This question has been dogging me for a few months now. It all began at last year’s MBC annual meeting… *the room begins to swim and then fades away amidst lovely strums of the harp. We are transported to Raytown, MO, October, 2009*… At that meeting I had the privilege, honestly…privilege, of spending a good deal of time with Micah Fries. 
Anyone who knows Micah and me knows that there are some differences between us. One, he is tall…ok, freakishly tall :-) (sorry, couldn’t resist), and I am…well…short. Beyond that highly insignificant bit of trivia, we have some differing perspectives on the best way for Southern Baptists to structure our ministries in varying levels of cooperation for the sake of fulfilling our Great Commission calling as churches and a convention of churches. He has the right to be wrong…and so do I. O:-) I do not hesitate to call him brother. I would not hesitate to ask him to preach at our church (just as long as he doesn’t use words like missional or contextualization ;-) ). I have found him to be a significant and consistent ally regarding some of the challenges faced in our Missouri Baptist Convention. I am praying that we see the right things happen for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel… *Now returning to the present*
Does this mean that I quit? No. I will still advocate what I believe is right and best for our convention of churches. I will still oppose what I believe to be detrimental as well. It’s just that in so doing, I am willing to stand beside those with whom I disagree as my brothers in Christ. I know this puts me “on-the-outs” with certain segments of our state convention. That’s fine. I’m tired of trying to win the day on the method of personal demonization. Maybe that tactic is employed when one is not certain of his own position. I am not certain about why others resort to personal attacks or vendetta, but I am choosing to advocate or oppose based on the substance of the issue and not the personality of my opponent.
In the montage of pictures which follow, you see me with many different leaders within our convention. Many of you will know most of them. Some others are known to but a few…
Just because I am found within the Baptist Identity camp does not mean I ‘disown’ men like Dr. Alvin Reid or Dr. Ed Stetzer. I have learned from them and respect their ministries.
Just because I am found within the Calvinist camp does not mean that I ‘disown’ Dr. Ergun Caner or Dr. Peter Lumpkins or Dr. Malcolm Yarnell. I have been impacted by their ministries and am better for it.
All of the men pictured I respect greatly. Many of them I am privileged to call friend. None of them I agree with 100%. To say that we here at SBC Today wish to have no fellowship or cooperative ministries with others unless they fall into lock-step with us is patently absurd! To say that my convictions will only allow me certain levels of cooperation with other Christians is spot on. I will never be able to plant churches with my Presbyterian friends, but you could well find me in attendance with them at a Together for the Gospel conference in the future…or at the next Shepherd’s Conference at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA!
I know I have been guilty of making broad-brushed comments about brothers in other ‘camps’ based on the actions of the fringe/radical elements of that group. Those kind of statements are about as irritating as sweeping generalizations made by advocates of a position which work well in marginalizing any opposition to one’s position. Statements like I feared might come about in the current discussion in the SBC… *Room fades out to that lovely harp music once again. We are transported to Louisville, KY. Eavesdropping on an example of numerous conversations I had while at the annual meeting*
One concern I have is that this whole debate could be maneuvered so that anyone who expresses reservations about or direct opposition to recommendations from the GCR Task Force would be labeled as ‘anti-Great Commission.’…. *Back to today.*
You might say, “That’s crazy!” No one would ever say that. Really? How about… “We have worked toward a report that will be eagerly embraced by every Great Commission-driven Southern Baptist”…? Upon reading this statement from Pastor Ronnie Floyd, the Chair of our GCRTF, I drew the following conclusion: Since this report WILL be eagerly EMBRACED by every GREAT COMMISSION-DRIVEN Southern Baptist, if I disagree with it in any part, then I will be labeled as not having the driving motivation of my life and ministry to be the Great Commission which our Lord has given to us.
Really??
I am not saying what my response will be to the recommendations of the task force (I could well become its greatest advocate!). We will only have heard the final report next Monday. I am hopeful and prayerful that much listening has been done by the task force since the progress report was given. I am hopeful and prayerful that when we get to Orlando the discussion will be fruitful and that we make progress in renewing our commitment to cooperate as a convention of churches for the sake of the Gospel.
