CO-CHAIR THOUGHTS FROM DEAN DICKENS
The “Donald Duck Syndrome”

Could we learn anything from 19-yearold Jimmy McGriff?

Since age two, Floridian Jimmy talked like the cartoon character Donald Duck. His family finally wondered if it was less than cute. Interesting enough, despite the fact that he has been through numerous medical treatments, doctors concluded he is no longer capable of speaking in a normal voice.

When I stop to think about the differences between our recent Texas Baptists Committed convocation in Fort Worth and the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans, it made me wonder if somebody hasn’t been talking like Disney characters too long.

Now, please do not misunderstand me, I want my Jewish friends to know Jesus, my finest Friend. But we don’t witness too well in resolutions. I believe in the finest of Biblical family values, but Mickey and Donald never hurt anybody. For some reason, I felt I had to go around apologetically explaining to my (often snickering) friends that I did not go to the New Orleans convention and wasn’t too happy with those who did.

Perhaps some folks have been talking like Donald Duck so long that… well, you get the point.

That is not the way it happened at our convocation in Fort Worth. If we were not lifted up in the powerful singing of Cynthia Clawson, we were enthralled at the insights of our speakers. The speakers caused us to focus on things that are significant and empowering to Baptists. They told us of strong churches, biblical authority, social involvement and the final Authority in Christ. I don’t think anyone needed to apologize for anything said or done there.

It was like things used to be back before somebody decided to talk like Donald Duck. Sometimes we wonder if there will ever be any normal talk again.

Is it the “Donald Duck Syndrome” or the “Jimmy McGriff Syndrome” or the “Baptist Syndrome”?

We’d better find out soon, because that kind of talk makes it really suspicious when we do try to engage in a loving witness and a Christian lifestyle after our conventions are finished.

August 1996