12 Witnesses

There is no doubt that belief in the resurrection is essential for cooperation in missions. This is a minimum requirement as it has its roots in the authority of Scripture.

Leading up to Easter, and with the recent James Cameron rush to judgment “documentary,” I have been preaching through 1 Corinthians 15.

My question to you is do you believe that a person can be saved by faith in Christ, if they think Christ was not raised?

For clarity’s sake:

1. Person believes Jesus was sinless Son of God.
2. Person believes death on the Cross substitutionary.
3. Person believes Jesus is still in the grave.

Is this a saving faith?

I have a definite opinion, based in 1 Cor. 15. Members of my church are asked not to tip my hand for me in this discussion. I will offer my conclusions tomorrow.

Head Basketball coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, Tubby Smith, has resigned to take the vacant position at Minnesota. In Kentucky, it is all about basketball and the ‘Cats have struggled the last several years. Tubby did take them to one National Championship, but things have slowly declined.

Websites such as “Fire Tubby Smith” have called for the University to take action. Smith beat them to it. Smith was the first black coach at Kentucky and that was a milestone. He coached in an arena named for Adolph Rupp, said by many to have been quite prejudiced.

The real question for the Cats now is “what next?” Would they be interested in luring Rick Pitino back to Lexington? Both Pitino and Kentucky enjoyed great success together. If they would be willing, would Rick be interested? It is hard to go back to a place like that and live up to the expectations that would be waiting. Of course, many UK fans may never forgive Rick. Not for leaving Kentucky for the NBA, but for accepting a job at hated Louisville - and doing well there, to boot.

The basketball tradition at UK rivals any school in the nation… arch enemy Duke, NC, Kansas - even UCLA. The head coach for the UK men’s basketball team is more easily recognized, immortalized or vilified in the bluegrass state than the governor.

This is Spring Break in Oklahoma. Everyone around here is enjoying time with family and I am no exception. I have barely turned my computer on, except in the office and not looked at the internet at all. Sorry, for not announcing my blogfast, but I didn’t know I was about to take one.

It has been a busy week of ministry for me, but I have squeezed in some time with my lovely wife. We drove the kids in to OKC and met her brother there, who took them on to Grandma’s house for the week. We are going today to spend the rest of the week there.

When we got home Monday, I took Bonnie golfing with our church’s Minister of Music/Youth and his wife. We hit a local par three, and, even though it was her first real round of golf, she did great. She came away claiming that golf was the “meth” of sports, which is to say, it is instantly addictive. One good shot and you are hooked and her first great shot was the first one of the first tee. She had a good day.

I almost had a great day. I shot a 75 (it was a par 3 course, after all) but I almost had a hole in one. Here’s the picture I took with my Treo:

The regular gofer will recognize the dark spot to the left of the ball as the mark where the ball hit first, jumped forward and spun back, just past the hole, to where I found it once I arrived at the green.

Almost. Maybe next time.

Star-Telegram.com: Baptist Group Back Pastor

A few observations about the story:

First, this is an independent move by the Tarrant Association in support of one of their local pastors. These folks know Dwight and have for a long time. Dwight McKissic, Van McClain and all involved are staying away from the news media, right now. They have committed to speak together privately, and no one seems interested in putting that in jeopardy. Good. Not just good, but GREAT. This should have been handled in similar fashion a long time ago, by all parties.

Second, there is another group of about 25 churches that made a similar move last week. There is growing vocal, local support of Dwight by those who know him. This should inform all of us who do not know him other than by the quotes and media stories (blogs included) that are defining him for the public.

Third, there is another unfortunate quote about Dwight being “lynched” coming from another pastor. I am sorry to see that. Let me say, clearly and without any qualification, I don’t think any of what has happened is motivated by race, nor has the treatment been more harsh toward Dwight, as a black man, than any white man would receive in the exact same situation. Moreover, I have told him exactly that in a conversation after his similar quote came out. In that conversation, I encouraged him to stay away from imagery that had any racial overtones.

Now, let me be clear. I know that for a black person in America, life has racial overtones. I don’t know it through personal experience, as I am not black, but I see it through the perspective of my brothers and sisters who have shared their life stories with me. I understand how those overtones influence people’s perspectives on every situation, so I can understand that, if you are an African American, you see things differently than I do. My belief about the situation at SWBTS is that there is no negative motivation based in race coming from any of the players who are now at odds with Dwight.

In other words, I think that they are in conflict with Dwight over their perception of his actions.

Discussions like the one announced - and I know of no details concerning the meeting, Dwight has been silent among his friends as with the press - often take on a life of their own. Just getting to the table takes tremendous cooperation and when you have the habit of speaking publicly on an issue, it takes a tremendous amount of personal strength to keep silent. All involved are to be commended for their commitment to silence thus far.

