After Second Thought . . .

Tuesday I wrote about all the drama which has been taking place over the presidential nominee for the Southern Baptist Convention and included an update which mentioned that Tad Thompson was going to interview the new nominee Dr. Ronnie Floyd. Great questions were submitted, and Tad (IMHO) did a great job and handling the whole deal. Unfortunately, Dr. Floyd has turned down the interview because he feels that it is a no win situation for him to communicate on the controversial issues in a blog envirmonment. While the blog environment can be tought at times, I think Dr. Floyd would be familiar with bloggers since he is one. Ironically, I commented over on Tom Ascol's blog the other day about this and said the following:

My thoughts are that it is their way to maintain the conservative resurgence without any real threat or opposition. I think the issue with bloggers is that information is being provided outside authorized mediums and news outlets. Blogging is the democratic voice which can be either heard or ignored. People might easily think that those who commented about Johnny Hunt running for president and the recent issue with Ronnie Floyd are just trying to pick out people's faults and criticize simply because they can. I tend to think differently--that those expressing their thoughts genuinely want to be involved in the process for the greater good of the convention . . . a process as you mentioned which is seriously flawed. Granted, there are some comments which are unnecessary and not helpful for the discussion, but overall I see something happening when a bunch of "little men" with little influence come together and share a big concern and desire for SBC churches and their future. People can perceive what is happening any number of ways, but I hope those in leadership in the SBC sense that bloggers are not "doing the work of the devil" but seeking to be involved in their own way in the convention which they are committed to.

And on my blog I happened to make these hopeful statements:

I did find it interesting that he had a blog and that he was interested in connecting with the younger crop of SBCers. I wouldn't call myself a part of the young SBC leadership because I don't consider myself a leader nor do I know what qualifies for being young. Regardless, I think Dr. Floyd could make a very bold and courageous move if he would engage and interact with those of us blogging and are in the SBC (which is a large group of folks) and find ways to see genuine reform and change take place in the SBC. That may sound a bit too optimistic, but hey, the blogosphere needs a good dose of optimism these days!

I guess I was a bit too optimistic. Oh well. You know, years ago the SBC elites had little to worry about when it came to nominations. It was just keeping CBF folks out of leadership. But recently, especially in the past year or two, blogging has entered the scene and became the monkey wrench in the SBC machine. When underhanded tactics or questionable matters surface, you can be sure that someone out there will write about it. I just wish the leaders of the SBC would realize the opportunity that is before them to reach a segment of its consituents that really care about what is going on. The IMB knows about the influence bloggers have, and I guess it has now reached the executive office. ****************************** Read Tad Thompson's latest posts: Why Won't Dr. Ronnie Floyd Answer a Few Simple Questions Why Don't We Answer for Him? Email from Dr. Ronnie Floyd Dr. Ronnie Floyd Gives Some Insight on Wisdom Ronnie Floyd and the Cooperative Program * Florida Baptist Witness Article on Floyd and CP * Dr. Ronnie Floyd's blogpost on wisdom * Wes Kennedy's Chart of FBC Springdale's CP Giving