1.  What about the fundamentalists?

Answer: Transcend them - they are on the lowest rung of the ladder. They will destroy themselves with their own negatives.

2.  What about the effect they will have on the
     denomination?

Answer: They will break up denominational pride. No one group has all the answers. A monolithic denomination creates the illusion of infallibility and separation.

God works in many ways His wonders to perform--by love--not by coercion and domination. The walls will come tumbling down.

3.  What about or institutions?

Answer: Some will survive - they can't win. They can create confusion - dissension - some hate - but not unity, trust and love.

This movement will hurt some good people, but the denomination will never be the same.
Remember what Jesus said about Herod's temple?
It did not survive.

Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6

4.  When I asked what attitude I should take towards the
     controversy in SBC?

Answer: "Fermentation generates creation" 
(Now we have 11 new seminaries to work with)

5.  At another time when I realized our loss of control
     over the convention, I asked again - "What should I
     do?" 

Answer: "Live it!" In other words - live out what is happening. It can bring a new day - even though the convention splits.

 

Meditation --

You are concerned about the SBC. This is the time of breaking up. God is not pleased with a monolithic convention that controls masses of people. Power politics enter into the situation. Control is then sought by a few greedy individuals who set themselves up as the paragons of virtue, doctrine, and way of life -- God does not work in this manner.

He is seeking individuals who listen to his voice -- not someone who thinks he is the voice of God and should be obeyed.

God has his very own among you who know the difference. Keep going in the direction you are going and God will give you the light you need for further development.

August 2001