You’ve been around the SBC for about 45 years. Where do you think it needs to go in the next 50 years?
I have a chapter on contextualization in my book. Every generation has to contextualize the Gospel for their generation. The Gospel never changes, but the culture does. We have to see how we’re going to package the Gospel for this generation. It is true, if you preach an expository message, that preaches anywhere. But your music, the way the church looks, the way the pastor looks, the way the pastor dresses, the way the church members interact with each other, that’s all going to be different in different parts of the country and in different times. I think we have to find a way to have more small groups. I’m in a small group in our church. It’s interesting.
Here, in this part of the country, I was doing a lot of interim pastorates, but just moving out there in California, I preach at my church in Monterey Park, Calif., once a month, but it’s an hour and a half drive. So I don’t go there every Sunday. The other times, I’m in my regular church. I think here’s where some of the debate is in our convention are on because what’s good contextualization is what I do, and bad contextualization is what you do. So that’s how contextualization works. No one ever does it as well as we do ourselves. So there’s always something that we could tweak. I think that’s what a lot of this debate is and what people are reacting to on social media.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’m not part of any group. I guess this could only happen in Southern Baptist life. Wade Akins just decided that it would be a good idea if I ran. My wife agreed with it. So you’re probably not supposed to do it that way. I don’t think anyone can accuse me of having an agenda.
My agenda is just to focus on missions, not saying others haven’t done that because I know the heart of the last three presidents, and I’d say even going back further than that. But I don’t want to go back any further than the last three. They certainly focused on missions, but I think the convention is a bit tired right now. They need some refreshment and joy. And so I hope to bring that.
This article originally appeared on BaptistPress.com.
