This week the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention will take place in Greensboro, NC. It has certainly been interesting to read the news and blogs leading up to what promises to be an interesting convention. I wish that I could attend and observe the events both inside and outside the convention hall.
A disclaimer: I am currently a struggling Southern Baptist who has a past life as a pastor and denominational participant. My life was certainly altered in 1997. At some point I hope to blog about the changes in my life and the strained relationships that continue nearly a decade later.
So I read the news of baptist politics as an outsider that once was inside. Reserving comment on the issues until a later date, the best observation I can make at this time regards some of the personalities that revolve around the issues. I have followed the lives and ministries of many of the men with whom I have been acquainted. This is the observation – most of the men engage in politics in the same manner in which they have related to me. Some with humility and encouragement. Others with arrogance and discouragement.
Those in the former camp have caused me to consider the path of Jesus even when the path has seemed hidden. Those in the latter camp have stirred up resentment and defiance on my part. Now, I fully know that I am responsible for my own thoughts and actions. It is helpful, however, when the life and words of a brother have spurred me in the right direction. In the near future, I hope to personally express my gratefulness to those who have helped. I also hope to have some sort of exchange with those who have added insult to injury (even if the injuries have been self-inflicted).
