SBC Concerns
by T. C. Pinckney Vol. XXIII, No. 7, August 2010
Every so often several events will coincide, and the combination focusses our attention on important developments that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. I believe this is where we Southern Baptists find ourselves today.
God has blessed Southern Baptists in many ways, most recently through winning the “Conservative Resurgence” which was actually a struggle for the theological soul of the denomination. Precisely when that struggle began is difficult if not impossible to define. Certainly it was present in the “Modernism” controversy of the 1920's which led to adoption in 1925 of the first version of the Baptist Faith and Message, our doctrinal statement.
The more recent extended battle began in 1961 with publication of The Message of Genesis by Dr. Ralph Elliott, the first faculty member at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. The book was obviously heretical and evoked great concerns among Bible-believing Southern Baptists. (Copies are still available online.)
Notable steps in the Resurgence included adoption of a revised but compromising Baptist Faith and Message in June 1963, gradually increasing concern and participation by those who believe the Bible is inerrant, the first electoral victory when Adrian Rogers was elected SBC president in 1979, and the election of inerrantist presidents each year since. And because of the president’s appointive powers, his election is crucially important. [Note: For much more about the Conservative Resurgence, go to www.baptistbanner.org, click Articles from Past Issues, click either of the two SBC links, and then read individual articles.]
Well, if all the above is so, what’s the problem?
The current problem springs, like all other problems, from the nature of man. Our hearts are fallen. “There is none that doeth good. No, not one.”
During the Southern Baptist Resurgence there were liberal pastors, officers, trustees who intentionally attempted to move the SBC toward their own stance. There were many others who were simply oblivious of what was going on; as long as an individual looked and sounded “nice” they took him at his word, saw no problem. They found it virtually impossible to conceive that a pastor, a seminary professor, a denominational officer would not believe the full authority of God’s Word. Lastly, there was the slowly growing group who recognized the threat and committed themselves to opposing it insofar as possible. Praise God! Beginning in 1979 the third group began winning presidential elections and won every one until, during the 1990's, the SBC was clearly returned to the full authority of God’s Word.
Great! So, again, what’s the problem?
The problem is the impact of human nature. During any prolonged conflict many grow weary, so weary that once the current battle is won, they mistakenly assume that all struggle is over; now they can return to their previous vision of peace and quiet, everyone living in harmony. This ignores man’s fallen heart and Satan’s persistence. “There is none that doeth good, no not one” (Romans 3:12), and that includes us.
We see a pattern in the Old Testament. Time after time the Hebrews strayed from God, underwent major punishments, awoke to their sin, and returned to Jahweh pledging eternal loyalty. But then, once God removed their immediate problems and the older generation passed, it wasn’t long before they veered away from Him once again.
And that process is underway in the SBC today.
As tangible proof of biblical loyalists’ victory, we have the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, a very fine biblical statement and much clearer than the preceding 1963 version. . Seminary presidents and many professors have been replaced. We have elected inerrantist SBC presidents and other officers and trustees.
But now we have an uncomfortable feeling that relaxation is underway. I will describe several concerns that seem to be impacting our convention. Let me preface these remarks with a caution: These are simply my current opinions, not things I claim to be entirely correct. However, I ask that you consider each of these thoughts and then, as you observe the SBC in action, discern whether each is a valid concern that must be faced or not really a problem.
#1. De-emphasis of the Cooperative Program
Among some Southern Baptists there seems to be decreasing appreciation for the Cooperative Program. The rationale seems to be, “We prefer to send our money directly to missions rather than have a lot of it wasted supporting the bloated SBC bureaucracy.”
Certainly every Southern Baptist and every SBC church has the right to designate donations to whatever cause(s) they prefer. That autonomy is inherent in being a Southern Baptist. The Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong missions offerings are probably the best known examples of this giving, and those offerings serve excellent causes.
Ever since it was initiated in 1925 the Cooperative Program has been the organizational life-blood of the SBC. Through the CP individual churches, state conventions, and the SBC work together to win the world to Christ. Should CP support wither, what would happen to our c. 5,000 foreign missionaries, our c. 5,000 North American missionaries, and our six seminaries,
Regarding bloated bureaucracy, there may be instances of this. But the doctor doesn’t cure an infection by removing the heart. SBC entities could be urged to study their efficiency and improve their organization. After all, this has been done before, most recently through the Implementation Task Force report adopted in June 1997. Here is the summary of that action from the June/July 1997 Baptist Banner:
“One of the most significant matters brought to the Convention was the report of the Implementation Task Force which has been working since September 1995 to bring about the restructuring of SBC agencies voted by the Convention. In the process the Education Commission, Historical Commission, and Southern Baptist Foundation were disestablished as SBC entities. Functions of the Education Commission were transferred to an independent agency. The Southern Baptist Historical Library was placed under the purview of the Council of Seminary Presidents with no change of location or assets and essentially the same staff. The Foundation became a subsidiary of the Executive Commission.
