Why I Can't Vote For Ronnie Floyd for SBC President
Last month, I wrote a blog declaring Johnny Hunt as the next SBC President. My how things change! Johnny Hunt decided that he couldn't run. So, he called his good friend Ronnie Floyd, and asked Dr. Floyd if he would allow his name to be placed in for consideration. Ronnie Floyd accepted, and Dr. Hunt will place Dr. Floyd's name in as a candidate for the Presidency.
Dr. Floyd is the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Springdale, Arkansas. First Baptist Springdale is the largest SBC church in Arkansas. He has been a prominent figure in the convention's leadership for years. Dr. Floyd is a logical choice for the position. However, I have major problems with Dr. Floyd.
The first time I heard the name Ronnie Floyd was at the 1997 Pastor Conference at the Southern Baptist Convention. The Convention was held in Dallas, and I attended. Ronnie Floyd was the President of the Pastor's Conference that year. I have been to 6 Pastor's Conferences. Ronnie Floyd's was a disaster.
Ronnie Floyd did not have a Pastor's Conference. He had a Promise Keeper's rally. He invited terrible speakers, and we had beach balls in the auditorium. It was so bad that they had to beg for money before the last offering to pay for building. How do I know this? Well, something interesting happened to me in the bookstore.
Between speakers, I happened to be standing in the bookstore near the late Adrian Rodgers. I over heard a conversation between Adrian and Ronnie, and it went something like this. Adrian said,"How short are you?" Ronnie said, "Quite a bit." Adrian replied, "We will help you out."
The next thing you know, Bailey Smith was brought to the pulpit to ask the pastors to dig deep. I do not know if they got enough, but I will always remember the failure on the 1997 Pastor's Conference.
The next time I heard Ronnie Floyd was when he was promoting his book on Fasting. I don't remember the books name, because it had that much impact on my life. But I remember him talking about fasting for 40 days. I want to be clear here. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, Biblical about a 40 day fast. Jesus fasted 40 days, but I do not see the Scriptures telling us to do this. I believe this a stunt, and I have to ask why he felt the need to write a book about it.
My next problem with Ronnie Floyd is his lack of Cooperative Program giving. His church has over 6,000 people in attendance on Sunday morning. Last year his church gave $32,000 to the Cooperative Program. This was .27 percent of his undesignated offerings. My church averages 140 on Sunday Morning and we gave over $20,000 last year. I think Ronnie Floyd should step up.
My final problem with Ronnie Floyd is his nonchalant attitude towards historical methods. Dr. Floyd allows for Fire Engine baptisms to take place in his church. When children are baptized in the fire engine, lights flash, sirens blare, and confetti is fired out of cannons. I wonder if Dr. Floyd has thought for one minute about how coercive this is to a child.
So who will I vote for? I don't know. As of now, there is not another candidate. My hope is that a group of leaders choose a candidate that is non-controversial.
Over the years, I have followed the SBC leadership in all most all of their decisions. I cannot support Dr. Floyd. I pray that another name is brought to the floor. I do know one thing, It should be a very interesting convention in North Carolina this year.
Dr. Floyd is the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Springdale, Arkansas. First Baptist Springdale is the largest SBC church in Arkansas. He has been a prominent figure in the convention's leadership for years. Dr. Floyd is a logical choice for the position. However, I have major problems with Dr. Floyd.
The first time I heard the name Ronnie Floyd was at the 1997 Pastor Conference at the Southern Baptist Convention. The Convention was held in Dallas, and I attended. Ronnie Floyd was the President of the Pastor's Conference that year. I have been to 6 Pastor's Conferences. Ronnie Floyd's was a disaster.
Ronnie Floyd did not have a Pastor's Conference. He had a Promise Keeper's rally. He invited terrible speakers, and we had beach balls in the auditorium. It was so bad that they had to beg for money before the last offering to pay for building. How do I know this? Well, something interesting happened to me in the bookstore.
Between speakers, I happened to be standing in the bookstore near the late Adrian Rodgers. I over heard a conversation between Adrian and Ronnie, and it went something like this. Adrian said,"How short are you?" Ronnie said, "Quite a bit." Adrian replied, "We will help you out."
The next thing you know, Bailey Smith was brought to the pulpit to ask the pastors to dig deep. I do not know if they got enough, but I will always remember the failure on the 1997 Pastor's Conference.
The next time I heard Ronnie Floyd was when he was promoting his book on Fasting. I don't remember the books name, because it had that much impact on my life. But I remember him talking about fasting for 40 days. I want to be clear here. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, Biblical about a 40 day fast. Jesus fasted 40 days, but I do not see the Scriptures telling us to do this. I believe this a stunt, and I have to ask why he felt the need to write a book about it.
My next problem with Ronnie Floyd is his lack of Cooperative Program giving. His church has over 6,000 people in attendance on Sunday morning. Last year his church gave $32,000 to the Cooperative Program. This was .27 percent of his undesignated offerings. My church averages 140 on Sunday Morning and we gave over $20,000 last year. I think Ronnie Floyd should step up.
My final problem with Ronnie Floyd is his nonchalant attitude towards historical methods. Dr. Floyd allows for Fire Engine baptisms to take place in his church. When children are baptized in the fire engine, lights flash, sirens blare, and confetti is fired out of cannons. I wonder if Dr. Floyd has thought for one minute about how coercive this is to a child.
So who will I vote for? I don't know. As of now, there is not another candidate. My hope is that a group of leaders choose a candidate that is non-controversial.
Over the years, I have followed the SBC leadership in all most all of their decisions. I cannot support Dr. Floyd. I pray that another name is brought to the floor. I do know one thing, It should be a very interesting convention in North Carolina this year.
posted by Foundes Community Church @ 7:05 PM
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