Union University, under the leadership of Dr. David Dockery, continues to lead the discussion in Southern Baptist life by putting together the best conferences about Baptist issues in the country.  In recognition of the 400th anniversary of the Baptist movement, the R.C. Ryan Center of Biblical Studies along with the Office of Church Relations is hosting “Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism“ on October 6-9, 2009 on the campus of Union University. This conference is being billed as “one of the most significant conferences to be found anywhere addressing some of the most vital issues facing Southern Baptists and Evangelicals as we prepare to move into the second decade of the 21st Century.”

Conference speakers include Timothy George, Al Mohler, David Dockery, Ed Stetzer, Danny Akin, Nathan Finn, and many more.  Cost of the conference is a reasonable $85, and you can register by downloading this form and mailing it in to UU (online registration coming soon).  Below is the schedule of the conference, including the topics being addressed.

Tuesday, October 6

• 5:00 p.m. Ed Stetzer: Denominationalism: Is There a Future?
• 6:00 p.m. Dinner
• 7:00 p.m. Jim Patterson: Reflections on 400 Years of the Baptist Movement: Who We Are. What We Believe.

Wednesday, October 7

• Continental Breakfast
• 8:30 a.m. Harry L. Poe: The Gospel and Its Meaning: Implications for Southern Baptists and Evangelicals
• 10:00 a.m. Timothy George: Baptists and Their Relations with Other Christians (G. M. Savage Chapel)
• Noon Luncheon Address – Duane Litfin: The Future of American Evangelicalism
• 2:00 p.m. Ray Van Neste: The Oversight of Souls: Pastoral Ministry in Southern Baptist and Evangelical Life
• 7:00 p.m. Corporate Worship: Robert Smith: Preaching (G. M. Savage Chapel)

Thursday, October 8

• Continental Breakfast
• 10:00 a.m. Daniel Akin: The Future of the Southern Baptist Convention
• Noon Luncheon Address – Michael Lindsay: Denominationalism and the Changing Religious Landscape in North America
• 2:00 p.m. Jerry Tidwell: Missions and Evangelism: Awakenings and Their Influence on Southern Baptists and Evangelicals
• 6:00 p.m. Banquet
• 7:00 p.m. David S. Dockery: Denominationalism and a Global Evangelical Future
• 8:00 p.m. Mark DeVine: Emergent or Emerging: Questions for Southern Baptists and North American Evangelicals

Friday, October 9

• Continental Breakfast
• 8:30 a.m. Nathan Finn: Southern Baptists and Evangelicals: Passing on the Faith to the Next Generation
• 10:00 a.m. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.: Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism (G. M. Savage Chapel)

This coming Sunday, I will be preaching on a difficult passage from Matthew 10 dealing with being persecuted, hated, and some even killed because of Jesus.  This is hard for several reasons, not the least of which is that we are living in a country where real persecution, hatred, and martyrdom is seldom if ever found.  Additionally, it is tempting to read such passages of Scripture and not feel the weight of what Jesus is saying.  The “hard” passages are not hard because we have so easily dismissed them and made ourselves the exception to what Christ tells us all who follow Him are expected to experience.  Finally, I believe there is has been a wrongful separation of mission from discipleship so that one can be a listener or learner of Christ without be a laborer in the harvest fields or lead in the mission.

In any case, I think William Carey rightly understood the expectations all believers should have when on mission to make Christ known.  Consider these words, which I believe are consistent with the sending of Christ and rather inconsistent with the status-quo that both he faced then and we face today, and may our lives be wrecked by the realities of missional life in the advancement of the kingdom of Christ.

“A Christian minister is a person who in a peculiar sense is ‘not his own’ (1 Cor. 6:19); he is the ’servant’ of God, and therefore ought to be wholly devoted to him.  By entering on that sacred office he solemnly undertakes to be always engaged, as much as possible, in the Lord’s work, and not to choose his own pleasure, or employment, or pursue the ministry as something that is to subserve his own ends, or interests, or as a kind of bye-work.

He engages to go where God pleases, and to do, or endure what he sees fit to command, or call him to, in the exercise of his function.  He virtually bids farewell to his friends, pleasures, and comforts, and stands in readiness to endure the greatest sufferings in the work of his Lord, and Master.

It is inconsistent for ministers to please themselves with thoughts of a numerous auditory, cordial friends, a civilized country, legal protection, affluence, splendour, or even a competency.  The slights, and hatred of men, and even pretended friends, gloomy prisons, and tortures, the society of barbarians of uncouth speech, miserable accommodations in wretched wildernesses, hunger, and thirst, nakedness, weariness, and painfulness, hard word, and but little worldly encouragement, should be the objects of their expectation.” (emphasis mine)

- William Carey, An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use the Means for the Conversion of the Heathens

On Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Founders Ministries held their annual breakfast at the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.  Dr. Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, was guest speaker and addressed the 200+ in attendance with a message from 3 John entitled “Creeds, Deeds, and the Great Commission.”  Akin concludes his excellent exposition with words of appreciation and caution for future partnership in a Great Commission Resurgence which I encourage all my Calvinist brothers to hear.  The breakfast concluded with by Akin answering a few questions, including one from Tom Ascol about working with non-Calvinists for the cause of gospel consensus and reaching the nations.

