CBF Future by Walter Shurden

[Tim Dahl]

Associated Baptist Press did a little piece entitled,

Overall, I think it was nice for a blurb. But, I think the editor left out some meatier parts of .

I especially like the part where he says, "...that we CBFers will find new ways to think of what it means to be “lost” in our society." He goes on to say that, "...a redefinition of “lost” is in order if our churches are to have authentic growth. Loneliness and the need for community, alienation and the need for reconnecting, meaninglessness and the need for purpose, the inability to find a sanctuary for shame and guilt, and the deep, deep sense that one is not loved---these are the marks of lostness in our time." ().

When he talks about us emphasizing Discipleship, he says, "I hope . . . that CBFers, CBF churches, and CBF will begin vigorously to reaffirm discipleship as responsibility." From my reading, he seems to be emphasizing our giving (of money and time). You can find the full few paragraphs on . This is where the ABP article seems to spend most of it's time.

The ABP article ends with a list of 10 things that Shurden says is worth continuing. This is actually his first point. The second point was, "...that you and I will realize that creativity in religious life almost always comes from the bottom up, not the top down." Then, after that, he gets to the points of finding the new way to think of lostness and the emphasis on a non-sloppy discipleship.

What do you think about rethinking what it means to be lost in our world, and what it means for Jesus to save us?

Thanks,

Tim

[Dave Roberts]

I think the reality of lostness is just as real. However, finding ways that offer language the deals with lostness and speaks of the ways of God to save is the challenge of theology for every generation. The language of revivalism has been the stock language of Baptists for most of the last century. There may be more creative and effective ways to relate to our human condition in this new century. I suspect, but I do not know for certain, that this is what Dr. Shurden is addressing. He has always been a step ahead of most of us in his awareness of culture and the forces that shape it.

[Stephen Fox]

Shurden could buck up the substance and semantics of his appeal with devotional consideration of the discussion on NPR Today of Marilynne Robinson's HOME.

As we good baptists know from the parable of the Prodigal Son, Can't be Lost when you are at Home.

Experience vs. Dogma.

I just hope Shurden gives me attribution for puttin him on to this. He'll give his strong thinking even more depth if he takes my suggestion here. See Mohler and Dogma at SBC Trends.

[Gene Scarborough]

Cecil Sherman gave one of his last addresses along the lines of dangers faced by CBF in his Friday evening sermon in 2010. Here is the CBFNC link so you can download and listen to his wise observations---similar to Shurden:

[Ed Pettibone]

[Gene Scarborough]

It was down-to-earth Cecil for me as well. He was one of a kind and I was fortunate to know him personally. Randall Lolley, another down-to-earth insightful part of CBF, reminded me that few were that close to him beyond his family because he was somewhat a loner.

I think he was like the Prophet who spent time in the wilderness alone and, because of that distance, could see things others didn't see. He has a new book just out where Lolley has done the preface below in a beautiful way. I commend it to everyone who wants to have doors of wisdom opened on our Baptist ways.

[Ed Pettibone]

[Gene Scarborough]

Thanks so much for the corrections---at least it gives you something constructive to do!!!

[Ed Pettibone]

[Gene Scarborough]

Thanks, Ed!!!

Prayers are so needed for anyone trying to survive this awful economy. We are all on the edge of a tent under a tree somewhere. Even those who thought they were secure in old age have horror stories of a community change in urban areas so that security went to insecurity overnight.

I think grief ministry is more needed today than in my lifetime of ministry. I wrote some articles on it a few years ago and was amazed that no one seemed to care. Maybe I should try them here and see about the response. At that point everyone was in a strong stage of denial that the economy was really tanked and horror was ahead.

Actually, work has not picked up since July 4 for anyone I know. It seems that was the last blowout where people took vacations / bought beer and fireworks / and now have little or no money for tree work which is always expensive.

[Ed Pettibone]

Ed: To bad you are not up here, the board of of governess that I serve on for a senior housing complex, just agreed last night that we have 3 or 4 treas that need to be removed and replaced. I guess the economy here is pretty stable, we are in the middle of our annual fund drive and contributions are a bit ahead of last year at this time. And we have no vacancies.

[Gene Scarborough]

Just be glad you are blessed!!!!

[Ed Pettibone]