I know you join me in praying for this meeting. All involved will need to seek reconciliation and that will take humility on the part of each and every one. If this meeting fails to produce progress, it could be disastrous. The person(s) responsible for failure, be that one or many, will certainly face an avalanche of criticism. Of course, the last thing we need is for the participants emerge from the room pointing fingers and blaming each other.

Let’s all pray for some healing at SWBTS. There is plenty on the plate beyond this.

It has been some time since my last installment of this series. As a result, some may not remember what we were talking about when last we spoke. If you would like to review, you may click on these links:

The Organic Revolution, Pt. 1

The Organic Revolution, Pt. 2

There is a difference in politics and influence. For me and for the purposes of this series of posts, at least, politics is about maneuvering people to gain personal benefit and influence is the standing for what is right, regardless of the personal cost. So, we are considering opposites, here.

In essence, my use of the word “politics” rotates around a selfish motive and manipulative action. Politics lend themselves to an “ends justifies the means” world view that is completely foreign to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Influence,” however, seeks to lead according convictions - preferably convictions based on God’s Word, held as Inerrant and Sufficient. Influence is not sought, but given to one when others see their lives, hear their words and are changed by the stature of their character.

A generation of Missional minded leaders are growing up. They are growing up in our churches. They are Southern Baptists for many reasons, but for most of them, it is because they were raised in the SBC. And they love it. I grew up in the SBC. I love it.

As with any group of people, some are politicians and some are influential. Some are observing. Some are leaving.

Stop. Don’t check out on me here. This post is not about the people who are leaving because they are fed up. In fact, it is just the opposite. It is about those who are staying. I just can’t ignore that one of the options many are taking is to leave. But we are done talking about them.

Those that stay do so for many reasons. Many are tied to the SBC for less than noble reasons and many are tied for the noblest of reasons. Discerning the heart is the purview of the Holy Spirit, and I make no attempts here to do so. Those that do, stumble badly and reveal the deficiencies of their own character more often than anything else.

Among those that are staying, however, there are many who are rising up to be a generation of amazing minds and incredibly forward thinkers.

From my observations, much of this generation eschews the politics of the convention - that is, the manipulative, dirty stuff. I actually know a few who are inside the Convention structure at the state and national level. Mostly, I hear form them that they struggle through meetings because of the politics there, but these meetings are important to them. These folks are willing to go, even when maneuvering gets them down. Why? They want to win the world, and they have this crazy idea that the SBC might help make that happen.

The truth is that while some may be leaving, there is a rich resource of future leadership that is staying. Look at Bob Roberts, Jr., for example. He is the author of Glocalization, his most recent contribution to us. He is Southern Baptist. While not the “up and coming” generation, Roberts has proven to be visionary. Not just that, Roberts is reproducing that vision by taking in those who are interested in training with him to then sending them out to become church planters.

Now, if it is true that not all who eschew politics are leaving, but a generation of forward thinkers are staying in the SBC, then only one thing stands in the way of this group being the defining influence on the SBC in the years to come.

How many are there? Are they a growing group, or the exception to the rule?

When I was in Seminary, a professor told our class that we were in the beginning stages of a paradigm shift from “common sense rationalism” to something as yet undefined. The way that we think, process information, our core values are changing.

When I put the questions above alongside the truth of our paradigm shift, it occurs to me. This must be a growing group. The environment of our learning is changing, never to return. The generations to follow will not be the same, because the world is not the same. To struggle to keep the SBC “the same” or force it to change seems silly to me, all of a sudden. Of course we won’t be the same. It’s not possible.

Look at where we are right now. Most younger leaders grew up in the SBC of the Resurgence. The number of those who now question the direction of the SBC is huge - compared to similar groups of years gone by. What changed? We are conservatives from conservative churches, aren’t we? The thing that changed is the way we process information. What we hold as our core values.

To wrap up this thought, it seems to me, that the future of the SBC is that we will become a more missional denomination, but not because someone wins a “war.” Pardon the military metaphor. We are going to change because young Southern Baptists are going to be different, think differently and do church differently. It is inevitable. Moreover, as years go by, they will grow in number and influence. It can’t be stopped.

This change is not the scheming of a political machine. It is natural. It is organic - not unnaturally shaped by artificial ingredients. It comes from the root of who we really are - or are going to be.

This is not to say that the theological diversity will disappear, nor is it to say that none among us will desire to manipulate the system. There are always those who desire such things - and, as a reminder, I am nt pointing toward one “side.” There are people like this in every group or sub-group.

It is to say, though, that change is coming. It will not need to be organized or politicized. It is organic.

I have hope for our future.

I want to heartily commend to you an article by Nathan Finn. Nathan is a historian and does an excellent job of assessing the years of the Resurgence as well as our current situation.

