Finally, My Brethren: Lessons from the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention

While millions of words will be used in reports concerning the Southern Baptist Convention, readers of Musings from Maytown are awaiting the definitive word from the writings of an overweight Baptist preacher with fixed opinions on all matters Baptist. Consider with me lessons learned from the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
1) Indianapolis is a good city for the annual meeting of the SBC. The hotels were nice, the food was good, the convention locale was convenient, and the business people seemed welcoming to Southern Baptists. While the city is North of the Mason-Dixon line, South and Central Indiana are similar in culture to the Southland. Also, Southern Baptists in Indiana are a vibrant convention, and hopefully this meeting was encouraging to Indiana Baptists. Especially positive was the election of Indianapolis Pastor John Newland to the office of Second Vice President.
2) Nomination Speeches make a huge difference in an election. Most bloggers stated, in pre-convention prognostications, that the leading candidates were Johnny Hunt and Frank Cox. Ted Traylor of Pensacola made a powerful nomination speech for Johnny Hunt. Out of six nominations, Traylor was the final speaker. His thunderous speech obviously carried the day. Evangelist Junior Hill's nomination speech for Frank Cox was factual, but contained no elements of persuasion.
Two years ago, Forrest Pollock gave a compelling speech for Frank Page. Dr. Pollock is now with the Lord, but will always be remembered for his powerful speech that resulted in the election of a gentleman considered a dark horse for President.
3) Dr. Frank Page served Southern Baptists well as Convention President. Mind you, I did not vote for Frank Page, I voted for Jerry Sutton in 2006. But Frank Page was a gracious, yet effective presider over convention meetings. Dr. Page worked to keep the focus on spiritual revival and missions. I like the man, having briefly met him. Dr. Page's demeanor is humble and kind. May Frank Page remain an influence on Southern Baptist life.
4) I should never again predict the outcome of a Convention election. Two years ago, I predicted the election of Jerry Sutton. Dr. Sutton ran third out of three candidates. This year, I predicted that Frank Cox would win on the first ballot with 52%. Dr. Cox ran second with 22%, as Johnny Hunt won without a runoff with 53%. Dr. Joe Bob Mizzell said John, I won't ever listen to your predictions again. As usual, Dr. Mizzell is right.
5) Moderate influence in the Southern Baptist Convention is nil. All six candidates for President expressed support for the Conservative Resurgence. No motions were made that reflected opposition to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. While some Baptists would express differing opinions, none were outside the purview of conservative theology.
6) Never underestimate Vox Populi! During consideration of resolutions on Wednesday morning, some gentlemen offered amendments to the resolution on Regenerate Church Membership. Dr. Tom Ascol of Florida offered an amendment that brought opposition from the Resolutions Committee. One might think that the official Committee would carry the day. However, the Ascol amendment, which did strengthen the statement, carried the day. The voice of the messengers was powerful.
7) Baptists need to learn the lesson of the weightier matters of the law. Baptists have fought hard over issues such as use of a private prayer language or alien baptism, and believe me, I am not averse to discussion and policy on these issues. But this year, an amendment was offered dealing with the situation of California public schools. California state policy requires that public school students be instructed concerning various forms of sexuality. A student in a California public schoolwill be instructed with an idealogy that homosexuality is good but the traditional family unit is questionable. Messenger Ron Wilson of Thousand Oaks, CA stated that the terms mother and father were not permissable in a California public school classroom. This policy prompted Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family to urge that parents remove their children from California public schools. Yet, messengers overwhelmingly voted down a call to urge California Baptists to remove their children from that instruction.
I am amazed at the lack of concern about evolution in the science departments of Baptist colleges. This lack of concern is often found from those who are ready to go to war about a woman teaching Hebrew in a Seminary.
Again, as Jesus taught in Matthew 23, these you ought to have done, but not to leave the other undone. I am not denigrating the discussion on issues of a private prayer language, authority for baptism, and the role of women. But the concept of biological evolution denies the very heart of the Gospel in denying a one-man, one-woman creation. This writer never ceases to be amazed that some who would permit a professor in a Baptist institution to advocate a low view of Scripture are often the same individuals who would go to the wall over an issue of divorced Deacons. Again, which issue is the weightier issue?
In conclusion, thank you for your regular readership of Musings from Maytown. This past week, I was constantly stopped by individuals, from across the country, who read Musings from Maytown. This website was complimented by State Convention Presidents, Newspaper Editors, Seminary Professors, and a host of church Pastors. Please know that the editorial board of Musings from Maytown gladly appreciates your support and encouragement.