By Pastor Mat Alexander
First Baptist Church Gadsden
Thank you [FBC Gadsden] for making it possible for me to attend the Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim last week. It’s important [that] we are represented in the SBC as we continue to joyfully cooperate with other Baptist churches to get the gospel to the nations. …
We all owe a debt of gratitude for the Sexual Abuse Task Force for the difficult work they have done over the last year. … Our response to this sin is of the utmost importance to me, and I believe we made some excellent first steps regarding this situation.
Our convictions
The media and others have presented many of the issues at hand in SBC life as a crisis of convictions. Like many other denominations and organizations in our country, we certainly have our fair share of issues arising from the pressures and crosswinds that an increasingly secular society presents to people of faith.
Some are saying the SBC is in the process of a “liberal drift.” Bear in mind that in this particular context, “liberal drift” means large swaths of the convention are abandoning convictions rooted in biblical fidelity for the sake of compromise with secular thought or worldly ideals.
From my perspective, the SBC remains strongly tethered to our shared convictions as represented in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. I think much of the pointed critique of liberal drift is unfounded, and that the accusers tend to be misguided at best and intentionally slanderous for the sake of personal gain at worst.
The misguided critique (in my estimation) comes from a wing of the SBC that tends more toward hard-line fundamentalism. Their understanding of a suite of theological and social issues is much harder and further to the right of where most Southern Baptists are.
I believe those convictions are sincerely held, and I am glad to partner with churches who disagree with me on certain issues to send missionaries to the nations, so long as we are within the bounds of the Convention’s confessional statement. However, I think it is unwise to tighten our confessional framework down to our lowest common denominator.
We are intentionally confessionally broad because the nature of our cooperative work does not require a narrow confessional identity. Individual churches are welcome to make their confessional identities and positions on social issues as narrow as they please, but accusing others who disagree of “liberal drift” is disingenuous and, again, misguided.
Holding fast to the faith
Southern Baptists are continuing to hold fast to the faith once for all delivered to the saints. … [We] are better in person than [we] are on Twitter.
While there were some shameful moments, the general spirit of the convention was one of unity and cooperation. I am glad to be a Southern Baptist and believe good days are ahead for our churches and entities.
Letters to the editor related to gun violence
In the wake of the tragic murders at a Texas elementary school, the president rushed out to invoke “God’s name” for us to do what we know we need to do. I find it odd that while invoking “God’s name” over the lost children and faculty, he simultaneously supports the wanton killing of children in the womb, including with our tax dollars. I believe it is further doubtful you would see the president or his supporters in Washington and in the media establishment, call on a return to prayer in school, daily Bible readings in the classroom, and posting of the Ten Commandments so children can be taught to respect life and the Creator of that life.
If the president wants to run out invoking “God’s name” for us to do something, I suggest he could start by calling on his party to reject its radical abortion platform, to embrace life and biblical family values that children need, so they don’t grow up confused, lost and angry.
Whether it’s use of guns at a school or grocery store, driving vehicles into a crowded parade or sidewalk or flying planes into buildings in order to kill innocent people, the common denominator is that of a heart problem.
As the song says, we cannot demand God to intervene in these times of tragedy, when as a society we “have asked Him to leave.”
Don Wallace
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
A proper initial response to mass murder in classrooms is to require every student to memorize and recite the 10 Commandments.
This is a spiritual problem, a human behavior control problem, not a gun control problem, and requires a spiritual solution.
Why not murder your family, students, coworkers and anyone else you choose?
The reason is because God has commanded against it.
Without recognizing God’s existence, authority and commands, we have no basis for avoiding any sin. Love is a choice. Every friend was once a stranger you chose to love.
Bob Cosby
Birmingham, Ala.
What we do matters more than we know
We as a society have gotten really good at being “fine.” Honest? Not so much. But definitely reluctant to show weakness. We see someone visibly upset or even angry, and we consider them to be more unstable than someone who is calm, quiet and collected. The truth could be the battle they are fighting is internal and the pressure is building every day.
I envision someone with three sealed buckets. Two are leaking and one is sealed tight. The owner sees the leaks and tends to them assuming all is well with the one that isn’t leaking. Until one day there is a great explosion, and his shop where he stored the buckets is destroyed.