The audio and video was produced from my hip pocket – literally.  I ripped the audio from my Livescribe Pulse pen and the video is from my Kodak Zi6 handheld HD Camcorder.  This breakfast was a warm and rewarding time of fellowship, encouragement, instruction, and godly exhortation, and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Here’s the MP3: Founders Breakfast with Danny Akin

Here’s the video:

Note: It is best to play and pause the video until the entire message is buffered for better viewing.

Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with 13 brothers along with Dr. David Dockery to talk about the gospel, SBC, and the future.  I was really excited to see what was originally a meet up with some old friends turn into such a fruitful and encouraging time of gathering a solid group of guys with Dr. Dockery to share our hearts and speak candidly about  important matters ranging from burdens to blessings.  As we began talking, I realized that I should be recording some of the comments of my brothers, and I only captured the last four, namely Ben Dockery, Nathan Akin, Trevin Wax, and Jedidiah Coppenger–concluded with a strong word of encouragement by Dr. Dockery.

The restaurant obviously was not well lit, so the video quality leaves something to be desired, but nonetheless, I thought I’d share a portion of last night’s discussion as each person took a moment to answer the question, “Why are you hopeful, or, what do you find encouraging right now about the SBC?”

At the SBC 2009 in Louisville, there were far more highlights than there were lowlights, as seen in my previous post.  However, there were some significant moments and observations I came away with from my first SBC Annual Meeting that were rather discouraging.  Here are some that I jotted down:

1.  Morris Chapman

What Morris Chapman did as a part of the Executive Committee report should be enough to bring about his resignation.  It was that bad.  Seriously.  Whether he claims ignorance or spoke with such ill-informed knowledge, the level of incompetence and grandstanding for political agendas as the most influential bureaucrat in the SBC is appalling. There is too much power and pulpit for one man among a convention of autonomous, local churches to continually say such things without accountability to the convention he is positioned as the Executive Committee CEO.

2.  Motions & Moralism

It has been pointed out already by several that motions can be made by any credentialed messenger at the SBC and that the motions do not necessarily represent the common voice of the SBC populace.  While that is true, I do believe the motions reveal a lot about the ongoing need for the recovery of the gospel in the SBC.  The Pastor’s Conference centered a great deal on gospel unity, passion for mission, and a commitment to seeing renewal in our local churches.  The motions, however, focused on education, boycotts, homosexuals, drinking, cussing, flags, etc., all of which leads me to the next lowlight.

3.  Cultural Fundamentalism

The Southern Baptist Convention has embraced the religious forms of the South in many ways that has pushed cultural fundamentalism at odds with gospel-centered churches.  This fundamentalism emphatically embraces the culture war and bemoans the sinful actions of secular society, calling for radical separation and denunciation of things aforementioned in #2 (homosexuals, drinking, cussing, etc.).  More attention is paid to the cultural imperative than the gospel indicative, thereby leading to a moralism or religion that fights for cultural values and even sometimes elevates them to a higher degree than the gospel.  Although I agree that some of the issues are important, the presence of this cultural fundamentalism is quite disconcerting, especially as this past convention revealed the level of importance placed upon them.  I would much rather see us deal with being “of the world but not in the world” than being “in the world but not of the world.”  We need the fight the war with sin the camp before we fight the war with sin in the culture.  And for the record, I have never had an ounce of alcohol in my life, nor smoked, nor do I cuss – but that’s besides the point.

4.  Roger Moran & Anti-Driscollism

For those who do not know who Roger Moran is, he’s the guy in Missouri who was after Darrin Patrick and The Journey, crusaded against dually affiliated Acts 29/SBC churches and eventually got them de-funded, and served in the past on the Executive Committee of the SBC.  It was announced prior to the convention that Moran was going to pass out his hit piece against Driscoll, Acts 29, and SEBTS, calling out specific Southern Baptists (e.g., Ed Stetzer and Dr. Danny Akin) for their affinity for gospel-centered church planting within the Acts 29 network.  When Moran was not allowed to pass out his propaganda on the convention floor, Dr. Emir Caner, President of Truett-McConnell, opened his booth to spread the information. I predicted among some of my friends that Moran would take the MO crusade national at the SBC meeting, but I did not expect that he would have such an elaborate game plan.

In all, there were five motions made against Mark Driscoll, making him the most influential and most talked about person at the SBC meeting.  What most people do not know is that this was in large part staged by Moran and his supporters.  It was an attempt by a select few to win over the masses by talking about drinking, cussing, and talking about sex in church–all of which cultural fundamentalists can rally around.  Fortunately, The Committee on the Order of Business (COOB) not only rejected the particular motions but also rebuked the attempts to smear Southern Baptist leaders in such an illegitimate way.

I agree with my friend Tim Ellsworth who rightly pointed out,

We have lots of churches where nobody could possibly be saved because they’re not hearing the message of salvation, and yet we have messengers at the SBC annual meeting who want to launch a personal crusade against Driscoll because they’re uncomfortable with his language.

