The Hunt Paradox: "Radical Change" & Unity
Posted by: marv in Untagged on
Jun 12, 2008
Johnny Hunt, the Southern Baptist Convention’s new president, presents a paradoxical picture. He’s an ultimate insider calling for “radical change” within the SBC.
No wonder he’s calling for change. Its leaders acknowledge the SBC is declining and membership is falling. This is quite a slap in the face for a group who gained control of the convention by warning “liberalism” would lead to decline. It’s a bitter pill for folks who touted every numerical gain as a sign of God’s favor upon their movement.
If the reason you’re growing is because God approves you, then what does God think of you now that you’re sliding?
This realization may bestow a blessing upon the SBC. Whatever your theology or politics, you can find grace at the bottom of a pit. When you’re strong and flying high, you’re tempted to think you don’t need God’s help all that much. “It’s OK, Lord. We’re strong and smart and committed and faithful and, of course, orthodox. We can take it from here.”
But when you’re declining, you need God’s grace. To quote the old hymn, that’s when you lean on the everlasting arms of God, your Savior.
So, President Hunt advocates “radical change” in the SBC. “We’ve been declining as a denomination, and you can’t turn something around until you stop the tide and direction it is going,” he said at a news conference.
He also called for unity among Southern Baptists, telling the media he hopes to show there is room “under the Southern Baptist umbrella” for those with the passion to take the gospel “down the street and around the world.”
And he urged younger Baptists to “step up to the plate” and get involved in the convention. After working diligently for 15 years to mentor and encourage young pastors, Hunt might have special currency to accomplish this feat.
But if he really wants to initiate “radical change” that will result in Baptist unity, he should take seven steps to radically change the SBC and foster a kind of unity he and his inner circle haven’t dreamed of.
This will call for him to exercise radical courage. But if he pulls it off, he could go down as the most effective president in SBC history. Here they are:
• Rescind the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement and reaffirm the inclusive 1963 BF&M. The newer document has been a bellwether of disunity.
• Affirm the historic Baptist diversity of biblical and theological interpretation and vow to build unity on missions, evangelism, fellowship and passion of purpose.
• Publicly apologize to seminary professors, missionaries and others who lost their ministries exclusively because they did not affirm the “conservative resurgence.”
• Vacate half the membership of each SBC board of directors and intentionally select leading so-called moderates to fill the new vacancies. Within three years, remove all current SBC agency heads, and exhort the newly reconstituted boards to hire centrist leaders to build balanced faculties, student bodies, missionary forces and staffs that reflect all Baptists whose tradition is the Southern variety.
• Lead in dissolving the two new state conventions that formed solely out of loyalty to the “new” SBC and call on their churches to return joyfully and enthusiastically to full membership in the state conventions from which they sprung.
• In other states, especially where conventions loyal to the “new” SBC disenfranchised churches that did not agree with SBC developments, overtly embrace and affirm those churches.
• Reach out to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World Alliance as faithful bodies of believers. Join those two organizations in sponsoring a national convocation of apology and repentance: Together, apologize to the world at large and the broader Christian community for three decades of bitterness, recrimination and infighting that defamed the name of Christ, undermined evangelistic witness and demeaned brothers and sisters in Christ. Also, jointly apologize to one another for all the lies, gossip and slander said about each other. And most importantly, repent before Holy God for all these sins, begging forgiveness and a second chance at being the people God intended.
President Hunt vows he wants “radical change” leading to unity. This is radical. It would give Baptists an opportunity for unity.
No wonder he’s calling for change. Its leaders acknowledge the SBC is declining and membership is falling. This is quite a slap in the face for a group who gained control of the convention by warning “liberalism” would lead to decline. It’s a bitter pill for folks who touted every numerical gain as a sign of God’s favor upon their movement.
If the reason you’re growing is because God approves you, then what does God think of you now that you’re sliding?
This realization may bestow a blessing upon the SBC. Whatever your theology or politics, you can find grace at the bottom of a pit. When you’re strong and flying high, you’re tempted to think you don’t need God’s help all that much. “It’s OK, Lord. We’re strong and smart and committed and faithful and, of course, orthodox. We can take it from here.”
But when you’re declining, you need God’s grace. To quote the old hymn, that’s when you lean on the everlasting arms of God, your Savior.
So, President Hunt advocates “radical change” in the SBC. “We’ve been declining as a denomination, and you can’t turn something around until you stop the tide and direction it is going,” he said at a news conference.
He also called for unity among Southern Baptists, telling the media he hopes to show there is room “under the Southern Baptist umbrella” for those with the passion to take the gospel “down the street and around the world.”
And he urged younger Baptists to “step up to the plate” and get involved in the convention. After working diligently for 15 years to mentor and encourage young pastors, Hunt might have special currency to accomplish this feat.
But if he really wants to initiate “radical change” that will result in Baptist unity, he should take seven steps to radically change the SBC and foster a kind of unity he and his inner circle haven’t dreamed of.
