Seven Reflections from the SBC
Thanks for the visual, Mike, and for participating in the 9Marks at 9 discussion last night. It was very helpful and encouraging. Mark, I appreciate you putting it together and winsomely helping us think more about cooperation. For those of you following the SBC, yesterday was a significant day with the approval of a motion to establish a task force to address the issues raised by the GCR declaration. Here are a few observations I have as one young pastor, in no particular order:
(1) I appreciate the example of David Platt. He is a young pastor of a large church in Birmingham (The Church at Brook Hill). He has a robust theology, a commitment to missions, and a desire to see expositional preaching change the culture of his church. As a pastor in Atlanta, I am thankful for his work in the Bible Belt and happy he is being presented as an example to other SBC churches.
(2) I appreciate the example of Johnny Hunt. He is a gracious leader who is fighting for change in the SBC with brothers he may not agree with on every theological issue. The church I serve is located a few miles south of Woodstock. I continue to hear stories of his magnanimity and have now witnessed it. He bought lunch for the B21 gathering at Sojourn and gave that group a wonderful welcome.
(3) I appreciate (better) the power of patience. Men like Mark Dever, Al Mohler, and Danny Akin (among many others) have been attending the SBC for years, cheerful serving and earning a voice to be heard. That was obvious yesterday with Akin speaking numerous times, Dever greeting messengers at the 9Marks booth (hosted by Southeastern--thanks!!) and leading 9 Marks at 9--tons of people have come--and with Mohler making the motion for the GCR task force. Brothers like this have been lovingly, gently, and forcefully advocating for change for a long time while younger men like myself have been watching, studying theology, sharing the gospel, and learning more about what it means to be a pastor and leader. Their patience is a wonderful model.
(4) I appreciate how quickly perception can change. After Mohler came to a podium to defend his motion--as a messenger of Highview Baptist and not as the president of SBTS--a fellow pastor from Florida objected, arguing that this was a calvinist issue that would prove divisive and stifling to the SBC. Former SBC president Frank Page defended Mohler's motion. He said he disagreed with Mohler's soteriology but had faith they could and should lock arms for change in the SBC. A few minutes later, a substitute motion was defeated and Mohler's task force motion was accepted, I'm told, by 95% of the messengers. While we ought not make too much of a small step, in one moment it felt like a breath of fresh air had filled the convention. Wow.
(5) I appreciate the several repeated emphases that I heard throughout the day: the SBC is not to be our chief identity, we are to find that in Christ and our local church; cooperation with like-minded groups and organizations is not contrary to SBC principles but consistent with them; there is enough unity in the SBC to cooperate for the spread of the gospel to the world. Themes like this make me feel welcome in the SBC and encouraged to be patient. They make me think that we can wholeheartedly partner with SBC churches in lots and lots of areas and, at times, partner in different ways with other like-minded groups. All the while, I was reminded above all, to be faithful where I'm serving.
(6) As a brother who has found a home in the South but who still has a heart for the Pacific-Northwest (without any intention of finding a home there) -- a word to my SBC Pacific-Northwest brethren--where are you?! If any of you are here, I'll be at the 9Marks booth from around 11-12. Please come say hi!
(7) I appreciate the service and faithfulness of so many pastors who are struggling. I reconnected with a dear brother who was removed from his ministry recently. He has several children, no job, and spent his last bit of savings to bring his family to the SBC to help him consider whether he ought to stay in pastoral ministry. He said if he finds a secular job he may go that route, but if he can and should preach, he wants to. Through it all, with tears welling up in his eyes, as his two children stood by his side, he said he had confidence in the Lord. He believed God would provide for his needs, He expressed the kind of faith in the midst of difficulty that Christians are to profess, and he did it boldly. Whether he should pastor or not I don't know. But I do know he modeled joy in the midst of trials, and I'm thankful for his example, too.
What an encouragement. Thanks so much for the updates.
Posted by: Deek Dubberly | Jun 24, 2009 7:50:50 PM
Thank you for the post. This was my first SBC and it was a blessing in so many ways.
I enjoyed the comraderie and the spirit of expectation of God to move.
Your #7 took my breath away and filled my heart with joy at the same time. I grieve for a man who doesn't know how he will take care of his family. At the same time, I cheer for that family because it is led by a man who knows God is in control and lives in that faith.
That is a fitting snapshot of a very good week.
Thanks to 9Marks, Baptist21, and all who push on to strengthen the local church to advance the Great Commission.
His...yours,
Ken
Posted by: Ken Nichols | Jun 24, 2009 9:08:18 PM