Statistically, things are looking bleak in the SBC right now. But I have had my ear to the ground a little recently and have heard some things that give me hope. I have to share some things that I cannot really source, because they were shared with me by people who were not interested in seeing their names in blogs. You have my word that this is reliable information – for whatever that is worth.
1) A highly placed executive within the SBC told me that there seems to be the start (at least) of a coming-together of the denominational structure, getting everyone pulling in the same direction. It seems like Frank Page may be exactly the man we needed at the executive committee to help to bring this together. There is to be a public act of unity at the Convention this week, hopefully followed by real-life partnership in the days ahead.
2) There seems to be a growing optimism about Kevin Ezell and the job he is doing at NAMB. Of course, he got off to a rough start and stumbled a little coming out of the gate. He inherited a dysfunctional NAMB organization. And he came to office soon after the adoption of the GCR report which had a lot of people in NAMB dependent ares like the Midwest very nervous. I have to admit that his “bloggers in housecoats” rant left me with a very negative impression of him – as someone who simply would not tolerate being criticized by others.
But I have asked several people who work closely with NAMB how he is doing. At first, they were very nervous, and even put off a little. But recently, the feedback is growing much more positive.
Contrary to my initial impression, he seems to be a man who listens and can change his plan when he realizes he made a mistake. I have heard constant praise for the selection of his regional VPs – good men all.
We bloggers have not always been kind to Kevin Ezell – and I think it is fair to say that this is a hole he dug for himself. But it might also be fair for us to admit that we are in a redemptive business. I think we all want NAMB to get straightened out and to become a functional missions ministry.
It seems that Kevin Ezell may actually have been the right man for that job. That doesn’t mean I agree with everything he says or does (as if he cares). But as a sometimes critic of the man, I have to say that people who know are saying good things about the work he is doing.
3) There seems to be a growing movement among us to say no to division and to unite around those things that really matter. There are always going to be the voices of separation and division among us, who tell us that if you are not part of my little group, you are not really part of us at all.
But I think those voices have raised a swell of people who are starting to say that we want to unite around what really matters – Calvinist and non-Calvinist, traditional and contemporary, big church and small, whatever the splinter – we want to unite to proclaim Christ, plant churches and support missions.
Even just a few weeks ago, I was sensing that the splintering was almost inevitable. Maybe it eventually will take place. But right now there seems reason to believe that Southern Baptists can rise above it all for the sake of the mission. There are real issues that need to be addressed – genuine differences in vision and philosophy of ministry that pull us apart. But we can say yes to unity while still working on those other things.
It’s a BIFF thing! Group hug!
We are making a choice as a convention about which path we want to take – unity or splintering. There are voices on each side. But I am getting the sense that the voices of unity are growing more confident. Time will tell, of course, if my impression is right.
4) There seems to be some very hopeful signs on the racial reconciliation front. I received a copy of the report of the Executive Committee on Racial Issues (not the official title), and I was very encouraged. After a lengthy conversation with someone at the EC, I decided not to make a motion I had considered about resurrecting Dwight McKissic’s motion from last year.
They have undertaken a study that seems to have come up with some of the exact things we were looking for – intentional efforts to include a broad spectrum of skin colors in SBC leadership.
At the Pastor’s Conference, the podium is not an all-white affair either. It is a good first step.
I am confident that our current EC leadership is composed of people of good will who really want to do something about the racial problems in the SBC. If they do not follow through on those things that they have recommended, we can always bring a motion in the days ahead to force their hand.
I knew that Kevin Ezell would be a good leader and was the right choice as soon as NAMB’s search committee, headed by Ted Traylor, announced Ezell as their unanimous choice. I always have hope about diverse SBC groups in cooperation for a common goal – be it the NAMB presidential search committee, the IMB presidential search committee, the GCR Task Force, or the SBC resolutions committee.
Sounds like they are good salesmen all and you’re buying into what they’re selling hook, line, and sinker. Be wary when the powers that be seem to be taking you into their confidence. It’s mighty hard to resist.
Les
No, Les, that is not the case. You only have my word to back that up, but these are the kind of friends who tell me the truth – people on the receiving end of the work of NAMB, not the power end. If I run into you at the convention (if you are here) I could possibly say more, but am not authorized to do so here.