In addition, the Radio & Television Commission, the Brotherhood Commission, and the Home Mission Board went out of existence and the new North American Mission Board was created with staffing of 514 slots previously authorized to the three agencies reduced to 365 for NAMB. The reorganization is projected to reduce overhead costs by $34 million over five years, $34 million which can be channelled to front line ministries.”
#2. Nominating people for influential responsibilities (i.e., IMB, NAMB, or seminary trustee) because they are “nice guys” or they will support my policies.
Trustees are elected to represent all Southern Baptists, not the chief executive or staff of the entity they serve. To allow the president or other staff members of an SBC entity to identify or suggest individuals to serve as a trustee may, indeed, make things easier and smoother for that president, but it undercuts the authority of Southern Baptists at large. Regarding the Committee on Nominations the SBC Bylaws state :
“15 E. The committee shall recognize the principle that the persons it recommends shall represent the constituency of the Convention, rather than the staff of the entity.”
As noted above, every man’s heart is fallen. And that is why, if entity officials are allowed to influence selection of trustees, sooner or later, the board loses its freedom to critique and, if necessary, discipline entity staff – including its president. Every Committee on Nominations member, especially the chairman, must be alert to the possibility of undue, unconstitutional influence.
#3. Another “fallen heart” pitfall is the focus by many pastors in many churches on growing numerically while ignoring theological growth.
Well, a readers may ask, “What’s wrong with attracting more people? Aren’t we commanded to make disciples?”
And of course, the answer is, yes. But a key, the key, factor is often overlooked. One does not become a disciple of Jesus by warming a church pew any more than one becomes a Chevrolet by standing in a garage.
Jesus wants true disciples, not pretend disciples; those who have had their hearts convicted of sin and repented, not those who are fed a diluted gospel and believe they are okay with God. Jesus tells us, Matthew 22:14 Many are called, but few are chosen. It is glorious when many (or even just one) come to Jesus. But the object of Christian churches is true repentance, true salvation, not a watered down gospel that attracts large numbers who want to feel good.
What I read is that a feel-good gospel is particularly common in emergent churches, but emergent or not, any pastor, any church that does not teach the whole doctrine of God is in opposition to Jesus and will answer for it on Judgment Day.
And in the immediate, SBC context, such heretical preaching appeals to men’s fallen hearts, attracts more of the unsaved into our ranks (where they remain unsaved), and so debilitates Southern Baptist ability to win souls to the true gospel.
#4. “Begone you old guys. We are the young leaders.” And alternately, “Shut up, kids! Wait to speak until you have thirty years experience.”
This is a two-sided coin, though we seem to hear most about the young leaders’ side. It is, of course, true that some young men have unusual leadership ability, good judgment, and remarkable insight as to what needs to be done. But that is highly unusual in men with little of no experience of the challenges faced in running a church, association, state convention, or the SBC.
Glancing at the coin’s other side, one does sometimes note older men who have been leaders in the past who are never convinced it is time to let go of the reins. Most experienced leaders are happy to step down when the time comes. After all, for years, perhaps decades they have been serving in their church-association-state-SBC position plus voluntarily devoting much of their time to an amorphous “leader” role. As one ages, there comes a time to relax, to turn the reins over to someone else.
As bodies age, the passage of time guarantees successive generations of new leaders.
Much of the young leader impetus flows from ego and ignorance. Ego because “I’m doing a great job in leading my church. We’re growing. Attendance and offerings are up for the third straight year!” As if that is all it takes. Ignorance because many of them (1) are denominationally inexperienced, have not studied and neither understand nor care what happened in the SBC between 1961 and 2000; and (2) they do not understand that while Satan is not innovative, he is remarkably persistent. He will always attack us with the same temptations but with new tweaks. It is crucially important to be attuned to his previous enticements so that we recognize them when presented in new garb.
Think about it. Leadership demands wisdom. Wisdom demands experience and judgment. And success demands guts ... the strength to work for the right goal regardless of criticism and controversy. Victorious warriors carry scars from past battles.
Conclusion:
It should not surprise any of us that Southern Baptists face new challenges, new decisions. Life would become boring in the absence of challenges. And how would we grow in the Lord if He sent no tough decisions to stretch us, to expand our hearts and minds, to move our focus from self to His kingdom.
I pray that each Southern Baptist and each SBC church will fully understand, appreciate, and support the Cooperative Program. Every church should contribute at least 10% of undesignated offerings tot he CP.
May the chairmen and every member of future nominating committees comprehend and act on the fact that their responsibility is to the Southern Baptists who elected them, not to the staff of the agency they oversee. Likewise, may the presidents and other staff members of our entities never attempt to influence the choice of trustees.
As serious as the above first two concerns are, they do not approach the satanic evil inherent in pastors spouting a feel-good gospel. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8) Feel-good preacher, do you really want to be accursed by God? There is still time to repent and start peaching the full Word of God. Layman, does your pastor never preach on sin, hell? Find another church where the full Word is preached.
Those who whine about young leadership prove they are young but certainly not leaders. Older folks who have long been actively involved can be great mentors. Younger men can benefit enormously by learning from the hoary heads. Take advantage of their experience while you can. Time and life pass quickly.