There is an interesting discussion winding it’s way through about six different blogs over the past few days.
I think Marty started it a couple of weeks ago with his vision for the SBC.
Steve then offers his opinion: We don’t need to figure out how to change this gimpy behemoth (SBC). It is the sum of its parts, so we need to focus on changing the parts.
Wade makes the challenge: SBC People MUST Be Involved for the Future of the SBC.
Tim encourages all of us who share a similar vision to take the first step, and that is (show up in) Greensboro.
Paul weighs in – diplomatically – seeing possibilities in both the “lets go to the convention and vote” strategy as well as the “change must come one congregation at a time” approach. (He has a follow-up post here.)
Finally, Kevin shares his ideas for a perfect North American Mission Board.
Like Paul, I see value in both approaches. I have written before that I believe conflict at the national level is a “microcosm of what occurs in churches throughout the country”. It is not reasonable to assume people will behave one way at their home church and have a completely different style of conflict management when at a national meeting.
I’ll go so far as to say managing conflict begins at home. If we want to have a healthy convention, then we need to have healthy congregations. Congregational change begins with changing families. Can we expect a church to be truly missional – or to resolve conflict – if individuals, couples, and families aren’t living an authentic Christian life?
(Can you tell I make my living providing marital therapy?)
Does that mean every one who disagrees with me is a bad parent or has a lousy marriage? Of course not. Disagreement isn’t the problem; inability to resolve conflict in a way that manifests the fruit of the Spirit is the problem. And, yes, I’m willing to go on record saying that anyone who cannot manage to disagree with respect and love has work to do at home.
Whether the SBC remains as it always has, changes into something radically different from what it is today, or disappears altogether is of secondary importance to me.
My primary concern is whether a lost world will recognize our love for one another while we are hashing it out.
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