The Varieties of SBC Conservatism: A Blog Essay « Nathan A. Finn

Nathan’s approach to the current situation is much more historical and precise than an article that I did a little while ago, entitled the Myth of the Majority. The purpose of each of the two articles differ, I think, but they touch on the same theme, Conservatives in the SBC are made up of a coalition of people who are inerrantists, but have great diversity beyond that. Of course, mine also provides graphics for the visual learner.

What most concerns me is that the behavior of pointing to folks who disagree and calling them “liberals” or “moderates” has gone from speaking about actual liberals and moderates, to fellow conservatives. Nathan’s conclusion is accurate, I believe. This coalition is splitting at the seams and it will take an ideological overhaul to create a new common ground on which we can meet and cooperate.

Not to make this a series or anything, but I have had a few queries as to the song that was being sung when God did His work in me on Sunday. If you have no idea what I am talking about, read the first post, “Broken…” and that will get you up to speed.

I remember my last day in Greek class at SWBTS. Dr. Vaughn brought in a lot of books the last week and shared insights and encouragements for life in ministry. On the last day, he brought in some hymnals and began talking about how theologians used to write the hymns. In our lifetime, music has gotten more rich, but the depth of the songs we use took a nose dive, because musicians, naturally deeper musically, were writing the new songs. I can say that in the last decade or more, I have seen a great deepening in our modern worship songs, and this song is one of them.

I was going to put up the MP3 for you to download and enjoy, but then I realized that it would probably break copyright law - even if I am giving the download away and not selling it. Instead, with citation of the authors, I will post the lyrics and, to the best of my knowledge, stay upright in the law and also not disenfranchise anyone.

It must be noted that the tune seems to be a lilting melancholy, reminiscent of Irish folk songs. It was offered by a wonderful young lady with a clear, strong and pure soprano voice.

Title: In Christ Alone

Authors: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend

Copyright: 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Pulbishing)

CCLI Song Number: 3350395

Verse 1
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

Verse 2
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

Verse 3
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Verse 4
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the pow’r of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No pow’r of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand

— — — —

I’ve been asked by a few if I would let Dr. Rainer use the original article, as he asked in that article’s comment section. After deciding that the purpose of me putting the experience on the internet was to glorify God at my expense, I believe it was appropriate to allow it. I emailed him my permission. I promise I was not being rude and ignoring him by not responding in the comment section, for those of you who seem to have been worried.

Now that I have your attention…

Consider this your official invitation to the SBC Blogtown NCAA Tournament Men’s Bracket Pick’em Challenge. The SBCNCAATMBPC, for short.

Click this link and head on over to the Yahoo! Sports Tournament Pick’em Page. [link is fixed - sorry] When you click the link, a new window will pop up so that you can flip back to this one and follow the directions.

Upon arrival at the Pick’em home page, you will want to click on the orange box on the far right, “Join a Group.”

At this point you will be prompted to enter a yahoo id, if you aren’t signed in with one already. If you have one, sign in. If you don’t have one, create one for free. You don’t have to use the email or anything if you don’t want to do so. You can enter an alternate email (the one you use all the time) to receive info about tournament stuff.
You will have the option of joining a private group or a public one. Pick the one on the left - “Join Private.”

You will need to enter the group #: 37321; and the password: “fellowship” - just the word, not the quotation marks.

Click the button, “Save & Continue” and you will go to the homepage. You will have until Thursday, when the Tournament begins, to make your selections.

We already have a decent group signed up. 250 maximum teams are allowed and I doubt we get that far.

Winner gets… I don’t know. Leave a comment and make a suggestion as to what the winner gets. Ultimately, though, I get to pick what they get, so don’t bother suggesting that the winner gets to shave my head or something.

Alright, enough talkin’. Get to pickin’.

Or, “The blithering idiot.” Either are accurate.

I had no intentions of blogging today - in any capacity. I left the laptop at the church and was just going to disconnect. It was a long, hard week last week. It was a great “Week of Renewal,” but early mornings, late nights and lots of responsibilities come with such weeks. Kind of like taking teenagers to camp. Great things happen, but your bed is a nice end to the week.

I woke first this morning. When the alarm went off, I thought it was a mistake. I moved the clock up, but I didn’t “Spring Forward,” if you know what I mean. It was still dark and the radio, despite playing an inspirational song, just irritated me. On top of that, my family was sleepy, too. None of us were ready to meet the day.

Arriving at church, we hustled to Sunday School and I went over my sermon. It was a testimonial about what God had taught me the week past. We are having a “Share Service” tonight.

When I got to the service, there were a million things that seemed to distract. I had someone come and complain about something that happened - I won’t say what it is, but you know. They are good people and they had a legitimate word, but it is so distracting.

