To affix one’s name to a document is not something that ought to be done haphazardly. One must know what the document says and an understanding of the nuances of the words is most definitely in order. Any time a signature is affixed to a document, that signature will come back to you. Part of the interview process that I went through in preparation for my current ministry revealed this to me more clearly. I was asked to give an account to the reason my name was affixed to the document concerning Regenerate Church Membership found at the Association of Convictional Baptist website.
After affixing my signature to the Great Commission Resurgence document I found out something that did bring some concern to my heart. The document was changed in its wording and I really do not remember if it began with twelve axioms or ten. I was directed to the document from Between the Times, the official blog of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). In that blog article it says that the Great Commission Resurgence website was launched under the direction of Dr. Johnny Hunt. However, Dr. Danny Akin, SEBTS president, has been the one promoting the GCR and the site even has his chapel message manuscript posted. I assumed that the site was the result of Dr. Akin’s collaboration with Dr. Hunt, Dr. Merritt, and Dr. Rainer as those three were the first names of entity heads and former SBC presidents on the site. However, I see that any inquiry concerning the site is to be directed to Jim Law, Executive Pastor at FBC Woodstock.
I would like to just point to a concern and a promise as I continue on this train that is heading down the tracks that are being laid. First the concern. Tim Guthrie has eloquently articulated the same concerns I have about changes in this document having been made after opening it up for signatures. I, like Brother Tim, agree with the changes because it does strengthen the area of concern that I had in my initial observations, found here. Here is my promise. I have signed this document and will gladly ring the bell of the train. There are no caveats for me in signing this document as I am fully aware of what has been said. However, if this train begins down a track that has not been covered in the document or an element that has been covered is redefined to mean something that the document says it doesn’t mean, then I will stop ringing the bell and remove my name. That, my friends, is not a caveat; it is a change of tracks.
I look forward to encouraging Dr. Hunt as he leads us on this GCR train. I can hear the call coming from the leadership as we come to Louisville: “All aboard.” I wonder if some version of the following song will be played to encourage everyone to get on board?
