B21 Panel from SBC Annual Meeting Part 2 from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.
The b21 Panel took place June 23rd at Sojourn Community Church during this year’s Southern Baptist Convention. The members of the panel were Daniel Montgomery, Danny Akin, Ed Stetzer, Albert Mohler, Mark Dever, and David Platt. The panel discussion is moderated by baptist21′s Jon Akin. The panel highlights included discussion of the the Great Commission Resurgence, the Cooperative Program, State Conventions, Churches that dually align with Acts29, why young pastors should be Southern Baptist, Danny Akin’s apology to the Calvinists for the EC Report, President Johnny Hunt predicting that the Acts29 motions would be thrown under the “SBC bus,” and much more.
Below is Part One of the Panel Video:
B21 Panel From 2009 SBC Annual Meeting from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.
B21 Panel From 2009 SBC Annual Meeting from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.
DUE TO SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES ONLY THE FIRST HALF OF THE VIDEO (ABOUT 40 MINS) IS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW. WE HOPE TO HAVE THIS FIXED SOON.
The b21 Panel took place June 23rd at Sojourn Community Church during this year’s Southern Baptist Convention. The members of the panel were Daniel Montgomery, Danny Akin, Ed Stetzer, Albert Mohler, Mark Dever, and David Platt. The panel discussion is moderated by baptist21′s Jon Akin. The panel highlights included discussion of the the Great Commission Resurgence, the Cooperative Program, State Conventions, Churches that dually align with Acts29, why young pastors should be Southern Baptist, Danny Akin’s apology to the Calvinists for the EC Report, President Johnny Hunt predicting that the Acts29 motions would be thrown under the “SBC bus,” and much more.
UPDATED INFORMATION
Directions to the B21 Panel: (from the Kentucky Exposition Center to Sojourn Community Church)
•1. STARTING AT The Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209 – (502) 367-5000
•2. Head northeast on Phillips Ln toward Freedom Way – About 1 min (0.6 mi)
•3. Turn left at KY-61/Preston Hwy, Continue to follow KY-61 – About 4 mins (1.6 mi)
•4. Continue on S Shelby St – About 2 mins (0.9 mi)
•5. Turn right at Goss Ave/KY-864 (466 ft)
•6. Turn left at KY-864/Logan St – About 1 min (0.2 mi)
•7. Turn right at E Oak St (0.1 mi)
•8. Turn left at Swan St (377 ft)
•9. Turn left at Mary St – Destination will be on the left (394 ft)
•10. END AT 930 Mary St, Louisville, KY 40204
We will explore simplified directions (and will post them if we find them), but unless notified these directions are the best way to Sojourn.
Availability Left: Seating for this event is limited and the remaining available seats are being filled up quickly. Only the first 450 signed up will receive the books being made available.
Information about the Panel:
What: B21@SBC “b21 Panel“ - A forum discussion about the present and future of the SBC. Each panel member will briefly address a key issue in SBC life, and this will be immediately followed by Question/Answer time. Topics will include: the benefits of cooperation, the great things the SBC is doing, changes the SBC needs, how we involve younger leaders, how we can move forward, and others.
When: June 23rd 11:45 am – 1:45 pm (during a break at this year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville). Lunch will be provided and paid for by Dr. Johnny Hunt. Each attendee will receive several books donated by the B21 Panel presenters.
Where: Sojourn Community Church, 930 Mary St. Louisville, KY 40204 (about 5 minutes from where the convention will be held)
Who: Daniel Akin from SEBTS, Mark Dever of Capital Hill Baptist and 9 Marks, Albert Mohler from SBTS, Daniel Montgomery of Sojourn, David Platt of the Church at Brookhills, Ed Stetzer from Lifeway, and the Baptist 21 guys.
Why: Many in the SBC see a great need for directional change, but are also very excited about the things that the SBC does well. This event will celebrate what we are doing well and discuss possible areas of change for greater SBC effectiveness in the 21st century.
Danny Akin Promo Video for the b21 Panel:
In this video Dr. Akin discusses the SBC and the GCR, the critical nature of the present time for the SBC, honoring the SBC past while forging forward, what being Baptist in the 21st century will look like, and the baptist21 panel. Check out this video and help us promote this event.
