The Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board will be convening this Monday, January 9 through Wednesday, January 11, 2006 in Richmond, Virginia. The headquarters of the IMB is located at 3806 Monument Avenue, a prominent, beautiful street in a very historic city.
The IMB trustees meet six times a year for regularly scheduled board meetings, and an additional two or three times per year as needed. The highlight of each IMB meeting is the appointment service of new missionaries on Tuesday night. I have met some absolutely wonderful new missionaries at each and every board meeting, and have even flown some new missionary friends to our church to have them share their testimonies to the people I pastor in Enid, Oklahoma.
In my opinion, the work of the IMB is unparalleled in the evangelical world. I know I may be biased, but I love the IMB!
It is in my heart to help those of you affiliated with the SBC to love the IMB as much as I do. For that reason I will be blogging from Richmond, Virginia for all three days of the board meeting. I would like to give you the reasons I will be blogging from Richmond.
THE REASONS FOR BLOGGING FROM RICHMOND:
(1).To Bring More Understanding and Support for the Cooperative Program, the Lottie Moon Offering, and the Work of the IMB among Younger Pastors and Church Leaders.
There is a generation of young pastors who are feeling disenfranchised from the Southern Baptist Convention. Many of them pastor churches that are non-traditional in most areas of church polity and practice. These pastors are feeling disenfranchised because they seem to feel they are not welcome BECAUSE they are different. It is my desire to let these young pastors see that the Southern Baptist Convention is composed of many pastors, including me, who do not walk lock step with the current trustee leadership of the IMB. I want these young pastors to see that at the heart of the polity and practice of the Southern Baptist Convention is the tremendous privilege of disagreeing, yet cooperating. As those of you know who read my blog, I do not agree with the new policies of the IMB regarding baptism and tongues, but I am as much a cooperating member of the IMB and Southern Baptist Convention as those young pastors can be, and even should be. Doesn't it make sense to let these young pastors see the inner workings of the IMB to help them feel involved?
(2). To Allow Missionaries Around the World to Have a Peek Inside the Board Meeting that Ultimately Holds All Missionaries Accountable
I have received several emails from missionaries around the world who are grateful that they can find out about the IMB trustee work through my blog. The following is a sample of the letters that I have received:
From a meeting in an undisclosed location, let me say thank you so very much for your prayers for us during this time. We are having a fabulous meeting, one of the best I have ever attended in my 12 years in Central Asia. Dr. Rankin spoke to us today. It was a Spirit-filled, annointed word from him and something that encouraged and inspired all of us.
There are many here, due to their isolation that are only now finding out about what has been happening in Richmond. It is imperative that you continue to stand for all of us here. I have yet to find a single worker among our 450 people that serve in Central Asia that is supportive of the new policy. What is utterly amazing is that apparently decisions are being made without our knowledge and no one is bothering to ask those of us who are out here whether we even have an opinion or not.
Again, thank you for your words of encouragement and mostly for the prayers that sustain us all.
Sincerely in Christ,
STG
Central Asian Region, IMB
(3). To Bring Support to the IMB Staff from Trustees through Calling Attention to Any Undermining Influence Among Some Trustees.
I have felt for some time that there are a few trustees who are dead set on opposing the direction, vision and leadership of Dr. Jerry Rankin. It is impossible for IMB staff and Dr. Rankin to set and implement vision if trustees continue to oppose the head of the IMB. Obviously we have a duty to hold Dr. Rankin accountable, but for any organization to run effectively, the trustees must hold the Chief Executive accountable, and either fire him for cause, or give 100 percent support to his vision for the IMB and to NEVER UNDERMINE HIM. I can assure you this godly man cannot be fired for cause. As a result, we trustees MUST support him --- period.
I am blogging to make sure Dr. Rankin is no longer undermined, or if he is, to call it out. Of course, the most recent undermining of Dr. Rankin's leadership is the passing of the new policies on tongues and baptism, policies opposed by staff and Dr. Rankin. As a new trustee, I asked specifically to be able to hear from Candidate Consultants regarding their views on the new policies, and was declined the opportunity by a trustee in charge of the meeting. Further, I feel strongly that the trustees were kept in the dark regarding Dr. Rankin's true feelings regarding the new policies lest he "influence" the trustees. I personally think Dr. Rankin ought to always be able to "influence" the trustees. To refuse him this opportunity is undermining his leadership.
(4). Most Importantly, I Am Blogging During the IMB Meeting to Make Sure We STOP Narrowing the Parameters of Cooperation in Missions and Evangelism.
Some people misunderstand the purpose of this blog. I am not trying to convince anyone that I am right and they are wrong about the new policies. I am trying to convince EVERYONE that if we continue to disqualify people because of specific interpretations of Scripture on non-essential doctrines (see Tears for Miss Bertha, we will soon so fragment and isolate the SBC that there will be very few dollars to support a shrinking pool of SBC missionaries, because everyone who is told, "You don't qualify" will leave the SBC. I AM ATTEMPTING TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THE SBC, AND TO NOT LEAVE.
This comment from Gordon Cloud expresses my feelings in a very articulate manner:
Bro. Wade I think that you are on track with your concerns. Having several friends in the independent Baptist ranks, I have seen what the progression of legalism has done to them. Eventually they reach a point of not only independence but also isolationism. I hope that our convention leadership will keep a broad perspective: that is, that Satan is our enemy, not man, and if he cannot defeat us with persecution from without then he will most certainly try to subvert us from within with useless divisions. Let us pray for them and one another that we will all run the race looking unto Jesus.
THE SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 9th
I arrive Sunday night and will have breakfast with Trustee Winston Curtis at 9:00 a.m. on Monday. Winston is a wonderful, gracious, kind-hearted man that I respect deeply. He and I do not see eye to eye on the issues before us, but to me, he is what Christian cooperation is all about. He understands that I am passionate and persistent, and he knows that I am not even trying to change his mind about the new policies (which he supported). Winston understands that I am attempting to involve MORE PEOPLE with the SBC and IMB and to stop the restrictive and isolating tendencies that are currently in place. HE DOES NOT AGREE WITH ME ON MY POSITIONS, but he and I can work together because he and I LISTEN to one another. I want to have breakfast with him, catch up on his family and life, and let him know how much I appreciate and love him.
I will spend the rest of the morning visiting with staff at the IMB building, simply going from office to office encouraging all the people that I can, thanking them for their work and meeting new people.
At noon I will be having lunch with David Button, a former employee of the IMB, former head of what we now call Mobilization, and currently a trustee of the IMB who is employeed by the state of New York. David sent an email to all the trustees expressing his displeasure with this blog. I invited him to coffee and he graciously asked to meet me for lunch. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better. He seems like a really bright guy, and I absolutely love New York. I have already told David I would also like to discuss the appropriateness of a former employee of the IMB serving as a trustee. There are a handful of trustees who used to work for the IMB and I'm just trying to figure out why this is so. I have always thought that this kind of thing would lead to conflict of interest problems, but I am sure willing for someone like David to change my mind about this issue.
At 3:00 p.m. the IMB will enter what is called "The Trustee Forum." No press or guests are allowed for this two hour or longer meeting. It is here that trustees express whatever it is they feel. I will be unable to tell you what happens during this two hour forum, but I anticipate trustees will make known their displeasure with this blog (again, I will be unable to tell you if I was right or wrong in my prediction). The reason I predict this is because of three emails I have received from three different trustees who have expressed displeasure with Grace and Truth to You.
