I have read with a great deal of interest the article by Brad Whitt in The Baptist Courier dated March 3 and the subsequent letters in response in the following issues. Obviously, some have taken a different view to Dr. Whitt’s letter than I.
I probably know his heart better than most of the respondents. It was my privilege a few years ago to serve as his field supervisor/mentor while he worked on his D.Min. project at Southeastern Seminary. I developed a friendship with him during that time that continues to today, and I have spent a number of hours in conversation with him. From that vantage point, let me say that I did not perceive Dr. Whitt’s article as offensive, divisive, angry or inflammatory. I just heard a young pastor expressing some frustrations that many have felt during these days of transition for our convention.
Since our Southern Baptist Convention, as well as our state convention, is obviously going through a transformation – or re-inventing – of ourselves, we need to give ear to various points of view. I would suggest to anyone who has serious questions about Dr. Whitt’s article to call him and talk with him personally about some of the issues he raises.
Let me tell you what you will find: a gifted young pastor with a keen intellect who loves his denomination and desires to serve it as well as his local church. He does have some concerns about proposed methodologies for the work of our convention in the future. And he does have concerns about some theological “drift” that appears from time to time in our Baptist gatherings. However, I do not believe worship style is a problem for him. He may preach while wearing a coat and tie, but his musical preference is more contemporary in nature.
I believe we should give him a respectful hearing, as we should anyone else during these important days when we are seeking God’s direction for our national and state conventions. Some may be uncomfortable with questions he raises, but we need to hear him, nonetheless.
As far as I am concerned, Dr. Whitt is one of the rising young stars for our denomination. I admire the work he is doing in his church in Simpsonville. God is using him in a special way. And when I think of young men like Brad Whitt, who are faithful to the Word of God and have a genuine commitment to Jesus, I am excited about our future.
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