Being a Southern Baptist is a joy in my ministry. I am thankful to be a part of this diverse group of Christians that have chosen to partner with one another to do together what we could not do alone.
I understand that sometimes we will have differences in the ways we see theological issues, differing ministry philosophies, and different ideas on what we should do together and how we should do it. Add to that, that we all have sin natures and sometimes act in ways that are sinful or respond to the offenses of others in less than gracious ways. Sometimes those differences and conflicts require discussion and input and working out resolutions in a public way. Sometimes, we must politic in some ways to advocate for and seek to achieve a desired end. I get all that and really have no problem with the process. It’s part of choosing to participate in an organization the size of the SBC and find a way to work together in unity despite all of our diversity.
The questions I continually ask myself are these: What drives you as you engage in SBC life? What is the overriding stance you wish to have toward others and be known for when you engage and cooperate with others?
For me, I want to be known and strive for being unified with others in true Christian community and for the advance of God’s kingdom in the world. I am a Southern Baptist for precisely those reasons. I enjoy being in community with others and the encouragement, partnership, fellowship, sharpening, sharing and resourcing opportunities I have in SBC life. I love cooperating together with other Great Commission believers, both locally and around the nation, to make Christ known. I am thankful for the SBC and what God has chosen to do through this varied and diverse group called Southern Baptists.
AND, at times I disagree with others, about a host of issues, and that’s OK. God has made us with different preferences, different values, different gifts, different temperaments, different ways of thinking, different passions, different personalities and He’s put us together in the body of Christ. For most of those who read this blog, God has put us together in churches that have chosen to partner together in this glorious cooperative work of fulfilling the Great Commission.
I feel privileged to be a part of the SBC and to partner with you all in kingdom work.
Last week, I asked one of our state convention leaders during a meeting what he thought about the current debates and divisions in the SBC and how he would respond to them in his role. His answer was simple, “Unity is a choice!” He’s right. And that’s a choice I will continue to make. It’s a choice I make with joy as we are unified for the glory of God and his mission. Thankful to be in unity with you!
So thankful that you and I share a deep desire for unity in the Southern Baptist Convention, Todd. As we work toward the vision God has given each of us for our beloved convention, we should always remember that we are on the same team.
Sometimes, I describe it this way for people. When I disagree with brothers in the SBC about something, we are not enemies fighting a battle against each other. Rather, we are fellow soldiers disagreeing about the best battle strategy for winning the war. Todd, I am glad we are on the same side.
Actions speak louder than words.
Actions speak louder than words.
Rick – “. Rather, we are fellow soldiers disagreeing about the best battle strategy for winning the war.” I guess by war you mean the battle for mans soul… Winning the world to Christ… Being a GC church… Being an Acts 1:8 church. If I am wrong, please let me know. Your push for a balanced leadership based on Calvinists vs. Traditionalists equality bases on how you want to interpret the percentages of SBCers on each side of the discussion flies in the face of your comment. Your push to see more traditionalists in leadership is not about strategy to… Read more »
I would agree that Unity is vitally important! But those pleading for unity should not assume those critical of some SBC leaders, entities or perceived poor stewardship and lack of accountability are trying to blow up the SBC. It might just be the opposite, at least it is with me. I want to see the SBC change in some areas for its long-term viability as a major player in fulfilling the Great Commission. THAT is why TALKING to those with issues and concerns is better than demanding they conform for the sake of ‘unity’…
A lot of motive-assuming happens in our SBC blogosphere and in the conversations we have with others in our own camps. We would do well to listen more than we talk, seek to understand, and then proceed from an assumption that the other person generally has godly desires and intentions (even if they say and do things we don’t like or sometimes sin in the process). Note that the following are “I” statements and not “you” statements — I’m talking here about what I must do if I choose unity in the SBC: But there’s more. I must choose to… Read more »
Totally Agree…looking forward to that time within the SBC and with SBC entities.