I have removed the name of the trustee who sent me the following letter because I do not want to embarass him/her, but it gives you a feel for what a few think about me.
The following email is a response to an email I sent to all the trustees explaining how excited I was that we would be holding accountable trustees who were meeting in private meetings and caucuses, contrary to written policy and guidelines of the IMB. These caucus meetings have been held on Tuesday night DURING THE APPOINTMENT SERVICE (and various other times), and are held to set a preplanned agenda, sometimes directly opposite of the agenda of IMB Staff.
Dear Wade,
Well, I have been listening to you rattle on and on. I guess I am ready to talk a little.
You say you do not want trustees to visit with each other in any location because it is bad policy. Are you going to bug all our rooms like they do in China? Do you think women don't talk? We talk all the time! Do you have committees in your church and you have a policy that they cannot discuss church issues at any time? Do you check on Sunday School class members about whether they discuss church issues on Sunday mornings?
Do you have policy that your deacons cannot discuss anything going on or decisions made at your church? How do you police this? Do you control your members this tightly? What are you afraid of them saying?
I think any trustee who is a blogger on the internet and gathers in blogger groups and discusses IMB policies in writing for others to read and pass around is much worse than a group of trustees verbally visiting in private. In fact, it is much worse in that your mail has been published on the Baylor web site which is much more harmful to the cooperative program and IMB than the visiting of a small group of trustees might do privately. You are guilty of a much bigger infraction in my opinion. I would never get on the internet and discuss IMB business with those who are not trustees. You are calling the kettle black! I find you a very arrogant young man who has no respect for those who have come before you. I do not find
you gentle and caring.
The following email is my response to the above:
Dear ________,
In my blog I have been very respectful of every person on the IMB Board. Every time I mention my fellow trustees I have said, genuinely, that I found them all to be some of the most wonderful people I have ever met.
I realize that you may not be used to somebody saying what he feels as openly and honestly as I have, but I assure you, what you see in me is what you get!
My blog was an attempt to explain to the number of people who called or wrote me asking, "How could you pass the new policies?"
Frankly, it saves time rather than answering all the emails individually.
I also have been very respectful and supportive of all the work of the IMB, including saying we are doing the best work we have ever done, our missionaries are true heroes, etc . . .
So . . .
I love and respect the IMB and all the trustees, even those who have come before me.
I'm attempting to keep the IMB open to the cooperation of all conservatives.
I'm 44, and always respect the words of direct people like you who write me personally.
Thanks for taking the time to write me.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
I think you can see why I feel certain things may be said in the forum.
After dinner with IMB staff, trustees and missionary appointees, one of my favorite times of the week begins. At 6:30 p.m., and continuing until 9:30 p.m., trustees will be meeting with their regional committees to interview missionaries who will be appointed to their region the following night at the Appointment Service. We will also conduct business. I have felt my eyes water on several occasions over the last several months as I have heard the incredible testimonies of some wonderful people being appointed as missionaries from the SBC. My commitee is Central Asia, and in my opinion, we have a REMARKABLE group of missionaries. I love this three hour meeting.
From 9:30 to 10:30 I will visit with friends and other trustees about the day and, Lord willing, I will post my next blog at midnight on Monday. You can read my thoughts and reflections on the first day beginning first thing Tuesday morning.
THE REMAINING SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY
Tuesday morning I will be working with the Personnel Committee (and/or Regional Committees) reviewing what we call "green sheets," confidential information on prospective missionary candidates, and after review of the green sheets, we will vote "for" or "against" the missionary candidates brought to us by the Candidate Consultants of the IMB. These missionary candidates have already been through an extensive and exhaustive interview process, and the next to last step before they are appointed is approval by the Personnel Committee.
It is in this Tuesday morning meeting of the Personnel Committee (and/or Regional Committees) that the new policies will go into effect. The Candidate Consultants of the IMB will not bring before our committee anyone who has a "private prayer language" or anyone who has not been baptized in a Southern Baptist Church, or a church that meets certain qualifications including teaching in eternal security.
The IMB plenary session, the time when business is conducted and press and observers are allowed, is not until Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. The Appointment Service will be Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. at Staples Mills Road Baptist Church, 10101 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, VA.
I am looking forward to dinner with fellow trustee Rick Thompson and fellow blogger Marty Duren and his youth pastor Joey. Tuesday night will end with an exciting Appointment Service!
Wednesday morning we will have our closing plenary session beginning at 9:30 and running till 11:30. I will be leaving promptly at 11:30 in order to catch my flight back to Enid and teaching the Wednesday night Bible study. I will post the blog reviewing the day after midnight.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
My prayer is that the trustees of the IMB will focus on world evangelization and missions coordination among all Southern Baptists, and stop focusing on non-essential doctrines that have nothing to do with missions and evangelism.
I really desire for trustees to LET THE STAFF DO THEIR JOB.
Hopefully, we can worship, pray, encourage, support and send some wondeful new missionaries appointed around the world!
I have heard that others intend to seek to reverse the new policies. Though I will not be the person who recommends that the new policies revert back to old policies, or possibly changed to a better set of well-written policies that don't "exclude" fellow conservative Southern Baptists, but rather "includes" all conservative Southern Baptists, if something to that effect is recommended, I will wholeheartedly support it.
I don't think enough trustees have changed their minds about the recently adopted baptism and tongues policies. I have heard from five who have, but since the vote on the policy that forbids missionaries to have a private prayer language was 50 to 15, it would require a larger number than 5 to reverse it.
Since our Board is ultimately held accountable to the entire SBC, I simply want people from across the convention to hear what is going on as it happens.
I apologize that this blog is so long, but the information will help you understand what is upcoming in the next three days.
May God give you a great Sunday and Monday, and I will post next at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning!
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Saturday, January 07, 2006
A Great Quote
As most of you can tell, I love history. On this blog I have quoted people such as Charles Spurgeon, Dr. John Gill, Benjamin Keach, Bertha Smith, and a host of other great Baptists of the past. These men and women are some of our greatest teachers.
It is also always refreshing for me to meet new people in the Southern Baptist Convention and to know there is great wisdom among God's people of our day as well. I have enjoyed reading many different blogs hosted by Southern Baptists, and the comments on this blog and others are sometimes better than the original posts themselves.
On Marty Duren's SBC Outpost, a young man by the name of Tim Sweatman posted a comment, that in my opinion, if taken to heart, would assist in bringing a genuine revival not only to our IMB Board, but to our entire Southern Baptist Convention as a whole.
Tim commented:
I am learning that just because there is objective, universal truth does not mean that my understanding is that truth. Just because I believe in an inerrant, infallible Bible does not mean that I am inerrant or infallible in my interpretation. A strong dose of humility and an even stronger dose of love are needed when we encounter people whose views on certain issues differ from our own.
Bingo!
There we go.
Humility and love are the product of believing in our fallibility of interpreting the infallible Word of God.
Wowser. Enough said --- in any tongue.
Tomorrow I will give you the times and pertinent facts about the IMB Board of Trustees meeting in Richmond, Virginia next Monday through Wednesday. I will be blogging every day from Richmond.