This will call for him to exercise radical courage. But if he pulls it off, he could go down as the most effective president in SBC history. Here they are:
• Rescind the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement and reaffirm the inclusive 1963 BF&M. The newer document has been a bellwether of disunity.
• Affirm the historic Baptist diversity of biblical and theological interpretation and vow to build unity on missions, evangelism, fellowship and passion of purpose.
• Publicly apologize to seminary professors, missionaries and others who lost their ministries exclusively because they did not affirm the “conservative resurgence.”
• Vacate half the membership of each SBC board of directors and intentionally select leading so-called moderates to fill the new vacancies. Within three years, remove all current SBC agency heads, and exhort the newly reconstituted boards to hire centrist leaders to build balanced faculties, student bodies, missionary forces and staffs that reflect all Baptists whose tradition is the Southern variety.
• Lead in dissolving the two new state conventions that formed solely out of loyalty to the “new” SBC and call on their churches to return joyfully and enthusiastically to full membership in the state conventions from which they sprung.
• In other states, especially where conventions loyal to the “new” SBC disenfranchised churches that did not agree with SBC developments, overtly embrace and affirm those churches.
• Reach out to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World Alliance as faithful bodies of believers. Join those two organizations in sponsoring a national convocation of apology and repentance: Together, apologize to the world at large and the broader Christian community for three decades of bitterness, recrimination and infighting that defamed the name of Christ, undermined evangelistic witness and demeaned brothers and sisters in Christ. Also, jointly apologize to one another for all the lies, gossip and slander said about each other. And most importantly, repent before Holy God for all these sins, begging forgiveness and a second chance at being the people God intended.
President Hunt vows he wants “radical change” leading to unity. This is radical. It would give Baptists an opportunity for unity.
Comments (5)
Subscribe to this comment's feedPastor
written by Rob Anderssen, June 14, 2008
written by Rob Anderssen, June 14, 2008
Don,
Your satirical proposal would have been hilarious if it weren't so frighteningly close to the truth. The proposals you proffer are the logical end for a people who are willing to sacrifice Biblical truth and inerrancy on the altar of "unity".
Rob Anderssen
Bastrop, TX
Your satirical proposal would have been hilarious if it weren't so frighteningly close to the truth. The proposals you proffer are the logical end for a people who are willing to sacrifice Biblical truth and inerrancy on the altar of "unity".
Rob Anderssen
Bastrop, TX
A Long Way to Go
written by Charlie Tipton, June 14, 2008
written by Charlie Tipton, June 14, 2008
marv calls for a absolute surrender. Don and Rob call for more radicalization of the denomination. Is it any wonder why the denomination is declining? The problem is not about doctrinal purity. The problem is the lack of love. Jesus said that the world would recognize us by our love for each other. In the middle of the controversial discussion of spiritual gifts, Paul inserted the chapter of love. All the spectacular gifts and the best knowledge means nothing compared to the importance of love.
As a denomination we just don't get it.
As a denomination we have forgotten what we were formed for.
Charlie
As a denomination we just don't get it.
As a denomination we have forgotten what we were formed for.
Charlie
...
written by Steve Livengood, June 15, 2008
written by Steve Livengood, June 15, 2008
I wish 7 steps could cure us as a denomination. Pick either choice, ... or both, it will not cure us(1). Until Christians (Baptists in particular) realize that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life (2), and live their life that way with Jesus, we will have no influence on others(3). When we get out of the way and seek God's best interest by asking Him, then people will be drawn to Jesus because He will draw them to Him(4).
Does God work only through people whose belief system (doctrine) follows years of study and is 'pure?' Can he not work through a five-minute old believer who tells a friend about Jesus? Must I have all of my "doctrine ducks" in a row before I have a chance to see God work through me and I then may have God's ear?
I like Southern Baptists primarily because we still point to Jesus as the only savior and lord. I like Baptists secondarily because we pool our money, talent, time, and other 'stuff' to evangelize the world. I find these two reasons to be enough. The rest is up to God and each person.
And God, if you are reading this, let's do Acts 4:29-35 again soon!
(1.Prov 3:5) (2.Jn 14:6) (3.1Cor 13:2) (4.Jn 12:32& Eph 5:25-27)
Does God work only through people whose belief system (doctrine) follows years of study and is 'pure?' Can he not work through a five-minute old believer who tells a friend about Jesus? Must I have all of my "doctrine ducks" in a row before I have a chance to see God work through me and I then may have God's ear?
I like Southern Baptists primarily because we still point to Jesus as the only savior and lord. I like Baptists secondarily because we pool our money, talent, time, and other 'stuff' to evangelize the world. I find these two reasons to be enough. The rest is up to God and each person.
And God, if you are reading this, let's do Acts 4:29-35 again soon!
(1.Prov 3:5) (2.Jn 14:6) (3.1Cor 13:2) (4.Jn 12:32& Eph 5:25-27)
...
written by Rex Ray, June 22, 2008
written by Rex Ray, June 22, 2008
Marv,
HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY? You want a public apology “to seminary professors, missionaries and others who lost their ministries exclusively because they did not affirm the ‘conservative resurgence.”
