Earlier today someone asked a question in the comment section that I felt needed an answer. There are a growing number of people who are emailing me or calling me asking similar questions so I am choosing to post my answer so others may fully understand my position on allowing my name to be nominated for President of the SBC.
The question:
"(I and) several others who read your blog daily are of the unanimous opinion that you seem to be dodging the question that is lurking like the elephant in the room that nobody wants to admit is there: Are you still willing to be nominated yourself--which you have already, in print, inferred in pretty clear terms?
My answer:
Unless a candidate arises that is willing to address the issues that I, and others, have articulated these last few months, I would allow my name to be nominated.
But since there are four weeks until the convention, there is no need for me to announce I'm running, because I'm not running. I would, at that time, be ready to be nominated. I would, at that time, be willing to be nominated. But that time is not yet here. Further, when that time comes (the convention), if another candidate has arisen that I believe will address the issues our convention faces, I would support him and choose not to allow my name to be nominated.
There is a difference between saying, "I am willing to be nominated for President" to "I would be willing to be nominated for President." The first is a statement of the present. The latter is a statement regarding the future.
Again, the contigency for me is that no other person arises who, in my opinion, is ready and willing to address the issues that have been articulated by many in these last few months. Obviously there are many who believe in Ronnie Floyd's candidacy and will support him for President of the SBC. But there are others who would like to see some reform in the way we conduct business in the SBC, and though they may not vote for Ronnie, every one of us should always maintain a Christian spirit of grace and charity toward one another.
I simply wish to continue discussing the issues on my blog. I prefer to continue doing what I believe I have been called to do to help stop the narrowing of the parameters of cooperation in the SBC. The other matters are best left in the Lord's hands and with the people of the SBC --- at the appropriate time.
I realize this may be a different approach than some take, and not that they are wrong, and I'm right. It's just that I may view things a little differently than most.
In His Grace,
Wade
31 comments:
A consistent Southern Baptist for whom I shall vote!!
It seems this is exactly the approach you took in Oklahoma, and look what God did!
Congrats on being a person of integrity and grace.
See you in Greensboro!
Robert Easley
Thank you Lord
Can we all stand and sing, "OKLAHOMA! Where the Spirit comes sweeping down the plain!"
But Wade,
We are willing for you! :)
Your last statement is a gracious understatement: "It's just that I may view things a little differently than most."
PRAISE GOD that "someone" does view things differently than most.
PRAISE GOD that Martin Luther viewed things differently than most!
PRAISE GOD that C.H. Spurgeon viewed things differently than most.
PRAISE GOD that Jonathan Edwards viewed things differently than most.
PRAISE GOD that William Carey viewed things differently than most.
PRAISE GOD that the visionaries of the Cooperative Program viewed things differently than most.
PRAISE GOD that the visionaries of the conservatie resurgence viewed things differently than most. (I know, that may stir the pot - but their leadership was needed at the time!)
I could fill up much more space, but I think I've made my point: Great and needed changes throughout history have been made because someone viewed things differntly than most!
Thank you Wade, for viewing things(through the lens of sola scriptura) differently than most!
Wow! Great wisdom and humility.
A comment from the 'field':PLEASE CONSENT to the Father's will regarding becoming a nominee for convention president...but between you and me...I THINK IT'S time we have someone with your heart, your integrity, and your zeal for TRUE M work to head our denomination!!!!
AM praying for His spirit to speak in gentle ways regarding this matter. He's already done so much through you and I trust as president, or local pastor, He's going to continue to use you to call us all closer to HIS heart!!
Thanks!!!
Wade, at the risk of being accused of "back-slapping", this Okie continues to be amazed with the wisdom the Lord has implanted in your heart, mind, and spirit. May His peace continue to envelope you and your family during these weeks of decision.
In His Grace and Peace,
Tom
Wade,
My name is Jeremy Sells and I want you to know that my wife Sarah (Knaak) and I are behind you and support you. I commented under anonymous before and told you about myself, in that I am 26, just starting seminary and praying that God would use me for His will.
Even though I have grown up in Southern Baptist churches, I don't see eye to eye with the new policies on baptism and tounges. I have even prayed about whether or not I belong in the Baptist church, due to the fact that many Baptists would feel that my views are not "Baptist."
I say all of this to tell you that my wife and I admire you for the stand you are taking for the Word of God.
We will be praying for you and your family during this time.
God Bless.