I intend to share my views regarding the meeting and fill you in on the details of what happens, except of course those things that fall under the guidelines and parameters of the confidentiality policies and procedures and Executive Session rules of the IMB.
Otherwise, I intend to blog what I observe around me, my interpretation of the events of the day (remembering that my interpretation can be fallible!), and some interesting conversations that I have with trustees ( of course I will remind them what I am doing before they speak so they may choose to not speak if they wish).
I thank the Lord for the wonderful missionaries, staff, and trustees of the IMB. Frankly, the Lord is doing a great work through everyone involved with the IMB.
I want to give those of you who can't participate in the IMB trustee meeting itself an idea of our work. Some of you may have never been to an IMB meeting before. Hopefully, over the next three days, you will have a better understanding of what it is we do.
Let me reiterate, I will not share anything that violates IMB policies or procedures regarding confidentiality. Period.
But if it isn't being done behind closed doors under the authority of IMB confidentiality policies, you will here about it here.
So . . .
As the old saying goes, "O be careful little tongue what you say, O be careful little ears what you hear, for the blogger up above is looking down in love, so be careful everyone what you do!"
With a smile on my face and a song in my heart,
Because of His Grace,
Wade Burleson
It is also always refreshing for me to meet new people in the Southern Baptist Convention and to know there is great wisdom among God's people of our day as well. I have enjoyed reading many different blogs hosted by Southern Baptists, and the comments on this blog and others are sometimes better than the original posts themselves.
On Marty Duren's SBC Outpost, a young man by the name of Tim Sweatman posted a comment, that in my opinion, if taken to heart, would assist in bringing a genuine revival not only to our IMB Board, but to our entire Southern Baptist Convention as a whole.
Tim commented:
I am learning that just because there is objective, universal truth does not mean that my understanding is that truth. Just because I believe in an inerrant, infallible Bible does not mean that I am inerrant or infallible in my interpretation. A strong dose of humility and an even stronger dose of love are needed when we encounter people whose views on certain issues differ from our own.
Bingo!
There we go.
Humility and love are the product of believing in our fallibility of interpreting the infallible Word of God.
Wowser. Enough said --- in any tongue.
Tomorrow I will give you the times and pertinent facts about the IMB Board of Trustees meeting in Richmond, Virginia next Monday through Wednesday. I will be blogging every day from Richmond.
I intend to share my views regarding the meeting and fill you in on the details of what happens, except of course those things that fall under the guidelines and parameters of the confidentiality policies and procedures and Executive Session rules of the IMB.
Otherwise, I intend to blog what I observe around me, my interpretation of the events of the day (remembering that my interpretation can be fallible!), and some interesting conversations that I have with trustees ( of course I will remind them what I am doing before they speak so they may choose to not speak if they wish).
I thank the Lord for the wonderful missionaries, staff, and trustees of the IMB. Frankly, the Lord is doing a great work through everyone involved with the IMB.
I want to give those of you who can't participate in the IMB trustee meeting itself an idea of our work. Some of you may have never been to an IMB meeting before. Hopefully, over the next three days, you will have a better understanding of what it is we do.
Let me reiterate, I will not share anything that violates IMB policies or procedures regarding confidentiality. Period.
But if it isn't being done behind closed doors under the authority of IMB confidentiality policies, you will here about it here.
So . . .
As the old saying goes, "O be careful little tongue what you say, O be careful little ears what you hear, for the blogger up above is looking down in love, so be careful everyone what you do!"
With a smile on my face and a song in my heart,
Because of His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Friday, January 06, 2006
Tears For Miss Bertha Smith -- Then Cheers!
Miss Bertha Smith (1888-1988) is the shining star for Southern Baptist missions in the 20th century. For forty years Miss Bertha faithfully served the people of China, representing Christ and the Southern Baptist Convention as a missionary of the gospel. Thousands of men and women came to faith in Christ due to Miss Bertha's ministry in China.
In her later years, Miss Bertha became the conscience of Southern Baptists as she challenged those of us in the states to long for genuine revival, the kind she experienced on the field in China. She also called pastors and churches to never neglect their collective duty to support SBC missionaries through prayer and giving.
Those of us who knew Miss Bertha loved to hear her speak of her adventures in China and Taiwan, but we were even more moved to hear her petition the throne of God through prayer in ways that made everyone personally feel the power and presence of God.
In the early part of the last century, right before Miss Bertha was appointed to China, the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention changed the policies that forbad single women from serving on the mission field. As a result of this policy change, Miss Bertha went to China with FMB approval. Thousands of Chinese men and women are in heaven today because of the FMB's willingness to remove the gender/marital restrictions upon missionaries and enlarge the tent.
In 1977 Adrian Rogers proclaimed, “Miss Bertha Smith exemplifies what all of us feel a Southern Baptist missionary ought to be. She has been a blessing to countless thousands.”
Not anymore Dr. Rogers. Miss Bertha no longer exemplifies what a SBC missionary ought to be. In fact, Bertha Smith is now persona non grata among the majority of trustees on the International Mission Board.
You see, Miss Bertha experienced a private prayer language.
The same Board that changed policies decades ago to allow the appointment of Miss Bertha to China, just two months ago, changed the policies in order to disallow a private prayer language among SBC missionaries. According to current candidate consultants of the IMB, only 3% to 5% of all missionaries profess to have a private prayer language. None of those missionaries were allowed under the old policy to speak in tongues publicly or to advocate a private prayer language as the normative experience of the Christian. Yet, under the new policies, a majority of the trustees of the International Mission Board voted to say "no" to Southern Baptists who experienced a private prayer language and desire future appointment to the mission field.
Miss Bertha never taught that tongues was to be the ordinary experience of all believers. She felt private gifts should be kept private.
In effect, the Board is saying to our grand lady of 20th century missions: "Miss Bertha, our Board made a mistake eighty years ago when you were appointed. You were never called by God to be a missionary for the Southern Baptist Convention. You see, Miss Bertha, you experienced a private prayer language, and we can't claim you as a Southern Baptist missionary."
We should all shed tears for Miss Bertha Smith.
We should shed tears when we visit the special exhibit honoring Miss Bertha which is currently on display at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives in the Southern Baptist Convention building in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
We should shed tears when we visit the Southern Baptist theological libraries that are named after Miss Bertha. We should shed tears when we check out and read the three books she wrote. We should shed tears when we purchase the biography written about Miss Bertha by former Southeastern President Dr. Lewis Drummond.
We should shed tears for the new generation of pastors who have never heard of Miss Bertha Smith, and now may never hear of her, because she is no longer considered the model missionary.
How can this happen? The IMB already had excellent policies on the books that specifically stated that those who advocated public "tongues" speaking would be fired. The staff and President of the IMB have strictly enforced this policy throughout the years. However, in the past, the trustees and staff of the IMB never entered into the private prayer closet of SBC missionaries. It was believed that how a missionary prays and worships in private was a matter of conscience and private Scriptural interpretation, and of no concern to the trustees.
Not anymore.
Surely some trustees who sought to drive the new policy change on "private prayer language" did not do so to embarrass Dr. Rankin, who himself has a private prayer language? Surely, a majority of trustees did not blindly follow trustee leadership without personally thinking through the ramifications of such a significant policy change. Surely trustees understand that the new policy did nothing but disown certain people within our convention since the former policy already prohibited the public practice of tongues. Surely not.
