Timing matters . . . especially when trying to pull in young mission-minded pastors. These are the guys who attend events for encouragement and learning rather than career advancement. These are guys who see the local church as the focus of God’s work, rather than denominational reform.
I’m not anti-SBC, I’m just wondering how people would choose between attending the Advance 09 or the LoveLoud SBC annual meeting.
Any thoughts?
Update: You can listen to Advance 09 on the Desiring God blog.
I chose the SBC, not for career advancement, but because the church I serve asked that I go to represent the church. Ok, I re-read the question, and it’s not voiced anti-SBC like I thought. So, I just deleted my first response, and here it is: I’ve never been to the SBC, though I’ve made it to both Georgia and Arkansas State Conventions when I served in those states (currently in Arkansas). I have found Arkansas conventions to be capable of being encouraging, both through the sessions and through the interactions with people. I’m hoping to find the same thing… Read more »
I work for a Southern Baptist seminary and am a student at it as well, so I am not the best one for an objective answer, but here we go anyway: The two really can’t be compared because they have two different functions. Advance 09 will be an edifying, fun and enriching conference I am sure. Advance 09, like most conferences, has no denominational affiliation or responsibility. Thus, what goes on is really a series of “let’s get motivated and go do this” talks. But there is no actual action taken, other than developing and cultivating relationships and networks, which… Read more »
I will definitely be attending the SBC.
David
Never heard of Advance. And I am an SBC pastor, hence messenger. ANd its in my hometown this year. So, SBC.
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This is no contest. Even though I will actually be at the SBC I would choose to go to Advance ’09 if I could. Even without Driscoll, who I think will be the big hang-up for most people here, Advance would still win hands-down.
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I love denominational life. At the same time local church ministry comes first and I think I would be better edified at Advance. So IF I had to choose only one it would be Advance, but that is only because local church ministry comes before denominational work.
We are comparing Apples and Oranges, but if Apples is local church ministry and Oranges is denominational work then Apples always come first. The convention exists in order to serve the churches. Its not the other way around.
I think you guys bring up a real weakness of the SBC annual meeting, most of the people that show up are on some payroll that requires or encourages them to go.
I’m not judging, but it does change the spiritual dynamic.
To follow up with Garrett:
What if getting a vision for local church resurgence is the best way to serve the church (and Jesus)?
Tony, Micah’s comment covers how I would reply. Getting a vision for local church resurgence is a great way to serve the church and Jesus. But getting a vision for local church resurgence doesn’t help fund 5,000+ foreign missionaries. If I become an SBC pastor, I put the annual meeting on my calendar first thing every year (generally speaking). If we want the convention to continue to be built on local churches, local church pastors need to be involved in the convention regularly and faithfully. Other conferences go in a different category all together: hence I say they are apples… Read more »
Agreed – but it’s still a fun question.
I think the timing for Advance was intentional. The argument will be blasted from the rooftops . . . . “See, look how many young pastors, men, attended Advance 09 and how few were attending the SBC . . . SBC losing significance,dying, must be overhauled or will not survive.” Of course how many hip, young, evangelical guys who would never even think of attending a SBC and could care less about representing the interests of Cooperative Program tithing church members are there in the Raleigh-Durham area? More per capita I imagine than anywhere in the nation. Sure you will… Read more »
Intentional by who? Most of the platform speakers aren’t SBC, and I certainly aren’t involved in SBC politics. If anything, I don’t think the convention was on their radar as in ‘competition’.
This is a tough one for me. In reality, I could have easily gone to either of them thanks to the generosity of my church, and the fact that they don’t require me to attend any conventions/conferences, but allow me the privilege to choose which I want to attend. Having said that, my first response is that I believe I would prefer Advance to the SBC in terms of education and encouragement. However, I have chosen to attend the SBC because I believe, strongly, in the Southern Baptist method of cooperative missions and I desire to see it continue, but… Read more »
Thanks for the response, but your blog says you’d rather be on vacation. That may be the best option for June time away from church.
Tony, Payroll? Had nothing to do with it, bro! I chose to go for my own well being. I took off from my secular job to go. The pastor’s conference is the draw for me. I just recently accepted a call to small rural KY church. As such, I told them I’m going, that now I would represent them as a messenger, and suggested we find others that may want to go. But since most folks actually work during the week they won’t be going. As far as Advance: I don’t know about that, never heard of it until yesterday.… Read more »
You are the odd duck . . . which is why we sat together in Theology class.
Tony…I’d go to the SBC, but I can’t. Even if I weren’t a messenger I’d like to go. I’d like to go hear the various SB speakers and fellowship with SB brothers and sisters. I’d like to witness Peter Lumpkins sign his book, “Alcohol Today”. It’s rather appropriate that his first book would be presented at the very city in which he began his journey in Southern Baptist education. It would be fun to go back to Seminary Village (that is no longer “seminary”), and reminisce a bit about all the ministry dreams we had while praying around our kitchen… Read more »
Any other year, I think Advance would be my choice. But if you look at the preaching schedule at the Pastor’s Conference, the IX Marks sessions, B21’s forum, etc, there are some great opportunities to hear some good Bible preaching that is both “fun and enriching” as well as preparing you to serve your local church, whether on staff or not.
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Being in Louisville really helps too.
That is true, location does play some role in it. Just like next year with the convention in Orlando (and a presidential election) I would imagine the Annual Meeting would have high numbers. I just hope that there are the same kinds of special events like the IX Marks @ 9 to add to the overall meetings.
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Orlando, FL – June 15-16, 2010 (family vacation?)
