Danny Akin, President of SEBTS
So when Brady first asked me if I wanted to be involved with the Evangelical Mavericks, I wasn’t quite sure what to think. The first thing that came to mind was do I really have anything original to say. Of course that answer was and will remain a resounding “no” but that’s never stopped bloggers before, so why should I let it stop me. Second, and probably more importantly, is I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to be involved with a group that identifies itself as “mavericks.” Of course anyone who knows Brady shouldn’t expect anything less but I still had to answer the question for myself. So as I thought about this I came to the conclusion that there have been many mavericks throughout Christianity, from John the Baptist to Dr. Danny Akin.
You many be asking yourself “Danny Akin? Really?” Let me explain. There is currently a movement in the SBC that would seek to move the focus from typical denominationalism towards the Great Commission. Chances are if you’re reading this you’re already familiar with the GCR. However I believe that this has everything to do with Evangelical Maverickism.
If we define a maverick as someone who dissents, isn’t that what the GCR all about? Southern Baptists who believe that the SBC has more to give than what has come to be a “business as usual” menatlity. Don’t get me wrong, in the past year I have really come to love the SBC and what it stands for, but I know we have more to offer the world on behalf of our Christ.
And I think that’s an aspect of Evangelical Maverickism, at least that’s how I have come to understand it: not settling for the status quo. And I think that’s what Dr. Danny Akin sets forth in the following link.
Danny Akin makes the point that one important thing to realize is that we shouldn’t waste so much time squabbling within our own denomination, but rather put our focus on reaching the lost. And in this way he’s a maverick. Dissenting from your typical denominational bickering and identifying that there is a bigger issue at hand.
His post is the conclusion of a series he did that debunked the myths and misconceptions many had about the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force and I encourage you to read the whole series.
http://betweenthetimes.com/2009/10/27/myths-concerning-the-gcrtf-a-postscript/
How do you define Evangelical Maverickism?
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I’d ask John McCain…good to have you here buddy
Can we ask Sarah too?
I’m not sure that a maverick could ever be in the SBC. If each church is autonomous, with the exception of paying dues to the Convention, and if each Southern Baptist does his own thing, nobody is a maverick. In other words, the SBC is a very mixed bag. Everyone is different from everyone else. There may be a legitimate reference point which would justify the claim that Akin is a maverick, but it isn’t the SBC.
It’s no big deal, I just wanted to get warmed up for my blogging career
Adam Vos, let me see if I follow. You are saying that if all churches are independent and disconnected, then it follows that no one can be a maverick because everyone already is?
Second thought, although Baptist churches may be “autonomous”, that does not been they do not have confessional identity. Although many Baptist may not claim this heritage, it is not incongruent with Baptist life to do so.
I would reply, but I think Brady covered it. I would add this one point for clarification, SB churches don’t “pay dues.” They give whatever amount they see fit (preferably 10%) to the cooperative program for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission. The SBC is a community of churches working together, not a club.