Brother Scott,….I like your attitude, my friend!
Blessings,
Chris
Anytime your memory montage starts off with “we are transported to Raytown, MO…” it reminds me of the nightly news busting someone for some scam business. ah, Raytown.
I said a little “oops, shouldn’t say that” when I saw that quote come out from Pastor Floyd the other day. Those kind of statements can only have three results unfortunately: make those who disagree with you feel demonized, or lead those who agree with you to up the rhetoric more. The third thing is if in fact the report is so good and so unanimous that it indeed all who love the Great Commission will embrace every part. Which seems impossible since even the Great Commission itself hasn’t produced that kind of agreement in church history!
Thanks for your writing. Good to see people building bridges. Your post shows how genuine critique can be better delivered if you’ve put in the relational leg work ahead of time.
I’m really disappointed that you didnt put any pics of you and me hugging up to each other. Man, why’s that? Huh? You dont like me?
David
:)
Incredible! First, you emphasize the height of Micah. Second, there is an obvious bias toward associating with short people in your pictures, Scott. Are you subtly creating a movement of only associating with Great Commission Christians below 6 foot in height? ;-)
Scott,
So, why did you choose to post the only pic of you and me while you were standing on an exhibit hall platform? This really makes the rest of your piece suspect in my view.
With that, I am…
Peter
A Tall Baptist,
Did you notice that he said Brother Micah was “freakishly tall”? Just remember that statement is coming from a person who purchases 12 Husky suits. :)
Brother David,
The OP said that Brother Scott was placing pictures of “different leaders within our convention”. Of course, I am not sure how Brother’s CB and Peter made the montage. But I can assure you that the only thing you and I lead is the line to Shoney’s. :)
Blessings,
Tim
Chris & Josh,
Thanks for the encouragement.
David,
I didn’t want to start any MABTS SBC take over conspiracy just yet! :-D BTW, each picture I have of a group of us from one of the convention meetings has you hidden…you must be SBC Ghostrecon. ;-)
TB,
Indeed all of those pictures were taken before or after the meeting of AVCB – Association of Vertically Challenged Baptists! We believe we are the new future of the SBC. All 6-footers carry the number of man with them wherever they go. Strangely you often find them in groups of 3…hmmmmmm. :-D
Peter,
I do what I can to help improve my position. BTW, thanks for your book, Alcohol Today. It has been an encouragement and help to me in ministering to others.
TimR,
Be careful, both you and Micah were mentioned in the AVCB meeting as problematic leaders of the FTBA…and I think TB was mentioned, too. Your platform cannot win the day. I know that most SBs are under 6ft. and will rally to this cause. O:-)
SG!
TB, et al. …
Thanks for noticing my propensity to shortness…except in writing (and many say in speaking as well).
May we all pray that, as we head to Orlando and into the future which God has prepared for us, we can fellowship together as good Baptists as we also seriously engage the issues which face us as a convention of churches taking the Gospel truth to a world dead in trespasses and sins.
SG!
I would just like to know on what CB was standing. BTW, anyone taller than me is freakishly tall. Now if I can just get skinnier than Micah….
;-)
Robin,
I believe that it was my foot. :-)
SG!
I don’t know all of the folks in the pics, but these pictures make me smile. I don’t know Micah either, but I from what I have seen, I think that he is a nice guy.
You and Me would get along.
This is what it’s going to take to get the SBC and the MBC back on track.
What does it say when I personally know more than half in the montage, or at least recognize others whom I have not met? There is only one brother I do not recognize. Perhaps I need to work getting to personally know all of them. That, is a worthy goal in Baptist (and Christian) cooperation. Good article.
Paul, thanks! I imagine the one whom you do not know is Dr. Rick Byargeon (his pic is right above Dr. Patterson’s), my favorite professor at OBU. He went on to teach at NOBTS and is now pastoring once again.
Jim, how far are you from KC? next time you’re this way, give me a call. My mobile is on my FB page.
SG!
Louis, I have enjoyed meeting all of these men and the fellowship I have shared with many at our national and state conventions’ meetings.