These come from the floor of the convention, the hoi polloi, the unwashed masses of SBC messengers. Sometimes fanboys stack the mics and lob softball questions but occasionally messenger actually asks a question worth having answered. Here is a mix, serious and not so serious, of my own:
Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary: Dr. Mohler, you recently said that the SBC had reached a “critical moment” in regard to “complementarianism.” Yesterday there were women on the sidewalk outside the convention center who were abused by male SBC clergy and laypeople. Would you like to revise and expand on what you see as “critical” and do you have anything to say to these women?
Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary: Dr. Akin, you are from Georgia. Do you think this will be the year the Dawgs finally exorcise the Tide demons?
Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Seminary: Dr. Allen, your seminary is the best success story in the SBC in regard to increasing enrollment. Congratulations on doing a great job at this. Last year you explained why Beth Moore, and thus any non-male, should not be elected president of the SBC. Do you think your seminary is a good choice for women who desire advanced degrees?
Adam Greenway, president of Southwestern Seminary: Dr. Greenway, your leadership over the past few months has been amazing in restoring the reputation of what was once the world’s largest seminary. Thank you for this. The latest financial report noted a reduction of millions of dollars in some expense categories. Are you planning to report to the convention on how much of this was from staff, travel, upkeep, housing, salaries, and other expenses directly related to the former president and his wife? If not, may I ask ‘why not’?
Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary: Congratulations, Dr. Iorg, on Gateway landing the Jonathan Edwards Center and partnership with Yale University. This is a stellar accomplishment and I commend you and the seminary for doing this. Are you concerned that this will brand your seminary as a “calvinistic” school?
Charles Kelley, president of New Orleans Seminary: Dr. Kelley, Rumor has it that you’re planning to take up jazz trumpet in retirement. If not, what do you plan to do in retirement?
Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board: Dr. Ezell, you may have noticed that NAMB is harshly criticized at times. What is the most important thing that would you like for Southern Baptists to understand about NAMB’s work in North America that you believe is misunderstood?
Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board: Dr. Chitwood, those women rallying yesterday that were abuse victims and advocates, some have complaints against the IMB. Do you expect more revelations about abuse on the mission field by IMB workers and will this be handled differently that some in the past?
Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee: Dr. Floyd, you’ve been on the job over two weeks now. Why haven’t you fixed everything that needs fixing yet?
__________
I support all of our current SBC leaders and pray for them. They are all paid enough to handle difficult questions. These are easy questions and provide a platform for a few leaders to explain themselves and address things that need addressing. What better forum than from the floor of the convention?
Maybe you have questions.
If you see me at a mic, you might look for a shirt torn half off, my wife usually has a very firm grip to keep me in my seat. Smart lady.
My wife kept my ballots in her purse. She would ask how I was voting before giving them to me. However my shirt was always in good shape
Chuck Kelley? I assume Dr. Dew will be reporting to the convention, though Dr. Kelley had been on the schedule due to the search committee having not yet named a president when the schedule was released.
Thanks. Bet CK is recognized.
As he should be. I suspect both will be involved in some way. Dr. Kelley’s retirement is effective July 31 I believe. However, If I am correct, Dr. Dew is president as of the vote, but I did not notice a start date, so he many not be permanently on campus yet.
Great questions. Ah, yes. The fan boys are really into politics.
William, these are some good questions. It certainly gives us a lot of room for productive conversation. I think I would ask Dr. Mohler and Dr. Greenway a question or two: Dr. Mohler, how and in what specific ways did the research and writing of the founders of SBTS and the financial interest they had in ownership of slaves, change your way in thinking about modern day racism and gender discrimination? If so, in what ways? Would you support Beth Moore as being elected the President of Southern Seminary (once you retire of course)?
Dr. Greenway, on behalf on those who don’t leave comments and those who already see positive change at Southwestern (Ft. Forth, TX), welcome!!!! Might I mention (which I am sure you know), SWBTS didn’t just promote the largest seminary in the world, it also boasted of having the world’s largest theological collection of writing. Let’s not forget, during SW’s prime (1980’s and the early part of the 1990’s), the scholarship was nothing less than amazing and priceless. These men and women brought value to our lives. They (as well as many of the leaders in the seminaries) entrenched a level of unconditional love while standing firm with modern day scholarship. I’m thankful everyday of my life that God allowed me to be around such people. Out of all the controversy in our convention (MS College from 1983 – 1987 and Southwestern from 1987 – 1991), I never heard a disparaging word (not one) murmured for or against anyone.
Unfortunately, I will not be attending the convention, but I know we are all in good hands.
Regarding the question to Al Mohler that you propose, what does his concern over Beth Moore’s comments have to do with abuse of women? I fail to see the connection other than stereotyping. Are you saying that you do not think Mohler supports strengthening SBC influence on churches that wink at abuse, cuz I haven’t seen one hint of that?
Similarly, why would Jason Allen answer your proposed question in the affirmative when he is the president of a seminary in a collection of churches that holds women cannot be pastors? Why would a seminary choose a women to lead a school training men to pastor when the president cannot by definition be a pastor? Its non-sensical.
JA outlined a hard complimentarian position last year on why a woman could not fill the extra-biblical position of elected SBC president. The SBC as a whole and thousands of SBC churches are not hard comps. It’s a provocative question. I’m sure Allen can handle it. Maybe he already has.
AM’s timing on his comment was very bad. The comparison and contrast to abuse should have been expected.
BM is just an action figure I used as it came to mind. She is a leader and someone who is known. I never read JA’s version
No question for Russell Moore, O.S.Hawkins or the interim at Lifeway?
I ran out of gas.
I feel bad. Maybe I should send questions but not.
Regarding the question to Dr. Allen, he has spoken to that.
What did he say?
I posted….finally…in the wrong place
That’s what I was going on. I forgot about the”capital “D” Danvers.” My guess is that he didn’t enhance female enrollment; hence, my question that no one will ask him.
Franky, my question for Dr. Mohler was hypothetical and it was in response to a position on women and the roles of leadership vs the document released in December on slavery and racism in the SBTS. It had zero to do with her education and experience.
More to do with how we respond to these factors causing discrimination. Even though we hate it, and many may not be able to see it. The overall attitude of our SBC (until recent) towards racism and inequality have moved more towards complacency. These are directly connected, and yes, we need to ask some tough questions.
As SB we have avoided so much already.