Thank God For the BMA of America

I grew up in a staunchly conservative Southern Baptist church, where I first heard the gospel and received Christ as my Savior. I was baptized by Doug Riley, a man who was committed to the faithful proclamation of God’s inerrant Word. Many of my heroes in the faith are or were Southern Baptist leaders.

I have benefitted greatly from W. A. Criswell’s heart for the preaching of the Word of God in its perfect entirety. I’ve been inspired to be a more wise and well-equipped leader by Dr. Adrian Rogers. The scholarly works of A. T. Robertson and John Broadus have taught me much about preaching and about the message of the New Testament. I’m thankful also for many of today’s leading Southern Baptists who are holding a firm line on having a strong commitment to an orthodox belief in the Scriptures as God’s inerrant self-revelation.

I must say, however, that in these days, I’m thankful that my particular calling, and God’s providential course for my life has led me in another direction. I’m thankful for the nature and personality of the Baptist Missionary Association of America as a group which can celebrate a moderate amount of diversity but which also has high regard for strong Scriptural parameters of fellowship.

We have our weaknesses. Many of our churches are dying from the disease of traditionalism, unwilling to become culturally relevant ministries. We are also experiencing a “graying” of the ministerial class which, while the elder brethren among us are heroes to be commended, also spells our doom if we do not see a resurgence in young men surrendering their lives to ministry. Further, we sometimes make decisions on a grand scale which are dictated more by the need of the moment than by a long-term strategy for balanced associational health and effectiveness.

Still, my heart is gladdened that these are our issues. Let us quibble over the nature and existence of a Coordinating Council while we all agree on biblical inerrancy. Let us struggle with a more clear denominational identity while the deity of Christ remains unquestioned. And let us challenge traditions which God may no longer be blessing while we take a united stance against the charismatic renewal movement and the “me-ism” of the power and prosperity gospel.

When I was a teenager, I had a t-shirt that said, “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.” I’m afraid that in our day of supercenters and megachurches, we often feel like whipped puppies, seeking a place under the shade of smallness. Why not celebrate our greatnesses instead? Why not celebrate our strong doctrinal heritage, our unified commitment to conservative theology, and our heart of compassion for unreached peoples? And in the process, why don’t we celebrate the accomplishments of God’s Spirit among other (and sometimes larger) groups!

I want revival, renewal, and growth as much as the next Pastor. I’m drawn to the large and the monumental. I’m impressed with the phenomenal growth of certain Bible-believing churches and I believe we ought to seek a massive movement of God among our people. But as we grow, we must be willing to recognize how God is working in our midst and be celebrative of it. I say, thank God for the financial prowess of the Southern Baptist Convention. Thank God for the massive witness given in America’s faithful megachurches. But I also say… thank God for the BMA of America!