The State of the SBC Presidency

At this years Southern Baptist Convention, a relatively unknown Pastor won the presidency. Frank Page is the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Taylors, South Carolina. Frank Page is the President of the Southern Baptist Convention for two reasons. First, he won because there are many in the convention that believed control was held by too narrow of a group. Second, he won because the main candidate he faced did not support the cooperative program the way he should have.

When Page won, I did not think he would do anything that might damage the convention. He was not the candidate I voted for. However, I was willing to give him my support. I respect the office of President regardless of the holder. He is obviously a very capable pastor and a man of high integrity. That being said, last week he gave a speech that makes a person like me want to vomit.

Dr. Page spoke to the Executive Board at their last meeting. He told the Executive Board that the Southern Baptist Convention needed a "Holy Ghost Revival." He went on to explain that we cannot have a "Holy Ghost Revival" until we become unified as a denomination.

I would hope that Dr. Page would refrain from using terms like "Holy Ghost Revival" in the future. I would certainly like to know what he meant by this. I did not know that we could have a revival of any type without the Holy Spirit's involvement. Nevertheless, the term "Holy Ghost Revival" smacks of chasamatic theology. The truth is, there is nothing more that I could ever desire than to see a revival in our midst. I just think the term stinks and gives the image of revivalistic fervor which is based in ignorance and emotion.

I also believe that Frank Page mis-spoke when he said that a "Holy Ghost Revival" would not happen until we fix the division within our Convention. When I read about Godly movements in our country, they happen normally at our weakest times. During the First Great Awakening many of America's churches had lost pastors. Yet, God sent a revival that changed the country.

Dr. Page should also remember that God does not need our permission or abilities to act. To make a statement that revival will not happen unless we do something is not only theologically incorrect, but a bit arrogant. I do not think God is in Heaven hopeing we get things together so that he can act. I don't think God is saying, "I sure hope those Baptist unify so I can send a 'Holy Ghost Revival'".

I know I sound nit-picky, but I think that our convention needs a serious president. We are going to face very important issues over the next two years that is going to define who we are as Southern Baptist. One of those issues is tongue speaking and charasmatic theology. I do not think terms like "Holy Ghost Revival" is going to help matters. Dr. Page must remember that everything he says matters now. He doesn't have permission to speak off the cuff. I think he must be reminded that he sought this position in such a time as this. His words and explanations must equal the seriousness of his title.