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

MY FIRST NEWS ONLY POST

It's an accomplished fact. Frank Page was elected President of the SBC on a first ballot vote between Ronnie Floyd, Frank Page, and Jerry Sutton. The significance was not the amount of the vote difference which was only by a 50.49% for Frank Page and the other two splitting the rest between them. That is not a large vote victory, just a simple majority. But when you consider it is the first time in 25 or so years multiple candidates were nominated and the favorites of the powers that be both lost, it is an astounding vote for progress and change in the way things are done in SBC life. It is also, to me personally, a satisfying statement about the effectiveness of the bloggers and many others who want things done in openness and fairness without fear of having differing opinions. Wade Burleson has led the way and tons of others are leading the way too. I'm an old guy who is enjoying the workings of this denomination for the first time in a long time.

This is not to say it is over, as motions and resolutions will be debated tonight, one of which Wade presented asking the Ex. Com. to investigate and report findings of 5 areas of concern with the IMB Board of Trustees.
That will be debated tonight as I said and plenty of bloggers will be reporting. Maybe even I will write something. Maybe.

Paul Burleson

My Perspective on Monday at the Convention

First of all, I'm just glad to have been able to come at all. After the water damage to our house I wasn't sure. It was repaired in record time and two days early. But the trip itself was long, tiring and not without it's moments. A van immediately in front of me lost control and rolled about 6 times winding up almost upside down in the bar ditch. I was the first one to the van, turned off the ignition, and helped 6 people including two babies out. All were bloodied, none seriously hurt, all had on seat belts and, after the ambulance came, I left to drive more slowly and carefully the rest of the way. Add to that a detour of 1-40 east bound out of Knoxville and a longer trip on the Appalachian Trail highway which was winding, slow, and difficult, but absolutely BEAUTIFUL, and I arrived.

The first night of the pastors conference was alright...I just wish preachers would quit using preaching time to denounce and ridicule Calvinism. I don't mind folks disagreeing obviously but to shame a different view than yours is unnecessary and unproductive. Let's forget the denunciation and preach the word.

This morning I heard a debate about the doctrine of election and it's relationship for good or bad to evangelism. Both men were cordial and respectful toward each other which made for both sides getting good points from the crowd. My guy won. Does that surprise you? Seriously, the reformed position stole the day from my perspective. I remind you this post is entitled that. I warned you from the begining. But, again, the other guy had to, it seems to me, get in his remarks about issues over which we disagree as baptists, yet had no relevance to the moment at all except to slam a different view than his. The slams were concerning the issues of alcohol and spiritual gifts. What does that have to do with the topic of Election and Evangelism pray tell? You notice I've used no names...no need to...if you know who debated you already have them and if you don't know who debated my point is made sufficiently without the names. On second thought, I'll list the men I've heard today in no particular order...Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Page Patterson, Tony Evans, Jimmy Draper, Jeff Iorg and Dick Lincoln. Another thought, when might we hear from a woman at one of these pastor's conferences? Someone says, "Bro. Paul, there you go. I knew you believed in women preachers." Well, you don't know what I believe on that issue because I haven't said, but, most of the pastors are married...to women...maybe they have a significant perspective. You know I better quit this thinking it could get me in trouble. Just having fun with you... and the convention. More later.

But before I go let me say what fun I have had meeting THE bloggers. Marty Duren, Art Rogers, Micah Fries, Tim Sweatman, Tad Thompson, Clif Cummings, Ben Cole,David Rogers, Gene Bridges, Kevin Bussey, and others, along with Bob Cleveland who comments frequently with great insights. My week will be complete when I meet Dorcas. My favorite is Marty Duren because he could not believe I was Wade's dad, "far too young looking " he said. Keen perception that guy has and his wife Sonja said she reads my blog. That's one sharp couple.

Remember this is my personal perspective only, the political issues and news can be picked up on other more significant blogs. You know the ones. They're all great. Be sure and read them as you can.

Paul Burleson

Apologies

My apologies for a long delay in posting. [I'm sure not too many have noticed.] But we've suffered a major flood of three rooms of our house where I work and the thingamajig that enables me to operate my wireless laptop AND my PC is down. Several days of cleaning and repair are necessary so even my trip to Greensboro is canceled. I'm sitting at a wireless capable cafe, feeling very modern, and will get back to posting in a few days. Until then I, like many of you, will depend on many bloggers to keep us informed as to the goings on of the convention. I'm looking for some great things from Greensboro.

Paul Burleson