Pensees: Tie-less in Lansdale, Day One

Tie-less in Lansdale, Day One

Having a ball. So far I have enjoyed every minute of the convention conference. The conference is themed Ministering in a Changing World, but I don’t think anybody has changed out of their suits and ties yet. Tie-less, I’m definitely part of the minority in this group. There are three black guys, one asian, and four tie-less whites. Fundamentalism is well on its way to multi-culturalism!

It is fun to meet so many guys that I have known only through cyberspace. Greg Linscott is definitely better looking on blog than in real life. The same should be said of Tetreau and Pryde. On the otherhand, I’m sure that every one is shocked to see what a pleasant guy I really am in real-life.

The first general session was split between Dave Burggraff and Jason Janz. Burggraff presented his paper Understanding the Next Generation of Fundamentalist Leaders. He is one of the few fundamentalists who is willing to examine the movement in sociological terms instead of doggedly insisting on discussing the movement exclusively in theological terms like many who seem unwilling to admit that we are products of a culture and sub-culture. I’m still processing his assessment. Some things resonated with me. Others didn’t persuade me.

Jason Janz followed up with The Questions of the Next Generation. There was really no scientific means by which he gathered his questions. He gleaned the “questions” from subscribers to SharperIron. They were interesting questions, but the best part of Janz’s paper was when he transitioned from reporter to statesman, from regurgitating questions from SharperIron readers to posing his own question and and giving his answer. Janz said,

Perhaps the bigger question is to ask ourselves why we have these questions.

Bingo.

I would submit to you that the answer is we have a dire need for God-fearing leaders.

Bingo again. Thanks, Janz. Then he cut loose. Here are the main points:

I. God-fearing leaders are not just intellectual, they are wise

II. God-fearing leaders do not just read their Bible and pray, they live a God-dependent life.

III. Leaders who fear god are not just busy, they labor with intensity and commit their entire lives to His care.

IV. Leaders who fear god must keep their eye focused on Christ

I attended Mark Farnham’s and Jason Janz’s workshop Against the World: Reasessing fundamentalism’s Approaching to Culture. I thought it was great. Of course, there was a little bit of politics involved in my decision to attend that session. I really needed to schmooze with Mark Farnham because of my post last Monday.