Mid-Week Minutes 6.22.11

Mid-Week Minutes 6.22.11

Report from the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention Links related to the video post: On the NIV Issue, see a post from Southern Seminary professor, Denny Burk. On the Immigration resolution, see: The Adopted Resolution Russell Moore’s article To see video from the Convention click HERE. To see video from the Pastors’ Conference click HERE. John Piper’s sermon from the Pastors’ Conference – click...
Broadus on Boyce

Broadus on Boyce

Broadus On Boyce from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. A Gentleman and a Scholar: A Memoir of James Petigru Boyce, John A. Broadus John A. Broadus, an original faculty member, and the second President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes a warm and thorough account of the life and ministry of his good friend, and the first President of Southern Seminary, James Petigru Boyce.   Published in 1893, Broadus”™s biography is an excellent illustration of life in antebellum and post-Civil War America. The first third of the book is devoted to the early life and education of Boyce.  It is an excellent review of the providential circumstances that prepared Boyce to be a scholar and one devoted to training others in biblical scholarship and pastoral ministry.  The majority of the book, however, is devoted more to a history of the founding and early days of Southern Seminary, emphasizing Boyce”™s critical life investment. Boyce is pictured as an avid reader, intense in increasing his knowledge throughout his entire life.  From boyhood to the end of his life, Broadus depicts Boyce”™s thirst to grow.  He is also shown to be a icon of perseverance, as Broadus describes Boyce”™s unflagging commitment to start and sustain Southern Seminary despite the enormous set backs from the civil war which included divesting Boyce of much of his personal wealth.  Even to his last days, Boyce was immersed in promoting and securing the seminary”™s future.  It is a fascinating and convicting look into a life of focus, discipline, and perseverance. Broadus”™ book is also an excellent look into how Southern Baptists, like Boyce, functioned during the tumultuous...
Baptist 21 Panel at SBC 2010

Baptist 21 Panel at SBC 2010

Here’s the video of the Baptist 21 panel held during the lunch break at this year’s SBC in Orlando.  This panel was discussing the Great Commission Resurgence report that was to be debated and eventually adopted by the messengers of the convention that afternoon.  Great stuff here: [Vimeo Video] HT: Justin Taylor B21 Panel at 2010 SBC Annual Meeting from Southeastern Seminary on...
Great Commission Resurgence Resources

Great Commission Resurgence Resources

I am preparing my mind and hopefully my heart as well for what God is doing in the Southern Baptist Convention through the Great Commission Resurgence.  I am hopeful, but still wanting to know more.  So, this post will be a parking lot for compiling what I think are significant resources across the web that address this subject.  I’m interested in reading all the angles and sides on this issue, so my linking here does not mean my own endorsement of any particular persuasion.  I am favorable to the GCR’s work and am trying to be diligent in digesting its implications and thinking (even discussing) through them. If you know of significant resources, please leave them in the comments or e-mail me.  I’m happy to take a look. Background: Timmy Brister, “The Backstory to the Great Commission Resurgence“ Information: The Official Great Commission Resurgence Website Commentary: Baptist Messenger Video Interviews (some interesting GCR interviews you will find here) Baptist Press Articles on “Great Commission Task Force” Tom Ascol, “My Take on the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report“ Tom Ascol, “Why Southern Baptists Need a Great Commission Resurgence“ Bart Barber, “How to Resurge“ Todd Benkert,”Thoughts on GCR Component # 2 – NAMB Refocus“ David Dockery Podcast on GCR Nathan Finn, “The Spiritual and the Structural Coincide:  Some Thoughts on the GCR.” Nathan Finn,...
GCR Thoughts and Prayers

GCR Thoughts and Prayers

Much has been said and written about the recent Great Commission Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. Some of the key leaders of our denomination have prayed for, planned for, spoken to, written about, advocated, and lobbied for this present movement. I respect and trust many of the men who have so far provided GCR leadership. I have no doubt in my mind that without some significant changes in approaches and emphasis, the SBC is in for some difficult days ahead; some suggest extinction. I am no influential voice within the SBC. I am an ordinary SBC pastor. My church is not significant and we have many weak areas of ministry. My thoughts are limited. Obviously, I have not been in any back room discussions or present for any significant open discussions about the details of where the GCR plans to take us. But, like any and every Southern Baptist, I have a few thoughts. For the sake of my own conscience, to stimulate my own thinking a bit more, and to conduct this discussion within my own circles, I offer the following thoughts. What Concerns Me About the Future of the SBC. Character. I met Adrian Rodgers once. He was gracious to conduct an informal question and answer session while at The Master’s Seminary in the late 90’s. I had an opportunity to ask a question of the one who was the first president of the Conservative Resurgence and the first SBC president I sat under (1988). I asked Dr. Rodgers, “What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the future of the SBC?” He didn’t even pause to consider it. He quickly...
Praying for a Great Commission Resurgence

Praying for a Great Commission Resurgence

Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Chairman of GCR Task Force from Ronnie Floyd on Vimeo. This past June, the Southern Baptist Convention launched what some have touted to be one of the most historic of movements: the Great Commission Resurgence. Time will tell what the new GCR Task Force will recommend. As they do their work, the GCR team has put together a web-site calling people to pray for a/the Great Commission Resurgence. According to the site: Why We Need A Great Commission Resurgence: The churches of the Southern Baptist Convention are yearning for a new day of Great Commission awakening and commitment. They sense both a need and a rare opportunity to come together to reclaim the missional vision that brought us together from the first. A new generation of Southern Baptists is ready for deployment in the service of the Great Commission ““ and waiting to see if Southern Baptists are ready to send, support, and propel this generation out to the nations. Will we do what it takes to send those God is calling? Many of our churches ““- perhaps 70% “” are plateaued or declining. They need a Great Commission Resurgence starting right where they are. A Great Commission Resurgence has to start right at home. Southern Baptists have much work to do reaching America in a multicultural, multiethnic, multilingual era. We need a Great Commission Resurgence that will make us do whatever it takes to reach America with the Gospel. Southern Baptists need a Great Commission Resurgence that will reorder our priorities, refocus our vision, reclaim our mission, and set our hearts on seeing the nations...