What the owner didn’t understand was that the pressure was building in all three buckets. Two were trying to let it out by leaking. The third was desperately trying to contain the pressure, until one day it was too much and overcame the bucket.
The story is not to blame the owner. It is to remind us that just because things seem fine, they may not be. I fear many of us are too caught up in our own worlds to see those reaching out or maybe not reaching out, all around us.
What can we do? Love others. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity toward others. Think about those who were once in your circle and may have fallen out somewhere along the way, or someone who isn’t in any one’s circle.
Maybe you can invite them to be in yours. Or, just look people in the eye and speak, letting them know that they are noticed by someone.
We won’t know this side of heaven how much what we do matters, but I have no doubt it matters more than we could ever imagine.
Jason Davis
Spruce Pine, Ala.
If God is calling you, He will provide the resources.
Tom Boston
Former International Mission Board field support missionary
“In many ways it’s harder to be an evangelist than a pastor. It requires solid faith, trust that God will provide everything, from finances to speaking engagements to effectiveness in ministry, and to a spiritually, mentally and physically healthy family,” said international evangelist and Southern Baptist Sammy Tippit of San Antonio.
“Native people are still here; they’re still strong; they still have a voice. We may be an insignificant population numbers wise, but we’re not insignificant in the eyes of God. He sees every single one of us, no matter what our background is.” said Josh LeadingFox, pastor of Immokalee First Seminole Baptist Church in Florida.
“What we’re seeing is a hunger for God’s word. They respond to authenticity. They’re hungry for the truth,” said Garrett Wagoner, who has served in ministry 18 years, the last two as pastor of discipleship and spiritual formation at FiveStone Community Church in Garland, Texas.
“There is no greater honor than to live like Jesus, even in our suffering,” said Chad Murrell, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“While Paul urges believers to keep away from those leading unruly lives, we must not lose sight of his caution in verse 15: ‘Yet do not regard him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.’ The object is restoration, not judgment,” said Joe McKeever, pastor, writer and cartoonist from Ridgeland, Mississippi.
“While we can, and should, encourage others to prepare for Christ’s return, we cannot prepare for them,” said Will Kynes, associate professor of biblical studies, Samford University.
“I’ve traveled with students all over the world, and I’ve loved seeing them understand their role in God’s world, that God can use them in ways they didn’t think they could ever be used,” said Mike Nuss, retiring director of collegiate and student ministries for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
From the Twitterverse
@DanielDickard
There is a false notion that assumes prayer is an exhibition to the real game of preaching and teaching. When prayer is ineffectual, the pulpit is impotent.
@SpenceSpencer01
The more time I spend reading my Bible (not studying to dissect; just reading it through) the more I see the continuity of all of Scripture. It is one huge story with one great God from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22.
@ethicist
God’s moral laws are fulfilling, for they are the song you were created to sing.
@brocraigc
I haven’t gone to Disneyland or taken in a ballgame, but I have attended a gathering of brothers and sisters who’ve made some crucial decisions that are going to take us forward. I have enjoyed immensely the fellowship of friends I only get to see in June of every year.
@JaredCBurt
Here’s how I would describe the @SBCPastorsConf: a humble focus on the Word.
It’s not about impressive personalities, but about the power of Scripture & us humbling ourselves before God as students of His Word. My understanding & love for Colossians has grown.
@philipnation
Grateful for the work God is doing through @IMB_SBC missionaries. We are blessed to have you serving around the world. May the Lord bless you and @DrPaulChitwood as he leads IMB.
@dandarling
God calls sinners. God saves sinners. God moves in the world thru sinners. That’s good news for us.
@CatherineRenfro
Many of us have a desire to lead people to Jesus, but a fear of starting gospel conversations. Be bold. Be courageous. Be willing. And watch Jesus do what only He can do in and through you. #JesusChangesEverything
@jasonkeithallen
“A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.” —Charles Spurgeon
@claysmith79
I don’t believe in karma. But I do believe in sowing and reaping.
@richardblackaby
Never underestimate the power of prayer. It can enter any distant war zone, president’s office or hospital room.
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