Rev. Johnny Hunt to be Nominated for SBC President

[...] This is Getting More and More Interesting Posted on May 6, 2008 by Steve Weaver SBCToday:  Johnny Hunt to Be Nominated for SBC President [...]

Johnny is a big name and widely respected, but how is Woodstock’s 2.2% CP giving going to fly in the current environment?

Finally, a great SBC candidate! Johnny Hunt is exactly who we need to lead the SBC. His CP giving may not be what you want it to be, but check their budget, they give many many dollars to missions around the world. Preacher Johnny is a wonderful pastor, an incredible preacher, a great leader and a pastor to pastors across the nation! You’ve got my vote Preacher Johnny!

Not to start a fight here but please “baptistman”, with so many running can you really say that there is an establishment other than maybe ENIDCONNECT?

In the Baptist Press release the numbers used to “promote” him for president of the SBC are more in line with promoting the passing of Tom Ascol’s resolution on “Integrity in Church Membership.” I quote from BP: “In the 21 years of Hunt’s pastorate, church membership has increased from 1,027 to 16,495. Current average church worship attendance is 6,180.” That is about 37% of those he calls members that show up on Sunday morning. I guess that’s very “Southern Baptist” but not very serious about a covenant relationship with Christ and His church. Just my opinion.

Curious why you didn’t do the same type posting for Avery Willis?

“Johnny is a big name and widely respected, but how is Woodstock’s 2.2% CP giving going to fly in the current environment?”

Funny how that was not a big concern when Mohler was running. His Arminian, seeker-mega with thousands of members (and 4 campuses) gave $2000 in the last 6 months of reporting to the CP.

I guess it does not count since he is not the pastor. Only its most influential member.

Sister Wanda,

Let’s see, 2.2% = $393k. That is $393,000.00. In 2006 it was over $400k. I believe it was Dr. Adrian Rogers that said something like, ‘percentages do not pay Missionaries salaries, it is the dollars’.

This amount is only to the CP, I would venture to say that if you contacted Dr. Rankin you may be surprised how much is given straight to the IMB. Also, do you know that he has an endowed chair at SEBTS? That means that over $1 million is sitting in an account for SEBTS to use the interest for the salary of the Prof. Not to mention the Missionaries that are on the field that FBC Woodstock is personally supporting. We hear about people wanted everyone to be missional and we now have a Pastor doing so, and all we want to do is tear him down.

I have already come out in support of Dr. Frank Cox. But I want you to know that my support of Dr. Cox is not because I am against Dr. Hunt. Either of the two will make a great President for us.

Blessings,
Tim

So the establishment candidate finally emerges.

It’s hard to tell without a program, but wasn’t JH the establishment candidate last time? I thought Rev. Cox was the establishment candidate this time. Will his candidacy divide the establishment vote?

Bill Kraft,

Finally someone has the eyes and the brains to see that Dr. Cox was never the establishment candidate or the mega-church candidate. Thank you for realizing and making that known.

Though I don’t agree with much of the content of this post that is linked beloow due to chad’s lack of understanding that Dr. Cox is not a part of the establishment or “denominational machine”, I believe that the first video he has in this post applies very well to this move to throw his name into the race by Dr. Hunt.

http://chadwickivester.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/johnny-hunts-nomination-troubles-for-the-sbcptb/#comments

Dave – I think you’re right about that list!

I am one who thinks his candidacy may signify the narrowing of parameters for SBC cooperation, especially with John Connell being touted as a 1VP candidate.

I’m surprised Hunt is running since Cox’s name was in the ring quite some time ago. Seems strange to me. At least the meeting in Indy will be interesting this year, won’t it?

Dr ( From Covington diploma mill) Hunt needs to answer some questions before ascending to the throne:
1) Why did he sign the ridiculous Global Warming Letter?
2) Why did he wait until the last month to announce he was not running in 2006, and then foist Ronnie Floyd onto the conservative leadership? When Frank Page’s appointments have begun the process of re-stocking moderates on to the boards of SBC entities, does Johnny Hunt feel responsible?
3) Johnny Hunt was a back-bencher when the battles were fought in the Georgia Baptist Convention. Why should we trust Dr. Hunt to make these tough decisions now?
4) Two years ago, Johnny Hunt had a clear shot at the presidency. With six weeks to go, no one else was in the race against him. Why now, when others were actively in the race?
5) How can you lead the SBC toward stronger commitment to SBC missions when your church gives only 2.2% and your church gives a good chunk of your mission money to independent missionaries?