Give me the choice between Driscoll and his emphasis on the gospel (despite his faults) and many Southern Baptist churches where the language is perfectly appropriate and pristine and yet devoid of the gospel’s wonderful words of life, and I’ll take Driscoll every time.

For other helpful takes, consider the words of Danny Akin and Michael Spencer, or better yet, take some time to listen and read the man himself who, unlike some Southern Baptists conferences, puts everything out there for FREE.

5.  Anti-Calvinism

There were three instances of anti-Calvinism, none of which I believe were well-received by Southern Baptists (Calvinist and non-Calvinist alike).  The main occurrence, of course, was Morris Chapman’s diatribe which was supposed to be an entity report.  The other two occurrences came during the discussion about motions, most notably during the GCR Task Force debate where Calvinism was blamed for the decline in evangelism and said would split the convention.  Dr. Frank Page winsomely and plainly spoke against the anti-Calvinism as a non-Calvinist in favor of the GCR Task Force, and I had the privilege of catching him the convention hallway to express my appreciation for his leadership and irenic spirit. The good news is that anti-Calvinism rhetoric is losing ground in the SBC, in large part through the increasing influence and involvement of younger Southern Baptists who are more Calvinistic as well as the non-Calvinist leadership who are tired and increasinly intolerant of the misrepresentations and straw men leveled against their Reformed brothers.

6.  White Convention

There’s no way of getting around it, not even by color-coordinated choir outfits.  We are a white convention.  While there may be work done among ethnic minorities, they are clearly not involved or interested in Southern Baptist life on a national level.  Again, I think this to some degree goes back to the Southern enculturation that we have assumed in our methodology and not carefully critiqued in light of our calling as Christians in racial diversity and outreach.

7.  Doughnut Sales

I know this may sound silly, but it needs to be mentioned.  A couple tweeps (here and corrected here) found out that over 20,000 doughnuts were sold at the SBC meeting.  Recently, I read how one blogger was proud that the bar at their hotel had to be shut down due to slow business (presumably because Southern Baptists occupied the majority of the rooms) and this is good, but no one seems to wonder why we can’t cause the doughnut shops to close down.  Southern Baptists have much more to be concerned when it comes to our waistline than being able to “walk the line.”  I appreciate the example of men like Ed Stetzer who, through a disciplined lifestyle and eating healthier, lost over 120 lbs. in the past year.  May his example inspire many other Southern Baptists to do the same.

8.  Music without Transcendence

There was some good times of worship through song at the convention, but what surprised me was that there were no modern hymns sung by any of the worship leaders (at least that I could recall).  Many if not most of the songs were testimonial with very little transcendence, little about who God is and what He has done.  Instead they were about who we are what we are going to do.  I just like singing about Jesus more than I do me, and I would have liked to have been able to do that more with my fellow Southern Baptists.

9.  Baptist Press

While I plan on writing about the role of Baptist Press soon, they should be included in the lowlight section of the SBC meeting because it’s agenda in making the news rather than reporting the news.  The four-part series by Will Hall just prior to the convention coupled with the Mark Driscoll article by Don Hinkle was really disappointing.  It is very hard not to see that Baptist Press has an agenda, one that is quite contrarian to the direction of many SBC leaders today.

10.  Makeup of GCR Task Force

I put the GCR Task Force in the lowlight section not because I disagree with it (!) but because I think the makeup of the 18-member group could have been better comprised.  When I first heard the names, it sounded like a lot of megachurch pastors and “insiders”–kind of like the “king-makers” in pre-Frank Page days.  I believe Southern Baptists would have been better served with more diversity in this task force.  Nothing huge, but a disappointment no less.

All in all, I left Louisville greatly encouraged.  I know that the negatives tend to get more press than the positives (just look at the front page of any newspaper), but it is evident from the testimony of many elder brothers who have attended these things for decades that this was the best, most hopeful convention they have ever attended.  I do believe there is a new day dawning, and I look forward to praying and participating in the efforts to focus on the gospel, the mission, and the local church for the glory of Christ and His fame among the nations.

Tonight, I participated in something that I have never been a part of in the 22 years that I have known Jesus Christ.  The reason for this is twofold: I have never been in a church before that took seriously the biblical practice of church discipline, and I have never been in a church where the pastor has faithful discharged his duties of gospel preaching and pastoral ministry for over two decades.  So what happened, you might ask?

In 1988, God saved a man named Steve who soon became a baptized member of Grace Baptist Church (where I serve).  A few years after his conversion, Steve fell into sin and came under the discipline of the church which he refused to accept.  As a result, the most severe decision a church body could ever make was practiced as Steve was excommunicated from the membership of Grace. For the next 14 years, Steve spent his life committing immoral acts, including drugs and alcohol.  At one point in his life, Steve said he spent an entire month in seclusion drinking alcohol with the jaded hopes that he could die in his own misery and insanity.

It was during this time that he found an old Bible as he was reminded of what Tom had told him when he first came to Christ, “Read the Gospel of John.”  After six months of prayer, Bible reading, and personal repentance, Steve emailed Tom because he struggled to believe that there would be a church who would accept him.  The first person he knew he could to turn to, the person whom he said he trusted the most, was the very person who 14 years ago committed the most severe act of discipline–his former pastor, Tom Ascol.

