Final Reflections On Greensboro

What the convention was about for me will be difficult to say. Permit me to break it down if you will.

The Events--I was able to attend a debate referenced in an earlier post concerning the doctrines of Grace. The participants fairly well represented in a gracious way the two sides of a theological spectrum that must live together in the SBC because both sides have many followers sharing their respective views.

The business sessions were respectful and fair for the most part. Some of my desires won out and some did not. I do believe I saw a new day dawn in the realm of debate from the floor where opposing views were shared with passion on both sides of almost every issue. That's healthy in my opinion. Bobby Welch presided and was for the most part gracious and respectful. I do believe he may have interjected his own view of some issues a little more often and strongly than a moderator usually should. But that's easy for me to say. He carried a big responsibility well.

I attended the Founder's breakfast and it was superb, both food and speaker. In the course of the week I met twice late at night with a room full of blogers the second of which was with the newly elected president Frank Page. I can tell you it was totally non-political and one of the best times of prayer I have experienced at a convention in some time. I came away with a clear understanding Dr. Page was beholden to no one and will represent all Southern Baptists this next year [good for him] and that the bloggers have no agenda. They do have a strong desire for openness and fairness and I believe both will be promoted by our new president. Morris Chapman and others dropped by and the same can be said about their visit, totally non-political. A desire for representing all, openness and fairness, and a love for the Lord and the SBC were things expressed by everyone. Refreshing.

The People--How fun it was to reconnect with people. A meal with Rick Shepherd serving the Florida Baptist Convention and Dave Clippard Ex. Director of the Missouri Bapt. Convention, both of whom were on my staff when I pastored Southcliff Bapt. in Ft. Worth, was a highlight for me. To talk with Mike Carlisle of NAMB another former staff person and to see Al Gilbert, Gary Cardwell, Bill Melton, Duane Floro, Steve and Ann Harris, Bill and Retta Haynes, Al Phillips, to name a few, all of whom I've pastored and are now pastoring or serving churches or the denomination, was outstanding. What a choice group of people we have in Baptist life.

The Bloggers-- Meeting this group of young men and women was a highlight to me personally also. They are sharp, articulate, passionate, and transparent. They have no desire for image or the creation of false perceptions, but long for genuiness and reality. Their biblical knowledge astounded me. The recapturing of the authority of God's Word as our only rule of faith is very meaningful to them. So to argue using traditions or opinions as authoritative will not pass muster. They are open to all having personal traditions or opinions, but to make those the basis of beliefs or standards for behavior that are binding on all baptists, will not do. They do take seriously the authority of God's Word and agree on essentials but even disagree with each other on non-essentials and are still struggling to know what belongs where in those categories. They are to me, a stirring breeze of revival in our day.

The Future--I've been in the forefront of a lot of battles and sat on the sidelines of others that perhaps I should'nt have. I've had my times of running hot and also cold spiritually. There have been occasions in my 66 years when I've seen a touch of real revival both personally, in churches, and in a small way, denominationally. I'm grateful for being a Southern Baptist still after 50 years in the ministry so far. I do not believe the SBC is the best organization going in God's Kingdom work. I will have to wait until that day when all hidden motives and purposes are revealed [1Corth. 4] to know things like that. It is just one tool of many in God's Vineyard. But it is my tool of choice and I'm renewed in my own conviction that we may be seeing a fresh wind, ever so light but nonetheless real, of the Holy Spirit. The struggle for the truth of the doctrines of Grace, while being commited to fulfilling the Great Commission is a sign of healthiness to me. Young men and women bloggers are leading the way, along with a host of young pastors and others. Far from hindering our work, they may be a unique gift from God to bring healing much as the Brass Serpent did to Israel. We are to remember that the gift is never to be the focus, but the Giver of the gift is to be honored and obeyed. So this old [er] heart of mine has been stirred, renewed and encouraged by Greensboro. May God use us all in greater ways than we ever dreamed in His Kingdom's work and in SBC life.

Paul Burleson