Following the SBC convention, I’ve noted with many others that most of the motions were negative, showing what the individual is against rather than for. I also noticed many of those motions were critical of movements, leaders, and changes involving young people. This is discouraging to see. But what we need to remember is that anyone can make a motion and motions themselves do not represent the denomination. Those making motions were presenting their own views. As a rule, it tends to be that people with negative agendas that are the most outspoken in these venues.

That said, I wish the response from some of the younger SBCers has been more gracious. The comments made on the SBC Voices post [Edit: Referring to the comments following Matt's post, not Matt's post itself. And not all of the comments, just a few of them.] Questions and Quotes that demand an answer from the SBC are very unhelpful and will do nothing but make conflict worse.

Remember three words from Scripture. Blessed are the peacemakers (Mt 5:9); Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. (1 Cor 10:24); and For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. (Rom. 14:15)

I will continue to argue that casual alcohol consumption is not a sin. I will continue to abstain from drinking because so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ – those for whom Christ died – struggle with this issue. I will not allow it to be spoken of as evil, I will defend these as acceptable practices, but I will not value My Right To Alcohol over a brother for whom Christ died.

Controversy is best served by showing the love of Christ, not by flaunting controversial practices in the face of others. That is work best left to Satan, not children of God.