Brad Jurkovich nominated Ken Hemphill, carrying forward the harsh tone of the Hemphill campaign. There was a negative tone to much of it. He insinuated that the Greear campaign was about putting wedges between old and young and denigrated Greear’s sacrificial act from two years ago in stepping aside for Steve Gaines
He did praise Hemphill profusely. Hemphill is a good man.
Applause was polite at the end.
Ken Whitten gave the more traditional positive nomination speech. He focused on Greear’s integrity, clarity, and unity. He did not disparage Hemphill in any way.
He did make it clear that JD is an inerrantist and believes in a whosoever will gospel.
There was raucous applause at the end, but it is hard to know if that was all for JD or for the joke Ken told about JD’s musical ability.
There were 9467 registered messengers at the time of the vote. Early predictions had put that total near 12,000.
“This election cannot be about one candidate’s act of grace two years ago,” Jurkovich said. Maybe not, but it sure shows which person cares more for the convention. My fear is that Ken will just go get “the good ole boys” and make no attempt to bridge to a new generation of leaders.
Why do you have that fear? I don’t believe he has shown such tendencies.
That was a particularly unwise statement. Too bad KH wasn’t better served by his supporters.
Agree William, to many toxic supporters. Hemphill has mentored younger pastors especially for many years
Not sure I understand this implication: “Greear cares more for the Convention.” More than a man that has spent more years in service in and through the Convention than the other man has been alive? I’m not sure what kind of spiritual math that uses.
I think such a statement does show a growing apathy at the least, and antipathy at the worst, for a generation that served diligently and devotedly. I think such an implication only bolsters the concern among many that there is, indeed, a generational divide in our Convention.
Some applaud this turning out of older, “traditional” long-time leaders in the Convention. Some fear it is a harbinger of winds that will blow us further from our theological moorings–a swinging of the pendulum.
As one well-known pastor said years ago, “voting divides.” That is simply an unavoidable consequence of a democratic polity. I’ve heard people complain about the “Good Ole’ Boys” my entire ministry. If Ken Hemphill represents the “Good Ole’ Boys,” then I guess I know what camp you have put me into.
But, if what you say is true, and Ken Hemphill represents the “Good Ole’ Boys,” who will be the “Good Ole’ Boys” when Greear turns 70?
I grew up in the ministry where wise, silver-haired, foot-soldiers of the Kingdom were greatly revered. More than a few of my college religion professors were ancient men of their 60’s. One professor of Pastoral Leadership was actually in his 80’s. He held classes spellbound by both his wit and wisdom.
Voting is a naturally divisive (or unnaturally depending on one’s prospective) activity. Gloating over a win, or pontificating about the motives of candidates after the vote, only deepens the divide.
And yes, I am old. I have entered my 60’s. Many may think I should be “turned out also.” I’ve often felt that way myself at times.
I am not overly hopeful about the future of the Convention, but it has nothing much to do with who is the president for the next couple of years–whether president of the Convention or the nation, frankly. For the entire tenure of my 42 years in ministry, Southern Baptist baptism have spiraled consistently downward. As a pastor in the West, I’ve found it increasingly more difficult to capture the attention of spiritual wayfarers in my community.
I just don’t see how the increasing disharmony and dissension in SBC life is helpful in slowing the decline, or even possibly reversing it. It surely doesn’t seem like taking a “vote” is the answer.
For me, Brad Jurkovich’s nomination speech for Brother Hemphill convinced me that JD Greear was the right person for the leadership at this time.
As one who favored Brother Hemphill, I cringed when Brother Jurkovich spoke about Brother Greear and didn’t keep the focus on Brother Hemphill.
I believe it cost votes
A comment at the 9Marks @ 9 was something along the lines that KH had been “used”. That’s too bad. I’d heard many positive comments about him. I feel that JD is the right guy, and I had no issues with KH. That said, I did have issues with the way certain people opposed JD.
I think so, too. But with an overwhelming 70-30 vote in favor of Brother Greear I don’t think it cost him the election.
The strength of a 70-30 vote should tell us the direction the SBC is headed in the coming years. As one who is on his way out, I welcome what is to come. It is a new day, and I hope that the old “back room” way of doing things is passed as evidenced by the ERLC trustee correction.