Had a long conversation this morning with a friend, who like myself, has great appreciation for what President Carter has done, his role in the Creation of the Baptist Covenant.
The event in Bham was grand, history in the making, at same time it was a history lesson for the next generation.
But President Carter gave basically the same speech he gave last year in Atlanta; and most of the secular news coverage focussed on same themes developed last year in Atlanta.
Is it possible, worthwhile to consider handing the keynote address off to someone else in Greensboro, or in collusion with Mercer President Underwood, or the best and the brightest in this initiative work with Carter to emphasize a different aspect of the Covenant in the Gboro keynoter.
Have a 10 minute celebration of what Carter has done and celebrate his Baptist legacy; then maybe--and I know it is a little late--have Anne Graham Lotz talk about how she may differ with others of the children and grandchildren of Billy Graham on Baptist World Alliance and Women in Ministry.
Much talk lately of just what it Billy's legacy. Is it personified in the grandson who follows DJK at Coral Gables, placing Billy's legacy squarely in the world of Al Moher; or is it carried on in his grandson Will who will be featured speaker at Pressler's Texas Baptist Convention later this year.
Somebody get to Anne Graham Lotz. If need be have her take a crash course in what a distinct Baptist voice she could have championing a BWA and Preaching Women aspect of Baptist life.
Have her talk to Charles Kimball, Bill Leonard and her inlaws with Baptist World Alliance. Have her have a conversation with Tony Cartledge to discuss his blogged reservations about the points where Billy "insinuated" himself into the SBC takeover over the last 30 years.
Some kind of this is where I stand as a Baptist woman with a different vision than my Brother and nephews at this Baptist moment; standing there with President Carter and the folks he has brought together; in my mind that truly would be an event in Greensboro, that builds on, instead of repeating Birmingham and Atlanta.
Carter could be part of a grand feature maybe even plenary Workshop session with Charles Kimball--even fly in the scholar from Baptist U in Lebanon--on mideast politics.
Brent McDougal did a fabulous job in Bham, and the breakouts were cutting edge. And any time James Dunn is in the room with Maya Angelou something will happen and I celebrate that.
But let's have a keynote in Greensboro that truly does advance this initiative and not Repeat two previous keynotes.
Thanks
Sfox