Granted, this claim is not verifiable in public statements, although I believe that Frank Cox would verify this statement. Feel free, however, to delete the fifth point.
Thank you for being conscientious on that which is posted on your website.

Jack,

Concerning your 3rd point, who was leading the way in Georgia when the tough decisions in the convention were being made? The is answer is Dr. Frank Cox.

Allen,

Hunt can worry all day long and nothing will get done.

Paul Washer for SBC Prez!!

Grace and Peace…

ABClay

Allen, you sound like a Calvinist.

Johnny Hunt is a Godly man who preaches the Bible. He has a heart for God, and he genuinely cares for people. His church gives huge to missions…Southern Baptist missions….not all thru the CP, but they do give huge to mission work.

I’m torn at the present time between Johnny Hunt and Frank Cox. I’m really not sure who I will vote for. But, please, let’s not assasinate the character of a wonderful man of God.

David

So if every Pastor in the SBC decided to follow Pastor Johnny’s lead and only give 2.2% to CP and give the other funds to church plants and independent missionaries the SBC and it’s mission entities would be in big trouble financially.

probably not the place for this discussion (or maybe it is), but since it was brought up (briefly):

“An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy–one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.”

Now, I may be a bit naive, but how does Hunt “restore” any pastor once they have removed themselves from being a pastor according to God’s standards?

While Hunt’s motives are surely well intended, are operations like this bringing reproach on the body of Christ? Being forgiven and accepted back into fellowship is one thing, but “anointing” as “restored” and giving a staff to lead a flock is another.

It’s like saying: “Well, sure he led his last flock off the edge of a cliff and all of the sheep perished, but he’s all better now…let’s give this person another flock and just see.”

Anyways…

Grace and Peace to y’all…

ABClay

Brother Tim,

I am sorry if you feel that I am advocating “shooting our wounded”.

I believe if a minister falls into grievous public sin he has removed himself from meeting the requirements of pastoral leadership as set forth by the Father. How can this pastor ever meet the high standard again? I believe that he will never be above the reproach of those on the outside.

Our heavenly Father, through the apostle Paul, said that a pastor “must have a good reputation among outsiders”. I am sure that I do not need to explain why this is important.

This is not to say that we should cast these fallen pastors aside and leave them for dead as is often the case. I support the efforts of the “City of Refuge” program for helping those who have fallen to get back on their feet. If they are repentant of their sins, we are commanded to restore that brother back into the fellowship of the congregation and love him as if he had never wronged. But this is where we must draw the line if we are to remain true to the requirements as set forth in God’s Word. If the “City of Refuge” program restores pastors to roles of pastoral leadership after the commission of grievous, public sin, then I believe that they have lowered the standards.

I know this isn’t a popular opinion (and I am putting on my flame retardant suit as I write) so let me have it.

Grace and Peace…

ABClay

Oh, as a side note that really demonstrates Hunt’s heart for missions, you need to look HERE

So is the Johnny camp going to bring up this Adrian Rogers quote each time they try and justify his low CP giving?

Brother Bill,

Did you check out the link at the bottom of Post 41?

I understand what you are saying about giving to the CP and the quote, but is FBCW not taking a significant load off of the CP by sending and supporting missionaries themselves? After all, the mission of the church is to spread the gospel.

You can counter with, “but we are electing a president of the SBC, not a president of the whole church body” and to this I have no response.

It’s a good read anyways if you have the time to check out the link.

Grace and Peace..

ABClay

“Seriously, how many churches that you know give $393k to the CP?”

