Since shutting down his blog in August, Robin Foster has focused his blogging energies on our joint venture, along with Joe Stewart and Tim Rogers, at SBC Today. That blog has an intentional focus on Baptist distinctives, with occasional commentary on the issues of the day in SBC life. Having met our quota for the week in that latter category, Robin asked me to post his analysis here on my blog, and I’m happy to oblige.
Okay, the man has been censured and suspended. The looming question that should be asked is, “What’s next?”
Wade has stated (here and here) what his future actions will be:
* My wife and I will gladly pay our own way to International Mission Board meetings
* I will continue blogging about IMB trustee meetings
* I … will continue to publicly dissent, when appropriate, if there are IMB policies implemented, guidelines approved, or actions taken that either violate Scripture, Baptist principles, or Christian charity,
* I will be present and voting at all plenary and executive session board meetings
It seems that Mr Burleson will not submit to the actions of the board’s censuring and suspension of him. Therefore, I was wondering what the BoTs could do in light of these statements by Mr. Burleson assuming he carries these actions out. Some possibilities:
1. The Board could offer another censure, suspend him until the convention at Indianapolis and bring a motion to the floor for his removal as a trustee.
2. The Board could offer another censure and suspend him for the remainder of his time on the board.
3. The Board could do the first or second option in conjunction with forcibly removing him from the meetings he is suspended from. I would not suggest this action to the board (for that matter, I strongly caution Wade from showing up to the board meetings) for the simple fact that it could lead to a SBC version of, “Don’t Taze Me Bro.”
4. The Board simply could ignore him, don’t count his vote in the suspended meetings and the convention not renew his nomination to the board when that time comes.
I would hope that all four factors would not occur. I would hate the thought of those close to him witnessing him being escorted out of a meeting. That is not something they should experience. I would also hate to see the talents of Wade wasted due to his continued defiance of the board.
Here is what I believe all in the SBC should be praying to occur.
1. I pray that Wade does, in his own final actions, abide by the decision of the board.
2. I pray that reconciliation occurs between Wade and the Board of Trustees.
3. I pray that Wade is able to finish out his current term as trustee and that God will be glorified by his service.
It is very probable that Wes Kenney and I will see Wade next week at annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, as Wade will serve as parliamentarian. Please be in prayer as our state convention meets.
on Nov 9th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Robin & Wes,
I’m here to tell you the next step in this evolution is ‘Star Child’!
BTW…see you guys at the BGCO meeting next week. Maybe we can also get an unapologetic affront from Benjamin.
Sola Gratia!
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 8:40 am
I’ve got a great idea!
Burn him at the stake, like they did Zwingli! That’ll teach him.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Dear Jasonk,
I believe Ulrich Zwingli was killed in battle defending Zurich.
(Not that I don’t appreciate what you man by your comment.)
Love in Christ,
Jeff
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 9:50 am
boy, first wade is martin luther….then calvin…then rosa parks….now, he’s zwingli….lol.
this is getting so absurd that it’s funny.
david
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 10:52 am
vol,
Rosa Parks, how could I forget Rosa Parks. That’s another one to add to my list over at my blog. But my favorite is still Patrick Henry.
Sola Gratia!
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Jason
The fact of the matter is that the action has taken place. I am not jumping for glee over the whole situation. The point of the post is to show where this could head without reconciliation. I am praying for reconciliation.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 11:23 am
DANG IT! I really thought they burned Zwingli at the stake. Well that just stinks. Oh well, as long as your enemies get killed, I guess that all that really matters.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 11:28 am
David,
Don’t forget he is the apostle Paul too.
Ron P.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
You guys don’t even want to know the analogies I would use for you guys.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Why is it that a positive post can be done, one that emphasizes reconcilation between Wade and the BoT, one that prays that Wade not experience more censure or even dismissal, and his supporters still post disparaging remarks against those who disagree with Wade’s actions?
It is commendable that Robin took the time to write this post. Everyone knows that many are preparing for tomorrow’s worship and sermons, and following that, their state convention.
