Is It Really Worth It?

October 26th, 2006 | Posted in » Baptist Issues

I finally found time over the past couple days to breeze through blog town and see what’s happening, and I’ve found myself rather upset as a result. Maybe frustrated is a better description… I don’t know. Regardless, here’s the question continually running through my head:

“Is it really worth it?”

In case I’m not clear what I mean by that, it’s quite simple… the fighting, bickering, and debating amongst Baptists over so many issues over the past year (baptismal requirements, private prayer language, Calvinism, “narrowing of parameters”, dueling declarations, “McKissicgate”, etc.) worth it? Are we accomplishing anything God-honoring through these conversations, or are we simply leaving ourselves splintered and divided?

Here’s a few posts that have got me wondering:

Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m not trying to pick on anyone. I just see bickering, argument, debate, and disharmony… all throughout blog town. It’s just downright painful to read it all sometimes.

It makes me wonder… Are we Baptists accomplishing anything, or are we simply running in circles, trying to show ourselves workmen approved by God (2 Tim 2:15), but simply engaging in quarrels of no value (2 Tim 2:14) or foolish and stupid arguments (2 Tim 2:23)? Are we doing more to mess up the SBC than to fix it? Is God honored and glorified by any of this?

I don’t know… maybe I’ve just had a bad week and am in a foul mood, but I can’t shake the question.

So… Is it really worth it?

20 Responses to “Is It Really Worth It?”

  1. By Bryan Riley on Oct 26, 2006

    I just want to say no. It’s not. It is craziness and sad and, well, so human. At the same time, it is human, and God loves us humans for some crazy reason. I think each of us needs to fix our eyes on Jesus and ask ourselves, is my heart in the right place when I [insert whatever activity, including blogging]. For one, the answer may be, yes, I’ve given you a desire to blog, I am asking you to blog, and when you blog you are giving yourself wholly in obedience to me. For another it may be that God is asking him or her to lay down his or her pride, be still before Him, and not blog. I too grow weary of the fighting and can even get prideful thinking I am some how above or beyond it. And then I get mad at myself for being so prideful.

    John, I don’t know the answer to your question, but He does and He can write it on our hearts if we ask Him to do so. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness. Fix your eyes upon Jesus. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and strength. Sigh.

  2. By John on Oct 26, 2006

    Thanks, Bryan… words we would all do well to take to heart.

    Interestingly, when I came to the blog to check out your comment, the random verse generator I have on my blog displayed Luke 9:23: “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

    I thought it was very appropriate given what you’ve shared, Bryan. Pretty awesome how God works!

  3. By Bob Cleveland on Oct 26, 2006

    I think it is. When iron sharpens iron, sparks fly. The old “Be sweet and love Jesus” flies in the face of some of the remarks that Jesus, Himself, made.

    Personally I have learned a LOT and been given the chance to exercise my faith by defending it, more this year than in the prior 15. I’m supposed to be upset about THAT?

    Divisions? If blogging contributes to that, it’s by showing them up, not by causing them. Didja ever think maybe God is behind THAT? We’ve been running on the blood of our ancestors for quite a while, and putting up unity in the form of conformity and a dumbing down to the lowest common experience for too long. I think it’s “get real” time now.

    God will use the fallen nature of man to drive us to authenticity in our faith, when the comfort of a religiously-friendly society has threatened to fulfill a spiritual principle that is so important that God put it in Proverbs TWICE:

    Proverbs 6:10-11: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (NIV)

    This is part of it.

  4. By Wes Kenney on Oct 26, 2006

    John,

    I’m with Bob here. Iron is being sharpened.

    I was talking to Jeff Richard Young today, and we were discussing my post, to which you linked in this one (thanks!). He asked, “How did these things get discussed among pastors and those who are interested five or ten years ago?” His answer, for himself anyway, was that they didn’t.

