This post is a response to “We Have Reached A Tipping Point” by Dr. Alvin Reid as posted (here, here, here, & here).
WE should not overlook this one fact – the SBC has a history of self correction. It’s never been pretty, and it’s often been too late. But as a denomination we’ve always found a way to change. For example:
- Missionary slave holders – Really?
- Denominational debts – Never a good plan.
- Unbelievers training future pastors – Duh?
There are many more examples, but the “SBC is evil” line is really old news. This post is not about the effects of the Fall on religious organizations. Let’s agree, the message of the cross does not commend our collective moral character. I’m not on the payroll so I won’t pretend that the SBC is without sin. AND I don’t have a vendetta so I won’t pretend that the SBC is all bad.
And all God’s bloggers said AMEN . . .
Now the amazing thing – the SBC keeps self-correcting. In each case above, a new generation righted the ship. With God’s grace, a sinful group of believers somehow carried forward the mission of Jesus. Despite their cultural hangovers and denominational bloat, they served Christ their time. We know that God works through sinful denominations in the same way he works through sinful people. But that work always includes change.
All this brings up real THE question. Will our generation be able to do the same? Can we see our problems and bring real change?
I really appreciate the SBCers who are calling for self correction. Some easy examples are Ed Stetzer at the 2007 SBC and Michael Spencer’s recent SBC blogging. Now, I’ll add Alvin Reid to the list after his SBC tipping point post. {yes I still ? the SBC}
I’m On Board, But What Now?
I really do want to rally around the Great Commission – even if they insist on spinning it as a RESURGENCE. I want to lead my church to take the Gospel to the nations & my neighborhood – even if they like to call that MISSIONAL. I want to see some amputation when it comes to denominational overhead – even if still insist that CP = MISSIONS.
So, I printed three copies of Dr. Reid’s post and walked down for staff meeting at church. As we talked, our nodding heads began to turn from side-to-side. The article somehow stopped short of asking the obvious questions.
I appreciate Dr. Reid’s diagnosis. Things are so bad we can fake it anymore. We want to turn it around, but nothing is working. We need change, we need change.
Amen . . . Yes We Can . . . Yes We Can . . . {this sounds familiar, maybe something I saw on YouTube}
My objection: For all this talk about “enough talk” I’m not sure Dr. Reid went far engouh. You can draw your own conclusions, but saying “somehting’s gotta give” is not a new. Saying “go to the SBC this summer” is not new. Saying “we need to reach more people” is not new. Saying “support your SBC leaders” is not new. Saying “we need doctrinal common ground” is not new.
Dr. Kummeropolis Asks The Obvious Questions
Let me drop a ® on something not-so profound. This conversation fails to see or evaluate it’s own assumptions. Sometimes things break, and the best option is to start fresh. So why not ask the real questions:
- If BIG denominational machines don’t work, what other models of Gospel cooperation are working?
- If BIG tent confessions of faith don’t offer real theological unity in our fragmented culture, what models of consensus will work?
- “If the average Southern Baptist knew how every penny of their money was being spent, they too would want a revolution.” What would it take to bring that kind of transparency? Why send widows $ out the window?
Comments are open. Feel free to change my mind or call me names. Just be kind enough to correct my typos.
