All of a sudden your comment popped up. Crazy.

I’m glad to hear that about Dr. York. It seems that his view on this has changed a little thru the years. That’s good. I would imagine that he and I would be very close in our beliefs about Church.

David

I cant read your comment for some reason. But, from the front page, it looks like you’re saying that Dr. York told you that he was not a Landmarker now?

I wish I could read you answer, but your comment is the only one not showing up. Your name and pic are showing. The light blue box that would contain the comment is showing. But, your comment is not in it. Would you mind writing it again, becasue I cant read it. Somethings wrong.

David

From what he told me, a few days ago, is that he is not a Landmarker in the classical sense. He holds to high ecclesiology in the sense that he IS a restrictionist when it comes to the ordinances, but he does not believe in successionism and some of the more outlandish Landmark beliefs.

I think it would be wrong for anyone, including himself, to label him a landmarker because it would be like a 2 point ‘calvinist’ being labeled a Calvinist! Make sense?

Yes, high ecclesiology, just like Landmarkers, but also like Broadus who was NEVER called a Landmarker. No, he does not believe in the more outlandish things of Landmark theology. Nothing is special about the name ‘Baptist’, he denies successionism, etc…

Matt Svobodas last blog post..Spirit Baptism, Tongues and the End.

Maybe Dr. York has changed his views, but I’ve heard him…in the distant past…proudly say that he was a Landmarker. Now, maybe he has changed his mind somewhat thru the years, but I heard him say that in a chapel service at seminary. Again, that was some years ago. And, I hope…that if he’s not a Landmarker, that he has held on to sound ecclesiology while letting the more extreme views of landmarkism go from his beliefs.

David

Somehow I missed your question. I have spoken with Dr. York about him being labeled a Landmarker. I assure you, he is not. He does not believe in successionism or that there is anything be special about the name Baptist. Interestingly enough, he holds the same views as Broadus and no one EVER called Broadus and Landmarker!

Matt Svobodas last blog post..Needing some Diversity

I also do not want to belabor our disagreement. The only thing I want to do is clarify one thing… I am not saying those who have been hired by the convention should have the greater voice… I am saying those who put the most time and effort in the SBC, in more ways than one, should have he greater voice!

Thanks for the conversation!
Matt

Matt Svobodas last blog post..Christmas: The Humble Coming of Christ as an Example for Christians to Follow

I understand what you are saying is in fact the reality in the SBC… those in important positions in the convention have the most influence; that is the reality of things. I just have a hard time accepting that you believe that those who have been hired as convention employees, no matter how important their role, should have a greater voice than local church pastors?

I do not wish to belabor our disagreement about this so I will bow out now.

Grace Always,

Greg Alfords last blog post..johnMark on Christless Christianity

I agree that everyone does not have the same amount of opportunity. Obviously, in a convention this size that is impossible. What I am saying is your opportunity depends on what you put into the convention. Yes, doing local church ministry is equally important, but it is not realistic for every local church pastor to have a voice in the SBC. What is realistic is the people who put the most into the SBC have the biggest voice. The men who serve on the committees for state conventions do serve in local church ministry as well.

It only makes sense that the people who serve in local churhc ministry, associations, committees, and state conventions, etc. have the largest voice in the convention. It is not equal. The people who put the most in get the loudest voice, period. Serving in the state convention is not better than local church ministry… But realize the people with the loudest voices, like Dr. York, serve in not only local church, but EVERYTHING else… That is the time that Dr. York was talking about. You put the time in that it takes to serve as a local churhc pastor, be involved in your local association and state convention, THEN you will be heard. Being only a local church pastor is not enough, I know that sounds bad, but it is realistic. It is not enough because there are a lot of other people doing more. He who does the most has the loudest voice… It only makes this way!

In your church who would you listen to: the faithful deacon who is faithfully involved in all the church does or the guy in the back that shows up on Sundays?

Matt

Matt Svobodas last blog post..Christmas: The Humble Coming of Christ as an Example for Christians to Follow

I appreciate the interview and the opportunity to interact on this subject. Let me say again… I mean no disrespect toward Dr. York, and my comments are not amid at him or anyone else. I do however think that one’s personal experience greatly shapes his or her views on denominational participation and service. And clearly our denominational employees have a different experience within the convention than many of us.

I know that you do not mean for it to come across this way, but you make it sound like everyone has an equal opportunity to serve in the SBC and that it is just a matter of raising your hand and getting involved. Brother that simply is not the case for many of us who have faithfully served the local Churches for many years.

Also, Dr. York’s comments as well as yours, communicate (unintentionally I am certain) that service to the local association, state conventions, and denominational entities are of far more importance to having one’s voice heard in the convention than service to the local Church, Mission Station, Soup Kitchen, or Pregnancy Center. I find this attitude most… unfortunate.

Grace Always,

Greg Alfords last blog post..johnMark on Christless Christianity