In the May 25, 2006 edition of The Christian Index I wrote an editorial entitled “Bring it on – your nomination, that is.” In that editorial I wrote, “I understand that constant vigilance must be maintained to preserve the victory of the Conservative Resurgence, but I think we have come to the time when we need to see multiple nominations for each convention office both on the national and state level.”

So far this year, we have reported that six people are going to be nominated as president of our Convention, although one promising candidate, Dr. Al Mohler, had to withdraw his name from consideration due to health issues. Who could have ever expected that the field of candidates would be so crowded?

It remains to be seen what other candidates may throw their hats in the ring, but I wanted to let Southern Baptists know that I am not a candidate this year and I have ten reasons why I will not allow my name to be placed in nomination.

In other words mark it down and put a star by it. If I am nominated I will not run; and if I am elected I will not serve. So, here is what I think to be a reasonable justification for me not being SBC president:

 

1

First, there has been no groundswell of interest in my candidacy. No one has called to urge me to run. I have had not one single email to suggest that I should allow my name to be placed in nomination. And there has certainly been no cadre of convention leaders compelling me to enter the race.

 

2

Second, no one has offered to nominate me – no one. Not even my wife or brother. My son-in-law is also my pastor and will be going to the convention, but he has not even hinted that he would be willing to nominate me. Of course, I could do like Anis Shorrosh did years ago and nominate myself, but I wouldn’t know what to say in the nomination speech.

 

3

Third, If I were to be nominated and elected I would be expected to go to a lot of meetings, because the SBC Constitution says, “ The president shall be a member of the several boards and of the Executive Committee.” Also, I once heard Adrian Rogers say, “The only difference in a drunk and an alcoholic is an alcoholic has to go to all those meetings.” I actually think I have an Attention Deficit Disorder and attending all those meetings would be difficult for me to endure.

 

4

Fourth, the ballots only have ten chads to be punched out for the various votes during the course of the convention and I am afraid the number of candidates this year will exceed the number of chads. I am sure I don’t want to create a chad controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

5

Fifth, I am afraid something would come up that I didn’t understand, like that Garner amendment last year. As I recall, we voted on that twice – once by raising our hands and then by ballot. I was so confused about that motion that I voted both ways in order to make sure I didn’t make a mistake. I would hate to preside over the business session when something like that came up.

 

6

Sixth, I have heard that the Convention president has to do a lot of traveling. In the first place who would want to travel outside Georgia? In the second place, to get across the nation it would be necessary to fly and the notion of flying out of Hartsville-Jackson International Airport more than once a month gives me panic attacks, the heebie geebies, apoplexy, nervous prostration, and peptic ulcers.

 

7

Seventh, most SBC presidents get invited to the White House during the course of their presidency. I am not sure there will be anyone in the White House I will want to see in the next two years.

 

8

Eighth, in April I witnessed an oyster-eating contest on television. There were people with cast iron stomachs in the French Quarter of New Orleans attempting to win the lion’s share of a $1,750 prize by eating dozens of raw oysters. The goal was to break the world’s record by eating more than 552 oysters. I was glad to be a spectator rather than a participant in that event. By the same token I think I will enjoy being an observer rather than a participant in this year’s SBC presidential race.

 

9

Ninth, the only person that I am absolutely sure would vote for me is my mother and so far they are not picking up ballots in heaven where she is enjoying the blessings of being saved without the hassles of earthly trials.

 

10

Tenth, I am not qualified to be the SBC president. I am certainly not qualified like the two candidates I know best, those two fashionable, formidable, and faithful Georgia Baptist candidates who are ready, able, and willing to serve.

If these ten reasons have not convinced you that I am not a viable candidate I could come up with ten more for the next issue of The Christian Index, but hopefully this will suffice.