SBC: Where From Here?
In the 1980's, the Southern Baptist Convention battled over the Bible. The moderates and the liberals ran the convention for about 3 decades. They gained leadership, not through a revolt, but by a steady, gradual slide away from historic Baptist beliefs. The truth is, that if they kept their mouths quiet about their political agenda, they probably would still have control of the convention.
Many Baptist want to continue to fight this old battle. However, this battle is over. The moderates and liberal no longer consider themselves Southern Baptist. They have started their own things, and they no longer show up at the national convention.
So, now that the battle over the Bible is over, where do we go from here?
I believe there are three fractions with in Baptist life that want to take the Convention in three different directions. The first group is the "Old Guard". This is the group that lead the way during the war over the Bible. The "Old Guard" is well respected and for the most part well liked. The other two groups respect and love those who are a part of the "Old Guard". The "Old Guard" are very conservative, very Baptist, and want everything to stay the way it is right now. The Convention is Biblical, it is Conservative, and it is mission oriented. This is what the "Old Guard" fought for, and they like what they got. I believe this is where the majority of Southern Baptists stand.
The second group is the "Young Bloods". This group is not as Baptist, and are in love with the Church growth movement. Some of the leaders of this group question whether being a Southern Baptist is all that important. This group loves what the Cooperative Program does, but does not like the way the mission boards are run. They love and respect the "Old Guard", but believe they are out of touch. Many in this group want to embrace other evangelical groups over their own. They do not care to put the word Baptist in their church names. Some of them even question whether or not the ordinance of Baptism is really necessary for Church membership. They are enamored by church growth, and if baptism is keeping someone away from coming to church it may not be all that important. This group is growing in popularity, and are looking for leaders to challenge for Convention posts.
The third and final group are the "Historic Believers". This group wants to return the convention to its Calvinistic roots. This group wants theology to be just as important as missiology. IT wants the convention to take a strong stance on doctrine and truth. This group loves the "Old Guard" and loves what they done. As a matter of fact, many "Historic Believers" are apart of the "Old Guard". Some of them are so loyal to the "Old Guard" they will not challenge their leadership. The "Historic Believers" have little trust of the "Young Bloods". The "Young Bloods" are worried about Church Growth. The "Historic Believers" are worried about eternal truths. They normally do not play well with each other. However, sometimes the "Historic Believers" will support a "Young Blood" leader if he promises them a voice at the table.
One of these three groups will lead the way. I truly do not see the "Old Guard" losing much more ground over the next decade. This last convention was a huge convention for the "Young Bloods". However, it hasn't changed anything and all the excitement has died down. I do not know if the "Historic Believers" will side with the "Young bloods" again. The "Historic Believers" allowed the "Young Bloods" to capture a victory this last convention. If the "Historic Believers" decide to support the "Old Guard", then the "Young Bloods" have no hope of victory.
In the end, I have my money on the "Historic Believers". The Church growth movement is beginning to fade. Historic truth is beginning to grow. The "Historic Believers" is a small group, but they are growing in power and influence. There are some in the "Old Guard" that hate doctrine. And many in the "Young Bloods" despise doctrine. However, in the end, they both know that doctrine is important. Truth will ultimately win out. At least I hope it does.
Many Baptist want to continue to fight this old battle. However, this battle is over. The moderates and liberal no longer consider themselves Southern Baptist. They have started their own things, and they no longer show up at the national convention.
So, now that the battle over the Bible is over, where do we go from here?
I believe there are three fractions with in Baptist life that want to take the Convention in three different directions. The first group is the "Old Guard". This is the group that lead the way during the war over the Bible. The "Old Guard" is well respected and for the most part well liked. The other two groups respect and love those who are a part of the "Old Guard". The "Old Guard" are very conservative, very Baptist, and want everything to stay the way it is right now. The Convention is Biblical, it is Conservative, and it is mission oriented. This is what the "Old Guard" fought for, and they like what they got. I believe this is where the majority of Southern Baptists stand.
The second group is the "Young Bloods". This group is not as Baptist, and are in love with the Church growth movement. Some of the leaders of this group question whether being a Southern Baptist is all that important. This group loves what the Cooperative Program does, but does not like the way the mission boards are run. They love and respect the "Old Guard", but believe they are out of touch. Many in this group want to embrace other evangelical groups over their own. They do not care to put the word Baptist in their church names. Some of them even question whether or not the ordinance of Baptism is really necessary for Church membership. They are enamored by church growth, and if baptism is keeping someone away from coming to church it may not be all that important. This group is growing in popularity, and are looking for leaders to challenge for Convention posts.
The third and final group are the "Historic Believers". This group wants to return the convention to its Calvinistic roots. This group wants theology to be just as important as missiology. IT wants the convention to take a strong stance on doctrine and truth. This group loves the "Old Guard" and loves what they done. As a matter of fact, many "Historic Believers" are apart of the "Old Guard". Some of them are so loyal to the "Old Guard" they will not challenge their leadership. The "Historic Believers" have little trust of the "Young Bloods". The "Young Bloods" are worried about Church Growth. The "Historic Believers" are worried about eternal truths. They normally do not play well with each other. However, sometimes the "Historic Believers" will support a "Young Blood" leader if he promises them a voice at the table.
One of these three groups will lead the way. I truly do not see the "Old Guard" losing much more ground over the next decade. This last convention was a huge convention for the "Young Bloods". However, it hasn't changed anything and all the excitement has died down. I do not know if the "Historic Believers" will side with the "Young bloods" again. The "Historic Believers" allowed the "Young Bloods" to capture a victory this last convention. If the "Historic Believers" decide to support the "Old Guard", then the "Young Bloods" have no hope of victory.
In the end, I have my money on the "Historic Believers". The Church growth movement is beginning to fade. Historic truth is beginning to grow. The "Historic Believers" is a small group, but they are growing in power and influence. There are some in the "Old Guard" that hate doctrine. And many in the "Young Bloods" despise doctrine. However, in the end, they both know that doctrine is important. Truth will ultimately win out. At least I hope it does.
posted by Foundes Community Church @ 9:19 PM
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