Dear Baptist 21 Reader,
Thank you for reading our blog and supporting what we are doing here! Our mission at Baptist 21 is to see greater faithfulness to and cooperation in the Great Commission among Southern Baptists in the 21st century. Part of that mission includes encouraging younger leaders within SBC to stay in the SBC and get involved in it. So, with you in mind, Baptist 21 has decided to put on an event that will address these important issues. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in Louisville is fast approaching. It seems as though year after year, less people choose to attend this meeting. We at Baptist21 want to do everything possible to help make the SBC worth a minister’s time and to get younger leaders involved. With this in mind, we have decided to partner with Sojourn Community Church and host an event on Tuesday, June 23rd from 11:45 am – 1:45 pm. This “B21 Panel” will feature a panel of 5-6 men who will address specific issues in our convention and answer your questions about its future. The lineup is: Danny Akin, Mark Dever, Al Mohler, Daniel Montgomery, David Platt and Ed Stetzer.
We want to personally invite you to the b21 panel. Baptist 21 is grateful for our readers and those who support what we are trying to do. As stated above, our hope is to persuade younger sbcer’s to get involved in the convention. So, we want through this event to get as many young, gospel-centered leaders together as possible. As a by-product, our hope is that more people get involved in the annual meeting. Through the b21 panel we hope to get to know you better and begin a conversation with you about the future of the SBC. Here is what you will receive at the b21 panel.
1) Free Admission – President Johnny Hunt believes in Baptist 21 and this event. He also wants to get younger leaders like you involved in SBC life, so he is personally paying out of his own pocket the way for each of the participants.
2) Free Books -The panelists have volunteered to make one of their books available to each of the attendees, so you’ll be walking away with some books.
3) Lunch – Lunch will be provided during the panel. This is the lunch break for the annual meeting and we want to make the best use of that time by providing lunch and a conversation about ministry.
4) Opportunity to Network – This is a chance to connect with likeminded brothers around the SBC who are serving our King.
There are a few things that we want to ask of you:
1) Just Be There! The bottom line is that we are grateful for you and would love the chance to get to know you better. You would honor us by just being at the event.
2) Encourage others to attend – Capacity for the event is 500, and it looks like we will meet that capacity. However, we really want our readers and their friends in the ministry to be there, so invite guys you know to come.
3) Blog about it – If you are a blogger, then consider encouraging your readers to attend.
The discussion at the b21 panel will focus on celebrating what we are doing well in the SBC and how to change what we are doing poorly. We know the SBC isn’t perfect, but we also know we are doing some amazing things. The SBC has an incredible amount of resources at its disposal; yet, there is much disagreement over how these resources should be used and how these opportunities should be addressed. There is also a generational tension that exists which causes much frustration on both sides. Needless to say, much wisdom is needed to address these issues.
We want you to be a part of this discussion. We want your questions and thoughts on these matters. Here’s how you can ask a question:
Baptist 21 will compile the questions and will proceed to ask the best questions at the b21 panel.
We pray that you will attend this event. If you are interested or have any other questions, you can contact us at baptist21@gmail.com.
Serving the Kingdom of Christ,
Baptist 21
In anticipation of b21 panel, Baptist21 has asked all the panel members to participate in a short blog interview to highlight some of the topics to be discussed. Below is information about the event and Dr. Akin’s short blog interview.
What: Baptist 21 Panel Q&A @ The Southern Baptist Convention
Who: Danny Akin, Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, Daniel Montgomery, Ed Stetzer, and Baptist21
When: June 23, 2009 from 11:45am-1:45pm
Where: Louisville, KY – Sojourn Community Church 930 Mary St. Louisville, KY 40204
Why: To discuss the future of the Southern Baptist Convention
Note about the event: There will be a $5 cover charge at the door; this $5 dollars will include a meal and books from some of the panel members. Sign up ASAP because the numbers are filling up and we will only be able to accommodate the first 500.
We ask that you would blog about this event. Also, we hope that you will encourage as many as possible to attend the SBC in Louisville. You can connect with Baptist21 and many like-minded Southern Baptists through our Facebook Group.
