The Motto

I posted a challenge earlier in the week offering lunch to anyone in Greensboro who would tell me, in person, the translation of the motto of the state of North Carolina. I have had no takers.

Their motto is “Esse quam videri,” and it means “To be rather than to seem.”

This motto would be a good one for all of us to apply in our Christian walk. Is it more important to be seen in the right place, with the right folks, doing the right things, or is it more important that we be the right person, the person God intends for us to be, saying and doing the things to which our faith calls us?

In our homes, in our churches, and in our relationships, let us be the hands and feet of Christ, showing His love, and carrying out His commission, rather than seeming to be good people with good intentions.

Madame Secretary and Pork BBQ

After the events described in the previous post, we were priveleged to hear in person from the Secretary of State of the United States, Dr. Condoleeza Rice. I wondered aloud to Jeff Young what would have been the reaction if, at the 1956 Southern Baptist Convention you had told the average messenger that in fifty years a black female Presbyterian would receive multiple standing ovations from this convention. Indeed we have made progress as a society.

Following Dr. Rice, there were reports from Dr. O.S. Hawkins (if you say “O.S.” really fast, it sounds like you’re saying “Wes”), president of GuideStone Financial Resources, and Dr. Phil Roberts, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

These were followed by a stirring message from 1 Kings 9 by Dr. Donald Wilton, pastor of the First Baptist Church at Spartanburg, South Carolina.

I then had some great BBQ (well, as great as pork BBQ can be) with Jeff Young, Alan Cross, John Stickley, and Kevin Bussey. I’m now enjoying some down time, and looking forward to meeting Jeff and Dr. Jerry Corbaley for dinner before heading to this evening’s final session.

Wednesday Morning

I’m listening to Dr. Al Mohler deliver his report for Southern Seminary. A recurring theme of his presentation has been that we live in interesting times.

Evidence of the truth of this is that I’m watching as, on the floor below me, Wade Burleson and Winston Curtis have been for the last ten minutes engaged in an animated and friendly discussion.

Dr. Tom Ascol’s resolution on integrity in church membership was not recommended by the resolutions committee. He was able to get a vote on whether to bring the resolution to the floor for consideration, but the vote failed. It would have required 2/3 voting yes, and it appeared to me that less than 1/3 of the messengers voted yes.

Analysis

For some excellent analysis of yesterday’s events, read this blog. While I don’t agree with all of it, it does provide some excellent cautions, and it is worth your time to read and comment upon.

Dead Battery

My battery is dead. I plan to update the progress of Wade Burleson’s motion as soon as I get back to my hotel.

The First Ballot

FIRST BALLOT RESULT: 9005 votes 44 disallowed

Dr. Frank Page 4546 votes 50.48%
Dr. Ronnie Floyd 2247 votes 24.95%
Dr. Jerry Sutton 2168 votes 24.08%

Wade’s Motion

Wade Burleson’s motion from this morning has been recommended for referral to the International Mission Board by the Committee on Order of Business. They have scheduled this for debate at 7:40 PM tonight. Did I beat Marty?

And the Winner Is…

Live from section 105 of the Greensboro Coliseum, we are listening to the report of the WMU, and anticipating the election of our next president.

I will post a photo when that election is complete, and a more complete report later.

[HT to CW for the photo here]

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]

Random Thoughts

A shot was fired across the bow of the Reformed Baptists by Dick Lincoln, pastor of Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. He was first to preach tonight, and he referenced a doctrine that “teaches that the number of the elect cannot be changed.” He said, “It’s too bad Paul never got that message,” when referring to 1 Corinthians 9:19 and Paul’s expressed desire to “win more people.” He went on to call the doctrine “insidious.”

Johnny Hunt is preaching now. About five minutes into his message, the power in the coliseum went out. It came back quickly, but not all the sound has come back, and I can’t hear him. He is taking occasional little shots at Calvinism, but nothing like what I heard about last year.

I don’t know if there is any significance to this, and Wade, if you’re reading this, you may have a theory: My hotel is very close to a street called “Landmark Center.” I don’t know, but maybe that fits…