Fortunately I was unable to attend the Southern Baptist Convention in Greensboro, NC this year. I have never been one for formal meetings and resolutions. I would have to admit though, it has been one of the more interesting conventions since the 80’s and thanks to the bloggers who attended I know more than the Baptist Press. We all knew that there would be some controversial things talked about, but one thing that has peeked my interest is how many references to bloggers were made at the convention. (some examples here).
Apparently some of the more seasoned SBC heads are none too pleased with bloggers. I’m not sure if it is that some of “the little people” now have a voice, or that we haven’t all sat in the proverbial Amen corner, but rather have voiced some “Oh me’s” at the current leadership, and some of the in house politicking and bad policy that has been going on for years. Either way I say they only have themselves to blame.
After watching several conferences and this particular convention I believe there is a younger generation in the SBC that is tired of being fed a line of bull. I particularly see a divide over doctrine. Not the specifics of doctrine, but its importance. The younger generation seems to believe doctrine matters. The older generation just wants their Lifeway Quartley. I like to refer to them as the “because I said so generation” We were told as kids “we need to just love people to Jesus” and we said, “give me a good reason other than I told you so because some of these people are hard to love”. We were told “alcohol is the devil”. “Why?” ,we ask. “Because I said so”, they replied. We were even told “Calvinism is really bad”. You can see where I am going. I actually had an older gentlemen tell me this week that he was leaving my class because he didn’t really care to learn anything at his age.
Now this older generation is reaping the fruit of their own teaching. That generation pounded into us to read our bibles. So much so that it became a statistics box on a Sunday School card. We did what we are told and found out some actual reasons to share the Gospel and love our neighbor, and began to realize that a lot of what we were taught was extrabibilical. We did what they told us, we read our bibles, so they only have themselves to blame.
After Wades’s blog on the IMB policies, and the way it was batted about on other blogs the SBC talking heads knew that the bloggers, not matter how few, were a force to be reckoned with. Dr. Welch, I’m sure, has had several conversations about bloggers since. I know this sounds harsh, but I see statements like Dr. Welch made as a last attempt to hold onto a sinking ship. All I mean is that Dr. Welch sees the “boys club” days coming to an end, and he is fighting against it. I don’t blame him I will probably do the same thing in 30 years. Those statements where just tossing read meat to the wolves. It was an easy way to get some Amen’s, sound like a champion leading a lost cause, and a lame attempt at guilting us bloggers into something. To be honest with you, I am tired of it. This is just another example of the same ole junk that has been going on my whole life.
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36 year old husband, father, pastor, singer, musician, reader, eater, rider, watcher,
Scott,
I am right with you. I have to agree with Nick when he said that this generation of the SBC convention cannot live forever. There is another generation being raised up, to me that is good news for the SBC.
Scott-
Thanks for your words; it is a very important time. Sorry we missed each other this time around, maybe I’ll get to meet you and Jason next year.
Great post! I’m new to SBC but I look forward to seeing if the SBC does change in the future due to the love of theology and doctrine so many younger SBCers have.
Fight the Power. Is anyone gonna nail any documents to Frank Page’s door?
Don’t know your background, but can I assume this is a nice job of honoring your father and mother?
We did what we are told and found out some actual reasons to share the Gospel and love our neighbor, and began to realize that a lot of what we were taught was extrabibilical. We did what they told us, we read our bibles, so they only have themselves to blame.
AMEN, Brother! Now they’re complaining because we obeyed them. We took them seriously. The natural consequence of taking the Bible seriously as inerrant and infallible is a concern about doctrine. I’d argue it is also a return to the material principle of the Reformation. Why is Calvinism on the rise? (A) Look at society and look at our churches and you see the fruit of American revivalism (B) I read the Bible for what it says. When it says that I believe because I am born from above, and not vice versa (1 John 5:1), I believe it. When it denies that I am elected based on foreseen faith, I believe it. When it says that the cross really saves, I believe it. When it says that all who are drawn come and are raised on the last day, I believe it. When it says I cannot come to Christ apart from effectual drawing, I believe it. Tom Nettles has been saying this for years. I concur. You hit the nail on the head. If they wish to complain about blogging or doctrine, they have only themselves to blame.
I too have taught the class where older men say they don’t think they have to learn. I’ve also taught classes where their peers around them say, “Nobody ever bothered to teach us that, thank you so much.” I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. God is reforming His churches. For years, these leaders have prayed for revival. God is sending it, and now they are complaining. Think on that.