Through a series of emails, Tom helped Steve get plugged into a gospel-centered church where he is living (which happens to also be a Grace Baptist) and shepherded him in gospel reconciliation that culminated this evening when we were able to fly Steve down to be with us in our bi-lingual Lord’s Supper service.  This evening I listening to a brother’s confession of prodigal repentance saturated with tears mingled with the joys of heaven.  It was extraordinary grace on display as the Great Shepherd pursued and captured one that had strayed, fallen, and wallowed in the pit of emptiness.

So many thoughts were going through my head as this was all taking place.  For instance, how many pastors minister long enough to every see an excommunicated member restored in the same tenure?  Given that there are so few churches today that practice church discipline, how many fewer ever see the most extreme (and painful) measures come full circle in the restoration and reconciliation of an excommunicated church member?  Why was it that the person Steve wanted help and trusted the most was the pastor who 14 years ago would not let his blatant sin go unaddressed?

So many churches today do miss out on experiencing the kiss of extraordinary grace and celestial joy when the gospel not only reconciles sinners to God but also to one another in the context of a repenting and believing community who is covenanted to be a pure witness as the bride of Christ.  So many pastors miss out on one of the greatest blessings of seeing Christ rescue fallen sheep because they do not hang around long enough, or aren’t willing to do love deep enough, to embrace fallen sheep and see Christ rescue them from their prodigal ways.  So many wayward sinners wander into the hidden paths of prolonged rebellion without the legitimate discipline of a loving church because there is no commitment either on the part of the member to pursue holiness or the church to pursue those who fall in trespass and sin.

When I hear reports of God-moments in churches, I often hear of x number of people professing Christ, being baptized, etc., and they are all praiseworthy.  But how often to we hear church members walk away from the gathered congregation with a God-moment where shameful acts of sinful rebellion is renounced in humble hearts of repentance and the forgiveness of Christ is communicated with joy and gratitude to God?

There was a time when experiences like the one tonight were not uncommon, but I have a strange feeling that this God-moment is one of which I would have a hard time sharing, except with brothers of yesteryear.  But it does not have to be that way. We do not have to have undisciplined churches, meaningless membership, and cowardly pastors who are unwilling or afraid to do what Christ has commanded.  I would not have had the privilege of joining angels in heaven with shouts of joy were it no for a pastor 20+ years ago committed himself to the biblical principles of regenerate church membership, church discipline, and faithful gospel preaching–marks all of which should make us Baptist.  Unfortunately, my experiences leads me to believe that are marked as being weird.

As I consider myself on the beginning chapters of my pastoral ministry, I am reminded of how blessed I am to serve under the leadership of Tom Ascol whose love for church members causes even the excommunicated to call upon him first, and whose love for the church causes the angels in heaven to rejoice over the warrior shepherd that refuses to let one wayward sheep go their own way.  It’s a love that does the hardest things and receives the sweetest expressions of reconciliation this side of heaven.  It’s a love that is not always reporting the 99 to the church growth department but is radically pursuing for the 1 because each member counts in the church health department.

There are a lot of lessons I’ve learned about pastoral ministry and being a true church, but this one is just too good not to pass along.

As usual, I’m one of the last people to get around to writing a summary of their experience at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY.  I mentioned in my previous post that this was my first time ever attending one of these, so I was eager to make the most of it.  Each day began around 4:45am and did not end until midnight, and due to the high volume of tweeting, texting, and emailing, I was recharging the iPhone 2-3 times a day.

Generally speaking, this was an off-year and expected to be a down year in attendance as a result.  However, the news of the Great Commission Resurgence task force coupled with the strategic location where there is a higher concentration of informed and interested younger Southern Baptists, the economic recession and off-year scheduling could not keep back the 8,500+ messengers, many of whom were in my generation.  This is significant because it is over a thousand more than last year when a key Presidential election was taking place.

During the flight back, I took some time to bullet point some of the highlights and lowlights of my first SBC experience.  In this post, I want to mention some highlights to be followed by some lowlights in a follow-up post. Now for some highlights.

:: Highlights

1.  The Pastor’s Conference was really encouraging. A lot of talk about gospel unity, humility, repentance, and mission and no drive-by slams about Calvinism, personalities, or political agendas.  Instead, it was a lot of Jesus and therefore a lot of gospel unity.  I didn’t listen to all of them, but I particularly enjoyed Platt, Greear, Stetzer, Reid, Chan, and Hunt.  From what I from many elder Southern Baptists, this was the best Pastor’s Conference to date.

2.  A couple of weeks ago, I talked with Ben Dockery about getting together on Sunday night.  After talking with his Father, Dr. David Dockery (president of Union University), we invited 13 other brothers to join us for dinner at the Cardinal Cafe Hall of Fame.  It was a fantastic time of discussion about all things positive and hopeful about the future of the SBC.  Here’s a photo I took of the brother’s from that evening (seated from left to right: Phillip Bethancourt, Brad Hughes, Josh Craven, Micah Fries, James Risner, Dewayne Ewers, Shawn Bergen, Bart Box, Ben Dockery, Nathan Akin, Trevin Wax, Owen Strachan, Jedidiah Coppenger, and Dr. David Dockery).  Meetings like this are what these trips are all about.

