Reflections on the 2007 SBC in San Antonio

In no particular order, these things stand out in my mind about the convention.

1. Getting to know Malcolm Yarnell. Long an admirer of his writing and preaching, I got to spend some time with him and found him so warm, gracious, and brotherly. I made a friend for life.

2. Desperately missing Tanya, who is already in Manaus, Brazil. I will join her next week, but strolling the Riverwalk without her was excruciating.

3. A private conversation with Ben Cole. I appreciate that he allowed me to say some tough things to him and he thanked me. Plus, he complimented my wife, and that always scores with me. How can you blame someone for having good taste and good sense?

4. A lengthy conversation with Jerry Vines. Everyone knows of his skill as a pastor, a preacher, and a statesman, but few know how truly brilliant he is. He is well read and informed, current and abreast of what is going on in the SBC. He is acquainted with personalities and philosophies. He certainly would have been a stellar academic and a scholar, but I am glad God made him a pastor.

5. The grief I felt to cast a vote against a Rogers. No one can know what Dr. Rogers meant to me, the way he mentored and encouraged me, and it hurt me deeply to find myself against David. I doubt I was alone in that sentiment.

6. The frustration not only that I, Richard Land, or Al Mohler did not get to speak against the motion about the BF&M, but also that those who did speak against it didn't convey well what it meant. Not to mention that one woman who was called on to speak against it spoke for it. Those minding the microphone didn't understand parliamentary procedure. I was at microphone 5 to speak against it, but there was a man in front of me who wanted to speak for it. When Dr. Page recognized microphone 5 to speak against it, the teller wouldn't let me speak because the guy in front of me was for it, so neither of us got to speak. I am still furious about that, but as Tanya says, "I have to 'oh, well' it."

7. Telling James Merritt the story about Adam Dooley and "Eu peidei." To be brief, when I took Adam to Brazil two years ago, I told Adam that the way to say "thank you" is "Eu peidei," which is really, um (how do I put this?), a statement of gastro-intestinal confession. For three whole days in Brazil, Adam would look people in the eye and tell them that he just contributed to the atmosphere.

8. Realizing how incredibly blessed I am to have my life. I get to talk about theological things and eternal things--things that truly matter--and make a living doing so. I get to preach, to teach, to shepherd. I get to work with the finest exegetes and theologians alive. Colleagues and friends of mine lead major institutions of the SBC. I may not be much, but I have some great friends. I have been instructed and befriended by some of the greatest preachers of my generation.

9. Spending time with Dr. Adam Dooley. He was a student. He is like a son to me, but also a very dear friend. Seeing him do so well as pastor of Red Bank Baptist Church in Chattanooga. He's only been there a year and the church has grown several hundred, acquired new contiguous property, and baptized well over 100. At only 29, Adam is a rising star. What I love about him is how completely unassuming he is, unfazed by his success or by denominational politics. I always laugh at lot when I am with him, usually AT him, but we always have a good time.

10. San Antonio. Is this a great city or what?

11. Anonymously text messaging James Merritt just before he preached and telling him he better hit it out of the park or no one was going to even look at his website.

12. Missing my plane from Lexington and frantically driving to Cincinnati from Frankfort. I left at 7:20 and made a 9AM flight! And some people say there is no God!