Interview with Dr. Jeff Ginn

      As noted elsewhere in this Banner, Dr. Jeffery B. Ginn has been unanimously elected SBCV executive director to replace retiring Doyle Chauncey. The following is an interview between The Baptist Banner and Dr. Ginn.

BB: What challenges do you see facing SBCV churches and the SBCV itself over the next several years?

JBG: Before I speak of challenges, let me speak of opportunity. The SBCV is a dynamic missional entity. Its doctrinal commitments, evangelistic priorities, and missiological strategies are sound. Its growth has been remarkable. The challenge is to maintain and even accelerate this pattern over the next decade. Of course, as the local church goes, so goes the state convention. The heartbeat of the SBCV, then, is to come alongside the local church to assist her in being all that God calls her to be.

BB: What will be your priority message(s) to Virginia Baptists?

JBG: Someone has said that the last words of Jesus are to be our first priority. His last words were centered on expanding His kingdom (e.g., Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, etc.). That would be the primary message I would press home to the hearts of Virginia Southern Baptists. My family and I served as missionaries with the International Mission Board for several years. Essentially, I bring that same missionary outlook and passion to the post of Executive Director.

BB: Quantity: We have all seen data that indicate a plateau or even decline in baptisms and membership among Southern Baptist churches nationwide. What will be your preferred ways for Virginia Baptists to reverse this negative trend?

JBG: Thankfully, our statistics in the SBCV run counter to these trends. While acknowledging God's hand of blessings upon our churches, we must redouble our efforts to be faithful to the commission given to us by our Lord. This begins with an unyielding commitment to the Word of God. I have a stark memory of a moderate preacher once doing a parody of Isaiah 6. As I recollect, his words were: "In the year that missionary zeal died, I saw doctrine high and lifted up." The import of his parody was that missionary zeal and doctrine are somehow juxtaposed and that an emphasis upon doctrine diminishes evangelistic passion. I reject that line of thinking wholeheartedly. Balanced, biblical theology is the genesis of missionary zeal. If we relinquish sound doctrine, what impulse do we have for the costly, risky business of evangelism?

      Joined to truth there must be passion. I heard Adrian Rogers say, "You can be as straight as a gun barrel and just as empty." How true! I want us to be straight. No question. But God forbid that we be empty of passion and heart. All of our training events, gatherings, and communications will have as their aim the proclamation of unvarnished truth and the fanning into a flame our heart for evangelism.

      A third piece to this puzzle is the matter of methodology. If our doctrine is sound, and our heart is hot, and our methods are appropriate, we have the best chance to avoid any such plateau. The SBCV has been a very innovative entity (e.g., decentralization, varied church plants, etc.). Such innovative methodologies, always informed by and bound by scriptural parameters, have helped and will help to engender the growth that God desires.

BB: Quality: Another common problem is unregenerate church membership. How will you address this theological cancer?

JBG: Regenerate church membership has been a hallmark of Baptist life. This principle has been so strong that there have been those who died giving witness to its importance (i.e., early anabaptists). The point must not be negotiated. Again, Scripture prescribes the balanced position that must be taken. On one hand, the true church is comprised only of the converted. On the other, humility is required of those who would seek to maintain the principle. No one knows the heart of a man but the Lord Himself.

BB: Calvinism: Some predict a growing controversy and stress between strict Calvinists and non- or lesser Calvinists. What is your take on this issue?

JBG: These streams represent a tension that exists as we grapple with the full revelation of truth given in the Bible. No one can deny or dispute the sovereignty of God. At the same time, it is clear that each man is responsible before God. Theological constructs such as Calvinism are an attempt to harmonize these truths. I, for one, believe that these discussions are healthy. They represent a wrestling with the text along the lines of the noble Bereans (see Acts 17:11).

      Historically there has been room in SBC life for varying opinions on these matters. I remember well the "debate" between Paige Patterson and Al Mohler that was conducted at the Pastors' Conference in Greensboro a couple of years ago. They demonstrated that sincere brothers can disagree without being disagreeable. I anticipate that this will continue to be the spirit that we embody within the fellowship of the SBCV.

BB: One problem that has been mentioned many times is the strain on small church pastors who have no other staff members to share responsibilities and who are often bi-vocational. Is there anything the SBCV can do to help pastors and churches in this situation?

JBG: I believe that the SBCV holds special value for pastors in just such situations. A large church pastor labors alongside other staff members and, by virtue of this, has a network of support close at hand. This is not true of many of our churches. There are many features of SBCV life that can benefit such pastors and churches. The decentralized structure of our state missionary staff means that there is an area missionary relatively close at hand for all of our pastors and churches. They stand ready and willing to befriend and encourage. The periodic pastor/staff area fellowships are an oasis of spiritual refreshment. In fact, there is currently a restructuring of these underway that will enable more pastors/staff and their families to access these events. Statewide events of the highest caliber are offered to encourage and equip. I strongly encourage any pastor or church that is facing such a situation to contact us to let us know how we may serve them.

BB: There seems to be a repeated tendency for church and denominational leaders to try to reach larger numbers of people by watering down the tougher aspects of God’s Word (for example to emphasize love and ignore judgment), to appeal to the world by making the church like the world. Witness the "modernism" movement of the early 1900s and the liberal effort in the Southern Baptist Convention during the mid- to late 20^th century. There is clear evidence of a renewed liberal slant in other states where "Acts 29" and other "emergent" churches choose a similar path. How will you address this problem.

JBG: We are called to preach the whole counsel of God. There can be no "watering down" or omission of biblical revelation. On this we must be clear.

      Jesus is the ideal model for such ministry. He is characterized by John as being "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). That is the balance we must seek. We must be full of grace as was our Lord. At the same time, truth is the fixed boundary within which grace is displayed and dispensed. Churches of whatever stripe must be held to these principles.

BB: Are there other problems you wish to address or comments you would like to offer, additional messages for Virginia Baptists?

JBG: At this juncture let me simply add a personal comment or two. First, it is a singular privilege to serve in this role. The SBCV has the stamp of God's good hand upon it. I recognize this and am humbled by the opportunity to serve in this strategic role. Second, I recognize that the responsibility calls for a wisdom beyond my own. Thus, I covet the prayer of God's people that He will deign to concede to me the wisdom needed to lead in such a manner that great glory accrues to His name as we, together, accomplish His purposes.