
on Nov 14th, 2006
@ 2:32 pm:
You know, I find it interesting that Baptist leaders all across the spectrum, before mentioning issues like “Baptist Distinctives” or “private prayer language” preface their remarks with a nod to on going controversy. Where is the controversy being fostered? Where are these issues being discussed? I would say, apart from some basic reporting in our baptist papers, that these things are being discussed on the blogs that supposedly no one reads.
Interesting. Keep up the good work, Art. If I recall, you broke the story of Dwight McKissic’s message at SWBTS and Wes Kenney put those infamous CP giving charts up on his blog. Those two events, apart from Marty’s SBC “Drudge Report” Outpost, and Wade’s daily reflections have driven this train farther than anyone dares admit. At least that is my opinion.
Ah, the power of a free press! :)
Wes Kenney
on Nov 14th, 2006
@ 3:22 pm:
There was even greater acknowledgment of blogging going on at this convention. Wait until Art tells you about Wade’s cameo appearance in the video presentation of the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma’s report. Funny stuff… ;-)