I had the privilege of attending the SBC Executive Committee meeting this week. I think it is essential that we, as denominational servants, are under the accountability of lay people and pastors from churches across the United States. I don't consider that a burden, but I see it as a mark that we serve the churches and not the other way around.

People have joked with me about running for SBC office, but I think it is a bad idea. First, because I would lose-- big time. Second, and more importantly, in our current SBC environment it is important for denominational employees to be accountable to our churches-- not, for example, appointing trustees that, well, oversee us.

One highlight of the meeting for me was a show of, and promise of, unity made by the SBC entity heads.

Frank Page spoke soon after Jerry Rankin prayed for (while other entities gather around) Paige and Dorothy Patterson. I was blessed to see Jerry Rankin, who has been attacked so many times, leading the group prayer for Paige and Dorothy Patterson, who have also come under attack.

Frank shared the heart of so many in our denomination today calling for "A unified focus" when he added:

It gave me great hope to know that even among that group of wonderful servants of God, that we have made a covenant ... that we will lift up one another and not tear down one another," Page said. "It is not just enough for our entities and their staffs to make a pledge that we will not attack one another. I have called on Southern Baptists, whether it be in blogs or in hallway conversations or in telephone conversations or in hushed tones ... to make a covenant that we will not attack one another, but we will lift high the name of Jesus and we will encourage one another.

In light of the recent cross agency sniping and growing unrest, this is good news indeed. I have shared my concern about this very issue here.

You can read the whole article here.