Regular readers of this blog know that I am a signatory to the Great Commission Resurgence document. When I signed it, it was about a commitment to put the Gospel and evangelism first in our Southern Baptist Churches. When and why did it become about restructuring the convention, our mission boards, and the way we elect trustees? I stand by my signature, although I will admit to being a bit saddened about what it has become. At the convention there will be a lot of discussion about how to count Cooperative Program money, whether or not we should combine the mission boards, and just what article IX means.

If you fill a room with a few thousand preachers (who talk for a living after all) there are plenty of people who feel the need to be heard. So, I suggest a rule - nobody can speak about the GCR (on the platform or from the floor) unless they share the gospel with three people between now and the time we meet in Louisville. That way we’ll emphasize evangelism in spite of ourselves.

How do we keep speakers accountable? We give em Dr. Reid style witnessing reports which they have to turn- in to the page at the microphone before speaking.