12 Witnesses

Several newsworthy items are in the hopper for this week and the coming weeks leading up to the SBC in San Antonio.

Wiley Drake

First, we expect Bob Allen to write about the article for Ethics Daily dealing with Wiley Drake’s name being on a “Declaration of Support” for James Kopp, who not only murdered an abortion doctor, but also insinuated that he would act again if he were released and abortion were still legal in the US. The situation here is that Bob assumed the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Report to be accurate when it reported that Wiley had “signed” the declaration with an eerie and disturbing quote as well. Wiley has denied affixing his name and called anyone a liar who says that he did.

Bob Allen’s situation has positives and negatives to it. First, the SPLC is not a slouch when it comes to vetting their stories and, frankly, it is not like them to get anything like this wrong. On the other hand, Bob should have called Wiley to get his story. If he did, maybe he will say so in his upcoming article, but that would make Wiley an out and out liar. Frankly, Wiley has never struck me as such. Rather, if he believes it, he is usually the kind of person to stand up for something when no one else will or when everyone else is opposed to it.

We’ll have to wait for Allen’s article. I have no idea what it will contain, but I have come to appreciate him assuming the SPLC was accurate, considering their high reputation.

Still to be heard from on the issue, though, is the SPLC itself. They have alleged that Wiley actually did something and Wiley has denied it. Others have put the burden of proof on Wiley to explain his name’s presence, saying that he should have known, could have googled himself, etc. I googled “Wiley Drake” and found the SPLC’s Intelligence Report 10 pages deep. Granted, several articles have risen above the IR since it broke, but I never found the Army of God website on which Wiley’s name is to be found. I think that the one’s making the allegation bear the burden of proof. I look forward to hearing any evidence or clarification that they may have.

Once again, I have stated clearly that if there is evidence that this was Wiley, that he did confirm his signature, that he did actually say what was published under his name, that I would call him personally and urge him to resign.

The IMB

Meeting this week is the International Mission Board’s Board of Trustees. They are scheduled to receive the reports from the ad hoc committees concerning the PPL policy and Baptism guideline. Chairing the committees is Kentucky pastor, Paul Chitwood.

Paul took me to lunch last year (pre-convention) and visited with me about the situation ongoing at the IMB. He was gracious and fair minded, it seemed to me. I appreciated his willingness to spend the time. By the way, for all YSBC (Young SBC) members, Paul is a young pastor of a growing church south of Louisville. He drives a pick-up and is interested in young leaders serving. It should say something to you that he has been entrusted to this position.

I had hoped that the reports would be coming out in the Fall of last year, but when they didn’t, I looked to the Spring. In fact, I fully anticipated the last couple of meetings to reveal the thinking of the committees. This meeting is the last opportunity for the Board to take action in order to report back to the SBC in San Antonio without a special called meeting. The reports are due to be distributed to Trustees in Kansas City.

I am not going to be able to be there, though I had hoped I could. There is just too much pressing, right now.

I will, of course, be blogging about the report when I get it.

Resolutions due

The Committee on Resolutions must receive any resolution that you wish to submit for consideration by the SBC by May 28 (Memorial Day). There are no extensions because of Holidays, so be sure to comply with all the procedures. SBC.net has a great page helping you to accomplish the submission of resolutions and you can find it here: How to Submit a Resolution.

The Convention and the SBC bloggers

Look for many, many bloggers to be covering the convention. After the convention, look for many, many bloggers to take a break or shift their focus away from the SBC. I know several (Alan Cross, Nathan Finn, Steve McCoy, Joe Thorn, Joe Kennedy) who have taken that turn a long time ago. Maybe they are proven wiser for it.

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