3.  The discussion and vote for the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force was historic and hopefully paradigm shifting.  Dr. Mohler was sharp and persuasive; Dr. Frank Page was irenic (as usual) and clear that this transcends theological differences; Tom Ascol was direct in returning us to issue at hand by avoiding the subtle attempts to overthrow the motion; and the young brother from TX has bold and convincing as a spokesman for the younger folk and why they are here in support for the GCR and future of the SBC.  The overwhelming vote of 95% to 5% in the affirmative revealed that we as Southern Baptists are ready for change in spite of the failed attempts of Morris Chapman and the majority of the Executive Committee to stop it.

4.  In years past, I have mentioned that my generation of Southern Baptists does not have many heroes in the SBC.  This past week, I was able to spend time with three who have made a big impression on my life (outside of Tom Ascol whom I consider a father).  For the past three years, David Dockery has been a constant encouragement and confidant who has helped me in numerous ways to see all that is good and profitable about the SBC and more importantly gospel-centered cooperation.  Buddy Gray is a pastor from my home state who has wept with me, embraced me, and cheered me on since we first met.  Al Jackson has more passion in his thumbnail than most pastors his age, and his commitment to raising up young men to be pastors, planters, and missionaries is inspiring.  If a church should be known more for their sending capacity than their seating capacity, Lakeview Baptist would be topping the charts.  Those looking for what a GCR looks like, consider the leadership of Al Jackson and their passion for missions.  These men are heroes to me, and I’m grateful to have been able to spend time with them this week.

5.  The influence and presence of the younger generation was noticeable not only on the convention floor but more conspicuously at the Founders Breakfast, Baptist 21 luncheon, and IX Marks events–all of which were packed out with standing room only.  Interestingly enough, participants at all three of these events were given multiple books, indicative of the kind of passion for theology wedded to commitment to mission that is present in my generation.  Furthermore, these meetings where not without the influence of the elder generation, including Mark Dever, Tom Ascol, and Danny Akin–all of whom have been intentional in the investment of a younger generation passionate about the church, the gospel, and preaching Christ supremely from an inerrant and sufficient Word.

6.  I have been really impressed with Johnny Hunt’s leadership. I have known Hunt (though not necessarily personally) for almost ten years, and what I’ve seen and heard God do in his life of the past 2-3 years have served to unite (rather than divide) brothers and churches for the sake of the kingdom.  This past year has been evidence of that, and I look forward to see how God is going to use hm to lead our convention to greater days in the future.

7.  With every significant movement in history, there has been a man God has raised up to play a leading role in its development.  In the Conservative Resurgence years, it was largely Adrian Rogers.  In the Great Commission Resurgence, it has shown to be Dr. Danny Akin.  His vision, leadership, passion, and resolve (in spite of controversy) to keep the gospel central and the mission of God at the heart of our existence is exactly what we need today as Southern Baptists.  He has regularly taken hits, lost treasured friendships, and graciously dealt with the skeptics and critics in a winsome and praiseworthy manner.  I’m grateful for Dr. Akin and what God has done in and through him to redirect our efforts on things that matter the most.

8.  In the 2006 Greensboro Convention, the news picked up on the influence of the SBC blogosphere (and rightfully so).  At the time, SBC bloggers were leading the discussion and shaping the issues while ultimately usurping the powers of the “king makers” of the SBC with the election of Dr. Frank Page.  In 2009 here in Louisville, I have to wonder what the influence of Twitter was, not so much in making direct impact on the convention but informing the larger public on everything that was taking place.  The #SBC2009 hashtag search, I have been told, was read by people all across the nation in the evangelical world.  Even Johnny Hunt recently joined Twitter.   The story of technology and the SBC is one that should not go overlooked in the continued democratization of the SBC voice away from denominational filters.  For example, I did not blog once during the convention but had 10x the normal Google searches for my name presumably in order to find my Twitter feed.

9.  The unanimous vote on Dr. Moore’s resolution regarding adoption and orphan care was really important.  It is my prayer that Southern Baptist churches and pastors will work to create a culture where adoption is not an afterthought or perhaps considered by a minor few but rather a cause that an entire community of believers take up as a commission from our heavenly Father who has adopted us.

10. Although I have blogged less than ever in my five years of doing this, I was blessed by so many people who approached me to express appreciation for what I have attempted to do here.  With each encouragement and kind word, I have been motivated to reconsider how I can best use this medium for the glory of God and good of His people.  To all of you who I met this past week and voiced your appreciation, thank you. It really does mean a lot.

Michael Jackson is dead.  Jesus is alive.

The king of pop, Michael Jackson was pronounced dead less than three hours ago this day, and at this very moment, the throngs of worshipers who cried, shouted, fainted, and memorized every last word to his countless hits are experiencing the gravitas of life’s final breath of one who seemed by everyone around the world to be larger than life.

