2009 SBC Report

Well, I am fresh off a tonsillectomy and a trip to the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention. While the tonsillectomy was dreadful, the convention was somewhat refreshing. Here is a very brief outline of a few noteworthy observations at this years convention to be followed by a more thorough explanation.

1. Johnny Hunt appears to have been somewhat successful in reinvigorating young leadership within the convention. I saw more young pastors and their families than at previous conventions.

2. The Great Commission Resurgence is well on its way. The call issued by the document to restructuring and belt-tightening on the part of State Baptist Conventions was well received and seems to answer the cries of grass roots Southern Baptists.

3. Calvinism is back in a big way in the SBC. Executive Committee President Morris Chapman scorched Calvinists in his address on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Dr.'s Akin and Mohler blasted Chapman's statements at a Baptist21 gathering, during which Akin apologized for Chapman's statements and Mohler suggested recovery treatment for those who were subjected to hearing the speech.

4. Not surprisingly, a lot of SB's are less than pleased with the apparent alliance between Mark Driscoll and some SBC entities. Driscoll is to speak at Southeastern Seminary in the coming months and his association with Lifeway's own Ed Stetzer is well documented. Driscoll was once known as the "cussing preacher" and recently came under fire from Baptist Press for inappropriate sexually explicit language. Several motions were made regarding Dricoll's participation in SBC life; all of which sought to bring an end to Driscoll's influence in SBC life.

5. Don't miss this one. The IMB is short of funds. Not only do we have God called men and women who will not be sent out we have 400 returning short-term missionaries who will not be replaced. This will be the driving force in the restructuring of our state conventions and mission sending entities.

The entirety of the convention can be viewed at SBC.net.