"I'm Baptist born, Baptist bred, and when I die I'll be Baptist dead." A pastor friend of mine made that comment recently. That sentence pretty well describes my life too. In my family tree are Baptist pastors, deacons, Sunday School teachers, and music leaders. I've been in Missouri Baptist churches all my life, beginning in the nursery at Plato Baptist Church, and now pastoring the wonderful Selmore Baptist Church. I've been a member of one Missouri Baptist church or another for 24 years, the last nine of which have been in ministry positions.
Even though I am in my twenties (29 to be exact), I pastor a historic church that (gasp) still sings hymns, I wear a tie (almost) every Sunday morning, and I abstain from alcohol. I mention this only to prove that not all twenty-something pastors are in emerging church plants, with edgy music, untucked shirts, and an affinity for social drinking. My hope is that I have somewhat earned a hearing for what I'm about to say, and I don't mean it hatefully, but . . .
MBLA, please go away.
You come across as angry. It seems like you have to be in a fight to be happy. Your latest efforts smack of bitterness over losing the elections at last fall's convention. You give the appearance of desperately wanting power. The battle for the Bible has been won in Missouri. Conservative leadership is in place. Move on.
Please stop making mountains of mole hills (alcohol). The 1% of pastors flirting with it, can be counseled by the 99% of us who know better. We don't need study groups, resolutions, or rallies. These things cause unnecessary angst and drama.
Please don't insult our intelligence by defining an entire movement (emerging church/Acts 29) by its most liberal fringe. That's fearmongering, and intellectually dishonest.
Please don't even try to discredit our state's most beloved pastors (i.e. John Marshall, Gerald Davidson). We know them and love them. They are our heroes. Guilt by association will not stick. You will only discredit yourselves.
The truth is that we love you too, and we wish you would stop this silliness.
Concerning MBLA's "research findings," remember Proverbs 18:17, "The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him."