The Southern Baptist Convention Part 3

Tuesday was a full day of business. The highlight was the Commissioning of International missionaries who will go all over the world sharing Christ in tangible ways. It puts faces and voices to the offerings we give. President Bart Barber’s sermon on Romans 15 was a poignant, pointed message about the necessity for humility in gaining unity. President Barber was forthcoming and honest about his own mistakes and missteps in this area with a resolve to love one another and keep the love of Christ prominent.

Many things were debated, amended and presented, some of which I am sure got headlines. Please feel free to email me or text me about any specifics if you have questions. Though I am here and still have questions a good conversation can go a long way.

One decision that was voted on and approved was to accept the recommendation of the credentials committee that FBC Alexandria, VA be found “not in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention.” The church was reported to the SBC for practices contrary to the faith and practice of the SBC in 2022. They were then questioned by the committee and were honest that they have long ordained women as pastors and will continue in that practice. This was brought to the floor of the convention. The pastor of FBC Alexandria spoke with conviction, calm, and clarity about his church, their convictions on the ordination of women, and their desire to continue in cooperation with the SBC in the work of the church. Ultimately, the question before messengers was if the church’s practice violated the requirement from Article III of the SBC Constitution that a church “closely identify with” the “faith and practice” of the confessional statement, the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) in order to remain in friendly cooperation. Though I personally voted against this recommendation (i.e., against excluding FBC Alexandria from the SBC), the vast majority of messengers (over 91%) voted in favor.

The Southern Baptist Convention Part 2

We spent the drive up listening to interviews with the six candidates for SBC President. We got to Indianapolis in the evening and attended a Presidential forum with all six together. The major points discussed both in the interviews and the forum were the Law Amendment mentioned in the first post, the Abuse Response Task Force, financial transparency, and the priority of the Gospel.

One moment stuck out to me in the forum when they were discussing sexual abuse and appropriate response. One of the candidates and pastor of FBC Lawton, Mike Keahbone, took a moment to address the crowd and recognize that there were probably abuse survivors, he spoke with empathy and compassion. He also expressed heartfelt apologies to survivors on behalf of everyone on stage. It reminded me that in all this business, the church and the Kingdom is always about people. It is about God’s love and the people who need, all of us.

The candidates were respectful and gave space for some diverse opinions on a few of the topics. I hope that spirit continues through Wednesday. Please join me in prayer for just that.

The Southern Baptist Convention part 1

I was asked a great question recently that is pertinent to this blog posting and future postings. “Why are you going to the Southern Baptist Convention?” This is a great question because church resources are being used, I have not gone the previous five years I have been pastor at UBC, and in Baptist principle our church direction is not necessarily dictated by the decisions of the convention. We do what we do out of conviction.

The answer is of course nuanced, but I will try to lay out the simple reasons I gave when asked directly. They are both practical and convictional. First, though it is a lengthy drive, (Brent has to put up with me in a car for 11 hours, ONE WAY!!) it is a reasonable distance and easy to get to in a short amount of time. Secondly, we do support the Southern Baptist Convention as part of our church giving, and this is an opportunity to see that giving in action through agency reports, informational presentations and exhibits. Thirdly, is the Law Amendment. You can a read mostly unbiased explanation here and a particular viewpoint here. This amendment was introduced last year and passed the first vote. It has to be approved this year to become part of the SBC constitution. I want to represent my own convictions and the interests of those of you who have talked to me about this. I plan to vote “No” on the amendment. Finally, I am going to be able to give an account beyond what might be released in social media exchanges or end up as headlines in news reports. Brent Newsom is the other UBC messenger, and he will be able to offer his perspective as well.

Brent and I plan to arrive in Indianapolis on Monday evening. I will try to post with some regularity. I have turned the comments “off” so that conversation and questions can be handled in a contextually clear way. Please feel free to email me at jdunnok@gmail.com or text me with any specific questions or opinions.

One Journey Ends, Another Begins

On Easter morning I point you to this poem by John Updike, “Seven Stanzas at Easter”

The Lenten Journey Day 46

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Mark 27:50-54

“The tombs were opened and bodies were raised when one man in whom God was present without limit committed His spirit into His Father’s hands. Since this moment the universe is no longer what it was; nature has received another meaning; history is transformed and you and I are no more, and should not be anymore, what we were before.”- Paul Tillich

In this final essay before the resurrection, Tillich talks about nature’s reaction and submission to the death of Christ. We often think of how the Psalmist paints the earth as a picture of God’s glory. But the cross calls us to see the darkened sun and feel the trembling earth. May we join creation in its groaning, in its tired yet hopeful cry for renewal and restoration. As Tillich talks of the rooted foundation of the cross compared to the shaky foundations of earth I am reminded of a song by one of my favorite songwriters Rich Mullins, “If I stand let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through, but if I can’t let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you.