At this moment the praises of Michael Jackson are being lauded from celebrities to news correspondents while millions, perhaps billions are preoccupied with the seemingly day-altering announcement of his passing. The life and death of Michael Jackson is a tragic story, one that we are all too familiar with as our fallen world has no shortage of footage regarding Jackson’s fallen nature.

While the king of pop is being remembered by all those who sang his songs and danced his dances, my mind is taken back to the King whose praises redound with an anthem through the ages.  When he died, there were no songs or dances but casting of lots and twisting of thorns, and while this was going on, death was being defeated through his death. His kingdom was not of this world, and everyone who has this eschatalogical hope and confidence should recognize that our songs of praise are but a refrain in the eternal chorus with angels and the redeemed proceeding unto the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world.

For all those who call upon the name of Jesus, times like this should cause us to transcend this worldwide moment of mourning of one of its kings with a fixation on the resurrection reality and the eternal reward that comes from having been united with him who conquered death and lives forevermore.  There is never a time where Michael Jackson is more famous than Jesus, and though his songs would be sung as fitting for the king of pop, those rescued by sovereign grace should find it ever fitting to worship him who alone is the king of glory.

There are lessons for us to learn as we watch the world turn their attention to their king.  Consider their worship, their reverence, their attention and affection.  Consider the round-the-clock news coverage.  Consider that currently 30% of all updates on Twitter around the world are paying respects to Michael Jackson.

And then turn your attention to our king and know that the story of his glory is not over beyond the grave.  His kingdom is not of this world, and his praises do not cease when death has taken center stage.  Jesus has upstaged death, and therefore should not our worship be all the more radical, hopeful, and global?  Feel the weight of those who mourn with no hope, and lift up your hearts and offer your lives to the King of kings whose praises will have no end.

Today I leave for Louisville, KY to participate in my first ever SBC Annual Meeting.  That might surprise some of you, but after this week, I will have walked the aisle and accepted fried chicken into stomach.  But seriously, I am really looking forward to seeing many friends (too many to mention here) and meeting other folks for the first time.

I will not be live-blogging the deal, but I am thinking about posting a little video journal if I’m given the opportunity.  I will try to keep the Twitter birdie active for those who want to get the sights and sounds of my travels.  I promise to keep it light-hearted and fun (and plenty of pictures). I might even give you the scoop on how I am single-handedly marshaling the GCR from the smoke-filled room behind the security guards.

For those wanting to watch what goes down live, you can catch the live feed here.  I’ looking forward to being in the city where I spent four years of my life and being enriched with godly influences.  And no, Joe Thorn, I will not have an Olan Mills picture taken with you.  Sorry.

See you in Lou-ah-vul.

Three months ago, I took the time to collect the digital paper trail regarding the development of a Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) that has dominated denominational news in Southern Baptist life.  For many Southern Baptists, the talk of GCR has just hit their ears, and yet the impetus for the GCR began nearly five years ago.  Let me explain.

I. Dr. Thom Rainer (May 2005)

In 2004, Dr. Thom Rainer, then Dean of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Missions & Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, conducted a study to examine the evangelistic effectiveness of Southern Baptists since the Conservative Resurgence.  The results revealed that although evangelism would have been much worse without the CR, Southern Baptists since 1979 were failing in evangelism.  The analysis of Dr. Rainer was eventually published in the Spring 2005 edition of The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology in an article entitled “A Resurgence Not Yet Realized: Evangelistic Effectiveness in the Southern Baptist Convention since 1979.”  It was in this article that Dr. Rainer argued,

“When we are passionately obedient about Christ’s commission to share the Gospel in all that we do, then the resurgence will have taken its full course.”

Through the sober realization and honest analysis of our current state, the battle cry for a Great Commission Resurgence sounded forth from a leading voice in the SBC.  For more background info, check out the following articles:

• Study: SBC’s ‘conservative resurgence’ failed in evangelism (May 5, 2005)
• Scholar offers reasons for SBC stagnant baptism statistics and ‘modest proposal’ for improvement (April 28, 2005)
• A Plea for More Civil Discourse (August 21, 2007) (note: “My prayer is that the conservative resurgence will now grow into a Great Commission resurgence.”)

II. Baptist Identity II Conference (February 2007)

The next significant moment came during the Baptist Identity II Conference held at Union University where various speakers addressed various issues in Southern Baptist life (Crossway has recently published these presentations in a book edited by Dr. David Dockery entitled Southern Baptist Identity: A Denomination Faces the Future).  Dr. Rainer continued his call for a resurgence of the Great Commission, Dr. Timothy George addressed “retrieval for the sake of renewal” and an “ecumenism by conviction,” and Mike Day presented an illumining vision for future of associations and state conventions (which is still relevant to the discussion of GCR, especially Article IX).  Interestingly enough, Dr. Paige Patterson took the opportunity to present a paper on what we can learn from Anabaptists–a narrative soon to be replaced with the Baptist Identity movement.

