Have You Ever "Googled" Yourself?

Maybe you've tried this out before.  If you have a common name, consider yourself lucky.  We live in a day and time where it seems anyone can write anything about anybody without any repercussions.  Not too long ago I googled myself and found this story that had been written a few years ago:  Todd Stinnett Takes Issue.  If I believed every word of what this person wrote about me, I don't think I'd like myself too much either.  So then, a bad thing about blogs is that they give others a chance to write what they will about you - often anonymously, as was the case in the story above.


And yet, the good thing about blogs is that they give you a chance to let others know you in your own words.  On this occasion, I'd like to respond to some of the things that were said about me in the story above.  First, I do not, nor have I ever felt that Tennessee Baptists who don't agree completely with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 (our doctrinal statement) are "second-class."  Just because two Baptists don't agree doesn't mean that they aren't still brothers/sisters in Christ.  It's quite unfortunate that someone would seek to explain how I feel about others, especially when they've never met me.  But, such is the landscape of the 21st century blog world we live in.


Second, I have no desire to "remove the word 'Baptist' from the name of the state convention."  I'm Baptist-born, Baptist-bred, and when I die I hope to be Baptist-dead.  Just because I believe that the leaders and trustees of our committees and institutions should faithfully represent the doctrinal commitments of Tennessee Baptists doesn't mean that I want us to take the word "Baptist" out of our name.  Again, that was another very unfortunate interpretation of my position.


Finally, I don't think it is fair to suggest that those of us who value doctrinal accountability throughout all spheres of TBC life are not eager to "get on with the mission of our calling."  It is entirely possible for someone to be passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission while also being passionate about the doctrines we hold dear as cooperating Baptists.  From the Schleitheim Confession of 1527 to the BF&M 2000, Baptists have always been a people that have defined fellowship along doctrinal lines.  Yet, that has not worked to deter our evangelistic spirit.  We continue to offer men, women, and children the Living Word through the power of the written Word.


Some of you will read this blog and go google yourself.  If you find something you don't like or that is not true, it's not the end of the world.  Remember, Christ said we would have to suffer much more than false accusations for His name's sake (John 16:33).  If you do find something you don't like, I would challenge you to do what I've attempted to do - respond!  Don't let others define who you are.  Let the world get to know you in your own words.  Above all else, shine bright and bear faithful witness for Christ.