We will need to begin another post in order to deal with this issue. I promise you that I will post on this in the near future. The reason I need to call it off here is that we have moved from the current comment stream a little too far. I am more guilty of that than others, in this particular circumstance.

This post was about Dr. Mac Brunson, and I do not remember asking him about the trustee system. So please accept my sorrow in suspending our comments concerning this. If you want to discuss something Dr. Brunson and I spoke about, feel free. But I must call a stop to our comments. Please understand.

Blessings,
Tim

“trustee system is undermined when trustees try to get something changed within the systems and fail, but do not stop there. The mount a public campaign against the very BoT on which they serve.”

I guess the bottom line is that I’m ok with a trustee doing that…if the individual did attempt change through the proper channels first and if when they do mount a public protest they do so in an honest way with no fabrications or embellishments.

You say; “I don’t understand how the trustee system is being undermined…bloggers have no authority after all.” You may desire to re-think that statement.

The trustee system is undermined when trustees take material that is meant for the BoT and make it available for public consumption before trustees have an opportunity to review it. The trustee system is undermined when trustees try to get something changed within the systems and fail, but do not stop there. The mount a public campaign against the very BoT on which they serve. In Dallas a Board of Directors removed a Board member because he was presenting Board information to the public.

As for the BoT meetings being public and open to the press and anyone else. Ask the bastion of Free Press, Dallas Morning News, if they open their board meetings to the public.

Blessings,
Tim

the bottom line…it’s a new day. for the good or the bad history must judge. but barring a nuclear holocaust or something in north america…this is the way it is. every political leader, spiritual leader, celebrity and sports star had better walk the walk…cause if they don’t…the whole world will know about it. we must guard our lips, phone conversations, emails…our conduct. I believe that “the market” will balance the kooks out…just as an out of control blogger can attempt to destroy a person another blogger can (and will) work to refute and defend. Just as level headed people pay no attention to move on dot org neither will they pay attention to sbc outpost’s of the blogosphere. Blogs like this one and Grace and Truth to You will be the most influential because people have common sense…the tabloid blogs will not be heeded. So I for one don’t see the big threat.
Obey the rules, don’t lie (or say one thing to one group and another to another) and be with the people you are supposed to be with at all times and everything will be just fine.

I don’t believe the trustees of any agencies should be the sole source of accountability…maybe I’m still not understanding what you are suggesting? I don’t understand how the trustee system is being undermined…bloggers have no authority after all.

You and I can agree that we have been a rowdy bunch. :^)

What my last question refers is anything but forming vicars and popes. Certainly am not advocating our leaders being removed from scrutiny. But, neither am I suggesting that they are not already under scrutiny.

This is where many disagree within our current structure. Our leaders are under the scrutiny of the SBC. We call it the trustee system. Our pastors are already under scrutiny of the SBC, we call it congregational polity. So, no one is advocating a vicar or pope, but one is advocating working within the current structure in place to hold leaders accountable.

Blessings,
Tim

I agree with you completely…and it goes all the way around. The whole blogosophere is so new and people are going crazy with it. Dr. Patterson is an anti-Christ or Wade Burleson is a wolf in sheep’s clothing…for crying out loud…I thought we were Christians! When one studies Christian history and gets into the emergence of the Radical Reformers/Anabaptists we can see from day ONE basically we have been a rowdy bunch.

I’m not sure about your last question…surely you’d not suggest that our leaders should be removed from scrutiny? We don’t have, need or want vicars or popes after all.

Sorry it has taken so long to get back in the comments. However, I have to do the job first that pays the bills. :^)

First, I was speaking specifically concerning the blogs started at Bellevue, Jax, and I understood there was somewhat of one at Two Rivers, I do not know that last one for certain. However, the blogs I had in mind, seemed to pull rabbits out of their hats trying to present issues that really were not issues. For example, Dr. Brunson was accused of getting special privileges because someone donated land for him to build a house. If someone wants to donate land for me to build a house, it is no one else’s business.

As for Ben Cole. First, you all brought up that name. I know Ben Cole and while he is a very intelligent person, he certainly is not the only one trying to tear down things, (or someone) in the SBC. Go back and see the purpose that one certain well known blogger began his blog.

Dr. Brunson was a pleasurable person to be around. He honored me by giving me the time that he did. Please note that this interview went longer than the others. He was very gracious with his time for me. As I was leaving the office, his wife was entering. He called me back so he could introduce me to his wife. He did not have to do that.

Both of you know, as well as I, there are blogs that are no more than a gossip mill. No one can do anything without someone calling motives into question. What ever happened to trusting God in the election of trustees and leaders to lead?

Blessings,
Tim

Like Scotty said, only Ben Cole has repeatedly demonstrated such character and intent in his blogging. Other then him…I’m not sure where these other boogie-man blogs are, who is writting them or (more importantly) who is reading them.

Sometimes I think leaders need an enemy to take uncompromising shots at for the delight of the audience…taking hard stands against the boogie man “out there” is certainly convienant and effective because such a shot can not be easily refuted (because after all…perhaps there really are an army of bloggers shredding entire ministries to pieces…but we just are not aware of them…plus yet today, the vast majority of the white heads sitting in the pews or chairs likely are unaware of what a blog is…many if not most may not go much beyond email online) and plus the boogie man simply never seems shows up to punch back.

Of course I did not hear brother Brunson making such a claim here…but other influencers and leaders have.