III. Building Bridges Conference (November 2007)

The third significant moment occurred at the Building Bridges Conference sponsored by SEBTS, Founders Ministries, and LifeWay.  It was at this conference when Dr. Danny Akin, president of SEBTS, picked up the baton of the GCR with his message, “Answering the Call to a Great Commission Resurgence” (MP3 | PDF).  Joining in the same spirit of Dr. Akin, Dr. Tom Ascol followed up with his message, “Working Together to Make Christ Known” by Tom Ascol (MP3).  The stage had been set for the embrace of a GCR that transcended the deepest doctrinal divides.

Or so we thought.

IV. Baptist Identity Narrative Takes Full Swing (Fall 2007-Spring 2008)

Just about the same time the GCR call was spreading among informed Southern Baptists, a competing vision emerged, largely from SWBTS voices (Drs. Patterson, Yarnell, Barber) and those affiliated with the group blog, SBCToday.  I don’t want to delve into the details of the BI vision (that’s for another post) but simply want to make the point that the two competing visions (GCR vs. BI) surfaced between Fall 2007 and Spring 2008.  To give you an idea of how aggressive the alternative BI vision was, here’s a sampling of their blogposts:

• Democratic Congregationalism, A Seventh Baptist Distinctive in Peril by Malcolm Yarnell (September 12, 2007)
• Democratic Congregationalism, A Seventh Baptist Distinctive in Peril Part 2 by Malcom Yarnell (September 13, 2007)
• Creeping Vines and Baptist Identity by Joe Stewart (September 21, 2007)
• The Renewal of Baptist Theology by Wes Kenney (October 4, 2007)
• Are Baptist Distinctives That Important? by Robin Foster (November 30, 2007)
• Interview with Paige Patterson by SBCToday (February 4, 2008)
• Interview with Frank Cox by SBCToday (February 21, 2008)
• Shall We “Build Bridges” or “Pull Down Strongholds” by Robin Foster (March 10, 2008)
• Baptist Identity or Evangelical Anonymity, Part 1 by Malcolm Yarnell (April 21, 2008)
• Baptist Identity or Evangelical Anonymity, Part 2 by Malcolm Yarnell (April 27, 2008)
• The Call of Baptist Identity by John Mann (May 3, 2008)
• The Call of Baptist Identity Part 2 by John Mann (May 5, 2008)
• The Goals of the Baptist Identity Movement by John Mann (May 18, 2008)
• A Resolution on Doctrine by John Mann (May 18, 2008)
• Evangelical Orthodoxy and Baptist Orthodoxy: Are the Two Identical? by Peter Lumpkins (May 18, 2008)
• Bart Barber: About the Association of Convictional Baptists by Robin Foster (May 20, 2008)

V. SBC Presidential Election of 2008 (Frank Cox vs. Johnny Hunt)

The two competing visions came to showdown of sorts at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the SBC (Indianapolis) with the Presidential nominees–Frank Cox for Baptist Identity and Johnny Hunt for Great Commission Resurgence.  Prior to the election and partly due to the sheer blogging volume, it appeared that Cox and the BI constituency would clearly win the vote.  At least that is how they perceived it. Consider their comments (most of them within one week of the convention):

• SBC Today: Dr. Frank Cox – An Endorsement (June 4, 2008)
• SBC Today: Further Endorsements (June 6, 2008)
• Wes Kenney: On the Election of Officers (June 2, 2008)
• Tim Rogers: Dr. Frank Cox Has My Vote (March 26, 2008)
• Tim Rogers: Dr. Frank Cox: He’s God’s Man! (May 18, 2008)
• Bart Barber: Endorsements: Dr. Frank Cox for President (June 1, 2008)
• Jeremy Green: An Endorsement: Frank Cox for President of the SBC (June 1, 2008)
• Peter Lumpkins: An Interview with the Next President of the SBC (February 25, 2008)
• Peter Lumpkins: God Calls for Strenuous Times: Dr. Frank Cox for President of the SBC (June 1, 2008)
• Peter Lumpkins: Frank Cox: An Interview with the Next President of the SBC (June 7, 2008)

Of course, the outcome was quite a surprise with Hunt winning on the first vote with over 50% affirmation (contrasted to Cox’s 24%), even with five nominees in the running.  With all the talk about Baptist Identity and the stumping on the SBC blogposhere, the loss of Cox dealt a severe blow to the BI vision, and it was reflected in the changing of their narrative.  I should mention also that LifeWay published and distributed at the convention an important little book called Great Commission Resurgence (2008) with articles by Thom Rainer, Danny Akin, Chuck Lawless, Jeff Iorg, and Jerry Rankin.