I was late to the stage to pray. I was just so distracted that I almost missed it.

Just before the sermon, a young lady in my church got up to sing, “In Christ Alone.” As soon as she began to sing, I began to weep. As the song progressed, it got worse. I first thought that I would be able to pull it together to preach, but it kept getting worse.

By the time she was done, I was crying heavily. Not the ugly cry - yet. You know the ugly cry, right? The kind where you just lose control? Yeah.

Well, I walked unsteadily up the stairs to the pulpit, shaken. In that moment, from the beginning of that song, I was broken. God graced me with a glimpse of my worthlessness and His sufficiency.

As I began to speak, I choked on my words. I grabbed the sides of the pulpit and held on. I asked that we pray. I have no idea at this moment what I prayed. I just know I lost it. Tears pouring, nose running and voice squeaking. Ugly.

At the end of this prayer, I went on to preach the sermon, but we may have been better off calling everyone to the altar right then. I don’t know. I am glad that I am not required to be perfect.

I don’t write this today to hold myself up as a self righteous person. Just the opposite. Today, God showed me clearly that I was anything but that. I am a worm. Dirt. Filthy and foolish.

Over the last year and the last two days, I have pushed back and forth with my brothers and sisters in a way that just doesn’t always feel good before the Lord. Not that I disavow my concerns or beliefs. I still feel quite strongly about all the things I felt strongly about yesterday.

I do feel broken hearted about the way I have treated others. I have seen bitterness, false accusations and character assault fly and, in some occasions, I have participated. Regular readers will know that I really struggle to keep things on an even keel on this blog. Still, I have said some things in anger and mean spirit. After this morning, all my negative feelings seemed to be dissolved. I don’t know. I just wasn’t mad anymore.

I’m sorry.

The SBC is important to me, and I’ll keep talking about it. However, if I’ve been hurtful to you, I want you to know I humbly apologize.

I pray God’s richest blessings on all who read this - no matter what their convictions about the convention, how to do church or whatever else is making the rounds.

I am leaving the comment section open if you want to respond. I am tempted to close it on this one. I only ask that you not laud me in any way. I don’t deserve it and this is not for that. You have no obligation to respond, either. If you think this post false in any way, I am sorry.

My prayer is that God will draw us together. Truly, we are not as far apart as we all seem to make ourselves.

My commitment is that I will try to watch my words and motives carefully.

Blessings.

Art

Update:

Official document: Klouda Suit

I’ve been waiting for the story to break, but I heard last night that a suit was filed on behalf of Dr. Sheri Klouda. Sam Hodges has documented it for the Dallas Morning News: Former Professor Sues SWBTS Over Departure.

The official case is:

Sheri Klouda
vs.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

4-07-CV-161-A

I look for the document this afternoon, which I will post here.

As I understand it, the defendants named are: SWBTS, Dr. Paige Patterson and Dr. Van McClain. [Correction: Dr. McClain is NOT a defendant in the suit, but is mentioned repeatedly. I'll have the document soon, and you can read it for yourselves.] The charges are Fraud, Defamation and Breach of Contract.

If you will allow me to state the obvious, this is a very serious matter.

The scary thing is that I know of many, on all “sides” of our convention, even those who don’t think she should have been on faculty, who feel that Dr. Klouda was mistreated. It is a hard thing to defend within the SBC. It is going to be nearly impossible to defend before a courtroom.

I grieve for the position our alma mater and our convention is now facing. By the way, “sole ownership” now makes the SBC vulnerable in a lawsuit. Not that I think Dr. Klouda would do such a thing. I don’t. I am only saying that Dr. Kelley at NOBTS had a point.

You can expect PPL to move way out of the spotlight of things dominating the minds that focus on SWBTS. I expect Dr. McClain to stop talking to the media about Dwight McKissic. If there can be a peace made there, I would look for it.

Fighting two battles at once is hard and places the odds of your winning either of them at a minimum.

Some might expect the heat to go up around Dwight McKissic as a diversionary tactic, but that will not divert the attention of anyone from the very real lawsuit now filed, as well as a complaint to the EEOC.

Also, Dwight, as a Trustee, is a defendant in this lawsuit. It forces all concerned to seek peace.

I talked to a member of the Committee on Nominations today. I counseled him to seek, and encourage the Committee to recommend, neutral, non-partisan servants for all positions, but especially the Trustees at SWBTS. The Trustees there are very loyal to Dr. Patterson, and loyalty is a good thing. However, if their loyalty causes them to attempt to protect Dr. Patterson against any legitimate evidence of wrong doing, they will be putting the institution and the convention in dire straights for the sake of loyalty.

This is going to be a defining moment for a generation of YSBC (Young SBC) and what roles women are allowed within the confines of our Convention.