Bad News

Joe and I left a bit early from the convention today.  We had considered leaving early anyway since we couldn't find anything worthwhile on the schedule for Wednesday night.  But it was a phone call from my wife that pressed us to leave.  My grandmother had a massive stroke Tuesday and isn't expected to live long.  So we felt it would be best to head home a little early. 

Oh, and here's what I missed.  Scott Slayton, my dear friend and fellow blogger, quotes Bobby (BOBBAY!) Welch as saying tonight, "Maybe if we spent less time blogging we would spend more time baptizing."

I guess that means that we won't reach 1 million "Everyone Can" brand baptisms by the fall, and now the bloggers are going to be blamed for it.

I hope by the end of the weekend to have a couple more posts up in response to a few things.  We are in a Comfort Inn in Indiana getting ready for bed.  Tomorrow my two oldest boys have their first baseball practice and I hope to be there.

Comments

[Denny Burk]

I look forward to your reflections. I'll be listening for the shofar. (I wonder if he an play "Highway 40 Blues on that thing?)

[Aaron]

Steve,

We will be praying for you and your family. Have a safe trip home tomorrow.

Funny. Someone always has to be blamed. Maybe it was the process or the emphasis? Heard some great comments on the alcohol abstinence at the SEBTS Alumni Luncheon. I thought biblical interpretation was a skill all pastors and seminary leaders were supposed to be good at, but apparently, some still forget, as you so well put it, that the Bible condemns drunkenness, the abuse, and not the use.

[Chris]

Steve,

Good to finally meet you this week. I pray that God grants you safety in your travels and comfort for your family in this time. Thanks for you candor on the resolution today. I guess I have a new oximoron, "The SBC would be great if it weren't for the people."

I suggest a resolution of gluttony for next year!

[Chris]

sorry, its late and mistyped my url

[dan ohlerking]

dude, i'm sorry to hear your grandmother is hurting. glad you're getting to be there for your kids.

i do find it interesting that everyone has something to say about those of us who actually embrace blogging as a means of communication (dare i say even a key part of how to communicate in 2006?). what they don't understand they trash. sad. watching people begin blogging has for me often been a sort of "finally" experience for many of them.

like it or not, it is part of 2006 and part of how our culture is going to be communicated to.

deal with it.

that's my $0.02.

[jason allen]

Steve, so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I pray for you and your family during this time.

[Marty Duren]

I too am sorry to hear about your Grandmother and will be praying for you.

To busy bloggin, eh? Seems that the same argument could be made about any activity including making love to one's wife/husband or being President of the SBC.

[Drew Caperton]

Keep us updated on the status, etc. I will pray.

[Hutch]

The Internet Monk has written the classic piece on the "wretched urgency" that causes Southern Baptists to condemn any activity not directly related to evangelism:

http://www.internetmonk.com/articles/U/urgency.html

[Matt Snowden]

We will be praying for you guys as you travel home.

I am sad about the comments of Bobby Welch. Communicating through blogs has given me a desire to cooperate in baptist life on a level I would never have dreamed of. I'd given up on cooperating. Blogging is a tool of healthy cooperation.

[Laura Beth O'Nan]

Steve, we're praying for your grandmother.

[Chris]

Great to bump into you Steve on Monday AM to briefly say hello. I join others in praying for you family today.

I stayed for the whole shebang and heard the comments last night. The first statement, "Too much time on the web...ought to be witnessing." Then he said, "I'm talking about myself here, etc, etc."
Then the blog comment. Finally, a shot at the old guys, or so he said. "And you old guys, you got that wireless cell phone stuck to your ear like it's a passifier. You need to be winning converts!"

I think he was trying to hit everybody.

He did talk alot about the lad, who had the loaves and fishes. God has a lad was the theme over and over. And he said, "What about the men? Where were they? They were probably too busy trying to get a seat at the leadership table. Watch out, because God's got a lad." I think the point was that the establishment that puts so much priority on the political stuff had better be careful, because God can hand over this convention to a young bunch.

I wasn't too crazy about the sermon, but in fairness, it was more than just a one line shot at bloggers. BTW, it was obvious that he is ready these things, and is listening a little bit.

[Pete Williamson]

sorry to hear about your grandmother, Steve. we'll be praying.

[Reggie]

Steve - I hope and pray all goes well with your grandmother and that God extends his grace and peace to your family - But on another note, it seems that you and all of us in the blogging community will now be responsible for the Great Commission, err, the Welch commission not being fulfilled - If only Jesus would have known blogging would be such a hindrance to the kingdom....