If that is not the motivation behind the changes then possibly some trustees do have a serious doctrinal concern about a private prayer language. I don't possess the gift of a private prayer language, but I'm sure not scared of people like Miss Bertha. Neither should you be. We should cooperate with each other.
Further, when I read fellow trustee Dr. Alan McWhite's brilliant letter to all of us, defending people within our convention who interpret Scripture to teach that a private prayer language is of God as having the right to cooperate with us in missions, I have a hard time seeing how we who believe in the inspired Word of God can simply dismiss texts like, "do not forbid speaking in tongues" (I Cor. 14:39)without giving room for various interpretations (as we did for Miss Bertha).
What are we to conclude. If there has been NO BIBLICAL DEFENSE FOR THE CHANGES, then what is propelling them?
Maybe you and others genuinely do not know. With all my heart I believe some do know the real motivation behind the changes, but we can't judge the heart or motive of another.
But before I shed any more tears over Miss Bertha Smith and the recent actions of a majority (not all) of the trustees on the IMB, allow me to express a few cheers as I reread personal anecdotes of Miss Bertha's life and ministry.
Miss Bertha: Woman of Revival by Lewis Drummond (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996) is a paperback book of 292 pages. The following quotes are from the pages enumerated and contain the key on how we can possibly correct a traic mistake within the International Mission Board.
(1). A Strong Belief in the Power of God to Bring About the Needed Change
One close friend of this author was praying with her one day. He was on his knees pleading with the Lord to help him die to himself ... Miss Bertha ... looked him straight in the eye and said, "Young man, you don't have to beg God to help you to die to yourself. You just tell Him and He'll kill you."(p. 248)
(2). An Insistence that Missionaries and Trustees Focus on the Essentials of the Faith and not Fixate on Non-Essentials.
Miss Bertha arrived in China with a good grasp of the evangelical Christian faith. Yet something was lacking ... Even the missionaries themselves - Miss Bertha included - confessed to a need for a deep movement of God in their own lives. (p.4)
(3). Directness, Even Bluntness, to Cut Through Games People Play
Miss Bertha was blunt and frank at times ... Once while she was praying with a very obese preacher, he prayed, "Lord, you know I have a tendency to overeat. "Miss Bertha broke in: "Don't try to fool God, just tell him you are a glutton." (p. 256)
Three cheers for Miss Bertha!
Should the IMB reverse her policies on a "private prayer language?"
“Bertha Smith exemplifies what all of us feel a Southern Baptist missionary ought to be. She has been a blessing to countless thousands"
Thanks Dr. Rogers for the answer to my question.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
In her later years, Miss Bertha became the conscience of Southern Baptists as she challenged those of us in the states to long for genuine revival, the kind she experienced on the field in China. She also called pastors and churches to never neglect their collective duty to support SBC missionaries through prayer and giving.
Those of us who knew Miss Bertha loved to hear her speak of her adventures in China and Taiwan, but we were even more moved to hear her petition the throne of God through prayer in ways that made everyone personally feel the power and presence of God.
In the early part of the last century, right before Miss Bertha was appointed to China, the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention changed the policies that forbad single women from serving on the mission field. As a result of this policy change, Miss Bertha went to China with FMB approval. Thousands of Chinese men and women are in heaven today because of the FMB's willingness to remove the gender/marital restrictions upon missionaries and enlarge the tent.
In 1977 Adrian Rogers proclaimed, “Miss Bertha Smith exemplifies what all of us feel a Southern Baptist missionary ought to be. She has been a blessing to countless thousands.”
Not anymore Dr. Rogers. Miss Bertha no longer exemplifies what a SBC missionary ought to be. In fact, Bertha Smith is now persona non grata among the majority of trustees on the International Mission Board.
You see, Miss Bertha experienced a private prayer language.
The same Board that changed policies decades ago to allow the appointment of Miss Bertha to China, just two months ago, changed the policies in order to disallow a private prayer language among SBC missionaries. According to current candidate consultants of the IMB, only 3% to 5% of all missionaries profess to have a private prayer language. None of those missionaries were allowed under the old policy to speak in tongues publicly or to advocate a private prayer language as the normative experience of the Christian. Yet, under the new policies, a majority of the trustees of the International Mission Board voted to say "no" to Southern Baptists who experienced a private prayer language and desire future appointment to the mission field.
Miss Bertha never taught that tongues was to be the ordinary experience of all believers. She felt private gifts should be kept private.
In effect, the Board is saying to our grand lady of 20th century missions: "Miss Bertha, our Board made a mistake eighty years ago when you were appointed. You were never called by God to be a missionary for the Southern Baptist Convention. You see, Miss Bertha, you experienced a private prayer language, and we can't claim you as a Southern Baptist missionary."
We should all shed tears for Miss Bertha Smith.
We should shed tears when we visit the special exhibit honoring Miss Bertha which is currently on display at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives in the Southern Baptist Convention building in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
We should shed tears when we visit the Southern Baptist theological libraries that are named after Miss Bertha. We should shed tears when we check out and read the three books she wrote. We should shed tears when we purchase the biography written about Miss Bertha by former Southeastern President Dr. Lewis Drummond.
We should shed tears for the new generation of pastors who have never heard of Miss Bertha Smith, and now may never hear of her, because she is no longer considered the model missionary.
How can this happen? The IMB already had excellent policies on the books that specifically stated that those who advocated public "tongues" speaking would be fired. The staff and President of the IMB have strictly enforced this policy throughout the years. However, in the past, the trustees and staff of the IMB never entered into the private prayer closet of SBC missionaries. It was believed that how a missionary prays and worships in private was a matter of conscience and private Scriptural interpretation, and of no concern to the trustees.
Not anymore.
Surely some trustees who sought to drive the new policy change on "private prayer language" did not do so to embarrass Dr. Rankin, who himself has a private prayer language? Surely, a majority of trustees did not blindly follow trustee leadership without personally thinking through the ramifications of such a significant policy change. Surely trustees understand that the new policy did nothing but disown certain people within our convention since the former policy already prohibited the public practice of tongues. Surely not.
If that is not the motivation behind the changes then possibly some trustees do have a serious doctrinal concern about a private prayer language. I don't possess the gift of a private prayer language, but I'm sure not scared of people like Miss Bertha. Neither should you be. We should cooperate with each other.
Further, when I read fellow trustee Dr. Alan McWhite's brilliant letter to all of us, defending people within our convention who interpret Scripture to teach that a private prayer language is of God as having the right to cooperate with us in missions, I have a hard time seeing how we who believe in the inspired Word of God can simply dismiss texts like, "do not forbid speaking in tongues" (I Cor. 14:39)without giving room for various interpretations (as we did for Miss Bertha).
What are we to conclude. If there has been NO BIBLICAL DEFENSE FOR THE CHANGES, then what is propelling them?
Maybe you and others genuinely do not know. With all my heart I believe some do know the real motivation behind the changes, but we can't judge the heart or motive of another.
But before I shed any more tears over Miss Bertha Smith and the recent actions of a majority (not all) of the trustees on the IMB, allow me to express a few cheers as I reread personal anecdotes of Miss Bertha's life and ministry.