Danny Akin’s Interview:
1) What is the best thing about being a part of the SBC?
The best thing is our phenomenal missions program and our seminaries. Southern Baptists are doing a better job than ever in wedding the head and the heart in fulfilling the Great Commission. That is taking place because of what is happening with the International Mission Board and our seminaries. When people ask me why I should support the SBC, the seminaries and the IMB just jump out.
2) Why do you think young, cross-centered ministers who accept Baptist theology might not want to be a part of the SBC?
Because of our bureaucracy. There is so much red tape in trying to work through the national convention, state conventions, and local associations. There is so much over-lap and duplication it is easy to become frustrated with the bureaucratic machine that too often is only interested in feeding itself. We have got to find a way to streamline and simplify our denominational structures so that we can be more efficient in fulfilling the final command of our Lord.
3) How and why did you come to the SBC?
I was born into and have been breed by it! I grew up a Southern Baptist, and having been involved in it now all of my life, I am committed to it. It has many shortcomings and imperfections, but in my judgment, it is still the best thing going.
4) How can we honor our heritage while continuing to move forward?
We can honor our heritage by standing firmly on the infallible and inerrant Word and embracing a healthy balanced theology reflected in the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. We can recognize that the war for the Bible will never end until Jesus comes again. Therefore we will not surrender valuable ground that has been gained by our forefathers, but we will be vigilant to contend earnestly for the faith without compromise.
5) What are the three most important things that need to change, for the SBC to grow in our gospel mission? How would you do them if it were up to you?
I recently addressed this in what I call 12 Axioms for a Great Commission Resurgence. (see those 12 principles below) I actually think that all of them need to be implemented, but if 3 were to stand out it would be the Lordship of Jesus Christ, being gospel centered, and being humble. If we pursue those three things with all of our heart, I am convinced the other 9 will take care of themselves. In other words, our greatest needs are, as they always are, spiritual. We need to be Christ focused, gospel centered, doing all that we do as we bow humbly under the banner of the cross of Jesus Christ.
12 Axioms For A Great Commission Resurgence
I. We must commit ourselves to the total and absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives (Col 3:16, 17, 23-24).
II. We must be gospel centered in all our endeavors for the glory of God (Rom 1:16).
III. We must take our stand on the firm foundation of the inerrant and infallible Word of God affirming it’s sufficiency in all matters (Matt 5:17-18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
IV. We must devote ourselves to a radical pursuit of the Great Commission in the context of obeying the Great Commandments (Matt 28:16-20; 22:37-40).
V. We must affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as a healthy and sufficient guide for building a theological consensus for partnership in the gospel, refusing to be sidetracked by theological agendas that distract us from our Lord’s Commission (1 Tim 6:3-4).
VI. We must dedicate ourselves to a passionate pursuit of the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus across our nation and to all nations answering the call to go, disciple, baptize and teach all that the Lord commanded (Matt 28:16-20; Acts 1:8; Rom 1:5; 15:20).
VII. We must covenant to build gospel saturated homes that see children as a gift from God and as our first and primary mission field (Deut 6:1-9; Psalm 127; 128; Eph 6:4).
VIII. We must recognize the need to rethink our Convention structure and identity so that we maximize our energy and resources for the fulfilling of the Great Commission (1 Cor 10:31).
IX. We must see the necessity for pastors to be faithful Bible preachers who teach us both the content of the Scriptures and the theology embedded in the Scriptures (2 Tim 4:1-5).
X. We must encourage pastors to see themselves as the head of a gospel missions agency who will lead the way in calling out the called for international assignments but also equip and train all their people to see themselves as missionaries for Jesus regardless of where they live (Eph 4:11-16).
XI. We must pledge ourselves to a renewed cooperation that is gospel centered and built around a biblical and theological core and not methodological consensus or agreement (Phil 2:1-5; 4:2-9).
XII. We must accept our constant need to humble ourselves and repent of pride, arrogance, jealousy, hatred, contentions, lying, selfish ambitions, laziness, complacency, idolatries and other sins of the flesh; pleading with our Lord to do what only He can do in us and through us and all for His glory (Gal 5:22-26; James 4:1-10).