I am sure Robin is as busy as any of the other pastors out there in blog land. He is been the subject of some unfavorable comments in blog land, and yet he sees the bigger picture, the one that is more glorifying to God, and he is still maligned and mistreated.
Robin is a big man with a big heart. His gracious attitude in this is good to see. His desire that reconcilation occur, that Wade continue to serve on the board, and this be put to rest is an encouragment to me that things can be worked out and the mission will go forward.
My prayer is that all of us learn to look beyond the person making the comments and see what is really being said. To stop seeing who it is that is posting and automatically presume that this is some sort of underhanded attack or negative post about the person they support.
Thank you Robin for doing the right thing, for seeing the bigger picture, the one that is best for everyone, the one that brings glory and honor to God, and for taking the time to share your picture with others so that they too can focus on what is best and seek God’s will in this.
God Bless,
Trish
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Why is it that a positive post can be done, one that emphasizes reconcilation between Wade and the BoT, one that prays that Wade not experience more censure or even dismissal, and his supporters still post disparaging remarks against those who disagree with Wade’s actions?
Trish: I think you realize this is a silly statement. At least I hope so.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Trish,
Thanks again for reminding us to try to see the good and continue to hope for the best. We need more voices like yours in blogland!
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Debbie,
No, I do not see that my statement is silly, I think it is quite sincere. Can you please elaborate as to why you believe I posted a silly statement and that I should know that it is a silly statement? It is apparent to you that I am not seeing things correctly. I am trying to learn and understand. Your perspective as to what is wrong with my statement may benefit my understanding. Thanks
Katie,
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, they are truly appreciated.
Trish
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Trish,
I agree. But that is what the BOT wants as well. It clearly, as in the letter of censure states, is their desire for Biblical repentance which will bring about true and Biblical reconciliation. I believe that is the desire of many of us “establishment” people.
Unfortunately, the “irenic” ones appear to have wanted this, even orchestrated parts of it, at least if the analogy of Br’er Rabbit that is being used by some is correct.
Despite the protestations to the contrary, the reconciliation, by all appearances, is and has been only one sided – by the BOT.
Ron P.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Ron P,
Thank you for pointing out my omission, for failing to acknowledge the BoT also desires reconciliation. I apologize for neglecting to mention that others desire reconciliation, a peaceful resolution to this situation.
Trish
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Trish
I don’t know if I am deserving of your kind and graceful comments. Whatever I am that is deserving of your comments is only because of the Grace of God. Thanks.
I truly hope that reconciliation can occur. That was the point of this post.
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
For some reason I read the site’s disclaimer. It gave me the only laugh I’ve had in blogland in several days and seems to be a very practical one.
I even enjoyed the post–probably because I too like to speculate over what might happen in the next few weeks/months.
Along this line, I see no way that the board will not censure Wade again. Once they have started along this road, they just can’t let him “get away with” continuing to behave in the way he has said he will behave. Wade perceives that he is pushing for openness (and some shifts in the rules) and is willing to take his hits. The end result will be a vote by the convention on removing him. If I am at the convention, the attitude that shapes my vote might be, “I really like to hear what goes on. BoT, learn to live with that–or get out of the kitchen.”
While reconciliation would be neat, this is really a small part of the overall struggle for openness, transparency, and accountability that is underway in the SBC. It will play out and we may find out who is in charge–the convention or various individuals who don’t feel overly obligated to be held accountable to the convention.
Humorously, it is supposed to be impossible for the entities to break away from the convention–if the CR lawyers were any good.
Bennett Willis
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Trish,
You have hit (by accident, I’am sure) on one of the major problems in SBC life as to why churches are in such a mess as well as the nuts on the IMB trustee board.
Too many preachers wait untill Saturday night to prepare for the Sunday morning sermon. People are not getting fed what they need to live and are sickly because they are eating half baked sermons with too little meat in them. It is making our people anemic.
