Comments on Strong Coffee: 69 TO 1

Without disagreement (even one person), I would ha...

2012-01-20T11:53:46.999-08:00

Without disagreement (even one person), I would have some doubt about it being a Baptist business meeting. :-)

To the dissenting voter: No one -- except God -- ...

2012-01-20T08:29:53.847-08:00

To the dissenting voter:

No one -- except God -- can tell you that your vote was "obviously not in God's will" or that you obviously did not hear from God. You are being hit with very public allegations that you may have a personal vendetta, that you want to show that all in not well, or that you just cannot stand not to have your own way, and perhaps you should resign.

If any of that is true of course the Holy Spirit will so indicate.

If not, my brother or sister, be free in Christ, fixing your eyes on Him, and do not be discouraged.

Why judge the one or try to weigh his heart? He wa...

2012-01-20T08:14:36.923-08:00

Why judge the one or try to weigh his heart? He was and is free to vote. Why focus on the one at all? I don't get it. Let's pray for David H and the staff.

Of course there are exceptions like Joshua and Cal...

2012-01-20T06:57:28.931-08:00

Of course there are exceptions like Joshua and Caleb, but I don't a better way to see an exppression of God's will than an overwhelming majority vote. Perhaps you do. If so, share it with us.

Ask Caleb and Joshua is majorities are always righ...

2012-01-19T09:08:57.610-08:00

Ask Caleb and Joshua is majorities are always right.

Why speculate on the dissenter's relationship ...

2012-01-19T07:48:40.151-08:00

Why speculate on the dissenter's relationship with God or whether they have heard from God or not?

Logic is not a good way to discern heart motives.

Anonymous: Go back and re-read my post. I was pos...

2012-01-18T11:37:40.571-08:00

Anonymous:
Go back and re-read my post. I was postulating. But on one statement I will agree. I do think it was God's will for me not to win that election. Discerning God's will is difficult in most cases and I do think it is possible for the minority to be in God's will, as well as the majority. It is difficult for me to believe one negative vote was God's will, however. But I admit it is possible.

"If 69 people voted "yes" because t...

2012-01-18T07:55:43.970-08:00

"If 69 people voted "yes" because they believed it to be God's will, then the one "no" vote was obviously someone not in the will of God."

So a majority vote - even near unanimous vote - proves God's will?

Come on now, that's really lousy thinking. Is that in the Bible somewhere? Must have missed it...

I don't think dissenters should be always commended. Not at all. I'm glad that individuals have the freedom to dissent in that context though. But the thinking you've put forth here is a threat to that freedom. Individuals would be much more reluctant to dissent if they knew folks would come along and ask for their resignation due to that dissent.

As someone who has been in recent years representing a minority DISSENTING perspective within the leadership ranks of the BGCT, it's just a bit ironic (to be charitable) that you are making such comments.

Perhaps you were going against God's will when you questioned previous decisions made by the Executive Board? When you ran for office and lost, perhaps the majority rejected you due to God's will?

See, that's bad thinking. See how it pits the dissenter as being against God.

Why not just ignore the lone dissenting vote? 69 to 1 is as consensus as one can get.

I absolutely agree with every word of your comment...

2012-01-18T06:56:35.849-08:00

I absolutely agree with every word of your comment, Dan.

Unless my eyes and ears deceive me, David Hardage ...

2012-01-18T06:45:59.761-08:00

Unless my eyes and ears deceive me, David Hardage is a man who shows a genuine humility. In this egocentric day in which we live, that is so refreshing! My guess would be that the "no" vote represented someone who very badly wanted to see another finalist be the choice. Sometimes people just cannot bear not to have their own way. They are in every church. Personally I find the vote amazingly unified in such a day as we now live.
Dan Wooldridge