Some of my buddies were upset at JD when he withdrew – they wanted to take the fight to the mattresses at St. Louis. This was one of the truly great acts of a man of God in recent convention history.
After having a slight lead on the first ballot and trailing slightly on the second ballot, JD withdrew before the third ballot because, as he said, the SBC would not be served by a 51-49 division – whoever won. It is now 2 years later, and some are grousing that JD has no right to be elected. Of course not. No one has a right to the office.
But who could we elect that is a better man than this? He has shown that his concern is for the SBC more than it is for himself. He cares about unity more than victory in personal struggle. This act of sacrifice and statesmanship was one of the great moments in recent SBC history.
Watch this and then ask yourself…who could NOT want a man like this to be our president?
Testify!
I agree completely. I hope Dr. Grear is elected. He demonstrated humility and a desire for unity by withdrawing from the presidential election two years ago. He is a former missionary, and his church sends more members for appointment as IMB missionaries than any other SBC church. I don’t know him personally, but I’ve heard him speak several times, and I was edified every time.
David,
Don’t recall ever meeting Grear. But, everything I’ve read from or about him, bolsters my confidence. Your recommendation goes a long way with me also. JD, is exceptionally good on the racial front in word & deed.
Surprised & flattered a couple of months ago, when a conservative, calvinist, Caucasian SBC pastor contacted me ‘bout allowing my name to be nominated for President Of The SBC. Really question if I’d be the right candidate at any time. But, knowing JD, was “up next,” I graciously declined. He has my 100% support. The kind pastor who wanted to nominate me was concerned about the SBC continuing to make progress on the racial front. I deeply respect, appreciate & share his concern. Again, JD will be good on this front. But, Luter was also right, when he said, that if he is the 1st & last SBC African American President, then it would appear that his presidency did not represent a real sea change in the SBC. That’s a paraphrase of Luter’s remarks, but, he said something quite similar, and I agree. Look forward to casting my ballot for JD in Dallas in ‘18. Again, I’m probably not the right one, but, a pray The Lord raise up a Hispanic, Asian, or African American for President in 2020, or Luter, will become a Baptist prophet.