Maybe the reason so many of our trustees think with little anemic brains is because they are not eating the Word enough for themselves or their people and just do not have the spiritual stamina to be trustees of a mission board. Saturday micro-wave sermons are harmful to one’s spiritual health.
Thanks for the thought.
cb
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
cb,
just because your team lost in football today doesn’t mean you get to come in here and pick on poor little ol me and the rest of God’s kingdom. If you need to kick something, go outside and kick the tree, you do have those in Alabama, don’t you?
I guess I should be glad that I get something right every now and again, even if it must be by accident.
Trish
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Trish,
The subject of the SABANATION is really mean for you to use against me at this time. There are two very serious things in the SABANATION: football and Baptist.
At this moment football is a true agony to all of us here. We do not have enough water. Georgia is suing us over what little water we do have. One of our B-B-Q places just went national which will lower the quality of our food. Gas is over $3.00 a gallon. Milk is over $4.50 a gallon. Coke is going up a dime a bottle. We have players on probation for textbook violations for goodness sakes. What do they expect those kids to do, read those books? We got beat last week by swamp-rats and now, today, by rednecks that were not good enough to play for AUBURN or GEORGIA. We never miss church down here, we never lie and no alcohol is used for anything in the SABANATION except for medicine. What have we done to deserve this?
Now, you want me to kick my trees? Trish, if things don’t get better we may be eatin’ the leaves off those trees and using the timber for heat if gas keeps going up. I may have to build me a goat wagon out of one of those trees to visit sick folks in the hospital. You leave my trees alone. And show a little mercy to me in my time of grief.
cb
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Ok cb, you don’t have to kick the trees, you probably couldn’t see them anyway with all those tears in your eyes right now. With the way you talk about inflation down there, can you afford a box of tissues to wipe them tears away, or do you need to collect those tears in a bottle so you can have something to drink when all the water is gone?
I’ll leave you alone about your football, but first I have to let you know that I have a friend who is in alum of Miss St and he is in a much better mood then you are right now, I think he used the word “incredulous” in his text!
May your team play better next week and win. Thanks for the laughs, it was a nice break from working on a Greek translation assignment!
Trish
P.S. I didn’t know they expected football players to know how to read?
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on Nov 10th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
hey cb,
the vols ate barbequed hog today! suuuuuuueeeee, pig, suuuuuuuuuueeeeeeee
and then, we barbequed him. tasted good.
david
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on Nov 11th, 2007 at 7:35 am
I went to SABA NATION once. It’s rugged, rocky, lonesome (it sits in the Caribbean about 30 miles South of St. Maarten), has no recreation areas, and isn’t a fun place to be except it’s attractive and homey.
Hmm … I’m beginning to see the rationale behind SABANATION.
I’m a total loser, I guess. I’m a Pentecostal Calvinist in a Baptist Church, and an Alabaman who doesn’t like football.
My dog likes me, at least, but he’s dead.
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on Nov 11th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Bob,
Are you packed for the trip north? It was kinda cool while I was there this past week.
cb
P.S. I like you even if you are the only person living in the SABANATION that does not worship football.
cb
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on Nov 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
CB,
Electric toothbrush and all.
Fess up .. are you the one who sent me a golden football with gold feet and all?
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on Nov 12th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Robin,
Well said
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on Nov 12th, 2007 at 10:27 am
I disagree with the decision to censure Wade Burleson, and do not think it was warranted. However, I have to commend you for a well-reasoned response and set of prayer concerns. I join with you in this prayer.
John Fariss
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on Nov 14th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
All of you seem to know each other rather well. You seem to enjoy visiting with each other.
I for one would hate to see Wade cave in from the pressure of IMB trustees or any other individual/group. I am delighted that he is willing to lay self, family, and ministry on the line for his convictions. My wife and I are praying for Him.
I was wondering … how much does it cost to have a IMB trustee meeting (total)? How do these people have enough time to do their day jobs?
I eagerly wait for little Ben to come forth with Part II.
Troy
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