sbc convention 2007

Teri and I just arrived back home after a long day of traveling back from the convention in San Antonio. It is always good to gather with fellow Baptists in such large numbers at these annual events. The sheer numbers of messengers and the number of states represented is in and of itself an inspiration.

Briefly, here are my observations:

1. Kudos to Frank Page for conducting business with grace, wit and even-handedness. I counted at least three occasions that the convention spontaneously applauded the chair for his fairness at the end of a business session. I have been to many conventions in which the chair ruled with an iron fist. Frank moderated with open arms. Great job!

2. I was disappointed that David Rogers was not elected as First Vice President. The other guy had home field advantage.

3. I was glad to see the Executive Committee report on the Baptist Faith and Message adopted with a clear majority. The convention has now spoken with clarity that our agencies should not overstep their bounds when it comes to doctrinal matters. We are a confessional people who do not appreciate our agencies meddling with the autonomy of the local church (at least that's how I interpret it). It was a nice moment when Dwight McKissic stood in favor of the motion and gave his "In the Mckissic home, the children do not tell Daddy Mckissic how to run the house!" speech. Anyone who knows his background understood the profundity of that passionate speech.

Updated: I have read many of the reports and blogs since the convention that in affect argue that this decision of the convention should be ignored because after all "messengers didn't know what they were voting on." I find this line of arguing INCREDIBLE and disgusting for at least two reasons.

One, if one argues that the messengers of the convention are nothing but stupid, uniformed sheep who can't think for themselves, then he must consider that we have problems that go way beyond this mere motion from the floor. I know of at least one person who is claiming that if some (I am assuming he is talking about himself) would have only had the opportunity to speak against, the thing would have been defeated. My personal opinion is that it would not have mattered one wit how long the point was argued, the logical good sense of the wording of the report would have carried the day. Our BFM is a sufficient document for cooperation in our convention. Period. If in fact the convention is made up of weak minded robots as some are suggesting, we have problems that must be fixed at the very core of who we are as a people.

Two, what will be the state of the convention if it's stated and clearly articulated will is completely ignored and even scorned by her entities? The ramifications of this kind of arguing are way beyond the immediate affects of this one motion. If some of our leaders do not step up and soundly refute this kind of thinking, our convention may soon become a den of thieves.

4. I am seeing more youth and more color at our conventions- I like that!

5. I had a conversation with Carla Hinton, the religion editor of the Daily Oklahoman as I was preparing to board the plane on the way home. She asked me my overall impression. I told her overall I felt like we had a very good convention. I did not sense anger or hostility or division (Although Paige Patterson came pretty darn close in his Seminary rant!). There was honest debate, brotherly disagreement, but all in all I was very pleased that our convention seems to enjoy the vibrant healthy glow of a bright future. The IMB report is always the highlight for me. It is our missions initiatives as Southern Baptists that are so mind blowing! This year we had a record offering to missions! To those who say denominationalism is dead, we only have to point to conventions like these to see that there's still a lot of beats left in the SBC heart!