Miss Bertha: Woman of Revival by Lewis Drummond (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996) is a paperback book of 292 pages. The following quotes are from the pages enumerated and contain the key on how we can possibly correct a traic mistake within the International Mission Board.
(1). A Strong Belief in the Power of God to Bring About the Needed Change
One close friend of this author was praying with her one day. He was on his knees pleading with the Lord to help him die to himself ... Miss Bertha ... looked him straight in the eye and said, "Young man, you don't have to beg God to help you to die to yourself. You just tell Him and He'll kill you."(p. 248)
(2). An Insistence that Missionaries and Trustees Focus on the Essentials of the Faith and not Fixate on Non-Essentials.
Miss Bertha arrived in China with a good grasp of the evangelical Christian faith. Yet something was lacking ... Even the missionaries themselves - Miss Bertha included - confessed to a need for a deep movement of God in their own lives. (p.4)
(3). Directness, Even Bluntness, to Cut Through Games People Play
Miss Bertha was blunt and frank at times ... Once while she was praying with a very obese preacher, he prayed, "Lord, you know I have a tendency to overeat. "Miss Bertha broke in: "Don't try to fool God, just tell him you are a glutton." (p. 256)
Three cheers for Miss Bertha!
Should the IMB reverse her policies on a "private prayer language?"
“Bertha Smith exemplifies what all of us feel a Southern Baptist missionary ought to be. She has been a blessing to countless thousands"
Thanks Dr. Rogers for the answer to my question.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Bully Baptists vs. Broken Baptists
It's interesting to note how Jesus treated the people to whom He ministered.
He was always gracious, loving and merciful to the broken . . .
And tough as nails to the bullys.
Too often Jesus is pictured as a soft, effeminate leader who spoke quietly and moved about gingerly.
In reality the New Testament portrays Christ as a strong man who took a whip and singlehandly removed the money changers from the Temple courtyard. He never hesitated to take on the Pharisees of His day, and often placed his life in danger seeking to correct what had become religious bigotry and idolatry among the Jews.
The more remarkable aspect of Christ is that this tough, strong, powerful, and charismatic God/man could display such gentleness to the blind beggar, the woman at the well, the lepers and others of His day.
Why the difference in His treatment of people?
I propose Jesus was always soft and gentle to the broken and tough as nails to arrogant bullys who took advantage of their postion to intimidate people.
I recently came across an interesting site that talked about how a person should deal with bullys. The author states:
Bullying occurs in relationships where the balance of power is believed by both parties to be lopsided. When power is equally distributed bullying doesn't occur.
It is fear that keeps people stuck in untenable situations. Bullies act to intimidate. They nurture their advantage by undermining the confidence of the victim.
Often victims tell themselves that there are no acceptable alternatives available. They rule out obvious options while being unable to generate practical alternatives. Being the victim of a bully is an extremely damaging experience.
On the other hand, there are some fundamental truths operating that the victim can use to break the cycle of intimidation:
What we tolerate, we validate. If we allow ourselves to be bullied we are ultimately cooperating with our own abuse. It doesn't matter how much we seethe internally or complain to others, if we allow it to occur we are agreeing that the bullying is a part of this relationship.
More of the same leads to more of the same.Bullying will not end because the bully wakes up one day and decides to turn over a new leaf. Unless you act to break the pattern it will continue.
Bullies don't bully everyone . Bullys will only respect and understand strength and power, and cease their bullying when they know it has no effect.
Today I had interaction with a pastor in need of grace and mercy. Circumstances in his life are leading to a breaking.
Though his moral failure is all over the news in our state, he will only receive from me graciousness, mercy and forgiveness in the midst of his brokenness.
On the other hand, there may be some brethren who, if shown grace and mercy, will only enable them to continue bullying tactics.
The One who showed us both sides of His character should guide us in our understanding of when to use grace and compassion and when to stand with strength and power.
May He give us such wisdom.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
He was always gracious, loving and merciful to the broken . . .
And tough as nails to the bullys.
Too often Jesus is pictured as a soft, effeminate leader who spoke quietly and moved about gingerly.
In reality the New Testament portrays Christ as a strong man who took a whip and singlehandly removed the money changers from the Temple courtyard. He never hesitated to take on the Pharisees of His day, and often placed his life in danger seeking to correct what had become religious bigotry and idolatry among the Jews.
The more remarkable aspect of Christ is that this tough, strong, powerful, and charismatic God/man could display such gentleness to the blind beggar, the woman at the well, the lepers and others of His day.
Why the difference in His treatment of people?
I propose Jesus was always soft and gentle to the broken and tough as nails to arrogant bullys who took advantage of their postion to intimidate people.
I recently came across an interesting site that talked about how a person should deal with bullys. The author states:
Bullying occurs in relationships where the balance of power is believed by both parties to be lopsided. When power is equally distributed bullying doesn't occur.
It is fear that keeps people stuck in untenable situations. Bullies act to intimidate. They nurture their advantage by undermining the confidence of the victim.
Often victims tell themselves that there are no acceptable alternatives available. They rule out obvious options while being unable to generate practical alternatives. Being the victim of a bully is an extremely damaging experience.
On the other hand, there are some fundamental truths operating that the victim can use to break the cycle of intimidation:
What we tolerate, we validate. If we allow ourselves to be bullied we are ultimately cooperating with our own abuse. It doesn't matter how much we seethe internally or complain to others, if we allow it to occur we are agreeing that the bullying is a part of this relationship.
More of the same leads to more of the same.Bullying will not end because the bully wakes up one day and decides to turn over a new leaf. Unless you act to break the pattern it will continue.
Bullies don't bully everyone . Bullys will only respect and understand strength and power, and cease their bullying when they know it has no effect.
Today I had interaction with a pastor in need of grace and mercy. Circumstances in his life are leading to a breaking.
Though his moral failure is all over the news in our state, he will only receive from me graciousness, mercy and forgiveness in the midst of his brokenness.
On the other hand, there may be some brethren who, if shown grace and mercy, will only enable them to continue bullying tactics.
The One who showed us both sides of His character should guide us in our understanding of when to use grace and compassion and when to stand with strength and power.
May He give us such wisdom.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Purifying the SBC
Marty Duren wrote an excellent blog where he quoted extensively from Judge Paul Pressler's book, "A Hill on Which to Die."
The following two paragraphs are a stunning confirmation to me of all I have been saying these last few months:
The Judge says of the Conservative Resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention:
The liberals had said that after the conservatives finished with those who held different views of the nature of the Bible, they would begin attaching the charismatics...They also alleged that conservatives would later attack various other groups until they "purified" every aspect of convention life. They said conservatives wanted to make everybody think just as they do. Such a charge was ludicrous.
[Conservatives leaders] would not turn on charismatics after the battle over biblical authority was won...Charismatic worship and understanding of spiritual gifts is an interpretation of Scripture. That was not our concern. Our concern was the nature of Scripture. (pages 128, 154, 158)
Judge Pressler says that an attack on various groups within the convention by conservatives in order to "purify" the convention in every aspect of convention life would not happen.
Judge Pressler was wrong.
It is happening.
Today it is the charismatics, tomorrow it is the Calvinists.
Today it is "women in ministry," tomorrow it is "elder" rule.