But the fact is, these are people who work with NAMB and were very suspicious of the GCR and of Ezell at first. They are starting to like what they see.
Dave,
Of course they are. Silly me.
I’m not at the convention because I cannot afford to go. Have to work for a living as a bivocational pastor. Have a great time!
Les
As I said, you can take my word or not. I am sensing not, right?
Er, I point you to my blog of three months ago, “The Rising Stock of Kevin Ezell.” And permit me a hearty, ‘I told ya so.’ 🙂
http://sbcplodder.blogspot.com/2011/03/rising-stock-of-kevin-ezell-and-our.html
Let’s be optimistic, an attitude sorely lacking amongst SBC bloggers for some reason, probably because negativity and pessimism sells better.
Have fun. How about giving us a summary of the most outrageous alliterative sermon outline you hear?
William,
I can assure you that our convention is headed for decline as some pastors are no longer using the Biblical model of alliteration! TRUE Southern Baptists always alliterate affectively (yes, I know it should be “E-ffectively”, but I’m a real SBC-er!) The powers that be are secretly trying to lead us into an unalliterated wasteland of wicked ways and woes! We are now forming An Alliance of Alliteration and Associated Activities for those interested in improving the integrity of our indeavours…
Dave, As far as point two goes, I had the chance to host a NAMB guy a few weeks back and I asked him for his opinion of things at the “new NAMB.” I got much the same impression that you said in point 2 above. Ezell hasn’t been perfect, but he is learning and things are getting better overall. I still have some issues with some things I am hearing out here in the field, for instance the church planting goals they have for the Dakotas are unrealistic (and that is the kindest word I can use). I am… Read more »
I am still not sure why you have to be a “mega-church” pastor to do anything in the SBC, when most of our churches are not mega-churches. How about a pastor from a healthy church of 200-400 in a rural community who is reaching out and seeing people get saved, why are we not asking their opinion? I don’t have anything against Ezell, I just don’t feel like he understands what is going on outside of the south. Is it just me?
Beware of smooth talk. What this once great convention needs is a solemn assembly in Phoenix, not a group hug. Until I see Holy Spirit conviction prevail to the point of brokenness and correction, I don’t expect much out of such gatherings.
Thank you for posting this Dave. I for one am very hopeful.
Thanks, Dave. It’s nice to hear some optimism. Whatever the signs of fracture and failure in the visible church, Christ’s true bride remains beautiful and glorious because He makes her so.
Good article for the most part. I do have a problem with your numerous references to how bad the people were at NAMB before Ezell took over. Were there problems? Sure. No doubt in a couple of years there will be more problems. However, to constantly refer to how dysfunctional NAMB was (not once, not twice, but several times), could imply that everyone there before Ezell was a hopeless failure and nothing good was done. I personally know that was not the case. Much of the dysfunction as you call it came from pressure “on” NAMB from the outside, not… Read more »
Frank, for the record, I did not say the people were bad at NAMB. I said that NAMB was dysfunctional – it would be hard to argue otherwise. My college roommate worked at NAMB for many years until just recently. I don’t think the problem was workers, but the leadership and organization. I think even many of the employees would admit that NAMB has been an organizational mess and that this has hampered the effectiveness of the organization. But I want to clarify your inaccurate portrayal of my statement. I say plenty of things that can be criticized, but I… Read more »
Dave, I think you are just parsing words. An organization cannot be “dysfunctional” apart from the people running and serving in it. And, in fairness, you haven’t just mentioned this in passing but have made it the point of several posts. I understand what your saying which is why I used the word “imply.” Perhaps you truly feel that NAMB consistently has had great people working for it, but your posts could “imply” otherwise. My point was that it was “outside” interference, not lousy workers inside the organization, that accounted for the mess. So, I never said you “said” anything.… Read more »
Isn’t “parsing words” just another way of saying “trying to speak accurately.”
I think there have been leadership problems and BoT problems at NAMB. The workers have been jerked around a lot. That has been and continues to be my opinion.
I said what I meant – parsing words or no. I did not say that the NAMB employees were bad people and did not mean that.
Dave,
That seems clear to me.