I enjoy the conversation and even some of the debate of the
issues we’re dealing with today in the SBC.
There are times when the debaters get a little ugly and personal – but
beyond that – I have learned a great deal by reading the comments from
thoughtful people who disagree.
Here’s my concern for the church…
We’re having the debate, but the vast majority of our people
don’t have a clue what we’re debating.
It is assumed that Calvinist-driven pastors are slipping into the
churches with a plan already in place to reform that church. Certainly, that could be true on occasion –
but I suspect most of these pastors are never asked about their theological
leanings and don’t feel obligated to share them. Isn’t it possible they aren’t trying to be
covert – but just following a call to a church?
Isn’t it possible they are preaching a more Calvinistic theology because
they believe it? I think so. In my interview I was simply asked if I was
Southern Baptist. I said yes. I didn’t think to offer anything else – I
just waited for the next question.
That leads to my primary concern…
We need to educate our churches.
Are we explaining theology to our people? Are we communicating with our associations
and with our sister churches that are looking for pastors? Do we have information that can be placed in
the hands of Search Committees? We might
find Calvinist-leaning congregations looking for that kind of pastor. They might gain an understanding of the
Calvinist “point system” and desire a certain number of “points” in a new
pastor. I suspect the opposite will be
true – but at the very least they should expect a potential pastor can
articulate his theology – and they should be able to understand his
answer. The idea of an informed Church/Search
Committee and theologically astute pastor has to be appealing to everyone…
Right?
What am I going to do?
In October, we will have a sermon series on “The Election” but rather
than talk politics – we will look at Romans 8-10. In the last Sunday of the series we will
bring in Dr. Eric Hankins to preach and have a time of question and answer
after the 11:00 service. At that time
our people can talk to the primary author of the Sinners Prayer Resolution and hopefully
leave with a better understanding of the issue.
I will also talk to the DOM in our county to see if there’s a way we can
help educate Search Committees who are looking for pastors. I will not start an anti-Calvinist campaign
but rather will seek to help in the education process.
Chris