    We who are participating in these debates have chosen to be forced (contradiction?) to develop our thoughts, clarify our beliefs, and graciously communicate them to others. Some have succeeded better than others regarding graciousness, but we’re doing a pretty good job of policing ungraciousness, and a result of all of this is that we have greater fellowship together, even when we disagree. I doubt I would have uttered ten words the entire week in Greensboro had it not been for blogs.

    Another result is that we’re clearer on where we stand, having been forced to think through things in a way that wasn’t happening before blogging. I think that’s a good thing.

  5. By John on Oct 26, 2006

    I usually tend to guard my emotions pretty carefully, but right now they’re pretty much out there for all to see. Is my tiredness and frustration obvious?

    Anyway, the good of this? Yes… iron sharpens iron. I have been blessed to have had some wonderful experiences because of this… I’ve met some wonderful people, have been part of things I would have never dreamed of a year ago at this time, and I’ve learned a lot. I wouldn’t give any of that up for the world.

    Right now, though? I find myself just flat out tired of this whole thing. I’m tired of negativity… I’m tired of fights (even though I’ve stayed out for the most part)… I’m tired of endless debating over what more and more seem almost trivial issues… I’m just plain tired and frustrated.

    Interesting that now I look up and see the random verse is Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

    Anyway, I’m beginning to think God is trying to tell me something today. Small group should be very interesting here in a couple hours…

  6. By Kevin Bussey on Oct 26, 2006

    I have no problem with Iron-Sharpening, but name calling is not sharpening–it is destroying!

    I’m with you John–is it worth it?

  7. By Bob Cleveland on Oct 26, 2006

    John:

    When you’re down to nothing, God is up to something. When you’re tired of it all, you’re going to have to go on in His strength.

    Kevin: If you’re the one calling names, amen. If you’re the one being called names, you’re in good Company. Jesus got such stuff, too. The only name I pay attention to when I’m called one, is the one God calls me. He trots them out depending on how He thinks I’m doing and I learn from them.

    I cannot tell anyone whether they should be blogging, but I can remind you it’s not what you DO that counts, it’s what GOD does WITH what you do. You won’t know that until you check out of this place, for a better one. Unless God drops a gumdrop in the form of someone telling you how you’ve helped them. Both you guys minister to me, and I’m not an easy guy to minister to.

  8. By Kevin Bussey on Oct 26, 2006

    Bob,

    I appreciate you and your insight. You and most of the bloggers are very positive. But if you look at the links John listed, he has a point. There is a lot of name calling that is just not honoring to God in my opinion.

  9. By Anonymous on Oct 26, 2006

    And the sheep that follow thee shepherds are not sure what to think of our pastors bickering and fussing etc.

    A Sheep

  10. By John on Oct 26, 2006

    Bob…

    Thanks for the kind words and advice. I greatly appreciate the wisdom God leads you to share! I’m also honored to know that what God lays on my heart to write is a blessing to you.

    Kevin…

    This isn’t pointed at you (I know you understand where I’m coming from)… I just want the record clear. Those links contain a wide sampling of things (either in the posts themselves or in comments) that have been getting to me recently. They are not intended to single out anyone… just to point others to something that might help them understand where I’m coming from.

  11. By Kevin Bussey on Oct 26, 2006

    John,

    I know where you are coming from and it is disturbing to me just as much.

  12. By John on Oct 26, 2006

    Anonymous…

    I just noticed that my spam filter was a bit overaggressive and blocked your comment. My apologies!

    I understand your concern completely. Those who have not followed this very closely (and even some who have) are likely to be confused. All of those who have been involved (whether pastors or laypersons like me) really need to be sure we’re adequately explaining this situation and the motivation for our involvement to our local congregations. If we don’t, we leave the door open for the majority of the SBC to believe that the turmoil of the last year is nothing but some big, overblown, theological tiff that has no real relevance to the cause of Christ.

    To be honest, I do question whether that is the case from time to time, particularly when I’m frustrated by behavior of those involved, but I always come back to the glue that holds the SBC together… our cooperative program. If God is allowing this fight to ensure that SBC mission efforts survive and thrive, we should not doubt the importance of this for even a second. Of utmost importance, though, is that we continue to live up to our responsibility to honor God all along the way.