VI. Post Annual Meeting Narrative Change (from BI to GCR)

Immediately following the Convention, the BI bloggers turned their attention to the GCR, writing numerous articles as seen below:

• Defining the Great Commission Resurgence by Robin Foster (June 17, 2008)
• Why Do We Need a Great Commission Resurgence (GCR)? by Robin Foster (June 18, 2008)
• On the Conservative Resurgence and the Great Commission Resurgence by Bart Barber (June 18, 2008)
• Everybody Wants to Build a Bridge by Tim Rogers (June 24, 2008)
• The Great Commission Resurgence: Biblical Mandate or Baptist Movement Part 1 by Peter Lumpkins (June 24, 2008)
• The Great Commission Resurgence: Biblical Mandate or Baptist Movement Part 2 by Peter Lumpkins (June 25, 2008)
• Going and Witnessing, Living Out the Great Commission by Robin Foster (June 27, 2008)
• Great Commission Resurgence Revisited by Tim Rogers (July 9, 2008)
• GCR Specifics from Dr. Akin, With More to Come by Tim Rogers (July 15, 2008)
• The Great Commission Resurgence: Understanding and Preaching Salvation by Robin Foster (July 28, 2008)
• Great Commission Resurgence – Confessional Identity by Wes Kenney (August 5, 2008)

It seemed at this point everyone was behind the GCR, or at least willing to talk about it as they ride the tidal wave that came from Indy.  From the Fall 2008 to Spring 2009, the discourse became relatively quiet with the exception of a new group blog from SEBTS called Between the Times (BtT).  For the next year, it was here at BtT that the GCR nuts and bolts would be regularly explained (e.g., the 22-part “Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence”).  One particular moment during this period which perhaps encapsulates the difference between BI and GCR was Reformation Day (actually October 30, 2008) chapel sermons respectively preached at SWBTS and SEBTS. Dr. Yarnell preached on “The Essentials of Christianity” (MP3) while Dr. Ascol preached on “Living on the Gospel” (MP3). Juxtaposition through listening to these two sermons preached on the same day (and at the headquarters of the competing visions) reveals just how stark the divide had become.

VII. Great Commission Resurgence Campaign

Fast forward to April 16, 2009 where Dr. Akin preaches in chapel at SEBTS a messaged entitled, “Axioms of a Great Commission Resurgence.”  Shortly thereafter (April 27 to be exact), BtT announces the GCR website and posts the declarations for Southern Baptists to read, and, should they agree, join the movement by signing the GCR document (in full disclosure, I’ve signed the document).  Since that time, over 3,600 Southern Baptists have signed in agreement, though not all have done so with as much fanfare as those who signed “with caveats.”  Some of the more significant articles of late in favor of a GCR include:

• Open Letter: Hunt Issues Challenge to All Southern Baptists
• We Have Reached a Tipping Point by Alvin Reid
• GM and the SBC by Don Dunavant
• Avoiding Death by Nostalgia by Michael Spencer
• A Great Commission Resurgence: Is It a Possible SBC Future? by Michael Spencer
• The Great Commission Resurgence by Marty Duren
• Baptist Identification and Article IX by Nathan Finn
• Dooming the Great Commission Resurgence by Ryan Hutchinson
• A Call for Foot Soldiers in a Great Commission Resurgence by Nathan Akin
• Great Commission Filing for Bankruptcy by Jed Coppenger
• Screwtape on the Southern Baptist Convention by Trevin Wax
• Imagine a Great Commission Resurgence by John Cross

VIII. Counter-GCR Campaign

I know, I know. No Southern Baptist is against the Great Commission.  But there are Southern Baptists against a Great Commission Resurgence–in particular one that is not envisioned by their own leaders.  The greatest handle of the counter-GCR crowd of course has been Article IX which speaks to the restructuring of the SBC bureaucracy (something which Bart Barber recently called “a great blunder”).  To the critics, the tone is just not politically correct.  Most notable among the dissenters has been Morris Chapman, President and CEO of the Executive Committee, who has publicly expressed his differing opinions from that of President Johnny Hunt (others include David Tolliver from Missouri Baptist Convention, John Sullivan from Florida Baptist Convention, and Will Hall, managing executive editor of Baptist Press–the official paper of the Executive Committee which Chapman oversees).

Article IX is not the only tool in the counter-GCR tool belt.  Paige Patterson and Jerry Vines have signed the document “with caveats” – in essence including a disclaimer while signing.  In addition to more attention given to caveats than the document itself, counter-GCR Texans (most from the BI spokesmen) have argued that “our resolution on GCR is better than your GCR document.”  Most recently, the counter-arguments have simply to play down the GCR just a political move or take an ambivalent stance on it.  Perhaps the enthusiasm expressed by the BI bloggers prior to Indy was a lesson that playing safe is to stay indifferent – except when criticisms, caveats, and concerns are raised.  In any case, the use of caveats, the alternative resolution, the downplaying of GCR’s importance all play a role in concert with Article IX in the counter-GCR agenda.

IX. Louisville

I suppose it is fitting that my last point be my ninth point.  I guess you could say here’s my article IX. But seriously, many are speculating what will come of the GCR initiative.  Will there be a task force to examine the structures of the SBC so that IMB missionaries won’t be held back from the mission field due to mismanagement of the Cooperative Program?  Will some of the restructuring include a possible merger of NAMB with the IMB?  Will there be significant momentum to take the GCR beyond a campaign and into genuine resurgence of the local church as well as significant reformation of the SBC bureaucracy?  These are questions that remain to be answered.  But mark it down.  We Southern Baptists will always find something controversial, even the Great Commission.  There will always be critics just like there will always be politics.

But hey, at least you know the backstory to the Great Commission Resurgence.