I know a few of you are waiting to continue the discussion along the lines of churches and schools revamping. My wife has a version of her paper that is saved without the ending. Apparently she was so tired when she finished, she printed but did not save the end. She is going to rewrite the ending and then I’ll post it. We’ll see how fast that happens.
In the meantime, I thought I’d give you a few thoughts about our recent state convention – the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
Wes Kenney has grown a full beard. It is not the full Grizzley Adams kind that Jeff Richard Young now has, but it covers his whole face. Or at least the whole of the face that it is supposed to cover. It looks… itchy.
Lots of suits and ties, but not as many as you might have thought. There were quite a few younger pastors who were in slacks and shirts, like yours truly.
Mohler and Akin both spoke at the Pastor’s conference. The preached topical – couldn’t even be close to calling them exegetical – sermons. In their defense, they were given a theme and that leads you to either proof text or simply espouse some observations. They chose the latter. The lesser of two evils, I suppose.
Akin was hilarious at the end and Mohler was sharp and witty, as always.
I wondered how they got to campaign for Mohler’s Presidential bid in Oklahoma… ;)
The BGCO – both the organization and the annual event – is shrinking. This is from the organization itself.
More later, maybe.
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Scott Gordon
on Nov 14th, 2007
@ 11:57 pm:
“This is from the organization itself.”
What does this mean? I have my own idea and I think I might be headed down the same road here (spooky.).
SOLA GRATIA!
Art Rogers
on Nov 15th, 2007
@ 9:27 am:
That was my understanding from the presentation of the Church Outreach Team report. I am in conversation with someone to verify or clarify what I heard.
Are you calling me spooky, or are you confessing…
Scott Gordon
on Nov 15th, 2007
@ 10:23 am:
Yes.
And as to the other…that was my understanding also. Let me know what you hear.
Jimmy Strong
on Nov 15th, 2007
@ 7:18 pm:
Younger, yes. Young? I’m not to sure.
Scott Gordon
on Nov 15th, 2007
@ 7:29 pm:
ditto to what jimmy said.
Art Rogers
on Nov 15th, 2007
@ 10:55 pm:
Nobody ever said young. That’s a whole different issue. There wasn’t just a whole lot of YOUNG there.
Marty Duren
on Nov 17th, 2007
@ 3:13 pm:
Wes is just trying to look like me. Probably except for the gray part…
The GBC met this week, but I didn’t go. Here are some of the lowlights I’ve gotten from friends:
1. The annual meeting continues to shrink. This year there were 978 registered messengers out of 3,300 GBC churches. Can you say, “Disinterested”?
2. The closing session was attended by 400-500 people and that was with Johnny Hunt preaching.
3. One pastor counted 5 people under the approximate age of 30 and two of them were with him.
4. The catchy theme was “Back to the Basics.” It should have been, “Bring a Shovel and We’ll Bury This Thing Together.”
5. One photo featured all pastors under the age of 50 and all pastors over the age of 50. What????
6. The program of endless performers of Southern Gospel music was held in the James Brown Arena in Augusta. “Owww, I feel good!”
7. What a waste.
Marty Duren
on Nov 17th, 2007
@ 3:17 pm:
Actually the full theme was, “Back to the Basics in Revivals, Evangelism, Discipleship and Missions Through the Cooperative Program.” Catchy, huh?
Art Rogers
on Nov 17th, 2007
@ 10:02 pm:
Wow. That sounds… interesting. Or, not.
The BGCO is trying to change. It seems that they are trying to reach the new while still accommodating the older. The question is, whether or not you CAN transition without offending. I think not.
You can go so far, and then you have to make a break.
There will be more to come next week.