Author archive - Wes Kenney

Autonomy and Conscience

I am convinced that, while opposition to the International Mission Board (IMB) policies regarding glossolalia and baptism may be warranted, the argument should not be made on the basis of church autonomy. Because a church is autonomous does not mean it is correct in what it believes and teaches. A doctrinally aberrant autonomous church is free to send out all the missionaries it wants, but if it wants those missionaries to be compensated by the gifts of all cooperating Southern Baptist churches, then there must be some level of doctrinal accountability. I know what you're thinking: "We have the Baptist Faith & Message (BF&M), and these new policies go beyond it." Yes, they do. But so, arguably, does the IMB's divorce restriction, and prudently so. This is not an infringement on the church's right to call a divorced and re-married pastor, even if they wouldn't allow that pastor to serve on the mission field under IMB auspices. Those disaffected by the conservative resurgence in the convention make a similar argument with regard to the requirement for missionaries and seminary professors to agree not to contradict the BF&M in their work. They call it a violation of conscience. Nonsense. If they want to receive their salaries from the gifts of Southern Baptists, it is no violation of anything to require that they not actively work against the statement of commonly held faith adopted by those Southern Baptists in convention. Just as a church is free to cooperate or not by it's autonomous decision, so is a missionary or professor free to seek out avenues of service that are more in keeping with the dictates of their conscience. Isn't freedom grand?

Evangelism Conference

I'm looking forward to a nice break from routine and a healthy dose of conviction and challenge as well as my family and I attend the Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference the next two days. I always enjoy attending this conference, and sometimes I actually enjoy the conference itself (some years are better than others). But it will be a chance to slow down a bit and catch up with friends I haven't seen lately. And with Malcom McDow, Ken Whitten, Johnny Hunt and Jimmy Draper on the program, it should be worth the trip. I will be keeping up with this page (not that anyone reads it) thanks to the wireless access so graciously provided by the First Baptist Church of Moore, which is hosting the conference. Why don't all churches (and houses, for that matter) have this? Our church averages 60 in Sunday school, and we have it! Just my little contribution to my ideal world...

Perspective

After absorbing everything available in various blogs concerning the IMB controversy, I find myself fascinated with the debate, especially the baptism issue. There is some good thinking going on, and I'm being challenged in a way that can only be good. Today, however was a bit of a break for me, as I attended a funeral at the church where I served as youth & music minister before moving to my present ministry last October. It was for two students who were killed in an automobile accident last Friday. One was a member of my youth group there, one was not, but I knew them both. It was good to see old friends, but obviously a difficult time. It reminded me that the things we are debating, as brothers and sisters in Christ, thankfully don't matter much to these students, whom I look forward to seeing again on that Day. The time is indeed short, whether due to a speeding truck or our Lord's return. As we debate the peripherals, let's not lose focus on the One who said, "You shall be My witnesses."

BGCO comes out against debate

The following quote is part of a larger statement posted today on the BGCO's website:

Oklahoma City, OK -- January 20, 2006 - "It is unfortunate that actions by trustees of the International Mission Board (IMB) have expanded to such a broad public forum. It is our prayer that the Lord will bring peace and harmony to the situation," said Anthony L. Jordan, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

So, while the actions are not unfortunate, the resulting debate is? Interesting...