Monday, September 24, 2007

Missouri Baptist Lawsuit - Scorekeeping

This morning, I read the ABP article, Missouri Baptist conference center wins latest round in legal battle. I take issue with two words in that headline, "wins" and "battle".

First of all the attorneys in this case have actually 'won' the right to additional billings in this case...otherwise no one "won" anything. Windermere Baptist Conference Center attorneys were granted more time and, in spite of attorney-like whining, the convention lawyers received the same. The trial date has been delayed, no one won anything.

As for "battle"... we gloss over that term like we just dropped a quarter into a bubble gum machine. There are losses, victims and wounded combatants, in most every battle. Baptists can be at their very best when we are squabbling, but when it comes to warfare, there are far more important battlegrounds than the courtrooms that are such a distraction in Baptist life today.

Listen up Baptists, my friends. If you are keeping score in all of these Baptist legal affairs, keep this in mind: the lost are watching just as much as the saints in the pews. When the final score in this (and other) battles is tallied, there will be wounded on both sides and the arrogant use of the word "winner" is not likely to improve cooperation or bring about much needed healing in our ranks.

I want to 'score' some of that flavored coffee creamer, I hear it is a real 'winner'. Baptist favorites: "Milk and Money", "Funda-menthol", "Life-weigh", and my personal favorite "Refugee Rasberry" (comes with sound effect).

1 comment:

Kaylor said...

You are absolutely correct. The lawsuit by the MBC has hurt all Missouri Baptists and no one is winning. Unfortunately it continues to drag on and our Christian witness keeps taking hits.