Just like the entire leadership structure of the SBC, everytime I want to know what is going on in Southern Baptist life, what the issues of major concern are, and what both pastors and lay people think about what is happening, I go over to SBCVoices.com. SBCVoices is the one-stop-shop of Southern Baptist opinions and opinion makers. Every Baptist blog of note (including this one) is included in the blog aggregator at the top of the page. There are also multiple articles a day posted on the site itself from contributors from all walks of Baptist life. It is a great place to learn, interact, talk about ministry, and hear the opinions of others. One of the major reasons that it works so well is because of its editor, Dave Miller, pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Dave is fair, balanced, and generous in his role as editor. He also has a great wit and a fantastic sense of humor as well as a sharp theological mind and love for Christ and people. Whenever I see Dave chime in, I know that I am going to hear a perspective that is well thought out, reasonable, fair, and Christ-centered.
It is because of all of these qualities that I am glad to be able to nominate Dave for the office of 2nd Vice President of the SBC next week in New Orleans. Dave is exactly the kind of guy that Baptists need in leadership right now. He is the son of a Southern Baptist pastor and his parents became SBC missionaries. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served churches in Florida, Virginia, and for the past 21 years, he has pastored in Iowa. He has the background to know how the SBC functions in all respects, but he has also served outside of the South and knows where the SBC should be headed if it is going to thrive in an increasingly post-Christian America.
In addition to Dave's experience, his passion is to see Baptists continue to work together in ever increasing ways. Dave believes strongly (as do I) that our true unity is in Christ, that the Baptist Faith & Message (BF&M) is our standard of doctrinal unity and that all who agree with it should be able to work together in Baptist life and mission. He also believes and promotes the fact that we should cooperate in the Great Commission both locally and globally and that we should do that through the Cooperative Program. Dave's church, Southern Hills Baptist, is the leading CP church in Iowa as well as in Lottie Moon and total missions giving. Dave clearly articulates his hopes and prayers for the SBC in this post at SBCVoices. Good and needed words.
Dave's heartbeat is that we would work together as Baptists according to what we already have in common to know Christ and make Him known to the ends of the earth. He provides a platform for discussion and mutual understanding everyday through SBCVoices and he leads his local church in faithful mission both in Iowa and around the world. Dave is exactly the kind of leadership that Southern Baptists can hope to have to lead us forward, and for that reason, I will gladly give him my support.
The guy sounds a little suspicious to me.
Posted by: Dave Miller | June 15, 2012 at 08:52 PM
If I could be at the convention, I'd vote for Dave.
Posted by: Jeremy Parks | June 15, 2012 at 09:00 PM
Me too, Jeremy. Hopefully more people who think like us will actually be there.
Posted by: David Rogers | June 15, 2012 at 09:08 PM
i WOULD LOVE TO VOTE FOR DAVE IF i WERE THERE
Posted by: AARON | June 15, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Well, guys, spread the word to those that you know will be there and recommend Dave. It is pretty late in the game, but Dave's candidacy going viral over the next few days can only help. I love to see guys like Dave in SBC leadership. You know that you can trust that he will represent all Southern Baptists well.
Posted by: Alan Cross | June 15, 2012 at 09:17 PM
I agree with the first comment--he sounds suspicious to me. I've known him for quite awhile and think he may be simply looking for personal glory. I probably should note that I'm his older brother by 18 mos. Luckily, I got the looks.
Posted by: An Outsider | June 15, 2012 at 09:28 PM
Great news!
Posted by: Brent Hobbs | June 15, 2012 at 09:32 PM
Great news! I am very excited to vote for Dave Miller for 2nd VP!
Posted by: Another Messenger | June 15, 2012 at 09:42 PM
The idea that my brother got the looks in the family is ludicrous.
Posted by: Dave Miller | June 15, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Nice endorsement. As one supported by the Cooperative Program, thank you to Alan and Dave for your desire to cooperate for the sake of the Great Commission and your support of the Cooperative Program.
Posted by: Michael Crane | June 15, 2012 at 10:14 PM
ha ha... dave. i almost ran to your defense, then i realized you posted the comment.
Posted by: Drew Wales | June 15, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Alan, I think Dave has also been the President of the Iowa Baptist Convention. It might be good to include this in your nomination speech? I think you've done a great job here though, and made a great case for why Dave will make a great 2nd Vice President.
Posted by: Jared Moore | June 16, 2012 at 12:28 PM
He has, Jared. From 2002-2004 Dave was president of the Iowa state convention. Thanks for the head's up on that. I will add that in.
Posted by: Alan Cross | June 16, 2012 at 04:09 PM