In reference to the recent letters about putting our old leaders “out to pasture,” I find it very ironic that in the same paper we had an article titled “Without young leaders, ‘best days’ in the past.”
I love, honor and respect all of the men who have paved the way in the past, men who fought for conservative theology, conservative seminaries and have been faithful to the inerrancy of the scripture.
However, knowing Gene Jennings, I believe many missed the point. I quit attending the pastor’s conference years ago. Why? I got tired of hearing the same evangelists and seminary presidents preaching every pastor’s conference I attended. The state convention, the First Baptist Jacksonville conference and the national convention all looked the same, with the same speakers and the same messages.
This past year, by my count, there were only two pastors preaching to pastors. I want to hear encouragement from someone still active in the pit with me, not someone who left active church work years ago. And, trust me, I have had enough of seminary. I love the evangelists and seminary presidents of the world, but the pastor’s conference should be preached by those still walking in our shoes.
I want to challenge Dr. Brad Whitt, a friend of mine, to consider this as he prepares for 2010. Maybe we can hear some people we have never heard!
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