Well, it is 6:25 on Saturday morning, and our web poll for the 2008 SBC Presidential Election has gotten off to a good start.  Currently Frank Cox is leading with 42, Johnny Hunt is second with 12, and Avery Willis is third with 11 votes.

I haven't made up my mind 100% yet, but I'm leaning heavily towards Dr. Avery Willis.  He is the author of "Master Life," which most of you know, may be the best overall discipleship materials ever written.  I think this our greatest need as Southern Baptist.  We need a leader who is the best at motivating individuals to make Jesus Christ the Master of our lives.  We all know that just emphasizing evangelism and missions and not going to radically change the drift of SBC churches.  Just electing the most popular preacher as SBC President will not work either.

I realize that it is very important to have a president who will appoint proven conservatives.  We can count on Avery Willis to do this.  Do you realize that Dr. Avery Willis is the one responsible for implementing the process for IMB missionaries to affirm and sign the BF&M 2000.  He not only wants conservatives who believe every word of the Bible to serve as trustees and on committees.  He understands that everyone serving in any level of service must believe sound Biblical doctrines.  And, we must have doctrinal accountability.

Two years ago, Dr. Frank Page was elected by a little over 50% of the vote, while Ronnie Floyd and Jerry Sutton together split the other 49%.  I backed Dr. Jerry Sutton in that election.  If Jerry had not been nominated, Frank Page would have won by about 60/40.  This would have been a landslide election for a "conservative" who was not in the inner loop of the "conservative resurgence." 

I've heard several SBC pastors say that we have traded a liberal best-buddy system for a conservative best-buddy system.  This may only be perception, but it got Frank Page elected over two proven conservatives who had been in the inner loop of the conservative resurgence.

I've been proud to be a part of this conservative resurgence.  I have voted for Adrian Rogers, Bailey Smith, Charles Stanley, James Merritt, Jerry Vines, and every conservative nominated by the proven conservative leaders.  Frank Cox and Johnny Hunt are probably the best know proven conservatives in this election.  They would both make good presidents, and would nominate proven conservatives.  Dr. Avery Willis would do the same, but would also bring an expertise at making disicples.

I have to admit that I really like Wiley Drake also.  He is a real champion for Christian education.  If we could get Bill Dotson to nominate him, he may win.  Seriously, he understands where Southern Baptist need to go, but he is perceived as a bull in the china shop.  Maybe that is what we need,  but I don't think the messengers will vote for him.  I don't know much about Les Puryear or Bill Wagner.  They both seem to be good Christian men with a sincere desire to build the Kingdom.

I'd like to hear from more of you.  Please comment on this blog.