Welcome to the family!

Green Bay went on the clock today and picked the best choice available! I’m pumped about AJ Hawk becoming a Packer.

Nominees Announced

Well, the nominee’s for the SBC Executive Committee, boards, seminaries, commissions, etc. were announced today. I would recommend that you take a look and at least be familiar with the one’s from your area.

Executive Committee, Seminaries, Commissions & Boards

Committee on Committees

Credentials Committee

Tellers Committee

A Leadership Change?

I was thinking recently about the potential of electing new leadership at the convention this summer. As I was thinking about it I couldn’t help but wonder about who we should elect. A better question might actually be what type of leader we should elect. As a result of my disgust with the “good ole boy” network I am ever mindful of the reality that we may very well need to elect qualified candidates whom I do not know at this point. That begs the question, What type of leader do we want or need? What qualifications should they have.

I don’t know what qualifications, if any, those in power may have that they use to specifically choose the leaders now but from observation I’ve compiled a short list of 5 commonalities from former leaders who have served in SBC leadership positions over the last decade. I then have gone back and reconsidered what are expectations we should have for leadership and listed them as well.

After you read these I’d like to hear from you what we should expect as our “new” qualifications as we pursue new leadership.

Existing Qualifications
1. “Success” in their place of ministry (i.e. large church/seminary president/etc.)

2. Traditional in presentation

3. Well connected to previous leadership

4. High level of education (D.Min./Ph.D.)

5. Southeastern in location

Potential Qualifications
1. High level of commitment to outreach/missions/missional living
SBC people have always been marked by their commitment to outreach. I want to see leadership who is committed to the growth of the kingdom, and not nearly as concerned with the growth of their church. I’m talking about pastors/churches that plant churches, that send out missionaries, that financially support the CP. In my opinion giving 10% to the CP is not a bad thing. If you want to lead our organization, than support it.

2. Diverse (racially/geographically/ministeral presentation)
I would like to see a better representation of all Southern Baptists. It will be difficult to be more than what we typically have been (anglo, southern, traditional) until we align ourselves more with people who are passionate about different forms of ministry

3. Grounded in an “average” SBC church
By average, I certainly don’t mean ineffective. Rather I’d like to see us utilize leadership from some smaller churches. In some churches there are issues that limit growth (population, target group, etc.) and yet they are still very effective. If the vast majority of SBC churches are 100-200 in worship, I’d like to see leadership that accurately represents most of us, instead of just pastors who lead large churches who, in all reality, do not understand those leading smaller churches. One thing we’re learning by the day is that large churches are ofen very powerful, life changing centers, and they’re very often not. We must stop limiting leadership to “big” churches.

4. Educationally appropriate
In other words, not everyone has to be traditionally trained. There are leaders who are involved in effective, biblical ministry without having used our traditional training methods. I would like to see us involve a few people who have experienced this get involved in our leadership.

5. Younger and Older cooperating together
I don’t want see younger leadership, I don’t want to see older leadership, I want to see leadership. In other words, lets use a plethora of effective leaders who come from a variety of age spectrums to help us, in a unified process, proceed into the future together.

Train up a child in the way they should go…

My oh so talented, beautiful and intelligent daughter, Grace.

**WARNING**

I hate it when people forward bogus warnings…but this one is real, and it’s important. So please send this warning to everyone on your e-mail list. If someone comes to your front door saying they are conducting a survey on deerticks and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT !! IT IS A SCAM; they only want to see you dance naked. I wish I’d gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid now.

Wall of Fame

I’ve added a new “Hall of Fame” feature at the bottom of my links list to list a few people, books, etc. who have been helpful to me or, in the case of Bono, people whom I simply enjoy. Hopefully they can serve as a list of helpful resources for you as well. Enjoy!

A reminder to pray

With all the controversy swirling around the IMB it is quite possible that people who’s focus had generally been directed toward prayer support for our missionaries, may now find themselves distracted by all that is occuring. I wanted to post a comment from a friend of mine who is a retired IMB missionary who spent decades working in the Philippines and then later in Africa. I thought it was a good reminder to us all.

I remember well when we were in Africa at the time of the big dissension in the convention when Dr Keith Parks was IMB president. We felt it so strongly in Africa, the lack of prayer support, etc. We just don’t need divisions at this time when so much else is happening.

I was thinking?

I had the unfortunate experience of spending tonight in the emergency room with my 3rd kidney stone in the past 4 years. As I was laying there, once the medicine had kicked in, I was wondering to myself if maybe this pain was punishment for some sin in my life? Now I know what most of you are going to say. You’re going to say that God loves us so much that He doesn’t “zap” us whenever we do something wrong….and I agree. What made me keep thinking, however, was Hebrews 12:5-6.

5And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said,
“My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you,
and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you.
6For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes those he accepts as his children.”

In light of that passage, I was curious to ask the question; How do you think God disciplines His children? What is His method? Does He deprive us of things? Do we have to experience pain? Scripture is clear that He disciplines us and yet we never hear anyone teach about His discipline. I’d like to hear your thoughts about how God goes about doing just that.