Keeping Our Eye On The Ball

Among SBC circles things have been buzzing. 

The IMB has passed what I consider to be extra-biblical policies.  An IMB trustee (Wade Burleson) is facing removal from the board, and he happens to strongly and publicly oppose the new policies.  Some young leaders who have not been to the SBC Annual Meeting are planning to go to vote to keep Wade in as a Trustee.  This is an important time to work for change in the SBC.

But here's my fear.  We may take our eye off The Ball.  "The Ball" is not Wade Burleson and it's not the IMB and our mission organization.  It's not the upcoming Annual Meeting.  It's the Gospel. 

I'm not going to get into debates on whether supporting Wade or the IMB or whatever is supporting the Gospel.  So please don't go there.  I'm supportive of Wade and believe this is an important time. 

I simply want to encourage everyone who is gripped by this controversy to keep your eyes primarily on your local church, your local community, and the Gospel that has been entrusted to you (2 Tim 1:14).  Satan's joy will come when we exchange the primacy of The Gospel for anything else, even something as important as getting our mission board and convention in order.

Comments

[Kevin]

you are right!

[Marcguyver]

You're a wise man Steve.

Even though I don't know the specifics of which you speak, nor do I affiliate with your denomination, your comments cannot be stated enough. Truly "in-house fighting" that completely absorbs you can be just as detrimental or worse as any new policy or legal mantra that your orginizational leadership is imposing.

[Joe Kennedy]

you bet.

[Jason]

thanks for posting this. It is a great reminder. This has been tremendously sad to see the way of the way of the world run rampant through this issue. I think back to Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 6, "Actually then it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?" I pray that all sides will seek first to follow the ways of the kingdom and act in a way that rightly reflects on Christ and the unity in him that we are supposed to share. Yet at the same time I can't help but believe that the new policies that sparked this failure are unbiblical and I pray that we learn how to correct and admonish each other in love and not have to resort to the ways of the world.

[Nick P.]

Wise words Steve. I guess if we rushed in with some blind fury then we might miss the point and react wrongly. Perhaps that is part of what the trustee board experienced - blind fury.

[myles]

as one from the SBC a long time back, and having come to terms with the SBC, your denomination is in my prayers.