Looks like I will not be going to the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio next week. That is one of the drawbacks to bi-vocational ministry; sometimes the "regular" job has it's demands. ("Regular" job implies that the ministry position is somehow "irregular". Hmm. I would like to disagree with the idea that most Pastors I know are "irregular" but unfortunately I don't seem to be able to think of any rebuttal material right now!)
Anyway, my little Sweetie is going to make it so at least one of us will be having a good time next week. I wonder which one?
San Antonio seems like it will be an interesting Convention. For the first time in history, so I have been told, a current International Mission Board Missionary will be nominated to serve as an officer. David Rogers will be nominated and will likely be "running" against Jim Richards, Executive Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. I think either one could be a good choice but I am rooting for David. I just think it would be cool. If Jim Richards is elected it will also be a testimony to doing things right. He has led the SBCT to pass along more of Cooperative Program dollars to the Southern Baptist Convention than they retain for SBCT work here in Texas.
There will likely be several interesting revolutions, I mean Resolutions offered. Cooperative Program Support, Questions over the wording and or use of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Private Prayer Languages and Gluttony seem to be especially publicity related and have garnered their supporters both right and ultra right.
There will be mixed reports from many agencies. My almamater Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth will have a report that says the once largest Seminary in the world now has about half the students it had when I attended in the late 80's. Other Seminaries will report an increase in enrollment (Southern and Southeastern). One will report renewal from the flood waters, New Orleans.
I pray for unity. I pray for us to not do anything stupid and for us not to say anything stupid that makes us look like schmucks in the media. Perhaps there will be more focus on worship and evangelism this year than politics. Either way Sweetie will tell me when she gets back. I have given her strict husbandly orders NOT to go to a microphone and speak. I'll let you know how that works out!
5 comments:
Chuck.
Good blog. Funny. My head hurts after reading praisegod & some other serious baptists.
Sean
I know what you mean. I like your name but must warn you I have given up milk in favor of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla.
Still want to be friends?
Chuck,
I just polished off a gallon of that myself. Where do you reside & what is your other job?
I feel your pain- I'm a bivoc guy in Arkansas. Some of us hard core have to stay home & do the real work of ministry while the suits & tie preacher guys go to vacation . . I mean convention!
Sean
I live in Huntsville TX, about 60 miles North of HOU. I am a Financial Advisor for Banc of America Investment Services. I work with the banks "mass affluent" clients (have more money than most, less than those who have more than they know what to do with). I do a great deal of retirement planning whether for individuals or small businesses.
Hopefully I will have built up my business enough soon where I can take more time off. I have not had much vacation in the last few years as I have been trying to build my business. This year I finally hit the point where we can do a few things. We are taking a two week trip in August to see Yellowstone just before my oldest heads off to college. I would have gone to the SBC this year but an important meeting came up so my wife is going with a ministry girlfriend of hers. The last, and only, time I went was in Dallas in (199?). We were living close so it was handy.
Preach the Word tomorrow. We are going to be talking about what it means to be salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16
Chuck
Chuck,
I'm an agricultural advisor of sorts & am also associate pastor in a rural area near the Buffalo National River.
The Yellowstone deal is our dream vacation. Maybe when our 1 year old can travel & we finally get a camper bought we will head that way too. We've never taken a vacation, really, so I feel your pain & work strain.
Good luck with the salt & light sermon. That passage has been done so many different ways. . . and I'm still not confident I have deciphered it.
I'll be teaching on Melchizedek for the 38th time, as we go plod our way through Hebrews in SS, and preaching on God's Justice and His judgement on our injustice- out of Micah 6. Have to work the kinks out so I will bid you farewell for now.
Sean
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