I am becoming more and more impressed with Kevin DeYoung.  He is the pastor of the University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI and the author of several books, including "Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be)", "Just Do Something", and "Why We Love the Church."  It is refreshing and comforting to know that there are other young, thinking pastors out there who are not running head first into the emerging church movement without thinking it through.  His book "Why We Love the Church" is a great work of theology to support why the church still matters and a polemic against those who love to be cool and dismiss the church for not doing what the church is supposed to be doing.  He says things like, "It’s more than a little ironic that the same folks who want the church to ditch the phoney, plastic persona and become a haven for broken, imperfect sinners are ready to leave the church when she is broken, imperfect and sinful."

DeYoung has recently responded to a question from a fellow blogger regarding the apparent connection between New Calvinism and Complementarianism.  The question is a good one - it asks why New Calvinists are willing to have fellowship with others who disagree with them on certain doctrinal items, such as baptism and tongues, but not willing to fellowship with those who are egalitarians.  It is a good read.

The annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention was held in my back yard in Louisville, KY this past week.  Well, I should say my former back yard.  I moved to Colorado 3 days before the meeting began and was not able to attend.  I have had a few of my good friends suggest I was better off for missing it.  They may be right.  But, there are some things happening in the SBC that we can be optimistic about.  My comments below are in light of my reading about the various resolutions and motions from www.downshoredrift.com and www.sbcannualmeeting.net. 

• By far the motion that attracted the most attention was the Great Commission Resurgence (GCR).  Specifically this motion requests that "the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting June 23-24, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky, authorize the President of the Southern Baptist Convention to appoint a Great Commission Task Force charged to bring a report and any recommendations to the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Orlando, Florida June 15-16, 2010, concerning how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission."  The little amount of opposition that came against the motion was partly aimed at those who hold to the doctrines of grace (Calvinism).  What is wonderful to see is that the motion passed by a huge majority, hopefully signaling an embrace of what is clearly true; Arminians and Calvinists can work side-by-side to fulfill the call of the Great Commission.  Of course, as is pretty typical for the SBC, we will wait another year to find out what the recommendations are from this task force, and although this is a wonderful step in the right direction, at the end of the day a task force won't do anything beneficial.  It will be up to the local churches to accept the call of the GCR and rethink our commitment and dedication to reaching the world for Christ.
• Johnny Hunt has proven to be a stand-up SBC president.  I was impressed with this guy when I heard him speak at a youth conference in Gatlinburg, TN many years ago.  He said that he was going to use words like justification and sanctification because our students could "handle" them.  No doubt!  From what I have read of his speeches and sermons, he is dedicated to moving love and humility to the front line of the SBC and is willing to work with those who hold to different viewpoints in order to fulfill the call of Christ.
• Unhelpful resolutions that the SBC is famous for and that ultimately get in the way of real progress were dismissed this year (such as a ban on Pepsi).

So, there is still plenty of opposition against the SBC and its current leadership.  No question the convention has flaws and weaknesses and we should be considerate of opposing voices.  But there seems to be something special happening in our midst.  I, for one, remain optimistic about our future and the growth of God's kingdom.  The best thing that I can do, and that any of us can do, is not become bogged down with convention politics, convention debate, and convention history and instead do the work God has called us to do right here and right now in our own local churches.  That is what will make the GCR a success.  When we are faithful to our calling as pastors and as Christ's church.  I am proud to be a part of the SBC family, absolutely.  I am way more proud to be a part of the family of Christ.  To that we can all say, Amen. 

I am writing this post from my new office at the First Baptist Church of Evergreen, CO. This is an exciting time to be sure. Andi, Callie Grace, and I are excited about our new home and our ministry. I have already met some wonderful people who are excited about Family Ministry and are looking forward to getting things started. I am hitting the ground running as I will be preaching on July 5th and July 12th.

Andi and I are so thrilled with our house. It is a beautiful home with more room than all of our previous apartments combined. We enjoyed waking up and looking out our large living room window to see an elk just hanging out in our front yard. I snapped a quick picture which you can see below.

Finally, I am now officially on Facebook. I held off as long as I could, but I promised the awesome students at Graefenburg that I would get a page, so I did! It is actually pretty neat, so if you have a Facebook page, add me as a friend. I might also be hitting the Twitter scene pretty soon as well.

 <!-- Facebook Badge START -->Philip Meade

Tomorrow we will begin back on our thinking and wrestling with theology and spirituality. Be praying for us, busy times are ahead.

I'm in the process of moving.  See you in a few.

I think I will brag on one of my students, Jacob Roberts.  Jacob was asked to take care of the invocation for Baccalarueate this year at his high school; it was a great honor for him to be asked.  He understood the great importance of this task and below is a copy of the prayer he delivered.  I'm very proud of him and he has been a great student to love on and, hopefully, help along the way.  He wrote this completely on his own (understanding the Spirit's guidance of course).  Jacob is very bright and the Lord will use him in great ways. 

Father,

We are assembled here today to commemorate and ask blessing upon a journey; one that has and will continue to shape us into who we are and, most importantly, who you want us to be.  First and foremost, we acknowledge your sovereignty.  We have the understanding that through You came all things.  And, we thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Your plan; the opportunity to be something great and righteous in your eyes.  I now ask for wisdom, direction, and perseverance.  I pray that we have the wisdom to make right decisions that are in accordance with Your will.  I pray that we maintain a close and personal relationship with You, so that we may not stray from your ever-loving presence.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, Lord.  And, I pray that we find refuge in You and persevere through whatever challenge is presented.  Father God, we love you and we desire your commands.  Help us and guide us through our hardships and our endeavors.  It is in Your son's precious name that we pray.  Amen.