[Laura Beth O'Nan]

Everyone stop leaving comments and start witnessing.

[Tom Bryant]

Praying for your grandmother.

[Kris]

Laura said:
"Everyone stop leaving comments and start witnessing."

ROTFL

I think "Bobbay'" is frustrated. Excluding the ignorant or pure stupidity of the "use of alcohol" resolution, I think we have begun to see the 'good ole boys' network starting to crack because of the many that voted in a 'darkhorse' for SBC President.

Make no mistake about it; blogging has brought issues concerning SBC directions and leadership regarding Christ's church to the forefront which has naturally evolved into the networking of like minds.

However let us all be humbled and not let this tool turn into a tool of division over "trivial" things between the like minds who have used it. Those who are in Christ still reside in our corruptable flesh and can be decieved just as easily as some of the 'good ole boys' have.

[Steve McCoy]

I'm home. Woohoo!

As to blogging and Bobbay: I get that he tried to cover all his bases. But let's be honest, cell phones on the ears of older guys is not much of a problem. If anyone is guilty of using cells too much it's younger guys...again. The blogging thing is a hot-button issue. Sizzling. Cell phones? Not so much. It was a way of appearing fair.

Laura Beth, beautifully stated.

As to Grandma: Last word is she is no longer able to speak and is sudated since she keeps trying to get out of bed when only one side of her body works. They say it could be a day or weeks. Thanks so much for praying all.

[Laura Beth O'Nan]

May God's rich grace and unmatched comfort be with your Grandma and your family.

[Keith]

Best wishes for your grandmother and family.

[Jason]

Will certainly be praying for you and yours. Thanks for the updates from the conference. Nice to know that there are people like you out there.

[micah]

Steve, I will be praying for your grandmother. I am very sorry for you guys, I know it must be a little rough.

On a positive note, it was good to meet you and Joe in G-boro. Overall I thought things went well, but the comment by Bobby on Wed. night hacked me off. The straw man argument that correlates blogging=no evangelistic passion is so weak, it's almost laughable. On a side not, however, John Stickley reminded me that there are 16 million SBC'ers, 13,000 of which were in G-boro. Out of that bunch there are less than 50 SBC bloggers who are widely read. Isn't it interesting that this minute little group continues to be recognized on the floor of the convention, in the Presidential press conference, in Time magazine, etc.? That encourages me, to be honest.

Finally, I understand your need to leave early on Wednesday, but dude, you missed the shofar! John made a comment about it, and I thought he was joking b/c my back was turned to the stage. I turned around and there he was, blowing away. I almost cried I was laughing so hard. We tried to get pics, but they didn't come out well. I wish you could have been there.

[Steve McCoy]

Micah, I didn't know the shofar was there! HAHAHA! Has anyone blogged on it?

[Alan Cross]

Steve, it was great to meet you and Joe Wednesday afternoon. Your family and your grandmother are in my prayers (not just saying that - I really did pray).

[Kiki]

Steve,

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. We are praying for her and your family.

It was great to get to meet you in Greensboro. Keep bloggin. I appreciate your insights.

[Spence]

Praying for your family!

[Brad R]

Maybe if they spent less time debating extra-biblical legalistic proclaimations, they would have more time to blog.

Sorry to hear about your g'ma. Will be praying.

[John Mark]

I do enjoy reading your blog and overall surfing through the blogosphere, but I do hate the tone that so many bloggers have as exhibited here and elsewhere.
My concern is the lack of respect that younger people have towards the leadership of the SBC. You do not have to agree with every sentence in order to show respect. The former SBC president has done some great work in the past two years. Bobby Welch has traveled more extensively and encouraged pastors and churches to work doing evangelism than any president in the past (at least since '79). Plus, he preached Wednesday night. Regardless if he doesn't hold to reformed theology, he's not an arminian or a heretic. His sermon was encouraging.
Where does the spirit of unity come into consideration for local automous churches? Our goal in the SBC is economic strength to send out more missionaries and plant more churches. What is the goal for blogging about all of these issues? What do you seek to gain?
I do commend Laura Beth on her comments above about Dr. Welch's sermon.
I simply ask for you and all bloggers to show respect and be considerate in your disagreement.
I truly do enjoy reading your blog and especially viewing the catchy Phriday is for Photos.