One would be Dr. Cox’s church, from a just under $3 million budget. If FBCW gave just 6.7% (half of the percentage of North Metro) they would give $1.2 million. If FBCW gave the same percentage (13.4) that would be $2.5 million, if they just gave 10% it would be $1.8 million. Do you see the difference? CP is the fuel that makes the convention run. I love to hear Dr. Hunt preach, and I am sure that he does a lot of good things. But there is a big difference between his 393k and his buddy from 49 miles down the road’s 393k. Think what would happen if every church gave just 2.2% to CP. It’s scary.

I am disappointed that some here have taken to derogatory comments about Dr. Johnny Hunt… The typical stuff (“Dr” from a diploma mill; “Johnny’s camp”; doesn’t give enough to the CP, He’s mean to Calvinists, etc.). Certainly, that’s your right. But, how many of you know the man? I believe one person has stated they were in his church. Here’s what I know of the man and his ministry, for what it’s worth.

I first met Dr. Hunt when he was Pastor of Long Leaf Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC, in 1985. They had led the state in baptism’s two straight years, and he spoke for only five minutes from the convention platform. I was a journalism student at Wingate College (now University) at the time, and I knew I had to meet this man! He was indeed on fire!

I followed his ministry as he moved to Woodstock in 1986, and as his church has exploded over the past two decades. I’ve visited his church on several ocassions, attended several conferences there, and I’ve benefitted greatly from the Timothy-Barnabas Pastor’s school I attended in 2001.

I often listen to his messages. They are always exegetically sound, never boring, and with the ultimate priority of winning souls and equipping the saints for the work of ministry. The most impressive thing about Johnny Hunt, however, is that he’s never gotten over being saved.

I once heard him say, “I’m glad I’m saved, and I never got over it!” That characteristic is sorely lacking in so many Christian lives today, replaced by cynicism and doubt — even, and perhaps especially, in our pulpits.

I’ve no doubt that God’s hand is on Dr. Johnny Hunt. I’m glad he has been my friend — as he has been to so many others in ministry throughout the years. I can say without reservation that Johnny will be an anointed and humble leader of the SBC, should he be chosen for the task.

Blessings,

J. Dale Weaver, M. Div.

Brother AB,

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.

Brother Dewayne,

You say; Think what would happen if every church gave just 2.2% to CP. It’s scary. While, he isn’t running for SBC President, we have a man in Texas that is being promoted as the church planting guru of SBC life. Look at his information.

But, I do want to examine your example. I have a member that gives 2.2% of $1M and a member that gives 10% of $225k. If the member that gives 2.2% only gives that and serves along with everyone else, you have a point. However, if the member giving 2.2% gives that along with financing the Youth Trip, along with the Mission Teams, along with the Choir Tour, along with making available funds for anyone called into the ministry to go to school, then your theory would fail, and fail miserably.

Let me remind everyone, that I personally have endorsed Dr. Frank Cox, thus, I find it difficult defending Brother Johnny’s CP record. He will make a fine President for our Convention. On the same hand Dr. Johnny Hunt will also make a find President for our Convention.

Blessings,
Tim

Brother Bill,

If that is the way you feel, fine. I am not challenging you in that, I am just saying that you seem to overlook everything else to say that is all Brother Johnny is doing for the SBC. Besides, isn’t this what Glocalizaton is all about?

Blessings,
Tim

This is certainly some very interesting dialogue. This is my first endeavor to this site only because I was made aware of the discussion regarding Pastor Johnny and Dr. Cox. I happen to personally know both men and either man would make a great leader of this convention.

I would like for someone to tell me when are we as a convention going to get over this idea that any leader has to give 10%+ of their undesignated receipts to the convention? And should their autonomous church choose not to give 10% to the convention why does that preclude them from providing leadership to the convention as a whole? The last time I read through the New Testament it refers to the Kingdom of God and not the Southern Baptist Kingdom.

Instead of looking solely at the percentage given to the CP why don’t we look at total missions investment? Let me remind everyone that the CP is one of may vehicles that we as Southern Baptists support missions. Why don’t we look at Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon giving, etc.?

For the glory of God lets move beyond this discussion and discuss how God is using and has used the man (whichever you would like) and the church he serves in growing the Kingdom of God and furthering the cause of Chrsit.