Today it is "eternal security," tomorrow it is "regeneration preceeding faith."
All groups will be purged unless somebody says, "ENOUGH!"
I would suggest that we need to come up with a list of "essential" and "non-essential" doctrines.
We as a convention can agree on the essentials, but we give freedom in the area of "non-essentials."
It's sad when we have to keep lists, but unless something is done we will find the convention no larger than the independent, fundamentalist Baptist church down the street which has a sign in front that says, "An Independent, Fundamental, Premillenial, Landmark, King James Version Only Baptist Church --- All Welcome."
Right.
In His Grace,
Wade
The following two paragraphs are a stunning confirmation to me of all I have been saying these last few months:
The Judge says of the Conservative Resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention:
The liberals had said that after the conservatives finished with those who held different views of the nature of the Bible, they would begin attaching the charismatics...They also alleged that conservatives would later attack various other groups until they "purified" every aspect of convention life. They said conservatives wanted to make everybody think just as they do. Such a charge was ludicrous.
[Conservatives leaders] would not turn on charismatics after the battle over biblical authority was won...Charismatic worship and understanding of spiritual gifts is an interpretation of Scripture. That was not our concern. Our concern was the nature of Scripture. (pages 128, 154, 158)
Judge Pressler says that an attack on various groups within the convention by conservatives in order to "purify" the convention in every aspect of convention life would not happen.
Judge Pressler was wrong.
It is happening.
Today it is the charismatics, tomorrow it is the Calvinists.
Today it is "women in ministry," tomorrow it is "elder" rule.
Today it is "eternal security," tomorrow it is "regeneration preceeding faith."
All groups will be purged unless somebody says, "ENOUGH!"
I would suggest that we need to come up with a list of "essential" and "non-essential" doctrines.
We as a convention can agree on the essentials, but we give freedom in the area of "non-essentials."
It's sad when we have to keep lists, but unless something is done we will find the convention no larger than the independent, fundamentalist Baptist church down the street which has a sign in front that says, "An Independent, Fundamental, Premillenial, Landmark, King James Version Only Baptist Church --- All Welcome."
Right.
In His Grace,
Wade
West Virginia Miners and the International Mission Board
Driving home from Oklahoma City last night, listening to satellite radio, I heard the families of he twelve missing miners singing "How Great Thou Art" on the steps of the Sago Baptist Church, Sago, West Virginia. The families sang this great hymn from the bottom of their hearts because they had just heard reports from the command post that twelve of the thirteen miners had been found alive.
My heart skipped a beat this morning as I heard the television reports that all but one miner had actually died in the mining explosion. I later read on MSN that a fight broke out in the Sago Baptist church as some of those same families members who previously sang to God "How Great Thou Art" sought to attack the mining officials who were reporting that the miners, contrary to initial reports, had actually died.
My mind wandered for just a minutes as I asked myself this question.
Had God lost His greatness in just a few hours?
This is by no means a negative reflection on the families in W.V. that lost loved ones. Those of us who have experienced tragedy recognize that the last thing on a person's mind when they receive mind-numbing news is to sing a hymn. But the West Virginia story is an illustration to us all of how quickly harmony in a church can turn to ugly fighting when we lose our God-centered view of the world.
Is it possible to remember and acknowledge that God is always great and good even if things don't go the way we want? I think it is, because He is.
The lesson for those of us who are wrestling with the future direction of the IMB and the SBC is clear.
Many of us are able to sing from our hearts "How Great Thou Art" when the SBC is filled with leadership who coooperates with all Southern Baptists, when the SBC is focused on reaching the world for Christ with a theology that is both Christ-exalting and biblical, and when people are more passionate about reaching people than playing politics, and when there is a true sense of brotherhood and unity among all of us in the SBC.
BUT WE ALSO OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO SING "How Great Thou Art" when . . .
The SBC is ruled by an oligarchy, the tendency is toward isolationism and exclusion, people play politics more than they passionately pursue lost souls, and we are attacked personally and viciously by people who think we should be quiet.
We must remember, God does not change. He is always great, and He is always good.
On the reverse side, I am sure there are some who read this blog and are very upset that the delicate balance of quiet control of the board of the IMB has been turned upside down. I'm sure that those who have enjoyed the direction of the board the last two years are not real happy with what has happened the last six months. Though I have received tremendous support from many people who have read this blog, there are other people, more than likely, that are very angry with me. Things are not going the way they would like.
Keeping our vision God-centered in everything helps us weather the tough days when things don't go our way.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
My heart skipped a beat this morning as I heard the television reports that all but one miner had actually died in the mining explosion. I later read on MSN that a fight broke out in the Sago Baptist church as some of those same families members who previously sang to God "How Great Thou Art" sought to attack the mining officials who were reporting that the miners, contrary to initial reports, had actually died.
My mind wandered for just a minutes as I asked myself this question.
Had God lost His greatness in just a few hours?
This is by no means a negative reflection on the families in W.V. that lost loved ones. Those of us who have experienced tragedy recognize that the last thing on a person's mind when they receive mind-numbing news is to sing a hymn. But the West Virginia story is an illustration to us all of how quickly harmony in a church can turn to ugly fighting when we lose our God-centered view of the world.
Is it possible to remember and acknowledge that God is always great and good even if things don't go the way we want? I think it is, because He is.
The lesson for those of us who are wrestling with the future direction of the IMB and the SBC is clear.
Many of us are able to sing from our hearts "How Great Thou Art" when the SBC is filled with leadership who coooperates with all Southern Baptists, when the SBC is focused on reaching the world for Christ with a theology that is both Christ-exalting and biblical, and when people are more passionate about reaching people than playing politics, and when there is a true sense of brotherhood and unity among all of us in the SBC.
BUT WE ALSO OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO SING "How Great Thou Art" when . . .
The SBC is ruled by an oligarchy, the tendency is toward isolationism and exclusion, people play politics more than they passionately pursue lost souls, and we are attacked personally and viciously by people who think we should be quiet.
We must remember, God does not change. He is always great, and He is always good.
On the reverse side, I am sure there are some who read this blog and are very upset that the delicate balance of quiet control of the board of the IMB has been turned upside down. I'm sure that those who have enjoyed the direction of the board the last two years are not real happy with what has happened the last six months. Though I have received tremendous support from many people who have read this blog, there are other people, more than likely, that are very angry with me. Things are not going the way they would like.
Keeping our vision God-centered in everything helps us weather the tough days when things don't go our way.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Monday, January 02, 2006
The Cooperative Program Means Cooperation
Pastor Tad Thompson has written an interesting post on his blog entitled The IMB, Baptism, Prayer Languages, Reformed Theology where Tad concludes that the narrowing of the parameters of cooperation within the SBC may eventually lead to even bigger problems in the future.
Tad is a young SBC pastor in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and the son of Dale Thompson, Pastor of FBC, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
It is encouraging to me that the young pastors of our convention are seeing the bigger picture and are not bogged down by the semantics and details of the current issues within the IMB.
I will personally try to keep people focused on the real problem through this blog.
The battle we wage is one for the full participation and cooperation of all conservatives within the SBC in areas of missions and evangelism, even among conservatives who may disagree with each other regarding non-essential doctrinal matters. On the doctrines that are essential to the Christian faith there can be no compromise. But we are fighting against a desire by some that every person within the SBC interpret the Bible the same in non-essential areas of doctrine.
