CLEAR … Even Though It Is Cloudy in the SBC World

The most important desired attribute for any leader is for that leader to be very CLEAR to those he is trying to rally towards a better future. In recent days, I have needed to revisit my journey that will result in my name being placed into nomination to be the next President of the Southern Baptist Convention. As matters have seemed to become cloudy, I have been and will always be clear. Just one more time I want to be very clear about what is on my heart if indeed I am elected. I have made this clear and will continue to make it clear in these days. The swirling and ever-changing events daily have verified to me why I am even doing this. In other words, it is clear, even though it is cloudy in the SBC world.

The very conditions in our nation, in our churches, and in our fellowship as a convention demonstrates THE GREAT NEED FOR A MIGHTY SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT OF GOD among us. I am speaking about the next great move of God that is Biblically-based, Jesus-centered, and Holy Spirit-controlled. Beginning with me and our church, we need this fresh and mighty touch of spiritual revival among us. As I have been faithful to issue and lead in this call in our church and nation for years, I want to invite all Southern Baptist leaders and churches to join me in praying for a spiritual movement in our lives and churches that will usher in the next great spiritual awakening in this nation. It has been over 100 years, since our nation has had this kind of spiritual awakening. Why is this important?

• The rejection of the biblical model of marriage between one man and one woman was demonstrated yesterday by the United States Senate through their rejection of a Marriage Amendment to our nation’s constitution. This is just ONE issue that shows where we are as a nation spiritually.
• The spiritual condition of our churches and denomination. Conflict is much more prevalent than unity. Evangelism is a "side issue", rather than the "main issue". Compromise with the culture is more vogue than having courage to engage it.
• The life and message of holiness is missing and non-appreciated, even to the point of moral compromise, all in the name of grace. Holiness needs to become the message, rather than license which is resounding loudly, and is an abuse of grace.

Until the church wakes up and repents of where we are spiritually, talk of evangelism regionally, in America, and the world will be limited. Unity will be non-existent. Holiness will be viewed as legalism. Prayer will not be our passion. Our churches and denomination need to remember, we are called to die to ourselves daily. Until we treat the root problem spiritually, we will only be treating the obvious symptoms which exist. Another reason I am willing to serve is …

My love for the church and the desire to see it always exist as the center of influence in our denomination. I have believed for years and led accordingly in every area of service I have ever had in this convention to resound with clarity the central place of the local church in this denomination. We must come back to believing and practicing that each church is autonomous in this denomination and chooses the level of how it voluntarily cooperates in all efforts of the SBC as the Holy Spirit leads them. Dr. James L. Sullivan, the former president of the Baptist Sunday School Board of the SBC (now Lifeway) wrote a book entitled, Rope of Sand with Strength of Steel. In this book this denominational statesman writes these words concerning our polity:

"Southern Baptists find any effort toward coercion offensive … If there were an effort toward coercion, the churches would balk. Baptists do not know how to work under instructions from higher levels … The local church is at the top of the organizational chart."

This is the root of our history and has been our strength all these years. These are the principles that make us as strong as steel, even though we are held together by a rope of sand. As a boy raised in a small church with 40-50 people in attendance who went back home to conduct my Dad’s funeral upon his sudden death in November, it was a smaller membership church that stood with us, loved us, and ministered life to us. The heart and soul of our convention are these kinds of churches, some smaller, and some larger in membership. I have never and will never forget the blessing of my church growing up and the smaller membership churches I have had the esteemed privilege to lead as Pastor. I want us to get to a point where we can move our resources of leadership and helps to service and revitalize as many churches in this convention as possible. What a man does in his local church and his local region tells the greatest story of his leadership capacity and story of his life. This is the hope for the future of our nation and denomination. Finally …

My passion is for our churches and this denomination to embrace the future with orthodoxy packaged in innovation. We have people who are declaring we must become more relevant and innovative. I agree, but we must not ever do so, sacrificing truth. We have others who may have helped fight the courageous fight over truth in our denomination and a few may tend to be hesitant in embracing more innovation. I believe firmly that orthodoxy and innovation can be married and must be married for the viability of any church and denomination in this 21st century. In fact, to the degree that orthodoxy packaged in innovation is done, will be the degree of our influence and effectiveness. Orthodoxy is not intimidated by innovation. Truth always stands the test of time. God has given us great favor with seeing so many young men and women who have surrendered to God’s call to full-time Christian service. They are building some great churches and ministries today, as well as others who are under the finest theological instruction in our generation through our seminaries. Friends, you know my commitment to this younger generation and our church’s commitment to building these young ministry leaders towards the future. This is our life as a church, yes, the true story of who we are, have been, and will be.

As Southern Baptists discover the kind of leader they desire to have over the next year, it is clear these are the matters I stand for, have talked about, have demonstrated before you, my church, and to my denomination in moments through which I have served in the past. I state again, as I have for years when discussing these kinds of subjects. A man of God and who he is can be seen by his personal walk, his family, his priorities, his faithfulness, his schedule, and the level of success he has led his church to experience both in health and growth over the course of years in relationship to the opportunity God has entrusted to him. Time tests everything.

This is a critical, crucial hour in the life of every, church and for our denomination. I love Southern Baptists and I love the Southern Baptist Convention. Yes, it would be a joy and honor to serve as President, but beyond that a massive responsibility. May God lead His people over the next few days.

We must pray for the will of God in these matters. In this, I resolve to rest.