J.D. Greear, the President of the Southern Baptist Convention since 2018, was voted the worst Christian of the year in 2019. Greear pastors The Summit Church in North Carolina, one of Outreach Magazine’s Fastest Growing Churches in America. As many pastors can probably relate to, not everyone in his congregation is without displeasure about something he may have done, said, or preached on. Many can also relate as well, that with the emergence of social media and everyone offering their criticism online, the walls of influence broaden beyond the walls of the church.
Pulpit & Pen Article
The Pulpit & Pen is known as a Calvinist blog with a history of criticizing the Charismatic movement, liberal Christianity, the Southern Baptist Convention, and many others they disagree with. On January 1, 2020 Pulpit & Pen posted an article entitled ‘Who is the Worst Christian of 2019?’ Its nominees for the title were Danny Akin, Beth Moore, J.D. Greear, Jeff Durbin, James MacDonald, and John David Edie. Writer Seth Dunn called Greear’s leadership deplorable because his church cancelled Sunday services during Christmas, charged for tickets to a Good Friday service, he supported Beth Moore, and he preached about the Bible whispering about homosexuality.
Worst Christian of 2019 Award
Pastor Greear won the Worst Christian of 2019 award, professionally engraved and topped with a goat on the top (probably making a reference to Greatest of All Time; G.O.A.T đ¤ˇââď¸). He posted it on Twitter with the hashtag #worstchristian2019 and #thegoat. Over 628 people have commented on the photo, and over 4000 have liked it. The award probably came from someone as a joke because of the Pulpit & Pen article and therefore probably did not come from Pulpit & Pen itself. *Correction, I apologize to Pulpit & Pen writer Seth Dunn as he reached out to me and confirmed he did send the trophy.Â
Well, this came in the mail today, anonymously. It was an honor just to be nominated. Never dreamed Iâd win. #worstchristian2019 #thegoat pic.twitter.com/0lonmSmQ9J
— J.D. Greear (@jdgreear) February 6, 2020
Top Comments for the Worst Christian Award
Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, Daniel Im, Jen Wilkin, D.A. Horton, Rebecca McLaughlin, and hundreds of others have commented on the award.
I continually stunned that people actually have time for this kind of thing. đ¤ˇđ˝ââď¸
Send it to my house @jdgreear. Iâll take good care of it for you. pic.twitter.com/Mii74ImJhD
— Priscilla Shirer (@PriscillaShirer) February 7, 2020
“Send it to my house @jdgreear. Iâll take good care of it for you.” – Priscilla Shirer
You know this kinda stuff makes my day.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) February 6, 2020
“You know this kinda stuff makes my day.” – Beth Moore
Well, the apostle Paul claimed this trophy for himself in 1 Timothy 1:15, so you're in excellent company. pic.twitter.com/jTZcZXodtV
— Rebecca McLaughlin (@RebeccMcLaugh) February 6, 2020
“…the apostle Paul claimed his trophy for himself in 1 Timothy 1:15…” – Rebecca McLaughlin
Was mid drink of my coffee and saw this! đ Have got to stop scrolling twitter while drinking things.
— Nathan Brewer (@nathanbrewer89) February 6, 2020
“..have to stop scrolling Twitter while drinking things.” – Nathan Brewer
JD no one that I know in our SBC who held the Presidency has done great things for the Kingdom that you! Haters will always try to hurt your Conservative stand for the Truthful Word of God! A Liberal Unanimous coward took time to do that! I am praying for his/her deliveranceđđžđđž
— Dr.Nicholas Muteti (@nicholas_muteti) February 7, 2020
“Haters will always try to hurt your conservative stand for the truthful Word of God!” – Dr. Nicholas Muteti
Who will you ask to make your acceptance speech? I think it should be on Facebook live.
— Michael Catt (@MichaelCatt) February 6, 2020
“Who will ask to make your acceptance speech?” – Michael Catt
I am contacting Vegas about putting money on @BethMooreLPM taking next year's award.
— Dave Miller (@davemiller7) February 7, 2020
“I am contacting Vegas about putting money on @BethMooreLPM taking next year’s award.” – Dave Miller
The World Will Hate You
Many say pastors need to have tender hearts and thick skin or they will quit. This is backed up throughout the Word of God. Said a little different, Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” It is clear that God tells us that others will hate us because of our love and proclamation of Him.
âIf the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you…” John 15