Some conservatives believe in a private prayer language, others do not. Some conservatives believe that the administrator of one's baptism is not an issue in Scripture, other conservatives believe the administrator of the baptism is as important as the baptism itself. Some conservatives are Calvinistic, other conservatives are Arminian.
Believing the Bible to be sacred is not the issue. All conservatives believe in the sacredness of the text.
The issue is one of interpretation and cooperation. Can people and churches who don't see eye to eye on the non-essentials cooperate? It is not my desire to convince fellow conservatives that I am right and they are wrong in the tongues and baptism issue, but rather I am shouting from the mountaintops to anyone who will listen: WE CAN, AND MUST, COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER IN AREAS OF MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE ON THESE TYPES OF ISSUES.
If we don't take a stand against a narrowing of parameters of fellowship and cooperation within the SBC at some point, when does the sectarianism within the convention and ultimate exclusion of fellow conservative believers end?
I have chosen to take a stand on the tongues and baptism issue with the IMB because taking a stand later may be too costly and too personal.
This quote from a world leader 60 year ago is appropriate.
"Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Winston Churchill
There are those who say, "We disagree with each other. You can't be a part of our missions program as a missionary."
I am fighting for the SBC to be able to say the following: "We agree to disagree with each other. But it is a privilege for all of us who are called by God to serve on the mission field."
"We may not agree on the issue of a private prayer language, but we want to cooperate with on another in reaching the world for Christ."
"We may not agree on the issue of the administrator of baptism, but we should cooperate with each other in world missions."
"We may not agree with each other in our soteriology (you may be an Arminian, I may be a Calvinist), but we must cooperate as Southern Baptists."
The issue is cooperation among all conservatives.
It's worth our greatest efforts to battle for cooperation now and not later.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Tad is a young SBC pastor in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and the son of Dale Thompson, Pastor of FBC, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
It is encouraging to me that the young pastors of our convention are seeing the bigger picture and are not bogged down by the semantics and details of the current issues within the IMB.
I will personally try to keep people focused on the real problem through this blog.
The battle we wage is one for the full participation and cooperation of all conservatives within the SBC in areas of missions and evangelism, even among conservatives who may disagree with each other regarding non-essential doctrinal matters. On the doctrines that are essential to the Christian faith there can be no compromise. But we are fighting against a desire by some that every person within the SBC interpret the Bible the same in non-essential areas of doctrine.
Some conservatives believe in a private prayer language, others do not. Some conservatives believe that the administrator of one's baptism is not an issue in Scripture, other conservatives believe the administrator of the baptism is as important as the baptism itself. Some conservatives are Calvinistic, other conservatives are Arminian.
Believing the Bible to be sacred is not the issue. All conservatives believe in the sacredness of the text.
The issue is one of interpretation and cooperation. Can people and churches who don't see eye to eye on the non-essentials cooperate? It is not my desire to convince fellow conservatives that I am right and they are wrong in the tongues and baptism issue, but rather I am shouting from the mountaintops to anyone who will listen: WE CAN, AND MUST, COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER IN AREAS OF MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE ON THESE TYPES OF ISSUES.
If we don't take a stand against a narrowing of parameters of fellowship and cooperation within the SBC at some point, when does the sectarianism within the convention and ultimate exclusion of fellow conservative believers end?
I have chosen to take a stand on the tongues and baptism issue with the IMB because taking a stand later may be too costly and too personal.
This quote from a world leader 60 year ago is appropriate.
"Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Winston Churchill
There are those who say, "We disagree with each other. You can't be a part of our missions program as a missionary."
I am fighting for the SBC to be able to say the following: "We agree to disagree with each other. But it is a privilege for all of us who are called by God to serve on the mission field."
"We may not agree on the issue of a private prayer language, but we want to cooperate with on another in reaching the world for Christ."
"We may not agree on the issue of the administrator of baptism, but we should cooperate with each other in world missions."
"We may not agree with each other in our soteriology (you may be an Arminian, I may be a Calvinist), but we must cooperate as Southern Baptists."
The issue is cooperation among all conservatives.
It's worth our greatest efforts to battle for cooperation now and not later.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Thursday, December 29, 2005
IMB Missionaries: Our Heroes
My wife and I were supposed to be overseas this week at a secret location meeting with missionaries from around the Central Asia region. The conference was designed to encourage our SBC missionaries who are on the field, risking their lives for the cause of Christ in a very dangerous area of the world. Due to scheduling conflicts, we were unable to attend, but our prayers are with the group who has travelled from the states to minister to our SBC missionaries, and our prayers are with the missionaries and their families who live in the Central Asia region. We pray that they have a wonderful week of refreshment and encouragement.
I am absolutely amazed at the work that is taking place in Central Asia. Every missionary in that region has sacrificed so much to take the gospel to the people groups of that part of the world. Every one of the missionaries in this region will go unrecognized by the SBC as a whole due to security concerns, but I can assure you that the missionary personnel on the field make me proud to be a Southern Baptist.
I notice in the stats for this blog that many people from Central Asia are reading the posts.
Allow me to take this opportunity to say to those of you on the mission field in Central Asia and other places around the world.
You are my heroes.
Thank you for being willing to sacrifice so much for the cause of Christ.
I can assure you I will do everything in my power to see that our support of you, both financially and spiritually, will only increase in the future.
Sometimes people who don't know what is taking place within the SBC might think that is is only about "politics" and "power."
I know better. You know better. We are all about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ around the world.
And this involves you, the missionary.
If it weren't for what we can do cooperatively as individual, local Southern Baptist churches, my church, and for that matter, everybody else's church would have no reason to be Southern Baptist. We cooperate to support you.
Again, our prayers are with you.
I will do what I can to insure the Internatational Mission Board focuses on how we can do even better in our support of you.
Cooperation remains the key.
We will try hard to keep all Southern Baptists on the missions playing field. We will do what we can to insure that Southern Baptists who are like minded in the area of missions don't feel disenfranchised.
As we pray for you, you may pray for us on the International Mission Board.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
I am absolutely amazed at the work that is taking place in Central Asia. Every missionary in that region has sacrificed so much to take the gospel to the people groups of that part of the world. Every one of the missionaries in this region will go unrecognized by the SBC as a whole due to security concerns, but I can assure you that the missionary personnel on the field make me proud to be a Southern Baptist.
I notice in the stats for this blog that many people from Central Asia are reading the posts.
Allow me to take this opportunity to say to those of you on the mission field in Central Asia and other places around the world.
You are my heroes.
Thank you for being willing to sacrifice so much for the cause of Christ.
I can assure you I will do everything in my power to see that our support of you, both financially and spiritually, will only increase in the future.
Sometimes people who don't know what is taking place within the SBC might think that is is only about "politics" and "power."
I know better. You know better. We are all about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ around the world.
And this involves you, the missionary.
If it weren't for what we can do cooperatively as individual, local Southern Baptist churches, my church, and for that matter, everybody else's church would have no reason to be Southern Baptist. We cooperate to support you.
Again, our prayers are with you.
I will do what I can to insure the Internatational Mission Board focuses on how we can do even better in our support of you.
