A Blogger-Filled Day

SEE UPDATE BELOW

It’s 8:45 PM, and I’m recharging in my hotel room, and getting ready to head for the convention center in time to hear Dr. Ed Young, Sr. preach this evening, then to attend the Young Leader’s meeting.

I have had a wonderful day, meeting so real live humans who I have only seen in two-dimensional photos, if at all. I couldn’t begin to list all those whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, so I’ll only mention the one conspicuous by his absence. Although sightings have been reported, I still believe there may be no such person as Art Rogers.

In light of positions I have taken and disagreements I have had with so many, it has been a real treat to experience true fellowship today with so many. I am more thankful for the diversity of opinions within a convention of Christians who are committed to the truth and reliability of the Scriptures. It is a good sign for the future of our convention.

I have been especially blessed by those who have not taken a public part in the discussions here in Blog Town, but who have approached me to express their appreciation for how I have written here and how I have disagreed. That encouragement was not expected, and it has been wonderful.

I don’t know what the next two days will hold. I was told today that registration is only very slightly ahead of last year’s pace. If this is true, then the theory behind the illustration in my post titled The Old Guard may yet prove true. But my experience with those who haven’t been participants may show that, while Blog Town may have relatively few residents, it may have a relatively large influence. Time will tell.

[UPDATE]
Not long after this blogger-filled day started, I had a conversation with IMB trustee and fellow Oklahoma pastor Winston Curtis of Highland Park Baptist Church in Duncan. I also had the privelege of meeting his lovely wife.

Pastor Curtis asked me if I would share a message on my blog to the young leaders of our convention, and his message was essentially this (I am quoting from memory, so it may not be word-for-word): “The conservative resurgence was for you. I love and appreciate your passion, commitment to God’s Word, and desire to see the SBC used of God to increase His Kingdom. My sword is drawn toward no one.”

I had talked with Pastor Curtis on the phone, and had met him previously in Albuquerque. While he has disagreed with many in the blog world, I find him to be sincere, genuine, and quite likeable. I enjoyed seeing him again today, and appreciate his desire to communicate with all of us, though he admits to a lack of technical savvy that prevents him from being an active blogger. He did promise that his wife would be reading, however.

[/UPDATE]