Tennessee Baptists say "NO!" to name change for the Southern Baptist Convention by Peter Lumpkins

I love Tennessee. I ought to. I--along with eleven brothers and sisters--was raised in the sleepy little county of Middle Tennessee known as Lawrence. Our official address was Leoma, but we all knew we were from Dunn--or even more precise, Coon Creek Hollow  >>>

I was born in Tennessee, raised in Tennessee, married in Tennessee, became a father in Tennessee, saved in Tennessee (and before that, I unhappily and ashamedly was first drunk in Tennessee), called to preach in Tennessee, and pastored in Tennessee. So, I love Tennessee. And, I love Tennessee Baptists.

I am also elated that Tennessee Baptists became the first Southern Baptist state convention to go on official record denying the trendy suggestion that identifying ones self as "Southern Baptist"--whether a church or a denomination--is a hindrance to gospel effectiveness. At the 2011 Tennessee Baptist Convention, the messengers passed a strong resolution opposing the "task force" SBC president Bryant Wright unwisely, unilaterally, and without appropriate constitutional authority appointed to "study" the question on a name change for Southern Baptists.

Below is the full version of the 2011 Resolution passed by Tennessee Baptists:

Resolution on SBC Presidential Task Force

Considering a Name Change

of the

Southern Baptist Convention 

WHEREAS, it has been argued that keeping the name Southern Baptist Convention could cause harm to our missionary efforts worldwide; and 

WHEREAS, the President of the Southern Baptist Convention appointed a task force to study a name change for the Southern Baptist Convention; and 

WHEREAS, messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention have repeatedly turned away such proposals; and 

WHEREAS, the name Southern Baptist Convention is recognized worldwide as a convention of churches partnering together for "One Sacred Effort, the Propagation of the Gospel;" and 

WHEREAS, the costs associated with such a name change could be used for things that relate more closely to our task of winning the lost to Christ; and 

WHEREAS, many costs associated with such a name change would be borne by the churches associated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention; and 

WHEREAS, there may also be other unanticipated negative consequences of such a name change. 

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that we, the messengers of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, meeting at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, TN, November 15-16, 2011, support retaining the historic name "Southern Baptist Convention" and oppose any change to such name; and 

Be it further RESOLVED, that we ask the President of the Southern Baptist Convention to cease the work of the task force; and 

Be if finally RESOLVED, that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to each member of the SBC presidential task force, the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the members of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention

Thank you Tennessee Baptists.

From my standpoint, the TBC resolution indicates an omen to Bryant Wright's "study" committee. Southern Baptists are simply not going to fall over like nervous Billy-goats while denominational elites attempt to make decisions from the top down for all Southern Baptists.

Nor may we overlook the precise location from which this resolution came. The resolution came from Tennessee Baptists as they were gathered in metropolitan Nashville where arguably the strongest influence for name change is located. Lifeway's Thom Rainer is obviously behind much of the name change energy, as is Jon Akin, pastor of a Lebanon church*. In addition, Jimmy Draper, chair of the "task force" for name change also has deep roots there as does Ed Stetzer who is lead pastor of a church plant a few miles from the convention host, Hendersonville First Baptist Church.

Hence, the way I see it, the TBC just dashed a bucket of ice down name change advocates' back.

With that, I am...

Peter

*Baptist & Reflector recently ran a story on Akin and his Baptist21 website, an article including Akin's positive push for name change (11/09/11), a pre-convention article which may have offered strategical leverage for name change advocates (no implications should be assumed toward The Baptist & Reflector, however) 

Comments

[volfan007]

We had a great TBC this year. It was outstanding and inspiring.

Peter, like you, I was born in TN, raised in TN, saved in TN, called to preach in TN, preached my first sermon in TN, pastored my first church in TN, and even now, pastor a church in TN.

I love this state....my roots run deep. My Dads family is also from Middle TN...Wayne Co. ....which is really close to Lawrence Co., Peter..as I'm sure you know....

TN is a great state to live in....beautiful state. And, I had the privilege to vote for this resolution.

David

[peter lumpkins]

David,

Great brother. Yes, I used to hang out in Waynesboro some. I loved going from L'burg to Waynesboro on old Hwy 64. There were about three good curves the old 63 Chevy, 327, 4Speed, was a hoot to take.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Mary]

I have visited Tennessee.

[Jack Wolford]

Peter Lumpkins has almost written the perfect Country Baptist song and would be except there is nothing about Mama, a Train or Prison. Try to finish it Peter.

[Rick Patrick]

In response, President Wright has formed a Task Force, which will pay its own expenses of course, to advise him on whether or not he should pursue renaming the entire state of Tennessee. (It's far too long, sounds too Native American and possesses too many e's in it to make a good hangman word.)

To suggest a new name for the state, simply go to the website www.baptistsdontliketopdownleadership.com.

[Jordan Hall]

Peter,

My Southern Baptist Church in Montana is planting a Southern Baptist Church on an Indian Reservation across the state line in North Dakota. Being a proud and intelligent people, when it comes time to discuss with them denominational affiliation (they would prefer to affiliate with an ecumenical Indian-only organization) and given your certainty on this issue, would you care coming and explaining to them why it makes sense for them to be "Southern" Baptists?

[peter lumpkins]

Jordan

Not sure if you're only being facetious or what. If they prefer an ecumenical Indian-only organization, why are you there? They apparently have little regard for the exclusivity being Baptist means much less being Southern Baptist. Hence, I'd begin by convincing them about what it means to be Baptist.

With that, I am...
Peter

[volfan007]

Jordan,

I'm with Peter. It sounds like they've have a problem with whatever name the SBC was, unless it was "American Indian Convention." Or, better yet, and I'm not sure what tribe they are, but from what you said, they'd probably not be happy unless they were the "Cheyenne Amercian Indian Convention" if they're Cheyenne.

Dude, just explain to them about the BFM2K and about our mission activity....see if they'd like to be a part of that...maybe?

David

[CASEY]

thanks TENNESSEE BAPTISTS for STANDING STRONG. MISSOURI BAPTISTS missed a great opportunity on the """GCR""" this year!

[A. Price]

Thanks for that post Casey! I was think'n the same thing! But, then you know who's in 'charge' now, in MBC! Sad!