Cooperation remains the key.
We will try hard to keep all Southern Baptists on the missions playing field. We will do what we can to insure that Southern Baptists who are like minded in the area of missions don't feel disenfranchised.
As we pray for you, you may pray for us on the International Mission Board.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
A Prophet Amongst Us?
Dr. Timothy George is a highly respected conservative Southern Baptist theologian in the evangelical world.
Over four years ago Dr. George wrote regarding Jimmy Carter's resignation from the SBC, due to what Carter called, "an increasingly narrow conservative direction." The conservative Catholic writer, Richard John Neuhaus, quoted Dr. George in his "First Things" editorial in 2001.
Regardless of what you or I may think of Jimmy Carter or Richard Neuhaus, the words of the highly respected Dr. George seem very prophetic when placed in conjunction with issues we face in the Southern Baptist Convention today. Dr. George's direct quote from "First Things" is printed below and I want to thank Wyman Richardson for pointing this out over at Steve McCoy's Missional Baptist Blog.
"Attention was paid when former President Jimmy Carter, with great reluctance, resigned from the Southern Baptist Convention in protest against what he viewed as its increasingly narrow conservative direction. Technically he did not resign, since he still belongs to an SBC local church where he is very active in teaching Sunday School. But Carter made his point.
Dr. Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School, an SBC conservative in good standing, and one of the more impressive theologians around today, says that some SBC leaders may respond to Carter’s decision with “Good riddance!”
Not Dr. George, however. He thinks Carter has a point well worth making. He writes, “Especially troubling right now are isolationist forces within the denomination, some of whom oppose Baptist efforts even with other evangelicals. Combined with nativist politics and a virulent anti–Catholicism, this movement would actually restrict the missionary and evangelistic outreach at the heart of the Southern Baptist ethos. If left to grow like kudzu, it could reduce the Southern Baptist Convention to a mega–sect.”
Well written Dr. George,
In His grace,
Wade Burleson
Over four years ago Dr. George wrote regarding Jimmy Carter's resignation from the SBC, due to what Carter called, "an increasingly narrow conservative direction." The conservative Catholic writer, Richard John Neuhaus, quoted Dr. George in his "First Things" editorial in 2001.
Regardless of what you or I may think of Jimmy Carter or Richard Neuhaus, the words of the highly respected Dr. George seem very prophetic when placed in conjunction with issues we face in the Southern Baptist Convention today. Dr. George's direct quote from "First Things" is printed below and I want to thank Wyman Richardson for pointing this out over at Steve McCoy's Missional Baptist Blog.
"Attention was paid when former President Jimmy Carter, with great reluctance, resigned from the Southern Baptist Convention in protest against what he viewed as its increasingly narrow conservative direction. Technically he did not resign, since he still belongs to an SBC local church where he is very active in teaching Sunday School. But Carter made his point.
Dr. Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School, an SBC conservative in good standing, and one of the more impressive theologians around today, says that some SBC leaders may respond to Carter’s decision with “Good riddance!”
Not Dr. George, however. He thinks Carter has a point well worth making. He writes, “Especially troubling right now are isolationist forces within the denomination, some of whom oppose Baptist efforts even with other evangelicals. Combined with nativist politics and a virulent anti–Catholicism, this movement would actually restrict the missionary and evangelistic outreach at the heart of the Southern Baptist ethos. If left to grow like kudzu, it could reduce the Southern Baptist Convention to a mega–sect.”
Well written Dr. George,
In His grace,
Wade Burleson
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Stand Up and Be Counted
I have received over 500 emails from people around the country who have expressed a belief that the new policies of the IMB on "tongues" and "baptism" are a mistake, and, as soon as possible, the IMB should revert back to using their former policies in screening missionary candidates (see The Old IMB Policies Compared to the New IMB Policies.
Many asked in their emails, for good reason, that they not be identified publicly. However, I believe it is important that I be able to give some kind of verifiable indication to my fellow trustees of how many across our convention are opposed to the new policies. In the end, I am not trying to convince my fellow trustees that the new policies are not Biblical (though I firmly believe they are not), but to show them that the Cooperative Program works because conservative Christians "cooperate" with each other, and when an entity, like the IMB, starts excluding people who disagree with the new policies from service, a large number of pastors, large churches, and lay people who support the Cooperative Program will be disenfranchised.
For this reason I am asking that everyone who is a Southern Baptist, has read up on the new policies (on this blog or others on the internet), and wishes to be counted in opposition to the new policies, to please sign this post. If you do not have a blog, simply click "other" at the bottom of the comment section and you may sign your name or initials and publish your comment. I will screen all comments before posting.
I am simply ask two things:
(1). You keep your comment on this post to one sentence or less.
(2). You sign your comment with name (or initials) and your place of Southern Baptist Church membership (city and state). You may list your church name if you wish, but that is not necessary.
As always, our spirits should remain gracious.
The principle is worth fighting for, but the people of God, no matter their position, are always worth loving.
Let's see how many sign this post before our next IMB Trustee meeting on January 9th-11th in Richmond, Virginia.
There are not enough votes yet on the IMB Board to revert back to the old policies on baptism and "tongues." In my opinion it is unwise to attempt to do so at the next IMB meeting in January.
However, this blog, simply indicates to those IMB trustees who are in leadership, that it can not, and it will not, be business as usual in the future. The IMB President and staff deserve the respect due their positions, and should always be allowed to speak their true feelings about policy changes to the trustees as a whole.
In His Grace and With Hope of Future Coooperation Among All Conservatives,
Wade Burleson
Many asked in their emails, for good reason, that they not be identified publicly. However, I believe it is important that I be able to give some kind of verifiable indication to my fellow trustees of how many across our convention are opposed to the new policies. In the end, I am not trying to convince my fellow trustees that the new policies are not Biblical (though I firmly believe they are not), but to show them that the Cooperative Program works because conservative Christians "cooperate" with each other, and when an entity, like the IMB, starts excluding people who disagree with the new policies from service, a large number of pastors, large churches, and lay people who support the Cooperative Program will be disenfranchised.
For this reason I am asking that everyone who is a Southern Baptist, has read up on the new policies (on this blog or others on the internet), and wishes to be counted in opposition to the new policies, to please sign this post. If you do not have a blog, simply click "other" at the bottom of the comment section and you may sign your name or initials and publish your comment. I will screen all comments before posting.
I am simply ask two things:
(1). You keep your comment on this post to one sentence or less.
(2). You sign your comment with name (or initials) and your place of Southern Baptist Church membership (city and state). You may list your church name if you wish, but that is not necessary.
As always, our spirits should remain gracious.
The principle is worth fighting for, but the people of God, no matter their position, are always worth loving.
Let's see how many sign this post before our next IMB Trustee meeting on January 9th-11th in Richmond, Virginia.
There are not enough votes yet on the IMB Board to revert back to the old policies on baptism and "tongues." In my opinion it is unwise to attempt to do so at the next IMB meeting in January.
However, this blog, simply indicates to those IMB trustees who are in leadership, that it can not, and it will not, be business as usual in the future. The IMB President and staff deserve the respect due their positions, and should always be allowed to speak their true feelings about policy changes to the trustees as a whole.
In His Grace and With Hope of Future Coooperation Among All Conservatives,
Wade Burleson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)