Yes, we should always assume the best in others. This does not, of course, negate the fact that two voters can look at the same politician, or two directors can look at the same executive, with one finding favor and the other noting several disqualifying offenses.
If we are going to have unity, then I (using I statements here) must give others the space to offer a negative evaluation where I would offer a positive one, without charging others with disunity simply for disagreeing about a staffing decision or a candidate for election.
Genuine Christian unity tends to expose those who do not truly desire unity.
Sowing discord among brothers will cause one to eventually discover himself marginalized by his own divisiveness.
I couldn’t agree more, Randall. There is simply no cause for sowing seeds of discord. People do become very isolated when that happens. I try to bring people together. For the past four years, I have been connecting with fellow Southern Baptists who share my deep love for John 3:16 and desire a theological home among Southern Baptists today. Others may not always see eye to eye with us, but we still press on in unity, giving through the CP, Lottie and Annie, praying for revival, witnessing, going on mission trips and fulfilling the Great Commission. By the grace of… Read more »
“For the past four years, I have been connecting with fellow Southern Baptists who share my deep love for John 3:16 and desire a theological home among Southern Baptists today.”
Right. I know I feel very “connected” with you. I’m sure the young pastoral candidate you abused with your little victory dance feels very “connected” with you as well.
“But actions speak louder than words.”
Indeed they do. The grace of “Gid” you display is truly something to behold.
Given the trajectory of the issue with the ERLC and the EC, I expect you are about to find yourself marginalized yet again.
Randall, I suspect you do not “feel” any more connected to me than I “feel” connected to T4G Southern Baptists. Such is life in a big tent. I’m pretty sure the accusation of “abuse” falls outside the topic of the post, and I do not wish to join you in hijacking the thread, but you need to know there are others who view the process of making doctrinal positions clear up front with search teams in the candidating process as a function that abuses no one, but does indeed contribute to unity. I feel less marginalized every day, believing the… Read more »
“I suspect you do not “feel” any more connected to me than I “feel” connected to T4G Southern Baptists. Such is life in a big tent.” I’ve never been to T4G. Be that as it may, I’m reasonably certain no one there is the chairperson of an anti-Traditionalist campaign. “…I do not wish to join you in hijacking the thread…” That’s OK. The OP is about the need for unity among gospel-believing Southern Baptists. You are pretending to desire unity. I am simply pointing out the obvious absurdity of that claim. “…you need to know there are others who view… Read more »
Rick – “I feel less marginalized every day, believing the wing of the convention of which I am a part simply claims a majority of the membership and a minority of the leadership.” Are you convinced, through the Word of God, that the majority / minority structure in the SBC presently is wrong? If so, who needs to go and who gets to stay? Who was voted into the leadership roles, you want your people to have, outside of God’s will? Which entity has so many Trustees outside of God’s will that they knew not who God was leading them… Read more »
Which SBC Christian doesn’t love John 3:16?
I know of none.
We all love that verse [among many others]!
We all love John 3:16…just for different reasons. 🙂
Allen,
I love it because it is the Word of God.
Which means it is a word of Truth.
Why do you love it?
I love it because it shares the Gospel in a nutshell…God Loves…God Gave…We Receive.
To add to your summary Allen, it also points out what happens to those who do not believe: they will perish.
Yes, I would certainly hope that every Southern Baptist loves John 3:16, just like every Southern Baptist loves the gospel.
There are quite a few organizations that unite people around the gospel: Together for the Gospel and The Gospel Coalition come to mind.
Just as they connect with people who love the gospel and “desire a theological home” so we connect with people who love John 3:16 and “desire a theological home.”
I never said others were AGAINST John 3:16. I said we were together FOR it.
Rick,
Of course we Christians are together for it.
Even as we are together for all of God’s Word.
And of course you didn’y say that others were against it.
Why would you?
Some of us love John 3:16 so much we refuse to make the direct object the subject of the verse.
I have never seen a proponent of such disunity in all his interactions with others blatantly lie about how interested he is in unity.
Out of respect for my friend Todd, I yield back the remainder of my time.