SBC 2008 Sunday

Sunday night:
Lots of interesting things at this year's Southern Baptist Convention. I have arrived, missed the meetings, met some friends, and am calling it a night.

First, if you want to follow along, you can follow me on Twitter. Since there will be much fried chicken, large amounts of polyester, and some great preaching, it might be fun to follow on Twitter. I will not be live blogging (too much work and I actually have to attend the meetings if I do that).

At (or soon after) the SBC, you should see a brand new look to the blog thanks to the design work of Tim Challies, who in addition to being an uberblogger, is a blog designer. I am impressed with his work and appreciate his help. Feel free to give your thoughts on the new look and I will talk about it more later. (If you see the Nashville skyline, it is not yet updated.)

You should be able to see the Twitter updates on the blog as well. And, thanks to the new Blackberry Curve, there will be pictures.

Second, Richard Land and I will be at the ERLC booth discussion some recently released research on homosexuality, politics, the economy, global warming, and other social issues. We will do live presentations Monday and Tuesday at 1p.m. at the ERLC booth. We had lunch on Thursday to get ready, but ended up talking about everything but our booth presentation. So, it will be live and unedited. With both Richard and I giving our opinions, all that air might just cause some global warming right there on the spot. Let the talking begin and you won't want to miss it.

Third, I will keynote the Woman's Missionary Union Monday night. I know, I know, it might be a sign of the apocalypse that I am keynoting the WMU meeting, but I am very excited about it. Women are usually the backbone of any church and if they get a missional passion, amazing things can happen. I am honored that they asked me to preach at their meeting. That is Monday night.

Fourth, I will be doing a couple of interviews while I am there. One is with Micah Fries and it is part of our blog tour. Also, the good folks at On-Mission Magazine will be interviewing Philip Nation and I as well.

Unlike the past two years, Chad Bresson from the Path radio has not asked me to interview me. I am deeply hurt by that. But, since he uses Google Blog Alert, this might draw him here to my blog like a moth to the flame... and my pathetic attempt to get an interview might be met. For that matter, I think Jerry Johnson should also interview me at the Criswell College booth. Sigh.

Fifth, I will be at the LifeWay Research booth more than I will be anywhere. If you come by, you can sign up for a new research subscription and get a copy of Thom and Sam Rainer's new book, Essential Church. The only way you can get this pre-release copy of the Rainer's new book is at the SBC and by signing up for a subscription to the LifeWay Research Insights newsletter.

Sixth, the actual convention meeting should be interesting. The Dallas Morning News has a well written story that gives some of the situation. Bart Barber nails it when he says we are "at a crossroads." Johnny Hunt quoted the article in his message and, I am told, quoted me, but I have no idea if it was good or bad.

It will be interesting to see what path we will take. I have provided my commentary on what ails and some cures, but we will see what agenda takes the presidency. And, no, I will not be making an endorsement beyond let's unite around our faith statement, missions, and cooperation. (For my full thoughts, read or listen to my charge to last year's SBC meeting.)

I consider Avery Willis a friend, I have preached in Frank Cox's church, Johnny Hunt has asked me to speak for him at his conference, I met Les Puryear at the IMB but don't know him well, and I have known and admired Bill Wagner's church planting work for years. I believe all of these men are of good character, love Jesus, and have a passion for be SBC. The only person I don't know is Wiley Drake. They are good men and I am glad there are so many runnning. I believe it is a sign of health and not weakness.

Seventh, I am looking forward to some off schedule meetings. Troy Gramling from Flamingo Road asked to visit and we are doing dinner. Also, will be spending some time with Avery Willis to talk about a new missiology book and SBC life. It will be good to get a little time with Frank Page, who has made an impact on the SBC in many good and positive ways (though we did both chuckle we mixed it up in a recent newspaper story).

So, it is off to Indy and the SBC. Warm up the Gaither tunes... we are on our way!

Next update: tomorrow night... or on Twitter.