WHY, it took 816 YEARS for Catholics to apologize for the Inquisition of 1184 which authorized killing of ‘heretics’ and it wasn’t until 1992 they gave permission to believe the earth rotates around the sun.
Without a LOT of funerals, you want the impossible.
The greatest hatred in the world is religious hatred. Of all the horror stories of Christian killing Christians, I think of a woman being thrown from an upstairs window. A baby came from the dead woman and was killed by ‘Christian men’ using their teeth.
And when Jesus accused Pharisees of being like their ancestors, they replied ‘Oh, we wouldn’t do that’; leaders today, can’t see the harm of ‘our way or the highway’.
They’ve made their man-made creed the “guideline for our doctrine” higher than the Bible. They’ve burned at the stake any love for their fellow Christians.
Rex Ray
Bonham, Texas
HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY? You want a public apology “to seminary professors, missionaries and others who lost their ministries exclusively because they did not affirm the ‘conservative resurgence.”
WHY, it took 816 YEARS for Catholics to apologize for the Inquisition of 1184 which authorized killing of ‘heretics’ and it wasn’t until 1992 they gave permission to believe the earth rotates around the sun.
Without a LOT of funerals, you want the impossible.
The greatest hatred in the world is religious hatred. Of all the horror stories of Christian killing Christians, I think of a woman being thrown from an upstairs window. A baby came from the dead woman and was killed by ‘Christian men’ using their teeth.
And when Jesus accused Pharisees of being like their ancestors, they replied ‘Oh, we wouldn’t do that’; leaders today, can’t see the harm of ‘our way or the highway’.
They’ve made their man-made creed the “guideline for our doctrine” higher than the Bible. They’ve burned at the stake any love for their fellow Christians.
Rex Ray
Bonham, Texas
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Since it is the fundamentalism of Jesus himself that is the root of modern day Christian schisms, I put forth Marv's logic in resolving the problem--seven steps Christ Himself can take in resolving division in the modern church.
1. Rescind the writings of Paul. After reading ad nauseum the blogs of CBF nay sayers, it is clear that Paul's teachings, however well intended, have brought division and strife among believers. His perceived criticism of women in ministry and hard lines on purity are simply not contemporary enough to be relevant. No Paul means more unity.
2. Affirm the historic diversity of the Jewish and Christian faiths, considering that there were generations of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes before He ever made His appearance. In the early church, such differences were ignored and even rejected, leaving poor Judaizers and Christian gnostics farther and farther on the fringe of Christianity's "inner circle". Even from heaven in His revelation to John, Jesus was critical of these groups. Affirming diversity will, of course, lead to greater unity.
3. Publicly apologize to the religious leaders who crucified Him. For years, the Jews have become targets of attack through persecutions and pograms, and why? It is because Jesus attacked the Jewish leadership of His day, calling them the foulest of names, interfering with free trade in the temple and inciting them to take necessary steps to protect the Jewish people from radical beliefs. If a new gospel were sent apologizing to the ones who had Him crucified, it would not only bring greater unity among Christians, but would go great lengths in bridging Christian/Jewish relations.
4. He should vacate no less than half of all pastors, bishops, priests, etc. and draw from more current and progressive thinkers to inject new life into an old religion and bypass the stifling stigma of holiness the church seems to bear. New thinkers campaigning with catchy slogans like "Peace, love, rock-n-roll, and Jesus, too!" could draw massive crowds and fill otherwise failing churches. He would do well to start with preachers and bloggers of division who, like in Marv's article, turn their venom on men and not toward the real enemies of God.
5. Dissolve the established church and all of its various denominations and combine all religions into one massive world religion. If you trace the roots of division, you will always find fundamental differences of conviction, purity, and conscience. Eliminate these from jamming the wheels of progress, and the gears of global religion will turn freely. Take up the mantra, "Unity at all costs!" I think it will catch on.
6. Restore to fellowship every member of every church who was ever isolated from the body because of heresy, homosexuality or hypocrisy. Let's greet the Galileos of this world with dignity and diversity and make Christ's church the universal institution it was meant to be. Churches that actually practice discipline of any kind should be removed from the book of life until they are willing to accept all practices of all men along with their varying belief systems.
7. Reach out to all who name the name of Christ religiously such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and the like who have been ostracized because of their differences and restore them as good and holy in the eyes of the modern church. Also, the good practices of Hinduism and Buddhism should be incorporated into church practice with yoga sessions replacing choir practice and idols replacing the all too exclusive cross symbolism.
It may be you find my satirical proposal offensive, but no moreso than the scriptureless scribble of Marv Knox who spouts opinion without balance or deference to God's word. His blog is yet another chapter in the kind of rhetoric that maintains the very division he claims to want to alleviate. It is hypocrisy at its worst, and only the blind cannot see it.
Don Shirley
DeWitt, AR