  13. By David Rogers on Oct 27, 2006

    John,

    While I very much appreciate the emotions you are legitimately expressing here, I also think it good to point to the following quote by English philosopher Edmund Burke:

    ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’

    Not meaning to imply that the BoT, or anyone else, is “evil,” but, what if no one ever said anything about these things, and just let them go unchecked? Where would that eventually lead us?

  14. By Bob Cleveland on Oct 27, 2006

    John:

    I just noticed something. You said “I do question whether that is the case … particularly when I’m frustrated by behavior of those involved“. Therein lies the rub.

    That will always be the case, if you look to “those involved” who behave that way, for affirmation, or if you expect to see the results you hope for. I see blogging as a way to share opinions, speak the truth, defend your faith, and a few other things. One of the things you cannot expect is to influence others. Only God can do that, and if He chooses to use what you do in some way you didn’t expect … well … glory to God!

    Actually, I prefer that. When that’s the case, it shows me once again that I am not responsible for the positive results of what I do. God is.

    When I mess up, He shows me plainly. I don’t think that’s the case here. And as Joseph Garlington said, I think God prefers the errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom.

  15. By micah on Oct 27, 2006

    Is it worth it? That’s a good question. I think there is certainly cause for us to call for greater levels of accountability and integrity amongst our leaders. The disagreements we’re having with the IMB is tantamount, in my mind.

    What is not worth it, however, is that lack of love that is evident in many of these discussions. I see a lot of condescending attitudes expressed, not to mention the sarcasm, biting words, mischaracterization, among other things. In those cases, they’re not worth it, not in my mind anyway.

    If we would regularly question oursleves as we go through this process, we would find more humility and less antagonism, I think.

    Thanks for this reminder, John.

  16. By Paul on Oct 27, 2006

    To me discussing issues, and even disagreeing on them, is not frustrating. I think people like Wes, Bob, Kevin, David and others are good examples. I often find myself disagreeing with Wes more than I agree with him, yet we shared lunch together several weeks ago and I respect him.

    It’s the ones who can’t seem to get beyond labeling others, assigning impure motives and so forth that is frustrating. That, to me, isn’t iron sharpening iron but clanging cymbals. In life I’m an optimist, but regarding the SBC I’m pretty cynical, which means I probably contribute to this category too often myself.

  17. By John on Oct 27, 2006

    David…

    Excellent point, one I’ve thought of myself (albeit based on a different quote). It’s one of the things that keeps me interested and involved (even if only in the periphery), even when I feel like abandoning ship.

    All…

    The latter part of my original post is what my frustration seems to boil down to… are we accomplishing anything through this? I wonder if I’m not so frustrated by the negativity of a few that I’m missing out on how God is working amongst the many.

    (Bob, maybe you’ve already addressed this in what you’ve written… maybe we should just trust results to God, knowing that maybe we’ll never see how He is using this, and keep on keeping on…)

  18. By Bob Cleveland on Oct 27, 2006

    John:

    Amen, Bro. Preach on.

  19. By Kevin Stilley on Oct 28, 2006

    John, I have at least three questions on this issue with which I am personally dealing, none of which I have adequately thought through, but I will just throw them out here anyway.

    1. I question whether public forums read by non-Christians are the proper place for Christians to discuss their gripes.

    2. I’m guessing that less than 2% of what I read about SBC “issues” is framed in a manner to really seek God and His Truth. I question whether Christians can consistently absorb all the negativity without being quite negatively effected by it. I think there is a reason why we are instructed that “whatever is true, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, it there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

    3. (I think I will just keep this third question to myself as it would inevitably be misperceived by some.)

    John, I don’t know you well enough to give advice, but I will share with you what I have personally done. I now spend very little time on the “destructive” SBC blogs. As a result, I have found some little out-of-the-mainstream bloggers that I really enjoy reading.

    John, Thanks for sharing your feelings on this. I think there are lots of folks in a similar situation these days.

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