I am praying for you, Wade. This is an amazing breath of fresh air. Nothing against Ronnie Floyd (I'm sure he is an honorable, Godly man who would make a fine president), but there are many who resonate with what you are saying at a heart level. Even if you do not win, if your name comes up, it will highlight issues that are very important to a significant number of people. That is valid, too.
Your position is good on many levels.
We tend to think of long-term plans, despite the fact that we're only promised the breath that's in our lungs right now. If someone is focused on following God's plan day-by-day, I don't see what position is possible, other than what you've stated.
If we see the long-term vision thing, and act accordingly, we'll be much more likely to miss the gear changes or road turns God puts in our way, to redirect us, and simply plow ahead to fulfillment of OUR plans.
Bravo, Wade. Stay the course.
you've got my vote.
Wade,
"Prudent"! Prayerfully!
(Proverbs 14:15) bml
I like elephants. I miss the elephant.
Thumbs Up!
chamm
Wade,
If you are going to be seriously considered for president, then you are going to have to display a bit more passion and intentionality for the job than simply "if no one else, then I will." If you'd like to be president, I would advise you to come out and say it so we can rally support behind you. Now is the time - otherwise you may get a weak showing of support in Greensboro. Just some thoughts.
Your bud.
To My Bud Above and Rex,
No worries.
Everything I do I do with passion.
I eat oatmeal with passion.
You are wanting me to create "a perception" by "announcing." I simply am speaking honestly and what people perceive is in the hands of the Lord.
It is 7:00 a.m. and I am leaving for a BGCO Affiliate Relations Committee in OKC. I won't be back till this evening so no comments will be posted until then.
I have a question of a sorts. How broad are you willing to be?
I'm a moderate. I know what I am, and why I am. Will the "new" SBC be broad enough for guys like me to participate *and* have a voice?
I don't like the BF&M for about 3-4 reasons. 1) I'm not a big fan of creeds, 2) Jesus will always be the center of my faith, not someones idea of what a "biblical principle" is, and 3) I have no problem (in any-way-shape-form-or-fashion) with women in ministry.
Along other lines, I don't agree with how the IMB came down on prayer languages (of which I don't participate) and baptism.
Is there a place in the upcoming SBC for guys like me?
I don't see it now, I'm wondering if it will be so in the future.
Tim
WADE,
Your 70 year old BROTHER says I know your HEART.
GOD SAID “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT”.
GOD CALLS HIS CHILDREN
Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Tit 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Act 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Eze 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Joh 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me--
Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Eph 1:5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
1Co 1:30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
Rom 3:24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
2Co 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Rom 5:19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Phi 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--
1Jo 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Th 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
2Th 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Rom 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS
YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST
Wade,
I think you are missing your Bud’s point of passion. A runner does not wait to have passion until the day of the race.
Now is the time for people to say, “Hey! Wade is running to be president of the SBC. Will you be a messenger?”
You cut your own throat to wait until it is too late for people to make plans. This is a busy time of the year for busy people. They have trips planned, airplane tickets to buy etc. They need to know ahead of time.
To illustrate and get some bragging in (But work for the Lord is not bragging but letting your light shine): It took months to prepare for three counties of churches and 12 State Agencies to hold a Mission Fair with 49 displays at our new church building with a SS attendance of 65. (The attendance of over 400 was overwhelming for us.) A group of us from our church will be on the west coast of Mexico in July and the following week, I’ll be in Ohio helping to construct a church with colleagues who have worked on our church, Japan, and other projects.
Wade, do you know the implications of Patterson nominating Floyd? I’m sure you do. You will be bucking the big boys. Face some facts: Of the thousand plus per day hits on your blog, how many do you think will be at the convention? I’d say 100 would be high and even then some will be against you. So, what is the chance of you winning? I’m not going thinking you will win but to let it be known which side I’m on. I’m not going if you don’t run and I need to know to make plans and get tickets in advance.
The bottom line (and I don’t mean this to be harsh) is you need to think of others and not just your desires.
Rex
Run Wade Run!!!
tim,
The SBC is broad enough for those who hold to the integrity of the sacred text, love the Lord Jesus Christ, and are committed to global evangelism.
North Georgia Pastor,
(1). My position on alchohol is thoroughly Biblically. I believe drunkenness is a sin. I applaud anyone with an abstinence conviction, but believe it to be extra-biblical and refuse to practice church discipline against anyone who drinks wine, beer or alchohol. Our church covenant forbids drunkenness and we take that covenant very seriously. I am personally ambivolent on the drinking of alchohol. I have never tasted beer, I have drunk wine on rare occasions (I have a great story of a person who came to faith in Christ while we shared a dinner with wine), but I am very sensitive to my weaker brothers in this area and try not to make this an issue of Christian fellowship if at all possible. On the other hand, when Southern Baptists who consider themselves "leaders" exclude anyone who takes a Biblical view of alchohol, which happens to be different from their personal conviction of abstinence that I applaud but recognize as extra-Biblical, then I am not afraid to speak up for the sake of the integrity of the inerrant Scriptures. :) In other words, I out inerrant the inerrantists on this subject.
