I think the problem with many of the pastors who are leaving the SBC is a matter of selfishness. I recently visted with a young, between 35-40, pastor who told me his church was thinking of leaving the SBC because they did not think the SBC has anything to offer them. This is the same sentiment I keep seeing in most of the blogs I read. This is really “church narcisissim” where it is all about me from the church’s and pastor’s standpoint vs what can I as a pastor/we as a church do for the work of the kingdom.

I hate long posts so I will wrap it up here, but this is something I have personally given much thought to over the last several months as I am planting a church and one of the issues I have had to make a decision about is affiliation. In my view the SBC is worth it for the reasons I listed above, however I do think the SBC is going through a pruning process and will come out of this process leaner, more focused, and more effective. In essence, a better SBC.

You said – “I do not have any specific reservations against serving in the SBC, however according to my convictions, I do not believe it is the most Biblical model of ministry at this point in time,”

Oh, man. According to your convictions?

I say all of that to say, the requirements of the tuitional discounts would have to change. It should change from “currently a member of a SBC church” to “intending on serving in an SBC church”. That change would solve the issue, and that agreement should be signed every semester just as the current “member” requirement has to be signed every semester.

This also brings up the question of International students. If we want to get particular, what happens to the internationals of which we have many at SBTS receiving this discount, and many are planning on returning to serve in their home countries where there is no SBC (South Korea, Trinidad, Kenya, Nigeria, etc…)?
I will say that some students, which have mostly come from either missionary Baptist, independent, and the PCA, have come to SBC schools, joined a Baptist church to receive the discount and then went back to their originating denomination, I will say that IS WRONG, and do not agree at all with it. However, a change in calling is a different issue.
I do not think the tuitional discount of the seminaries is the issue. The issue lies in the fact that the SBC needs dramatic changes in how it handles itself if we are to maintain those who we have. As I have said several times before, I can speak from my personal situation, and that is I do not have any specific reservations against serving in the SBC, however according to my convictions, I do not believe it is the most Biblical model of ministry at this point in time, which is why I am leaving. I cannot rule out ever serving in the SBC. I do pray that it would change, I would love to minister in the SBC.

You said:

“I have never seen anything resembling a requirement to serve in the SBC”.

“I can honestly say that for me it was not an intentional fleecing of the SBC of CP dollars (I honestly did not pay attention to how much it costs when I applied).”

So there is no mistake, my comment is aimed at you – An engineering company pays two years of tuition and expenses for a graduate level engineering student. At the end the graduate says to the company; I appreciate what you did for me. Thanks, but I’m going to work at another firm.

Was he right or wrong?

I really hope you comment was not response to my post. It is true I am not committed to any institution of man but I am committed to the calling on my life by God and to Christ’s bride, the church. If, Only if, you are making the argument of some sort of landmarkism, Baptist style, then I would humbly suggest that there is a church outside of the SBC. I can honestly say that in all of the abstracts, and student covenants I have signed at the school I currently attend, I have never seen anything resembling a requirement to serve in the SBC if you are attending an SBC, and honestly. For those that have received the half off discount at an SBC school and then leave, the financial impact of such an act is miniscule compared to some of the antics that go on through the different associations (such as distributing anti-Calvinist rhetoric throughout Florida on the associations dime). If your comments were not aimed at me, I guess my questions still apply.

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Could you imagine at the bottom of every degree or diploma and award of achievement issued by a institution of education in the SBC this caveat: Awarded to (your name here) in recognition of his/her academic achievement and for his/her life long commitment to the SBC. Or, how about not issuing and letters of recommendation for any seeking to leave the SBC after receiving reduced cost funding for education. That would be cold hearted. But, then again, would an abandoned spouse give recommendation to the prospective replacement?

Nah, in a world in which commitment is just another word for abuse of privilege, who are we kidding. You can preach commitment, and teach it, but no one should be expected to really commit, right? I wonder what someone whould make of a cooperative organization that actually took commitment seriously? Do you think it would slow down the avalanche of marriage dissolution? Maybe, just maybe there is some connection. But then, if it is acceptable to be driven about by every wind of change in life, perhaps it is not so difficult to understand why so many remain children driven by every wind of doctrine. Or, maybe I have this backwards. Could it be that we care so little about doctrine that the winds drive unanchored souls out of control with no specific port in mind, and that is the reason that we no longer understand commitment?

In those indirect ways is where we are missing it. We are seeing the fruit of what are predecessors needed to do to reclaim lost ground (mainly a Political Action Committee style of debate). This worked against some of the rampant liberalism, but in today’s post-modern context where everything is politics, which is the last thing we need in our churches is more SBC political fights.

Do I have the answers to the SBC’s woes? No. not entirely. I can only speak to what my young mind (23) has experienced, and what I have learned from the Lord. I pray that we could all clearly see the cost and the objectives in making the next step in making the SBC more Biblical and less culturally defined.