Phoenix, AZ – June 14-15, 2011 (too far West)
New Orleans, LA – June 19-20, 2012 (good choice)
Nashville, TN – June 18-19, 2013 (bla – bla)
Baltimore, MD – June 10-11, 2014 (back North where it belongs)
I like seeing Baltimore on this list. I think the SBC should put an emphasis on going to the places they have held strategic cities, particularly the ones that . . . umm . . . flopped (*cough* Boston *cough*). I mean, come on, Nashville?!?!?
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I am so glad to see Kansas City, Omaha- NE, Oklahoma City, and other Midwest Cities… Oh wait, I forgot, the SBC doesn’t know the Midwest exists.
If this was a year that we would elect a new President I would choose SBC.
Matt,
The “two year term” is only tradition. Technically, the term is only for one year and usually is affirmed for a second. There is nothing that is stopping the convention from electing another president. Actually, that would be a great shake up for the SBC. Rattle the traditions!
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I know the two term is only tradition, but let’s be honest, we are Southern Baptist. That tradition in no way will be changing this year!
Men, Speaking as an SBC Pastors wife (My husband is one of the younger generation pastors who struggles to bridge the gap and find his place with the gray hairs, AND speaking as the granddaughter of one of the gray hairs so often referred to here and everywhere else in SBC life these days….I hear it all from both sides! ) You as the Pastor of an SBC church should be at the Southern Baptist Convention if at all possible. It happens once a year. Other Conferences take place all year long all over the country. Take your family, send… Read more »
ANd therein lies part of the problem. The young guys don’t want to change the tradition. So tradition stays. and the young guys complain about the traditions some more and not being able to effect change.
YOung guys can complain all they want but until they they walk the talk they will only become the same ole old guys they complain about. Ignoring it does nothing.
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haha… Scott, you must be kidding. The young guys dont want to change tradition? All young guys, including me, talk about is changing the things that need changed. Electing a president this year is not a tradition that really needs addressed right now, at all. The young certainly want change. The young are also not ignorant and they are realistic about when some things will and will not change. If you are expecting the young guys in the SBC to try to change all traditions and die on every hill you will never see it happen. The young guys I… Read more »
Matt, Yeah, realistically, electing a different president, at least this late, is probably not possible. And that wasn’t the point of the statement. Now realize that I’m coming from an “older” young perspective. I’m older in age than most in the young category but am still young enough that I “haven’t been around”. And I agree there are the “personalities” that are walking the talk. I always give the credit where it is do. However, as a whole, the “young” crowd, me included, come across as a bunch of whiners sipping their espressos over a wi-fi’d blog. Then they go… Read more »
Scott, I agree with 99% of what you said. I am a former intern of Dr. Hershael York and if anyone is hard on the “young” it is him. Yet, he is one of the most encouraging for the young to dig in and earn their place to take the reins. You said that most of the “old” you know would love nothing more than to allow the young to take the reins. In my experience, this is true UNTIL the young go in a direction they dont quite like and then it comes to “have you no respect for… Read more »
My previous reply was in response to Matt. FYI.
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HOORAY 4 AMY! This ought to be a post, girl! You could title it, The Southern Baptist Convention–it oughta be Mandatory!
Ooops. I could get in real trouble for even suggesting that. But seriously, Amy, you are a cheerleader and we need that kind of voice. Our children need to be with other PKs. Wives need one another. And the vacation together is a great idea. Thanks for stepping up. selahV
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Amy,
You’ve got a good point. That’s something my wife is looking forward to in Louisville: some of the women she met in seminary will be there, plus there’s childcare, which allows both of us the freedom to get involved with a large amount of the activities going on.
And thanks for being a cheerleader for my wife. She needs it, you should meet the husband she deals with, and she can’t even get her pastor to straighten the guy out!!
Doug (very blessed husband and pastor to Ann)
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Would you young bucks let a “really old guy” in here? HA! Let me say at the outset that I am really proud of most of the “young, restless, and Reformed” bloggers that I read. You guys (and gals) are really sharp. And you make me proud. I think that you should be allowed “a place at the table” and should also “earn a place at the table.” You are surely the “brain trust” upon which we will have to draw in the not-to-distant-future. And I for you thank the Lord for your zeal for personal evangelism, world missions, and… Read more »
Another question to consider, or perhaps a different way to phrase the question, at least in my mind: Do we, even us young preachers, have the stomach to make time for our responsibilities, like attending the SBC, or must everything we do be for our own encouragement and edification? Not belittling going to things that are encouraging. Personally, though, I think we might be better to put a lot of effort into doing smaller, more local things to encourage each other. It’s great to meet a pastor from the other side of the country that has the same struggles and… Read more »
I know you are trying to be serious and I was always the class clown but… are you serious!? Would I rather go to a business meeting than hear a line-up of my favorite, future thinking, visionary, actually making a difference, speaking my language, wearing my clothes, listening to my…..
Business meeting?! Really?
PS Went to Phoenix and Vegas… confirmed my worst fears.
This will be my first year going to the full SBC Annual Meeting. I chose to go because 1) it’s in Louisville and I briefly attended Southern Seminary, which I loved; 2) my wife’s family lives here and it’s in some way a vacation for us; 3) I am looking forward to much of the Pastor’s Conference (though not all of it – in particular J.D. Greear, Chuck Colson, Francis Chan, and David Platt); 4) being a 33-year old pastor, I am hoping to get more involved in the denomination (as I have in the local association my church is… Read more »
I realized after reading my above comment that I wasn’t clear who I was looking forward to hearing at the Pastor’s Conference – the names I mentioned were the one I AM looking forward to hearing.