(2). Homosexuality is a sin. So is adultery. People are right with God through the substitutionary work of Christ on behalf of sinners. Faith in Christ is the evidence of justification. The Spirit will always lead a justified sinner to repentance of his sin, including homosexuality and adultery. Southern Baptists need to focus on both sins.
(3). Yes I am an inerrantists. Of course conservatives are inerrantists. But frankly, I wonder people who hold to specific interpretations of the text and then call those who differ in the interpretation "liberal." I believe our interpretions are often fallible, but the sacred text is without error. Our humanness is error filled.
So Wade, what does your answer to Tim mean? I am not trying to be slippery here but this is a watershed for many of us. would a moderate like Tim once again be placed on boards, given leadership positions, be hired to teach in our seminaries and basically, be allowed to take us back to the convention of Foy Valentine, Roy Honeycutt (sp)and Daniel Vestal?
Your answer does not address Tim's concerns.
Jack
Jack,
I believe I answered Tim's question.
Wade,
I apologize...I really am not the one to speak for Tim. He is the only one who can address whether you answered his questions in a way that satisfies him...I should not have presumed that you did not.
With that in mind would you answer my question?
Would a moderate like Tim, as he described himself;
* Does not hold to the BFM 2000
* Hold to a different interpretive hermeneutic which holds ones self interpretive views of Jesus as authoritive vs. plenary inspiration and the objective standard of Gods Word being our standard.
* I assume by 'no problem with women in ministry' he is speaking of ordination. I know of no one in SBC leadership that does not value women in ministry, role is and always has been the issue.
My question to you Wade is this, and please hear my heart, this is not an attempt to be coy or to trap you. You are far to wise and ahead of the game for me to even attempt that and I would not try for I like yourself would like to think that I am a man of some integrity. I am wondering if you envision the widening of the tent to include moderates like Tim?
With all due respect, your answer to Tim did not address those issues and seems to be very broad. I stand ready to be corrected if I am amiss in my understanding of your answer. It would seem that according to your answer Clark Pinnock would be fine. He would be one who see's himself as holding to the integrity of the sacred texts, he loves the Lord Jesus, and he believes himself to be committed to evangelism.
Can you understand my confusion?
Thanks for taking the time to perhaps clear this up.
Jack
I would love to see a reform minded president, but I wonder what difference it will make. Will the new president have the power and influence to make changes?
Heath Powers
I am not sure any answer to the questions of inerrancy, homosexuality or alcohol could be any better. I appreciate your honesty, openness, and ability to answer what many might consider to be difficult questions. The Word of God and Wisdom (Jesus!!!) makes clear the answer to any question.
Southern Baptists must move away from being the modern day Pharisees and move to the message of Christ. It was simple: Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and might and love others as you love yourself. It was simply a message of grace and love and truth. Sin is sin. Yes. But all have sinned and fall short. Praise God He let His only Son come and provide the solution. Why do we humans want to solve our own problems or create our own answer/answers to the problem of sin? Why do we set up rules that we can follow as though if we do so we might some how make ourselves "right" with God??? We must simply surrender to Him. Nothing more, nothing less. Thank you for preaching that truth. kerrusoalethia...
Dr. Burleson,
Thank you for taking time to respond to my question. I noticed how you answered, and I appreciate it.
Was it as clearly defined as I would have liked? No.
But, I do appreciate the ambiguity that says I *may* be able to partner in the midst of the convention.
I think you would listen to me, and even possibly have dinner with me...but I don't I would be nominated to any boards. I'm sure that Bro. Maddox would be happy to hear that.
I realize that much has been posted since this particular blog. I even had to search for it myself to see if you answered me.
Thanks for responding.
Tim
To those who are waiting to see if Wade will allow himself to be nominated before they decide to go to Greensboro, I strongly encourage each of you to go to Greensboro regardless of what Wade decides. Based on Wade's comments, either he or someone else who holds a similar vision for the SBC will be nominated. This is not about Wade Burleson, it is about the vision for the future of the SBC that he and others have articulated. The SBC needs a president who shares this vision, whether it is Wade or someone else.
Post a Comment